美人计 (Mei ren Ji) Honey trap method – is using one’s beauty for entrapment.
Royal Uncle/ Uncle/In-law – Chinese people have a very complicated nomenclature system, depending on which side of the family and the positioning people are given specific names to show their relativity to an individual in the family. Hence, although Feng Ming is not directly related to Giu Sen, he has to refer to him as a Royal-in law (ranking position). I’ll try to explain this portion a bit better in the future…but I hope I don’t confuse too many people.
Poem recitals – back in the day, it was completely cla.s.sy to break into poem or song if the circ.u.mstances are fitting. There were poems for all sorts of occasions such as weather, beauty, love, nature etc. It helped to savour the moment.
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Since Feng Ming learned of Lie Er’s suspicious character and the possibility he could be spy, he dared not to open his mouth so casually. Within their enclosed quarters he hesitated before speaking and eventually the conversation between the two completely dried. Lie Er naturally felt the strong transformation in his Master’s att.i.tude but treated the issue with indifference. Instead the servant continued his duties beside Chiu Lan, a.s.sisting the Prince with changing, bathing and meals.
Over the next several days Feng Ming closely observed the youngster. The Prince could not detect any abnormalities in Lie Er’s behaviour. Monitoring the boy gradually became unnecessary, thus it was not long until Feng Ming abandoned the bothersome duty. Feng Ming was well aware that spies run rampant in every country and the matter didn’t deserve the amount of fuss. Moreover, Official Xia had previously spoken on the matter, that the likelihood Lie Er would pose any immediate danger was extremely low.
With these points in mind, the Prince’s heart was set at ease and his own antisocial façade gradually relaxed.
The troupe was on their eleventh day of travel within the borders of Fan Jia, before the exhausted men finally reached their destination the capital called Le Xi.
In contrast to Xi Rei’s modest and barren winter landscape around the capital and within the palace, the city of Le Xi was full of vitality. The streets were decorated with vibrant colours far as the eye can see. This effect wasn’t due to any natural splendour on behalf of mother-nature but rather the effect of the women whom roamed the streets adorned with bright colours and extravagant clothing.
Upon pa.s.sing through the City’s main gates Feng Ming curiously lifted the curtains of his carriage and peered outside before commenting, “The girs here are so beautiful. Their taste in clothing isn’t bad at all and much better than Xi Rei.”
“Prince, if the girls were to hear you say that you’ll no doubt get an earful.” Lie Er glanced out of the window with disinterest and returned his attention to his books.
Feng Ming stuck out his tongue.
After a moment, Lie Er unhurriedly informed him, “Of the eleven countries, the most beautiful women are from Fan Jia, and the most handsome men are from Xi Lei. An Xun was fortunate to secure a Princess from Fan Jia.”
“Hey, how did you learn of An Xun?” Feng Ming asked suspiciously.
Lie Er was not in the least panicked by the Prince’s change in tone, he dully replied, “For a Prince of Xi Rei to marry into Fan Jia is not a small matter, even a slave like me is aware of this event.” The servant’s eyes were still focused on his reading material.
The Prince could sense it now, Lie Er’s fickle temperament stood out like a sore thumb. There was no trace of the little pitiful sheep to the slaughter act. Instead his servant became sincere and blunt. Feng Ming thought to himself, that act might have worked on the King of Ruo Yan but perhaps he has given up on seducing me.
Grinning to himself, Feng Ming couldn’t help but to secretly admire his will against falling for such traps of attraction.
Not long after, the team reached the outskirts of the Imperial Palace. Only to be cordoned off by the main gates that remained tightly shut.
General Tong and Official Xia stood guard as Feng Ming dismounted from his transport just outside the walls of the palace, almost an hour pa.s.sed and no one came to greet him.
The short tempered General Tong was the first to express his dissatisfaction frowning as he scoffed aloud, “Is the King of Fan Jia unaware that your Highness has arrived?”
Official Xia shook his head, “The messengers we had deployed in advance to announce our arrival has already returned.”
“Humph!” Tong was not pleased, he reached for his sword and raised his eyebrows, “This is preposterous! Our Prince has travelled days on end from afar, only to be forced to wait out in the cold with no reception befitting of his status!”
Suddenly a sharp voice cracked the tense atmosphere, “Our revered An Xun travelled all the way to Xi Lei to deliver medicine, and how was he treated?”
