Chapter 38 – Mister Lian’s Desire

The Persian dancers stirred up the audience with the beautiful swaying of their hips. As the men below the stage started throwing silver ingots onto the stage, the dancers shook even more fervently. They walked down to the front of each table, striking charming poses for the male guests. One of the dancers swayed her way to the second-floor terrace and stopped before Murong Zhining. As she danced, the woman reaching out both hands and pretended to touch Murong Zhining’s face.

Murong Zhining chuckled. She extended a hand toward Tuoba Zhi, who tacitly placed a silver ingot on her palm. Smiling, Murong Zhining stuffed the silver ingot into the dancer’s corset. She had seen the other guests did this and followed suit since the dancers didn’t have any other place to hold the silver.

The dancer thought that Murong Zhining was a handsome and graceful young man. She wrapped her arms around Murong Zhining’s neck and sat down on her lap, which aroused whistles and cheers from the crowd. Having received her tip, the dancer happily pressed her lips on Murong Zhining’s face, leaving a deep-red lip print.

Lian Kun and Tuoba Zhi gawked at Murong Zhining in shock. She playfully blinked at them. Tuoba Lan laughed, “Big sister can charm all the ladies when she disguises as a man, and she even helps you guys block the unnecessary flirting.”

Mister Lian had drunk some wine. In his tipsy state, his mind was all on Murong Zhining. The man couldn’t speak properly as his tongue roll about. “If I had a virtuous wife like Miss Murong, how great would it be? We can enjoy this wonder… wonderful spring to… together…”

Tuoba Zhi hastily kicked him under the table. “Stop stop, Brother Lian you have drunk too much. Your tolerance is so low but you always hoard the wine to yourself.”

Lian Kun smiled foolishly. “I am not drunk. I’m very happy. I really ad… adore… Miss… Miss Murong.”

After the Persian dancers retreated, a young man with blonde hair and blue eyes came up on the stage. Dressed in a long black robe, the man looked elegant and mysterious. From thin air, he kept tossing out all kinds of objects in all directions, there were umbrella, flowers, lanterns, and in the end, a surprising bunny jumping around. The audience all exclaimed in wonder.

Tuoba Lan stared with eyes wide open and constantly shouted in shock, “Is this person a god? How does he pull out so many things from nowhere?”

Murong Zhining was also amazed. She commented, “He’s not a god, he hid them on his body. These magic tricks are all about sleight of hand so that people won’t notice where he pulls out the objects from. Xingzhou is truly a fine place to have so many interesting things.”

Lian Kun still mumbled in his drunken stupor, “If Miss Murong agrees to marry me, I promise… promise to bring you to have fun every day.”

Tuoba Lan pulled a mischievous face at him. “In your dreams. Big Sister Murong is not someone an ordinary and vulgar man like you could have.”

Tuoba Zhi smiled and shook his head.

Murong Zhining and Tuoba Lan watched the show in with great enthusiasm, while Lian Kun had drunk too much and unconsciously slid right under the table. Seeing this, Tuoba Zhi was helpless. “Brother Lian, you drank too much. Let’s return for now, we can go out to play another time.”

Lian Kun hazily shook his head left and right. “Brother Tuoba is in my territory, how can I spoil your mood. Tonight, I will call for you, a girl to accompany… accompany everyone…”

Tuoba Zhi shook his head with a wry smile. “I’ll go out and call the servants to carry him home. You guys wait here.”

Murong Zhining nodded.

Mother Wu was smiling wide as she sent them off to the door. “Young masters, please come again. Next time, don't be like this and give out so much of a tip without even calling for a lady companion.”

Lian Kun struggled and refused to leave, “Who says I’m leaving? Where’s my lady? Oh wait, no… I have Miss Murong, I don’t care for your… your common… powdered faces…”

Tuoba Lan tugged on Tuoba Zhi’s sleeves. “Can we leave tomorrow? I can’t stand this guy and his evil intentions toward Big Sister Murong.”

Tuoba Zhi pulled her to the side. “He only looks it, but he has no guts to carry it out. Lower your voice, won’t you? Don’t let Miss Murong hear such a thing. And, you guys still have me. You think I’ll let him bully Miss Murong?”

Tuoba Lan shook off his hand. “No, we leave tomorrow.”

Early the next morning, while Lian Kun was still asleep, Tuoba Zhi took the two girls to bid farewell to Fifth Madam. “Thank you for having us for an entire day. Since I’m returning to Nanjin over an emergency and Brother Lian has been drunk, I won’t say goodbye to him. Thank you for your hospitality, sister-in-law.”

After he had pondered over reasons, Tuoba Zhi thought that Tuoba Lan made sense. Besides, he didn’t want others to covet Murong Zhining.

Murong Zhining led Flash out from Lian Kun’s house. Tuoba Lan followed behind and stroke the steed as she pleaded, “I really want to ride General Chiyun’s horse. Big sister, can you let me ride it, just a little bit please?”

Flash turned its head to nudge Tuoba Lan’s hand off it. The girl angrily pouted. “Hey! This little animal has quite a temper. Huh? This horse also has the same mark as Big Sister Murong.”

Tuoba Zhi raised his eyes and looked at Murong Zhining incredulously, just in time to catch the sorrow flashing through her eyes. His brows tightly knitted together. “Chiyun Yuexuan branded a mark on you? Do you two… have some kind of irresolvable grudge?”

Murong Zhining pretended to be casual, “I already told Lan’er about this. I was careless and fell onto a burning iron seal. Why do you guys all overreact?”

Tuoba Zhi didn’t pry anymore, but his eyes were sad. He was an extremely intelligent person.

Tuoba Zhi showed consideration in his words, “Miss Murong, if you still feel that this is too much for your body, we can stay here two more days before leaving.”

Murong Zhining smiled. “I can handle it, I also want to return to Nanjin as soon as possible. By the way, you can call me Ning’er from now on, Mister Tuoba. No need to be a stranger.”

Hearing this, Tuoba Zhi’s eyes shone brightly with his delight.

Tuoba Zhi caressed Flash with a long sigh. “This is a great horse. Even I want to try riding it for once.”

Murong Zhining instantly objected, “Don’t. Flash is very stubborn, it only lets General Chiyun ride it.”

Tuoba Zhi inched closer to Flash. “Now I refuse to believe it even more.” He strode over and about to mount when suddenly, Flash reared up and let out a long neigh.

Murong Zhining hastily pulled the reins and comforted the horse. It took a while for Flash to finally calm down.

Tuoba Zhi dejectedly tilted his head left and right, asking, “Does it let you ride it?”

Murong Zhining nodded. “Flash is too tall, though. I can’t get on it myself.”

Tuoba Zhi dubiously shook his head. “I’ll help you.”

Murong Zhining stepped on the stirrup. Tuoba Zhi supported her waist and successfully got her onto Flash. Carrying Murong Zhining on its back, Flash carefully took a few steps.

Tuoba Lan exclaimed, “I want to ride Flash too. Big Sis Murong, let me ride it a bit, just a little bit, okay?” After Tuoba Zhi carefully lifted Murong Zhining off, Flash ran before Tuoba Lan and used its head to nudge her slightly. Tuoba Lan fell backward on her butt.

She angrily rooted on the ground and pointed at Flash. “Bad horsey, are you a human transformed or something? You even understand human language?”

Murong Zhining covered her mouth and chuckled out loud. Flash affectionately rubbed its head against her.

Tuoba Zhi shouted to the servants, “We are setting out!” He then helped Murong Zhining into the carriage. When it was Tuoba Lan’s turn, he virtually pushed her into it.

Tuoba Lan turned around and glared at him. “Big bro, why you treat Big Sister Murong so nicely but so impatient toward your own little sister?”

Tuoba Zhi extended his hand and pretended to hit her. Tuoba Lan frantically fled inside.

Tuoba Zhi shouted again, “Let’s go, those at the back, make sure you catch up!”

When the carriage began to move slowly, Lian Kun ran over to them panting, “Brother Tuoba, wait… Ouch… Wait a mo’…”

Tuoba Zhi knew he was in the wrong here, so he explained, “I saw that you hadn’t woken up from the alcohol yesterday, and I couldn’t bear to wake you. I’ve just remembered there’s something important to do at home. I must return as soon as possible. Goodbye, Brother Lian.”

Panting, Lian Kun waved his hands. “Wait for me to pack up. I want to return to Nanjin as well. Wait for me, I’ll be real quick!”

Tuoba Lan stuck her head out from the carriage and complained, “Still hasn’t given up on his designs.”

Tuoba Zhi shot her a glare. “Even if we leave early, he can still catch up on a horse. It’s just partying up for a trip, don’t be so serious. If anything, you can be at ease with your brother here.”

Tuoba Lan pouted and withdrew back inside.

Lian Kun, carrying a bundle, led a gray horse out the gates. “Since your team already has quite many carriages, I won’t use one and delay your time.” His eyes lit up at the sight of Flash. “I didn’t know you owned such a great horse, Brother Tuoba. I want to ride it.”

Not waiting for Lian Kun to approach, Flash neighed and pranced.

Tuoba Zhi laughed gleefully and applauded with obvious schadenfreude, “Brother Lian, just go back to that gray donkey of yours.”

Lian Kun angrily rolled his eyes in contempt. “What donkey? This horse is also a fine horse from Mongolia. But yeah, it’s still a bit inferior to your horse.”

Tuoba Zhi laughed, “Just look at me, brother. I’m also riding a donkey. Where do I ever get such a fine horse? It belongs to Miss Murong.”

Staring fixedly at Flash, Lian Kun clicked his tongue in admiration.

The cavalcade was neither fast nor slow as they exited Xingzhou’s gate. Murong Zhining lifted the curtain and glanced back. “Lan’er, this Xingzhou town has been fun, hasn’t it?”

Tuoba Lan pouted. “Too bad that guy Lian Kun is a wet blanket, or else I would love to have stayed here for two more days. Woah, check out that mountain over there, big sis, it looks like a giant dragon head. Is it a dragon’s vein?”

Murong Zhining craned her neck to look where her finger was pointing. “It really looks like one. By the way, I heard that your ancestors were emperors once.”

Tuoba Lan nonchalantly replied, “My father said that was hundreds of years ago, but I couldn’t care less. Whoever the emperor is, I’m still passing my days in joy!”

Murong Zhining looked at Tuoba Lan in admiration. “Lan’er, you’ve been born into such a good life, and you have a doting brother. There’s no worry at all.”

Tuoba Lan’s face sank. “Who says I have no worry? My father has been forcing me to marry someone I don’t like. I only want to marry a hero like General Chiyun.”

Murong Zhining placed her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Shangxia also has generals. I will definitely help you marry one.”

Tuoba Lan laughed innocently. “Really? But, I only like men like General Chiyun, okay?”

On the way, Lian Kun rode his horse next to Murong Zhining’s carriage. He lifted the curtain and asked, “Miss Murong, are you tired? If you feel tired, I’ll call everyone to stop so that you can get off and stretch your body.”

Tuoba Lan impatiently cut in, “What’s with you? Acting nice for no reason to hide your evil intentions. If I remember correctly, my brother is the one who makes decisions here. Go, fetch us some tangerines.”

Lian Kun was full of smiles. “Yes, missy!”

Tuoba Lan gave Murong Zhining a peeled tangerine. “Here you go, big sis. We won’t get any more good tangerines like this after Xingzhou.”

Murong Zhining received the tangerine. Putting a section in her mouth, she suddenly recalled the basket of tangerines Yan Feng once gave her. Her eyes reddened.

Murong Zhining lifted the back curtain to see Flash steadily follow behind. She peeled a tangerine and offered it to Flash. The steed trotted over, happily huffing while eating the tangerine. Tuoba Lan looked on in envy. She also peeled a tangerine and brought it over to Flash, but it didn’t react to her. Tuoba Lan pouted dejectedly, “This animal even recognizes people. It doesn’t like Lan’er.”

Murong Zhining chided Flash cutely, “Flash, be a good boy and listen. This little big sister is a good person, she likes you very much. Hurry and eat her tangerine.”

Flash ran over and held the tangerine in its mouth. Tuoba Lan shouted in excitement, “Oh heavens, Flash is eating my tangerine! Does this mean it also likes me?”

Murong Zhining nodded, “Horses are smart animals. It can distinguish human by their inner souls and tell who is good and who is bad.”

As the orange sunset glowed in the horizon, flocks of birds flew into the woods. In the distance, the outline of a small building with a fluttering flag that wrote “wine” came into view. Tuoba Zhi’s voice rang out from behind the cavalcade, “We’ll rest in the inn upfront tonight.”