Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Project: 🐟 Jinyiwei (锦衣卫) | Author: Fei Tian Ye Xiang (非天夜翔) | Rating: Mature
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Arc 2: The Tortoiseshell Ring
Chapter 13 真假咸鱼 The real and fake salted fish
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National Mourning [1]; It was a period of National Mourning again. Zhu Yunwen responded with an “En”. awr☐☐
Zhu Yunwen’s eyes were red and swollen, as he gazed blankly at the coffin. Yunqi dragged a high chair to sit by the side, as he stared blankly at Zhu Yunwen.
Zhu Yunwen spoke in an oddly quiet voice, “It’s past noon. You go eat lunch. I’ll keep watch by myself.”
Yunqi couldn’t resist saying, “Don’t cry anymore. Sit for a while. Cry after you’ve eaten.”
Yunwen didn’t respond, and after a moment, he sobbed loudly, “Grandfather [2]!”
Yunqi’s heart felt pained at hearing his cries, so he hastily comforted him, “Alright, alright. It was Yun-ge’er’s mistake…don’t grieve anymore, Yunwen.”
Zhu Yunwen had already been poisoned once. Under no circumstances would Yunqi dare to leave him, deeply fearing a repeat of the poisoned paper money or something of the like. He had no alternative but to guard by Yunwen’s side at all times, not daring to take even a step away.
Yunwen prostrated himself on the ground, weeping non-stop. Yunqi was stupefied for a moment, before he spoke, “Yunwen, actually Yun-ge’er rather envies you.”
Yunwen ceased crying, and spoke brokenly, “What…what do you mean.”
Yunqi sighed, “When my father died, I was only nine years old, and didn’t know anything. I left home at four years old and was sent by Da-jie into the palace. Every day I couldn’t see my father…”
Zhu Yunwen stared absently at the coffin, before saying, “What about your mother.”
Yunqi said, “It was a difficult labor, she died when I was born.”
Zhu Yunwen responded with an “En”. awr☐☐☐weawha
Yunqi spoke again, “My father retired from office and returned to our hometown with sores on his back. When he returned, my sister even especially entered the palace to inform me.”
Zhu Yunwen replied dully, “Inform you about what.”
At this time, some eunuchs held meal boxes respectfully as they knelt. Yunqi said, “Eat lunch first, I’ll tell you as we eat.”
Zhu Yunwen said, “I don’t feel like eating…”
Yunqi knelt before Zhu Yunwen and picked up the box to pass it to him. He then sat down cross-legged and stated, “If you can’t finish it, give me your leftovers.”
Zhu Yunwen absent-mindedly ate a little before passing it to Yunqi. Yunqi then fed Zhu Yunwen another few bites; He pushed the rice into his own mouth [3], as he spoke unclearly, “Da-jie was also someone who’d studied the medical arts. She said that Father’s was a small ailment, and was curable. I merely listened to her without thinking too much about it. I don’t know what happened, but not long after reaching Zhongli, he wasn’t well…”
Zhu Yunwen made an “Oh” sound.
“Da-jie returned to the capital and took me back home to our hometown. We went to my father’s mourning hall. The entire populace of Zhongli had come too, Da-jie pointed at Father’s coffin and had me kneel, saying, “We may be children of a concubine [4], but we are still father’s own children. Kowtow.”
Yunqi said, “I kowtowed several times, but Jie didn’t tell me to stop. I had to continue kowtowing until my forehead was scoured and blood flowed. Da-ge and Er-ge were also quarreling by the side.
Zhu Yunwen asked, “Quarrelling about what?” ☐☐ e☐arajrawa
Yunqi expressed, “Yo, this quail is roasted quite well. I was only nine years old, who [4] knows what they were quarreling about.”
Yunqi’s mouth was stuffed full of roasted quail, he beamed in great delight as he described, “Da-ge yelled like a fighting cock, even taking his shoes off to fling them at Er-ge’s face, then he swung his sleeves and tried to tear at him…”
“Er-ge wasn’t one to concede weakness, so he grabbed a mop and shook it, with a “crash”, and with a flash of black, he tried to club at Da-ge’s face with such a powerful and majestic stance! Jiefu stood between them while calling out “Da-jiu, Er-jiu! Both of you mustn’t fight, if you want to fight someone, fight me!”
Zhu Yunwen had thought that Yunqi wanted to vent his own grievances, but like a gust of wind, he’d been caught unawares whilst listening to this vivid description, and laughed until he almost cramped.
Yunqi saw Yunwen’s tears turn to laughter, and felt much better. He turned to sit on a chair and ignored the palace regulations [5]. He picked up chopsticks one by one, then said to Zhu Yunwen who was kneeling on the floor, “Then Da-ge and Er-ge joined forces to beat up Jiefu.”
As they were speaking, Huang Zicheng arrived.
The Grand Tutor had originally wanted to show some concern to the Imperial Grandson; whether he’d eaten, not to be too sad. With his small stature, it isn’t good to starve himself.
Catching sight of Yunwen and Yunqi, Huang Zicheng’s lungs were about to explode in rage.
The monarch of a country knelt on the ground, but Yunqi sat on a tall chair, one hand holding the Emperor’s meal box, the other hand holding chopsticks, smiling as he said something.
Zhu Yunwen laughed as he watched Yunqi.
Huang Zicheng’s thread of sanity snapped with a loud “pa”.
“Xu Yunqi!” readthisontheoriginalsiteandnotonggregators.
Yunqi’s mouth had been stuffed full of food, and he suddenly spat it out, hastily attempting to escape. But Huang Zicheng was in such an awe-inspiring righteous fury, and the rage had rushed to his head, so he forcefully grabbed Yunqi’s collar and pushed him off the chair.
“You-you-you… what is this gross impropriety [6]! You are duping and insulting your superior [7]! The Emperor’s corpse hasn’t even gone cold…but you’re in the mourning hall brazenly bullying your monarch!”
Huang Zicheng thundered and raged with his hair disheveled and unkempt as he snatched away the meal box in Yunqi’s hand, and flung its contents at his head. He disregarded Zhu Yunwen’s arms around his waist in an attempt to hold him back, as he grabbed the chair and chased Yunqi around the entire mourning hall.
After all, Yunqi was the one in the wrong, and didn’t dare raise a hand to the Grand Tutor, and was obliged to flee dejectedly.
“Evildoer [8]… Calamity bringer [9]!” Zhu Yunwen responded with an “En”. awr
Yunqi squatted bitterly outside the hall, as he perked his ears up to eavesdrop.
He only heard Zhu Yunwen repeatedly acknowledge his mistake. After some time, Huang Zicheng calmed down and wept as he embraced Zhu Yunwen, sighing.
Yunqi picked off the roasted half quail from his head, as he resentfully threw it back into the meal box.
It was his favorite roasted quail, such a pity.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
“Is it delicious?” Zhu Yunwen responded with an “En”. awr
“En, en…” aweawabwenaa6576kkws35jq
Fifteen-year-old Tuoba Feng already possessed the appearance of a man. His adam’s apple rolled slightly as he looked at the roasted half quail in Yunqi’s hand.
At this time, little Yunqi who sat to one side eating roast quail was only twelve years old – altogether a young child that hadn’t grown up yet. He was dressed in a greyish-blue robe that had been washed very cleanly, just like a little porcelain doll wrapped in linen.
Tuoba Feng was one and a half heads taller than Yunqi and stood ramrod straight in a form-fitting gold feiyufu. His voice bore the cracking and roughness typical of the adolescent period of voice change. It appeared that Yunqi and he were people from two different worlds.
Little Yunqi grudgingly tore some of the quail’s head and backside to give to Tuoba Feng. Tuoba Feng chewed them with crunching noises, before swallowing everything straight down his gullet.
“Shi-ge will go on duty now.” “Come back early.”
Little Yunqi didn’t even raise his head, as he said, “Come back early.”
Tuoba Feng answered, “Ok.” He then stroked Yunqi’s head, making a great show of gravity, as he left with a hand on his knife.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
The artificial rockery in the Imperial Garden segregated a little open space. On another side of the artificial rockery was the Taiye Lake [10]. That place had always been a good courting place for lovers. Tuoba Feng closed his eyes, both arms pillowed behind his head. Little Yunqi lay on his belly beside him as he basked in the sun.
“Why isn’t she here yet…” Little Yunqi asked wearily.
Tuoba Feng opened his brooding amber eyes, and his ears twitched, he said, “Here.”
“Tuoba Feng?” Princess Shouchun [11] laughed gently, “Shi-xiongdi have waited here for a long time?”
Tuoba Feng replied with a cold “En”, and together with Yunqi, glanced toward the meal box in Princess Shouchun’s hand.
Yunqi patted his robe as he got up, his face filled with apprehension. He took the meal box that Princess Shouchun held out to him, and turned to sit by the side. He opened the box and there were two roasted quails inside. Yunqi felt particularly pleased as he began to eat.
Tuoba Feng stood up, and strolled side by side with Princess Shouchun to the bank of the Taiye Lake, as they sat beside the railings. Princess Shouchun asked him gently, “Did you sleep well yesterday night?”
Princess Shouchun leaned against the railings. Tuoba Feng was dressed in brocade, his appearance valiant and heroic.
A handsome male bodyguard with the graceful, lovely Princess by the Taiye Lake, truly made for an exceedingly beautiful scene.
Princess Shouchun hid her dainty little cherry lips with her sleeve, and whispered something, before smiling slightly.
Tuoba Feng responded indifferently, “Oh.”
Princess Shouchun was annoyed by this, saying, “Hehe, you are really…”
Tuoba Feng swayed woodenly.
Princess Shouchun’s face was rosy, her manner bashful as she gazed at the Taiye Lake for a while, before saying, “Tuoba Feng.”
Tuoba Feng replied in a deadpan manner, “This subject is present.”
Princess Shouchun said, “Yesterday night I…” Tuoba Feng swayed woodenly.
Tuoba Feng turned his head, and asked, “Finished eating?”
Little Yunqi’s mouth was covered in oil, as he peeped at them from behind the rockery. He was alert as he gazed attentively at Princess Shouchun, before slowly nodding and answering, “Save it to eat when we get back.”
Tuoba Feng leaped off the railings, the bottom of his feiyufu robes swinging in a graceful arc. He walked forward and said, “Let’s go.”
One big and one little. In this manner, they left Princess Shouchun behind at the lakeside.
Princess Shouchun’s delicate and lovely face like peach blossoms flushed redly, as she determined not to bring food for the Xu family’s little annoyance [12] next time.
Several days later, when Princess Shouchun came empty-handed, she was greeted by both their icy gazes.
“Where’s the roast quail?” Little Yunqi stood behind Tuoba Feng, as he asked warily.
Princess Shouchun’s delicate brows knit together as she frowned, “None. All you do is eat, why should I bring it for you!”
As if he’d suffered an enormous deception, Tuoba Feng’s handsome face turned ashen, and his tone was eerily cold as he questioned her aggressively, “Where’s the roasted quail?”
The merely fourteen-year-old Princess Shouchun pouted as tears welled up in her eyes.
Having waited for a long time in vain, little Yunqi had completely given up all hope. He pouted, the tears also welled up in his eyes as he endured an unspeakable sorrow and grief, and said, “I’m going back…”
Tuoba Feng spoke coldly to Princess Shouchun, “I’m going back as well. You can leave.”
Princess Shouchun felt like she’d been struck by a series of thunderbolts [13], as she could only observe helplessly as her handsome qing-lang [14] turned to leave.
At that moment, on account of two roasted quails, she had eternally, utterly lost him.
Little Yunqi followed along half the perimeter of Taiye Lake and grumpily threw himself onto the grass.
Tuoba Feng sat down with his back to the lake, and patted his thigh, saying, “Come here, sit on Shi-ge.”
Little Yunqi pouted and straddled Tuoba Feng’s thigh.
Tuoba Feng very naturally hugged Little Yunqi’s waist. Little Yunqi in turn put his arm around Tuoba Feng’s clean neck, holding one another. After a short while, Little Yunqi’s breaths became even as he fell asleep.
When the male mandarin ducks embrace one another [15], the female duck by the side watches in excitement.
Tuoba Feng waited until little Yunqi was fast asleep, before picking him up and carrying this half-grown, deadweight Shidi as he staggered back to the courtyard. Contemplating it for a moment, he covered his own face with a rag and prepared to sneak into the Imperial Kitchens to steal some roast quail.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Yunqi had already been on duty for ten consecutive shichen, and at this time he finally had a moment of leisure. After repeatedly instructing his replacement Rong Qing on everything, he uneasily returned to the courtyard to take a bath. He collapsed onto the bed with his hair disheveled and wet.
Having stood for ten consecutive shichen, even someone with a body of steel wouldn’t be able to endure it. Yunqi closed his eyes in exhaustion and didn’t even bother drying his hair, only wanting to sleep for a while.
“Commander…” Tuoba Feng swayed woodenly.
The flies buzzed, “Commander Yun-Commander Yun-Commander Yun…”
Yunqi’s eyes were both closed, as he replied in a daze, “There’s a Shangfang Baojian hanging over there, take it down yourself and slit your throat with it.”
“Commander Yun…the Crown Prince has summoned… the Crown Prince has summoned…the Grand Tutor, the Grand Tutor…”
Yunqi flipped out as he yelled, “How is one to live like this [16]!” He abruptly got up, and grudgingly pushed past the eunuch causing him to stagger, as he retrieved his feiyufu and quickly put it on.
Rong Qing’s face bore a woebegone look, as he stood in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Upon seeing Yunqi, he acted as if he’d been relieved of a heavy burden, “The Crown Prince wants to meet the vassal Princes who are here for the bereavement. They arrived in the capital a few days ago.”
Yunqi questioned him unhappily, “The Prince of Yan arrived?”
Rong Qing’s expression was solemn as he shook his head. Yunqi had no choice but to enter the hall. Upon seeing Zhu Yunwen seated on the dragon chair, he studied him for a moment, only to see Huang Zicheng standing to one side, with a gloomy expression.
At the foot of the hall stood Li Jinglong, Fang Xiaoru, and the rest.
Yunqi bowed, then walked to the side of the dragon desk to stand firm.
Zhu Yunwen behaved as if he’d been fed an elixir of reassurance [17], he said, “Summon the three Imperial uncles.”
The Jinyiwei are strictly forbidden to interfere in the affairs of the state. Closing the door with Yunqi, closing the door with Rong Qing, or even closing the door with Tuoba Feng – the outcome would be the same. Zhu Yunwen had held out for so long, he must have been lectured by Huang Zicheng, yet stubbornly still waited for Yunqi to come over.
After having figured out what was actually going on, Yunqi’s bellyful of just-woken-up crankiness dissipated without a trace, instead, he shot a mocking smile at Huang Zicheng.
But Huang Zicheng was not in the mood to find trouble with him.
Only to see the three Princes enter the hall, each bowing towards Zhu Yunwen, but they did not kneel as they called him “Imperial Nephew.” Yunqi understood that the gathered Princes today wanted to demonstrate their own prestige and power in order to cow Zhu Yunwen.
Huang Zicheng gave Fang Xiaoru a meaningful look; Fang Xiaoru spoke coldly, “Sirs, as vassal Princes you meet the Emperor and do not kneel, what intentions do you harbor! The Marquis of Huaiyin [18] was bestowed 100,000 households [19], but had a disloyal heart to his monarch, and was still beheaded in order to appease the public wrath.”
When the three Princes heard his words, they hadn’t expected Fang Xiaoru to be so strong-willed, actually having the audacity to directly denounce them. Since Huang Zicheng and Fang Xiaoru had previously conspired on this matter, at this time Huang Zicheng said, “The three Imperial Uncles cannot be blamed in this matter. The Emperor has recently passed away, and the Crown Prince hasn’t yet ascended to the throne. The required etiquette is unclear. After the Emperor’s funeral, the Imperial Uncles can then kneel – ensuring that the highest level of etiquette is not missed out, and it’s fine.”
Zhu Yunwen hurriedly smiled, “No harm done, no harm done. We’re all family.” rqb-]9n3u5]-3q974u]-q93bu-]q394ub-q39]
Yunqi realized that this was a stage play where one wore the red makeup of the hero, while the other wore the white makeup of the villain, and had to suppress his smile.
The Prince of Lu [19] was the first to react, and said angrily, “ Even so, how can Scholar Fang be unreasonable and make a scene in court?!”
Fang Xiaoru answered in a resonant voice, “This is not so, Xiaoru cannot bear watching people disregard the Son of Heaven. The Emperor’s remains have scarcely gone cold, and the Crown Prince is young. The gathered Wang-ye do not pay attention to etiquette, and act as they see fit, without considering others – inducing people to hold them in contempt!”
The Prince of Jin [20] found a loophole in his words, and sneered, “It turns out that Scholar Fang merely wanted to establish the Crown Prince’s authority. Since the intention is to catch up with one’s own family, why did the Imperial Nephew summon these dozens of external ministers?!”
Zhu Yunwen declared, “It is as Imperial Uncle says. Scholar Fang has indeed violated etiquette in this case. Attendants, twenty strokes of the punishment rod!”
Yunqi was still smiling, not understanding what had just occurred.
Fang Xiaoru who hadn’t fully recovered from his old injuries from the previous punishment, hobbled to the hall, and knelt down with a thump, as he declared, “ I only hope that the gathered Wang-ye here will remember the words spoken today in court!”
Zhu Yunwen shouted again, “Punishment rods [21]!”
Zhu Yunwen frowned slightly, and said softly, “Beat him with twenty strokes of the punishment rod…” As he spoke, he pointed toward Fang Xiaoru.
The state of Yunqi’s thoughts was as if he was under bombardment by dozens of divine thunder strikes and a hundred volcanoes had erupted simultaneously.
“Beat…him?” Yunqi looked at Fang Xiaoru, then glanced again at Zhu Yunwen. Huang Zicheng was slightly displeased and coughed once.
A chill ran down Yunqi’s spine, as he turned to fetch the punishment rods.
As the punishment rods struck down, Yunqi gave the Jinyiwei a meaningful glance. Each of them only hit lightly. The one sitting on the dragon chair wasn’t Zhu Yuanzhang, Yunqi was still extremely cognizant of Yunwen’s disposition.
Yunwen shifted his line of sight from Fang Xiaoru, and asked, “When will 4th Imperial Uncle [22] arrive?”
Fang Xiaoru’s pained groans were audible. The three Princes felt uncomfortable and lost most of their bluster and arrogance. The Prince of Lu said, “He…Si-ge [22] probably encountered some delays on the road.”
Zhu Yunwen smiled, “As long as he doesn’t miss the timing, this great ancestral ceremony cannot be neglected.”
The gathered Princes seemed have received a slap to their faces, each awkwardly declaring, “The Crown Prince speaks truly.”
Huang Zicheng laughed grimly, “What about encountering delays on the road, it’s evident that he shows contempt for the Crown Prince! When the Emperor still reigned, for the former Crown Prince [23]’s funeral, he arrived in five days. Now the first seven days have already passed, and it’s been almost a month – how much longer is he going to delay?! I heard that the Prince of Yan is secretly massing his forces…”
Once these words came up, the various Princes paled and glanced simultaneously at Yunqi.
Huang Zicheng, thoroughly disregarding Yunqi’s expression, scolded and cursed the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di’s entire family fiercely. Just listening to it made Yunqi’s expressions cycle through various stages of anger.
After the twenty strokes of the rod had been struck, Yunqi had expected Fang Xiaoru to play the ‘inflicting injury upon oneself to gain the enemy’s trust [24]‘ ruse and thus it couldn’t go too far. They would only need to flog him for a long time without hurting his bones and ligaments. But by this time, having been subject to Huang Zicheng’s onslaught of innuendo and vilification, he was unexpectedly enraged, only regretting that he’d been too soft-tempered earlier. He ruthlessly lifted up the punishment rod and gnashed his teeth in anger as he flogged Fang Xiaoru one additional time.
That blow had been inflicted very ferociously, the guard opposite had been about to report the completion of twenty strokes, but upon seeing Yunqi strike once more, he hurriedly also added one more stroke. Both rods struck together, their impact causing Fang Xiaoru to fall to the ground and spit out a mouthful of blood.
Zhu Yunwen was taken aback, and upon seeing Yunqi’s ashen face, he absentmindedly exchanged some conventional greetings with the Princess. The group of Princes couldn’t wait to express their gratitude and ask for leave to withdraw and left hastily.
Fang Xiaoru gritted his teeth and climbed to his feet, tottering as he walked towards the dragon desk. Zhu Yingwen hurriedly got up to support him, saying, “Teacher [25] really is …sigh.”
The young eunuch brought two chairs over, and let Fang Xiaoru lie down. Fang Xiaoru said, “The strokes are lighter, not as vicious as last time.”
Yunqi put the punishment rods back, and walked back to the dragon desk to stand firmly, in his heart he thought: You already got off easily, but you’re still speaking nonsense [26]. In the future, I won’t let you off. Next time, if I don’t beat you into a meat patty within ten strokes, my fucking surname isn’t Xu.
Li Jinglong who had been silent all this while now spoke slowly, “ Had it not been for this, it wouldn’t have sufficed to frighten the vassal Princes. Today, Xiaoru-xiong suffered a beating. In the days ahead, should the Princes overstep their bounds and violate etiquette, your Highness must bear this in mind.”
Zhu Yunwen sighed, and nodded, saying, “After all, they are my own uncles, if we can resolve it in this manner, it will…”
Fang Xiaoru spoke gravely, “Now that the vassal Princes’ leadership have been rendered ineffectual by recalcitrant subordinates, your Highness should not be hesitant and indecisive.”
Huang Zicheng coughed once. Tuoba Feng swayed woodenly.
Yunqi thought in his heart, first, he’d cursed the Prince of Yan, and had even scolded the locust whilst pointing at the mulberry [27], rebuking Yunqi as well. At this time, could it be that he was still looking for other excuses?
Huang Zicheng spoke unhurriedly, “Unconcerned individuals should all withdraw.”
Yunqi frowned slightly and held his breath.
Huang Zicheng said, “ There are a lot of ears in the palace, the Jinyiwei Commander, recuse yourself [28].”
Yunqi said, “The Jinyiwei only heed the Emperor’s instructions.”
Zhu Yunwen revealed his reluctance, but after a while made his decision, “Commander Xu, go out for a while first.”
Yunqi gazed attentively at Zhu Yunwen for a moment, before nodding. He was the first to exit the hall, and the other five Jinyiwei followed in his wake, walking out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Yunqi backhandedly shut the door of the hall tightly, as they quietly sat on the front steps.
Had Tuoba Feng been still present, perhaps Yunqi would have said to Huang Zicheng: The Emperor is now lying in his coffin, you have the Emperor come and issue the commands then.”
However, since he’d chosen to stay behind that year, he couldn’t not demonstrate complete loyalty towards Yunwen.
Complete loyalty is precisely like Tuoba Feng, regardless of what order his master gives him, that dog would be sure to execute determinedly. Yunqi’s keen sense of smell had again played its part; the matters discussed by the trio Fang, Huang, and Li – had mostly to do with his ruffian Jiefu.
Several days later, Zhu Di finally reached Nanjing. Was he planning to rebel? Was he planning to rebel?
At the same time, he brought with him 15,000 of his Beiping personal guards and garrisoned them outside Nanjing City. [29]
What is Zhu Di intending to do? The Imperial Court denigrated into chaos: Was he planning to rebel?
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
A tent that was pitched outside the city.
Zhu Di smiled wickedly, “I knew that they wouldn’t let me in.”
Tuoba Feng lowered his bamboo hat as he stood to one side of the tent, remaining silent without answering.
Zhu Di crossed his legs, resting his head on his arms. He sat back in his chair as he rocked it back and forth.
“The Prince of Yan, you have some nerve!” Was he planning to rebel?
Zhu Di fell backward with his face upturned towards the sky. Tuoba Feng reached out with an arm and curved his body slightly as he grabbed the back of the chair. Only to see a man seething with rage as he burst towards the army tent – even the bodyguards couldn’t hold him back.
Tuoba Feng released his grip, folded his arms in his sleeves, and lowered his head as he stood quietly behind Zhu Di.
That man had an item raised aloft, and at once the golden rays shot in all directions! The glare dazzled Zhu Di’s dog eyes!
Zhu Di fixed his gaze on it, and was greatly surprised, and asked, “Xiong-tai [30]…no, Daren, what is your honored surname?”
That man cried out angrily, “This official is Song Zhong! Who is behaving frivolously with you, and calling each other brothers!”
Only to see that three-chi, two-cun long item, broad as a finger-width item. Song Zhong simmered in his emotions for a bit, before he proceeded to roar emotionally, “The Shangfang Baojian [31] is in hand! The Prince of Yan is to receive the Imperial Edict!”
Zhu Di composed himself, and just as he wasn’t sure how to respond, Tuoba Feng roughened his voice and said coldly, “Wang-ye, that Shangfang Baojian is fake.”
Zhu Di thought hard, trying to come up with an idea. Finally got in.”
At this moment, a person entered the tent, again it was someone that could not be restrained. He was dressed in feiyufu, an embroidered spring knife at his waist. He wiped off a handful of sweat, and smiled, “Finally got in.”
Zhu Di involuntarily cried out, “Rong Qing?!” b 04un3048qu084ng08q
Rong Qing carried an item in his arms, smiling politely as he sized up Song Zhong. The three men stared at one another in consternation, before awkwardly clearing his throat, “That is…Wang-ye…“
The Shangfang Baojian in Rong Qing’s hands was exactly the same as the one in Song Zhong’s. Tuoba Feng whispered, “The one in Rong-ge’er ‘s hands is the real one.”
Rong Qing was slightly shocked at the sound of his voice; he gaped disbelievingly at Tuoba Feng.
Tuoba Feng raised his head slightly, and narrowed his eyes under the bamboo hat, as he slowly shook his head at Rong Qing.
Rong Qing pulled his expression together, and spoke in a severe manner, “Commander Yun had me come… I have some words for the Prince of Yan.”
Song Zhong immediately puffed his fur up as he bellowed, “So what if it’s the Jinyiwei ! ! I have the Emperor’s Imperial edict! ！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！”
Therefore, Zhu Di’s only thought was: The biggest joke in the world cannot be more comical than this.
The one who was bestowed the Shangfang Baojian was Xiao-jiu-zi… yet, it is the Emperor who must rack his brains to find a fake one to use. What kind of ever-changing state of the world is this?
Lol two imperial swords, can I also get one? 🙂
Even if the imperial uncles didn’t have any rebellious intentions, with the courtiers goading an inexperienced young emperor like that, no wonder it all ended up badly
I’d love one too but it sounds kind of heavy and garish… Huang Zicheng and Fang Xiaoru’s actions are quite concerning, I know they mean well, but it doesn’t seem like antagonizing everyone (even the people on Zhu Yunwen’s side) is a good idea.
What a hornets nest this is becoming. At least Tuoba’s back.
Thank you for these quick chapter translations – the story is exciting & I can’t wait for Yunqi-Tuoba reunion.
A very confused hornet’s nest, and people keep kicking it!
I’m glad you’re enjoying and I really do appreciate your reading and comments 😀 It’s very heartwarming to see someone else enjoying the story and hearing everyone’s thoughts about it.