Chapter 111 (1/2)
Chapter 111: The Grand Scheme of Things
Ji Bo gave Jun Huang a doubtful look. He knew who Qi Yun was, but he couldn't say for sure that Qi Yun was the right candidate for the throne. After a thoughtful pause, he asked, ”Why him?”
”The world is now split into three countries, with Northern Qi being the strongest, Eastern Wu the most ambitious, and Southern Mu the most cowardly. These I'm sure you know already. As for the reason I choose Qi Yun, it's not only because he is an old friend, but also because he will make a great leader. Take a good look at the imperial court of Northern Qi. Qi Chen couldn't care less about the people. It's too early for us to tell what kind of a man the youngest prince will grow up to be. The third prince never intends to partic.i.p.ate in affairs in the court. Qi Yun is our only choice, and I'm confident that he will live up to our expectations.”
”I'm willing to swear on my life that Qi Yun will make a good emperor,” Jun Huang proclaimed in a strong voice. It was difficult to not be swayed by her.
Ji Bo looked at Jun Hung's determined eyes. It was clear that even if he disagreed with her, she would persist until her vision came true.
”Please give this gentleman some time to consider,” said Ji Bo. He needed to sort through his thoughts. ”You must be tired. I have ordered my servants to arrange a room for you.”
Jun Huang stood up and patted her wrinkled robe. ”Please do consider our offer carefully,” she said with a bow. ”If we can attain the gentleman's support, it would be like a tiger gaining a pair of wings. Without you, our goal might as well be a pipe dream.” She stepped out of the room. The page boy was waiting right outside.
The page boy gave her a friendly smile and led her out. Worried about Nan Xun's injury, Jun Huang picked up her pace. The page boy covered up a smile. ”The gentleman doesn't have to be in such a rush. The general wasn't injured badly. A doctor has treated him earlier. Please don't worry about him.”
Jun Huang stilled. Her cheeks became flushed in embarra.s.sment. She paced herself, but she still felt as if she was walking on a tightrope. She couldn't express why this tension refused to leave her body.
At the end of the hallway was an open s.p.a.ce. Bamboo trees stood before them like an emerald green screen. The scenery was extraordinary. Ji Bo is indeed a man with expensive taste, Jun Huang thought. She broke into a faint smile when she remembered how Ji Bo had put on a fake beard just to appear more mysterious.
The page boy tilted his head in question. Her frown had suddenly turned into an amused smile. He wondered what had caused the change in her expression. He shook his head. It wasn't in his place to ask.
They soon reached another building. The page boy left once he had walked her to the door. Jun Huang cupped her hands in thanks before entering.
The building was large enough to accommodate an army of people. The shadow guards had made themselves comfortable on the first floor. They stopped what they were doing to greet her.
”Where's Nan Xun?” asked Jun Huang.
A guard with a clever glint in his eyes pointed at the ceiling, ”The prince is on the second floor. He told us to let you go upstairs once you're back.”
Jun Huang nodded. She made her way up and gently knocked on the door. Nan Xun called out for her to enter.
He put down the book in his hands and sat up. ”What did he say? Is he willing to help?”
”Mister Ji Bo has not given us a definite answer yet.” Jun Huang walked up to him and leaned in to check what he had been reading. She raised an eyebrow. ”Are you interested in Chinese medicine as well, Your Highness?”
Nan Xun smiled awkwardly at the book before closing it. ”No, not really. I happened to spot it on the desk. The page boy said it belongs to Mister Ji Bo. I started reading because I was bored.”
Jun Huang nodded in understanding. She looked over at the wound on his shoulder and frowned. ”What did the doctor say?”
Nan Xun pulled at his collar and smiled openly. ”Said it was a shallow wound. There's no need for you to worry.” He turned the conversation around and said jokingly, ”Usually you were the one getting injured. I suppose it's my turn now.”
Jun Huang looked down at her healed ankle with a sigh. ”What kind of a joke is that?”
”I'm fine, I promise,” Nan Xun said, his expression turning serious. ”Our priority now is to convince Mister Ji Bo, or this journey will be all for nothing.”
Jun Huang nodded. Nan Xun was right. But she had made her case. Ji Bo wasn't one to be swayed easily. They could only hope that Ji Bo approved of their goals. They could not force him to join them.
At night, the temperature in the mountain dropped by a good measure. Jun Huang twisted and turned in the bed, trying and failing to fall asleep. Finally she gave up. She got off the bed and put on a robe before walking out of her room, looking at the mountain range with unfocused eyes.
The sound of light but melancholy flute reached her ears. It was so faint that she wouldn't have heard it if she hadn't been hyper aware of her surroundings.
It didn't take long for her to decide to follow the sound. She stopped at the building she had talked to Ji Bo in earlier.
Ji Bo's graceful form stood under the moonlight, his clothes fluttering in the wind and the jade flute in his hand radiated a faint glow.
Jun Huang looked at him from a distance. The flute didn't sound heavy, but it expressed a deep sorrow. Memories from the night Western Que fell surfaced her mind. She was reminded of the deep pain she had felt that day when the army invaded.
Sorrow gnawed at her heart. She didn't realize how pained her expression was.
Ji Bo opened his eyes when he finished playing the song. He was surprised to see Jun Huang standing before him. Jun Huang collected her thoughts and cupped her hands at him. ”Sorry for intruding.”