Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Xianyang.
After Xiang Yu took this city, he proclaimed himself the "Western Chu Overlord," esteemed as the ruler of the world, intimidating Three Qins, with a strong army and growing arrogance.
One day, Fan Zeng, leaning on a cane and walking unsteadily across the stone bridge in the garden, couldn't help but sigh deeply.
Yu Ji, holding a jade zither, looked at Fan Zeng and stepped forward to support him, saying, "Father, why do you sigh repeatedly? Is there something troubling you?"
"It’s you, Yu Ji?"
Fan Zeng quickly withdrew his hand as if shocked, saying, "I am already a dying man. Yu Ji, you must not come near me; it would be best if you kept away from Yuer as well!"
Yu Ji was taken aback. "Father, why do you say that?"
With a sorrowful sigh, Fan Zeng replied, "I have observed the celestial signs at night and repeatedly deduced the outcome, yet it remains the same. Yu Ji, your star alignment with Yuer is fated to be apart in this life. If you go against fate, I fear you will bring ruin upon Yuer. Do you understand?"
Standing there, Yu Ji felt the gentle breeze rustle her dress and murmured, "Father, that is merely an interpretation of the stars; how can one fully believe it? Moreover, my feelings for the Overlord are deep. How can I bear to leave him at this moment?"
Taking a deep breath and gazing at the sky, Fan Zeng said, "This is destiny, Yu Ji. You must leave Yuer, or else you will destroy him!"
With her red lips lightly bitten, Yu Ji declared, "I love him. In this life, I vow to follow the Overlord to the death. Even through mountains of knives and seas of fire, I will accompany him. Father, you need not say more; my mind is made up and will not change. No matter how many hardships I face, I am willing to endure."
"You..." Fan Zeng sighed and said no more.
...
Yu Ji watched Fan Zeng leave without saying much, letting out a sigh before departing.
In the attic, a strategist in a green robe stepped out, a smile playing on his lips as he said, "I see, old man Fan Zeng, do you think this will save Xiang Yu? Don't worry, I, Chen Ping, will make sure you get what you wish for."
...
Not long after, news spread throughout Xianyang City, with countless soldiers passing it along: "Fan Yafu and Zhongli Mei are helping the Overlord seize the world, their achievements surpassing those of ancient and modern times. Unfortunately, they cannot be granted titles or kingship; in the end, they remain generals and strategists. Meanwhile, Ye Yang, Liu Bang, Zhang Han, and others can all be crowned kings. Thus, Fan Yafu has secretly corresponded with Liu Bang to conspire to seize the world. Liu Bang has promised to grant Fan Yafu the title of King of Peng and jointly take Xiang Yu's lands."
Soon after, this news quickly reached Xiang Yu's ears.
"Bang!"
Xiang Yu slammed his fist on the table and said calmly, "Such slander must come from the mouths of petty people. Hmph, my father-in-law has assisted me for many years; how could he betray me?"
Beside him, strategist Chen Ping nodded and said, "What the Overlord says is true. However, I have heard some recent news regarding Miss Yu Ji."
"What happened to Yu Ji?" Xiang Yu asked anxiously.
Chen Ping smiled slightly and replied, "I captured a few maidservants who had committed offenses. From them, I learned that recently Miss Yu Ji has been crying alone repeatedly. Upon inquiry, I found out that Fan Yafu has repeatedly advised Yu Ji to leave the Overlord because he believes she is an ill-fated person who will bring disaster upon him."
Xiang Yu couldn't help but become furious: "How is that possible? My feelings for Yu Ji are deep; how could she bring me disaster?"
Chen Ping said, "I only heard this; I do not know its truth. The Overlord need not be angry."
Xiang Yu remained filled with resentment.
A few days later, Yu Ji had not left.
Fan Zeng, feeling helpless, brought Yu Ji to meet Chuhai Wang, also known as Bear Heart, under the pretense of tribute.
In the grand hall, Fan Zeng and Yu Ji entered one after the other. Bear Heart was playing with a maid nearby. Upon seeing Fan Zeng, he immediately became serious and said, "Old Master Fan, what brings you here today?"
Fan Zeng knelt and replied, "There is a woman with beautiful dance skills who wishes to perform for Your Majesty."
Chancellor Huai was delighted and asked, "Oh? Who is she?"
Fan Zeng turned to look at Yu Ji and said, "Yu Ji, do not spoil His Majesty's mood. How about you perform a dance?"
Yu Ji was taken aback and exclaimed, "Father, you?"
"Yu Ji, just do as instructed..."
"Alright..."
Reluctantly, Yu Ji began to dance gracefully. Her movements were exquisite, and as she danced, Starlight Power shimmered around her, creating an incredibly soft and beautiful atmosphere. By the end of her performance, Chancellor Huai was left dumbfounded and captivated. Unable to contain himself, he clapped and cheered, "Wonderful! Truly celestial! What is this lady's name?"
"The young woman is Yu Ji."
"Wonderful! Wonderful!" Chancellor Huai continued to praise her endlessly.
Not long after, a sacred edict arrived at Xiang Yu's location, commanding Yu Ji to enter the palace to serve Chancellor Huai.
"Smash!"
Xiang Yu fiercely threw the edict to the ground, gritting his teeth and shouting, "That Bear Heart child is playing with me; I wish I could skin him alive and gnaw on his bones!"
Beside him, Chen Ping said, "Three days ago, Fan Yafu brought Yu Ji to perform a dance for Chancellor Huai. That Yu Ji girl is stunningly beautiful, with a face that could topple kingdoms. I believe this was a small scheme by Yafu to prompt Chancellor Huai to request Yu Ji, thus forcing her to leave the Overlord. The intention was still good..."
"Bah!"
Xiang Yu glared with rage and muttered, "This is too much; it’s simply outrageous!"
"Come here! Let General Ying Bu of Jiujiang enter!"
"Yes!"
Soon after, Ying Bu entered with a long knife in hand and asked, "Overlord, why have you called for me?"
Xiang Yu's killing intent was palpable: "Tonight, under the cover of darkness, infiltrate the palace and kill Bear Heart. Throw his body into the pond; I want there to be no more Chuhai Wang in this world!"
"Understood!"
Ying Bu accepted the order and left.
At the entrance, the guard reported, "Lord Xiang, Fan Yafu requests an audience!"
Xiang Yu's eyes glinted coldly. "Do not let him in!"
"Understood!"
Soon after, the guard returned to report, "Lord Xiang, Fan Yafu insists on waiting outside the palace gates. Should we grant him an audience?"
"Do not let him in!" Xiang Yu insisted.
After a long while, night fell.
The frost and dew descended. Fan Zeng trembled as he leaned on his cane, gazing at the stars in the sky, murmuring to himself, "Well, well, as they say, when the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked. I never expected that I, Fan Zeng, would end up like this today..."
"Fan Yafu, the Lord has asked you not to wait any longer."
A guard approached, holding a pile of gold and silver jewels. "These treasures are bestowed upon you by the Lord. We are preparing a carriage immediately; we will send you back to your hometown to enjoy your retirement tomorrow morning."
Fan Zeng's arm trembled as he couldn't help but laugh heartily. "When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked! When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked! Yuer, do you see me merely as a strategist? Well then, I shall return to my hometown, sipping tea and enjoying simple meals while playing my lute and watching the sky. Let me end my days like this!"
The guard nodded and said, "Fan Yafu, the Overlord is furious. You should return to your hometown for now. Once the Overlord's anger subsides, he will send someone to bring you back."
Fan Zeng smiled wryly, "Is that possible? I never expected that Xiang Yu, a hero throughout his life, would ultimately betray me because of a woman. It's truly laughable..."
"Fan Yafu, please stop talking. Let's set off immediately!"
...
Two days later, the solitary carriage passed through the Azure Cloud Mountain Range, heading straight towards the Lower Capital.
The sky was overcast, and the mountains loomed high. Suddenly, a flock of birds took flight in alarm.
"Crack!"
Fan Zeng's cane fell onto the carriage. He suddenly opened his eyes and couldn't help but laugh heartily, "I knew you wouldn't let me go, Ye Yang. Come on! If my life can extinguish your wrath, then come at me!"
Comment 0 Comment Count