Translator: Dj2203
Editor: Dj2203
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The moment Zhuang Tian’er heard those words, the hair on her body stood on end. A mysterious feeling surged from the depths of her heart, invading her thoughts and filling her mind with an extremely strong killing intent.
She immediately went outside the courtyard and saw a prince standing at the door of Zhuang Lao Er’s house.
Why could Zhuang Tian’er tell at a glance that the other party was a prince?
Because he wore a golden crown on his head; and a bright yellow ceremonial robe embroidered with a four-clawed dragon; a belt inlaid with jade, white jade, pearls and gemstones was tied around his waist; he wore golden dragon-patterned boots; and behind him followed hundreds of dashing guards, all riding tall horses, leading sturdy hunting dogs, and with fierce falcons perched on their shoulders.
This attire, this style, this entourage— who else could it be but a prince? And whose territory is Bazhou?
Thinking of this, the name “Qi Wang” suddenly popped into Zhuang Tian’er’s mind.
This man was the Qi Wang, the God of War of the Northern Frontier. He commanded a large army and wielded immense power. Even the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had to show him respect! Bazhou was his absolute domain; he could turn the land upside down with just a stomp of his foot.
Descriptions of the Qi Wang flashed through Zhuang Tian’er’s mind, and the inexplicable surge of killing intent instantly transformed into tormenting fear. Even with her reborn, incredibly fortunate destiny, she couldn’t possibly defeat such a powerful figure!
She stood frozen in place, staring at Qi Wang in disbelief.
The woman being interrogated by the Qi Wang was nearly scared out of her wits. Even if she was naive, she knew that not just anyone could wear a bright yellow dress embroidered with a coiled dragon.
The villagers who had come to watch the spectacle knelt down in unison, stammering, “Greetings, Your Highness, may Your Highness be well.”
Just moments ago, Zhuang Lao Er was fuming, but now he stood there dumbfounded. Liu Chunhua gently pulled him up, and only then did he belatedly kneel down.
The once bustling village fell into a deathly silence after the arrival of the Qi Wang, with only the occasional loud cry of the falcons soaring overhead.
Zhuang Li first helped his parents up, then walked slowly to the door and chuckled, “You came so quickly.” As he spoke, he glanced at Qi Wang’s unusually formal attire, and the corners of his crimson lips involuntarily turned up.
This person probably dug out all his most precious clothes just to see me.
Qi Wang had lost a lot of weight, and the ceremonial robes he wore a few years ago were no longer suitable for him. So he had to ask the embroiderers to quickly alter them. As a result, he felt very uncomfortable, worried that the alterations might not be done carefully enough and might look inappropriate.
He stood with his hands behind his back, quietly tugging at the fabric behind his waist to make his front look neater.
Zhuang Li caught a glimpse of his little gesture and almost burst out laughing. After suppressing his laughter for a while, he asked in a calm tone, “You’ve come to me for treatment?”
Qi Wang nodded and said, “Yes.”
“Your illness requires long-term treatment; it won’t get better in a day or two. That’s why I need to live with you so I can take care of you at all times,” Zhuang Li said truthfully.
Upon hearing this, Qi Wang almost couldn’t contain his joy. He pursed his lips, afraid of laughing out loud, and waited until the surge of emotion subsided before speaking in a hoarse voice: “Then let’s live together.”
“You cannot get used to living in my little courtyard.” Zhuang Li pointed to the dilapidated brick house behind him.
“If you’re comfortable here, then I’ll be comfortable here too,” Qi Wang said quickly.
Zhuang Li could not possibly allow the Qi Wang to stay. With this powerful figure in charge, how would those thieves dare to steal?
So he pointed to the Western Hills in the distance and said, “There is a five-courtyard house there. Ask around and see whose property it is. We can buy it and live there together.”
“We can buy it and live together”— this phrase, similar to “we’ll stay together forever,” melted into Qi Wang’s already numb and lifeless heart like honey. His self-control finally vanished, replaced by a joyful smile as he turned to look at the commander of the guards.
The captain of the guards cupped his hands and said, “I will immediately send someone to inquire.”
A guard standing behind him slapped his forehead and said, “No need to ask, that’s the Crown Prince’s villa. I’ve been here with the Crown Prince once.”
The crown prince was the son of the Qi Wang, so his possessions were essentially the Qi Wang’s possessions. With that, everything became much easier.
Qi Wang immediately turned around and looked at Zhuang Li with great eagerness.
Upon hearing the words “Crown Prince,” Zhuang Li’s heart sank to the bottom. But meeting the man’s expectant gaze, he felt a surge of tenderness. He rubbed his temples, sighed softly, and then waved his hand, instructing, “Help me move. We’ll stay there tonight.”
“Why aren’t you helping the young master move?” Qi Wang stepped aside, allowing his guards to enter the courtyard. Finally, pointing to the several large boxes he had dragged there, he said softly, “These are all gifts I brought for you. I don’t know if you like them.”
“What do you have?” Zhuang Li walked to his side and asked in a casual tone.
One was a prince, and the other was a commoner. Yet, standing together, they showed no distinction of rank or status, but rather resembled longtime friends or even close confidants.
“It’s all gold, silver, jewels, and fine silks. I came in too much of a hurry this time and didn’t bring anything good. Another day I’ll go with you to the capital, back to the palace, and we can go into my storeroom. You can choose whatever you like.” Qi Wang spoke these words softly, his eagerness to please the young man almost undisguised.
Zhuang Li glanced at him and gave a soft “hmm” through the tip of his nose.
The sound was so natural, so intimate, just like playful teasing, with a slightly ticklish quality.
In an instant, Qi Wang felt completely satisfied. The fatigue and pain from riding his steed all the way vanished. He patted his chest and felt his dying heart begin to beat again, even stronger than before.
The guards quickly emptied the Zhuang family’s second branch’s household of belongings, and then respectfully escorted Zhuang Lao Er and the others onto the carriage, taking them to the villa in the Western Hills.
Just as Qi Wang mounted his horse and prepared to depart, Zhuang Li immediately grabbed his wrist and ordered, “You are not allowed to ride a horse. You must ride in the carriage with me.”
Thinking that he could spend the journey alone with the young master in the carriage, Qi Wang immediately dismounted and agreed with a smile, “Alright, I’ll accompany you.” Finally, he pinched the young master’s slender waist, lifted him into the carriage, and personally lifted the curtain, reminding him, “Be careful not to bump your head.”
Once the young master was settled in the carriage, he leaped up.
The carriage wheels rolled slowly, and Zhuang Li leaned out of the window, pointing to the small courtyard where the second branch of the Zhuang family lived, and said, “We don’t want this house anymore, let’s demolish it.”
The dozens of guards who hadn’t yet set off immediately went inside and quickly dismantled the roof beams, courtyard walls, doors, and windows. This thwarted the eldest son’s plan to seize the entire courtyard after the second son’s family left.
The large procession gradually disappeared into the dense jungle. Only when the sound of wheels completely faded away and the falcons in the sky all flew away did the villagers, who had been kneeling on the ground, help each other to their feet.
Someone muttered absentmindedly, “Who said Zhuang Lao Er’s family was unlucky? You all saw how Qi Wang treated Zhuang Li like an honored guest, didn’t you?”
Everyone was taken aback at first, then their expressions turned to one of awe. With the Qi Wang protecting them, how could the Zhuang family possibly have a short life? They were more than capable of receiving such immense good fortune!
Zhuang Laoda stood stiffly at the door, his face contorted as he stared at the official road leading to Xishan.
While everyone was distracted, Zhuang Tian’er had already slipped back into her room. She didn’t want anyone to see her utterly defeated expression. She felt as if something had slipped out of her control.
Grandma Zhuang stood there for a while, then suddenly slapped her thigh and chased after them along the official road toward the western mountains, shouting things like, “Da Bao, Er Bao, take Grandpa and Grandma with you!”
They’re courting death! I told them long ago that we shouldn’t have separated!
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