Dandere General and his Lord

The meeting hall was still a hubbub of voices.

There was an unexpected downpour outside.

“It’s raining.” Cheng Qianye looked outside the window.

Suddenly, she caught sight of a familiar figure within the darkness.

Cheng Qianye leaned towards Yu Dunsu and murmured softly, “Qiao Sheng is outside. Go call him in.”

Mo Qiao Sheng followed in behind Yu Dunsu. His black clothes were completely drenched from the rain, his wet hair clinging to his cheeks, with the rainwater dripping everywhere.

He stood silently behind Cheng Qianye and bowed slightly, not saying a word.

Cheng Qianye inclined her head to the side, looking at his expressionless face. She could tell that something serious must have happened.

Xiao Mo’s heart was filled with desperation.

Cheng Qianye did not speak in consideration of the fact that Li Wenguang, his advisers and his generals were all there.

She stealthily slipped her hand out from the back of her chair and touched Mo Qiao Sheng’s hand, squeezing gently. That hand was wet and cold as it trembled faintly.

Who bullied him to this extent?

Cheng Qianye felt a wave of anger rising in her heart.

At that moment, Han Quanlin and his men swaggered in from the outside, underneath the cover of an umbrella.

“Haha, both of my Xiandi1 have been working hard.” Han Quanlin laughed. “There’s still a plethora of matters to be tackled. One must not be too hasty, let’s finish up and rest for tonight.”

“I agree.” Cheng Qianye rose to her feet and cupped her fists at Li Wenguang. “Xiaodi2 is feeling quite tired, and asks to be excused for now. We can discuss the remaining matters tomorrow.”

Han Quanlin interjected, “Xiandi, wait a minute. Yuxiong 3 still has a personal matter to discuss with Xiandi.

Cheng Qianye turned back to look at Mo Qiao Sheng and saw that he was still as unresponsive as before as he stared woodenly at the ground.

However, Cheng Qianye could see that a strong feeling of dread and despair had welled up in his heart, staining the blue lustre.

So it’s actually the good work of Han Quanlin, this obscene old bastard.

Cheng Qianye couldn’t help cursing internally.

There will come a day when I will settle this with you.

She sat back down and responded, “What does Duke Han have to say? Please speak bluntly.”

“Hehe, Laofu4 has a presumptuous request. I want to ask Xiandi to grant your treasured slave to me….”

“Not selling.” Cheng Qianye cut him off.

“Xiandi, you still haven’t heard my terms.”

“Whatever it is, I’m still not selling.” Cheng Qianye reached out her hand and touched Mo Qiao Sheng’s hand. His hand was shaking uncontrollably.

Cheng Qianye squeezed his hand reassuringly.

She turned her head to look at Mo Qiao Sheng.

Mo Qiao Sheng still appeared to be the same, his head still hanging low. However, his eyes were red and his thin lips were pursed tightly.

“I think Marquis Jin Yue should hear me out first before rejecting Laofu again.” Han Quanlin looked displeased.

“What if I said I would give Qixian county to you in exchange for this mere slave?”

There was a low cry of surprise from everyone in the room. Even Li Wenguang raised up his eyebrows, revealing a hue of astonishment.

Zhang Fu was unable to help shifting closer and softly calling out, “My Lord.”

Mo Qiao Sheng attempted to dislodge his hand from her grasp.

Cheng Qianye tightened her grip, not allowing him to break free.

“Not selling. Sorry to disappoint you. I won’t sell him no matter what price you offer me.”

The onlookers erupted into an uproar.

One person actually gave up a city to purchase a slave, and the other person had actually declined.

Han Quanlin frowned. “I merely want his body. If you’re afraid that I might have a strong general beside me, then you can just cut off the tendons from his hands and feet before giving him to me.”

Cheng Qianye was so fed up that she was almost unable to keep up even her current perfunctory attitude. She stood up and cupped her hands in greeting to everyone in the hall before pulling Mo Qiao Sheng away with her.

Zhang Fu and Yu Dunsu followed in her tracks. Once they reached an area with no people, Zhang Fu blocked Cheng Qianye’s path.

He glanced at Mo Qiao Sheng before whispering to Cheng Qianye. “My Lord, Qixian is really….”

Cheng Qianye looked at Zhang Fu, clearly understanding his thoughts. Therefore, she patiently explained, “Elder Brother Zhang, I don’t need you to give me a lecture. You take a good look at him. Take a good look at this man.”

She pointed her finger at Mo Qiao Sheng. “Haven’t you seen Qiao Sheng’s performance on the battlefield?”

“Don’t mention just one Qixian, one day, he will help me acquire tens of places like Qixian.”

Zhang Fu pondered over this for a moment before bowing his head respectfully, “My Lord’s words are very true. I have been short-sighted in this matter.”

Cheng Qianye patted him on the shoulder and continued to walk forward. “A person’s preconceived notions are the hardest to beat. You always think that I’m fascinated by beauty. Don’t think like this again.”

Zhang Fu’s face flushed slightly and he bowed in compliance.

Cheng Qianye pulled away from the others and continued forward, taking large strides with Mo Qiao Sheng following behind her silently.

They entered the side-wing and continued into the inner room.

Cheng Qianye abruptly turned around and pointed her finger at Mo Qiao Sheng and said, “You! What should I say about you?” 

This man looked tall and imposing, his features sharp and handsome with a stern, disciplined bearing. He possessed consummate skill that was almost unmatched on the battlefield. How was it that he was bullied so easily?

“Am I not honest with you, not good enough? Why can’t you trust me?” 

“What did he do to you?” Cheng Qianye grabbed his collar and pressed him into the chair.

I like you so much, but I’m afraid you might not be willing so I don’t dare to touch you. How could you let other people touch you as they please?

“Say it.” Cheng Qianye raised her eyebrows. “What did he do to you?”

Mo Qiao Sheng was stunned and opened his mouth slightly.

Cheng Qianye looked at those thin lips in front of her. She felt as though her head would explode from anger. I still haven’t touched him yet. I’m going to slaughter Han Quanlin that old pervert.

“No.” Mo Qiao Sheng said. “I didn’t let him touch me, not even a bit.”

He softly continued, “I have never let anyone touch me. If it’s Master….”

Hearing this, Cheng Qianye was suddenly relieved, her fury disappearing in a flash.

She felt somewhat embarrassed by her baffling anger a while ago.

What was I so mad for? Why was I so emotional? Is my brain broken?

Mo Qiao Sheng had been given a fright just now.

She smiled awkwardly and reached out to touch Mo Qiao Sheng’s head.

“I lost my temper just now, I’m sorry Qiao Sheng.”

Cheng Qianye retrieved some ointment from the drawer and softly daubed some on Mo Qiao Sheng’s wrists, slowly rubbing it in.

“Don’t talk about yourself like that from now on. Don’t look down on yourself anymore. You must never force yourself to do the things you loathe, no matter who your partner is.”

She pulled Mo Qiao Sheng to his feet. “Take a look at yourself. You are standing beside me right now. You and I are both humans, all the same.”

“Don’t you want to really become capable of standing beside me one day?”

Mo Qiao Sheng bowed his head, looking down at the man standing in front of him. A spark seemed to be ignited in his chest, giving birth to a sort of fire he had never felt before. That flame seemed to spread with the force of a prairie fire, burning away the thorns that bound his body and mind. A bud seemed to blossom in his heart, liberating him.

“Qiao Sheng, I like you very much, and I also need you.”

“So, can you lift up your head and catch up with me?”

He heard that voice continue.

There will come a day when you will stand side by side with me in the open, in front of the entire world.”

“I will be waiting for you.”

~

Xiao Qiu stepped in through the Chui Hua gate and caught sight of a figure dressed in black emerging from the Lord’s bedroom. That person took a few steps slowly before he propped himself against a pillar and squatted down.

It’s Qiao Sheng gege.5 What’s wrong with him? Is he sick?

Xiao Qiu stealthily stepped closer and craned her neck, taking a peek at him.

She saw a glistening drop of water, illuminated by the sunlight, falling down on the ground in front of Mo Qiao Sheng. One drop after another dripped down, causing a small section of the ground to become damp.

Oh my! My Lord is really too wicked. He made Qiao Sheng gege cry again!

~

1. (贤弟 – Xiandi) Worthy Younger Brother/Term of respect for younger man or brother.
2. (小弟 – Xiaodi) I, your little brother.
3. (愚兄 – Yuxiong) I, Your unworthy older brother.
4. (老夫 – Laofu) This old man, I; me.
5. (哥哥 – Gege) Elder Brother. I just feel like “Brother Qiao Sheng” doesn’t convey the childish cutesy feel of Xiao Qiu so I went with gege.