Make Way (3)
Sure enough, Xie Xuanchen laughed when he heard Song Wulangâs words, then got up to go outside. When people outside noticed that Xie Xuanchen was coming out of the carriage, they all shouted: âMy Lord!â
Mu Mingtang also got worried and grabbed his sleeve to stop him. Xie Xuanchen smiled at Mu Mingtang soothingly and said, âItâs ok. Donât worry. We came out to watch fireworks today. So I wonât do such wicked things. Darling, you sit for a while, and Iâll be right back.â
Mu Mingtang was relieved when she heard Xie Xuanchenâs promise. She believed him. âOk, remember what you promise me and Iâll wait for you.â She slowly released her hand and said with a soft smile.
Xie Xuanchen smiled at her, turned around and pushed the cart door down. After he stood on the ground, the smile he had given Mu Mingtang disappeared like a fog of frost.
When Song Wulang was acting arrogantly, Imperial Guards who followed Xie Xuanchen, got panicked because they knew about Xie Xuanchenâs temper. So when they saw him getting off the carriage, they panicked even more. Xie Xuanchenâs people clearly said it was King Anâs carriage, yet Song Wulang was overwhelmed with wine and dared to go against Xie Xuanchen.
When people saw another character appear, the audience became more excited. Not only the people on the street but also children from powerful families and girls who sing in the restaurants gathered to watch the fun.
Song Wulang saw a handsome and thin young man coming down from the opposite cart, he sneered and shouted: âTell your master to come out. I wonât talk to a Xiaobailian[1].â
When Song Wulang spoke rudely, the people watching the incident began to laugh while the palace guards broke out in a cold sweat, so they hurriedly knelt on the street and begged. âYour Highness, please calm down. This is the son of Prime Minister Songâs family. He was drunk and talking nonsense. Please forgive him.â
While guards were trying to convey Xie Xuanchen to let go of the matter, Song Wulang wanted to show off more and said in an arrogant tone: âWho do you think you are to beg on behalf of me? Do you know who my father is?â
Xie Xuanchen suddenly laughed and walked toward Song Wulang. âIf your father, the prime minister, was in your place today, he would dare not say a single word. Who are you, dare to play arrogantly in front of me?â
âMy lord, calm down, please!â Guards shouted again and again.
âWho are you?â Song Wulang asked.
At that time, Xie Xuanchen picked up a bamboo dragonfly from a stall on the side of the road, turned it on his finger, and flicked it towards Song Wulang.
The bamboo dragonfly was a childâs toy, made of thin bamboo, which can fly to the sky after being rubbed with the palm of your hand. However, it was such a childâs toy, suddenly with a sharp murderous intent, it slashed across Song Wulangâs head, removed his hair crown, and even shaved off a piece of hair on the top of his head.
After seeing what happened, the people in the restaurant screamed, and the people on the flat ground couldnât see it clearly, until a thin bamboo slammed into the roadside doorpost, and they cried out in shock.
Song Wulang was so frightened that he fell to the ground directly. At that moment, he thought his head was about to fall off. He sat on the ground and touched his head while thinking about what happened.
âIâm Xie Xuanchenâ
Xie Xuanchen
The noisy street suddenly became quiet, and panic broke out from upstairs and downstairs. Someone in the restaurant shouted in fear: âItâs King Qiyang, itâs King Qiyang!â
When Song Wulang heard Xie Xuanchenâs name, he felt struck by lightning and eventually became sober. Now he could remember why the title âKing Anâ was a bit familiar. It was the new title, Xie Xuanchen received from the emperor after his marriage.
Song Wu, this bastard! Idiot! Has his brain been devoured by alcohol and worms? How dare he speak to King Qiyang like this? Oh, God! He has awoken a sleeping tiger. Something big will happen today. If he wanted to die, why involve other people.â One of the officialâs sons yelled.
After the officialâs child finished speaking, for fear of Xie Xuanchenâs anger, he held the railing and almost leaned out half of his body: âSee Qiyang⦠See Prince An! The villain has eyes and does not know Mount Tai, please forgive me. Greetings to His Royal Highness Prince An!â
One after another, people bowed their heads and greeted Xie Xuanchen with fear and excitement. However, Xie Xuanchen didnât bother to pay attention to them, and got into the carriage.
Song Wulang who became sober didnât care whether he was a human or a dog, knelt down on the ground and kowtowed cursing himself. When he saw Xie Xuanchen didnât pay attention to him anymore, he shouted at his servants: âHurry up, clear the way, Prince An and Princess An are traveling, hurry up.â
Mrs. Zhu and Zhu Yuqing sat in the carriage and waited until the maid came to tell them what was happening outside. Suddenly there were screams everywhere saying, âKing An forgive meâ.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âMother, who is King An? Why are so many people apologizing for him?â Zhu Yuqing asked.
Mrs. Zhu actually didnât know, so she hadnât spoken yet. Then she suddenly heard the anxious voice of a maid outside: âQuick Drive the carriage away, and the general personally ordered it to make way for Prince An and Princess An!â
Mrs. Zhu and Zhu Yuqing were called out of the carriage to move their carriage quickly. So when they got out, Zhu Yuign saw her always dignified father had bowed his head respectfully in a military salute and said: âThis humble one Yang Hong, greet His Royal Highness, Prince An.â
When Xie Xuanchenâs carriage drove in front of them, Zhu Yuqing saw a profile of a handsome man slightly from the swaying cart curtain. However, in a flash, the man disappeared.
Mu Mingtang sat in the carriage, and sometimes, she quietly asked Xie Xuanchen: âYou know the person kneeling on the roadside just now?â
âMany people are kneeling on the roadside, which one do you ask?â
âStop pretending, what do you think? I canât see it?â There was no maid in the car now, and Mu Mingtang didnât hide her words. She leaned closer and asked in a low voice, âThe one who greeted you loudly, seems to be surnamed Zhu.â
After Mu Mingtang finished speaking, Suddenly she felt something was wrong: âNo, Iâll tell you why you pushed me to go out today. Did you really accompany me out to buy things for the New Year today or for something else?â
Xie Xuanchen looked back at Mu Mingtang, and lightly tapped her forehead: âNo conscience, who wanted to come to this street? Besides, can I guess what will happen on the way?â
Mu Ming Tang touched her forehead and muttered to himself, âThatâs true. Then, are we going to pick lanterns now?â
âOf course, why not?â Xie Xuanchen said it as it should be, âYour happiness is the only thing I want to see today.â
TL Notes:
1. Xiaobailian â å°ç½è â attractive young man / pretty boy / gigolo âµ