Cueillir des fleurs et sourire - Chapitre 72
Ze Ning was caught off guard when Sheng Xiang suddenly hugged him—his martial arts had been crippled in a major incident a few years ago, and he was now completely powerless. Sheng Xiang's leaping embrace left him no chance to dodge. Having successfully hugged him, Sheng Xiang looked at Ze Ning's face with a smile, "What are you doing back here?"
Ze Ning deftly pushed aside the octopus-like incense with a flick of his sleeve. "How could the Prime Minister allow you to go out into the world and cause trouble! Go home early. The Prime Minister heard that you went missing in Daming Mountain and has been worried sick about it."
Shengxiang nodded repeatedly, "I'm going home right now, I'm going home immediately! By the way, are you here to see the rebels?" He beckoned to Ze Ning mysteriously, "I have some good news for you."
Ze Ning calmly took a step back. "What is it?"
"I'm not going to eat you!" Shengxiang grinned. "Then, promise me one thing first, and I'll tell you something good."
Ze Ning didn't answer, and Sheng Xiang took his silence as a yes. She said enthusiastically, "How about you give me a big horse from Zhuozhou? I want a big horse from the north; Father won't let me ride one..."
Before Shengxiang could finish speaking, Ze Ning interrupted him: "Impossible."
Shengxiang immediately deflated, unwillingly tugging at Ze Ning's sleeve, "Why?"
"I won't allow it," someone in the woods said in a deep voice.
Shengxiang's smile froze instantly. He turned around and saw someone sitting on a tall horse that he had always admired, slowly emerging from the woods. The man had upright eyes, broad brows, and dark skin; he was Zhao Xiang, the second son of Zhao Pu.
"Second Brother..." Shengxiang's voice weakened, and she called out softly.
Zhao Xiang nodded. "Come home with me!"
Shengxiang stared wide-eyed at Shangxuan, then at Ze Ning, and finally looked directly into Zhao Xiang's eyes. After a moment, she lowered her head and said, "Oh..."
Ze Ning came to investigate the truth behind the rebellion at Daming Mountain, while Zhao Xiang was summoned by Zhao Pu from afar—to bring Sheng Xiang home. Bi Qiuhan is dead and will no longer investigate the late emperor's secret history; Sheng Xiang's mission is complete. As for the changing winds of the martial world and which faction ultimately rules, that's no longer Sheng Xiang's concern. Zhao Pu wants him home!
The affairs of the martial world are complex and multifaceted. No one knows what kind of storm the old man behind him will stir up, or what actions Li Lingyan and Liu Ji will take. But with Zhao Xiang here, all of this suddenly becomes irrelevant to Sheng Xiang. Regarding the sudden disappearance of "Northern Great Horse's" smile, Ze Ning stared at the suddenly stunned Sheng Xiang. For some reason, the absent-minded Sheng Xiang gave people an illusory feeling. After a while, Sheng Xiang said softly, "Behind Daming Mountain, in the basin surrounded by high mountains, is Mo Qu Manor. I guess that's the old lair of the Liu family of Southern Han... Ze Ning, you... I'm leaving it to you." He didn't say anything more, nor did he mention the conditions he had just excitedly demanded. He stood with his head down in front of Zhao Xiang, like a child who had done something wrong.
Ze Ning nodded, and Sheng Xiang suddenly said, "The old people here are not bad people."
Ze Ning nodded again, "Go home, the Prime Minister and Rong Yin are waiting for you."
Shengxiang took a step forward, then suddenly turned back. "Don't make things difficult for them."
Ze Ning said calmly, "Am I that kind of person?"
Sheng Xiang was speechless for a moment, then gave a faint smile and said, "I'm leaving."
He and Zhao Xiang rode on the same horse. When Zhao Xiang pulled on the reins, the horse, carrying the sacred fragrance, galloped back into the luxurious and splendid world of mortals.
Shang Xuan stared at Ze Ning, "Why are you forcing him to go back? He hasn't finished what he was doing here, and his heart is still here."
Ze Ning also stared at Shang Xuan, "I only know that this place is very dangerous. Since the Blood Sacrifice Ceremony has been destroyed and the Northern Han rebels have also gone into hiding, he would be better off going home."
Shang Xuan looked at him coldly, "He hasn't finished his business yet."
“I will do it for him,” Ze Ning replied calmly, then added, “You’d better go back too. I’ll take care of things here now, and you should go home.”
Shang Xuan paused for a moment, then Ze Ning calmly looked at the sky, remaining silent for a long time.
After a while, Shangxuan turned around and left.
Half an hour later, Ze Ning took a list of the elderly people temporarily staying in the village and inquired about the location of Mo Qu Manor. He had no interest in who these people were, and sent them all home with ten taels of silver each.
Yu Cuiwei left early the next morning, before Ze Ning arrived, leaving the room empty. When asked about Wenren Nuan's mistress and maid, she replied that she lived by the Luo River, her mistress's surname was Wan Yu, and her fiancé's name was Wan Yu Yue Dan.
The once grand and enthusiastic gathering ended in a quiet and desolate farewell, with each person embarking on their own path.
Shengxiang could smile at the world, but perhaps the only people he couldn't face were his two brothers who had fled to the ends of the earth because of him. Zhao Pu had been too biased towards him, so much so that Zhao Xiang hadn't stepped foot in the house for over a decade, and he had never forgiven Zhao Pu. Even when he came to fetch Shengxiang this time on orders, he showed no gentleness towards her, maintaining a solemn and official demeanor.
So when Zhao Xiang told him to "go home," Sheng Xiang immediately mounted his horse and went home, not daring to say another word.
Horses galloped from the vast mountains towards Bianjing, a city thousands of miles away.
(End of Part Two)
Synopsis: The biggest mistake young hero Bi Qiuhan ever made was being entangled with the Prime Minister's son, Shengxiang, who then took him on his journey through the martial world.
Bringing holy incense on the road is definitely a curse, not a blessing.
But he couldn't shake her off, he couldn't throw her away, but why were the clues he was investigating gradually converging on Shengxiang?
Could there be some hidden story behind this纨绔子弟 (a spoiled, dissolute young man)?
Even more incredible mysteries about his origins are hidden within? -Fragrance Begins to Dance - The ultimate BOSS of the Nine-Dance Dance, Saint Fragrance, begins to tell his story.
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Chapter Twenty-Three: Returning Home at Dusk, Clothes Covered in Rain
Kaifeng Prefecture.
Behind the Baozhuan Gate is the Prime Minister's residence.
The green vines and wisteria had all withered, and while the Daming Mountains were still hot, autumn was already deep in Kaifeng. Shengxiang sat under his usual wisteria trellis, holding his chubby rabbit Xiaohui, who had lost weight, in his arms. He still had those crystal-clear eyes, quietly watching the equally withered lotus pond not far away.
"Is something you're worried about?" Rong Yin stood in front of him, holding the tea that Xiao Yun had offered.
Shengxiang snapped out of his reverie and gave a faint smile, “Yes, Li Lingyan, Liu Ji, Jiang Chenming, Qu Zhiliang… and Wan Yuyuedan…” He exhaled and admitted, “I’m worried about them.”
"Whether they raise an army to rebel or commit murder and arson, it is no longer your business, Your Excellency the Prime Minister," Rong Yin said calmly.
Shengxiang laughed, took a small sip of the hot tea she was holding, and after finishing it, raised an eyebrow and continued to smile, "Even if I could ignore it, could you?"
He remained silent.