Chapter 212: Killing Emperor Chu
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The Great Chu Crown Prince left the princess’s residence, his face unbelievably dark.
To him, the situation just now was something he had never encountered before. He had completely become someone else’s plaything, his life and death in the hands of others.
“Damn it! Xiang Feiyan, you’re so ruthless! You secretly raised such an expert and even abandoned your face to sleep with him! You’re really unscrupulous!”
The Crown Prince gritted his teeth in hatred.
However, he also knew that he had no choice in this matter.
Upon returning to his residence, he immediately summoned his men.
“Go, take a walk and spread the news… Xiang Feiyan has an affair with her guard, Su Daqiang. I want the entire city to know!”
“No, you can’t do this!” Just as the Crown Prince spoke, his advisor immediately objected.
The elder said in a low voice, “Your Highness, we can’t do this matter. It’s just empty talk and spreading rumors. Once he finds out that it was Your Highness who did it, His Majesty will definitely be unhappy and will be furious!”
The Crown Prince sneered, “So what if he’s unhappy? Could it be that he can cripple me because of this matter? Xiang Feiyan also has the intention to seize the throne. Destroying her reputation is also a method! Moreover, this matter has its own merits. If Royal Father sends someone to investigate, he might even blame Xiang Feiyan!”
The old man sighed inwardly. What the Crown Prince said was indeed reasonable.
The Crown Prince’s methods were very fast. In less than three days, the capital was filled with such rumors!
“Have you heard? Eldest Princess Xiang Feiyan has a male companion in the residence!”
“Yeah, and he’s called Su Daqiang… tsk tsk tsk, look at this name…”
“From the name, he sounds like a boorish man of humble origins…”
“What do you know? A boor is good. A boor is strong…”
“Hahaha!”
There were all kinds of filthy gossip being spoken in the marketplace.
To the commoners, this kind of gossip was even more interesting than the fish producing jade.
At this moment, Xiang Sheng’s carriage passed by the street.
Within it, his face was flushed red with anger!
However, there was nothing he could do.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the residence. Xiang Sheng got off and returned to the residence.
Su Wen was still sunbathing in the courtyard, as the Eldest Princess sat beside Su Wen and fed him fruits.
Xiang Sheng was no longer surprised by their behavior.
“Master! Mother! How can the both of you still sit here leisurely? Do you know that rumors have already spread outside? The entire city knows about the two of you.”
Upon hearing this news, Xiang Feiyan frowned and said, “Who did you hear this from?”
Xiang Sheng said angrily, “It’s all over the streets now. The rumors are awful.”
Xiang Feiyan looked at Su Wen and asked, “What should we do? I’m afraid Father will question me.”
Su Wen smiled and said, “If Your Majesty asks about this, there’s no need to hide it. Just one word is enough! Love!”
“Love?” Xiang Feiyan thought for a moment and smiled. “Then I understand!”
At this moment, Su Wen looked at Xiang Sheng and asked with a smile, “Why? Someone was speaking ill of your mother and master, but you came back just like that?”
Xiang Sheng was stunned. “What else should I do?”
Su Wen said helplessly, “Go, call Zhao Jin and tell him what I said. Let him give you a lecture on the course of action!”
“Huh?”
Xiang Sheng had a head full of fog at his reply.
However, he did not dare to disobey. He went to the outer residence and found Zhao Jin, telling him about Su Wen’s words and the whole story.
When Zhao Jin heard this, he understood Su Wen’s meaning.
He shouted, “Brothers, grab your weapons! Follow the Little Master out!”
It had to be said that Zhao Jin was someone who could mingle anywhere. Although he came in as Su Wen’s servant, he could still get along well with the guards and servants of the princess’s residence.
There were also many people who respected him.
As soon as he shouted, more than ten burly men rushed out with sabers in their hands!
“What are you doing? Go get the sticks instead! Remember, don’t kill anyone later!”
Seeing Zhao Jin’s stance, Xiang Sheng was already dumbfounded.
However, Zhao Jin immediately led the carriage and got Xiang Sheng to board it…
In the residence, Su Wen smiled and said, “Under your control, Xiang Sheng has become too honest…”
Xiang Feiyan leaned over and said coquettishly, “Then what should we do? He’s already so old… I plan to let him leave the residence next year. Why don’t… we make a dishonest person instead…”
On the street, Xiang Sheng sat in the carriage and looked at Zhao Jin outside nervously. The latter walked in front valiantly with his head held high and chest puffed out!
“Brother, have you heard? It’s the Eldest Princess…” A man on the street wanted to talk to someone with a wretched expression.
Hearing these words, Zhao Jin took a big stride forward and grabbed that person! He flipped over and slapped him with his hand!
He cursed, “F*ck you, what kind of dog dares to talk about our family’s princess? Beat him up!”
The burly men behind him immediately surrounded him and started punching and kicking the gossiper!
Xiang Sheng received a culture shock!
Wasn’t this against the rules?
But this was only the beginning.
They passed by the teahouses! Restaurants! When they caught anyone daring to talk about it, they would go in to capture them and beat them up!
Not only that, he even did it within the teahouses and restaurants itself!
However, Zhao Qian still knew his limits! He did not randomly hurt people, and even if he did, he would only break some tables and chairs and cutlery!
But even so, it was still scary enough.
The customers in the teahouses and restaurants all fled!
“F*ck, you’re insulting our princess. Are you tired of living?”
“Beat him up! Beat him up!”
Xiang Sheng could not help but get out of the car during a smashing process. He said in a low voice, “Guard Zhao, aren’t you afraid of causing trouble by doing this?”
Zhao Jin laughed loudly and said, “We’re the Eldest Princess’s people. How could the Eldest Princess be so easily discussed by the commoners? If we really talk about it, these guys will have to be charged with a crime of great disrespect.”
He leaned closer to Xiang Sheng and said, “Little Young Master, you have to know that these people are gossiping here. They are embarrassing the royal family, slapping the Eldest Princess’ face, and also embarrassing you. As a son, if your mother is being talked about like this and you can attack but don’t make a move, wouldn’t you be laughed at for lacking in guts?
Don’t be afraid of causing trouble… Back then, your master… my family’s young master…” He originally wanted to talk about Su Wen’s glorious deeds in Penglai Pavilion, but when he spoke up to this point, Zhao Jin suddenly realized that something was wrong. If he were to brag about this, wouldn’t he expose himself?
He took a sharp turn. “If anyone dares to say such words in front of my young master, they will definitely be beaten up! He would do whatever he wanted!”
Xiang Sheng was ashamed of himself when he heard Zhao Jin’s words
“Beat them up!” he screamed.
Suddenly, he felt extremely comfortable!
Along the way, Xiang Sheng led a group of people to beat up the guards. Not long after, an official arrived.
A group of people surrounded Xiang Sheng. The leading officer shouted, “Who are you? Why are you committing murder on the streets!”
Xiang Sheng didn’t know how to answer. Zhao Jin was an old acquaintance. He took a step forward and shouted, “Bullsh*t! You officials, these unruly people dare to talk about my family’s princess. How disrespectful is this? You actually don’t care and don’t ask! What’s your name? I must ask if this Great Chu’s surname is still Xiang!”
With a flip of his hand, he threw back a big problem for the guard.
The guard was rendered speechless.
This…
Should he capture them?
But they belonged to the Eldest Princess’s residence.
Leave them alone?
Then who was supposed to answer to this entire street full of beaten people?
But then again, it was normal for commoners to have cheap mouths…
However, no influential person had been so domineering.
But speaking of which, wasn’t it disrespectful for them to talk about the Princess like that? Definitely!
Zhao Jin ignored him and continued to leave with Xiang Sheng. But now, the news had spread through the streets, layer by layer!
The commoners were quick to spread the word as usual!
“Stop spouting nonsense! ~ Stop spouting nonsense. The son of the Eldest Princess has taken to patrolling the streets. If he catches you gossiping, he’ll beat you up!”
“Look! Look! He’s coming!”
“Shut up and drink your tea!”
Zhao Jin swaggered along the streets, his eyes constantly surveying his surroundings.
Wherever his gaze landed, the surrounding commoners lowered their heads.
Xiang Sheng suddenly realized that this was much more impressive than having the multitude of guards he brought previously.
This sort of might and prestige…
No matter what, much of Xiang Sheng’s anger had been vented…
In the Great Chu Royal Palace, Xiang Feiyan came to see Emperor Chu again. However, this time, she brought a chess set.
Chu River… Yan Territory…
After Xiang Feiyan explained the rules to Emperor Chu, the two of them started to play.
This was the first time Emperor Chu had seen such a game. The two of them were newbies and could be considered evenly matched.
It was rather interesting.
“Have you heard… the recent rumors?” Emperor Chu asked faintly.
Xiang Feiyan smiled. “I have.”
“Is it the truth?”
“Yes!”
Emperor Chu glared at him. “How dare you!”
Xiang Feiyan left her seat and knelt on the ground, knocking her head hard on the ground!.
She was extremely vicious to herself with this move. Blood immediately flowed from her forehead.
Her eyes were filled with tears as she said, “I know that this is not following etiquette and has also lost the face of the royal family. Royal Father, please punish me! However, I have been a widow for many years and have truly fallen in love this time. I only ask Royal Father to let that Mister Su off!”
Emperor Chu sneered. “You’re quite responsible!”
Xiang Feiyan said sorrowfully, “Now that things have come to this, I’m not willing to lie to Royal Father. I also know that I shouldn’t have done so, but I’ve been a widow for more than ten years. That Mister Su is indeed someone that appeals to me. I was rash, and I was wrong!”
Emperor Chu closed his eyes. After a while, he opened them and said, “I’ll give you a chance now! If you agree to kill this person, I’ll make you the Emperor!”
(TL Note: Using the term Emperor here for consistency, so it won’t mix with the title of Empress which is the wife of the Emperor but has little to no authority in court.)
The moment Emperor Chu spoke, Xiang Feiyan’s eyes widened!
She never expected Emperor Chu to suddenly say such a thing.
This sentence was completely out of Su Wen’s and her expectations. Furthermore, it pointed straight at the deepest desire in her heart.
She stared straight into Emperor Chu’s calm and sincere eyes.
Xiang Feiyan truly hesitated this time.
The throne was in front of her eyes!
As if sensing Xiang Feiyan’s hesitation, Emperor Chu said softly, “I promise you that as long as you agree to kill this person, I will cripple the Crown Prince.”
He sighed and said, “In the past few days, I’ve also thought it through. Among these children, only you are the most sensible. You know to care about me and understand my intentions. It’s just that this person comes from a humble background. Even if you want to inherit the throne, it’s not good to have a male pet. Kill this person and I will let you inherit the throne.”
A blanket of silence settled within the palace hall.
Even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.
Xiang Feiyan finally spoke. She kowtowed again and said with a trembling voice, “Father! If you want to punish, then punish me!”
A trace of relief flashed across Emperor Chu’s eyes.
He waved his hand and said, “Get up.”
Xiang Feiyan raised her head. Her back was already covered in cold sweat, and she sat back down.
“Then how is the relationship between Su Daqiang and Sheng’er?” Emperor Chu asked.
“It’s very harmonious. Sheng’er has already acknowledged him as his master!”
Emperor Chu sighed and said, “You’ve raised a brave son! He knows how to stand up for you! However, he shouldn’t care about this matter. Let him be grounded for a month when you get back.”
“Yes!”
Xiang Feiyan agreed.
The two of them played chess for a while more, but it was obvious that Xiang Feiyan was in a state of panic and was instead repeatedly killed by Emperor Chu.
“What a pity! If I really killed my way into the Yan Territory like this chessboard, I would die without regrets.” Emperor Chu sighed and said, “Leave the chessboard behind. You can return.”
Xiang Feiyan stood up and bowed before leaving.
Just as she reached the door, she heard Emperor Chu say, “I’ll give you one night’s time, and I’ll send a Heaven Rank expert to guard outside your residence. As long as you call out loudly, someone will immediately kill Su Daqiang. At that time, my promise will still be valid.”
“If you’re really unwilling to make a move, bring that Su Daqiang into the palace tomorrow and let me take a look! However, at that time, the throne will have no fate with you!”
“Yes…”
Xiang Feiyan left the hall.
In the hall, Emperor Chu slowly arranged the chessboard and said with a smile, “Fourth grandfather, come and accompany me for a round?”
“Alright!”
The young man occupied where Xiang Feiyan had been seated previously. He could not help but sigh suddenly. “You are a person who thinks too much. You even want to probe your own daughter like this.”
Emperor Chu said softly, “Although it’s said that the Emperor’s family is the most heartless, how can one be heartless in life? Who can truly sever relationships and righteousness? I’ve been cold all my life, but I also know that this is my strength and also my weakness.
I’m very happy that Feiyan has been by my side these past few days. If she can survive this hurdle, it’s obvious that she values friendship and righteousness. It’s not impossible to give her a chance!”
The young man smiled and said, “But what if she’s just pretending these days?”
Emperor Chu slightly shook his head and placed a piece down. “To be able to pretend to this extent can be considered her ability. However, it’s all for naught if she fails at the last step.”
At this point, he sighed and said, “The Crown Prince is a little disappointing. He attacked Xiang Sheng heavily and disregarded the royal family’s integrity to go and spread rumors. How can he act like a ruler? The emperor can be heartless, but he can’t be without magnanimity. If he can’t tolerate his own sister, how can he contain all the heroes in the world?”
The young man asked curiously, “You want to cripple him?”
“It’s not yet at that point… let’s wait and see…”
Meanwhile, Xiang Feiyan returned to the residence.
She was conflicted deep in her heart as she walked up to Su Wen’s room.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
She knocked on the door.
From within, Su Wen opened his eyes.
He had tried cultivating during this period, but still had nothing to show for it. Even up till now, he still had no clue about breaking through to the Heaven Rank.
This was indeed a sad and vexing matter.
At this moment, Su Wen’s cultivation had already stagnated.
At the very least, based on the accumulation of True Qi, although he could still slowly strengthen his True Qi through the Die Yi, it seemed like there was no chance for him to increase his cultivation.
However, he also knew that this would not be an easy process to undergo.
All along, his cultivation had been smooth as well, hence he was not anxious. After all, he was still very young..
When he saw Xiang Feiyan enter, Su Wen smiled. “How was it? Did you successfully pass?”
“Yes!”
Xiang Feiyan sat by the bed and hugged Su Wen.
She raised her head and immediately kissed him passionately.
“Hey, hey, hey… why are you in such a hurry after just returning?”
Su Wen did not seem to notice anything wrong with Xiang Feiyan.
After a huge battle, Xiang Feiyan laid on Su Wen’s back and whispered, “If I can’t become the Emperor, what will happen to us?”
Su Wen turned around and looked at Xiang Feiyan with a smile. “Why? Are you addicted to it? Do you want to elope with me now?”
Xiang Feiyan was furious. “Be serious! I’m very serious!”
Su Wen smiled and said, “What else can a little widow like you want to do? I’ll have to bring you back to the Flame God Sect. Otherwise, you’ll be killed by your younger brother here! If he becomes the emperor, he definitely won’t let us off.”
Xiang Feiyan leaned against Su Wen’s back and closed her eyes.
It was very reassuring!
She had never felt this way before.
This man seemed to have thought through everything.
It was just that…
Her eyes gradually turned sharp… the throne! That was the throne that they were talking about!
She opened her mouth and bit down on Su Wen’s shoulder hard.
“Hiss! I don’t have such a fetish. If you try again, I’ll let you know how powerful I am!” Su Wen frowned.
Su Wen turned around and hugged Xiang Feiyan. He whispered into her ear, “Why? Did the Emperor say he would give you the throne if you killed me?”
Xiang Feiyan’s eyes widened. He had actually guessed it!
“Do you think I’m really worth a throne in the eyes of the emperor? Or should I say that if he wants to kill me, he can easily get a Heaven Rank expert to come out and do it. Why pass through you?” Su Wen muttered under his breath.
“Thank you for your hesitation, but as an ally, I have to remind you that His Majesty is also our stumbling block. In essence, you and I are in a united front. Don’t be deceived by him just because he’s his father.”
His hot, heavy breathing sounded beside her ear, and Xiang Feiyan’s eyes turned a little dazed.
However, his mind was still a little clearer.
That’s right! How could a throne be so easy to get?
Why did she reject him the first time in the palace?
It was precisely because she just couldn’t believe it!
However, when Emperor Chu had a Heaven Rank expert accompany her and given her another night, she couldn’t help but think about it.
The temptation was too great.
Xiang Feiyan ridiculed in a low voice, “Where exactly are you from? You’re so cunning at such an age, like an old fox!”
Su Wen smiled. “Isn’t it good to be an old fox? They’re even more flirtatious!”
“Hmph!”
As the sky gradually brightened, Xiang Feiyan personally put on Su Wen’s coat.
“Let’s go. Father wants to see you!”
Su Wen smiled. “I didn’t expect that someone whom even the Princes can’t see actually wants to see me.”
Su Wen took a deep breath and left the room with his head held high.
Xiang Feiyan had already told him everything last night.
Su Wen naturally understood that last night was a situation of life and death for him.
Although there was no fighting involved, it was already dangerous beyond words. If Xiang Feiyan really called out, he would definitely die.
In the battle for the throne of Great Chu, a single mistake could cost one’s life.
However, in this world, risks and benefits coexisted.
If one only wanted benefits and did not want to take the initiative, most of the time, they would at most obtain some small benefits.
Su Wen knew very well that once he helped Xiang Feiyan succeed, he would definitely become the person Xiang Feiyan trusted the most.
At that time, it would be much easier to manipulate the Great Chu Imperial Court.
A warm smile was plastered on Su Wen’s face as the two of them entered the palace.
Although it was daytime, the windows were still closed and the room was a little dark.
Compared to the Zhou Emperor, this Great Chu Emperor was about to reach the end of his life.
After they met, Su Wen bowed.
“Flame God Sect’s Su Daqiang pays his respects to Emperor Chu!”
Emperor Chu nodded and smiled. “Not bad… you’re still very young…”
Su Wen fell silent, and a shy expression flashed across Xiang Feiyan’s face.
“Treat Feiyan well in the future…”
“Yes!”
Su Wen bowed and agreed.
Emperor Chu said indifferently, “However, if you want to marry Feiyan, you have to cut off all contact with the Flame God Sect.”
Su Wen smiled and said, “I didn’t have the intention to marry… Her Highness and I are merely subordinates. Her Highness hired me to protect her safety, and I’m just a guard. How would I dare to say such disrespectful words as marrying Her Highness?”
Emperor Chu looked at Su Wen and said after a while, “Are the rumors not true?”
“The unruly commoners of the city dare to talk about the royal family and fabricate rumors. This is a great disrespect. They deserve to be killed!”
Emperor Chu chuckled in response. He was extremely satisfied with Su Wen’s answer…
In fact, he too did not want to see Su Wen and Xiang Feiyan get into any sort of formal relationship.
This was because he had already officially included Xiang Feiyan as the successor of the Great Chu Royal Family.
He admired Xiang Feiyan for being sentimental, but he did not want her to be overly sentimental, especially after she ascended the throne. It would be impossible for her to get a male consort!
Some things could be done in private, but on the surface, Emperor Chu was not willing to see such things happen.
Thus, he was content that at the very least, Su Wen knew his limits.
“Leave!” The Chu Emperor waved his hand and said,” Feiyan, you stay behind and play two games with me. This chess game is quite interesting. Who made it?”
Xiang Feiyan looked at Su Wen before saying, “This chess piece was made by Mister Su here. He is especially skilled at it!”
Emperor Chu looked at Su Wen and said indignantly, “Then let’s keep this Su Daqiang for a while. I also want to see what kind of expert he is at chess!”
Su Wen smiled. “Alright!”
Not long after, the game began.
Although Su Wen’s standard was average… compared to this old emperor who had been playing for less than a day…
“Double Cannons! Kill!”
“Cannon behind the Knight! Kill!”
“Twin Chariots Interlock! Kill!”
“Iron Gate Bolted…”
(TL Note: All those are actually legitimate killing moves for Chinese Chess.)
This game seemed to have become Su Wen’s showcase of his prowess in chess.
In less than an hour, the old emperor was tortured and killed by Su Wen many times.
By the side, Xiang Feiyan was sweating profusely as she looked at Su Wen. She kept winking at him…
Unfortunately, Su Wen acted as if he did not see anything.
“This Emperor is not convinced!”
“Then let’s continue!”
“Again!”
This old fellow was so competitive that the two of them spent almost a day playing…
… To the point that when Emperor Chu had lost yet another round, he suddenly held his chest and his face turned abnormally ashen. He was about to pass on!
That young man suddenly appeared and grabbed his arm, infusing True Qi into him…
Emperor Chu’s expression gradually recovered.
The young man said unhappily, “You can’t beat him yourself, yet you’re still unconvinced. Don’t you know your condition? Do you really think you can do anything?”
As he spoke, he looked at Su Wen and Xiang Feiyan. “You may leave.”
This also gave Emperor Chu a way out before he lost more of his pride…
Su Wen and Xiang Feiyan left the hall.
Xiang Feiyan gritted her teeth as she said, “Don’t you know how to give in to Royal Father?”
Su Wen rolled his eyes. “Hmph! Who asked him not to want me to marry you? I just want him to know how powerful I am!”
Actually, Su Wen did not want to marry Xiang Feiyan, but he had to say something nice to coax a woman…
As expected, Xiang Feiyan was overjoyed when she saw Su Wen’s reaction. She did not pursue the matter of him trying to murder Emperor Chu.
She went to his side and said in a low voice, “It’s naturally impossible if Father is still alive, but if I become the Great Chu Empress, this… isn’t there still room for negotiation…”
