Lost You Forever Chapter 16: Missing You, Hating You, It’s Not Worth It
The last chapter of Lost You Forever was a much needed dense back story of Xiao Yao and her cousin Zhuan Xu, but it also pushed the story forward in a new direction now that everyone is back at Xuan Yuan Mountain. From the Southern tips of Gao Xing to the Northern edges of Xuan Yuan, the vast wilderness is great indeed and any ambitious leader wanting to rule over it all would find that getting there is merely the tip of the iceberg. I feel like Xiao Yao doesn’t really have a purpose in life but that’s fine with me. When she was Wen Xiao Liu we saw her do a lot of good as a healer and family provider, but it wasn’t like she had greater aspirations. To live is all she wanted, and if she was lucky she would be able to live and enjoy the life she is living. Right now she’s lucky because she’s back to being a Princess with all the trappings of wealth and power but none of the hands dirtying stuff. While Zhuan Xu is off plotting how to wrestle power from his uncles and cousins, XIao Yao gets to poke around and wonder what she wants to do? Jing still has years left to fulfill his promise to marry her but she’s hardly the type to sit and embroider and gossip with other girls. Our impertinent and odd little tomboy princess has one hobby and one hobby only – concocting poisons. Will she find a new playmate now that Xiang Liu can’t swing on by whenever he wants anymore? Or will she find a new hobby, one less dangerous to others and maybe equal helpful to her own well being. And how is the person who hates waiting going to handle actually waiting for Jing to free himself and come be with her? She promised not to let another man into her heart, but what if there already is another man in her heart before she made that promise?
Chapter 16 – Missing You, Hating You, It’s Not Worth It:
From their Ying Province island parting until now, it had gone from Winter to Summer and half a year had passed. Jing only contacted Xiao Yao once, to thank Zhuan Xu for his hospitality and in the thank you gift package there were nine bottles of green plum wine. Zhuan Xu might not know what was meant for Xiao Yao in the gift package but he guessed it wasn’t all meant for him. He got the present and called Xiao Yao over “I don’t understand your secret language. You go pick it out.”
Xiao Yao picked out the nine bottles of plum wine all in white jade bottles with a row of red plum blossoms. It was very ordinary bottles but Xiao Yao felt a warmth surrounding her.
Those nine bottles accompanied Xiao Yao from Five Gods Mountain to Cao Yun Court in Xuan Yuan Mountain.
The plum wine, Xiao Yao drank it slowly until she had only one bottle left. She was reluctant to drink it and held on to it while putting the eight finished bottles away.
She wanted to drink the last bottle but wanted to wait for another new batch to arrive before drinking it.
Late at night she would play with the bottles in bed. Sometimes Xiao Yao would smile, but sometimes she would feel sorry for herself.
She waited half a year and never heard again from Jing.
One night, she laid on the pallet playing with the nine bottles, rolling them around on the blanket. It rested on the white sheets and the nine cherry blossoms bloomed brightly. Xiao Yao suddenly thought of Jade Mountain, she waited for her mother there for seventy years and never got anything. In her lifetime, she never wanted to wait for another person again.
Xiao Yao opened the last bottle and instead of drinking it slowly, she downed it all at once. She put the nine bottles away and never took it out to play with again.
Xiao Yao started spending more time developing her poisons. Late into the night, she would lay on the pallet playing with her poisons and thinking of how to make it even better in terms of prettier and not necessarily more poisonous.
She had memorized the Sheng Nong Herb Manuel left by the Flame Emperor, who the entire world regarded as the progenitor of medicine. She also flipped through all the Gao Xing and Xuan Yuan medical books. She didn’t doubt her poisons ability to be deadly, she just wanted to make it look pretty. She stared at the phoenix flower and researched a few days and worked a few nights and finally created a perfect replica of the small red phoenix flower with the same intoxicating fragrance. She made the poison layered on it like the morning dew.
Every one of her poisons was one of her longing, one of her missing, one of her feelings. She created it and watched it come to life in her hands, and then carefully put it away to send out.
Xiao Yao wondered what Xiang Liu would think when he saw the poisons? Would he call her a weirdo pervert?
Xiao Yao put the finished poisons in boxes and went to the messenger service ran by the Tu Shan clan and handed it to them “Deliver this to the Qing Shui Town brothel.”
Xiao Yao paid the expensive price to deliver it to the edge of Xuan Yuan and didn’t blink an eye since it wasn’t her money.
This was Xiao Yao’s solution to deal with Xiang Liu. The entire world was covered with the Tu Shan messenger network so if Xiao Yao had money then she could send it to Qing Shui Town. She had been sending him poisons every 3-4 months, the last time sent from Gao Xing. She wondered if Xiang Liu got it? He ought to, otherwise with his petty personality, no matter how busy he was he would find time to cause her trouble.
Xiao Yao walked out and saw Fang Feng Bei. She couldn’t resist and used her bug to sense him but still got no response.
Fang Feng Bei smiled as he walked over “Delivering something?”
Xiao Yao smiled at him and he asked “You still remember me, yes?”
Xiao Yao walked off “You should stay away from me, when I see you I want to poison you.”
Fang Feng Bei followed her “You find that friend of yours that distasteful?
She found Xiang Liu distasteful? Of course not, likely he’s the one who found her distasteful.
Xiao Yao asked “Why are you following me?” That meeting in the garden, he likely didn’t know who she was, but now he had to know.
“I’m bored. I can see you’re bored. Two people bored together is better than one.”
That night, the spectre of death radiating from the tip of his arrow, Xiao Yao still remembered it vividly. She sneered “What are you doing here in Xuan Yuan Castle? Not here to be bored?”
Fang Feng Bei chuckled “All the things I came to do in Xuan Yuan Castle can’t see the light of day and has to wait until night. I really am supremely bored during the day.”
Xiao Yao was speechless – this guy’s personality was diametrically opposite to his little sister, he was so blatant it was refreshing “I hear your entire family are crack archers?”
“Yup.”
“Who is better between you and your little sister?”
“Her.”
“Better to what degree?”
“You want to see my archery skills?”
“Yes!”
“Then follow me!”
Fang Feng Bei returned to his residence and called for his winged horse. He then left the castle with Xiao Yao and arrived at Dun Wu Mountain.
Fang Feng Bei asked “What do you want me to shoot?”
Xiao Yao narrowed her eyes and then pointed at the tree on the opposite cliff “That tree’s flower blooms a little yellow bud in the Summer. Shoot the flower bud.”
Fang Feng Bei took his bow, his arrow, put the arrow on the bow, pulled back, and released.
Xiao Yao laughed “Not clear if you hit it.”
Fang Feng Bei reached out his hand and the arrow flew back from the opposite cliff. He handed it to her and there was yellow on the tip, he clearly hit the yellow bud.
Xiao Yao was impressed “Amazing archery skills.”
“Want to learn?”
“This can be taught?”
“You’re learning archery form and not the power behind the shot. Anyone can teach you, but if I teach you it will be ideal.”
“Okay!” Xiao Yao couldn’t figure out what Fang Feng Bei wanted but just like he said, she was bored so went along.
Fang Feng Bei picked a nearby big tree “Use that at a target.” He handed the bow to Xiao Yao and she mimicked his form and pulled the bow back.
Fang Feng Bei said “Not bad, you have some form. Your body needs to be straight – don’t bend the neck, don’t stick your elbows out, don’t lean forward, don’t puff out your chest.” He corrected Xiao Yao’s form “Your power is weak so you should use four fingers to hold the bow. Your thumb will naturally face inward and your forefinger facing down. The bow to your nose….”
He handed an arrow to Xiao Yao and she let it fly, it flew out but fell a short distance away.
He picked another arrow and it was the same as before.
After shooting a few successive arrows, Xiao Yao’s arrow was stronger than before but nowhere close to the big tree. Xiao Yao sighed “Looks easy, hard to do.”
Fang Feng Bei walked in back of Xiao Yao and grabbed her hand, guiding it to follow his movements “Body straight, senses calm, focused and relaxed, pushing forward and following behind, bow cocked arrow flying!” With the word “flying” the arrow few out and solidly embedded in the tree.
“How does it feel?”
“Thinking of nothing, eyes not on the target, focused only on the arrow movement.”
“You have natural aptitude.”
Xiao Yao smiled wanly. It wasn’t that she had natural aptitude, it was that her body reacted the same way when Xiang Liu got close to her. She felt that he would bite down on her neck so her mind was blank. But if it was Xiang Liu, even if he was in cahoots with the Fang Feng family, there was no way the family archery skill would be passed to a Nine-headed demon.
Fang Feng Bei guided Xiao Yao to shoot another arrow “Maintain this feeling and continue.”
Xiao Yao released another arrow which still didn’t hit the tree but got close. She really got interested and immediately released another arrow which struck the tree. She was incredulous “I hit it?”
Fang Feng Bei smiled and Xiao Yao grabbed another arrow and mimicked the sensation but it fell midway just like her first arrow. Fang Feng Bei said “You are too overeager.”
Xiao Yao didn’t believe it and wanted to try again but he stopped her “This is enough for today.”
Xiao Yao didn’t understand “I want to practice more.”
“If you practice more, you’ll get worse. The mistaken feeling will be repeated until you remember it. Trust me, things are better when one knows when to stop early.”
Xiao Yao put down the bow “If you want to be a Master, your disciples will love you.”
Fang Feng Bei laughed “Everyone is different, my method only works on the smart.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
Fang Feng Bei vaulted on his winged horse and the two rode the horse slowly down the mountain. Xiao Yao said “I notice your powers are far greater than Yi Yang, how come your archery skills are less than hers?”
Fang Feng Bei laughed “Many think archery requires vast arm strength but it’s more based on clever strength. A specifically designed arrow can pierce through thick mystical enchantments so even someone without any power can hit a target vastly more powerful. My spiritual powers are much greater than my little sister but my archery technique cannot match up to her.”
Xiao Yao stared at Fang Feng Bei and her heart started to swell. Her powers were weak and all she wanted was to survive so she long stopped attacking as a strategy. But if what Fang Feng Bei said was true, then within a certain distance she could attack as well. If she ran into another incident like the attempt on Zhuan Xu’s life, she could do more than shield him with her body.
Fang Feng Bei appeared not to notice that what he said had an impact on Xiao Yao and he asked with a smile “Want to learn archery from me?”
“Yes.”
Fang Feng Bei said “If you help me while the time away, then I’ll teach you.”
Xiao Yao responded “Sure.”
Fang Feng Bei dropped Xiao Yao off at Zhuan Xu’s residence “See you tomorrow.” Xiao Yao watched him ride off on his winged horse like a carefree rich boy sauntering down the street.
Xiao Yao’s life suddenly become extraordinarily busy. She had to make poisons, she had to practice archery, and when Fang Feng Bei had time, she had to learn from him and go along with him to find entertainment.
After Xiao Yao hung out with Fang Feng Bei was when she truly learned what it meant to eat, drink, and be merry. She discovered Xuan Yuan Castle anew, so many places hidden in the small alleys that even her cousins didn’t know, Fang Feng Bei knew.
He was like an expert taking Xiao Yao along to eat, drink, and be merry.
The jewelry shops run by the dwarves with their little hands and exquisite craftsmanship was delightful. They turned a red ruby into a rose, carving a pair of lovers into a dew drop pendant. Xiao Yao was so enchanted she picked a few accessories for Ah Nian and Consort Jing An.
The giants with their huge bowls that was like a bucket for Xiao Yao to eat out of, initially she didn’t think she would finish it but after one bite she kept on eating until she scarfed it all down. Afterwards she moaned that she was going to burst but had no regrets if she died this way.
The cosmetics store owned by the flower demons which initially didn’t interest Xiao Yao. Their flower cream would leave a scent on for a month, all the various floral scented perfumes and the unique ways of mixing scents to create new scents that even Xiao Yao who was used to living as a man couldn’t help but be enticed and she ended up buying tens of different scents.
Fang Feng Bei wasn’t free every day and usually came by every 5-6 days for Xiao Yao to hang out with him. It so happened to give Xiao Yao enough time to practice her archery from what he taught her in their last meeting. Though one time he disappeared for three months before suddenly showing up. Xiao Yao didn’t ask where he went and he didn’t offer an explanation. Xiao Yao knew their relationship where he taught her archery was just temporary and could end with any little mishap.
But in the eyes of outsiders, Xiao Yao was getting very close to Fang Feng Bei. Because he was teaching her archery, there was an indelible closeness between her and Xiao Yao.
Fang Feng Bei was very casual so when he came looking for Xiao Yao, if she was up in Cao Yun Peak then he would go up Xuan Yuan Mountain and ask a guard to summon her. Xiao Yao felt no need to conceal anything so their coming and going together was soon spread all over Xuan Yuan Castle that the Gao Xing Eldest Princess and the Fang Feng family’s second son was very close.
Even Zhuan Xu teased her “I just got you back and want you around a few more years. Don’t get lured off by that Fang Feng family playboy.”
Xiao Yao stuck her tongue out at him “As long as he can shoot you with an arrow, I’ll never run away with him.”
Without her realizing it, a year had passed.
Xiao Yao was confused and didn’t know what Fang Feng Bei was thinking. She thought he taught her archery as an excuse to get close to her. She thought him taking her out to play was a technique to get into a woman’s heart. But he was very serious when he taught her and every time Xiao Yao was learning archery she really respected him as her teacher.
When they were out playing, it was like the two of them was just enjoying life. Two people who didn’t care about anything, who was willing to try everything, became partners venturing out into the dizzying world. Many things in life, it feels different doing it alone or with a companion. Dining, no matter how delicious, just doesn’t taste as good alone. Xiao Yao believed Fang Feng Bei also understood how she felt which is why he never hesitated and introduced her to everything he could think of and then took her to experience it.
Xiao Yao sometimes felt Fang Feng Bei was like a child who was lonely for too long. He had played with too many toys alone and it was no longer interesting. Now he had a companion, he couldn’t wait to take her to play, to experience what he tried. It appeared just casual but was in truth very sincere.
Gradually, Xiao Yao started sincerely eating, drinking, and being merry with him. As long as Fang Feng Bei wasn’t aiming a bow and arrow at Zhuan Xu, then he wasn’t her enemy.
This day, in the morning Fang Feng Bei taught her archery, in the afternoon they went to the dance hall to have lunch and nap, and later Fang Feng Bei took Xiao Yao to an underground gambling den run by the Li Jie Tribe. Legend had it the tribe’s ancestor was the two-headed dog demon, and maybe for that reason, all the men entering the gambling den had to wear a dog mask while the ladies could do as they wished. Xiao Yao saw that Fang Feng Bei wearing the mask looked like a dog head on a man’s body and guffawed loudly at the sight. She put on a mask as well and gestured her hands like claws and barked like a dog. Fang Feng Bei laughed “If you get a beat down by the Li Jie tribe and tossed out of here, don’t blame me.”
Walking into the underground gambling den, everywhere was the sight of a dog head on a man’s body. Because everyone didn’t have a face, they also behaved as if they didn’t care about their reputations. It was raunchy and racy everywhere, so sensual it was erotic. Xiao Yao and Fang Feng Bei walked through the crowds and remained nonplussed.
Fang Feng Bei took Xiao Yao to the dice table first and she spent five years in a casino before so she kept on winning as did Fang Feng Bei, though both knew when to stop and not upset the house.
They went to watch the slave fights and used their winnings to wager. The two slaves would fight until one died and there were people cheering all around them at the fight whereas neither Xiao Yao nor Fang Feng Bei seemed affected.
The losing side was a pile of bloody flesh while the winner was huddled in the corner with a pair of dead cold eyes. This time Xiao Yao lost while Fang Feng Bei won.
Xiao Yao scoffed “You got lucky.”
Fang Feng Bei said “Let’s bet again, whatever you pick.”
“Okay, let’s keep wagering on that slave.”
“You want to come back tomorrow to see him battle to the death again?”
“No. Didn’t you see his eyes? That was a pair of eyes that has lost all hope. Let’s bet on who can give him back hope in an instant.”
Fang Feng Bei chuckled “That’s interesting. Since you lost earlier, I’ll let you go first as an advantage.”
Xiao Yao walked over and the slave grabbed her hand and was about to crush it when he realized from years of battles that her hands had very low powers and couldn’t hurt anyone. Plus his animal beast instinct told him that Xiao Yao meant no harm. He hesitated and let her go.
The slave owner came over to shoo Xiao Yao away but Fang Feng Bei’s long legs blocked his path and he tossed the winnings from the slave fight to him. The owner picked up the money and moved aside.
Xiao Yao took off her dog mask and smiled at the slave before suddenly tightly embracing him and whispering in his ear “This world has something beautiful in it that is worth you remaining alive for.” She put on the mask again and walked back. The bloodied slave stared at her confused like he had no idea what just happened.
Fang Feng Bei was bowled over with his body shaking in laughter that he could barely contain.
Xiao Yao pouted “Your turn.”
Fang Feng Bei walked over and leaned down to say something to the slave. His eyes suddenly lit up and he seemed very agitated yet in disbelief. He stared at Fang Feng Bei who solemnly nodded his head before walking back. The slave seemed to have become another person and when his owner led him away, his footsteps were firm and alive.
Fang Feng Bei laughed “I won.”
Xiao Yao couldn’t believe it, even if Fang Feng Bei promised to buy the slave’s freedom, the slave was so jaded he couldn’t believe him, and that didn’t seem like what he said either.
She muttered “You cheated, you must know him. No wonder you bet on him to win.”
“I met him for the first time tonight.”
“What did you say to him?” Xiao Yao couldn’t figure it out.
The two of them arrived at the entrance to the gambling den and Fang Feng Bei took off his mask. When they stepped outside it was already dark out and Xiao Yao took a deep breath of the crisp air.
She said “I really want to know what you said to him.”
Fang Feng Bei laughed “If you hug me too, then I’ll tell you. Your beauty scheme was no use on him, but it’ll work on me.”
Xiao Yao stomped her foot “Forget it!”
She huffed off angrily and Fang Feng Bei followed behind her “Fine, I’ll tell you.”
“I don’t want to know anymore!”
“Really?”
“Don’t want to know!”
Fang Feng Bei grabbed her arm and tried to placate her “But I want to tell you, can you please hear it.”
Xiao Yao controlled the smile at the corner of her lips “How are you going to beg me to listen?”
“I hug you once? I’m willing to use my handsome man wiles on you.”
Xiao Yao was angry and amused and shoved him “Fang Feng Bei, you’re toying with me!”
Fang Feng Bei laughed and held onto her arm “I told him that I was once a slave in the death battle matches, yet I survived.”
Xiao Yao stood still and stared in anger “You lied to him!”
Fang Feng Bei smiled “Hope is but a lie.”
Xiao Yao’s anger dissipated but she shook her head “He is locked in a cage but he’s a very smart beast. He wouldn’t have believed you that easily. What else did you do?”
“I used the code word that only the slaves in the death match battle arenas would know.”
Xiao Yao was shocked “Even the slave owners don’t know the code. How do you?”
Fang Feng Bei smiled “Maybe I really was once a slave in the death match battles.”
Xiao Yao stared at him for some time and murmured “Who are you?”
“Who do you want me to be?”
Xiao Yao put one hand on her heart and slowly extended the other hand and placed it on Fang Feng Bei’s heart. His heart was beating at the exact same rhythm as her heart.
Xiao Yao was confused. She once thought he was Xiang Liu, who had nine-heads and eighty-one forms. So perhaps one of his forms was Fang Feng Bei. But Fang Feng Bei was so different than Xiang Liu.
He took her to buy makeup and skin creams, laying lazily on the pallet watching her try things on and make her picks. Once a woman got into it, the time would fly and Xiao Yao forgot how long she stayed in that store trying on the various scents. She smelled so much for so long her nose wasn’t even working by the end, and when she couldn’t decide, she would ask him to sniff and give her an opinion. He patiently sniffed each one and provided his opinion.
When they ate together, Xiao Yao loved eating the filling of a crispy biscuit and he would always peel off the outside of his and put the filling on her plate. When they were eating barbecue, her favorite was the neck area where there was a piece that was juicy with thin skin and he would always grill that piece until it was nicely crisped before handing it to her.
When they walked along a narrow mountain path, he would always have her walk ahead of him because when the person in front passed tree branches or bushes the person in back would often be hit by the swinging branches.
How could Xiang Liu tenderly talk with her, carefully take care of her, patiently spend time with her? Only Fang Feng Bei that playboy would know a woman’s heart so well.
But as time went on, even if she still had that niggling feeling, she had accepted Fang Feng Bei was just Fang Feng Bei. But right now….she felt again that he was Xiang Liu. No reason, impossible to explain, but she just felt that he was.
She said “Our hearts are beating as one.” She raised her head to look at Fang Feng Bei and waited for him to give her an explanation.
Fang Feng Bei’s hand closed around her hand and he smiled “Yes, it sure seems like it’s really beating together.”
This bastard! Xiao Yao was exasperated but could do nothing to him. She could only grit her teeth and stare at him as he smiled and stared back at her.
The lamp post in the waning dusk cast its yellow light on them standing there staring at each other.
A carriage stopped beside them and the curtain was raised as Fang Feng Yi Yang incredulously called out “Second brother?”
Fang Feng Bei was very nonchalant and said with a smile “Little sister, no time no see.”
Xiao Yao’s body stiffened because she sensed someone else was looking at her.
Xiao Yao didn’t know what to feel. She had been learning archery from Fang Feng Bei for 16 months and with the Tu Shan clan’s information network and her and Fang Feng Bei’s identities, Jing must have heard about it a long time ago. Or perhaps in the beginning before she really understood Fang Feng Bei’s devil may care attitude, she never believed he would really teach her archery so she wasn’t even learning in earnest. She didn’t reject Fang Feng Bei getting close because she wanted the news that she was hanging out with him to spread across all the powerful families and reach Jing. Xiao Yao wanted Jing to know but she didn’t know why she did that. She just wanted to do it so she did it.
Later Xiao Yao realized she was mistaken about Fang Feng Bei and he really was teaching her archery. She began to learn in earnest and gradually she felt her initial purpose wasn’t important, but she still waited for how Jing would respond. But after 16 months she had totally given up waiting and felt she was so lame. Thank goodness Fang Feng Bei turned out to exceed her initial expectations otherwise it wouldn’t just be lame, it would have been pathetic.
But just as she had forgotten, he suddenly appeared and even brought along his fiancee!
Fang Feng Yi Yang got off the carriage as did Tu Shan Jing. Fang Feng Bei smiled “You must be the Young Master of Qing Qiu. I’ve heard the great reputation of my future brother-in-law. Nice to meet you finally.”
Fang Feng Yi Yang said to Jing “This is my second brother.”
Jing said nothing for a moment, and as someone who once saw Xiang Liu’s “real face” like Xiao Yao, his reaction was likely the same as Xiao Yao when she first saw Fang Feng Bei. A moment later he bowed politely “Greetings second brother.”
Fang Feng Bei smiled and turned “Let me introduce you to….”
Fang Feng Yi Yang rudely cut him off “Second brother, no need to introduce your friend to us.” Yi Yang only saw Xiao Yao once at the ceremony dressed in formal attire, but today Xiao Yao was out dressed in casual Xuan Yuan attire and she was currently standing to the side with her head lowered. Yi Yang probably assumed that a girl with her second brother out late at night and all alone must not be a decent girl so she didn’t want to meet her. She never recognized Xiao Yao.
Fang Feng Bei smiled and really made no move to introduce Xiao Yao.
Yi Yang asked “Where is second brother staying? Tu Shan clan has a residence here and you can stay with us.”
Fang Feng Bei said “No need.”
The normally silent Jing suddenly spoke “Yi Yang really misses you, the residence is very big and comfortable, second brother please come.”
Yi Yang glanced in shock at Jing, feeling happy that he treated her family so well and giving her face.
Bei laughed “Your hospitality is hard to turn down but no need for tonight. I have to take my friend home but I’ll move in tomorrow.”
Jing said “Where is second brother going? The carriage is very spacious and we can take you.”
Bei turned him down “No need to bother, we were in a gambling den for hours and need to move around now.”
“Let’s go!” Bei waved at Xiao Yao.
Xiao Yao followed him without hesitation, and from the moment Jing arrived until she left, she never once looked at him.
Jing stared at her disappearing form.
Yi Yang sighed at her second brother leaving “Rumor has it he got really close with the Gao Xing Princess this past year and I thought he finally met a girl who could change him and make him give his real feelings, but he’s still the same.”
Jing said nothing and silently got back in the carriage and closed his eyes. All he could see was the way Xiao Yao and Bei were standing there looking at each other under the lamp light, and the indescribable feeling that was transpiring between them.
Xiao Yao returned to Zhuan Xu’s residence and hurriedly went to find him “Zhuan Xu, Zhuan Xu.” She pushed open the door and saw Ah Nian and Hai Tang.
Xiao Yao was stunned and looked at Zhuan Xu who smiled “Ah Nian came to Xuan Yuan Castle for a visit.”
Xiao Yao asked “She snuck out?” How could the Gao Xing Princess show up here and no one reported to the Yellow Emperor.
Zhuan Xu smiled wearily “I’m sure Master knows.”
Xiao Yao knew her dad knew already and allowed it otherwise Hai Tang would never have the guts to help Ah Nian sneak out. Her daddy was really weird that way, he allowed his daughters to do whatever they wanted outside. Take her and Fang Feng Bei, it wasn’t a big deal here in Xuan Yuan and her grandfather said nothing, but her dad also said nothing and simply asked casually about Fang Feng Bei in one sentence in one letter.
Ah Nian asked “Gege, are you unhappy I came?”
Zhuan Xu gently said “Of course not, you came to see me and Xiao Yao, I’m very happy.”
Ah Nian sneered at Xiao Yao “I’m just here to see Gege.”
Zhuan Xu asked Xiao Yao “What were you rushing in here to talk to me about?”
“I ran into Tu Shan Jing and Fang Feng Yi Yang on the street.”
“Oh, they arrived this afternoon, and in a few days, Feng Long and Xing Yue will be here as well.”
“What happened that brings them all here?”
Zhuan Xu explained “Xiao Yao, this is Xuan Yuan Castle! Half the proclamations and decrees that affect the vast wilderness originate from here. No matter Chi Sui, Tu Shan, or Sheng Nong, Fang Feng, their families futures are tightly linked to the decisions and information coming out of this castle. Every family and clan sends their kids here every few years to stay for a period of time. The closer friends will make plans to come at the same time.”
Xiao Yao was silent and seemed disappointed so Zhuan Xu asked “What is it?”
Xiao Yao shook her head “I’m going to wash up and sleep.”
Zhuan Xu led Ah Nian out “I’ll take you to your room and you can stay here. Since you snuck here, if people ask just say you are Xiao Yao’s friend. But I need to tell my grandfather and if he asks to see you then I’ll take you to see him.”
Ah Nian obediently nodded but asked angrily “Why can’t I be your friend? Why do I have to be Xiao Yao’s friend?”
“Because Gege’s powers are limited right now and its dangerous to be my friend. It’s safer to be your older sister’s friend.”
Ah Nian usually was clueless about the little things but surprisingly understanding about the big picture. She immediately gleaned a lot from what Zhuan Xu said “Gege, don’t worry, I know this place is not Gao Xing. I won’t make trouble for you.”
Xiao Yao suddenly blurst out laughing at that and Ah Nian glared “You don’t believe me?”
Xiao Yao arrived at her room and stepped inside “I. Wait. With. Bated. Breath.” before closing the door and avoiding Ah Nian’s eruption.
Zhuan Xu comforted Ah Nian “I know Ah Nian is the most understanding, don’t let your sister get to you.” Ah Nian smiled at that and followed Zhuan Xu to her own room.
The next day Xiao Yao left a note for Zhuan Xu and went back to Cao Yun Peak. Knowing Jing’s friendship with Zhuan Xu, he would undoubtedly come see him but Xiao Yao didn’t want to wait for him anymore. With time passing and the feeling of waiting getting worse, she chose not to wait anymore. This time whether he came, when he came, none of that involved her anymore.
Xiao Yao practiced her archery in the mulberry forest for a long time before putting it away.
“You’re in a bad mood today.” The Yellow Emperor’s voice boomed.
He was holding a walking stick and standing in the mulberry forest. Xiao Yao walked over and helped him sit down on the pallet and she also sat down before picking up a plate of iced mulberries and munching on it. Probably in the entire vast wilderness, she was the only person who dared to sit alongside the Yellow Emperor.
The Yellow Emperor said “Let me see your hands.”
Xiao Yao lifted up her hands and the Yellow Emperor touched the thick callouses that had formed where she pulled the bow back. “When little ladies are practicing archery, they don’t want to grow ugly callouses so will wear gloves. Why don’t you have one made.”
Xiao Yao laughed “Their purpose is different than mine. They want to go hunting in Autumn, I want to kill people. Will my enemy wait until I put on my gloves first?”
The Yellow Emperor released her hand “Fang Feng Bei won’t teach you their family’s entire archery skills. I’ll find you another master. You have weak powers so your bow and arrow will need to be custom made. But there is no rush on that, when you get better I’ll have a set commissioned for you.”
Xiao Yao casually said “Gao Xing has no shortage of weapons forgers. I’ll have my dad make me a set.”
The Yellow Emperor stared at her “How does your dad treat you?”
Xiao Yao’s eyes were like the slits of a crescent moon as she grinned “No better dad than him in the world.”
The Yellow Emperor gazed at the mulberry forest – with Shao Hao’s intelligence, he couldn’t not have known that Xiao Yao was….. Did he have an ulterior motive then? The Yellow Emperor slowly asked “He is the leader of a kingdom, don’t see him as just your dad. If you are born into an imperial family, don’t expect relationships and feelings to be simple. You have to rely on yourself for everything.”
Xiao Yao sighed “Not every ruler is as ambitious as you.”
The Yellow Emperor ignored her barb and suddenly said “Pick a good husband! Before I die I can guarantee that you can marry any man you want.” He wanted to make sure Xiao Yao was happy.
The Yellow Emperor’s conversation jumped topics so abruptly Xiao Yao was stunned and suddenly she felt this tenderness in her heart. No matter how much she blamed him, he was still her grandfather.
Xiao Yao controlled her conflicted emotions and asked with a goofy smile “Anyone I want? Even someone who is already engaged? Even someone who is your enemy?”
The Yellow Emperor stared at Xiao Yao “What kind of man do you want?” The Yellow Emperor did not come from a noble or imperial birth right or received such an education, he was born in an ordinary family so when conversing with him, he was much more blunt that the Grand Emperor.
This bold topic would have made any young girl blush but Xiao Yao. She really thought about it and said “Before I came of age I was already pretending to be a man. When young ladies are just noticing guys I was trying to just survive. I was alone for so long that really I just want someone to keep me company. Not someone I want to marry – I want someone I can live with, share happiness and sorrow with, fight and make up, I just don’t want to talk to myself anymore. But I’m scared because think about it, my own grandfather, mom, dad, they all abandoned me before. How can I trust someone won’t abandon me. I took in lonely elders and orphans because I know they need me so they won’t abandon me.”
Xiao Yao chuckled “People think I am kind but really I’m just weak. When I’m with those who are weaker than me, I feel like I am in control and am needed so I won’t be abandoned. That is when I feel safe.”
The Yellow Emperor rested on the pallet and stared at Xiao Yao.
She continued “When I became a girl again, I think marrying is so far away and never thought about it. But I know I’m scared of a man like you. In your heart, there will always be choices that are more important than the woman you love.”
The Yellow Emperor was expressionless and he said “Men like me are not suited to be husbands.”
Xiao Yao slowly said “I am too afraid of having and losing, so I would rather not have at all. Unless there is a man who, no matter faced with any choice, will always pick me first, who will never abandon me no matter what reason, then I will be willing to spend the rest of my life with him.”
The Yellow Emperor said “That’s very hard.”
Xiao Yao smiled “I know it’s hard which is why I don’t think about any man. I’m too scared of falling in and not being able to save myself…..” Xiao Yao sighed “Even if I have a bit of stirring, I do my best to rein it in.”
The Yellow Emperor said “The question you just asked me, there is actually an answer and you know what it is. If he picked another woman, that means you are not his first choice. If he chose to be the enemy of Zhuan Xu or myself, then it means you are not most important to him and he can give you up.”
Xiao Yao’s heart was jumbled and she sat with her arms around her knees and stared at the mulberry forest.
The Yellow Emperor said “Actually you think too much. People need to pretend to be clueless sometimes. If you pick the right person, treat him well and it’s not hard to grow old together.”
Xiao Yao mulled over what he said and after a few minutes smiled ruefully “I understand what grandfather is trying to say but I’m already this way. If I can’t find the kind of man I want, then I rather not marry and take in some orphans and live my life.”
The Yellow Emperor had no further response and silently stared at the mulberry forest.
Xiao Yao stayed at Cao Yun Peak for five days, practicing her archery in the morning, flipping through medical texts and making poisons in the afternoon, and when the Yellow Emperor had time, she would dine and chat with him.
On the sixth morning, Zhuan Xu brought Ah Nian to pay her respects to the Yellow Emperor.
Ah Nian was very courteous and respectful, and the Yellow Emperor was taken aback at seeing how much Ah Nian looked like his own daughter than Xiao Yao did. Because of this, he was warmer to her.
Ah Nian immediately sensed it and started her usual pouting and wheedling “I want a grandfather, too! Your majesty, can I call you grandfather like Zhuan Xu gege goes?”
The Yellow Emperor laughed “If your father doesn’t mind, then go ahead.”
Ah Nian immediately said in the sweetest voice “Grandfather.”
The Yellow Emperor was so happy he had a servant bring one of Lei Zhu’s bracelets to bestow on her. Ah Nian heard it was a bracelet that formerly belonged to Her highness Lei Zhu and was beaming with happiness and immediately put it on.
Xiao Yao stared with her mouth open and felt like Ah Nian was the granddaughter who was actually related to the Yellow Emperor.
Zhuan Xu winked at Xiao Yao to indicate that she was witnessing Ah Nian’s power now.
Xiao Yao gave a thumbs up, she used to think Ah Nian was clueless with the details but smart with the bigger picture. She wasn’t stupid but was hot tempered and not very personable. But now she realized it wasn’t that Ah Nian didn’t know how to be personable, she just didn’t care to. Towards people who had no impact on her, why would she waste time to be nice to them. Ah Nian might be bratty but she also knew where the boundary was with Zhuan Xu and the Grand Emperor and she never once crossed it.
A servant came to announce “Fang Feng Bei is at the bottom of the mountain asking to meet with the Princess.”
Xiao Yao spoke solemnly like she was off to do big things “I’m off to play, if I come back late don’t wait for me for dinner.”
The Yellow Emperor was chatting with Ah Nian and waved “Go on.”
Xiao Yao curtsied and left with Zhuan Xu following her.
Xiao Yao went to grab a winged horse but didn’t bring her bow and arrow. Other than Fang Feng Bei, only the Yellow Emperor and Zhuan Xu knew she was learning archery and she didn’t want anyone else to know. She purposely had two sets made, one kept with her and one kept with Fang Feng Bei. If others noticed, it would appear to belong to him.
Zhuan Xu grabbed the reins “Are you purposely avoiding Jing.”
“No.”
“He’s been by every day to see me these past few days. He doesn’t have that much free time to want to see me every day.”
Xiao Yao said “Fang Feng Bei is waiting for me, I need to go.”
Zhuan Xu paused and said “Fang Feng Bei is concubine born and he has no real power in the Fang Feng family. You can play with him but…..don’t end things with Jing yet. I need him right now.” Zhuan Xu lowered his head and his hand gripping the reins were blue with strength he was gripping it. Zhuan Xu endured countless insults and humiliations but in this moment he felt utterly powerless and humiliated.
Xiao Yao grabbed his hand “Gege, don’t feel bad. This isn’t a big deal. I’ll go see Jing and it’s not hard and I’m not doing it for you. I actually….I actually have been mad at him.”
Zhuan Xu kept his head lowered and said in mockery “I sure am a good older brother. You can’t even be mad when you want to be, and I need you to quickly go and lower your head to a man.” He released the reins “Go!” before striding back into court.
Xiao Yao rode the winged horse down the mountain and saw Fang Feng Bei waiting for her. She waved her hand and he kicked his horse and caught up to her, the two of them riding in unison towards Dun Wu Mountain.
When they arrived, Xiao Yao grabbed the bow and pulled and arrow and let one rip hard as the arrow embedded into the big tree.
Fang Feng Bei laughed “You’re pissed today!”
Xiao Yao said nothing and grabbed another arrow and slowly turned around and pointed it on Fang Feng Bei’s chest “Who are you?”
Fang Feng Bei said “I live in the home of my future brother-in-law, I see my sister every day. Who do you think I can be other than Fang Feng Bei?”
Seeing him now, he didn’t look like Xiang Liu again so Xiao Yao glared “If later on I find out you lied to me, I’ll shoot this arrow right into your heart.”
Fang Feng Bei laughed “Who do you really want me to be? The friend you want to poison to death?”
Xiao Yao released her arrow and it whizzed past Fang Feng Bei and landed in the tree behind him. He clapped “I’m a great teacher!”
Xiao Yao smiled.
Fang Feng Bei said “I can tell you’re in a bad mood today, let’s stop for now!”
Xiao Yao pulled another arrow “If I don’t practice if I’m in a bad mood, or don’t practice when I’m in a good mood, then life is filled with too many excuses to slack off. If I start then I’ll continue so why bother.”
Fang Feng Bei sighed and said nothing else. He stared at Xiao Yao shooting and would occasionally give her pointers.
They practiced until mid-afternoon before Xiao Yao put her bow away.
The two of them did what they always did and went back to Xuan Yuan Castle to have lunch at a dance hall and take a nap.
The two of them rode alongside each other down the streets of Xuan Yuan, and despite Xiao Yao wearing a veiled hat, she was riding a winged horse. Plus Fang Feng Bei was beside her and the smart folks easily guessed she was the Princess. People got excited and pointed at her and crowds started gathering.
Xiao Yao was distracted this morning and grabbed the wrong winged horse. This one was encrusted with the gold emblem of the royal family and was likely a horse that pulled the Yellow Emperor’s carriage.
At this time, they were the only people moving on the street which felt totally strange but Xiao Yao had no choice but to put her her best haughty Princess impersonation as she and Fang Feng Bei passed.
Fang Feng Bei laughed “I may be shameless but taking you to a dance hall in broad daylight in public makes even me feel sheepish.”
Xiao Yao laughed “That means you’re not shameless enough and need to keep working on it.” Actually she didn’t have the guts either, worried that it’ll spread back to Gao Xing and her dad would hear of it.
Xiao Yao said “Let’s go to Zhuan Xu’s place. He should be in Cao Yun Court until after dinner.”
After they entered the residence, Xiao Yao jumped off her winged horse and sighed “My version of the wild Princess is so different than Ah Nian. With the entire street staring at me, my first instinct is to wonder what I did wrong. Is this a side effect of doing too many bad things in my past?”
Fang Feng Bei asked half seriously half in jest “Why don’t you not be a Princess anymore and go wander the world with me?”
Xiao Yao giggled “Sure! If you can let everything go first.”
Fang Feng Bei chuckled while Xiao Yao stared at him. She felt like she called him on his bullshit. When she was wandering the world being a con artist, he was likely home tickling his maids!
The center court was where Zhuan Xu handled his business affairs so Xiao Yao led him to the side court where a pallet and meal was set up on the front part of the room while the back half was blocked with a long veil curtain and a pallet was inside for napping.
The maids quickly brought out the food and after dining, Fang Feng Bei rested against the window staring out at the courtyard view while drinking wine. Xiao Yao drowsily said “Zhuan Xu probably didn’t train any maids to dance so if you want you need to ask the maids yourself.”
Xiao Yao walked into the back part of the room and pulled down the veil curtain and she was asleep before her head hit the pillow. They were like this when they went to the dance halls as well, after dining Fang Feng Bei would watch the dancers outside while Xiao Yao took a nap on the pallet behind him. When she woke up, they would discuss where to go next.
Xiao Yao was aware that Fang Feng Bei said something but she waved him off to not bother her. She hadn’t slept enough and her body wasn’t like the rest of the Gods. After a morning of archery practice, if she didn’t nap she wouldn’t be able to do anything in the afternoon.
She slept a bit more and then heard Fang Feng Bei talking to someone. She thought Zhuan Xu came home and didn’t think much about it, turning her head and laying there still.
“I heard Xiao Yao saying the Prince will be back after dinner. If you have something urgent, you should send word to Xuan Yuan Mountain.”
“I already sent someone to Xuan Yuan Mountain.”
Xiao Yao shot up fully awake. That gentle raspy voice, other than Jing who else could it be?
It was so weird. Anytime she heard him talking to someone else, she always felt it was not the same Jing she knew. When he was saying something false to others, he remained calm and smooth, yet when he talked with her it always felt like he was slightly tongue-tied and awkward.
“You’re close with the Prince?” Fang Feng Bei was checking.
“The Prince gets along with everyone and is close with a lot of people.” Jing’s response was seamless.
Xiao Yao stood up and the two men stopped talking. She went to the mirror to tidy herself first.
Fang Feng Bei said “Xiao Yao, the maid came earlier to announce that Tu Shan Jing is seeking an audience with the Prince. I saw you were still sleeping so made a call to have the maid bring him inside.”
Xiao Yao lifted the curtain and walked out with a smile “Thanks for making the right call otherwise I would have been a poor host for Gege’s friend.”
Xiao Yao acted like she heard nothing from earlier and politely said to Jing “Gege is in Cao Yun Peak and I’ll have someone summon him back. If Young Master is not busy, then wait here. If you’re busy, then you can go back first and I’ll have Gege go find you.” She actually called a maid in and told her to summon Zhuan Xu back from Xuan Yuan Mountain.
Xiao Yao curtsied to Jing “Bei and I have other matters, we’ll be leaving now.”
Xiao Yao and Fang Feng Bei walked out of the room and she asked “Where to next?”
Fang Feng Bei smiled “Wherever you want to do, we can go.”
Xiao Yao felt a pair of eyes on her back, it was heavy, so heavy she felt she couldn’t move. But she decided on it so she forced her footsteps to be light as she laughed.
When they got to the front door, she suddenly remembered what Zhuan Xu asked her earlier and stopped. She didn’t know why but she just wanted to be mad at Jing.
Fang Feng Bei asked “What is it?”
Xiao Yao said “I suddenly remembered that Gege asked me to do something. I won’t accompany you today and let’s make it up another time, okay?”
Fang Feng Bei stared at her and that inexplicable familiar sensation rose up again and Xiao Yao’s body tensed. She felt like at any moment Fang Feng Bei would suddenly fly forward and bite down on her neck.
Suddenly Fang Feng Bei laughed and said with a casual “Sure!”
He left and Xiao Yao touched her neck and felt like she avoided that one.
Inside the court, it was eerily silent with no movement. Jing sat on the pallet without moving and it was unclear what he was thinking.
Xiao Yao said to herself: he’s Tu Shan Jing, not the broken and battered Ye Shi Qi that no one wants.
Xiao Yao smiled as she walked over and sat down facing Tu Shan Jing “Do you want some tea? I’ll have the maids make some for you.”
Jing’s voice was low “No.”
Xiao Yao was very eager “Then you want some wine? I’ll have the maids warm up some wine? Xuan Yuan Castle isn’t as warm as Qing Qiu, and now it’s late Autumn so everyone likes warmed wine.”
“No.”
Xiao Yao laughed “Then what do you want?”
“You are here, that is enough.”
There was the hint of a smile in Jing’s eyes mixed with sadness. But it really did appear that no matter what Xiao Yao did or said, as long as she was there then he was content.
Xiao Yao suddenly felt really pointless, like pushing with all her might at a cloud.
Jing handed a box to Xiao Yao and she opened it to find inside was a necklace with a purple gem hanging on a pendant. It was crystal clear and glittering.
Xiao Yao was in disbelief “A fish amethyst?”
“I wanted to find you a red one a fish ruby but it really is hard to find and needs to be by chance. Only a fish amethyst was found and initially I wanted to engrave it but then thought you probably want to put it in your mouth so you can swim longer in the water. This shape is round so it’s comfortable to hold in your mouth. If you want a design I’ll have it carved for you.”
Xiao Yao asked “This was hard to find, right?”
“Not difficult.”
“Not difficult? Even the Tu Shan clan with wealth to rival a kingdom could only find a purple one. In the future when you give something to a girl, be more sincere about it.”
Jing said nothing.
Xiao Yao played with it “This is already been processed?”
“Yes.”
“So if I put it in my mouth I can swim underwater?”
“Yes, I tested it already.”
Xiao Yao was almost ready to put the gem in her mouth but when she head this she quickly put her hand down and felt the gem was hot in her hands.
Jing was worried Xiao Yao loved to play so much she got in trouble “The longest time I swam was for one day two nights. But I have powers so just to be safe don’t do it for longer than ten hours.”
Xiao Yao murmured a yes. Jing liked quiet over activity but to test the gem he swam for one day and two nights in the water.
Xiao Yao suddenly flopped on the pallet and buried her head in her arms.
Jing was shocked and his voice quivered “Xiao Yao, Xiao Yao, are you alright?”
“I’m fine, I just hate you a little.” Every time when she steeled her heart, he always had a way of softening it. Was it because she saved him and took him home that she just couldn’t be heartless with him?
“I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t appear!” Jing didn’t know what Xiao Yao was thinking, all he knew was that Xiao Yao was very unhappy but earlier she was very happy with Fang Feng Bei.
Xiao Yao was so angry she threw the gem at him “You are such a big idiot! I don’t know why everyone else thinks you’re so smart.”
Jing didn’t dare duck so just sat there.
Xiao Yao was worried she broke the gem and asked “The gem?”
Jing helped her look for it and handed it to her “It doesn’t break that easily.”
Xiao Yao glared at him and played with the gem and groused “You came to Xuan Yuan Castle, why bring along….. Do you still want to end the engagement? If you don’t, then tell me earlier so I am not holding onto my promise with you!”
Jing hurried said “I want to end it! I already told my grandmother I don’t want to marry Fang Feng Yi Yang!”
Xiao Yao lowered her head and said nothing.
Jing continued “All these years, Yi Yang spent by my grandmother and is very close with her. She didn’t agree to let me end it but agreed to postpone the wedding. This time Yi Yang wanted to come to Xuan Yuan Castle and I didn’t want to take her but grandmother said the clan owed her for me to treat her like a little sister.”
Xiao Yao played with the gem and thought about it.
Jing said “Xiao Yao, my grandmother spoils me, I will be able to convince her.”
Xiao Yao said “I’ll accept this fish amethyst!” She put the necklace around her neck and then tucked the pendant into her robe.
Jing noticed and his heart skipped a beat and he lowered his head.
Xiao Yao said “I’m learning archery from Fang Feng Bei who offered to teach me which is why we’ve been hanging out.”
Jing’s heart soared and he said with a smile “No need to explain, and I have no right to ask you to explain. Just now, you coming back, that is enough.”
But she didn’t come back just now for Jing, she came back because of Zhuan Xu! Xiao Yao felt this pressure in her heart, was her relationship with Jing also subject to being used? Xiao Yao said “Do you remember promising me not to hurt Xuan?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know what my Gege wants to do, but if it doesn’t harm Tu Shan clan, can you help him a little?”
Jing warmly said “If it’s this request, you need not even ask. I actually came with Feng Long this time to discuss something with Zhuan Xu.”
“If you didn’t have something to discuss, then you wouldn’t have come?” Xiao Yao bit her lip and furrowed her brow.
Jing heart skipped a beat and he explained “Feng Long asked me to wait for him but I couldn’t wait any longer and came first….”
“This is called coming first? I’ve been in Xuan Yuan Castle for twenty months now.”
Jing tried to think through what Xiao Yao said and he felt she meant he came too late. But he couldn’t quite believe she would mean that, so he had to think through each word and really wished she would say it again so he could hear her tone of voice.
Xiao Yao was silent and then sighed, standing up to walk away.
Jing grabbed her and stammered “Xiao Yao, you…you…you want to see me?”
Xiao Yao stared at him and he said with uncertainty “I know I’m rather dense at some stuff, if I made a wrong assumption, don’t be angry.”
Xiao Yao felt like she was looking at Shi Qi again and her heart softened “Do you want to see me?”
Jing nodded very solemnly. Because he missed her to the core, he thought of an idea and convinced Feng Long and then dragged Feng Long and Xing Yue thousands of miles to come to Xuan Yuan Castle to convince Zhuan Xu.
Xiao Yao was angry “Why didn’t you come?”
“Some things I needed to do.”
Xiao Yao sighed “How can you be so certain I won’t let another man into my heart?”
Jing shook his head, he was so uncertain.
Xiao Yao was so exasperated “You….are so stupid!”
Jing was taken aback, compared to Fang Feng Bei’s dashing charm, he really was too dull and staid.
Zhuan Xu and Ah Nian walked in and greeted them. Zhuan Xu smiled “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Jing smiled “No worries, I didn’t tell you beforehand.” He glanced at Ah Nian and Zhuan Xu understood and said to Ah Nian “After a day with grandfather, you must be tired. Go wash up.”
Ah Nian knew they had things to discuss but they didn’t seem to want Xiao Yao to leave as well. She was feeling miffed but didn’t show it and just sweetly said “Okay.”
Seeing Ah Nian leaving, Jing said to Zhuan Xu “In a bit Feng Long and Xing Yue will arrive and they will sneak to come see you. After tonight, they won’t ever meet you privately again.”
Zhuan Xu heard this and summoned his loyal retainer and gave a few orders. He didn’t ask Jing what it was and just had the maids bring some food and wine “Let’s dine and wait for them.” He turned to Xiao Yao “You can join as well.”
Xiao Yao sat down and was bored with their chatter so started drinking. Zhuan Xu laughed and patted her on the head “If you get drunk, Feng Long and Xing Yue will think you’re an alcoholic and if word gets out you’ll never hope to get married.:
Xiao Yao groused “Who said I wanted to drink all alone. Don’t you know how to play? Play me a tune!”
Zhuan Xu said “In front of Jing, I can’t say I can play. Ask him to play.”
Jing said “I haven’t touched a zither in over ten years.”
Zhuan Xu was shocked and then apologized. He sat down at the zither and started to play, and it was a song Xiao Yao heard before. She sighed.
Suddenly Jing said “Feng Long and Xing Yue are here, Xiao Yao go inside.”
Xiao Yao quickly went inside.
The tune finished and Feng Long and Xing Yue walked in “To wait until you finished, we stood outside for a bit.”
Xing Yue stared at Zhuan Xu and her face was red.
Zhuan Xu welcomed them but Feng Long said “Just water, we’re going to greet the elders later and best not smell like alcohol.”
Feng Long said “I had the servants slow the cloud carriage down and I rode my winged ride here first, I bought us only a little bit of time so let’s cut to the chase.”
Zhuan Xu said “Between us, say whatever you want.”
Feng Long asked Zhuan Xu “You came back to Xuan Yuan to fight for the crown, but your uncles have thousands of years of ruling experience over you. What do you have to compete with them?”
Zhuan Xu said “I do have that desire, but right now I’m barely able to stay alive here. If you have another idea, please share.”
“Since Xuan Yuan Castle belongs to your uncles and cousins tight control, why don’t you give it up?”
“Give up Xuan Yuan Castle?” Zhuan Xu’s face changed.
Feng Long stood up and waved his hand and a water based map of the entire vast wilderness appeared “Look at the location of Xuan Yuan Castle. Long ago, when the Yellow Emperor and Empress Lei Zhu founded the Xuan Yuan Kingdom and was picking its capital, they selected this place because it can control the Northwest. The Castle is ringing on all four sides by mountains and hard to get in and out which makes it hard to conquer. Back then the Sheng Nong Kingdom couldn’t ever vanquish Xuan Yuan. But now thousands have years have passed and Xuan Yuan is no longer a little kingdom in the Northwest. It’s now got the Northeast, the due South, the far North, and the entire Middle Plains. All such great lands belong to Xuan Yuan!”
Feng Long pointed to the entire Xuan Yuan map and where Xuan Yuan Castle was located in the remote Northwest didn’t appear worthy of being the capital of such a vast kingdom, and it’s location would become hard for it to exercise influence throughout all its controlled territories.
Feng Long said “Zhuan Xu, do you see clearly? THIS is the entire world that you will rule over one day.”
Zhuan Xu’s hand was shaking “I see it clearly!”
Feng Long was shaking with excitement “Give up Xuan Yuan Castle and come to the Middle Plains! The Middle Plains is the center of the vast wilderness. Seated in the Middle Plains is where one can control the entire vast wilderness. And if one day you want to lead an army South….” Feng Long pointed at the Gao Xing Kingdom and grabbed it “It would be a piece of cake.”
Zhuan Xu stood up and stared at the entire map. His hand reached out and touched Sheng Nong Mountain. There! The mountain that was but one thousand miles from here, with its twenty-eight peaks, only Sheng Nong Mountain could match up as a capital to Xuan Yuan Kingdom.
Xing Yue gently said “Picking Sheng Nong Mountain, it’s not that we Sheng Nong tribe want to do something, in truth the elders don’t know yet….”
Zhuan Xu’s face was focused and he waved Xing Yue off, indicating she needn’t say more.
Feng Long looked at Zhuan Xu with admiration and laughed “Women are women! So focused on the little things. no clue what great ambition the men have. Who cares about the Sheng Nong tribe or the Xuan Yuan tribe? That shit is in the past, the future is even greater!”
Zhuan Xu started laughing and the two toasted with the water in their cups.
Xing Yue was upset to have her brother belittle her, but she saw Zhuan Xu so different than his usual self, with such manly powerful aura that made her so enamored of him. Her normally haughty young girl’s heart was lost forever.
Feng Long said “Only the four of us know this. How you are going to convince the Yellow Emperor to send you to the Middle Plains, that is up to you. We’ll wait for you in the Middle Plains.”
Feng Long waved at the water map with his eyes bright “I want to see a truly unified world during my lifetime, and building an empire that lives on through the ages!”
Zhuan Xu bowed to Feng Long “Hearing your advice was like waking from a sleep, I will never forget this!”
Feng Long glanced at Jing before saying “I’m not going to take the credit for it! Suggesting you go to the Middle Plains and give up Xuan Yuan Castle, if you win then you win it all, if you lose then you lose it all. There is no backup plan. You are daring enough to go for it and I’m impressed!”
Zhuan Xu laughed “My goal was never just one imperial capital. Why not give up?”
Xing Yue was confused “I thought this would be a wasted trip. Gege and I didn’t give you any promises but you decided to give up here and come to the Middle Plains just like that?”
Zhuan Xu smiled “If I could do it then Feng Long will cast his lot with me, if I can’t, then his promises will mean nothing.”
Jing reminded them “You need to leave.”
Feng Long looked at Zhuan Xu and appeared loath to leave but he knew tonight had to be kept a secret so they had to leave “We’re off and we won’t see you again in Xuan Yuan Castle. We’ll wait for you in the Middle Plains!”
Zhuan Xu also was loathed to part, the relationship between a man and a woman was intense and alluring, but when two men’s ambitions and dreams aligned then it was truly like finding a brother “Tonight we can only drink water as wine. Until we meet in the Middle Plains, then we can get drunk!”
Feng Long and Xing Yue put on their cloaks and lefts with the cover of their guards.
Zhuan Xu stood by the door in a daze before remembering Xiao Yao was inside the room. Earlier when Feng Long mentioned “raising an army to head South”, Zhuan Xu’s heart skipped a beat. He walked inside and saw Xiao Yao laying on the pallet sound asleep.
Zhuan Xu relaxed and chided himself for overly worrying. When Feng Long was talking, Zhuan Xu saw him cast a spell to block their conversation clearly knowing a person was in the inner room. But seeing Jing and Zhuan Xu did nothing about the presence of another person, Feng Long knew it was safe to talk but was still cautious and didn’t want anything revealed.
“Xiao Yao, wake up.”
Xiao Yao opened her eyes “They’re gone?”
“Jing is still here.”
Xiao Yao walked out and Jing asked “You were sleeping this afternoon, and sleeping again now. Did you not sleep well last night?”
“No, just a little tired. You interrupted so I didn’t sleep well this afternoon.”
“What did you do today?”
Xiao Yao yawned “Practice archery.”
Right now Xiao Yao was doe-eyed with sleep, her hair mussy, a smile on her lips, she was very adorable that Jing raised his hand but then remember Zhuan Xu was present and quickly put it back down.
Xiao Yao noticed Zhuan Xu’s excited expression and asked “What did you guys talk about that it would led to someone usually so composed like you to be all excited?”
Zhuan Xu asked “Xiao Yao, want to go to Sheng Nong Mountain?”
Sheng Nong Mountain? Wasn’t that close to Qing Qiu? Xiao Yao looked at Jing and she asked Zhuan Xu “Why do I want to go to Sheng Nong Mountain? You need me there for something?”
“I’m going to Sheng Nong Mountain as well.”
“Oh, didn’t you want Xuan Yuan Mountain?” Xiao Yao was wide awake and her eyes open wide staring at Zhuan Xu.
“The plan changed.”
“Oh!” Xiao Yao was confused but figured Zhuan Xu and Feng Long probably settled on a joint strategy “I don’t care. Let’s go to Sheng Nong Mountain then!”
Zhuan Xu and Jing both looked like a heavy burden was lifted.
Jing traced the cup in his hand and smiled – plotting for the past year, he’s finally able to bring her to his side and not have her thousands of miles away.
The maid came “Ah Nian asked if the Prince would like to have dinner.”
Zhuan Xu looked at Xiao Yao and she waved “If I dine with her, you’ll be busy trying to stop an argument.”
Zhuan Xu left and Xiao Yao asked Jing “When are you leaving Xuan Yuan Castle?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Xiao Yao had no idea what she was supposed to feel.
Jing asked “Have you ever been to Qing Qiu?”
“No, for a while I hated the Nine-tailed fox and legend has it the Nine-tailed fox came from Qing Qiu so I hated Qing Qiu as well. Twice I bypassed it.” Xiao Yao suddenly was very worried “The Nine-tailed fox I killed, it wasn’t one of your relatives?”
“He probably was.” The Nine-tailed fox was very rare, and the few existing ones really were all relatives of the Tu Shan clan.
“What?” Xiao Yao’s mouth dropped open.
Jing couldn’t help but burst out laughing “Relative or no relative, he had it coming based on what he did to you. Even if someone told my grandmother about it, you’re still in the right.”
Xiao Yao patted her chest “You scared the daylights out of me!”
Jing gently said “Actually, Qing Qiu is a lot of fun. After you reach Sheng Nong Mountain, I’ll take you to Qing Qiu to play.”
Xiao Yao said nothing and Jing started fretting “Xiao Yao, you don’t want to come to the Middle Plains?”
Xiao Yao shook her head “No.” She wandered the world all over, and due to her issues with the Yellow Emperor and the Grand Emperor, she mostly stayed in the Middle Plains and she loved it there.
Xiao Yao lowered her head “You sent me nine bottles of plum wine.”
“Yes.”
“Then I heard nothing from you.”
Jing thought carefully about what she said and then asked “Are you asking why I didn’t contact you again?”
“Yes.”
Jing thought about it and said “First, Feng Long gave me something that was rifled through and I suspected someone close to me was not trustworthy. Before I find out who it is, I have to be careful. Second, both my identity and Zhuan Xu’s identity are very special and it’s not suitable to communicate often. Tu Shan clan has our clan rules. My grandmother already chastised me for sending a present to Zhuan Xu. Thirdly, the last time I saw you, you complained that I was trying to remind you of your promise so I controlled myself not to cause you any more stress.”
The first and second reason were totally acceptable, but the third reason…..Xiao Yao was so infuriated she flopped on the pallet and buried her head in her arms.
“Xiao Yao….”
“Don’t talk to me! I don’t want to talk to you right now!”
Jing really stopped talking, and Xiao Yao was such a talker she couldn’t take it anymore “When you are leaving tomorrow?”
“First thing in the morning.”
“Play with me tonight!”
Jing’s face lit up with unbridled joy and he nodded.
“Not afraid of people finding out.”
“The fox doll version of me already went back long ago.”
Xiao Yao sighed “I really don’t know if you’re really smart or really stupid.”
Jing said nothing.
Xiao Yao opened the door and saw no one, and then quickly led Jing to her own room.
Once inside with the door closed, they relaxed.
“When I’m not at Cao Yun Peak, I live here.” Xiao Yao sat down and cocked her head to look at him “What shall we play?”
“Whatever you want.”
Xiao Yao looked around, she had no zither, paints, chess, nothing at all and she was annoyed at herself.
Her chest contained all sorts of poisonous juices in various colors like paints and Xiao Yao took it out and placed it before Jing and then placed four of her handkerchiefs before him as well.
Xiao Yao handed him a little brush “Paint me a few portraits!”
“What do you want?”
“Uhm….a lotus.”
Jing picked a dark green color and Xiao Yao said “Be careful, this is poisonous bark root.”
Jing didn’t seem to care and continued to draw whatever Xiao Yao wanted while she sat down watching him draw.
“What else?”
“Butterfly. Once time I wanted to make a poisonous butterfly but I can’t draw well so the one I made was dopey.”
Jing heard she wanted to make poisons so he drew it smaller and then carefully drew ten more butterflies for her.”
Xiao Yao sprawled on the table looking at it.
Jing saw she was sleepy “Tell me what you want and I’ll draw it while you sleep.”
Xiao Yao shook her head.
Jing finished the butterfly and Xiao Yao said “The remaining two, you decide.”
Jing picked up the brush and drew a cliffside jagged beach scene and the other he drew peach blossoms without any green leaves or stems so it looked like Xiao Yao’s birthmark was all over the handkerchief.
Xiao Yao blushed “There you go again, as if people will forget!”
Jing wasn’t thinking anything and simply drew what was in his heart. Hearing what Xiao Yao said, he was embarrassed and nervous so his brush dropped and ink splattered on his hand “I…I didn’t mean that.”
Xiao Yao lowered her head and her voice was whisper soft “I….I didn’t say you couldn’t mean that.”
Jing stared at Xiao Yao, and the his body suddenly moved towards her and pushed her on her back and his lips landed right on the corner of her lips.
Jing couldn’t even enjoy what that felt like before his face turned white “I….that wasn’t me…I…..I didn’t…..” He wanted to sit up but couldn’t move at all.
Xiao Yao was so shocked she burst out laughing. She hugged Jing and turned him over “I know it’s not you, you just got poisoned. I told you to be careful!”
Xiao Yao felt his pulse, put a pill in a cup of water, sat down next to Jing and propped him up, and placed the cup on his lips “Drink half.”
Jing’s face was a little paralyzed so he drank slowly. They both remembered when in Qing Shui Town, Xiao Yao fed him like this for a good half year.
“Hey….I said drink half!” She moved the cup away “If you keep drinking, I’ll need to give you another antidote.”
Xiao Yao put the cup down “You’ll be able to move in a bit.”
Jing said nothing and quietly laid in Xiao Yao’s arms. She didn’t put him down either and continued to hold him.
After a long time, Xiao Yao asked “Can you move?”
Jing’s eyes were closed and appeared like he still couldn’t move.
Xiao Yao put a pill next to his mouth and he swallowed it.
“You’re not even going to ask what it is?”
Jing said nothing so Xiao Yao said to him “Don’t you want to find out who the spy is around you. Take those handkerchiefs back and put it where people can rummage through. You haven’t painted in years so the person will likely find it suspicious and look at it to try and see if there is a coded message on it. The poison will enter the body. There is no antidote to all the various poisons on the handkerchief. The pill I just gave you, within half a year most of the poisons won’t harm you so you can handle the handkerchiefs.”
“Will the person die?”
“Not likely unless he/she bleeds.” Xiao Yao sighed “I knew you would ask for an antidote. You are too soft!”
Jing said nothing.
Xiao Yao released the crown tying his hair up and his hair fell all around him. She put her hands in his hair and felt how smooth and strong it was. Xiao Yao asked “Does Jing Ye or Lan Xiang wash your hair now?”
“Neither.”
“Who else is serving you?” Xiao Yao wanted to jerk his hair off.
“Not used to it anymore, I wash it myself.”
Xiao Yao’s anger turned to glee and she lightly played with his hair. Jing was like a content cat being stroked. Xiao Yao secretly grinned “Last time on the sea when you leaned against the side with your hair on your back, I wanted to touch it.”
Jing smiled and wanted to open his eyes to look at her but she put her hands over his eyes “No, stay like this.” If he opened his eyes, she would be embarrassed.
Jing obediently kept his eyes closed.
Xiao Yao played with his hair, even sniffing it and being happy it smelled like her medicinal herbs. Xiao Yao murmured “I haven’t washed your hair for you in a long time. Next time let me wash your hair.”
Jing smiled “Sure.”
Xiao Yao yawned and Jing sat up “Xiao Yao, you’re tired. Go sleep.”
Xiao Yao felt her arms were empty and Jing pushed her down “Be good.”
Xiao Yao really was tired so she laid down on the pallet and pulled him “You lay down, I want to keep touching your hair.”
Jing laid down and Xiao Yao’s hands played with his hair “Will you be gone when I wake up tomorrow?”
“When you arrive in the Middle Plains, I’ll come get you.”
Xiao Yao closed her eyes “Whatever you do, just don’t make me wait too long.”
“Okay.”
Jing finally got up his courage and asked “Xiao Yao, are you missing me?”
No one answered him.
Jing’s heart fell until he called out “Xiao Yao.”
Xiao Yao’s eyes were tightly closed and she was in deep blissful slumber. Jing was relieved and smiled.
In the morning, Xiao Yao woke up and found a blanket covering her.
All the things on the desk had been arranged neatly and only three handkerchiefs remained.
Xiao Yao wanted to go grab the handkerchiefs when she felt something on her hand. She looked down and it was a long strand of hair tightly wound around her finger. Likely when Jing was leaving, he didn’t want to wake her up so he cut the strand off.
Xiao Yao looked at the strand on her finger and fell back on the pallet. Right now he was god knows where already, leaving only a strand to tie around her thoughts.
Wow!!! Thank you Koala, been waiting for this the whole day…thank youuuuuuuu!!!
Thank you so much!!! My hovering around your site has paid off!
Omg, that is exactly how I imagined Bei to look like. *nosebleeds*
thank you so much 🙂
Thanksomuch! XD
Fang Feng Bei, that player. Heee.
this chapter is amazing :O
chapter 16 really shows the difference in xiao yao’s relationship with jing and xiang liu.
i really like how the time spent between xiao yao and bei is full of happiness, laughter and love. bei is truly caring. he actually taught her archery and now she can protect herself. he brings her everywhere to eat, to gamble, basically introducing her to everything he enjoys. he helped her chose her makeup and skin creams when she can’t smell any of them anymore, he gave her the fillings of crispy biscuits, he grilled the neck part for her (which we know is one xiao liu’s favorite snack) and walks behind her so that she will not be hit by branches. oh bei. how can you be such a perfect lover.
i love how bei teased her for a hug. i would love a hug between them!
the part where she put one palm on bei’s heart and the other on her own heart and says “our hearts are beating as one”, and bei actually wrapped his hand around hers on his heart. oh god. it feels like they are truly destined for each other ;_;
on the other hand jing oh jing. the way he and xiao yao has such a subtle kind of happiness and love. truly amazing. he almost accidentally kissed her! and the part where she plays with his hair. so so intimate. the way he subtly helped zhuan xu to bring xiao yao closer to his side. the paintings he drew for her. they truly reflect his calm and careful manner. the part where he is poisoned is hilarious lol. and i love love love how xiao yao is embarrassed and jealous because of him xD
xiao yao started to spend time with bei because she is bored of waiting for jing. later on she canceled her plan with bei to go back to jing because of zhuan xu. such a complicated web of relationships. i feel bad for zhuan xu when he asked xiao yao for her help because he needs jing’s support for his quest. the yellow emperor’s word truly rings here. none of the 3 guys actually fulfill xiao yao’s requirement for a man to be her husband. jing might choose another girl over her because he has to, not because he wants to. xiang liu will never choose her above sheng nong. and zhuan xu might choose the kingdom over her. it will be really interesting to know who she will end up with.
many thanks for translating ms koala! can’t wait for the next chapter <3
jing already once left behind everything he is and has by running away with her (xiao liu at that time) . that was an imperial summon but jing doesnt care. he gave his word ” i LISTEN” and because of that i am on his SHIP.
I shall never ever waver. 🙂
oh lol. but sometimes life is not that easy. now that he is tu shan jing and not ye shi qi, he’ll most probably need to perform his obligations as the scion of the family. and i really doubt it’s going to be so easy for them together. the only obstacle i can see right now is his obligation to marry fang feng yi yang.
i was almost on bei’s ship but jing appeared and so i’m shipless as of now xD
@xuan
I love how you call yourself shipless. Lol. Hopefully you find your ship soon and don’t drown. 🙂
I dont know… up till now I still cant imagine xiao yao developing romantic feelings for her gege–ever.There’s no hint at all that he makes her heart beat even a teeny bit faster. Its more a familial sort of love, very strong no doubt. So I dont see him as a rival for the other two. Jing is sort of always there in the background and its all sweet and all between them but I think when push comes to shove he will not be able to forsake his family for xiao yao. If xiao yao would just throw caution to the winds, she could fall madly in love with xiang liu and it would be an unforgettable passionate relationship. But unfortunately, she’s too cautious and Xiang Liu for his own reasons doesn’t seem to push his advantage when they are together. sigh….
Jing already left his family when she wanted to run away but they were caught
exactly!
My feelings are in turmoil here. Hang on, this is going to be a long post.
I’m not sure what Bei/XL is playing at? He is so nice to XY. Treating him as his equal and yet teaching her to defend herself. In this manner he really is like XL who always whisked Xiao Lu away to keep him company either to the sea or their lake. SO in Xuan Yaun Mountain, he is treating her the same way and showing her all the things men like to do. She surely knows her well. However on the other hand, XL was always rough with Xiao Yao, so how come he has this suave side to him (the naughty playboy)which he never revealed. I loved the moment when he got jealous that XY left him to go see Jing. He stared at her and XY thought he was going to bite her any second. My mind is reeling with the hows and whens and whys. Dare is say I slightly miss the dangerous and volatile side of XL as Bei. *face palms* What is wrong with me?
Jing is so clever and sometimes so dense when it comes to XY. He has zero confidence when it comes to her. Could he not guess that XY wanted to see him and that’s why was trying to make him jealous? He plots and devices new plans, to be with XY but forgets to pay attention to her. The intimacy between XY and Jing is heart meltingly sweet. XY got her desire to touch his hair. The kiss scene was sweet and funny. I feel for XY. She is so confused. She is such a girl missing her beau and wanting to see him but Jing is clueless. She is waiting for him, which she hates. Jing ignores her for long periods of time and then comes back to her like a lost puppy and she can’t be angry at him anymore. He is really passive aggressive and this is what may end up being his downfall.
I didn’t like Zhaun Xu in this chapter and I’m not sure what is he thinking. He is more like the Yellow and the Grand Emperor than he realises. He asks XY to meet Jing for his sake and tells XY that he feels bad he has to do this. Then on the other hand, his mind starts racing on the mention of expanding to the south, Gao Xing territory. Furthermore he doesn’t want XY to hear this either. Please correct me if I’m wrong but does ZX plans to conquer Gao Xing too? I thought he loved his master.
The plot is getting more convoluted and the political schemes are getting thicker. The path for XY and Bei is getting harder and harder. Even if I love XL, I agree with the Yellow Emperor, that none of the men are fit for XY as no one will be willing to put her first.
Sorry, if my two cents felt like I’m writing a thesis.
Bei’s menacing stare down at Xiao Yao after she changed her mind about hanging out with him, was because Xiang Liu/Bei realised that Xiao Yao ha been using him to bring out the jealousy of Jing! How can the great general nine-headed demon Xiang Liu let a mere girl use him? But I think he let it slide once… though I can’t promise he won’t make a come back for a small revenge… kekeke.
Ok it was that point he realised she had been using him.!!! Eekks that must have sent XL into a rage. I wonder how he controlled it.
If XL is really hidden inside Bei then a petty revenge is coming soon. I wonder how it will go down.
Have you already read the book,nekoi?
It’s sunny how XY has coming from making the bitterest poison for XL to making pretty flower shaped poisons for XL. She always thinks of him when she is feeling down and lonely.
Of all the three leads, zhuan xu is at the bottom. Sure jing once avail of xiao yao’s generosity but now he will forever pay her with love and favors. whilst zhuan xu is just starting and will use her possibly to the extent of worst scenario. I pity him, he’s lofty ambitions will bring him down and lived in misery. tsktsk.
as for xiang liu, aside from xiao yao’s healing blood, i think he has no balls to promise or give her future.
so among the three who do u think has the chance, if there are no other choices then i’ll place me cent on jing!
Lol okay I laughed at the no balls comment more than I should xD.. But I think it’s unfair to say he doesn’t have the balls to. He could promise her a future, but one that they both know will never exist. As FFB we saw what a perfect world they can have together if he wasn’t XL. Playing, eating, and napping to their hearts content as if the world was only the two them. But realistically speaking they can’t have that because of who they are. Although a XL shipper I can see that Jing is the one who resides in her heart as she she hangs out with Bei just to make him jealous and there was no sincerity inititally and even if it was later on as soon as Jing appears he’s the only one she wants to be with anyways. XY is playing with my heart lol.
Irrelevant opinion here, but I always disliked male leads who cling onto the main girl despite knowing where her heart truly lies and still stupidly chases after the female lead. But XL is different because he knows where to draw the line and doesn’t end up looking pathetic, chasing and throwing himself onto her like a fool so I my heart aches for him even more because I want him to have her. Haha.
It broke my heart when Xiang Liu asked Xiao Yao to run away with him, albeit jokingly. Unfortunately even if Xiao Yao can give up being a princess, Xiang Liu can’t give up Gong Gong and the Sheng Nong army. I think Xiang Liu knows that if he’s willing to go for it, he stands a good chance of winning Xiao Yao, but at the end it’ll be repeating history and there could be no happy ending for them.
In the novel we sometimes get glimpses of what Jing and Zhuan Xu are thinking, but with XIang Liu we can only judge from his actions. I bet if we know what he’s thinking we’ll all be goners.
@Samina yes I’ve finished the series. Am taking this chance to recap because the books are that fantastic & Koala is doing a superb job. Upon 2nd reading I managed to discover things that I’ve missed out before. This was one of them. 🙂
Btw, did anyone else laugh out loud when Xiaoyao exclaimed that Xiang Liu may see her as a pervert for her exquisitely decorated poisoned dishes?
I don’t understand how that could be a pervert thing to do so I just laugh lol
@lea it’s pervert because she’s now producing poisons in the shape of very cute pretty girly things, and we all know Xiao Yao is above these. By making such beautiful poison, she is turning into a young girl who has blossomed to look forward to fantasies such as love, romance etc… for people who see beyond this kind of fantasy, will find it mushy to the point of annoying. So she believe Xiang Liu will think she’s gone crazy.
Lol I still think pervert is rather weird. Making cute things, going to make-up/perfume shop, indeed she’s experiencing new things, because of all 3 guys I must say. XL oh XL, he didn’t give mixed signal, it’s no signal, that’s why XY may think that way. Even as Bei, his words “…it’s better when one knows when to stop early” just….
You finished the book, right? You ship Xiao Yao with Xiang Liu I assume?
@lea gosh, is it that obvious? *blushes*
Anyway, when you give poison to someone, you tend not don’t make it so prominently pretty. Remember she has said many times she wants to kill him? Where in the world will someone who wants to poison another person through the use of a pretty dish which obviously spells out IT’S POISONOUS!
@neyan No balls LOL, I really do hope XL has balls or else this whole story will go down hill. I do understand where your harsh words about the other two male leads are coming from. And at this point in time, I do believe you are right to a certain extent. So far, only Jing has shown the willingness required to leave everything behind for Xiao Yao. In fact, he will do anything for her ans doesn’t seem to want anything from her.
Zhuan Xu seems hell bent in his ambitions and openly says he will be using Xiao Yao, but the most important thing here is that Xaio Yao, want to be used for her Gege. As a romantic point of view, this is not very good for Xiao Yao but this also exhibits her love for the Gege, in the sense what extent she is willing to go for him.
Xiang Liu, is a mean little beast. I know many find him violent and repulsive, but he has a charisma which is hard to ignore. Yes, he does take Xiao Yao blood, but I like to believe that after the first time, when he came to visit her in her house and bit her for the first time, he has only being biting her so that he gets to lick and kiss her. The first time he was injured, but the subsequent times, I believe was just a ruse to keep seeing her and get close to her.
What makes me think is that for Jing, it is easier to throw away his life at a moment’s notice is that he has already done it before. Since his kidnapping, he has been disillusioned by his family and his responsibilities. He only went back to it because he had to. I wonder if Jing would have done the same had he not been kidnapped and tortured by his brother. But perhaps was just lost and saved by Xiao Lu. I bet then he would have been reluctant to leave everything behind as he hadn’t been betrayed then.
Xiang Liu on the other hand, hasn’t been treated like this from the people he loves and cares, hence his reluctance to put his selfish feelings for a girl at the forefront and risk many lives and kingdoms.
@nekoi Thanks for the clarification. I’d love to see the petty revenge Bei takes on Xiao Yao. Will he throw a temper tantrum or will their be a lover’s tiff?
I think Xiao Yao think that Xiang Liu will think her a pervert as she is prettifying poisonous objects and knows that they are for Xiang Liu. Both of them know Xiang Liu consumes her poisons, so by turning them into flowers she is giving him ‘flowers’.
finally..my beloved jing really a cunning fox hahahaha even Zhuan Xu cant see thru the plan,its like shooting 2 birds in 1 stone..finally his beloved XY will be in his always…
I can see now how Jing is a shrewd, calculating businessman. And ZX is moving towards his ambition. He appears selfish, wanting XY to help him, but XY knows and agrees. I respect that honesty.
Bei is certainly charming and how can I not adore him for teaching her something valuable? Gahh…Maybe I adore XL too much that I can’t help re-reading his words to understand, but he reveals more here, but will people take notice of it, take him seriously..
I hope in later chapters, the real use/reason of that voodoo bug will be explained. In chap 13&15 (If I’m not wrong) XY said only she can sense XL and not the other way round. It seems the function is different when the bug is in Xuan’s body.
TQ for the translation 😀
Thank you… *gives 90°bow*
Xiang Liu…you are taking full advantage of that alter ego
Xiao Yao…the frustration of doing all that to make Jing jealous when it was all the result of your own words lol
Koala, thank you so much for your translations!Came here due to LYF drama being filmed. I know more pl will be reading this novel when the drama airs & wanted to offer my thoughts on this chp 🙂 XY had really forgotten that Zhuan Xu had asked her to see Jing,”when they got to the front door, she suddenly remembered what Zhuan Xu asked her earlier and stopped”. I don’t think she intentionally tried to make Jing jealous with FFB. If anything, I feel she was pissed that it had been over 20 months since he contacted her & just when she had severed her ties, Jing showed up & with his fiance at that! It was also made clear that XY only saw Jing bc Zhuan Xu pleaded with her “but she didn’t come back just now for Jing, she came back because of Zhuan Xu! Xiao Yao felt this pressure in her heart, was her relationship with Jing also subject to being used?”. In the beginning, XY thought FFB was a womanizer & didn’t mind word getting to Jing to make him jealous. However, to think that FFB was nothing more than someone for XY to pass her time with is also a mistake. The reason XY let FFB get close to her is bc of his resemblance to Xiang Liu. Even the feelings she got when FBB first held her hand to teach her archery was reminiscence of her body’s reaction when XL got close to her, “thinking of nothing, eyes not on the target, focused only on the arrow movement”. The last time XL bit her neck was when Zhuan Xu had the bug in him & it reveals XY’s emotional response to FFB “in the pain there was a sensation of numbness, a shivering feeling of bliss, as if someone was… lightly kissing”.
Which leads me to my final point, I think it’s quite interesting that people didn’t realize how upset XY was when she saw FFB during archery practice! She was pissed & confused not only bc of Jing but also what FFB could mean to her. This was right after talking to her grandfather about choosing a husband. Notice how she mentioned two men, Jing (the one with the fiance) & Xiang Liu (Zhuan’s enemy). She subconsciously considers Xiang liu & it’s a pretty big discovery bc unlike Jing, who has bared his heart & pledge his devotion to her. XL has NEVER made his feelings known & we might even think that XY would be too scared to ever consider XL as a husband. However, this far in the novel, we already know that XY has memories of XL in her mirror & that she is clearly attracted to him physically (please read Tong Hua’s description of XL’s features under the sea that is in XY’s mirror if you need even more evidence) & emotionally(she told him things she hasn’t shared with anyone else). Like Koala said, when XY made that 15yrs promise to Jing, she likely had already had another person in her heart that she wasn’t aware of.
i’m team J! but, FFB is sooo much pulling my panty down *oops?* my instinct is telling me….he is Xiang Liu in disguise!!!! as FFB, they are having the Time of their Lives *swoon!!!*
TYSM ms k *smooch*
Ok, Ok so XL is the second fang feng brother. How? why? When? I don’t know and its killing me lol
Sigh. In the classic dilemma over The Lover versus The Soulmate, I will chose The Lover every time. Certainly Xiao Yao’s relationship with Bei is playful and full of camaraderie, but man is the uncertain attraction potent. How is he able to mask the bug??? He’s not playing fair!
I love that you brought up the two men in Xiao Yao’s life: The Lover Jing and the Soulmate Xiang Liu. How to choose is a very personal choice and Xiao Yao is deathly honest. She doesn’t want love, she doesn’t want passion, she wants security. She wants forever that is light and constant, not grand love that flames out. That doesn’t mean she can’t have both, but it does mean that if she’s asked to choose between one or the other, we know what her choice would be. She would choose the man who loves her over the man she loves.
I think her choice is really easy actually, as long as Jing gets his ass unengaged soon. Her choice has to be Jing because (1) she does love him and (2) the man will never ever abandon her. It doesn’t even matter if between Jing and Xiang Liu she actually loves Xiang Liu more, either now or later down the road, because Xiang Liu clearly has a reason for NOT making a romantic confession to her despite being clearly way into her. It means that he has something else that he places before Xiao Yao. It would be that he owes his life to someone or a cause and he cannot betray it for something personal like love, but either way he’s not able to be what Xiao Yao wants. But their chemistry burns so that makes it fascinating to watch her move between the two men in her life.
LYF shows us very compelling characters who have their own thought processes aside from how readers want them to choose. Xiao Yao’s decisions, actions, and feelings are so vividly HERS and that makes her three dimensional. I love that Jing loves her but just doesn’t “get” her whereas Xiang Liu “gets” her but that’s going nowhere. I don’t think love necessarily requires soulmating and a soulmate isn’t necessarily the ultimate ideal. Jing and Xiao Yao have years of knowing each other so much so that when Jing doesn’t get her in many ways (and never will) I find it adorable because he just loves her regardless.
Yess! I agree!! It’s so adorable!
I get what you are saying Koala.
I have always felt that with each of the lead, Xiao Yao has a different rapport and somehow they satisfy/suit a different part of her personality.
Zhuan Xu is still not in the running for romantic love interest (in my mind) but he is her past. She loves his with no boundaries and they connection runs deep.
That leaves Jing and Xiang Liu. Jing is the silent type and yes I agree, he doesn’t totally understand her. Even after living with her for nearly 6 years, he still can’t understand certain aspects of her personality. What they have has been brought out by mutual affection and the result of sharing a piece of their lives together. At the moment, he is willing to leave everything for her but he can’t. He is trying to tie all the loose ends with Yi Yang but still doesn’t understand why Xiao Yao is on edge with his engagement situation. At this time he is what Xiao Yao think she wants. A quiet life.
Xiang Liu on the other hand has a complete different rapport with her. They simply understand each other by sometimes looking at each other. They may not have had any shared experiences but somehow they think of each other all the time. He connects with the fun, free carefree side of Xiao Yao, as she is a free spirit. And yes, they have this burning chemistry between them that sizzles and I’m waiting for the day it will burst and set everything on fire. However my dreams may never come to fruition as you mentioned that Xiang Liu may never act on his feelings. And clearly he will not place his feeling for a girl over the lives of countries and armies. So even if he seems reckless and volatile, Xiang Liu will always rein it in. Which is a shame, as gosh, Xiao Yao and Xiang Liu are fire and gasoline together.
I don’t know what other twists will come in the story but not only are Jing’s fans increasing but everything seems to be going his way too.
I have to admit that even if I’m a massive Xiang Liu fan, I have come to love Xiao Yao so much that no matter what choice she makes, I’ll be happy for her. Her scenes with Jing are heart meltingly sweet. So as long Xiang Liu doesn’t meet a terrible end, I’m ok with Xiao Yao and Jing.
Thanks Koala, for all your hardwork and patience. Sending lots of love and well wishes from the across the computer.
thatz a wonderful question for many girls!
whom will you choose
1 the one that loves you over his death body but ur love for him is not as much as his love for you.
2. or the other way around, you love the guy more than the guy loving. u.
my answer is obvious of course!
I feel after the hardships in her life, XY likes a bit of control so she’ll not be in pain anymore. Obviously she can’t ‘control’ ZX and XL, but sweet Jing will always be with her. I agree that it’s actually an easy choice, and happy she has that choice.
LOL NO
jing got her the way XL does not by making the 1st move because he understands she would never be the one that makes the 1st move. Jing is smart and shrewd as fuck because he plays the long game and understands Xiao Yao’s deep rooted insecurity and absolute fear of abandonment. that’s the biggest difference between XL and Jing. XL would never give up his vain manly quest of honor.
“soulmate” or not (this term/word is hilarious but whatever), Jing is what XY NEEDS.
she desperately needs him. DESPERATELY. UNHEALTHILY. XY wants utter devotion. she wants absolute commitment no buts no yets no howevers. and that might be even stronger than lust and sexual attraction or fleeting passion or adventures or whatever grand people think love constitutes lmao
if you xiang liu fans can stop being delusional for one second maybe you would realize that that is what Tong Hua is trying to convey but no.
You just have to reread Xiao Yao’s conversation with her cousin Zhuan Xu at the end “people think Jing fixates on her but Jing saves me as much as I save him”.
Give us instances where Jing does not “get” her. because he is not a fuckboi that is well versed in the language of wooing women?
Koalaa..who’s this handsome man in the pic above? Looking at the outfit and the posture..it might be fang feng bei..but this chapter talked a lot about Jing’s smooth long hair and I just keep thinking jing’s hair must be exactly like this pic!!
Happy dance 🙂
happy dance 🙂
for my ship jing~xiao yao!
Koala, heard this song 围城 by Jane Zhang 张靓颖 (http:youtube.com/watch?v=7LUmOdTLY) and thought of Xiao Yao and Jing’s romance. Cannot stop replaying it. The tune seems to reflect Xiao Yao’s carefree, “xiao sa” attitude. Ref the first 2 lines of the song – “那一天春雨纷纷；那一季梅酒正醇”
Love this chapter! And we got a hint on Bei’s past!
Wah..what a beautiful chapter 🙂 luuv it.
I kind off like all this confusion of emotions and intentions between Jing and Xiao. It can be related to ourselves, initial love is never never simple and easy with emotions, never clear.. Keeps us on edge trying to understand the other, doing little pathetic things to get his attention. At least that’s what I went through as a girl inlove. Haha. I really felt Xiao in this chap.
yup you got it…just to get the attention from your lover..jejejeje
Wah..what a beautiful chapter 🙂 luuv it.
I kind off like all this confusion of emotions and intentions between Jing and Xiao . It feels real and relatable. It can be related to ourselves, initial love is never never simple and easy with emotions, never clear.. Keeps us on edge trying to understand the other, doing little pathetic things to get his attention. At least that’s what I went through as a girl inlove. Haha. I really felt Xiao in this chap.
Oh my heart! ~ Ffb/XL Why oh why? I seriously can’t get enough, just when I feel like this chapter would just be about them, Jing comes into play. (Haha my selfish fangirl heart)
I really love this chapter because XL reveals a little bit of his bg to XY, whtether it’s true or not I still wouldn’t rule it out. I also like that this chapter paints the perfect world of what XY & XL could have if he wasn’t the Shen Nong Army General and the enemy of ZS. They could travel the end of the world and play together freely and be truely happy. But as he said to her “hope is a lie” & that’s exactly what it feels like right now with their relationship. The hope that they can forever be in each other’s company like this is like alluding to the ending for them. The hope of happiness for them is all just a lie.
I feel giddy when they’re together but it’s heartbreaking that her feelings and intentions towards him always have a motive of making Jing jealous and he’s just so sincere in whatever he’s doing for her. Then it slowly changed and she was really sincere about their relationship, but that moment where she stayed and told him to go he must have realized her intentions of accompanying him all along. ~sigh *heartbroken* but the scene stealer for me would have to be her placing her palm against his and her chest, feeling their hearts beat as one. *Squeals* XY do you really want FFB to be XL? 😉
I feel XY’s words to her grandfather is already a foreshadow of who she will choose in the end. Xl is the enemy of her family and cannot abandon the Shen Nong army. Meanwhile ZS is too focused on gaining power.His target is not XY, which only leaves Jing who as she describes will not abandon her and will choose her over everything else. He planned for ZS to control the Middle Plains so XY could be closer to him. Smart man indeed!
So enough blabbering from me lol Thank you so, so, so much for your hard work Koala!! Please take care of your health. You know I like you right? *insert evil Hyung Kaotalk smile* Lol jk. I really do appreciate all that you do just so we can enjoy a great novel!! <3
the last paragraph let me cracking with glee! YFAS ,
you know i like you right ! heheheh!
gemini93 dont u dare think of anesthesia , what captain needs is caffein, lots and lots of them. 🙂
*More evil Hyung laugh* & *rubs ring* lol jk. I can’t say take care of your health without thinking of YWCFTS now. xD
Lol you girls are so cute you made me smile xp
I can’t get enough if Bei either! Haha, if XL can be Bei and not the General XL, he’s the perfect choice for her. Accompanying her, letting her have fun but at the same time showing some guidance (like the archery) and teasing her. I especially love this “I hug you once? I’m wiling to use my handsome man wiles on you.” In this situation it’s usually the girl being taken advantage of , but lol he’s turning it on her. Not to mention even though at first XY seems wary that Bei has an ulterior motive for being close to her, but later she believes he’s indeed sincere in teaching her and just being with her. Like you, I feel sad she initially used Bei to make Jing jealous, after that not anymore, but when Jing appears, it’s because of ZX she decides not to prolong her meeting with Jing. Xiao Yao Xiao Yao, in another world you are a player..
Does XY want FFB to be XL or does she want XL to be FFB? Haha
The Yellow Emperor is wise on this case, experience teaches you something. Although it’s funny it’s largely because of him that causes the mess in ZX and XY’s lives, and given the chance he’ll do it again.
Yep, I know on which ship I’m from now on: XL/Bei all the way.
Thanks
Thanks for yet another translation! I liked this chapter a lot, so carefree and natural the time spent together, Fang Feng Bei & Xiao Yao. Did not like so much the politics part, though I guess it’s a necessary part of the plot development.
Just as Xiao Yao kept wondering about the identity of Fang Feng Bei/Xiang Liu, I wondered those same things. The former so tender, patient, caring – it’s almost a split personality from Xiang Liu’s cold, rough, impatient self! Now there’s the hint that he was formerly a death match slave. It totally twists my mind how that background could click together with his identity of Fang Feng Bei born to a concubine, his Sheng Nong great general position and his core being a nine headed demon?!! Mmmm.. Could only think of this.. Maybe the real FFB died when young and XL took over.. on the other hand, the schedule of FFB of night “missions” and disappearing for periods does make sense for Xiang Liu’s Sheng Nong priorities.
I think the companionship experienced with Fang Feng Bei is what Xiao Yao desires in a life partner. It’s really a special time for them, surely to be treasured. I do think that Xiang Liu missed Xiao Yao so much (not the same seeing the real person every week or so compared to a poison every 3-4 months) that he decided to hang out with her in his alter-ego form. In the same way, Xiao Yao missed him though she may not understand why. I resonate with Koala’s last sentence in the introduction “She promised not to let another man into her heart, but what if there already is another man in her heart before she made that promise?” Sad tho the baggage of the dying Sheng Nong army will surely be an obstacle in the future. It does not bode well at all.
Jing is really a wily fox to think of such a scheme that fulfills ZX’s ambition and pulls Xiao Yao near his hometown. He becomes such a blockhead whenever he’s with Xiao Yao, uncertain and unconfident, such a power she has over the normally astute person he is.
ZX at this stage is already using Xiao Yao so much for his political ambitions, and undoubtably more so in the rest of the story to come. Their relationship is special in that she wants to be there for him and useful.
See, so many questions and no answers. This Bei mystery is really doing my head in. Why does the voodoo bug doesn’t react and how come the second son of the Fang Feng family be a demon. And his feelings are so restrained as well. He seems so controlled but XL is so volatile and fluid which makes me wonder how all these different personalities fit.
I agree with Koala’s statement and in fact I thought of it too when XY actually made the promise to Jing thinking what to do when there is already someone in her heart.
On a side note, I love hanging out on the comments as I love hearing everybody’s thoughts and ideas. I’m loving the discussions here and they make the wait between chapters bearable. So guys please keep commenting.
@Samina – Two thumbs up!
The comments section is what is sustaining me in between chapters…
It will be an exciting journey to unravel his character 😀
I know, right? It’s like with Xiang Liu, even if I read between the lines there is still more to glean from his conversations with Xiao Yao. In fact, even after reading and re reading the lines 3 times (what can I say, I do love him) I still manage to derive more from their conversation. Plus reading all the comments here helps me gain even more perspective. Sometimes I think that maybe I’m trying too hard and perhaps I wanted to redeem him, hence the reading between the lines but I’m so pleased that everybody else also does that.
@Samina I understand what you’re feeling. XL gave bad impression as the demon. I hope by the end of the novel we get the sense of fulfillment of loving XL (his love towards XY and his own self). How much he uses XY and how much he sacrifice for her? How much his bad impression is impression and how much it is his character? I hope you’ll be staying for the ride 😀 (I will)
@Lea Xl hasn’t necessarily sacrificed anything for her atm, but I love that he’s teaching her a lot about life and archery skills to protect herself. 🙂 his words of wisdom about archery, showing her the ins and outs of the palace, the wrestling matches of the slaves… I love it all because she gains something from each of their experiences together. His ways of caring and wanting to protect her are so sweet! <3 ~ I just hope that if he is using her to gain anything, it won't be something detrimental to their relationship! XL is "evil" in the sense that he is a demon but I don't think he's as bad as people make him out to be. 🙂 I believe he is a good guy with an armor around his heart because of the experiences he's had to overcome. & I myself like you will stay on board til the very end 🙂
Thank you for another wonderful chapter.
Maybe FFB teaches XY archery because he wants her to be able to defend herself.
Does he really means he can be anyone she wants him to be? And maybe she can give up being a princess? Were these the real words/intention of XL?
So, it seems his second self is also in love with XY!
i have a question, why is jing cautios of Ah~nian?
in the previous chapter , jing explained about it but i cant really
grasp the importance of it. will ah~nian become evil or wily in the future.?
cautious
I’m not sure, but I thought it was because he recognized her as the princess (someone powerful and who had transformed her face at the time) and he didn’t want to go back to being Jing.
Which is weird, because in this chapter, though they met in Zhuan Xu’s court, there was no interaction between them (or recognition from Ah Nian to Jing( or to Shi Qi)). Ah Nian and Yi Yang have the same issue seeing folks as “impt people to impress” or “non-importants to ignore”??
I have a question. Wouldn’t Jing, being such an intelligent person, be suspicious of the fact that Fang Feng Bei looks ling Xiang Liu? Furthermore, he is a descendant of the nine-tailed fox adept at transformation with enough intuition to suspect that Xiao Liu was a female.
The moment between JIng and Xiao Yao was very sweet. I think that both Xiang Liu’s and Zhuan Xu’s love for Xiao Yao is very restraint. IN other words, they don’t express it explicitly in words. Everything with Xiang Liu is like a puzzle to interpret and reinterpret. For example, I have no idea what his deal with being Fang Feng Bei is about. Her interactions with him is fun and entertaining- it gives me a *best friend* kind of feel but he never crosses that line into romance. Though I can never imagine anyone friend zoning the hottie demon. Zhuan Xu is hides behind the brotherly feeling and mask for Xiao Yao. Only Jing openly express his interest and love her. Only Jing tells her he needs her and loves her. And only Jing actively pursue her. Something has to be said about that right?
We could use the fact that Xiang Liu has his Sheng Nong Army to worry about and Zhuan Xu have a nation to conquer. But Xiao Yao’s conversation with the Yellow Emperor is very reflective that these are not the type of guys for her. Maybe in her heart, the reason why she didn’t want Xiang Liu to enter her dreams is because she knows how dedicated Xiang Liu is to the Sheng Nong Army. He would not put her first. He would not cast away everything to be with her. And Feng Fang Bei’s silence to the statement was sooo indicative of that.
Of course Jing is not perfect. I sometimes have to remind myself that if this was translated in a modern drama, what sane woman would get involved with someone engaged? If I guy told me that he would dump his fiancee to be with me and break an engagement and then ask me to be with him forever, my first response would be “you just broke a commitment, now you want to make another one?” But alas, this is the world of fantasy. It would only be what makjang producer dreams of.
I am super excited for the move to the Middle Plains. I am also excited for Zhuan Xu’s journey towards an empire. I love a hero that has to climb and get his hands dirty to get what he wants. A castaway prince vying for the throne? My cup of tea.
Yeah, I feel that too! I would totally be turn off by his engagement, but but! His engagement was arranged by his mother, it wasn’t his choice, so we need give Jing some dues:) he clearly doesn’t love her and he said many times over that Yi Yang doesn’t love him either so it’s not even a good engagement in the first place. I feel like Jing always find himself in tough spot, but he is doing his best to be with XY. And that’s why I love Jing: his unwavering resolve to be with the woman he love is.. remarkable.
He is suspicious. He just doesn’t question her about it, because he feels that he doesn’t have the right to question her.
Right!? Jing also had seen the bite mark which looked like a kiss on Xiao Liu’s neck way back when, so he knows that they are [some kind of weird] close.
Thank you Ms Koala for this wonderful chapter!! I like how FFB treat XY,so gentlemen,fun and cool!! If FFB can be real wt XY as a long time partner,isn’t better than Jing? Yes I don’t deny Jing only love XY to dead but when he is with her,he don’t act smart like XY said.Everything XY to him is yes,yes and yes!!Isn’t quite boring? XY is an interesting and unique lady who think like a man..I love XY as a princess who hanging out with a playboy,drinking,gambling and playing all the time. I also love her daring life style(make poison and learn archery)rather than any snobbish noble lady who pretend to act proper.Now I think I want to change my shipping to FFB!! I wonder why the voodoo bug in XY doesn’t respond when FFB is wt her? How about FFB voodoo bug? Isn’t because XY power is so low that she can’t feel it?
cnt help myself from reading jing and xiao scene again and again. Tanks k 🙂
Thanks so much for translating this. As a person who can’t read chinese, I am so thankful to be able to enjoy this novel from all your hard work.
I might have missed something but is bei really Xiang Liu or just look like him?
“Jing traced the cup in his hand and smile–plotting for the past year, he’s finally able to bring her to his side and not have her thousands of miles away.”
Anyone find this absolutely adorable?? X)
Scheming Jing is just as adorable as the kind, caring Jing haha
Too bad he doesn’t have the same freedom as Xiang Liu.. to go and have all the fun adventure with her like Xiang Liu/Feng Bei can! They would have been be even more cute together!
Oh well! if he did have the freedom, their love wouldn’t be as poignant anyway!
Oh this is such a beautiful chapter because my two babies is so…ugh. But the scene that get my attention is the Yellow Emperors blunt. Dang, everything he says are true.
Thank you for translating this long chapter. Bei /XY interaction are getting interesting.
@nekoi: thanks for the insight that it was that point in time FFB realized XY was using him.
Parts of this chapter that i particularly loved was d Yellow Emperor’s words of wisdom & that FFB held XY’s hand over his heart & d moment of tension when d almost bite didnt happen. ..
No problem @iceydrey XDDD
Thanks for the chapter!
I really really like Bei! I think his character is so interesting and full of mystery… I can’t help but want to read more and more about him. And of course, his relationship with Xiao Yao.
But I also like Jing, because he’s a likable character so far. I like how frustrated XY gets when Jing doesn’t understand some things unless she spells it out for him. He’s so devoted to her, you can’t avoid loving him just because of how he treats her… because I like XY so much, I wish her only the best, and if the best for her is Jing, so be it. But if I could chose, I’d like to see more of Bei.
Ultimately, I’m in favor of the OTP Xiao Yao/whoever she choses and makes her happy! 🙂
Xiao Yao already ‘knew’ which of the three guys will be able to give her what she wants (put her first, security) – Zhuan Xu would fight for the empire, Xiang Liu would not abandon the Shen Nong army, and Jing would follow her without question to give her what she wants. So in some way, it seems that Xiao Yao is only giving Jing the chance for a possible future because of the fact that the future she wants is only possible with him – Xiao Yao is a very pragmatic person, it is not farfetched that she would do this in order to protect herself.
But definitely still shipping Xiao Yao with Xiang Liu – their relationship is not tied down to history/ family connections or debt/ gratitude. It just is.*sigh*
First I love your username & second Yay more XL shippers on board! 🙂
~Sigh XY knows what she wants so I feel a bit sad knowing this ship will possibly sink. I agree with what you said about their relationship too, though the Politics and what not of being each other’s “enemy” is the only thing preventing them from crossing that line 🙁
She can always choose the last option, adopt orphans and continue to live for people who need her. It’s not like ZX, Jing and XL are the only 3 men on earth left lol Right now XY herself doesn’t understand fully of what she feels towards Jing, she missed him, she wanted to see him but with Jing being so dense made her angry (like a girl throwing a tantrum at her careless bf to me). She told him before in the prison that he didn’t own her anything anymore, she helped him once, he helped her back and she wouldn’t bother him later. She was afraid it was all just an act of gratitude from Jing, if feelings weren’t involved, XY wouldn’t have waited for him or tried to get his reaction by making him jealous. It never passed my mind that she actually compares the three guys as options for her future. From the beginning her relationships with each of them are on different level. To say that she had to choose one for such and such reason is like discrediting XY’s capacity to decide her own happiness. I know XY is practical and all but I believe she’ll still follow her heart in the end.
I really liked your comment especially the last note “She’ll still follow her heart at the end”
True, she’s really scared to be alone and just wants someone to be with her to grow old with peacefully but that’s not the reason she’s with Jing. Zhuanu and Xiang/Bei is both cool in their own way, but her heart reacts only to Jing, at least so far. When the yellow emperor told hr she can marry whoever she want, her lightning reaction ws can it be Jing(ofcourse she din’t mention the name) ? Hahha.. Love her.
True. I agree that her relationship with the 3 leading men are on different level (as it should be, everyone is their own person). That’s why the novel attracts me, they all have their own charms and along the way, their characters will develop. No point in being stagnant.
Not discrediting XY’s choice, but I won’t discredit ZX/XL/Jing’s choices either 😀
@ran
Except when Xiao Yao went to Jing to ask him to help her escape, at this point Jing recovered his true identity and Xiao Yao is pretty much expecting that Jing would not give her what she wants (like what he did before when he saw Ah Nian in order to hide his identity) – Xiao Yao was essentially ‘testing’ Jing because his choice this time would determine if Xiao Yao would cut their ties or not.
For Xiao Yao and Jing – their fate is tied by Xiao Yao saving him, Jing repaying debt / gratitude… and pretty much because Jing can give Xiao Yao what she desperately wants. If they first met with their real personalities, their fates might not be intertwined at all – Jing will be tied down by responsibilities, while Xiao Yao is a royal princess.
For Xiao Yao and Zhuan Xu – their fate is tied by history / family connections… but they have no future together because they want essentially different things.
There is nothing wrong with Xiao Yao knowing what she wants in life (someone who will choose her over everything else, security), and then going for it. She may not be calculating and comparing the three guys in her mind, but her conversations and what she knows of the three guys has given her enough insights about them.
@lovexiangliu
I’m so please we have another XL supporter here. At least now I know when my ship goes down, I’ll have company to wallow in my misery. You make a valid point about responsibilities. I hadn’t seen your post below so made something similar before.
Has anyone thought that Xiang Liu has never even hinted about his feelings for her. It’s possible he himself is not aware about them but apart from his comment about running away with her he has never shown anything towards Xiao Yao. In fact Xiao who can be so dense sometimes thinks that even if she doesn’t find Xiang Liu distasteful, he probably does. Which, by the way, made me smile.
Another sweet moment is when Xiao Yao suspects Bei to be Xiang Liu and asks, who is he, he always says, whom does she want him to be? It’s like he wants Xiao Yao to mention Xiang Liu and perhaps admit that she misses him.
*I’m such a fangirl*
Love your username too! Xp
Love love this chapter with Bei and XY! Wish both of them can just stroll away into the subset together and live happily ever after….. Sigh, if only.
If anyone wants more justification for getting onto the Xiang Liu shipping, well… out of the 3 male leads, he’s the only one with no girls hovering all over him（桃花缠身）; unlike Zhuan Xu (needless to say), and Jing who has a prior engagement (even though it is not his wish after his major injuries).
However, Xiang Liu has a huge burden (politics), one which he cannot bear to allow the carefree Xiao Yao to be involved in (so thoughtful right?!), and hence sub-consciously, Xiao Yao does not want to get too invested, even though she has many a time ogled at his suave character and sometimes expressed her secret longing for something more with Xiang Liu to the readers.
I always thought Xiao Yao gave into her inner feelings when she is making all those poisons for Xiang Liu. As Koala translated “Every one of her poisons was one of her longing, one of her missing, one of her feelings.”
I wouldn’t say she gave in to her inner feelings compared to she gave in to her desire for distractions (she hates being lonely, and even though now she is surrounded by her family, she still feel lonely because she doesn’t care about the politics happening around her). Of course, her liking Xiang Liu also help in her eagerness to spend time doing this.
I wouldn’t say inner feelings, but it’s probably subconcious on her part, like putting her memories of him in that mirror. XL indulged her for making poison for him (I think there’s a reason behind this), XL indirectly enhance her abilities.
as i was rereading the chapter, i got this hypothesis that Xiang liu was once a slave for death matches. and that shen nong general bought his freedom ot maybe save him. and just like jing being save by xiao liu then giving his word of LISTEN , then Xiang liu might have given a PROMISE too.
and my guess is , XIANG LIU promise the general that he will bring back the SHENG NONG KINGDOM. that would explain why he lead the remaining sheng nong rebels in the mountains.
so zhuan xu wanted to get back what was his and even desiring to rule just one kingdom.
xiang liu wanted to bring back sheng nong kingdom and
Tu Shan Jing , what does he needs to do?
just take care of his clan amd end the engagement so he can be with xiao yao. why 15 year cant come sooner.
in addition these two xiang demon and zhuan xu will be using xiao yao to control and ask help from jing.
i remeber in the previous chapter xiang liu ask xiao liu to ask jing look for medicines. i know these favors from jing will not end and they will keep using her.
zhuan relying on his blood relationship. with her.
xiang liu on his emotional and physical connection with her.
i felt pity with my ship. tossed and battered!sobs:-(
XL ask XL to ask Jing look for medicines? Where? Did I miss it? I remember XL asking XY to keep making poison for him. No Jing involve. Although he exchanged favor with Ah Nian, we have yet seen what he wants from Ah Nian.
Which one is your ship? Hehe
XL ask XY, sorry
am not sure which chapter but ifvmy memory serves right , it was when there was an outbreak in xiangliu’s camp, soldiers are dying everyday. shi qi was already jing here and they met in the river. the batch of medicines prep by jkngs camp was stolen by zhuan xu and in retirn xial liu plotted with xiang demon to kodnapped ah nian in order to getcthe medicines back.this was the precurser to the events of xiang liu fighting against zhuan xu and the discovery of xiiao liu that zhuan xu was her gege.
my ship? forever Shi Qi Tu Shan Jing ~ Xiao liu Xiao Ya:-)
@neyan Ah, yes, the previous chapter when he asked for medicines because he doesn’t have money.
Ultimately, I believe all of them are using each other, no matter how subtle/small, for personal or greater good. Point is not to cross the lines. Maybe I’m the adventure type so I’m really curious how far each of our 4 characters will be driven to get what they want.
I love XL lol (I love to read him), but I actually want to see more Jing than Shi Qi too. I like him more when he has this confidence, I hope to see him more like this.
yes thats right..they r using XY to gain something from jing both XL and ZX coz my ship cant say no to xiao liu and the two handsome knows it….my poor ship always treading the huge wave
Be still my heart! When I thought a chapter is great.. it only gets more awesome! Both my favs having their moment in the same chapter. Can I pls be xiao yao? *minus all the politics* *off to dream more*
in this chapter, the Yellow Emperor asked Xiao Yao the question that we all wanted to know and she said she doesnt see anyone can meet her needs. she loves Jing, but Jing has a fiance and is unavailable and FFB is an enemy/apponent of the king and zhuan Xu. She has to be cautious toward FFB all the time.
I anticipate this accumulated opinions with all the insights As much as I anticipate the new chap post. Hahah.. I enjoy scrolling down the various so much, it points out all the things I’ve missed or maybe couldn’t see through plus the shippings parties, simply awesome .. 😀
I anticipate this accumulated opinions with all the insights As much as I anticipate the new chap post. Hahah.. I enjoy scrolling down the various comments so much, it points out all the things I’ve missed or maybe couldn’t see through plus the shippings parties, simply awesome .. 😀
I am most touched by her interaction with the Yellow Emperor when she answered his question of `What kind of man do you want?’ Xiao Yao is such a pitiful person. She may be a princess but her past experiences of being abandoned by her grandfather, mother and father make her so scared of `having and losing’. I just wish that she gets what she wants in the end: a quiet life with the man who loves her wholeheartedly, bringing her happiness.
Can’t wait for Chapter 17! Thanks so much for sacrificing your precious days and nights to feed our addiction to this novel.
I loved this chapter more than I thought I would! I swear, Jing and Shi Qi will be the death of me. Too cute! I loved how hot and bothered she was when Jing came back. I also loved how angry she was with him for not contacting her in months. So angry that she used FBB as a way to get to Shi Qi which worked as it spurred him to think of a way to get her closer to him. I love how he is so smooth and wise around other people but with her he is so awkward and dorky.
I have to give Tong Hua major props as she has slayed me with the fish amethyst crystal. Xiao Yao wanted it so she would be able to breathe underwater without depending on XL. Then, Jing searched everywhere for it and finally got one for her. But then Jing tested it by swimming for 2 nights and 1 day to see how safe it is. So this means that whenever Xiao Yao goes to see XL underwater, she will still have to THINK ABOUT JING even though she is with XL!!!! Dayum Jing, this was well-played!!! And now when she is making poison she won’t only think of XL, she would also think of Jing! I’m so happy
Jing is such a master strategist. He wanted to see Xiao Yao so he got Feng Long to come so to cover his real motivation. And he also came up with the plan for Zhuan Xu to establish his kingdom in the Sheng Nong Mountain so that Xiao Yao will be bear him. I’m happy he has told his grandmother that he doesn’t want to marry Ying Yang. I hope he will be soon free from that engagement.
I love the scene between Jing and Xiao Yao in the bedroom when he painted what was in his heart. He was so overwhelmed with love for her that he wanted to kiss her right then and there. But only managed to kiss the corner of her lips, lol. Baby steps, lol. At least it’s progress as he went from forehead kiss to corner lip kiss. Next time, I hope he kisses her properly.
I liked the conversation between the Yellow Emperor and Xiao Yao. I know he did awful things and allowed awful things to happen in his family but he seemed really sweet here and just wanted the best for his granddaughter. And I think she forgave him for hurting her, her mother and Zhuan Xu. His advice to her was really good. She doesn’t need to spend tome thinking about men who put other things before her. But I’m happy as Shi Qi is taking steps to rid himself of his engagement and clan leadership role. It shows he is trying to put her first no matter what. I can’t believe my ship is sailing, I thought it would sink after reading the first few paragraphs.
I like this FBB side of Xiang Liu when he treats her like a lady which us all I ever wanted for ne to consider him a worthy rival to Jing. It’s sweet. I don’t know why he is hiding from her. She can keep a secret. I really hope he won’t hurt Xiao Yao the next time he sees her because she used him. He has used her plenty of times before without apologizing it anything. If he makes a big deal out of it, it will be hypocritical of him.
I hope the conversation between Yellow Emperor wasn’t foreshadowing that she will be in conflict with the Grand Emperor because if Zhuan Xu ambitions. I hope he stops when he get the kingdom and doesn’t conquer Gao Xing. Its already peaceful and people are happy over there. Why disrupt their lives just for power?
I always thought Jing can be played by someone with Kim Woo Bin’s looks. =) Not typically handsome or pretty, but still pleasing to the eye…
I would prefer someone like Yuan Hong lover boy. He is known for bad boy roles but I want him to show another side of him, the wily, straightforward, silent and tongue)tied type.
Omg if theyre gonna cast YH I hope hes XL
omfg can you imagine d shipping hurhur
indeed Yuan Hong is awesome=) I can’t wait to see him in Mulan : he’s more silent there XD
Kim Woo Bin….would be maddeningly awesome as Xiang Liu….like enough for this nuna to change ships…
I don’t know for Jing – he’s described as elegant and handsome and etc, but he also has scars and a limp from his tortures. Sneaky sly business man, but vulnerable.. actually, can we just keep the set and make Lee Jong Hyuk Jing??
I meant Lee Jong Suk. Sawrry >_<
It must be someone tall…elegant..and has a sorrow look in his eyes. Someone deep, calm and classy. .hmmm..I can’t think of anyone other than an anime image in my mind. Just like the above image!
Thanks so much for the translations. It’s so addictive and its like a world I like to soak myself in. Lol.
I can’t believe XY has verbally said to someone else her feelings towards XL during her conversation with yellow emperor. When her grandpa asked what man would you like- any man even if he is engaged? Even if he choose to be your enemy? At first I thought she was referring to one same man- Jing. But after reading it again I realised she was referring to Jing (engaged) and to xL (enemy). Jing has not chosen to be yellow emperor or even ZX enemy. It’s good to know more of her expressions that she does have feelings for XL.
Yes! No one else in the comments even bothered mentioning this….all these yrs!! Even the pl who obviously read the novel alrdy! The fact that XL has never expressed his feelings explicitly & yet XY would alrdy consider him when her grandfather said she can marry anyone speaks volumes! Bc Jing pretty much bated his heart for her & thus, he was the safer choice. And ofc Jing shippers would think XY only mentioned Jing (the one with the fiancé). Pl also only see that XY was using Bei but it was only in the beginning. The reason she saw Jing was bc Zhuan Xu pleaded for her to do that. Tong Hua mentioned this many times in this chp as well. In XY’s mind, she had alrdy severed her ties with Jing. And the way XY was pissed at FFB out of nowhere when he was teaching her archery…..doesn’t it not translate into XY’s head being a mess bc she secretly wants FFB to be XL!!
Thank you.
XY and ZX are definitely related. Jing is so adorable in this episode. BB is as debonair as ever.
Jing ship my gosh. I am firmly on the Jing ship now, they are absolutely adorable. Hope this ship doesn’t sink ^^
Uuug…guuuh…omg, why is Fang Feng Bei so dang hot??? Jing is too staid and boring, Xiao Yao said so herself. I completely understand why XY is cautious with her heart and there is a steady happiness that comes from security, but I just wish she can obtain her much needed security from Fang Feng Bei instead. What is FFB/XL’s reason for not confessing to her? It’s driving me crazy until the next installment.
I don’t think jing is boring. He is very smart, calm and just the exact opposite of xiao yao..who is so carefree and lively. That just make their interactions cute and romantic. They complete each other because they are so different!
I also don’t think Jing is boring at all. He has his charms, he paints, very clever, hardworking, defend himself, plays zither, etc.
He isn’t as talkative as Xiao Yao because of what he went through but Xiao Yao gets him. They balance each other out. She gets him to talk more, trust more and he gets her to calm down, her source of strength, etc. They balance each other out.
Im so LYF deprived I get a lil high everytime I see a new comment!
I understand. I keep checking my phone every hour for s new chapter and keep reading every comment afterwards.
I’m loving this and loving all the discussions too. Keep it up.
Change my ship to Jing now! 🙂 anyway, i still have doubt about Shao Hao. Does he really love Xiao Yao even she’s his love competitor- Qi Yo ‘s daughters?
Everythin jing do has one goal which is getting XY . That show he really is the one that will choose her above any thing .Though I don’t get why he ask for 15years waiting period .No girl will wait that long without getting frustrated which XY has already start feeling. What is the chance his fiancee won’t set a trap for him ( pregnanted by his brother and claim it his ) Or any other trap just to stay in the family .His cautiousness will get him to loose his chance . I enjoy XL and XY parts so much that i read it over and over again. I still wish he will get the girl at the end
thanks koala for this wonderful novel ! I enjoy it including every comments . Thanks everyone
Omgosh Awws the FEELS!!!! for Fang Feng Bei because of his birthright and like he just gets Xiao Yao and they get along so well and when they were feeling each other’s heart beat under the lamp post, swooooooon! But Jingggggggg sigh, I know he’s devoted to her and crazy in love with her, but he is kind of frustrating but oof~ He cares so much it’s like my heart melts too.
shipping XY and jing so much! Jing is so sweet.
I Started to read this translation yesterday morning and can’t stop until now.. For now, i don’t want to ship XY with anyone.. I Just want to prepare my heart for what that will happening in the future.. As long XY will not end up alone..
I am a bit confused. Is the strand of hair around her finger, Jing’s or Xiang Lu’s?
it’s jing’s
Koala, thank you so much for your translations! Came here due to LYF drama being filmed. I know more pl will be reading this novel when the drama airs & wanted to offer my thoughts on this chp 🙂 XY had really forgotten that Zhuan Xu had asked her to see Jing,”when they got to the front door, she suddenly remembered what Zhuan Xu asked her earlier and stopped”. I don’t think she intentionally tried to make Jing jealous with FFB. If anything, I feel she was pissed that it had been over 20 months since he contacted her & just when she had severed her ties, Jing showed up & with his fiance at that! It was also made clear that XY only saw Jing bc Zhuan Xu pleaded with her “but she didn’t come back just now for Jing, she came back because of Zhuan Xu! Xiao Yao felt this pressure in her heart, was her relationship with Jing also subject to being used?”. In the beginning, XY thought FFB was a womanizer & didn’t mind word getting to Jing to make him jealous. However, to think that FFB was nothing more than someone for XY to pass her time with is also a mistake. The reason XY let FFB get close to her is bc of his resemblance to Xiang Liu. Even the feelings she got when FBB first held her hand to teach her archery was reminiscence of her body’s reaction when XL got close to her, “thinking of nothing, eyes not on the target, focused only on the arrow movement”. The last time XL bit her neck was when Zhuan Xu had the bug in him & it reveals XY’s emotional response to FFB “in the pain there was a sensation of numbness, a shivering feeling of bliss, as if someone was… lightly kissing”. Sorry to the people who think XY only sees XL as a playmate! ^^
I think it’s quite interesting that people didn’t realize how upset XY was when she saw FFB during archery practice! She was pissed & confused not only bc of Jing but also what FFB could mean to her. This was right after talking to her grandfather about choosing a husband. Notice how she mentioned two men, Jing (the one with the fiance) & Xiang Liu (Zhuan’s enemy). She subconsciously considers Xiang liu & it’s a pretty big discovery bc unlike Jing, who has bared his heart & pledge his devotion to her. XL has NEVER made his feelings known & we might even think that XY would be too scared to ever consider XL as a husband. Like Koala said, when XY made that 15yrs promise to Jing, she likely had already had another person in her heart that she wasn’t aware of.
However, this far in the novel, we already know that XY has memories of XL in her mirror & that she is clearly attracted to him physically (please read Tong Hua’s description of XL’s features under the sea that is in XY’s mirror if you need even more evidence) & emotionally(she told him things she hasn’t shared with anyone else). Like Koala said, when XY made that 15yrs promise to Jing, she likely had already had another person in her heart that she wasn’t aware of.
Thank you Koala. It is getting more interesting as the chapters are getting doubled. I feel XY; I know she just wants security that the entire family members have not able to give her. If we can make comparison with the three leads – XZ ain’t designed for romantic security coz he was designed to conquer the world. XL, oth, while he has the pure love towards XY but his circumstances can’t be offered to XY dreaming of a forever life with her partne.Jing, is the only one that can throw away / give up his background because he experienced what was being thrown away by the family in almost ten years of his life. He also personally experienced how XY gave her time and life while he was on the verge of death. Although, I bleed my heart to XL, I would love to have TJ as XY’s partner in life.
I watched the drama before realizing it was a book and that led me here to get clarity on things the drama left unexplained or was confusing. It’s really nice to get the deets and a better understanding of things. It looks like some of the answers come from Once Promised which is unreadable due to broken links and restricted access. Thanks so much for translating this 10 years ago!
I dont and cant even care for any other guy around her after reading them together… Its like he fell first,she fell harder trope!! Also its a lot similar to Spock & Nyota pairing which makes me love them more. He is a lot clever and know how to scheme plans yet when its about feelings or being a couple with her he is so unsure and cute about it! so dumb xD
She is such a big clown xD actinglike a teenager knowing so much about love/partnership… The way she says she knows its hard so she wont think about any man but she has been waiting & overthinking for Jing yet she didnt even try to send a message to him or somethıng to check over… Girl just do it!
How I wısh these famous Cnovel authors remember to write/give lead girls other female figures in their life instead of adding so many useless males around them…