The Beloved Imperial Consort - Chapter 65
Zhong Zheng Lin told Di Wu Yi Zhao frankly about everything. The opposite black chess pieces, though appeared to be dispersed, actually concealed a stratagem.
In the main house of the front yard, the two have played chess already for half an hour. Both sides moved leisurely, with their own merits.
“Is your Highness somewhat concerned about cefei’s actions?” Di Wu Yi Zhao could guess bits and pieces of the reason why the sixth Highness was often as if lost in thoughts these days. Not to mention his Highness, even he was quite amazed when he first heard of this incident.
Most of his knowledge about Mu cefei came from his daughter’s, Di Wu Yu Ying’s, mouth. Though it was now inconvenient for them to go for an outing, the correspondence between the two of them has never discontinued.
Whenever Di Wu Yu Ying mentioned Mu Xi Yao, she praised the other party to high heaven, saying that Mu Xi Yao’s talent and moral character were one in million.
Before, he felt it was a too high an accolade toward a woman. However, this incident has truly broadened his mind. Cefei’s resourcefulness has prevailed a surprise attack. She wasn’t the slightest bit inferior to any men. She was especially precise in regards of seizing the human’s heart. The most remarkable thing was, she didn’t possess the ordinary women’s benevolence and irresoluteness. She very efficiently hit a target with one strike.
In just one night the first prince Zhong Zheng Chun’s forces, that took him years of the building, were put up to the torch.
“Does mister know why did bendian at the time rush back to Qingzhou to pay mister visit, even before passing the New Year festival?” Zhong Zheng Lin lightly tapped his fingertip, slowly putting down the piece.
Di Wu Yi Zhao’s interest was piqued. He also felt it was too abrupt at that time when his sixth Highness made a visit late at night.
“Fortunately, there was someone who has recommended mister, that bendian acquired a matchless advisor.” Zhong Zheng Lin recalled the note that has been crushed by him. If he had known earlier there would be today’s suspicions, he would surely have kept it as a keepsake.
Di Wu Yi Zhao raised the hem of his garment to shift into a cross-legged posture. He straightened up his expression, “Can your Highness disclose, whom should Yi Zhao thank for favor?”
Zhong Zheng Lin looked at mountain ebony in the vase that was brought by Wei Zhen while deeply regretting, “Bendian didn’t see the person. Bendian has only received the red-inked inscription that has disguised the writer’s handwriting.”
Di Wu Yi Zhao’s brows instantly creased, “Was it the most common sort of writing paper? In addition, the handwriting on it completely lacked the composition, as if it was written by a child?”
Zhong Zheng Lin abruptly turned his head, staring at Di Wu Yi Zhao with an astonished expression, “Mister knows?”
Di Wu Yi Zhao’s nervous and worried heart suddenly calmed down. He quietly let out a sigh of relief, “Have indeed seen it.”
Watching the brilliant lights and vibrant colors in Zhong Zheng Lin’s phoenix eyes, he slightly shook his head. His tone carried a disappointment, “As per your Highness’s words, didn’t see the other party in person.”
The brilliant light in Zhong Zheng Lin’s eyes gradually diminished. After a moment of silence, he brazenly spoke up, “Can mister tell Bendian, what that person wrote in the note?”
Di Wu Yi Zhao sighed, “In regards to discovering people with talent, Yi Zhao falls short and cannot compare to the other party.” Recalling the three names on the note that were as if written as a joke, Di Wu Yi Zhao seriously replied, “Those three people’s names have all been already recommended by Yi Zhao.”
Instantly, Zhong Zheng Lin was clear about the three’s identities. To his surprise, that person has again made those outstanding personages get the position with one recommendation. No wonder that mister admitted he was not the match for the other one.”
The two looked at each other for a good while, already having lost interest in the chess match.
“Since your Highness has suddenly mentioned this matter, did your Highness found some clues?” Di Wu Yi Zhao was a very sharp man. He immediately understood the sixth Highness would never shoot without aim1.
Zhong Zheng Lin put back the chess piece and asked extremely carefully, “If Bendian guessed this person’s identity was a woman, would mister find it laughable?”
Di Wu Yi Zhao’s face blanked for a moment. He filled his cup with tea and lowered his head to take a sip.
Zhong Zheng Lin didn’t urge him. He closed his lids slightly, watching how mountain ebony sprinkled in early-morning autumn dew luxuriantly bloomed.
“Does your Highness suspect cefei’s identity?” Talking to smart people had that advantage that the other one immediately understood you.
Zhong Zheng Lin rose up from his cross-legged posture and walked before the vase. He leaned over to the stamen and took a deep breath of a plum scent, “Her intentions were obvious. Unfortunately, the person who shares bendian’s bed is unwilling to treat bendian with sincerity.”
Di Wu Yi Zhao raised his eyebrow. All this fuss was actually due to the sixth Highness’s heart unwilling to resign and not due to suspicions and alienation?
He laughed chuckled. The words he spoke carried ridicule, “Why should your Highness be concerned about it? If your Highness’s suspicions are true, such a bright woman, how could she not know that night’s things would be known by your Highness?”
Indeed, his Highness was the one involved, yet he couldn’t see cefei’s heart.
Zhong Zheng Lin was taken aback. Instantly, he understood why Mu Xi Yao kept silent for the past few days. Could it be in order for him to contemplate and reach a realization?
Watching Di Wu Yi Zhao’s departing figure, Zhong Zheng Lin sighed deeply. It turns out that she has long ago declared herself. Unfortunately, he was disturbed by too many distracting thoughts and kept her gratuitously waiting for a long time.
In the evening, Zhong Zheng Lin returned to Danruo courtyard as usual. Mu Xi Yao was teasing Cheng Qing, laughing cheerfully.
Looking at Zhong Zheng Lin’s sudden appearance, she was very surprised.
This man has got over it so quickly? It wasn’t his style. Just based on his bad temper, it was strange that he didn’t remain stubborn-headed for half a month.
Mu Xi Yao’s eyes turned. With a tiny smile, she said, “Did mister come back?” In the estate, there was only one person with the capability to bring senses to him, Di Wu Yi Zhao.
Since entering the house, Zhong Zheng Lin has been concentrated on Mu Xi Yao’s expression, watching how she was shocked at first and then calmed herself down. As he has already guessed the whole story, he sighed. It was truly her.
The little woman was indeed skilled at grasping people’s heart. Getting such Mu Xi Yao, Zhong Zheng Lin was very helpless.
She could break Zhong Zheng Chun’s secret forces in a flip of hand’s time. Moreover, she also had unique insight and could discern outstanding talents. He truly mustn’t force her, or otherwise, Heaven knew what kind of troubles this woman would stir him.
“Is Jiao Jiao having fun?” His words indicated to something.
Mu Xi Yao’s expression was calm. Extremely naturally and relaxed, she said, “Quite.”
Zhong Zheng Chun that brute, breaking his arm2 was only a lesson. Whether there would be still a feast depended on whether he will be tactful.
Seeing a bright light flicker through Mu Xi Yao’s eyes, Zhong Zheng Lin immediately knew the little woman most likely still harbored some ideas in her belly.
“Going and facing a danger alone while bringing along Cheng Qing, en?” The sixth Highness was very petty. He never forgot about settling accounts after autumn3. Moreover, Mu Xi Yao began to get restless. It seems that she still didn’t know how to repent.
Mu Xiyao had long thought of a good response. She pushed aside the hair on her temple and send him a seductive glance, “Qie still remembers qie owes your Highness a dance.”
Zhong Zheng Lin’s breathing stopped for a moment. He has almost forgot how deceitful was this demoness.
A mere reprimand. How could he not realize that the benefit was waiting for him like this, “Does Jiao Jiao wish to perform a honey trap?”
Mu Xi Yao didn’t hurry. She picked up Cheng Qing and called for momo to coax him to sleep. Subsequently, she turned back and went to the inner room. She looked at the man sitting on the bed while slowly beginning to removing her outer robe.
“Hope. The. Person. Will. Take. The. Bait.” With the poke of her fingertip, her inner garment slid down.
Zhong Zheng Lin watched woman’s blatant seduction. He snorted, “Bendian’s cefei is extremely daring.” Though his words were arrogant and obstinate, his actions were also not slow.
With one hand, he pulled woman into his embrace. The muslin veil floated down gently. In the end, the sixth Highness couldn’t bear to part with delicacy that has brought itself to his mouth.
“Tomorrow, bendian will wait for Jiao Jiao’s country overturning dance.” After finishing, he wolfed Mu Xi Yao down, eating her cleanly.
When Mu Xi Yao woke up, Zhong Zheng Lin has already gone to Ministry of War to run his errands. The war in the late spring of the next year was getting closer and closer. It seems that the sixth Highness in this lifetime was no longer willing to stay in the capital and act as support. Instead, he wanted to plan the victory vigorously from a thousand miles away.
When Mu Xi Yao recalled Zhong Zheng Lin’s “dance that would overturn countries” from yesterday, she muttered to herself, “What can be considered as overturning countries?” If the sixth Highness wasn’t satisfied with her, then no one would indulge her quirks anymore in the future.
It was a matter of great importance. Mu cefei thought over and examined times and times again. Ultimately, she staked all on one throw. She has finally made a firm resolution. Mu Xi Yao called Hui Lan to assist her.
Inside the Danruo courtyard. Mu cefei called for musicians in the afternoon. She let them play the music while she practiced dancing for two hours before she finally nodded in satisfaction.
Mu Xi Yao has used the meal early. After freshening up and putting on makeup, she attired herself in dancing clothes and waited for the creditor’s arrival.
Translation notes:
[1] Shoot without aim means fig. to speak without thinking
[2] Break one’s arms is a phrase that can also mean break one’s forces
[3] To settle accounts after autumn is a Chinese idiom meaning to settle scores at an opportune moment
