Chapter 5

At last, on a certain day, the king's anger erupted

Xiahou Che was left dumbfounded, his palm still lingering with her warm touch, smooth and soft, causing a slight pause in his heart.

Si Qinling, with her keen eyes, noticed that her young master seemed different from usual. In a flash, she darted over, casting a smug glance at Fei Yan, her expression one of triumph, as if to say

The little girl covered her swollen forehead, suddenly jumped up, gasping in surprise while looking around, in a state of panic. After a while, a tender giggle came from beside her.

Feng Lingnan's smile grew ever more pronounced, amidst the flowers and brushing leaves, laughter and conversation flowed gently

Why would one speak out to remind her

This afternoon, the two individuals engaged in a fierce battle of black and white, but it always ended with Fei Yan's defeat.

Moreover, now that Xiahou Jiang has one foot in the palace, even if she is not the best, she is still his own daughter. The old fox gritted his teeth and claimed ignorance, and so it was that the Emperor Yun, infuriated, slammed the table and shouted in anger

Young master, shall I go and change the strings?

The matter from that year was also suppressed and never mentioned again, and even the maid who had spoken out was silenced by having her tongue cut out

Oh?

She muttered to herself

Yun Huang listened to his cries of injustice, and a clear flicker of displeasure passed through his eyes

I am wronged!

It is unclear where this little maid came from, but she has taken up residence in the Cheyuan and refuses to leave upon seeing the young master

Xiao Feiyan glared at Siqin with disdain, for although her chess skills were not impressive, she was quite adept at identifying ancient jade, and she possessed a wealth of knowledge in many other areas as well

Throughout his life, he has mostly encountered the sons and daughters of noble families, each exhibiting a measured demeanor and exceptional grace. Even the maidservants, upon seeing him, display a cautious and respectful attitude, having never encountered a girl like Fei Yan, who behaves so unruly.

It is only that person, yet the vast sea has already been severed.

No, it is impossible

A brutal and bloody suppression occurred silently

Hurry up, hurry up

The young girl was completely oblivious, having long forgotten the original purpose of her visit to Cheyuan, as well as the moment of her heart's flutter when she first met Xiahou Che. She was particularly excited as she urged on.

It still emitted a green light, and no matter how one looked at it, it resembled the gaze of the chubby class monitor just before class ended. Once, she fearfully asked the chubby class monitor why his eyes glowed green. The latter cast her a disdainful glance and replied in a condescending tone, "That is from being hungry"

Young master, she ... ...

Never admit it, no matter what.

At this moment, Xiahou Che was completely unaware of the banter between the two, his long fingers resting on the broken string, his expression seemingly lost in thought

Alas, the young master has become increasingly inscrutable. Why is it that he cannot comprehend the riddles they are playing? And why did that girl flee faster than a rabbit upon seeing the characters written by the young master?

The former remains indifferent, continuing to run as it always has.

For Xiahou Che, this drowsy afternoon was not so dull. Although the appearance of the plain-looking girl was strange, what was even stranger was her tenacity, akin to that of a cockroach, seemingly indestructible and relentless

The Cloud Emperor's schemes are quite profound, having actually set up this intricate web for a mere little girl, which left Xiahou Che somewhat surprised

How could it be so easy to lose? Can we start over, please?

Even if he fortuitously obtained the documents from the Ministry of Personnel, how could he possibly know the progress of the historical compilation? Those officials, who were clearly in charge, were never within his knowledge.

Bright moon, solitary corner

The Xiahou residence does not support those who do not contribute, and he originally thought that the other party was merely an ordinary maidservant

Did you see that? This is what it means to be a personal attendant, one must be mindful of both warmth and cold.

He felt a stir in his heart, and as if guided by an unseen force, he nodded slightly. A cheer erupted, and Fei Yan, as if she had won a five million lottery, beamed with joy. She dashed back, her movements swift and deft as she restored the chessboard.

As the wind blew, only a few lines were left on the pure white rice paper, which Siqin quietly picked up and tucked into her sleeve

Although the young master has a gentle temperament, it does not mean he is easy to bully

He gazed intently at Fei Yan's face, a hint of melancholy settling between his brows. Opening his hand, Si Qin suppressed his dissatisfaction with Fei Yan and playfully offered her the brush and ink.

Her explanation was laborious, and she completely failed to notice the darkening expression on Comrade Siqin's face

uncle by marriage

First and foremost, it is naturally His Highness Guangming and the civil and military officials.

Xiahou Wen frowned, seemingly in disagreement with his statement. He moved his lips slightly but remained silent, letting out a sigh instead. He raised his eyes, and not far away, a small bird with emerald yellow and blue feathers flapped its wings and took flight.

This game of chess is played with great unpredictability

In recent days, any minister with a bit of insight has been behaving submissively. Although the Cloud Emperor does not openly express it, anyone who observes him can tell that he is angry. No one knows which fool would dare to provoke the most esteemed monarch of Cangyuan. A storm is brewing, and it is evident that the Cloud Emperor's expression has darkened to a significant extent

The little fellow's pair of jet-black eyes rolled around, vigilantly watching classmate Fei Yan. From the looks of it, he seemed ready to leap forward and sacrifice himself for the young master at the first sign of danger

"Unaware? How can one be so unaware! In the Hall of Light, the civil and military officials, who are supported by the people's salaries, should be well-versed in the laws and regulations in order to benefit the populace. Yet, I, the king, have only posed two questions, and you claim to know nothing at all?"

Not a hint of understanding

Ah, good morning, the moon is truly round today

Detestable, detestable girl

Xiahou Che looked at her grayish little face, where a pair of bright black eyes were embedded like stars. Suddenly, a pair of equally clear and watery black eyes flashed through his memory.

To accompany the sovereign is akin to accompanying a tiger, Your Highness, the civil and military officials all bow their heads and lower their voices, not daring to breathe loudly, speculating on the thoughts of the Cloud Emperor, feeling drenched in cold sweat, and for a moment, the atmosphere in the Hall of Light is particularly heavy

"My dear, do you know how many officials the Ministry of Personnel has appointed and dismissed this year?"

The young girl had a pale complexion, and Xiahou Che looked at her with eyes full of pity

In his youth, he roamed through the flower gardens, charming and dashing, often causing the old matriarch of the Fengling family great concern. It is said that with his light cavalry and youthful pride, he indulged in the pleasures of the brothels, embodying the very essence of a prodigal son.

Why should Uncle be troubled? The words of the King can be heeded or ignored; after all, it is merely a minor new consort... I believe that Cousin Jiang may not care much about the status of a consort either

idiot

With your limited capabilities, unable to manage your own affairs in a daze, do not even think about competing with me for our young master!

Such a handsome and intelligent child, yet as he grows older, he becomes increasingly worrisome

There are only two lines of poetry above, which Feiyan has seen, and suddenly her expression became serious.

Indeed, it did not disappoint expectations. In the forty-third year of the Cangyuan calendar, a significant event occurred in Baiyu City

Instead, it was the means of Feng Lingnan that astonished everyone, as such coldness and ruthlessness exceeded their imagination

The young attendant of the lute cast a sidelong glance, mocking with a tone that was both strange and sarcastic; it was evident that the two were incompatible.

The rumors circulating among the people are indeed unpleasant, no wonder the Cloud Emperor is furious

The water has overflowed

Thus, every day one witnesses such a marvelous spectacle

Minister Ming Chuan

It turns out that the seemingly ordinary little maid, who would run to Cheyuan every day to play chess with him, listen to him play the zither, was actually the new consort of Emperor Yun and also his own sister, Xiahou Jiang

For several consecutive days, classmate Fei Yan fully demonstrated the tenacity of a cockroach that cannot be killed or driven away. Every afternoon, regardless of whether Xia Hou Che was present or not, she would sneak into Che Yuan to engage in a game of chess.

The young girl was taken aback, and with a thud, she fell heavily to the ground, staring in astonishment. After a brief moment of contemplation, Xiahou Che began to write, and several lines of vigorous and spirited cursive script fell into view.

He should not have meddled in others' affairs; what happens in Cangyuan or with the new consort has nothing to do with him, does it

Recalling that charming young girl with bright eyes and a radiant smile, a wave of bitterness surged in Xiahou Che's heart, feeling as if it pierced through to his very soul. Yet, as he engaged in another game of chess, it was as if the world had changed beyond recognition.

Xiahou Wen, you have raised a good daughter

Your Majesty, this humble subject is ignorant and does not know

To place such spies and tarnish her reputation could not possibly be the doing of my sister, Xiahou Qing. Qing'er is indeed envious, yet she does not possess the capability to orchestrate such a scheme.

Now, in every street and alley, the common people are buzzing with discussions about the matters concerning the second daughter of the Xiahou family, Xiahou Jiang, during their leisure time after drinking tea. ... The main characters are his own son and a daughter whom he regards as his own. ... Xiahou Wen, although not particularly outstanding in other abilities, is best known for his tendency to protect his own.

You have been swearing this since yesterday, the day before yesterday, the day before that, and the day before the day before that

"Zheng——"

This issue has long loomed over his heart, lingering like a persistent haze.

Even if she is a consort who is not indulged or cared for, and even if the prince is not yet married and the concubine is not yet wed, it ultimately reflects the dignity and authority of the royal family. It cannot tolerate even the slightest hint of dust, let alone such a significant scandal

As her words fell, she could not help but bite her own tongue; where is the moon? How could she be so nervous that she could not even distinguish between morning and evening! A small bird with white feathers and black wings flapped its wings and flew up from the bamboo forest, scattering a series of crisp chirps, as if mocking someone's clumsy attempts at flirting

Start over, I assure you that this time it will definitely not be so easy to be defeated

What is the current status of the compilation of the Cangyuan calendar?

The question posed by Yun Huang is indeed insightful. He is merely a military official, accustomed to wielding weapons, and has no knowledge of how many officials have been appointed or dismissed within the Ministry of Personnel among the six ministries; different fields are as distant as mountains apart.

The unfortunate prince, a burly middle-aged man, had beads of sweat the size of mung beans forming on his forehead, and his bearded face appeared as if it were a boiled shrimp, alternating between shades of blue and white

It is rare that I, despite saying you are tone-deaf, can still guess that the young master's piano sounds like flowing water. Unfortunately, it is merely water, without any current, so you might be disappointed.

Before the words had left his mouth, the person who was pointed at fell to the ground with a thud, kneeling and banging his head repeatedly, causing his forehead to bleed profusely. The military general was choked with emotion, unable to speak, and wept inconsolably

The morning sunlight trickles down upon his slightly stooped figure, a hero in his twilight, a warrior aged. The once glorious past has turned into a sigh, for the sake of his son and daughter

It is not because this is a scandal among the nobility; rather, everyone still harbors a sense of brotherhood and refrains from stepping on others' sore spots

This is excessive

However, every day when she came, she would see the shadows of the trees moving slightly, revealing a lewd face from behind, lurking stealthily

Xiahou Che raised his eyes and saw her appearance, and he couldn't help but chuckle.

No one dares to underestimate this noble young man, who is barely in his twenties and possesses a striking appearance akin to that of a woman

Si Qin was taken aback, and her face instinctively flushed red

The little girl was full of spirit, and Xiahou Che smiled gently.

The more it went on, the more shocked Xiahou Che became. The little girl before him appeared to be only around fourteen or fifteen years old, with a face smudged with dirt, looking quite unkempt. She was likely just a kitchen maid, utterly ordinary.

The young girl, feeling dejected, pouted her lips. Suddenly recalling her unique chess manual, she carefully hid it away, preparing to slip away like a thief. Just then, she caught sight of Xiahou Che's left hand, poised to place a white piece.

I need to find some people to vent my frustrations

Fei Yan, lacking in romantic understanding, finished speaking, and at that moment, a young servant's face darkened, he spat out a mouthful of bright red, nearly being driven to death by her anger

If it were not for knowing the circumstances, I would truly think that Jiang Er is the biological daughter of my uncle, my own cousin. She is merely an outsider; why should my uncle hold her dear? To provoke the king is not something that you and I can bear. The little Summer Hou Jiang, who is still unaware of her origins, although interesting, can still be discarded.

Fei Yan suddenly shivered, a creepy feeling creeping up in her heart

I do not want to speak with idiots

Thus, the young girl naturally associated it with Siqin fainting from hunger

I really feel unwilling to accept losing like this!

Xiahou Jiang, should he stay or be removed

After all, it is not worth it

One could see Comrade Fei Yan exerting all her efforts, pursuing from the left and intercepting from the right, advancing from above and darting from below, desperately trying to connect the defeated white pieces into a formidable formation. In her urgency, she was sweating profusely, scratching her head and tugging at her ears, clearly in a state of great anxiety

It is not even 11 o'clock yet, lunch is still a long way off

Xiahou Che extended his hand, his index finger slightly shaking, disregarding the brush and ink, and turned to leave

Your Majesty, I am but a foolish and ignorant subject, and I do not know

She ran briskly, her mood cheerful, yet day by day, the expression of the Cloud Emperor in the Hall of Brightness grew increasingly somber

11 o'clock

Xiahou Qing, in Cangyuan, how should a woman who does not adhere to the duties of a wife be judged?

I... do not know

Xiahou Wen, are you truly deaf or feigning deafness? This king does not wish to pursue the matter further. As for your daughter, raise her well. If the rumors in Baiyu City do not dissipate within three days, you shall handle the consequences yourself

Everyone says that the child of the Fengling family is tender-hearted and overly indulgent, lacking discernment, and will inevitably cause great chaos under the peony flowers

He clenched his small fists, like an enraged beast, with blood-red light flashing in his eyes, seemingly about to pounce. However, Xiahou Che suddenly stood up and walked over to Fei Yan's side

And he is the bystander who observes coldly from the sidelines

Long live our Emperor, long live, long live for eternity

Although Yun Huang is said to be cold-hearted, he never misjudges a case. He holds evidence of General Ming Chuan's rebellion and initially intended to bide his time for a few days to draw out the mastermind behind the scenes. However, at present, his mood is quite poor

Flying up to the branches to become a phoenix, this saying sounds splendid. With his master’s qin (a traditional Chinese string instrument) present, those scheming little maidservants should not even think of touching the young master with a single finger

Is it just for those eyes as clear and bright as bamboo?

The two descended together, enjoying the scenery of the garden. There were no idle people in the courtyard, and outsiders, looking from a distance, could only assume that the master of the Xiahou family and his nephew shared a close bond

Drag it out

This was the first time everyone witnessed his methods, but just this once was enough

I have heard that you are having an affair with the barbarians

Fengling Nan was nearly disgraced by a young courtesan, and when the incident from that year is mentioned, both the Fengling family and the Xiahou family, as well as the entire nobility of Cangyuan, all change countenance and fall silent in fear

A woman commits adultery with her elder brother, engaging in lewd and chaotic behavior; how should she be judged for this crime

Xiahou Wen lived a life of integrity, and it is hard to imagine how anyone could be like him, blending affection and indifference with a smile. The old man gazed at the handsome face before him, which resembled a peach blossom, momentarily stunned and speechless

"Ming Chuanqing, what else do you have to say?"

Others, do not think of interfering with the young master of his family

Your Majesty, the guilty minister is confused! The guilty minister is indeed confused!

This was Feiyan's second encounter with him, and the situation seemed even worse than the first time. The young girl wiped the dirt off her face vigorously, forced a laugh, and clumsily greeted him as she got up from the ground

The crowd fell silent, holding their breath, casting glances at the middle-aged man with either sympathy or glee, each feeling a sense of unease, fearing that they might be the next target of the wrath of the Cloud Emperor, each breaking into a cold sweat.

Are you going to paint for her

Tsk!

Another unfortunate soul stepped forward with trepidation

The old fox rises to the pressure, thick-skinned, and performs a fist salute.

The font is as graceful as the moon viewed over the river, with the clear breeze of the valleys, unrestrained yet retaining elegance, possessing a remarkable character, like a swift current flowing.

so bad that ... ...

Once again, a gentle call echoed, and he seemed to be suddenly awakened. Turning around, he saw Feng Lingnan, whose smile resembled that of peach blossoms, looking at him with warmth. He let out a sigh, supported himself with the arm that Feng Lingnan extended, and stood up. He glanced at the empty throne, sighed again, and turned to step out of the Hall of Light

Thank you, Your Majesty, for your praise. I will convey it truthfully to my daughter.

"Siqin, are you having a muscle spasm in your eye? Why are you continuously winking at me?"

The most affectionate one is him, and the most heartless one is also him

What a handsome face, with a kind expression, yet every word spoken is icy cold and devoid of compassion

The bright mirror hangs high, all the officials have dispersed, leaving only Xiahou Wen kneeling alone on the ground, his expression vacant as if he has lost something.

Xiahou Che raised his gaze calmly, as the clear sunlight filtered through the emerald green bamboo forest, casting a golden glow on the ground.

Wow, it is truly beautiful

A little girl with sparkling eyes was running swiftly ahead, clutching a chess manual in her arms, while a beautiful young maid, lifting her skirt, was desperately chasing after her, shouting as she ran.

The sound of the zither came to an abrupt halt, and Fei Yan, who was dozing off on the side, suddenly heard the sound of a broken string. Caught off guard, her elbow slipped, and her head struck heavily against the stone table.

After the words were spoken, Xiahou Wen remained silent for a long time.

A young man with a serene expression held a cup of tea, and a graceful smile suddenly appeared at the corners of his lips. This smile made him resemble a painting or a fan, exuding a subtle elegance amidst his clarity.

Did you not have breakfast this morning

At this moment, I wish I could throw a block of tofu and die on the spot in the Hall of Light

uncle by marriage

The young man on the throne had a handsome face, yet there was a strong aura of menace between his brows

Rumors about the White Jade Castle were rampant, and he initially paid them no mind, merely curious about how he had become involved with his father's newly recognized adoptive daughter. It was only at this moment that he suddenly realized the truth.

His narrow eyes suddenly narrowed, and a cold snort escaped from his nostrils, causing all the officials in the court to tremble with fear

Yet this seemingly ordinary girl is capable of traversing dozens of rounds on her own

Si Qin felt a surge of hot blood rush to her head, nearly losing control.

Even if he knows, he cannot say that he knows

Has that girl become smarter, or has he become foolish?

In the vast expanse of the Cangyuan, there exists such a means, which is none other than the Cloud Emperor Du Ziteng

The pure white robe, like snow, suddenly stirred the scattered dust on the ground, mirroring the subtle fluctuations of the elegant man's heart at this moment—no wonder others, it was his oversight, that he only now realized her true identity.

With her looks, she should never dream of becoming a phoenix in her lifetime

A stack of memorials was thrown at his feet, and the military officer, puzzled, picked it up. Upon seeing half of it, he was drenched in cold sweat, his face as pale as paper

She certainly does not want to tell him

It is ... ... it is the first quarter of noon ... ...

You know it is not yet noon, why are you asking me this?

So ordinary in appearance that even the maid who tends the fire is more beautiful than her

After the bamboo rustled, he had not played chess with anyone for three years

Oh, if she were to invite him to dinner, he could reluctantly accept

Someone appeared bewildered, while the latter furrowed his brow and explained clumsily

Hmph, he has seen many such maids who play the qin.

Fei Yan rolled her eyes and blurted out

The desperate screams echoed above the Hall of Light, lingering endlessly

If there is no conclusive evidence, is he the one who is stirring up the grass to scare the snake

The little fellow sprang up like a carp leaping from the water, climbed up from the ground, and tightly grasped Xiahou Che's hand. The latter's astonished gaze slid from their clasped hands, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.

A clear and elegant male voice sounded from behind him, and he remained oblivious.

Wait, if the white piece lands here, won't it lose

Is there such a fool as clever as her

He is unwilling to let those eyes be stained with sorrow

The corridors twist and turn, filled with the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers

Xiahou Wen essentially watched Feng Lingnan grow up. From a young age, Feng Lingnan was different from his peers; he possessed a clever and charming appearance. At the age of five, he could recite poetry, and by eight, he had gained fame across the land. Every elder who saw him could not help but genuinely like him from the bottom of their hearts

Mr. Qi, as a personal servant to the young master, would have dismissed her long ago if it were not for the fact that the young master was not angry with her

Such a gaze made Fei Yan's heart suddenly skip a beat. She hurriedly turned around and ran towards the Jiang Pavilion without looking back. It was the first time Si Qin saw her face so pale, completely devoid of her usual vitality. Without any sense of schadenfreude, an indescribable feeling suddenly surged within him.

The young girl bit her nails, despairingly gazing at her Nth failure, and suddenly understood that people are different from one another. She Feiyan, in this lifetime, should not expect to master unparalleled martial arts and laugh proudly in the world.

In contrast, Xiahou Che's gentle and handsome face revealed no signs of emotional fluctuation, as if this match was merely a formality. He paid no attention to it and felt no need to exert himself; in the end, it was simply a matter of dust returning to dust and earth returning to earth

Si Qin was unkindly slandering in her heart, and her gaze towards Fei Yan became increasingly sharp

Xiahou Che looked up in surprise, and the black piece he was holding paused in mid-air

Fei Yan rested her head on her hand, gazing at his elegant and handsome face, as saliva began to flow again

As the gentle breeze passed, his dark hair fell loosely, and in that fleeting moment, he remained the aloof Young Master Xiahou, untouched by the mundane world. His elegant and ethereal countenance seemed to suggest that a smile was merely a dream under the moonlight

He raised his gaze, his clear and warm eyes scanning Fei Yan's face. The latter furrowed her delicate brows, tossed the white piece aside, and despondently struck the ground, exclaiming loudly, repeatedly shouting "I lost"

Comrade Fei Yan is someone who lacks any sense of chess etiquette. When excited, she cannot help but gesticulate, snatching the white piece from Xia Hou Che's hand, and sitting down with a thud, displaying an air of mastery as she picks up the pieces.

The thin, crisp glazed tiles, in light green and bright yellow, exhibit a dazzling brilliance. The eaves are elegantly curved, gathering the lushness and refinement, while the painted beams and carved railings depict nine dragons soaring into the sky. In the ancient and majestic Hall of Supreme Harmony, the golden characters, resplendent and dynamic, are prominently suspended in the center

When Xiao Siqin was wallowing in self-pity, Xiahou Che had already turned and left

The Cloud Emperor cast off his sleeves and left the throne, turning to walk away. The officials all gathered their sleeves and bowed, their praises resounding like thunder, akin to the surging waves of the sea, powerful and majestic

Different appearances, yet equally clear as water

The little fellow's face turned red with anger, defiantly pouting his lips, and his gaze became increasingly unfriendly.

Xiahou Che observed that Fei Yan was merely a little maid who had accidentally wandered into Che Garden. However, due to his calm and composed nature, he did not reprimand her for her abrupt seating.

Xiahou Che's eyelids drooped slightly, his long, jade-like fingers delicately manipulating the black pieces with measured ease

I, being foolish and ignorant, still do not know

Xiahou Che, her nominal elder brother

The fish dives alone into the autumn pond, its bright eyes brewing a new sorrow

Any official with a modicum of attentiveness can discern that, under the wrath of the Cloud Emperor, the targets of his ire have all been military officials, while the civil officials have remained unscathed throughout this great calamity

I have eaten, but I haven't had lunch yet

I swear I will never speak to you again

The Cloud Emperor frowned, waved his hand in disgust, and his mood grew increasingly worse

Miss Er, please take your time, the Cheyuan really cannot be visited! A young lady's reputation is more important than anything else. You may not know how those storytellers in Baiyu City speak of you...

As for this, Qiuhong ruined three pairs of embroidered shoes, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not catch up with the second young lady of their family

A soft sigh

I am here

The atmosphere gradually became heavy with time

He extended his finger and pressed it against his temple, while the military official in the hall wept bitterly, recounting the events from beginning to end. It sounded as if every word was drenched in blood and tears, and every sentence was filled with loyalty, yet it was he who unjustly vented his anger.

The Cloud Emperor Du Zitong, in a fit of rage, suddenly smiled. His exceptionally handsome face appeared breathtakingly beautiful at that moment, yet it was also extremely dangerous. The officials suddenly realized that the Cloud Emperor's sullen expression over the past few days was entirely due to the new consort, Xiahou Jiang.

Because you look like you are very hungry

One's own affairs, how can one feign ignorance