Legend Management Bureau Chapter 31

[ … words ]

“I think the safest method…” Du Yu finally spoke after a long silence. “…is to still descend during her fortieth year. As for the invasions from the Qin and Zhao states, the worst-case scenario is that you use voice transmission to tell her to escape. I think that’s the most appropriate approach.”

Dong Qianqiu nodded as well. “You’re right. Even if the State of Qi suffers a massive defeat, the balance of power in the world won’t necessarily change. Although the legend’s completion rate will be on the lower side, it will still count as a success.”

Having agreed on a strategy, Dong Qianqiu adjusted the time to the day of Zhongli Chun’s fortieth birthday and prepared for the descent.

Du Yu lay down on the device, considering all the possible scenarios and pondering countermeasures.

He waited for a long time, only to realize he was still in the Legend Management Bureau.

“What’s wrong, Sister Qianqiu? Did something go wrong with the descent?”

“Du Yu, come take a look at this.”

Hearing Dong Qianqiu’s words, Du Yu hurriedly got up and walked over to the monitor.

On the screen, Zhongli Chun and Xiao Xia were sitting in a bedchamber, quietly waiting for dawn. Zhongli Chun’s appearance hadn’t changed at all; she still looked like a girl of seventeen or eighteen. However, Xia Yingchun had blossomed into an even more stunning beauty. A decade had passed, placing her right at the prime age of twenty-five or twenty-six.

“Not yet, My Lady.”

After waiting a while longer, Zhongli Chun asked again, “Is it dawn now?”

“It is dawn, My Lady.”

“Let’s go.”

The two stood up in unison. Zhongli Chun grabbed a cloak and draped it over her shoulders before they headed straight out the door. Their destination was none other than the royal palace of the Qi State.

To avoid causing a commotion, Zhongli Chun pulled her hood down low to obscure her face, with Xia Yingchun following closely behind.

They reached the palace without any hindrances, but were immediately stopped by the guards.

“This is the royal palace! Commoners are forbidden to enter!”

With a mere wave of her hand, Zhongli Chun sent two guards flying, then led Xiao Xia straight toward the main hall. Countless guards rushed over along the way, but Zhongli Chun simply knocked away those blocking her path while protecting Xiao Xia, without severely injuring a single person.

This scene completely dumbfounded Du Yu. For anyone else, this would be a capital offense punishable by beheading, but that wasn’t necessarily the case for Zhongli Chun.

By the time Zhongli Chun stepped into the grand hall where King Xuan of Qi was holding court, a massive horde of guards trailed cautiously behind her. Having never witnessed such peerless martial prowess, none of them dared to step forward.

King Xuan of Qi had been enjoying a large ensemble playing the yu instrument. The sudden chaotic intrusion startled him so badly he nearly tumbled off his throne.

“Who goes there?! Guards! Protect the King!” King Xuan screamed.

Though the guards had no desire to throw their lives away, doing nothing would inevitably lead to their execution by the King. Several of the bolder guards roared and charged forward with their spears.

Zhongli Chun shifted slightly to the side, dodging a sweeping thrust. She then grabbed the spear’s shaft and gave it a gentle shake, forcing it out of the guard’s grip. Applying pressure with just two fingers, she snapped off the spearhead, sending it flying and instantly reducing the weapon to a simple wooden staff. Wielding only this staff, she moved in a blur. In the blink of an eye, all the charging guards were knocked to the floor.

Before anyone could even cry out, Zhongli Chun hurled the staff forward. It embedded itself directly into the wall behind King Xuan, burying half of its length into the solid stone.

Witnessing this, King Xuan immediately clamped his mouth shut.

An ordinary person wouldn’t even be able to embed a sharp spear into a wall with such force, let alone a blunt wooden stick.

“I am Zhongli Chun of Wuyan. If anyone else approaches, do not blame me for showing no mercy.”

“Zhongli Chun of Wuyan?!” King Xuan felt as though he had heard the name before. “Could you be the legendary ugly woman, Zhong Wuyan, whom the commoners gossip about?”

“I am,” Zhongli Chun nodded.

King Xuan looked at the tall woman before him. Her height was indeed intimidating, but with her cloak covering her face, he couldn’t tell just how hideous she truly was.

“What does the daughter of an official want with me?!” King Xuan asked with a tremble in his voice.

“I have come to be your Queen.”

“What?” King Xuan was at a complete loss for words, before an inexplicable rage flared up within him. “I have over a hundred beautiful concubines in my harem! Why would I make a famously ugly woman my Queen?”

“King Xuan of Qi, if you do not take me as your wife, the State of Qi will perish,” Zhongli Chun stated coldly.

“Perish?!” King Xuan seethed with anger. “Insolence! Under my rule, this nation is prosperous and peaceful! How could we possibly face ruin?!”

Zhongli Chun didn’t argue. She glanced at the massive ensemble of over a hundred musicians in the hall and asked, “Your Majesty, do you enjoy listening to the yu?”

“Y-yes…” King Xuan replied, somewhat perplexed by her sudden change in topic. “It is my favorite instrument. That is why I assembled a grand ensemble of a hundred musicians.”

Zhongli Chun walked straight up to one of the musicians and asked, “What is your name?”

“Ah? I… I am Nanguo…”

Zhongli Chun nodded. “The rest of you can stop. You alone will play for me.”

“What…?” Mr. Nanguo panicked instantly. “I… I…”

Zhongli Chun scoffed. “Your Majesty, this man does not know how to play the yu at all. If you cannot even identify an imposter just making up the numbers in your orchestra, how can you properly govern the entire State of Qi?”

The civil and military officials exchanged nervous glances, none daring to speak out. They secretly marveled at how formidable this Zhongli Wuyan truly was. If she could pick out a single fake musician among a hundred, wouldn’t she easily hear their quietest whispers?

A civil official near King Xuan hastily stepped forward and whispered, “Your Majesty… This woman possesses extraordinary strength. Furthermore… rumors say that Guiguzi is exceptionally skilled in physiognomy and divination, and this Zhongli Wuyan is one of his disciples… We have no choice but to believe her words…”

King Xuan was torn. “Even if you say that, my dear minister… you know there is absolutely no way I could marry an ugly woman and make her Queen…”

“Oh, right.” Zhongli Chun suddenly remembered something and began to slowly approach King Xuan, step by step.

“W-w-w-what are you doing?!” King Xuan was terrified but couldn’t just abandon his throne. The same could not be said for the surrounding officials, who scattered in all directions the moment she stepped forward.

Zhongli Chun walked right up to King Xuan and pulled back her hood, revealing a face as flawless as white jade.

“Xiao Xia told me that you are very fond of beautiful women. She insisted that I take off my hood to let you have a look,” Zhongli Chun said, her bright eyes locked onto King Xuan. After a moment’s thought, she added, “Xiao Xia also said that if you marry me, you’ll get her as well. It’s a profitable deal.”

Her voice was very quiet, ensuring only King Xuan could hear.

Staring at Zhongli Chun’s visage, King Xuan was utterly spellbound.

Her eyes were like pools of crystal-clear water set in a fair, delicately flushed face, and her neat, fragrant hair cascaded down from her cloak.

With every slight shift of her gaze, King Xuan’s heart skipped a beat.

‘Where did this fairy descend from?’

‘Never mind marrying her; it would be worth dismissing the entire harem of a hundred beauties just for her!’

‘The world does not know Zhong Wuyan. She is actually a celestial beauty.’

King Xuan muttered to himself. But after a moment’s thought, he asked, “And who is Xiao Xia? The peerlessly ugly woman from the rumors couldn’t be this Xiao Xia you speak of, could it?”

Zhongli Chun silently pointed behind her. King Xuan sneaked a peek and realized that standing a short distance away was a young woman. Although she kept her head lowered in silence, she was undeniably yet another celestial beauty.

After a long pause, King Xuan abruptly slapped himself across the face.

“Am I dreaming? Are you saying both of you are going to marry me today?”

“Exactly.”

“Excellent!” King Xuan suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs. “I have decided to make Zhongli Chun my Queen today!”

“Huh?!” The civil and military officials were flabbergasted. Although they hadn’t heard the private exchange, the King’s 180-degree shift in attitude was whiplash-inducing.

“Your Majesty… this subject does not understand… Are you being threatened by this person…?” a civil official asked timidly.

Zhongli Chun gave King Xuan a meaningful look and whispered, “Do not let anyone else know my secret.” She then pulled her hood back up and stepped away.

“Er… my dear ministers… There is something you don’t know. Just now, Zhongli Wuyan… the Wuyan girl, pointed out the current flaws of the State of Qi to me, and I felt completely enlightened! I am truly ashamed! Marrying her will greatly benefit the development of our nation…” King Xuan declared hypocritically.

“But… that Zhongli Wuyan is said to be extremely hideous, Your Majesty, how can you…”

“Enough!” King Xuan waved his hand dismissively. “My taking her as Queen is proof of my… err… my absolute determination to turn over a new leaf! Not only will I marry an ugly Queen, but I will also dismiss all the singing and dancing girls! My word is law, execute it immediately!”

The officials were completely baffled.

Their King, whose greatest vice was his lust for beautiful women, was not only marrying a notoriously ugly woman today, but he was also dismissing his entire troupe of entertainers?

Zhongli Chun and Xiao Xia shared a silent glance, knowing they had succeeded.

On the night of King Xuan and Zhongli Chun’s wedding.

King Xuan hosted a grand banquet for all the civil and military ministers, while Zhongli Chun and Xiao Xia sat alone in the bedchamber.

“Xiao Xia, I’ve told you many times, you didn’t have to follow me here,” Zhongli Chun said softly.

“My Lady, I have also said many times, my life belongs to you. I had to come with you.”

Zhongli Chun shook her head. “This was my own obsession. Why should I drag you down with me?”

Xia Yingchun smiled faintly. “Rest assured, My Lady. I am more than content just to accompany you for the rest of my life.”

Time ticked by, and the moon climbed high into the midnight sky.

From far away, Zhongli Chun could hear King Xuan’s approaching footsteps.

“He’s coming…” Zhongli Chun murmured.

“Is he?” Xiao Xia stood up and gave Zhongli Chun a deep, silent bow. Tears glimmered in her eyes. “My Lady, thank you for your care over the past decade. It is now time for me to repay your kindness.”

“Xiao Xia… It’s not too late to back out…”

“I have no regrets,” Xiao Xia shook her head. Turning around, she walked out of the room.

She slowly made her way to the center of the courtyard and slumped onto the ground.

Not long after, a heavily intoxicated King Xuan stumbled in, immediately spotting Xia Yingchun sitting weakly on the ground.

“Oh? Aren’t you… the Xiao Xia who entered the palace with the Queen today?” King Xuan slurred.

“Your Majesty…” Xia Yingchun looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. “Your Majesty, do you find something lacking in me?”

“Huh?” King Xuan paused in surprise. “How could that be, my beauty! I think you are flawless in every way!”

“Then why…” Xia Yingchun wiped a tear from her cheek. “Why did you throw a grand banquet only for the Queen, yet grant me no title…?”

“I will… I will!” King Xuan slapped his forehead. “From now on, you are my royal consort!”

Xiao Xia nodded silently. “Your Majesty… it’s very cold on the ground. Would you like to take me somewhere a bit warmer?”

“Oh…?” King Xuan’s eyes instantly lit up with lust. “Of course! Wherever my beloved consort wants to go, I will take you!”

“I want to go to your bedchamber… it’s too cold here…”

“Oh, my sweet beauty!” King Xuan scooped Xiao Xia up in his arms. “Let’s go, right this instant!”

Inside the room, Zhongli Chun listened quietly, a tangled mess of complex emotions churning in her heart.

Shortly after, Xiao Xia arrived at King Xuan’s bedchamber. She pulled the King down onto the bed and blew out the candle.

From this day forward, Xiao Xia was no longer an innocent maiden. Even with tears shimmering in her eyes, she whispered sweet nothings, coaxing and charming King Xuan.

“My Lady… I will do everything in my power to protect what you wish to protect…”

The next day, before the sun had even risen, Xia Yingchun got out of bed, drew a basin of warm water, and went to Zhongli Chun’s room. Zhongli Chun was sitting exactly where she had been last night; she hadn’t undressed, nor had she slept.

“My Lady… did you stay awake all night? I’m here to comb your hair.” Xiao Xia wore a smile, but a hint of sorrow lingered between her brows.

“Xiao Xia, from today onward, you no longer need to help me with my hair and makeup.”

“Ah?” Xia Yingchun was stunned. “Why…?”

“You are a good girl, Xiao Xia. Since you have married into the royal family, you deserve to live a better life.”

“N-no!” Xiao Xia burst into tears. “My Lady, I have combed your hair for ten years. Please don’t send me away…”

“Xiao Xia…” Zhongli Chun turned her head, looking at the girl with immense tenderness. “I am not sending you away. It’s just… you are no longer my maidservant.”

“I have never felt like a maidservant by your side. Every single day with you has been full of joy…”

“Enough,” Zhongli Chun said, biting her lip. “I’ve already wronged you so much… There is no reason for you to keep serving me…”

Xiao Xia didn’t know what to do. She had willingly sacrificed her innocence for Zhongli Chun, all just to stay by her side.

“My beauty?!” King Xuan’s voice echoed from a distance. “Consort Xia, where have you gone?!”

“Go, Xiao Xia,” Zhongli Chun smiled softly. “Remember to live a better life.”

“No… you can’t…” Xiao Xia cried, shaking her head. “If I knew this meant leaving you, I would never have let you come to the palace…”

Zhongli Chun clenched her fists tightly, her heart breaking in agony.

Just then, King Xuan suddenly pushed the door open, catching sight of the tear-stained Xiao Xia and the stern-faced Zhongli Chun.

“My… my two beauties, what seems to be the matter?” King Xuan asked.

Before Xiao Xia could answer, Zhongli Chun abruptly stood up and delivered a resounding slap across Xiao Xia’s face.

“Slut! You still have the nerve to cry! If you hadn’t stolen the King away from me on my wedding night, why would I have had to sleep in an empty bed?”

Xiao Xia jumped in shock. She reached up to cup her cheek, tears falling even harder like a torrential downpour. She knew exactly how terrifying Zhongli Chun’s strength was, yet the slap hadn’t hurt in the slightest. It was obvious her Lady had pulled her punch, afraid of hurting her, and was only putting on a show for King Xuan. Realizing this made Xiao Xia’s heart ache even more.

“N-no… that’s not true… My Lady, you can’t say that. It will only make the King misunderstand…” Xiao Xia cried out. “I understand! My Lady, I will do as you ask… Please, you absolutely cannot do this to yourself anymore…”

“As long as you understand. Now get out of my sight,” Zhongli Chun spat coldly.

At a total loss, Xiao Xia only knew that if she didn’t leave right away, her Lady would surely do something to make King Xuan despise her even more. Wiping her tears, she hurriedly ran out. King Xuan looked at Zhongli Chun, then at the fleeing Xiao Xia. Naturally feeling that Xiao Xia was much easier to deal with, he quickly chased after her.

“My beauty! Hey! Wait for me!” King Xuan yelled as he ran.

“I…” Xiao Xia glanced back at King Xuan, unsure of what to say.

“My beauty! Please don’t be angry! If that fierce woman doesn’t want you, don’t you still have my royal favor?”

“You are not allowed to call her a fierce woman!” Xiao Xia’s heartache was beyond words. Perhaps no one else in the entire world knew just how incredibly gentle Zhongli Chun truly was.