Chapter 004: The Divine Skill Shakes the Heavens
In the blink of an eye, the weather in Xi Jing began to gradually turn cool after the Mid-Autumn Festival. By November, although it had not yet snowed, the chilly north wind cut through the air like a knife, making people shiver.
Perhaps it has been a long time since he last visited the market, and today Ying Xuan seems to be in exceptionally high spirits. He walked with Liu Zhong for five or six streets without feeling tired. If it weren't for Liu Zhong's concern that Ying Xuan might tire himself out, he would likely have continued walking even further.
Fortunately, Liu Zhong was quick-witted and swift, reaching out to assist and steady Ying Xuan's hand
Ying Xuan reached out to take the precious bow handed over by Huang Pu Jun. The bow felt heavy in his hands, catching him off guard. Ying Xuan did not expect that this seemingly ordinary iron bow would be so weighty. No wonder Huang Pu Jun had to train himself to be so strong; otherwise, an average person would be unable to draw this bow.
"Young master, there is no need to be overly angry. Although the Great Qin appears prosperous today, it has long been hollowed out by these royal relatives and nobles." Huang Pujun, influenced by Ying Xuan's indignation, also said with resentment, "It is infuriating. One day, I will surely eliminate all these parasites and restore a clear and bright world to our Great Qin"
Although it appears somewhat disheveled, there is an air of pride in the expression.
The flippant jest of the young man in splendid attire immediately elicited a burst of laughter, causing Huang Pujun's face to turn even redder, with veins bulging on his hands from excessive strain.
The young girl slightly nodded to Ying Xuan, seemingly expressing her gratitude for his kindness, which left Ying Xuan feeling somewhat bewildered and even a bit flushed.
"You say you'll repay it later, but how do I know you'll come back after you leave? No money? If you have no money, shall we go see the authorities? What kind of big shot are you pretending to be with no money? I've seen many like you, living off others' generosity." The stout shopkeeper reached out to grab the burly man, intending to take him to see the authorities, but the burly man gently brushed his hand away.
Sidu Lanruo has always despised being called effeminate by others, yet he does not dare to blame his father for giving him such a feminine name. Therefore, whenever someone dares to mock him using his name, he clings to them like a stubborn adhesive plaster, refusing to let go until he has extracted a pound of flesh, especially when it comes to his old rival.
Ying Xuan turned around and took two ingots of silver from Liu Zhong's hands, saying to Huang Pu Jun: "Brother Huang Pu, we have known each other for a long time. I only have these ten taels of silver in my possession, and I hope they can help you through this difficult time."
Indeed, Brother Liu, if you do not mind, I would like to temporarily entrust this precious bow to you. When I have the means in the future, I will certainly come to redeem it
"My younger sister is being overly polite." Ying Xuan indeed had little resistance to the charming and elegant Huang Puya. Upon seeing Huang Puya bow to him, he hurriedly extended his hand in a gesture of support, his face flushed.
I said, "Cao Huai, the second son of the Cao family, you are being too stingy. Did your father not give you any money when he went out? You think you can buy this delicate little girl for thirty taels? I will offer sixty taels, and this little girl will come with me."
"Hi, Situ Lanruo, you effeminate one, dare to compete with me?" Cao furrowed his brow and turned to point at Situ Lanruo.
"Brother." At this moment, the young girl had already lowered her head in embarrassment, tears welling up in her eyes, yet she stubbornly held back, not forgetting to gently shake Huang Pujun's arm, signaling him not to act impulsively
So it is Young Master Liu, a pleasure to meet you. This is my younger sister, Huang Puyah. Huang Pujun slightly turned to the side and introduced Huang Puyah to Ying Xuan
"Brother." A timid voice emerged, at which point everyone noticed that behind this burly man stood a delicate little girl.
Do you know? Ten taels of silver is enough for a local rich man in the countryside to live for a year, and it even includes a delicate little concubine. To buy such a broken skill of yours for thirty taels? Hahaha, I see that this girl behind you is quite good, I could actually buy her for thirty taels, hahaha
"Brother, otherwise just hand over the precious bow to Young Master Chang," said Huang Puya softly
Cao Hui and Situ Ruolan both possess considerable skills, and their fighting techniques are on par with each other, making it difficult to determine a victor in a short time. Unfortunately, the tables, chairs, and utensils of this tavern suffer greatly, being thrown about haphazardly, resulting in a scene of utter chaos
"Shopkeeper, I have already told you that my silver was just stolen by a thief. I currently have no money to give you. When I have money in the future, I will definitely repay you double." Standing opposite the shopkeeper was a strong and robust man, eight feet tall, wearing only a thin coarse cloth garment.
Ying Xuan stood up and spoke to the plump shopkeeper
Hehe. The awkward appearance of Ying Xuan made the young girl cover her mouth and smile coyly, instantly creating a hundred charms with her smile
Ying Xuan, disliking the oppressive atmosphere of the palace, took Liu Zhong to stroll around the market outside the palace, while also bringing some local delicacies for his mother.
Oh dear, gentlemen, please show some mercy, stop fighting, stop fighting. The plump shopkeeper, with a sorrowful expression, pleaded from the side, yet did not dare to step forward to intervene, only hoping that the damage would not be too severe
I am Liu Xuan. In order to avoid alarming the royal siblings Ying Xuan and Jing Rao, I adopted my mother's surname, Chang.
Liu Zhong was originally the personal eunuch of Liu Fei during her time in the Shu Kingdom. He accompanied Liu Fei to the Qin Kingdom and thereafter never left her side.
"The divine bow shakes the heavens." Liu Zhong exclaimed in astonishment
Cao Lao Er, so what? I just snatched it.
As expected, Ying Rui's enthusiasm for Ying Xuan began to wane a few months later. Although they still attended school together occasionally, the initial fervor had already diminished. However, Ying Xuan was quite pleased with this change.
Although the cold winds are howling in Xijing at this time, the streets are still bustling with activity and exceptionally prosperous
Huang Pujun heavily struck the table, only then realizing that there were others around him. He quickly turned around and clasped his hands, saying: "I have yet to inquire about your esteemed name, young master"
Liu Zhong also changed into a robe, disguising himself as a steward, closely following behind Ying Xuan
Although the palace is filled with luxurious clothing and sumptuous food, Consort Liu deeply misses the flavors of the street snacks. Therefore, every time Ying Xuan goes out, she asks him to bring back some food to reminisce about the days before she entered the palace
Liu Zhong's loyalty once drew ridicule from many in the palace, and many advised him to seek out Eunuch Hua to have him transferred to the Imperial Study. However, Liu Zhong refused all such suggestions. No one knew why he chose to do so, and after many years, no one sought to uncover the reason, gradually forgetting this little eunuch who had briefly appeared in the Qin Palace.
"Huang Puya has met Young Master Liu." Huang Puya slightly bent her legs and offered a bow to Ying Xuan.
Ying Xuan changed into a brocade robe and strolled around with Liu Zhong. Ying Xuan was very familiar with the streets of the Western Capital. Although he could only roam outside the palace for a few months each year, fortunately, there were not many changes in the Western Capital from year to year
"Waiter, please bring us a few of your signature dishes." Ying Xuan and Liu Zhong casually chose a street-side restaurant to take a break.
The strong man turned around to glance at the young girl behind him, cupped his hands in salute to Ying Xuan, and said: "Thank you for your kind intentions, brother. However, we are strangers who have never met before, merely encountering each other by chance. How can I accept such brotherly affection? I sincerely appreciate your goodwill, but I must decline it here."
"Young master, please do not be angry," Liu Zhong hurriedly reassured.
The young strong man had already turned red in the face from a barrage of remarks from the plump shopkeeper, his hands tightly clenched into fists
This young girl has a petite figure, distinct from the tall and robust demeanor of women from the northwest. She possesses a delicate beauty reminiscent of the water towns, and although she is also dressed in coarse linen garments, it cannot conceal her graceful figure and delicate features
Several young men who shared a desk with Cao Hui saw him rush forward and quickly went to assist him, engaging in a struggle with the young men who shared a desk with Situ Ruolan
"Hahaha, this broken bow is actually being sold for thirty taels, hahaha, have they gone mad thinking about money?" A young man in brocade clothing, holding a folding fan, laughed as he approached Huang Pujun. In this chilly season, still holding a folding fan, this young man somewhat raises suspicions of being a pretentious dandy.
"Then I will strike you until you dare not retaliate." Cao Hui threw the folding fan in his hand towards Situ Ruolan and lunged at her in one swift motion
Huang Puya smiled faintly, then hid behind Huang Pujun, thus alleviating Ying Xuan's predicament
Ying Xuan was protected by Liu Zhong as he retreated to the side, standing together with Huang Pu Jun, who was similarly guarding his sister
Shopkeeper, what is the necessity of this? I see that this brother does not seem to be intentionally refusing to pay. I will cover this meal cost for him first
My younger brother possesses a family heirloom bow, a relic from our ancestors' battles on the battlefield. Today, I must sell it to exchange for some money for wine. I am asking for thirty taels; I wonder if any of you gentlemen are interested in purchasing it. The robust man, Huang Pujun, grabbed a long package from the table, shook it, and revealed a simple longbow.
Ying Xuan had once asked Liu Fei whether she wished to return to Shu to take a look, but Liu Fei remained silent, which left Ying Xuan somewhat puzzled
A young man in splendid attire stood up and shouted, suggesting that it no longer mattered whether Huang Pujun intended to sell; what was important now was who would be able to buy it.
The entire bow body is black, making it difficult to discern its material. On both sides of the bow, faint carvings of some patterns can be seen, but they have been worn down to the point of being somewhat unclear
Ying Xuan is aware that Liu Zhong possesses considerable skill; he has witnessed Liu Zhong single-handedly push aside a boulder weighing at least 250 kilograms.
The Qin state imposed no strict regulations on the princes' comings and goings from the palace; as long as they returned by the time the gates were closed each day, it was acceptable. However, if the gates were closed, no one could enter the palace, regardless of who they were, unless there was an extremely urgent matter that warranted opening the gates.
"Hmph, how dare a mere royal relative claim half the city," Ying Xuan said in great anger
Ying Xuan could tell that Huang Pu Jun was a person who did not wish to receive favors from others, possessing a strong sense of pride. Ying Xuan felt annoyed with himself for being too abrupt, yet he did not know how to express it. For a moment, both of them fell into an awkward silence
"Your Excellency, you are too kind." Ying Xuan smiled awkwardly and returned the gesture with cupped hands
"Hey, what do you want to do?" The plump shopkeeper waved his hand, and several young boys in the shop quickly surrounded the burly man, looking at him with hostility
As the season arrives, the princes of the Great Qin can set aside the burdens of their studies and begin to enjoy the blissful life of royalty, but after the Dragon Raises Its Head in February, they must return to the classroom
Who are these two people? How dare they be so bold under the emperor's feet?" Ying Xuan furrowed his brows and asked a waiter.
It seems that the young master does not appear to be from out of town, so why is he unaware of these two little tyrants? The second young master Cao, known as Cao Huai, is the second son of the current Duke of Cao. Since the eldest son of the Cao family is the commander of the elite troops guarding the capital, the second young master Cao refers to himself as Cao Bancheng, displaying an outrageous arrogance and committing all sorts of misdeeds. The other is the only son of the Grand Minister of State, named Situ Ruolan. Although his name may sound feminine, he is indeed a ruthless character, and he particularly enjoys competing with the second young master Cao.
"You dare to eat in my restaurant without money?" Suddenly, a middle-aged, overweight man dressed in a luxurious manner shouted loudly from a nearby table. Perhaps due to his excessive excitement, the flesh on his cheeks, already flushed, trembled incessantly.
"How can this be? How can I accept Brother Liu's money without reason?" Huang Pujun hurriedly declined.
"Very well, I shall temporarily keep this precious bow for you, my brother." Ying Xuan understood that he could not decline, otherwise Huang Pujun would never accept his silver.