Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 57

57: The Spoils of War

As the envoy approached the border of Liang, they finally slowed their pace. Everyone knew that Xi Lingxue would no longer be pursuing them.

Jiang Ci rode on horseback, with Mo Sanqi standing steadily behind her on the horse’s back, exuding an air of ethereal grace that drew frequent glances from the others.

However…

“Hey, disciple, did you know Xi Lingxue long ago?”

“Weren’t you only fourteen ten years ago? Had you already differentiated by then?”

“Could it be that you’re a runaway slave from the Dingyuan Marquis’s estate?”

Mo Sanqi’s curiosity was insatiable, and her questions kept coming.

Helian Ping, standing nearby, also pressed on, “What exactly did you give her?”

Jiang Ci really didn’t want to elaborate.

She had taken a gamble, and fortunately, she had won.

Only Xi Lingxue could understand that phrase.

In a way, their roles seemed reversed.

If Xi Lingxue was sincere, she would let her go.

Jiang Ci smiled, feeling much more at ease than before.

“Master, let’s talk about you first. What’s the deal between you and General Pei? She came all the way to the border for you, so don’t say there’s nothing between you.”

At this, Helian Ping’s attention was immediately diverted. After all, there had been so much drama in the recent battle!

“Senior, could you be Pei Yun’s secret lover?”

Pei Yun, a remarkable woman with numerous military achievements, was quite famous in Liang. It was well-known that Pei Yun had a child out of wedlock and raised Pei Shiyuan alone, while her Qianjun remained a mystery.

But today, it seemed that this Senior Mo was the most likely suspect.

Helian Ping narrowed her eyes, her gaze unfriendly, “Abandoning your wife and child…”

Mo Sanqi almost choked, “Nonsense, am I that kind of person? It’s not what you think.”

Jiang Ci and Helian Ping spoke in unison, “Then what is it?”

Mo Sanqi: “…”

After a long silence, she suddenly took out her gourd and took a big swig.

Drinking to drown sorrow only makes it worse.

Jiang Ci knew that her master was not as carefree as she appeared.

Mo Sanqi had always harbored secrets. Previously, Jiang Ci thought that everyone had their own secrets, and since they hadn’t known each other long, it wasn’t appropriate to pry.

But now, Jiang Ci regarded Mo Sanqi as family, not just a master.

She didn’t want Mo Sanqi to keep everything bottled up.

Mo Sanqi drank until the gourd was empty, then let out a long, troubled sigh.

Today’s events had been unexpected, and Pei Yun’s sudden appearance had caught her off guard.

The two juniors were still eagerly awaiting her explanation.

Helian Ping: “Senior, tell us, I have wine.”

“…” Mo Sanqi sighed, “It’s just a very cliché story.”

The woman still stood on the horse’s back, her gaze distant, her messy bangs revealing a hint of helplessness.

“It’s just that we used to like each other. Later, she got together with my fellow disciple and even got pregnant.”

Mo Sanqi spoke lightly, without much emotion, as if telling a very boring story.

But Jiang Ci felt heartbroken.

They weren’t a couple? Someone from the same sect had taken her away?

And General Pei had run away with the child, raising it alone?

Was Pei Shiyuan that child?!

This was too distressing. What did this mean for her master? No wonder Mo Sanqi never wanted to talk about it; it was truly a painful memory.

Helian Ping asked, “Are you sure the child isn’t yours?”

Mo Sanqi smiled bitterly, “Of course I doubted it and went to confront her. She admitted it herself, so how could it be false?”

Mo Sanqi picked up the gourd again, only to find it was already empty.

Helian Ping, ever resourceful, immediately turned to ask the envoys following behind for more wine.

The envoys kept their distance, so the master and disciple could speak privately.

Jiang Ci leaned back, looking up at Mo Sanqi, “Master, was that fellow disciple Senior Long Yin?”

Mo Sanqi’s eyebrows twitched, and she looked surprised, as if to say, how did you know?!

Jiang Ci: “I guessed. She’s the only fellow disciple I know.”

Mo Sanqi: “…”

Jiang Ci could tell from her expression that the high priest of Liang, Long Yin, was Pei Yun’s Qianjun.

So, Pei Shiyuan was a mixed-race child, or in short, a mixed ball?

No, that’s not the point.

Jiang Ci shook off those messy thoughts. She remembered Mo Sanqi saying that if she encountered trouble in Liang, she should seek help from the high priest.

Now, thinking about it, bah!

Stealing her master’s love and abandoning her wife and child!

What kind of person is that?!

Without even meeting her, Jiang Ci already felt a deep dislike for this high priest.

Mo Sanqi said, “I won’t go to Liang. Let’s part ways here.”

Jiang Ci nodded. She understood that Liang was a place of sorrow for her master.

Helian Ping finally managed to get some wine, only to find that Mo Sanqi had already disappeared.

…

Upon arriving in Liang, they were greeted by a general named A Ta, a tall, dark-skinned Qianjun.

“General A Ta, at your service, Princess and Consort.”

Despite his words, his tone was arrogant, and he openly scrutinized Jiang Ci with disdain.

When he looked at Helian Ping, however, his gaze turned fervent.

Jiang Ci: “…”

Such a straightforward guy.

“Just call her Jiang Ci,” Helian Ping corrected, “We haven’t had the ceremony yet, so she’s not officially the consort.”

A Ta clasped his hands, “Understood.”

This had been agreed upon beforehand. The title of consort was just a pretense, and the ceremony could be delayed with various excuses. After all, Liang believed in mountain spirits and was easy to fool.

Jiang Ci no longer had to ride a horse. According to Liang’s customs, she would switch to a carriage and sit with Helian Ping.

This made it easier for them to whisper to each other.

“Is that A Ta guy infatuated with you?”

Helian Ping tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and replied nonchalantly, “Many are infatuated with me~ But A Ta is part of the Empress Dowager’s faction and is also the eighth-ranked warrior in Liang. Try not to provoke him.”

Liang valued martial prowess and had a warrior ranking. Jiang Ci had heard that Pei Yun’s skills would place her around fourth in the rankings.

In terms of combat strength, Liang was superior.

“Got it,” Jiang Ci looked out the window, meeting A Ta’s provocative look, “If he doesn’t act out…”

Helian Ping paused, then warned, “Liang isn’t as refined as Yu. Be careful not to get beaten badly. I might not be able to protect you.”

Jiang Ci: “…”

Helian Ping peeled an orange for her, smiling, “Just bear with it for now, little Jiang?”

From A Ta’s perspective, it looked like the princess was “pampering” Jiang Ci.

Although the woman wore a mask covering most of her face, her lips were full and alluring. Moreover, Helian Ping had an excellent figure, with a slender waist and long legs, captivating countless people in Liang.

What abilities did this Jiang Ci have to win the princess’s heart?

Just a pretty face, relying on good looks!

A Ta sneered, riding closer, “Jiang Ci, I heard you know some martial arts?”

Jiang Ci swallowed a piece of the orange, which was a bit sour, “I’m alright.”

Just alright?

A Ta almost laughed. This weakling dared to say she was alright in front of him?

What arrogance!

“One should be humble,” A Ta said, “I hope you can still say that when we reach the capital.”

Jiang Ci didn’t understand what he meant, only feeling that this guy was being sarcastic.

Half a month later, the envoy finally arrived at Liang’s capital, Shangjing.

On this day, Jiang Ci finally experienced the “enthusiasm” of Liang’s people.

The streets were packed with people eager to catch a glimpse of the consort.

Jiang Ci rode in a carriage through the streets, feeling somewhat “overwhelmed” by the attention.

Helian Ping sat beside her, maintaining a graceful smile, occasionally waving to the crowd.

Jiang Ci whispered, “Is the whole city here?”

Helian Ping put her hand down, “I don’t know what’s going on. It wasn’t like this before.”

They were unaware that the story of two princesses vying for the consort had spread far and wide.

Helian Ping had brought honor to Liang by winning over the princess of Yu!

The people’s gazes were filled with admiration for her, but for Jiang Ci, it was different. She had become a “spoils of war.”

These stares made Jiang Ci very uncomfortable.

She thought she could endure it, but then the crowd began to jeer and whistle, with more and more people挑衅 her.

Jiang Ci clenched her fists, suppressing her frustration.

Helian Ping patted her hand, smiling apologetically, “Some of them might be…”

“Your admirers. I can tell.”

“Just ignore them.”

A Ta led the way, making no effort to stop the commotion. Those who jeered shared his disdain for this pretty boy from Yu, wanting to humiliate her.

Before the carriage had gone far, a man suddenly stepped forward, declaring loudly, “I, Yin Hu, dare to challenge the consort!”

Jiang Ci was taken aback.

You can just stop the carriage like that?

As the man appeared, the crowd’s excitement ignited, and the jeers grew deafening.

Helian Ping pursed her lips, starting to worry for Jiang Ci. The situation had escalated beyond her expectations.

A Ta smiled, “Jiang Ci, you’re from Yu, so you might not understand our customs. In Liang, everyone has the right to challenge. Of course, you can also choose to refuse.”

Jiang Ci was aware of this tradition. In Liang, it was acceptable to lose, but not to refuse a challenge.

Those who refused would be ridiculed and scorned by the mountain spirits.

Jiang Ci looked around. A Ta, Yin Hu, and the surrounding people all looked at her with mockery, everyone waiting to see her fail, everyone certain she would lose.

Jiang Ci clenched her fists and was about to stand when a delicate hand suddenly grasped her arm.

Helian Ping looked at her, her beautiful eyes filled with concern, “Be careful…”

She knew Jiang Ci was skilled, but she had a hunch that today wouldn’t go smoothly.

“Mm.”

Jiang Ci leaped gracefully from the carriage. Her move was so smooth that it momentarily silenced the jeers.

Jiang Ci beckoned Yin Hu to come at her.

A Ta sneered inwardly, all flashy moves. You’ll be crying soon!

However, Yin Hu didn’t even last four rounds before Jiang Ci kicked him flying.

The crowd was silent for a few seconds before erupting into cheers.

“Who would’ve thought this pretty boy had some skills!”

“Indeed, she looks so thin!”

“Next! Who else wants to challenge?”

“Me! I, Yu Tai, dare to challenge the consort!”

Jiang Ci didn’t waste words, lifting her robe and starting the fight.

Thus, on the streets of Liang, challengers came one after another.

Jiang Ci’s stamina was draining, but the number of opponents only increased. Gradually, she began to struggle, her movements slowing.

By the twelfth challenger, she was kicked hard. The opponent was clearly skilled, and Jiang Ci felt as if her internal organs were being crushed. She spat out a mouthful of bl00d.

“Jiang Ci!” Helian Ping cried out, “A Ta, stop them! How can so many people challenge her?!”

“I’m powerless,” A Ta stood in front of the carriage, “Princess, please stay seated to avoid injury.”

Helian Ping was furious, wanting to slap him, but his face was probably thicker than a wall.

“Jiang Ci, stop fighting! Come back!”

This wasn’t a challenge to the consort anymore; it was a rejection of her as a Yu person! The more Jiang Ci won, the more she aroused Liang’s fighting spirit!

“Wen Yi, dares to challenge the consort!”

“Ji Lai, dares to challenge the consort!”

“Qi Mu, dares to challenge the consort!”

…

Jiang Ci could no longer remember their names, nor how many punches she had taken. She wiped the bl00d from her lips, determined to defeat her enemies.

The girl’s eyes were red, her hands trembling as she forced herself to stand.

“Who’s next…”

She had known Liang was fierce, but she hadn’t expected such a harsh welcome upon entering the capital.

In this land, yielding only brought ridicule. To earn respect, one had to be even fiercer!

Only the strong had the right to speak!

She was no spoils of war!