Chapter 186 (1/2)

Chapter 186

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Just as she was about to observe the other side, she heard another set of footsteps from the other side. The palace was well ventilated, with the wind blowing in from the west door and out the east. Yet, Chu Qiao froze up. With a slight frown, she reached for her Sword of Moon Shatterer. Yet, before she could draw her blade, she had the illusion that the sword started to vibrate, as though resonating with something. With that, a strange urge rushed through her mind. Before she could help it, she had quietly shuffled over to the left side of the goddess' statue, and lightly, she poked her head out.

With the snow drifting down in the distance, and the winter plums in full bloom, a certain figure came into her view. Under the battle ax of the other side of the goddess, he wore a silvery grey fox fur cape with a pristine white undershirt. Just as elegant as before, his eyes were still like a frozen lake, with his lips in a crimson shade of red. He was still the same person that stood out from the crowds as before. With a gust of wind, the red plums were brought into the palace from the outside and landed on his shoulders. This instance was illuminated by the pale moonlight that shone through the layers of clouds. He was also taken aback and seemed to have not expected to meet her here. For once, he was actually lost for words.

A young yellow bird flew into the palace to hide from the snow. After circling the area once, it landed on the shoulder of the goddess. Its pea-sized jet black eyes observed the duo before it started chirping crisply.

The man looked at her, as his gaze pierced through the misty palace. Frowning, he looked as if he wanted to say something. His gentle gaze swept past her frail shoulders, her slender neck, her skinny face, and finally landed on her surprised eyes. After a long while, he looked away and turned around. His lonesome silhouette walked off towards the exit in firm steps, with his cape sweeping up dust on the ground.

”The next few days will have some heavy snow storms. You must watch out.” Just as Zhuge Yue reached the door, Chu Qiao's voice echoed out calmly. Her voice was like premium tea that could only be found in the Tang Empire; soothing, with a tinge of sweetness.

Zhuge Yue stopped in his tracks and turned around. With a light flick of his eyebrow, he asked, ”You are not worried?”

Chu Qiao earnestly replied, ”I am, but I have no choice.” She shrugged helplessly and pretended to be very worried. Yet, her voice seemed ever so gentle.

A tinge of gentleness flashed pass Zhuge Yue's eyes. With a calm voice, he replied, ”Rest at ease. My infiltration of Yan Bei has nothing to do with the war.”

”That would be great.” Chu Qiao smiled. ”Is there anything that requires my assistance?”

”Yes,” Zhuge Yue gave an unexpectedly honest reply.

Chu Qiao was taken aback, as she had not expected him to really say anything. She quickly asked, ”What help do you need?”

”Do not expose me.”

Chu Qiao was left with her mouth agape. She had completely not expected that Zhuge Yue actually was capable of casual banter. After taking a few seconds to process those words, she replied, ”How could I?”

The bird suddenly chirped with joy, and darted to a fireplace at the corner. One then noticed the smell of cooked meat filling the entire room. Chu Qiao walked past the goddess statue, and saw that there was a small table carpet in the corner, with a copper basin placed on the table top. In the copper basin, there was a small flame cooking a pot of food. With the thick soup boiling and the meat tumbling in the pot, the smell was so good it could induce hunger. Beside the pot, a few plates of fresh meat and vegetables were placed at the side, with a silver octagonal wine bottle placed at the very side.

Chu Qiao smiled. Pointing at Zhuge Yue, she asked, ”Are you leaving? These will be mine.”

Taking a moment to think, Zhuge Yue walked over to the short table and sat down. Stoically, he said, ”Dream on.” As expected of someone born with a silver spoon, having grown up with the best resources, even as Zhuge Yue was deep in enemy territory with such a huge snow storm brewing, he continued his lifestyle. His food was prepared with such intricacy, as the thinly sliced pieces of mutton were rolled and stacked up on the plates, and the fresh vegetables still had water droplets on them. Even his chopsticks were made of pure silver with beautiful engravings. Picking up a slice of the mutton, he put it into the boiling soup. The meat quickly turned in color, and as it cooked in the boiling water that released clouds of steam. Eating hotpot in the winter was indeed a great enjoyment.

There was an entire set of cups. Chu Qiao still vividly remembered his habits. Long ago, even in Qing Shan Court, he would put entire sets of utensils on the table even if he was eating alone. It was as though there were many people eating with him.

Chu Qiao picked up the wine bottle, and poured a cup for him before pouring one for herself. Seeing that, Zhuge Yue frowned and asked, ”Since when did you start drinking?” Her hand that was holding the cup trembled very slightly. Indeed, she had never drunk much alcohol. Since when did she start to consume this thing that served only to cloud her mind? Slowly lifting up her head, she calmly looked at him. Raising her cup, she said, ”Although the wine is not mine, toasts to you.”

Zhuge Yue's seemed to be deep in thought, as he did not even lift up his cup, but merely observed her.

Chu Qiao drank the cup in one gulp, and calmly said, ”This cup is to thank you for all these years of help and letting me off.”

In the past year, it was as though Chu Qiao had grown taller again. Her delicate face was decorated by two thin, fine brows. Her eyes were big, yet it seemed like they were covered by a thin veil to conceal her true thoughts. Even with the cup of wine before him, Zhuge Yue did not drink it, as he merely continued to add meat into the boiling pot. Without lifting his eyes from the food, he retorted, ”Are we singing some kind of opera? We are eating, do not talk so much nonsense.”

Chu Qiao frowned. ”Even when eating, there is usually an opening speech.”

Zhuge Yue remarked, ”Handling those old men in the royal capital were tiring enough. I have no energy to handle you here.”

Chu Qiao quietly muttered some complaints before picking up the chopsticks to eat. Seeing how she was too fast, Zhuge Yue cautioned, ”Careful, it is hot.” Before he even finished his sentence, Chu Qiao yelped. She had obviously been scalded. Seeing that, Zhuge Yue rolled his eyes, and commented, ”Good for you.”