Chapter 11 (1/2)
It’s a to watch how the main leads have really struck a chord with the readers, soforLiu who hasn’t shown up for two chapters Rest assured all three male leads are here to stay, but Lost You Forever is still first and foremost Xiao Yao’s story so expect the male leads to be around here and there and so for chapters on end It doesn’t er than just the ro but not yet announced as a princess, she gets to observe and take in this world of royalty and power plays that she has left behind for three hundred years She was never born for it, her personality as a kid was always the say it like it is type and she doesn’t have either Zhuan Xu’s ability to socialize and fit in nor Jing’s ability to see everything as a business deal he can close Unlike the kids of royals and nobles, the one thing Xiao Yao does have is the ability to let it all go She really doesn’t care about wealth and power and the trappings of luxury, she can live in a shack pretending to be a nobody as long as she has so a fifteen year proht about what to do after those fifteen years? Go back to Qing Shui Town together? Heroyal family? I like that she has the freedom to pick herI worried she would be too scared to pick, forget not having a clue how she feels about the guys in her life For now she like Jing and I hope she gets more happy times with him before she returns to life as a princess
Chapter 11 – A Grand Gathering For What Ti was a direct descendant of the Sheng Nong imperial family, born into royalty and his father was the world renowned big hero Zhu Rong When Little Zhu Rong surrendered to the Yellow Ehter of the Chi Sui clan Chi Sui Xiao Ye He was greatly utilized by the Yellow Eiven the entire Middle Plains to govern, an area that used to be under the control of the Sheng Nong Kingdom
Initially people didn’t dare publicly critique the appoint was royalty, but behind his back people derided hi in the battle with Xuan Yuan But in the hundred or so years since, his ement of the Middle Plains transforion into one filled with bustling activity and thriving with life His rule was just and fair so the people slowly returned to the region and settled there
Word was Little Zhu Rong never tried to hide his Sheng Nong background and would openly ask the Yellow Es that would benefit the people of the Middle Plains He never hid his thoughts before the Yellow Emperor of his intention that the people of the Middle Plains who have suffered through a war could return to a life of prosperous peace Gradually the people of the Middle Plains no longer were suspicious of Little Zhu Rong and was instead very respectful Zhu Rong’s death was an i was a different type of imperial responsibility to his people
The Chi Sui Autu as a small affair to let the families of the Middle Plains have a fun corow, tosuccess and more and more families and clans wanted to participate until eventually the Autuest events in the vast wilderness This tournament was unique in that it didn’t matter the nationality and was instead a competition between families and clans Each time the Yellow Ereat rewards as an entice people to participate
This time the Grand Emperor sent Ru So to lead a tearoup and Xiao Liu of course tagged along Ah Nian also wheedled the Grand Eo as well
Xiao Liu initially thought Zhuan Xu attended the tournament many times before and was surprised to learn this was also his first tiht about it and realized why In the vast wilderness, all the great families and clans always sent their best to participate, to make connections, to prepare to take over fao before because he didn’t want to catch the attention of his Xuan Yuan relatives andbecause he didn’t care any to return to Xuan Yuan soon
Gao Xing was a kingdo through the entire region Like usual, Ru So chose to take the water route
Zhuan Xu worried that Ah Nian and Xiao Liu would butt heads on the sa well, and so off to the side Zhuan Xu asked quizzically “How did you tame Ah Nian?”
Xiao Liu s the way they encountered many families headed to the tournament, with the more powerful families in boats that could seat over 10, and the smaller families in sreet people and then got off their big shi+p to take a s got off with the a small family and were very friendly towards them, lots of people would co the way they ot closer to Chi Sui, there werehadwas orderly
Entering Chi Sui, the idened and both sides were far tiolden wheat stalks glistening under the sun like a sea of gold Many farht to see of a bountiful Autumn harvest
The wind blew the bust of sweet musty wheat that make everyone feel heady Even Ah Nian smiled “Those people onshore seem really happy”
Zhuan Xu looked around and seemed rather sad but he s torn?”
Zhuan Xu said in a low voice “Zhu Rong caused eance greater than the Heavens When Little Zhu Rong surrendered, I was still in Xuan Yuan and Grandfather asked me to decide his life or death I wanted to kill hi the scenes today, I feel comforted that my decision was correct But I also feel like I’ve failed hed softly
Xiao Liu said “You chose the path of greater responsibility to the world You let go of you personal feelings, and since youon it I think Uncle and Auntie would support your decision”
Zhuan Xu smiled “I understand”
The boat continued and the scenery suddenly changed The Southern shore was still verdant forest but the Northern shore was as barren as a dry desert and it extended so far North it didn’t seem to have an end
Ah Nian wondered “Chi Sui is very lush and full of water all four seasons, how could there be a barren desert here?”
This was Zhuan Xu’s first time in Chi Sui as was for Xiao Liu as well Xiao Liu wandered the vast wilderness for many hundreds of years but never came to Chi Sui because it was close to Yi Province where her mom died in battle She purposely avoided it so she also never came to Chi Sui before The two had no answer for her
Their boat end has it that a hundred or so years ago this area did not have a barren desert But no one knohen the land one day becaiant peach blosso in the peach blossom desert is a demon beast that is like a flaht, the people call it Han Kui (drought beast)”
Zhuan Xu asked “The Gods didn’t send soldiers to kill it?”
“So Gods tried to take out the beast but the desert is very strange, it gets hotter as one walks deeper into it No one has been able to reach the peach blosso incinerated and quickly retreating But the demon beast has never harmed anyone so whether there really is a demon in there no one knows for sure So the people don’t care and gradually this area rery “That’s horrible! This area was lush and green for thousands of miles and a monster destroyed it Too bad it’s Xuan Yuan territory, if it’s Gao Xing territory I would tell my dad to send soldiers to eliminate it”
Xiao Liu stared at the vast desert “That monster isn’t bad”
Ah Nian didn’t understand but Zhuan Xu explained “This area is the ion in the vast wilderness So for this area to have a desert because the ht if the monster went elsewhere Clearly theanyone”
Ah Nian felt that Zhuan Xu’s explanation et rid of theto her dad and Zhuan Xu’s words since she was s radually become a dense fruit orchard ahead filled with all sorts of delicious varieties and the otten By dusk the boat slowed and a harbor ca shi+p and the boat master slowly maneuvered it to shore
An official ca Princess and the Xuan Yuan Prince, but since neither Ah Nian nor Zhuan Xu identified themselves, no one paid theed by the official and Ru So went to handle administrative matters and left them alone
Ru So was the son of one of the Grand Eht by the Grand Emperor and was one of his close subordinates He asked Zhuan Xu directly what their plans were
Zhuan Xu replied “Get a good night’s rest and tomorrow head out for a stroll When the tournao watch the tournament and you don’t need to worry about us”
Ru So said “It’s the best of the various families and clans who are here to attend the tournament Some will be naturally very cocky so if Prince runs into thenore them and avoid any direct confrontation We came as spectators and not participants so there is no need to get into any tussles If the other side is truly rude, then let me handle it”
Zhuan Xu knew that Ru So’s words were intended for Ah Nian and s lectured at but since Ru So was her cousin she just pouted “Fine, you handle things and we’ll act clueless, is that okay?”
Ru So grimaced at Zhuan Xu and left with his servants to attend the welcoanized for hi, Xiao Liu and Ah Nian both slept late and woke up after the sun was long overhead Zhuan Xu was gone and they didn’t knohere he went Xiao Liu and Ah Nian sat in opposite corners of the roo, Ah Nian yelled over “Hey, you knohat to do, right?”
Xiao Liu replied “I know, I promised so don’t worry, I won’t let your dad marry you to me”
The two of them leisurely drank soe, where did you go?”
Zhuan Xu smiled “Just outside for a stroll to ask around where to take you later”
Ah Nian beamed in happiness and Xiao Liu rolled her eyes Zhuan Xu, that mouth on him was so sweet it was like his honeyed words were free It was like he would sell you and you would still think he was the best
Zhuan Xu knew Xiao Liu washio”
Zhuan Xu and Xiao Liu took Ah Nian and Hai Tang out of the residence and it was like everyone in the vast wilderness was here as the entire city was tee with people The normally expansive Chi Sui Castle felt small and crahout the interior so roup was tired of being on boats so chose to walk
Zhuan Xu spent the last two hundred years running all through Gao Xing territories but he was unfamiliar with a city within Xuan Yuan territory He spent his ti while Ah Nian had been here before but this was her first tiuards so she was also extra excited All those knick knacks that the commoner ladies used interested her Zhuan Xu noticed that she liked it so picked out a few silver bracelets for her Ah Nian gave two to Hai Tang and the two girls happily put them on
Xiao Liu wandered for two hundred years and had seen everything and anything so nothing piqued her interest other than the snacks She bought solance at Zhuan Xu and he would glance back, the two of the a peaceful content delicious, she would buy more for Zhuan Xu and Ah Nian, but Ah Nian complained that it was dirty so wouldn’t eat, and then neither would Hai Tang Zhuan Xu would take big bites and enjoy it happily, and when Ah Nian saw the their food she wanted to try so herself to ask after she turned it down already She could only stare at them
Perhaps it was due Zhuan Xu and the Grand Emperor, but lately Xiao Liu was rather fond of Ah Nian and knew exactly as on her mind She took a piece and neatly peeled off the exterior and handed it to Ah Nian while coaxing her “Try it, the inside isn’t dirty at all”
Ah Nian said no until Xiao Liu urged her a few more times and then she accepted reluctantly The food on the street was always unique unlike anything in the Palace, and girls always loved to enjoy so delicious, so Ah Nian was quickly fond of the street snacks and started happily trying the and Xiao Liu
The four of them ate, played, shopped, and was very happy
In the afternoon, they took an ox carriage out of Chi Sui Castle to the largest shi+p yard in the Middle Plains that belonged to the Chi Sui clan Normal shi+ps could be sold to anyone but there was a special pact between the Yellow Emperor and the Chi Sui clan where the best shi+ps could only be sold to the Yellow Emperor The Grand Emperor commissioned a shi+p from the clan but was turned down
The shi+p building expertise of the Chi Sui clan was a family secret and no one was allowed inside the shi+p yard But admirers still came froo home and say they saw the latest Chi Sui shi+ps that were built
Reportedly with the suggestion of Little Zhu Rong, the Chi Sui clan would hold special shi+p christening cere the clan to show off its prowess as well as indulging the visitors to the shi+p yard
When Xiao Liu and them arrived, it was almost dusk and there wasn’t a lot of people left by the river banks ad signaling a new shi+p was launching Xiao Liu and them stopped to watch the shoreline
They saw the huge ay gate to the shi+p yard open and a large shi+p slowly enter the river Xiao Liu didn’t know a good shi+p froht this shi+p was rather unique It was narrow in the front and wider in the back, resened for a girl in mind
Ah Nian had seen plenty of shi+ps and scoffed “The Chi Sui clan shi+ps are clearly nothing to write ho purple turned her head and walked over glaring at Ah Nian “What’s wrong with that shi+p?” The girl had pearly white skin and a pair of bright almond shaped eyes that tilted upward in the corners and
Ah Nian gave the girl a once over and said “That shi+p was clearly built to n is aard What kind of flower is it? It can’t go fast now and it’s exterior isn’t all that striking Might as well pick one of the two strengths The Chi Sui clan wanted both when designing this shi+p and ended up with neither”
The purple robed girl said coldly “Even if you want one you can”t get one!”
Ah Nian was so angry she was about to retort when the purple robed girl vaulted onto the shi+p and turned around to glare at Ah Nian one irl was the owner of the new shi+p so snarked “Just a lousy shi+p, what’s she’s so proud of?”
It was late and the group discussed where to grab dinner None of theested taking a boat cruise of the lake “The lake folk are great at cooking fresh water seafood Let’s rent a clean boat, borrow a net from the boat master, catch some seafood and cook it directly on the boat Fish, clarill with the scent bursting and its juices oozing……” Xiao Liu was fairly drooling and even Ah Nian was getting into it
Zhuan Xu was feeling very torn, Xiao Liu was describing it so fun and tasty but it cah life He didn’t show any sadness and instead rapped her on the head and laughed “You useless thing, other than eat you can’t do anything”
Xiao Liu kne to pick a shi+p and took a glance around at all the boats docked and selected a very nicely tended one and negotiated a price with the boat etables, fruits, and alcohol froht it over
The four of theot on the boat and everyone watched Xiao Liu busy at work Hai Tang wanted to help but Xiao Liu shooed her away and borrowed a net and tossed it overboard and pulled back some fish, a couple of shrimps and crabs Xiao Liu prepped the seafood and pulled out soht seafood
Ah Nian asked about the claet some depends on you”
“Me?”
Xiao Liu pointed to the lake “Can you split the water for me, it doesn’t need to be very wide”
“That’s easy”
Ah Nian may be spoiled but her poeren’t low She put her hand in the water and the water split open to show the bottom of the lake Xiao Liu ju the lake floor picking up claht her own food so she was super excited and yelled “Over there, I see a big one”
Xiao Liu walked in the direction Ah Nian pointed and indeed found a huge claot back on the boat and put the claht this so I’ll cook it for you”
Ah Nian asked “When can we eat?”
Zhuan Xu pulled Xiao Liu over next to the fire and took a towel to dry her hair “Are you cold? Drink soht over some wine and Xiao Liu drank a few sips and instantly war so I’ll be plenty hot soon!”
The four sat around the grill and started cooking and eating the cla, and whether it was the fresh cla, but Ah Nian felt she had never eaten such delicious clams in her entire life
Xiao Liu ate some clams and after her clothes were dry, she took out the three fish she cleaned earlier and wrapped the them to the side to slowly roast
The four ate and laughed and the night passed until the h overhead
There were other boats on the lake and the delicious scent of roasting fish wafted from their boat and many passerbys on other boats offered to buy it froh for us to eat”
Zhuan Xu said to Xiao Liu “Whatever cookingthis kind of fish like Ah Nian and led “Secret recipe, not for divulging” She was really not boasting, she had long since memorized all the herbs and concoctions in the world and used the taste and s uaranteed the food she cooked was one of a kind
A fog rose in the lake and enveloped the shi+p just as the sound of a zither playing surrounded the the further and further away fro faint”
Zhuan Xu said “If you want to keep on listening to it, it’s not hard for oing to yell at her to come back? Even I wouldn’t dare do that”
Ah Nian nudged Hai Tang and she quickly took out a flute fros and handed it to Zhuan Xu Ah Nian said to Xiao Liu “My dad is a eMaster of Qing Qiu Tu Shan Jing, but otherwise he’s iht the flute to his lips and started whistling the tune It was the saes so that it become a companion piece that was full of playful casualness Even aand the zither player definitely thought so as well because the zither tune started getting louder and blending in har each other, the sounds of the flute and zither dancing in the fog, soaring high and then dipping low Gradually the zither tune appeared to be subdued by the flute tune and followed along in perfect synchronicity
Ah Nian got rabbed the flute The tune stopped abruptly but Zhuan Xu wasn’t angry and gently asked “What’s wrong?”
The zither lost the flute and appeared to be seeking its counterpart and sounded lonely in the fog
Ah Nian felt her heart was uneasy and said “I don’t want to listen anyoing back to eating her crab
The zither played for a bit longer and after hearing no response frory and suddenly stopped as well
Zhuan Xu grabbed a crab and peeled it for Ah Nian and placed it before her She smiled and happily ate it He did the same for Xiao Liu who had a mouthful of crab and mumbled “Crab has to be eaten by oneself to be tasty”
Xiao Liu handed a fish to Zhuan Xu “You try this” He opened the lotus leaf and a thick fragrance reached his nostril and even Ah Nian and Hai Tang rushed to grab their fish Xiao Liu told therill The s drunken shrirant and from a distance a loud voice boo soreat reward”
Ah Nian huffed “A little bit ofimmediately loudly called back “My lady said “Who cares about a little bit of money? The answer is no!”
The shi+p steered over and it was the new shi+p from this afternoon The maid stood on the shi+p and realized the enuous “There was a lot of fog so we couldn’t see clearly and thought this was a food boat Sorry for the impolite tone, but if you can sell the fish to us, you can nairl fro a look indicating she wasn’t talking to astood up and bowed “Money, we don’t need any If you want to exchange with so But not sure if you have it”
The htily said “There is very little we don’t have Say it!”
Hai Tang s too precious There is reportedly aValley that can burn without fire If you can give us a stack then we can use it to cook the rest of our drunken shrimp”
Xiao Liu covered herValley ths and this was the first time it was ever mentioned in the context of a stack It was likely only Ah Nian who dared say so so absurd
The maid realized she had been hed “You said for us to tell, how could I have mocked you Just be careful when you talk to people, in case you can’t ed and fired so who didn’t hesitate and flung it right back The uts then don’t run!” before running into the interior of the shi+p
Moirl cairl wasn’t an unfa
Xiao Liu quickly darted into the interior of the boat and hid in the shadows Zhuan Xu sat down next to her and used his body to shi+eld her and asked without turning around “You know her?”
Xiao Liu said in a low voice “The red-robed girl is Fang Feng Yi Yang” Wen Xiao Liu’s face was recognizable in Qing Shui Town but nowhere else, but people in the town rarely left unless they had to so Xiao Liu wasn’t worried people would recognize her That’s why she was so surprised to see Fang Feng Yi Yang here
The purple robed girl sternly chastised “You guys are so rude! The maid came to buy some food, if you don’t want to then say no, there was no need for insults”
Ah Nian stood up “Who are you to point out insults? Who was the rude one first? Who started it first?”
The purple robed girl recognized Ah Nian and huffed “The maid reflects her master, I should knoas rude first”
Ah Nian raged “Your shi+p is a piece of crap so why can’t people say it? Who do you think you are? I’ it – a crappy shi+p!”
The purple robed girl wanted to fight but appeared to hesitate and hold down her anger but it was threatening to burst forth
Fang Feng Yi Yang gently said “Little sister, this is all rant food and wanted to eat it If it wasn’t for me, then there would be no need for you to be insulted by such little people Since I started this, let etturned towards Ah Nian and Hai Tang and her face was chilly “You apologize i to do!”
Ah Nian was once kidnapped by theLiu along with Xiao Liu’s help and she never once backed down How could she be scared now? She coldly laughed back “Fine, letto do”
The boatdown and hurriedly ju waved her hand and pulled out a bow and arrow fro and it was all towards Zhuan Xu, and it wasn’t clear if it was the fog causing it or she shot wild
Zhuan Xu knew she was Fang Feng Yi Yang so he used his powers to create a protective shi+eld around Ah Nian and Hai Tang They were fine but he orried about Xiao Liu Most of the arrows landed on the boat and it was so powerful it caused the entire boat to quake and then collapse in the water The four of them fell in the water as the boat sank
Xiao Liu was happy since everyone who grew up in Gao Xing kne to swim That hy she was shocked to see that neither Zhuan Xu nor Ah Nian kne to swi currently was under direct attack from the maid so she had her hands full and couldn’t rescue Ah Nian Xiao Liu swam towards Zhuan Xu and Ah Nian to save them Zhuan Xu didn’t kno to swis into wood so he was floating in the water safely Ah Nian sed some water and was about to sink Zhuan Xu said “Don’t worry about me, save Ah Nian”
Xiao Liu swam towards Ah Nian and said back “You be careful”
Ah Nian grabbed onto Xiao Liu like an octopus when she reached her, not even caring about male-female etiquette Xiao Liu didn’t have ling Xiao Liu hit Ah Nian hard on the back of her neck and she passed out She quickly swam to shore with her
Xiao Liu woke Ah Nian up and said “I need to go back for Zhuan Xu, can you keep yourself safe?”
The fog was dense and thick like it could concealbut she nodded her head bravely Xiao Liu patted her on the cheek “Hide well and no matter what happens don’t come out”
Xiao Liu jumped back into the lake in search of Zhuan Xu She swa there anymore She searched around everywhere for Zhuan Xu but found nothing other than Hai Tang floating in the lake with an arrow in her leg Finally she couldn’t hold it in anye……”
Xiao Liu pulled Hai Tang and swa out for Zhuan Xu but no one answered
Ah Nian was curled up hiding in the water reeds, the dense fog htened out of wits She heard the sound of water lapping and stared nervously ahead A black shape eed and walked towards her and she was so scared until she saas Xiao Liu carrying Ah Nian She rushed out “Xiao Liu”
Xiao Liu saw the tears in Ah Nian’s eyes and reht by herself and the fear she felt She patted Ah Nian on the shoulder and complimented “You were very brave!”
Ah Nian was ee? And what happened to Hai Tang?”
Xiao Liu put Hai Tang down “She was struck in the back and got an arrow in the leg But I’ a pill and leaned down to rip her pant leg but Ah Nian’s face reddened “Can’t we treat her after we get back?”
“This huge fog, do you know the way back? This arrow didn’t hit aFeng If I don’t treat it soon Hai Tang ht end up crippled”
“But, but, you’re a ’s pants “So the worst is that I’ll ht about it and decided that ht “Humph, that’s lucky for you!”
Xiao Liu pulled out the arrow and said to Ah Nian “Take out your bestValley water soaked in mulberry flowers, and when Xiao Liu poured it on the wound it ate away at the blackened charred flesh and revealed healthy healing flesh Ah Nian handed another bottle over containing pills that stopped the bleeding which then allowed her to bandage the wound