A Good Country Wife-Chapter 681 - 674 - _1

Jiang Ziqi knew in his heart that the moment Huangfu Jing ascended the throne, their so-called friendship could no longer be maintained as before. If he were a commoner, perhaps it might be possible, with no desires or demands from the Emperor, to never stand on the opposite side of the Emperor, only to be a pure friend. However, as the sole heir of the Jiang Family, it was impossible. His relationship with the Emperor could not be so simple. If he did not maintain it properly and abide by his duty, the affection grown from childhood would sooner or later dissipate.

"Ziqi, you are always like this," Huangfu Jing said, setting down the vermilion brush in his hand with a casual and relaxed expression. "I’ve already said, we grew up together and our bond is different from others’. On informal occasions, there’s no need for such ceremony. Just treat me as you would a friend, as before. Otherwise, it’s just too estranged."

"Since it’s a bond formed from childhood, it shouldn’t be based on these formalities, Emperor," Jiang Ziqi stood up gracefully and casually, as if truly returning to their old ways of interacting.

"Yes, yes, you’re right, Ziqi, it is I who is being overconcerned," Huangfu Jing looked at Jiang Ziqi with genuine curiosity, wondering what the fellow was scheming in his head.

"This humble official simply thought that it has been a long time since I entered the palace, and recalling our past friendship, I specially came to the palace to reminisce with the Emperor, so as to prevent the Emperor from always missing this humble official and thinking that I’m too indifferent," Jiang Ziqi replied very formally, without mentioning a word about the Zhenlong Chess Manuscript, even though he was well aware that the Emperor already knew, since he had brazenly brought it into the palace, waiting for the Emperor to inquire first.

Indeed, Huangfu Jing liked to show his true feelings in front of Jiang Ziqi. Given his curiosity, he asked straightforwardly, without the need for patience: "I heard that you brought that treasured Zhenlong Chess Manuscript you’ve recently acquired into the palace, why don’t I see it? Could it be that my information is wrong?"

"The Emperor’s information is naturally accurate. This subject indeed brought the Zhenlong Chess Manuscript into the palace, wishing to play a few games with the Emperor to see if my chess skills have improved?" Jiang Ziqi remained very formal, showing no clear motive.

"Is that so?" Not only did Jiang Ziqi understand Huangfu Jing, but Huangfu Jing also knew Jiang Ziqi well and would hardly believe what Jiang Ziqi said.

"Of course, this Zhenlong Chess Manuscript is the wager this humble official has brought. If the Emperor wins, this manuscript shall belong to the Emperor," Jiang Ziqi said, placing the Zhenlong Chess Manuscript in front of the Emperor, to prove his honesty.

This Zhenlong Chess Manuscript was Jiang Ziqi’s prized possession; even Old Master Jiang couldn’t acquire it from him. Yet Jiang Ziqi had brought the manuscript to the palace as a wager, which made Huangfu Jing even more convinced that Jiang Ziqi’s intentions were not pure: "Then on the contrary, if I win, you will present the Zhenlong Chess Manuscript to me, but what if I lose, what condition must I agree to?"

Jiang Ziqi smiled broadly. "The Emperor really knows this subject’s thoughts best. If the Emperor loses, would the Emperor please agree to one thing for this subject?"

Huangfu Jing immediately agreed, although he believed that Jiang Ziqi’s request would not be too excessive, it might still be difficult for him. After all, if it were an easy task, Jiang Ziqi would have handled it himself; why would he need to ask him and also be willing to offer the Zhenlong Chess Manuscript as a bet? This was a big gamble, and who knew if it was a trap for him, so he had to be cautious and naturally would not agree right away.

Jiang Ziqi’s response was within Huangfu Jing’s expectations. "The Emperor can rest assured, it will definitely not be something the Emperor cannot do, and it does not involve the court. This matter is difficult for this official but is a trivial matter for the Emperor. Moreover, hasn’t the Emperor always boasted that his chess skills surpass this subject’s? To hesitate like this, could it be that you fear losing face?"

Hearing Jiang Ziqi say that, Huangfu Jing gave him an annoyed look. "Do you take me for a fool, using such an obvious provocation? What should I do if I shouldn’t accept?"

"Speaking so much, the Emperor still fears battle and lacks the courage to face defeat," Jiang Ziqi infuriatingly said without compensating for one’s life, his smile on the face growing more and more irritating to look at.

"I already said that provocation is useless on Us; now tell Us plainly what you want Us to agree to?" Huangfu Jing clearly wasn’t so easily swayed.

"Your servant wishes for the Emperor to agree to..."

Nobody knew what Jiang Ziqi said to the Emperor or what happened after their chess match, but after Jiang Ziqi left the palace, the Emperor ordered a royal decree to be drafted and sent to the Zhao Family village.

-----

But speaking of that day, after Ceng Lu returned from the Zhao Family village, he was distracted, unable to enjoy his tea or meals; the image of that pure and beautiful face kept surfacing in his mind, making the beauties in his residence seem uninteresting. Unfortunately, Eunuch Li had already laid down his words there, and Ceng Lu didn’t dare to act rashly, for fear that his foolish deeds might spread to the Capital City and his family wouldn’t know how to react. Moreover, after Eunuch Li’s reminder, Mistress Lin presumably had become wary of him; it would no longer be so easy to take advantage in the future. What an interfering eunuch—meddling with other matters, ruining a good thing; truly detestable!

"My lord, someone outside requests an audience, presumably wishing for your help with a matter. Would you care to meet with them?" Quan An entered from outside, wearing a flattering smile, clearly having received a bribe to speak up for someone to Ceng Lu.

"No, no, I am troubled with my own concerns right now and have no time to deal with such things. Tell them to go back where they came from!" Ceng Lu said irritably, rejecting the idea without a second thought, even if Quan An had some face in front of him.

Noticing Ceng Lu’s rejection, Quan An’s face fell slightly, but he wasn’t discouraged and immediately piled on an even brighter smile. "My lord, perhaps you should see them? It’s not just anyone seeking an audience this time, but a wealthy family from Xin’an City with considerable assets. They are very generous and understand your tastes, sir. They’ve searched far and wide especially to find several exotic beauties for you to enjoy, hoping to present them to you. I have seen them myself, and each one of them is top-notch, possessing an exotic charm. They are truly beautiful!"

"Really?" Ceng Lu hesitated upon hearing this, his interest clearly piqued.

"Of course, how would I dare deceive you, my lord? You will know once you see them—they are all stunningly beautiful."

"Then let them in," Ceng Lu ultimately couldn’t resist the exotic beauties mentioned by Quan An, and asked him to bring in the visitor.

Thanks to those exotic beauties, Ceng Lu finally diverted his attention from Lin Yue and indulged in several days of leisure. However, when he realized the exotic beauties were no different from others aside from their looks, he began to feel bored and started thinking about Lin Yue again, always looking for an opportunity to get her in his grasp.