Translated by Uhei and edited by Cyrrene.
Luo Wei dismounted his horse at quite a distance from Emperor Xingwu and his officials, and walked quickly over to where the emperor was standing. After seeing his second brother Luo Ze standing behind Emperor Xingwu, and knowing that Luo Ze was taking up his post as the Escorting General—this meant that Luo Ze’s leg injury had completely healed, it was only then that Luo Wei’s spirits really lifted, the smile on his face becoming more obvious.
The crowd looked toward Luo Wei.
Luo Wei wasn’t clad in armour1, wearing only a deep-blue riding suit. The dark coloured robes only made Luo Wei’s skin seem all the more snow-pale, the riding suit accentuated Luo Wei’s youthful figure, and added some heroic spirit. Luo Wei had long been given a reputation for being sickly, yet after people saw this Luo Wei that had returned from the battlefield, they realised; this generation of the Luo family truly all had the character of those in the army. Even the youngest Luo Wei also had the valiant bearing of a hero2; you couldn’t see the air of a bookworm that enveloped Luo Zhiqiu’s person.
“This humble subject Luo Wei greets His Majesty, may my Emperor long live, live to ten thousand years3.” Luo Wei kneeled in front of Emperor Xingwu, executing a grand salute.
Emperor Xingwu received Luo Wei’s salute, and walked up to him, personally pulling up Luo Wei from his kneel, saying: “Wei’er, were you injured at all on this trip?”
Luo Wei laughed: “Replying to Your Majesty, this humble subject wasn’t ever risking my life fighting on the battlefield, and wasn’t injured.”
“Then is your body still alright?” Emperor Xingwu asked again.
“This humble subject is fine,” Luo Wei said: “This humble subject thanks His Majesty for his concern.”
Emperor Xingwu liked the Luo Wei in front of him the more he looked at him; this was the son he had with Luo Zhijin ah, “You’ve grown taller,” Emperor Xingwu said to Luo Wei, gratified: “Like an adult now!”
Luo Wei also knew how to ply Emperor Xingwu’s favour; hearing Emperor Xingwu say that, he said with some disgruntlement: “Your Majesty, this humble subject was already an adult.”
“This child!” Emperor Xingwu fell for this shtick of Luo Wei’s after all, laughing uproariously. Then, pulling Luo Wei to his side, he first pointed at Luo Zhiqiu and then to Luo Ze before saying: “Your father and brother are here, let them speak, are you a child or an adult?”
Luo Zhiqiu laughed, shaking his head.
Luo Ze had always been a carefree character, and poked fun as well saying: “Yunqi still isn’t married, he can’t be considered an adult.”
Once Luo Ze said that, everyone at the scene laughed.
Long Xuan opened his mouth and said: “Who knows what type of lady Yunqi likes, how about Imperial Father pick one out for him.”
Emperor Xingwu said: “Long Xuan, you’ve said this well. Wei’er, what kind of lady do you like? Tell us, We will let your aunt find her for you.”
Luo Wei glanced at Long Xuan seemingly inadvertently, and then smiled at Emperor Xingwu saying: “Your Majesty, this humble subject has yet to think of this matter. The grand matter of marriage, this humble subject dares not make his own call. This humble subject also believes in affinity, let it all depend on fate.”
“Affinity,” Emperor Xingwu nodded saying: “Wei’er, you’ve said this well, ten years cultivates into sharing the same boat, and a hundred years cultivates into sleeping with shared pillows; the tie between husband and wife is affinity ah. Long Xuan, Long Xing,” Emperor Xingwu then turned to his second and third son, saying: “You are about to be married soon, so you also need to cherish affinity.”
“Subject son listens carefully to Imperial Father’s teachings,” Long Xuan and Long Xing quickly replied.
“Luo Wei, listen and receive your reward.” Emperor Xingwu suddenly turned to Luo Wei again and said.
Luo Wei didn’t expect that Emperor Xingwu would confer his reward outside the western city wall of the capital (Shangdu), and he looked at Luo Zhiqiu, hoping to see a hint of what might be wrong from his father.
“Luo Wei,” Emperor Xingwu said: “Didn’t you hear what We said?”
“This humble subject listens and receives,” Luo Wei didn’t have time to think more deeply on it, and quickly fell into a kneel.
Emperor Xingwu stepped a few paces away from Luo Wei, and said in a heavy voice: “The return of Black Frost City has been the wish of many generations of my Greater Zhou’s rulers, and the earnest hope of its tens of thousands of subjects and civilians. Now having been fulfilled this day, such a glorious feat, is worthy of the celebration of all under heaven. The Senior Chancellor’s Third Son Luo Wei, has been gifted with intellect from young, apprenticed under the Son of Heaven, has outstanding literary talent, and is sharp-witted and capable, with a noble personality. As the one with the greatest merit in the return of Black Frost City, this child can be considered to be returning in brocade to his hometown10, conferred the noble title of Marquis, and will be named the Brocade Marquis.”
For a long while after Emperor Xingwu’s words sounded, the entire west gate of the capital was completely silent, and one could hear a pin drop.
Luo Wei remained on the ground, stunned.
The crowd of officials were also shocked into stillness.
Luo Wei indeed achieved a great merit, but noble titles were offered in the order of Baron, Viscount, Count, Marquis, Duke5; a young man without any other prior accomplishments to his name is being conferred the title of Marquis right off the bat? Isn’t this kind of conferment a little too much?
“Wei’er,” Seeing Luo Wei kneeling there in a daze, Emperor Xingwu said: “What are you doing still spacing out? Still not accepting the edict?”
“Your Majesty,” Luo Wei deliberated for half the day (figuratively) before replying: “What merit or ability does this humble subject have to be conferred the title of Marquis? The return of Black Frost City is not this humble subject’s merit alone, this humble subject does not dare accept such a reward.”
When Luo Zhiqiu heard Emperor Xingwu was conferring Luo Wei the title of Brocade Marquis, in his mind it was like something exploded, emanating waves of pain. Brocade Marquis, was this really addressing how Luo Wei was returning to his hometown in glory, or was he talking about his little sister Luo Zhijin? At this present day, Luo Zhijin’s rosy face had already turned to bleached bones, yet this emperor still kept her fondly in his memory; was this a boon or a bane for Luo Wei? “Your Majesty,” Luo Zhiqiu again kneeled to Emperor Xingwu and said, “My little son Luo Wei still isn’t ready to take on large responsibilities, if you want this child to become a talent, there is yet the proof of time, this subject also humbly requests that Your Majesty takes back this edict.”
“Senior Chancellor need not be overly humble,” Emperor Xingwu had already proclaimed this conferment in front of the masses, how could he take it back? Luo Wei was his blood-related son; it was already suffering him an injustice to have him live in the Senior Chancellor’s residence, let alone being conferred Marquis title, even if it were the title of Prince, Emperor Xingwu was also willing.
“Your Majesty,” Luo Wei said from where he knelt on the ground: “This humble subject is a scholar, this humble subject is still thinking of entering the imperial examinations next year, how about waiting until this humble subject has accomplished merit in the exams, before he enters court.”
“Why are you saying this?” Emperor Xingwu said: “You’re born of the Chancellor’s household, do you still need to enter the imperial examinations with such a background? We know what you’re capable of, and don’t need you to write another embellished essay. The accomplishments in this world are all awarded by Us, and now that We are giving you an accomplished title, you should just receive it. Wei’er, We are conferring you the Brocade Marquis, because we wish a lifetime in comfort and luxury, you understand Our intentions?”
A lifetime of comfort and luxury? A quake ran through the crowd’s hearts, this was wishing Luo Wei a lifetime in honour and luxury ah. The Senior Chancellor Luo Zhiqiu was only conferred the title of Marquis only three years after he took office, and only six years later was he promoted to Duke. While his two older brothers were still only Counts, this Luo Wei was already a Marquis, it seemed this son’s honour and standing was going to outstrip that of his father and brothers’.
“Your Majesty,” Grandmaster Fu Yi walked over among the convoy of monks, walking straight in front of Emperor Xingwu, bringing both palms together, bending forward and reciting a buddhist mantra.
“It must have been tough for the Grand Priest to make this journey,” Emperor Xingwu said.
“The ones who have it tough are those in the army,” Grandmaster Fu Yi said: “It is not considered a hardship for us ascetics.”
Emperor Xingwu sighed: “There have been countless soldiers from many generations of my Greater Zhou that have died on the battlefield of Black Frost City, and now these loyal souls are finally able to return to their soil of their homeland, this is a great merit of the Grand Priest’s ah.”
Grandmaster Fu Yi looked towards Luo Wei, and said: “This is also a merit6 of the Brocade Marquis, this humble monk congratulates Young Master on being conferred the title of Marquis.”
“Wei’er,” Emperor Xingwu said: “Did you hear what the Grand Priest said?”
“Luo Wei accepts the decree, thanking His Majesty for the generous reward,” Luo Wei kowtowed to express thanks for the imperial favour.
Luo Zhiqiu and Luo Ze also kneeled, as Luo Wei’s father and brothers, they also needed to thank Emperor Xingwu for the imperial favour. That Luo Wei was conferred a Marquis title, was a glorious thing for the entire Youyan Luo Clan.
No matter what opinion the people in the crowd privately held, at this time they all had to say a word of congratulation to the little Marquis Luo.
What Luo Wei desired in this life has never been glory and honour7. Being conferred as the Brocade Marquis, [didn’t even bring] the slightest bit of joy to Luo Wei’s heart, and only carried a smile on his face, returning the officials’ greetings one-by-one.
Long Yu also wanted to go up and express his congratulations. Thinking that it would also be good to bring his group of brothers along, he looked at Long Xuan who was right next to him. With this glance he then realised, Long Xuan had pinned his gaze to Luo Wei, with a complicated light in his eyes. It actually made Long Yu uncertain as to whether this person (Long Xuan) was happy or furious at this moment.
1. 顶盔贯甲 – chengyu meaning that they’re wearing helmet and armour [Return]
2. 英姿飒爽 – chengyu; describing someone as bold and brave [Return]
3.吾皇万岁万岁万万岁; that thing you see them yelling as they kowtow to the emperor in costume dramas. [Return]
4.衣锦还乡 – meaning, to return to one’s hometown accomplished and in glory. [Return]
5.公侯伯子男 – the six nobility titles in the Zhou Dynasty. [Return]
6.功德 – this is a merit in the sense of Buddhist karma. [Return]
7.功名利禄 – refers to the three types of rewards you can get; titles, money, bonuses in the form of salt etc. [Return]
3 replies on “R:DSAT Chapter 221: A Lifetime in Brocade Comfort”
Ay, this father of his is really trying to make up for everything, but Luo Wei is not so happy about his compensation
Thank you so much for the chapter!! ^^
Thank you so much for the chapter~
Have a great day (◕‿◕)✿
Thank you for translating!