Our Journey - Chapter 17 Gossip In The Capital City

“Don’t worry about that,” Zhiqiang Wangye said to me. However, I know that he is disappointed. His face looked grim.

“If I have recovered, I will help Wangye to find Xiaoying. My father is a trader and he has many friends. I can ask their help to look for Xiaoying, “I said to him earnestly.

“I know that maybe Wangye is doubtful about my words. However, the mobility of traders is extensive. They can go anywhere to sell their goods. They have friends in every city they go to, “I said again because I saw his face still sad.

“I know and I’ve tried it, Miss Zhou. I’ve tried asking for help from a merchant that I know, “he said and I felt a little embarrassed. I forgot that who was in front of me was a prince. He is also not an ordinary prince. He is the War Lord.

He must have had many informants. If he doesn’t have many informants, then he will have difficulty winning the battle. Because one of the keys to victory is knowing the condition of the enemy.

“Sorry. I’m overdoing it, “I said and he sighed.

“It is okay. You tried to help me. You and Xiaoying might talk a lot. Maybe from her words, there are important clue about her next destination. I hope you immediately say it if you remember the clue, “Zhiqiang Wangye said and I nodded my head.

“Yes, Wangye,” I said. Zhiqiang Wangye stood up.

“Miss Zhou, I have to go. I have an appointment to meet and have lunch with someone at a Gold Spoon Restaurant, “he mentioned a famous restaurant in the capital.

I remember that Zhang Shiyu and Ma Hongqi invited me to eat there. However, I refused their invitation because I had to save my money. I came to this city with not much deposit money. I can’t be lavish.

‘Have they met my father?’ I asked it in my hearth.

“Miss Zhou, do you hear me?” Zhiqiang Wangye interrupted my thoughts. I was surprised for a moment.

“Yes, Wangye. I heard, “I answered.

“Tonight, I’ll go to your room again and give my internal power to you,” he said and I nodded my head.

“Thank you for your concern, Wangye,” I said and my cheeks felt hot. I remember the happening last night. My upper body is almost naked. Imagining that, I feel very embarrassed. However, I have no other choice.

I only hope that I recover quickly if I receive his internal energy. The sooner I recover, the better.

***

It is late. The sun has set. The moon has risen. The sound of insects singing outside began to be heard.

“How long have I been in Wangfu? When can I leave here? “I complained to myself in my hearth. I have received internal energy from Zhiqiang Wangye for three nights. Every night, I have to endure shame.

“Miss Zhou, after you get dressed, please enjoy your dinner,” Meihua said while helping me to wear my clothes. I just finished cleaning myself.

“Thank you, Meihua,” I said sincerely to her.

“Wangye also gave me a message. He might just come late at night, “Meihua said again. I sighed. Imagine other people in this room. That person must be a misunderstanding.

Since this noon, I thought of something.

I’m afraid that people in Wangfu consider me a woman belonging to Zhiqiang Wangye. Especially since morning, the attitude of the servants to me became strange.

They look very respectful of me. They laughed when they saw me from afar.

I also saw them chatting excitedly. However, when I approached them, they immediately became silent.

I’m sure they’re talking about me.

“Meihua, I feel uncomfortable if Wangye continues go to my room. Moreover, he came it was late at night. Then he go away from my room at dawn, “I say my feelings.

“Please, don’t worry about that,” Meihua said casually.

“What did the servants say about me? Do you know? Are they talking weird think about me,” I asked her. She looked at me for a moment then looked the other way.

“No, Miss Zhou,” she said. Meihua said without daring to look into my eyes. I know she is lying. That worried me.

“Don’t worry too much. Two more days you receive Internal Energy from Wangye so you get well. Don’t think of other people’s words. They will definitely be bored talking about this and then forget about it, “Meihua gave a reason. Her words made me even more convinced that there was gossip about me.

“Do people outside wangfu hear gossip about me? What they are said about me?” I asked Meihua. That girl face immediately turned pale.

“Meihua, please answer my question. I will not be angry. I’m actually disappointed if you don’t say anything, “I asked her to speak. She sighed.

“Are you sure you want to hear it?” She asked again. I nodded my head without hesitation.

“I went to the capital yesterday. A cloth trader I know asked me, ‘Is Zhiqiang Wangye’s lover so beautiful?’ Hearing the question, I became confused. I asked the merchant to explain his words, “Meihua stopped talking.

“Please continue your words!” I asked. She nodded het head doubtfully.

“He said that he heard an interesting story about Zhiqiang Wangye. Zhiqiang Wangye accidentally injured a participant in the selection of the Royal Military Academy. Zhiqiang Wangye feels guilty so he took her to Wangfu. In wangfu, Zhiqiang Wangye learned that the participant were women who pretendbecame a man. Then he fell in love with that woman because he was impressed by the courage of that woman, “Meihua continued in his words with a small voice.

I furrowed my forehead. My heart beats fast. Everything becomes what I worry about.

“Is that all? Meihua, please don’t hesitate to tell me, “I asked.

“I have tried to give an explanation to the merchant that the actual situation is different from the story he has heard. However, he did not believe. He said that Zhiqiang Wangye often had been in that’s women’s room. He said that I lied and tried to cover up the good news, “Meihua looked at me. She looks worried.

“What’s the good news?” I complained. This news is bad for me.

“You know, Miss Zhou. Zhiqiang Wangye is twenty-three years old this year. However, he is not married. He also doesn’t have a concubine. When Huanghou wanted to match him, he refused. Bixia (emperor) even sentenced him by ordering him to guard the border because Zhiqiang Wangye refused the engagement, “Meihua explained.

“Everyone is worried that Zhiqiang Wangye doesn’t like women. Then for the first time, Wangye was close to a woman and even entered her room, “Meihua sighed. I immediately went limp and sat on my bed.

“They feel happy and think this story is like the story of Hua Mulan,” Meihua continued his words.

“Do they know my name?”

“The merchant said that the name when you disguised was Zhou Liu Wei. He also said that everyone already knows your real name. Liu Fang, “Meihua said and I squeezed my own hand.

I’m worried that this ridiculous story has arrived outside the city. Has my father heard that? If he had heard it, he would have been very disappointed.

“Zhiqiang Wangye deliberately entered your room late at night so that nobody else knew. I don’t know the cause of this news is spread like that. I have to find out who leaked this and reported it to Zhiqiang Wangye. He will definitely give a heavy sentence. Please don’t worry! ”

“How do I not worry, Meihua? Even though Wangye punished the person who spread the rumor, this rumor has spread. Cannot be cleaned. If my father finds out, he can have a heart attack, “I said and my heart was very sad

***

)* Hua Mulan in one of Chinese history, originally described in theBallad of Mulan. In the ballad, Hua Mulan, disguised as a man, takes her aged father’s place in the army. Mulan fought for twelve years and gained high merit, but she refused any reward and retired to her hometown. Though her existence is disputed she is mostly believed to be purely fictional

(https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hua_Mulan)