Impératrices transmigrantes (hommes et femmes)

Chapitre 24

38. Colleagues

Although Xingge appeared dazed, her mind was racing. She stepped to the next seat, sat down, and raised an eyebrow to look at him inquiringly.

"At this snail's pace, when will you arrive in Jingzhou?" Jiu Ru asked with a faint smile as she poured Xing Ge a cup of tea.

"What are you doing here?" Xingge whispered.

"Go to Jingzhou first, and then visit Linzhou while you're at it. Return to the capital in a month."

Xingge nearly choked on his tea. Ever since the prince rescued him from the valley, he'd been incredibly strange to everyone. What was he plotting this time?! He grinned and approached Jiuru.

"You're not reluctant to part with me, are you?"

"Exactly!"

Xingge frowned, unable to figure out what was going on. Oh well! She glanced at Jiuru's side; that taciturn fellow hadn't come along! Not even a bundle?!

"You...you brought travel money, didn't you?!"

Jiu Ru couldn't help but chuckle. She'd been so caught up in the heat of the moment, rushing through the night to finish her official duties, she hadn't even had time to change her clothes. Worried that Mo had been rambling, she'd only left a letter. She'd rushed here early this morning, waiting anxiously for almost an hour. Alas! So much affection, yet so much indifference!

"You've prepared so much, what's the point of me bringing anything?"

Xingge's mind raced with calculations. "Hmph! Once we get to Linzhou, I'm not worried about not making it back!" He patted Jiuru's shoulder forcefully.

"Don't worry, we're all brothers under heaven, I've got you covered!"

The two mounted their horses and set off, finding companionship much more enjoyable! They chatted and laughed all the way, arriving at the post town in the evening. Having traveled for a long time, they bought some luggage and daily necessities and spent the night at an inn.

Jiu Ru changed into the nightgown that Xing Ge had prepared for her. It fit her perfectly and was comfortable, which made her very happy.

The next day, Xingge finished packing and went to Jiuru's room. She saw that Jiuru was dressed neatly, but her hair was still disheveled.

"Mo usually takes care of things, but I'll have to trouble you from now on." Jiu Ru smiled and handed the comb to Xing Ge, then sat down in front of the mirror.

Xingge muttered, "I have to have a share of Mo Yi's silver too!"

"Your hair is so beautiful!" The black hair in my hand is thick, smooth, and shimmering with light, with an exquisite feel. No wonder the ancients regarded combing hair and drawing eyebrows as a pleasure in the boudoir. Oh! How did I think of that!

As she looked at her bare face in the mirror,

"Do you like it? Then let Mo give way to you."

"No thanks, I'm too lazy to even comb my own hair!"

"When you were injured while carrying a dart last time, weren't you always disheveled?"

"No, Brother Ran combed it so well! So many styles..." Xingge suddenly stopped speaking, glancing at the mirror, where her beautiful face was devoid of any smile.

After tying his headscarf neatly, Xingge carefully examined his work. The once profound prince was gone; before him stood a scholar in simple clothes, with long eyebrows and phoenix eyes, his appearance extremely handsome, as if silver notes were falling from the sky like snowflakes.

"Tsk tsk, if you were to go out for a walk at night, all the fox spirits in the world would come running!"

Jiu Ru chuckled lightly, "As long as you're satisfied!"

They arrived in Jingzhou in three to five days. Xingge first went to Vice General Zhao's house, brought the items, and spent a long time comforting him. Afterwards, he took Jiuru to Tongjia Wuzhuang.

Master Tong and his wife were delighted to see their beloved disciple visit, and the Ninth Young Master, who had come with them, was also treated with hospitality. Master Tong seemed particularly concerned about the Ninth Young Master, asking him many detailed questions, and the two chatted amiably.

News of the battle in Xicang had spread throughout the country, and the Tong family had also learned of Dou Huai's death in battle. Everyone was filled with regret and sighs!

Xingge was Master Tong's only female disciple, and his wife doted on her. That very night, she pulled her into her room for a private talk.

"She's finally grown into a beautiful young lady! With such a lovely appearance, has she found a good match?" Madam Tong said with a loving smile.

"How could I possibly be a fraction as good as my master's wife? Why don't you ask around and see which brother in the Tong family wants to marry me?" Xing Ge joked.

Back then, Xingge was mischievous and often played pranks on the Tong family's sons; he was a notorious troublemaker.

"Back then, you and Dou Huai got along the best, but unfortunately... this Ninth Young Master is both talented and handsome, and he treats you very well too!" Madam Tong looked at Xingge with an ambiguous expression.

Xingge raised an eyebrow. "How come I didn't see that?!"

"Is Ge'er shy? Your master's wife is experienced and won't misjudge." Madam Tong took Xingge's hand. "You don't have any elders in your family. If you're interested, let your master's wife make the decision for you."

Xingge found these words increasingly absurd and could only laugh it off to change the subject. Soon after, someone came to invite him; Master Tong was waiting for Xingge in the inner hall. Xingge was secretly alarmed; her master was always serious and certainly wasn't there to chat idly.

Only Master Tong sat in the inner hall, his face solemn. Xingge sat down at the table, waiting to be questioned.

"Brother Ze finally passed that sword to you?"

"yes!"

Master Tong looked at Xingge and said, "I was a close friend of your adoptive father. I had the honor of meeting two of Brother Ze's acquaintances, Miss Wan and Young Master Lan. Have you ever heard of them? The Ninth Young Master who came with you looks very much like Miss Wan, and the sword he carries belongs to Young Master Lan!"

Xingge was startled, and when he looked up, he saw his master's knowing expression.

Master Tong paused, and seeing Xingge remain silent, continued gently, "Xingge, I have met your parents once and know a little about your family background. It is my blessing to be able to take you as my disciple. You have no elders around you, so I have some things I want to say to you!"

Xingge was deeply moved. "It is my blessing to be able to learn from you, Master. A teacher for a day is a father for life. Please speak frankly, Master!"

"Back then, the Sima clan, under the guise of saving the common people, obtained the assistance of the celestial Yuezhi to seize the throne. Later, because the Yuezhi refused to serve in the court, the Sima clan feared their talents would endanger their rule, so they demanded that the Yuezhi family live in anonymity and never practice martial arts again. From then on, the Yuezhi family almost disappeared from the world. The current emperor is even worse than his ancestors. This Ninth Prince's temperament is no different from that of the Lan Prince back then; he will never be content to be subordinate to anyone. You are now an adult and can choose your own path, but I know that your ambition is to roam the martial world. How could you become so close to the Ninth Prince? Have you considered the consequences? It's easy to get in, but difficult to get out!" Master Tong looked worried.

"Xingge promised her adoptive father to help this Ninth Young Master, please rest assured, Master!"

"It was Brother Ze who sent you?! Why would he do this?!"

"Please rest assured, Master, Xingge will take good care of herself!"

Master Tong sighed softly, "You've made up your mind, so I won't say any more. With the alliance of Xicang, the Ninth Prince's power has greatly increased, and the struggles in the court will inevitably intensify. You must be careful. Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. If the Ninth Prince makes things difficult for you in the future, come and find your master!"

Xingge never expected her usually strict master to care about her so much, and her eyes welled up with tears. "Thank you, Master!"

39. Flower Festival

After staying in Tongjiazhuang for three days, the two set off for Linzhou. The further south they went, the more scorching the sun became. Xingge gave each of them a bamboo hat, and they looked at each other and laughed. Indeed, they had a bit of a chivalrous spirit!

One midday, we finally arrived at 'Drunken East Wind'. Standing in front of the door, Jiu Ru looked at the signboard of Drunken East Wind with a smile on her face.

"My darling Xingge!" Ruyi rushed downstairs. Xingge felt like she was being hugged tightly, like a pile of gold ingots. Ruyi glanced at Jiuru by the door and whispered in Xingge's ear.

"Twenty percent!"

"This is good, 30%!" Xingge whispered.

Ruyi spun around to Jiuru's side and scrutinized her closely. When she saw her face clearly, she was suddenly stunned. "It's...it's you!"

With a faint smile and a bow, she said, "Miss Ruyi, it's been a long time!"

Ruyi darted behind Xingge like lightning. "Young Master Jiu, please come into the shop for a cup of tea first. Xingge, come with me!"

Xingge sensed something was wrong and went upstairs with Ruyi.

"Where did you meet this person? He came here looking for Young Master Ze more than ten years ago!"

Xingge guessed what was going on, "Oh? You made your move on someone back then?"

"Young Master Ze was traveling at the time. That person was just a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy. I saw that he was handsome and coaxed him into the flower fair. Who knew that he had such a big temper at such a young age and was also very skilled in martial arts? He not only wrecked the flower fair, but he almost demolished the building!"

"Haha, look at him now, how about a 30% improvement?"

"Can you keep him in check?"

"Even if it's just to do you a favor, with me included, it'll be 50%!"

"Robbery!"

"Hmph, you'd better think it over!"

Ruyi's mind raced with calculations, then she smiled and said, "If the cost exceeds five thousand taels, it'll be fifty percent; otherwise..."

"Don't worry! Otherwise, we won't take a single penny!"

Ruyi beamed with joy, "Then I'll make the arrangements right away. You'll have to work hard in three days!"

Jiu Ru followed Xing Ge up to the top floor pavilion. Upon entering, she saw Xing Ge's "Heroic Figure" painting. The figures in the painting were spirited and lively, almost leaping out of the picture. Jiu Ru recognized it as Xiao Ran's handwriting. She had put a lot of effort into it!

"I wonder how you look in your palace attire?" Jiu Ru asked softly, her tone quite meaningful.

Xingge boasted shamelessly, "Don't even mention palace attire, even a rag draped over my body can become a magnificent dress." As he spoke, he made a gesture as if he were floating like a fairy.

"Hehe, Ruyi has been confiding in you, hasn't she?"

“I never imagined that you had such a fiery temper back then! However…” Xingge’s voice turned into a soft sigh, “Ruyi has been incredibly kind to me. These days, ‘Drunken East Wind’ business is not doing well, so I have to stay here and help her for a while. I’m afraid I won’t have time to accompany you on your visit to your relatives.”

Xingge had already promised to take Jiuru to see Lao Ze's former residence, yet he used this as leverage! Jiuru raised a slight eyebrow.

"What do you want me to do? Join the 'Flower Ceremony'?"

"What else can you do? I'm going too, let's keep each other company!"

Seeing Jiu Ru's hesitant expression, Xing Ge seized the opportunity to move closer and let the breeze blow on her.

"It's very simple, just sit and chat with people while drinking tea! Your Highness, please bear with us for a moment, we'll go to the old fox's place after we're done!"

Seeing that his usually calm and dark eyes were now flashing with a seductive and burning light, Jiu Ru was slightly distracted and smiled faintly in agreement.

Ruyi spared no expense, hiring a famous tailor from Linzhou to buy clothes for the two of them. He rushed to get them ready, and on the morning of the third day, they were finally dressed up as scheduled.

Xingge, dressed in a magnificent gown and with her face meticulously made up, was feasting on pastries and fragrant porridge.

"Be careful, be careful!" the older woman taking care of things urged urgently.

"Xingge, that Ninth Young Master insists that you comb his hair!" A maid who knew Xingge well rushed in from outside the door and threw the comb at Xingge.

"Too picky!" Xingge muttered as she rinsed her mouth, then used cinnabar to redden her lips, grabbed a comb, and turned to leave.

Jiu Ru frowned as he scrutinized the beauty before him. She was dressed in fine clothes, carried a fragrant handkerchief, had delicate eyebrows and bright eyes, a fair face and cherry lips, and soft, delicate hands adorned with nail polish—her charm and tenderness were beyond description. But apart from her eyes, she was unrecognizable from her former self!

"It's turned out like this?"

"Sigh! I grew up here, if someone recognizes me, wouldn't I be doomed!"

He strode to the mirror, quickly combed his hair, and with a 'click' of the hair crown, a handsome young man appeared.

Xingge crossed his arms, looked the person up and down, then glanced at himself, frowned, and gave a wry smile.

"Ruyi dressed us up like this, making us look like we're going to be sacrificed to the River God!"

Jiu Ruyi laughed, "Don't worry! We're tough as nails, the River God can't bite us." She then took Xinggebu's hand and led her downstairs.

"Don't go down together! You two should pretend you don't know each other! Have you eaten? Eat more so you'll have the energy to work later!" Ruyi told the two urgently when she met them on the second floor.