Chapter 70
Chapter 70
A Disturbance in the Winds (1)
After that, it became Zheng Wan’s daily routine to enter the State Preceptor’s residence every day for a medicinal bath, without taking a break.
Third Lady Liu knew her place and usually kept away, and did not appear before Zheng Wan. Not being able to continue to be the evil person, Zheng Wan could only step up her efforts to foster her relationship with Cui Wang, and stay idly by the side.
Cui Wang would be in cultivation most of the time, and she would accompany him. Occasionally, when she was bored, she would drag him around the capital to stroll aimlessly. When she was free, she would admire the flowers; when she was busy, she would gaze at the moon. Just like this, most of the month passed by.
A rebellion in the northwest frontier suddenly broke up. Cui Wang received the news in the early morning and left the city with his sword before noon.
When evening came around, Zheng Wan rode a carriage to the palace to participate in a so-called celebration banquet.
Halfway through the wine, Rong Yi suddenly asked:
“Wan’niang, when did the State Preceptor say he would return?”
Zheng Wan glanced at the bronze Taotie-patterned1 hourglass on the wall—it was late evening. “He will take another two hours.”
There was light singing and dancing at the banquet; traditional string and woodwind instruments played orchestral pieces while people toasted each other, eating, drinking and making merry in an uninhibited manner. On the other hand, a rare trace of annoyance rose up in her.
Cui Wang was killing enemies with his sword outside the Jade Gate Pass——yet everyone in this group was acting like he had already won, and throwing this celebration feast in his honour in advance. Even she, the daughter of a minister who was “valued” by him, had become an existence that was more prominent than the throne.
“Wan’niang, are you… feeling unhappy?”
Rong Yi glanced at her carefully.
Under the light of the candles that were placed high on the red walls, not only had Zheng Wan’s originally fair complexion seem to lack any colour of blood, but it was even more deathly white than ever. As a result, the pair of black agate-like pupils seemed even darker and more sunken. At first glance, this seemed to give her an added imposing aura, but this made Rong Yi think of someone——
The State Preceptor.
“It’s nothing.”
Zheng Wan pressed her lower abdomen.
When she came of age last year, her womanhood had not come, and her mother was still mumbling that she was late. This year, it came, and her mother was elated, but she was the only one who felt like she had gotten punched for no reason; she often suffered pangs of pain—even drinking brown sugar water didn’t help very much.
In addition, Cui Wang was also gone at this moment. When it happened last month, he had used his vital energy to warm her up and restore her strength, and she was all better. This time… it just so happened that he had to leave.
However, it wasn’t wholly because of the time of the month that Zhang Wan was looking bad, but also because of the unrest that was breaking out now.
According to the book, her father was the one who was supposed to be instigating the revolt right now. Presently, there was no one waving the banner of “Punish the evil; Purge the imperial court”, but there was someone else leading the rebellion. Of all things, it just happened to be the one who had exiled and tormented her to death, as well she beheaded her father—the magistrate of the Northwest prefecture.
It is as if, apart from her and the fate of the Zheng family, everything else was unfolding according to a preordained fate.
Those who should die, still died.
Zheng Wan made conjecture after conjecture, but only one possibility came to mind.
This world revolved around Cui Wang. His sword of “compassion and benevolence” would have to strike. He needed to rescue all people from fire and water, accomplish meritorious service, and cleanse the mortal realm. Therefore, without her father, there would naturally be someone to take over the role——
Such occurrences were what people in the upper realms referred to as ‘lucky opportunities.
Zheng Wan was a little happy and a little unhappy at the same time.
Her father would not die. But even though Cui Wang gave in to her in terms of minor issues and usually spoke very little, he never acceded to any of her requests on major issues no matter how much she pestered him. Since he had stated that he would take Third Lady Liu away, he would definitely do so——
He told her to leave one behind.
But who should she leave behind?
Zheng Wan thought that it would be better to just stay behind herself.
Therefore, before Cui Wang’s departure, she had a one-sided quarrel with him to let him know that she was not a good-tempered person who would meekly be the subject of his machinations.
But when the royal carriage came, she still had to get on to participate in this celebration feast that was held just for him——
So, she was a little unhappy.
When she saw the person who came through the door, she became even more unhappy.
Liu Yi had also been invited, and was even wearing the same clothes as her. With a light veil covering her face, she walked in with tiny, dainty steps.
It was probably because she was living in the State Preceptor’s residence that she had special honours that differed from others. Even if Cui Wang was cold to her on the outside, whenever any manor hosted a banquet and invited her, this Liu person would definitely be invited as well.
The two of them have become a pair that couldn’t shake off each other’s existence.
“Hey, did you see Wan’niang‘s face? It’s all green.”
“County Princess, this idea of yours is rather good. Since we can’t do anything to her, creating opportunities to make her feel disgusted is not too bad either.”
Footnote:
1 Taotie: 饕餮; ancient Chinese mythological creatures that were commonly emblazoned on bronze and other artefacts.