Princess Agents - 特工皇妃楚喬傳
Chapter 124: Knight in Shining Armor Arrives
Translator's notes: Here's a little snippet I didn't know existed until recently. On her way to Yan Bei, Chu Qiao runs into Liang Shaoqing again. The scholar/nerd who begins this story arc with her, gets her into trouble (again). She finds out that Liu Xi/Yan Xun is in Bian Tang, but has no idea what he's conspiring. For whatever reason she ends up dressed like a man in a Bian Tang jail with Liang Shaoqing. And guess who rescues her….? Heh. I found this very hilarious because it provides some levity after the last scene. I wish Chu Qiao would figure out her feelings, but I know she doesn't….
The dark cells reeked of noxious odors everywhere.
As soon as Chu Qiao and Liang Shaoqing entered, they immediately heard the other cell mates from all directions whistling and shouting, "Hey! Hurry and look! That guy came back!"
The prison warden took his leather whip and fiercely smashed it against the cells and shouted, "His mother was being honest, he needed a spanking!"
Chu Qiao looked back at Liang Shaoqing who in turn laughed back at her awkwardly, "Haha, they're all acquaintances. Recently I've dithered a few days here."
Every time she reaches this point, Chu Qiao always wants to take a deep breath and sigh in lament at God's mysteries. She just looked at Liang Shaoqing and had no words, nor did she even have the inclination to be angry, for that would just be a waste of energy.
Alright, she admitted, she really had killed too many people, her sins were plenty, and God finally wanted to start punishing her. (TN: I think the author is referring to the western, possibly Christian, God here, for whatever reason)
She was pushed into a cell, the prison warden shouted a few times, lowered the lock and chains, then called out abuses at the prisoners as he took a swig of his wine and left. Chu Qiao took a sweeping glance around. The prison cell held ten or so people, and even though it was still daytime, the entire space only had one skylight above so it was pitch dark inside. Even though Chu Qiao's eyesight was quite good she could only estimate the locations of their shadows.
Those inside knew that others had come inside. Eyes filled with hostility faintly looked in their direction. Some of them even deliberately shifted their position and occupied the only empty space available.
Liang Shaoqing seemed exceedingly familiar with this place. The usual righteous scholar who insulted others with mouthfuls of principled lectures on justice and virtue was unable to muster any courage whatsoever. His movements naturally clung to Chu Qiao's, and whispered, "Xiao Qiao, the people here are quite brutish." (TN: he calls her "Little Qiao" as a term of endearment.)
However, as soon as he finished saying it, the sounds of a few pitiful cries rang out. He saw only that Chu Qiao took a few steps forward. Someone had stretched out a leg to block her path. Chu Qiao kicked it away, the cracking sound was distinct, and the leg was at once dislocated. The man's entire body immediately curled up into a ball and he wailed miserably.
"Step aside!"
Chu Qiao didn't even look at him as she stepped past, and directed her words towards the few dark prisoner silhouettes.
Prison was such a place, where the strong bullied the weak. They only saw this person was wearing expensive clothes, his skill was out of the ordinary and there was no one else who wanted to provoke him. In a hurry there was an empty space cleared alongside the wall. Chu Qiao lowered herself and sat down without speaking. As soon as he saw this, Liang Shaoqing hurried over to her, sticking close by and sat beside her. Then, with an air of disdain he pointed at a few of them, using an arrogant tone he had learned over the past few days he said, "Let's all be honest! Don't bully others!"
Hey!
Chu Qiao almost wanted to cry, and she held her head in her hands, gloomily wanting to die.
"What did this guy eat to grow up?"
The woman muttered her suffering, for who knew Liang Shaoqin's hearing was so good, and he turned his heard around and said in a very polite manner, "Of the five grains and such similar sustenance, these things might be hard to come by for commoners. From childhood I have not the habit of being a picky eater. I ate everything and my stomach was always full. There was never a need to be fastidious."
Her eyes went dark, her brain felt giddy, and Chu Qiao strongly resisted the urge to punch him in the mouth so he would thoroughly remain silent.
"Who? Who is causing a ruckus?"
As soon as the prison warden heard the sounds of wailing, he hurriedly came over as if someone had lit a flame under his butt, waiving his cudgel, "Who's causing trouble? Don't want to live anymore, that it?"
The prisoners in the cell collectively looked at Chu Qiao in secret agreement. The woman's face was clear as ice, her eyes like frost, cooly gazing at the warden, but not saying a word. The prison warden lived in the city, in his daily life he was used to watching nobles and officials alike and had already learned to recognize them with his discerning eyes.
He saw that this young man was not very old, was dressed in finery, and possessed extraordinary temperament. He stared coldly at everyone else as if he was confident in his connections. Secretly he wouldn't be related that large clan would he? Although saving face is important, living was even more important, so the prison warden looked at Chu Qiao's appearance, and suddenly said in a deflated voice that was neither soft nor firm, "You, you there. Be more upright."
Then he left with his tail between his legs.
Liang ShaoQin suddenly looked at Chu Qiao with admiration and prostrated himself, "Xiao Qiao, you are still the most fierce, even he's afraid of you."
Chu Qiao had no desire to heed him. When they had just come in she had already done her reconnaissance of their surroundings. It would not be difficult to escape this place. After all, it was simply a holding cell for petty thieves. The problem came with how to take the idiot Liang Shaoqing with her.
The color of the sky slowly waned. The prison guard had delivered their food, but one look had Chu Qiao almost retching. It wasn't difficult for Liang Shaoqing to eat it with gusto and it seemed he was being truthful when he said he wasn't a picky eater. This nerd always had the unusual ability to adapt to any situation, no matter the environment, promptly integrate himself, and then find the strength to persevere with his indomitable fighting spirit for survival.
When the sky was dark, Chu Qiao continued to sit there with her eyes closed, waiting, as there were still two prisoners awake.
She didn't want to hurt anyone, even if she had to wait until long into the night before she could pry open the lock and escape. In the the span of a single burning incense stick she could probably pry open about two hundred of these locks.
Liang Shaoqing was happily sleeping, very contentedly. It was only when this bookworm slept that he resembled something of a handsome man, although he was leaning on Chu Qiao's shoulder.
At midnight, the entire cell was peaceful, filled with unpleasant male sweaty odors and ear rumbling snores. Chu Qiao carefully pushed Liang Shaoqin's arm, but before he could open his endlessly wordy mouth she clamped it shut with her hand and said in a low voice, "Shut up, don't speak, follow me."
Liang Shaoqin's eyes looked a bit vague, he rubbed his eyes looked at Chu Qiao in confusion, slowly wrinkling his brows, and momentarily still did not know what she was about to do.
Seeing he was silent, Chu Qiao carefully leaned towards the door, her movements stealthy like a cat, and soundless. A dagger, thin bronze picks and a hooked chain were three things Chu Qiao carried with her at all times. No matter what the circumstances, she would quickly acquire the supplies and never let herself be at a disadvantage. When she entered the prison that person took one look at her expensive clothing, her calm and self-possessed demeanor, and didn't dare come forth to do a body search.
*ka-cha*
They heard a clear ringing sound, and the door lock opened. Just as Chu Qiao wanted to turn around and pull Liang Shaoqing with her, she heard the man behind her suddenly call out, "Ah!"
Thankfully he did not say it loudly, certainly not loud enough to wake the others, and only caused another prisoner to turn over and go back to sleep. Chu Qiao turned her head and looked angrily back at the scholar. Liang Shaoqing pointed at her, stammered, and then lowered his voice, "Xiao Qiao, you can't! That's against the law!"
Chu Qiao narrowly channeled her anger and said vehemently while forcing her voice low, "You coming or not?"
Lian Shaoqing said in a wronged voice, "Xiao Qiao, we've only committed a petty crime, we will be released in two days time. But a jailbreak is an even more serious offense."
The young woman twitched as her anger tickled her with its teeth, then turned around to leave on her own until she saw Liang Shaoqing panic and rush forward, stepping onto the straw and creaky floorboards as he grabbed her arm and uttered nervously, "Go, go. I'll go. Don't abandon me alone here!"
But at this point, even if they wanted to leave they could not. They just heard the sound of disorganized footfalls and hazy light and shadow coming towards them, as if a group of people were coming near.
Liang Shaoqin's face suddenly turned pale. Those people were approaching quickly and there wasn't enough time to do anything. Chu Qiao swiftly dragged Liang Shaoqing back in place to sit, and as soon as she did that the prisoners all heard the approaching sounds, and sleepily opened their eyes.
"My lord……please come this way."
The sound of the warden's voice was flattering, then, about twenty soldiers dressed all in official red attire armed with swords entered into view. They went over to the cell that contained Chu Qiao and stood there at attention. Each of them had one hand resting on a hilt and the other holding a bright torch. Someone who was about forty years old, who must have been an official, came in. He stood in front of the cell door and asked, "Is it here?"
The prison warden hurriedly nodded and said, "Responding to my lord's inquiry, yes it is."
Chu Qiao was faintly aware that this group likely came for her; perhaps Li Ce was looking for her, or perhaps the pro-DaXia officials in the Bian Tang government had sent them here, and of course, it could also be a local official DaXia had already bribed to take her away without anyone being the wiser.
She quietly sat there, tilting her head back, silently touching her boot where she kept her weapon of last resort. The muscles in her entire body were tense, quietly calculating her means of escape, quietly calculating that if she was reckless how may layers of strategies she could single-handedly employ with success.
At that moment, she saw that official turned to one side of the corridor and smile as he said, "Young Master, the person you are looking for is here."
Then, she simply heard the sound of rustling sleeves, of footsteps neither urgent nor slow. Only a pitch dark shadow in the firelight was first to reveal itself, followed by a beautiful and spotless boot of sky blue, then a deep purple robe embroidered with muted gold clouds, a white jade belt, a large and long stature, a man's brow slanted like sharp swords, a face like white jade and dark red lips. His eyes were pure snow in the abyss, indifferently gazing at Chu Qiao. That expression, those eyes…Chu Qiao seemed able to hear the unspoken words hidden beneath the surface: You idiot! (TN: ^__^;;)
The Bian Tang official said to Zhuge Yue in a flattering tone, "Young Master Zhuge, this is an oversight of my subordinate, and I've been remiss."
Zhuge Yue politely nodded and said, "Perhaps it is because they did not reveal themselves, it is merely a misunderstanding, you need not pay it any mind, sir."
The official breathed a sigh of relief, turned around to the warden and said in a deep voice, "Hurry up and let them out already!"
The old man hurriedly came forward to unlock the door, but as soon as he was about to unlock it, the lock fell away, and he hand't even reached for the keys yet.
The warden and the official's complexion became rather unsightly, and suddenly became uglier, and the official muttered angrily in a low voice, "Useless guy!"
The warden looked as though he had swallowed a distasteful medicine, his face fully bitter.
Zhuge Yue naturally knew what that was all about, his eyes disdainfully rolling around Chu Qiao's face, his mouth lightly pulling with a scornful *humph*.
Chu Qiao lowered her head, wishing she could bury it in her chest; it was all truly embarrassing.
Liang Shaoqing in a daze stumbled out of the cell amid the ten or so prisoners with heavier crimes and punishments, and heard Zhuge Yue say to the other official, "I'll introduce your excellency. This is Liang Shaoqing, the younger son of Lian Xiliang of Shangxia County of DaXia. The elder Liang is an old acquaintance of mine. Shaoqing is also my friend, and he was traveling in his studies to Bian Tang, and unexpectedly, he encountered such a misunderstanding."
"So it is the son of Master Liang, please forgive the sin of this official's slights."
Liang Shaoqing suddenly saw the light, pointed at Zhuge Yue and said, "Oh, so it is my father's friend. But how is it that I've never met you?"
Zhuge Yue and the official faces went a little pale, and Chu Qiao could not help but want to run into the wall and commit suicide. Could it be he could not hear the intent of the other party?
Zhuge Yue never thought he would ever encounter such a master of putting his foot in his mouth, or someone who never followed the rules when he struck. He coughed lightly, "I haven't seen Master Liang for many years, and when I left home his son was still very young, he might not remember me, and that is reasonable."
Poor Liang Shaoqing did not look very much younger than Zhuge Yue, and it was probable that he was a few years older, yet in this conversation he has become his junior. Zhuge Yue kept pointing to someone who was around his same age but continuously referenced him as being younger than himself; if he wasn't red-faced and gasping in conniption by now, his level of concentration was truly extraordinary.
Seeing that Liang Shaoqing had something else to the contrary to say, afraid he would say something to shake heaven and earth and alarm everyone present, the good natured official hurriedly said, "In that case, please depart sirs, recounting old times past would be spoiled in a place like this."
Zhuge Yue smiled, "Rightly said." Then he turned to Liang Shaoqing and said, "Master Liang, this way please."
Liang Shaoqing bowed courteously with a laugh, straightened out his tattered clothing, one flick of his sleeve sending straw everywhere, and he strode out.
Seeing Chu Qiao still standing in place, Zhuge Yue slowly looked in her direction, his expression carrying his usual mocking ridicule, "Aren't you leaving? Not shameful enough for you?"
Having said that he turned and left.
It was quite shameful indeed.
Chu Qiao couldn't help but sigh and followed behind.
The prison warden wiped away his sweat in alarm. He never though that guy had such a big backer, and it was good that he hadn't done anything bad to him. But it was quite strange; how was it that no one had rescued him the first few times he was there?
The lights were dim, the prisoners looked towards the prison exit, their eyes still a bit tired and sleepy. Seeing that there was nothing entertaining left to see, one after another they turned away to go back to sleep.
When they left the prison entrance, it was already close to dawn. At the edge of the horizon there was a thin trace of white. His palanquin was stopped on the side of a long lane and Zhuge Yue stood there in the center of the street. The morning condensation sprinkled over his shoulders. Amid the mist his entire person looked thoroughly more striking.
The man's gaze was nonchalant, and it wasn't clear what he was looking at. Chu Qiao stood before him, with some faint embarrassment, and after thinking about it for a while, finally spoke softly, "Thank you…."
Before she even finished speaking, Zhuge Yue smiled coldly, turned his head in another direction, as if he didn't want to hear it.
Chu Qiao took a deep breath and said, "I know that every time I see you I only have this to say and it's become redundant, but I really am deeply grateful; you've helped me once again."
Zhuge Yue briefly dipped his head, slowly narrowed his eyes and responded coldly, "Weren't you going to Yan Bei? Why is it you're still lingering here?"
Chu Qiao looked down, quietly unresponsive.
The man's eyes flashed a hint of irritation, and said in a low voice, "I will immediately have my men escort you."
"No need!" Chu Qiao responded quickly.
Zhuge Yue's brow wrinkled slowly and he looked deeply into Chu Qiao; his gaze was like an extremely sharp knife, viciously wanting to pierce through her, if only he broke the flesh.
Chu Qiao's voice was really small, and it carried a trace of difficulty in disclosure, "There's something I've yet to do…"
"Which is?"
"I'm sorry…I can't say."
That's right, how would she reveal that Yan Xun was already in Bian Tang, and moreover that he was the one they called Liu Xi?
Zhuge Yue's expression gradually cooled, and Chu Qiao quickly explained, "I'm sorry, it's rather important and you and I are in different positions, I really can't…."
"Enough!"
Zhuge Yue tightly locked his brows, not wanting to hear anymore, he turned away and said to them with his back towards them, "Nevertheless you always have so many reasons, and I have never been anything to you, so there's no need for me to ask you anything. Just go."
At this moment, Liang Shaoqing who was following behind came up in front. This carefree person who could even sleep inside a palanquin, his sleepy, half-asleep eyes watched Zhuge Yue coldly responding to Chu Qiao and he suddenly responded in solidarity (TN: literally "sharing a bitter hatred of the enemy") upon his honor as a man. He purposefully stepped in front of Chu Qiao, approaching him justly, "Sir! Even though you've helped us, even without you we were not without any means of leaving. At most we would have stayed a few more days inside. You are acquainted with my father, and since you are old acquaintances, how can you treat my friend so rudely?"
Zhuge Yue furrowed his brows, took a side-long glance, and asked Chu Qiao doubtfully, "This is a friend of yours?"
Even a fool could hear the ridicule in Zhuge Yue's voice, and Chu Qiao braced herself and nod her head in affirmation, "Not…not for a long time…."
In all honesty, Chu Qiao was not trying to hide anything but she simply felt having this man as an acquaintance was really too shameful.
"Xiao Qiao! What are you saying? We've journeyed together on a road of bitterness and hardships; we've slept together, suffered together, have you forgotten? What do you mean by 'haven't known him for a long time'?"
Scholar Liang was obviously not happy, dissatisfied that Chu Qiao had forgotten their friendship.
Suffering bitterness and hardships together? Chu Qiao looked at him. Wasn't it just you dragging me down to walk down a path of misfortune?
Then, before she could formulate the words, a cold voice came from another direction, and the expression of the man wearing the beautiful purple attire suddenly turned bleak, "Slept together?" (TN: HAHAHA)
"Sir! What kind of expression is that? Even though you've helped me you cannot use that expression to insult Xiao Qiao!" Liang Shaoqing added loudly, "I've already decided that I will immediately depart for Shangyu, and after informing my parents, I will choose Xiao Qiao to be my wife."
The nerd Liang was resolute. It was as if his expression was saying, Look here, I am a responsible man.
"To be your wife?" Zhuge Yue's expression could no longer just be described as a murderous countenance as he coldly looked at Chu Qiao and said in an icy voice, "The reason why you couldn't leave Tang Jing, was because of him?" (TN: HAHAHAHA...)
Chu Qiao quickly shook her head, "No, no…."
"Xiao Qiao, do not deny it." Lian Shaoqing pat Chu Qiao on the shoulder and said, "Don't you worry, I will marry you."
Chu Qiao's was thoroughly about to blow and the word indignation did not adequately describe her present feelings as she stared at Liang Shaoqing. No longer able to contain her seething anger she suddenly raised her fist and pounded it against his skull:
"No one wants to marry you! You are mental! Ever since I've met you I've had the worst luck! You idiot! Did I owe you in a past life??"
The harsh screams resounded through the long lane, and all Chu Qiao's grief and anger she had been withholding suddenly crashed down, like a tsunami unleashed.
Zhuge Yue quickly stepped back to avoid the pain and suffering of others, and simply watched Liang Shaoqing taking a beating while the scholar cried out, "Such rude speech, rude behavior, rude violence!"
"A gentleman is magnanimous, if you have something to say just say it nicely! Ah! Xiao Qiao, calm down, who else will you marry if not me, my family is very wealthy, ah! Xiao Qiao, have mercy!"
Zhuge Yue crossed his arms across his chest, cast a side-long glance as he leaned against the wall, watching Liang Shaoqing receive a thrashing with great interest.
Fortunately Chu Qiao kept an ounce of her reason and she hadn't really unleashed full violence on him, but after Yue Qi waited to rescue Liang Shaoqing from Chu Qiao's fists, the ordinarily tenacious man was only a half alive cockroach, still muttering to himself, "Xiao Qiao, you're shy, but this was a bit overdone…."
Chu Qiao stood breathless, her cheeks flushed and the expression in her eyes carried some endearing vitality.
Zhuge Yue watched her. In the early morning mist, the girl was wearing men's clothing, her hair at the temples had fallen free in disarray which only added to her innocent and lovely female charm.
For a time, in the narrow and cramped lane remained perfectly silent and still, his expression was affectionate, like mulberry leaves in early spring being eaten by spring cicadas during the blooming season.
"When are you leaving?"
Chu Qiao was startled and immediately replied, "Soon."
"Before you go, come see me."
Chu Qiao was suddenly stunned, looked up at him and saw Zhuge Yue immediately turn his head, "Mo'er wants to see you."
"Oh," Chu Qiao nodded, "I'll do my best, but, I won't necessarily have the opportunity. You also know, right now I…."
"That's fine, you don't need to say anything further." Zhuge Yue quickly cut her off, and immediately followed with, "Next time, if you have this kind of trouble with government officials, you can use my name."
Chu Qiao shook her head, and as soon as she saw Zhuge Yue's color change, a sure sign he was about to be angry again, she hurriedly added, "I'm afraid I will cause you trouble."
It was a simple set of words, but his dissatisfaction just then instantly dissipated like smoke and clouds. (TN: literally, the idiom is "vanish like smoke and disperse like clouds")
Zhuge Yue turned around and she couldn't see his expression clearly, but heard his voice was unusually at peace, "Those people, I don't even give them a second thought." (TN: literally, he doesn't put them in his sight, meaning, anyone who dares judge him is not worthy of mentioning because he considers them all beneath him. Such self-assured haughtiness…. ^_^;)
It made no sense for her to stay longer, so she said softly, "Then, I'll be going."
Zhuge Yue was taciturn, and Chu Qiao wanted to speak again when she heard a faint voice speaking from the front, "Go then."
Chu Qiao called out to the once again full of vim and vigor Liang Shaoqing behind her, and the two of them walked past Zhuge Yue.
Chu Qiao said in a whisper, "Here in Bian Tang, it seems something big is about to happen, the interior is unstable, be extra cautious when you act."
Zhuge Yue's expression did not change, his handsome features portrayed alluring beauty under the sunlight, but he remained silent.
Chu Qiao received her mild rebuff, stepped away and went on her way.
Liang Shaoqing immediately followed behind, but he heard Zhuge Yue suddenly say, "You. You take care." (TN: He either means "don't cause any more trouble for her" or "I will break you if you aspire to marry her" ^_^;)
"Ah?" Liang Shaoqing said in surprise, even thinking that Zhuge Yue was telling him to be more careful when taking action, and hurriedly dipped his head and smiled, "You as well. When going out be careful of pickpockets, Bian Tang's laws are a bit loose, Tang Jing has a lot of petty thieves. I've run into quite a few of them."
Her face was full of dark lines and she couldn't bear to see Zhuge Yue's expression, so Chu Qiao pulled Liang Shaoqing along, vehemently stomping on the man's foot, and saying angrily, "Can't you speak less?"
"Ah! Xiao Qiao, that really hurts!"
"Go!"
Liang Shaoqing was being pulled away to the point of being dragged by Chu Qiao, and even from far away he did not stop turning back towards Zhuge Yue and ardently waving, "If you have time come to Shangxi and visit me. We will meet again! Be careful of swindlers!"
The morning sun finally broke through the thick fog, the sunlight dispersed in a flash of gold!
Translator's notes: He really does save her a lot, doesn't he? I'm starting to wonder if his network of spies always tells him where she is, like GPS.
He usually arrives on the scene when she is just about to save herself, though it seems he cannot leave her alone and must always make sure she is safe. I sense a theme there….. Though it seems she broke his heart several chapters ago, he can't stop looking at her with affection, even though he wants to be angry. This guy is so far gone! ^_^
You can usually tell the theme of the chapter by its title. The Knight in Shining Armor glistening in the sunlight; where once their relationship was filled with gloomy weather, it seems the clouds have parted and the sun finally shines through. Is the author depicting their mutual affection here?
For once I want to see the change in affection between them… TT__TT
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