Chapter 20: Sack Him Up

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“Time is up!”

The last few grains of sand in the hourglass finally ran out.

 

“The highest bidder wins. So, this qin is sold to this esteemed gentleman for seven thousand taels,” said the shopkeeper with a beaming smile. This high price for the qin brought joy even to her, as she would profit handsomely from it.

 

Gao An descended slowly from the second floor and walked directly to the shopkeeper. He took out three silver bills from his sleeve and handed them over, saying, “These are silver bills from Datong Bank of the Capital.”

 

Though Gao An felt a bit pained, he had to reluctantly part with this sum of money.

 

While outsiders remained oblivious to the emperor’s illness, those close to him were well aware. The emperor had been plagued by a severe headache for the past two years, and his health was deteriorating rapidly. His reign might not last much longer.

 

Despite Gao An’s current prestigious position, he knew that after the emperor’s passing, he would be assigned to guard the imperial tomb—a lonely existence for the rest of his life.

 

The Emperor and Empress had always been deeply in love, and in recent years, none of the new concubines could surpass the Empress in favor.

 

The eldest prince was destined to be the new emperor.

 

As long as the eldest prince favored him, Gao An’s position would remain secure.

 

The shopkeeper respectfully accepted a five-thousand-tael and two one-thousand-tael silver bills, quickly verifying their authenticity with a glance. She then smiled, saying, “This qin is now yours, Lord Gao.”

 

Gao An chuckled and casually plucked the strings, producing a melodious sound.

 

“What a fine qin!” He then turned to Liu Chaoyun and said, “By the decree of the Empress, this renowned qin, ‘Green Silk,’ is presented to Miss Liu as a birthday gift.”

 

A deeper smile graced Liu Chaoyun’s face.

 

With a triumphant look, she glanced sideways at Princess Ning Shu, standing tall and proclaiming, “You can thank my aunt for me. I will express my gratitude to her in the palace tomorrow.”

 

“…” Princess Ning Shu felt a surge of frustration, her cheeks puffing up.

 

Gao An turned to Princess Ning Shu again, smiling insincerely, “It’s a pity to have Princess cut ties today. When it’s her birthday, the Empress will surely grant rewards.”

 

After offering a couple of flattering remarks, he turned his attention to Xiao Yanfei, his smile narrowing into two slits, and amiably engaged her in conversation, “This young lady has a unique charm. May I know which province she hails from?”

 

His eyes, filled with greed, once again stuck to Xiao Yanfei’s pretty and delicate face, sticking like a snake hiding in a dark corner, making Xiao Yanfei shiver with goosebumps.

 

Xiao Yanfei calmly asked, “Is this also the decree of the Empress?”

 

“That’s right,” Princess Ning Shu nodded vigorously, feeling that Xiao Yanfei’s words were right on target. Hmph, don’t tell this despicable eunuch anything!

 

Gao An’s smile froze for a moment, just a fleeting moment. Soon, he brushed off imaginary dust from his robe, bowed to Liu Chaoyun and Princess Ning Shu, and said, “Miss Liu, Princess, I’ll take my leave.”

 

The future is long; he’ll quietly await good news from the Marquis Wu’an Mansion.

 

As long as the Marquis household wants Miss Xiao to take the position of the Crown Prince’s consort, they won’t hesitate to abandon a concubine-born daughter.

 

In such noble households, a concubine-born daughter is just a tool to consolidate the family, and sooner or later, he will succeed.

 

A confident smile played on Gao An’s lips as he ascended the stairs.

 

The shopkeeper quickly placed the “Green Silk” into a box and handed it to Liu Chaoyun.

 

Liu Chaoyun gave Princess Ning Shu a provocative smile and said, “When the Palace’s Qianfang Banquet arrives, I will make this ‘Green Qi’ shine brightly.”

 

With that, she called her friends and left.

 

The hall suddenly became much emptier.

 

Seeing that Princess Ning Shu was still angry, the shopkeeper didn’t dare provoke her. She gestured to the maids beside her, and they all retreated, considerately closing the door for Xiao Yanfei and Princess Ning Shu.

 

Princess Ning Shu exclaimed indignantly, “I can’t tolerate this!”

 

“If it weren’t for Gao An, that eunuch, meddling, this qin would have been mine!”

 

Xiao Yanfei’s eyebrows twitched as she suddenly realized: No wonder his voice sounded off, sharp and thin – turns out he’s a eunuch from the palace.

 

Recalling Grand Eunuch Gao’s clearly suggestive gaze earlier, Xiao Yanfei’s hairs stood on end, and she shivered.

 

Princess Ning Shu’s anger surged: “A fox borrowing the might of a tiger! Gao An is clearly the chief eunuch by the emperor’s side, why is he passing secret orders to the empress!”

 

“It’s obviously just nonsense.”

 

But even knowing that Gao An was making things up, Princess Ning Shu couldn’t do anything about it.

 

It’s conceivable that even if she sought an audience with the empress, the empress would protect her niece, turning falsehoods into truths.

 

Father mentioned privately that Gao An is a turncoat, adjusting his sails with the wind. The emperor hasn’t died yet, and he’s already eager to pick sides, truly short-sighted.

 

In this matter today, the seven thousand taels of silver were probably Gao An’s personal funds, a gesture to win favor with the empress’s family.

 

Princess Ning Shu stamped her foot, fuming: “This is infuriating!”

 

Xiao Yanfei watched Gao An ascend the stairs and commented: “He seems to be alone.”

 

“Yes, wearing casual clothes, definitely not on official duty.” Princess Ning Shu coquettishly remarked, also eyeing Gao An.

 

As they spoke, their eyes met, and a shared understanding flashed between them.

 

Princess Ning Shu raised a small fist: “Shall we…” Go beat him up?

 

Xiao Yanfei, however, smiled and shook her head.

 

Princess Ning Shu disappointedly pursed her lips.

 

Xiao Yanfei beckoned with her finger, and Princess Ning Shu leaned in.

 

With a gentle smile, Xiao Yanfei said, “Openly attacking him might give others ammunition.”

 

“Let’s go get some burlap sacks.”

 

The gentle and delicate girl smiled, her smile as soft as a gentle spring breeze.

 

“Put him in a sack?” Princess Ning Shu widened her eyes, the shocked expression resembling the opening of a door to a new world before her.

 

She had never thought of doing such a thing!

 

“This idea is great!” Princess Ning Shu’s eyes sparkled.

 

Xiao Yanfei’s suggestion struck a chord with her.

 

Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!

 

In just a few words, the two girls quickly agreed, sharing a knowing smile.

 

They hurriedly left the Jiangyun Pavilion.

 

Princess Ning Shu promptly instructed her personal maid to fetch a sack. The maid wore an expression of embarrassment but followed the orders nonetheless.

 

Not only did she bring the sack, but she also delivered news that Grand Eunuch Gao came to the Jiangyun Pavilion today to have a drink with Duke Cheng’en.

 

“I knew it! He came to snatch my qin just to please the empress!” Princess Ning Shu’s mouth curled with disdain.

 

Their determination to put him in a sack grew stronger.

 

The two girls waited in an alley not far from the Jiangyun Pavilion, silently following the slightly intoxicated Gao An when he left. In the grand capital, these influential eunuchs mostly had their own mansions, granted by the emperor as a sign of favor.

 

Evidently, Gao An was on leave today, heading back to his residence.

 

They were patient and cautious, maintaining a distance until he entered a deserted alley, and that’s when they took action.

 

Princess Ning Shu personally tied the sack, fast, steady, and precise.

 

“Who?!” Gao An, whose upper body was covered by a sack, felt a sudden darkness and shouted in a high-pitched voice, “Do you know who our family is?!”

 

In response, Princess Ning Shu fiercely punched the other party’s face through the sack.

 

“Ouch!”

 

Gao An screamed in pain, his voice muffled.

 

He angrily threatened, “If our family finds out who you are, you’re done for!”

 

Facing Gao An’s threat, Xiao Yanfei and Princess Ning Shu just exchanged smiles.

 

Two pairs of distinct black and white eyes remained calm and sparkling, like young beasts revealing sharp claws, eager to try.

 

Ning Shu was not easily frightened! She silently sneered and accurately kicked Gao An’s shin bone, causing him to scream like a slaughtered pig.

 

One punch after another, one kick after another.

 

Each blow was solid and forceful.

 

Xiao Yanfei also joined in with a couple of kicks, venting some frustration. Together, they beat Gao An until he lay on the ground like a lifeless fish, motionless.

 

At this moment, voices from the bustling street outside the alley could be heard:

 

“Is it going to rain today? It was gloomy just a while ago, and now the sun is out.”

 

“It’s better to go home early. If you catch a cold in the rain, it’s not worth it!”

 

“True…”

 

The voices approached, becoming clearer.

 

Xiao Yanfei glanced toward the mouth of the alley, decisively stopping Princess Ning Shu, who wanted to deliver another punch, using sign language to convey: That’s enough.

 

Though they had a satisfying time silently bagging Gao An, getting caught would be troublesome.

 

Princess Ning Shu listened carefully, and as the voices from outside the alley got closer, she reluctantly lowered her raised fist.

 

Xiao Yanfei gestured again, pointing to the other end of the alley, indicating: Let’s go.

 

Princess Ning Shu decisively nodded: Let’s go!

 

The two communicated silently, from the moment they tied the sack on Gao An, not a sound was made. They controlled even their breath, neither daring to hum nor laugh.

 

Without further delay, hand in hand, they ran, rushing out of this dark and narrow alley in one breath.

 

Xiao Yanfei ran panting, while Princess Ning Shu seemed effortlessly composed, neither blushing nor gasping for breath.

 

Xiao Yanfei couldn’t help but admire, thinking, “This delicate county princess might not be good at playing cards, but her skills are impressive!”

 

She resolved to exercise more in the future; after all, a fit body is an asset to the revolution!

 

When the two reached the alley’s entrance, the passersby who had spoken earlier were already far away. They probably hadn’t noticed the commotion here.

 

Taking a sigh of relief, they turned right at the alley’s exit, heading towards the elegant, adorned carriage not far away.

 

Suddenly, a spirited horse turned the corner at the intersection ahead.

 

A young man in red rode towards them, and the two girls had no place to hide. They faced each other head-on with the approaching figure.

 

Time seemed to freeze for an instant, and the surroundings turned into a monochrome background.

 

“Phew—”

 

The newcomer pulled the reins, and the red horse stopped about five or six yards away from them, exhaling heavily, its hooves pacing.

 

On the tall horse sat a young man in a crimson python robe, adorned with a jade belt.

 

Half of the young man’s face was covered by a black mask, revealing pale lips and a gracefully contoured chin.

 

Behind the mask, his fox-like eyes were alluringly deep and dark, overseeing Xiao Yanfei and Princess Ning Shu from the lofty horseback.

 

“Gu…” Princess Ning Shu’s eyes widened as she uttered a word, then quickly bit her lip.

 

Xiao Yanfei was equally stunned, recognizing the masked Gu Feichi on horseback, just like in the original owner’s memories.

 

What devilish luck is this? Why does she keep encountering him everywhere!

 

Gu Feichi tugged at the reins, and the proud red horse snorted, taking a few steps towards the two young girls…

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TL: LMAO I didn’t expect them to beat him up

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Translated By: Allthingsfluff