Chapter 238 - 238 140 Changsheng in a Bear Hug
Chapter 238: Chapter 140: Changsheng in a Bear Hug Chapter 238: Chapter 140: Changsheng in a Bear Hug The tense atmosphere caused by drawn crossbows did not at all affect the enthusiasm of the thousands of onlookers.
“Is the Medicine God Lady Changsheng coming to pay a visit to the newly appointed City Lord?”
“Nonsense! Lady Changsheng is to become the County Princess Consort!”
“That’s right, our Liuzhou Region is now under the administration of Lady Changsheng, so if anyone is to pay a visit, it should be the new City Lord visiting Lady Changsheng!”
“In my opinion, something is a bit off. In the past, the City Lord’s Mansion has never had such a grand display. A mere City Lord, just a Fourth Rank official, has brought so many troops into the city. It’s unpredictable, could it be as the old traitor Hu Bingzhi said, that Lady Changsheng’s identity is incompatible with the Imperial Family and that’s what caused this sudden calamity?”
“Is what Mr. Liao said true?”
“Can’t let this happen! Lady Changsheng saved my life; I’ll go stop her!” Butcher Wang, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, became anxious upon hearing this.
A few people quickly grabbed him, stopping him as he was about to step forward.
“Butcher Wang, don’t be hasty. Lady Changsheng has always disliked showing off in public. Even though her name is known throughout the Liuzhou Region, she keeps her distance. Since she has made such a move today, she must have her reasons. Let’s just watch from here, and if there is any other change, we can make plans then,” Mr. Liao calmly consoled Butcher Wang, who was on the verge of losing his temper. His shrewd eyes were fixed on the gate of the City Lord’s Mansion.
A young man dressed as a small merchant nearby glanced over and gave a barely perceptible nod.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the palanquin carried the invitation and announced its arrival. Only after being scrutinized by the guards at the entrance, did it enter the City Lord’s Mansion.
Returning to the familiar place, last time she, Gu Changsheng, had cleansed the area with blood, this time she came prepared, confident and fearless.
Just as the news had said, the City Lord’s Mansion was heavily guarded. Guards in military attire could be seen everywhere, and their eyes were full of vigilance towards Gu Changsheng and her party.
Gu Changsheng lay back in the palanquin, a cup of tea in hand, and boredly counted the sounds of the guards passing by outside.
“No wonder he is the Emperor’s trusted confidant, he truly cherishes his life…”
Look how nervous she’s making this local tycoon, Gu Changsheng thought with a sigh…
“My lady, just stop talking. Every time you speak, the guards’ eyes look like they could shoot knives,” Xiao Cui spoke without turning back, her mouth twitching.
Truly, the lady was unnervingly calm amidst uncertainty, still finding the leisure to tease.
“Xiao Cui, a barking dog seldom bites, a biting dog does not bark. If he had only brought the Commander’s Seal with him, I might have to reconsider his weight. However, he entered Liuzhou City with five thousand troops,” Gu Changsheng said, her lips curling into a light smile. “Just as I flamboyantly entered the City Lord’s Mansion, his grand entrance into Liuzhou City means he dares not touch me, and naturally, I cannot touch him.”
Xiao Cui and Han Qiu exchanged glances and silently bowed their heads.
“As someone who cherishes life like I do, I naturally like to deal with others who value theirs. Pass the order, don’t act rashly with the military, if we can coexist peacefully, let’s not resort to violence. After all, aren’t we civilized people?”
Han Qiu looked skywards speechlessly, gestured towards a spot in the garden, and continued to follow the lead of the guide.
The City Lord’s Mansion, worthy of being the second largest residence in Liuzhou City after the County Prince’s Mansion, covered a vast area. Pavilions and towers were newly decorated, showing no signs of desolation from two months ago.
Outside the City Lord’s Mansion, thousands of expectant citizens craned their necks, staring at the mansion’s gates, waiting for their lucky star, Medicine God Lady Changsheng, to emerge.
Even a glance would be a blessing to behold!
Around an inconspicuous corner, Yue Xilou ultimately was defeated by a disciple who had mastered Gu Changsheng’s skills of persistence to perfection, hugging Little Meat Bun and leading Yuan Bao along the route marked by the Elite Guards, sneaking into the City Lord’s Mansion, and perching atop the wall.
A few white pigeons circled overhead, their flapping wings causing Yue Xilou to twitch, “Tell me, Yuan Bao, we’re supposed to be in hiding, and we could draw attention if we’re not careful. Why did you bring so many birds with you?”
Looking for trouble when there’s none to be found? Or do you need to make up for something you lack? With this thought, Yue Xilou’s gaze unavoidably shifted towards Yuan Bao’s lower body…
Yuan Bao followed his gaze and all at once had a moment of enlightenment, reacting angrily, his eyes bulging, “What are you looking at? What’s wrong with being a eunuch? How does a eunuch get in your way?”
“Actually, it does get in my way. If everyone in the world were like you, would my Cool Breeze Bright Moon Tower have to close down?” Adjusting the disciple in his arms to a comfortable position, Yue Xilou began to bicker with Yuan Bao in a low voice, not caring about anyone else. “Look at the flock of birds above us, isn’t it obvious we’re here?”
“Those are trained carrier pigeons! Moreover, the pigeons may be obvious, but that’s nothing compared to how conspicuous you are. Have you ever seen anyone trying to stay hidden while dressed as lavishly and as blindingly golden as you?” Yuan Bao gave him an unappreciative glance, as there was no need to be polite with the potential rival of his master, “The way you look, it wouldn’t be surprising if you were shot full of holes. I just hope you won’t cause trouble for the Young Master when the time comes.”
The two argued back and forth, neither willing to give in, much to the anxiety of the Elite Guards lurking around.
“Gentlemen, could you please stop making a scene? We’ve already checked; the place for the banquet is right here in this back garden. The lady and her party should be arriving soon,” one of the Elite Guards wiped the sweat from his forehead and couldn’t help but remind the two quarreling noblemen.
Yue Xilou and Yuan Bao heard this, snorted in unison, and then gave each other a disdainful look, as if to say they were above such pettiness.
Indeed, soon after, Gu Changsheng and her entourage passed through the garden’s arch and stopped before a pavilion.
Sitting in the palanquin, feeling the breeze on her face mixed with a light aroma of flowers and moisture, Gu Changsheng couldn’t help but roll her eyes, “The new City Lord does have a taste for elegance, choosing a pretty good place for the banquet.”
The back garden, ah, the back garden of prominent families, has always been a prime spot for clandestine liaisons.
For example, Sima Xiangru managed to woo Zhuo Wenjun precisely in a back garden, where a rendition of Phoenix Seeking Phoenix led to a legendary romantic tale passed down through the ages.
For instance, with plays like “Romance of the Western Chamber,” the back garden finds its use—a place for whispered sweet nothings and stolen kisses beneath the moonlight. Pulling hands and pecking lips, the affairs of lovers and secret trysts I won’t even mention. The majority, in any case, are related to affairs of the heart—a diverse array of them, too numerous to count.
In a nutshell, this back garden is undeniably a hotbed for illicit romance.
And at this moment, Gu Changsheng was right in the midst of this back garden.
Damn it, she couldn’t possibly have unwittingly become involved in some scandalous affair again, could she?
Lost in her wild thoughts, Gu Changsheng was helped out of the palanquin.
She had barely set one foot out when she sensed that something was amiss!
Before she could retract her foot, a shadow darted out from beside the soft palanquin, pouncing directly towards Gu Changsheng.
Its speed was so fast that the six maids didn’t even have time to react.
Thus, having only stepped halfway out of the palanquin and still unsteady on her feet, Gu Changsheng met her misfortune…
She was bear-hugged squarely!
An eerie silence fell around them in an instant, and the onlookers stared, dumbfounded, at the man clinging to Lady Changsheng like an octopus.
Tall and slim, clad in green, with Lantian Warm Jade hanging from his waist and wearing a Pearl Skyward Crown, his features were delicate…
After the moment had passed, Yuan Bao, in a fury, slapped the wall and leapt down, “Hey! Who is this rascal, and why isn’t he letting go of my lady?”
The movement from his hefty frame was significant, and the elite guards, upon realizing the situation, sprang into action in an instant.
In just a few breaths, in the back garden, every outsider was held at knifepoint at their throat.
Particularly note was the man clinging to Gu Changsheng, with six longswords unerringly aimed at his vital points, ready to take his life at the slightest movement.
“Let go of the lord!”
“Let go of the lord!”
Two groups of people called out simultaneously.
However, one group was full of confidence, while the other was clearly anxious.
The confident ones were Gu Changsheng’s subordinates; the anxious were the guards from the City Lord’s Mansion with swords at their necks.
“A lord? Are you the new City Lord?” Gu Changsheng asked, bear-hugged as she was but still remarkably calm.
She was quite sure that this person meant her no harm since she couldn’t feel any murderous intent.
The new City Lord nodded frantically, tears nearly spilling from his eyes.
The reversal of the situation had been too sudden; there was even the sound of fighting coming from outside. With six swords pointed at him, only someone in that position would understand the feeling!
In just a few breaths’ time, a maid dressed in the attire of the City Lord’s Mansion rushed forward, knelt on one knee, and reported reverently, “My lord, inside and out, the City Lord’s Mansion is now under control, and no alarm has been raised to the public.”
Gu Changsheng gave an almost imperceptible nod and faced the new City Lord, whose mouth was agape as if able to fit an egg. “In that case, aren’t you going to let go of me?”
Damn it, this guy actually dared to take liberties with her!
It was as if he were seeking death!
Hadn’t he noticed even Yuan Bao’s eyes starting to spark with fury?
The new City Lord shook his head hurriedly and clung even tighter, “No, I can’t let go, otherwise I’ll be turned into a hornet’s nest. Lady Changsheng, I originally intended to surprise you…”
Looking heavenward, Gu Changsheng was speechless, “It’s all shock and no surprise, isn’t it…”
His sudden bear hug wasn’t a big deal, but it had effectively blasted Gentleman on the Beam, Yuan Bao, into the open…
“Release me quickly. We’re not kin, and even though you’re hugging me, you wouldn’t dare to do anything to me!”
Hadn’t he noticed how the onlookers’ perceptions had changed? If he held on any longer, she would lose all the dignity befitting her status!
“I won’t let go, I won’t let go. Lady Changsheng, there are six swords behind me! I’d be a fool to let go,” the new City Lord’s head shook like a rattle drum, displaying none of the dignity expected of a City Lord. In that moment, he had the air of a ruffian as he clingingly grasped his lifesaving straw.
Gu Changsheng glanced at the dark-faced Yuan Bao and spoke with a resentful tone, “Sheathe your swords!”
At her command, the six maids swiftly sheathed their swords. Without a moment’s hesitation, Gu Changsheng kicked hard into the stomach of the new City Lord, sending him flying away.
“Damn it, daring to take liberties with me, are you tired of living?”
What do you think?
Total Responses: 0