A Step into the Past

Book 5 Chap 6 – The real and fake Ying Zheng

As the northern wind blew, Xiang Shaolong and Jing Jun climbed over walls quietly, avoiding the patrols and gantry posts and arrived at the garden outside Zhuji’s building.

Jing Jun stayed behind as a look out while Xiang Shaolong took the familiar route to the window on the 2nd floor, pushed it gently, and the window opened immediately.

Zhu Ji’s voice called out quietly from inside, “Is it Shaolong? Come in quickly!”

Xiang Shaolong slipped in through the window.

Zhu Ji hurriedly closed the window, turned around and leaned on the window ledge, her chest heaving, obviously she is feeling very nervous.

Only a weak, lone lamp was shining in the room but because it’s placed on the corner of the window ledge, it will not reflect their shadows on the papered window.

The lamp emphasized half of the right side of Zhu Ji’s body while her left side was cast in the shadows, making her dainty and voluptuous body look all the more dimensional and extremely alluring.

A stove was lit in the room, making it as warm as spring, which is why although Zhu Ji was thinly dressed, she still felt comfortable.

Her pretty eyes burned like fire, with a warmness that can scald as they stared unwaveringly at Xiang Shaolong, as if she’s trying to scrutinize him inside out.

This is the first time Xiang Shaolong has met such a bold and wild character, a woman who is not afraid of men at all and his heart can’t help but beat faster but on the surface he looked at her coolly.

This is definitely not a simple woman.

Zhu Ji’s lips quivered slightly as she asked, “Xiang Shaolong! Can I trust you?”

Xiang Shaolong smiled slightly, “It seems that Lady has no other choice!”

Zhu Ji’s pretty eyes stared at him, “Even if I can trust you, but what ability do you have that will enable you to take me and my son away.”

Xiang Shaolong secretly thought, “Since I can infiltrate into this place, naturally I can bring you out. He was about to blurt this out when he suddenly felt that something was amiss and changed his words, “This is the reason why I came to discuss with Lady, because I guessed that Zhao Mu will certainly gather all his men at the Hostage Residence.”

Zhu Ji nodded her head, “You’re very astute, no wonder Zhao Mu is so wary of you. Every time they talk about you, I will listen very carefully. I did not expect Buwei to actually find you, it’s really great.”

Xiang Shaolong heard that when she was talking about Lu Buwei, she seems to be talking about a stranger and was secretly startled. I seems that she will not be loyal to any man. Men are making use of her, she is also making use of men.

He furrowed his brows and asked, “How is the situation at the Crown Prince’s side?”

Zhu Ji sighed lightly, “Unless you can lead a huge army and successfully attack Handan City, or else you can forget about taking him away. Ever since my husband ascended the throne, Zhao Mu has transferred 200 highly skilled warriors who is constantly by his side day and night on rotation shifts. He also added high walls outside, making it a residence within a residence. Also, there is a troop of almost a thousand soldiers who have been posted here permanently to guard. Unless you can turn into a bird, or else you can forget about infiltrating that place to see him.”

Xiang Shaolong’s brows furrowed deeply on hearing this. When Wu Yingyuan was telling Xiao Yuetan about how heavily guarded the Hostage Residence is today, he was not exaggerating, instead he even ‘understated’ the real situation.

Zhu Ji continued nonchalantly, “Besides it’s no use even if he is saved. Zhao Mu is an expert in using drugs and has given him s strange herb and he must take the antidote regularly to ensure his safety. If there’s no antidote, he will die of poisoning in less than 10 days.”

Xiang Shaolong feels as if his whole spine has been frozen into an ice pillar.

Oh my gosh! Is this going to be the future Emperor Qin?

This time he is really stuck between a rock and a hard place, unable to advance or retreat at all.

And he thought that saving mother and son would only require the lifting of a finger, he is really too naïve.

He breathed out a gush of cold air, “By keeping the Crown Prince like this, besides giving vent to their anger, what other good does it do to the Zhaos?”

Zhu Ji said lightly, “You should have heard of Zhao Mu’s nefarious plot, to deliberately use wine and women to make him into a useless person. To tell the truth, Zhao Mu can’t wait to send him back to become the King of Qin. But the time is not yet ripe, because Lu Buwei will stand to gain from it, do you understand?”

Of course Xiang Shaolong understands. The reason why Lu Buwei is so anxious to send mother and son back to Xianyang is because he wants to strengthen his relationship with King Zhuangxiang.

At this instant he finally realized that when Zhu Ji was talking about her son, she only said ‘he’ and did not address him in any other form or utter his name directly. He tone was so indifferent that it’s scary and for a moment he can’t help but feel perplexed.

Zhu Ji suddenly said with hatred, “It’s better that this lad is dead, I get furious for no reason just at the sight of him.”

Xiang Shaolong was stunned, people said that no matter how vicious a tiger is, it will not eat its offspring. Why would Zhu Ji curse her precious son who can make her become the Empress Dowager?

Zhu Ji moved over, took his hand and pulled him as she walled towards the bed and said gently, “Come! Let’s continue the conversation on the bed!”

Firstly Xiang Shaolong is totally not in the mood and secondly, he just had a wild time with Chunying and the maids and is still tired and thirdly, he remembered the advice not to have any amorous relationship with this woman whom both Lu Buwei and King Zhuangxiang was enamored with so he immediately slipped his hand away and grabbed hers, saying “I’m afraid this is not a suitable time and place!”

Zhu Ji pouted, “Don’t you think I know? It’s just that those maids have been ordered to come and check on me every once in a while. It’s a lot safer hiding in the bed.”

Xiang Shaolong thought that he has misunderstood her so he hurriedly followed her into the curtained bed and immediately a fragrance wafted into his nose.

Zhu Ji told him to lie down inside and used the blanket to cover the both of them. She turned around and snuggled into his arms and hugged him tightly, her tiny mouth going up to his ears and whispered, “I want to tell you a huge secret, but first you must make a blood oath not to tell anyone else before I can let you know. Hai! I have no other choice but to tell you as well. I am not allowed to take even a step out of this place and there’s no one I can trust.”

Xiang Shaolong was secretly surprised, what secret can be so great that he needs to make a blood oath?

He answered, “I, Xiang Shaolong, is a man of my words. Once I’ve made a promise, I won’t go back on my words, Lady can rest assured.”

Zhu Ji said with relief, “I know you are a trustworthy man, but I am still worried, so why don’t you just give in to me!”

With a beauty besieging him like this, he has no choice but to make a blood oath. At the same time he was secretly laughing, he doesn’t even believe a blood oath will become true, so what restriction can this promise do to him? But since he’s made the promise, he will not reveal it so readily.

Zhu Ji was hesitant for a moment before saying quietly, “The child they imprisoned is not my son at all.”

Xiang Shaolong almost shrieked in surprise.

Heavens! What is this all about?

Before Zhu Ji has a chance to talk further, there was a knock on the door and the maid outside asked, “Is Lady asleep? His Marquis is here!”

Xiang Shaolong was terribly startled and was about to jump up when Zhu Ji pressed him down. She extended her hand and pushed on a decoration at the front of her bed and the place where Xiang Shaolong was lying on immediately became a movable board and he was flipped to a secret compartment under the bed.

In that instant, instead of lying in the warm blankets on the bed above, Xiang Shaolong is now lying in the secret compartment beneath which only has a blanket as a base. Luckily there are holes for ventilation so he has no lack of air.

The door opened and Zho Mu’s voice said, “Beauty, I’ve come to visit you!”

Zhu Ji replied, “Marquis looks so energetic today, something good must have happened today to make you so happy, I am so happy for you as well!”

At this moment Xiang Shaolong, who is hiding in the secret compartment, guessed that where he is lying must be the personal secret compartment of that ‘adulterer’ Guo Kai. After hearing what she said he has to compliment Zhu Ji for knowing how to make a man feel good.

Later he could ‘feel’ Zhao and Zhu sitting down on the bed, followed by kissing sounds and Zhu Ji’s alluring ‘moans’ and panting.

After a moment, Zhao Mu smiled, “I heard that your lover Lu has sent Tu Xian to come to Handan to save you, are you happy, beauty?”

Zhu Ji pouted, “Don’t you know my heart? Without you, I am not going anywhere, besides it’s only a rumor! Who would be so stupid as to come here on a death mission?”

Xiang Shaolong who is below was secretly thinking that she’s formidable because Zhu Ji is obviously trying to test Zhao Mu’s news.

Indeed Zhao Mu gave a cold snort, “How can it be a rumor, now the old officials of Qin are in a fierce fight with Lu Buwei and wants him to bear the responsibility of the death of the previous King. I’m afraid even your King Zhuangxiang won’t be able to protect him. Once Lu Buwei is dead, I will naturally send you and your son back to Xianyang, by then do not forget about me.”

Although Zhao Mu did not say anything, but Xiang Shaolong and Zhu Ji both guessed that the news must have come from the powerful Qin officials who want to topple Lu Buwei.

The fights between the Qin court and the local control for power have now widened.

The main battlefield is in the Qin court whole the side battle is being fought at Handan.

An originally very simple matter has now become extremely complicated, especially what Zhu Ji said earlier, it extremely unexpected and earth shattering.

Zhu Ji threw a tantrum and said, “Not going back! Not going back! I am definitely not going back, just let Zheng’er go back, I want to stay here with you.”

Even Xiang Shaolong below was dumbfounded on hearing that. How can she sound so sincere and real, if she’s in the 21st century, she’ll definitely be a superstar in the entertainment industry.

Zhao Mu was totally taken in and they started kissing again, followed by the sounds of Zhao Mu removing their robes and the lecherous laughter and moans of the coupling between a man and a woman. Xiang Shaolong can only lament on his bad luck down below. If they start to have fun on the bed, he will feel even worse.

If he wants to kill Zhao Mu now, it’ll be as easy as lifting a finger, but of course he won’t be so stupid as to do that.

Luckily Zhao Mu is still in the mood for talking so he stopped Zhu Ji’s attack and said, “The reason I’m so happy today is because that s.lut Zhao Ya has finally fallen into my trap and unable to pull herself out of it. No one understands her more than I do, not only does she hanker after wealth and riches, she also loves the new and will discard the old. But she’s been giving special treatment to Xiang Shaolong. Luckily I still have a killer move, which is King Xiaocheng using their relationship as siblings and by telling her on the pros and cons, there’s no way she will not submit.”

Xiang Shaolong’s heart sunk to the bottom. It’s the end! Zhao Ya has really betrayed him. He wonders how much about him has she revealed to her imperial brother? Luckily in order not to cause her undue worry, he did not tell her a lot of things, or else the outcome would be unthinkable.

Zhu Ji asked deliberately, “Why are you talking about Xiang Shaolong all the time with such hatred, what has he got to do with me? I am not interested in him at all.”

How would Zhao Mu know that this sly woman is testing him, or maybe he won’t put his guard up against a beauty who has lost her freedom, so he said lightly, “How can there be no relation? The Wu family has always been in contact with Lu Buwei and Xiang Shaolong is the grandson-in-law of the Wu family. If Lu Buwei wants to sneak people out, he’ll obviously need the help of the Wu family.” He paused and continued with a cold snort, “Xiang Shaolong better not end up in my hands, or else I’ll make him regret that he was ever born. You shall watch at the side when I torture him!”

Xiang Shaolong who was hiding beneath was gritting his teeth on hearing it and wished he can jump out and kill him.

Of course Zhu Ji knows that Xiang Shaolong is listening so she can’t help but laugh and ask, “How can that inexperienced lad win you? He’ll end up in your hands sooner or later, and you can do what you want with him.”

Apparently Zhao Mu got excited on hearing it and said, “Come! Get up the bed!”

At least Zhu Ji has some conscience and she objected, “You come looking for me in the middle of the night and now you’ve made me hungry, where can I find the mood.”

Obviously Zhao Mu is totally enthralled by her and hurriedly summoned the servants to prepare snacks for her before saying with satisfaction, “No one in Zhao dares to offend me now. As soon as I exterminate the Wu family from the roots, no one else will dare to do anything without my approval.”

Zhu Ji flattered him and said gently, “I think Xiang Shaolong must be a total idiot, or else why would he think that Zhao Ya who is famous in the world for being a s.lut would be loyal to him?”

Xiang Shaolong can only laugh bitterly, these few words of Zhu Ji are obviously meant as a free gift for him.

Zhao Mu did not expect that there is a twist to all this and replied seriously, “You’re wrong! Zhao Ya has indeed given her true feelings to Xiang Shaolong, that’s why she’s still helping him hide a lot of things. But I understand her too well, so there’s no way she can win me. If she doesn’t want to die together with Xiang Shaolong, she’ll have to work with me obediently.” He sighed comfortably and said, “Not only is Xiang Shaolong not an idiot, he’s very formidable as well. If not for Zhao Ya this weak link, it’ll still be uncertain who will win in the end.”

Xiang Shaolong thought of one thing and was sweating immediately. 

If Zhao Qian told Zhao Ya about how Ji Yanran and Zou Yan saved them in Daliang, and she told Zhao Mu, then Ji Yanran and Zou Yan will be in big danger.

At this time the maids came to inform that the food is ready.

Zhao Mu and Zhu Ji went out of the room.

What better time to leave than now?

Xiang Shaolong secretly thanked heavens and slipped away.

Zhao Qian tossed and turned in bed, unable to get to sleep.

Without Xiang Shaolong next to her, she felt lost and alone.

She then thought of Zhao Pan, this child who has lost his mother is slowly becoming frighteningly melancholy. Only when he’s with her or Xiang Shaolong will he show a little naivety and happiness, and he won’t even give any face to Zhao Ya.

If he has shown himself to be a little weaker, maybe Zhao Qian will feel better. 

Right at this time, the curtains were suddenly lifted and she was about to scream when she heard Xiang Shaolong’s familiar voice call out, “Qian’er! It’s Shaolong!”

Zhao Qian never expected her beloved would appear next to her bed in the middle of the night and threw herself at him in joy, hugging him in a death grip.

Xiang Shaolong removed his shoes, hugged her and snuggled into the blankets. He gave a long kiss before asking quietly, “Did you tell Lady Ya about how Sister Yanran saved us?”

Zhao Qian is extremely astute and she asked in shock upon hearing his words, “Is there something wrong with her? Why would there be a problem telling her?”

Xiang Shaolong’s expression changed, “That means you’ve already told her!”

Zhao Qian shook her head, “I didn’t. But it’s not because I don’t trust her, but because I’ve promised Sister Yanran that I will never reveal this matter to anyone. That’s why I only told her the story that we agreed on long ago.”

Xiang Shaolong heaved a great sigh of relief.

Zhao Qian’s body trembled, “Heavens! What has Lady done? To make you actually sneak in here in the middle of the night just to ask me such a question?”

Xiang Shaolong caressed her back lovingly, “Have you seen her tonight?”

Zhao Qian replied, “I heard that she has a guest so it’s inconvenient for me to go over. Hai! I remember now, every time they say there’s a guest, Xiao Zhao and the rest will have a very strange expression, as if they are furious but unable to say anything about it. Could that guest be Zhao Mu?”

Xiang Shaolong has already been numbed by all these, he will no longer get agitated over Zhao Ya and Qi Yu’s secret rendezvous. He is someone who is able to take things lightly.

He had once suggested to Zhao Ya to allow Jing Jun and the rest to protect her but she rejected him determinedly. At that time he didn’t think too much of it but now he knows that she did not want to let him know about her affair with Qi Yu.

Zhao Qian pleaded, “Xiang Lang! Please tell me what this is all about?”

Xiang Shaolong replied, “Did you notice anything strange about Lady these few days?”

Zhao Qian thought carefully for a moment before replying, “Now that you mention it, it really seems that Lady is different from the past. Not only is she listless, there was even once I found her crying alone but when I asked her, she just said that she was thinking of Lady Ni. Sometimes she would also throw her temper at the servants for nothing.” She pouted and hastened him to talk, “What is this all about! This suspense is making me feel terrible!”

Xiang Shaolong sighed and said, “Think again, did she say anything special, for example words like we’ll never be able to escape or something along that line.”

Zhao Qian replied, “That she did not, but she did mention once that Lu Buwei can’t even protect himself now and he can face clan extermination any time. If we follow the Wu family and throw our lots with him, it’s akin to sending the sheep to the tiger’s den.”

Xiang Shaolong asked, “Then how did you answer her?”

Zhao Qian kissed him and said, “I said as long as I can follow you, death doesn’t matter at all.” She trembled and continued, “ That’s right! At that time she had a very strange expression, now that I think of it, she looks almost ashamed and regretful. After that she made an excuse and left.”

By now Xiang Shaolong has totally given up on Zhao Ya.

Zhao Mu is right, he understands Zhao Ya more than him. That’s why he can use make use of this fickle minded woman twice to harm him.

After heaving a sigh, he told the gist of what happened to Zhao Qian.

Zhao Qian had already guessed what has happened and was strangely calm.

Xiang Shaolong told her, “You have to pretend that nothing has happened.”

Zhao Qian kissed him lovingly and said gently, “Qian’er understands, I have great confidence in this new saint here and I know you will definitely be able to bring Qian’er and the Wu family past this difficult period safely.”

Before Xiang Shaolong left he asked, “Will you be able to bear abandoning your father and follow me to an unknown fate?”

Zhao Qian nodded her head with certainty, “As long as I can leave Imperial father, Qian’er is not afraid of anything. There is something I have not told you, which is after my mother died, Qian’er’s nanny once said something bad about Zhao Mu and the words drifted to Imperial father’s ears. He immediately offered poisoned wine to nanny and before she died, she held my hands and said as she cried, if there is a chance I must go far away from the Palace, being a commoner’s daughter is far better than being a Princess.”

Xiang Shaolong was full of thoughts when he heard this.

He really cannot understand the mind of royalty, just like how he cannot understand Zhao Ya.