Chapter 224

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

　　As the wind passed by, the man’s shirt was lightly blown up. He did not carry the usual perfume of a normal young noble, and instead had a unique waft of a refreshing smell. Along with his aura, he seemed like a pure scoop of snow.

　　“Ya!” Jingjing suddenly stretched out her hand pointing at the man’s waist and shouted, “His jade accessory is the same as sister’s!” Crystal clear, round and smooth, the jade accessory of that man gleamed with a soft glow reflecting light. Standing back facing the wind, the jade swayed.

　　Chu Qiao’s expression calmed down. As everyone looked on quietly without making a single noise, Chu Qiao stretched out her hand and placed it on the man’s shoulders. With one quick flip, she jumped off from the carriage, and gently informed Pingan and the others, “Do not be so stunned. Quickly clear the path in front.”

　　“Ah?” Pingan’s eyes widened, as he looked at Chu Qiao before looking at the man, and turning back to ask, “Sister, you know him?”

　　“Yes.” Chu Qiao carefreely nodded and seemed to even seem rather happy.

　　Pingan was rather curious about the identity of the man, yet before he could even open his mouth the man’s gaze had floated to him. He did not seem very stern and merely looked exceedingly cold, as though he was really reluctant to hear this clumsy teenager continue to talk.

　　Seeing as such, Brother Cao immediately lowered his head and backed off. Picking up their tools, they started to clear the path. Chu Qiao turned around to the man and told him, “Follow me.” With that, he turned around and walked off.

　　That day, the weather was particularly good, with the sky as clear as a lake of crystal clear water. The two of them walked on one after another, and before long they had walked to a hill. In there one could see a waterfall sweeping down falling into a deep pool below, splashing up huge amounts of water. The water droplets, refracting the sunlight, gleamed with an extraordinary brilliance.

　　Chu Qiao turned around. Looking at the man before her, she realized that even though they had not met for an entire year, he had not really changed, and was still the same as usual. She opened the mouth, wanting to say something, yet she knew not where to begin, and she only smiled. Only that she did not know if she was mocking herself or merely expressing a heartfelt emotion.

　　“What are you smiling about?” Zhuge Yue seemed to be as usual; his brows were slightly furrowed together, and seemed to be rather impatient as he stood there with her.

　　“Nothing.” Chu Qiao shook her head, yet she continued smiling. “It occurred to me that each time we met, we would always be in a rather special circumstance.”

　　Zhuge Yue turned his head around to look at elsewhere. Still so socially awkward as usual.

　　“What did you come here to do?”

　　Zhuge Yue gave her an ever so vague answer, “Settle some business.”

　　“Oh.” Chu Qiao nodded, and replied, “You are heading back now?”

　　“Yep.”

　　And with that, the duo sank into silence, as they stood rooted to their spots. In the blink of an eye, two years had passed. In the past two years, he had been in control of vast power and authority in the courts, and became one of the most powerful people in the world. Even as Chu Qiao stayed far away and occasionally heard some rumors, she would suspect if the man that she knew was really the same ruthless and decisive man in those rumors?

　　She had also heard some rumors coming from Qinghai. Although that territory belonged to the Xia Empire, it was under an independent rule, and the governors were selected not by blood relation but from a standardized examination that even civilians had a chance of participating in. She had heard that there were many new laws that encouraged farming, construction, and even protection of commerce, and with that new legislation, some of the more daring businessmen headed to Qinghai to do business. She also heard rumors that they had abolished slavery. Even though the rich could still purchase slaves, the slaves were allowed to free themselves using money. In addition, even for slaves, they were not to be killed freely, else the owner would be punished heavily by law. There were also rumors that it was nothing like the barren lands that it was supposed to be, and was a vast land that boasted a huge population and is full of resources.

　　….

　　There were also rumors that the King of Qinghai was infamous and notorious, and was unofficially called the bandit marshall. Every year he would use his power and make excuses to snatch all kinds of resources to be transported to Qinghai. Every month it seemed like there was some kind of disaster like flood or avalanche that result in the civilians being unable to feed themselves, and with those excuses, the court had little choice but to send aid.

　　Yet, those resources that were sent for aid would immediately be sold off after leaving Zhen Huang City. The huge amount of gold and silver will be openly sent to Qinghai. At this juncture, over half of the Xia forces were under King of Qinghai’s control, and the Xia Empire dare not to anger him, and could only watch as he chipped away at their resources.

　　It was also rumored that this man was referred to as the lord and savior by the Qinghai civilians, was called the bandit by the civilians in the West Continent, and was named the bloodsucker by the officials of the Xia Empire. Even his good friend and ally, seventh prince Zhao Che, had tactfully advised him not to be too overboard. Even as he got all the meat, he should at least leave behind some soup for the rest.

　　Even though it was rumored that the civilians of the West Meng Continent hated him to the core, they had already started to move to Qinghai. Every day, the Cuiwei Pass would be full of people trying to sneak out.

　　The Grand Elder Council had chided that Zhuge Yue had intentionally instructed the guards of Cuiwei pass to let down their guard and let the civilians drain out from the Xia mainlands into Qinghai. Yet Zhuge Yue merely innocently shrugged. The Yan Bei army was too strong, and we do not have any extra forces. If we wish to effectively limit this issue, we need urgent resources to improve on our equipment. We request 100,000 pounds of gold…

　　There were so many rumors, yet at this moment, when he was placed before Chu Qiao herself, all those rumors vanished like mist. He was still the same; not the King of Qinghai, not the Grand Marshal, not the talented Savior of Qinghai, not the cunning and shameless Bloodsucker of Xia Empire. He was still the lonesome and arrogant man, along with his socially awkward tendencies, he was still the same young master of Zhuge who had gone through countless life or death experiences with her, and had saved her on multiple occasions.

　　Some deep thought emerged, suppressing the initial excitement and joy of their reunion. Looking at him, although he was still so handsome, he was still cold like a block of ice, yet there were wrinkles by his eyes. Looking carefully, one could even see a tinge of fatigue in his gaze.

　　She bit her lips, and lightly exclaimed, “We merely parted for one year, yet you have grown old.”

　　Hearing that, Zhuge Yue was rather stunned. The coldness in his eyes faded away, as he lowered his head and looked at her, seeing how she was still the same, only that she seemed somewhat thinner.

　　He was merely 26 this year. No matter by what standards, he was not deserving of being called old. Yet, the tiredness that he had gone through all these years, along with the ups and downs he had faced whether in politics or battle, and the killings and fightings, along with the word “old” flashed before his eyes like a boiling river.

　　What was concealed behind the facade of glory was staying up all night, and frequently reflecting alone without anyone understanding him, and there were also nights when he tossed around on the bed unable to enter dreamland. Even though he was still the same person, his heart had aged. With such experiences, how could he not be old?

　　Looking at her, all the anger in the past year, along with even that trace of childishness, had faded with age in that simple sentence.

　　“In the past one year, have you been alright?”

　　“Hard to say. In any case, I am still alive.” Zhuge Yue replied without showing many emotions. Although his words seemed harsh, he had lost the coldness in his tone. Chu Qiao knew that at this moment he was not arguing with her, and was merely reflecting on his life. Perhaps for geniuses like them, they would really understand that even merely living was good enough.

　　“My life has been pretty good.” Even though Zhuge Yue had not asked, Chu Qiao started to describe her own life, “I opened an inn, and am living quite comfortably.”

　　“I know.” The man lightly replied, yet Chu Qiao was taken aback as she lifted her head and looked at him. “You know?” she asked.

　　“I stayed in your inn three times.”

　　Chu Qiao was completely stunned, yet Zhuge Yue continued, “It has been one year, have you thought it through already?”

　　“Thought…thought what through?”

　　Frowning, with a face that said “You are really good at acting dumb”, Zhuge Yue continued to ask, “You really decided to run an inn for the rest of your life?”

　　Staring at him, Chu Qiao was lost for words. In reality, she really did have such plans.

　　“Or did you decide to find a random person to marry off to before you reach 30?”

　　Chu Qiao was rather embarrassed, and asked, “Who told you?”

　　“Who else?” Zhuge Yue replied. “Obviously it was Li Ce. Did you not know? The Chunyu Inn was opened by Li Ce, and the Sihai Inn that is diagonally behind you was opened by me.”

　　Chu Qiao was dumbfounded, and suddenly remember that those two inns were always so empty. Initially, she was rather proud and thought that it was because of her inn that the other two inns were out of business. Little did she realize that it was due to these two rich people.

　　In that case, the incident about Mei Mountain would be something that Li Ce knew very well of, and he should have prepared against those people. She suddenly remembered something, and asked, “Then you must have known of my identity right from the start?”

　　“I didn’t.” Zhuge Yue replied. Seeing that she did not believe him, he impatiently continued, “Although I had gone there before, I had not seen you.”

　　Indeed in the past one year, she had not gone out much.

　　“What did you come out for?”

　　Chu Qiao did not know what to say, as it was about Li Ce’s country, so she vaguely answered, “To go to Tang Jing.”

　　“Hmph!” Zhuge Yue snorted. Beside them, there was an ivy plant coiling on a tree. The breeze came like a waft of a cloud.

　　“Master,” The man whose surname was Cao shouted from afar, “The roads are open! We can go.”

　　Zhuge Yue did not say anything, and after standing there for a long time, it was as though he could not stand the suppressive atmosphere, as he turned around and wanted to walk off.

　　“Zhuge Yue!” Chu Qiao suddenly shouted, “Next time you come, you should come and find me.”

　　“I have no time,” Zhuge Yue coldly replied, before slowly turning around. With a black face, he proclaimed, “I am about to return to Qinghai, do you want to head there with me?” So casually, he said it. It was like a conversation between two friends asking each other if they had eaten. With that, Chu Qiao was completely taken aback. Even though there were few things that would cause her to be stunned, she would always be lost for words when it came to him. Staring at him, it was as though she wanted evidence from his face to prove that those words were not spoken by him.

　　“Li Ce said that you cannot adapt to change, and advised me to give you more time.” Calmly, he said, “Have you thought it through, will you come along with me?”

　　“You, aren’t you the Grand Marshal of the Xia empire? You have a family too…”

　　“That is none of your business.” Frowning, Zhuge Yue firmly declared, “You merely need to tell me if you are coming.”

　　One flock of birds flew past. Another flock of birds flew past. Countless flocks of birds flew past. Chu Qiao still did not give any response.

　　Zhuge Yue erupted into anger and bellowed, “Are you coming or not?”

　　“Okay! Okay! I will go!” Chu Qiao shouted back.

　　Shouting at each other with all their strength, their echoes could be heard in the surroundings, contrasting with the dead silence in the vicinity.

　　“Meeting you here was fortunate. It saved me the time to make another trip to inform you.” Pretending to be something that did not bother him, it was as though everything was within his grasp, yet it completely did not occur to him that he was so much more talkative than usual. “Do not run off, just wait in your courtyard. Once I am done with my matters, I will send someone to fetch you.” With that said, Zhuge Yue walked off, looking as cool as ever.

　　“Anyways, I am still opening another inn in Qinghai.”

　　A voice suddenly sounded from behind him. Zhuge Yue fiercely turned back and glared at her.

　　With the fluffy white clouds drifting overhead, even the birds would poke their heads out, as though also curious about how the worldly matter could never seem to be depicted with normal logic.