Chapter 167: Arrival of His Majesty
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Chi Guyan’s appearance was not unexpected since everyone knew that Chi Guyan had entered Yan Capital and was residing in Ping Yang Residence.
Instead what was worth guessing was whose side would she chose between Ping Yang and Chi Guyan?
This seemed like a tough decision.
The smart people that truly understood this situation knew that it was just a simple choice. On one side, there was her childhood playmate and the most adored princess of the Sacred Lord. On the other side was only a mountain villager with an unlikely engagement.
Maybe Chi Guyan did not need Ping Yang’s authority.
But…
Ping Yang’s other identity would even give a Doube Dragon Roll Champion like Chi Guyan second thoughts.
That was what made Ping Yang truly terrifying.
An identity that allowed her to wreak havoc in Yan Capital unimpeded.
So Chi Guyan’s purpose of coming here was simple.
King Duan, Lin Xingjue and Han Changfeng, even some of the great officials within the court palace were all intelligent people. Therefore, they were now thinking how would Chi Guyan successfully save Ping Yang.
However, Chi Guyan’s next course of action made some of them almost faceplant.
Because…
She sat down.
She sat down demurely and gracefully. It was just like she was just another guest at the banquet. She sat down under the gazes of all the guests who were expecting something to happen.
After that, her eyes shifted to the handmaiden beside her.
The handmaiden took a brief moment to collect her thoughts and promptly poured a cup of quality hot tea for Chi Guyan.
Chi Guyan then took a small sip. After moisturising her lips with it, she set it down and that pair of eyes that shone like stars calmly looked towards the living quarters.
Her face was calm and her manner was indifferent.
Those intelligent officials were now mystified by Chi Guyan’s actions. If Chi Guyan did not want to save Ping Yang, she could have just kept a low profile and not turn up.
So was it possible that she did not want to see Fang Zhengzhi die at the hands of Ping Yang?
Only that…
With her brains, if Chi Guyan really wanted to save Fang Zhengzhi, she would not have made an appearance. Instead, she would probably avoid all the soldiers in the courtyard and discretely lend a helping hand.
With these two possibilities, both did not require her to come out.
Yet, here she was.
Furthermore, she appeared at the most crucial and most appropriate moment. As such, she should have gone with the most appropriate course of action which was to save Ping Yang.
What was the meaning of sitting down and enjoying the spectacle?
Everyone, including King Duan and Han Chengfeng, could not decipher the thoughts of Chi Guyan.
…
Just as everyone was wrecking their brains around Chi Guyan’s purpose behind her actions, the door to the living quarters clicked and slowly opened out from the inside.
At this moment, everyone’s gazes focused on those large doors.
"Finally, someone’s coming out!"
Everyone thought to themselves in unison. They were looking forward to the next exciting scene to unfold. Would it be Fang Zhengzhi coming out with Ping Yang at his mercy? Or would it be Fang Zhengzhi walking out alone and showered with arrows on sight?
Everyone was waiting in suspense.
A figure slowly walked out from within. She was in the full-length bright red dress with the golden peony enhancing her noble aura. A pair of glassy orbs calmly made contact with the crowd.
Just like a fairy.
Ping Yang walked out of the living quarters. Fang Zhengzhi was not beside her and so was her ever-present pair of handmaidens.
The dress on her body was the piece she wore previously. Now, it was clean, comfortable and it was even emanating a light flowery scent.
All the soldiers relaxed their bows.
The officials and nobles outside the courtyard also unconsciously stood up, looking on nervously at the Ping Yang standing at the doors to the living quarters.
"Sister Yan!" Ping Yang immediately spotted Chi Guyan in the crowd.
Chi Guyan was simply too brilliant. It was impossible to miss her even with a quick scan of the crowd.
"Ping Yang, were you being mischievous again?" Chi Guyan chided just like an older sister. She then stood up and ambled towards Ping Yang without a single trace of shock or uneasiness.
It was like she knew from the start that Ping Yang was going to come out of the room in one piece.
"No way… I was just finding someone to play!" Ping Yang came beside Chi Guyan with a face of innocence. After that, she gave the soldiers a look.
"Step down!"
"Yes!" The soldiers paused for a moment to reply. Then, retreated like the tide. Similar to when they came in. They entered fast and exited even faster.
In an instant, the courtyard was empty and calm.
Even those handmaidens and servants who were kneeling also disappeared.
Only Ping Yang and Chi Guyan were left at the door.
This sight…
It jolted the crowd so much that they were speechless.
Could it be that Ping Yang defeated Fang Zhengzhi?
Indeed…
Even if the village cockroach was at Heavenly Reflection, he was no match for Ping Yang at the Star Conglomerate State!
Just as they thought of this, Ping Yang turned back and called, " Sister Yan has arrived. Are you not coming out?"
Ping Yang’s voice was not loud.
But it was enough to be heard clearly by the guests.
"Come out?! Who’s coming out? The two handmaidens?"
"If it was the handmaidens, then her question would not match."
"Don’t tell me it’s…"
As everyone was silently guessing, another figure came out. His blue changshan gently flowing in the breeze.
The figure then came in between Ping Yang and Chi Guyan, the corners of the mouth lifting ever so slightly.
"How is this possible?!"
"Why is he not dead? How could he have let Ping Yang come out? Why did he even let Chi Guyan walk to Ping Yang’s side just like that?
Everyone could not fathom the reason behind all this.
Ping Yang opened her mouth once again.
"Sister Yan, you must help me. Fang Zhengzhi previously promised me a Golden Jade Hairpin for my birthday. However, here he is today with nothing to show me. I tried to reason with him but instead, he tried to escape! Luckily this was my residence. He was stopped by the soldiers under my command. Otherwise, he would have disappeared!" Ping Yang complained while acting vulnerable.
After hearing this, Chi Guyan immediately understood. She turned to Fang Zhengzhi.
"You promised her a Golden Jade Pin?"
"Golden Jade Pin?" Fang Zhengzhi was really tempted to continue. To hell with that Golden Jade Pin. I couldn’t afford it even if I wanted to.
His terms with Ping Yang did not include a Golden Jade Hairpin. However, it included maintaining her reputation and integrity. At this juncture, this lady’s reputation was bigger than the heavens. Naturally, he had no objections. However, he did not expect Ping Yang to force him into such a tight spot.
If he agreed right here in front of everyone.
Wouldn’t that be equivalent to admitting that he owed her a Golden Jade Hairpin?
Forget it. Since he already had an eyeful of her chaste body, to be able to walk out of here with his life was nothing short of a miracle. As for the hairpin, he should agree first and just conveniently forget about it in the future.
Ping Yang was not short of silver taels anyway.
"The craftsman crafting the Golden Jade Hairpin suddenly feel sick, so…" Fang Zhengzhi trailed, his face showing a look of dejection.
Chi Guyan stared at Fang Zhengzhi. She then turned back to Ping Yang and grabbed on to her hand, "You can rest easy Ping Yang. Your sister will definitely squeeze the Golden Jade Hairpin out of him!"
"Thank you, Sister Yan!" Once Ping Yang heard this, she was ecstatic. She also did not forget to give a quick glance to Fang Zhengzhi.
Fang Zhengzhi indignantly returned the look, his silently added on in his heart, "Chi Guyan promised you. This has nothing to do with me!"
…
The three of them chatted boisterously. The guests all the banquet all could not figure out what was going on.
However, suddenly, all those great palace officials, including Kong Duan and Han Changfeng, and nobles saw a sight that disturbed them to the core.
One of Chi Guyan's hands held Ping Yang’s hand, while the other wrapped around Fang Zhengzhi’s arm. The three of them, walked shoulder to shoulder, through the courtyard and towards the banquet.
If Ping Yang’s words at the living quarter’s doors were an act.
Then what was this?
There was no need for this to be in the act.
"Golden Jade Hairpin?!"
"What about taking the princess hostage? What about killing Fang Zhengzhi?"
The guests gawked at the sight of the three of them lightly smiling. None of them knew how to react or what was going on.
Most importantly, Chi Guyan actually grabbed onto Fang Zhengzhi’s arm?!
"Chi Guyan, could it be…"
"How is this possible?"
Although the crowd heard rumours of Chi Guyan personally agreed to the engagement with Fang Zhengzhi at the Northern Lands Divine Constabulary, this was the first time those who lived Yan Capital saw Chi Guyan held onto Fang Zhengzhi.
Their minds were utterly and completely blown.
Therefore, the guests looked at one another…
Was it possible that Chi Guyan knew from the start that Fang Zhengzhi and Ping Yang were just playing around?
That was why she sat down and waited for them.
This was really the only explanation that was still plausible. This also explained the Chi Guyan’s was in no hurry and took a laid-back approach.
Just that such a reason was totally out of their predictions.
Because…
This situation really took a drastic turn in the mood!
One minute, their swords were out and ready to go at each other’s throat. Then in the next minute, they were as close as a family?
Must it be so exaggerated that it was right at the edge of believableness?
"Shatter!" A wine cup shattering on the ground was heard.
King Duan saw the sight of Chi Guyan holding onto Fang Zhengzhi’s arm. He pursed his lips and his eyes narrowed. However this was different from just now, this time his eyes contained the coldness of thousand-years-old glacier.
Han Chengfeng’s hand that was currently holding the teacup was also shaking. The boiling hot tea spilt onto his hand yet he gave no thought of it.
In one mouth, he gulped down the rest of the tea in the cup.
Right at this moment, when everyone was still stewing in the shock of the eccentricities between Fang Zhengzhi and Ping Yang, an extremely piercing voice penetrated through the residence.
"Your Majesty has arrived!"