Chapter 8

Chapter 8

A WHOLE DAY Pa.s.sES

I turned my head and smiled at Yao Jinzi: “Is the lunch ready yet?” He frowned and replied gloomily “Jinfeng…”

“Oh”, understanding what he meant, I beckoned Xiao Lu and ordered, “We will have lunch in the study. Ask Hong Feng to bring in Yao Jinfeng”.

Xiao Lu was very enthusiastic about running errands and, quite naturally, happy to go. I turned towards Yao Jinzi: “What exactly is Hong Feng’s status?”

Although my beautiful boy wants to maintain a slightly aloof look, he could not help but retort in an astonished manner: “Did you even forget her?”

“Is she someone important to me?”

“That yatou is your tongfang and she is in charge of the big and medium affairs in the residence.” The youth adopted a cold face once again.

*Gasp*, a tongfang? Heck, this Zhang Qinglian is a bis.e.xual? “Then what about the fat and thin pair who were here a moment ago?”

The delicate and pretty face face gradually contorted to show a disdainful expression,”So called Su-pair [C/N: tentative]. They are just people of Wulin with high skill in martial arts whom you managed to recruit”

“How many of your moves can they meet?” Modern people are full of endless curiosity about marial artist characters that only exist in Jin Yong‘s writings. The beautiful teenager thought about it slightly: “When you sent people to chase me down, at that time, Zhu Xianxi partic.i.p.ated . We faced off and he was able to match 20 moves with me. Tian Chun is a laughing tiger [C/N: 是笑面虎 person with a kind face but vicious heart], his moves are hard to deal with. He could match around 30 moves but it was two years ago. In the past two years, my martial arts have degraded. It is necessary to train for around  three to four months before I can recover to my previous strength. However, they have probably practiced some unique skill by now, and it is difficult to say who is weak and who is strong.”

As he spoke, he did not make any eye contact with me. His tone was subtle and although there was no hatred apparent in his speech, I knew he blamed me for it.

(translated/cleaned by Niladri)

I restrained myself from peeking at his visage, put on an indifferent expression and sat on the chair. Hey, it’s not me who did these vicious things, why should I feel guilty?

Hong Feng pushed aside the curtain screen and entered followed by several yatous in tow carrying lunch boxes and finally, a big man holding Yao Jinfeng. The young boy was kicking and spewing insults as if he was still a young master. Looking at his pretty face, it was indeed quite pitiful.

I don’t know why but upon seeing him my mood became lightened and my subordinates relaxed. Yao Jinzi rushed over like a gush of wind. Before I could clearly are what happened, he arrived in front of the big man and s.n.a.t.c.hed Yao Jinfeng from him. After seizing him, he inspected thoroughly from top to bottom to check for injuries. The former also

took the latter’s pulse just in case. My heart felt lighter. I realized that Yao Jinfeng was his older brother's life gate, and as long as I had him, I had the confidence to deal with Yao Jinzi. Ever since Yao Jinzi was out of his predicament, I have been facing a martial artist who hated me enough to kill. Even though I kept saying that I did not feel anxious, jealous or scared of him, it was simply to deceive people. But now the situation was truly in my grasp.

Yao Jinzi continued to investigate. He probably found nothing, but still glanced at me with eyes full of hatred. I gave him a bright and innocent smile which only infuriated him even more. “Darling” I said lazily, “Don’t rack your brains over nothing. You can easily use your zhenqi to a.n.a.lyse him. after all when there is a fire there will be smoke?”Why is he getting so worked up?

[C/N: the above part was hard to make sense of. Maybe some chinese idiom. Hate it when those come up]

Seeing that he was about to get angry, I hastily comforted him and said, “But, you should not worry, as long as you fulfill our agreement, I will definitely keep him from harm.” Although Yao Jinzi was indignant, he reluctantly let go of the child’s wrist. Only now did the stinky brat realized what happened.

“Brother!” he excitedly shouted, “Are you recovering your martial arts?” He was really surprised .He could not believe it, and felt quite stupid.

“Wow…” the little brat was indeed just a kid. He hugged his brother and buried his head into his brother’s torso, and cried in an even more earth shattering sound. Yao Jinzi did not mind his tears, and excitedly held the clingy Yao Jinfeng.

Bored, I shoot a look towards Hong Feng. Hong Feng’s eyes looked downwards, not giving any indication of her thoughts. Xiao Lu was observing Yao Jinfeng with eyes full of curiosity.

(Translated/Cleaned by :Niladri if you are reading somewhere else, it is not with my permission. My site doesn’t have popup ads…)

Suddenly, the little brat shouted with a gritted voice:”Brother, since you have recovered your Wugong [C/N: martial arts], what are you waiting for? Quickly kill this wicked thief and avenge our father!” As usual, even though his face looked haggard and tear-stained, he kept running his mouth off against me. Unexpectedly, finding no response from his brother, the little brat grew anxious:” Brother, Brother, what’s wrong with you? This man killed our father and bullied you! He is our enemy! Kill him! …Brother, why are you not speaking, why? Did he feed you something strange?”

Ahem, I am not that bad…

Yao Jinzi looked down at his brother. His face looked extremely complicated, struggling, full of agony, he opened his mouth to speak,but hesitated…

I caressed my chin playfully and appreciated my boy’s struggling emotions.[C/N: total s.a.d.i.s.t] “Brother-” The brat doesn’t put a lid on his volume .

“…Jinfeng”, Yao Jinzi’s voice was hoa.r.s.e and deep, perhaps because they withheld too many feelings, it sounded astringent and dry. From my

my viewpoint, I can see his long beautiful eyelashes hanging and blocking his sight. “Now…I can’t kill him yet.” “What?!” The little brat immediately acted as if he was struck by lightning.”Why? Elder brother! His face became panic striken and looked terrified as he took a step backwards.”Don’t tell me you surrendered to him?” His naive words and silly deeds would be ignored by others, but they were absolutely lethal to his brother who was like a treasure to him. My beautiful boy’s face looked as if he had been stabbed by a knife.

Really unable to continue watching! So I said most hateful thing possible to this little brat who was unbelievably naive but continued to accuse others!

I stood up and “thump thump thump” took several steps and walked upto the brothers. Ignoring everyone’s surprise, pointed to the kid’s nose and scolded: “Enough! Your big brother is a big hero. You, for whom he gave his all to protect, does not believe him, isn’t he too pitiful? This is an adult, and you are a smelly brat, raised by him and protected by him, what qualifications do you have to come barking here! The world of adults is not as simple as you think!…”

(Translated/Cleaned by: Niladri. Why not read in my original wordpress page?)

Everyone started at me with an extremely astonished gaze, including Yao Jinzi. After Yao Jinfeng suffered his first defeat his face grew crimson . Shock, frustration and anger were visible on his face one after another. My acting of Zhang Qinglian is beginning to show more and more flaws, I wonder if these people are beginning to suspect me?

Why does my mind go into turmoil every time it involves Yao Jinzi? Is it like the ancient saying “Steel knife scapes away color”? [C/N: I don’t know chinese but i think it means some people can sc.r.a.pe away your elegant facade and expose you for what you really are.]

Forget it, even if they suspected, there is no evidence. If there is trouble, one can adapt to it and take measures to protect oneself accordingly.

I tidied up my face, and looked at the smelly brat. He flicked his sleeves and turned to leave. I elegantly sat down and commanded,”Let us eat!” The smelly brat was stunned and s.h.i.+vering but remained unyielding. He neither cried, nor shouted “Brother kill him.” Instead he furiously stomped his feet and ran away spitefully like flies.

Yao Jinzi cried out “Jinfeng” and tried to pursue him. My eyes flashed and I loudly called out ” Yao Jinzi” the moment he took a step.

Yao Jinzi anch.o.r.ed his feet to the ground, and looked at me with an inquisitive gaze. I looked at his eyes, my gaze as firm as I possibly could- our gazes locked. “You should stay with me for dinner.” The tone was mild but there was no way to refute it.

Yao Jinzi hesitated for a moment, took a glance at the direction his brother had gone, finally walked back, and sat down beside me with a cold face.

I didn’t look at him, but even if I

if I had, my expression would appear calm. But inside, happiness blossed in my heart. Hha this first game, I won.

However, this Yao Jinzi is not stupid. Hong Feng came in with new clothes and medicine. She brought in another Yahuan  to clean the wound and change his bloodstained clothing. Even though it makes one lose face, I have always been squeamish about blood, but as long is it is not my own blood, I will not faint. In spite of this, one cannot be too optimistic, although… the beautiful teenager really had a good figure. “Hong feng did you arrange what I asked for?” I asked leisurely. “Yes Daren.” Although Hong Feng’s hands were bustling about, she still replied to me respectfully and prudently. She was quite efficient in her work and replied, “Yao Gongzi’s residence is as you ordered, arranged in ‘Dark snow pavilion’, Yao… the second son has been arranged to stay in the immediate vicinity ‘Zhongs.h.i.+ pavilion’, each has four yatous, if it is not enough, then we can look for more slowly. Various items for daily use have been arranged, in the afternoon I will personally go and help them settle.”

-( Translated/Cleaned by: Niladri)

‘Dark snow pavilion’ was a courtyard that I came across on my way to rescue my beautiful boy in his earlier stone prison, and had several plum blossoms planted there. It had a scenery of  a horizontal criss-cross of shadows and  fragrant floating perfume. Hence I named it such, to glorify its extravagance. “You send a trustworthy person to take a look at Yao Jinfeng. By the way, he looked like he could use some food- the kitchen must be informed…. Um, Xiao Lu, you go, both your ages are similar and you will get along well.” Although these words sounded like they were showing favor to someone, it was just my maternal instinct. I don’t know what anyone else thinks. I took a quick look at him. He had changed his clothes to a new one, his graceful bearing was beginning to show. He sat still upright, his eyelashes slightly hanging, and his face devoid of expression.

Hey why do I want to control him? The food that was delayed for a long time was finally taken out of the food box and served in the tray. There were only ten dishes, it was not that luxurious. Hong Feng stood behind me after serving the dishes. The food looked quite elegant. I did not know the name, only that it had chicken in it, along with some mushrooms I did not recognize. There was venison, probably roasted, there was nothing that could be eaten raw. [C/N: salad? Not sure]. But most of them were not spicy. China is not the source of hot pepper, and by now, it has most likely not been discovered.

Yao Jinzi habitually ate in silence, the posture was very graceful. From these, his good birth was quite evident.

After the lunch was over in silence, Hong Feng brought servants to pack up the leftovers and left. I dismiss the peopledismiss the people around me, and let my beautiful boy lead me to the familiar environment of my residence. My residence was not inferior to Daguanyuan. [C/N: Grand View Garden in beijing]. When Yao Jinzi initially pretended to be subservient to Zhang Qinglian from the beginning, he was allowed free movement in the residence, and therefore, he was quite familiar with it. His has always been a taciturn  person, and was never truly interested in me, so it is not surprising that he does not suspect me.

I gazed at his perfect profile and felt a pang of sorrow in my heart: this guy really suffered a lot of pain! What will the future bring?

The present situation is sort of a stalemate and likely transient, everyone had their own abilities. Although fate has linked this beautiful bot to me, I can only depend on myself.

It was not yet time to light the lamps, but I  felt tired. Spending time with Yao Jinzi was exhausting.

After we ate a cursory dinner like noon, Hong Feng said that Yao Jinfeng was throwing a fit of temper and refusing to eat. Hha why don’t I find that surprising.

Yao Jinzi was not anxious like a mother hen or go out to placate his treasured brother. It seemed like, although he protected him fiercely, he wouldn’t tolerate the latter behaving like a spoiled brat. My evaluation of him rose a bit.

Under the support of a group of Yahuan, Yao Jinzi escorted me to my residence. This Zhang Qinglian was indeed a vulgar man. Just because he had a lotus character in his name, he had to live in a small island surrounded by lotus flowers. I called it “listen to the rain waterside pavilion”. I would not mind this place much in summer, but now is winter! [C/N: probably she has to spend the cold winter season in a courtyard surrounded by ponds containing lotuses] The best feature of the house furnis.h.i.+ngs were their exquisiteness. Although the items were extremely sophisticated, there were many bizarre things what were even less masculine than me! I knew that it was the bedroom, since the maid servants were instructed not to obstruct us as we indulged ourselves in the throes of pa.s.sion.

Yao Jinzi was very calm and with practiced moves went to light a lamp. It gave off a pale yellow light. The visibility was quite poor but the candle light swung its retractible arrow by the string attached to it (1), accentuating Yao Jinzi’s silent slender figure in the dark room , making my heart skip a beat.

A light warm feeling rushed into my heart. My entire body felt as if immersed in hot water. As if the whole world surrounding me vanished into nothingness. Darkness surrounded me, and I had no idea where I was,my heart was racing erratically like a moth in the darkness,  and finally found found a sliver of light… But, a few words of Yao Jinzi destroyed the beautiful mood. He said: “Daren, do you want me to serve you tonight?”

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(1) The candle flame is oscillating.