Impératrices transmigrantes (hommes et femmes)

Chapitre 12

The noise downstairs continued, and even the corner room on the third floor of Chenxiang Tower was not peaceful.

"Do you know what you've done? Fifty thousand taels of pure silver!" At this moment, Xingge's eyes were neither seductive nor her voice coquettish.

"I saved you from dire straits, do you want to be taken in by that old geezer?"

"What can that old geezer do to me?"

"Look at me instead of him, I'm more handsome, okay!"

"You're handsome! Handsome enough to earn you fifty thousand taels of silver?!"

"Tch! I'll give it to you slowly!"

How much is your annual salary?

Hua Lian felt a little guilty about the "five thousand taels".

"How many years would that take?!"

"It would take ten years even without eating or drinking."

"Alright! I'll kidnap you and ask Master Jiang for the money directly!" Xing Ge rolled up his long sleeves and was about to make his move.

"Alright, alright, you two don't look like a top courtesan and a pleasure-seeker at all," Qingyun, who had been laughing so hard she was falling over, stepped in to smooth things over. "Now you should think carefully about how to explain this to my two wives."

"Ah!" they both exclaimed almost simultaneously, "How could you tell the elders!"

"The Bu family is a prominent clan in Fanzhou. Everyone here saw me come today. Do I need to tell them?"

"Then why did you come?" Hua Lian shouted angrily.

"How could I not support this? Miss Ye has done the Bu family a great favor!" Qingyun feigned innocence. How could he miss such a wonderful scene? He was only doing this to repay a debt of gratitude. At most, he would get a few scoldings. Let Hua Lian enjoy his mother's endless nagging!

Early the next morning, someone from the Bu family came to Chenxiang Tower to invite Miss Nan Ying. Xing Ge, still half asleep, was carried to the Bu family and invited to the old lady's inner courtyard. Upon entering the hall, she caught sight of Hua Lian and Qing Yun standing there with long faces, indicating that they had been there for some time. So she obediently stood quietly to the side as well.

"Mother, there are still some urgent shipments to handle at the escort agency, I..." Qingyun said hastily during this break.

"You brat, go down and reflect on your actions!"

"Yes, yes, I'll go take care of things now!" Qingyun made a face at the other two as he turned around and fled out the door as if his life depended on it.

The old lady took a sip of tea and continued her admonition: "Lian'er! The Jiang family has upheld a strict family tradition for decades. How could you do such a thing? Nan Ying is young and doesn't understand. Don't you know how serious this matter is?! How can I explain this to your father, how can I explain this to our ancestors..."

"Auntie's teachings are right, I won't do it again next time!" Hua Lian hurriedly replied, carrying Han Bing on his back. Did he really have to repeat himself? He had been standing since dawn, his legs were sore and his stomach was empty. He glanced at Xing Ge, who was dozing off with his head down, and thought to himself, "That troublemaker!"

After another half hour of the old lady's earnest instruction, she finally heard a sentence.

"You may all leave. I have something to say to Miss Lu alone."

Everyone in the house poured out of the hall as if they had been granted a pardon.

Just as the old lady was about to speak, Xingge stepped forward, put her arm around the old lady's neck and shoulders, and said coquettishly,

"Good auntie, you've had a long morning. Please have some tea and rest. Let Xingge give you a massage." She said this while giving you a warm massage.

"How could you do such a thing? Your parents would know if they were in the afterlife..."

"Oh dear, Auntie, as you just said, I was young and didn't understand!"

"Oh, you're so immature?! Your quirky personality is just like Xiaomei's; you've even corrupted someone as well-behaved as my son!"

"Ge'er knows she was wrong. Dear Auntie, please give me some food first. I've been starving since this morning!"

The old lady hurriedly ordered the meal to be prepared, then looked at Xingge with doting eyes, "You! Except for these eyes, you are exactly like Young Master Jing. How come you can't learn any of your father's good qualities!"

Xingge chuckled mischievously, "Auntie, tell me, how good was Father back then?"

"Young Master Jing, when you presented the 'Rainbow Feather Puppet Show' to the capital, at the state banquet, you were dressed in white like a fairy, stunning everyone present. You were truly a peerless talent, as radiant as the moon. None of the warriors and scholars in the hall could compare to you..."

"Oh, so how come Auntie let Mother beat her to it back then!" Xingge grinned mischievously.

*Smack!* Xingge received a slap on the head. "You little rascal, how dare you make fun of this old lady," the old lady said with a laugh. "Young Master Jing and Xiaomei fell in love at first sight and went through many hardships. Alas! In the end, they still fulfilled their vow to be together until death."

Xingge's heart skipped a beat, but she forced a smile. "Yes! It really is a beautiful story of devoted love!"

For the next few days, Xingge and Hualian were confined to Bujiabao by the old lady. The two played the zither, played chess, and honed their craftsmanship, which made them quite happy. One afternoon, Hualian came to the guest courtyard to look for Xingge. As soon as he arrived, he saw a woman sleeping like a cat on a stone bench under a pear tree. Her black hair was wrapped around her clothes and was being gently blown by the breeze. Snow-white pear blossoms were falling on her. Hualian walked over quietly and sat down beside the bench. Gazing at her serene and unadorned face, he suddenly felt a peace and sweetness he had never experienced before, in the spring sunshine, smelling the fragrance of pears, feeling the gentle breeze, and seeing this sleeping face.

On the eve of their departure, Qingyun hosted a farewell banquet for Hua Lian and Xingge, and the three of them drank until they were slightly drunk.

"Qingyun, why did you bring this woman home in the first place?"

"Nan Ying was so charming and lovely back then, who knew she was a female demon, haha!"

"Did you hear that? Your woman, worth fifty thousand taels, is better off being a little more charming and delicate!"

"You poor wretch, don't think that praising my beauty will make you lose a single coin out of the fifty thousand taels!" Xingge replied with a laugh.

"Can't wait ten years? I'll give you the jade pendant!" Hua Lian stared at Xing Ge with a half-smile.

"Trying to renege on your debt! You might as well just give me your life!" Hua Lian took a punch to the chest.

"Haha, you two nemesis!"

As night fell, under the bright moon and twinkling stars, Xingge looked at her two drunken cousins and thought of her loving aunt, feeling a pang of reluctance.

The next day, Xingge set off with the镖队 (bodyguard team) and Hua Lian's official entourage. The two returned to the capital amidst laughter and banter.

At the city gate, servants from the Jiang family had been waiting for a long time, delivering a message that Prince Qing and his master had prepared a welcoming banquet at the Jiang residence. Suddenly, Xingge's mind conjured up the image of that tall, elegant man in a black brocade robe, with a warm, smiling face. Months had passed, yet the image remained vivid in her memory!

Upon arriving at the mansion, after exchanging greetings, Xingge noticed that the Prince and Master Jiang were in good spirits, presumably having reached an agreement. Turning back, she slyly gestured five fingers to Hua Lian, who glared at her. This elicited a serious cough from Master Jiang and a complicated smile from the Prince.

After the banquet, Xingge changed into men's robes and returned to the Qing Prince's residence with Jiu Ru. He, Zijuan, and Ziying engaged in another round of mushy, longing laughter, making Jiu Ru shake her head with a smile, while Silently getting goosebumps. Xingge's heart softened for a moment; this must be what home is like!

It was said to be a welcome feast for Xingge, and the five of them went to Qiulin Farm the next day. At this time, Qiulin Farm was full of wild grass and wildflowers in spring, and young swallows and eagles competed freely.

"Would you like to race?" Xingge asked with a smile as he rode his horse.

"Your horse may be a fine steed, but it can't possibly beat my 'Thousand Miles of Startling Wind'!"

"Hehe, so if I win, how about Your Highness gives me 'Thousand Miles of Startling Wind'?" Xingge raised an eyebrow and challenged him.

"Okay! We'll use the top of the windward slope as the boundary."

The two riders charged forward like arrows, galloping wildly. Halfway through the journey, Jiu Ruo had already taken the lead by a horse's length. Xing Ge drew a short dagger from his waist and stabbed the horse's rump. The horse, in pain, neighed and reared up. Xing Ge spurred the horse's belly and lashed out with the whip. The horse charged forward like a madman, reaching the top of Dufeng Slope with a head's length ahead, its path stained with bright red blood. Xing Ge dismounted, loosened the reins, and let the horse gallop away on its own.

"Your riding skills are indeed excellent; not everyone can use such a ruthless move!" Jiu Ru chuckled dryly.

Xingge lightly wiped the blood from the dagger. "How could Your Highness not be able to use it? It's just that you can't bear to hurt your beloved horse. But to lose it like this is not the Sima family's style!"

Jiuru's face flashed with a sinister look.

Xingge didn't see it, and instead lay down on the grass, closing his eyes to listen to the wind.

"How could you be so soft-hearted as to detoxify that woman from Xicang? That's not like you! Aren't lovesick men and women the ones you despise the most!"

Xingge felt as if her heart had been pierced, but she smiled lightly and said, "What are you talking about, Your Highness? Hehe, I am just a young girl in love, and I yearn for a love that lasts until death!"

After a pause, he said, "Why does Your Highness desire that position? In my opinion, that position is cold and hard, far colder than the Qing Prince's residence! Isn't Your Highness most in need of warmth?"

Jiu Ru trembled slightly, gritted his teeth and laughed, "That's not true. I'm young and vigorous, and I love cool places the most!"

Xingge burst out laughing, "Your Highness, you'd better come up with a reason that can bewitch people. I'll feel a sense of accomplishment for risking my life for you, won't I?"

With a flourish of his right arm, he boldly declared, "I aspire to be an unparalleled and enlightened ruler, pacifying wars, saving the people, and creating a peaceful and prosperous era!" He then scoffed at Xingge, "How about that? It might bewitch your heart!"

Xingge could barely speak with a smile. "Very well, very well! I only hope to dedicate myself to Your Highness's lofty ambitions, even unto death!"

The two lay side by side, chatting and laughing about everything under the sun until the sun set.

Xingge was the first to mount 'Thousand Miles of Startling Wind', then turned to Jiuru and said, "Mount up!"

"How can I, the king, sit after a woman!"

"Oh, in Your Highness's eyes, when have I ever been a woman?"

He choked for a moment.

"If Your Highness wishes to walk back to the residence, I will not disturb you any longer."

With a bitter smile, he mounted his horse and gently tugged at Xingge's belt.

Amidst the crimson glow of dawn, the two figures, their robes fluttering, galloped on horseback.

21. Testing the crossbow

Half a month later, the Emperor issued an edict transferring the war in Xicang, which had been under the command of Prince Li for ten years, to Prince Qing. This sparked a great deal of discussion in the court, with opinions ranging from whether it was a blessing or a curse.

General Dou, who was stationed in Xicang year-round, also received an imperial edict and was to go to the capital to meet the emperor two months later.

At the Ministry of Works' Craftsmen's Training Ground, Master Huo saw two young men approaching. One was as beautiful as a flower, and the other as clear as the moon. The two were even carrying a silk parasol!

"This old man has met Prince Ran and Young Master Ye. Young Master Ye, these two pieces were made according to the blueprints you provided. The Attendant specially instructed that the best craftsmen be found."

"Master Huo, the project is on a tight schedule this time, so thank you so much!" Xingge replied with a smile, and tested each of the crossbows on the table.

"Thanks to Young Master Ye's improvements, the No. 1 crossbow has a range of over 180 zhang (about 400 meters in modern terms) and a kill distance of 110 zhang. It requires foot to cock, so its accuracy is slightly worse. The No. 2 crossbow can be cocked by hand, which is more accurate, and its range has also reached 110 zhang!" Master Huo couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Xingge carefully examined the crossbows, pondered for a moment, and said, "Master Huo, please lower the sights of the No. 1 crossbow slightly; it will improve accuracy. I'd like to equip the No. 2 crossbow with a string axle so that the string can be manually tightened, which should increase the range to over 130 zhang. I'll have someone bring the string axle blueprints tomorrow. Also, please narrow the three-sided iron part of the arrowhead by one fen and lengthen it by three fen; I believe this will increase the arrow speed. The wound is not about the size but about the depth of the piercing. What do you think, Master Huo?"

Master Huo listened and nodded repeatedly. "I'll go and give the order right away. Young Master Ye is truly a genius in craftsmanship. It would be a pity if he didn't come to the Craftsmen's Office!"

"Master Huo, you flatter me! You go ahead with your work, I'll try a few more times," Xingge replied with a bow and a smile.

Seeing Master Huo walk away, Xingge turned back and asked, "Brother Ran, what are you doing with that flower umbrella?"

"Is it nice? You said you were going to try out the bow at the training ground today, and I was worried you'd get sunburned, so I picked it out especially for you."

Xingge glanced at the exquisitely crafted parasol, which didn't seem like something for men, and chuckled, "Hehe, it's more beautiful than I imagined!"

Under the sunlight, one person tested an arrow, while another clapped and cheered, prompting Hua Lian, who was approaching from afar, to quicken his pace.

"I just finished my work, how did the test go?"

"The results are good. I've already told Master Huo about the areas for improvement."

"Young lady, what are you doing in this rough place?" Hua Lian turned his head and teasingly looked at Ran's parasol, as if he knew her inside and out.

"Jiang Hualian! Don't speak so rudely! I'm just accompanying Xingge to test the bow!" Ran's face turned bright red when she was called by her childhood nickname.

"Oh!" Hua Lian put his arm around Xing Ge's shoulder and said with a mischievous smile, "Xing Ge and I are in love, so if anyone should be keeping you company, it should be me!"

Ran stared at Xingge in surprise! Xingge inexplicably raised an eyebrow.