Chapter 56: Forceful, go with your lordship (2/2)

She chewed on her lip as she mused. That guy’s martial arts is so good, he shouldn’t have any troubles there. Moreover, his namesake is so widespread that that Pill Fiend, Gu Qi Sha, might leave him some face.

Her thoughts eased her conscience as she elegantly walked towards Leisurely Cloud Pavilion. The chambers were well-lit, making Han Yunxi assume that little Chen Xiang must have worried and lightened the lamps to wait for her return. Even though Chen Xiang was a servant, the thought of someone expecting her at home gave her a warm feeling.

“Little Chen Xiang…” Han Yunxi called out before she even entered the doors. She was starving and wanted Chen Xiang to find her some food. “Little Chen Xiang, you…”

But as soon as she stepped inside, she saw little Chen Xiang standing by the door with her head bowed. By the table was a certain fellow steeping his tea. From this angle, she could see the steam curling up from the teacup as the beautiful figure sat there like a painting.

It really…was unreal.

“Long Feiye…” Han Yunxi couldn’t help but mutter. The person inside the rooms was none other than the Duke of Qin, Long Feiye, who seemed to be expecting her.

“Mistress…his highness has been waiting for you for a very long time.” Chen Xiang reminded her under her voice before Han Yunxi recovered her wits. Waiting for a very long time? He couldn’t have come here right after leaving the palace?

She hastily walked over. “Chenqie pays respects to your highness.”

Long Feiye poured himself some tea and didn’t even raise his eyes, saying mildly, “You’ve finished up the prescription?”

“Un,” Han Yunxi answered, heart pounding like a drum. She couldn’t figure out why this fellow had come. Though she knew he had a sharper mind than the emperor, he still shouldn’t know about the true nature of the crown prince’s illness. What’s he here for?

Unexpectedly, Long Feiye rose and said, “Then get your things ready to accompany your lordship to Pill Fiend Valley.”

“What?” Han Yunxi asked in surprise.

Only then did Long Feiye raise his eyebrows to look over. “Is there a problem?”

Yes! A big problem!

It’s not a good place, so why am I going?

Han Yunxi had an answer long in her heart, but her face only revealed a difficult expression as she said helplessly “Your highness, chenqie doesn’t know the Pill Fiend, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to help and would just burden your highness.”

“Your lordship doesn’t fear you being a burden,” Long Feiye said coldly.

Han Yunxi heaved a sigh. “But chenqie still needs to discuss some details of the treatment with Imperial Physician Gu, so I’m afraid that…”

“The crown prince’s been ill for seven years. A few days more won’t make a difference, so you can discuss things when you get back,” Long Feiye said.

“Your highness, what if chenqie meets with an untimely end on the way? It’ll be hard to explain to his majesty,” Han Yunxi threatened boldly.

Sadly, while this could threaten Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanru, it did nothing against Long Feiye. His words were very forceful. “There won’t be any untimely ends.”

Han Yunxi fell into a slump, but still couldn’t rack her brains to come up with an excuse to refuse. As a result, she changed to ask, “Your highness, why are you suddenly thinking of going with chenqie?” At least she could ask for the reasons.

As expected, Long Feiye didn’t answer directly, but his voice turned ice-cold and unyielding. “I’ll give you the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to prepare. Your lordship will be waiting for you at the back gates.” He turned to leave when he was done, leaving Han Yunxi’s face to fall as she stood stunned in place.

Long Feiye, you’re relentless!

How was a single cup of tea’s time enough to prepare? But as it turned out, little Chen Xiang gave her pre-prepared luggage and a helping of light pastries to appease her hunger. Undoubtedly, Long Feiye had ordered her to do these things after steeling his heart to bring her along. Han Yunxi wanted to cry but had no tears, though Chen Xiang was plenty happy.

“Mistress, I heard them say that his highness has never taken a woman out on a trip before. He doesn’t even use female servants. You’re the first one, you know.”

Han Yunxi’s mouth twitched. She estimated that she was probably the only woman in the world who understood that going out with the Duke of Qin wasn’t good news.

“Mistress, what kind of place is that Pill Fiend Valley? What are you going there for, and for how long?” asked the curious Chen Xiang as she sent Han Yunxi off.

Han Yunxi rolled her eyes. “If you’re that excited, why don’t you come along?”

A frightened young Chen Xiang immediately ducked back into the rooms, furiously shaking her head. She kept giggling until her face turned red. “If your servant’s there, it won’t be convenient for you two!”

Han Yunxi looked wordlessly at the skies. This Chen Xiang was still young but such a little devil. Did she think they were going on their honeymoon? She helplessly shook her head, too lazy to explain as she waved goodbye and left. At the back gates, Han Yunxi saw a carriage.

Eh, this guy wasn’t flying her over this time? She kind of liked the feeling of flying.

What was she thinking about now?!

Han Yunxi shook her head before getting into the carriage, only to see Long Feiye with his head propped in one hand, leaning lethargically to one side. She found a seat on the side and also leaned lazily against the side, thinking to herself, if we’re going, we’re going. Who’s afraid of whom? Whatever happens, you’re responsible for bringing me safely back.

But then Long Feiye lifted his eyes to look at her before ordering icily, “We’ll take a shortcut to Snake Gorge first.”

Snake Gorge?

Han Yunxi’s heart had a bad premonition…

-o-

[1] Taobao (??) – could also mean to dig up treasures, but in this case it’s a reference to the Chinese online retailer site Taobao.

[2] the disaster’s been brought to the fish in the pond (????) – yangji chi yu, part of the Chinese saying ????????? chengmen guan huo, yangji chiyu, meaning that disasters with things associated with you will end up bringing you disaster too. It comes from a story where a city caught on fire. In order to save the city, people filled buckets of water from the nearby pond until they dried it all up, killing the fish inside. In this case, Han Yunxi sees herself as the city and Long Feiye as the (uninterested) fish who suffers disaster along with her.