Book 6 Chap 11 – Unstoppable old flame
By the time Xiang Shaolong returned to the hall together with Zhao Ya, the place is already a flurry of activity. Just scanning across the room, there were at least 50 odd people and most of them he knew from before, including Guo Zhong and his men, who were all split into 10 over groups either chatting or greeting one another.
Guo Kai saw them and first gave Xiang Shaolong a look full of hidden meaning before bringing him to where Zhao Mu was chatting with Guo Zhong and introduced him to this great merchant.
Zhao Ya is like honey surrounded by bees, with a group of men around her trying to pander to her, obviously she still has her charms.
Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that Zhao Ya is really adaptable to be able to rebound so quickly from the blow he gave her. Hai! He’d better let her off, after all they did have a sincere relationship in the past.
Guo Zhong said warmly, “Mister Dong has come from afar, I must play host a little no matter what. I wonder if you’re available tomorrow, and of course the Marquis and Scholar Guo will accompany as well.”
Xiang Shaolong replied with a smile, “Master Guo is so polite, I’ll have to make time even if I don’t have any!”
Guo Zhong was ecstatic and made an appointment with him.
Zhao Ya managed to extricate herself and came to Xiang Shaolong’s side but before she has a chance to speak, someone laughed loudly as he walked over, “I’ve finally seen Lady today!”
Xiang Shaolong turned his head to see a handsome and majestic looking man about 30 years of age striding over.
This person has a strong walk with a long sword hanging from his waist and an extremely imposing air.
Once Zhao Ya saw him, her pretty eyes brightened and she ignored Xiang Shaolong as she said with a flirtatious smile, “It really makes me feel bad to hear Marquis Pingshan say this, it seems as if I am very difficult to meet.”
So it turns out that this person is the envoy that the State of Han sent this time, the Marquis of Pingshan, Han Chuang, and it seems that he is quite a character.
Zhao Mu chortled, “Please stop your flirtations for a moment. Come Marquis Chuang, let me introduce to you the world famous horse fanatic Mister Dong Kuang.”
Han Chuang’s gaze settled on Xiang Shaolong’s face, his expression aloof and after making do with some small talk, he pulled Zhao Ya aside and started whispering affectionately with her.
Xiang Shaolong was secretly feeling livid and hating himself for unable to forget this s.lut after all. Luckily the mask helped to conceal his real expression but he suddenly has less to talk about now.
Zhao Mu saw this and found an opportunity to pull him aside and said, “Just leave Zhao Ya to me, I’ll make sure you’ll have a chance to enjoy her. But I have a sincere warning for you, that woman is promiscuous so just have fun with her, don’t ever get serious.”
Xiang Shaolong knows that the misunderstanding is getting deeper so he hurriedly said, “Business is more important, I can live with or without such matters.”
How can Zhao Mu possibly believe him but before he has a chance to speak further, the official at the door reported, “Lord Longyang from the State of Wei arrives!”
The hall was immediately quiet, obviously everyone was waiting to see this person and most have not seen this pretty man who is famous for his good looks.
There was a strange gleam in Zhao Mu’s eyes as he stared at the entrance.
The sounds of trinkets were heard as Lord Longyang strolled into the hall floatingly, dressed in colorful robes and accompanied by 4 to 5 swordsmen.
The hall immediately came abuzz with whisperings; the topic of conversation is naturally around this transgender male.
Zhao Mu tapped Xiang Shaolong’s shoulder and went forward.
Guo Kai came to Xiang Shaolong’s side and said with a low laugh, “Isn’t it extremely amazing that there is such a character in the world?”
Le Cheng also came to his other side and shook his head as he sighed, “His Marquis will be kept quite busy.”
Xiang Shaolong saw Zhao Mu and Lord Longyang chatting and laughing quietly and was secretly thinking it was eye opening and at the same time was on the alert. This Lord Longyang is especially interested and scrutinizing towards men and if he’s not careful, ‘he’ may find some loopholes and that would be terrible.
Zhao Ya’s voice rang up from behind him, “What’s the matter? Look at the way all of you are staring, were you unable to resist the lure of the men?”
Xiang Shaolong could not repress the repulsion he felt towards the way she was behaving intimately with the Marquis of Pingshan earlier so he just gave a cold snort and left.
Zhao Ya ran after him and said with a coquettish smile, “Why does Mister Dong look unhappy? Have I offended you?”
Xiang Shaolong was secretly startled. Only now was he able to confirm that he still had some feelings left for this wanton woman, that’s why he can’t help but feel jealous and lost control of himself. He hurriedly recollected himself as he stopped walking to look at her, saying with a smile, “Lady you think too much, you have not done anything to make me unhappy so why would you say that?” At the same time he thought that Zhao Ya could have deliberately made used of Han Chuang to test his intentions towards her.
Zhao Ya glared at him and asked, “Then why is it that Mister Dong is avoiding me when I’ve only said one sentence?”
Xiang Shaolong knows that there’s no way he can explain himself so he might as well not explain so he just replied nonchalantly, “I like to do whatever I like, and have never wasted my effort to think of the reason.”
Under his stare, a sense of familiarity and confusion rose in Zhao Ya’s heart and his natural manliness and intensity softened her heart as she sighed sadly and said, “You’re really unfathomable. One moment you’re gentler than anyone else and the next you’re cold and heartless, like now. It makes one wonder how to deal with you.”
Right then Xiang Shaolong saw Zhao Zhi accompanying Zhao Ba into the hall, joining Zhao Mu’s group. Zhao Mu waved him over to meet Lord Longyang. He smiled at Zhao Ya as he said, “There’s enough people here to take Lady’s attention, there’s no need to waste your precious time on an unrefined person like me. Look! Marquis Pingshan is looking for you again.”
Zhao Ya glanced towards where he was looking. Han Chuang had just ended his polite talk with Lord Longyang and is walking towards her and she was secretly irritated with Han Chuang for coming at the wrong time.
After she lost Xiang Shaolong, she has felt extreme sadness and emptiness, that’s why she returned to her old lascivious lifestyle, hoping to use other men to numb and cheapen herself so that it will reduce her guilt and the pain of missing Xiang Shaolong.
But no one could replace Xiang Shaolong.
When this Han Chuang first arrived in Zhao, she was embroiled in a heated relationship with him and spent a short and happy time together. But she can’t help but feel that this person cannot replace Xiang Shaolong so she slowly cooled off, needing another new and fresh excitement.
That’s why when she met Dong Kuang whose physique ‘closely resembles’ Xiang Shaolong, it seems that she has found a new life. Although she was irritated by his unrefined behavior and words this morning, she cannot deny that it gives her another feeling of excitement too. When Xiang Shaolong spoke such intoxicating words to her at the garden earlier, making her remember the heady time she once spent with Xiang Shaolong, her attention has already moved to this person.
The more Xiang Shaolong shows his manliness and imposing aura, the more she feels that this man is the personification of Xiang Shaolong and the more she is falling for him. Under such circumstances, Han Chuang has instead turned into an irritating obstacle.
As she was thinking, Han Chuang has already reached her.
Xiang Shaolong smiled suavely and bid his leave, walking towards Zhao Mu and Lord Longyang’s group.
Zhao Zhi and Lord Longyang looked towards Xiang Shaolong at the same time.
Xiang Shaolong deliberately changed his style of walking, making it a swagger as he raised his hands in greeting and said in a coarse voice, “Dong Kuang pays his greetings to Lord Longyang!”
A look of surprise flashed past Lord Longyang’s ‘pretty eyes’ as he replied, “I’ve long heard of Mister’s great name, it’s really fortunate that we get to meet today!”
Zhao Zhi’s pretty eyes were wide open, staring intently at him.
Zhao Mu chortled as he introduced Zhao Ba and a few senior officials of Zhao to Xiang Shaolong.
Lord Longyang ‘smiled coquettishly’, “Mister is indeed a great man of our times, no wonder you’re making us girls all stare at you!”
Zhao Zhi’s pretty face blushed before she realized that she has behaved irregularly because this person closely resembles Xiang Shaolong. She lowered her pretty face and stared angrily at Lord Longyang.
Xiang Shaolong felt his goose pimples rising under the eyes of Lord Longyang and prayed that he has not taken a liking to him.
Zhao Ba chortled as he said, “Lord Longyanf and Mister Dong are both expert swordsmen, why don’t we find a day to exchange pointers at my school. Wouldn’t that be a grand event in the martial arts realm?”
Lord Longyand’s glittery eyes surveyed the hall before he said with a smile, “If we can manage to invite our Learned Lady Ji to the school as well, maybe everyone here will go there to partake in the atmosphere. Now that would really be a grand event!”
Everyone laughed together with him.
Zhao Zhi can’t help but to steal another look at Xiang Shaolong, her expression strange.
Xiang Shaolong was secretly lamenting, he guessed that Jing Jun could have leaked some news, otherwise Zhao Zhi’s expression wouldn’t have looked so strange.
Right at this time, the door official deliberately raised his voice as he sang out, “Miss Ji Yanran arrives!”
The noisy atmosphere in the hall immediately ceased and everyone, men and women, all looked towards the main door.
Xiang Shaolong’s heart began beating faster.
Will this pretty lady whom he has not seen for so long still look as wonderful?