List of character names in MSHK: Li Family: 李從銀 Lǐ Cóng Yín -- Silver 李從青 Lǐ Cóng Qīng -- Green , Blue 李從玄 Lǐ Cóng Xuán -- Black 李從彤 Lǐ Cóng Tóng -- Red 李從紫 Lǐ Cóng Zǐ -- Purple, Violet 李從白 Lǐ Cóng Bái -- White
Li Cong Qing and Wei Xiao Miao with the party of people came all the way from a thousand li away, trudging for nearly a month, they finally entered the border side of Chunan.
When they entered the lodging for the night house to do preparations for the next day’s journey to enter Chunan, surprisingly, the Seventh Prince, Song Wei, was already there waiting for them.
“Humble subject Li Cong Qing respectfully greets Seventh Prince.”
“Humble me pays respect to Seventh Prince.”
Li Cong Qing and Wei Xiao Miao made a courtesy with bowing while clasping towards the Seventh Prince.
“Xiao Miao, you finally came.” The Seventh Prince’s eyes were shining when he gazed at Wei Xiao Miao, immediately Li Cong Qing became a dotted line person, out of sight.
“Seventh Prince, long time no see. His Majesty especially instructs this humble me to represent the Master to greet you.” Wei Xiao Miao respectfully greeted with his utmost courtesy, lowered his head, not allowing his eyes to look directly at the Prince.
Li Cong Qing was standing by the side, obviously he could feel the strange atmosphere surrounding these two people. Although he was used to sweep his own snow by his door1, but the gesture of the Seventh Prince who was about to swallow the white rabbit looking Wei Xiao Miao in one gulp, if he didn’t help Wei Xiao Miao to get out of this predicament, he just couldn’t justify himself.
“Ehem ehem… Prince, Sir Wei has been on the move the whole day, surely he is already hungry, exhausted and tired.” Li Cong Qing didn’t say that he himself already was hungry and tired, because the Seventh Prince already gave him a completely “I don’t give a damn about this whole monarch shit!” cold eyes.
Upon hearing those words, the Seventh Prince ordered them to eat. He also took a seat to eat together with them. However, seemingly what he actually wanted to eat was Wei Xiao Miao.
Finishing the taste like an insipid meal in haste, Wei Xiao Miao ordered some men to prepare hot water for Li Cong Qing to bath and take it to his sleeping room, readily to wait upon Li Cong Qing bathing and changing his clothes.
The face of the Seventh Prince had become severe to the utmost, his eyes were on Li Cong Qing, glaring fiercely as if he wanted to take his life.
Li Cong Qing was not surprised or intimidated, he remained calm and composed, to the point he still wanted to show off and tell the Seventh Prince, sometimes Xiao Miao and I sleep together in the same room, Xiao Miao’s sleeping face is so sweet and cute, hehehe… But adding trouble would unlikely reduce the problem. Not to challenge the Seventh Prince’s jealous heart would be a rather smart move.
Comfortable and at ease after taking his bath, he climbed to his bed. Occurred for the first time, he actually … couldn’t sleep?!
Tossed to the side and turned to the side like a fish on the frying pan, fried for a period of time, the fish already burnt, Zhou Gong still hadn’t paid him a visit. He simply draped an outer garment and walked out his room, to observe the stars in the sky.
Looking up to the sky filled with the twinkling stars, he couldn’t help but recall the scene when he and the Emperor observed the stars together.
He loved to lean on the Emperor’s embrace like a boneless person, or rest his head on the Emperor’s lap while watching the stars. With words, or wordlessly talking about the tale of the stars. His lover the Emperor would always smile dotingly at him, not looking at the stars, but looking at him.
Is he also looking at the stars in the same sky right now? Sigh, I really miss him. If he doesn’t miss me as much as I miss him, when I return, I will surely give him a hard time with my obstinacy.
These kinds of thoughts made him unable to restrain his smile. He was not a willful or conceited person at all, he was only extremely willful towards the Emperor alone. Also, the Emperor always showed him his myriad of tolerance, submit meekly to insults. (Except for when they are in bed)
To submit meekly to insults…pfft, In the end he couldn’t hold back his ‘pfft’ laughter from escaping. Why the great and mighty wise and brilliant His Majesty the Emperor became the one who always got the blame from him, hahahaha!!
His heart brewed a sweet as honey feeling, and as a result his bitterness languished with lovesickness was slightly alleviated.
With much difficulty the sleepiness finally came to him, he turned his body to head back to his sleeping room. Suddenly, by the corner of his eyes, he caught a glance of someone striding out from Wei Xiao Miao’s sleeping room. The two people eventually ran into each other.
“Prince.” Li Cong Qing made a bow with both hands clasped.
“Mm!” The Seventh Prince’s expression was so unsightly when he answered him with his indifferent mutter. He was still in the same indifferent manner towards Li Cong Qing while passing through.
“Prince, humble subject has something to say to you, if you feel offended, I beg Your Highness to pardon me.” Li Cong Qing spoke to his back figure.
“About what?” The Seventh Prince stopped his pace and cast him a sidelong glance.
“Fruit that is picked by force won’t be sweet, flower that is plucked by force will wither in no time.”
“Humph!” Giving him a heavy snort, he left with a flick of his sleeve.
Li Cong Qing went back to his sleeping room, climbed back to the bed, patted the pillow and reclined properly. “Sleep, sleep.”
Finally, Zhou Gong came and knocked at his door.
Early the next morning when he woke up, he saw that Wei Xiao Miao was still the way he used to be, already in his room and ready to wait upon him when he got out of bed.
Li Cong Qing accidentally caught a glimpse at several small disorder blood traces on Wei Xiao Miao’s neck, seemingly had been sucked out. Towards those kind of marks, he wasn’t unfamiliar at all. The Emperor often left those kinds of marks on his body.
After washing and brushing as well as putting on his clothing, he passingly said: “Xiao Miao, can you bring me a scarf?”
“Yes.”
Wei Xiao Miao searched in the suitcase and took out a dark blue with flowery pattern silk scarf, intending to help Li Cong Qing to wrap it on his neck. Li Cong Qing just took it over, gently wrapped it around Wei Xiao Miao’s slender neck. To cover the several dubious marks.
Wei Xiao Miao was startled.
“This flowery scarf is unsuitable for me, it looks better on you.” Li Cong Qing casually said.
“Humble me will take another one out for you, Sir.”
“No need. When I saw the scarf just now, I realize that I am not suitable to wear any scarf. I will look exactly like a monkey wearing a scarf if I wear it.” Awkwardly laughed at himself, he added: “I see that this Chunan is barren hills and treacherous rapid2. Unruly people are everywhere as far as one’s eyes could see. There is nothing else to think. We make a round or two around this area to mention that ‘we were here’ before we leave.”
“Sir Li…” Wei Xiao Miao hesitantly wanted to say something.
“What it is?”
“Humble me probably will have to stay here for a period of time before leaving.”
“The Emperor ordered you to stay?”
“It was not…”
“You decided to stay by yourself?”
Wei Xiao Miao didn’t say anything.
“Xiao Miao, you sure you want to stay here?”
“I…” Shaking his head, “I don’t know.”
“In that case, for these several days you just properly think about it. Nobody will force you. You also don’t have to take it too hard on yourself.” Li Cong Qing patted his shoulder, not saying anything any longer. He was an outsider. He didn’t have the position nor the qualification to intervene.
Getting along for several years, he knew that even though on the surface Wei Xiao Miao possessed such a slender appearance, his inside was tougher than anyone else. And he also was a considerably bright and intelligent person. If not, how could he become the inner palace’s General Affair’s Head of Administrator? Also, he was protecting the secret between him and the Emperor to the point of not a single drop of water leaking out3.
This kind of Wei Xiao Miao with his skillful, detailed and attentive heart, really wanted to stay in this barren land of the Southern? Forget it! It was not his business at all. Why should he think too much of it? What kind of character Wei Xiao Miao was, was it necessary for him to groundlessly take trouble to worry? After the next several days, he would go to Erhe to pay a visit to the Third Brother. Playing with a pair of adorable little nephew, and then return home afterwards.
At least, he would reach the Capital at early winter.
After being stabbed by the “Honorable Sire, Heroic Sir, Big Brother Assassin” in that faithful year, the wound on his shoulder would occasionally throb in pain during the winter. The Emperor would message it for him, using the center of his palm to cover and warm the trembling in cold old wound.
Mm, Early winter must already have arrived at home. Return to his lover’s side, ask him to embrace him to go through the seemingly very long winter.
----------------
The next several autumn hunts, the Emperor would ask Li Cong Qing and the others civil officers to go with him.
Even so, Li Cong Qing’s horsemanship wasn’t getting any better, every time still as before, ended up empty-handed. However, every time he still could eat the best meat that the Emperor granted upon him, making many people’s eyes read to the utmost.
Also, every time they went out for autumn hunts, he and the Emperor would meet up at the vast prairie in the dead of the night. It was practically as if they were having a secret private meeting of lovers in the middle of the night. All the time the both of them would leisurely chat in an indifferent manner about many unimportant matters. Sometimes they wouldn’t say anything and just silently and solemnly stayed there. Without any of intimate or exceeding the norm’s weird kind of behavior. Perhaps they were intentionally there or probably they were just accidentally there, a stream of ambiguous atmosphere between them was quietly sprouting to bud, growing, rooting and interlocking.
Because of this, Li Cong Qing was puzzled, he was perplexed, having the kind of guilt as if he looked exactly like a woman who committed adultery. Truly made him wanted to burst out into loud laughter before he held his head in his hands in dismay and shouted loudly; I am not a womannnnnnnnnnnnnn------
Because of this, the Emperor was very depressed. He was obviously a steady as a mountain person, never lost his temper, moreover to be irritated. However at this very moment he was having this thought to push and pin Li Cong Qing down on the ground, this kind of eating him from inside terrible impulse. There was this wisdom from the ancestors, a good Emperor may not resort to this lowly method to eat up his subjects…
They told themselves, next time they may not go again. But those hateful pair of legs didn’t want to listen and just walked to the prairie. Giving their lifetime to the one and only indecisiveness towards the other one.
Violent turbulence under the serene surface, to put it bluntly, it was the so called ‘sealed trouble’ fermenting.
When the weather had come down to frosty cold in the dawn, it rapidly became frigid and freezing, not suitable for hunting anymore, Li Cong Qing finally didn’t have to eat the poisonous like meat anymore. Also didn’t have to commit whatever shameful deed by meeting the Emperor in secret. He heaved a mouthful of relaxed sighs, but from the bottom of his heart generated a threadlike unknown why he was upset as if losing something’s faint feeling.
The starry sky on that prairie, seemed as if causing him to be dazzled and stunned, had become his little secret for what happened on the autumn that year.
Not so long after, the first timely snow of the winter was fluttering down from the sky.
Li Cong Qing feared the cold. The morning court early in the winter morning tormented him. The Grand Audience Hall though had put so many heaters, but he was standing at the nearest point to the door. His back was exposed to the cold, the cold air which could freeze the bone was pouring on his body, causing him to unceasingly shudder and shrink his body. The sleeping worm would freeze to death during its winter hibernation, wouldn’t it?
The Emperor of course would notice. He didn’t give any specific order for this. Yet, Wei Xiao Miao was somewhat a skillful, detailed and attentive kind of person. The next day he adorned a thick curtain at both sides of the Grand Hall’s doors, the curtain would still be there even when the doors were widely opened.
The Grand Hall’s door leaf had six parts altogether, couldn’t be opened with a mere shove or pull, let alone to open it entirely. During the morning court, the door would be opened entirely, after the court, it would be closed again. It would be the same even in the winter. But hereafter, from this winter to every winter, there would be a curtain from both sides of the doors, hanging from left to right.
Wei Xiao Miao also especially put some heaters beside Li Cong Qing, not to make him suffer the freezing cold.
His back was now covered from the winter’s blow, he was warmed by the heaters by his side, he only lacked of the spreading cloth with pillow and quilt on the floor, the winter morning court had become warm and comfortable. The hibernating sleeping worm had been revived and alive once again.
Watching him starting to doze off again, the Emperor couldn’t restrain the corner of his mouth to slightly form a trace of smile.
The courtiers would have their Chinese New Year’s holiday from the beginning of the Spring4 Festival until the lantern festival4. However, some of the important high position Officials were not allowed to leave the Capital during this time, must be ready to serve the Emperor at any time when they were called upon. So, to be called a high official was actually not really that great, on standby twenty four hours all year long to teach and to be called on without rest.
But this term didn’t include Li Cong Qing at all. The rest of the Ministers of the Six Board Officials, excluding the Ministers, only need to take turns on their standby duty. Extremely idle. The on duty officials usually would flock together to play chess or betting on card game, to pass the time.
On the ninth of the first month, Li Cong Qing and the other two middle ranked officials got their turns to be on duty at the Ministry of Rites. Li Cong Qing as usual, took his nap. The other two middle ranked Officials were called to drop in at the Ministry of Transport and Irrigation.
In the middle of soundly dozing off, suddenly there was someone patting him, calling him: “Sir Li, Sir Li.”
Li Cong Qing managed with an effort to open his pair of eyes, unhurriedly sat upright, blinked his not fully opened eyes to gaze at that person. “Sir Wei. What’s the matter?”
“His Majesty asks you to come to Baihu Temple now to appreciate the flowers.” Said Wei Xiao Miao.
“Humble subject received the order.” Li Cong Qing exasperatingly slowly raised his body, tidied up his clothes in a very slow manner, stroked here and patted there.
Wei Xiao Miao extremely patient waited upon him. Not even saying a word to urge and haste him.
The Beginning of Spring, the remnant of snow hadn’t completely dissolved, the air was very cold. Just before they stepped out the door, Wei Xiao Miao opened a roll of rough-edged purple woolen coat, carefully he wrapped it on Li Cong Qing’s body. The texture of the knitted Tibetan antelope fur was soft and warm.
“Thank you.” Li Cong Qing faced him and said his gratitude.
“Sir Li is too courteous. This is what His Majesty had specifically ordered this humble person to give to you.”
Li Cong Qing fell silent, together with Wei Xiao Miao they stepped out the Ministry of Rites’ door. Even if being wrapped by a fur coat, the icy cold air still could enter the lungs when he breathed in. He still couldn’t help but quiver in cold when the freezing air roused up.
Walking for a while, they entered the Baihu temple. Inside the temple, the peonies were already in bloom one after another. Each of the towering purple buds and every beautiful yellow bud were competing to be the most glamorous. Emitting a kind of unworldly frosty fragrant, magnificently flourishing.
Wei Xiao Miao led him to go through the flower nursery’s narrow path, to the front of a place with a bamboo pavilion. Two years ago Li Cong Qing came to this exact place to pick the peony that was cultivated by the Emperor to be presented to the Emperor.
Every Emperor of Dashao every year needed to personally plant a stump of peony. The successive generations of Dashao always prayed for the blessing from the ancestors for the nation’s prosperous and flourishing future. At this time, the Emperor was holding a clipper, carefully trimming the branch and leaves of an about to bloom peony in the middle of the pavilion. The flower bud was as big as a child’s fist, it wasn’t hard to imagine how astonishing and dazzling it would be when it was in full bloom. Colorful crown with splendid fragrant.
“Humble subject greets Your Majesty.” Li Cong Qing stood at the outside of the pavilion while saluting the Emperor with a bowed body and clasped hands.
The Emperor didn’t put down the clippers, still trimming the whole branch and leaf when he said: “This peony here is the one you picked two years ago. Initially, I thought that because it was picked by you, it wouldn’t sprout any bud anymore. Never would have thought that it would still sprout the bud after two years. The bud is much better compared to the previous one.”
“This only happens because of Your Majesty’s great blessing.”
The Emperor turned his body to face him, lightly gave him a smile. “Whenever I see this one, I will always be reminded of that year’s awesome peony.”
“Humble subject feels ashamed.”
“I couldn’t see that you could have that ashamed feeling, you are very calm and unperturbed.”
“Humble subject wouldn’t dare.”
“Li Cong Qing, what do you think, a flower is better picked and to decorate the room, or better to let it wither naturally on its branch?” The Emperor asked, seemingly he indirectly implied something.
“Answer Your Majesty. Even though there is a saying that a picked flower might endure for a period of time, however, a picked flower’s endurance surely couldn’t be compared to the time of a flower on its branch.”
“So…” The Emperor put down the clippers, gently caressing the flower bud. “To put the flower altogether with the soil in a pot then use it to decorate the room is the best option, don’t know if Minister Li would agree with my idea?”
Li Cong Qing was speechless for a while, then respectfully replied: “Your Majesty’s words are good. It is indeed best.”
The Emperor seemed like he still had something to say, but he was interrupted by a notification that rose up from a distant point. “The Honorable Princes, Princess and Imperial Concubines are asking for an audience ---”
Soon afterwards, three children and several beautifully dressed up ladies leisurely came in.
Speaking about the Emperor’s wives, basically, there were numerous beauties in the harem. But the ruling by virtue Emperor’s harem didn’t consist of innumerable beauties at all. Only when he ascended the throne, in courtesy to the ancestors, he took four Imperial Concubines, no one was enthroned as an Empress yet. Later on, every year in according to the Imperial Harem’s regulation, twenty four beautiful girls would be selected to enter the palace. But only those who had received the Imperial Visit could stay, promoted to an Imperial Concubine or a Lady position. If entered the Palace for a full year and still not received the Imperial Visit, then following the regulation, they would be returned to the family while still remaining intact, issued a divorce to let them able to marry.
Be enthroned for six years, up to this day, there were only five beauties who stayed, adding to the former four Imperial Concubines, at the present, the Emperor had nine wives altogether. Among them, three had given the Emperor two sons and a daughter. Couldn’t be compared with the previous Dynasty’s sons and daughters if summed up together. Obviously not enough to be able to increase the duty and the dedication for the nation to the utmost point, also causing the many people who racked their brains, to present their daughters to enter the Palace, then using this as pretext to strengthen their power of influence, to make a futile effort.
Now, with the presence of the Emperor’s Imperial Concubines, as a man, Li Cong Qing was not suitable to stay on the scene, he bowed respectfully and asked permission for leave. The Emperor asked him to stay, he could only retreat to the side.
The Princes, Princess and all of the Imperial Concubines paid their respect to the Emperor. The Emperor took the two year old daughter to his embrace, the two Princes stood closely by his side, the Imperial Concubines were following behind, the whole family consisted of more than ten members that treated each other as an honorable guest5, happily and harmoniously enjoyed the sight of spring flowers together.
Li Cong Qing was looking from a distance, looking at the gentle smile of the Emperor, the perfect picture of a family bond was like a scene of a play from afar. His heart couldn’t help but generate a bit of depressed feeling. Not a very pleasant one. He hated himself for having this nameless intriguing and strange sentiment. It was like having this kind of sour, bitter, painful but hard to understand feeling, as if he wanted to pour out everything from inside his stomach.
“Sir Li, outside is cold. Please wait inside.” Wei Xiao Miao came over to talk to him.
“No, I want to go back.” Li Cong Qing answered unenthusiastically. Didn’t take into consideration the decree of the Emperor who wanted him to stay, on his own accord he turned his body and left.
Returning to The Ministry of Rites, he leaned his head to continue with his nap, but even the sleeping worm had left the house6, he could only take the folder that he had been working on and examined it carefully.
At the time when the two middle rank officials returned after finishing their duty, they unexpectedly saw the usually half awoke half asleep him actually had fully opened both of his eyes, seriously looking at the official documents. They were surprised to the point their lower chin almost fell off. They secretly speculated; Our sleepy Assistant Minister hasn’t changed his character, has he?
“Sir Li, what’s the matter with you?” The middle ranked official asked.
“What’s with what’s the matter?”
“This is the first time your subordinate sees your eyes widely opened.” Added another official.
“What? No wonder I feel that my eyes are tingling.” Putting aside the folder, he rubbed his eyes, stretching his waist to the left and to the right, as his eyelid closed to half right away, he narrowed his eyes to resume his half awoke half asleep eyes.
“Ai ya! Why do you close it again? Your subordinate just realizes that Sir Li actually has such beautiful eyes.”
“True, true. The refined and smart Sir Li, upon proper look, is also tall and graceful, bright and handsome. Truly a proper man with proper behavior!”
The both of them added one line to the other words, eagerly praised him, nearly behaved like kissing up to a henchman.
Could it be that the usual me is a cat imitating a dog or maybe the attendant of the King of Hell? Li Cong Qing was laughing amusingly inwardly. Languidly he answered them: “It is too tiring to open my eyes widely for the whole day.”
Involving in the casual idle chat with the fellow officials, his heart remained stuffy as before, the unpleasant feeling still hadn’t dissipated yet, the unhappy feeling was following him from hereafter, all the way until the Lantern Festival7.
The Li Family was the same as the other families during the Lantern Festival, they would take everyone along, young and old, to go sightseeing at the most bustling Main Street. But the brothers and sister, once stepped out of the house would all split up in all directions. To do whatever they wanted to do.
The oldest Li Cong Yin would never let go of the chance to make a profit, busily doing his seasonal business. The third Li Cong Xuan would take his wife and son to stroll at the temple fair. The forth Li Cong Tong nobody could tell where had she gone to. The fifth Li Cong Zi most probably occupied with his taking advantage by deceiving the young masters. Our honorable the second Li Cong Qing could only take the youngest brother Li Cong Bai to have a walk.
The main street was crowded by the stream of people, the come and go sightseers were like being knitted. Horses and carriages filled the street.
Li Cong Qing led the little brother to stroll about in the excitement. The whole street was filled with colored lanterns as if the east wind was scattering the flowers of a thousand trees at night. The sound of a bamboo flute was stirring the air, the beautiful jade was reflecting the light, all night was bustling with the fish and dragon’s dance.
Walking about, strolling about, his heart couldn’t help but slightly throb. Without any awareness, he stopped his pace. Raising his eyes to look into the distance amongst the crowd of the multitudes people, seemingly he wanted to find that most important person in the mass of living beings.
Who was his most important person? Shaking his head, he inwardly laughed at himself for feeling nervous for nothing. Turning his body to continue with the walk, in that split second, amongst the bustling street when the multitudes of people were pushing and squeezing each other, his line of vision accidentally met, interlocking.
Nobody could shift his line of sight, the world became quiet and soundless in this instant. Nothing could be heard anymore, only his own heartbeat and breathing; nothing could be seen anymore, only the person by the other side.
Searching for him inside the crowd to this great extent. Abruptly thinking back…that person really is in the dim light of the lantern…isn’t he?
“Second Brother, what’s the matter with you?” Li Cong Bai pulled his brother’s hand.
Li Cong Qing returned from the God’s realm, regained his senses. “Nothing.”
When he was about to walk away, crossing the distance from the layer upon layer crowd of humans from the other side, a voice called out to him when arrived before his eyes: “Li Cong Qing.”
“Third Prince.” Li Cong Qing respectfully made a bow with hands clasped.
Needless to say, the Emperor who loved the people like his own child was dressed up in simple clothing to go out of the Palace. Coming to the world of commoners to be delighted with his people. Even though he disguised himself in the commoner’s clothing, he still couldn’t conceal his most revered and respected high ranked natural disposition. Among the ordinary people, he was extremely outstanding, excellent and unrivalled.
“Third Brother, You don’t suddenly run away, if we happen to scatter, what will you do?” The Sixth Prince together with Wei Xiao Miao and the other two guards hurriedly pushed against the crowd to squeeze to their place. They surrounded Song Yu to guard him from all sides.
“Sixth Prince.” Li Cong Qing made another bow toward him.
“It is actually you. What a coincident.”
Li Cong Qing inwardly made a wry smile. This coincidence, the coincidence that added more to his heart’s throbbing as if being fiddled with, making him to have no courage to look straight at that person.
Afterwards, the crowd of people simply walked together just like that.
If you really wanted to talk about coincidence, the sequence of coincidences indeed left Li Cong Qing not knowing whether to laugh or to cry.
They first ran into Li Cong Yin who was bringing some people to peddle the lanterns along the main street. From the only several copper8 lanterns to the most expensive lanterns that cost for several liang8, he had them all. One could well imagine, Song Yu and his men were surely having too much lanterns in their hands, even the most expensive ones. One year ago he was participating in the Spring Ceremony’s Banquet, he recognized the Emperor’s sacred face, being sensible as not to disclose his divine status, he handed over the business to his subordinates and joined in their group.
Following after, they bumped into Li Cong Zi who was giving a lesson to a pampered son of a wealthy family. They heard his clamor ‘You! The kid that was only born yesterday, what do you look at! Still dare to look?! If today I don’t beat you until your parents can’t recognize you, it’d be a wonder!’
Li Cong Qing really wanted to pretend that he didn’t know him and wished he could make a detour to get out of the way, but he knew that Li Cong Zi had keen sight, right away he got rid of the fool with bloody nose and swollen face and directly strode to their direction, shouting; Big Brother, Second Brother, Little Brother, finally I found you guys.
The face of Li Cong Zi who hadn’t reached his adulthood was extremely pretty and charming, fair as a carved white jade. Once he joined in, immediately, the originally already too eye-catching group became even more eye-catching and attracted more attention.
The next was, Li Cong Tong from the third floor window of a wine shop waving her hand at them while calling out, Big Brother, Second Brother, Fifth Little Brother, Sixth Little Brother, I am here! Exactly after she finished her words, from the window railing of the shop, she jumped off.
The Li Brothers were not shocked nor worried. They just let that crazy girl to jump off from a building. Their face was saying life, death, wealth and honor are fated by Heaven, life or death is your own business.
In contrary, Song Xuan was frightened to death and rush straight ahead, heroically spreading both of his arms like a hero rescuing the beauty, catching the beautiful like a fairy descended from Heaven’s girl.
The beautiful fairy was not only ungrateful to his saving life’s favor, instead, her beautiful eyes widening in rage and verbally abused him for meddling in her business, she also turned into a choked and hot chili pepper. As the matter of course, the brothers and sister reunited, naturally joyous and congratulatory was in order. Worthy of celebration. (What a wonder!)
Li Cong Qing wordlessly asked the Heaven, made a guess, the last one, the Third should appear on the scene anytime soon.
As expected, Li Cong Xuan and his family of three appeared soon afterwards. Casually joined in the group.
This party of people, except for Li Cong Qing and the other two nameless guards, every man was handsome and every girl was charming, outstanding looking with extraordinary bearing, they looked exactly like a crowd of immortals had walked out of a painting. Even more dazzling than the lanterns, causing the passerby’s to fix their attention on the breathtaking group.
When Li Cong Xuan’s beautiful wife saw Song Yu, she stepped forward and intimately clung on his arm, excitedly spoke: “Third Brother, Long time no see!!”
“You have returned to the Capital, why didn’t come home?” Said Song Yu.
“I have cut all ties with the family, it won’t look good if I go there again.”
“That year you left a letter saying you wanted to sever all connection with the family, then ran away just like that. We still haven’t agreed.” Song Xuan joined in the conversation, scornfully said: “You bad girl, could only see your Third Brother, didn’t see your Sixth Brother.”
“Sixth brother, your little sister missed you so much.” Song Xi switched to coil on Song Xuan’s arm and acted spoiled. Afterwards, taking from Li Cong Xuan’s arm, she brought over a child, wanted to hand over to Song Xuan. “Come and look at your nephew.”
Li Cong Tong suddenly stretched her arms and snatched him away. Her beautiful eyes were glaring fiercely. “This big man’s hands and feet are both hard and coarse, I am afraid he will hurt our little sweetheart.”
Song Xuan blankly gazed at her, smiling at her with a slightly dumb expression. Causing Li Cong Tong to boldly swear abusive words at him, why do you smile at me with such a strange face! Extremely disgusting, makes me want to vomit!
Li Cong Yin dragged Wei Xiao Miao to discuss about expenditure of the economy subject. Hoping to take this opportunity to persuade the inner Palace’s main administer to purchase some daily used products from the Li’s Family trading company.
Li Cong Zi occasionally roared with an angry voice and a furious temper at people who stole a glance at him, in passing, he pushed the people who blocked the way, kicked several chairs of the street peddler, trampled on the hoodlums who dared to make fool of his overlord power. It was a pity that his face was too good looking, even if he assumed such hideous, detestable, hateful and fierce-looking manner, yet, with his shockingly beautiful face, the results of the intimidating was not as good as expected!
Li Cong Bai went to his side, unceasingly tugged him and said, Fifth Brother, don’t be like this, you have frightened the people. Li Cong Zi stopped and said to him, it is exactly because I want them to fear this Little Lord me… There! That fat dead pig! Yes, You! Still dare to stare at me the Little Lord, want this Little Lord to dig blind your cursed eyes?!
Li Cong Qing was extremely speechless when he looked at them, didn’t know what to say. To make a long story short, he was unceasingly put into the disordered situation yet still under control.
“Your family is very amusing.” Song Yu suddenly spoke to him.
“Causing you to laugh at them.”
“Your character is seemingly rather different from them.”
“Yes. Even the appearance is also not as good looking as them.”
“Your face is very good looking.”
“Hah??”
Song Yu gazed at him attentively, repeated his words again: “In my eyes, you are very good looking.”
Li Cong Qing stared blankly at him for a period of time, couldn’t absorb his words.
“Ai, the Second in our family is actually very bright. If only he had a little willpower to strive for an advanced position, it would be better.” Li Cong Yin suddenly interrupted and chipped in the chat. “Previously, he suffered the sword of an assassin in place of our mighty, wise, brilliant and divine Emperor, His Majesty. He should seize this opportunity to get a quick promotion in his career, to have a meritorious rise. But the core of his heart is honest and kindhearted, not as greedy as a lion with mouth widely open. Be obliged to a small position as an Assistant Minister already made him satisfied.”
Li Cong Qing was not in the mood to show his interest, he lazily let out an artificial sigh, as if the spring wind passing through a horse’s ears.
“Second Brother’s nature is extremely lazy. If not for Big Brother insisting on him taking part in the Imperial Exam, he probably would become a lazy pig that eats then sleeps, sleeps then eats, for all of his life.” Li Cong Tong also noisily chipped in.
“Humph! Humph! Big Brother simply wanted to sell his brothers to strive for glory.” Li Cong Zi didn’t approve of her.
“Your Big Brother indeed sells the brothers for glory!” Li Cong Yin became fierce at once. “If the mighty, wise, brilliant and divine Emperor, His Majesty prefers men, I would absolutely make him wash clean his buttocks, and personally present him.”
“Big Brother, you are very vulgar!” Li Cong Tong angrily told him, yet laughed so hard as if very happy, not the least bit reserved and timid like a girl.
“Present the buttocks to the Emperor for what?” Li Cong Zi didn’t understand.
“Mouse hits the hole in the ground!” Song Xi replied, laughing so hard to the point her tears were gushing out.
“Then it will be very painful!” Li Cong Zi shouted while taking his hands to cover his buttocks.
“Rest assured, Big Brother doesn’t want to give your buttocks as a present for the mighty, wise, brilliant and divine Emperor, His Majesty. You are too stupid. The Emperor wouldn’t like you.” Li Cong Yin patted his head, didn’t know whether it was on purpose or not, he continued to irresponsibly ramble: “If you want to give, it will be your Second Brother. Although your Second Brother is not as good looking as you, but his head is smarter than yours, his buttocks is also much more worth-seeing than yours.”
Li Cong Qing finally couldn’t endure from rolling his eyes again and again, completely lazy to deal with these despicable corrupted minds of the unscrupulous businessman. Really shooting his mouth, saying everything in disorder!
Li Cong Xuan who didn’t say anything from beginning till the end stayed silent and said nothing. His handsome face stayed cool and calmly gave his hand to his child to be gnawed like a chicken cutlet.
Song Xuan restrained his face, wanted to laugh but didn’t dare.
Song Yu’s expression remained calm without too much rise and fall, still smiling as gentle as before, not in the least bit furious. Instead, he felt interested to the utmost. Since small, he grew up within the Imperial Palace’s strict etiquette. He had never heard this kind of undisguised frank and vulgar speech.
The still too young Li Cong Bai didn’t understand the foul atmosphere of the obscene talk. He tugged the sleeve of the Second Brother, earnestly said: “Second Brother, you definitely must properly assist His Majesty the Emperor to become a benevolent and brilliant monarch.”
At long last, someone was speaking in a presentable and sensible human speech.
Li Cong Qing comfortably laughed, told him: “Your Brother because of those words of yours will manage with an effort to remain in the Palace.”
End of MSHK Chapter 5
Notes 1 Sweeping the snow by his door: Minding his own business. 2 Barren hills and treacherous rapid (id): Inhospitable natural environment. 3 Not a single drop of water leaking out: Completely enclosed. 4 The beginning of the Spring: The first of 24 solar terms from 4th Feb – 18th Feb , *Lantern Festival : the night of the 15th of the first lunar month. 5 Treated each other as an honorable guest (id): Mutual respect between husband and wife. 6 The sleeping worm had left the house: He doesn’t feel sleepy at all. 7 Lantern Festival: The final event of the Spring Festival. On 15th of the first month of the Lunar Calendar. 8 Copper and Liang: Currency being used at that time.
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