Chapter 109 (1/2)
Chapter 109
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Wearing the thick scarf, Chu Qiao was as good as blind. She complained, ”What are you doing? This is a scarf worn in desert storms to protect your face. If I wear this I will not be able to see the way.”
Zhuge Yue ignored her complaints, and insisted, ”If you cannot see, just follow me. I will show you the way.”
Chu Qiao did not buy his nonsense, as she thought to herself if she had to wear such thick scarf, why did she need to wear makeup?
Carefully walking a few steps, she nearly hit the table.
”So stupid!” Zhuge Yue stepped up and pulled on her hand. Angrily, he chided, ”Follow me!”
Chu Qiao suddenly started struggling. ”Let me go!”
Zhuge Yue turned around, swiftly grabbing her by her chin. Startled, Chu Qiao thought he was going to attack her. In the blink of an eye, the dagger she hid in her sleeves was already pressed against his neck. Zhuge Yue completely ignored the blade, as he stared coldly into her eyes, and grimly warned, ”If you continue to whine, I really do not mind a mutual death.” With that said, he turned to the door and started walking while pulling on her.
”Watch the door! No one shall enter!”
”Roger!”
”Let's go! What are you thinking about?” Impatiently, Zhuge Yue snapped, as he pulled Chu Qiao out of the door.
With Yue Qi taking the lead, the team of bodyguards tailed behind them, only leaving a few soldiers to guard the door. Watching the group leave, one of the soldiers left on guard duty uttered, ”Seems like master really like this woman. He is bringing her along wherever he is going.”
”It would be highly possible that once we return from the Tang Empire, we witness a marriage. Even if she does not become his wife, it would be highly possible to become a concubine. Master has long been of age to marry.”
The night wind was cooling and comfortable, and except the occasional rustling of leaves, the surroundings were peacefully silent. Within the city, crowds bustled on the wide streets, moving from shop to shop. Such scene was evidently the best indication of the prosperity of the Tang Empire.
Xian Yang City. Again.
After many days of continuous traveling, a certain group of people finally entered the grandiose gates of Xian Yang City. While a few of their guards submitted the entrance fees for entering the city, over twenty cavalrymen escorted a cyan colored horse carriages into the streets of Xian Yang slowly.
As much as Xian Yang City was a city in the outskirts far from the capital, the city still boasted a prosperous economy. As such, with a quick glance, one would be impressed by the splendid buildings in this city.
Within the city, it was further split into the inner city and outer city. The inner city was mainly formed by Meng Ren Palace and Luo Li palace which were South and East of the Chi Shui River. The two palaces sprawled across the tributaries of Chi Shui river and were connected by a stone bridge more than 400 meters in length. Thick and wide, the bridge could accommodate over twenty carriages traveling in parallel. Although the Meng Ren Palace and the Luo Li Palace were nominally called palaces, they were in fact formed by rows and rows of mansions.
It was common knowledge that the prosperity of Xian Yang City was comparable to even the major port cities of the Song Empire. This city, which was barely a fifth of Zhen Huang City, benefited from the geographical advantages after free trade was declared between the Xia, Tang, and Song Empire. In merely three decades, it was ranked among the most prosperous cities within the West Meng Continent. The yearly taxes that Xian Yang contribute to the empire was enough to pay for the upkeep of one-third of the entire imperial army for that year. It was rumored that this small city had gathered all the richest people within the entire West Meng Continent. Many affluent people would buy land and build grand mansions within the city. As a result, glancing across the entire city, the grand city exuded an aura of opulence.
The outer city was extremely large and was over ten time the size of the inner city. This was the location where the common folks would carry out their daily activities. With well-developed shops and industries, and well-constructed infrastructure, one could find anything one would want to go to: bars, money lenders, pawn shops, horse keepers, inns, taverns, etc. Beside the Chi Shui river, a building painted bright pink and jade green could be seen from afar. Even in the day, one could catch an occasional echo of ladies' laughter from within. As the entourage entered deep into the Xian Yang City, it gradually shed its inconspicuous act. After all, this place was a place where all the richest and most powerful congregated, so even have 20 guards would not be considered conspicuous.
This group of people was people from Yan Bei. The man in the carriage would obviously be the man brought Yan Bei to independence, Yan Xun. Looking pale, his eyes still gleamed with a certain sharpness. His eyebrows locked in a frown, he looked as though he was considering something of great importance.
”Master, we have arrived.”
Yan Xun wore a simple green blouse. Loosening his frown, he calmly alighted and walked toward a majestic mansion.
This mansion sat within Luo Li Palace and consisted of 18 separate houses. Although this area could not match some of the grand mansions within Zhen Huang City, considering the sky-high prices of the land in Xian Yang City due to the scarcity, it was obvious that the owner of this mansion was of extremely high standing within Xian Yang City.
Along the way, Yan Xun saw not even a shadow. AhJing and other guards spread out and positioned themselves around the entire mansion. After a few moments, Yan Xun, escorted by over a dozen guards, entered the main courtyard, only to see a man dressed in a jade colored robe kneeling along with hundreds of people behind him. Without lifting his head, the man called out, ”This servant welcome the prince. Long live the prince!”
Yan Xun let out a rare laugh, as he walked forward, putting his hand on the man's shoulder, he teased, ”B*stard, just get up!”