Красоты династии Сун

Глава 15

25. Assassination

Xingge walked lightly out of the 'Du Chunfeng' carriage, and immediately felt the cool autumn night breeze. Mo was already waiting in the courtyard with a carriage, and silently handed Xingge a cloak.

"Why didn't you wait in the hall? It's a chilly autumn night!" Xingge climbed onto the carriage, leaned against the seat, and said to Mo's back.

The driver remained silent. Xingge rubbed his slightly dizzy head and chuckled, "Brother Mo, do you find it boring to pick up and drop off this idle fellow like me all day? I have an interesting job I'd like to ask you for help with."

"Young master assigned me to protect the young master!"

"Tch, you're the one supervising me! That job is for your young master, I'll explain it to you in detail when we get back."

They remained silent the rest of the way.

Ran finally waited for Xingge in the courtyard. She hurriedly served him a hangover remedy while complaining that he had drunk more than he should. Xingge sighed at his good fortune, having the prince's personal guard as his groom and the crown prince as his servant, making the other two blush and turn pale.

Ran only remembered that after Xingge sent her away that night, she talked with Mo until midnight, and the next day Mo disappeared without a trace. For the next month or so, Xingge left early and returned late, often coming home slightly drunk. Because she had agreed with Xingge not to ask about it, she could only brood and scribble nonsense every day!

During his time at 'Du Chunfeng', Xingge not only frequently drank and chatted with Fourth Master, but also became acquainted with the other members of the caravan, gradually discerning some clues.

The caravan consisted entirely of men, with no women, which was understandable; not only Fourth Master, but everyone in the caravan was a martial artist, which was also somewhat acceptable; the caravan's daily routine was unusually regular, and although they drank alcohol, there was never any drunkenness, and certainly no brothel-going behavior typical of merchant caravans. I'd only ever seen such a group with Xiaodou!

On the winter solstice, commonly known as the Little New Year, Ran reluctantly saw off the farewell song as he left home.

"Be sure to come home early tonight! I'll be waiting for you to eat dumplings together!"

"Definitely, definitely," Xingge coaxed with a smile as she left, then turned back and said seriously, "Brother Ran, my right eye is twitching badly this morning. Please stay home and wait for me. Don't go out! Light two more incense sticks in front of the Buddha shrine!"

Ran looked nervous. "Really? Then you shouldn't go out either!"

"Haha, you really believe this? I was just kidding. I'll definitely come back soon, and I can even visit Xiaodou when I have time!"

As darkness fell early, Xingge finished a busy day at 'Duchunfeng' and prepared to return.

"Sir, please wait a moment. There are quite a few acrobatic and theatrical troupes from all over the country in town today. Would you be so kind as to accompany me to an evening performance?" Fourth Master asked with a smile from behind.

"It's rare for Fourth Master to be in such a good mood, so I'll gladly keep you company." Xingge had barely finished speaking when he felt his right eye twitch again.

As expected, Yumen Town was brightly lit that evening, with Central Plains opera troupes and exotic acrobatics gathering, offering a different flavor from the temple fairs in the capital. Fourth Master, accompanied by two attendants and Xingge, mingled in the crowd, watching with great interest. The four stopped in front of a puppet troupe, where they were performing a unique Yaksha play from Xicang. The eerie masks and the bold Yaksha steps drew cheers from the audience…

Xingge sensed a murderous aura sweeping in from all directions. As soon as he looked up, he saw several people rushing out from the platform and the crowd to fight the other three. Since he 'didn't know martial arts,' he naturally retreated to the side. As expected, Fourth Master and his two guards were quite skilled, and after a few rounds, they gained the upper hand.

Xingge was engrossed in watching the song when he suddenly sensed a poisonous aura coming from behind Fourth Master. He hurriedly moved to protect Fourth Master, but remembering that he 'didn't know martial arts,' the poisoned dart was already flying towards him. He gritted his teeth and met it with his shoulder, immediately feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder. Ugh! So it turns out you can't just twitch your right eye!

When Fourth Master heard the sound of a dart behind him, it was already too close to avoid. He had no choice but to quickly turn to the side to avoid vital parts, only to see a figure already rushing in front of him and blocking the dart.

"Sir!" Fourth Master hurriedly reached out to check the wound, seeing that the dart had pierced through the fur coat and black blood was seeping out. He quickly sealed the acupoints around the wound and took out a translucent white pill from his pocket.

"This is made from the core of the Tianshan snow lotus. It can cure all poisons. Take it quickly!"

Xingge hesitated, but said through gritted teeth, "I have my own antidote pills, you can keep this treasure!"

Without a word, Fourth Master grabbed Xingge's chin and shoved the pill into her mouth.

"Don't use your internal energy, or the poison will spread!" Fourth Master stopped Xingge, who was trying to vomit the pill, and chuckled, "Sir, your skill is remarkable, why use such a clumsy method to save me?!"

Xingge's mind went blank, and he was extremely frustrated. So they knew I had martial arts skills! This injury was unjust! After taking the pill, the poison from my hasty cultivation did indeed subside considerably, but at the same time, a chill returned. When he tried to circulate his energy lightly, the chill intensified!

Fourth Master reached out and gently tapped Xingge's wrist pulse. "This pill can save your life, but I need to force the poison out of your body within half an hour, otherwise the cold of the Tianshan Snow Lotus is not something an ordinary person can withstand! You come back with me..." As he said this, Fourth Master suddenly showed a strange expression and increased the pressure on his pulse.

Xingge's heart skipped a beat. He was only thinking about circulating his internal energy to expel the poison and forgot to change his pulse to a yang pulse!

At this moment, three riders came from the direction of 'Du Chunfeng'. After dismounting, they rushed to Fourth Master's side and shouted, "Fourth Master! The man has been captured and has been taken to the restaurant!"

Fourth Master's face lit up with joy. He then took off his mink cloak and draped it over Xingge's shoulders. "I can't force the poison out for you. Go to Tongli Alley and find Zhang Yaoniang. After you're done, hurry back to 'Du Chunfeng'!" He paused for a moment, then pulled out a dagger from his robes and handed it to Xingge. "You can't use your internal energy right now. Keep this for self-defense!"

Turning to a guard, he said, "Aqi, escort the master there!"

Xingge felt the chill creeping through her body and had no choice but to follow Aqi to Tongli Alley. Upon seeing Zhang Yaoniang, Aqi said to Xingge…

"Please stay here to recover, sir. If you have anything important at home, you can send me to fetch it for you. After you're done, you need to rush back to 'Du Chunfeng'."

Xingge immediately understood that the Fourth Master had given her the snow lotus seed not only to detoxify her, but also to hold her hostage. However, she smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare trouble Brother Qi. I'll go back and pack up myself later."

Aqi hesitated for a moment, thinking of how his master had risked his life to save him, and how his master had given him the dagger. He whispered, "Time is of the essence. The officials will arrive tomorrow morning. We must leave the city tonight and rush back to Beijue!"

"Us?!" Xingge was secretly startled, but his expression remained unchanged. "I have nothing of interest. Please go back first, Brother Qi. I will come back later."

"My master ordered me to escort you, sir. How dare I return first? Please heal your wounds as soon as possible!"

26. Encountering Danger

Xingge and Zhang Yaoniang entered the inner room. Xingge pretended to need to relieve herself. Yaoniang politely gave her directions, and after thanking her, Xingge went straight to the backyard and quietly climbed over the wall. Knowing that Aqi would surely chase her to her residence if she disappeared, and would definitely kidnap Ran, Xingge quickly determined her direction and rushed back to her residence. Because she couldn't use her internal energy, she was panting heavily after running. She entered the courtyard through the back door and made her way to Ran's room. She saw Ran engrossed in reading by candlelight. Xingge pushed open the door and entered.

"Brother Ran, don't ask any more questions. Quickly find a fast horse, and let's go to Xiaodou Camp together."

"Xingge, you're back. Xingge, what's wrong with your face? Are you trying to scare me again?"

Xingge's face was ashen, and he lightly covered his shoulder with one hand. "I was injured by the dart, but it's nothing serious. Don't say any more, come with me to get the horse!"

Ran realized something was wrong and quickly helped Xingge towards the door. Xingge suddenly stopped and gestured for her to be quiet. The sound of horses' hooves stopping abruptly came from outside the courtyard wall, followed by someone dismounting and leaping over the wall. Xingge quickly tucked Ran under the bed and whispered urgently...

"I won't let you out. No matter what happens inside, don't make a sound!"

Xingge sat quietly in the chair. After only a moment, the door was pushed open.

"Sir, why bother? If you need anything, just send me to fetch it!" Ah Qi said with a gloomy expression.

"Brother Qi, please speak plainly. Why should I, a musician from the Central Plains, go to the Northern Jurchens with you?" Xingge asked with a half-smile.

"Sir, you are very learned and talented. The master admires you and would like to invite you to keep him company."

"So it turns out Fourth Master has a penchant for men, but unfortunately I have no such interest." Xingge's smile deepened.

Aqi's face was cold. "My master is of noble status. How can you, sir, speak such slanderous words? My master treats you as an honored guest. Please come back with me and do not make things difficult for me."

"Please wait a moment, brother, while I tidy up a bit."

Xingge casually took a few clothes from the wardrobe and a few books from the table, bundled them into a small bundle, and suddenly slumped against the table.

"Fourth Master gave me snow lotus seeds, and now my whole body is ice cold and my limbs are weak."

Aqi walked up to Xingge with a sullen face, turned around and squatted down.

"Please come up, sir!"

Ran, lying prone under the bed, overheard the man's plan to abduct Xingge to Beijue. Her heart pounded with anxiety. She saw the man kneel on the ground, Xingge's feet already behind him, as if to be carried on his back. Suddenly, a 'hiss' sound rang out, blood splattered on the ground, the man's legs trembled, and he collapsed to the ground with a 'thud,' his eyes wide with horror as he stared directly at her face, blood gushing from his neck. Ran almost screamed.

"Brother Ran, come out quickly!"

Ran crawled out from under the bed, trembling, and saw Xingge wiping a blood-stained dagger.

"What a fine dagger!" Xingge chuckled as she tucked the dagger into her bosom. "Brother Ran, let's hurry and leave through the back door!"

The two left the courtyard, and Xingge, holding Ran's hand, said, "There's no time to spare. I have a place to stay in town, let's go there first!"

After a hurried journey, the two entered a small hut. Ran, still shaken, lit a candle, while Xingge's face was already pale.

"Brother Ran, I've been poisoned by a dart and urgently need to expel the poison. We can't worry about the rules between men and women anymore. Quickly use your inner strength to expel the poison from me!" Seeing Ran's blank expression, Xingge said urgently, "What are you still standing there for!"

Xingge sat cross-legged on the couch, quickly stripped off his upper body until he was only wearing an undergarment and a breast wrap, and after carefully examining the wounds, he said to Ran behind him, "After I release the acupoints, you should immediately circulate your internal energy."

"Um!"

Xingge reached out and released the acupoints on her shoulder that had sealed the blood, and Ran's palm patted the back of her shoulder, causing only a few black blood droplets to drip from the wound.

"Brother Ran, quickly use your internal energy!"

"I've already used it!" came a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz from behind.

Xingge was both amused and exasperated. She turned to look at Ran and exclaimed, "You call this internal strength?!"

"I, I, I am not good at martial arts," Ran said with shame.

"Heaven is going to kill me!" Xingge sighed. Although taking the snow lotus seeds wouldn't kill him, it seemed he'd be half-frozen! Suddenly, his shoulder tightened. Ran had bent down and was sucking the poisonous blood from his wound.

"Brother Ran, be careful not to accidentally swallow the poisonous blood!"

After much effort, the blood sucked out finally turned bright red. Ran carefully bandaged the wound and then draped a coat over Xingge. Because they had missed their appointed time, the icy chill of the snow lotus seeds had seeped into her bones, and coupled with excessive blood loss, Xingge felt as cold as ice. Even though she was covered with all her fur coats and blankets, she still couldn't feel any warmth!

Ran Jianxingge's face was ashen, her lips devoid of color. She asked in a hoarse voice, "Ge'er, what's wrong with you?"

"I'm about to die!" Xingge said irritably, her lips trembling.

Tears streamed down Ran's face as she cried, "Ge'er, don't die, don't leave me!"

Xingge was secretly angry at the 'internal force' she had used to force out the poison, and deliberately looked at Ran with incredibly mournful eyes. Ran cried silently for a moment, then got up, picked up Xingge's dagger, and knelt down in front of Xingge.

"What are you trying to do?" Xingge asked in surprise.

Ran wiped away her tears and said calmly, "Ge'er, don't be afraid of being alone. I'll accompany you on your journey to the underworld!"

Xingge was filled with inexplicable emotions, "I'm not dead yet!"

Ran laughed bitterly, "With my terrible skills, I'm afraid I won't be able to catch up with you if I'm late. I'll go ahead and wait for you on the road. Don't ignore me when you come! Ge'er, I'll be waiting for you!" After saying that, she actually stabbed the dagger towards her neck. Xingge was shocked and hurriedly tried to stop her. Although she managed to take the dagger away, a bloody gash had already appeared on Ran's neck.

"Are you crazy?" Xingge jumped out of bed and hurriedly applied medicine to Ran's wound. "I must have done a lot of good deeds in my past life to have met such a clingy person like you!"

Tears welled up again. "Don't you want me to stay with you?"

"I won't die, who will you go down and join?"

"Really? Are you trying to scare me again? Are you?" Ran Xide swayed and sang softly.

Xingge climbed onto the bed, curled up and wrapped herself tightly in the blankets, forcing a smile, "Yes! I definitely won't die! I'll just be half-frozen!"

Ran gazed at Xingge intently. Xingge felt uncomfortable under her gaze and simply turned away, closing her eyes and pretending to sleep. A moment later, Ran gently slipped under the covers and embraced Xingge from behind. Xingge felt the person behind her shiver slightly from the cold and mumbled,

"You want to learn how to lie on ice like a filial son? Your strength isn't enough, you can't do it!"

The person behind her remained silent, only holding her tighter. Xingge gradually felt a warmth spread through her body, and she sighed inwardly, remaining silent for a long time.

27. Gradually becoming clear

As I drifted into a dream, I found myself in the warm embrace of my grandmother from my childhood.

The next day, she woke up with a start to find herself clinging to someone like an octopus. The person was stiff, their face flushed, staring straight at the ceiling. Xingge almost burst out laughing, wondering how long this person had been in that virtuous pose.