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Published at 21st of February 2017 05:03:09 PM


Chapter 23

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Chapter 23

Acquainted People Meeting Again

 

“Mistress!  Mistress!”  Xia Hou Shang Yue is busy practicing sword in the courtyard of Feng Qi Palace, early in the morning.  Xue Wu who excitedly runs to her is almost pierced by her sword.

 

“Why are you panicking so early in the morning?  Is someone chasing after you?”  Xia Hou Shang Yue retrieves her sword.  She has no idea what made Xue Wu this anxious.

 

“Jin Wangye came to Yue Kingdom!  I accidentally saw him earlier, he was walking with the emperor.”

 

The sword in Xia Hou Shang Yue’s hand falls to the floor with a loud sound.  Gong Sun Jin is in Yue Kingdom…. Why is he in Yue Kingdom?  Xia Hou Shang Yue no longer reminisce everything that happened in Mu Kingdom, so all those things gradually fades in her heart. Especially about Gong Sun Jin, whose story with her ended before it can even start.  The expression on her face isn’t pleasant.  She says nothing and returns to her chamber.

 

Upon entering her chamber, she sits on her bedside.  Her heart is full of things that she regrets.  Gong Sun Jin, the man who almost enters her heart.

 

Her memory brings her back to Mu Kingdom, the land of lakes and mountains.

 

———–

 

“Mistress, look!  This is a good sword!”  Xue Wu led the way in that big road, excitingly pointing out things while Xia Hou Shang Yue simply followed her with a simple smile.

 

There was a small booth in front of an antique shop, displaying a variety of antique military weapons.  Xue Wu pointed towards a sword that appeared really ancient.  With just one look, Xia Hou Shang Yue was drawn in by that sword.  It was a wooden sword, with peach blossoms engraved on top of it.  The flowers were connected by the carving of a green branch.  At the hilt of the sword, the character ‘shang’ was engraved, giving it an ancient, mournful air.

 

(TN: Shang (殇) means to die young.)

 

“En, it is indeed a good sword.  Xue Wu, take it in.  Let’s ask for the price.”  Xia Hou Shang Yue was wearing a white dress while her hair was arranged casually.  She did not wear any jewelry but somehow managed to look even more refined and unparalleled.

 

“Owner, how much is this sword?”  The owner of the antique shop was a middle-aged man.  When he saw Xia Hou Shang Yue, he was taken by surprise.  Such a gorgeous maiden, in this entire Mu Kingdom, only Princess Yue Feng possessed this kind of temperament and appearance.

 

“So the princess is visiting, this common person feels humbled.”
“Owner is too polite, I am only strolling around.  I am a customer in this shop right now, and you, the owner.  There is no need for formality here.” Xia Hou Shang Yue shook her head as she smiled a beautiful smile.  The owner inspected the sword and gave them a difficult expression.

 

“Princess, I am so sorry, but I cannot sell this sword to you.”

 

“You—- our princess buying things from your shop can be considered your good fortune!  You’re actually telling us you wouldn’t sell the sword to us, are you afraid our princess wouldn’t pay you money?”  Before Xia Hou Shang Yue got to speak, Xue Wu butted in.  Xia Hou Shang Yue glared at her and Xue Wu clicked her tongue before obediently retreating.

 

“I wonder why the owner is having difficulties selling this sword to me?” Xia Hou Shang Yue gently asked.  She really like that sword, she will be really regretful if she cannot buy it.

 

“Jin Wangye also liked this sword.  He wanted to buy it moments ago but didn’t bring enough money.  He has returned to his manor to fetch silvers.  This common one was busy arranging books and could not take this sword out of the exhibition in time.  This is all this common one’s mistake!”

 

Jin Wangye.  Gong Sun Jin, Xia Hou Shang Yue heard about him before.  She didn’t think that the gentle and warm young man whom everybody likened to a jade would actually be a sword enthusiast.  Xia Hou Shang Yue smiled.  “Since Jin Wangye already booked this sword, there is nothing we can do.  Xue Wu, lets go.”

 

“This is two hundred and two silver notes…….”  Gong Sun Jin entered the shop with banknotes in his hand.  When he saw Xia Hou Shang Yue, his entire being froze.

 

She was Yue Kingdom’s most beautiful and most beloved princess.  The money in his hand fell to the ground.  Seeing his expression, Xue Wu laughed and helped him pick it up before waving the notes in front of his face.

 

“Jin Wangye, you dropped your money…..”

 

“Ah….. thank you!  Greeting the princess!  This king lost conduct.”  After he received the money from Xue Wu, he lowered his head in front of Xia Hou Shang Yue.

 

Xia Hou Shang Yue’s face reddened for no apparent reason, that was the first time someone looked at her that way; she felt somewhat embarrassed.

 

“Jin Wangye is too polite.  Xue Wu, let’s go!”

 

—————–

 

That was their first meeting.  She did not put much thought to it but she didn’t know that from then on, Gong Sun Jin’s heart had already been placed on her.

 

“Mistress, Eunuch Hai wants to see you!” Xia Hou Shang Yue’s thoughts are cut off by Xue Wu.  She composes herself and walks out of her chamber.

 

“Eunuch Hai, is there something bengong can do for you?”

 

Hai Cheng looks at Xia Hou Shang Yue and lowers his head.  “Greeting Your Ladyship, Jin Wangye from Mu Kingdom represents the emperor of Mu Kingdom and came to visit Your Ladyship.  His Majesty especially instructed this servant to invite Your Ladyship to Yan Shou Palace to meet Prince Jin!”

 

“Please tell the emperor that bengong is grateful for his love and consideration.  Bengong will head over there in a while.”  Xia Hou Shang Yue smiles as she answers.  Once Hai Cheng retreated, she lowers her head and retreats into her chamber.  Even though the emperor no longer views the empress as an enemy, he barely visits Feng Qi Palace.  Most of his times are either spent in Yan Shou Palace or in Chong Yan Palace.

 

“Xue Wu, come with me.”

 

Xue Wu remains quiet and follows Xia Hou Shang Yue to Yan Shou Palace.

 

“Chenqie greets the emperor.”

 

“This servant greets the emperor.”

 

“Forego the formality, Yue Er.  Sit!”  Bai Yu Chen smiles and personally helps Xia Hou Shang Yue up.  He holds her hand and walk to their respective seats together.  Xue Wu’s jaw almost falls to the floor.

 

 

Gong Sun Jin’s heart suddenly aches.  Her hand is being hold by another man, one who look so refined and handsome at that.  What qualification does he have to urge her to drop everything and leave with him?

 

“This official greets princess.”

 

“Forego the formality, Jin Wangye.  Bengong would like to thank Jin Wangye for traveling thousands of miles to look after bengong on behalf of imperial father.”  Xia Hou Shang Yue’s face is calm, she knows what identity she has to bear now.  Things will not always go one’s way.  She should treat everything like a drifting wind.

 

“Princess is too courteous.  Being able to represent His Majesty is this official’s fortune.”  He doesn’t know why his heart aches so much when he says that, he almost could not continue speaking.  His eyes are trained on Xia Hou Shang Yue.  Bai Yu Chen naturally sees that from the sideline.  Even though he feels displeased, his face continues carrying a smile.

 

“Zhen would like to oversee the preparation of the banquet.  Yue Er, you keep Jin Wangye company over here.  Jin Wangye, zhen will leave first.”

 





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