Chapter 18

Chapter 18 Illusion (7)

I hurriedly apologized again and again, extended out my hand and grabbed her arm to help her up, only to recall that casually holding a female’s hand is inappropriate, so I hurriedly let go of her arm. Because of my actions, the girl sank to the ground once more, her squinting eyes filled with rage.

This female, on the other hand, was not normal. Her chest was flat, and there was an Adam’s apple protruding slightly…

This female turned out to be a man! I knelt and reached into his shirt, disregarding his screams and Si Ran’s dark eyes. I took out my purse and brought it up to his face. His face visibly changed from red to white, as expected.

“What are you doing with my money, little brother?” I raised my eyebrows, looking at those eyes full of bewilderment with interest.

Under the guidance of others, he abruptly stood up and pointed at me. His face flushed red, having yet to say a word..

Finally, he arrogantly raised his chin and said, “You know, this is called robbing the rich in order to help the needy!”

“You should rob the corrupt officials who rob the rich in order for you to help the poor,” I scoffed, “not just anyone with a small bit of money.”

He was taken aback. He crouched down and pleaded as I took a step, “Big brother, let me follow you!” 

“Huh?” I coughed violently before I could respond.

…

Murong Xing was the name of this person. He was the youngest son of a powerful official. He appeared to be eleven or twelve years old. He decided to sneak out because he wanted to learn martial arts and was tired of enjoying a carefree life. He studied under a prominent master, Yi Rong, and aspired to be a famous rogue, and his  first victim was me.

As a result of Murong Xing’s pestering, Si Ran couldn’t handle it any longer, so he let him in and joined the 3 of us together.

So when I heard the news at the inn, my face went black. I just wanted to live a wanton life with Si Ran. When  Feng Yin first came along, he already destroyed half of my plan, and now with the arrival of Murong Xing, it was totally ruined.

Today was  a good day, the sun was just right, the market was lively, and Si Ran was still asleep beside me. I got out of bed lightly, dressed, and walked out the door, wondering  if I could find the sequel to “The Legend of Hong Ye Jianqing”. I’m sure it will make Si Ran happy. We’ll be closer together than ever before.

“Big brother, good morning.”

As soon as I walked out of the room, I saw Murong Xing. I answered back and walked out of the inn, with Murong Xing following behind me. Lest he would make a fuss and throw a temper, which would be annoying, so I let him follow me.

We came to the shop specializing in calligraphy, paintings and books. I rummaged for a while. Murong Xing curiously stretched out his head beside me, “Big brother, what are you looking for? This little brother will help you find it.”

“The sequel to “The Legend of Hong Ye Jianqing,” I remarked without looking up, “there’s none here, go look for it elsewhere.”

“It turns out that big brother enjoys reading it as well!”

” Murong Xing squinted his eyes and followed me for a while.

Sure enough, the Emperor pays off. I eventually found it after a morning of searching. I was overjoyed and paid the money. I carried the book in my arms and returned to the inn. Murong Xing smiled mysteriously as he purchased another book. He promised to show me something wonderful later, and after a while, he walked to the street and bought a bundle of candied haws, then returned to the inn with me. Si Ran was still teaching Feng Yin how to play chess in his room when I placed the book by the bed, in a more conspicuous place. I intended to surprise Si Ran later. I happened to bump into Murong Xing carrying a string of candied haws, which he bought to harass Feng Yin, and sure enough, he predicted right. Murong Xing stepped in from outside the house and held it, asking Feng Yin to worship him as a teacher, and that he will teach Feng Yin how to improve his appearance. I chuckled for a while as I watched Feng Yin stare at the tanghulu without blinking, then dragged Si Ran, who was also smiling, back to our shared room.

(t/n the emperor pays off-It is a metaphor that God will not disappoint those who have perseverance. You have to persevere and strive towards your goals , and your goals will definitely become reality.)

“What are you doing? Why are you in such a hurry?” he asked, clearly confused.

“A surprise for you, you’ll find out in a minute,” I smiled, pushed open the door, and pointed at the *** with my head, with great joy, “Go and see.”

Si Ran took a leisurely stride forward. He picked up the book by the bed with curiosity and interest. He couldn’t stop shivering when he flipped it over. I couldn’t see his expression since his long hair on the side of the face obscured his eyes. I’m afraid he’s overjoyed. I guess.

Si Ran turned around, still holding the book. His eyes were as dark as stars and somewhat astringent. His small lips were clenched and pallid.

“Shameless!” He abruptly raised his hand and hurled the book to me, accompanied by a slap that made me dizzy for no apparent reason.

What happened?

I bent over and picked up the book on the ground, flipped it over and over again, and blushed all of a sudden. This, this… this is not “The Continuation of Hongye Jianqing” at all! This… these two men, a room in a spring scene, is clearly…

Suddenly I remembered the good thing that Murong Xing said mysteriously. My thoughts became clear, and I burst into anger. That bastard Murong Xing!

Leaving the book behind, I dashed out to chase after Si Ran, only to see him enter another room. Just as I was about to go in as well, I was knocked back. My forehead just made skin-to-skin contact with the door. I rubbed my painful forehead and howled.

“Si Ran, listen to my explanation! I didn’t want to show you that book, Si Ran! No, I didn’t buy that book at all! Si Ran, open the door…”

…

After begging to open the door for an entire day, the few fellow guests who passed by gazed at me with knowing eyes, and some with sympathy. Saying that the young couple fought momentarily and that it was nothing serious. When I heard it, I twitched the corners of my mouth and laughed dryly. Even so, Si Ran didn’t open the door, didn’t say anything, and didn’t return to the room to sleep. In a moment of rage, I kicked open Murong Xing’s room door and viciously beat him. Only then did I calm down.

The next day after I settled the payment, I smiled cordially and stayed by Si Ran’s side, despite the fact that Si Ran considered me as air, but Murong Xing changed his face and put on a lifeless dead face, covering the face injury last night. He bought a bunch of candied haws and pestered Feng Yin to worship him as his teacher.

In another small county, Si Ran noticed people running in a hurry and became suspicious, so he stopped a passer-by and inquired, “Brother, why are you in such a hurry, did something happen?”

“This… uh, are you a girl from another country? I knew at a glance that you were a woman disguised as a man. You don’t know, today is a great day, because the daughter of Lord Chen will throw hydrangea and choose a husband. Not to mention Lord Chen’s wealth and power, her daughter is also as gorgeous as a fairy. If you can grab the hydrangea, you will enjoy endless wealth and riches, you will also get a beauty for yourself. Who wouldn’t want to do it? It’s the best of both worlds!” The passerby said with a sullen face, and ran to grab the hydrangea, completely ignoring Si Ran’s face when he heard the words “women disguise as men”. 

I held back my laughter, my shoulders trembling. Feng Yin tugged at the corner of my sleeve, and said with concern. “Ziqing, are you alright?”

I coughed dryly, scratched my hair, and avoided Si Ran’s eyes as he turned his head with a bitter expression.

“Hehe…The weather is nice today…”