CH 37

[Chapter 37 – Fu-ren, try something with me!] Thirty days! Thirty people!

“Fu-ren must be joking, how could I pretend to be drunk.” Qin Shao Yu was calm and collected, not embarrassing the Dominion of Shadow Chasers one bit.

“You still dare to lie to me.” Shen Qian Ling threw a blanket at him as well.

“Of course it’s true.” Qin Shao Yu sat beside the bed, “Martial arts practitioners are always vigilant against sneak attacks, this is instinctual.”

A fraud, that’s what you are!  Shen Qian Ling used his foot to kick his chest, it was very aggressive.

Qin Shao Yu seized the opportunity to grab his ankle, rubbing it ticklishly.

Shen Qian Ling made a sound of alarm and withdrew his leg instinctively. Qin Shao Yu took the chance to push him down, and it just so happened that he was pushed down onto the bed.

This again! Shen Qian Ling sent a flying punch over, as expected, the outcome was that the attack was in vain, and his hand was even grabbed and kissed.

“I’m going to die together with you!” Shen Xiao Shou flew into anger from embarrassment, and started biting and scratching, he was extremely plucky.

Thus when Ye Jin kicked open the door with a leg and a bang, he saw the great scene of two people rolled together into a ball, it was especially harmonious.

……

“Is there a problem?” Qin Shao Yu was pressing down on top of Shen Qian Ling, turning his head to ask Ye Jin.

Shen Qian Ling was panting, and looking at Ye Jin with a very distracted look.

“You guys sure are in a good mood.” Ye Jin gritted his teeth.

“You’re flattering us.” Qin Shao Yu raised his eyebrows.

“You.” Ye Jin pointed at him, “Hurry up and get rid of those thieves for me.”

“Does Qionghua Valley have no guards?” Qin Shao Yu said unconcernedly.

“This trouble is clearly brought by you.” Ye Jin spat in anger, “ My Qionghua Valley has already passed five whole years without any disturbances, and only suffered an attack when you arrived today, and you still dare to say that it’s not related to you?’

Shen Qian Ling felt guilty after hearing this, it couldn’t be me who provoked this incident again right? Something like the flower thief…Deeply apologetic towards Ye Jin, he straightforwardly extended a finger and poked Qin Shao Yu, “Why don’t you go take a look?”

“Not going.” Qin Shao Yu helped him put on a robe, “The shadow guards from our Dominion of Shadow Chasers have already gone to take a look, they’ll return soon, let discuss it then.”

“What if it is really that flower thief that you have attracted?” Ye Jin asked with his hands on his hips.

“Then I’ll take action to resolve it of course; however, it is not to help you, it is because he covets Ling-er.” Qin Shao Yu straightened his clothes, then looked towards Shen Qian Ling with a gaze so tender that it almost dripped water.

This time, Shen Xiao Shou was unyielding, he squinted at him and glowered — don’t think that using this kind of expression to win back favour will mean that I will forget about the matter of you pretending to be drunk!

“Sect Leader.” As expected, after a short period of time, the shadow guards came back with a report, “The person who broke into Qionghua Valley is from an influential family in the city, he calls himself Landlord Li.”

“Landlord Li?” Ye Jin said blankly after hearing these words.

“Looking at your expression, they are probably your past lover.” Qin Shao Yu said, “Hurry up and go freshen yourself up to greet them.”

“Past lover, my ass!” Ye Jin was enraged after hearing those words, “Landlord Li is an old man, he is almost fifty this year.”

Qin Shao Yu exclaimed in admiration, “Unconcerned about age, this is what you call true love.”

“Sect Leader.” The subordinate continued to speak, “Landlord Li is crying outside, asking to see you.”

Ye Jin: “Pfft.”

Shen Qian Ling: “…..”

Warrior, you truly are popular with the young and old.

“They’re looking for me?” Qin Shao Yu was puzzled, “I don’t know this person.”

Ye Jin stated coldly, “Starting sexual affairs then abandoning them.”

Shen Qian Ling gave him a thumbs up, you said it well.

“Does the Sect Leader want to see them?” The subordinate asked, “Landlord Li has only brought along a servant, they have almost no fighting ability, they shouldn’t be here to cause any trouble.”

“I’ll see them.” Qin Shao Yu replied, “Ask him to wait for a moment.”

Ye Jin joined in the fun, “Do you want to wear a flower on your head? This way you’ll look more lovely.”

Qin Shao Yu sent a fist flying over, smashing the table behind him into wooden planks.

Ye Jin gasped and stomped in anger, “I bought this antique Manchurian ash table for a high price!”

“Another word, and I’ll also tear down this room.” Qin Shao Yu’s words were brimming with contempt.

Ye Jin: “…”

Despicable!

“I want to go too.” Shen Qian Ling made a request.

“Even if you didn’t ask, I would have still brought you along, in case someone wants to lure the tiger away from its mountain.” Qin Shao Yu helped him put on his shoes properly, “Just in time to go and see what kind of wrong medicine Landlord Li has eaten.”

At the entrance of Qionghua Valley, there was a man with a head full of grey hair and an anxious expression on his face, stretching his neck out and looking at the road in front of him.

“Why are you looking for our Sect Leader?” Hua Tang was very confused.

”Ai.” The old man sighed deeply and lifted his leg to stomp on the floor.

“Were the other person not an old man, I would have believed that the Sect Leader had slept with him.” Fan Yan muttered to Zhao Wu, “From then until now, he has not said a word, and just sighed instead, what kind of situation is this.”

“The next time you say these things, stand further away from me.” Zhao Wu said expressionlessly, “So I won’t be implicated in case the Sect Leader hears it.”

Fan Yan was unhappy, “Are we not brothers!”

Zhao Wu shook his head, “We’re not.”

Fan Yan: “…”

Couldn’t you have said this a little more indirectly?

“Sect Leader Qin!” Only a few blurry figures can be seen at the end of the road, but Landlord Li was already hollering and crying at both heavens and earth.

Shen Qian Ling was startled, “Are you sure that you don’t know this person? Why do I feel like he is already going to throw himself on you.”

“I’ve only come to Qionghua City three times in total, and each time I stayed within the valley, where would I have the time to get to know this Landlord Li.” Qin Shao Yu helped him tighten his collar, “That’s why I want to see what exactly is the matter.”

“Are you sure you didn’t start an affair with his family’s young lady then abandon them?” Shen Qian Ling had a very rich imagination.

Qin Shao Yu laughed, “Jealous?”

“You think too much.” Shen Qian Ling scorned,  “If a lady paramour really turns up, I would set off firecrackers in celebration.”

The corners of Qin Shao Yu’s mouth curved, but he didn’t say anything else.

“Sect Leader Qin, you have to help my son set things straight.” It wasn’t easy to wait for these two to come over, Landlord Li almost had tears streaming down his face.

Shen Qian Ling instantly looked at him with eyes full of scorn, so it wasn’t someone’s daughter, but their son.

“Your son?” Qin Shao Yu was puzzled, “Do I know him?”

“No no, of course the Sect Leader doesn’t know him.” Landlord Li was busy shaking his head.

“I don’t even know him, why do I have to seek justice for your son?” Qin Shao Yu was even more puzzled.

“Quan Zi, his, his flower was picked by that lecherous thief.” Landlord Li was in so much pain that he didn’t want to live.

Damn! Shen Qian Ling’s heart was immediately full of sympathy.

“Oh?” Qin Shao Yu raised his eyebrows, “So what is Landlord Li’s intention?”

“I want to ask for Sect Leader Qin’s help to catch the flower thief and avenge my son.” Landlord Li clenched his teeth, “I will not hesitate even if I have to lose the entirety of my family’s fortune.”

“I never knew that the Dominion of Shadow Chasers also has to shoulder the responsibility of being a bailiff.” Qin Shao Yu’s smile didn’t reach his eyes,“With such a matter, why doesn’t this landlord just go directly to the yamen of the prefectural magistrate?”

“I have looked for them, but the flower thief turned out to be a person in Jianghu, so the authorities couldn’t handle him either.” Landlord Li replied, “So when I heard the news that Sect Leader Qin is in Qionghua Valley, I came over with my men this very night to plead Sect Leader Qin to help us with this matter.”

“What is Ling-er’s thoughts on this?” Qin Shao Yu turned to ask Shen Qian Ling.

How would I know?! Shen Qian Ling thought about it, “Why don’t we give it a try? If we catch him, it’s also ridding Jianghu of an evil.”

“Many thanks to young master Shen.” Landlord Li almost started crying when he heard this.

“Alright.” The corner of Qin Shao Yu’s mouth raised up, “Since fu-ren has agreed, we shall go to the Li Residence to investigate tomorrow morning.”

Landlord Li immediately let out a breath of relief, and after emotionally thanking them a thousand times, he brought his servant to return towards his home. The people of the Dominion of Shadow Chasers turned to each other in dismay — Since when did Sect Leader begin to like getting involved? Even a matter like catching the flower thief needed him to be personally involved.

Shen Qian Ling who witnessed the whole event felt like he had to look at him a little differently, although sometimes he was a bit nasty, he was still a great young man who loved to help other people after all.

The commotion ended quickly and everyone returned to their own rooms. Shen Qian Ling laid on the bed and let out a yawn, feeling sleepiness come over him.

It was really very late now.

“Sleep.” This time, Qin Shao Yu didn’t tease him again, only stretching out a hand to help cover him with the blanket, “We’ll leave later tomorrow so you should rest well.”

Shen Qian Ling hugged his blanket and rolled to a wall corner, falling asleep quickly. Qin Shao Yu got off the bed and went outside to the courtyard.

“Sect Leader.” Zhao Wu met him there.

“Waiting for me?” Qin Shao Yu asked.

“Yes.” Zhao Wu frowned slightly, “This subordinate just does not understand why Sect Leader would promise to help this area’s government officials to catch the flower thief.”

“What if I said, it was just so that we have a reason to remain in this city for a couple more days?” Qin Shao Yu asked.

Zhao Wu stared blankly.

“Having some matters to do is better than staying in Qionghua Valley and not doing anything.” Qin Shao Yu smiled slightly, “Besides, what if you want snatch someone from me, where would be better to act? Is a normal wealthy household in Qionghua City better, or the home of the Master of Qiong Hua Valley, Ye Jin?”

“The Sect Leader thinks that Feng Jiu Ye will come?” Zhao Wu asked.

“I’m not certain, Feng Jiu Ye’s character is sinister and cunning, I can only try and tempt him out as best as I can.” Qin Shao Yu replied, “He’s always wanted to get Ling-er under his control, now that Ling-er is in my hands, he won’t be willing to yield just like this.”

“This subordinate has something to ask.” Zhao Wu said in a low voice.

“Speak.” Qin Shao Yu nodded.

“Does the Sect Leader have any personal feelings for young master Shen?” Zhao Wu asked.

Qin Shao Yu raised an eyebrow, “You’ve asked this question before.”

“At that time, Sect Leader said there is none.” Zhao Wu said, “This subordinate only wants to know, after so many days, does the Sect Leader still have no distractions in his heart regarding young master Shen.”

“What is the answer you’re hoping for?” Qin Shao Yu asked.

“This subordinate doesn’t dare.” Zhao Wu lowered his head, “It’s just that I’m afraid that if his memory comes back in the future, it might be unfavourable for the Sect Leader if he gets too close with young master Shen.”

“I have everything under control.” Qin Shao Yu patted his shoulder, “Enough, go back and rest earlier.”

Zhao Wu nodded and turned, leaving the small courtyard.

Qin Shao Yu returned to the bedroom, and saw Shen Qian Ling sprawled on the bed, sleeping with a drunk expression and his mouth open. The side of his small upper garment was rolled up and showed his soft white belly, making him look especially foolish.

This kind of person…it was really very difficult to be wary against. Qin Shao Yu straightened his clothes, and laid next to him, a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Shen Qian Ling rubbed his nose then turned around and hugged his arm, sleeping even more sweetly.

In the late of the night with the quiet wind, even dreams were warm.

Early in the morning on the second day, a shadow guard was already outside the house, reporting that Landlord Li had already prepared carriages, horses and palanquin, beating gongs and hitting drums while waiting outside of Qionghua Valley.

“Tell him to go back.” Qin Shao Yu covered Shen Qian Ling’s ears, “Tell him that Ling-er hasn’t awakened yet.”

The subordinate accepted the order and left, silently deeply moved by the increasing affection; he’s still sleeping even at such a time.

Even once Landlord Li heard the reasoning of, “Because young master Shen still hasn’t woken up, so Sect Leader may leave a little later”, he immediately expressed his understanding and said repeatedly  that it didn’t matter however long they needed to wait, and to let Sect Leader and fu-ren continue to sleep.

“Continue to sleep.” These three words really painted a nice picture, it easily allowed people to make assumptions. The servants, the palanquin porters, as well as the aunty temporarily hired by Landlord Li to attend to Shen Qian Ling all couldn’t help but begin to enthusiastically imagine; this kind of topic must not be left out during the tea time after a meal, it must be recounted vividly.

Consequently, when the two people finally left in the afternoon, everyone was looking at Shen Qian Ling with a specially sympathetic gaze in their eyes — he couldn’t even walk properly on the road. It must have been very intense.

“Should this husband carry you?” Qin Shao Yu asked by his ear.

“Shut up.” Shen Qian Ling glared at him, “I don’t want to have contact with you for three days.”

When he was washing up in the afternoon, Qin Shao Yu suddenly rushed over and started touching him here and there persistently; he could neither drive him away or beat him away, and instead managed to accidentally poke his own acupuncture point on his waist. It was not only painful but also numb.

As a result, Shen Xiao Shou had to use both hands to support his waist while walking slowly, appearing with the posture of a pregnant woman in the eyes of everyone.

It was very embarrassing.

“It’ll be fine after a few hours.” Sitting in the palanquin, Qin Shao Yu was still comforting him.

“Stay away from me.” Shen Qian Ling sat very straight, thinking that death was better than this.

To be sharing a room with a violent person, this kind of matter was utterly dreadful.

Their carriage on the road was accompanied by sounds of instruments and drums, if it weren’t for the lack of crimson red silk, the people within the city almost thought that Landlord Li’s family was going to hold a wedding.

“You’re just going to let them make a scene like this?” Although he was sitting inside the palanquin, Shen Qian Ling still felt that he had lost face (5).

“What are you scared of, if they like making a scene then just let them be.” Qin Shao Yu leisurely drank his tea, “The rumours about you and I can’t be considered to be few, what harm is there in adding another?”

…….

Shen Qian Ling choked.

Big bro, your mentality is quite strong.

“We’ve arrived at the Li Residence.” The palanquin porter roared in an earth-shattering voice.

“Shall I help you down?” Qin Shao Yu asked.

“No.” Shen Qian Ling refused him firmly, lifted the curtain of the palanquin and poked half of his head out.

“Wow!” The outside of the palanquin immediately exploded, colourful ribbons soared into the air, tens of hundreds of people began clapping and cheering at the same time, everyone looked at him with an enthusiastic, intense and scorchingly hot expression; some people even fainted straightaway.

Before he could recover from his fright, Shen Qian Ling had retreated back inside the palanquin with a woosh.

What kind of situation is this!

Qin Shao Yu tried not to laugh, and reached out a hand to help him take the coloured pieces of ribbon off his head.

“What is going on?” Shen Qian Ling asked.

Qin Shao Yu pinched his cheek, “It’s the famous youngest son of the Shen family, of course everyone wants to take a look.”

“I invite Sect Leader Qin and young master Shen to leave the palanquin.” The palanquin porter continued to shout.

The applause grew more intense; Shen Qian Ling’s head was buzzing.

“You don’t want to be seen by them?” Qin Shao Yu asked.

”Nonsense, don’t tell me you want to?!” Shen Qian Ling was angry.

Smiling slightly, Qin Shao Yu stepped forward and pulled Shen Qian Ling in his embrace, stepped on the side of the carriage with a foot, and used the force to leap onto the outer wall of the Li Residence, disappearing from the sight of everyone in an instant.

The surrounding crowd were extremely moved again, unwilling to let other people see huh…it really makes one want to sigh.

“Are they so idle that they have nothing else to do.” Shen Qian Ling grumbled.

“It’s a quiet and peaceful period of prosperity, the people are at leisure and ease.” Qin Shao Yu flicked his head, “This is a good thing.”

“Sect Leader Qin, young master Shen.” Landlord Li was being assisted by someone as he ran out of the main entrance while gasping for air, “This lowly one is unable to accompany you in by flying, you’ve waited for a while, pardon my neglect.”

“It’s not a problem.” Qin Shao Yu was very magnanimous , “Take me to see you son first.”

“This…” Landlord Li looked distressed, “Sect Leader, why don’t you first rest for a while, and discuss this matter after you’ve eaten?”

Qin Shao Yu spoke, “Why is that?”

Landlord Li sighed, “Quan Zi’s nature has always been reserved, after this bitter encounter he has cried the whole day. I’m truly afraid that he won’t be able to bear the turmoil if he hears Sect Leader asking about it again.”

“Is there anyone else who can recount what happened that day?” Qin Shao Yu asked.

Landlord Li shook his head, “That flower thief came without a shadow and left without a trace, and he released some sedative drugs into the room too. It was only the next morning when the pageboy saw that he hadn’t woken up yet, and only discovered that something had happened when he entered.”

“How many people in the city have been harmed by him in total? Qin Shao Yu asked.

Landlord Li stomped his foot, “In just a month alone, the number of men that have been defiled by him, is definitely twenty if not thirty; who knows how he is so energetic.”

Shen Qian Ling: “…”

Hearing this kind of matter was really not scientific.

“Find a time, and select some who are willing to speak about the matter to talk to me.” Qin Shao Yu instructed.

Landlord Li promised repeatedly, and personally brought the two to their residence to rest.

“Thirty days, thirty people!” Until the day that the case would be settled, Shen Qian Ling would be mired in shock, unable to free himself.

“You think that it is not possible?” Qin Shao Yu pinched his chin.

“Don’t tell me you think that it’s possible? Shen Qian Ling retorted.

“I don’t know.” Qin Shao Yu’s mouth grinned lightly, “Why won’t…fu-ren accompany me to try it?”

Notes:

Lure the tiger away from its mountain: 调虎离山 – an idiom, meaning to lure an enemy from his territoryEating vinegar: 吃醋 – Euphemism for being jealousBailiff: 捕快 – responsible for catching criminals in Imperial ChinaYamen: 衙门 The name in ancient China for the government office. They judge criminal cases among other things. WikiLose face: 丢人 Means to be embarrassed or ashamed.