Hua Hua You Long - Volume 2 - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

…… Without even noticing, the season had changed from late autumn to early winter. Since Lu Cang left the Imperial Capital, it had been a full month.

Within this month, Lu Cang spent his time to play around with his brothers to his heart content. The time he spent with them patched and mended his heart and soul, and the thoughts about Jing also desolated and left out in the cold.

The city of Hangzhou was really the land of all feasting and revelry. Every and each day was a peaceful life filled with fine wine, delicious food, and many more entertainment. Lu Cang as if had regained his long lost pride as a man. He restored his heroic spirit from the former days and resumed his status as the king of the mountain bandit. Regarding that Jing, who would be happy to explore his fragile heart, he buried him deeply in the depth of his heart. So deep that as if he had already forgotten about him.

Thanks to his brothers’ persistence in playing matchmaker, Lu Cang had met some of Hangzhou’s renowned beauties, but for the time being, Lu Cang honestly didn’t have any intention to get married and set up a family. Instead, comparing to that, he was actually very happy to be acquainted with several famous courtesans and enjoyed drinking with them. They had a bold and uninhibited living disposition, they also esteemed and revered a fine average person like Lu Cang.  At the arrival of him, they would always have a hundred thousand zeal of warmth value. Slowly, all of Lu Cang’s once trampled and shattered male pride and self-respect was being restored by their enthusiasm.

Compare to the warm winter in Hangzhou city, the winter in the Imperial Capital apparently was much more colder and rigid. Because of the nonstop falling snow since last night, the freezing icy cold air had been somewhat increasing. It made the whole occupants inside the forbidden city curled up and endlessly shivered with cold.

However, even way colder than the winter air outside, was the mood of all of His Majesty the Emperor daily attendants.

"How is His Majesty today?" The next eunuch in duty secretly asked the one he had to take over from on the corridor passage.

With his face ashen and defeated, the eunuch shook his head. He spoke in a lowered voice, :  “Last night the Emperor threw another fierce temper tantrum in Lady Li bed chamber and drove her away, out in the great snow. This morning he’s barely eaten his breakfast again…”  (Lady is a bit higher status than a concubine)

The eunuch that asked suddenly turned to a deathly pale face. --- Due to Jing’s terrible temper, in just this one month, three eunuchs were severely punished for their tiny mistake.

Now all of the servants who were tasked with serving the Emperor duty would have to put their head on the line. Having heard that today’s Jing’s mood was particularly bad, he began to worry. Would this be the last day he stayed in the human realm?

Concerning the reason why His Majesty’s state of mind was so bad like that, there had been lot of hearsays passing on and plenty of rumors been flying about. The most talked theory among those was because of the execution of the Marquis. But judging by Jing’s weird behavior, - regularly in the middle of the night, he would order to prepare a sedan chair and visited the already unoccupied mansion of the Marquis-, this point of speculation was certainly the closest to the fact.

"Already knew it would be like this, why did it in the first place?.....”  Seeing the Emperor’s face with each day passing by gradually had become haggard and irritable, the commander of Imperial guards Ding Peng, could only secretly heave a big sigh.

Two of his own subordinates, in the course of Jing’s bad temper, had met the unfortunate events. Been hit severely, even until today, they still couldn’t crawled up from bed. If this kind of condition was to continue, he afraid that the palace would be very soon out of servants who could wait on His Majesty daily life.

“GET OUT…”

Just arrived at the big audience hall’s entrance, Ding Peng already encountered an eunuch ran out all the way from inside the hall trying frantically to escape, followed by a loud noise of ting ling tang lang , --- That was from a thrown out appliance, must be of gold or silver, like a pile of garbage, rolled down the steps and tumbled on the ground, give out a clear and melodious sound.

Shaking his head, if not because he was confident that the Emperor unlikely to vent his anger on his closest and trustful subject, he would have turned around and ran away.

Betting on the Emperor who had been particularly trusted him, Ding Ping entered the hall.

Jing, even not wearing his outer robe, was sitting in front of a pile of official documents. His hair rolled up like it was not enough time to comb it. On the table, the bronze mirror and the comb were still there, looked like the eunuch just now was shooed away while helping him with his washing, combing and dressing routine.

If Jing was not the Emperor, with his glamorous beauty, he would definitely be the target of innumerable rich people who would fall over each other in their eagerness to groom him. ---- Jing disliked his subjects to have a clear look upon his appearances. Ding Peng was one of the few officials who could come in contact with Jing’s true colors.

A man with such special facial features as well as an honorable status like him, would unexpectedly be infatuated with a man, in addition, : Lu Cang’s facial features wasn’t even up to par with Jing’s, less to say his kung-fu, his status, his ability and wisdom, and so on and so on and so on….   -----  For an experienced and knowledgeable Ding Peng, he truly a little couldn’t understand what exactly that made Jing this infatuated with Lu Cang. By losing this very man, he went as far as to losing his self-control that he was so proud of.

But since everything had already happened, as a humble loyal subject, he could only give the Emperor the most possible advice on how to best resolve the problem. “Your Majesty……” Ding Peng moved forward to approach Jing.

Hearing a footstep, Jing angrily lifted his head. When he saw clearly that it was Ding Peng’s, his face calmed down a bit.

"What’s the matter?" Jing’s facial color was very bad. It was caused by the sleep deprived in a long term and irregular meals.

"Your humble subject pleads on behalf of Your Majesty’s 72 concubines, 2000 palace maids, 2000 eunuchs, and 1000 of my imperial guards subordinates for a request. " Ding Peng knelt down with his eyes looking on the ground.

As he expected, Jing took the bait and surely enough be confused. Lifted his head, He asked with a hint of baffled : “What kind of request?”

"Request that your Majesty decree to hold a procession for inspecting the Jiangnan area."

Hearing the words “Jiangnan”, there was a sudden slight change in Jing’s face color.

"The Jiangnan area is fine. Why should I go the rounds?" Jing faintly could already guess a bit of Ding Peng’s intentions, but he deliberately assumed an air of completely didn’t notice.

"Report Your Majesty. Since the last time Your Majesty inspected the Jiangnan area, it has been 3 years long. About the Jiangnan’s general affairs, they have been neglected. It will cause a disadvantage for our Datong’s vast territory to leave it un-ruled…..”

To provide the Emperor with a high-sounding excuses to do what he wanted to do, was the most important task as an official. ---—Ding Ping even almost praised himself for his own loyalty.

"Of course, this is considering the 5000 courtiers sake,…. "Ding Ping added on a line.

Jing stood up, a not easy to perceive smile appeared from the corner of his mouth.

“Minister Ding, to have you as a subject to be this troubled about our national affairs, you honestly make me ashamed! Indeed I have been neglecting the Jiangnan area affairs. Now is precisely the good opportunity to go the rounds. Alright! 3 days from now, I will go to Jiangnan to inspect.”  (though Jing called him a minister, this is actually a way to address his subject by an emperor.)

“Minister Ding, then must trouble you to take the command from today on, be sure to carry through the arrangements of welcoming the Emperor in Hangzhou prefecture!”

“Yes”  Ding bowed down, “Your subject obey.”

When he lifted his head, there was an impressive smile on his lips. He came in contact with Jing’s eyes. Both of them were wearing this smiling expression. Ding couldn’t endure to contain the laughter. He simply let the ha ha laughter escaped.

Because of his laughter, Jing was a little embarrassed, but also unable to hold in his, he ended up joined in the loud laughter…..

Hearing the laughter which hadn’t been heard for this past month coming out from the chamber, the eunuchs outside the door looked at each other in a loss. : What happened? Sir Ding really is a skillful person. How can he get the recently worst-tempered Emperor to laugh like that?

——-

3 days later, ----- The snow stopped, the weather was fine, the grandest scale of southern inspection procession since Jing ascended the throne set off from Tongan.

This tremendous procession consisted of 500 glorious flags that stretched for than one li long. Wherever they went, numerous people and government officials kneeled before the Emperor in welcoming greeting. ---—However, the southern procession was a bit strange. Although it was said the procession was to inspect the southern, Jing went straight to the south without inspection. Passed through big prefectures without ever stopping on the way to rest nor to experience and observe the condition of his people. Instead, they advanced all the way as if in a hurry to enter the capital of Hangzhou.

The day, exactly at the dusk time. With a party of his brothers, Lu Cang was situated in the middle and having the game of chess at the backyard.  He caught sight of Ge Qing, hastened to enter the backyard with a face looked like his ass was burnt.

"Big Brother…Big Brother…Not good!" He panted for breath, talking in a broken sentences.

"Brother Qing, don’t be impatient, say the matter slowly?." Lu Cang smiled gently.

Ever since he came back to Hangzhou, the comfortable life had made him a bit fatter. Lu Cang felt as if his whole-self had  become gentler.

"The Emperor…the Emperor, he…" The more Ge Qing wanted to speak, the more he gasped for air. Ge Qing had been suffocated for quite sometimes, yet couldn’t tell the reason.

Hearing this two words, Lu Cang blanked on the spot. The chess piece he held in his hand dropped to the board, produced a loud noise, but he didn’t even notice.

"What? What? The Dog Emperor is what?" Just by simply hearing Jing’s name, From Cao Xin’s top of the head, smoke was rising, he got angry. He still couldn’t forget that time in Tonghua House, when he was wickedly done by the celestial flowers.

"The Emperor is…The Emperor is in Hangzhou!"

"What?!"

Suddenly, the backyard was loud with the shouting in terror noise. After all, they grew accustomed to this city peaceful, happy life and the arrival of Jing brought the possibility to disrupt their happiness and everything.

"Everyone don’t panic! Ge Qing, I ask you, do you know Jing…the Emperor, why on earth is he here?" To be the first to calm down was Lu Cang.
Ge Qing scratched his head. “looks like it is something about a southern inspection…”

Lu Cang raised his head. His facial color became bright and clear. :  “The Emperor’s inspection, it is just performing a necessary government affairs. There is no need for us to be panicked. We’ll continue accordingly with what we originally plan to do. Do not pay any attention to other people’s business.”

"So tonight are we going to Gao Zhuang Zhu’s Wulin (Martial Artists) feast ?” Cao Xin was a little bit hesitant to believe Lu Cang was as calm as he seemed, but after staring at him for a long time, he was still unable to find any indications of flaw nor weak points.

This Gao Zhuang Zhu was Hangzhou’s city renown Wulin’s Godfather figure. He was Lu Cang acquaintance from Mt. Lu Cang. This Wulin’s feast was his grand ceremony to wash his hands in a gold basin ( to abandon the life of an outlaw ). He invited all the Wulin’s figures who had their names and reputations well known.

"Of course we’re going! Gao Zhuang Zhu has promised to introduce beautiful women to me." Lu Cang waggled his eyebrows flirtatiously, causing Ge Qing and the rest to laugh.

Lu Cang’s abnormal behavior made Cao Xin even more worried. ---- Big Brother has never been fond of women, but after he heard that Jing is in the city of Hangzhou, he suddenly is fascinated by them. This is all the more proving that Jing’s person influence on him.

Despite being worry, Cao Xin didn’t have the heart to saying out loud what’s on his mind for afraid of making everyone spirits dampened.

The night in Hangzhou city, its lively and excitement degree was not to be inferior in any aspects compare to the imperial capital.

With his band of brothers, they walked through the hubbub voices of the street. Looking at the both side of the road decorated with exquisite festive lanterns, under those lanterns, a row of young man and woman walking by in a fashionable clothing and make up. Lu Cang and the party’s mood to enjoy the night had been elated.

Gao Zhuang Zhu held his Wulin’s feast in the Hangzhou’s most extravagant Wine house (restaurant) --- - Tianxiang house.

Arrived at Tianxiang House’s entrance, the noise and excitement from the inside could be heard all the way to the outside. Obviously the majority of the guest had arrived. ---- This Gao Zhuang Zhu had reserved the whole building of this Tianxiang house, made him deserved the name of the head of the wealthiest family in Hangzhou.

Seeing that Lu Cang and the party had arrived, Gao Zhuang Zhu greeted them from still a far away distant. : “Sir Lu.. (Lu Da Xia, basically mean Lu Hero.) Welcome, My honored guests. Why come so late? Please, go upstairs.”

Upstairs was the seated for honored guests, the VIP. Being welcomed in such a way by the host, everybody felt like an important figure, happily and elated went upstairs.

They didn’t see the downstairs behind the screen : Gao Zhuang Zhu after made sure that Lu Cang and the party had gone upstairs, he secretly pulled a young servant to the side, whispered to him : “Quick, Go to Hangzhou’s government office and find the prefect. Tell him that the honored guest has arrived.”

Like a streak of smoke, that young page boy ran very quickly. Gao Zhuang Zhu upon seeing his back’s figure helplessly made a wry laugh. : Really! A commoner shouldn’t fight the officials. ---- His grand ceremony to wash his hands in a gold basin unexpectedly became someone else earthen jar to keep a turtle. Somewhat ended up being used to cover someone’s else deed…..

Really! Too late to preserve, it’s too late to preserve!  (basically he’s saying this in regard of  his honor and status. He is referring to be the laughing stock for a long time and it’s too late for him to preserve his pride. He can’t fight the higher official after all.)(and it must be Ding Peng who arranged this.)(but again, I am not so sure about how to translate this line.)

On the upstairs, Lu Cang and his brothers picked the seat by the window. Looked around to all four sides, the room was filled with familiar faces of Wulin skilled artist.---- Nodding their head to show their respect. They poured the tea that was prepared on the table and drank it.

"Big Brother, Really doesn’t matter?" Still concerned, Cao Xin asked Lu Cang in a lowered voice.

"What kind of matter?" Lu Cang’s eyebrow knotted in a frown. "He, himself, allowed me to leave, why would he ask me to come back? Even if he is going to, I won’t agree…"

Lu Cang said that, but in his heart he knew for certain. : Given Jing’s arrogant nature, he wouldn’t agree to revoke his command. Lu Cang was afraid the both of them would never have the chance to meet again in this lifetime.

To think that the person he yearned for day and night was in the same city with him now, despite already having a peace of mind, he still had the thoughts of countless regret and sorrow.

He lifted his head and gazing out the window, ---- Tonight, the moon was round. Shining brightly, Coldly illuminating the whole street, with its beautiful light. ---- The moon, even sometimes lack its roundness, but eventually would be able to reunite and became round again. For human to be separated from one another, to see each other again in this life time, was a difficult thing…..

In the middle of this excitement and lively burst, Lu Cang felt that in the depth of his heart, a solitary gradually enveloping him. The smile on his face also slowly disappeared.

"Honorable guest arrived!!"  From downstairs the hailing greeting for guests resounded. Followed by the the loud noise of footsteps on the stairs. Everyone was fixing their line of vision on the direction of the ladders entrance. All were curious to see what kind of important figure that had arrived.

Those were not a small party. Approximately about ten people gathered around a person in white who was ascending the stairs.

“Ah…..” Lu Cang was annoyed because his train of thoughts was interrupted by Cao Xin. Cao Xin violently pulled his sleeve.

Turning his head, his eyes directly aimed at that person in white. ----

Though it was only for a moment, it seemed as if a thousand years had passed…

End of chapter 17