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Chapter 647: The Lute Princess Enters the Tent at Night
Chapter 647: The Lute Princess Enters the Tent at Night
Seeing the sincere expression on Jin Banhua's face, the Lute Princess turned and walked away angrily.
However, after taking a few steps, she turned around with a charming smile and asked, "Would you like to join me for a walk after our sumptuous lunch, young master?"
"Of course," Jin Banhua replied with a smile. "I'm quite curious about the Kingdom of Kucha as well."
A faint smile appeared on the Lute Princess's lips. "Coincidentally, I'm also well-versed in the history of Kucha."
And so, Jin Banhua and the Lute Princess strolled through the oasis together.
Liao Gang, Ye Jin, and the princess's two maids followed at a respectful distance behind them.
Liao Gang and Ye Jin, with their formidable stature, and the two maids, who were youthful and beautiful, chatted awkwardly from time to time, ensuring that no one felt left out.
"The Kingdom of Kucha has a long history," Jin Banhua said. "It was first mentioned in Ban Gu's Book of Han nearly a thousand years ago. Is this Kucha the same as that Kucha?"
The Lute Princess nodded and shook her head. "Yes and no."
"The Kingdom of Kush has persisted throughout the ages," she went on. "It flourished during the Han Dynasty, prospering for centuries before ultimately diminishing. It has since been invaded and overtaken by the Central Plains, the Steppe (Cao Yuan) grasslands, and the Highland (Gao Yuan) Empire, along with confronting hostility from Western powers."
The Lute Princess spoke with a hint of sadness. "Kucha has come close to annihilation numerous times, but as the four great powers vied for dominance, the Western regions served as a buffer, and the environment became increasingly harsh. Thus, Kucha has risen from the ashes multiple times, ultimately surviving to this day."
"It's reasonable to say that this Kucha is the same as the Kucha of old, but a millennium of legacy has also seen much lost to the flames of war. Today, Kucha no longer boasts the splendor of its heyday." Jin Banhua nodded in understanding.
"It seems Kucha has a resilient spirit. Given this, I assume your journey will be eventful but ultimately safe. No wonder you're so confident."
The Lute Princess fell silent for a moment before sighing in resignation. "Although the Kingdom of Kucha has endured for over a thousand years, who knows how many times the royal family has changed."
"That's true," Jin Banhua said with a smile. "Just like the new king of Kucha now. It's still Kucha, but the ruler has changed."
"Yes," the Lute Princess sighed.
"I understand," Jin Banhua said consolingly. "The same is true for the Central Plains dynasties. The royal families of the Qin, Han, Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties have all been replaced. It's best to let go and move on."
The Lute Princess clenched her teeth slightly and asked, "What became of the members of the previous royal families?"
Stroking his chin, Jin Banhua replied, "They were either killed or forced to hide their identities and blend into the common folk, I suppose?"
An awkward silence fell between them.
Jin Banhua tried to comfort the Lute Princess. "Why don't you consider settling down in Longxi or Guanzhong instead?"
The Lute Princess' eyes flashed with determination as she said, "I am the Princess of Kucha. Even if I die, I will do so in the great desert!"
"Your courage is admirable, but once life is lost, there is no coming back," Jin Banhua said. "Why don't you reconsider? If your opponent has the upper hand, your best choice is to make a strategic retreat."
The Lute Princess couldn't help but deflate a little. "You really are here just for the spectacle."
"I am here for the show," Jin Banhua admitted with a smile. "I have a comfortable life back in the capital, with a home and no worries about food or money. I'm financially independent. Why would I risk my life for money here?"
Meeting Jin Banhua's teasing gaze, the Lute Princess' expression softened, and she asked with a captivating smile, "What if it's not just about the money?"
Jin Banhua waved his hand. "If you can't even make money, then it becomes even less appealing."
The Lute Princess, exasperated, asked, "Is money all you care about?"
"It's not just that," Jin Banhua said, waving his hand again. "I have many passions: martial arts, jewels and jade, fine wine, legendary swords, and breathtaking beauties..."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I admire the daughters of prestigious families, the ladies of noble birth, the holy land sect leaders, the demonic sect witches, and the mature and sweet women of the jianghu world..."
The Lute Princess narrowed her eyes slightly. "I didn't realize you had so many loves."
"Who can blame me when I'm wealthy, skilled in martial arts, handsome, and clever?" Jin Banhua boasted proudly. "Which woman could resist me?"
The two maids covered their mouths and giggled softly, while Liao Gang and Ye Jin lowered their heads, unable to meet his gaze.
"Take you, for example," Jin Banhua said, pointing at the Lute Princess.
The Lute Princess was left speechless, her face reddening slightly, but she still asked angrily, "Are you saying I have to like you now?"
Jin Banhua nodded, "I'm incredibly wealthy and can produce tens of thousands of taels of silver at any time. With that, I could raise three thousand cavalry for the King of Kucha and invite over a dozen famous martial artists from the Northern lands to lend their aid."
The Lute Princess: "You're so arrogant!"
"I also have connections in the official circles. I can organize caravans, depart from Zhangjiakou, traverse the grasslands, and enter the desert to trade with the Kingdom of Kucha and other Western regions, transforming Kucha into the trade center of the Western regions." Jin Banhua continued.
The Lute Princess: "You think you're some kind of hero, don't you?"
Jin Banhua pointed to himself, "My martial arts and swordsmanship have been taught by dozens of masters. If not the best in the world, then at least within the top three. Even if I can't charge into an army of a thousand, I can easily take the head of a general in the midst of battle."
The Lute Princess: "You're so full of yourself!"
Strolling forward nonchalantly, Jin Banhua said, "If I were to ask the King of Kucha for your hand in marriage, do you think your father would tie you up and throw you into my bed that very night?"
The Lute Princess's heart was pounding, but she maintained her anger, "My father is not that kind of person!"
Jin Banhua nodded, "I believe you, so I won't propose a marriage. You can rest assured."
"You!" The Lute Princess's chest heaved, her face flushed, and she seemed quite upset, but she still kept up with Jin Banhua's pace.
"By the way, where is the Kingdom of Kucha?" Jin Banhua asked.
The Lute Princess's eyes flickered, "Are you planning to go there?"
"Of course," Jin Banhua replied. "It's not every day that I come to the Great Desert. I want to see the exotic scenery. As one of the great kingdoms of the Western regions, Kucha's style is unique, so I'm curious to see it for myself."
The Lute Princess asked, "When do you plan to leave?"
"Whenever I feel like it," Jin Banhua said casually. "There's no set schedule."
The Lute Princess pursed her lips and remained silent.
...
The two strolled along the edge of the oasis for a while until they were approached by servants who invited them to dinner with the King of Kucha.
Du Huan, who had just been cured of his poison, was absent, but Celestial Master Flowing Star and the Wu brothers were there, flattering Jin Banhua and making him feel like a star surrounded by admiring planets once again.
After dinner, the night descended quickly, and the moonlight bathed the entire desert in a silvery glow.
Jin Banhua stayed in his own tent, while Liao Gang and Ye Jin occupied the tent next to his.
Not long after Jin Banhua lay down to sleep, the moonlight shining through the cracks in the tent became obscured. The tent flap was lifted, and a shadow flickered in the moonlight.
The next moment, a gorgeous, finely crafted silk skirt fell to the ground, and a desert mermaid crawled into Jin Banhua's bed.
(End of Chapter)
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