A step into the past - 寻秦记 - by Huang Yi

[Jean]

I want to post one ahead of Jean's post so Jean pleeeeeeeease post right after I post. It will mean a lot. Good to see you back and yet despite your schedule you managed to post.

You're lucky.... haha

Still trying to finish my pile of work so short update.....


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Xiang Shaolong led the 18 Guardsmen and a 50-strong team from Xiao Pan’s best Imperial guards and went grandly to the Sweet Spring Palace. A group of warriors dashed out from the side to block their paths.

Xiang Shaolong had already guessed that Guan Zhongxie would order his men to surround Sweet Spring Palace so he unsheathed his Hundred Battles Sword and shouted, “Who dares to stop me, Xiang Shaolong.”

The Guardsmen and Imperial guards roared as they brandished their shields, bows and spears and made a formation, protecting Xiang Shaolong right in the middle with their arrows and spears pointing outwards, ready to fly out at any moment.

None of those warriors dare to retaliate as they fled from all sides.

The drawbridge to Sweet Spring Palace was drawn and the gates shut tightly.

Xiang Shaolong and his men went to the little moat protecting the palace and reined in their horses.

Guan Zhongxie led Xu Shang and 50 to 60 warriors and went up to them, the former asking icily, “Haven’t Commander Xiang gone to join in the Spring Feast?”

Xiang Shaolong thought of Guoxing and wished he could kill him with a stab now. He waited until he came near and reined in his horse before saying with a smile, “If I were to throw my flying needles at Official Guan, I wonder how confident will you be at avoiding them?”

Guan Zhongxie and Xu Shang’s expression paled at the same time, their eyes on his right hand which he deliberately left hanging near the horse’s body. The former managed to force out a smile and say, “Commander Xiang must be joking, death will of course be my only outcome.”

Xiang Shaolong gave a nonchalant reply, “The both of you had better not move rashly, I am not joking. By surrounding Sweet Spring Palace like this, the both of you have already committed the offence of offending the Dowager. If I were to execute the both of you, who would dare to say that I’ve done wrong.”

Xu Shang’s reply was calm and steady, “Great General Xiang is mistaken, we are just under Lu Buwei’s orders to protect her Majesty!”

Xiang Shaolong pretended to be surprised and said, “So I see, in that case you can retreat immediately, just leave the task of protecting her to me.”

A flash of anger was seen on Guan Zhongxie’s features as he lowered his head, “As the Great General commands.”

He shouted, “Everyone, retreat!”

He turned his horse’s head and galloped away.

Sounds of hooves galloping rose.

In an instant all the warriors were gone.

Xiang Shaolong called out towards the gates of Sweet Spring Palace, “Lord Ai please lower the drawbridge.”

Sounds of machinery were heard as the drawbridge lowered.

Xiang Shaolong ordered his men to keep their weapons and led the way, marching grandly into the Palace.

He had just stepped past the gates when Lao Ai, Han Xie, Ling Qi, Lao Si came up to him, all dressed to fight.

Xiang Shaolong jumped off his horse and extended his hand to shake hands with Lao Ai as he said with a laugh, “Lord Lao, please forgive Shaolong for coming late. Is the Dawager alarmed?”

Lao Ai had a look of gratitude as he said quietly, “This matter…”

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[Sunterjo]

Sigh ....where is everybody?

[lawwoo]

No. 2 ? Thanks Jean.

[crydee]

Welcome Back Jean....!! *happy*.....and a bit sian with the cliff hanger...grrrrr

[balikpapan]

Yess... New Update.

PARTY TIMEE... *doing Chicken Dance*

Thank you, Jean. Ur da best!






god dangit. 4th!

[baldy]

Welcome Back Jean....!! *happy*.....and a bit sian with the cliff hanger...grrrrr

"a bit sian" - cantonese/hokkien ?

[JAJA9]

A new game in town and that is call anticipation. Name of the game is to try and convince Jean to post without being pathetically needy especially during the weekend. And Jean can post ahead of the person whose pleas she thinks is most pathetic. This time it is mine. Know what I am giving a final quiz to about a group of 40 students and I have just read your post so that is how you make my day. Have a good weekend.

[aliderhamy]

Sigh ....where is everybody?

Interenet was down for more then a full day

[Jean]

end of chapter.....


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After ordering his men to wait at the square, Xiang Shaolong slung an arm over Lao Ai’s shoulder and walked towards the main building and said in a carefree manner, “After I found out about Qiu Risheng, I went to the Palace immediately to see his Majesty and strongly defended that Qiu Risheng’s plan in engaging outsiders to assassinate his Majesty is definitely not related to Lord Ai. His Majesty realized that he has wronged you and ordered me to come here immediately to escort the Dowager and Lord Ai to the Palace to attend the Spring Feast.”

Lao Ai was stunned, “Shaolong is a true friend indeed, I will never forget this. Ai! I really have no idea why Qiu Risheng would do something as idiotic as this, what benefit is it to him?”

Xiang Shaolong gave a low chuckle, “Of course it will benefit him greatly, and for Du Bi and Pu Hu it will benefit them even more. But Brother Lao will not benefit at all.”

Lao Ai was enlightened, “That darn son of a *****, trying to trap me even after his capture.”

By now both of them have entered the main building only to see Zhu Ji standing in the middle of the hall, her pretty face frosty and her eyes glaring angrily at Xiang Shaolong, as if she is going to vent all her pent up frustration on him.

Xiang Shaolong knelt down and after paying the respects due to royalty, he said loudly, “Xiang Shaolong is here on his Majesty’s order to immediately escort your Majesty to the Palace to host the Spring Feast.”

Zhu Ji asked with an icy smile, “That rebellious son still remembers me?”

Lao Ai was startled as he uttered with a sheepish smile, “Your Majesty…”

Zhu Ji shouted coldly, “I don’t need you to interrupt!”

Lao Ai was greatly embarrassed and at the same time frightened. He dared not interrupt and just stood aside with his head lowered.

Xiang Shaolong stood up and gave a slight smile, “Dowager has misunderstood his Majesty. He just found out about this matter and thus sent me and the Imperial Guards here to escort you.”

Zhu Ji was still unappeased and fumed, “Xiang Shaolong, you are the Calvary Commander and on seeing that someone has the audacity to surround my Sweet Spring Palace, you did not apprehend these people immediately. You still have the cheek to come and see me?”

Xiang Shaolong looked deeply in her eyes and replied wryly, “This is not the first day that your Majesty knows Lu Buwei? If your Majesty insist on blaming me and his Majesty, then won’t it make your enemies happier and your own people sadder? If your Majesty won’t even trust Lord Ai and me, then who else can you trust?”

Lao Ai hurriedly added, “Right! Shaolong is indeed my closest bosom friend.”

Zhu Ji was stunned for a moment. She stared sadly at Xiang Shaolong, as if saying that she is never his match before she exclaimed piteously, “Right! The people I can trust are getting lesser and lesser, but I am not in the mood to attend the feast. You can go with Lord Lao! But I want you to swear that you will ensure his safety.”

Xiang Shaolong said with certainty, “I will guarantee with my own head that his Majesty is already aware that Lord Lao is not connected in any way to Qiu Risheng. But I must beseech your Majesty to attend the feast, otherwise it will only make the conniving thieves happy that they have successfully soured the cordial relations between the Dowager and the Crown Prince.”

Zhu Ji jested, “Cordial relationship, hai! But it’s also time that I have a good talk with my son.”

Xiang Shaolong hurriedly called out, “Will the Dowager please take her leave!”

Zhu Ji hesitated for a moment before sighing again, “Shaolong, you’ll accompany me in the carriage, I have something to ask you.”

Xiang Shaolong snuck a peek at Lao Ai, only to see his head lowered but he cannot hide the flash of jealousy flitting across his features.”

He can’t help but inwardly sigh.

Lao Ai you’re really too narrow minded, how can you ever achieve anything big?

You can even treat me, your live savior like this, so from this it’s obvious how unappealing your basic nature is.

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[Ren Wo Xing]

First.

That's right, you guys didn't even know I was in the competition, did you.

[lawwoo]

Haiz. Second.

[balikpapan]

Best three!!

Awesome as always, Jean. Thank you my Lady.
Back to the story. This stupid cow Lao Ai doesn't know what good for him, does he?? he really is as thick as a pig. (I'm sorry before any pig that might get offended reading this).

First.

That's right, you guys didn't even know I was in the competition, did you.

Errmmm.. Do anyone know who this new guy is?? Just barged in and cut in line with no manner.

[Jean]

Errmmm.. Do anyone know who this new guy is?? Just barged in and cut in line with no manner.

You'd better be nice to him. Just look as his title under his name.

[tweety365]

Thanks, Jean.

Errmmm.. Do anyone know who this new guy is?? Just barged in and cut in line with no manner.

Hehe, just be glad you are not fifth again.

[aliderhamy]

Thanks, Jean.



Hehe, just be glad you are not fifth again.

hmm this was a nice upddate... kinda fast and flowing

[balikpapan]

You'd better be nice to him. Just look as his title under his name.

Yeah. Lucky him, I'd say. Otherwise, he'd get to know my impressive vast range of abusive word collection.

Hehe, just be glad you are not fifth again.

Hey, look who's talking. The 4th best Ms. California.

[Jean]

new chapter!


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Book 20 Chap 2 – Failure despite preparations

After Zhu Ji instructed Xiang Shaolong to sit next to her, she stared at the night scene of Xianyang through the curtains of the carriage.

The main street was packed with joyous Qins who were our celebrating the Spring festivities and the birth of the Black Dragon.

Houses were decorated and sounds of firecrackers popped continuously, an especially sharp contrast to Zhu Ji’s empty and helpless state of mind.

Ever since King Zhuangxiang passed away, Zhu Ji has never truly been happy.

Her whole life was made possible because of Lu Buwei, but is also destroyed because of Lu Buwei.

Maybe even she herself cannot determine the grudges and gratitude she has with Lu Buwei.

Lao Ai may look like he is successful on the surface, but ultimately he’s just a pawn being made use of by the various factions.

What’s unexpected is that with Zhu Ji’s intellect and formidability, once she’s fixated with men, she’d actually become so muddleheaded.

Just as he was secretly lamenting, Zhu Ji’s fragrant lips gently asked, “Shaolong! What should I do in future?”

Suddenly, Xiang Shaolong felt as if he has once again stepped into the time machine and has gone back to the days in Handan when he first met Zhu Ji. He was stunned, “Your Majesty…”

Then he’s as a loss for words.

Zhu Ji turned her delicate body and stared at him as she said, “Sorry!”

Xiang Shaolong was taken aback, “Why do you say that?”

Zhu Ji lowered her head and replied piteously, “I myself have no idea what I’m doing. But sometimes, I really wish that someone would kill you.”

Xiang Shaolong knows she’s referring to her approval of the duel between him and Guan Zhongxie so he sighed and said, “I will never blame your Majesty, no matter what, I will never blame you.”

Zhu Ji’s delicate body shuddered as she lifted her head to look at him. After a long moment, she suddenly said, “Is that Black Dragon real or a fake, I beg you do not keep it from me.”

A sudden fury rose in Xiang Shaolong, knowing that Zhu Ji is still making plans for Lao Ai. He said icily, “Of course it’s real, can such a thing be faked?”

Zhu Ji stared at him morosely for a moment before she turned back to look out the window again, saying with a wry smile, “Shaolong, you’re angry. Sometimes I really wish that you’d hit me or scold me, then I’ll feel a little better.”

She paused and continued, “I know you too well. From the way you answered me just now, I know that is a fake dragon. Such a grand plan, you must be the one who thought of it because no one would be able to pull off such a trick better than you.”

Xiang Shaolong felt heated as a feeling so strange that even he cannot understand rose up in him. He went near to her tiny ear and said gently, “Right now I really feel like giving your Majesty a thorough beating!”

Zhu Ji’s delicate body trembled and with an “Ah!”, turned her body around, a mixed yet ecstatic look shot out from her eyes.

Just as Xiang Shaolong was about to seal her fragrant lips with a kiss, the carriage stopped suddenly. They have arrived at the Palace.

Xiang Shaolong secretly sighed.

There can never be even a slight change in Fate after all.

When Zhu Ji arrived at the feast, Xiao Pan, Lu Buwei and the other officials welcomed her warmly as usual, everyone behaved as if nothing has ever happened.

Pu Hu and Du Bi also attended the feast, their expression serene.

If Qiu Risheng were to have the chance to come here and take a look, he will surely feel that his sacrifice is not worth it at all.

However Xiang Shaolong was in a bad mood over Guoxing’s death and when he was seated at Li Si and Lord Changping’s table, he asked quietly, “Where is Guan Zhongxie?”

Both of them heard his menacing tome and was shocked. They asked in unison, “What does Shaolong plan to do?”

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[crydee]

......................FIRST!

"a bit sian" - cantonese/hokkien ?

my chinese fren say it is Hokkien

[camtay]

SECOND!!!!

Thanks Jean!

[balikpapan]

3rd...again
Feel sad and happy on the same time.

Cheers for this new chapter, Jean. It promises another epic duel.

On the story:
I feel pity for this Zhu Ji. Having only one son that she must love to bone, the son behaves like he doesn't care a bit about her. I know she isn't an angel herself, but she never treat her son badly.

As result of her status, she can not live the life she desires; carefree and full of happiness. And because of that, she is trapped in love tangle with an undependable man that is as thick as pig. Well, at least her life is still much better than those women at the brothel. Sad time for women.

It was really a cruel era, that past dinasty. Make you appreciate living in this time, even though some still find it boring.