Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Project: 🐟 Jinyiwei (锦衣卫) | Author: Fei Tian Ye Xiang (非天夜翔) | Rating: Mature
Please support the author by purchasing the novel from JJWXC as this helps our favorite authors continue writing and creating!
Please do not re-upload this translation elsewhere, and do not trade/distribute EPUBs.
Arc 2: The Tortoiseshell Ring
Chapter 12: 王府之宴 The Banquet at the Prince’s Residence
For the best reading experience, we recommend reading the chapters in the original format instead of the WordPress reader.
Time is truly fleeting, if you don’t grasp it, it’s gone. This one was sent by Er-jiu-ye…” ☐☐
Several years later, it’s again the time of the full moon.
“Where’s Wang-ye? The family feast is about to begin, why isn’t he here yet?”
“In the garden…” This one was sent by Er-jiu-ye…” ☐☐Finally got in.” Finally got in.” Finally got in.”
“Xu Wen fumed, “Catching crickets again?!”
Xu Wen was just about to gather up her skirt to go out and give him an earful, however, her makeup was only half done, and her head was full of floral hairpins.
She cast a glance at her reflection in the mirror, and displayed her impatience, “Just pluck all of those hairpins out, I don’t want them in anymore.” The servant girl responded timidly “Yes”, and reached out to remove the floral hairpins.
Xu Wen questioned again, “Have the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts been sent out? Has he replied?” The steward standing at the side replied, “
The reply just arrived today. Er-jiu-ye [1] wrote the letter, and also included some of Yangzhou’s local specialties…”
The steward turned as he spoke, as a servant girl brought forward a wooden platter.
The steward took the letter off the wooden platter, and presented it respectfully to Xu Wen, saying, “ A carriage of seafood flavored mooncakes, five boxes of osmanthus cakes, ten jars of bamboo leaf liquor [2], live fish…”
“That’ll do.” Xu Wen tossed the letter back onto the wooden platter, and said impatiently, “ Every year it’s the same thing.”
She then levied her gaze at the man who stood behind her steward. That man was tall in stature and wore a bamboo hat. He stood to one side with his sleeves folded; his clothes were rather ill-fitting, revealing a sliver of clean, bronze-colored skin at his neck.
The man’s head was lowered, and his eyes were hidden beneath the bamboo hat, only revealing a gaunt profile. Xu Wen asked, “And you might you be?” The steward hurriedly shifted to the side, to allow the man standing quietly behind him to move forward.
The steward said, “This one was sent by Er-jiu-ye…” ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐
Xu Wen interjected, “Fetch a red packet and give it to him, during the festival ask him to eat together with the rest.” The steward’s expression instantly revealed some awkwardness. After a moment, he gathered up his courage, and said, “ Er-jiu-ye…sent him here in search of a position.”
Xu Wen scoffed, “That shameless Zengshou [1] – he can’t even afford to feed someone from his own residence?”
The man was silent and didn’t respond. Xu Wen casually waved him away, “Wait at the porter’s lodge. After a few days, I’ll see what Wang-ye says, and assign you something to do.”
Xu Wen pondered for a moment, and said, “Has Yunqi replied?”
The steward answered respectfully, “There’s no letter from Xiao-jiu-ye, he only sent a small box.”
Xu Wen was a tad displeased, and said, “Bring it over and let me have a look.” This one was sent by Er-jiu-ye…” ☐☐
The steward presented the box on the wooden platter, tore off the seal, and opened it himself. When Xu Wen caught sight of the item in the box, the corners of her mouth lifted upwards.
There was a white jade hairpin nestled within the box, obviously created by an artisan. The hairpin was carved like a wooden branch, and one could even see the tree grain clearly, the details lifelike and vivid. At the parts where the bark seemed to be peeling off, even the cracks were almost lifelike in appearance. The tree branch had been embellished with numerous osmanthus flowers. The petals were delicate and sparklingly transparent, and the curving flower stamens were as fine as strands of hair but were still evident at a glance.
Xu Wen gasped admiringly, “How much silver must he have spent on this, this spendthrift little scumbag [3].”
Xu Wen picked up the hairpin and lifted it towards the light. At the end of the hairpin were inscribed four tiny characters about the size of a grain of rice:
The reticent man suddenly interjected, “ 蟾 宫 折 桂 [4]”, 4th Lane, Jiang residence. Su Wanrong [5]’s writing.”
Xu Wen was surprised at this, and asked, “You also know of Su Wanrong?”
Within the man’s voice was a faint trace of a smile, as he replied, “Ingenious workmanship surpassing the work of Heaven [6]. There’s only one person like her in the entirety of Nanjing, and after she married Jiang-shi…Jiang Huan, sealed away her knife and didn’t carve anymore. This hairpin must be worth at least a thousand taels of gold – and even if one has the money, they still wouldn’t be able to buy one.”
The man supplied another sentence, “It’s said that in the past, even when the Crown Prince wanted to commission a jade pendant as a gift for someone, Jiang-furen [5] refused.”
Xu Wen smiled at this, and said, “I understand. This little scumbag must have implored his Shi-niang to carve this hairpin personally.
The steward echoed this, saying, “Xiao-jiu-zi has always been very considerate.”
Xu Wen spat out, “Getting something for nothing [7], able to get resources from all sides [8].”
In spite of these words, her expression still bore a faint sense of delight, as she gave orders, “Today I won’t wear the brocade. Go fetch the black robe from the bottom of the chest.”
That servant girl turned and left. Xu Wen tugged a floral hairpin and threw it onto the platter. Her jet-black hair flowed like a waterfall. She proceeded to put on the black embroidered clothes. Her skin like white jade with the black robe serving as a foil, made her look even more incomparably beautiful and alluring.
Xu Wen piled her hair on her head and inserted the white jade hairpin that Yunqi had gifted her. She cast an assessing look at the tall man, and said, “Take off the bamboo hat.”
The man removed the bamboo hat and met Xu Wen’s gaze before he unnaturally avoided her eyes. The man’s nose bridge was high and aquiline. The pupils of his eyes were the deep brown of the hawksbill turtle.
Xu Wen said, “Tujue? You and the Wolf clan who often come to the residence…?
The man replied crisply without the slightest hesitation, “No relation.”
“What are you called?”“Zhu Feng [9].”☐☐☐
“Zhu Feng [9].”☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐
Xu Wen sputtered with laughter, and said, “Of all things, to be called Zhu Feng [10].“Thanks to Furen.”
Without even inquiring into his background, she said, “Go eat a meal first, based on your appearance, it’s clear that you know martial arts. From tomorrow onwards, follow Wang-ye to run errands.”
Zhu Feng nodded, and replied, “Thanks to Furen.”
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Zhu Di lay prostrate on the grass, a sheaf of grass in his mouth.
The autumn season had filled the entire courtyard with the fragrance of osmanthus. He narrowed his eyes in satisfaction and whistled as he reached into the artificial rockery with one hand.
Xu Wen brought the steward and servant girl into the courtyard with her, and roared like a Hedong lion [11] in the direction of the garden, “ Wang-ye! It’s time to eat! By digging in dog holes all the time, you’ll dig up all the prosperity and wealth!”
Zhu Di hurriedly spat out the sheaf of grass and clambered up. With a “Yo”, he gazed at her appreciatively, “Furen! Today you’re truly…”
Xu Wen only wore light makeup and was garbed in black. The jade hairpin atop her head was a dazzling white, setting off that waterfall of black silk strands. Merely looking at her made Zhu Di’s mouth water.
Xu Wen glared at Zhu Di in affectionate mock anger, but her footsteps didn’t cease as she walked towards the front hall. Zhu Di hastily smiled obsequiously and strode forward to catch up with her, extending a hand for his furen to hold on to.
The Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet at the Prince’s residence was about to begin.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Tuoba Feng curled his long legs, and sat at a table in a remote corner outside the hall.
The table was filled with the residence’s servants and bookkeepers. No one spoke to him, and neither did he utter a word. He merely poured wine and took food for himself.
From the inside of the hall sounded Zhu Di’s bold and unrestrained laughter, as he and several guests conversed fluently in the Beiping dialect. “I did say, Ai, you [12] first, you [12] first. I’ll do it myself – wouldn’t dare trouble Wang-ye.” The man laughed, “At the little gongzi’s hundred-day celebration, I should have come, but expectedly Shifu wouldn’t permit me to go down the mountain. So this delay has actually been…”
Zhu Di hastily smiled and replied, “No problem, no problem. Since Yao-laodi [13] has arrived, then stay longer.”
Xu Wen transformed her appearance entirely, all warm words and gentle smiles as she replied, “Last time about that matter with my younger brother, it is really thanks to Yao-dashi [14]…”
Upon hearing these words, Tuoba Feng’s heart was jolted, and he asked, “Furen’s brother…what happened?”
One of the family retainers looked Tuoba Feng over for a moment, before smiling as he replied, “This is quite a long tale. Many years ago, xiao-jiu-ye was injured in the capital, and it was Yao-dashi [14] who treated him.”
Tuoba Feng narrowed his eyes, revealing a sharply acute expression. He asked, “What sort of injury? How was it treated?”
That family retainer was really gossipy. Life in the Wangye’s residence was rather boring, and even small things could be gossiped about for ten days to half a month, let alone something of this magnitude.
Hearing Tuoba Feng inquire about it, he immediately beamed in great delight, and spoke with a strong Beiping accent, “Why, you [12] came from Er-jiu ‘s house? Well, you [12] must also call him Xiao-jiu-ye. I tell you, he’s at the foot of the Emperor in the capital as a Jinyiwei. Aiyo, my lord ah… Do you [12] know what are Jinyiwei？ You [12] don’t know? I tell you [12] these Jinyiwei are really something…”
“Get to the point!” Tuoba Feng was displeased.
Tuoba Feng still retained his former powerful aura. With this yell, that family retainer reflexively sat up straighter, and eyed him suspiciously for a moment, before saying, “ Your [12] impatience is…fine, I’ll summarize the important bits for you [12]. Xiao-jiu-ye, is a first-class talent. It’s said that the Emperor holds him in high regard. It’s just that time, I don’t know why, but he committed a great offense that would warrant execution.”
Tuoba Feng listened with bated breath. 039nu[3-94uq-u-[
“The family retainer continued, “But Xiao-jiu-ye is a good person, and narrowly escaped death. With profound good fortune, he didn’t get beheaded but had to suffer a flogging. Oh, my mother, you don’t know, in the presence of the Emperor and the senior officials, he was flogged three hundred and sixty times…”
“…”
Tuoba Feng clutched at the wine cup in utter disbelief, trembling from head to toe.
The family retainer shivered, and cried, “Three hundred and sixty strokes! Our family’s Wangye watched and his heart was pained. Wangye tried to intercede but it was of no use, he could only watch helplessly as the Xiao-jiu-ye endured the beating. It was truly pitiful [15]!”
“I heard that both his legs had been crippled, and his ribs broken. He’d been beaten until there was blood everywhere – until all the court officials couldn’t watch any longer, and one by one knelt before the Emperor to intercede…”
“After the beating was over, Wangye hurriedly carried Xiao-jiu-ye back, and lamented bitterly to heaven and earth…”
“At that time, Xiao-jiu-zi was on his last breath…he was too injured to survive, but he also couldn’t die. It’s said that Jiu-ye had a cherished heart’s desire that hadn’t been fulfilled, and he was loath to die – it was also lucky that he had this matter, Wang-ye gathered the entire capital’s famous physicians who all crowded inside the courtyard…”
“Wang-ye kept watch over him in Jinling and dispatched people back to report the news. Upon hearing this news, Furen was sobbing her heart out; everything was bleak – a murky sky over the dark earth…Ai, brother, brother? I’m telling the story and you’re crying, what are you crying about? You also find it very miserable, don’t you?”
The family retainer couldn’t keep from admiring his own ability to embellish a story.
After a long while, when his emotions had simmered sufficiently, he rubbed the tears from his eyes as he stared blankly into the distance, at the imaginary horizon, gazed at the non-existent sunset, and sighed: “Furen took out the money and had this humble one go to distribute alms to the poor, and commanded the entire city to fast. On that same day, we invited monks and Taoists to perform rituals in the house. By coincidence, Yao Guangxiao–dashi was just passing by, and upon hearing about this matter, he fetched his sect’s secret treasure called “Vermillion-eyed Ice Toad”, and passed it to the courier to bring back. Thus, saving Xiao-jiu-ye’s life…”
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
The bright moon is high in the sky as it shines down on the earth. The brilliant pearl is in Heaven. Where is the beautiful woman, I hope to share the beauty of this graceful moonlight even though we are miles apart [16]…
“Wang-ye, you speak the same words every year.”
“Hehe, this Prince has read very few books, and wasn’t well educated when young…”
“Suppress it!” ☐☐☐☐
Zhu Di and Yao Guangxiao tipsily exited the hall and stood at the foreyard. There was ten li of a lotus pond, and the fragrance of the osmanthus blossoms during the third month of autumn [17] faintly perfumed the air, causing one’s heart to feel relaxed and happy.
Yao Guangxiao hadn’t returned to the secular world for a long time. This young monk had less than three cun of hair at this time, and was growing a beard as he placed his palms together and said, “Wang-ye, please return. Guangxiao will be going back now.”
Zhu Di laughed “hehe. If Yao-xiongdi has any issues, please feel free to come to this Prince.” Yao Guangxiao’s face glowed and he was in high spirits [18], he smiled as he nodded, before turning to leave the residence.
However, below the flowers in the foreyard, a man had been standing tall as he waited for a long time, this was Tuoba Feng.
Tuoba Feng’s eyes were reddened, and he straightened his neck as he barred Yao Guangxiao [19]’s way. Immediately without demurring, he lifted the edge of his robe and knelt down.
“Ai, ai, Shizhu [20]? You are …?”
Zhu Di was taken unawares and hurried to the front. Yao Guangxiao bent his body to help him up, but Tuoba Feng reverently kowtowed three times to him. Yao Guangxiao frowned slightly in bafflement, and said to Zhu Di, “This is one of the people from the Prince’s residence?”
Tuoba Feng spoke hoarsely, “ Thanking Yao-dashi for his great grace.” Having spoken, he proceeded to one side and kept his silence. When Zhu Di heard this voice, he inhaled sharply.
Ignoring Tuoba Feng, he hastily beamed at Yao Guangxiao, “No matter, Yao-xiongdi, this is a long story and we can dwell upon it at greater length in the future when we have the time.” After sending Yao Guangxiao off, Tuoba Feng was still standing to one side.
Zhu Di hastily turned back and asked, “Why did you come to Beiping and not say hello?” Zhu Di brought Tuoba Feng into the garden and dismissed all the servants. He said, “Didn’t I ask you to only return in a year?” Tuoba Feng’s mood settled down somewhat. A gust of autumn winds grazed him and Zhu Di, causing most of the wine fragrance to dissipate.
Tuoba Feng brooded for a moment, and replied, “I don’t want to live under someone else’s roof and be dependent on them [21].”
Upon hearing these words, Zhu Di knew that Tuoba Feng had been treated with contempt in Yangzhou. He smiled and said, “Sure. Since you’re here then stay. Truth be told, this Prince is also a criminal wanted by the Emperor. One Imperial criminal harboring another Imperial criminal.”
Tuoba Feng gazed towards the pond covered in decaying lotus leaves in a daze, pondering for a moment, before asking, “Wang-ye, how is Yunqi doing now?”
Zhu Di smiled as he replied, “He’s doing quite well. Don’t worry. In a year, it will be time for the Jinyiwei’s once in every five years’ trip home to visit with relatives. You’ll be able to meet with him then.”
Tuoba Feng nodded and walked slowly and dignifiedly along the perimeter of the pond with Zhu Di. Zhu Di abruptly asked, “That matter about that day in prison, it wasn’t clear from your letters. You tell me, what did the person who brought you wine look like?”
Tuoba Feng pondered for a moment, and just as he was about to speak, he suddenly saw a woman standing under the eaves, it was Xu Wen.
Even before Tuoba Feng could salute, Zhu Di’s heart had already skipped a beat. He hastily hid behind Tuoba Feng. Xu Wen furrowed her brows, as she said, “How are you acquainted with my Er-ge’s boy servant?”
Zhu Di hurriedly laughed and said, “ What words are this? This husband just met this Tujue brother, and was curious so I pulled him aside to chat a little. He’s from Er-jiu’s house?” Xu Wen said doubtfully, “Chat a little? How did you chat that your eyes are watery with tears?”
Zhu Di responded with a laugh and hastily shot a glance at Tuoba Feng. Tuoba Feng had many questions that he wanted to ask but had no choice but to withdraw.
It was only at this time that Xu Wen took off the robe draped on her arm, shaking it open. She moved forward to place it on Zhu Di.
Zhu Di said, “That child has had a tough life, he lost his parents when he was born. You know that the lives of the Tujue are difficult, to the south there are us Han people, and to the North are the Yuan people, they get bullied and oppressed all the time…”
Xu Wen said, “Alright.” ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐aernawrawrawnwanw
Zhu Di awkwardly shut his mouth and tugged at Xu Wen’s hand. After considering for a moment, he smiled and said, “Furen is so beautiful today, where’d you get that hairpin? The guests at the table all praised you.”
Xu Wen said sulkily, “Why’d you not dig out their dog eyes on the spot?”
Zhu Di and Xu Wen smiled together. Zhu Di said, “The weather during this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival is good, this month…”
After speaking, he lifted his head and suddenly saw a comet with a blood-red tail streak across the purple-red canopy of the Heavens, sweeping by in a flash.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
The ground was blanketed in Wutong leaves. Golden Autumn in Nanjing.
There were several large round tables in the Jinyiwei courtyard, with twelve people seated at each of the tables laden with excellent wine and delicacies.
Yunqi held his wine cup as he smiled, “We wish each other a long life so as to share the beauty of this graceful moonlight, even though we are miles apart [22]. Everyone drink up.” He then lifted his neck and downed the cup.
The gathered Imperial Bodyguard responded to him, one after another, then set their cups down to lift their chopsticks. Unexpectedly, a eunuch entered the courtyard, and announced shrilly, “Commander Yun! There’s an order from the Hall of Supreme Harmony…”
Yunqi complained bitterly to heaven [23], tossed his chopsticks down, and said, “Now what.”
The Eunuch said, “The Emperor has returned to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to review the memorials, the Palace has summoned the Jinyiwei to guard him.”
Yunqi hadn’t yet responded when the Imperial Bodyguards looking as grieved as if they’d just lost both parents, got up one after another.
Yunqi said, “I didn’t even single out anyone yet, why are you all so diligent?”
Rong Qing smiled, and said, “Just getting ready, so as to avoid you offending both sides.”
Yunqi smiled as he got to his feet, “It’s fine, I’ll go. We’re celebrating a major festival here, I won’t trouble you all. Brothers eat, save some food for me.”
The young fellows roared with laughter and praised Yunqi for his loyalty to friends.
Someone picked up a chicken drumstick and grinned, “Drinking on an empty stomach, beware of getting dizzy. Eat something before going.”
“Wuwu.” Yunqi bit that chicken drumstick, and hastily returned to his room to change into his feiyufu. He tore at the drumstick and ate as he followed the young eunuch to enter the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Yunqi wiped his mouth with his sleeve, bowed, then walked to stand beside the dragon desk.
Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing the memorials and paid no heed to his appearance.
The fragrance of blossoms wafted in with the evening breeze, filling the room. At dusk, the palace eunuchs lit oil lamps in all directions.
Yunqi stood to one side of the Imperial Desk, scrutinizing Zhu Yuanzhang’s face which was like a withered tree by the lamp light. In his heart, he thought that this Emperor was really quite diligent. When he’d been young, he’d fought with all his might, waging military expeditions everywhere, only sleeping two shichen a night. Once he’d become the Emperor, the Prime Minister wasn’t needed, and even the Censor-in-Chief was no more. The memorials from the Six Ministries were sent directly to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, each day there’d be over a thousand memorials to review.
No matter how grave or how trivial, even simply killing a person required his personal approval, and still on two shichen of sleep every day. Is being an Emperor so enjoyable?
Yunqi simply couldn’t understand it. “That’s enough.” Yunqi took back his hands.
What was even harder for him to comprehend was: Zhu Yuanzhang was already seventy years old, and could still be so energetic every day. Even on a festival, he would still return to do overtime to review the memorials – how many years did he intend to live for before calling it quits? Yunqi really couldn’t figure it out. Zhu Yuanzhang was like a volcano, each day that he was on the throne, there might be countless people whose clans will be exterminated and their property confiscated.
How long more did he intend to live? “That’s enough.” Yunqi took back his hands.
Zhu Yuanzhang spoke indifferently, “Yunqi.” ☐☐☐☐
Yunqi answered, “This subject is present.” Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes, one hand rubbing at his temples looking extremely fatigued.
Yunqi understood and reached out to touch Zhu Yuanzhang’s wind mansion acupoint at the base of his skull, gently massaging it with his fingertips.
Zhu Yuanzhang said, “That’s enough.” Yunqi took back his hands.
Zhu Yuanzhang asked again, “Do you still remember your father?”
Yunqi felt a sudden chill in his heart, fearing that killing intent had again arisen in Zhu Yuanzhang. He felt unsure how to respond. His nerves were strung tightly as he began to deliberate.
Zhu Yuanzhang stated,” If you remember then say so. If you don’t remember, then say you don’t remember.”
Yunqi subconsciously responded, “I saw him for the last time when I was three years old, I don’t remember anymore.”
Zhu Yuanzhang said, “Zhen doesn’t remember anymore either.” Zhu Yuanzhang rested his head on the dragon chair, both eyes squinting mistily at the dusky sunset outside the hall, as he spoke slowly, “Chang Yuchun, Xu Da, Fu Youde, Liu Ji, Li Shanchang…Lan Yu.”
“All these years, how is it that Zhen can’t even recall what they looked like anymore?”
Yunqi thought to himself, each and every one of them had been killed by you. You fear their turning into ghosts and seeking revenge, so of course, you’d pretend that you don’t recognize them.
Zhu Yuanzhang articulated slowly, “Liu Ji’s Shaobing Song [24] …”
Yunqi secretly found this laughable, in his heart he thought, it was you who had me kill Fu Youde and Lan Yu, yet you overlooked it in an instant.
At that moment, Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head slowly, as if to dislodge these memories from his mind. He yawned, then sat up straight as he reached for another memorial. From the corner of his eye, Yunqi caught a glimpse of the words on the paper, it was a civil official’s memorial: The Emperor is advanced in age, and should live comfortably and securely for the rest of his Heaven-bestowed years. One does not see people who have attained seventy years of age still doing everything personally. Please pass the throne to the Imperial Grandson…”
Zhu Yuanzhang leisurely circled the name of that civil official, then went to switch to the vermillion brush. Yunqi had witnessed this many times, and knew he wanted to pen the character for “ 斩 [25]”.
As expected, Zhu Yuanzhang wrote half of the radical “车”. But before he could finish writing the character, his hand shook, and the vermillion brush lightly pressed against the memorial, leaving a red splotch. ☐☐☐
He changed his mind about beheading again, Yunqi thought in his heart without any change in his expression.
In its wake, Zhu Yuanzhang’s aged head slowly hung down and struck the dragon desk with a bang.
Yunqi stared blankly for a good while, before comprehending what had just occurred.
During the thirty-first year of Hongwu [26], Zhu Yuanzhang passed away [27], having lived for 71 years.
This is quite a lot to wrap around my head. Both Touba & Yunqi are alive but apart. Now the changes begin.
Thank you for the wonderful translation.
I’m so sad that they’re apart, I hope they manage to sort things out and get together soon.
You’re most welcome!