Три мандариновые утки и полторы пары

Глава 31

"I hope that Your Highness, Third Prince, will be magnanimous and not hold the Mo hope Sect's past offenses against the Princess against her," Ke Luoqizhen said again.

The Moxi Cult wields considerable power within the Eastern Region and has close ties with the royal family and nobles of the Eastern Region. In its early years, it colluded with disloyal imperial relatives and officials of the Tiandu Dynasty to plot against important ministers and nobles in the court. At that time, even the eldest princess's husband's family was implicated, resulting in the eldest princess being convicted as well. With the help of those around her, she escaped from the palace and stayed away from the Central Plains for decades. She only returned to the Central Plains last year and entered the palace to restore her status as the eldest princess.

"The Moxi Cult has cast a considerable shadow over the Princess!"

During the time the Princess was away from the Central Plains, she infiltrated the Eastern Region's Demon Sect for many years under the alias Yang Yunxian. After killing several important elders of the Demon Sect, she fled to Nanyuan, where the two sides developed a deep enmity. For many years, the Demon Sect sent people to hunt down Yang Yunxian, causing her to suffer from poisoning. Just when they were planning to completely eliminate this woman to avenge the killing of the elders, Yang Yunxian was no longer someone they could harm.

"I remember that you, Princess of the Eastern Region, are not on good terms with the Demon Sect. Why are you speaking up for the Demon Sect today?"

"The Demon Sect has deep roots in the Eastern Region and also has a long history with my royal family. For the sake of the greater good, Qi Zhen had no choice but to leave the Lake Central Palace and come to the Central Plains to plead for the sake of his people."

Although Keluo Qizhen was a collateral relative of the royal family in the Eastern Region, she had the ability to observe the stars and make calculations, so she was highly respected by her clansmen. She always stayed in the palace built on the sacred lake in the Eastern Region and rarely showed herself. When her clansmen wanted to ask her for advice, they could only wait on the lake shore to seek her guidance.

“The eldest princess is my aunt. She has suffered many hardships and vicissitudes. It was only with great difficulty that she agreed to return to the palace to reunite with me. I would never want to see my aunt suffer any more harm. As long as the Demon Sect does not try to cause any more trouble, I can accept the Demon Sect’s people coming to the Central Plains.”

Zhu Yu ordered someone to pour more wine, savoring its aroma, and said with a hidden meaning, "I promised you that as long as Qi Zhen is in the Eastern Region, I will ensure the safety of the Eastern Region. Of course, this also requires the Eastern Region to be peaceful and not cause me any trouble."

This seemingly immense honor caused Ke Luoqizhen to let out a long sigh, her red lips hidden beneath the fine beads.

"Does this mean that if you, Third Prince, intend to harm the Eastern Region, you will eliminate me first, so as not to jeopardize your promise, Third Prince?"

"I must say that I am determined to do something and will not tolerate any obstacles in my way. Whether it is you or the Eastern Region, if you are willing to challenge me, you are welcome to try what I can do."

Zhu Yu leaned back lazily onto the luxurious couch, enjoying the fruit fed to him by his maid. Their seemingly casual conversation carried a hidden warning.

"Does Qi Zhen know how many methods there are to make someone wish they were dead? At least in my hands, I haven't tried them all yet."

"It seems that you, Third Prince, let the Azure Goose fly away from your grasp not because you were not ruthless enough, but because you met your match."

"I failed because I didn't have time to cut off her wings and feet, and thus prevented her from escaping. I will remember this lesson."

"With broken feathers and a broken leg, is this still a beautiful goose?"

"To be able to crush the lofty confidence of a wild goose that once roamed freely across the land, leaving it struggling in its broken body yet unable to die, this process... hehe, doesn't Qi Zhen find it a pleasurable thing?"

Yes, my dear younger brother, you only need to keep your sharp tongue and beautiful body. Any other abilities that might cause you to leave my side are no longer necessary.

"It seems that this beautiful goose is not only exceptionally capable, but it has also stirred the heart of the Third Prince, who is usually unmoved."

Ke Luoqizhen knew Zhu Yu's abilities and nature very well. He enjoyed the process of chasing and playing, and he was also fond of the game of capturing prey. He found pleasure in testing his methods by observing the prey's struggles and resistance. Now, who could possibly touch this cold-hearted and terrifying Third Prince?

"Moved? Perhaps!" Zhu Yu narrowed his eyes, a complex emotion flashing across them. "I never expected to fall so deeply into this trap..."

"Did you not expect to get caught up in this situation, or did you not expect that once you got your hands on this goose, you, Third Prince, would become...unable to extricate yourself!"

"So deeply immersed, so relatable. Could it be that Qi Zhen has been through this before?"

"Your Highness is too kind. Why don't we have Qi Zhen play a tune with the sounds of the Eastern Regions to help us forget our troubles?"

"Your drumming is as deadly as you are."

She covered her mouth and laughed. "Are you scared?"

"I'm afraid, afraid of getting too drunk and dying from your allure and deadly drumming." Zhu Yu smiled as she took the three round drums she carried with her.

After Krocchi Zhen interacted with the musicians in the hall for a piece of music, the dancers below swayed their more enchanting and moving bodies to the rhythmic drumbeats of the music and dance that resumed.

What Zhu Yu saw before him, a dazzling array of figures, was the carefully orchestrated musical performance and dance arranged at the banquet in Yuqiong Tower to lure him into a trap. The graceful figure of her standing on the lake, her flowing sleeves and cloud-like gauze dancing, was etched into his mind.

Is he unable to extricate himself? He usually appears as refined and handsome as a charming young gentleman, gentle and witty to the point that no one feels threatened, yet he is already pressing forward step by step in his laughter.

Su, Shao, Chu! Whenever this name surfaced in his mind, a faint, throbbing pain would rise in his left chest, the spot where she had stabbed him with a sword last year. The wound had long since healed, but his heart was still churning.

Those captivating, intoxicating eyes beneath him, tinged with passion—just thinking of that body that had once been in his arms and hands, from resistance to silent surrender to his embrace, everything within the Snow Jade Pavilion… was all an act with him!

Love is for the person I've chosen. For those I haven't chosen, what have you, Third Prince, ever taken from Shao Chu?

A deep smile curled from Zhu Yu's lips, a smile that was both alluring and wicked.

“Young Master, you’ve set a good fire for me. You may not recognize me as your prince, but I have recognized you. Your person, your feelings, your body already belong to me. How can I make you understand this completely?” A possessive and yearning gaze blazed in his eyes.

As everyone was engrossed in the dazzling song and dance, a maid who was about to pour wine for Ke Luoqizhen suddenly had her wine bottle shatter. Amid the maid's horrified scream, a flying sword struck Ke Luoqizhen's drum!

"Assassins are on the loose—protect the Third Prince—"

Before anyone could react, Yan Pingfei, the chief steward of the Three Emperors' Mansion, who was waiting nearby, shouted an order for the guards to protect their master!

As another whistling sound came, another, even faster, flowing sword light came from behind Zhu Yu to protect him. A shattering sound came from mid-air, and an arrow that had been cut in two landed in front of Zhu Yu and Ke Luoqizhen. Zhu Yu's personal swordsman, Feng Yan, was already protecting his master!

Faced with the continuous whistling of wind shooting in from the windows and doors, Feng Yan's gaze darkened. He raised his hand, and the sword shadows were like a rain of swords, seemingly bursting in the void. Countless flying arrows broke into pieces and fell to the ground.

At this moment, howls and the clash of weapons could be heard from outside the window, indicating that a capture operation had already begun outside!

Moments later, instead of the flying arrows bursting through the window, countless masked figures carrying large swords rushed in. As soon as they landed, they brandished their swords and headed straight for the main seat in the center of the hall.

As the musicians and dancers inside the hall gasped in horror, all the doors in the vast hall, including the main entrance and side doors, were opened, and rows of red-clad guards poured in. The red-clad guards protecting the Three Emperors' Palace and Zhu Yu were all highly trained, and they quickly formed a human wall to separate Zhu Yu from the assassins.

"Your Highness, the assassins who fired arrows outside the palace have all been dealt with," Yan Pingfei reported as he stepped forward.

"Pingfei and Fengyan, leave one alive, kill the rest. Remember, if you disturb my enjoyment, your death must be a gruesome one."

Zhu Yu, who was in a high position, remained calm and composed on the luxurious couch. His hand, which was resting on his bent right knee, gently shook the jade cup containing wine in his hand, supporting his head. Despite his slightly restrained expression, the corners of his thin red lips were curved in a rather cold and charming way.

"yes!"

Yan Pingfei accepted the order and left. What followed was a bloody battlefield of severed limbs and shouts of killing. The dancers on the sidelines covered their faces in horror. Some hugged each other and cried out in fear, while others huddled in a corner and trembled. None of them dared to watch the carnage in the hall.

A moment later, the red-clad guards stopped their attack on the assassins. The black-clad assassins, their limbs or heads severed, lay dead in a pool of blood. Splattered blood stained the clothes of the girls huddled nearby, weeping. Their horrified faces stared in fear at the corpses strewn across the hall, and no one dared to approach.

Several guards examined the dead body and informed Yan Pingfei of the whole situation.

"Your Highness, the assassin has been killed. Apart from one survivor, we have sent men to investigate whether any of his accomplices escaped."

Do you know where you came from?

“The assassins all have a tattoo on their cheeks, so they look like… they’re from other races,” Yan Pingfei said, glancing at the person beside his master.

“Steward Yan, if this is related to the Demon Church, please speak frankly,” Ke Luoqizhen asked astutely.

“Princess Qizhen, Pingfei has been too presumptuous to speak so frankly. The tattoos on their faces are not new; they belong to a clan within the Demon Sect that is extremely close to the princess.”

"It seems that you pleaded for the Demon Church, but they clearly want you to die in the capital."

Otherwise, why would they send assassins to kill members of the royal family without regard for her safety in the Central Plains? It's clear they hoped that the Tiandu Dynasty would directly punish her after the incident.

"It's a pity they don't know how much I cherish you, Qi Zhen." Zhu Yu chuckled teasingly, his long fingers tracing the fine beads on her veil. "Now, Qi Zhen, how do you intend to resolve this?"

“No, Qi Zhen doesn’t understand.” She shook her head. “If it were an elder of the Demon Cult who is opposed to me, it would indeed be possible to set such a trap, but Steward Yan just said that it was a clan that is very close to me? What about the tattoos on their bodies?”

"Princess Qizhen is a curved line accompanying the clouds."

"Ran Liu Xuan Hong." A branch of the Demon hope Cult, the clan she relied on most in the Eastern Region. "This must be a frame-up by someone with ulterior motives, deliberately impersonating a member of Ran Liu Xuan Hong's clan to assassinate her!"

"I'm afraid this will sadden the princess. Pingfei just said that the tattoos on the assassins are old and not new. These people are definitely from the Xuanhong clan."

Upon hearing this, Ke Luoqi's expression turned somber.

"Why should Qi Zhen be troubled by this? Since the Demon Sect has brought this upon themselves, I, the prince, will teach them a lesson. This lesson will make them thoroughly experience the consequences of offending the royal family of Tiandu."

"Please, Third Prince, do not be angry. I fear the matter is not so simple." Ke Luo Qi Zhen rose and knelt before Zhu Yu, pleading, "The Demon Sect of the Eastern Region has grown stronger over several dynasties, absorbing countless people and border tribes from the Eastern Region. However, due to its immense size, some sects have split and gone astray, while others have remained true to their original intentions and dedicated themselves to the people of the Eastern Region. The Xuan Hong Clan is one such example. I beg the Third Prince to grant me a chance to personally interrogate this only survivor and understand the whole story."

"What if the result is not what you expect?" Zhu Yu lazily looked at the gemstone ring on his finger. This gemstone ring was a contribution from the Demon Sect. The people of the Eastern Region were very capable of finding mineral veins.

"If all of this is truly the reckless act of the Demon Sect and the Xuanhong Clan, no matter how long it takes, Qi Zhen of the Eastern Region Demon Sect will personally end it." The face beneath the fine beads was resolute.

A burst of laughter accompanied the clapping of hands. "Very well, this prince grants your request. But if you investigate and still attempt to cover up the truth, be careful..." His handsome eyes turned icy cold. "Not only will the Demon Sect pay the price for offending my royal family, but you, Ke Luo Qizhen, will also perish. Standing on high, watching the real bloodshed flow, Qizhen certainly doesn't know the pleasure of that!"

"Qi Zhen will not give the Third Prince such an opportunity."

"Very good." Zhu Yu waved her over with satisfaction, ordering her to return to her seat and commanding the maid to serve more wine. "Continue the interrupted music and finish the drum performance you were planning to give this prince!"

"As you said, it's just that I don't think these lovely little larks can perform their wonderful dance for you right now."

Below, behind the pillars and gauze curtains of the hall, were delicate figures cowering and limp with fear, sobbing softly and trembling.

"The lark's beauty lies in its voice, but amidst the stench of blood, its terrified cries are more suited to a night moon's lament." He sighed softly. "Good children, don't cry. After the lament, this prince hopes to see a more joyful game."

At Zhu Yu's signal, the attendants on either side carried over several wooden boxes. After opening them, they raised their hands and scattered gold and white light across the hall below. Upon closer inspection, one could see countless gold beads and pearls scattered across the blood and corpses.

"These gold beads and South Sea pearls are all yours, as long as any of you continue to perform a dance in the blood-soaked land that satisfies the Third Prince." A servant loudly relayed his master's order to those below.

The girls stared in disbelief, their eyes wide with horror. They couldn't believe what they were hearing—that they were to dance amidst piles of corpses and blood!

Chapter Two

Seeing the girls' motionless figures, Zhu Yu let out another long, slow sigh.

"As a dancer kept by the Third Prince's Palace, I can neither dance nor bring joy to this prince anymore, so why should I keep my feet on the palace grounds?" He stroked the various jewels and gems adorning his fingers, seemingly carefree, yet uttering words that sent chills down one's spine.

"Third Prince, spare my life—"

"We know we were wrong, please don't cut off our feet—"

The dancers were so frightened that they knelt on the ground and kowtowed desperately, begging for mercy.

"Oh dear! You're so frightened, it breaks my heart to see you like this." The lazy chuckle turned into a soothing gentleness. "Good boy, I like obedient people. Go and pick up the gold beads and pearls, they are a reward for you."

The whisper was so soft it was almost a murmur, yet it possessed a terrifying majesty. Several dancers, suppressing their fear, first stepped barefoot into the blood. Faced with the gruesome corpses, they were so terrified they almost shrank back. But then, more gold beads and white pearls rained down from the sky, and they began to pick them up.

As the drums and music slowly resumed, amidst Zhu Yu's encouraging laughter, the colorful veils on the dancers' bodies fluttered once more, as they gracefully held the gold beads and pearls from the pool of blood.

As more gold beads and pearls were scattered, the girls' fair, bare feet treaded through the blood and corpses, dancing and picking them up. As their hands swelled with gold beads and pearls, they stopped dancing and began to search for treasures in the blood as if playing a game, frolicking and jumping among the corpses.

Blood splattered more vividly red on everyone, but they no longer cared about the pile of flesh and corpses that they had once feared. Instead, they pushed aside the dead bodies and severed limbs and happily competed among the pile of blood and corpses to see who could find the biggest treasure.

"Hahaha—greed, desire, temptation, vulnerability—the charm of human nature will never tire this prince!"

Zhu Yu raised his head and laughed heartily, drinking fine wine while watching the beautiful dancers leap for him through "piles of corpses and blood."

"The Third Prince's tastes remain impressive." Ke Luoqizhen stopped playing the drum.

"Does Qi Zhen have any other thoughts?"

"I just suddenly feel sorry for the person you've fallen for."

If this person does not possess equal strength and intelligence, it will likely bring misfortune rather than fortune.

"Why is Chess Master Zhen suddenly feeling kind and wanting to help the weak?"