XIAO SHUXIANG'S
273 - The Chai Jidan
Xiao Shuxiang introduced himself as usual and this time he mentioned his surname. Yang Chai Jidan gasped, the name was famous for the past two years.
He just remembered, his grandson had also introduced Xiao Shuxiang to him, but he seemed to be unaware of it.
In fact, the name 'Xiao Shuxiang' was already quite familiar to the ears of the citizens of the Northern Continent.
This was because the story of the Destroying Star felt like a blanket to the merchants, so whenever anyone shopped - they two or three times would definitely hear the name.
The story of the Destroying Star was sunk for some time, but two years ago the name 'Xiao Shuxiang' again rose. It's like a Volcano that once exploded, then calmed down and forgotten, then exploded again.
However for this second explosion-Xiao Shuxiang was known by his new title, 'The Protective Star and Alchemist Disciple Zhou Yan'.
Yang Chai Jidan watched Xiao Shuxiang more deeply, there was something on his chest that was like it was about to spill. It felt stifling while being held back, his throat also felt the same way.
Yang Chai Jidan patted Xiao Shuxiang on the right shoulder, gripped her slowly and then hugged her tightly.
Her eyes were red and watery, it was hard to hold back her tears from coming out. Truly, what he was going through was truly unbelievable.
Xiao Shuxiang actually gasped when hugged suddenly, yet he did not refuse at all. He did not understand how the human heart played a role, it was something that he found difficult to find the answer to.
However, lately he was a little able to feel-how not to comfort the meaning of the word 'missing' it. It felt like there was a wound in the heart, the pain went up to the throat and stuck there, if you want to breathe it was very difficult.
Xiao Shuxiang was enveloped in that feeling when he was in the Elf World, when he longed to go home. But what kind of longing made the Emperor embrace her so tightly?! This was likely something that no beginner like him would understand.
"What are you.. Yang Shu's grandson?"
The voice of Yang Chai Jidan was a little raucous, he still faithfully hugged and gently rubbed Xiao Shuxiang's back.
".. Mn,"
It took a pause of a few seconds before Xiao Shuxiang made a sound. He then rubbed Yang Chai Jidan's back and said His grandfather must have been happy to hear Yang Chai Jidan living healthy and in good shape.
Yang Chai Jidan slowly released his embrace from Xiao Shuxiang, he gently rubbed the cheek of the so-called girl in front of him and noticed every inch of such a dazzling face.
"If I hadn't known you were a man, I would have called you 'A very beautiful girl'. You almost made me fall in love,"
!!
Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li were surprised, their disguises were apparently known to the Emperor. But how is it possible?!
Both do not feel they have done something that can destroy their identity. So it was impossible for this Old Bangka to be able to notice it, unless he could see through Xiao Shuxiang's clothes and greet his 'Pregnancy'.
"Your Majesty knows where I'm from.."
Xiao Shuxiang's voice was still very feminine, it was obvious that the effects of the pills she consumed had not disappeared. There was confusion and disbelief on his face as he knew the Emperor was aware of his hidden identity.
Yang Chai Jidan smiled gently behind her watery eyes. He then took Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li for a walk around his residence while explaining why he knew the identity of Xiao Shuxiang who was a man.
Yang Chai Jidan actually did not reveal in detail, he simply said to Xiao Shuxiang that there was a cultivator who became his eyes and ears. This vast and majestic palace had never escaped the scrutiny of its trusted cultivators.
Hearing him made Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li flinch, it meant that they had already been caught even when the two had not disguised themselves as women.
"But why didn't His Majesty arrest us? And I also killed one of your guards,"
"That's because I want to know what you really want,"
An intruder can freely enter the palace but do not expect him to do the same when out. Therefore, the Emperor can still be calm when an intruder arrives. Well yeah.. That happens to everyone, but not when the Intruder is a grandchild she never thought she would be.
During the entire day, Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li continued to be with Yang Chai Jidan. This Snow White Emperor had always held Xiao Shuxiang's hand as if fearing that his encounter with the Grandchild was just a dream.
Xiao Shuxiang did not mind, he even told how his life in the Eastern Continent when Yang Chai Jidan asked, of course there are some things that he remains secret.
Yang Chai Jidan finally knew that the son he had been looking for all this time had become the GrandElder. But despite his longing, he was not going to the Eastern Continent to pick up Yang Shu.
Xiao Shuxiang had made him promise, this grandson of his had said that his son would come to the Northern Continent with his own strength.
"I'm glad to hear Shu'Er is coming home. He was indeed my son who could not do anything, he sucked in the sword and continued to be left behind by his other brothers. I never paid any particular attention to him, he's just a freelance prince in this palace.."
Yang Chai Jidan told Xiao Shuxiang about his son. Yang Shu is called a freelance prince because he prefers the world outside the palace environment and never wants to get involved with political affairs.
".. Even so, my son is a smart man. I never thought he was going for his own safety. Shu 'Er.. Just wanted to protect me and her mom.."
Yang Chai Jidan continued to be with Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li until the sun rose again, the three of them sitting on the edge of a fish pond, right inside Yang Chai Jidan's private room.
Xiao Shuxiang's arrival here made Yang Chai Jidan understand his son's intentions. This man who was still dressed as a servant must have come to take the throne that should have been his.
Upon hearing that the Emperor was intending to make a ceremony of his welcome and coronation - Xiao Shuxiang refused immediately. He felt unworthy to sit on a throne.
".. I'm not as good as Grandpa. This place will only find its end when it's in my hands,"
Xiao Shuxiang said that he did not come to occupy the throne. He is only in charge of being a messenger, after all, there is still a mission that must be completed.
"So you're going?"
"That's how, I hope Your Majesty doesn't keep me in this place.."
Xiao Shuxiang could feel Yang Chai Jidan's hand grip tighten. A face that was quite slack with a beard and mustache that was already white had given him an eye gaze that seemed unwilling to let go.
"Human.. They're interesting creatures,"
Xiao Shuxiang watched Old Grandpa's face in front of him. Gently, he told the Emperor not to be sad, for they had now met. There will be time for them to be together again.
".. This is not the last meeting between me and His Majesty. Please don't put on a face this sad,"
Xiao Shuxiang smiled gently and gently rubbed Yang Chai Jidan's cheeks. The Hu Li from earlier did not say a word, he simply sat down while continuing to hear and witness the actions of his Young Master.
"If this is one of Young Master Xiao's plays, then a hundred is too little for him.."
Hu Li was so calm he noticed Xiao Shuxiang's every action. Compared to his Master's first life, Hu Li preferred the life of his current Young Master Xiao.
Hu Li so thought of the past that he no longer focused on Xiao Shuxiang's conversation with Yang Chai Jidan.
Since the three of them were cultivators, staying up all day was not a problem. Yang Chai Jidan only came to his senses when a servant came and gave him a message that a man had been arrested for stealing gold in one of the warehouses.
Currently, the man was in the Hall of Court along with the witnesses. They were waiting for the decision from His Majesty the Emperor.
Yang Chai Jidan asked his servant to come back, he said he would get ready first.
He then summoned two special servants and gave them orders to serve Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li well.
"When are you going, son?"
Yang Chai Jidan asked Xiao Shuxiang, he knew he could not hold back the grandson of his son. He wanted this servant-clothed young man to stay with him, but just as Xiao Shuxiang-him said he had a mission to accomplish.
Xiao Shuxiang said he would leave today, because he had spent a whole day with Yang Chai Jidan. The journey is long and he does not want to postpone it anymore.
Xiao Shuxiang's voice had somehow since when it had returned to normal, the reddish tinge on his cheeks had also been absent.
The two maids who were assigned to serve him seemed fixated, and the next second they bowed in shame. This was the first time they had met such a dazzling young man even while wearing female clothes.
Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li were taken to a special room inside the Emperor's residence. Their bodies were painstakingly cleansed by the beautiful young servants who had been waiting inside the room.
Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li were given new clothes, but both requested that the clothes be changed. Their identity as a man remains to be hidden.
In the end, Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li remained disguised as female servants. This time, the two got makeup on the face that Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li had never done in their entire lives.
Originally, Xiao Shuxiang made a reddish tinge on his cheek with Qi. He was flowing Qi at a certain point on his face which he used to wound the pores of his skin until it turned red.
It's hard and it hurts quite a bit. This was also dangerous because if it did not control the Qi properly, Xiao Shuxiang could make his cheeks bruise until it bled.
A little mistake, then it can affect the eyes and also the nose. Xiao Shuxiang's first disguise was truly totality to the point of willing to risk such danger.
But this time, because of the makeup given to her-Xiao Shuxiang no longer needed to use Qi to inflict a small wound on her face. Her cheeks were dyed which she did not know what it was made of, yet it looked very pretty.
Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li were clearly dressed all out, ranging from cheeks, eyelids, to lips. It felt so strange, as if the two were wearing masks. Though the makeup given is not too thick even looks natural.
But considering that Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li had first done so, it was obvious that the two felt so. While looking at his face in the mirror, Xiao Shuxiang pecked for a while before he reflexively closed his nose.
Hu Li saw his Young Master's ears blushing, he knew Xiao Shuxiang must be being ashamed of himself. Throughout history, his Young Master Xiao was likely the first Black Flow cultivator to dress up like a woman.
Xiao Shuxiang reprimanded Hu Li when he found out that his partner was holding back a laugh. He looked back at his face in the mirror. Really, this is so embarrassing. More humiliating than her was considered to have a forbidden relationship with Lan Guan Zhi.
Xiao Shuxiang took out a pill from inside his Semestal Bracelet. The pill had a sweet and fresh taste, he chewed it like candy.
In three breaths, Xiao Shuxiang's voice changed again. Outside their room, Yang Chai Jidan had been waiting with oversized clothes on his body.
Together with Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li, Yang Chai Jidan headed to the Hall of Court. Everyone saluted him, but gave a strange look to Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li.
Just this time they saw there was a female servant who was nothing like a servant. There was a noble-like aura on the two girls following the Emperor from behind, both of them also looked so dazzling.
While inside the Hall of Court, Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li could see there were about fifteen members of the Emperor family, they could be recognized by the seats as well as the luxurious clothes they were wearing.
There were two men whom Xiao Shuxiang said were advisors to the Emperor, a white-clothed warrior-chief, and another was a 48-year-old man. His clothes were so old, he seemed to be kneeling on the floor with a trembling body.
Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li stood by Yang Chai Jidan's side as he sat on the throne. Everyone present seemed to be more focused on staring at Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li.
!!
Yang Ni, one of the princes who was also within the Hall of Court was jolted when he saw Xiao Shuxiang now standing beside his grandfather. He could hear the murmur and marvel at one of his brothers.
"Who is that waiter? She's very pretty,"
"That one still looks young. She's so adorable,"
Yang Ni rebuked his two younger siblings, it was not good to talk about anything else while in the Hall of Court. The look in his eyes then turned back towards Xiao Shuxiang.
?!
Realizing that he was in the limelight, Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li lowered their heads timidly. In the heart of both have the same thought, which is to want to touch the eyes of everyone who looks at them.
Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li should have said goodbye to leave, but Yang Chai Jidan said they could only leave after the intruder problem was resolved. Eventually this is where the two, must get caught up and become the center of attention.
"Your Majesty,"
The voice of the 37-year-old warrior-head resuscitated Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li. He explained that the man who knelt down with a trembling body beside him was the perpetrator of the theft and the proof he already had.
"What did this guy say?"
Yang Chai Jidan's voice was serious and contained the aura of a leader. He was now like he was not the same person as Old Bangka who was hugging and softly speaking to Xiao Shuxiang a moment ago.
The man in shabby clothes, full of cold sweat, and trembling voice instantly apologized to Yang Chai Jidan. His face showed fear, as if this was the first time he had committed theft.
".. Forgive me Your Majesty..!" his voice was raucous along with the water that began to pour in his forehead and eyes. ".. My wife is sick and my three children are starving, Your Majesty. I owe a loan shark and can't pay him, I'm forced to.."
Xiao Shuxiang blinked after hearing the story from the man. If he were to sit on the Emperor's throne, he would definitely say, 'That's none of my business. Your fault for borrowing money on loan sharks. To me, you are a thief and a thief deserves to be punished..'
Xiao Shuxiang pinched a bit of his clothes, he had long wanted to torture someone. Perhaps this could start from pulling out all the nails on the old man's fingers.
".. Unfortunately, I'm not the one who put you on trial,"
Xiao Shuxiang exhaled softly. He slowly circulated his gaze towards Yang Chai Jidan's grandson before his gaze met Yang Ni's.
Xiao Shuxiang again bowed in embarrassment, the man seemed to have targeted him. Dangerous if his identity as a bar is discovered.
Yang Chai Jidan rubbed his mustache and beard softly after hearing the story of the shabby man in front of him. Both of his advisers had no voice as events like this had often occurred and the Emperor could always resolve them.
"Your Majesty, your decision.."
One of the advisors finally opened his voice. His words made the man who became the accused even more frightened. When he was put to death or perhaps a hand-raiser - how could he feed his family.
Yang Chai Jidan called out to a soldier at the same time as the shabbily-dressed man closed his eyes and even unconsciously kowtowed in fear.
The sound of footsteps and the clashing of iron rang out ever closer towards him, the next second he could feel something falling right beside his upper left.
!!
Nothing happened to him, his neck was still in place and there was no pain he felt. Slowly, his head began to look up.
Two sacks of jute fibers were plastered in front of him. With a little courage he looked at the Emperor.
"One sack is food and another sack is a seed. If you can harvest Ice ginseng this season, I'll buy it at the best price,"
!!
Xiao Shuxiang though remained calm-faced, but he was actually surprised. Thieves are released just like that even given livelihood capital. Especially the ginseng.. Ice?!
".. One sack and that Ice Ginseng seed?! It's crazy..!"
Ice Ginseng is a rare herb, but it does not seem to be applicable in the Northern Continent. An Emperor being able to give a sack of ice ginseng seeds just like that was something that Xiao Shuxiang could not believe.
The previously frightened defendant also appeared surprised. He had stolen but was not punished, he wanted to speak but it was very difficult.
"Yes.. Gloriously. How can I repay your kindness..!"
Finally his voice came out. Yang Chai Jidan smiled and said that if his people could live in peace, it was a priceless reward.
The accused who had been so afraid now looked at the Emperor with great admiration. He even exclaimed and said from now on his life belonged to the Emperor.
Hearing him made Xiao Shuxiang shake his head in disappointment, even though he was already impatient to see the law of cutting hands or the like.
After feeling his affairs were done, Yang Chai Jidan got up from his seat and started to step away. He followed Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li from behind.
Being outdoors, Yang Chai Jidan was several times greeted by his little grandchildren and sons. Three princes and three princesses followed him.
These princes and princesses were twenty years old and above, they so politely greeted Yang Chai Jidan and then asked the two maids who were currently his companions.
".. It is not usual for His Majesty to be escorted like this. Is there a special reason?"
One of the Princesses who had a small mole on her right cheek noticed Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li more deeply, for some reason she felt her Grandfather had a strange relationship with these two young servants.
"Din'Er, you're too suspicious even of your own grandfather. Don't worry, I won't marry them both.."
Yang Chai Jidan even joked with his grandchildren. Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li could only remain silent as they began to pay attention to their surroundings.
Although the snowflakes still fell, Xiao Shuxiang could tell that the sun was getting higher. She then called out to Yang Chai Jidan with her feminine voice.
"I forgot to. All right, we'll talk later. Grandpa still has business,"
Yang Chai Jidan started walking away, followed by Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li. Initially, they were stopped by the six grandchildren of the Emperor because there was something these princes and princesses wanted to ask, but Yang Chai Jidan said that later they could also meet again.
Yang Ni and his brothers could only pay attention to Xiao Shuxiang and Hu Li who were slowly getting away from them.
Yang Ni actually wanted to greet the servant in person, but his intention was stalled as his five brothers became bullies.
***
