47 Scapegoa (1/2)

Amid her mental journey Meng Fuyao proceeded to grab a shovel, but before she could uproot the plants, a crisp shatter filled the air.

Following it was a lady's panicked cry that traveled from the flower pavilion outside of the herb garden.

Meng Fuyao extended her head out and caught sight of a female servant, Qiao Ling, through the flower shade, squatting on the ground and frantically picking up fragmented porcelain pieces. Guo Pingrong was sitting on a chair behind and opposite of King De, berating, ”What a stupid girl. Get lost!”

Shivering from fear Qiao Ling quickly retreated. Meng Fuyao sighed noiselessly. Guo Pingrong had been in a jittery mood recently, and it was anyone's bad luck to bump into him. Come to think of it, it was Meng Fuyao who had implicated Qiao Ling.

Qiao Ling discreetly wiped her tears away as she flashed past Meng Fuyao's field of vision. The latter observed her but suddenly stopped in shock.

The lady was pretty, her face the size of a palm and her eyes no different from a set of crystals. She hadn't noticed them on usual days, but now that they were tear-washed and glossy, Meng Fuyao actually found them familiar.

”Eh?”––– Before she could identify the source of that familiarity Guo Pingrong had uttered and taken a step forward. He reached a hand out to clasp Qiao Ling's chin, forcing her to turn her head toward him.

He squinted his already narrow eyes, looking her up and down. At 16, had she never been ogled so presumptuously by youthful males? Yet, Guo Pingrong was big-built and had a steeled expression on his face, his long, phoenix eyes carrying a somewhat demonic air. He was after all a charismatic man. Qiao Lin's neck had turned red from shyness, which enhanced her naturally graceful charm.

Meng Fuyao noticed Guo Pingrong's gaze, which reminded her of Yuan Zhaoxu's comment. That man was a lecherous fellow.

'Not good,' she uttered inwardly, a thought made worse by the sudden epiphany – Qiao Ling's eyes... they resembled her own. Though not as bright, those eyes did share a similar gaze when moist, which must have been the cause of Guo Pingrong's interest.

Her guess was right indeed. He had unveiled her on that fateful night, but it was too dark to make out her features. All he could register was a pair of resplendent eyes, somewhat willful, menacing yet elegant at the same time.

In that moment Guo Pingrong had almost forgotten all anger, as his mind was thrown into shock. He had almost abandoned his plan to destroy Meng Fuyao and seriously considered taking the bold and crafty girl captive. How much ecstasy could he derive from having her under him, with her intelligent eyes looking only at him, her clear yet delicate moans drifting only into ears, and her lithe thighs wrapping tightly around his waist...?

Didn't men climb up the status ladder in order to wake up, intoxicated, to a bed of beautiful women?

As for the man who had taken on his concealed weapon and compelled himself to fall off, Guo Pingrong could only sneer. Did he really think that the Splendor of Heaven and Earth could be challenged this easily? The highly poisonous substance on his skin was Guo Pingrong's main weapon, and that fellow was probably already dead, if not reduced to a state worse than death. If he could seek that fellow out, he would most definitely dismember his corpse. He must know, even upon death, that a disciple of one of the most powerful men in the continent wasn't one to be provoked by any Tom, Dick or Harry.

Guo Pingrong's expression changed as he subconsciously tightened his grip around Qiao Ling's chin, evoking a soft cry from her. Only then did he release his hand and lewdly sized her up once more, before turning back to King De, commenting, ”Can't believe that even a clumsy servant has such good looks.”

King De, who was sitting on the master's seat, appeared majestic and tall, with prominent facial features to match. What stood out was a long and narrow scar running diagonally across his forehead, essentially disfiguring him. It was said that he had gotten it during the rebellion of Linjiang's king when Crown Prince Zhangsun had killed a reputable assassin Shu Ying, whose wife then avenged his death by taking on his role. It was King De who had received a blow from her deadly sword, fused with a mixture of jade and stone, on the crown prince's behalf, hence permanently owning this scar. He was regarded in the whole of Wuji Nation as a brave and loyal Marquis.

At that moment he smiled at his trusted man, casually replying, ”You set expectations so high that it's rare for anyone to catch your fancy. Take her if you'd like.”

”Really?” Guo Pingrong asked, eyes lighting up.

King De laughed heartily. ”It's just a servant, why not?”

”You may think she's just a servant, but to me, she's a gem.” Guo Pingrong turned back to Qiao Ling, giving her a meaningful smile. ”Such fate is hard to come by, and I don't plan to do her wrong. I'll bring her back as a concubine.”

”It's her good fortune, to have someone like you take a liking to her. Since that's the case, I shan't delay you further,” responded King De. ”Men, take this lady to the princess and start all the necessary preparations. Let's get her ready for a glorious marriage tomorrow!”

Guo Pingrong smiled in gratitude, and a joyfully surprised Qiao Ling was escorted down. Seeing her enter the back garden, face full of marvel, Meng Fuyao clenched her fist. 'Darn it!'

...

As night fell, one lamp after another was lit in the De Residence. Apart from the guards on duty, there were no other movements and sounds. Sometime later, winter-rain started drizzling down, gently hitting the stone floor. Reflections of the dim, faraway lights and the figures of patrolling guards were made blurry.

Amid the hazy scene, a lithe yet agile silhouette could be seen shuffling through the house-filled residence, her shadow reflected off the glossy ground. Like a black flash, she easily slid past the patrolling guards.