Chapter 77: Bright Moon Heart
My voice is hoarse from asking for clicks and red tickets! Please help me out!
Sometimes I work hard to write word by word
Young Master Wang's words were indeed most inopportune. It must be known that the founding of Great Sui relied heavily on the aristocratic families. The noble clans enjoyed privileges above the law, which was considered a matter of course by the vast majority of people, and no one would have dared to raise any objections. Yang Zhao actually wanted to send Yang Xuangan to the county government of Daxing County for trial? If he weren't a member of the imperial family, he would probably have been ridiculed by the surrounding crowd as a fool. For a moment, there was an eerie silence in the street. The faces of the soldiers were filled with strange expressions; Mingyue's beautiful eyes were filled with both joy and worry, wanting to speak up but not daring to do so. Che Li shook his head repeatedly. After a long while, he finally couldn't help but sigh: "Why make such a big fuss? Young Master, you don't think Daxing County would really dare to imprison Yang Xuangan, do you? Anyway, he's already been taught a lesson, just give the Duke of Yue some face and spare him."
Yang Zhao angrily said: "Che Li Shixiong, how can you also say this? The king of Yue wants face, does that mean others don't want face?" Huo Ran turned around and walked to Mingyue's side, grasping her wrist, and indignantly said: "Mingyue isn't a person from the Wu An Security Bureau, even if the bureau owes him money, why involve Mingyue? Besides, repaying debts is necessary, but the laws of Great Sui have never said that repaying debts requires giving up people."
The person who had been thinking about him day and night suddenly held his hand in public, Mingyue couldn't help but blush all over her face, lowering her head, wanting to find a hole to crawl into. However, despite this, the spring onion-like jade fingers still grasped Yang Zhao tightly, as if afraid he would escape again. Seeing their appearance, Che Li's heart was like a clear mirror, everything was clear. He only wanted to be a peacemaker, shaking his head and saying: "Young Master, you want to talk about the law, but it's not like this. Even if Yang Gongzi is wrong, you're not the victim, so it doesn't concern you taking responsibility for the Wu An Pavilion."
Without waiting for Yang Zhao to speak, Che Li turned around and bowed to the woman who was also being forcibly taken away by Yang Xuan: "I am Che Li, a disciple of the Orthodox Sect of Extreme Joy, Bodhisattva Division. That is the eldest son of the current crown prince, Prince of Henan, Yang Zhao. Miss, you are the victim in this matter, and it's up to you to decide how to deal with Yang Xuan. If you want to report to the authorities, we will help you do so. But if you want to settle it privately, we can guarantee that Yang will not cause any more trouble for the Wu'an Escort Agency."
Although these words were spoken in a veiled manner, those with discerning ears would immediately understand the underlying implication. The woman bowed her head and greeted them with a slight bow, without lifting her veil, and spoke softly: "I am Liu Shi, a member of the Tuoba family who has not yet perished. I have met Your Excellency and Master Che Li. It is true that the Wu'an Escort Bureau owes some silver to the Yueguo Gongfu, but today, Mingyue's sister finally managed to collect enough silver and promised to repay it on behalf of the escort bureau. However, Yang Gongzi refused to accept it, citing that Mingyue was not a member of the escort bureau, and even wanted to take me and Mingyue away. Fortunately, thanks to Your Excellency and Master Che Li's timely assistance, I managed to escape this calamity. I do not dare to argue with Yang Gongzi again, but only ask him to return the IOU of the escort bureau. I am already deeply grateful."
The young Mrs. Liu spoke in a gentle and refined manner, but her words were like hidden needles. She pointed out the cause of the matter and expressed her desire to calm things down without offending either side. However, Young Master Wang felt that she was too weak after hearing her, and he was somewhat disappointed. But from another perspective, it's understandable that ordinary people wouldn't want to fight against officials. As an outsider, it wasn't his place to intervene. He thought for a moment, but still couldn't help feeling reluctant. He grasped Mingyue's soft hands tightly and then let go, taking large strides forward before grabbing Yang Xuangan again and searching him. The thing he was looking for should be on him. The women of the Brocade Army were all dressed in light and cool clothing, and it didn't seem like there was anywhere they could hide anything.
Yang Xuan was seriously injured, but he hadn't reached the point where he couldn't speak. He had been defeated so badly that he knew anything he said now would be humiliating, so he clenched his teeth and refused to speak, staring at Yang Zhao with a gaze full of resentment and venom. If looks could kill, then Young Master Wang would have been sliced into a thousand pieces long ago. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he glared, he couldn't even harm a single hair on Yang Zhao's head. So all he could do was watch as Yang Zhao's hand reached into his armor and grabbed the letter that had been hidden next to his skin.
Yang Zhao pulled out the envelope, opened it and took a look. Inside was indeed an IOU, but the signature of the creditor was not Yang Suo or Yang Xuan Gan's name, but some unknown person. The young master glanced at Yang Xuan Gan with a cold smile: "Yang Xuan Gan, you really have nothing better to do. As a young master, you actually went to collect debts for your own servant." With a flick of his wrist, he activated the Qianyang skill and burned the IOU into ashes, while throwing Yang Xuan Gan outwards, shouting: "Catch!" Hu Niang and Bao Niang quickly caught their young master and didn't dare say anything else. They turned around and led the Qi Luo army to leave hastily.
It would be best if things could be resolved like this. Che Lai let out a sigh of relief. However, the young Mrs. Liu bowed again to Yang Zhao and thanked him, inviting Xiao Wangye and Che Lai to enter as guests. Yang Zhao hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and declining politely. He took Mingyue's hand and said, "Since I've been reunited with Mingyue after so long, let's not disturb you any further... Mrs. Liu, tomorrow I'll send someone to help the escort agency with repairs, goodbye for today." Without waiting for a response, he pulled Mingyue back to their horses, mounted up, and the two of them galloped away.
The carriage sent them off, and he couldn't help but shake his head. He immediately took out a few gold leaves from his own bosom and walked forward to stuff them into the hand of Mrs. Liu, saying in a low voice: "Mrs. Liu, this little bit of gold is not much, but please accept it. Yang Xuangan was humiliated today, and he probably won't come again within ten days or half a month. But although Prince Wang can protect you for now, he can't protect you forever. So..."
"I understand. After all, the poor do not contend with the rich, and the rich do not contend with officials. So three days later, we widows and orphans will sell our belongings and leave Daxing to head south to Jiangdu." The woman surnamed Liu smiled faintly and said: "I am originally from the south, I followed my husband to Daxing ten years ago, and have not returned to my hometown since. Now it's just right to return home with the fallen leaves."
The car nodded, thought for a moment, and then took out a small token from his bosom and handed it to the young woman surnamed Liu. "Our sect also has a branch temple in Jiangdu. If you encounter any difficulties or troubles when you arrive there, don't hesitate to take this token to our local branch temple for assistance. You will surely get help."
The young Mrs. Liu nodded, took over the token, and bowed her head in respect, saying: "In that case, I would like to thank you first, Master."
As a courtesan, even if one's artistic skills are unparalleled in the world and they are revered as "the great", their body still drifts like a floating leaf on water, wandering aimlessly in the mortal realm, completely unable to control their own fate. On the surface, it seems that countless young masters from noble families gather under her skirt, sparing no expense just to win a smile from her. It appears to be a life of boundless glory, envied by others. However, Mingyue herself is all too aware that this glory is merely an illusion, a reflection in the water, an empty pavilion in the air. Those young masters, at their core, only see her as a beautiful plaything that is difficult to obtain, something that can enhance their reputation and satisfy their vanity to the greatest extent. The title of "the world's number one courtesan" is bestowed upon whoever they set their sights on. As for Mingyue herself, has anyone ever shown her even half a point of concern? Has anyone ever regarded her as an equal person?
Only Yang Zhao, only young master Wang... are different. Although the days they spent together were actually just those short ten or so days. But in daily life, Yang Zhao and himself got along without any deliberate flattery or frivolous behavior, nor did he have the condescending attitude that those aristocratic sons had towards people of his status. Truly, truly, it was as if he saw him as an existence completely equal to himself. The poem written by Xiao Ci on the top floor of Jin Guan Tower in Chengdu made Ming Yue's heartstrings vibrate with emotion, and she was grateful to have finally found her true soulmate.
One night of entanglement, I thought it was a farewell for life and death, never to meet again in this lifetime. Unexpectedly, the one I had been thinking about day and night appeared suddenly at my most critical moment and lent a helping hand. The bright moon is shining, as if I were in a dream. My heart is filled with joy, which cannot be described by any words in the world. However... amidst the joy, worries also emerged involuntarily.
He is a noble prince, while I am just a humble musician. The gap between our identities is like heaven and earth, can we really be together? Or... will he also be like those other young masters who only seek novelty? If that's the case, then what should I do?
The emotions of gain and loss filled the heart in an instant. The thoughts under the bright moon also fluctuated up and down with the horse's trot, unable to calm down.
Yang Zhao, who was holding Mingyue in his arms, didn't understand the thoughts of his daughter's family at all. Today, he came to visit the widow of Wu Anbiao, and also wanted to settle a matter that had been on his mind. Unexpectedly, he met Yang Xuangan, although he slapped him dozens of times, but ultimately lost interest. Moreover, the young woman surnamed Liu was unwilling to report to the authorities, which made the young master very angry. However, the anger of young people comes and goes quickly. Straddling a fine horse, holding a beautiful woman in his arms, seeing only the green hair like clouds in his eyes, and smelling only the faint scent on the tip of his nose, his anger would dissipate soon. The young master tightened his arms and asked softly: "Mingyue, what are you thinking?"
In her arms, the delicate body trembled slightly. Mingyue came back to herself and bowed her head, saying: "N-nothing... I was just thinking of Guanyin Bodhisattva's protection. Your Highness, you've finally returned safely too. Mingyue thought that... that..." Her eyes turned red, her voice choked with sobs, and she couldn't continue speaking.
"Don't call me Wang Ye, just call me Ah Zhao. Yang Zhao suddenly felt that his current appearance and tone were quite similar to those of the male protagonists in Taiwanese romance novels he often saw in rental bookstores before crossing over, and he couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. He shook his head and continued from where they left off: "Didn't we discuss this that night? I won't be in any trouble. Right, I remember telling you to come back and wait for me at the Wang King's mansion in Henan, so why did you go to the Wu An Escort Agency instead?"
The bright moon leaned against the arm of Young Master Wang, and the corners of her mouth rippled with a hint of bitter smile. As a musician, she was also only half-bound to him by a fleeting marriage, so even if she had endured hardships to return to Daxing, what identity could she use to find her way back to the Wang estate? Even if she did find her way there, how would the people in the Wang estate accommodate her? These were things that didn't need to be mentioned and weren't willing to be brought up again. The bright moon said softly: "The three leaders of the Wu'an Escort Bureau all died because of us, so after I came back, I wanted to help take care of their families a bit. Who would have thought that I'd run into Yang Xuangeng instead? Today... today if it weren't for you, Ah Zhao... I'm afraid..."
Yang Zhao coldly snorted: "That guy is simply shameless, actually daring to make a move on my woman. Next time if he dares to do it again, I must send this lecherous wolf to the palace to become a eunuch." After a pause, he said: "But does Yang Xuan not know your identity? Even without what's between us, how could he dare to be so presumptuous?"
Mingyue said quietly, "In the past, Mingyue was still a guest at the Tang State Duke's mansion, so he naturally had to be somewhat considerate. But now that Mingyue has explained everything to the Tang State Duke and they have severed all ties, Yang Xuangan no longer needs to be cautious."
"It's best if we don't have any more troubles." Yang Zhao heard this and his heart was filled with joy, he lowered his head and heavily kissed the snowy white neck of Ming Yue, who had a complexion as smooth as ice. Ming Yue was caught off guard and instantly became weak all over from being kissed by him. But then she heard the young man who had taken her virginity laughing loudly in her ear say: "My Yang Zhao's woman, I will naturally protect her myself. Let that old fart Li Yuan roll his stinky egg away, haha, haha, hahaha~~~ Let's go, we're going home." With a squeeze of his legs, he shouted: "Giddyup!" and lifted the reins to urge the horse to gallop, heading straight in the direction of the King of Henan's mansion.
