Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

221. Their Respective Stratagems

Translator: Bryan

On hearing his words, many of the other courtiers bobbed their heads, feeling that Turk was trying to run roughshod over them. If they still had misgivings about standing up to the enemies, the enemies would only get the impression that people of Shenglan country was weak and cowardly, that anybody could bully Shenglan country as they pleased.

“But…” Yuxing Wei, after observing the courtiers’ attitudes towards the issue, slowly uttered the words that he hadn’t dared to say a moment ago. “In the final analysis, my brother led an army to the borderland without my father’s consent, which means my brother, to some extent, was the one who started all this, so in my opinion, Father, you should appoint a new commander.”

A look of satisfaction finally appeared in the emperor’s eyes, but he didn’t make any remarks on it. He just let out a deep sigh and said, “Tianrui indeed acted impulsively, but what’s done is done. There’s no way I’m letting the Turks have their way. Still, about the appointment of a new commander, I’ll need some more time to think about it. I also want my courtiers to do some careful thinking. Tomorrow we’ll make a detailed plan.”

The emperor had made his intentions very clear. The courtiers down below said no more, and what they thought about the matter was insignificant. Du Shi’s status in the court was not really high. He just quietly stood at the back with a paddle in his hand, but he had seen distinctly every one of the courtiers’ facial expressions, and he had also come to know that the court was a place filled with intrigues.

“These are trying times! Our crown prince has led an army to the borderlands, but he’s done it without the emperor’s authorization, which means he doesn’t have a cause. However, there are also some who believe that the Turks are getting too cocky. They built an underground force in Manlou in an attempt to ruin Shenglan country’s lucky streak. Our crown prince was infuriated and took five of their cities in reprisal! It’s a quite inspiring victory!”

In a teahouse, a storyteller was narrating a story aloud, spit flying from his mouth, a folding fan in his hand, his eyes slightly narrowed, as if he were seeing Yuxing Tianrui valiantly fighting the enemies on the battlefield.

Du Chuxuan was sitting with a cup of tea in his hand. He was not at all impatient. He was in a private room on the second floor. He could see the situation down below, but none of the customers downstairs could see what his room was like. On either side of the room reposed an exquisite screen, setting off the elegance of the small room.

“It’s said that seldom anybody has the good fortune to see the leader of Sect Luo, but as far as I can tell, you’re quite different from what you’re rumored to look like,” said a woman simperingly, walking inside. She was wearing a dramatically low-cut dress. Her heavy make-up provided a perfect foil for her hourglass figure, but the smell of blusher she was giving off was pleasing to the nose.

“They say Lanfeng Pavilion is independent of the court. Now I’ve finally got a chance to see its owner with my own eyes. You’re indeed no common person,” Du Chuxuan said, turning to look at the visitor. The woman was the owner of Lanfeng Pavilion, Qian Ye, nicknamed Blady. Du Chuxuan had no idea which force she had at her back, but the court had ever interfered with Lanfeng Pavilion’s business.

Qian Ye walked to Du Chuxuan sinuously and sat opposite him. “Normally, people come to Lanfeng Pavilion to seek either help or information, but Sect Luo seems to be more influential than Lanfeng Pavilion, so I’m a bit confused as to why you’re visiting me.”

An inexplicable smile touched Du Chuxuan’s lips as he looked at the storyteller below. “You’re being overmodest, madam. It has only just happened in the court, and yet you’ve already come to know about it. I don’t think Sect Luo would be powerful enough to do that in ten or twenty years.”

Qian Ye’s face instantly hardened. Though she didn’t make any moves against Du Chuxuan, she had reached inside her sleeve to grip the weapon hidden in there. If Du Chuxuan attempted to attack her, she would immediately hurl the blade at his vital part.

Du Chuxuan didn’t mind Qian Ye being guarded with him. Smiling, he poured Qian Ye a cup of tea. “Seeing as how Lanfeng Pavilion has stood in this city for so many years, you naturally have your own capabilities and ways of handling things. I’m here because I want to strike up a partnership with Lanfeng Pavilion, so you don’t have to be guarded with me, madam.”

Qian Ye snorted and slid Du Chuxuan a sideways glance. After pondering for a long moment, she finally rose to her feet, walked up to the shelf full of ancient books behind Du Chuxuan and knocked at a spot three times with her fingers the nails of which were covered with rosy nail polish in a uniquely rhythmic way. Du Chuxuan knew that this was probably a method peculiar to Lanfeng Pavilion.

“Well then, let’s get inside and talk about it.” The private rooms of Lanfeng Pavilion were meant for customers with high social status. Not everybody could gain entry by paying money. They could only choose a compartment with a window facing the hall down below. Every private room had a secret chamber attached to its rear, which was very safe.

The instant Du Chuxuan stood up, Luo Yi followed him. Qian Yi promptly looked at them warily and said disapprovingly, “You’re being paranoid.” Her face was slightly sulky. After the Wulin Assembly, everybody had come to know that the leader of Sect Luo, though young, was rather ruthless. Qian Ye might be a good fighter, but she didn’t dare fight the two of them at the same time.

Du Chuxuan chuckled, surprised that he had become so formidable in these people’s eyes, but he felt that it might be a good thing, for it would make things easier during the upcoming negotiations.

“Stay here. Don’t let anybody approach,” Du Chuxuan said, stressing the word “anybody”. His words were meant for Qian Ye. He said that to warn Qian Ye not to set any traps for him.

Qian Ye shrugged unconcernedly. Having been in this industry for years, she had dealt with all kinds of unreasonable requests from high-maintenance clients. Du Chuxuan’s attitude was nothing compared with that of the most demanding client she had met.

The two of them walked into the secret chamber, and with that the chamber was brightened. Du Chuxuan glanced around and found that there was a broad groove in the wall which was teeming with fireflies. Before they entered, the room had clearly been dark. Du Chuxuan was amazed that people of Lanfeng Pavilion had trained fireflies to do that.

Qian Ye casually walked over to a table and sat down. “Nobody can hear us from outside. What kind of deal do you want to strike with me? If the price is fair, I won’t say no.”

Du Chuxuan smiled. “I want a list of all the people who know about the change of the imperial fiat.” Qian Ye sprang to her feet at his words, but she soon composed herself.

She was positive that even in Jianghu, hardly anybody knew about that issue, let alone in the court. It could be said that was a secret of Shenglan country, a secret that the emperor had been trying his best to keep.

But after recalling the messages she had received recently, she found it somewhat understandable. If Sect Luo had indeed sided with the crown prince, it would be a natural thing that the leader of Sect Luo had come to find out that secret.

“That’s going to cost you extra,” Qian Ye promptly said.