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<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="333" data-orig-width="500"></figure>I’ve been enjoying the discussions we’ve been having. Keep up the good work!
While I understand why Jian Zhang is having his doubts, I think he should take a leaf out of Dao Ming Si’s book. His line in Meteor Garden: “Shan Cai, I believe you,” stays in my mind even today, eleven years after I’ve watched the drama. If Jian Zhang truly loved Jing Wan, he would trust that she was telling him the truth, especially since she told him outright that she would never betray him. On the other hand, Jing Wan should definitely keep tabs on that tricky Murong Feng. I know, I’m simply shameless with my double standards. :P
Encountering Love: Chapter 26
It was the first time that He Xu An heard his wish to fight against the Russians, so he did not immediately respond. Murong Feng gazed at the forest for a while, and then said: “When news comes from the north, come and inform me.”
The Tao Estate was at its liveliest, the Third Miss was listening to the opera with Madams Xu and Chang, as Lu Yu Shuang’s ironclad princess was singing the ‘Zhuo Gong’ scene. Madam Xu was really enjoying the opera and was completely enthralled, but Madam Chang seemed to suddenly think of something: “Why haven’t we seen Miss Yin?” The Third Miss replied, smiling: “She said that she went to change her outfit.” Turning around, she saw the female guests all rising to their feet, and as it turned out, Fourth Madam, Han Shi, had arrived.
Fourth Madam was radiant with happiness, smiling before she spoke: “I have arrived late.” Then, she said to the Third Miss: “I thought that it would have started already.” Madam Chang responded: “Fourth Madam had not arrived, how could we have started the celebration?” Fourth Madam said with a smile: “Since I have arrived, let’s begin.” Smiling, Madam Xu replied: “There is still an important Star of Longevity. We don’t know where she has disappeared, leaving us all behind to run off alone.“ Fourth Madam tittered and then said: “I just came from the house, and did indeed see that Star of Longevity heading inside the house. From my perspective, we should eat while we wait. It shouldn’t be considered disrespectful.” The Third Miss hesitated before answering: “I think we should wait for them a while longer. Jing Wan said that she was going to urge Liu Shao to come quickly.” Fourth Madam gave another charming smile and said: “Do you mean that they are allowed to leave a whole room of guests behind, but we are not allowed to abandon them? We should deliberately let them starve today.” The Third Miss was not a stupidly clumsy person, and suddenly understanding her meaning, she smiled and said: “Then lets not wait for them anymore.” Madams Xu and Chang smiled at each other knowingly, while the Third Miss ordered the manager to start serving the meal.
When Xu Jian Zhang was in that reception room, he was worried in every way possible, but he saw the servant Zhou Ma enter again, who said: “Our Madam heard that Miss Yin’s cousin is here and is very welcoming. We are preparing to start the meal, Young Master, please join the guests.” Xu Jian Zhang glanced at the guard accompanying him and asked: “The estate is so lively. What happy event are you celebrating?” Upon hearing this, Zhou Ma smiled and said: “Young Master, we are celebrating Miss Yin’s birthday today.” Xu Jian Zhang was in a daze, and repeated her words: “Celebrating Miss Yin’s birthday?” Smiling, Zhou Ma replied: “Our Madam said that Young Master is Miss Yin’s relative, so then, we are like one family. Please do not be so polite.” Xu Jian Zhang had a thought that just flashed by, and asked: “This is the Tao Estate – is it Commander Tao’s estate?” Zhou Ma answered: “Yes.” When Xu Jian Zhang heard her say that they were like one family, he felt very uneasy, his heart was filled with a nearly indescribable dejection. He thought for a moment and asked again: “Has Miss Yin returned?” Zhou Ma smiled and replied: “Of course Miss Yin will return in a while.”
Xu Jian Zhang questioned her further: “The what about Mr. Yin? Is he downstairs?” His questions made Zhou Ma all panicky, who said: “Miss Yin is living here alone. Which Mr. Yin are you asking about?” Xu Jian Zhang’s heart was in great confusion, and after a long period of time, he shook his head and said: “Thank your Madam on my behalf. I cannot go downstairs, please ask Madam Tao to forgive me.”
Zhou Ma answered him and left; after a while, she came again, bringing a manservant who was also carrying a lunch box. Her words were still as courteous as before: “Our Madam said that since Young Master doesn’t want to join them downstairs, she asked the kitchen to make a few dishes and send them over. Please make do with this fare.” She then opened the lunch box, which had shrimp pearl (meatballs) bamboo shoots, steamed herring, stir-fried snap peas, and a steaming hot bowl of cherry brewed with duck soup. Xu Jian Zhang was not in the mood to eat, and hearing that they had also prepared a large bowl of rice, he said to the guard accompanying him: “You can eat first.” Murong Feng’s military rules were very strict, so that guard replied: “Mr. Xu, please do whatever is most convenient for you.” He continued to stand at attention, while Xu Jian Zhang forced himself to take the bowl and eat a few bites before he place the bowl down again. He only hear the hubbub of laughter from downstairs along with the lively sound of music, so he could tell that the beginning of the banquet was flourishing wonderfully; there were a countless number of courtyards separating them, yet he could still distantly hear them.
After a while, the kitchen sent up another two servants to collect the bowls and chopsticks. Xu Jian Zhang had a lot of things on his mind, but he unintentionally heard a servant complaining outside the window: “Even if there’s nothing to do, they still will find something to keep us occupied. It’s so busy today, but we still have to single-handedly serve this one and that one.” The other servant laughed and said: “When Miss Yin married Liu Shao one of these days, even if you want to serve the Young Master, the glory won’t be yours.” The two continued to talk as they walked further away. Xu Jian Zhang seemed as if thunder had struck him, his only thought was that even the servants are saying that the relationship between Jing Wan and Murong Feng was intimate; he did not even have to ask and he knew. His heart seemed like it was being fried in boiling oil; he had been holding a cigarette in his hand but he unconsciously tore it to pieces, and those fragments of tobacco drifted onto the floor.
He Xu An stayed in the telegram room, not moving away even an inch, until he had received a coded telegram, when he finally left out a sigh of relief. Personally holding the telegram, he went to the back to report to Murong Feng. Murong Feng was still smoking on the balcony, the little rattan table next to him had a few dishes on it, but when He Xu An looked closely, it seemed as if he hadn’t even touched the chopsticks. He coughed lightly and said: “Liu Shao, Zhang Qi Yun’s telegram as arrived.”
Murong Feng lightly flicked the ash off his cigarette and asked: “What does it say?”
He Xu An replied: “He has already taken the military authority over the Xu troops. The officers of fourth barracks have all been handed over.” Murong Feng then said: “Then in a few hours, you can make the report to the entire country. Also, draft up a personal letter to the president for me, and send it out immediately in a coded telegram to explain the details of the situation. The Xu and Chang Tong Zhis wanted to plot an uprising, and after their conspiracy failed, they planned an assassination. Even though this matter is a disgrace to the family, the more we try to hide it, the more people will gossip.” He Xu An gave a sound of affirmation, and Murong Feng asked: “How is the situation at the Tao Estate?” He Xu An replied: “Everything is fine right now.” Murong Feng said: “After the news is announced in a few hours, there cannot be the slightest sign of trouble.” He Xu An replied: “Liu Shao, please don’t worry. The troops outside are all deployed by Commander Tao, as Fourth Madam is inside.” Suddenly they heard a ‘kacha’ sound coming from inside the room, as if the bedroom door was opening. Murong Feng rushed to stand up, and turned around to walk into the room. Indeed, Dr. Muller had already walked out, and the nurse behind him was carrying a small porcelain dish. Murong Feng saw that there was a bullet covered in fresh blood in the dish, and he finally was able to release a sigh of relief. Dr. Muller said: “This week is the critical period, because the wound is very deep, it is easily infected. Hopefully, God will protect this young lady.”