Chapter 60: We Are the Prince's Bodyguards! |
After the conversation, Yuan Gang, without saying a word, turned around and left.
Niu You Dao watched Yuan Gang leave, then tutted, "That brute probably won't be able to stand another beating."
In the small courtyard, a crowd of monks were awake, maintaining their monastic routine. They read scriptures and swept the ground. Even though the ground didn't need sweeping, they did it for their own discipline.
The moment Yuan Gang arrived, they all froze solid like clay roosters. No matter what they were doing, they immediately dropped their tasks. They watched Yuan Gang like a fox entering a hen house. One could never tell from Yuan Gang's face if he was pleased or not. He might say nothing and just strike.
These past few days, they had seen him beat Yuan Fang. Each time, he beat the abbot. And today, it seems he wants to beat the abbot again? Hadn't he already beaten him twice?
Yuan Fang, having heard, also came out. He didn't want to face Yuan Gang, but he couldn't avoid him either, because he was asking himself the same question: Hadn't he already been beaten today?
He was greatly afraid of him. However, gathering his courage, he bowed:
— Master Yuan, what are your instructions?— he spoke like an abbot, but his battered face didn't look like an abbot's at all.
He even began to address him the same way Niu You Dao did. After all, he had called him "monkey" twice, and twice Yuan Gang had beaten him for it.
Yuan Fang's heart sank into his boots; he didn't want to go in. However, Yuan Gang didn't like to repeat himself, so he feared offending him even more. Thus, clenching his fists, he nevertheless entered the room. And the door closed behind him.
The monks in the courtyard exchanged glances and listened. Someone began fingering prayer beads, praying for the abbot. Though the abbot was a demon, even for a demon it was hard to endure two beatings.
Then they noticed that the prayers seemed to have worked. For no sounds of a beating could be heard.
However, soon Yuan Fang's surprised voice could be heard:
— Master Yuan, I won't do such things.
— What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly. Repeat it again.
— This... Master Yuan, I really don't have those things! Ah...
Goosebumps ran down the backs of all the monks again. They once more heard the sounds of blows. — Thump. Bang. Whump...— and intermingled with them, Yuan Fang's piteous cries.
— Master Yuan, no knife, no knife! You could kill a man!
— Are you a man?
— Master Yuan, I have it! I have it!
— You're not lying to me?
— I swear to Heaven, I have it. I truly have it.
— Will you do it?
— Trust me, Master Yuan. If I don't do it, I'll come to you to confess my fault myself!
Silence returned to the room, broken only by occasional whispers. Later, Yuan Gang walked out as if nothing had happened and departed.
When Yuan Gang left, all the monks quickly rushed inside. They saw the battered Yuan Fang. Blood streamed from his nose. Two monks supported him and helped him onto a nearby chair.
— The abbot endures this humiliation for us!
— It's nothing!— Yuan Fang looked at the blood from his nose and said in a trembling voice, "That monkey abuses others too much. It's a good thing this is temporary. Sooner or later, I'll strip his skin and tear out his muscles..."
Outside, a clatter resounded.
— Thump!
At which Yuan Fang immediately jumped up, terribly frightened.
All the monks also trembled with fear. They thought Yuan Gang had returned. But then a monk's voice rang out: — It was just a broom that fell. Nothing serious.
— Phew,— everyone sighed with relief.
Yuan Fang clasped his hands: — Amitabha Buddha, evil thoughts appeared in my heart. Forgive me, Buddha, forgive me!
— Amitabha Buddha!— All the monks also clasped their palms and intoned.
Yuan Fang lowered his hands and, looking at everyone, waved them closer.
— There is an important matter that absolutely must be completed. Otherwise, that monkey will come looking for trouble for us again...
On the main street, Shang Chao Zong rode a large, decorated horse. Bodyguards rode on either side of him, throwing copper coins from their purses into the crowd. The people cheered and shouted "Bravo!" in response.
The ruler's mansion was also bustling. Many guests and all the important figures of Kuangai County had gathered there. Ordinary wealthy citizens of the city couldn't enter; they could only set up banquets outside in celebration.
Apart from the garrisons stationed on various sides of the county, all important people had arrived here.
The riders finally reached the bridal residence.
Everyone greeted the Prince, old and young, women and men. They all shouted to him: — Congratulations, Prince!
Chao Zong also looked in various directions and smiled. No matter whether he knew them or not, he smiled and clasped hands with everyone.
And when he reached the crucial point, his tension had already eased. After all, he had been moving in aristocratic circles since childhood.
When he reached the mansion, a person led him into the bridal chambers. It was there that he first saw Feng Ru Nan. However, behind the red veil, he couldn't make out her face.
However, Chao Zong could discern her physique. Feng Ru Nan's build was sturdy, like a man's. But what surprised him most was that she seemed to be even taller than him. Perhaps it was due to the wedding headdress. Yet Chao Zong himself was of sturdy build and tall stature. Could she truly be taller than him?
It was a good thing he had already mentally prepared himself for this sacrifice. Lan Ruo Ting had also reminded him the entire way about the important task he had to carry out tonight.
The young couple stepped into the ceremonial hall for the bows. The official ceremony was beginning. Feng Lin Bo and Peng Yu Lan sat in the highest seats.
Watching her daughter get married, tears welled up in Peng Yu Lan's eyes. She constantly wiped them away.
After the official ceremony concluded, Feng Ru Nan left the residence in a wedding palanquin, while Chao Zong set off on the return journey on horseback. Along the way, people offered their congratulations.
The ruler's mansion was lively. The host invited guests and feasted, and quite a few people accompanied the newlyweds. Among them were many warriors and cultivators. Everyone was wary of any incident. And the common people shouted congratulations...
Chao Zong had no friends here, so he invited his bodyguards to partake in the feast.
Behind the main hall, Chao Zong had a bridal chamber prepared. Two maidservants were preparing drinks and food for the young couple, when suddenly several people appeared before them. At their head was an old man with streaks of gray. His face was completely bruised. It was none other than Yuan Fang.
— What are you doing?— The two girls were also from wealthy families, so they weren't too scared.
— Who are you people? The newlyweds will be here soon, everything needs to be prepared in the room. Wash the goblets, set out wine and tea. What are you doing?
They had often come here before, preparing everything, but had never once seen these people in felt hats.
Yuan Fang calmly replied:
— We are the Prince's bodyguards and are responsible for the courtyard's security.—
The two girls exchanged glances. However, they didn't suspect them. After all, the courtyard was well-guarded. Strangers couldn't get in here.
— We must check this.— Yuan Fang pointed at the clay bottles of wine and other delicacies.
One girl shook her head: — There's no need. The provisions have already been checked several times. So there shouldn't be any problems.
Yuan Fang said irritably, "The ruler checks on his side, and we check here on the Prince's behalf. Is that not clear?"
The girls didn't know how to respond to this. And Yuan Fang didn't give them a chance to answer. He immediately gave a signal, and several monks took their things away.
— You...— The two girls grew angry and were just about to reprimand Yuan Fang, when he immediately asked:
— I doubt your status. Who are you, and how can you prove your position?
The two girls found this question ridiculous. One immediately said: — Does the gentleman need more proof? If not for the ruler, how could we have come here?
Yuan Fang asked: — What are your names? I need to check.
— Weng Xing, Weng Li.— The two girls, though angry, still replied.
Behind the two girls, a monk nodded to Yuan Fang and said: — It's nothing.
Yuan Fang waved his hand: — Give them their things back and ask others, were only two girls supposed to come?
Returning the trays to the girls, several monks went back.
And while they waited for the monks to return, one girl couldn't resist asking:
— Esteemed sir, what happened to your face? Were you beaten?
— Uh...— Yuan Fang touched his face and felt pain, which made him immediately lower his hands: — I fell.— he said, while beginning to recite prayers to himself.
Weng Li tutted and said: — And how did you fall so badly?
Yuan Fang: — I was riding a horse and fell.
Then he realized, why on earth was he explaining himself to them? And immediately said: — Why are you asking so many questions?
Weng Li replied with a smile:
We are the lady's maidservants, and you are the Prince's people. From now on, we will often see each other.— She implied that this was their first meeting.
Yuan Fang felt timid inwardly. He hadn't expected to be treated so well here.
At this moment, a monk ran up and told Yuan Fang: — Yes, these are indeed the girls.
— Alright. Let's go then.— Yuan Fang waved his hand, and he and the monks departed.
Weng Xing and Weng Li also turned around and went about their business.
As soon as they left the courtyard, Yuan Fang sent the monks away, while he himself ran to Yuan Gang...