White-Robed Chief

“Aunt, you can’t be serious?” Lu Yurong exclaimed.

Consort Jing said, “Lil Lu, you should only listen and not speak when you’re there. Don’t cause any trouble, especially to Head Chief Chu.”

“Of course, I will shut my mouth and act as if I’m mute!” Lu Guangdi said.

“Good.” Consort Jing nodded with a smile. “Then you will act as a guard for Yurong!”

Lu Guangdi clenched his fist and said, “Don’t worry Consort. Rest assured that I will do everything I can to protect Miss Lu!”

Lu Yurong gave him an eye-roll and said, “With that lousy martial arts of yours, you want to protect me? I think you’ll need me to protect you instead!”

Lu Guangdi maintained a calm expression.

Consort Jing said, “Yurong, you’ll have to bring guards anyway. You can always accommodate one more in him.”

“…Fine.” Lu Yurong’s eyes rolled as she agreed.

Lu Guangdi was surprised. He did not expect that Lu Yurong would agree to it so quickly.

Consort Jing breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

She too was surprised that Lu Yurong would give in so quickly. She initially thought that it would take quite some time to persuade her into it.

…

At twilight the following day, when the evening lights were just lit, Chu Li arrived outside Verdant Cloud Brothel.

He stood in front of the big mansion and presented his invitation.

A guard at the main entrance took him into a small courtyard, which was Yu Xue Courtyard.

He did not arrange the meeting at Mo Qingyu’s Qing Yu Courtyard. If he was alone, he would naturally want to find Mo Qingyu, but he decided that it was not wise to come to Qing Yu courtyard with his friends.

After Mo Qingyu began stepping into retirement, it was this Yu Xue girl who became the face of Verdant Cloud Brothel. She was not simply available for anyone, even with money.

To the sound of a guzheng, he entered Yu Xue Courtyard. When he stepped into the house, he saw King Ping sitting cross-legged in front of a short table, squinting as he appreciated the sound of guzheng.

His posture was steadily upright, and he emanated inauspicious energy. Clearly, even after so long, he was still unable to completely dissociate himself from the battlefield, and the soldier’s manner had been integrated into his bones.

A dainty and adorable young lady was playing the guzheng with her head lowered. The strong and imposing sound of the guzheng was a stark contrast to her petite body.

Hearing the sound of footsteps, the young lady looked up, revealing her beautiful face. Her delicate facial features were a subject of admiration for many, and many wondered how the world managed to gather all this beauty upon one person, creating such a gorgeous lady.

King Ping opened his eyes, gave a slight nod in Chu Li’s direction, and closed his eyes again, relishing the sound of the guzheng.

Chu Li responded with a nod, then sat down in front of a short table next to King Ping. The dainty young lady brought a teacup, the fruits and snacks were already laid out.

Chu Li said, “Give me a flagon of wine and two cups.”

“Yes.” The dainty young lady responded softly, and quickly fetched a flagon ​​of wine and brought two jasper cups.

Chu Li filled both the jasper cups and handed one to King Ping.

King Ping opened his eyes and took the jasper cup. They both downed their drinks.

The dainty young lady took a seat next to Chu Li, took the flagon and helped them refill their cups.

Chu Li said, “How are you doing lately, Your Royal Highness?”

“It doesn’t matter whether I’m fine or not,” King Ping said nonchalantly.

Chu Li frowned and said, “Your Royal Highness, still can’t get it out of your head?”

King Ping shook his head and said calmly, “My life now is nothing but drunken days and dreadful nights. I live one day at a time.”

Chu Li shook his head and smiled.

The rhythm of the guzheng escalated suddenly, like a crane rising into the sky.

Chu Li took a gentle sip of the wine and stopped talking.

The two men listened to the guzheng music intently, admiring Yu Xue’s alluring beauty.

The sound of the guzheng receded and slowly calmed down. Miss Yu Xue’s white jade fingers left the strings, but the sound of the guzheng seemed to be reverberating in the room still.

Neither Chu Li nor King Ping spoke, both immersed in the aftertaste of the melodious rhythm.

After a short while, Chu Li broke the silence, “Your Royal Highness, have you heard the news about electing a crown prince?”

King Ping frowned at him.

Chu Li said, “I feel that it can’t be fake.”

“Father Emperor is really impatient!” King Ping sneered.

Miss Yu Xue was visibly shocked. She looked at Chu Li then at King Ping. She felt that she should not be here listening to them, but she did not know how to back out of the scene.

Chu Li glanced at her and smiled. “Miss Yu Xue, help us make another pot of tea. Another lady will be joining us shortly.”

“Yes.” Miss Yu Xue secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She gave them a courteous bow and then gracefully made her way out.

Chu Li said, “Your Royal Highness, aren’t you worried at all?”

“There’s no use worrying.” King Ping put down the jasper wine cup and sighed. “Father Emperor has always favored my Sixth Younger Brother. This time, he swooped in at the moment where I’ve just let go of my military power, to establish my Sixth Younger Brother as the crown prince. He did it so I won’t have anything to say.”

Chu Li nodded.

King Ping said, “Right now, as soon as I speak, everyone will start attacking me. Besides, I can’t stop my Sixth Younger Brother from becoming crown prince.”

Chu Li sighed and said, “No choice. The time is not right.”

“Exactly!” King Ping said calmly. “This is not an urgent matter, let my Sixth Younger Brother have his moment for a while. Who knows what will happen in ten years!”

Chu Li smiled and said, “I’m glad that you can think this way, Your Royal Highness.”

“Why call Lu Yurong here?” King Ping asked.

Chu Li said, “To calm King Jing’s heart.”

King Ping nodded gently.

Before their words could settle, footsteps could be heard coming from outside.

“Yurong, come in.” Chu Li said.

The door was pushed open, and two people stepped in slowly.

Lu Yurong wore a snow-white gown and a large hat, with a white cloth hanging over her face. In addition to that, she also wore a white veil, covering her face entirely. Lu Guangdi was following closely behind her.

Chu Li smiled and said, “Young Master Lu, I didn’t expect that you would join us.”

He then looked toward Yurong. “Your knight in shining armor?”

“The Consort insisted he accompany me, saying that a woman should not head to Verdant Cloud Brothel alone.” Lu Yurong shook her head.

She took off her hat and white veil, revealing her beautiful face, one that would put Miss Yu Xue to shame.

Lu Guangdi said nothing. He acted like he was mute and sat down in the corner.

Lu Yurong held a fist salute to King Ping. “Your Royal Highness.”

King Ping waved his hand. “Have a seat. Let’s chat.”

Lu Yurong swept a glance at Chu Li, shaking her head gently.

She initially wanted to use her insight and ability to see through people’s minds to see what King Ping had in mind.

Now it seemed to be in vain, as King Ping’s body was shrouded in a layer of thin brilliance, which was radiated from Chu Li.

With that, this was yet another futile meeting, and she had been played by Chu Li once again.

King Ping said, “Miss Lu, you’re here to ask me how I feel about the crown prince position, right?”

“Yes.” Lu Yurong nodded slightly.

She gave a nod at Miss Yu Xue, who had served them a pot of tea, to express her thanks. Then, she looked at King Ping. “Your Royal Highness, even though you have given up your military power, you still have an imposing presence within the army. All military government offices are loyal only to your command.”

King Ping replied nonchalantly, “I have no interest in being the crown prince, so King Jing can rest assured.”

“Thank you, Your Royal Highness.” Lu Yurong held a fist salute.

King Ping added, “If King Jing can promise to attack the Zheng Dynasty in the future, and let me command the troops, I promise to give up the battle for the throne!”

“Really?” Lu Yurong froze.

King Ping said indifferently, “I’m like the walking dead now. My only intention is to avenge my Consort, I don’t want anything else!”

“… I will pass on your message truthfully. If I immediately agreed, Your Royal Highness would not take my word for it either,” Lu Yurong said slowly.

“Let King Jing come and tell me in person,” King Ping said.

A smile etched on Lu Yurong’s face.

With this word from King Ping, her trip here was not worthless after all.