Feng Yu Jiu Tian vol. 19 ch. 10 – part 2

Translator: churnie

After laughing, he shows the outrageous expression of a little tiger as if it had captured its food for the first time, and he says to everyone one word at a time: “The head shouldn’t be handed over to Princess Chang Liu, but should be buried in the courtyard of Qing Zhang’s Prince Palace.”

When Chang Liu understood, she can’t help but let out a soft cry, which is extremely pleasantly surprised.

“Wonderful!” Rong Hu claps his hands abruptly, exclaiming: “At that time, if only we informed Prince Qing Li and General Zhuang Pu, we would be able to sit back and watch Qing Zhang’s bad luck.”

Luo Ning manages to keep his face calm, but he’s shocked in his heart and thinks to himself that this move seems simple, but in fact it has great political interests, not only it easily breaks the stalemate in the Tong kingdom that last for a long time, but also plant the blame on Qing Zhang and sell a big favor to Qing Li, the future king of the Tong kingdom. If it’s successfully implemented, it will be tantamount to winning a new big-power ally for Rong Tian after He Di’s Dan Lin.

Being asked hastily makes him come up with such a brilliant idea!

Isn’t this guy with foolish looks always lively and only focus in playing everywhere? is that all a pretense so to take care of himself?

What a really nuisance!

“Is it true that the head of the great king of the Tong kingdom is in the hands of Duke Ming?”

“When the young master does things, there is something surprising every time.”

“Duke Ming is really amazing!”

“It’s fun to just imagine it, Qing Li and Zhuang Pu found the real head of the great king of the Tong kingdom in Qing Zhang Prince Palace, Qing Zhang couldn’t defend himself even if he had a hundred mouths to explain, the crime of killing brother and usurping the throne was enough to make him lose his head!”

The urgent rush to the Tong’an courtyard this time, Feng Ming is accompanied by confidantes, and everyone in the room can’t help but participate in this big problem.

Then a guard standing behind Rong Hu asks a question, “However, would anyone suspect that Qing Zhang was being framed by someone? Finding the head in his residence, is not certain that Qing Zhang must have done it, after all, Duke Ming happen to be living in Qing Zhang’s Heqing Prince Palace during this period, in case Qing Zhang bites him back, he will say that Duke Ming has long been…” This is probably the first time he has boldly expressed himself without permission, he can’t help but pause when he remembered that the latter words were not very pleasant.

Feng Ming asks, “What is your name?”

“Report Duke Ming, this subordinate is Shang Zai Si.”

“Shang Zai Si, good name!” Feng Ming gives him an approving look, “The question you ask is very relevant, and you should just say something like this in the future.”

“Bodyguard Shang’s question, Chang Liu can answer on behalf of Duke Ming.” Ever since Feng Ming proposed this bold and reasonable scheme, Chang Liu’s worries have been completely replaced by surprises, and she chuckles: “Suspicion is just suspicion. What can be more explaining the problem better than the great king’s head? Besides, Qing Zhang is not a good person in the first place, Qing Li and him have had many grudges. Once he has a chance, Qing Li will desperately convict Qing Zhang. Qing Li won’t care whether he’s framed or not. As for Zhuang Pu…” Chang Liu ponders for a moment before muttering: “The imperial general is loyal to the Tong royal family, when he saw the great king’s head was taken out of the Qing Zhang prince palace, he would understand that he must choose between Qing Zhang and Qing Li, and there is no more neutral position. Even if Zhuang Pu has doubts about Qing Zhang killing his brother, I believe that with Zhuang Pu’s loyalty to the Tong kingdom, he will eventually choose the true heir of the great king Qing Li who will soon give birth to the next generation of prince.”

While speaking, she bows her head and gently strokes her already protruding stomach.

As expected, Duke Ming is her lucky star, a moment ago, it was still in a critical situation, thanks to this strokes from heaven – Duke Ming, she immediately turns from inferior to superior. If she could go according to plan, Qing Li’s enthronement is right in front of her eyes and the flesh and blood in her belly will also be the eldest prince or princess of the Tong kingdom.

(神来之笔 Strokes from heaven: It means to describe he works with wonderful sentences and vivid pen and ink).

“All right, time is running out, let us immediately divide the work and cooperate to start the great plan for the new king of the Tong kingdom.” Feng Ming eager to get into action and starts to roll the names one by one, “Zhang Huai, your mission remains the same, leave immediately to report the news to Rong Tian. Rong Hu, as for you, just…”

Luo Ning is anxious at the side, and at this moment, he says calmly: “The young master acts decisively, which make this subordinate a little bit itchy. Can the matter of framing Qing Zhang using the head be handed over this subordinate?”

Luo Yun’s heart sink.

Feng Ming is stunned for a moment, he doesn’t expect Luo Ning, the leader of the Xiao Family Killer Group, who always has too high eyes, will actually take the initiative to cooperate, it seems that the authority of this young master has made some achievements.

He gives Luo Ning a slightly grateful smile, “Leader Luo takes the initiative to ask for it, is really good news. But Qing Zhang is the imperial uncle of the Tong kingdom, and his status is very important, his residence is heavily guarded. Therefore, those who are sent to Qing Zhang Prince Palace must have ghostly skills, I have already made up my mind about this candidate.” He pauses for a while, and says cheerfully: “It seems that although those big burly men are very noisy, yet they are hidden very silently, they are Lie Zhong Shi and Lie Dou! The prime minister asked them to follow me, and they finally come in handy today.”

Luo Ning is arrogant, and heard that Feng Ming actually trust Lie Zhong Shi and friends’ light work instead, he hates this ‘arrogant and despotic’ young master even more, but he also knows that it’s not the time to be angry, so he holds back his anger and says in a deep voice, “Lie Zhong Shi and the others are on the ship, young master must need someone to inform them. Now that the city gate is closed, it’s not easy to get in and out, this subordinate can reach the riverside as soon as possible and inform them of the young master’s plan”.

Luo Yun can’t help but interject: “Why do we have to dispatch a leader of the Xiao Family Killer Group for such a small things like sending messages? At this time, shouldn’t father stay with the young master and be responsible for arranging of the Xiao family members?”

Although he was born of Luo Qian Qian, the scandal involving the old master Xiao Zong, even though the Xiao family members had heard of the incident, they claimed that Luo Ning and Luo Yun have father and son relationship on the surface. In front of Feng Ming, Luo Yun still calls his uncle Luo Ning as ‘father’.

Luo Yun has long known that his uncle and his mother are involved in the conspiracy, and now Luo Ning takes the initiative to volunteer, clearly has a bad intention, he hates himself but he can’t guess what he’s going to do, he can only try to prevent Luo Ning from getting an errand, so he doesn’t hesitate to stand up and take the task.

After refuting Luo Ning, with expressionless face Luo Yun says: “This subordinate can inform Lie Zhong Shi to go to Qing Zhang Prince Palace for the framing plan.”

Luo Ning is stopped by the nephew who is ‘on the wrong side’, he then glances at him sharply.

Luo Yun coldly stands with his hands dangling at the side, as if he didn’t seen it.

Feng Ming looks at Luo Ning and then at Luo Yun, doesn’t know what this father and son are upto, but the two of them are peculiar for these one or two days so it’s not surprising.

“Let Luo Yun go.” Feng Ming decidedly says, “He is skillful and agile, it should be a piece of cake for him to climb the city wall and inform the news at night. Luo Yun, you’re doing.”

Luo Yun succeed in fighting for the mission, he responds to Feng Ming and takes his leave. Before leaving, he signals and calls Rong Hu out of the door.

The situation involve his mother and uncle, he can’t say anything either, with a cold face, he carefully warns Rong Hu: “Remember, don’t take even a step away from Duke Ming. This Tong’an courtyard seems to be safe, who knows whether the spy is only that one woman or there maybe more parties lurking.”

Rong Hu said, “I know, you can rest assure.”

“Do you remember what I told you last time that we should strictly check the drugs in our dietary?” Luo Yun takes a deep look at Rong Hu, and says, “Rong Hu, you’ll have to take good care of the young master while I’m away.”

“Understood.” Rong Hu slaps him hard on the shoulder, and smiles: “You too, come back as soon as you report the news to the riverside”.

Although the two are of different groups, and they have different positions at the beginning and there are many frictions. They gradually get along with each other and sympathize with one another, the words between them make them seem to have been together for many years of tacit understanding and trust.

The indifference on Luo Yun’s face melt slightly and he shows a rare smile to Rong Hu, he gives a *salute then turns around and leaves.

(salute as in ancient drama: cupping one fist in the other hand as a sign of respect)

Rong Hu turns around to return to the room, and hears Feng Ming’s voice.

“…There is one more important thing, Qiu Lan and the others are still on that Qing Zhang’s courtyard, we should quickly take them all to the fleet by the riverside. In case things don’t go well, it’ll be easier to slip away, oh, Rong Hu, you are back.” Feng Ming sees Rong Hu come back, waves to call him to come in front of him, and asks, “Can you go to Qing Zhang Prince Palace quietly? Fortunately, although it’s Qing Zhang Prince Palace, it has it’s own back door. Single households have their own small back doors to go in and out, as long as you don’t make a big move, you wouldn’t be noticed…”

Even without Luo Yun’s reminder, Rong Hu won’t agree to leave Feng Ming at such a time, he says with low voice, “Forgive this subordinate, he can’t follow the order for this matter.”

“What?” Feng Ming is taken aback.

Luo Ning says neither coldly nor weakly, “Is Rong Hu not willing? Qiu Lan and the others don’t know martial arts, if something happened, there was no room for self-protection. To go to Qing Zhang Prince Palace in the middle of the night to pick up a group of people, if you didn’t want to arouse Qing Zhang’s suspicion, there must be someone who were courageous, resourceful and could make decisions decisively in case of trouble. I think the young master is right, sending you is indeed the most suitable.”

Despite Luo Ning praises of Rong Hu, he won’t waver at all and says calmly: “Rong Hu has the orders of The King of Xirei to protect the safety of Duke Ming, even Duke Ming can’t assign this subordinate to leave Duke Ming’s side.”

He is usually as docile as a honest elephant, but once he insists, even a hundred cows can’t turn him around. Fortunately, Feng Ming’s nature is very negotiable, he shrugs: “The King’s Edict again. Aih, but this matter can’t be done well by sending a guard casually, it’s about the safety of Qiu Lan and the others, so we can not – not to be careful.” He’s sighing and pouting his lips, he turns his gaze to Luo Ning, and tentatively asks: “I don’t know…en, is leader Luo interested in this task of protecting the weak?”

(一百头牛也扭不过 yībǎi tóu niú yě niǔ bùguò: even a hundred cows can’t turn him around: a play of words niú 牛: cow, and niǔ 扭: to turn, different hanzi but same pronunciation; practically means: can’t change one’s mind)

Luo Ning’s face is stiff and calm, he raises his head and replies: “Luo Ning is a subordinate of the Xiao family, so naturally he obeys the young master’s orders, if the young master wants something for Luo Ning to do, just order it. Do the Xiao family members have the bad habits of being picky when accepting the task?”

Feng Ming says happily, “Then please leader Luo, be sure to keep them safe.”

Luo Ning nods and leaves in a hurry.

Rong Hu looks at Luo Ning’s back and says, “The Xiao family’s masters are the best at acting at night, most of the people left at Qing Zhang Prince Palace are from the Xiao family group, it’s indeed the most convenient way for leader Luo Ning to go over, when Duke Ming is in trouble, his imposing demeanor has become more and more like our Great King. However everyone has something to do, we should also find something to do in the Tong’an courtyard.” Turning his eyes to princess Chang Liu at the side, he asks directly: “Didn’t the princess say that woman needs to be interrogated? Rong Hu may be able to help a little.”

Princess Chang Liu is looking for someone who has nothing to do with her to interrogate Changyi, so as to avoid the suspicion of interrogating her husband’s favorite concubine without authorization. She says cheerfully, “I was about to ask General Rong Hu to do it,  but dare not to speak, since the general himself proposed it, then thanks for troubling the general. That woman is imprisoned in the side room and hasn’t yet waken up, I have asked someone to carry her over.”

Feng Ming has the softest heart, he hurriedly urges, “Rong Hu, although she is a spy, she’s only instigated by others after all, so long as the situation allows, try not to hurt her.”

“Duke Ming no need to worry, I have never liked to hurt women. However, if she’s refusing to repent, i will inevitably make her suffer a little.”