Di Wang Gong Lue

Chapter 47

[Chapter 47 – The bygone affairs of Chao Ya] Greed is the root of all ruin　

“What is it?” Duan Bai Yue asked.

“Go to Fu Ming Village and see how the person called Feng Gu is doing, whether she’s doing well or not.” The old man said, “When you return, I will tell you why the Fen Xing shines.”

Duan Bai Yue promised: “Alright.”

The old man said: “In so many years, there have been people who came to ask me questions secretly. But you are the one who agreed the most easily, and did not even ask who Feng Gu is. Not afraid of getting deceived?”

Duan Bai Yue smiled: “I have no bad blood with this elder, and there shouldn’t be an ambush waiting for me at Fu Ming Village. At most I would have made a trip for nothing. No harm in helping this elder check on your old friend, anyway.”

“Go, then.” The old man waved his hand, “Remember, don’t bother her.”

Duan Bai Yue turned and left, not returning to the inn, leaving the city on horseback straightaway instead.

They are completely unacquainted; of course, he doesn’t trust that old man fully. But since he could recognise that his sword was Xuan Ming Han Tie with just a glance, there should be more to him than it seems. Maybe he could really reveal the mystery behind Fen Xing shining.

Based on this alone, this deal is worth doing no matter what.

Fu Ming Village isn’t far from Yun De City, and Huo Yun Shi is an exceptional colt. Just as the day began to brighten, Duan Bai Yue had already reached the entrance of the village. A few young men, who seemingly have just moved here from the countryside, were walking towards him and chatting, a few wild chickens in their hands.

“Lads.” Duan Bai Yue said, “Can I ask, does this village have someone called Feng Gu?”

“There is, it’s that house in front, the one with the smoking chimney.” One of them said with a smile, “You are here to buy their dumpling sweets too?”

Duan Bai Yue smiled.

“Their business is sure good, to have customers arrive so early.” The boy was rather envious, and continued, “That’s right, a bit later, and the shops from outside will be coming to collect their goods. When you want to buy them then, you must spend more to get it in the city. Feng Gu’s dumpling sweets are delicious, the outsiders are all willing to spend twice the amount to buy it.”

So it’s a family which makes dumpling sweets. After Duan Bai Yue thanked them, he went to knock on the door of that household. The dog in the yard started barking, and was chided by its owner. The wooden doors opened creakily; an old woman with a head full of white hair looked at Duan Bai Yue, saying doubtfully: “Are you looking for someone from my family, young master?”

Duan Bai Yue said deferentially: “I was passing by here, and heard that there’s a family here which makes good dumpling sweets. My wife has a ravenous liking for it, so I came to take a look. Is this grandmother here Feng Gu?”

“That’s me.” The old woman said with a smile, “These sweets are reserved by the shops in the city, I’m not allowed to sell them to others. But if this young master just wants some for your wife, then taking a few packets is fine. No need to pay either, it’s not something costly anyway.”

“Thanks, grandma.” Duan Bai Yue said, “I have travelled for the whole night, could I come in for a cup of water?”

The grandmother nodded, and let him sit in the yard, calling the shopkeeper over to attend to him.

“This is the first time a customer came so early.” A healthy old man came from the backyard, a head full of white hair and shirtless. He laughed candidly, “I had just finished boiling the syrup. If this young master wants to buy the sweets, I’m afraid you would have to wait for two more hours.”

“It’s alright.” Duan Bai Yue laughed too, “I’m willing to wait however long it takes, as long as it doesn’t bother the two of you.”

“Alright, stay and have breakfast with us then.” The grandma said, “Our son and his wife had gone into the mountains, and our daughter and her husband are making a living in the city, and will only return the day after tomorrow. The neighbours gave us a lot of buns yesterday; in this hot weather, and with only us, two old fellows, we won’t be able to finish it, it’s going to spoil.”

Duan Bai Yue stood up: “I will help grandma tidy the kitchen.”

“Please don’t, you look like someone from a rich family, just have to sit down and drink your tea.” The grandma waved her hand, “This kitchen of mine is small, you can’t move around in there if there’s too many people.”

Duan Bai Yue sat back down.

The buns were quickly pan fried in the wok and was accompanied with porridge and salted vegetables. It is a crude meal, but it’s not something that can be eaten anywhere else. On the table, the two elders chatted with Duan Bai Yue, laughing. When the dumpling sweets were ready, they packed a big packet for him, and refused to accept any money at all.

The old man said with a laugh: “This wife of mine really likes people like this young master, who have travelled far, but still remembers about his wife back home. So just take the sweets, I’m not worried about selling these sweets, and not concerned over just a couple of packets. We have promised the shops in the city that we won’t sell to others too. If you insist on giving us money, young master, then we will have broken the rule.”

“I shall have to just accept it then.” Duan Bai Yue said, “Many thanks. I still have to hurry on with my journey, so I shall take leave now.”

The grandma nodded, and along with her husband, sent him out to the door, before returning to the yard to work. Duan Bai Yue glanced back once, and rode away on his horse.

When he returned to the summer palace again, it was once again midnight.

The old man was still playing chess against himself. The wind rustled in the night; when he heard Duan Bai Yue enter, he just raised his head.

Duan Bai Yue said: “Feng Gu is living very well.”

The old man asked: “How well.”

Duan Bai Yue answered: “A loving couple, complete with a son and daughter, she has small family business, with very good sales, and no worry for food and clothes.”

Smiling, the old man said: “She’s still selling dumpling sweets?”

Duan Bai Yue placed two packets of the sweets on the chessboard: “The grandma is very nice, she gave it to me.”

“That’s good, that’s good.” The old man nodded and closed his eyes; it was like a monk entering the meditative state.

Duan Bai Yue didn’t rush him.

Half an hour had passed before the old man opened his eyes, saying: “I had already forgotten that I promised you that I would talk about the matter of Fen Xing.”

Duan Bai Yue said: “Frankly speaking, I have a friend who can make the Fen Xing shine.”

“That isn’t a good thing.” The old man shook his head.

Duan Bai Yue’s forehead creased.

“That Chao Ya island, it isn’t any good place.” The old man said, “Or should it be said, it used to be a good place, but ever since they encountered the temptations of the outside world, all was ruined.”

Duan Bai Yue said: “I’d like to know the details.”

“According to legend, when the forefathers of Chao Ya brought the clan members to the east, it was to find a place for austere cultivation. It’s obvious to see that they were going to stay wherever that is desolate; why would it be called austere cultivation otherwise.” The old man said, “In the beginning, the clan members were able to bear with the loneliness, cultivating spiritually and reciting Buddhist scriptures. After passing centuries like this, the island gradually changed. The descendants began to go to the outside world, seeing the prosperity of the mainland for themselves. They unwittingly rescued a merchant lost at sea along the way, and went with him to an island of gold.”

Duan Bai Yue was surprised: “There’s really an island of gold?”

“Everyone knows that Chao Ya is an island of gold, but they do not know that the gold on Chao Ya was originally moved from another island.” The old man said, “The island was where pirates buried their spoils. Perhaps the pirates met with a calamity at the sea, so that island became an abandoned island. After the merchant heard of this information by coincidence, he brought the Chao Ya clan to the island several times, but still couldn’t empty the island of its gold. Seeing that the storm season was approaching, and that they would have had to stop going out to sea, they agreed to return in the future. Just before they left, they drew a nautical map, with the merchant taking half of it, and the Chao Ya clan taking the other half.”

Duan Bai Yue nodded: “So that’s what happened.”

“Becoming wealthy, the Chao Ya clan members started squandering extravagantly. The passing merchant ships all began to know that there’s gold everywhere on the island, thus they were willing to hawk their goods there, cajoling them in every possible way to gain favor. The originally austere Chao Ya clan had also changed into greedy, covetous, lazy people who wanted an easy life, unlike the time when the forefathers of Chao Ya were still alive.” The old man sighed forlornly, “Greed and desire ruin people.”

“What happened next?” Duan Bai Yue continued asking.

“After that, the merchant became wealthy, but also became mad.” The old man said, “It turns out, along with him, there were seven other people who chanced upon the island of gold. As they didn’t know if there’s any pirates nearby, they did not touch the treasures on the island, leaving in a panic after waiting for the waves to subside. But that shining mountain of gold, it lingers in the minds of the one who sees it. On the trip back, the merchant killed the rest of his companions, all to just keep this secret.”

Duan Bai Yue shook his head.

“The secret was kept, and when he set out the second time, the riches were also gotten with the help of the Chao Ya people, but a wound was also left in his mind.” The old man said, “That was the blood of seven people. After the merchant turned mad, the Chao Ya clan started panicking too, and wanted to find him to take back the other half of the nautical map. But the merchant’s house had already long been torched and burnt down, and the merchant himself was already publicly executed by officials.”

“So the only remaining piece is the half which is in the hands of Chao Ya?” Duan Bai Yue said, “What does that have to do with Fen Xing?”

“The Chao Ya people treated that half-piece of the map as treasure, so they would naturally hide it in the safest place.” The old man said, “With the light from Fen Xing, they can rouse the Lan Huo fish from the sea. By following the school of fish, then can they locate the island where the map is hidden.”

Duan Bai Yue said: “It’s only half the map.”

“Yes, it’s only half the map.” The old man said with a sigh, “But with just half the map, it let an entire island’s worth of people lose all rationality. A few decades ago, there was still a group of elders who insisted on upholding their ideals. But after the elders were gone, leaving only the younger generation, the island turned increasingly tumultuous. Every day was spent scheming and fighting against each other, all thinking that if they could get that half of the map, then they will be able to find the gold.”

“Find which half, the merchant’s half?” Duan Bai Yue asked.

The old man shook his head: “It’s Chao Ya’s half.”

Duan Bai Yue didn’t understand.

The old man explained: “The Chao Ya elders, in order to let their progeny live in harmony, decided to destroy that half piece of the treasure map in the end to take away the temptation. Who would have known that this decision was found out by their progeny, who surrounded the residence of the elders with torches for many nights, demanding them to hand over Yue Ming Gu.”

Duan Bai Yue said: “It’s not to hand over Fen Xing instead?”

“About pearls like Fen Xing, there’re still several of them on the island. The one in Jiu Xuan Ji was treated as a treasure by the oblivious people of Jianghu in the Central Plains.” The old man said, “The Fen Xing isn’t important; Yue Ming Gu which can let Fen Xing shine is what all Chao Ya people want the most. But after a night of stalemate, seeing that their descendants couldn’t be reasoned with, the elders swallowed the gu chong in despair, drew out their swords and killed themselves, and the Fen Xing became a bunch of dull, dim useless things.”

Duan Bai Yue clenched his fists helplessly: “So the people who can let Fen Xing shine, are all infected with Yue Ming Gu?”

“As I said in the beginning, it’s not anything good. So what if that half piece of the map can be found?” The old man said, “It’s best that you go help cure that friend of yours quickly.”　　

“What is Yue Ming Gu, is there any danger?” Duan Bai Yue furrowed.

The old man shook his head: “There’s at least seven, eight gu poisons on your body, you are familiar with them, but are still unsure if you can eradicate Yue Ming Gu? After taking out the gu chong, burn it, eradicate the problem once and for all, or else, greed and desires ruin people.”

“Just who is this elder?” Duan Bai Yue asked.

The old man waved his hand: “Go, destroy Chao Ya completely, it was originally an isolated island, there’s no need for people to go there anymore. Destroy it, and I shall tell you who I am.”

“Many thanks to this elder.” Duan Bai Yue said, “After I have eradicated Yue Ming Gu, I shall come and find this elder again.”

The old man nodded, closing his eyes once again. It was not long before he fell asleep, his head drooping.

As the sky brightened a little, the summer palace began to get more and more lively. On the roads outside the city, eunuch Si Xi said with a smile: “We have arrived, Your Majesty, the city gates can be seen right in front.”

Chu Yuan lifted the curtain of the carriage, glancing outside. He saw the local officials were already kneeling in welcome, their heads dark and plentiful.

Although he knew that Duan Bai Yue couldn’t possibly be outside there, he was still somewhat…..disappointed.

Taking in the scene, eunuch Si Xi smiled even more widely.

“Old Tao.” Liu Da Jiong got down from the palanquin, saying: “The local officials here are your students, so this can be said to be your territory, you will have to pay for the first meal.”

Tao Ren De’s teeth ached: “Just when will you retire and return to your hometown?”

“It’s still early, it’s still early.” Liu Da Jiong placed his hands on his hips, “I will only leave when Grand Tutor has been in the ground for at least two years!”

Tao Ren De shoved him, but couldn’t be bothered to argue. On this trip to the summer palace, it’s not as if he has no tasks completely, but it’s still more laid back than being in the capital. He brought his chessboard, tea leaves and hwamei along too; he intends to rest properly for a few days.

The local officials performed their three kneelings and nine kowtows, and started running off their mouths. Chu Yuan’s face was stoic and dignified, but inside, he thought of an oft-used phrase by Duan Bai Yue.

I really want to feed an insect into the mouths of all these people.

After he had finally finished meeting everyone and returned to his residential quarters, it was already almost lunch. When he opened the door, Duan Bai Yue was sitting by the table, as expected.

Eunuch Si Xi knowingly retreated outside.

“What’s the matter?” Chu Yuan asked, “You don’t look happy, who angered you?”

“I’m not unhappy, I’m worried.” Duan Bai Yue stood up, pulling him into his arms, “Don’t move.”

“Huh?” Chu Yuan was puzzled.

“Don’t move.” Duan Bai Yue repeated, his hand following the line of his nape, slowly searching downwards.

“Hey!” Chu Yuan struggled from him, glaring, what’s he doing in broad daylight!

“I seem to have found out why Fen Xing shines.” Duan Bai Yue said.

Chu Yuan looked blankly: “Huh?”

“Let me see your back, no need to be afraid, it’s nothing serious.” Duan Bai Yue held his hand, “After I have taken a look, then I will tell you the reason.”

Chu Yuan: “……..”

Duan Bai Yue led him to the table.

Chu Yuan was sceptical, but didn’t ask, untying his robes and pulling off his outer robe for him to see.

The emperor was saying he was hungry during the trip, should I send some food in, Eunuch Si Xi thought, when he peeked through the gap of the door. He hurriedly stood with his back to the door, sent back the servants who were bringing tea, and posted imperial guards outside, instructing that no one is to come in.

Duan Bai Yue’s thumb pressed on Chu Yuan’s pale back inch by inch. Chu Yuan frowned, wanting to ask just what he’s doing, when there was a burst of sharp pain.

“Ouch.”

Duan Bai Yue stopped, and gently pressed there again. There was really a small hard area, if not for his meticulousness, no one would have found it.

“Are you poking me with a needle?” Chu Yuan asked.

Duan Bai Yue helped him back into his robe, saying: “I told you, don’t be scared, it’s nothing serious, when Yao-er and my teacher arrives, this gu can be expunged.”

Chu Yuan looked doubtful.

“When Fen Xing encounters Yue Ming Gu, it will shine.” Duan Bai Yue said, “When that group of Chao Ya people entered the palace a decade ago, they had most likely infected you with it.”

“Me?” Chu Yuan frowned, reaching out to rub the place that hurt.

“I don’t know the reason, but it’s not serious.” Duan Bai Yue pulled on his hand, and told what the old man told him in detail.

Chu Yuan was not quite able to believe it.

“He’s right in a small yard in this summer palace, but I had promised the elder that I won’t disturb him out of nowhere.” Duan Bai Yue said, “Do you know who he is?”

Chu Yuan shook his head: “I came to this summer palace every year since I was a child, but have never heard that a wise man lives here. But, although I don’t know who the old man is, I know who the merchant from the story is.”

Duan Bai Yue was surprised: “Oh?”

“It’s the ancestor of the Shen family, that is, the Sun-moon Hamlet of the present.” Chu Yuan said, “The merchant was named Shen Liu. The leader of the martial arts circle at that time was friends with him, and couldn’t bear to see the whole family executed and their property confiscated, and saved his heir, Shen Luo. Twenty years later, when havoc reigned, Shen Luo assisted the forefather of Chu to conquer this land, thus allowing the Shen family to strengthen and expand again.”

Duan Bai Yue said: “So that’s what happened.”

“This isn’t much of a secret in Jianghu, but now that Sun-moon Hamlet is the most powerful sect, no one dares to gossip about them. Moreover, this was something that happened a hundred years ago.” Chu Yuan said, “Back then, after Shen Liu turned crazy, he only said that there’s an island of gold abandoned by pirates in foreign lands, but did not speak of Chao Ya, so it’s reasonable that no one connected the two matters together.”

“Don’t talk about this to others first.” Duan Bai Yue said, “The most important thing is to extract Yue Ming Gu from your body first.”

“If it can’t be taken out, what happens then?” Chu Yuan asked.

Duan Bai Yue thought about it: “You’ll turn stupid.”

Chu Yuan: “…….”

“I’m just joking, it shouldn’t be anything serious.” Duan Bai Yue smiled, “But no matter the kind of gu chong, they all feed on blood. It’s not anything good, so why keep it?”

“So you realise it too.” Chu Yuan pinched his nose, “What about your Jin Can Xian then?”

“Jin Can Xian is a little more obedient, it only wakes up once a year.” Duan Bai Yue answered fluidly, “So it’s alright.”

Chu Yuan didn’t know what expression he should make.

“My teacher and Yao-er will probably reach tomorrow.” Duan Bai Yue said, “We can help you take out Yue Ming Gu tomorrow night.”

“Alright.” Chu Yuan nodded. But he was puzzled, “Why are elder Nan and Yao-er separated from you?”

Duan Bai Yue said: “Because I didn’t let them follow me.”

But no matter how much he doesn’t want them to follow him, he can’t stop them when they really want to.

Carrying a small pack, Duan Yao followed behind his teacher happily.

Nan Mo Ye bought a few buns by the roadside, handing one to his disciple and saying: “Be more attentive, don’t let that brother of yours discover us.”

“Of course.” Duan Yao said, “We are reaching Yun De City tomorrow, let’s put on disguises now!”　

“Good!” Nan Mo Ye exclaimed his approval.

The two of them sat in a cool spot under a tree. Before they could open their bags, someone on horseback approached from far away.

Duan Yao covered his face immediately.

Nan Mo Ye stuck his long tongue out, and made a malevolent face.

Now that his face has changed, no one should be able to recognise him.

The servant got down from the horse, saying: “Master Nan, young master.”

……

“Ahem.” Nan Mo Ye’s face returned to his usual look, and slapped the head of his disciple.

Duan Yao asked: “Should I start bawling?”

The servant quickly put a stop to it, saying: “The lord isn’t angry, and has instead gotten this subordinate to hasten my steps, and get Master Nan and young master to the city as fast as possible.”

Nan Mo Ye perked up instantly: “Really?”

The servant said: “The lord seemed very anxious.”

Nan M Ye slapped his thigh; if he’s anxious then that means something has happened, that’s a good thing, it has been so boring recently.

The sun descended bit by bit; in the summer palace, Duan Bai Yue was having a meal with Chu Yuan. The emperor has arrived in person, so the local official must hold a banquet to honor him as expected. But eunuch Si Xi knew that the emperor had never eaten much during such occasions, and thus instructed the kitchen to specially make some of his usual dishes to be sent to his room after the banquet. He also added quite a bit of meat and fish, in order to make it more suitable for Xi Nan King’s appetite.

Chu Yuan bit into a fat piece of braised meat, and ate his rice with its sauce.

Duan Bai Yue asked: “Do you want some fish?”

Chu Yuan nodded.

Duan Bai Yue fed him with his chopsticks, smiling: “Why is your appetite so good?”

Chu Yuan said: “It’s not that my appetite is good. If I were to not eat, then you would nag again.”

Duan Bai Yue didn’t know how to feel: “Nag?”

“I really don’t have an appetite, but the lack of appetite is due to the hot weather, not because of some Yue Ming Gu.” Chu Yuan said, “Even if it’s because of that, it’s been ten years or so, and I didn’t realise anything.”

“It’s great that you can think of it this way.” Duan Bai Yue passed him a rib, “But you should still eat properly. This isn’t greasy, try it.”

Chu Yuan was truly curious: “Do the people at Xi Nan manor eat vegetables?” It was the same with Duan Yao previously, who only ate meat, not picking any vegetables at all.

Duan Bai Yue said: “If you were there, I would find eighteen chefs, and have different types of vegetable dishes everyday.”

Chu Yuan tapped him with the end of his chopsticks: “Impudent!”

“If you don’t believe me, then remember these words.” Duan Bai Yue said, “You’ll have to wait and see if I can fulfill it in the future.”

Chu Yuan bit into the rib leisurely: “Alright then.”

The journey has been tiring; now that they have finally reached the summer palace, at long last, they can rest for a month. Afterwards, when he was lying in the huge bed, Chu Yuan didn’t want to move at all.

Duan Bai Yue was hugging him, his hand pressing sporadically on Chu Yuan’s back. Chu Yuan didn’t care about it at first, but started avoiding his hand a while later: “Stop it!”

Duan Bai Yue said: “I can’t help it.”

“It’s itchy, and painful too.” Chu Yuan said, “It was fine when I didn’t know about it, but now it feels uncomfortable when something touches it.”

“Teacher and Yao-er will be arriving tomorrow.” Duan Bai Yue said, “Just sleep like this for tonight.”

“Will Elder Nan be wearing a mask again?” Chu Yuan asked.

Duan Bai Yue paused, before saying: “He doesn’t have to wear it, but I have to tell you something, don’t get angry.”

Chu Yuan frowned: “Maybe I will.”

Duan Bai Yue: “……”

“Tell me, what are you hiding from me?” Chu Yuan grabbed his collar.

Duan Bai Yue was truly vexed about this, but he can’t go on keeping this from Chu Yuan either, so he could only say: “That Bai Lai Cai who you met at Qiong Hua Valley, that was my teacher.”

As expected, Chu Yuan stared at him blankly.

Duan Bai Yue told him what happened.

From within the darkness of the room, Chu Yuan looked at him, saying: “So it was premeditated.”

“I’m really blameless in this.” Duan Bai Yue said, “When my teacher left the tomb, he didn’t even return to Xi Nan Manor, and went to find Master Ye directly instead. Even for me, it was the first time meeting him at Qiong Hua Valley.”

Under the blanket, Chu Yuan kicked him.

“About my feelings towards you, it can be concealed from other people, but not from my teacher.” Duan Bai Yue held his hand, bringing to his lips for a kiss, “He’s even more impatient than me. He thinks about holding a wedding all day long, and asks about cooking red eggs every few days.”

Chu Yuan laughed.

“The temperament of that teacher of mine, you will understand it after you have interacted with him for a while. No one can understand what he’s thinking.” Duan Bai Yue said, “But he’s really good to me and Yao-er; so good that he would put his life on the line for us.”

Chu Yuan said: “Of course, I won’t be angry with Elder Nan.”

Duan Bai Yu said: “That’s good.”

Chu Yuan said: “I’m angry with you instead.”

Duan Bai Yue felt wronged: “Why?”

Chu Yuan said: “There’s no why.”

Duan Bai Yue: “…….”

Chu Yuan turned his back on him.

Duan Bai Yue plastered himself onto him, pulling him into his arms, rubbing his chin on him.

Chu Yuan smirked, saying lazily: “Tired.”

“Sleep then.” Duan Bai Yue said, “When you wake up tomorrow, then you can’t be angry anymore.”

“Perhaps.” Chu Yuan closed his eyes.

Duan Bai Yue smiled, placing a kiss between his hair.

Chu Yuan was enveloped in his arms, not wanting to be separated for even a moment.

Before, when he acted distant towards him, it was because he was afraid of falling deeper and deeper; and also because of the hot-and-cold, frivolous attitude of Duan Bai Yue. But with all this time spent together, Chu Yuan understands his heart more and more. Some things haven’t been able to be concealed for a long time now; he doesn’t want to hide it either.

Even though he doesn’t dare to have high hopes for the future, it’s nice to have this moment of tranquility too. As for the future, they can only take it a step at a time.

Their hands intertwined, and did not let go throughout the whole night.

On the second day, it was still an endless stream of local officials, wanting to report this and that. Duan Bai Yue, in the residential quarters alone, and having nothing to do, slept till Chu Yuan returned.

“Lazy.” Chu Yuan said.

“With the emperor providing for me, of course I’m lazy.” Duan Bai Yue said, “Reach out my arm when clothes arrive; open my mouth when food arrives.”

Chu Yuan said: “Today, yet another local official joined in criticizing you.”

The corners of Duan Bai Yue’s lips drew up: “I can’t even escape from it here, who was it? Tell me so that I can go beat him up.”

Chu Yuan said: “Tao Li, he’s from the same place as the Grand Tutor.”

“You see, it’s him every single time.” Duan Bai Yue said, “That old fellow is already so old, just when will he retire?”

Chu Yuan smiled: “Before the late emperor died, he entrusted us and the land to him. There have been three generations of loyalty from the Tao family; if he can’t see the lands flourishing and plentiful royal heirs, he probably won’t leave.”

Lands flourishing is easy, as for the plentiful heirs……Duan Bai Yue asked: “So are you the one giving birth or me?”

Chu Yuan slapped him: “Shut up!”

Xi Nan King put his cheeks in his hands, feeling wronged.

He really can’t give birth…

“When will Elder Nan and Yao-er be arriving?” Chu Yuan asked.

“They’re almost here.” Duan Bai Yue said, “Don’t worry, the guards of this summer palace are nothing to them.”

Chu Yuan glanced at him with a smile: “They’re nothing to them, and I still don’t have to worry about it?”

“I will deploy some assassins from Xi Nan in the future.” Duan Bai Yue was well aware, “They’ll protect you if something happens, and go scare Tao Ren De if nothing is happening.”

Chu Yuan covered his ear: “You aren’t allowed to mention the Grand Tutor for the next three days.” Otherwise, with his old age, what if Duan Bai Yue’s constant mention of him causes him to fall sick?

Duan Bai Yue thought, Alright, I won’t mention him for three days, and will continue on the fourth day.

“Your Majesty.” Eunuch Si Xi said quietly outside, “The people you have been waiting for have arrived.”

Chu Yuan said: “Send them in quickly.”

Nan Mo Ye was still wearing a ferocious looking mask.

Duan Yao smiled brightly. Hi, sister-in-law!

“Yao-er.” Chu Yuan reached out and called him to his side, and continued, “Elder Nan, just take off the mask, it’s a hot day.”　

”There’s no need.” Nan Mo Ye’s voice was piercingly sharp.

Duan Yao’s teeth throbbed in pain.

Feeling very embarrassed, Duan Bai Yue went forward and took off his mask in one go.

Nan Mo Ye exclaimed in surprise, and quickly covered his face with his hands, revealing only half an eye between the gaps of his fingers.

Duan Bai Yue said: “He already knows who you are.”

Nan Mo Ye sighed in relief, put down his hands and said with a laugh: “Your Majesty.”

Chu Yuan poured him a cup of tea: “For saving me in Yun Shui City, it should be me thanking this elder instead.”

“It’s nothing, it’s not worth mentioning.” Nan Mo Ye waved his hand quickly, “Your Majesty has great fortune; a lucky star shines on you, fortune surrounds you, I was just a passer-by.” After he finished he looked at his disciple, see this, you have to humor him like this, then you can get married earlier.

Duan Bai Yue: “……..”

“Wanting to find me and our teacher in such a rush, did something happen?” Duan Yao had been thinking about it for a long time.

Duan Bai Yue asked: “Have you brought your purple toad?”

“I did.” Duan Yao took out a small bamboo container from his bag, opening it.

Leaping out, it went, croak!

Hairs instantly stood up on Chu Yuan’s back.

Duan Bai Yue patted his hand, saying: “No need to be scared, I’m not using it to make soup for you.”

Duan Yao: “……”

Use it to make soup?!　　