Chapter 100 (1/2)
Chapter 100
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
”Is it?” Liang Shaoqing crept to the front and staring outside. ”Why can't I see it?”
”If you could see it, a three-year-old kid could.” Chu Qiao rolled her eyes impatiently. She thought for a while before frowning. She added, ”It's very strange though. If the Zhan family did not have such power, those officials would not need to welcome them. Why are the senior figures from those counties here?”
”Maybe they were held up by other matters.”
Chu Qiao did not take his words into consideration. Mumbling to herself, she said, ”They don't dare to appear here and they are careful not to appear overly warm. This means that the Zhan family has a certain level of power, but due to some unknown reasons, they do not dare to overdo it. This means…
”Oh, I know already,” Chu Qiao sat up and said to Liang Shaoqing. ”The Zhan family lives in Tang Jing. They must have a powerful enemy here. These officials can offend neither party, hence they have to put on this show. The Zhan family should have been a noble family in the Tang Empire. However, they were exiled due to unknown reasons and defected over to the Xia Empire. They are still recognized as a noble family in the Tang Empire. This explains why they are unknown in the Xia Empire, but well-treated in the Tang Empire. Their journey this time should not be just to congratulate the Tang Prince, but to return to their homeland instead. That's why they brought so many servants and slaves along with them. That's why the families of all the siblings' spouses are here too. Also, although the Zhan family appears to be prosperous, they are but an empty shell underneath. That's why they purchased all these slaves at low prices on the market.”
”Xiaoqiao, since you are so energetic, why don't you go outside to enjoy the sun.” Liang Shaoqing stood on the ground, straightening his clothes. He was wearing an outfit meant for a slave, but treated it as if it was a royal outfit made of valuable silk. ”You're trying to analyze others' family background. People who were not aware might think you have ulterior motives.”
”What motives do I have? I want to crack your head open and see if there's grass or water inside!” Chu Qiao frowned and got to her feet. Her wound was still painful, but her condition had improved considerably from a few days ago.
”Are you alright? Is it very painful?”
Chu Qiao retorted impatiently, ”Do you want me to stab you so you can try?”
”No need.” Liang Shaoqing chuckled. ”It's painful, I wouldn't be able to take it.”
The deck was windy. As Chu Qiao stepped out of the cabin door, she felt invigorated. At this moment, the bell for lunch rang. She had taken her meals in the cabin for the past few days. Now that she was able to walk, she followed Liang Shaoqing to the dining hall to dine with the other slaves.
The dining hall was not really a dining hall. On the rear deck, the servants formed an orderly queue, scooping their rations up. Chu Qiao leaned on the side of the ship and sat down, looking at Liang Shaoqing in line behind a group of other slaves. Given his old luxurious lifestyle, he demonstrated a great deal of adaptability. The people in front of him turned back and greeted him with smiles. Chu Qiao smiled, finding this sight interesting. She had not been so carefree for many years. She leaned behind and looked up, seeing a few white birds circling in the sky. Their chirps were smooth to the ear.
At this instant, she felt an ice cold feeling on her head. Shocked, she stood up and saw a few well-built men standing in front of her. One of the men was holding a bowl, staring viciously at her. It was him who had just poured the bowl of water onto her head.
”What are you doing?”
”Nothing?” the man replied nonchalantly. ”I want to sit here and eat. Move.”
”Xiaoqiao! What's wrong?” As Chu Qiao was about to speak, Liang Shaoqing ran back and asked, ”What happened?” Before he had reached her side, another of the men suddenly outstretched his leg to block Liang Shaoqing's path. Liang Shaoqing, who was holding three bowls of food with two hands, lost his balance and fell on the ground with a cry of agony!
Chu Qiao rushed to help the scholar who was sprawled on the ground. ”What are you doing?” she berated.
”This lad has a big temper! What's wrong? Your brother does not know how to walk properly, yet wants to blame it on other people?”
”That's right. Given their unkempt looks, they must be gigolos.” The group of men burst out in laughter. Another one of the men added, ”Given their boorish looks, they must be so fragile. Adept in literature? To hell with that. They think that they are top scholars.”
Chu Qiao squinted, just like a civet cat. Liang Shaoqing cleaned himself up angrily. However, the anger on his face dissipated upon seeing Chu Qiao's expression. Hurriedly, he said, ”Xiaoqiao, I'm alright. Don't be angry.”
”Little idiot! Learn from your elder brother and know your place. Don't think that you are of higher status even though you live in a better cabin.” The group of men gave her a parting sentence and left, still cursing.
Chu Qiao helped Liang Shaoqing to his feet. He appeared messy. The broken bowl had cut his hand and blood oozed out of the wound. Liang Shaoqing gritted his teeth in pain, but did not say anything for fear of angering Chu Qiao.
”That's Chen Shuang. He operates the carriage, and he's under Big Missy. He rebuts Uncle Qing even. You must be careful in future as you've offended him,” Liang Shaoqing said.
”There's a Big Missy in this family?”
Liang Shaoqing nodded in reply, ”Yes. I've heard that she is beautiful. It's just that she is cold. She had a twin sister, but she is deceased now.”
Chu Qiao broke out in a smile, revealing her red lips and white teeth. The servant was stunned. Chu Qiao helped Liang Shaoqing to his feet and said in a low voice, ”Follow me back.”
Liang Shaoqing gave an agonising look, saying cautiously, ”Xiaoqiao, I have not eaten yet.”
Chu Qiao looked him in the eye and brought him back to their cabin. She took out the medicine that the physician had given her a few days ago, and sat on the bed while giving treating him.
Liang Shaoqing, searching for a topic to start a conversation, asked, ”Xiaoqiao, are you hungry?”