Legend of Fu Yao

Meng Fuyao bowed. Before the Eleventh Prince could respond, she said in a very polite tone, “I would like to request for a favor. The punishment does not have to be too severe, and you can just do it as a gesture of goodwill. Additionally, all the damages including the whip on my horse, the broken swords of my guards, the pain we had to go through from traveling such a long distance, and the minor injury that I suffered after being robbed by you…” At that, she carefully found a small split in her fingernail, although that was actually a result of her biting her nails since she felt that her fingernails were too long. She showed that split to the Eleventh Prince and the other officials. “It’s really painful. Just give us some appropriate compensation.”

The officials looked towards the Twelfth Prince and his guards, who were covered with blood, had their pants off and were beaten up very badly. Then, they looked at the guards of Dahan, who were sitting comfortably on their horses, smirking and hugging the knives which were broken because the guards used them to slash at their own people. After that, they looked at the noble King of Han, who had stopped her horse in front of the city and brazenly displayed that “very painful injury” on her fingernail, even though it was almost unnoticeable. All of them covered their faces with their palms.

They had seen shameless people, but not anyone so shameless…

At this point, the victim was being accused as the robber, while the offenders still wanted compensation. They pitied the Twelfth Prince, who was being bound by the phrase “A Prince who violates the law must be punished like any other ordinary person,” and had to suffer from some form of punishment.

“I will definitely give you an explanation.” The Eleventh Prince spoke through gritted teeth, and he looked back and ordered, “Twelfth, scram back to the city right now! You’re grounded for two months and do some reflection in there!”

“Brother!” The Twelfth Prince felt so wronged that he choked with sobs.

“Go!”

“You!” The Twelfth Prince stomped his feet and gave a vicious stare at Meng Fuyao. He took another accused look at the Eleventh Prince, wore his pants and dashed out of the ruckus, causing a few officials to cry out in shock as they banged against each other.

Meng Fuyao smiled and casually admired her fingernails. At the wave of her hand, Ji Yu and the others dismounted and brought a large box forward.

The box was extremely big, and its contents seemed to be of similar size. When the guards brought it forward, there was even the sound of objects banging against each other. The Xuanji officials stared at the box and tried to guess what kind of gift King Meng would give, given that she was a noble of three nations, and also known to be as wealthy as a nation.

“Eleventh Prince has such good manners, so I should give you something in return as well.” Meng Fuyao grinned. “It is merely a small gift, and I hope you will accept it.”

At that moment, the expression of the Eleventh Prince softened. He smiled. “This sincere gift overwhelms me.”

To show his strong regard for the gift, he personally opened it in front of everyone.

When the cover was lifted, a slightly pungent and rancid odor, strangely mixed with the smell of cement, immediately wafted out.

Instantly, the Eleventh Prince’s expression changed. Beside him, one of the officials swayed and collapsed to the floor. Then, someone behind hurriedly came forward to hold the official, but that person unexpectedly took a look at the contents. In that split second, strength drained from his hands. He dashed outwards, and a few moments later, everyone could hear the sound of vomiting coming from the corner of the house.

Ping!

The unlucky official whom no one steadied, fell on the floor and knocked his head against the ground…

Amongst the sound of vomiting, Meng Fuyao beamed.

“I have heard that the Eleventh Prince was heeding the head of Xuanji’s orders to patrol the northern borders, and was responsible for clearing the rebellious forces there. Coincidentally, I met a bunch of them on my way, and they were robbing people who passed by and bringing disaster upon the residents there. Hence, I settled them, and a thought struck my mind. What other gift could be more practical for you?”

She smiled and waved her hand past the ten-odd heads in the big box. In a warm tone, she added, “They are preserved well, and their appearance can still be distinguished. I heard that amongst them, there are even the heads of the rebellious forces. I think that you will definitely recognize them.”

The Eleventh Prince pressed his hand on the rim of the box and gazed intently at these heads, which were very carefully preserved with cement, such that the expressions of shock and fear before they died were still captured. The gleam in those wide eyes had vanished, but they seemed to depict to him the sudden massacre that night, as well as the evil intentions of the “gifter”… His fingers slightly trembled, but he regained his composure very quickly. Moments later, he gently laid down the lid.

A click sounded when the lid was laid down, and it caused the Xuanji officials to slightly jump in fear.

By then, the Eleventh Prince had already regained his amicable and graceful aura. He smiled and responded, “Yes, I do recognize them. One of them is among the heads of the Eternal Sky Clan, and I placed a bounty on his head. He is extremely cunning and has repeatedly escaped the arrests. Many thanks to you, King of Han, for abdicating the villains for the better good of our citizens.” He bowed after he spoke.

“You’re welcome.” Meng Fuyao returned the bow and looked up. Their eyes met, and both smiled.

That night, the Eleventh Prince, Feng Jingrui, set a welcome feast for Zhangsun Wuji and Meng Fuyao, and the location was set at the best restaurant in the vicinity. Zhangsun Wuji had always been composed and cold in his mannerisms, and other than exhibiting his passionate feelings towards Meng Fuyao, he was always polite but distant to other people. On the other hand, Meng Fuyao remained the character that could not wait to stir up commotion wherever she went. During the feast, she was the only one who continuously chatted charismatically and analyzed the current political situation. However, the other officials sat as still as wooden sticks. The aftershock of being played by King Meng still remained, and no one had the appetite to eat.

When a plate of Crysta Lion’s Head, also known as pork meatballs, was presented, Feng Jingrui introduced the dish. “This is specially prepared by our famous chef in Xuanji, and it is known for its excellent flavor and aroma. Your Highnesses the Crown Prince and King of Han, please…”

Meng Fuyao raised her chopsticks excitedly, and the other officials quickly followed suit. She leaned forward, and she smiled as she praised the dish. “What a beautiful and crimson red head!” The officials hurriedly threw away their chopsticks as their faces turned ghastly-white.

It was followed by a plate of Seven Treasures and Winter Melon Soup. The hungry officials had just raised their chopsticks again, when Meng Fuyao started praising, “I peeped after opening the lid, and the insides are so red and white!”

All the officials disposed their chopsticks in unison and started making gestures of suffocated vomiting.

Then, a deskinned roasted chicken was presented, and it smelled very fragrant. As the officials continued to raise their chopsticks, Meng Fuyao took the chicken in her hands and shook it. As the skin fell, she praised even more aggressively, “Sigh, it fell so nicely! Looking at this skin, it is as white as cement!”

All the officials threw their chopsticks away and were prepared to flee.

In the end, the entire exquisite feast that was specially prepared was not touched at all. It was all thanks to the unsurpassable imagination of the valiant King Meng that no one could hold their chopsticks for more than one second.

The famous chef who had rushed from the capital and prepared the feast for three whole days, internally cried when he saw that all the dishes were not eaten at all…

During the feast, Meng Fuyao heard that the coronation ceremony of the Queen would only take place in mid-April and she was slightly taken aback.

Feng Jingrui then explained to her, “Our nation has a tradition, that April is the most auspicious month, as it is the birth month of the Holy Protector of our nation. As such, all of our past and major ceremonies were all held in that month.”

Meng Fuyao grinned and asked, “Then who is your Queen?”

“About this…” Feng Jingrui smiled and answered, “We don’t know about this. His Majesty’s decree of inheritance will only be read out before the coronation ceremony,”

“Then do you know who it is?” Meng Fuyao glanced sideways at him.

“That is up to His Majesty.” Feng Jingrui’s smiled stayed.

“What a pity.” Meng Fuyao sighed and said, “Doesn’t this mean that you have no chance in this? On the contrary, I feel that you have a magnificent aura and exceptional vision befitting of a ruler.”

“Please do not bring this up again.” Feng Jingrui cautioned as his expression changed. “His Majesty is bright and wise. The new ruler he chooses will definitely be the bright head of our nation. I dare not to listen to such words that overstep his authority.”

“Why so serious?” Meng Fuyao’s eyeballs gleamed. She smiled and added, “Everyone takes turns at becoming the Emperor, and it might land on you the next year.”

Coughing sounds rose in the other tables as the color drained from their faces. They had heard of King Meng’s brazen reputation as a professional rebel, and it was indeed true! She even dared to incite rebellious thoughts on their own land!

As such, Feng Jingrui coughed and resorted to changing the topic. “I also did not think that you and the Crown Prince would arrive so early. Everyone is highly honored by your presence.”

“Hmm…” Meng Fuyao took out the invitation, flipped it around, and said in confusion, “Your nation’s Emperor did not even write the date, so I thought that the ceremony would be near.”

“Really?” Feng Jingrui looked away for a split second before he smiled. “Since you are here, do visit the attractions in our nation. We have many places that have beautiful and reputable scenery of mountains and rivers. I will specially order people to wait on you two.”

“If so, thank you very much.” Meng Fuyao grinned and placed her chopsticks down. Then, she turned to Zhangsun Wuji, who had been smiling and drinking tea. “Are you full?”

“Definitely!” The Crown Prince answered in such a way, although all he did was just sip on tea.

When the two of them stood up, the starving officials stood up as well and greeted them respectfully. As Feng Jingrui watched the two figures disappearing outside the room, his eyes shone. Moments later, he turned towards a certain direction and tilted his head.

…

“Are you full?”

Meng Fuyao leaned outside Zhangsun Wuji’s window and knocked at it.

“I’m starving to death.” The window opened, and Zhangsun Wuji looked out. “What a pitiful me. When I’m with you, I have to starve and even lie.”

“Come on out, there are delicious things.” Meng Fuyao gestured for him to get out and her eyes gleamed.

“What delicious thing can you whip out.” Zhangsun Wuji was doubtful, but he still floated out of his window and sighed. “Can you bring out something better than a table of exotic delicacies?”

“Don’t say it this way. To hell with those exotic delicacies! I promise mine’s better.” Meng Fuyao smiled mischievously and pulled him to the backyard. There was already a small garden there, and Meng Fuyao had cleared out a small land of mud. On the ground, she set up a fire.

She squatted on the floor and kept dealing with the firewood. When she looked up and grinned, her black eyes were shiny and crystal-like under the reflection of the fire, resembling glazed pearls. But there was a small black spot on her nose, which slightly ruined the image.

“You’re boasting again. You’d rather not eat those exotic delicacies and make yourself messy like this.” Zhangsun Wuji smiled and raised his hand to wipe the ash away from her nose. At that moment, there was a vague scent of something sweet. It was unfamiliar, but it had the temptation of something simple and delicious. He took a sniff and his appetite improved, even though he was someone who wouldn’t feel hungry even after starving for three days and nights. Yet, he was unsure whether he was hungry because of the aroma of the food, or because of Meng Fuyao’s smile.

“So this is what you deem better than the feast?” Zhangsun Wuji became interested. He squatted down to watch her assemble the firewood, and he asked, “What is it?”

“Something average that farmers do. I found this in the cellar of the backyard. Hehe, I bet you have never eaten it before,” Meng Fuyao said as she casually cleaned her black hands on her robes. Beside her, Lord Yuan Bao’s eyes shone with excitement, and it grabbed a thin wooden stick to poke around. It had also never smelled something like that before, and it wanted to eat it.