A Seductive Gentleman Chapter 48

Chapter 48: From the Flower Reflects a Picture – Part 5

Ming ChangYan flipped over the window and jumped directly towards the stage.

The clear water in the pond beside the stage was already dyed scarlet from the blood that splattered off the stage. The tender and glistening lotus blossoms in the pond bloomed a blood-red, causing the people to be utterly frightened.

This was Zhao XiaoLan's first time witnessing a real murder scene, his complexion immediately turning paperwhite.

He retreated several steps back, reaching out to grab something for support only to bump into Zhu Rong who was standing behind him.

Zhao XiaoLan suddenly leaped up and scurried behind the other's back, only revealing his head.

Zhu Rong's complexion was gloomy and indefinite, looking a bit different from his usual expression. Even while Zhao XiaoLan was under shock, he didn't forget to ask, "Zhu-xiong, were you also scared?!"

After a short pause, Zhu Rong regained his usual expression, saying, "I was scared by you. What are you doing jumping behind me?"

Zhao XiaoLan spinelessly said, "To be honest, I was scared!"

Zhu Rong said, "Do you not care about Maiden Li Li anymore."

Hearing this, Zhao XiaoLan was suddenly alarmed. He turned around and sure enough, Li Li's complexion was pale, using a handkerchief to cover her mouth, seemingly frightened by the scene just now. Even though Zhao XiaoLan was just as afraid, when he saw Li Li in such a state, he had a sudden burst of courage. He gritted his teeth and took a few steps forward, he asked in concern, "Maiden Li Li, are you alright?"

When Xiao Yu saw this, she said, "Look at my family's lady! Does she look alright!"

The massacre on the stage happened so fast that Xiao Yu wasn't able to catch sight of it. All she saw was the sudden change in Li Li's complexion, and before she could even scream, she went to sit on the chaise longue inside the theatre box. She also saw Ming ChangYan yell something before jumping out of the window but in reality, she didn't see anything else. As a result, she didn't know why Li Li was so frightened, instead blaming it all on the nearby Zhao XiaoLan.

"If it weren't for you inviting our family's lady to watch the play, would our family's lady be so frightened! You're a man when something bad happens, what are you doing hiding behind another man!"

Zhao XiaoLan has never met such a brazen woman, he was struck speechless by her words causing him to stammer. Because he favored women, if you asked Zhao XiaoLan to speak a single harsh word towards a girl, he might as well choose to be buried on the spot. After Xiao Yu scolded him for a bit, she finally felt content, helping Li Li stand up, "My lady, can you walk?"

Zhao XiaoLan wanted to be the hero who saved the maiden, but the maiden didn't even spare him a glance. He retracted the hand that he had extended, Jun said, "Hey! Who do you two think you are? How dare you speak to Zhao XiaoLan that way!"

When she spoke, her words were overbearing, not as timid as Zhao XiaoLan. Xiao Yu pursed her lips and didn't dare say another word.

Zhao XiaoLan said, "Jun, it's fine, it was my fault."

Jun exclaimed, "How is it your fault, don't tell me you organized this specific play for her to see! In my opinion, these prostitutes are all wimps to be scared of something like this! I'm not scared!"

Zhao XiaoLan thought: You say you're not scared but just now you clearly went to hide inside Duan Min's embrace, you're no better than Li Li!

But Jun was speaking for him at this moment, if Zhao XiaoLan threw away her kindness then it would've been his own ignorance.

After thinking for a long time, Zhao XiaoLan couldn't think of any solutions. Something flashed within his eyes as he quickly pulled out the《The Noble Gentleman Way》from his bosom. Turning the page over, Zhao XiaoLan's expression turned serious as he thought: If I can't think of a solution, then Ming shaoxia definitely must have a solution! Let me take a look, if number one in the world was faced with this kind of problem, how would he act!

Unfortunately, in this book that Ming ChangYan carelessly slapped together, it didn't mention what to do when a shaoxia is tangled between two women.

In the end, Zhao XiaoLan simply said, "It's better if we go take a look at the situation! I saw Yan-jiejie chasing after them, even though she's accompanied by Huai Yu-gege, she's way too lively, one person isn't enough to stop her!"

After saying that, he strode outside.

Not long after, he insipidly walked back.

"Now that I think about it, my cultivation hasn't reached the level of number one in the world yet. Going in by myself is like asking for death, it's better if Zhu-xiong comes along!"

Jun said, "Zhao XiaoLan, you've seriously lost face!"

Zhao XiaoLan waved his hand and didn't pay any attention to her, "What are you so afraid of? Losing it once is losing it, losing it twice is still losing it!"

He held Zhu Rong's hand like he was holding a life-saving shield, at this moment, his bravery was unparalleled as he rushed outside.

As soon as they went outside, they bumped into Ming ChangYan.

Zhao XiaoLan called out, "Yan-jiejie, how was it!"

Ming ChangYan knit his brows together, "Ran away. That Ugly Guanyin is extremely cunning, I can't allow them to set their foot on the ground because the moment they set their foot down they're going to vanish like a snowflake."

Zhao XiaoLan said, "I didn't know Ugly Guanyin's makeup skills were so extraordinary!"

Ming ChangYan poured a cup of tea, "They ran into the crowd, I don't know who they changed into. It was a mess on the stage before, I'm not even sure which direction they ran off to."

At this moment, from outside came the sound of weapons colliding.

Ming ChangYan set down the teacup, as soon as he walked out, he ran into soldiers blocking the road.

Zhao XiaoLan followed after him when Baili Deng saw him, he promptly kneeled down, "Young Master Zhao!"

Zhao XiaoLan asked, "Why are you guys here?"

Baili Deng replied, "We were patrolling the area when we heard cries of help, so we came over to take a look."

Zhao XiaoLan said, "Oh I see. Then did you guys discover anything?"

Baili Deng's report was no different from what everyone had witnessed.

Zhao XiaoLan said, "Even though this matter isn't related to the court, the perpetrator is someone from the martial circles, the authorities can't just stand idly by."

Just as he said those words, a blue sedan chair that could hold two people appeared in front of everyone. The visitor opened the curtain to reveal a very familiar face. Jun was slightly surprised as she yelled, "San huang-xiong!*"

(TN: "三皇兄" ; Literally, Imperial Elder Brother Three but that sounds really bad)

Xiao Yu innocently asked, "San huang-xiong…..then she's!"

Zhao XiaoLan finally found a reason to talk to Maiden Li Li, quickly introducing, "He's the third Prince, Chu ZhiHuan, and Jun is Princess YuNing."

Xiao Yu's heart made a thump sound in her chest.

Zhao XiaoLan couldn't care less about her, merely asking Li Li, "Maiden Li Li, are you feeling better now?"

Although Li Li's complexion was better than before, there still wasn't much color in her face. She looked like a weak willow trying to fight against the wind when standing, with only Xiao Yu helping her stand, she didn't say a word. It definitely wasn't a light scare for her.

Chu ZhiHuan got out of the sedan, but didn't exhibit the mannerisms of a prince and simply explained his reason for coming, "Originally, I came here to view the flowers but who would've thought I wouldn't even get a chance to before first hearing about such a terrible event."

Zhao XiaoLan felt extremely apologetic, "I'm sorry, it was my fault."

Chu ZhiHuan used his fan to politely support Zhao XiaoLan, "This matter has nothing to do with you. For you to host the Flower Viewing Festival is a good thing, no one could have predicted that this would happen, you're not to blame. Since I'm here, regarding this matter today, I'll track down who's at the bottom of this, this in no way is tolerable."

Ming ChangYan said, "Does the imperial court usually interfere with the matters of Jianghu?"

Chu ZhiHuan looked towards Ming ChangYan, wrinkled his brows and asked, "Who are you?"

Ming ChangYan replied, "Who I am isn't important. Jianghu's matters can be dealt with by Jianghu, for the court to get involved is rather meddlesome of them."

Zhao XiaoLan was struck dumb. This person didn't hear a single thing that he had said earlier!

Chu ZhiHuan said, "I heard from the soldiers that the murderer is that eccentric Ugly Guanyin from Jianghu. They purposely slaughter the innocent and bring disasters upon the common people, if the court ignores this and allows Jianghu to take care of it, you wouldn't know how many more people will die because of them. Besides, the Noble Gentleman has been dead for two years, who else in Jianghu is able to take care of these sorts of matters!"

Ming ChangYan paused for a moment before saying, "Why are we on the topic of him again?"

Chu ZhiHuan continued, "The court has people who can deal with matters like these."

At this moment, the monks from XiaoHan Temple began to crowd around them.

The matter of Ugly Guanyin killing someone on stage caused a huge ruckus. In just a quarter-hour, many cultivators that attended the Flower Viewing Festival began investigating this matter. Among them, the most enthusiastic and the first to take the lead was XiaoHan Temple. After the decline of TianQing, XiaoHan Temple instantly believed themselves to be the leading sect among those in Jianghu. They recently constructed a new temple at Huating, it was vast, broad, and extremely majestic. From a macroscopic viewpoint, XiaoHan Temple considered themselves the number one sect in Jianghu. Therefore, they were extraordinarily nosy.

Among them, a seemingly dignified monk stood out. He introduced himself and said that his Buddhist name was Dao Yi.

Monk Dao Yi said 'Amitabha', straightforwardly expressing: XiaoHan Temple is going to handle this matter.

Chu ZhiHuan chuckled, jokingly saying, "My dear friends from Jianghu, have you ever heard of the 'Rain Array?'"

When those two words were said, everyone's expression changed one by one.

Jun was always naive, asking, "What's a Rain Array?"

Zhao XiaoLan explained, "A scumbag who purged Jianghu. But this person lives within a legend, if anyone actually saw them before, no one knows."

Jun inquired, "If this person lives within a legend, then it means that this person doesn't exist, so why's everyone so scared of them? Even those old, condescending monks are afraid of them."

Zhao XiaoLan opened his fan, paused for a bit, then closed it again, "Naturally, they're afraid because they've committed shameful deeds. I've heard others say that there were many sects in Jianghu that died under the Rain Array's hands. Some people claim that the Noble Gentleman is the Rain Array, others say that the Joyful King of Hell is the Rain Array, there were also those who said that the Noble Gentleman, Rain Array, and the Joyful King of Hell are in the same team and even those that said they were all the same person."

"For example, the Joyful King of Hell, whenever they appear they bring heavy rain. After death, the rain washed away the blood, and the body would disappear without a trace. It's just that the Joyful King of Hell only ever killed Jianghu sects, and never the common people so the imperial court never looked into it. Plus the Noble Gentleman died two years ago, so whether the Rain Array is a person or a group, up till now no one's been able to come up with a solution."

Jun muttered, "So mysterious!"

Chu ZhiHuan said, "This matter will be determined by the court, it's best if everyone please leave."

Ming ChangYan glanced around, the soldiers had surrounded the two floors. Today's matter, they wouldn't be able to interfere even if they tried.

He subconsciously gazed at Huai Yu. Huai Yu's expression was hidden behind the black glass lens so he didn't know what he was thinking. Zhao XiaoLan rubbed his nose and said, "Yan-jiejie, we're going to leave first, we'll think of something later. Weird, San huang-xiong isn't usually so fierce, why's he acting so tough this time?"

Jun said, "I don't like him, San huang-xiong always had an air of self-righteousness around him, so annoying!"

Zhao XiaoLan exclaimed, "Seriously, stop talking!"

Jun glared at him, "What are you doing talking to me, why don't you go comfort your Maiden Li Li!"

Zhao XiaoLan turned around and was just about to comfort Li Li when Li Li waved her hand, appearing unwilling to talk.

Looking at her current state, it looked like she was extremely frightened. Come to think of it, she's someone from a brothel, when has she ever seen this kind of murder scene before? The more Zhao XiaoLan thought about it, the more pity he felt.

He opened his mouth and consoled, "Don't be afraid, I'll definitely protect you."

Xiao Yu snorted, "Why don't you think about protecting yourself first! Young Master Zhao, a man without guts!"

Zhao XiaoLan was aware that she was mocking him for hiding behind Zhu Rong earlier. But what about it, it's not like he hasn't hidden behind him before! What's so shameful about it, he's done even more shameful things than that, it's just that Xiao Yu's never witnessed them before. Besides, he and Zhu Rong have been friends for many years, what's so wrong with him hiding behind him!

Zhao XiaoLan didn't feel ashamed but didn't want Li Li to look down on him, so he coughed and explained, "I saw that the situation was urgent so I was just about to corroborate with Zhu Rong to kill Ugly Guangyin!" Following which he added, "From my experiences, I can say that Zhu Rong–and Huai Yu-gege, are the most powerful people apart from Ming shaoxia. A mere Ugly Guanyin is practically nothing for them." Since birth, Zhao XiaoLan has always been good at boot-licking, halfway through his licking, he discovered that there was still a Huai Yu beside him, thus he instantly made a turn and didn't forget to leave anyone out.

Zhu Rong glanced at him with a smile hanging on his lips, but the more you looked at that smile the colder it seemed to get, it was like he was wearing a mask. Zhao XiaoLan was oblivious, turning his head around and asking Zhu Rong, "Right, Zhu-xiong?"

After a brief pause, Zhu Rong replied, "Ugly Guanyin is extremely ferocious, aren't you afraid that I could be the Ugly Guanyin under disguise right now?"

Zhao XiaoLan suddenly felt a wave of goosebumps roll up his body, fearfully saying, "How is that possible!"

Zhu Rong noticed that he had scared both Zhao XiaoLan and the people around him, in a split second, everyone retreated back 3 meters. He shrugged his shoulders, saying, "I'm joking."

Xiao Yu snorted, because Li Li felt unwell, they left first. Zhao XiaoLan expressionlessly watched the beauty leave, suddenly feeling extremely lonely.

He said, "Aright, this all happened because of me. I let everyone down and ruined the mood of the Flower Viewing Festival, how about I treat everyone to a meal!"

That said, Ming ChangYan's stomach felt a prominent hunger.

When he left that morning, he was too busy shamelessly showing off his good looks. After closing admiring his outstanding beauty, he thought that he looked extremely handsome and ran straight out the door. Hua YunChang made him breakfast but he refused to eat it, his reasoning being that if he ate it would make his waist look thick. The two argued back in forth in front of the doorway but Ming ChangYan persisted with his views, stubbornly refusing to eat breakfast, as a result, he starved till now.

Ming ChangYan said, "Ok ok, where are we planning to eat?"

Zhao XiaoLan hadn't opened his mouth to speak when from a distance came the voice of a woman, "Zhao Zhao."

Ming ChangYan turned around and saw Hua YunChang lifting the lower edge of her dress, in her hands, she carried a two-tiered lunchbox.

Huai Yu faintly froze, glancing at Ming ChangYan. Ming ChangYan didn't notice his gaze, walking forward and taking the lunchbox, saying, "What are you doing running out here in the middle of the day?"

Hua YunChang's body was unwell, coughing she retorted, "You make it sound like I'm a resentful ghost, am I not allowed to be under sunlight?"

Ming ChangYan uncovered the lunchbox, the first tier was filled with plates of exquisite pastries, the second tier had brewed flower tea, fragrant and sweet.

He picked up a piece and stuffed it in his mouth, then took a sip of the flower tea before saying, "How would dare denounce you. Why didn't Xiao Chai accompany you, your health's not good, if you want to go out you could just call a small sedan chair, why walk on foot?"

Zhao XiaoLan interrupted, "Yan-jiejie, who's she?"

Jun teased, "As long as they're a girl with good looks, you just have to ask don't you!"

Ming ChangYan said, "One of my friends."

After saying that, he explained to Huai Yu, "You weren't able to meet her last time you came to Tian, to my house. This is Lady Hua, the one that I mentioned."

Ming ChangYan turned around once again and explained to Hua YunChang, "This is Huai Yu, I met him at the palace."

Hua YunChang smiled and nodded her head towards Huai Yu.

"Thank you for taking care of my Zhao Zhao while in the palace."

When Huai Yu heard this he was dazed, Ming ChangYan happily said, "How come you always want to take a share of every small asset of mine, I thought that you've already lost interest in acting as other people's fathers."

Hua YunChang laughed, "He took care of you, it's only natural that I express my thanks to him or else they're going to think that our family didn't properly educate you."

Ming ChangYan said, "Alright alright, you shouldn't stay outside for too long, I'll send you back."

Zhao XiaoLan said, "Since she's already here, might as well just go eat together."

Ming Changyan glanced at Hua YunChang who smiled, "Then I'm sorry to disturb you."

Zhao XiaoLan was determined to treat everyone to a meal, asking one of the imperial bodyguards to make a reservation at the number one ranked tavern.

Along the way, Ming ChangYan slightly moved two steps back to walk side by side with Huai Yu.

Huai Yu had his hands behind his back and was walking very slowly, taking a careful look, it turns out that he was using his foot to kick a small pebble.

After a long time of not talking, he started to feel weird. During this time, as long as he was together with Huai Yu, they will inevitably have this sort of awkward silence. For a moment he couldn't find anything to say, but if he didn't say anything he would think that the other party had alienated him. Ming shaoxia racked his brains to intervene this kind of strange thought but to no avail. In short, this sort of feeling was very difficult to bear.

There were gongs and drums beating inside of Ming ChangYan's chest, he took a deep breath and cheerfully asked, "Why aren't you talking?"

The small pebble under Huai Yu's foot rolled forward, plunging into an underbrush.

When he noticed that the pebble was gone he propped one of his hands under his chin, thinking about who knows what before indifferently saying, "What should I say?"

Ming ChangYan paused, thinking: How am I supposed to know what you want to say.

Then he thought: Don't tell me that he doesn't have anything to say? Doesn't this mean that he has nothing to say to me?! How dare he!

The more he thought about it, the more upset he became, Ming shaoxia sighed, "Forget it, it's better if I speak!"

Unexpectedly, Huai Yu suddenly beckoned him over with his finger, motioning him to lend him his ear.

In an instant, Ming ChangYan was surprised, raising his eyebrow, "So now you have something to say?"

He took a step forward and leaned extremely close to Huai Yu, shoulder to shoulder. Ming shaoxia slightly tiptoed and moved his head closer to the other's body.

Huai Yu faintly tilted his head and deliberately imitated, "Zhao Zhao."

His voice was very soft, almost like he was whispering it into his ear.

Ming shaoxia stared at him blankly before all the blood in his body rushed to his face. His left foot tripped over his right foot as he narrowly fell on the ground.

This was translated by , any repost of this is stolen and if you steal my work I'm going to take away your two-tier lunchbox privileges.

AAhhhhhh, sorry I didn't post last week because I was really really sick. I'm better now so I cranked up a chapter.

Okay, but for real though, if I get anyone's names wrong or title mistranslated please tell me. My one pet peeve with this author is just how many titles she has for everyone like she mentions something chapter 5 then 30 chapters later mentions them again. HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO THINK OF WHAT I TRANSLATED 30 CHAPTERS AGOOO AAAAAAHHAHA

It's cool, it's cool, I'm chill. Anyhow hope you liked the chapter (っ´▽｀)っ I like a lot of you would wish that Ming ChangYan wasn't such an oblivious dumbass but we're slowly getting there.

Oh yeah, here's some fanart for this chapter. It's when Huai Yu calls him Zhao Zhao

Hope you have a nice day~~

Chapter end