Chapter - 21 (21) (2/2)

The Princess laughed and said, ”Don't worry, I can't possibly kill you for real.” After a short pause, she continued, ”At most I will beat you half-dead and half-alive.” Seeing his changed countenance, she smiled sweetly and said in a gentle voice, ”Xiao Guizi, there are a lot of eunuchs and Imperial Bodyguards in the Palace, but I only like you, one person. Those other fellows are too lacking in courageous spirit, even if I beat them to death, they would not dare to curse me any 'stinky little mother, s1ut ...'” she was imitating his accent, ”... daughter of a wh0re! Hee ... hee ... no one has ever curse me like that.”

Wei Xiaobao was happy, but also amused, ”You like to be cursed?” he asked.

The Princess laughed and said, ”Only if you curse me like that. The Empress Dowager would also reprimand me with a wooden face, telling me to abide by the rules. I don't like that kind of cursing.”

”In that case,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”You'd better go to the Lovely Spring Courtyard.” He was thinking, ”If you become a wh0re, there will be a lot of people cursing you. The pimp [orig. 'female brothel keeper'] will curse and hit you, the brothel's patron may burn you, or beat you and curse you.”

The Princess' spirit was aroused; she asked, ”What kind of place is the Lovely Spring Courtyard? Is it a fun place?”

Wei Xiaobao laughed in his heart; he said, ”It's a very fun place, but it is in Jiangnan, you can't go there. If you stay in the Lovely Spring Courtyard for three months, I guarantee you will be awfully happy that you won't want to be a Princess anymore.”

The Princess sighed; her thought wandered far away as she said wistfully, ”When I grow up, I must go there.”

With a straight face Wei Xiaobao said, ”Good, good! In the future I will definitely take you there. A real man gave his words, dead horses cannot chase it.” He could never remember the phrase 'a team of four horses cannot chase it', but instead of saying 'some horses cannot chase it', he said 'dead

[2] horses cannot chase it'.

The Princess grabbed his hand and said, ”When I fight with those eunuchs and Imperial Bodyguards, everybody always intentionally yields to me, it's not fun at all. Only yesterday when Huangdi Gege had a martial art match with me, he really hit me 30%, but he was not willing to hit too hard to hurt me, to pinch too hard to hurt me. Good Xiao Guizi, you are the only one who hit me for real. Don't you worry, I definitely will not kill you.” Puckering her mouth, she landed a kiss on his lips. Her face blushed, and she dashed out of the room.

In that instant Wei Xiaobao felt the sky spun, the earth turned over; he fell sitting down on the floor, thinking, ”I am afraid this Princess is a little bit insane, the more I hit her and curse her, the happier she is. Damn it, could it be that the Old Wh0re's little girl really take a liking on a fake eunuch like me?” Recalling her beautiful face, his heart was befuddled. Slowly he stood up and walked back toward his residence. He was so exhausted that as soon as he touched the bed, he fell asleep instantly.

He slept for more than ten hours [orig. 5 shichen] straight. By the time he woke up, the sky had turned dark. Feeling the pain on his entire body, he could not bear not to groan. He got up, thinking that he was going to wash the salt from his wounds. Who would have thought that as he tried to take off his clothes, the blood from his wounds had congealed and stuck firmly onto his clothes? When he tried to pull it, it was so painful that unavoidably he rained curses again, 'stinky little mother, rotten little miss'. Finally he washed off the salt and spread metal-cut wound medicine on his injuries.

When he went to see the young emperor the next day, Kangxi saw his nose was blue and his eyes swollen, his hair and his eyebrows were burned, everything was broken and in disarray. Kangxi was shocked; he immediately guessed that it must be his precious imperial younger sister's masterpiece. ”Did the Princess beat you?” he asked, ”Is the injury heavy?”

With a forced smile Wei Xiaobao said, ”Not too bad. Shifu, your disciple has brought disgrace to you [orig. 'throw away your face'], Senior. I will have to painstakingly train for three more years before I can retrieve it back and bring honor to you, Senior.”

At first Kangxi was worried that in a towering rage Wei Xiaobao would ask Kangxi to stick out for him. It's just that although his imperial sister was in the wrong, it had always been her right as the master to beat up the slaves. However, if Kangxi ignored him, he was afraid when Wei Xiaobao went up Mount Wutai to serve his father emperor, he would not do so with all of his heart. While he was feeling awkward, suddenly hearing Wei Xiaobao say so, i.e. he did not complain over this matter, but consider it as child's play, Kangxi was ecstatic. He laughed and said, ”Xiao Guizi, you are really good! I must reward you well. Tell me, what do you want?”

Wei Xiaobao replied, ”Shifu did not reproach disciple for being not proficient in my training, disciple is already very grateful, I do not need any reward.” After a short pause, he continued, ”Shifu may pass on to me some brilliant moves, so that when I meet with danger in the future, I won't be bullied by others. That's all I want.”

Kangxi burst out laughing; he said, ”Alright, alright!” Thereupon he taught him several exquisite moves the Empress Dowager had bestowed to him.

Although these several qin na techniques were quite extraordinary, they were far inferior compared to the six moves Hong Jiaozhu, husband and wife, had taught him. When Wei Xiaobao was having martial art match with Kangxi previously, he had seen Kangxi use these moves. Now that he had special instruction, he managed to master the moves without spending too much time.

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”When I fought with him earlier, we were wrestling as friends. But he is the Emperor, I am a slave, this friendship will not last too long. This time I return to Beijing, I can see that although physically he did not grow too much, his power and prestige have actually grown considerably. I can't call him 'Xiao Xuanzi', three characters, anymore; but if I simply change the way I address him, it will be no more than an ingenious way of flattering him.” Thereupon he kneeled down, 'dong, dong, dong' he knocked his head against the floor eight times, and said, ”Shifu, disciple Wei Xiaobao is your, Senior's first disciple [orig. 'first disciple of cutting into a mountain' – a reference to opening a monastery].”

Kangxi was startled; but he understood his intention immediately. On one hand, he felt it would be fun, on the other hand, he also felt that the appellation 'Xiao Xuanzi' was no longer appropriate. He laughed and said, ”Being a ruler I can't go back on my own words! Since I have had you call me Shifu, I have no choice but to receive you as my disciple.” Then he called out, ”Guards!”

Two eunuchs and two Imperial Bodyguards entered the study room. Kangxi said, ”Turn around.”

”Yes,” the four people complied. But the rule said that subjects should never turn their backs toward the Emperor, otherwise, it would be extremely disrespectful. The four people did not understand Kangxi's intention, they only turned their bodies slightly, no one dared to turn his back.

From his desk Kangxi picked up a pair of golden scissors and walked toward the four people's backs. Again the four of them turned their bodies slightly. Kangxi looked at the four people's braided hair, and saw a court eunuch had the most glossy and shiny black hair. His left hand grabbed the pigtail, 'crash' he cut the braid down from the base.

The eunuch was so scared that he felt his soul had flown to the outer sky. Instantly he kneeled down and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, ”Your servant deserves to die, your servant deserves to die!”

Kangxi laughed and said, ”Don't be afraid, I reward you ten taels of silver. Everybody get out!” The four of them were bewildered; they only thought that the power of Heaven was hard to fathom, they walked backward out of the room.

Kangxi gave the pigtail to Wei Xiaobao and said with a laugh, ”You are going to be a monk, the Princess has burned your hair, it seems that this is the will of Heaven. The Heaven is borrowing the Princess' hand to tell you to shed your hair and become a monk. You may tie this false braid on your head first, otherwise you will look unsightly.”

Wei Xiaobao kneeled down and said, ”Yes, Shifu cherishes your disciple, you are very considerate.”

Kangxi laughed and said, ”You have done obeisance, taking me as your master, you must not mention it to anybody else. I know you are tightlipped, very prudent and careful, and that was the reason I agreed. If you act ostentatiously outside, as the Zhangmen, I will cripple your martial art skill and expel you from my school.”

”Yes, yes,” Wei Xiaobao repeatedly promised, ”Disciple will not dare.”

When Kangxi had martial art match with Wei Xiaobao, other than the Empress Dowager and Hai Dafu, nobody else in the Palace knew about it. He thought that by playing along and taking him as disciple, as long as nobody else knew, he would not lose face as the Emperor. But his natural disposition was cautious, hence he repeatedly warned Wei Xiaobao.

Kangxi sat down and mused, ”The Empress Dowager is sinister and ruthless, she can't be teaching me martial art with all of her heart; otherwise, she knew a formidable martial art that can break people's bones in pieces, why didn't she teach me even for half a move? Although I am the Shifu, in reality I am not much stronger than this kid, I don't have any superior martial art that I can teach him. The monks of Shaolin Temple have extremely high martial art skill, I only hope that when Fu Huang is in trouble, they would come to help him again ...” Thinking to this point, a plan started to formed in his mind. He said, ”Go and take a rest, take care of your wounds, come again tomorrow to see me.”

Wei Xiaobao returned to his residence, he ordered the eunuch working for him to invite the imperial physician to treat his injury. Although his wounds were painful, they were actually flesh wounds, his muscles and bones were not harmed at all. The imperial physician said that after recuperating for ten days to half a month, he should be healed completely, so he told him not to worry.

After eating his lunch, Wei Xiaobao went out to keep his appointment with the Princess. His mind was in a mess; he was afraid she would beat him up again, but he was also excited to see her again.

As soon as he pushed the door open, the Princess yelled and pounced on him. This time Wei Xiaobao was prepared; with his left arm he blocked, with his right foot he hooked, while grabbing the back of the Princess' neck with his right hand and pressed her body that she was bending forward.

The Princess laughed and cursed, ”Dead eunuch, how come you are so formidable today?”

Wei Xiaobao grabbed her left arm and twisted it behind her back; he said in a low voice, ”If you don't call me 'Good Guizi, Good Gege', I am going to twist your arm broken.”

”Pei!” the Princess cursed, ”You are a dead slave!”

Wei Xiaobao twisted the Princess' arm heavily and shouted, ”You don't call, I will twist and break this arm of yours.”

The Princess laughed and said, ”I won't call.”

'Slap!' he heavily slapped her buttocks with his left hand. The Princess jumped, but she was giggling incessantly. ”Damn it,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Turns out you love to take a beating.” With all his might he punched her repeatedly. It was so painful that the Princess curled on the floor, unable to get up. It was only then did Wei Xiaobao halt his hand.

The Princess panted. ”Alright,” she said, ”Now it's my turn to beat you.”

Wei Xiaobao shook his head. ”No,” he said, ”I won't let you beat me.” He thought that this little miss was so ruthless, if he let her beat him, he might lose his life at any time. The Princess pleaded with him in gentle voice, but Wei Xiaobao simply refused.

The Princess threw a fit, she pounced on him, beat him and bit him. Wei Xiaobao slapped her on the face, sending her tumbling to the floor. He pulled her hair and hit her buttocks, thinking that since he had hit her buttocks, he did not need to be polite anymore, thereupon he pinched and twisted randomly all over her body.

The Princess crouched by his feet, hugging his two legs. She gently rubbed her face against his calves, in a coquettish and lithe manner, and said in a flirtatious way, ”Good Guizi, Good Gege, let me beat you just once, I promise not to hit you too hard.”

Wei Xiaobao thought she looked like a timid and helpless little girl, and he heard her affectionate request, his heart was shaken. He had the urge to consent. The Princess added, ”Good Gege, I love nothing more than to see blood coming out of your body.”

Wei Xiaobao jumped in fright; ”That is out of the question!” he angrily said. Lifting his left foot, he kicked her head and said, ”Let me go, I must leave. If I stay around you, inevitably there will come a day when I die in your hands.”

The Princess sighed and said, ”You don't want to play with me anymore?”

”It's too dangerous,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”I may lose my old life any time.”

The Princess giggled. She stood up and said, ”Fine! In that case, help me back to my room. You have hit me too hard that I cannot walk.”

”I won't help you,” Wei Xiaobao said.

Propping herself against the wall, the Princess slowly hobbled out, saying, ”Good Guizi, will you come again tomorrow?” Suddenly her left leg gave up, she almost fell down. Wei Xiaobao rushed forward to hold her.

The Princess said, ”Good Guizi, sorry to bother you, but could you get two eunuchs to help me go back to my room?”

Wei Xiaobao thought that if he called the eunuchs, the Empress Dowager would probably find out, and then she would investigate why the Princess was injured. As soon as this matter was leaked ever so slightly, he would be charged with capital offense punishable by beheading. Having no other choice, he supported her and said, ”I will help you back to your room.”

The Princess laughed and said, ”Good Guizi, thank you very much.” Leaning on his shoulder she walked westward.

The Princess' residence was located west of the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful, right next to the Shou Kang [Abundant Long-live] Palace. The two of them slowly approached the garden of Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful. Recalling the Empress Dowager's manner, Wei Xiaobao's heart was trembling with trepidation. When they reached the corridor, the Princess suddenly blew air into his ear.

Wei Xiaobao blushed. ”No … don't,” he stammered.

With a gentle voice the Princess said, ”Why? I am not hitting you.” While saying that, she gently bit his earlobe; she stuck out her tongue and licked his ear slowly.

Wei Xiaobao felt the itch was unbearable, he said in a low voice, ”If you bit and hurt my ear, I am not going to see you again, ever. A real man gave his words, dead horses cannot chase it.”

The Princess actually wanted to bite a piece of his earlobe off, but listening to his words, she did not dare to continue, she only laughed softly. This laugh made Wei Xiaobao flushed with excitement, his whole body turned limp and aching.

Finally they reached the Princess' personal quarter. Wei Xiaobao turned around to leave. The Princess said, ”I want you to come in, I have something interesting to show to you.” At that time, there were four eunuchs and four palace maids standing outside the door of the Jianning Palace, to wait upon her. Wei Xiaobao did not dare to blatantly disobey, he had no choice but to follow her.

Pulling his hand, the Princess took him straight into her own bedroom. Two palace maids followed in, they presented hot towel for the Princess to clean her face. The Princess took one towel and handed it over to Wei Xiaobao. Wei Xiaobao took it, and wiped the sweat on his face.

Seeing the Princess unexpectedly broke the rule by giving this little eunuch a deferential treatment, the two palace maids could not help but stare in disbelief. She had never been this polite even toward the Empress Dowager or the Emperor, and the little eunuch also unexpectedly accepted it calmly, which was considered extremely rude.

The Princess caught a glance; she glowered and said, ”What are you looking at?”

”Yes, yes!” the two palace maids replied. Bending their waists, they withdrew immediately. Who would have thought that it was already too late? The Princess stretched out her hand to dig the eye of the palace maid nearer to her. The palace maid dodged slightly, and let out a miserable cry. Although her eyeball was safe, her face was drenched with blood, from her forehead down to her chin, as four nail marks appeared. The two palace maids were scared out of their wits and hastily withdrew from the room.

The Princess laughed and said, ”Did you see that? Those slaves could only shout, begging for mercy; where is the fun in that?”

Seeing the ruthlessness of her action, Wei Xiaobao thought that this little wh0re was too violent, she was more or less the same as her mother, the old wh0re, it would be best for him to get away from her at the earliest possible time. ”Princess,” he said, ”His Majesty sends me out to do something for him, I must go.”

”What's the rush?” the Princess asked. She turned around, closed the door, and bolted it. Wei Xiaobao's heart was pounding, he wondered what kind of strange thing she was going to do. The Princess laughed and said, ”I have been the master for fifteen years, I always have people serving me, it's getting quite tasteless. Today we change roles, you are the master, I am the slave.”

Wei Xiaobao waved his hands wildly, ”That won't do, that won't do,” he said, ”I don't have that good fortune.”

The Princess' pretty face sank, she said, ”You don't want to? I am going to scream, I will say that you are being rude to me, and beat me black and blue.” Suddenly she raised her voice and called out, ”Aiyo, it hurts!”

Wei Xiaobao repeatedly bowed with cupped fists and said, ”Don't shout, don't shout, I'll listen to your instruction.”

This was the Princess' personal chamber, there were many eunuchs and palace maids standing outside to wait on her, she only had to call several times, there would be a throng of people rushing in; it was completely different from the small room where they were having the martial art match, where there were nobody around.

The Princess smiled and said, ”Miserable wretch! I talked to you nicely, you did not want to listen; you insist on refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.”

”You are the miserable wretch,” Wei Xiaobao said in his heart, ”You don't want to be the master, you want to be the slave instead.”

The Princess bent her knees and respectfully paid her respect to him, saying, ”Prince Gui

[3], do you want to sleep now? Your servant will help you change your clothes.”

”Humph,” Wei Xiaobao snorted, ”I don't want to sleep. You may give me a gentle pound with your fist on my legs.”

”Yes!” the Princess replied. She sat on the floor, lifted his right foot and placed it on her own legs, and then gently pounded it with her fists, being careful not to touch the wounds on his leg.

”What a good servant,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”You are serving me exceptionally well.” Stretching out his hand, he gently pinched her cheek.

The Princess was very happy, ”Thank you for Master's praise,” she said in low voice. Taking off his boot, she kneaded his foot for a while, then she started working on his left foot. After pounding it for half a day, she took the boot and massaged his foot. ”Prince Gui,” she said, ”Lie on the bed, I will pound your back gently.”

Massaged by her, Wei Xiaobao was very comfortable; he thought that if I did not satisfy this miserable wretch's craving of being the slave, she would not let me go anyway. Thereupon he climbed on her bed and lay down. His nostrils were assaulted by bursts of fragrance. ”This miserable wretch's bed is so gorgeous,” he mused, ”Even the top wh0re in the Lovely Spring Courtyard did not have this kind of pretty bedding and pillow.” The Princess pulled a thin quilt over his body and then gently beat his back with her fists.

Wei Xiaobao was in a daze. While he was enjoying being the Prince Gui, suddenly he heard the voices of many people outside the door, ”The Empress Dowager has arrived!” His shock was really not a small matter, hastily he sprang up.

The Princess' face also showed terrified expression. ”No time to escape,” she said in trembling voice, ”Don't move, get into the quilt.” Wei Xiaobao pulled his head and sank into the quilt; he heard faint knocking on the door, and was so scared that he almost fainted.

The Princess pulled down the mosquito net before turning around and unlatched the door. As soon as she opened the door, the Empress Dowager strode into the room. ”Clear sky in the middle of the day, why did you close the door?”

The Princess laughed and said, ”I am very tired, I was about to take a nap.”

The Empress Dowager sat down and asked, ”What kind of trick are you playing? Why is it that your face does not have any color of blood?”

”I said I am very tired,” the Princess replied.

The Empress Dowager looked down and saw a pair of boots in front of the bed, she also saw the embroidered screen was moving slightly; she knew something was different. Turning toward the eunuchs and palace maids, she said, ”Go wait outside.” When everybody was out, she said, ”Close the door, put the bolt on.”

The Princess laughed and said, ”Empress Dowager also wants to play some trick?” Obeying her order, she closed the door. She then followed the Empress Dowager's vision and saw the boots; she could not stop her countenance from changing greatly. With a forced laugh she said, ”I was going to put on men's clothing, I want to dress up as a boy and show it to the Empress Dowager. I want to know when I put on the men's clothing, whether you think I will look handsome or not.”

The Empress Dowager coldly said, ”Is the boy on the bed handsome or not?” Suddenly she stood up and walked toward the bed.

The Princess was greatly shocked, she pulled the Empress Dowager's hand and called out, ”Empress Dowager, he and I are just playing games …”

The Empress Dowager flung her hand to throw her several steps away; she opened the screen, pulled the quilt away, grabbed Wei Xiaobao's neck, and lifted him up.

Wei Xiaobao kept his face facing the inside of the bed, he did not dare to turn his head around and see her, he was already so scared that his entire body was trembling.

”Empress Dowager,” the Princess called out, ”This is the little eunuch Huangdi Gege likes the most, you … you must not harm him.”

”Humph,” the Empress Dowager snorted; she thought that her daughter was growing up, her interest in the opposite sex had opened, she was hiding a little eunuch in her bed, it was no more than a shady business of playing fake (male) phoenix and empty (female) phoenix, so it could not be considered a big deal. Her right hand circled, she turned Wei Xiaobao around, 'slap, slap', she slapped his face twice, and shouted, ”Get lost! If I ever see you fooling around with the Princess again …” Suddenly she saw his face clearly and was startled, ”So it's you!”

Wei Xiaobao turned his face away, ”It isn't me,” he said. These three characters were an oxymoron [orig. unfathomable mystery], but while his heart alarmed, he was trembling in fear, what else could he say?

The Empress Dowager firmly grabbed the back of his neck and slowly said, ”There are many roads in the heavens but you don't want to take, there is no gate in hell but you insist on breaking in. You are being rude to the Princess, today you cannot blame me.”

”Empress Dowager,” the Princess anxiously said, ”It was me who wanted him to sleep in here, you must not blame him.”

The Empress Dowager lightly patted Wei Xiaobao's forehead with her left palm; raising her left arm, she concentrated her strength on her hand ready to shoot it down, to kill him instantly with one palm strike.

In this extremely critical situation, Wei Xiaobao suddenly remembered the move 'Di Qing subduing the dragon', which was taught by Hong Jiaozhu. His hands reached backward to grope the front of the Empress Dowager's chest. The Empress Dowager was startled, she pulled her chest back and scolded, ”You are asking to die!”

Wei Xiaobao kicked on the bed with both feet, he made a somersault backward, and landed astride the Empress Dowager's neck, with both his forefingers on her eyes, and both his thumbs on her temples. ”If you move,” he shouted, ”I am going to dig your eyeballs out!”

He had not trained this move to perfection, so it was actually difficult for him to use it properly; fortunately, he was standing on the bed, while the Empress Dowager was standing on the floor. One on higher position, the other on lower position, so it was easier for him to ride on her. Moreover, the fingers with which he threatened to dig her eyeballs should be the middle fingers, but he was using forefingers instead; and when he somersaulted, the tip of his foot caught the mosquito net. Indeed he executed the move sloppily [lit. 'wading in mud and water'], and it looked very awkward. If Hong Jiaozhu personally witnessed this, he would have been angered half dead. However, although the execution was incorrect, the style was indeed ingenious; the Empress Dowager still fell under his control, although she reacted hastily, unexpectedly it was still hard for her to ward off.

The Princess burst out laughing and called out, ”Xiao Guizi, don't be rude. Quickly let the Empress Dowager go.”

Wei Xiaobao raised his right leg, he drew the dagger with his right hand and pressed it against the middle of the Empress Dowager's back; it was only then did he slide down from her neck. Suddenly 'splat!' a multi-colored, glittering object fell onto the floor; it was exactly the Divine Dragon Cult's Five-Dragon Command.

The Empress Dowager was very shocked. ”This … this … thing … where did it come from?” she said.

Wei Xiaobao remembered that the Empress Dowager was secretly in collusion with Divine Dragon Cult's fake palace maid, Deng Bingchun and Liu Yan; perhaps he could use this Five-Dragon Command to force her into submission. ”What do you mean this thing or that thing?” he said, ”This is our Cult's Five-Dragon Command, don't you know it? What a nerve!”

The Empress Dowager's entire body trembled, ”Yes, yes!” she said.

Hearing her deferential tone, Wei Xiaobao could not help bursting with joy; he said, ”Seeing the Five-Dragon Command is like seeing Jiaozhu in person. Hong Jiaozhu enjoys immortal good fortune forever, his long-life is the same as the heaven's.”

With a trembling voice the Empress Dowager repeated, ”Hong Jiaozhu enjoys immortal good fortune forever, his long-life is the same as the heaven's.” She stooped down to pick the Five-Dragon Command and lifted it up high above her head.

Wei Xiaobao reached out to receive it. ”Are you going to obey my command?” he asked.

”Yes,” the Empress Dowager replied, ”I will respectfully obey your command.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”With Jiaozhu's treasured teaching always in our hearts, we can set up meritorious deed and subdue the enemy, nothing is unachievable!”

The Empress Dowager respectfully followed, ”With Jiaozhu's treasured teaching always in our hearts, we can set up meritorious deed and subdue the enemy, nothing is unachievable!”

It was only now did Wei Xiaobao let out a sigh of relief; he loosened the dagger, and haughtily sat down on the edge of the bed.

The Empress Dowager turned toward the Princess and said, ”Go outside, don't say anything, otherwise I will kill you.”

The Princess was startled. ”Yes,” she replied. She cast a glance toward Wei Xiaobao, her heart was filled with doubts. ”Empress Dowager,” she said, ”Is this Huangdi Gege's imperial edict?”

As Kangxi gradually grew older, his power and authority gradually grew bigger; when eunuchs, palace maids, as well as Imperial Bodyguards, were talking about His Majesty, their fear and respect also grew steadily. The Princess also knew earlier that the Empress Dowager was rather afraid of the Emperor. The Empress Dowager nodded and said, ”Yes, he is the Emperor's trusted aide, there is some important matter he needs to talk to me. You must never, ever reveal this secret. In front of the Emperor, you must never mention it even more, so as to avoid … to avoid the Emperor getting angry at you.”

”Yes, yes,” the Princess replied, ”I am not that stupid.” While saying that, she went out of the room and closed the door behind her.

As she sat face-to-face with Wei Xiaobao, the Empress Dowager's heart was filled with doubts. After a while, she said, ”The walls have ears, this is not a good place to talk. Would it be better if you please go to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful to discuss it further?”

Hearing her using the word 'please', plus her tone was asking for opinion, not authoritatively making a one-sided decision, Wei Xiaobao felt even more relieved; but he was still thinking, ”This old wh0re is vicious and merciless, I wonder if she is luring me to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful to use some crafty scheme to harm laozi?” Thereupon he nodded and said in a low voice, ”I am the newly-appointed White Dragon Envoy of our Cult, under Hong Jiaozhu's order to bear this Five-Dragon Command.”

The Empress Dowager immediately felt deep veneration toward him, she bowed and said, ”Subordinate pays her respect to the White Dragon Envoy.”

Although Wei Xiaobao had long suspected that since the Empress Dowager was in collusion with the Black Dragon Gate's people, she was bound to have utter veneration toward Hong Jiaozhu, so this Five-Dragon Command most probably would have some effect on her; but never in a million years would he guess that she herself was a member of the Divine Dragon Cult. Based on her status as the Empress Dowager, there was nothing in the world that she could not get, yet shockingly she still entered the Divine Dragon Cult. Not only that, her rank was far below that of his own, which was really unthinkable. Seeing her respectfully making her salutations, he could not help but was shocked and at a loss of what to do.

Seeing him sitting silently without saying anything, the Empress Dowager thought that he was still thinking of the former hatred, she was very frightened and said in a low voice, ”Previously subordinate did not know honorable envoy's status, and thus has offended you a lot, and now I am very terrified, only hoping for the honorable envoy's magnanimous forgiveness.”

She saw that he was very young, yet was holding a very high position within the Cult, in the end it was still hard to believe. But then again, for the past few years Jiaozhu and Madame had promoted young people to higher position on a large scale, the older brethrens of the Cult were either slaughtered, or were met with suspicions, their power were gradually reduced. Therefore, this little child being the newly-appointed White Dragon Envoy was absolutely not an unusual happening. She thought further, ”Even if he is really the White Dragon Envoy, if I kill him right now, nobody in the Cult would know. This little demon bears an extreme grudge toward me, if I let him live, it will only cause no end of trouble for me.”

Her murderous intention aroused, her eyes could not help but revealing a malicious look. Wei Xiaobao immediately caught it, and said in his heart, ”Not good, the old wh0re is going to kill me.” He said in a low voice, ”The technique I used to capture you just now, obviously you know who had taught me that, don't you?”

The Empress Dowager was startled; she recalled the technique used by this little demon a moment ago, and found it to be immeasurably secretive, just in one move he was able to subdue her. It was precisely the Cult Leader's technique. ”Could it be … could it be that Jiaozhu has personally taught you?” she asked in a trembling voice.

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Jiaozhu taught me thirty killer moves, Madame Hong taught me thirty qin na techniques. Comparing the two of them, naturally Jiaozhu's techniques are a lot more formidable. It's just that each one of the Senior's moves will take the human's life. I did not want to kill you, therefore, I only used the move that Madame taught me, the 'the flying swallow circle around overhead'.”

Since bragging did not need any capital, he multiplied the number of moves by a factor of ten. But the Empress Dowager did not have the slightest doubt. She knew that the moves Madame Hong used all have ancient beauties' name in it; she could not help but broke into cold sweat. She thought, ”Luckily he used Madame Hong's move to deal with me. If he had used the move Jiaozhu taught him, I would have been dead by now.” This moment, how could she still have the intention to harm him? She said respectfully, ”Thank you for honorable envoy's kindness in not killing me.”

Feeling very proud of himself, Wei Xiaobao said, ”I did not dig out your eyeballs, compared to Madame's instruction, I was being lenient to you thirty percent.” These words were actually the truth, if he really wanted to dig the Empress Dowager's eyes, he could do that. It's just that when she was severely injured, she would strike back with all of her strength, and then she would definitely want to take his life.

The more the Empress Dowager heard him, the more she was afraid. ”Thank you for being lenient to me,” she said, ”Subordinate appreciates it very much. I will certainly repay honorable envoy's benevolence.”

Originally, each time Wei Xiaobao saw the Empress Dowager, it was like a mouse seeing a cat, he could not stop his entire body from trembling; who would have thought that this time unexpectedly he managed to control her that she became docile, standing in front of him in fear and trepidation. He was very pleased with himself, and it was very hard to contain. He lifted his left leg and crossed it above his right, and swayed it several times. He said in a low voice, ”This time, we have Fat Toutuo and Lu Gaoxuan, two people following the Envoy from Shen Long Jiao coming to Beijing.”

”Yes, yes,” the Empress Dowager said. She thought that Fat and Lu, two people were martial art experts from their Cult, unexpectedly they were second to him. It was really fortunate that she was not being reckless a moment ago; if she did kill him, forget that she would have to face the Cult Leader' investigation later, as soon as Fat and Lu, two people find out, death would be her only way out. She saw the finger marks on his face from her slaps earlier, and said in a trembling voice, ”Subordinate has committed all kinds of heinous crimes in the past. I am hoping for honorable envoy's magnanimous, generous and boundless good fortune.”

Wei Xiaobao smiled and said, ”The White Dragon Envoy Zhong Zhiling betrayed Jiaozhu, Jiaozhu and Madame have him killed, and ordered me to take over the White Dragon Gate. The Black Dragon Envoy Zhang Danyue did not do his best in handling his assignment, Jiaozhu and Madame are very angry. The mission to fetch the sutras now becomes my responsibility.”

The Empress Dowager's entire body trembled. ”Yes, yes,” she said. Recalling the several copies of sutra that she had just obtained but then lost, day and night she had been feeling uneasy these past few days, and now finally the matter was brought to light. She said in a trembling voice, ”This matter is complicated and not easy to explain succinctly. Would honorable envoy take the trouble to visit the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful? Subordinate will present detail reports to you.”

Wei Xiaobao nodded and said, ”Very well.” He thought that there were too many things he did not understand about this matter, and was about to question her anyway; thereupon he stood up.

The Empress Dowager turned around, pulled the door bolt, and opened the door. And then she stepped aside to let him walk out first. Wei Xiaobao said loudly, ”The Empress Dowager is leaving!”

”Excuse me!” the Empress Dowager said in a low voice, as she went out the door. Wei Xiaobao followed behind her. Dozens of eunuchs and palace maids followed from a far.

The two of them arrived at the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful. The Empress Dowager led him into her bedroom. After sending out the palace maids, she closed the door, and then personally poured a bowl of ginseng soup, which she offered to Wei Xiaobao with both hands. Wei Xiaobao accepted it and drank several mouthfuls; he thought, ”My prestige today is comparable to the Old Emperor Shunzhi in the past. I don't think the Empress Dowager would treat the young Emperor with this kind of respect.” He was very happy in his heart.

The Empress Dowager opened a trunk and took out a brocade box. From the box she took out a small jade bottle; she said, ”Reporting to honorable envoy: there are thirty 'snow ginseng jade moon pills' in this bottle, it was a tribute from King of Korean Joseon dynasty, incomparably priceless. After taking this, the body will be invigorated, it will not be invaded by a hundred poisons. From these, would honorable envoy please forward twelve pills to Jiaozhu, ten pills to Madame Jiaozhu, and would honorable envoy take the remaining eight pills for yourself, as a token of ... a token of subordinate's negligible appreciation.”

Wei Xiaobao nodded. ”Thank you very much,” he said, ”But I wonder if these pills will clash with the 'leopard embryo tendon altering pill'?”

”It won't clash at all,” the Empress Dowager replied, ”Congratulations, honorable envoy, on receiving Jiaozhu's gracious gift the 'leopard embryo tendon altering pill'. I wonder ... I wonder if Jiaozhu has instructed honorable envoy to bring subordinate's antidote for this year.”

Wei Xiaobao was startled. ”This year's antidote?” he asked, but then he immediately understood. The Empress Dowager must have had taken the 'leopard embryo tendon altering pill'. Jiaozhu bestowed her the antidote every year, which would not eradicate the poison thoroughly, and thus it has to be taken once every year, so that it would not flare up. Otherwise, she was deep in the Palace, with countless martial art master Imperial Bodyguards, even if Jiaozhu had a higher skill, he would not be able to control her. Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”You and I both have taken the 'leopard embryo pill', how can I bring the antidote with me?”

”Yes,” the Empress Dowager replied, ”But honorable envoy enjoys special favor from Jiaozhu, how can subordinate be compared to you?”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”She is really terrified, I must comfort her a little bit.” Thereupon he said, ”Jiaozhu and Madame said that as long as you display utter loyalty to Jiaozhu, and will not have any infidelity, you work on his behalf with all your might, Jiaozhu will never treat you unfairly. Don't worry.”

The Empress Dowager was greatly delighted; she said, ”Jiaozhu's benevolence is as heavy as the mountain, subordinate cannot repay it even with ten thousand deaths. Jiaozhu enjoys immortal good fortune forever, his long-life is the same as the heaven's.”

Wei Xiaobao mused, ”You are originally the Empress, and now you are the Empress Dowager, other than the Emperor, no one in this world has a higher rank than you. Even if Shen Long Jiao is more formidable, it still can't be compared to you; why would you want to enter the Cult and take orders from Jiaozhu? Aren't you being a rebellious s1ut? Ah, right, maybe you are just the same as your daughter, you are both miserable wretch, you won't be happy unless other people beat you and curse you.” He was still too young, his life experience was limited; for the time being, he was unable to grasp the importance of the information he had just received.

Seeing he was hesitating, the Empress Dowager thought that he was about to ask her about the sutra; therefore, without waiting to be asked, she volunteered, ”Subordinate has sent Deng Bingchun and Liu Yan, two people, to forward those three copies of sutra to Jiaozhu. Has he, the Senior, received it?”

Wei Xiaobao was startled; he thought, ”The fake palace maid Deng Bingchun was killed by Tao Gugu, Liu Yan was stabbed to death by Miss Fang's sword; what sutra has been forwarded to Jiaozhu?” Unclear of her real intention, he asked, ”Did you say three copies have been forwarded to Jiaozhu? I have never heard about it. Jiaozhu said that the Black Dragon Envoy took too long to get hold of the sutra, yet he has not gained anything. Jiaozhu was very angry, he almost forced him to commit suicide.”

The Empress Dowager showed an astonished expression. ”That's strange,” she said, ”Subordinate clearly sent Deng Bingchun and Liu Yan, two people to make a special trip to Divine Dragon Island to deliver those three copies of sutra. Naturally it was before honorable envoy put Liu Yan to death.”

”Oh,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Is there such thing? Deng Bingchun? Was he your bald Shixiong?”

”Exactly,” the Empress Dowager replied, ”When the honorable envoy return to the Divine Dragon Island in the future, please ask him, you will understand everything.”

Wei Xiaobao suddenly realized; he mused, ”That's right, Deng Bingchun was killed by Tao Gugu, this old wh0re thinks I know nothing of it. She lost three copies of sutra, for fear that Jiaozhu would blame her, she pushes all the blame on to those two dead people; this is called 'dead men tell no tales', she is really smart. She would not know that those three copies are actually in Laozi's hands. If she used this lie to swindle others, it is indeed a damn top-notch lie; unfortunately, whatever trick she is performing, she cannot deceive Laozi. I'd better not expose your trickery for the time being.” He said, ”You have already obtained three copies, your merit cannot be considered small. On the other five, you must make the extra effort.”

”Yes,” the Empress Dowager replied, ”From dawn to dusk subordinate always thinks about how to get the other five copies of the sutra, to repay Jiaozhu's benevolence.”

”That's very good!” Wei Xiaobao said, ”You are actually this loyal, the poison in the 'leopard embryo tendon altering pill' has been dissolved one time for you, you should not have any problem. I will see Jiaozhu soon, I will definitely speak several words of praise on your behalf.”

The Empress Dowager was ecstatic; she bowed to salute and said, ”Honorable envoy's great kindness, subordinate will never dare to forget. It will be best if subordinate can transfer to the White Dragon Gate, to follow honorable envoy's leading; it will be my greatest good fortune.”

”That can be done easily,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”But about you entered the Cult and everything you went through, you must tell me in detail, don't conceal anything at all.”

”Yes,” the Empress Dowager replied, ”Subordinate will not dare to speak even half a sentence of incomplete, untrue words toward our Gate's Envoy ...”

Suddenly there were footsteps outside the door, a palace maid coughed and said, ”Reporting to the Empress Dowager: His Majesty summoned Gui Gong-gong, saying that there is an urgent matter, to have him return immediately.”

Wei Xiaobao nodded and said in a low voice, ”Don't worry about anything, we'll continue later.”

The Empress Dowager replied in a low voice, ”Thank you honorable envoy.” And then in loud and clear voice said, ”His Majesty summons you, you may go now.”

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”I wish the Empress Dowager ten thousand good fortunes and peace like gold.”

As he went out the door, he saw eight Imperial Bodyguards standing outside the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful; he was slightly shocked, thinking, ”What urgent matter could it be?” So he rushed toward the Upper Study Room.

”Good, you are alright,” Kangxi happily said, ”I heard the old traitor took you away, so I was worried, I was afraid she might harm you.”

”Many thanks for Shifu's concern,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”That old ... old ... she asked me where have I been these past several days? I thought that I must never say anything about the Old Emperor, I must not even mention Shanxi or Mount Wutai, but I also am not a good liar. When pressed by her, an inspiration appeared in a moment of desperation, I said that Your Majesty sent me to Jiangnan to see if there is any amusing gadget, to be bought and brought back to the Palace. I also said that Your Majesty instructed me not to let the Empress Dowager find out, so that the Empress Dowager would not blame Your Majesty being the Emperor, yet still loves to play like a child.”

Kangxi laughed aloud, while patting his shoulder and said, ”It's best that you said it that way. Let the old traitor thinks that I am still like a child who love to play; that way she won't guard against me. So you are not a good liar? What you said is very interesting.”

”Do you think so?” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your servant was worried that Your Majesty won't be happy to hear it.”

”Very good, very good,” Kangxi said, ”Just now I was afraid the old traitor would harm you, so I sent eight Imperial Bodyguards to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful. If the old traitor was unwilling to let you go, I ordered them to break into the Palace and get you out of there. I know I would have had direct confrontation with her, but it was a desperate situation.”

Wei Xiaobao kneeled down and kowtowed. ”Emperor Shifu's kindness is as heavy as the mountain, your servant disciple cannot repay even if I have my body crushed to powder.”

Kangxi said, ”If you serve the Old Emperor well, then you are repaying my kindness to you.”

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao replied.

Kangxi picked up a large sealed yellow envelope from his desk and said, ”This is an imperial edict to the monks of the Shaolin Temple. You pick forty Imperial Bodyguards and two thousand valiant cavalry's officers and men, and go to Shaolin Temple to announce the imperial decree for them to do something for me. What it is that I want them to do, everything is written in the letter, which you may open when you arrive at the Shaolin Temple. You are to obey and act accordingly. And now I promote your official position to the Vice Commander of the Plain Yellow Banner's Valiant Cavalry, which is a 2a rank

[4]. You are actually a Han, but now I bequeath you the status as a Manchu, we call it 'entering the Manchurian's Flag Bearers'. The Plain Yellow Banner is the Emperor's personal Manchurian Banner men, the Valiant Cavalry is the Emperor's personal elite soldiers. You are still holding the Imperial Bodyguard Deputy Chief.”

He knew Wei Xiaobao was without learning or skills, plus he was still too young, he could not serve as a real official, consequently, both positions were deputy position.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”As long as I can always be at the Emperor Shifu's side, high ranking or low ranking position, your servant disciple does not care.” While saying that, he kowtowed vigorously to express his gratitude. He mused, ”I am fine being a Han, now I have to change shape in a single shake and become a Manchu Tatar.” He thought further, ”Emperor Shifu did not order me to hasten to the Qing Liang Temple and become a little monk there, but to lead the troops to Shaolin Temple first to deliver the imperial edict, to reward those Dashi [great master] who rendered meritorious service in saving the Old Emperor. Most likely he is simply letting me to enjoy the limelight. This is called 'sweet first, bitter later', I become the master first, and then he would spank my bottom later.”

Kangxi had the Commander of the Plain Yellow Banner's Valiant Cavalry Chalju [orig. Cha'er Zhu] summoned. He made him aware that Xiao Guizi was not a court eunuch at all, but he was actually the Imperial Bodyguard Deputy Chief, and his real name was Wei Xiaobao. For the purpose of capturing Oboi, he was ordered to disguise himself as a eunuch. And now he was bestowed the status as a Manchu, under the Plain Yellow Banner, and was promoted to be the Vice Commander of the Plain Yellow Banner's Valiant Cavalry.

When Oboi was still in power, Chalju had suffered greatly from the internal strife, so much so that he was put in prison, and day and night his life was in danger. Fortunately for him, Oboi was defeated and he was released from prison, hence early on he has had deep gratitude to Wei Xiaobao who had killed Oboi. Hearing that the Emperor had assigned Wei Xiaobao to be his own deputy, he was greatly delighted. Immediately he congratulated Wei Xiaobao, saying, ”Wei Xiongdi, the two of us are going to work together, there is nothing better than that. You are a young hero, from now on our Valiant Cavalry will show our face.”

Wei Xiaobao uttered some modest remarks. Chalju had made up his mind: this Wei Xiaobao had received great favor from the Emperor, although officially he was his assistant, in reality Chalju was the one who ought to be the assistant. As long as Chalju could win Wei Xiaobao's favor, there would be no problem for him to make a rapid career advance in the future.

Kangxi said, ”I am sending Wei Xiaobao on a mission. You two may carry on, prepare your troops. Wei Xiaobao is to leave Beijing tonight, no need to take your leave from me.” He took the golden seal, the symbol of authority to maneuver Valiant Cavalry troops and gave it to Wei Xiaobao.

Wei Xiaobao received the golden seal and kowtowed to bid Kangxi farewell. He thought, ”I have not investigated clearly why the old wh0re entered Shen Long Jiao. It's not a big deal, most likely it was because she is a s1ut. I will ask her again next time I return to the Palace.” He thought further, ”Last night I was beaten by the Princess, my body aches all over, and I slept until the sky was bright, thus I was unable to go see Tao Gugu. I wonder how she is doing, living the Palace. Next time I return, I must meet with her.”

The two of them immediately went to see the Imperial Bodyguard Chief Dolong. Wei Xiaobao produced the imperial decree Kangxi gave him earlier, the one where he was appointed the Imperial Bodyguard Deputy Chief, and showed it to Dolong. Dolong repeatedly congratulated him, saying, ”Wei Xiongdi can freely select whichever Imperial Bodyguards you want. As long as His Majesty nods his approval, I can even accompany you on this mission.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”I do not dare to accept the honor. Protecting His Majesty is a great responsibility. Dolong Zongguan may find strolling around the Capital is not an easy thing for you to do.”

Dolong laughed and said, ”Next time I will ask His Majesty, the two of us can change our duties, you become the chief, I become your deputy. And then whenever there is good assignment going out of the Capital to catch the autumn breeze, you can let your Gege to go.”

Wei Xiaobao selected Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian, two Imperial Bodyguards, telling them to select a group of Imperial Bodyguards who were close to them. Chalju selected two thousand Valiant Cavalry officers. Each officer was ordered to pay their respect to their new Deputy Commander.

The articles Kangxi wanted to give to the Shaolin Temple's monks were prepared promptly; everything was loaded into several dozen carriages. Whatever the Emperor wanted, his shout and his sigh, would be done immediately. In about more than four hours, everything was completely ready.

Actually, Wei Xiaobao was supposed to wear the Valiant Cavalry military uniform, but such a small-sized general uniform was not readily available. Chalju came up with an idea: he gave Wei Xiaobao his own set of uniform, and sent for four highly-skilled tailors to come along. He ordered them to work on altering the uniform inside the large carriage, told them not to sleep that night, and would not allow them to return to Beijing unless the uniform was ready. If they goofed off, the reward would be heavy flogging with army stick.

Wei Xiaobao found the time to go back to the Hair Alley, and told Lu Gaoxuan and Fat Toutuo, ”Today I managed to sneak into the Palace, the plan of stealing the sutra has begun to materialize.” He instructed the two of them to stay quietly in the house, waiting for his news; they must not go out recklessly, to avoid revealing their secret. As Lu and Fat, two people saw that Wei Xiaobao had handled this matter without a hitch, that he managed to obtain a clue in just two days, they were both very happy, and thus repeatedly expressed their gratitude and promised to follow his instruction.

Wei Xiaobao had Shuang'er changed into men's clothing, to disguise herself as his attendant and travelled together with him.