flstandardbreds Chapter 379 Gu Chang'an's Killing Aura
Chapter 379 Gu Chang'an's Killing Aura
Chapter 379 Gu Chang'an's Killing Aura
"Miss, I heard that our Great Zhao has released all the Rong and Di prisoners you captured today? And the two princes were taken away by the eldest prince?" Peony asked when she saw Shen Li return.
Today, Yu Die is with Shen Li, and she is helping Shen Li take off her court robes.
"It was redeemed with money, or more precisely, with horses. For the next three years, 30,000 fine horses will be provided each year." Shen Li already knew this at the Hanlin Academy.
“Logically speaking, since you arrested the person, the ransom should be given to you.” Peony felt it was unfair.
“But if it were really me asking, I would ask for more.” Shen Li shook her head slightly: “This negotiation is a bit too soft.”
"It's alright. When I retire from this official position, we'll go up the mountain and become bandits." Shen Li smiled at Shaoyao: "Then all the things we rob will belong to our little Shaoyao."
"Miss, you're teasing me again." Peony covered her face, stomping her feet in embarrassment.
“I’m serious about your young lady. There’s nothing wrong with being a bandit leader,” Shen Li said meaningfully.
“Miss, a messenger from the master has come back and said that he will be having a banquet at Prince Yi’s mansion tonight. He told you to get some rest and not wait for him.” Lian Qiao walked in from outside.
Peony immediately stopped being shy, and Rain Butterfly stopped laughing.
The two girls' mouths were so full of oil that you could practically hang an oil bottle from them.
They were very dissatisfied with Lord Gu's recent behavior. This was the fourth time he had gone to Prince Yi's residence. If this continued, he would eventually become like other officials and stop coming home at night.
"Understood." Shen Li's expression was also somewhat solemn.
The King of Chess is not easily trusting of others, and Gu Chang'an is likely to be plotted against every night she goes there, but she is especially nervous tonight.
If she were the Queen of Chess, she would make her move today.
Dealing with a wary person like Gu Chang'an requires patience.
“Miss, there’s no need for you to get angry about this. I’ll help you rest.” Lianqiao winked at the two maids.
Seeing their young mistress's worried expression, Peony and Rain Butterfly quickly forced a smile. Rain Butterfly, quick-witted, said, "Miss, I read an interesting story today. Shall I tell it to you?"
"Let's talk about it tomorrow. Don't worry, I'm fine." Shen Li patted her hand gently and said, "Go on, study hard."
After sending the maids away, Shen Li lay alone in bed, still unable to sleep. She was now very envious of Bai Wuyou's agile and skillful movements.
She had expressed her desire to learn, but Bai Wuyou said that it was a skill for children, which required practicing from the age of three regardless of the weather, and also required a famous teacher. It would take fifteen years to achieve any success, just like studying and taking the imperial examinations, and it could not be rushed.
Shen Li now understands Gu Chang'an's state of mind when she put herself in the game. She believes in his abilities, but she just can't calm down and stop thinking too much; she can't control her thoughts.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
The flower hall of Prince Yi's mansion was much more lively at night than during the day. A dozen or so important court officials sat below Prince Yi, discussing matters concerning the crown prince.
Gu Chang'an remained seated in the first position below, listening without saying anything.
"Your Highness is the one everyone hopes for; you will surely achieve your goals. I salute Your Highness." An official stood up.
Others echoed this sentiment.
Gu Chang'an, naturally, couldn't resist the custom and drank first as a sign of respect.
King Yi, who had already been drinking, was now completely bewildered by the flattery, as if he had already ascended to the supreme throne.
"Bring on the singing and dancing." He waved his hand dismissively.
Then the dancers, dressed in light clothing, floated up and, as the music of string and wind instruments began, moved gracefully like butterflies fluttering their wings.
The dancers' undergarments barely covered their private parts, and they wore only a red gauze dress over it. Their fair skin was sometimes in front of them and sometimes hidden behind the thin gauze, creating a hazy beauty that made the officials stare in disbelief.
Gu Chang'an rarely looked at the dancers.
Seeing his reaction, the King of Chess asked, "Lord Gu, is there anything of interest?"
Gu Chang'an shook his head slightly.
“Indeed, Lady Gu’s beauty and talent are unparalleled. My cousin may not be the most beautiful woman in the capital, but she is certainly no less so. Naturally, Lord Gu would not be interested in such ordinary beauties.” Prince Yi teased with a smile.
"Your Highness is too kind," Gu Chang'an chuckled in agreement.
"That's for sure. Lord Gu's good fortune with women is truly the envy of every man in the world." Prince Yi laughed even louder, his words laced with greed.
Gu Chang'an naturally knew where this greed came from, and his pupils contracted.
This chess master has become incredibly arrogant lately, daring to say anything he wants.
"Your Highness, that's not what you said last night," a concubine who had been serving Prince Yi said coquettishly.
The woman was about eighteen or nineteen years old, wearing a black ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a larger opening at the chest than usual. She was said to be the most favored concubine of the King of Yi, who often came to serve him at banquets.
The ministers present all recognized her and addressed her as Lady Haitang.
Hearing the delicate voice, King Yi chuckled mischievously, lifted her chin, and asked in a seductive voice, "Then tell me, what did I say last night?"
"Your Highness, you're so naughty~" Haitang blushed instantly, but her body seemed boneless as she leaned into Prince Yi's arms.
Gu Chang'an turned his head away, and as he did so, he saw a fat man with big ears walk into the flower hall. He walked through the dancing girls as if he were in his own home, and even touched them a few times.
"Your Highness, I'm late." Zheng Youde stepped forward and bowed, saying sorry, but he did so very casually.
Few dare to act this way in front of the King of Chess, and the Zheng family is one of them.
As the Minister of Personnel, Zheng Shangshu held the highest position among the Six Ministries and had the power to command all officials. He was always the number one figure in the Yi Wang faction.
Not to mention that Minister Zheng is Prince Yi's maternal uncle, and Consort Zheng has been especially fond of her nephew Zheng Youde since Zheng Youwei's death. The two families have long been as close as one family.
When Gu Chang'an saw Zheng Youde, his eyes darkened further. Although A Li hadn't mentioned the conflict with Zheng Youde when she got home, Zuixianlou was his territory, so how could he not know what had happened?
He dared to make suggestive remarks about Ah Li; he should know he's about to die.
The King of Chess naturally didn't mind his late arrival, but when he saw Zheng Youde, he put on a stern face and said, "Youde, I heard that you spoke rudely to Lord Shen Li a few days ago?"
"Uh..." Zheng Youde then noticed Gu Chang'an standing to the side, and after a moment of unease, he said, "Brother, I was just drunk and said a few drunken things. I didn't do anything, did I?"
"Don't try to claim kinship with us. Even if he did something outrageous while drunk, it's unforgivable." Prince Yi snorted, then said to Gu Chang'an, "Lord Gu, I'm handing the man over to you. You can punish him as you see fit."
“Brother…” Zheng Youde’s voice trembled with anxiety.
He wasn't afraid of others, but this was Gu Chang'an. Not to mention a second-generation scion with no official position, many nobles and powerful officials had died at his hands.
Gu Chang'an sneered inwardly. Before he could even speak, he had already concluded that the person was drunk. If he took action now, it would seem that he was not generous enough.
The King of Chess's move was too short.
"Shut up! We'll all be family in the future, and we'll see each other all the time. We can't let Lord Gu have any grudges," Prince Yi rebuked Zheng Youde again.
But while it sounded like a reprimand to Zheng Youde, it also seemed to be a reminder to Gu Chang'an not to go too far.
Zheng Youde, of course, couldn't understand this. Seeing that pleading was useless, he turned to Gu Chang'an and said, "Gu Chang'an, don't think I'm really afraid of you. I don't believe you would dare to really hit me."
He spoke with his neck stiff to bolster his courage. He knew in his heart that Gu Chang'an wouldn't go too far if he wanted to stay under Yi Wang's command, but Gu Chang'an was too fierce, and his rationality was easily overwhelmed when they were face to face.