The Legend of Chu Qiao - V1C15
Prologue 1- Major Chu Qiao
Prologue 2- A Storm is coming
Prologue 3- Time's up!
1- Royal Hunt
2- Zhuge, Wei, Mu, Jue, Che... and Yan
3- Fifth Brother
4- Fate is a Bitch!
5- Bloody Heart
6- Bastards
7- Snakes
8- Boundaries
9- Rocks and Plum Blossoms
10- Thank You, Sisters!
11- My name is 'None'
12- The Lantern Festival
13- Liar, Liar!
14- Everything Happens for a Reason
15- Ambushed by a pervert. Saved by a prince.
Chapter 15
Ambushed by a pervert. Saved by a Prince
Ambushed by a pervert. Saved by a Prince
Chu Qiao walked over to the city gates when she saw the servants of the Zhuge clan holding lanterns and looking around. Upon spotting her, they ran towards her, elated.
"Xing’er, the Fourth Master asked us to wait for you. Let's go back to the house."
Chu Qiao paused. Given Zhuge Yue's character, she did not expect him to send people to locate her. She nodded and got into the carriage the servants had prepared.
The horse carriage creaked along the busy city streets. The noise outside gradually faded, eventually falling into complete silence. Chu Qiao leaned against the walls of the carriage. Scenes of the recent massacre started to flash before her eyes—the cold gazes of the soldiers, the deep resentment of the refugees, and Wei Shuye's limp resistance.
It was still pointless despite her identity. What could she, a minor child player, do then? To oppose an entire empire with her skills would be like a mantis trying to stop a car—an outright failure. What she could do now was to be cautious and keep living, searching for an opportunity to exact revenge and leave with Xiao Ba. As for other matters, she couldn't hope to change anything because of her limited abilities.
The horse carriage gradually disappeared into the distance, and Chu Qiao suddenly felt a chill. She opened the curtains, looked around, and said, "This isn't the way back to the house. Where are you taking me?"
The male servant froze, not expecting a child so young to understand directions. He smiled obsequiously and replied, "Fourth Master is in the other courtyard, not the main residence."
Chu Qiao’s eyebrows twitched. She carefully asked, "Courtyard? Which courtyard?"
"The courtyard in the western part of the lake."
Chu Qiao frowned. Over the years in her previous life, the instability of her work had naturally made her suspicious, allowing her to sense when something was wrong. She tested the waters and probed, "I did not manage to retrieve the things from the house that the Fourth Master instructed me to. Let's return to the house, then go to the courtyard."
The servant replied with a smile, "Don't worry. The Fourth Master just said the things that no longer needed to be retrieved. He's waiting in the courtyard. Let us go there quickly, lest he get worried."
Chu Qiao nodded slowly with a quiet expression and let the curtains fall. The servant let out a small sigh of relief. A sly look crossed his eyes, and the corners of his lips sharpened. But when his smile widened, a dagger was coldly pressed against his neck. Seizing the moment, the child quickly pounced. She coldly declared, "You're not serving the Fourth Master. Who are you?"
“Haha”, a low-pitched, hoarse laugh suddenly erupted from the side, as rough as a night owl's. A gorgeously decorated carriage slowly emerged from the dense forest, carrying a flamboyantly dressed old man inside. He chuckled and, with a slightly sinister tone, said to the servant nearby, who was nodding and bowing to him, "Impressive indeed, such a determined temper at this tender age. Her looks are not bad, either. I'll reward you handsomely later."
Housekeeper Zhu, flattered, replied with a laugh, "Sharing the burden of Old Master[1] is my duty. If the second Grand Master rewarded me, you would not accept my loyalty."
The old man laughed and ordered the two servants on his left and right to "Take this girl back to the house." Everyone obliged resoundingly and quickly moved forward.
Hundreds and thousands of thoughts raced through Chu Qiao's mind instantly. She realized she could use the other person's contempt and carelessness to escape by quickly injuring them. However, doing so would likely raise suspicion from others, especially Housekeeper Zhu, who had only one hand. Even if she managed to escape by luck, it would definitely implicate Xiao Ba, who was still trapped inside the house. If she chose not to escape, she would end up in the clutches of this old pervert. At that point, considering she was just a ten-year-old girl, how could she hope to resist an entire guard force from the Zhuge residence?
How to escape this pervert?
Chu Qiao felt a surge of tension as her mind raced through her options. Seizing the moment, she thought about outsmarting the old lecher and eliminating him for good.
In an instant, several burly men charged toward Chu Qiao, attempting to seize the dagger she held.
"Stop!" a loud, distinct voice suddenly rang out. Everyone turned to see a herd of over twenty sleek, black warhorses speeding toward them, scattering the snow in their path. The young rider, clad in a green robe lined with white fur, stood out as he whistled loudly and accelerated ahead.
The horses neighed loudly, their warm breaths mingling with the crisp, cold air to form clouds of mist. Under the keen gaze of his attendants, the young man regarded the crowd with a cool demeanor. With a voice that radiated wisdom and calmness beyond his years, he acknowledged, "It’s been a while, Old Master Zhuge."
Old Master Zhuge, with his eyes half-closed, scrutinized the young man, a chuckle escaping his lips as he revealed his yellowed teeth. "Ah, it’s Prince Yan Xun of Yan Bei. What brings you out here, braving the cold and the late hour instead of relaxing at home?"
Yan Xun responded straightforwardly, "I appreciate your concern, Old Master Zhuge. How could I settle in for a good night’s sleep at home knowing that you, at your age, still revel in the festivities so late? It’s a lantern festival, and the entire nation is celebrating. I simply came out to enjoy the sights."
"Oh?" Grand Master Zhuge’s long eyebrows relaxed, and he said, "Then continue to take in the views, Young Prince Yan. I won’t keep you company." He turned to his subordinates, instructing, "Let’s head back to the house."
“Wait!” Yan Xun urged his horse to move forward, blocking Old Master Zhuge’s exit. He laughed lightly, gesturing toward Chu Qiao. "Old Master Zhuge, you may go, but only if you leave this child behind."
The old man's eyebrows twitched slightly as he inquired, "What do you mean, Your Royal Highness?"
"This child startled my horse, Flurry, causing it to flee. I require her to return with me to answer for her actions."
Grand Master Zhuge listened to his words, a faint smile appearing on his face. "In that case, allow me to offer you a fine horse as compensation."
"This horse was personally brought back from the Western Desert by the King of Yan Bei! It is a rare and well-traveled steed; do you have the means to replace it?"
“Feng Mian, be quiet!” Yan Xun snapped at the page boy behind him. "The Zhuge family is one of the empire’s patriarchs, and the clan leader is among the seven elders of the Grand Elder’s Council, possessing far greater wealth and power than our royal family. They can afford anything. However, the bond of family runs deep. My father specifically tamed Flurry and delivered it to the capital, Zhen Huang, from a great distance. This is not an ordinary warhorse, so I cannot simply overlook this. I must take this child with me."
"Prince Yan…"
"You need not say no more, Old Master Zhuge," Yan Xun interrupted the old Master. He lifted his head and stated, "Old Master Zhuge, considering your high status, you shouldn't need to humble yourself to plead for a slave. As for this matter, I will answer directly to Fourth Master Zhuge. Men, take this child away."
The personal attendants from Yan’s residence[2] stepped forward; one of the well-built men pushed aside Old Master Zhuge's subordinates, causing him to stumble. He carried Chu Qiao under his arm and was ready to mount the horse.
Housekeeper Zhu, sensing that the Old Master Zhuge was about to lose his temper, stepped forward with a forced smile. He tugged at the saddle of Yan Xun's horse and implored, "Your Royal Highness, we can take care of this…"
In response, Yan Xun cracked his whip and delivered a fierce kick to Housekeeper Zhu's chin, sending him sprawling to the ground. The housekeeper cried out in pain, blood spilling from his mouth along with two of his yellowed front teeth.
"Who do you think you are to act like that in front of me? You clearly don't know your place!" Yan Xun said coldly, glaring at Housekeeper Zhu.
Caught off guard, Housekeeper Zhu quickly knelt, frantically kowtowing. In the Xia Empire, a member of the royal family had the right to execute a civilian without any justification, regardless of the family.
Yan Xun raised his whip and pointed it at Housekeeper Zhu, declaring frostily, "Today, I will let you go because of Old Master Zhuge. But if you act unruly again, I’ll personally make sure you pay for it, even in front of the head of the Zhuge family."
With that, Yan Xun ignored Old Master Zhuge and ordered his subordinates, "Let’s go!"
As they mounted their horses, the snow continued to fall around them, and soon they vanished down the long street.
Old Master Zhuge’s face flushed with anger as he trembled. Housekeeper Zhu, still on his knees, clutched at Old Master Zhuge's leg and pleaded, "Old Master, please don’t be angry! I…"
"Get out!" the old man shouted, kicking Housekeeper Zhu in the chest. "You useless fool!" He then got into the carriage and departed quickly.
"Xing’er, the Fourth Master asked us to wait for you. Let's go back to the house."
Chu Qiao paused. Given Zhuge Yue's character, she did not expect him to send people to locate her. She nodded and got into the carriage the servants had prepared.
The horse carriage creaked along the busy city streets. The noise outside gradually faded, eventually falling into complete silence. Chu Qiao leaned against the walls of the carriage. Scenes of the recent massacre started to flash before her eyes—the cold gazes of the soldiers, the deep resentment of the refugees, and Wei Shuye's limp resistance.
It was still pointless despite her identity. What could she, a minor child player, do then? To oppose an entire empire with her skills would be like a mantis trying to stop a car—an outright failure. What she could do now was to be cautious and keep living, searching for an opportunity to exact revenge and leave with Xiao Ba. As for other matters, she couldn't hope to change anything because of her limited abilities.
The horse carriage gradually disappeared into the distance, and Chu Qiao suddenly felt a chill. She opened the curtains, looked around, and said, "This isn't the way back to the house. Where are you taking me?"
The male servant froze, not expecting a child so young to understand directions. He smiled obsequiously and replied, "Fourth Master is in the other courtyard, not the main residence."
Chu Qiao’s eyebrows twitched. She carefully asked, "Courtyard? Which courtyard?"
"The courtyard in the western part of the lake."
Chu Qiao frowned. Over the years in her previous life, the instability of her work had naturally made her suspicious, allowing her to sense when something was wrong. She tested the waters and probed, "I did not manage to retrieve the things from the house that the Fourth Master instructed me to. Let's return to the house, then go to the courtyard."
The servant replied with a smile, "Don't worry. The Fourth Master just said the things that no longer needed to be retrieved. He's waiting in the courtyard. Let us go there quickly, lest he get worried."
Chu Qiao nodded slowly with a quiet expression and let the curtains fall. The servant let out a small sigh of relief. A sly look crossed his eyes, and the corners of his lips sharpened. But when his smile widened, a dagger was coldly pressed against his neck. Seizing the moment, the child quickly pounced. She coldly declared, "You're not serving the Fourth Master. Who are you?"
“Haha”, a low-pitched, hoarse laugh suddenly erupted from the side, as rough as a night owl's. A gorgeously decorated carriage slowly emerged from the dense forest, carrying a flamboyantly dressed old man inside. He chuckled and, with a slightly sinister tone, said to the servant nearby, who was nodding and bowing to him, "Impressive indeed, such a determined temper at this tender age. Her looks are not bad, either. I'll reward you handsomely later."
Housekeeper Zhu, flattered, replied with a laugh, "Sharing the burden of Old Master[1] is my duty. If the second Grand Master rewarded me, you would not accept my loyalty."
The old man laughed and ordered the two servants on his left and right to "Take this girl back to the house." Everyone obliged resoundingly and quickly moved forward.
Hundreds and thousands of thoughts raced through Chu Qiao's mind instantly. She realized she could use the other person's contempt and carelessness to escape by quickly injuring them. However, doing so would likely raise suspicion from others, especially Housekeeper Zhu, who had only one hand. Even if she managed to escape by luck, it would definitely implicate Xiao Ba, who was still trapped inside the house. If she chose not to escape, she would end up in the clutches of this old pervert. At that point, considering she was just a ten-year-old girl, how could she hope to resist an entire guard force from the Zhuge residence?
How to escape this pervert?
Chu Qiao felt a surge of tension as her mind raced through her options. Seizing the moment, she thought about outsmarting the old lecher and eliminating him for good.
In an instant, several burly men charged toward Chu Qiao, attempting to seize the dagger she held.
"Stop!" a loud, distinct voice suddenly rang out. Everyone turned to see a herd of over twenty sleek, black warhorses speeding toward them, scattering the snow in their path. The young rider, clad in a green robe lined with white fur, stood out as he whistled loudly and accelerated ahead.
The horses neighed loudly, their warm breaths mingling with the crisp, cold air to form clouds of mist. Under the keen gaze of his attendants, the young man regarded the crowd with a cool demeanor. With a voice that radiated wisdom and calmness beyond his years, he acknowledged, "It’s been a while, Old Master Zhuge."
Old Master Zhuge, with his eyes half-closed, scrutinized the young man, a chuckle escaping his lips as he revealed his yellowed teeth. "Ah, it’s Prince Yan Xun of Yan Bei. What brings you out here, braving the cold and the late hour instead of relaxing at home?"
Yan Xun responded straightforwardly, "I appreciate your concern, Old Master Zhuge. How could I settle in for a good night’s sleep at home knowing that you, at your age, still revel in the festivities so late? It’s a lantern festival, and the entire nation is celebrating. I simply came out to enjoy the sights."
"Oh?" Grand Master Zhuge’s long eyebrows relaxed, and he said, "Then continue to take in the views, Young Prince Yan. I won’t keep you company." He turned to his subordinates, instructing, "Let’s head back to the house."
“Wait!” Yan Xun urged his horse to move forward, blocking Old Master Zhuge’s exit. He laughed lightly, gesturing toward Chu Qiao. "Old Master Zhuge, you may go, but only if you leave this child behind."
The old man's eyebrows twitched slightly as he inquired, "What do you mean, Your Royal Highness?"
"This child startled my horse, Flurry, causing it to flee. I require her to return with me to answer for her actions."
Grand Master Zhuge listened to his words, a faint smile appearing on his face. "In that case, allow me to offer you a fine horse as compensation."
"This horse was personally brought back from the Western Desert by the King of Yan Bei! It is a rare and well-traveled steed; do you have the means to replace it?"
“Feng Mian, be quiet!” Yan Xun snapped at the page boy behind him. "The Zhuge family is one of the empire’s patriarchs, and the clan leader is among the seven elders of the Grand Elder’s Council, possessing far greater wealth and power than our royal family. They can afford anything. However, the bond of family runs deep. My father specifically tamed Flurry and delivered it to the capital, Zhen Huang, from a great distance. This is not an ordinary warhorse, so I cannot simply overlook this. I must take this child with me."
"Prince Yan…"
"You need not say no more, Old Master Zhuge," Yan Xun interrupted the old Master. He lifted his head and stated, "Old Master Zhuge, considering your high status, you shouldn't need to humble yourself to plead for a slave. As for this matter, I will answer directly to Fourth Master Zhuge. Men, take this child away."
The personal attendants from Yan’s residence[2] stepped forward; one of the well-built men pushed aside Old Master Zhuge's subordinates, causing him to stumble. He carried Chu Qiao under his arm and was ready to mount the horse.
Housekeeper Zhu, sensing that the Old Master Zhuge was about to lose his temper, stepped forward with a forced smile. He tugged at the saddle of Yan Xun's horse and implored, "Your Royal Highness, we can take care of this…"
In response, Yan Xun cracked his whip and delivered a fierce kick to Housekeeper Zhu's chin, sending him sprawling to the ground. The housekeeper cried out in pain, blood spilling from his mouth along with two of his yellowed front teeth.
"Who do you think you are to act like that in front of me? You clearly don't know your place!" Yan Xun said coldly, glaring at Housekeeper Zhu.
Caught off guard, Housekeeper Zhu quickly knelt, frantically kowtowing. In the Xia Empire, a member of the royal family had the right to execute a civilian without any justification, regardless of the family.
Yan Xun raised his whip and pointed it at Housekeeper Zhu, declaring frostily, "Today, I will let you go because of Old Master Zhuge. But if you act unruly again, I’ll personally make sure you pay for it, even in front of the head of the Zhuge family."
With that, Yan Xun ignored Old Master Zhuge and ordered his subordinates, "Let’s go!"
As they mounted their horses, the snow continued to fall around them, and soon they vanished down the long street.
Old Master Zhuge’s face flushed with anger as he trembled. Housekeeper Zhu, still on his knees, clutched at Old Master Zhuge's leg and pleaded, "Old Master, please don’t be angry! I…"
"Get out!" the old man shouted, kicking Housekeeper Zhu in the chest. "You useless fool!" He then got into the carriage and departed quickly.
·········⋆༺𓆩❀𓆪༻⋆·········
The snow continued to fall, and silence enveloped the long street, emphasizing the busyness of the main thoroughfare.
The horse halted by the lake. Having maintained a serious demeanor earlier, the young man turned around with a grin, saying, "Girl, you owe me another favor…"
Chu Qiao raised an eyebrow slowly. Though she said nothing, her body language clearly conveyed her disinterest in his help.
Yan Xun muttered irritably, "Could you at least say something nice?"
Chu Qiao shot him a glance and started to walk away.
Yan Xun froze and quickly stepped in front of her. "What are you planning to do?"
She raised an eyebrow and said, "Of course, I'm going back to the Fourth Master Zhuge's courtyard."
"You still want to return there?" he asked, frowning. "That lowly housekeeper won't let you off easily! And the old man from the Zhuge clan is infamous for his shady dealings in Zhen Huang city! Do you want to put your life at risk?"
Chu Qiao brushed him aside, declaring, "That's none of your concern."
Yan Xun tightened his grip and replied, "What do you mean? I helped you out of kindness, and this is how you treat me? What do you see in that cold Zhuge Yue? Is he really worth risking your safety for?"
Frustrated and bothered by her failed attempt to eliminate the old lecher Zhuge, Chu Qiao looked up and brushed Yan Xun's hand away impatiently. She looked directly at him and sharply said, "I never asked for your help. Keep your kindness to yourself. I don't want it."
Yan Xun's eyes burned with anger. Watching Chu Qiao's small shadow fade into the distance, he shouted childishly, "Stupid girl! It serves you right that you got bullied again. If I care about you again, my surname will no longer be Yan!"
Chu Qiao did not look back and disappeared into the crowd after a while. Feng Mian carefully approached and examined Prince Yan. He noticed that his eyes were bloodshot, as if he was about to cry from anger and frustration. Feng Mian paused briefly. The empire appointed feudal lords to govern neighboring territories and defend Zhen Huang, its capital. However, to keep them in check, their sons were held hostage in the capital. These children grew up amid the chaos of power and matured quickly. It was the first time Feng Mian had seen his master show such clear signs of joy and anger toward someone, just like a normal child.
“Your Royal Highness, shall we go back to the house?”
"Ugh," Yan Xun grunted coldly, his voice hinting at a touch of anger. He mounted his horse and led his assistants to Yan’s residence.
"Feng Mian," Yan Xun, having barely taken two steps, turned back and instructed his apprentice, "You take a trip to the Zhuges' residence and tell them that I found Flurry. Also, tell them not to make things difficult for that girl."
“Ah?" Feng Mian froze, widening his eyes, as if mocking his master, certain that he was liked by him, having been close to him since childhood and believing he would remain safe regardless of what he did or said. "Your Highness, didn't you say that your surname wouldn’t be Yan anymore if you helped her again? How should I address you now?"
Yan Xun blew up in anger, kicked Feng Mian while riding his horse, and yelled, "Idiot! I dare you to say that again!"
Feng Mian yelped in pain and quickly turned around, running toward the Zhuge residence. He dared not repeat those words, realizing he had overstepped his boundaries.
Yan Xun huffed angrily. Seeing all his subordinates staring at him, he yelled, "I do what I want!"
Everyone quickly looked away and hesitated to glance at Yan Xun again, all sharing the same thought and quietly sighing. After all, he was a prince, so it was understandable if he occasionally threw a tantrum.
[1] Old Master or Old Master Zhuge is the elder of the Zhuge family. Inside the Zhuge family, he is called ‘Old Master’; outside the family, he is called ‘Old Master Zhuge’. His full name is Zhuge Xi. He is a pedophile murderer preying on very young slaves. He raped and killed Jing Xhi Xiang (the 10th sister of the Jing family).
[2] Prince Yan Xun of Yan Bei has no family in the capital. He is the younger son of his family. He has been held as a political hostage since childhood and has a residence staffed by loyal attendants and servants from Yan Bei. He is free to move around the capital but is not allowed to leave it.
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