Chu Wang Fei

When the owner of the soft gentle voice saw the man, she frowned. The pair of beautiful eyes immediately showed disgust. She snapped: “Chen Xi, today is shizi’s good day, how can you wear white?”

When Hai Tian saw how this fifth brother of hers was dressed, she also frowned. Her eyes also flashed disgust. Only at this time mufei had already opened her mouth to reprimand Hai Chen Xi so she didn’t bother with this fifth brother of hers from the illegitimate line who’s always against her.

The one being scolded was Hai wang’s youngest son Hai Chen Xi. His mother who had already passed away was Hai wang’s cefei Qin cefei. She was Hai wang’s most favorite fei. It’s just that she had died from an accident when Hai Chen Xi was five years old. But if it’s said to be an accident, how many people would believe it? The rivalry for favor in large families was phenomenal. It couldn’t be helped that some people would use a black hand and cause the accidental death of Qin cefei. And because of this special favor, although Qin cefei had already passed away for thirteen years, among the many children of Hai wang, the one he loves the most was Hai Chen Xi. Hai wangfei repeatedly requested Hai wang to discipline this arrogant little son but had been barged back. So Hai wangfei really disliked Hai Chen Xi. With every opportunity, she would reprimand him.

Hai Chen Xi seemed as though he was already accustomed to this attitude of Hai wangfei. He didn’t care for this superficial reprimanding. It’s just that the smile on his face emitted a little hate. He stared at the two well-dressed daughter and mother pair. In particular, when seeing that Hai wangfei maintained herself well after all these years, the words that came out of his mouth were contemptuous: “Thank wangfei niangniang for your care! It’s just that the clothes on my body are silver-white and there’s moiré printed on it. It can’t be considered as pure white. Asking wangfei niangniang to not be picky!”

After saying that, Hai Chen Xi didn’t look at the two anymore, sneered indifferently, turned and left. He made Hai wangfei so angry that the beads on the hairpin almost chattered. Her right hand pointed at his back but in the end, she didn’t say anything.

“Mufei, why stoop so low as him?! No matter how much love he got from fuwang, in the end he is just someone without a mother’s support. Such love won’t last for long!”

Hai Tian didn’t want to let Hai Chen Xi destroy her mood. So she pulled Hai wangfei’s hand down and soothed.

“Moreover, today is dage’s good day. Let’s just celebrate amongst ourselves. If you get angry with those who don’t have a mother, won’t it be a joke?! Now, he is just jealous about us!”

Hai wangfei listened to her daughter’s words of comfort and restored her lady-like posture. She raised her hand and stroked the gold buyao. Then, slightly worried, she said: “Tian er, your brother married the granddaughter of the crown prince’s tutor. You naturally can’t fall behind! If you marry well, the pressing stone in mufei’s heart can be considered to have half fallen down!”

Hearing Hai wangfei’s urging, Hai Tian smiled faintly. Her gaze then turned to Yun Qian Meng in the garden. She’s now talking with Qu Fei Qing. A murderous touch flashed into Hai Tian’s eyes. Then she smiled beautifully. That glamorous appearance was very charming. She escorted Hai wangfei to the table and said softly: “Daughter won’t disappoint mufei!”

At this time, it’s very busy in the garden. The misses who had arrived first didn’t expect that they would see Chen wang here.

Although Chen wang’s expression was like ice and he’s unconsciously giving pressure to people, his facial featured were cold as a dagger, he had angular facial lines and his eyes were deep and sharp. In particular, he was dressed in purple brocade robe which highlighted his noble status. It made the misses peek at him in secret.

Chen wang had suffered a soft nail1 at Yun Qian Meng’s hand. Although his heart was unwilling, but right now, he’s in Hai wangfu. He can’t let some people gain benefit from this. He looked coldly at Yun Qian Meng, turned and left ‘Sui Yi Yuan’, making those misses become disappointed. They stared the door of ‘Sui Yi Yuan ‘for quite a while. Then they reluctantly withdrew their eyes.

“Hai wangfu is really a good place for pregnant woman. Look at these plants and flowers. They must be the precious herbs from Yang Ming Mountain. Hai wangye really has a good eye and actually picked such a treasure ground!”

From the distance, other ladies were talking. It’s the first time that they had been invited to Hai wangfu. Not only are they shocked at the space of Hai wangfu, they were more attracted to the internal layout.

The one who’d opened her mouth just now was the granddaughter of the head of the imperial hospital Sun physician. She grew up in the physician family so naturally she had seen and heard a lot about medicine. With a mere glance at the flowers, she had recognized that they were extinct and precious herbs. As a woman who loves medicine, this was undoubtedly more exciting than getting gold and silver jewelry. She immediately shared her joy with the misses by her side.

“Miss Sun is absolutely right! But what really rare is; the construction of Hai wangfu on this unique Yang Ming Mountain can still comply with the eight divinatory trigrams of the Book of Changes! This is really rare! Just don’t know who Hai wangye gave the task to that he can build such a magnificent building. If my father was here, he would certainly want to learn a thing or two from this person!”

The one who’d opened her mouth at this time was the minister of work’s daughter. At this time, she’s looking around the building with sparkling eyes like an expert.

After being pointed out by these two misses, the other misses and gongzi felt that this Hai wangfu was full of surprises. In addition to the wide sea covering the outside of the palace, there must be more hidden secrets here.

Yun Qian Meng and Qu Fei Qing listened to their discussion, their brows frowning without a trace. In particular when Qu Fei Qing looked at Qu Zhang Qing, unwillingness flashed over face. While everyone was discussing all the things of Hai wangfu to their fullest, from the entrance of ‘Sui Yi Yuan’ walked in Rong Yun He with his head full of white hairs. His gaze swept coldly over the garden. When he saw Yun Qian Meng, his eyes paused for a bit. Then he seated himself at the most remote table.

The people saw that Rong Yun He had also been invited, the ladies became scared like flowers that had lost their colors and the gongzis got the feeling that they needed to protect the flowers.

One by one, they stood up and squeezed away to the tables that were furthest from Rong Yun He. For a time, everyone was fighting for seats. The scene was very spectacular. And when this scene fell into the eyes of Yun Qian Meng and the two others, a touch of sneer emerged.

These gongzis are the future of Xi Chu, but their ignorance can be seen. And those ladies who were the breeding for the next generation only had such courage. She’s afraid that some very short-sighted people would be born from them.

After watching how they treated Rong Yun He as though he’s some sort of demon and their pale panicked faces, Yun Qian Meng immediately lost the interest to look at them. She turned and looked at Rong Yun He who was sitting alone at the table. He was surprised to find her looking at him, so she smiled and gave him a nod.

Qu Zhang Qing and Qu Fei Qing saw Yun Qian Meng acting like that so they looked at Rong Yun He, full of doubt. They saw that this gongzi from the legitimate ling of Rong family, despite his white hairs, had a calm posture. He didn’t show any anger at the way everyone excluded him. Compared to those ladies and gongzis who judge people by the book, presumably he has a better moral character.

It’s just that in contrast to Qu Zhang Qing’’s concern about human virtues, Qu Fei Qing was concerned about something else. She leaned closer to Yun Qian Meng and put her lips next to Yun Qian Meng’s ear. With a voice that only the two of them could hear, she said: “Aside from the fact that this Rong gongzi has a head full of white hairs, he really is an elegant and handsome man! Don’t know what my Meng er meimei is thinking?”

Yun Qian Meng laughed at Qu Fei Qing’s gossipy expression. She looked at Qu Fei Qing with a raised eyebrow. She is surprised to find Qu Zhang Qing looking at her with a serious expression. She couldn’t help but sigh and changed the subject: “Biaojie, don’t make fun of Meng er! Rong gongzi is a modest gongzi. We gossiping like this really isn’t respectful! But at this moment, Meng er is really curious about Hai wang’s fifth son. Don’t know whether in biaojie’s heart, there’s also curiosity.”

Qu Fei Qing had finally forgotten about the matter of Hai wangfu proposing marriage. At this time, hearing Yun Qian Meng talk about it, her originally mischievous expression disappeared. Her hands kept turning around the fan. A hint of concern crossed her brows. With pinched lips, she whispered: “With one glance at Hai Tian, you’ll know how her family is like.”

After that remark, Yun Qian Meng and Qu Zhang Qing both muffled a laugh. It seemed that Qu Fei Qing’s impression of Hai Tian was very bad. With one person, she knocked over the whole boat. She classified Hai wangfu’s people to only one kind.

But after looking at how Hai wangfu’s people presented today, a family full of secrets, it really doesn’t suit simple Qu Fei Qing.

Yun Qian Meng was about to open her mouth to comfort Qu Fei Qing when she saw that from the entrance walked in a noble gongzi. Looking more intently, she saw it was Su fu’s Su Cheng Yan. Today, he had come alone. Presumably Su Qian Yue, after the incidents of falling into water and her maid getting caught in a tryst with a man, had no more face to come out to see people.

The arrival of that Su Cheng Yang didn’t cause much waves. Although Su Cheng Yan can be considered a handsome youth, but compared to the statuses of Chen wang and the always alone Rong Yong He, he didn’t have anything special. In particular, his features weren’t really that impressive.

At the attitude of others, he put an expression of ‘I don’t care’. It’s just that when his eyes fell on Yun Qian Meng, he walked straight at a quick pace to Yun Qian Meng. That wind like pace made everyone present feel the great wave of anger.

Yun Qian Meng rocked the fan in her right hand and looked with indifferent eyes when he sat down opposite of her at the table.

“You’re able to sit here at ease!”

Su Cheng Yan saw Yun Qian Meng’s leisurely appearance and thought of his meimei at home, whose face was full of tears every day and anger rose in his heart. He gritted his teeth and growled that sentence.

After Yun Qian Meng heard those words, the hand rolling the fan slightly stilled. Then row after row, she folded the fan. She said softly: “Should not have a heart to harm people! Su gongzi should ask what your mei did. When words get sour, adding words is useless (she means no matter how she explain he won’t believe her). Asking Su gongzi to please sit elsewhere.”

Su Cheng Yan didn’t think that Yun Qian Meng would not give him face. She obviously saw him sit and still she’s driving him away. And at this time, those misses and gongzis were staring at this side with an expression of wanting to see a good spectacle. If he withdrew at this time, he feared that Su family wouldn’t need to mix any longer with the young aristocratic circle of Jingdu.

Thinking like that, Su Cheng Yan slightly narrowed his eyes and glared dangerously at Yun Qian Meng. He said mockingly: “Those words should be left to miss Yun yourself! Shouldn’t have a heart to harm others. Doesn’t miss Yun think that those words coming from your mouth are very sarcastic?”

Qu Fei Qing saw that Su Cheng Yan really had no shame. Not only did he not want to go away, he went as far as to taunt Yun Qian Meng. She’s eager to justify. She wanted to get up and open her mouth, but under the table, Yun Qian Meng grabbed her hand. She saw that there wasn’t any anger on Yun Qian Meng’s face, but she’s actually looking at Su Cheng Yan with a smiling face. With one move, she removed the golden tassels from the fan and slowly said: “I just should not not have a heart to guard against people! If Su gongzi think that this is wrong, then go back and ask miss Su what she has done. And Su gongzi having such anger now, isn’t this showing that you don’t really have the demeanor of a gongzi from a great family?”

Originally, Qu Zhang Qing wanted to ‘ask’ Su Cheng Yan to leave, but after seeing that Yun Qian Meng responding properly, his eyes showed a smile. He left it to her.

Really, after Su Cheng Yan listened to Yun Qian Meng’s rhetorical question, he couldn’t curse and also couldn’t not curse. He’s actually somewhat worried that his move just now had lost the demeanor of a good family’s gongzi. He sat in the same place, glaring with anger at Yun Qian Meng, but didn’t open his mouth again.

Just then, outside ‘Sui Yi Yuan’ came the voice of the head mama: “Hai wangfei has arrived! Tian junzhu has arrived!”

Everyone stood up and silently looked at the two women with high statuses walk in.

At this moment, the normally proud Hai Tian was walking well-behaved behind a middle-aged beautiful woman. The similarity between the two was about forty to fifty percent. Presumably, this was Hai wang’s first wife Hai wangfei.

This Hai wangfei looked really young. Simply because she’s pampered and coupled with the fresh air of Yang Ming mountain, it made this Hai wangfei look like she’s only in her early thirties. And because a banquet was being held today, Hai wangfei was dressed in red. In her hair was a gold phoenix hairpin. The beads on her earrings swing with her steps, but they didn’t make any sound. It can be seen that even though this Hai wangfei didn’t appear much in front of people, she is someone who puts great emphasis on etiquettes!

Watching her posture and light walking, you can see where Hai Tian’s cleverness and capableness came from.

Today, Hai Tian is wearing a rose-red long dress. On the skirt, there’s hundreds of butterflies embroidered with golden threads. When Hai Tian walked, it reminded everyone of a fairy. It immediately attracted the desires of the gongzis and the anger and envy of the misses.

“Greetings to Hai wangfei, to Hai Tian junzhu!”

After Hai wangfei sat on the main seat, everyone great in unison.

Hai wangfei gave a dignified smile, raised her right hand and said with a gentle voice: “Gongzis and misses don’t have to be cautious. Just treat here as the garden in your home! Today, because of shizi’s good day, we’ll make use of the opportunity to put everyone together to connect our feelings!”

Although the words were being said like that, but in this Hai wangfu which held military power, who would dare to be presumptuous?

Everyone waited until Hai wangfei finished, then they respectfully replied: “Yes!”

Unexpectedly, just after Hai wangfei sat well, from outside of ‘Sui Yi Yuan’ came the housekeeper’s voice: “Hai wangye has arrived! Chen wangye has arrived! Chu xiang has arrived!”

Everyone stood up again. Hai wangfei stood up from the master seat and walked to the left seat which was slightly smaller. Then she looked, full of smiles, at the people who came in.

It’s just that nobody imagined Hai wangye sitting in a wheelchair and being pushed in by a gongzi. Following closely were Jiang Mu Chen in a qinwang’s clothing and Chu Fei Yang in a black robe.

After Hai wangfei saw the one pushing Hai wang, her smile paused. After a moment, it returned to the normal expression. She led everyone and first greeted: “Greetings to wangye!”

“Greetings to Hai wangye! Greetings to Chen wangye! Greetings to Chu xiang!”

“Everyone doesn’t need to be so respectful, all can stand up!”

Everyone straightened up and then stared discreetly at this Hai wangye who’s rarely seen in public.

He looked about forty or fifty years old, but his body exuded a cold aura. His features were good. Compared to the gongzis, he had more of a favor of a middle aged man. It’s just that nobody would have thought that the famous Hai wang was now sitting in a wheelchair. For a moment, everyone couldn’t help but look at each other. Presumably, their hearts were full of questions.

Hai wang being a general, his voice had a faint taste of elegance. Presumably, these years of living in the mountains and between water, he must have specialized in literature and calligraphy.

Have to say, the Hai wang of today really was a surprise. She thought that Hai wang who lived in a place comparable to the palace must be someone arrogant and despotic. But seeing him today, it’s entirely a different story!

Hai wang seemed to have already known the expressions of everyone and what they were guessing. He smiled and let the young gongzi push him towards Hai wangfei. Then he smiled: “Today, making use of my grandchild’s birth, I let everyone come here. Gongzis and misses should not be so rigid!”

Saying that, Hai wang gave the housekeeper beside him a nod. That housekeeper immediately left ‘Sui Yi Yuan’.

“Wangye, you coming out like this, be cautious of the wind. Otherwise, your feet will get sick again!”

Hai wangfei saw that Hai wang’s mood was pretty good and seeing that it’s windy, she said that slightly concerned.

Hai wang only waved his hand at her and said in a rare good mood: “I didn’t bother with the matters of the court for so many years. The sons and daughters of my colleagues from the court have already grown so much. Today the banquet is held at our home, naturally I need to come out and meet with them and also to grow feelings between us! Chen Xi, don’t you think so?”

Hai wang turned his head to look at the young man behind him. That man only hooked up his lips and smiled. With a slight smile on his mouth, he looked at Hai wangfei. Then he said: “Today, the scenery is very good. Fuwang should come out and move around a bit! Otherwise passing the days bored in the study, diseases will come out!”

Hai wang’s family were having a nice chat, but they allowed all the other people to hear their conversation. And Qu Fei Qing, after hearing Hai wang call that young man’s name, slightly changed her expression.

Qu Zhang Qing naturally knew what his sister was thinking. Seeing that they were far from Hai wang, he whispered: “Originally, I heard Lao Tai Jun mentioning that the previous emperor was generous to Hai wang because Hai wang became injured in battle when he saved the previous emperor. That’s why the previous emperor let people found Yang Ming Mountain so Hai wang can live comfortably till an old age. These past few years, Hai wang lived like an idle wangye. Although he collected his annual salary from the court, he never actually went to court.”

Yun Qian Meng listened to Qu Zhang Qing’s explanation. Doubt crossed in her heart. She glanced once at Qu Fei Qing who had her head lowered and said softly: “It’s just that we didn’t expect not even in a million years, that Hai wang had injured his legs and is now sitting in a wheelchair!”

Hearing that, Qu Zhang Qing’s eyes flashed surprise. He shook his head slightly and then said with regret: “The emperor sent physicians every month to Hai wang, but it’s said that they can only suppress the symptoms and not the core of the illness. In the end, he’s badly injured and hasn’t appeared in front of people for many years. If we didn’t come today, we probably have never known this!”

Hearing that, Yun Qian Meng lowered her head. Her heart was still skeptical about Hai wang’s attitude. In particular, their dialogue just now seems to be informing everyone that his legs was badly injured and can’t walk.

Yun Qian Meng was staring at the fan in her hands. From the corner of her eye, she saw that Qu Fei Qing was absently playing with her fan, so she stretched her hands out and grabbed that fan. Her eyes looked once at the young man standing behind Hai wang and whispered: “Biaojie, presumably that man is the one Hai wangfei mentioned.”

Qu Fei Qing immediately raised her head and looked at Yun Qian Meng. She didn’t know that Yun Qian Meng’s observation power was so strong. She nodded helplessly and said in a low voice: “That is Hai wang’s fifth son Hai Chen Xi. Its Hai wang and the late cefei Qin shi’s only son and also Hai wang’s most favorite son. Today you also saw that this person is full of evil aura and makes people’s hearts get the chills. Such a person, how can he be a husband?”

Listening to her remark, Yun Qian Meng turned around. She saw that Hai Chen Xi was staring with narrowed eyes at Hai wangfei. Although there’s still a smile on Hai wangfei’s mouth, her eyes showed a trace of hatred. Surely the relation between the two was not as harmonious as on the surface.

She was about to retrieve her gaze when she saw that Hai Tian was staring love-struck at Chu Fei Yang and Chu Fei Yang was staring with smiling eyes at herself (YQM). She didn’t have the chance to look the other way when Hai Tian’s eyes fired with anger at her, making Yun Qian Meng glare at Chu Fei Yang once before she focused again on Qu Fei Qing. She carefully appeased her: “If biaojie doesn’t want, you can explain it to Lao Tai Jun and jiujiu. I believe that they will put biaojie’s happiness on the first place.”

Qu Fei Qing was just about to speak when from the front came Hai Tian’s slightly sharp voice: “Miss Yun as xiangfu’s lady, why are you sitting at such a remote place? Would that not make Hai wangfu seem as though it doesn’t have any rules?”

At Hai Tian’s words, everyone turned to look at Yun Qian Meng who wanted to keep a low profile

Yun Qian Meng sighed in her heart. She couldn’t help but blame Chu Fei Yang. If it wasn’t for him, would she have become a fish being fired at? She can only stand up and reply with a smile: “Asking for forgiveness from wangye! It’s just that wangye said that we didn’t need to bother with etiquettes so much, so chennu just sat on a seat closest to me!”

Yun Qian Meng’s answer made people unable to find faults with it. She took Hai wang as cover and just sat a seat nearest to her. She didn’t offend anyone, but it let Hai Tian’s expression sank. She spoke again: “Last time at Fu Guo Gong Fu’s Lao Tai Jun’s birthday, I tasted miss Yun’s cooking. Presumably miss Yun is well versed in the four arts. Hai Tian is someone who loves people with talent. Today I would like to learn from miss Yun!”

After the people heard Hai Tian’s words, they looked pitifully at Yun Qian Meng. After all, Hai Tian is a famous talented woman of Xi Chu and Yun Qian Meng from her birth until now, she didn’t make a name. This Hai Tian took something that she is good at to compare with others, doesn’t it mean that she wants to see Yun Qian Meng become a joke?

Yun Qian Meng saw that Hai Tian was eager to let her make a fool of herself, but she didn’t get angry, instead she said, rather modestly: “Junzhu is the talented woman of Xi Chu. Chennu just learned a few simple things at home. It can’t be compared with junzhu!”

With this answer, it seems like she’s somewhat accusing Hai Tian of bullying. Plus the fact of Hai Tian’s interpersonal skills which give people a domineering feeling, Yun Qian Meng won a lot of sympathy votes.

“Fuwang hasn’t even had a meal yet and xiaomei already wants to compete. Isn’t that a little bit too impatient?”

At this time, that Hai Chen Xi opened his mouth to help Yun Qian Meng and attracted Hai Tian’s anger. But he turned a blind eye to it and only looked sincerely at Hai wang. He suggested: “The housekeeper must’ve already prepared all. Asking fuwang to please change locations!”

Hai wang saw that Hai Chen Xi was rarely so serious, he couldn’t help but sigh in his heart. He immediately smiled and nodded. Then he commanded: “Since it’s like this, then asking everyone to come with benwang.”

After saying that, Hai wang’s calm eyes unintentionally swept over Yun Qian Meng’s lowered head and then he was pushed out of ‘Sui Yi Yuan’ by Hai Chen Xi.

Hai Tian and Hai wangfei both with the same bad expression exchanged a glance with each other. Although she was upset, she could only follow Hai wang out of the garden.

Everyone was confused, were they not dining in ‘Sui Yi Yuan’?

It’s just that the hosts were now gone and they didn’t see the servants come out to serve dinner, so they could only follow them out.

Yun Qian Meng stood up and was about to follow when her sleeves was pulled by someone. Qu Fei Qing whispered: “Meng er, if Hai Tian’s still so provocative later, just say that your body’s at discomfort to avoid falling into her trap.”

Qu Zhang Qing also had a worried expression. Seeing that meimei was thinking like him, he used his eyes to tell Yun Qian Meng to do what his meimei had said.

Yun Qian Meng patted on Qu Fei Qing’s delicate hand and said: “Biaoge, biaojie, rest assured. Since I’ve come, I will not be afraid of her!”

The two siblings saw that Yun Qian Meng looked firm. It seems that she had come prepared. Their hearts slightly eased. The three also quickly walked out of the garden.

Everyone crossed Hai wangfu’s front yard and went through a bamboo forest. Finally, they stepped inside a primeval forest and came eye to eye with a boundless lake. At this time, it’s noon, the sunlight was just right. The golden sunlight fell on the lake and the mountain wind slightly brushed on the surface of the lake, making the water sparkle, stunning everyone’s eyes.

Here, it’s clearly in the middle of the mountain, so why is there a lake? And where does this water come from? Strings of questions immediately went into everyone’s brain.

Hai wang only smiled without much concern. Then he looked once at the housekeeper. The housekeeper clapped his hands twice. Hidden in the forest, a ship with a golden jade eagle carved on it sailed out.

A ship about 100 feet tall and 500 feet long with three floors. On the body, there were rising clouds carved on it and inscribed with gold. It showed Hai wangfu’s honor and style.

Today, all of these gongzis and ladies were born from rich and wealthy familes. What good things have they not seen? But the ship that could be seen on the lake shook them. Now the eyes that were looking at Hai wang have some more things into them.

Hai wang cheerfully explained: “Thank to the emperor’s grace. He knows that laochen can’t get out of this Yang Ming Mountain and granted this artificial lake for me to enjoy leisure time.”

After hearing this, everyone understood in their hearts. Only Hai wang will get such a meritorious award.

At this time, two guards simultaneously appeared beside Chu Fei Yang and Jiang Mu Chen. Those two guards whispered in the two’s ears. Chen wang’s expression turned even colder and the smile on Chu Fei Yang’s face turned deeper.

Hai wang saw it but didn’t ask. He only let the servants help the gongzis and misses onto the ship.

After everyone boarded the ship, they saw that Hai wang had already prepared the dinner. At this time, they could sit on the ship and enjoy the delicious food and the unique beauty of outside. This really was another enjoyment, making everyone’s heart thrill.

Naturally, Hai wang sat at the same table as Chen wang and Chu Fei Yang. Three people with three different kinds of expressions. Because of Hai wang’s love, Hai Chen Xi was allowed to sit beside him. Hai wang had a warm expression, Jiang Mu Chen had a cold expression, Chu Fei Yang was smiling without a words and evil aura is emitting from Hai Chen Xi. The ladies felt that one pair of eyes was not enough. Their gazes kept going from Jiang Mu Chen to Chu Fei Yang to Hai Chen Xi.

Compared with Jiang Mu Chen who has a noble aura, Chu Fei Yang dressed in black gave a more mysterious feeling. Gold trims at the hem gave out a dignified aura. Especially with his handsome appearance, smiling with deep silence made everyone feel more at ease. And Hai Chen Xi, although he’s elegant and handsome, he’s a bit feminine and emitted an evil aura. People couldn’t help but stay far away from him and preferred Jiang Mu Chen.

Time slowly passed. Perhaps it’s because Hai wang didn’t bother with the outside world for so long, so he’s now having some good talks with Chen wang and Chu Fei Yang. The ladies felt bored and excused themselves. Together, they boarded the third floor and watched the sun move to the west. It’s a wonderful view.

At this time, from the cabin on the first floor came a melodious sound of guqin. The people marched to the first floor and saw Hai Tian sitting in front of the guqin. Her elegant and slender fingers stroked the strings and played the song she’s most good at, ‘Ambush from ten sides’. Next popped up the song ‘Feng Qiu Huang2’.

And sitting opposite Hai Tian is Chu Fei Yang. And while Hai Tian’s playing, she’s staring boldly at Chu Fei Yang. Her eyes showed that she must have him.

Hai Tian’s heart’s now well known but only Chu Fei Yang’s expression didn’t change. He’s toasting and chatting with Hai wang. He didn’t even take a look at Hai Tian.

After the song was completed, everyone was amazed. Only the four people at Hai wang’s table seemed like they didn’t hear the beautiful song of the qin.

Hai Tian didn’t seem very concerned. She recovered her gaze from Chu Fei Yang and looked at Yun Qian Meng. She smiled: “Does miss Yun knows the song of just now?”

Yun Qian Meng saw Hai Tian acting like this, she recited: “A beautiful person came who, after one glance, won’t be forgotten. One day he didn’t come, she went crazy. The phoenix (Feng) flew and went through the four seas to seek phoenix (Huang). He wasn’t at the east wall, the helpless beauty wrote the song. When this poem is seen, help me look for phoenix. No matter how far away, we will join hands. No matter how long, till I degenerate. Junzhu played a good song. This ‘Feng Qui Huang’ is really epic, but it’s extremely bold. Chennu really admire junzhu’s courage!”

Everyone still hadn’t recovered from Hai Tian unique sound of the qin when they were shocked by Yun Qian Meng’s poem. They were confused at how this miss of xiangfu, who rarely appeared in front of everyone, was actually also an expert. Without a trace, she made people aware of her literary talent and also implied that Hai Tian lacked morality. She hadn’t even married yet but already can’t wait to express her love to a man!

For a time, the impression that Hai Tian and Yun Qian Meng gave everyone switched. Yun Qian Meng had gradually gone to the literary side and Hai Tian’s went to someone lacking virtues. And Chu Fei Yang who had turned a blind eye at Hai Tian, when Yun Qian Meng began to recite ‘Feng Qui Huang’, he put down the glass of wine. His eyes quickly passed over Yun Qian Meng’s calm expression. Those lips which touched the wine moved up slightly.

And Jiang Mu Chen, after seeing Yun Qian Meng’s unexpected performance, became curious. He didn’t bother anymore with Hai wang and stared at Yun Qian Meng. He seemed like he wanted to see something from Yun Qian Meng’s expression. Only at this time, Yun Qian Meng was too calm. Aside from a small smile, people can’t read anything more from her expression. It made Jiang Mu Chen be disappointed but he also looked forward to the next surprise she’d give him.

From the beginning, Rong Yun He had been sitting alone. His eyes were on the lake outside the ship, but when Yun Qian Meng cleverly humiliated Hai Tian, he grinned

Although Hai Tian heard the sarcasm in Yun Qian Meng’s words, but because her crush was here, she couldn’t take her anger out so she walked towards the already prepared instruments. She looked at Yun Qian Meng and smiled: “Don’t know which musical instruments miss Yun has specialized in.”

Yun Qian Meng no longer evaded and also smiled: “Chennu is not talented and can’t play the guqin like junzhu with so much feeling, but my pipa can let people hear it.”

After saying that, she didn’t wait for Hai Tian and sat on the chair. She picked up the pipa and played a few notes. Then she said: “At this time, the sun is setting, the night is coming. Chennu will play the song ‘River on a Spring Night’ for everyone.”

Saying that, Yun Qian Meng lightly twisted the strings and made a smooth sound. At this time, the sun was fading from the horizon. The sky’s gradually dimming down. The servants of Hai wangfu hanged the already prepared lanterns at every corner of the boat. The birds also stopped chirping. Aside from the paddling sound, there’s only the sound of the pipa.

Yun Qian Meng’s technique is good and along with the fact that the sound was compatible with the atmosphere, it made people stand inside and enjoy the beauty at the lake. And the sound of the pipa let people enter the landscape of a painting. The quiet spring night. The moon rose above the mountain. The waves under the boat were moving. The gentle moving made shadows sway on the stunning view of the nature. This scene entered everyone’s eyes.

After the song ‘River on a Spring Night’ ended, the people hadn’t recovered yet from the beautiful scene.

Yun Qian Meng put down the pipa and looked up. She saw those really dark eyes of Chu Fei Yang looking at her with a smile. Those lips were raised in a graceful arc, showing his good mood at the moment.

Chu Fei Yang only stared at Yun Qian Meng. A cool and bright voice slowly read out an improvisation of poetry: “Spring tide at sea level, the moon on the river come to live. With the toss of the waves, it traveled thousands of miles. Where the spring river doesn’t have a moon, it’ll be dark. The moon shone brightly on the flowers in the forest. Inside their emptiness, frost flew inside. The whiteness made them invisible. The spring night doesn’t have a speck of dust. In the clear bright sky, there’s only the lonely full moon. Who will be the first to see the moon at the river? When at the beginning of the year will the moon shine on people? Life has many infinite generations. The river and the moon look similar every year. Don’t know who the river and moon are waiting on, but seeing the long river send the water away, the white clouds also followed. The youthful maple went on top of the riverbank without worries. Whose family tonight will skiff a son? Where will the bright moon yearn to go? Feeling pity for last month for pacing back and forth, ought to have shined on the mystical person in front of the mirror. Didn’t go to the household with a flag. Brushed against the laundry clothes on the next round. Now facing each other without knowing each other’s name, wishing that month after month after month, the moon will shine magnificently on the gentleman. Swan goose flying forever in the light without limit. The ichthyosaur submerged on the river. Last night, staying leisurely in a deep pool dream, missing out the fall of the flowers. Pity the spring for not going home. The river water flew on spring time to the greatest extent. The moon on the river left and returned to the west. The slanting moon concealed deeply in the ocean of fogs. The road of the river is unlimited. Don’t know how many people will take advantage of the moon and return. The falling moon rocked the entire river tree.”

Hai wang’s eyes went between Chu Fei Yang and Yun Qian Meng once. Then he also glanced once at Hai Tian. He gave a hearty laugh and applauded: “Chu xiang have good literary talent! Miss Yun is very good at music! Really coordinated well!”

Hai wang’s words made everyone’s soul come back. The eyes of the ladies that were full of jealousy were first pinned on Hai Tian and have now turned to Yun Qian Meng. The worst one was Hai Tian’s knife-like gaze.

Chu Fei Yang’s eyes swept lightly over Hai wang and laughed: “Miss Yun played according to the scenery. Benxiang made a poetry according to the scenery. Really let wangye see a joke!”

Just a few words easily changed everyone’s opinion. Everyone now realized that Yun Qian Meng’s song was unrelated to romance and just a praise to the scenery and Hai Tian’s song contained her deep feelings. Their hostility went back to Hai Tian.

Hai wang didn’t think that Chu Fei Yang was such a tough character. With a few simple words, he let the hostility point back at Tian er. Although his heart has some displeasure on the surface, his smile became more warm.

Hai Tian saw that Yun Qian Meng shone like this and saw that between Chu Fei Yang and Yun Qian Meng, there’s a deep connection, she got really furious. She stroked the guqin painted with roses that she had used and smiled: “It appears that miss Yun is a hidden master! Presumably your guqin skills must also be superb.”

The people heard Hai Tian mention guqin. In the entire Xi Chu, Hai Tian’s guqin is the most outstanding, but she’s making Yun Qian Meng play. Presumably, she’s determined to let Yun Qian Meng become a joke in front of everyone. Although they pity Yun Qian Meng in their hearts, they are also helpless.

At this time, Yun Qian Meng said modestly: “Chennu’s qin is just normal. I fear that it’ll taint wangye and everyone’s ears. Moreover, chennu just performed the pipa, it’ll be better to let other ladies perform for everyone!”

Comments:

My last chapter of Chu Wang Fei. I’ve translated a part of chapter 71. Hope you enjoy it

Soft nail: a tactful retort or rejection

Feng Qui Huang: female phoenix seeks male phoenix. A popular song when a woman is declaring her love for a man.

Chapter 71

But Hai Tian is biting Yun Qian Meng without letting go. Seeing her refusing like this, her eyes showed coldness. With a trace of unhappiness, she said: “Miss Yun being like this is like tearing ben junzhu’s face. Would this not make it look like that xiangfu doesn’t know the etiquette of hierarchy?”

After everyone heard that, in their hearts they wiped a sweat for Yun Qian Meng. Although the empress dowager and Fu Guo Gong Fu is at Yun Qian Meng’s back, but Hai wang’s family property really surprised everyone. Moreover, Hai wang’s title is given by the previous emperor and that previous emperor is the empress dowager’s husband. If Yun Qian Meng refuse now, they are afraid that even the empress dowager wouldn’t be able to protect Yun Qian Meng.

It’s just that today, the crowd has also seen too much. This Hai Tian junzhu has made up her to make it hard for Yun Qian Meng, that’s why she is being so difficult. This also let the people look at Yun Qian Meng with eyes full of sympathy but in their hearts they rejoicing at other’s misfortune. After all, the ‘River on a Spring Night’ was really fascinating plus the fact that Chu xiang didn’t even put Hai Tian in his eyes, but he made a poem for Yun Qian Meng, it immediately let the ladies’ hearts taste sour. Since they have no chance to perform in front of Chu xiang and Chen wang, they’ll be happy to see Hai Tian make things difficult for Yun Qian Meng to let Yun Qian Meng become a joke!

“O? Didn’t know that junzhu’s prejudice against xiangfu is so deep. Today I’ll like to ask some advice from junzhu! In the end what kind of etiquette can enter junzhu’s eyes? Everybody who has come today is a guest. Wangye and junzhu are the hosts today. This should have been a scene of joy. But I don’t know why junzhu said those words and spoiled the scene?!”

Not waiting for Yun Qian Meng to say anything, Chu Fei Yang raised the peach shaped purple cup in his hand. A pair of bright eyes stared at the purple cup. With a breathtaking cold voice he said those words.

Hai Tian’s expression stiffened a moment. Her heart immediately tightened. Her eyes immediately turned to Chu Fei Yang. She saw that he preferred to stare at the cup in his hands and didn’t even want to look at her once. Rage immediately went into her heart. The hands in her sleeves clenched into fists in resentment. Barely suppressing the wroth in his heart, she said in a low voice: “Chu xiangfu is naturally good, but it’s……”

“Tian er!”

At this time, Hai wang who didn’t open his mouth for a long time suddenly shouted. Eyes full of dissatisfaction stared at Hai Tian and are blaming Hai Tian for being reckless.

Knowing that in Xi Chu are two ministers, but because of jealousy, Hai Tian has forgotten the meaning that her words can have. Because of a carelessness and actually offended Chu Fei Yang, this made Hai wang’s eyes which were like spring immediately have a layer of coldness. A chill aura unconsciously emitted from his body.

Hai Tian has been woken up by this shout. She immediately shut her mouth. But her heart is still unwilling. She turned around and where the crowd couldn’t see her, she glared once at Yun Qian Meng full of hate.

Yun Qian Meng only felt really wronged. It’s obviously the fallen flower which wanted to do a ruthless thing but accidentally fell onto the wrong place and vented its anger on her. She felt really wronged!

In particular at this time, Hai Tian is glaring at her. Although it won’t generate pressure for Yun Qian Meng, but it’s a bother. So she can only lift her eyes and looked at Hai Tian’s beautiful eyes which are spitting fire. She smiled very innocently provoking the jealousy in Hai Tian’s eyes even more.

“But since, junzhu has asked warmly, can miss Yun play one song. This will also add fun for everyone. Don’t know what Chen wang think of this?”

Chu Fei Yang suddenly changed the subject. His dark eyes turned and looked at Jiang Mu Chen. He asked with a smile on his mouth.

Because Hai Tian making things hard for Yun Qian Meng, Jiang Mu Chen’s eyes have always been on Yun Qian Meng. At this time hearing Chu Fei Yang changed to subject to himself, he retrieved his gaze. With eyes full of frost topped with ice, he looked at Chu Fei Yang. He saw Chu Fei Yang has smile in his eyes, Jiang Mu Chen’s heart immediately flashed unhappiness. Then he said coldly: “Is Chu xiang’s mood today especially good or is it that you favor miss Yun’s qin?”

Everyone heard that that the words are filled with traps. They seemed like swords. Everyone stayed silent to not be cut by them.

Hai wang at the same table already restored his previously warm expression. His eyes have little smile in them. It seemed like he didn’t feel the tense atmosphere between the two. At the other side of the table, Hai Chen Xi is sipping at his cup of wine. His seductive eyes are staring at the lake outside.

Hai wangfei glanced slightly with pain in her heart at Hai Tian. Seeing that this Chu Fei Yang has an uncertain temperament and because of Hai Tian’s words, he made things difficult for Hai Tian. She put the blame on Yun Qian Meng.

At this time, the atmosphere inside the ship is awkward, making everyone uncomfortable. Hai wangfei smiled elegantly. Eyes full of prestige looked at Yun Qian Meng. She then followed Chu Fei Yang’s words and opened her mouth: “Since Tian er and Chu xiang has asked miss Yun to play one more song, then I can only thank miss Yun for your trouble!”