Chapter 430: Chapter 300: The World Is So Big, Yet Fate Made Me Fall for You
Bad news travels fast, and this saying couldn’t be more apt for Hong Fang in recent times.
As the capital of Daxia Country, Xia Capital, like any other capital city, was bustling and prosperous, filled with various kinds of rumors, especially many.
And because it’s the place where the Emperor resides, many of these rumors are about the Imperial Family or major court officials.
Lately, the hottest topics in the city undoubtedly revolve around two incidents.
Firstly, for the first time in nearly a thousand years since the founding of Daxia, a female general has emerged, Ye Huangyu.
Speaking of this female general, her story is legendary. She enlisted in the army in her thirties and within a mere year, rose from an ordinary soldier to become Daxia’s female general.
Even more remarkable, this female general is not only beautiful but also possesses great martial skills. She and Tiger Wolf General Nie Fengxing became lovers due to a twist of fate.
The other incident, conversely, also involves Female General Ye Huangyu.
However, this matter pertains to her ex-husband.
When Ye Huangyu was titled the female general, all the women in the city were envious, calling her a heroic woman.
But little did they know, this heroic woman had a past so tragic it could bring people to tears.
Speaking of which, one can’t help but mention General Ye’s ex-husband.
His reputation these days has even surpassed that of Ye Huangyu by a bit.
For not only was this man of noble status, but he was also once hailed as a model figure throughout Xia Capital, admired for his loving and harmonious relationship with his wife without a hint of scandal.
But who knew, all these were mere illusions, for this man was indeed a thorough scoundrel.
He also set a record for Daxia.
That is, being the first court official to be divorced by a woman.
Of course, these rumors just circulated in the streets and alleys of Xia Capital, in teahouses and taverns, while Hong Residence remained temporarily in the dark.
The incident of being divorced by Ye Huangyu caused Hong Fang to lose all face; he simply used ill-health as an excuse to avoid attending morning court under the guise of recuperation.
As for his dealings with Zhuge Rou, although Hong Fang didn’t say much outwardly, ever since returning from the Imperial Palace, he had been sleeping in the study, not entering Zhuge Rou’s chamber.
This matter had already sparked whispers among the household; although Zhuge Rou heard them, she dared not speak out and could only swallow her grievances.
After a full ten days, just when Hong Fang thought the matter could finally be laid to rest,
that day, accompanied by Hong Mingyue and Luo Song, he left the residence, planning to enter the palace and volunteer to head to Xixia Plain again.
No sooner had they left the gate of the residence than a few children were seen playing outside Hong Residence.
"Go away, get out of here," a guard from the residence shooed them away.
"It’s just a few children, let it be," Hong Fang’s appearance was haggard, his face gaunt, having lost the spirited and flourishing demeanor of a Grand Protector who once thrived in the court.
Little did Hong Fang know, as he finished speaking, the children started to sing a nursery rhyme.
Turning his head to listen, just as he made out the content of the rhyme, his blood began to boil again.
The nursery rhyme, named "The World is So Big, Yet Blindly Fixed on You," was precisely about Hong Fang abandoning his wife and daughter, engaging in disgraceful conduct. The rhyme further alleged that Hong Fang’s wife, Zhuge Rou, was frivolous and had engaged in unspeakable acts with an old eunuch in the palace.
"Get out! All of you, get out!" Hong Fang, infuriated, felt a surge of blood in his chest and almost vomited a mouthful of blood again.
"Child, come here. Where did you hear this rhyme? If you answer well, sister will give you candy." Hong Mingyue also endured a breath and squeezed out a smile, grabbing one of the children and asking.
"In the city’s biggest tavern, Drunk Immortal Inn and Immortal Restaurant, many kids in Xia Capital can sing it." The child tilted his head, he also wanted to mention that in the tavern there were a few sisters who specially taught people how to sing.
If someone learns quickly and sings loudly, they can even get some copper coins.
Drunk Immortal Inn, Immortal Restaurant, those are the taverns opened by Lan Cai’er and Ye Lingyue, Hong Mingyue and Hong Fang both had ashen faces.
This rhyme, catchy and easy to recite, has been spread throughout Xia Capital these past few days.
Using his toes, Hong Fang also knew, whose strategies these were.
Ye Lingyue, it was Ye Lingyue again.
But even knowing it was Ye Lingyue’s doing, Hong Fang couldn’t do anything to her.
Because the day after Ye Huangyu was appointed as the Far Western General, Ye Lingyue was appointed as Princess Yue, and she was to depart that very day for Xixia Plain.
Princess Yue, yet another Princess Yue.
This title, now for Hong Mingyue and Hong Residence, was like a severe slap in the face.
Hong Fang felt an urge to laugh, no wonder Emperor Xia allowed him to return to his former position, it turned out this was just a consolation.
He, Hong Fang, since when has he been pitiable enough to need such consolation.
Seeing her father turn into this state, Hong Mingyue felt both anger and hatred in her heart.
These past few days, her mother had also been locking herself in her room, repeatedly cleansing her body, her miserable appearance twisted Hong Mingyue’s heart like a knife.
These once revered parents of hers, but now, because of the Ye Family’s mother and daughter, everything was ruined.
Because of the matters concerning the Ye Family’s mother and daughter, not only was Hong Fang humiliated, but Hong Mingyue and others suffered disgrace as well.
In the residence, people behind their backs mocked, they were born of Zhuge Rou, a mistress, the siblings from the main branch looked at them and also whispered behind their backs.
Even those nobles and young masters from Xia Capital who used to visit Hong Residence to please Hong Mingyue, these days have all disappeared.
If it weren’t for Hong Mingyue’s strength and the backing of Three-Life Valley, Hong Mingyue suspected that those people would already be pointing at their noses, calling them lowly bastards.
Ye Lingyue’s rise was too fast, so fast that it made Hong Mingyue feel wary.
This disrupted the plans that Hong Mingyue had originally devised.
Initially, Hong Mingyue had planned to kill Ye Lingyue during the Imperial Examination half a year later.
But now, Hong Mingyue had changed her mind.
She wanted to kill Ye Lingyue.
The icy aura of murder emanating from Hong Mingyue made even Luo Song involuntarily glance sideways.
"Ming Yue, she’s just a little Commandery Princess, why bother taking her so to heart, if you dislike her, I will help you kill her."
Hong Mingyue was always cold and indifferent to everyone, even to her family members she was not overly affectionate, this time was the first Luo Song saw her displaying aversion towards someone.
Luo Song thought, as prideful as Hong Mingyue was, she would outright reject his flattery, but little did he know, Hong Mingyue, this time, did not refuse.
Instead, Hong Mingyue suddenly turned her face around, looking at Luo Song with affectionate eyes, those eyes that Luo Song found captivating now filled with a trace of anticipation.
"Brother Luo, are you truly willing to help me?"