Chapter 154: Eyes on the Capital
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Then, Chi Guyan picked up a flower shaped snack. Her luscious pink lips parted and the flower shaped snack disappeared as her tongue deftly nicked it into her mouth.
One had to admit that Chi Guyan's actions were incredibly beautiful.
"I only came here to tell you this. You'll have to decide for yourself if it has anything to do with you." Chi Guyan blinked as she swallowed.
Fang Zhengzhi was slightly angered, What a pitiful snack. Even after all that I've done, you still managed to land in Chi Guyan's palm.
Then, he raged.
He lifted up the entire plate of snacks and poured everything into his mouth as Chi Guyan looked on, wide eyed.
"Oh... then thanks for telling me this!" Fang Zhengzhi chewed as he spoke, his voice barely audible.
"You're becoming increasingly shameless!" Chi Guyan exclaimed as she gave up the notion of snatching the snacks from his mouth.
"Thanks for the compliment."
"You think that I'm praising you?"
"Of course."
"Okay then... since you're so shameless, do you dare to gamble with me?" Chi Guyan snickered as she challenged Fang Zhengzhi.
It was almost as if a goddess revealed her mischievous side. It was incredibly alluring.
Fang Zhengzhi had never seen this side of Chi Guyan. Maybe the almighty Chi Guyan has a side of her that I don't know?
Either way, she was in no way related to him.
"I have nothing to fear, but, you must first tell me what the wager is!" Fang Zhengzhi was not dumb. One needed to know everything about the wager before they accepted a wager with Chi Guyan.
"I will get someone to bring over 10 boxes of snacks. If you can finish them all, I lose. Else, you lose. What do you think?" Chi Guyan challenges as she looked at the empty plate.
Fang Zhengzhi's heart fluttered. 10 boxes of snacks are not difficult to finish. What is Chi Guyan thinking?
"And the odds?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Chi Guyan.
"I heard from Housekeeper Wen that you have quite a few secret weapons. It must be a hassle carrying the all. I have something that can resolve that problem!" Chi Guyan said as she produced a silver, mirrorlike item.
It was incredibly bright and it was attached to a soft leather strap.
"Heart Protection Mirror?" Fang Zhengzhi knee that even though it looked like a belt, it was widely used as it could protect the heart extremely well.
"Mm, Heart Protection Mirror. But, it is different from an ordinary Heart Protection Mirror. It can store things." Chi Guyan nodded and placed the Heart Protection Mirror in front of Fang Zhengzhi.
"It can store things? Is this a legendary storage item?" Fang Zhengzhi was taken aback. He never expected Chi Guyan to wager this much.
She was actually willing to bet a piece of treasure.
Storage treasures were incredibly rare. Only the richest people could afford them, yet, Chi Guyan was willing to use it on a wager?
Ten boxes of snacks...
Could she have poisoned them?
"Don't regret it!" Even though Fang Zhengzhi did not really believe it, he still grabbed the Heart Protection Mirror. He was not going to give Chi Guyan a chance to regret.
"Of course I won't regret it. However, if you lose, you will have to stay in the Divine Constabulary for a month. During this time, you must serve me every day and listen to my every order..." Chi Guyan rattled on.
"That much huh?"
"Do you dare?"
"You have to let me see the portion sizes first. If you bring 10 water tank sized boxes, I definitely can't finish it!" Fang Zhengzhi was cautious despite his excitement.
"Ok!" Chi Guyan nodded. Then, she looked in the direction of the entrance, "Yue Er, bring me 10 boxes of snacks."
"Yes, missus!"
Yue Er's crisp voice rang out, and it was closely followed by rapid footsteps.
Before long, 10 boxes of snacks were laid out in front of Fang Zhengzhi. Each box was filled with a different kind of snack, but all of them were exquisite.
Fang Zhengzhi examined each of the boxes. The portion sizes were not large.
Ten boxes...
He could definitely finish them!
What was the catch? Chi Guyan would not be so nice as to gift him a treasure.
However, he had to admit that Chi Guyan knew how to hook Fang Zhengzhi. The prize was too attractive.
Fang Zhengzhi wanted to pick up the Heart Protection Mirror and kiss it.
"Okay, it's a deal!" Fang Zhengzhi felt that there was no way Chi Guyan could have poisoned the snacks. This Heart Protection Mirror was his.
"Then eat up!" Chi Guyan pointed at the snacks.
...
...
Chi Guyan walked out of the courtyard, leaving the Heart Protection Mirror behind.
She was incredibly frustrated. It wasn't because Fang Zhengzhi cheated. In fact, Fang Zhengzhi finished all 10 boxes in her presence.
But, why is he fine?
That's impossible, I definitely put a laxative inside!
Fang Zhengzhi was lazing around in the courtyard. This wager was way too easy. Did she really think she could get me with laxatives?
Does she underestimate me that much?
Fang Zhengzhi did finish the 10 boxes of snacks in Chi Guyan's presence. However, he didn't eat them. Those 10 boxes were sitting prettily inside the Heart Protection Mirror.
The technique was not difficult.
"Aish... she lost such a great piece of treasure so easily?" Fang Zhengzhi did not expect that anyone except for himself would do something like that.
Losing a Heart Protection Mirror just to tempt someone into taking laxatives?!
Even the rich should not be this willful...
...
"Missus, you already planned to gift him the Mirror, why did you put laxatives inside then?" Yue Er followed behind Chi Guyan, still confused by what just happened.
"That would be too easy! He must make some sacrifices to get it. He refused to come when I invited him, defeated my Lord Father, and even snatched snacks from me! I must punish him!" Chi Guyan's lips twitched, Maybe the medicine hasn't taken effect.
"I see!"
"Has Lu Yusheng left the Golden Scale City?" Chi Guyan's mind was off the laxative. She looked at the sky, deep in thought.
"After King Duan left, Lu Yusheng also said his goodbyes. He seemed to leave in a hurry. By now, he should be a few miles outside the city." Yue Er nodded.
"Is General Li out?"
"How does Missus know?"
"My Father Lord... takes too much care of King Duan. However, the incident with Lu Yusheng is insufficient to affect the relationship between the Divine Constabulary and the Battle Constabulary. I have a letter with me, have it sent to the Battle Constabulary in the quickest possible time!" Chi Guyan sighed lightly and retrieved a letter.
"Yes missus!" Yue Er received it promptly.
"Get everything prepared, I want to go out."
"Where does missus want to go?"
"Yan Capital."
"Missus wants to go to the capital?! Then... why don't you travel with young master Fang?"
Chi Guyan did not reply. Instead, she raised her head and stared at the darkening skies. Her lips parted slightly and she murmured to herself.
"For this edition of the Imperial Exams, the Stabilisation Constabulary's "Xing Qing Sui" would probably participate. The one from the Su Clan... will also participate... the one from the Southern Palace... I'm afraid it'll be difficult for King Duan to be the Chief Examiner of this edition."
...
The next day, Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu went to say goodbye to Chi Hou. They then set off for the capital.
However, Chi Guyan and Yue Er did not appear. Fang Zhengzhi did not probe and Chi Hou did not say anymore than 'Take care.'
Fang Zhengzhi suggested borrowing two of the Snow Treading Dragon Stallions...
Chi Hou immediately flared up.
His demeanor as the Iron Blood Army Marquis immediately showed.
"I won't lend them to you!"
"You're indeed the foundation of the Five Northern Constabularies. I am sorry for thinking that you were petty. Since you think that giving them to us is more appropriate, Yan Xiu and I thank you sincerely!" Fang Zhengzhi smiled and replied.
"Thank you sir!" Yan Xiu bowed in sync.
"..."
...
With the Snow Treading Dragon Stallion, they were elevated to the Divine Constabulary's Red Pinion Squad status. No one dared to stop them en route to the Golden Scale City.
Ever since he saw these beasts when he was six, he had been dreaming of them for many years. Now that he had one, he galloped excitedly out of the city.
"There's something I've been meaning to ask you!" Fang Zhengzhi finally remembered the conversation he had with Chi Guyan.
Even though Chi Guyan did not say anything explicitly, Fang Zhengzhi felt that there was something amiss and he wanted to clarify it with Yan Xiu.
"What is it?"
"Yesterday, Chi Guyan came over to tell me that King Duan had left the city on a mad rush to the capital. She said that he is looking to be the Chief Examiner of the examination, what do you think?"
"King Duan came to the Northern Divine Constabulary? Rushed back to the cap... to be the Chief Examiner of the imperial examination!" Yan Xiu murmured to himself. Then, his expression changed, "If King Duan is the Chief Examiner of this edition of the Imperial Examination, there may be trouble!"
"Why so?" Fang Zhengzhi did not understand.
"Even though I can't figure out why King Duan did not show himself in the Divine Constabulary, Chi Guyan's must have a reason for her actions. Furthermore, King Duan admires Chi Guyan. He frequently deals with the military affairs but never in political affairs. As such, his wanting to be the Chief Examiner of the examination must have something to do with you!"
"You're saying that King Duan will try to make me fail?"
"I don't think it's that simple. If King Duan really is the Chief Examiner of this edition of the Imperial Examination, I think... you should withdraw!"
"Withdraw?" Fang Zhengzhi understood Yan Xiu's intentions. If King Duan wanted to stop him from passing, then failure was the only outcome for him.
Furthermore...
His life may even be in danger.