Chaotic World Book-Chapter 252 - 247: Walking in the Rain

Tang Wanzhuang stepped lightly across the water, gliding effortlessly onto the balcony.

In the midst of the torrential rain, a hazy mist surrounded her, ensuring not a single splash touched her, the water droplets scattering around her like a fairy riding the fog, ribbons fluttering, breathtakingly beautiful.

Vermilion Bird watched with gritted teeth, unable to deny that this damned woman was truly beautiful.

She remembered how in their youth, swarms of young men flocked around them, with admirers like Huangfu Qing claiming to overshadow the Capital, yet wasn’t it true that the flies buzzed even more persistently around you?

Do men really fall for this fairy act?

Unfortunately, nearly all the men of their generation turned out to be useless. Why not one could take her to the bridal chamber, um um um, to give everyone a good laugh?

Looking at the current Heavenly List and the Earth List, the men ranked near the two of them were mostly middle-aged, not even of their generation. Among their peers, there were none stronger than the two of them... Both women were in a covert competition. Who would want to be the first to take up with a weaker one or find someone older and be laughed at for a lifetime?

After all these years of struggle, both remained single. Who knows how much of that was due to their pride, and how much was them standing their ground against one another...

But for the greater cause, she had already lost a move, entering the palace as Imperial Concubine, even if it was merely a title. Perhaps Tang Wanzhuang was laughing in her heart...

As these thoughts flitted through her mind, Tang Wanzhuang had already stepped onto the balcony and quickly inserted herself between Huangfu Qing and Zhao Changhe, urgently saying, "Don’t think that just because she’s an Imperial Concubine there can be any political cooperation. This woman would never marry the Emperor; there must be a hidden plot! Come back with me!"

At that moment, Huangfu Qing hardly knew what to feel.

Yet, her face showed a faint smile, "Heh... who is he to you exactly, that you tell him to come back with you?"

Tang Wanzhuang faced Huangfu Qing, her expression becoming very calm, "He is my incompetent friend, my guest."

"Your Water Stepping and Bibo Qingyi inheritor." Huangfu Qing continued for her, "Chief Tang has big ambitions, don’t you? Seeking to be the Emperor’s Master? Or perhaps the Empress?"

Tang Wanzhuang remained expressionless, "Whatever it is, it’s better than some woman, married yet flirting and embracing others here and there. Do you have no shame at all, Huangfu Qing?"

"What’s there to pretend?" Huangfu Qing drawled, "I don’t believe you haven’t guessed that I’m a demoness from the Four Symbols Sect. Did you ever tell your little male friend about it?"

Tang Wanzhuang was momentarily stunned. She indeed had not told Zhao Changhe this.

Because she always felt that knowing Huangfu Qing belonged to the Four Symbols Sect would actually bring Zhao Changhe closer to her. She did not want Zhao Changhe getting near Huangfu Qing.

It wasn’t jealousy but because she always felt there was an unclear mystery surrounding Huangfu Qing, something very important, at least not what the current Zhao Changhe could handle.

You dare approach her, and even dare to be intimate?!

Seeing Tang Wanzhuang appearing to be at a disadvantage, Huangfu Qing’s smile widened even further, "The Holy Sect wants to recruit Zhao Changhe. If the Holy Daughter isn’t suitable, then I will. After all, I’m already married, and unlike some, I don’t pretend to be above it all. If you’re capable, why don’t you go ahead?"

Zhao Changhe: "..."

Tang Wanzhuang really couldn’t outdo a demoness in shamelessness, so she simply ignored Huangfu Qing, glaring at Zhao Changhe, "Does her identity excite you more? Do you have a death wish?"

Huangfu Qing sneered, "How dare you, openly keeping a man overnight? You’ve always cared so much for your reputation, and now suddenly you don’t?"

Tang Wanzhuang replied indifferently, "Duty calls, personal reputation is of little consequence."

Zhao Changhe, who had no idea what to say from the beginning, finally sighed and cut off Huangfu Qing’s forthcoming mockery, "Alright... I’ll go with you."

Huangfu Qing closed her mouth, watching as Tang Wanzhuang visibly relaxed, almost appearing to shine with relief, and smiled like a burden had been lifted.

Huangfu Qing, arms crossed, looked on slantingly. At this moment, she didn’t feel displeased about losing a round to Tang Wanzhuang. Because, despite their seemingly trivial talk, they had already communicated everything necessary, even exchanging views on their next plans. Zhao Changhe would likely leave in the night, and she wouldn’t follow him. So, why linger? Was she supposed to throw herself at him?

Fundamentally, this man had little interest in romance, his forced attempts to steer the conversation to serious matters completely ruining the atmosphere.

Such a dreadfully boring man.

He surely had more to say to Tang Wanzhuang, though she wondered what exactly that would be.

In this matter, it seemed Tang Wanzhuang was the most confused and pitiable one. She, the esteemed Chief of the Demon Suppression Department, had access to even less information than Zhao Changhe, who had barely arrived in the Capital for less than a day.

She fought desperately to maintain this Empire, which in turn gave little back, as if the whole world was against her.

Huangfu Qing could see that Zhao Changhe felt pity for Tang Wanzhuang.

Pitying a woman countless times stronger than himself...

"Ugh, such a strong woman, putting on a frail act, shameless!" Huangfu Qing angrily kicked a bathtub placed in the room and suddenly laughed.

Zhao Changhe, always wanting to bathe wherever he went, yet never getting the chance.

Surely, he wouldn’t be bathing with Tang Wanzhuang?

...

It seemed as if a lot had happened: drinking and making a scene, making a name in Beijing, visiting the gambling house and coming to the lake, talking up a storm, but in reality, it all took just two or three hours, and it wasn’t even midnight yet.

The rainy streets were deserted. Tang Wanzhuang held an oiled-paper umbrella, quietly accompanying Zhao Changhe on a leisurely walk home.

The two of them were of different statures; her reaching up to hold the umbrella looked a bit strained, and somewhat adorable. Zhao Changhe glanced at her and took the umbrella from her.

Tang Wanzhuang hesitated, then allowed him to take it without protest.

The feeling of "who was taking care of whom" instantly reversed. Any onlooker would have to admit that this turn of events now looked like the way it was meant to be.

However, Tang Wanzhuang’s clothes were dry; she didn’t need the umbrella in the first place.

They walked unevenly on the blue stone tiles of the Capital, each step ringing clear in the night, gradually synchronizing into a beat.

As if it was a heartbeat.

"Have you noticed..." Tang Wanzhuang suddenly broke the silence, disturbing Zhao Changhe who seemed to be silently counting the beat.

"Hmm?" Zhao Changhe seemed to be jarred out of his thoughts.

"Huangfu Qing brought you back, right? You’re still dripping wet, but she’s dry."

"Are you saying... the Mystical Gate Ninth Layer can’t do that?" frёeωebɳovel.com

"The Mystical Gate Ninth Layer can, but instinctively, I think she’s more than that. How astonishing she was back then, how could she be stuck without any progress?" Tang Wanzhuang sighed, "But as an Imperial Concubine, she stopped fighting with others years ago. No one knows her true strength unless I have a real fight with her. But it’s inappropriate... she is always the Imperial Concubine, and I’m a Minister. It was already improper for me to lash out in a fit of anger."

"Hmm..."

"Speaking of which, I want to remind you that not even the Chaotic World Book can be fully trusted. After all, it speaks according to one’s achievements. There are many people without achievements. If you encounter someone not listed, don’t act as recklessly as you did in the restaurant; being unlisted doesn’t mean they’re weak."

"Hmm. But I think those without real combat experience can only be so strong, the kind that get challenged beyond their level."

"Not necessarily..." Tang Wanzhuang whispered, "Speaking of Huangfu Qing... no matter what her strength is, she will definitely be one of the Four Symbols Sect Members. You should not trust the Four Symbols Sect too much just because of Xia Chichi. Xia Chichi is Xia Chichi, Four Symbols Sect is Four Symbols Sect. Her personal feelings for you won’t affect the Sect’s decisions. If the Vermilion Bird wants you dead, they won’t hesitate over Xia Chichi’s feelings."

"I understand."

"Your behavior in the restaurant, was there a purpose?"

"Yes, the bigger the commotion I caused, the more likely Xia Longyuan would take notice. Once he does, others would be less likely to act. Any possible turmoil from my arrival in the Capital can just disappear like that, it’s as simple as this."

"I fear it’s not that simple. You want the Emperor to meet you. Unfortunately, it was Empress Wang who came."

"Hmm..."

"Do you dare to meet him, with the way you address him so casually?"

"It’s nothing... he won’t care. But I don’t dare to meet him now. I learned some things at the gambling house that made me think my previous guesses might have been wrong. It’s better not to see him rashly."

Tang Wanzhuang didn’t ask what he had found out at the gambling house, simply saying, "You seem to understand His Majesty better than I do."

"Because you’re a Minister, and I’m not."

"You have your own opinions. It seems I was the one who panicked... forcibly pulling you away, did I ruin your plan?"

"No, my business with her was actually finished... I’m happy that you were worried for me."

Tang Wanzhuang fell silent.

The lanterns on either side of the street swayed in the rain, casting long shadows of the man and woman beneath the umbrella on the rainy street.

They walked and talked, their tone casual, chatting effortlessly, as if they were an old couple on a post-dinner walk – so natural.

Completely different from the tension with Huangfu Qing just before, even unlike when they were in Gusu.

Zhao Changhe realized why there was awkwardness between him and Huangfu Qing.

It was the absence of sincerity and altruism, lacking the deposit of time.

"If you’re going to leave, don’t go alone," Tang Wanzhuang finally said, "Come rest at my place first. I’ll have people spread false leads, multiple ’Zhao Changhes’ leaving in different directions."

"Afraid of the Empress?"

"No..." Tang Wanzhuang’s voice was so light she could barely hear herself, "I fear His Majesty."

Zhao Changhe suddenly felt that Tang Wanzhuang wasn’t entirely clueless; she probably knew no less than those in the gambling house.

She just chose not to acknowledge it.

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