Although Fu Hua was angered by Luo Wei for a while, she was not a brainless unmarried woman. She knew that Luo Wei’s words were not wrong, and still did what Luo Wei said.
After Luo Zhiqiu placated his wife, he went to find Luo Wei again. When he arrived at the door to the study room, he heard Luo Wei complaining to Luo Ze within. “What is mother thinking, wanting to compete with the Chang family? Does she suspect our Luo family is still not conspicuous enough? Isn’t it fine as long as we can live well with what we have? Should our lives have to be made for public scrutiny?”
“Xiao Wei,” Luo Ze said, “I can’t understand you at all right now, why are you that cautious? Is there anyone else wanting to harm our family? Who is it? (Who) made you so fidgety?”
“Second Brother!” Luo Wei felt anxious, yet didn’t know how to explain it to his older brother.
“No need to shout,” Luo Ze said, “If you have something to say, just say it. Xiao Wei, to tell you the truth, I still don’t understand most court matters. You tell me about it.”
Luo Wei thought for quite some time before finally saying to Luo Ze, “This is similar to going to battle for you guys, Second Brother. Isn’t there this saying ‘an arrogant army is bound to lose’? It is the same with conducting one’s behaviour; an arrogant, extravagant person will ultimately not have a good outcome.”
Luo Zhiqiu pushed the door and entered the room. Not waiting for his two seated sons to stand up, he said to Luo Wei, “What you said was correct, but you cannot speak that way to your mother. I know you disapprove of this marriage, but this is what his Third Highness requested. His Majesty has agreed, so father has no way to oppose.”
“Why disapprove?” Luo Ze felt even more puzzled, “The grand wedding is in three more days. You all disapprove?”
“I was just overthinking it,” Luo Wei gazed at Luo Ze with a smile, “Second Brother need not worry. How could our Luo family be harmed by anybody? However, Second Brother needs to keep in mind that occurence in the Western Mountains hunting grounds. Don’t be outplayed again someday.”
“You said that Su Jing was the Second Highness’s cohort,” Luo Ze said, “If you hadn’t said to keep him, I would have driven him out of the Capital army long ago.”
“Wasn’t this Su Jing the one who led you to the mountain pass—otherwise how would Second Brother have encountered Consort1 Xu?” Luo Wei spoke, “Do I even need to say whose follower he is?”
“Then why must I keep him?” Luo Ze said, “When I see him now, I feel uneasy all over.”
“If you drive him out, his Second Highness will pull someone unknown to us to fill his place. Then we might as well just let Su Jing stay in the capital’s army.” Luo Wei said, “This way, we will know who we are guarding against. Moreover, Second Brother had just been penalised. If you turned around and punished the subordinate who led the way, if word gets out, what will others say about Second Brother?”
“It’s as if (you) were born to be a worrywart,” Luo Ze snarked.
Luo Zhiqiu took a look at these two sons, and thought of the eldest son who was still on his way to the capital. Two of his sons thought too little, while one son thought too much—if these three sons redistributed their temperaments more uniformly among them, it would be better. “Your mother will do according to what you said,” Luo Zhiqiu said to Luo Wei, “She regards (Luo Wan) as her own daughter, it would be difficult to not want the best for her. You should try to understand her a bit.”
The young page from Luo Ze’s courtyard came to find him at this time. Generals from the army came to visit Luo Ze.
“I’ll go to receive the guests,” Luo Ze had to leave first. After he left Luo Wei’s study room, Luo Ze finally recalled that he had followed Luo Wei there for the purpose of ameliorating Luo Wei’s relationship with Fu Hua. Luo Wei’s relationship with his mother had always been fluctuating without warning. When Luo Wei went to Northern Yan, Fu Hua worried everyday, and could not help kneeling daily in front of the Bodhisattva in prayer. Now that Luo Wei was here in person, he became an opponent again. Luo Ze had not anticipated that before he could get a few words in, he would get lectured for another round by Luo Wei.
“The second young master is going back?” Xiao Xiao, who stood in the yard, saw Luo Ze had just come outside, and quietly asked Luo Ze, “What happened to our young master this time? Why does (your) complexion seem so unpleasant again?”
“Go!” Luo Ze gave the back of Xiao Xiao’s head a push, “Go ask your young master yourself! Where did you learn to gossip behind people’s backs, you little brat?”
Xiao Xiao was someone who did not fear a beating. When he was shoved back a few steps by Luo Ze, he drew close in front of Luo Ze again, “I heard that my young master had been told off by the madam.”
“No such thing happened,” Luo Ze while uttering those words, in his mind he was thinking, it would have been better if mother did indeed admonish that son! He took a few steps forward, noticed that Wei Lan’s bedroom door was open, he stopped again and asked Xiao Xiao, “Your Wei-dage is inside the room?”
“What is he doing?” Luo Ze feared he had misheard.
“He’s practising writing,” Xiao Xiao said, “Wei-dage’s characters were all personally taught by the young master. His writing is quite good, they look just like the young master’s.”
“There was even such a thing?” Luo Ze inquisitively strode into Wei Lan’s room. He heard that nobody in the Qilin Villa shadow guards was literate, yet this Wei Lan was educated?
“Second young master?” Wei Lan heard the sound of Luo Ze’s footsteps entering the room, put down the brush in his hand, and was about to salute Luo Ze.
“You’re still standing on ceremony with me?” While talking, Luo Ze arrived in front of Wei Lan’s desk where he was practising writing; it did indeed seem almost a perfect resemblance of Luo Wei’s handwriting. “My younger brother,” Luo Ze held Wei Lan’s writing in his hands, and said to Wei Lan, “I let him teach You’er to write when he had time, and he told me he wasn’t free. Did he not teach you how to write?”
Wei Lan quickly replied, “I have always accompanied the young master, so I was able to learn to write.”
“I’m not blaming you,” Le Ze could discern Wei Lan’s defensive justification for Luo Wei, and laughed, “It seems like here in this courtyard, I am not allowed to criticise our little Marquis Luo. A few of my friends from the military have come to visit. Lan, you can come with me too.”
“I should also go?” Wei Lan did not understand why Luo Ze wanted him to go meet with Luo Ze’s friends.
“Let’s go,” Luo Ze placed the fine paper filled with writing he had been holding back onto the desk, and said, “Are you thinking of scoring to become the next Zhuangyuan2? Lan, ah, since Xiao Wei is that fond of you, he won’t have you simply be a bodyguard for the rest of your life. This is to let you be acquainted with more generals in the army; it’s for your own benefit. Come with me.”
“I-” Wei Lan stood there without moving. It was already serendipity that he could be Luo Wei’s bodyguard for the rest of his life. What else could he hope for?
“Let’s go,” Luo Ze did not wait any longer. Walking outside the room, he said to Wei Lan, “You won’t listen to what I said?”
Luo Ze was also a master. Wei Lan couldn’t disobey his words, and could only go with Luo Ze.
“I just cannot comprehend Xiao Wei’s affairs with those literary officials,” Luo Ze said while walking with Wei Lan, “However in the army, it’s not as simple as a bowl of plain water3. You also need friends so that there will be more doors of opportunity, perhaps even Xiao Wei doesn’t know that.”
When Wei Lan heard Luo Ze say this, his interest was piqued, and asked Luo Ze, “There are even things that the young master doesn’t know?”
“Of course,” Luo Ze said, “I’ll ask you: who should you never offend in the army?”
Wei Lan said, “The Grand Commandant?”
“Wrong,” Luo Ze shook his head.
“Isn’t the Grand Commandant of the three armies the highest official in the army? Is there anyone with a higher position than the Grand Commandant?”
“The official in charge of transporting grains and provisions, the quartermaster, and the medical officer–these three officials are the ones you must never offend.” Luo Ze frankly explained to Wei Lan.
“Don’t these people also have to listen to the Grand Commandant?” Wei Lan asked. While he was in Luo Qi’s army, he had not witnessed what Luo Ze said of these three types of officers having such awe-inspiring authority.
“I’ll slowly explain it to you then,” Luo Ze was not someone who liked to lecture others, but at this moment he patiently started to instruct Wei Lan on the Way of the military. He saw how Luo Wei treated Wei Lan, and certainly thought that Wei Lan could become the next Ning Fei.
In the study room after Luo Ze had left, Luo Zhiqiu finally began to properly discuss the issue with Luo Wei.
“Wan’er is one who doesn’t cause trouble,” After Luo Zhiqiu told Luo Wei about some important personnel transfers and promotions within the imperial court, he spoke to Luo Wei again about Luo Wan, “You don’t need to worry about her engendering anything inappropriate.”
“Then what is his Third Highness’s intention?” Luo Wei said, “Previously, I have not perceived him as being at all close with our family. Now he took the initiative to marry a daughter of the Luo family. How did he have this change of heart?”
Luo Zhiqiu admonishingly gestured at Luo Wei. Some matters were fine just understanding it within one’s mind; there was no benefit to everyone in saying it aloud.
Sorry it’s a day late.
1. 徐氏侧妃: more specifically, (Long Xuan’s) side-consort from the Xu family. Recall the hunting grounds incident of Ch. 138. A side-consort is a wife that is lower in rank than a principal wife and ranked above a concubine. A side-consort, unlike a concubine, has the potential to become a principal wife. [Return]
2. 状元: top scorer in the imperial examinations. [Return]
3. 一碗白开水: something that can be clearly seen through. [Return]
The grass grew longer and the warblers flew1, spring had come to full-term in the blink of an eye. After Su Shiyu left the capital for the inspection expedition, the Chu faction unexpectedly didn’t make any movements. The various boards went about their business as usual, and all was well and stable at court. At the same time that the officials heaved a sigh of relief they were also holding in a breath secretly because they deeply felt this was also strange; it could be seen how difficult this was. They arduously kept up this state for a nearly a month, waiting until things happened at Huainan, then waiting until they received news of the Grand Secretary preparing to return, before it suddenly dawned on them, that Chu Mingyun had really kept within his bounds for so long; he was decisive when discussing business, upholding justice and keeping order, leaving nothing people could reproach him for– it’s just that these days the Grand Marshall always seemed to be a little irritable.
Chu Mingyun propped up his forehead with a single hand, and casually put aside the letter on the table. Hearing the approaching footsteps, he didn’t even look up as he asked: “Is there any news from Su Shiyu’s side?”
“……Shige.” The footsteps suddenly halted, and there was a strange note in Qin Zhao’s voice.
Chu Mingyun lifted his eyelids and looked over, “En?“
Qin Zhao looked at him with a complicated expression, and after a moment of hesitation he said: “…..You’ve already asked that seven times in the last two days.”
“Have I?” Chu Mingyun lifted his brows lightly, and continued to speak without any change in expression: “How come there isn’t any news even after I’ve asked seven times?”
“Su Shiyu is already on the way back, there wasn’t any incident, so of course there isn’t any news.”
Chu Mingyun nodded expressionlessly, Qin Zhao went up to the desk to put down the report, “Zhou Yi wrote this after he went to take up his duties, said circumstances at the Western border are already within control2 now.”
“En.”
Qin Zhao’s movements suddenly paused, and inhaled a deep breath, then looked at the fortune beast incense-burner lightly wafting smoke, curling upwards in thin threads. He said with some surprise, “Shige, you changed fragrance?”
“En, calming incense3,” Chu Mingyun cast him a glance, “How is it?”
“It’s not bad.”
“Wo–?” Those white fingertips tapped incessantly on the head of the beast outlined in gold, each tap making a light clink. Chu Mingyun said, “How come I feel like this is lacking something, it’s a little bland and odorless.”
“Calming incense has always had this sort of smell.” Qin Zhao said.
“But it wasn’t like this whenever I smelled it back then.” Chu Mingyun sub-consciously responded as he stared at the incense burner.
“Where did you smell it before this?”
A name passed between his teeth, and he almost said it before he stopped himself. Chu Mingyun froze, and immediately regained his wits, retrieving his hand, and ended the topic with a non-committal reply.
After he finished reporting matters in a simple manner, Qin Zhao left.
The patter of spring rain on the roof’s exterior, a blue veil over the Wutong tree4. The fragrant mist and warm smoke entangled within the room, silently binding the unbidden thoughts.
Chu Mingyun lazily leaned against the backrest of the chair, and after a moment picked up the letter at the side, absent-mindedly reading over it word-by-word again.
‘This is the last report,’ The shadow guard who followed wrote, ‘Su Shiyu has already disembarked from Huainan, everything went smoothly without a hitch.
Everything went smoothly without a hitch.
Everything in this past month, including the case of the Huainan King, all went so smoothly, unexpectedly smooth.
When Su Shiyu first arrived, the Huainan King refused in utmost to greet him at the border. The city gate was tightly closed, it was clear how rigid an attitude they had. And there were even troops heavily deployed in the city, creating an opposing formation to the Southern border army Su Shiyu had gathered. The tension was as pulled as taut as a thread by both sides, and mounted with each passing day, seeming like it would explode with the slightest provocation.
But everything overturned within one night.
Over ten thousand elite soldiers took off their armour [T/N: not sure if this is more figurative as in they put down their arms] in unison, the vermillion city gate opened wide; and under the clammy moonlight a man walked out on bare feet, seal raised above his head and coming forward to surrender.
That man proclaimed himself to be the Huainan King’s strategist, and that he was only aiding and abetting such evil-doing5 and rebelling because he was coerced by said king; that he could hardly withstand how it was hurting his conscience. Seeing how the Huainan King was not only commiting heresy and treason but also bringing disaster to the civilians by sealing the city, he resolutely plotted with someone to assassinate the Huainan King, then came to open the city gates and welcome the Grand Secretary without a moment’s delay.
He knelt beneath the towering city walls, and recited his crimes in full: using the opium to implicate Tan Jing, setting up the Eternal Joy Casino in Chang’an, sending Su Xing to assassinate government officials, blackmailing Ji Heng to ambush Mulahe, aiding the Huainan King to stir up troubles.
He said that since most of these malicious plots were his handiwork, he knew he could not avoid a death sentence, and it was only right that he compensate with his life for all the people killed, only pleading that Su Shiyu could have mercy, and let off those loyal and brave soldiers that were kept in the dark and the entire city’s innocent civilians.
This one speech resounded with power, and at the end of these words he kowtowed for a long moment.
There were soldiers with reddened eyes behind him, making the patrolling escort mutter a few lamentations.
Yet Su Shiyu looked calmly at the decapitated head of the Huainan King, the frozen expression on that face that was streaked all over with blood had eyes bulging with violent rage and grievance, in the shadowed light of the gloom it was ferocious and ghastly.
After a long while, Su Shiyu spoke up blandly: “When did I ever say I wanted the Huainan King’s head?”
The strategist lifted his head, and as soon as he opened his mouth he listed in order the ten crimes of the Huainan King, each unpardonable, and marking him neither loyal nor benevolent, with no conscience to speak of, by any human’s standard he was deserving of death.
Su Shiyu looked at him silently for a moment, then smiled faintly, and no longer elaborated.
Huainan was left temporarily to the management of the protectorate general of the Southern border’s army, and after Su Shiyu sorted and collected the evidence he was in no hurry to leave, rather ordering people to investigate the entire territory. He discovered more than a hundred mu6 of opium poppy fields, and after that personally supervised their burning7, till they were destroyed in absolute.
That strategist suddenly hurried over and sought an audience on the last day, greeting Su Shiyu extremely solemnly, (T/N: this could mean that he was kneeling or bowing deeply) and repeated his plea to spare the innocent once more in a resounding voice. Then, turning around he swung himself, leaping into the blazing sea of flames that was the ignited poppy fields. The inferno grew for a moment, and the figure of a person turned to ash within moments.
Within the city of Huainan, everyone tsked and sighed, saying that that strategist wasn’t a evil person after all, he was one with sentiment and righteousness.
Chu Mingyun snorted upon hearing this. Amidst the scene of chaos at that time, the shadow guard paid special attention to Su Shiyu’s reaction. The Grand Secretary who was being fought over by the inspection retinue in a protective circle only froze slightly, then lowered his eyes and laughed lightly with unknown meaning.
Others did not know what Su Shiyu meant, but Chu Mingyun particularly understood: Before contact could be made the Huainan King was dead, ending all opportunities to interrogate him in detail. There was no way to tell whether that strategist’s words were true or false, because he admitted guilt and killed himself before even being escorted to the capital for the hearing.
This was again another round of theatrics where the suspects died and no testimony was left.
This case appeared to have gone smoothly, and even had some inspiring and moving embellishments since justice was served, but in truth other than a head and a handful of bone-ash they had no other gains. Su Shiyu didn’t encounter a dangerous scenario, and it wasn’t the trap to ensnare the suspect with his own actions like they expected. The contradictions between the irrefutable evidence and the suspicious motive grew deeper, yet there was no longer any avenue to set about [investigation].
If they were not overthinking it, then unfortunately this case wasn’t as simple as what was shown to the common people.
The cause for suspicion was revived, but even thinking about it yielded no solution.
Chu Mingyun stared at the snow-white letter and spaced out, his gaze subconsciously landing on that person’s name, the traces of ink carving out thin strokes, each sweep, curve and downward slant8 revealing that gentleness.
One could just envision the humid gentle Southern winds passing between his fingers, the faint hint of a smile hidden between flaps of his flying sleeve; the flame-coloured poppy flowers in front of him incinerated into flitting butterflies fleeting in the wind, the mountain fires stretching unbroken for ten li (~5km), brilliant and inextinguishable. It was boundless elegance.
— Then Master Su should remember to return sooner, lest my longing becomes lovesickness.
It was obviously a coincidental turn of phrase, a he joke made unwittingly. The spring rain outside the window grew larger, making a sound with each time it knocked on the Wutong leaves, falling below the eaves. Chu Mingyun suddenly put out the incense burner with a cup of cold tea, threw the letter onto the table, and raised his hand to press between his brows. Longing becoming lovesickness, what kind of joke is that. ……who would actually think of him.
After a few days passed, Chang’an didn’t get to wait for the Grand Secretary, but rather the arrival of an unprecedented guest. An embassy visit from the Xiongnu, and the ambassador was even the Ninth Prince Yuwen Sun9.
Since the start of the dynasty, Daxia was at constant war with the Xiongnu; who knew how many loyal souls were lost in the dusty wilderness of Mongolia10, the heaping bones along Wuding River’s banks that all belonged to Daxia. Even the ladyfolk, young and elderly gnashed their teeth and pounded their chests11 when mentioning the Xiongnu. Even if because of Chu Mingyun in these recent years the Xiongnu had a reason to avoid acting out rashly, both sides of that border remained a strictly-defended stronghold, and no intercommunication and dealings had ever been allowed.
Yet now the Xiongnu had suddenly sent a prince over here; the court was astounded, and hurriedly received them according to customary etiquette, at least not disgracing their demeanour. The ninth prince Yuwen Sun’s spoken Han was unexpectedly accurate and fluent, andafter a simple rite was passed in the golden palace, he expressed their purpose frankly and straight-to-the-point12:
They wanted Daxia to carve out five cities from Xibei to be given to the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu‘s attitude was quite a clear display of arrogance. Simply put they were taking advantage of the opportunity while relations between Daxia and Loulan were troubled; half-threatening and half-negotiating as they attempted to haul some profits. And this Xiongnu prince was all the more a expert in rhetoric, speaking a whole round of sentiment, logic and reason in sequence; one could say that he was as eloquent as to make lotuses bloom from his brilliant tongue13. A strange silence fell within the palace, the officials of the court looking at each other blankly. After a moment, Li Yanzhen spoke up: “Then according to what Ninth Prince says, after five cities are carved out and acceded to you, the Xiongnu will promise to never invade again?” ”Of course.” Yuwen Sun smiled, “Actually we don’t really hold much of a grudge against Daxia, the many times we advanced southward was but to find a way to survive. You all also know, we have been nomads living off the grassland and water for many generations, sandstorms cuts off both these means of subsistence; but we can’t let so many people in the tribes just starve to death. So many people died fighting battles southward, but only snatched a bit to eat, it’s truly not worth the cost, but there isn’t any other way either. He paused, and said: “I’ve heard that the emperor of Daxia is magnanimous, Father is also unwilling to continue the war, and so quickly sent me to negotiate peace with you.” Li Yanzhen didn’t manage to reply before Chu Mingyun said coldly: “Since you’re here to negotiate peace, then naturally [we] are on equal terms; what right does the Xiongnu have to make us accede territory?” ”Didn’t I already say earlier, we had no choice but to go to war in order to live. Daxia’s lands are expansive and fertile; divvying out a bit is no great loss to you, but to us it would mean not letting people starve. Both parties can also avoid going to war, there’s no harm either way.” Yuwen Sun then added, “Besides we also heard that previously that just because a woman from Loulan died, his Majesty the Emperor was willing to compensate them with three cities. Yet we would be able to avoid the deaths of over ten thousand people for want of only five cities, surely this can’t be considered too much to ask?” These words were simultaneously hinting that Loulan had actually already made contact with the Xiongnu. Chu Mingyun’s expression darkened, Li Yanzhen quickly raised a hand to stop him from speaking, and said to Yuwen Sun: “What the Prince has said does have reason, but this matter is not a trivial one, We are unable to give you a reply immediately. You have made the arduous journey here, why not rest for a few days, and wait for the result of the discussions.” Yuwen Sun smiled and readily agreed, dismissing himself from the court, and was led to his residence by a palace maiden. On this end Li Yanzhen summoned a few high-ranking officials, moving to the Xuanshi Hall to have a secret discussion. Once all had taken their seats Li Yanzhen looked around him with a complicated expression, then spoke up: “……What do all of my beloved subjects think?” ”Does this matter even need to be considered?” Chu Mingyun laughed coldly. Li Yanzhen moved away his gaze to avoid that sharp edge, “What about my other beloved subjects?” After a bit of hesitation, the Minister of the Board of Revenue, whose hair had grown white at his temples stepped out of the rank, bowed deeply in greeting and said: “This Old subject thinks…we can consider it.” Chu Mingyun’s eyes darted over. ”May beloved subject go ahead and elaborate.” Li Yanzhen said. Wei Song seemed to ponder before slowly speaking: “The terms the Xiongnu has drawn, are actually not bad. Also since Xibei often experiences natural disasters throughout the years, requiring countless taels and grains needing to be drawn out for disaster relief each year, the country’s coffers are not quite flush any longer. If we were to accede it to the Xiongnu, this would save the trouble of disaster management. And those lands are barren, incapable of feeding that many Xiongnu people; it would just be a hot potato to deal with if we keep them, but if we don’t keep them…it wouldn’t really be a great loss to us.” ”Because Master Wei finds it troublesome, you can throw away those few cities’ civilians?” Chu Mingyun said coldly. ”How can you call it throwing them away,” Wei Song sighed, “With the Daxia’s power laid there, and the protectorate generals at the border, the Xiongnu also wouldn’t dare do anything to civilians.And not to mention, in recent years, a few lands like Liangzhou have merchants that have secretly been in frequent contact with the Xiongnu, their relationship is more harmonious than you might think.” Some harshness suddenly erupted from those deep-coloured pupils as Chu Mingyun said: “The lands I fought to death on the battlefield and sacrificed countless soldiers to reclaim, was just for you all to give out so freely?” The other officials had been sporadically whispering among themselves, and seeing the current state of affairs someone couldn’t help but sigh lowly: “It really isn’t easy for Master Chu, but after all present circumstances are not the same as the past, if both countries can negotiate peace and establish bilateral relations that could only be a good thing. Looking at it from the big picture, it is also so that there will be no more people sacrificed ah……” ”How do you know they will keep to their promises?” Chu Mingyun swept him a glance, then lowered his head and no longer spoke. Wei Song shook his head and said, “But if we don’t give it a try, how would we prove it to be genuine or not? A chance to break the ice with the Xiongnu doesn’t come easy, it won’t do [if we] can’t even dole out a bit of trust. ”Master Wei is so far-sighted, I truly don’t understand it.” Chu Mingyun laughed without any feeling. Wei Song glanced at Chu Mingyun, and sighed helplessly. Li Yanzhen also said undecidedly: “Since the Xiongnu have already come forward, and the one they sent is even a prince, it can be seen that they are indeed sincere about this, if we just reject them like this, the path to amiability will unfortunately be thoroughly broken ah.” Chu Mingyun slowly lifted his eyes upon hearing these words, and looked directly at the one seated upon the imperial throne within the palace, laughing coldly, “His Majesty is sentimental, yet unexpectedly can treat those under the heavens (the civilians) so heartlessly.” ”What does Beloved Subject Chu mean by this?” Chu Mingyun turned away his gaze, “His Majesty naturally understands.”
Li Yanzhen’s expression was not very pleasant, but he didn’t get angry14, simply looking at the people beside him, and hesitantly speaking up: “Judging by this, perhaps [we] should still……” ”Your Majesty,” Lu Shi stepped out of the rank and bowed in greeting, “This subject thinks Grand Marshall Chu’s words are reasonable, the Xiongnu cannot be trusted!” ”This……” Li Yanzhen looked at him. ”This subject will definitely not agree to this,” Chu Mingyun’s smile slightly dimmed, and said slowly, “May His Majesty be prudent.” Li Yanzhen’s desire to speak was then shut down. Wei Song bowed deeply in greeting, and said earnestly: “Your Majesty, the larger interests should be prioritised!” As these words were spoken, they were immediately followed by several chorusing in agreement behind him. Li Yanzhen was placed into a difficult position, seeing Chu Mingyun standing with his back straight, and staring right over at him without a hint of giving in, his heart quaked once, and couldn’t help but look towards the right anterior where the placement stood vacant. Chu Mingyun followed his gaze and looked over as well, his expression calming a little subconsciously, and for a moment nobody spoke. Li Yanzhen waved his hand, saying: “Forget it, forget it, this isn’t something that can be decided within a moment’s notice. Beloved Subject Su is already on the road back to the capital, it’s not too late to wait for him to come back before we discuss this further.” Among these few civil officials there were more from the Su faction, and naturally they had no disagreement with this, after responding in concurrence they looked towards Chu Mingyun in unison. It was only then that Chu Mingyun retracted his gaze, saying casually, “That’s fine too.”
Along the walkways of the palace, Wei Song slowed his steps, and then came to a complete stop. He held the railing and gazed distantly at the blue sky and green tiles, his troubled brows not easing. A voice suddenly sounded out from beside him, “Is Master Wei still troubled over the matter with the Xiongnu?” Wei Song turned his head towards [the sound] and realised it was the Minister of the Board of Works Yue Yuxuan. After Tan Jing was executed, he who had originally been the Assistant Minister of the Board of Works had been promoted to this rank. Wei Song steadily nodded his head, paused, and said: “Although Master Chu is a person of martial background after all, not being able to see the wood for the trees and not understanding the interests at large, but what he said…..is indeed somewhat reasonable.” ”How so?” “The civilians of those five cities, are at the end of the day Daxia‘s people, if we abandon them to the Xiongnu like this, perhaps it really is……” ”So Master Wei is troubled about this thing,” Yue Yuxuan laughed, “Master Chu is only finding excuses for his own self-interests, you don’t need to take his words too seriously.” Wei Song looked at him in astonishment. This person had always done things in a very low-key manner ever since filling in his current post, wandering in the boundary between the Chu and Su faction with no clear allegiance; not offending anyone, so who knows why today he would express an opinion so matter-of-factly, and he could not help but pursue it, asking: “Why do you say that?” Yue Yuxuan opened his mouth yet paused again, looking all around him, then getting up close and lowering his voice, “Master Wei doesn’t know this, but that Master Chu is a person from Liangzhou, now that you want him to accede his old homeland to the Xiongnu, he will definitely be unwilling, why would he bother with the interests at large.” ”So that’s how it is,” Wei Song nodded, “I was wondering why he would suddenly care so much about the sufferings of the civilians, it seems…..I overestimated him after all.” Yue Yuxuan laughed, “It is as Your Honour says, those military officials are all riding on a moment of gallantry, with no foresight to speak of. And what’s more, if we get on good terms with the Xiongnu, would Grand Marshall Chu still have his current standing? You can just listen to his words for the sake of it.” Wei Song muttered non-commitally, so Yue Yuxuan took a step back and parted in greeting: “The trouble Master Wei has taken, most of us understand, no matter what Master Su’s opinions are later, I will still definitely be in support of yours.” Wei Song was visibly moved, patted his shoulder and spoke no more, walking outside with him.
T/N: Joke’s on you, Chu Mingyun. Sorry this is 3 days late. I’m beginning to think that most of this novel is based in the Sixteen Kingdoms period (since you have Daxia) but borrowing elements from later dynasties. I discovered that my translations are still being uploaded to aggregator sites, so I might look into moving off WordPress and getting my own website. Please help support by donating on ko-fi so that I can raise a budget for the site :’)
1.草长莺飞- Idiom describing the scenery of spring in Jiangnan at dusk. Comes from《与陈伯之书》, a long essay-letter written by Qiu Chi advising the duke to return to Liang from Wei during the first years of the Liang dynasty. [Return]
3.安神香; mentioned in that chapter they were sharing a bed. [Return]
4. I suspect this is a reference to the line: 碧纱秋月，梧桐夜雨，几回无寐 from《撼庭秋·别来音信千里》which is a poem about the poet’s longing and missing their lover but not knowing when they will reunite. [Return]
5.助纣为虐 – literally, ‘to aid King Zhou in his tyranny’, a metaphor from the story about 商纣王 in《红楼梦》(“Dream of the Red Chamber”). [Return]
6.亩 – unit of measurement for area of farmland. 1 mu is equivalent to 0.165 hectares. [Return]
7.付诸一炬 – idiom meaning to ‘put a torch to something’. [Return]
8.横折转撇 – ‘heng zhe zhuan pie’ – referring to four of the basic strokes in writing chinese characters. [Return]
10.荒漠胡尘 – so strictly speaking it’s not exactly Mongolia, because this phrase is referring to all the lands on the Northern and Western borders where foreign tribes lived, including Mongolia. [Return]
11.切齿拊心 – idiom meaning to hate someone/something so much you have a visceral reaction to it. [Return]
12.开门见山 – literally, ‘to see the mountain upon opening the door’. [Return]
13.舌灿莲花 – idiom that literally translates as ‘tongue brilliant lotus flower’. [Return]
14.动怒 – more precisely speaking, this means that he may or not have gotten angry, but at least he didn’t express it is a manner that everyone has to stop the discussion to placate him. [Return]
“You said mother talks about missing Imperial grandmother?” Long Xuan suddenly said to Long Xiang after he sat and thought of Luo Wei for a bit.
“Yes ah,” Long Xiang said: “In the end it was Shang Xi who replied to her, saying that everything is well with Imperial grandmother now.”
“Did Mother merely mention Imperial grandmother, or did she tell you this intentionally?”
“She said it a few times,” It would be inconceivable if Long Xiang could actually differentiate if it was said intentionally or off-handedly with that personality of his, so he simply said to Long Xuan, “It’s not like I can tell her, ‘not even I can see Imperial Grandmother now’.”
“I have a copybook here,” Long Xuan said, “You can practise your letters here at my place,”
“I still have matters to handle,” As soon as Long Xiang heard that Long Xuan wanted him to practise writing letters, he immediately stood up and said, “I’ll take my leave first ah.”
Long Xuan didn’t try to make Long Xiang stay either. This little brother of his, as long as he was living happily, it was fine even if he went on muddling through life like this; in any case he didn’t mind providing for him for the rest of his life. “There’s something going on in the palace, don’t run around the place,” Long Xuan gave Long Xiang this word of instruction before letting him go.
“I’ll come see you again tomorrow,” Long Xiang made his hasty escape. The type of treatment he’d received in the study, he now had a headache every time he heard anything related to the four arts1.
Long Xuan only started poring over the words his mother2 asked Long Xiang to pass on to him. Long Xuan definitely didn’t believe it when Concubine Liu said she missed the Empress Dowager. Perhaps others would not know, but Long Xuan knew, Concubine Liu had only a superficial respect for the Empress Dowager, but in her heart the Empress Dowager was but a tool in her power struggle. These words were definitely not intended for Luo Zhiyi either, Luo Zhiyi and the Empress Dowager have been on bad terms for a long time. That meant it could only be meant for him, this son of hers, to hear. Could it perhaps be telling him to pay a visit to the Empress Dowager? Long Xuan pondered, Empress Dowager had barely any power on hand to speak of, did he still have a need to see this Imperial Grandmother of his? Or did the Empress Dowager and his mother manage to find a way to correspond with each other while he was out of the palace? The Empress Dowager had something important to tell him?
Fu Yun stepped in light-footedly, lighting the candles in Long Xuan’s study one-by-one.
Long Xuan asked: “What are all the happenings that occurred in the palace during the period I was away?”
Fu Yun was startled by this question from Long Xuan and nearly dropped the torch in his hand. When he saw Long Xuan at Yunguan Pass, he’d already told Long Xuan everything he knew about the things that happened in the palace. Since Long Xuan was asking this, did this mean he did not trust him?
“Speak,” Long Xuan had no interest to think about Fu Yun’s feelings at the moment, and said coldly: “Did anything happen over there at the Empress Dowager’s place?”
Fu Yun said: “Nobody dares to go to her Highness the Empress Dowager’s East Buddha Palace, this servant didn’t hear that anything happened there ah.”
“Is her Highness the Empress Dowager’s health still fine?” Long Xuan asked.
“This servant has also not heard of any imperial physician going to do a consultation for the Empress Dowager ah,” Fu Yun didn’t understand how Long Xuan suddenly thought to ask after the ol’ Empress Dowager. There wasn’t anyone in the palace now who would mention this Empress Dowager.
Long Xuan waved his hand to dismiss Fu Yun. This matter was faintly suspicious, the East Buddha Palace was a place strictly off-limits, if he took the risk to go there, and was discovered by someone, Long Xuan didn’t think he could afford to bear the crime of disregarding an imperial order. But his birth mother wouldn’t harm him for no reason. Prompting him to go, meant there was definitely a reason he absolutely had to go, so what should he do? Long Xuan weighed the costs against the benefits three times for good measure; and in the end he still decided to take the risk and make a trip there. After making this decision, one tricky question remained before Long Xuan, how was he going to visit the Empress Dowager? The outside of the East Buddha Palace was so tightly-guarded, and perhaps his Imperial Father had even secretly arranged for concealed guards, how would he be able to get into the interior of East Buddha Palace? If he was discovered, how was he, Long Xuan, to get away?
In the residence of the Senior Chancellor, Luo Wan who was to become the principal wife of the third prince Long Xing in three days’ time was presently listening to Fu Hua teaching her the ways of managing a family. Her father was the younger clan brother of the Senior Chancellor Luo Zhiqiu, who was stationed as a prefecture magistrate3 in far-off Xinan. And since her birth mother had passed on early, Luo Wan had been living in Youyan City since she was young. Just like her namesake, Luo Wan was dignified and pretty4, her temperament gentle and reserved. Luo Zhiqiu had selected this niece in catering to the third prince Long Xing’s preferences.
“You don’t need to be scared,” Fu Hua told Luo Wan comfortingly: “Wives have a place of import even in the imperial family, none of those concubines will be able to compete with you. After you enter the household, the Empress is your aunt, she won’t let you be wronged or bear others’ temper. With looks like yours, I reckon the Third prince will definitely like you, so Wan’er, you don’t need to think too much, just calmly wait for the day that the Third prince arrives in his palanquin to pick you up.”
Luo Wei, who came to greet Fu Hua, stood by the door listening to each word of Fu Hua’s speech, and couldn’t help but shake his head secretly. He’d long been against the selection of a lady from the Luo Clan in marriage to Long Xing. Their clan was already wealthy in the utmost, why was there a need to add to that others’ suspicion and envy? But while he was far-off in Northern Yan, this matter had already been settled. Once he’d returned to Yunguan and heard of this news, the wood had already been made into a boat5, there was no longer any possibility of recourse. “Announce me,” Luo Wei said to the servant girl at the door, since he wasn’t hearing any more sounds of talking for the time being.
“Madam, the Third Young Master has come to greet you,” The servant called into the interior of the house.
“Wei’er is here? Quickly, come in,” The sound of Fu Hua’s voice sounded out.
When Luo Wei entered the house, Luo Wan had already retreated into the inner chambers.
Luo Wei looked around this room in Fu Hua’s house, the floor was strewn with the dowry they were giving to Luo Wan, “Why have you taken these out again?” Luo Wei asked.
“Taking another look,” Fu Hua said: “Mother is scared there’s a mistake, and that it would be made a laughingstock.”
A servant girl served up tea to Luo Wei. Luo Wei sat down and said to Fu Hua: “Is this dowry sufficient?”
“It’s enough,” Fu Hua said: “I especially sent someone to find out what dowry the Chang Family is giving. Our family’s will definitely be better than their family’s, we’ll not let your cousin lose out right on the cusp of marrying out.”
At this moment the servant girl outside the door ran back into the house and called out: “Madam, Master Chancellor and Second Elder Master have arrived.”
“Father, Er-ge,” Luo Wei stood up and greeted his father and elder brother.
“So many things ah,” Luo Ze clapped Luo Wei’s shoulder, then looked at the varying sizes of boxes that filled up this large house, saying: “On the day the Third Prince comes to receive the bride, simply the procession carrying these boxes will form a line tens of metres long.”
Luo Zhiqiu said: “Have all the preparations been made?”
“As they should,” Fu Hua said: “I won’t let that lass6 Wan suffer any grievances.”
“It’s better to reduce it a bit,” Luo Wei spoke up at this time, “There’s no need for this much.”
“What kind of words are you saying?” Fu Hua was immediately displeased, and said to Luo Wei, “You think you’ll be made poor by your cousin marrying out? A lady only has this once in her life, can’t you stand for her to do it in glory and splendour?”
“Mother,” Luo Ze saw that Fu Hua was going to have it out with Luo Wei again, and quickly called out to Fu Hua, “Just let Xiao Wei finish speaking.”
“These are all my personal possessions,” Fu Hua said, still incensed: “Can’t I even be allowed to personally give lass Wan dowry?”
“Wan’er is also here right?” Luo Zhiqiu had no choice but to speak up as well now, and said to Fu Hua in a low voice: “Talk things out nicely, don’t frighten that child.”
“This is because your family’s little Marquis is giving people trouble,” Fu Hua had always been overtly frank, and now that she was riled up, she was a little reckless with her words, and yelled at Luo Zhiqiu: “Why are you against me now? It’s not right when I do something out of my own goodwill?”
“This imperial family has its rules,” Luo Wei could no longer remain seated, so he stood and said: “Why does Mother need to compare with the Chang family? His Second Highness is the elder brother, what could his Third Highness win against his Second Highness? Does Mother intend to stir up internal conflict between brothers in the imperial family?”
Luo Wei had made such a grave overstatement, Fu Hua was left speechless for a long while.
“Xiao Wei,” Luo Ze pulled Luo Wei to sit down, saying: “You should talk nicely too, don’t frighten Mother.”
“Father is an honest and upright official, who does Mother intend to show off our wealth to? Cousin is marrying into the imperial family, would the imperial family care for this bit of dowry of ours? Or are we to flaunt off our riches to the imperial family?” Luo Wei’s tone was icy, “I heard all of what Mother said to cousin just now. Everyone says that the internal politics of a noble family is as deep as the sea7, let alone entering the imperial family? Our family only has Mother as a matron, I think Mother should perhaps find Cousin matrons of other large clans where there are numerous concubines and let them teach Cousin how to be an Imperial Consort.”
Luo Wei had finished saying his piece, and immediately made to leave.
Fu Hua had been greatly embarrassed by Luo Wei, and looked towards Luo Zhiqiu for a long time before she finally said: “Seems like I didn’t do a single thing right ah.”
T/N: Sigh, Fu Hua… I wonder why Luo Zhiqiu isn’t speaking up about it though. He should know that this wouldn’t be good for their family.
1. Refers to the four arts that a ‘gentleman’ needs to be skilled in; chess, playing the qin, calligraphy and painting. [Return]
3.知州 – literally ‘knows the prefecture’. An official in this position was required to manage the internal matters of the prefecture and send in memorials (reports) to the Emperor and the court now and then. [Return]
4.端庄美丽 – not exactly a chengyu. Just a combination of two common descriptors. The first two characters mean ‘dignified’ or ‘composed’, but in a manner that is passive and sedate so I’m not sure you would consider that a compliment out of this context. [Return]
5. 木已成舟 – meaning that plans have already progressed to a point where you can’t turn back on them. [Return]
6.婉丫头 – can be an impolite address unless it’s by one’s parents / close older relatives. [Return]
