Seeing the strange look on Chen Xiao's face, even if Prince Boren was ten times smarter, he would never have expected that Chen Xiao would have such a dirty suspicion in his mind.
He saw Chen Xiao looking at him with some vigilance, and he thought that Chen Xiao was worried about his open solicitation. After all, this Chinese master was recruited by the Shangchen family first.
Prince Boren was young and had long known that he had the possibility to aspire to the throne. He was very ambitious and tried his best to act like a kind, kind and courteous corporal.
Originally, it was just a temporary impulse to recruit Chen Xiao, but now when he saw that the other party was wary and resisting, he instead had a feeling of "I must accept this person! Otherwise, I can't even conquer a single warrior, so how can I conquer so many heroes to serve me in the future?" !" The thought came. Thinking of this, the smile on his face became more kind and sincere.
"Chen Xiaojun, I stopped you halfway today because I had no choice but to do it. Please don't blame me for being abrupt!"
After saying that, Boren actually nodded solemnly, which was regarded as a personal apology.
Chen Xiao coughed, sat up straight, and looked at Prince Boren: "Your Highness, you and I are not relatives, so you are so polite that I don't dare to take it seriously."
Boren only regarded himself as a prince of the royal family. Yesterday he sent someone to give him a gift, and today he invited him half-way. He also personally bowed to the other party to apologize - such a big honor was given to him, but even if the other party was not grateful and cried bitterly, he would just regret it. Bye, shouting Lord... At least the attitude should be a little flattered.
Who would have thought that Chen Xiao's attitude was still lukewarm, but the vigilance in his eyes became stronger. Even in Boren's eyes, there was a vague hostility... What's going on
"Chen Xiaojun!" Boren thought about his words and said slowly: "I have been fond of martial arts since I was a child, but my body is a bit weak. Since I was a child, my first teacher told me that my physical aptitude would not allow me to practice advanced skills. It's a pity that I have a martial heart, but I am dragged down by this weak body. But the respect for martial arts masters in my heart has not diminished but increased! When I saw your grace yesterday, I was greatly moved. I am so shocked. I have seen many martial arts masters in my life, but you are probably the only young hero I have seen in my life!"
What he said was half true and half false - it is true that he is weak (in fact, most members of the Japanese royal family are not in good health), but even if he is strong, is it true that as a prince of the royal family and one of the heirs to the throne, the royal family also It is absolutely impossible for an heir prince like him to be allowed to become a martial artist. Practicing martial arts is just about cultivating the spirit of martial arts and tempering your will.
If you really want to teach a young heir to the throne to become a martial arts master who is obsessed with martial arts... Then I am afraid that all the martial arts teachers in the royal family will commit suicide and have a disembowelment to thank the emperor.
Chen Xiao looked a little more kind: "Your Highness, there is no need to feel sorry for yourself. You are a prince of the royal family. This martial arts practice is just a personal self-cultivation path. Given your status, it doesn't matter if you don't practice it."
"Having said that, how can one let go of a dream in one's heart so easily?" Boren sighed with emotion on purpose - he said these words very skillfully. He had previously recruited Nishihira Kojiro, and Miyazawa and the man who had been deprived of his manhood by Chen Xiao. I had already said it several times when I was in high school, but now it feels natural and familiar, and even the expression changes have become more mellow and smooth.
He looked at Chen Xiao with sincere eyes: "Your Excellency, the martial arts masters I have met in my life are naturally led by Master Fan from Takeuchi Fumzan. Unfortunately, Master Fan has a special status and can only teach His Highness the Crown Prince himself. His Highness the Crown Prince is mine. Uncle, of course I can't ask Master Takeuchi to teach me personally... But in my opinion, none of the other royal swordsmen can compare to you!"
Chen Xiao looked strange, but he answered.
Boren saw that Chen Xiao's expression seemed to be a little relaxed, so he hurriedly struck while the iron was hot. He suddenly sat upright, held his knees with both hands, bent down and bowed halfway, and said in a firm voice: "Teacher Chen Xiao! Please read this." Since I, Boren, am devoted to martial arts, please accept me as your disciple and teach me the way of the sword! Please!!”
Well
Chen Xiao was stunned.
Apprenticeship
His heart moved, and he suddenly realized that he might have misunderstood before... Well, good, it seems that this Boren is not glass.
Chen Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, and his expression suddenly became calmer.
Just... apprenticeship
This Prince Boren must be a little older than himself!
"Your Highness... I am Chinese." Chen Xiao said awkwardly, which meant: How can the essence of our Chinese martial arts be taught to foreigners
But Boren shook his head and said resolutely: "Teacher Chen Xiao! You have already accepted Qianye Ye as your disciple, so it doesn't matter if you have me as your disciple! Do you think that I am stupid, so you refuse? I, Boren, want to ask for advice. As long as you accept me as your disciple, I will work hard to practice! I will never let you down!"
Chen Xiao sighed, how could he ever accept Prince Satouchi as his disciple? It's just that the concubine, Tang Xin and the others colluded. They took out the fake document yesterday and didn't openly refute it in person, but it has already become a final decision.
Chen Xiao looked a little embarrassed, thinking hard about countermeasures, thinking about how to refuse... It seemed a bit too disrespectful to refuse. The best way is to delay, find Zhang Xiaotao in Kyoto, and take her away from Japan. Boren can't chase her to China to become a disciple. After arriving in China, I no longer have to worry about getting into trouble by rejecting him.
Chen Xiao's expression seemed to relax a bit, but he hesitated again. Boren had already had this kind of experience of "recruiting talents". When he saw the other party's hesitation, he thought there was a chance, but this time was the most critical. The other party seemed to be interested, but still hesitant. At this time, either Say yes or say no.
At this time, instead of forcing the other party to make an immediate decision, it is better to delay it for a while and wait for yourself to perform well to further impress the other party and increase the weight of the promised end of the scale by a few points. If you open your mouth to plead at some point, you will be much more confident.
Seeing that Chen Xiao was about to speak, Boren had already made an understanding expression and said with a sincere smile: "I understand that for an expert like Teacher Chen Xiao, accepting a disciple is not an easy decision! You must always be right. I can do it after some tests! I don’t dare to force it, but I will definitely impress the teacher with my sincerity! Please take a look at my performance!"
Chen Xiao felt relieved. If you don't force me to express my position right away, then it would be best to delay it.
So he smiled, deliberately made a somewhat expectant expression, and looked at Prince Boren with a smile.
Boren was overjoyed and said: "Teacher Chen Xiao, I have prepared a gift. Please accept it!"
As he spoke, he took out a simple long box from the drawer under the seat next to him. After opening it, there was a scroll inside, which looked like it had been carefully framed.
Slowly unfolding, it turns out to be a Chinese landscape painting!
Chen Xiao has no accomplishments in calligraphy and painting, but he can still tell that the brushwork and ink in this landscape painting are quite extraordinary, and there is a faint aura of excellence! Beside the mountains and rivers, there are two lines of ancient poems.
One step up the mountain, one step down the water, walking towards the bank of Yuguan, exploring thousands of tent lights at night.
The wind is blowing, the snow is blowing, my hometown dreams are shattered, and there is no such sound in my hometown.
The traces on the scroll make it look like an antique!
What could be taken out by the Japanese royal prince would naturally not be a fake. When Chen Xiao saw it, his expression changed.
"This is a little thought from me to express my respect for Teacher Chen Xiao. Please don't refuse!"
Boren gently turned the landscape painting sideways, with a slightly proud expression on his face, and said with a smile: "Teacher, this is the authentic work of Nalan Xingde, a famous poet from the Qing Dynasty of your country!"
"Oh?" Although Chen Xiao didn't understand calligraphy and painting, he had heard of Nalan Xingde's name.
"The origin of this painting is also extraordinary. I have a Chinese Sinology teacher. His father once stayed in the Northeast of your country in the past... Oh, at that time, the Northeast was still called Manchukuo. That old gentleman used to be Our country appointed people to serve as attendants to His Majesty Emperor Puyi of the Qing Dynasty of your country. This painting was given to the old gentleman by His Majesty Emperor Puyi. After the old gentleman returned to China, he passed the painting on to his son. That was my Chinese teacher. Later, the teacher gave it to me."
As he spoke, Boren sighed: "I know very well that people in your country are quite prejudiced against me as a Japanese. The war in the past year brought great disaster to your country. But I personally have a very strong interest in Chinese culture. I admire you, and I just hope that the teacher will not reject my plea because I am Japanese."
Regardless of whether what he said was true or not, for a Japanese prince to say such words, at least it made Chen Xiao's ears easier to listen to.
But this painting... should I take it or not
Chen Xiao then thought about it, if you don't take the things delivered to your door, it will be for nothing!
They were originally Chinese antiques that were exiled abroad. Take it back when you have the opportunity. After returning to your country, even if you don’t want it, you might as well donate it to a museum.
Immediately he put it away politely.
Boren was even more happy when he saw that Chen Xiao had accepted the gift. He thought he had succeeded. He and Chen Xiao talked a lot more affectionately along the way.
As expected, Prince Boren had received a royal education. He had learned a lot about astronomy, geography, ancient Chinese poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, and chess. He was also very eloquent. Along the way, Chen Xiao gradually began to think more highly of him. It seems that this young prince of the Japanese royal family is not a playboy.
…
The car soon reached Kyoto. Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, has always been the location of the royal palace. However, Chen Xiao and his party did not enter the Kyoto Palace, but bypassed Kyoto from a distance.
Boren knew that Chen Xiao was going to see Prince Chiba, so he told Chen Xiao that Chiba should be in the "Akiyoshi Palace" owned by her now.
The car went all the way around Kyoto and headed west, but came to a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters. It has to be said that the Japanese are indeed much better at protecting the environment than those at home, and Japan's forest coverage rate far exceeds that of China. Although Chen Xiao felt unhappy about this, he had to admire the Japanese people's efforts in environmental protection.
The appearance and environment around this ancient capital are particularly elegant.
The "Akiyoshi Palace" where Prince Chiba lives is located next to a mountain. Japan is an island country with many mountains and few plains. Peaks of various sizes are scattered throughout Japan.
Seen from a distance, the gate of the official residence of Akiyoshi Palace is simple and elegant, with green bamboo groves planted on both sides. The gate in the middle looks very clean, even more restrained than Senryu Palace.
Chen Xiao and his party arrived outside Qiuji Palace. Prince Boren, a legitimate royal family member, was present. They made a casual announcement and walked in with Chen Xiao.
Qiuji Palace is said to be a "palace", but in fact the area is much smaller than Chen Xiao imagined. It is just a big house. The main building has two floors inside and outside. They are all ancient Japanese houses, surrounded by a rockery pond, and the inner courtyard is a garden. The two courtyards look quiet and elegant. Although they are not big, they are quite impressive.
There were not a large number of attendants in Prince Satouchi's residence. As he walked in, Boren and Chen Xiao left in a hurry, even striding in without waiting for the person who informed him to come back. Only a few young and beautiful maids were seen passing by inside. When they saw Boren from a distance, they all quickly turned their bodies and bowed.
"It seems that my sister is not in the palace. Well, at this time, she may have taken someone to the back mountain for a walk. She has had this habit before, so we just go inside and sit down and wait for her. This Qiuyoshi Palace There is a good spring in the back mountain, and the tea made from this spring water is the best. I will ask Teacher Chen Xiao to taste it later."
Because Chen Xiao's attitude changed, Boren was in a good mood, so he openly walked side by side with Chen Xiao. The attendant behind him was only two or three steps away, following cautiously, but feeling a little sigh in his heart. His Highness's ability to win over people. At that time, he really did everything possible... He was actually so polite to a Chinese.
But everyone has a gentle heart. Although Chen Xiao is wary, he doesn't like the Japanese either. But as a royal prince, he carefully spoke to you with a smile and was polite and respectful to you along the way. After going through this journey, Chen Xiao really couldn't keep a straight face anymore, and his attitude towards Boren became much kinder, and occasionally he even said a few pleasant words.
However, a few people quickly walked through the corridor and arrived at the entrance of the lobby, when they heard several shouts and curses coming from inside!
Chen Xiao was walking aside and saw at a glance a girl in a gray kimono facing him in the lobby, with a look of grievance and fear on her face. In front of her, the short and wretched housekeeper she had seen next to Prince Satouchi was standing in front of the girl with a fierce look on his face, waving his arms, swearing fiercely, and spitting. Chen Xiao can't understand Japanese, but he can still understand the word "Baga".
The butler had a ferocious look on his face, and the girl in front of him was probably frightened by his ferocity. Her body kept retreating, and she had retreated to the wall. Tears almost came out of her bullied eyes.
When Chen Xiao saw it, the kind smile on his face suddenly disappeared! A face full of frost!
Because the girl who was bullied until her face turned red and almost cried with grievance, even though she only had her face turned sideways, how could Chen Xiao not recognize her beautiful facial contours? !
On that desert island, I almost fainted several times. Every time I woke up, I would see this face in front of me. Although haggard and tired, it still stared at me with a quiet and concerned smile.
It was this person who would rather save her fresh water for herself to drink even if her lips were chapped with thirst.
It was this man who dug for sand crabs on the beach, rubbed his slender fingers until they were bloody, and then put the salty-smelling food to his mouth.
It was this person who, when she was seriously injured and about to die, lay on the cold cave floor to sleep. She was afraid that she would freeze to death, so she would hold her in her warm arms to sleep at night.
Every time I wake up from a coma, the first thing I see is this face!
I don’t know since when, Chen Xiao has sworn that as long as he doesn’t die, from now on, he will never let anyone bully the owner of this face! !
But at this moment, this face was being scolded so viciously by a wretched middle-aged man that he almost cried in aggrievedness. Moreover, looking at the ferocious look on the butler's face, he raised his hand and wanted to hit someone
Chen Xiao's anger really started from the bottom of his heart, and he grew evil in his heart!
Before Boren could react, he heard Chen Xiao next to him snort angrily, and he quickly rushed into the room. With a bang, he saw a figure flying directly out of the lobby and landing in the yard. Turned a few somersaults.
Chen Xiao hugged the girl skillfully and took a deep breath: "Little Taozi, I'm here!"
Zhang Xiaotao was originally feeling aggrieved, but when she suddenly saw Chen Xiao falling from the sky, the surprise in her heart was really stronger than anything else! He was stunned for a moment, and suddenly cried out "Wow", and punched Chen Xiao hard on the chest. Then he threw his whole body into Chen Xiao's arms, and pinched Chen Xiao's back muscles tightly with both hands. He pinched and cursed: "You heartless bastard! Why did you come here just now! I worry about your safety every day, and I almost cried my eyes out!!"
Chen Xiao let her beat her for a while before letting go of Zhang Xiaotao. He looked carefully and found that apart from losing some weight, she was otherwise fine. She looked a little tired and listless, but there was no major damage after all.
But then, I saw Zhang Xiaotao's clothes clearly...
This blue-grey kimono, Chen Xiao suddenly remembered that the clothes that the maids were wearing when she came in seemed to be of this style!
His expression suddenly changed, and his eyes were filled with anger!
"What a Prince Satouchi! What a Takeuchi Yako!! I tried my best to save you that day, and my friend was with you, and you actually let her be a maid!!!"
Chen Xiao gritted his teeth and said these words with a ferocious look on his face!
Suddenly, he punched the wall next to him, and with a bang, the wooden wall was shattered by his punch!
Boren at the door saw it clearly, and was suddenly shocked! Then he became happy: the teacher he studied was really capable!
When he saw Chen Xiao holding Zhang Xiaotao, he was even more convinced. He walked in after a few steps, bowed and said politely to Zhang Xiaotao: "Master, my dear, my disciple Boren is polite!"
After saying that, he turned around and said angrily to the two attendants behind him: "Are you all blind? Get out of that mistress who bullied me, why are you still standing here! Go! Give him both legs. I interrupted!"