Published at 26th of August 2019 11:32 pm

Chapter 23- Night Trip

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

After leaving the feast, Zuo Canglang and Xu Lang left together. Yang Lianting couldn't be too close to her in public, practically not speaking much.

When passing by Nong Hua Hall, suddenly someone lightly called her, "Miss Zuo?"

Zuo Canglang turned around, and only saw that beneath a small path surrounded by flowers, a small servant girl was standing there.

Zuo Canglang's memory was not bad, and could instantly recognize that this was the servant girl, Hui Yue, that served at Jiang Bilan's side. She had gone to Murong Yan's estate in the past to help Jiang Bilan send her letters. Zuo Canglang walked over, asking, "How come you're in the palace?"

Hui Yue quickly stuffed a handkerchief in her hand, saying, "Begging miss Zuo to, no matter what, pass this along to his second highness for my mistress."

After speaking, she quickly walked away.

Zuo Canglang grasped that handkerchief, and walked over; Xu Lang was still watching her, and seeing that her expression was troubled, said, "What's the matter? The small palace servant knows you?"

Zuo Canglang said, "In the past, we met once; isn't she official Jiang's family's servant girl? How come she's in the palace?"

Xu Lang said, "Minister Jiang's daughter was given an edict to become the crown prince's secondary consort, and the queen often summons her into the palace to accompany her, so a servant girl from Jiang family being in the palace is not anything strange."

Zuo Canglang acknowledged it with an "Mmm." The connection between these two people, ultimately still severed......

Leaving the palace, Xu Lang and the others went to the soldier dormitory, and Zuo Canglang didn't loiter for even a moment, but directly went to Murong Yan's estate.

At the moment, it was already four in the morning, and on the road, there were already a few pedestrians, but at Qian Yi Marquis's estate, the lanterns were still vivid. Zuo Canglang had just walked to the gate when someone came forward to stable her horse. Zuo Canglang said, "Has his highness rested?"

The servants responded respectfully, "Responding to young master, his highness has been behind Shui Xie Xiang this whole time."

Zuo Canglang's heart felt a bit warm, and she lifted her feet, entering the estate, and saw that the old scenery was like it was in the past. It had been so many months, yet it was is if she had never been separated.

She walked about under the eaves of the trees, and the wind of the eleventh month had already turned cold, but it seemed as though there was a source of heat in her heart, as if an ember had been lit, and did not feel like it was already autumn. In the distance, the melody from a lap harp floated over here, and Zuo Canglang walked forward, following its source. She only saw that in the pavilion, there was someone sitting there, playing the instrument while looking at the water.

The night wind lapped against the water, and with his light robe and wide sleeves, he was in the midst of playing an accompaniment for the water and flowers, seizing the wind's ripples.

Zuo Canglang unwittingly stopped her breathing, stopping below the pavilion. When the song finished, Murong Yan rose, using his two hands to push back the screen, asking, "How long do you plan on standing down there?"

At this, Zuo Canglang finally recovered her senses, and quickly went into the pavilion, paying respects, saying, "Lord master." Right then, Murong Yan had softly spoke, his hand lightly pressing her hand, saying "Rise." The temperature between her fingertips, ignited a few degrees, but what was burnt was the depths of her heart. Zuo Canglang lightly bit her lips, finally saying, "Jinyang city has a lot of people and gossip, so it was inconvenient for Yang Lianting to come, so begging lord master to dismiss his transgresses."

Murong Yan smiled, saying, "Sit. It's been some time since we've met, and you've managed to learn how to treat others so according to etiquette."

Zuo Canglang sat across from him, and some servants sent them wine. Zuo Canglang quickly rose, lifting the jug to pour him wine. Murong Yan sat in his spot, regally, his back straight. He didn't move, but just quietly watched her that way, his gaze like ten fingers tracing her, and Zuo Canglang practically couldn't hold onto the slightly cool wine jug.

"Thanking lord master for gifting wine, so this subordinate will first drink in toast to you." She lifted her head, gulping down the wine in the cup in one go. The wine was very strong, entering her throat like a strong fire. Murong Yan's gaze lingered on her a bit, bemused, and carrying an air of inquisitiveness, said, "It's not like I eat people, so what are you so nervous about?"

Zuo Canglang's face instantly flushed, her embarrassment blooming through her face, her skin actually flushed like skin blush. Murong Yan also felt that it was a bit funny, and lightly drank a mouthful of wine, saying, "It's sixty year old Thousand Mile Drunkenness, so it can't be consumed this way by you."

Zuo Canglang awkwardly didn't know where she had gone wrong, but luckily, at this moment, some servant girls brought forth some dishes. Murong Yan said, "Eat some food first, as drinking wine on an empty stomach is harmful to one's body."

At this, Zuo Canglang had finally recovered from her awkwardness, and suddenly, thinking of a matter, said, "When I exited the palace, miss Jiang's servant girl entrusted me with passing this item to lord master." Finishing her words, she passed him the handkerchief.

Murong Yan received it, and opened it up to look, and then just put it into his sleeve. In that moment, his gaze was like the moon covered with clouds, having grown a few degrees colder. Zuo Canglang was familiar with Jiang Bilan's personality, and so she quietly asked, "Did miss Jiang invite lord master to meet privately?"

Murong Yan took the light pot and filled her cup with wine, saying, "Mmm."

Zuo canglang asked, "Lord master...... when are you going?"

Murong Yan said, "Around midnight tonight, under Chang Jing Tavern."

Zuo Canglang was startled, finally still saying, "Lord master...... wants to go?"

Murong Yan said, "I'll go." And turning to look at her, said, "Eat first."

Waiting all the way until it was almost time, Zuo Canglang accompanied him out of the estate, making a bee line for Chang Jing tavern.

The street was empty of people, and Jinyang seemed like an empty city. Zuo Canglang followed behind Murong Yan, and the fragrance on his body floated about, almost like an illusion. In hear ears, there were only the footsteps of two people, but that sound was still extremely soft, like a heartbeat.

Although it was only accompanying him, to meet secretly with his beloved, but the accompaniment of this journey, but this was already the best of ten thousand pleasant dreams. Where the scent of osmanthus flowers floated from, which places the wind passed by, the dry street beneath the roof tiles.

She didn't have any feeling, and for that one moment, this fresh and dreamlike scene melted her soul, and there weren't any pedestrians, as he was the only passerby.

Chang Jing Tavern was just ahead, and Zuo Canglang stopped her steps; Murong Yan didn't even turn back, saying, "Come over here."

Zuo Canglang was startled, and asked, "Won't it bother lord master and miss Jiang?"

Murong Yan said, "She won't come." Zuo Canglang found it a bit unexpected, asking, "But she obviously invited lord master......"

Murong Yan said, "Jiang Sanyi is a extremely detail-oriented person, and seeing that the date of her marriage with royal brother is set, at this time he would be extraordinarily careful. Lan'er...... can't possibly come out."

Zuo Canglang depressed, a long time later, asked, "Since lord master knew that miss Jiang wouldn't come out, why bother coming here to wait then?"

Murong Yan raised his head, looking towards the equally dark wooms of Chang Jing tavern, smiling, "She could choose not to come, but I would definitely wait."

Time slowly passed grain by grain, and the night became even more saturating, and then, ultimately, slowly turning light again. The wind blew his clothes, but he still stood under Chang Jing Tavern, his tightly wound cloak was lifted by the wind, just like a slightly spread raincoat. Zuo Canglang said, "Lord master...... will definitely wait until miss Jiang arrives." But slowly, the sky brightened, and within the sky, misted a small shower.

Murong Yan smiled, suddenly saying, "Chang Jing Tavern has a buddhist statute at its top, and is rumored to be extremely effective; do you want to enter and take a look?"

Zuo Canglang said, "Okay!" Whatever you say, is all good, as long as you can take shelter from the wind and rain.

Murong Yan seemed to grow a little bit a happiness, and entered Chang Jing tavern, entering through the light rain, into the building.

Zuo Canglang followed him, finally discovering that his martial capability was not bad. Murong Yan brought her into the building, circumventing the hall full of idols, finally coming to the buddhist hall at the end. The long life lanterns were partial bright, partially dark, illuminating the various Buddhist statues within. Zuo Canglang asked, "Is it this one?"

Murong Yan said, "Mmm."

Zuo Canglang walked before it, putting her palms together and bowing. Turning around, she saw Murong Yan, who was still standing by the door. She asked, "Lord master isn't coming over to pray to it?"

Murong Yan shook his head, and Zuo Canglang said, "Lord master doesn't believe in gods?"

Murong Yan said, "What I want, Buddha can't give. What Buddha gives me, I do not want. Might as well not believe in it."

But Zuo Canglang very seriously put forward the incense. Murong Yan kept standing outside the hall, and outside the window, the rain continued its pitter patter. The whole world was silent like a scroll of painting.

Zuo Canglang stood before the Buddha statue, staring for a long time at the statue's two eyes. The statue just maintained its smile, its gaze looking down, soft and compassionate. Murong Yan said, "Let's go, what wish did you make, taking so long?"

Zuo Canglang didn't say anything, but asked him instead, "If lord master was making a wish, what would lord master's wish be?"

Murong Yan said, "I never make wishes." In the depths of the palace, he had experienced his most difficult years. Those disdainful gazes had turned his heart into iron, his soul was dyed with poison, and hence forth, he would be strong and clear minded, and forget unrealistic wishes.

Zuo Canglang walked out of Chang Jing tavern with him, and the rain still did not stop. Murong Yan said, "Wenqi won't stay in Jinyang for long, so you should return to the soldiers' dormitory to await him."

Zuo Canglang stopped her footsteps, saying, "Yes." Previously, she had not thought that they would be walking in the rain, and so she didn't wear much.

Murong Yan took off his cloak, draping it on her. Zuo Canglang stopped, and Murong Yan slightly held her, helping her tie the cloak's chords. At that time, his face was just in front of her face, and his breathing was soft and strong. Zuo Canglang gripped that green cloak's corner, and forgot to reject it, but also forgetting to thank him.

Leaving Chang Jing Tavern, not many steps later, the sky brightened. Some civilians rose early, and began to work on their daily chores. Jinyang city was like an awakening infant, under the brilliant sunlight, slowly opening its eyes. Zuo Canglang crossed by Taiping street, and went forward, entering Deyi Hall.

Deyi Hall's workers didn't begin business that early, and inside, it was still very quiet. She snuck into Yang Lianting's small yard, but Yang Lianting's room already had a guest-- Leng Feiyan was currently inside drinking wine.

Seeing her come over, Yang Lianting and Leng Feiyan found it entirely natural, and the table had already been prepared with a cup for her.

Leng Feiyan said, "I say you, the way you value your hoes before your bro's should still have some limit, right? We've been waiting over here on the side for you for half the night!"

Zuo Canglang smiled bitterly, "It's my fault, I'll penalize myself first with three cups." Saying thus, she picked up her cup, but Leng Feiyan and Yang Lianting actually both raised their cups, clinking their cups with hers. The cup of wine entered her throat, and Leng Feiyan said, "This time you've returned from the northwest, meeting your two besties, how are you going to demonstrate it?"

Zuo Canglang was a bit awkward, "Actually, I don't have anything. Came back in too big of a hurry, and if you don't believe it, ask Yang Lianting; other than dead people, Daji city doesn't have anything!"

Yang Lianting was used to Leng Feiyan's horsing around, so he also didn't respond. Leng Feiyan stood up, and from her waist, pulled out two golden hidden weapons, passing them to Zuo Canglang and Yang Lianting, her words were actually petty, "Coming from so far away, and it's still me gifting you two with gifts. Ah, my acquaintance with you two is so useless!"

Zuo Canglang smiled, and received that hidden weapon from her hands, and found that it was made purely out of gold, and turned to Feiyan, asking, "What is this?"

Leng Feiyan said, "Swallow's Nest's secret token. Receive it well, as when you're in dire circumstances, you can go to one of the branch halls to ask for help."

Zuo Canglang nodded, saying, "This gift is very precious." Leng Feiyan harrumphed coldly, saying, "I've established a branch in Yan, and have hired a group of people who sell their lives and are at the end of their roads. But our prices are also ridiculously high, so if you all have any people you want revenge on, don't forget to grace me with your visit."

Zuo Canglang smiled until she couldn't handle it, but still said, "I feel that, sell swords, these types of people are naturally good to use, but don't make acquaintances with too many of them."

Leng Feiyan said, "I've taken it into account. Ah, you've stayed over at lord master's place a whole night; what have you been up to?"

Before her words were finished, Zuo Canglang understood her personality too well, and immediately shouted, "Shut up!"

Yang Lianting's face was expressionless, having an expression of "this person in front of me, who they are, I have never heard of." Leng Feiyan grabbed Zuo Canglang's hand, smiling gleefully, saying, "Aye, speaking of it, between Wenqi and lord master, who's better?"

Zuo Canglang naturally said, "Marshal Wen is used to leading troops, but regarding martial arts, he isn't particularly exemplary...... lord master rarely exposes his martial arts capability, but......" raising her head, she saw that Leng Feiyan was expression an insidious smile, her face immediately flushed red, screaming out, "Leng Feiyan, I'm gonna tear apart your mouth!"

Leng Feiyan half smiled, while running and dodging, "I was just asking. After you finished eating, I just wanted to ask whether the flavor was good or bad, and I still have to bear a beating? Where is reason, oh where is reason, ah ah ah!" A long time later, she teased again, "This old one right now is a martial arts export, and if you dare to chase me recklessly again, I'm going to scream, ah!"

Yang Lianting felt, he's too lazy to bother with them, but not a moment passed before he heard Leng Feiyan making a ruckus, "Motherf----- you really dare to rip my mouth! A----piece of sh-t! Ruining my peachy lips, are you going to use your bloody big pair of lips to repay them?"

The two of them rolled into a ball, and seeing that Zuo Canglang was about to bump into the edge of the bed, Yang Lianting reached his hand out, to help block them.

Women, oh, women......

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