Flowers bloomed on the crosspaths between fields1, the poplar and willow foliage thicken like smoke2. Spring was approaching, and with it the time for the seasonal hunt neared.
The Grand Secretary Su Shiyu had always handled matters stably and reliably, taking the past few days to handle the various matters suitably, after which he compiled a memorial and entered the palace to present it for the emperor’s perusal.
Li Yanzhen took a rough glance over it and nodded, “This is fine, We can always be assured with how Beloved Subject Su conducts matters.” He put the memorial to one side, “Beloved Subject seems to still have something to say?”
“Yes,” Su Shiyu knelt down, “May His Majesty temporarily grant military authority3 over the Southern border’s troops to this subject.”
Li Yanzhen said bewilderedly, “Authority over the Southern border troops?”
“Indeed. This subject was informed by someone a few days ago, and after a few days of investigation I discovered that although the Huainan King’s case has been resolved, but there are many points of suspicion that remain. Even if there isn’t a conspiracy within it, I’m afraid when the time comes he definitely won’t come quietly either4. The King of Huainan has countless skilled troops in his employ, and the soldiers in the imperial retinue cannot be compared to them5 after all. If [I] have the aid of the Southern border’s armed troops6, there will be the means to deal with even unforeseen changes should they suddenly occur.” Su Shiyu elaborated, “Once this subject returns to court he will surely have the military authority timely returned, there will definitely not be any attempts to delay.”
Li Yanzhen laughed, “Why explain yourself, We will not suspect you of having ulterior motives. However,” He paused, and let out a sigh, “Beloved Subject should also know, the Military Seal is not in Our hands. Even if We were to give you our word now, whether or not Beloved Subject Chu will give it to you, remains to be seen.”
“Your Majesty need not worry about that, this subject will personally make a trip over to Grand Marshall Chu’s side. Surely he won’t defy an Imperial edict; if this can be an opportunity to take back the Military Seal (into the Emperor’s possession), then that would be the best outcome.”
Li Yanzhen nodded in agreement, but soon after looked like troubles had arisen to the forefront of his mind, “Speaking of Beloved Subject Su, you’ll be away from court for many days, if he were to take this chance to act out, what ever should [we] do?”
“That is exactly what this subject intends.” The colour of Su Shiyu’s pupils slightly sharpened.
“……What does Beloved Subject intend?”
(T/N: It’s sad that this doesn’t translate very well, but what LYZ says here is basically “no, what do you mean, that’s what you intend” lol)
Su Shiyu lowered his eyes, and said in an unhurried manner, “Exactly as what Your Majesty has said, during this subject’s absence, Grand Marshall Chu will naturally have fewer concerns, and we can also take this as a chance to clearly see what exactly he’s plotting. If something major occurs, [I] can rush back within a day if riding a horse whip and spur7.”
“……Testing [him]?” Li Yanzhen pondered it deeply for a moment, and then nodded in agreement, “Let it be as Beloved Subject says.”
Within the study, Chu Mingyun reclined against the chair lazily. When Su Shiyu had explained his purpose for coming, he then nodded, and said absently, “This8 matter is matter is of grave importance, naturally I need to comply. I’ll write a letter of instruction right away, Master Su just needs to go pass it to the head of the troops over on that side.”
“Master Chu, since antiquity, the rules have always required a protectorate general to act only after seeing the Military Seal.” Su Shiyu reminded him.
“Of course I know that,” Chu Mingyun laid out the letter paper, “It’s just that to prevent any breaches in security, the Military Seal isn’t placed here in my residence. Yet Master Su’s itinerary is already set, I’m afraid going to retrieve it would delay [you] a good few days. A letter will work just as well, no need to worry.” He said it so casually, and suddenly lifted his eyes to look at Su Shiyu, lips lifting in a quick sliver of a smile, “Besides, that military seal is all hard and cold, how can it compare to a letter written personally by me. Who knows, seeing it daily might even let Master Su think of me more.”
The intent to refuse was already made apparent; Su Shiyu was long prepared for this and didn’t insist, but after hearing that last phrase, he smiled a bit helplessly, “Even without the letter, I’m afraid it will be difficult not to think of Master Chu.”
“Woh—?” Chu Mingyun was in the midst of handing over the letter; upon hearing those words he used the momentum to grasp Su Shiyu’s hand, his smile growing deeper, and lowering his tone he said: “In that case, then Master Su may as well not return to his residence tonight, how about you stay over and keep me company?”
Su Shiyu pulled back his hand and withdrew a step, smiling faintly and avoiding his gaze as he said: “Master Chu is so busy with his duties, how could I possibly impose.”
Chu Mingyun retracted his hand as if bored, and said suddenly, “Right, on this trip to Huainan I’m afraid Master Su won’t be able to return for at least half a month, since you are intent on going in person, I’m certain the varied matters at court have all been arranged suitably?”
“The numerous matters at court are muddled and hard to fathom, what is there to speak of arrangements beforehand.” Su Shiyu glanced at him, “But since there is Master Chu here, what is there for me to worry about?”
Chu Mingyun’s pupils narrowed a slightly, understanding it clearly in his mind, and soon laughed, “Master Su has already said this much, seems like I can’t but perform a little better ah.“
Su Shiyu didn’t respond, he studied the letter in his hand, and suddenly spoke up to ask: “The discipline amongst armies subordinate to Master Chu has always been held to the strictest standards, then if there is a letter and the Military seal present at the same time, I wonder which one the commander will obey?”
Chu Mingyun propped his cheek in his hand, staring at him before slowly smiling as he said: “Both the letter and Military Seal would come from my hand, so the orders wouldn’t contradict anyway, why distinguish on this?”
Su Shiyu lifted his pupils to meet his eyes, smiling faintly, “Nothing much, just asking idly after a random thought is all.”
Outside it had begun at some unknown point to drizzle with rain, twilight filling out in all directions9. The breeze brought along with it a slight chill, yet the warmth of Chu Mingyun’s palm faintly lingered on his fingers. Su Shiyu inhaled a deep breath of air to suppress the palpitations that had arisen in his heart.
He turned around and glanced at the Grand Marshall Residence door inscription shrouded in the rainy mist, and again took out the sealed letter in his sleeve, sighing lowly, “It seems…..the Southern border troops have already changed its surname to Chu.”
In the beginning of March, the Grand Secretary set out on behalf of the Heaven’s Mandate (the Emperor), and patrolled the vassal territories on inspection in fulfilment of the emperor’s order.
It was a fine and clear sunny day, the spring clouds gathering round. Li Yanzhen brought the entire court of ministers both civil and martial to escort the envoy procession out of Chang’an city. With flags and banners raised in the air in an imposing display of insignia10, the sounds of drums rose to the skies, and gradually descended.
Offering wine was poured out on the ground in libation11, stirring up a slow drift of fine sand. The fragrance of wine was strong and sweet-smelling; accompanied by the singing of arias.
Su Shiyu bent forward and knelt right in the center, listening to Li Yanzhen finish reading the verses of the ceremonial rite, and receiving the Seal with both hands. Only then did he stand up again and bow respectfully.
Once the ceremony was over, Li Yanzhen studied the person in front of him for a moment, and spoke up to urge him again: “On this journey, [We] hope that Beloved Subject will take extra care.”
“Many thanks to Your Majesty for the concern.” Su Shiyu replied.
Seeing him stand up, the carriage procession behind him began making preparations to set off. Su Shiyu bade Li Yanzhen farewell, turning around to walk towards the carriage. As he brushed shoulders with Chu Mingyun while passing by him, he could not help taking another glance, and was caught off-guard by the other’s gaze meeting his directly, those eyes as deep as the ocean.
“Master Su,” Chu Mingyun suddenly reached out his hand and pulled him to a stop, and said in a tone which emotions could not be determined from, “Don’t die on me out there ah.”
His voice was bland, nearly without any undulation in pitch. Only a few officials behind him could vaguely hear it, and instantly their expressions became interesting12 and varied.
Su Shiyu was also stunned for a bit, and could not guess at his intentions, thinking of how he was uncharacteristically sombre and silent today while staring into the distance as they went outside the city, and laughed casually, “Master Chu can rest assured, [I] definitely won’t.”
Su Shiyu’s arm was slender like the rest of him. He subconsciously gripped it a little tighter, steadily gazing into those eyes filled with humor; and could not help but slowly hook up the corners of his lips, leaning up close to whisper lowly right in Su Shiyu’s ear, “Then Master Su should remember to return sooner, lest my longing becomes lovesickness13.”
Su Shiyu’s posture abruptly slipped, and turned his head around to look. The two pairs of eyes met they were only a few inches apart, and the usually reserved and discreet Grand Secretary suddenly could not spare the presence of mind that this was in under the scrutiny of the public eye; he could only hear his heart beat like a thundering drum, and in an extremely rare display he didn’t move away at all, only lowering his eyes and laughing lightly:
“Alright.” He responded warmly, his voice like the chiming of jade and the blooming of flowers14.
T/N: TITLE DROP BLURB DROP BLURB DROP! Susu has fallen hard this is not a drill!
Hi, I’m really sorry for leaving you all hanging. I’ve been doing more stuff for the a Danmei reading server on discord lately! Come say hi and discuss novels with us. You’ll get updates on translations for novels and audio dramas I guess.
Part of the reason I’ve been away is that I wanted to confirm what the status of JYJF is with 如似我闻 (the author), and she said that she’s fine with me continuing to have an English translation available free. She doesn’t have plans for the time being to have an official translation yet. So this novel is not being dropped. My friend helped me to message her since my Weibo got locked:
However, I may lock the site if I ever find people distributing offline copies / posting on aggregator sites. In that case, I’ll probably share the password for 1-2 weeks before locking the site.
1.陌上花开 – ‘Mo’ are the little paths on the ground in between fields. [Return]
2.杨柳堆烟 – Both these plants have thin branches and leaves, so they thicken gradually. [Return]
3.兵权 – basically having control over troops, the right to command their commander. This authority is usually granted with a specially made seal (sometimes called ‘虎符’, tiger seal’) that is owned by the court and the Emperor unless it is handed to a prominent general or martial official during wartime. Since they only referred to this seal as ‘兵符’, I’ll just use the generic term ‘Military Seal’. [Return]
4.束手就擒 – literally; caught just with the outreach of one’s hand. In this context, the King of Huainan won’t be so easily caught because he won’t surrender without a fight. [Return]
5.相提并论 – comparable; literally ‘to be mentioned in the same discussion’. [Return]
6.兵甲 – this term translates more accurately to armaments since it refers to weaponry and armour and whatnot, but I think in the context that Susu is referring to that would be kind of strange. [Return]
7.快马加鞭 – literally, ‘on quickened horse with extra whipping (spurring). [Return]
8.兹 – very formal term for ‘this’ [Return]
9.薄暮四合 – literally ‘thin dusk’ in the ‘four cardinal directions’, i.e. all over. [Return]
10.仪仗威严 – You should have seen this in Chapter 28. [Return]
11.祭酒傾杯于地 [Return]
12.精彩 – as in they probably looked shocked/scandalised/stupefied. [Return]
13. 思想成疾 – Yes, this is the same ‘lovesickness’ as in the blurb! [Return]
14. 落玉繁花 – the first two characters may be a reference from《琵琶行》, a Tang Dynasty series of poems, and the second two refer to feelings overtaking the heart, either of joy or, well, passion. [Return]