30 Reunion after Seven Years (1/2)
Chapter 30: Reunion after Seven Years
Translator: TransnEditor: Transn
The crowd around the table sighed, lamenting those words. Ning Que and Sangsang listened silently to their comments as they fiddled with the pickles in the dish in their corner. Even their way of drinking the gruel sound like sighs. Master Zeng Jing left little impression on him. Instead, it was his tough wife who left a lasting impression. As for their family brawl that stirred the royal family, Ning Que had no intention to judge. It had nothing to do with him anyhow. What he was concerned about was in the place opposite to the official's mansion...
”Compared to Master Zeng Jing, General Lin Guangyuan had no luck... Eh, that's not right. What I meant is that since he dared to betray our country, he deserved more than a thousand deaths. But… it was those in his household who were pitiful.”
The old man picked up his chopsticks and poked the salted egg with the tip. He licked it before sipping the cheap White Lotus wine, as a way of flavoring it. Sighing, he said, ”You didn't see the scene with your own eyes. I was there when the massacre happened. Dying screams echoed in the air. The sound of heads falling as if they were watermelons splattering onto the ground, and the blood… seeped from beneath the gate. It was a miserable sight!”
”I'm not trying to excuse that traitor. However, when pondering over some of the things in this world, I felt somewhat grieved and sad. At that time, the whole neighborhood knew there were officials who had a good relationship with Xuanwei General, but yet after the accident, nobody stood out to support him. What was worse was that no one was willing to give him a burial.”
Putting down the wine cup, the old man subconsciously scanned the tavern and the street outside. Then he lowered his voice and asked, ”Have you ever heard of Lang Huangxing, a chief guard of the capital gate? Xuanwei General was the one who brought him to the capital from the frontier fortress. But it was him who was the first to accuse the general of treason. If you wonder where the man is these days... He has thrown himself into the prince's lap, living a conceited life!”
”The Zhaowu Lieutenant who was involved in that affair is also said to be enjoying life now. I wonder if they'll occasionally think about the corpses when they indulge in alcohol and women? If they think about it, what do they feel about it?”
...
...
The old man continued to sip the wine, flavoring it with salted yolk. However, no matter how slow he ate, there would certainly be an end. Those idlers of Chang'an finished their daily quota of wine as mandated by their ferocious wives and ended their chat. With smiles and bows, they bade farewell to one another.
Ning Que and Sangsang remained seated at the small table in the corner. Their porridge had already turned cold, and the leaves of the pickled cabbage were dry from the wind, but yet they show no intention of leaving.
”Young master, what is your connection with General's Mansion?” Sangsang stared at him, asking earnestly.
Ning Que answered with a smile, ”Of course there is a connection.”
”I mean... what kind of connection, instead of whether there is one.” Sangsang carefully corrected him.
After a moment of silence, the smile on Ning Que's face gradually faded. He explained solemnly, ”But this connection can't be revealed. You're my handmaiden now. If the public finds out, the imperial court will behead us both.”
Looking into his eyes, Sangsang thought he was joking. She shook her head and answered, ”Young master, you're talking nonsense.”
”In our Tang Empire, the number of people who died because of nonsense is no less than those killed by barbarians.” Ning Que broke into laughter. ”Sometimes we all know the truth, but we're refrained from speaking it out for the truth may cause death. If we're forced to speak the truth, then we can only speak nonsense.”
Finishing those words, he picked up his chopsticks again and rolled up his right sleeve. He then glanced over the five dishes of pickles and the two bowls of cold porridges, debating how to kill time next.