Mercenary Princess - Chapter 7
"Ah? Ah, I bestowed it upon a minister of the third rank or above..."
"Do me a favor."
"Huh?!" This was even more shocking! Chu Xuyao had to ask for help—was it going to rain blood?!
Ignoring the astonished Dongfang Lie, who was resting his chin on his hand in surprise, Chu Xuyao spoke directly: "The Hundred Flowers Gathering will be held in two days. Moreover, it is stipulated that all ministers of the third rank and above must bring their entire families! Anyone who violates this rule will be punished for deceiving the emperor!" (The Hundred Flowers Gathering, ostensibly a gathering of ministers and their families at the palace to chat and admire the flowers, is in reality a place for the emperor to admire beauties and choose a wife! The Hundred Flowers Gathering will last for three days, during which the beauties can do their best to attract the emperor's attention. If they win the emperor's favor, they will receive a palm-sized jade peony carved from jade on the spot, which is equivalent to a royal token. Seven days later, the emperor will bring her into the palace, officially making her his woman.)
"Oh... Xuyao, I finally understand! Hehe, you want to find a woman, right?" Dongfang Lie's two peach blossom eyes sparkled, his handsome face full of interest: "Heavens, what kind of woman is worth our Young Master Chu going to such lengths? Xuyao, quick, tell me!"
Ignoring Dongfang Lie's yearning face, Chu Xuyao toyed with the snowflake silk in his hand, pondering inwardly: The daughter of a court official? She possesses such exquisite martial arts skills! Whose daughter could she be? And what minister would allow his daughter to wield swords and spears…?
"Do you think any of the ministers' daughters know martial arts?"
"Knows kung fu? Yes! Isn't General Zhenguo's daughter, Shangguan Ye, one?" Dongfang Lie gestured with his lips, secretly observing Chu Xuyao's expression.
Shangguan Ye... General Shangguan... Snowflake Silk... Maybe she really is...
"You're interested? If you are, have her keep you company tonight..."
"She's here?"
"Have you forgotten? She is the newly appointed Consort Ye!"
"You're really generous!"
"Xuyao, you're being too polite! As the saying goes, 'Brothers are like limbs, women are like clothes.' Think about it, how could I neglect my brothers for the sake of a piece of clothing? Besides, you've enjoyed my generosity for a long time, so why pretend to be coy? Aren't you, Chu Xuyao, just as generous?" As he said this, his throat tightened, and he couldn't help but think of the passionate Yun Ji, the sexy and charming Ya'er, the captivating A Xue, and the gentle and tender Nu'er in Chu Xuyao's mansion...
Seeing Dongfang Lie's blissful expression, Chu Xuyao could guess what he was thinking even with his toes. Standing up, Chu Xuyao casually flicked the wrinkles in his robe and said indifferently, "Don't forget to send Shangguan Ye to Ran Yue Palace. I'll be staying there tonight."
Volume One: Pear Blossom Courtyard Under the Melting Moon, Chapter Eleven: The Hundred Flowers Gathering
In the Imperial Garden, a hundred flowers bloom in unison, each vying for attention with its own beauty. Butterflies flit about, bees buzz busily, and the air is filled with the fragrance of delicate blossoms. The vibrant flowers sway in the breeze, and beauties of every kind vie for attention—some pose gracefully, some lean against railings, some play chess, some wield brushes and ink, some softly murmur a mournful melody, others sing sweetly and melodiously… Of course, there are also beauties with the proud spirit of plum blossoms who disdain to be among them, basking in the cool breeze with a cold expression that keeps everyone at arm's length; and there are beauties who stand out from the crowd, preferring armor to red dresses, wielding long swords with heroic grace, their swordplay captivating all who behold them, winning thunderous applause! There are those who are pure and lovely, those who are voluptuous and alluring, those who are charming and radiant, those who are elegant and refined, truly a diverse array of beauties, from the plump to the slender!
Looking at the Imperial Garden filled with beauties, Dongfang Lie nudged Chu Xuyao, who was frowning beside him, and teased, "Which one have you taken a fancy to? Don't be polite with me, just say the word!"
No? How could that be?! Are there others who haven't arrived yet?
"Go and fetch the Minister of Revenue!"
"Yes, sir!" Upon receiving the order, the young eunuch dared not delay for a moment and immediately ran to fetch the Minister of Revenue. In the palace, who didn't know the relationship between Master Chu and the current emperor? They could even share women—how could their relationship be anything but close? Of course, these thoughts could only be kept to themselves; speaking them aloud would be a capital offense! In short, Master Chu was practically their master, and his words were practically imperial edicts!
Before long, the young eunuch led the Minister of Revenue in a hurry. Upon seeing Chu Xuyao, the Minister of Revenue quickly and respectfully cupped his hands: "What are your orders, Your Highness?"
"Go and investigate which of these officials of the third rank or above failed to bring all their family members with them?"
"Yes, I will take care of it right away."
Holding the Ministry of Revenue's register, the Minister of Rites, along with his subordinates, began to verify each document. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he put away the register and returned to Chu Xuyao, respectfully replying, "Your Excellency, the families of all officials of the third rank and above have arrived."
"Have you investigated thoroughly?"
"This humble official dares not make the slightest mistake..."
Frustrated, Chu Xuyao waved for the Minister of Rites to leave, his brows furrowed in surprise: She wasn't the daughter of a court official… How strange! How could she have snowflake silk? Snowflake silk should only be possessed by ministers of the third rank and above… Wait, there's one more place that has it!
Chu Xuyao suddenly turned to Dongfang Lie, and their eyes met just as Dongfang Lie was studying Chu Xuyao's expression with great interest!
"Call out all your concubines, ladies-in-waiting, and whatever other random titles they have—basically, all your women!"
"Huh? All...all of them?!" Dongfang Lie exclaimed in surprise, drawing concerned glances from countless beautiful women...
Today is the last day of the Hundred Flowers Festival. Looking at Chu Xuyao, who was still unwilling to give up, Dongfang Lie was utterly helpless: "I say, Xuyao, are you possessed?! For your mysterious woman, you've ruined my perfectly good Hundred Flowers Festival… Why are you glaring at me? I'm telling you the truth! What kind of woman is she that you're so obsessed with, refusing to give up until you find her? Could it be that she offended you…?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Xuyao's eyes suddenly darkened, his expression churning with emotion. But in an instant, they returned to normal, as if they hadn't stirred up the slightest ripple.
"Heavens! Could it be that I was right all along? That woman you're looking for really has offended you?!" How could Chu Xuyao's unusual behavior escape Dongfang Lie's sharp eyes? Dongfang Lie jumped in front of Chu Xuyao, utterly astonished, and said, "Is there really a woman in this world who dares to offend Master Chu? I can't believe it! I admire you, I admire you!"
Chu Xuyao turned his face away, continuing his search among the beauties for that arrogant face he wanted to tear to pieces. If he missed this Hundred Flowers Gathering, he might truly never find that woman again, a woman whose name he barely even knew or whose face he didn't recognize…
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." A subtle fragrance wafted through the air, and a graceful woman in palace attire stopped before them.
"Hey, Xu'er, what brings you here?" Dongfang Lie grinned mischievously and pulled the petite Liu Ruxu into his arms, causing Liu Ruxu to let out a soft cry.
“Cousin…” Liu Ruxu blushed and playfully punched Dongfang Lie’s broad chest: “Cousin is so naughty, don’t you like me coming? Fine, I’m leaving, I’m not talking to you anymore…” As she spoke, she made a move to get up and leave.
As punishment, Dongfang Lie pinched Liu Ruxu's slightly upturned buttocks, causing Liu Ruxu to let out another soft cry, her face turning bright red, which made Dongfang Lie laugh heartily.
"Cousin, you...you're so wicked!" She buried her head in Dongfang Lie's arms like an ostrich in shame, which made Dongfang Lie burst into laughter again.
Dongfang Lie's laughter once again attracted the attention of the beauties. Countless envious gazes instantly turned to Liu Ruxu in Dongfang Lie's arms, wishing they could rush forward and drag this vixen out of the emperor's arms, and then take her place to enjoy the emperor's favor in the arms of the handsome and dashing emperor.
"cousin……"
"What is it, my dear Xu'er?" Dongfang Lie leaned close to Liu Ruxu's ear, his warm breath falling directly into her sensitive ear canal. Then, he passionately took her small earlobe into his mouth, sucking and biting it, doing everything he could to provoke her, causing Liu Ruxu to tremble involuntarily.
"Hmm...no, so many people are watching...hmm...cousin, I need to ask you something..." Dongfang Lie, as expected of someone who had seen countless women and was very experienced, had already aroused Liu Ruxu to the point of being breathless and panting heavily, making her speak in broken sentences.
"What is it?" Dongfang Lie didn't stop, and it seemed to be getting more and more intense. His hands roamed restlessly over her back, and his lips continued to slide down, leaving one mark after another on her smooth neck, not caring at all about performing a love scene in front of everyone.
The women blushed at the sight, shyly covering their eyes, yet unable to resist peeking through their fingers at the provocative scene.
"Oh... Cousin, ever since I... entered the palace... I haven't been able to see my sister... I'm so worried... I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission... to enter the palace and... have a chat with you... Cousin, what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?" Seeing Dongfang Lie stop and stare directly at her, Liu Ruxu felt a sudden panic. Had he... seen something?
"Hahaha—why not! Someone, go and invite the Prince and Princess!"
"twitter!"
With a flick of the wrist, the stroke is complete! She put down the charcoal pencil, blew on the charcoal shavings, and glanced with a faint smile at Dongfang Yao, who was already craning his neck impatiently not far away.