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 15 鱼目混珠 Mixing Fish eyes with Pearls
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A night where the autumn winds were accompanied by ten thousand silk threads of fine rain, and a thousand pieces of fallen Wutong leaves.
Su Wanrong reclined against the soft couch, her drawn eyebrows arched like a bird in flight. She held a copper poker to prod at the red hot charcoal in the brazier, as a full pot of Longjing tea [1] gurgled, filling the room with the aroma of tea.
Su Wanrong smiled faintly, “Wen Yuehua and I addressed one another as sisters, since you’ve married her daughter as your wife, you can just call me Su-yi [2].
Zhu Di responded awkwardly, “Hello Su-yi, this… May I know Su-yi’s honorable age? This humble Prince really… finds it very difficult to call you that.”
Su Wanrong’s smile didn’t diminish as she answered leisurely, “ Forty-seven years of age.”
“…” Readthis on sassystrawber rydotcom
Zhu Di pulled a long face as he expressed, “How is it that you look to be about the same age as Wen-er… it’s better that I address you as Jiang-furen.”
Su Wanrong burst into laughter, “Wang-ye is extremely good at speaking.”Su Wanrong spoke sharply, “That’s the Emperor!”
Zhu Di considered for a moment, before stating, “To speak candidly, yesterday one of my personal guards accompanied me into the city. Our people from Beiping haven’t really seen the world, so he got lost not long after entering the capital. Jiang-lao, he…”
Su Wanrong said, “ Lao-Jiang returned to his hometown to accompany his old mother for the Mid-Autumn festival, he hasn’t returned yet.”
Zhu Di nodded, and asked again, “My personal guard is called Zhu Feng [3], I wonder if Jiang-furen…” don’t read on aggreg4tor sites.
Su Wanrong responded with derision, “I certainly do not know any Zhu Feng [4] or Zhu Di [5].”
Her words indirectly scolded Zhu Di as well. He understood and smiled broadly, appearing extremely pleased, “Alright, since it’s like that, I expect that he’s already long left the city. This humble Prince will take my leave now.”
Jiang Huan’s seniority within the Imperial Court was extremely high, he was practically an uncle in terms of generation to the vassal princes that he’d watched grow up. Zhu Di wouldn’t dare to skimp on courtesy, and thus he arched his hands in obeisance towards Su Wanrong as he took his leave.
Even before Madam Jiang got up to see him off, Zhu Di hurriedly demurred that it wasn’t required, and exited the residence on his own. However, Su Wanrong’s expression froze over as she heard the hubbub outside the residence at the same time as Zhu Di. This time, she’d have to get up even whether she wanted to or not.
It was noon, and a large number of Meridian Gate guards had gathered within the 4th lane, each with a leashed hunting hound sniffing about in all directions, as they surrounded the backyard of the Jiang residence.
Someone yelled, “Whose courtyard is that? Harboring Imperial criminals, are they tired of living? !”
Just as that person’s shout rang out, one of his more experienced and more prudent companions hurriedly covered the former’s mouth, whispering, “It’s Jiang Huan’s house!”
The mere mention of Jiang Huan made the gathered guards all shudder. There was a more well-informed guard who said, “It’s fine, Old dog Jiang went back home. There are only women left in this courtyard…and a few old servants- they wouldn’t be able to create much trouble. Brothers just follow me.”
Just as they pushed forward, the main entrance opened with a creak. The group of guards subconsciously retreated half a step.
Su Wanrong gathered her pink lotus sleeves, a shadow of a smile on her face, as she asked, “These Guan-ye [6], what noble errand might you be on?”
“Uh…” The other party was Madam Jiang, and it wouldn’t be good to just barge in. asfawrfa wbrawrqwrarbaw
The head of the guards then saw a luxuriously dressed man with a roguish smirk on his face standing behind Madam Jiang. At that moment, he felt that he’d found a weak point, and considered for a moment before saying, “An assassin entered the palace last night, and startled his Majesty. The Grand Tutor has ordered for us to search the entire city, and we’ve searched until Jiang-lao’s residence – we have no choice but to request for Furen to make an exception and let our brothers enter and do a search…”
Su Wanrong raised an eyebrow, “You’ve already finished searching the city? It’s only our house left?”
That guard replied awkwardly, “En…”Su Wanrong replied, “What about it?”
Even before he could answer, dozens of ferocious dogs charged into the courtyard as they continued their frenzied barking; their momentum extremely alarming as their handlers reeled and stumbled, almost unable to hold them back. The events happened faster than words could describe, only to see the sleeves of Su Wanrong’s robes flutter once, and instantly a cold glint silently and imperceptibly flew out from the base of her sleeve.
A mournful whimper sounded immediately as the head of a hunting hound spun away a great distance, the neck stump gushing blood madly! The gathered guards cried out in unison. At that moment, they could clearly see that the concealed weapon within her sleeve was a carving knife, which was linked by an extremely fine ice silkworm silk thread.
Su Wanrong casually tugged and the carving knife flew back into her hand. She acted as if nothing had happened as she stated, “Since you’ve not finished your search, then may I trouble you to go somewhere else first.”
“You!” The head of the guards flew into a rage, “ You have some nerve!”
Su Wanrong replied, “What about it?”
Having spoken, her white jade-like fingertips pressed against the carving knife, displaying a glittering icy glow as she waved it slightly under the sunlight.
Su Wanrong declared, “This knife has carved the Imperial Jade Seal in the past, so what’s wrong with using it now to kill a few dogs?”
If they risked their lives to rush forward, it wouldn’t be difficult to subdue this woman. But whoever charged at the forefront, would certainly have their heads removed from their bodies. For a moment, none dared to find trouble with Madam Jiang. The guards stood staring at one another unsure of how to proceed – they couldn’t figure out what to do.
Su Wanrong spoke coldly, “If you want to search the Jiang residence, request for the Shangfang Baojian first, or an Imperial edict will do as well. If you don’t have either, please forgive Su Wanrong for not accompanying you in this matter. It wasn’t easy for your parents to raise you, little brothers [7].”
She turned back to return to the residence after these words. Just as Zhu Di wasn’t sure whether to stay or leave, his savior [8] finally arrived.
“The Jinyiwei are under Imperial orders on official business! Unrelated persons should all withdraw and keep out of the way!” Yunqi shouted from a distance.
Yunqi led more than a dozen Jinyiwei across the 4th lane. Upon seeing the front of Jiang Huan’s residence encircled threateningly by a group of aggressive people, they immediately puffed up in anger.
“Where did these dog beasts come from!” Rong Qing immediately gave an earth-shattering loud yell.
“Slow, slow, slow down…!” Yunqi hurriedly shouted.
At this time, the Meridian gate guards realized that the impetus was against them, and hastily retreated to keep out of their way.
Rong Qing and the remainder of the Jinyiwei were seething with barely contained fury. Jiang Huan was still the former Jinyiwei commander, his residence being besieged in this manner was no different from humiliating their parents.
At that moment, no one could be bothered with Yunqi’s orders. More than a dozen Jinyiwei drew their embroidered spring knives as they dashed through the lane whilst clamoring in succession; Charging murderously toward the guards in front of the residence. This really plagued the palace guards who were tasked to arrest the Imperial fugitive. If they didn’t leave, there was bound to be a fiery open confrontation between both factions – and who dared to go against the Jinyiwei?
The sounds of people’s cries and dogs’ barks rang out as they almost wet their pants as they fled, leaving no trace behind. Rong Qing was unwilling to desist and pursued them out of the lane.
Yunqi dismounted from his horse and stepped into the residence. Upon confirming that the Jiang residence hadn’t fallen to disaster, and witnessing Su Wanrong standing tall and graceful before the main entrance, he breathed a sigh of relief.
“Hello Shi-niang, where’s Shifu?” Yunqi carried the Shangfang Baojian, as he cupped his fists and bowed. Su Wanrong replied gently, “Your Shifu went back home.”
As he caught sight of Zhu Di smiling as he stood to one side, his heart felt perturbed, and wasn’t sure how to begin speaking. Tuoba Feng must have escaped to this place.
However, Su Wanrong was extremely considerate, and asked, “Tudi’er [9] has also come to search the residence?”
Yunqi replied, “Yes.” Readthisontheoriginalsite.
Su Wanrong lifted a hand to slap Yunqi’s face, the “pa” sound greatly startling Zhu Di, as it left a handprint on the side of Yunqi’s face.
“Come in then.” Su Wanrong said indifferently, as she turned back into the residence. “Prince of Yan, take care [10], I won’t see you out.”
Yunqi and Zhu Di exchanged glances before he followed Su Wanrong into the interior.
“Do you know why Shi-niang struck you?”Su Wanrong replied, “What about it?”
Yunqi trailed along after Su Wanrong, and whispered, “Shi-niang, Tu’er [9] had no other choice, I thought that Shi-ge would dodge it – I wanted him to leave quickly…Is his injury very serious?” His eyes reddened as he spoke. After a sleepless night, his complexion looked even worse.
Su Wanrong led Yunqi upstairs with an ‘En,” and said, “It’s not serious. It’s only now that the Emperor has passed away [11] and the Imperial Grandson hasn’t yet ascended the throne, that Shi-niang would be so bold. You must send him out of the city before the Imperial Grandson ascends the throne. If you’re late even by a day, it will get very troublesome, understand?”
Yunqi nodded quietly, knowing that the capital was currently in a state of anarchy. Had Su Wanrong harbored Imperial criminals during Zhu Yuanzhang’s reign, it would have implicated Jiang Huan’s entire family, resulting in the extermination of their nine clans – he thought secretly to himself with no small measure of horror. As they spoke, they entered a small side room in the attic.
Su Wanrong pushed open the door, and abruptly cried out, “Where is he? !”
Yunqi stared in astonishment at the messy bed, beneath the pillow a small pool of purple-black blood had soaked into the bedding. It was unknown when Tuoba Feng who’d been lying on the bed and recuperating, had leaped out of the window and fled.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Zhu Di strode out of the 4th lane, passed by the Ministry of Revenue, and headed in the direction of the palace entrance.
As a Wang-ye; although he’s currently in the capital, the Imperial Palace hadn’t even provided him with a carriage. However, Zhu Di was accustomed to toiling and working hard and didn’t actually care about such matters. He ambled onwards as he pondered on the situation.
The worrying thing pertained to Yunwen whom he’d previously viewed with contempt. In the years after Zhu Biao had died, it appeared that Yunwen and Yunqi’s relationship had undergone some subtle changes?
At the entrance of the Ministry of Revenue, the Right Vice Minister of Personnel was thrown out by a group of overbearing and aggressive Jinyiwei, and tossed onto the street, as he tumbled at Zhu Di’s feet. The corners of Zhu Di’s mouth twitched. He knew that amongst the guards who surrounded Jiang Huan’s residence this morning, there must have been some unknown fellow whose background involved the Ministry of Revenue, thus implicating his unfortunate father into being a scapegoat.
“You [12] Please get up, get up.” Zhu Di smiled as he supported the Right Vice Minister of Personnel up, and said to Rong Qing, “Forget it, forget it…”
The Right Vice Minister of Personnel had a dejected look as he said, “When I return home I will definitely properly discipline my humble son [13]…”
The Jinyiwei were still unwilling to let things go as they clamored, resembling nothing more than a gang of bullies.
“Prince of Yan save me!” The Right Vice Minister of Personnel clung to Zhu Di’s waist as he wailed loudly.
Zhu Di caught sight of a figure at the corner of the street and frowned slightly. He shook off the Right Vice Minister of Personnel and charged forward.
Zhu Di turned his head and called out, “Rong Qing! Teach him a good lesson on my behalf!”
Having diverted the Jinyiwei’s attention, he sprinted towards the street corner.
Zhu Di crossed the street very swiftly, and the pursuit took him to the back door of the Imperial Palace. He whistled quietly once, as Tuoba Feng unnervingly appeared from under a tree.
“You…” Zhu Di was unable to contain his anger, his words were reproachful, “You’re not resting at the Jiang residence, what did you run out for?”
Tuoba Feng hadn’t yet changed out of the bodyguard attire of the Prince of Yan’s residence, merely removing the embroidered clothes from his top half, and tying them around his waist. His torso was bared, revealing his strong and handsome body with skin the color of antique bronze. There was a layer of bandages swathed around his shoulder and back, still oozing blood through the gauze, clearly, the wound had split open again after he’d dashed off.
Zhu Di ruthlessly smacked Tuoba Feng causing him to stagger, and said fiercely, “Didn’t I tell you to wait for me to move forward before you throw the blade!”
Tuoba Feng pondered for a moment, and said, “What? Say it again, when I saw Yunqi on the gate tower, my heart already went out to him, and I didn’t listen carefully to what you were saying.”
“…”
Zhu Di spoke sorrowfully and mournfully, “I said…I wanted you to wait until I stepped forward and was speaking to the Imperial Grandson. Then to throw the hidden weapon from the window! ! To act out a play where I can save the Imperial Grandson’s life!”
Tuoba Feng suddenly saw the light, and said, “I understand now, let’s try again.”
Zhu Di didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this and said, “What time is it already, why’d you enter the palace just now?”
Tuoba Feng said, “I entered the palace to visit Yunqi, but he wasn’t there.”
Zhu Di’s expression appeared as if he was about to perish from misery, as he answered, “ He went to the Jiang residence, you pounced at nothing [14], moron [15]!
Tuoba Feng responded with an “Oh”, and then said, “I passed by the Hall of Supreme Harmony and heard the Imperial Grandson talking about you together with Huang Zicheng, Li Jinglong, and Fang Xiaoru.”
Zhu Di said, “You, you, you…let’s go. We’ll speak after we get out of the city.”
Tuoba Feng pointed before turning to leave.
Zhu Di realized something wasn’t right, and hurriedly asked, “What were they discussing about me?”
Tuoba Feng said, “Give me some silver, and I’ll return Shi-niang money.”
Zhu Di gnashed his teeth angrily, “How much?”
Tuoba Feng replied, “Twelve taels.” Su Wanrong replied, “What about it?”
“…” dontsupportaggregators
Zhu Di’s eyes bulged as he asked, “When did you borrow so much?! Su Wanrong also works part-time as a loan shark? !”
Tuoba Feng said, “Since I was ten years old, I borrowed money for five years. Two qian per month.”
Zhu Di said, “I’ll give you ten taels.”
Tuoba Feng persisted, “Twelve taels.” Zhu Di gnashed his teeth angrily, “How much?”
Zhu Di said, “I didn’t bring that much with me. What kind of worthless news did you hear to extort twelve taels from this Wang-ye?!”
Tuoba Feng said, “That’s the market rate.”
“…” You only need to tell Wang-ye what the Imperial Grandson said in the end, that will suffice.”
Zhu Di gritted his teeth as he fumbled out two ingots of silver and gave them to Tuoba Feng, and also passed him the jade thumb ring that had been on his hand, before speaking angrily, “ Go pawn the thumb ring. What did you hear, quickly speak, speak carefully! Describe clearly who said what, it’s twelve taels!”
Tuoba Feng spoke quietly, “The Grand Tutor said you intend to rebel, and wanted the Imperial Grandson to lock you up. The Imperial Grandson said you wouldn’t dare to rebel, the idea of locking you up is a bad idea. Fang Xiaoru said that Huang Zicheng’s idea wasn’t bad at all. Li Jinglong said that the Imperial Grandson saying that the Grand Tutor’s idea wouldn’t work, was correct. The Grand Tutor said Li Jinglong’s words saying that the Imperial Grandson saying that the Grand Tutor’s idea was bad, was wrong…”
“…”
Zhu Di said, “ I was wrong, Feng-er. You only need to tell Wang-ye what the Imperial Grandson said in the end, that will suffice.”
Tuoba Feng said, “The Imperial Grandson decided not to kill you, but neither can he let you go. He wants to imprison you in the Imperial Harem, and after the Emperor’s funeral, he’ll send you to Hangzhou.”
Zhu Di nodded his agreement, and Tuoba Feng spoke again, “Ai, in any case, he’s my Uncle.”
Zhu Di snorted, as Tuoba Feng abruptly altered his manner of speaking, and declared, “Imperial Grandson! You must not have the benevolence of a woman [16]! Si-Wang–ye has the ruthless ambition of a feral wolf, and hides a dagger behind his smile [17]…”
Tuoba Feng’s mimicry of Fang Xiaoru’s way of speaking was so skillfully imitated as to be indistinguishable from the original. Zhu Di choked at this and stumbled, he tried to grab at Tuoba Feng’s collar, but Tuoba Feng’s upper half was bare, and there was no place he could lay his hands on. Zhu Di gnashed his teeth and bit out, “Fine. Just put on your clothes properly and follow me.”
“Cover up your face, there’s a lot of familiar folks here!” “Think of something yourself.”
“What do I cover it with.” “Think of something yourself.”
“Think of something yourself.”
Tuoba Feng pulled his shirt over his head, the collar resting on the top of his head. His neck hunched into his shirt, resembling a turtle that had withdrawn into its shell.
Zhu Di returned to the Jiang residence’s entrance, and gestured outside the courtyard, “Squat here. I’ll think of something, we must get out of the city today. I can’t return to the palace.”
Tuoba Feng nodded apathetically as he squatted outside the courtyard wall, unmoving.
Zhu Di knocked on the door and entered. The next moment, he asked doubtfully, “Xiao-jiu-zi, why haven’t you left yet?”
Yunqi answered from the courtyard, “Waiting for someone.”
Tuoba Feng stood up, ostensibly wanting to enter the courtyard. He took a step out and gazed at the long, empty street. Instead, he gave up on the idea, and once more set his back against the wall and squatted down in his original position.
Zhu Di sucked in a breath, not knowing what to say, Yunqi asked, “Why’d you come back?”
Su Wanrong called out from inside the hall, “What matter does Wang-ye have now?”
Yunqi lowered his voice and said, “You go in on your own. Shi-niang isn’t in a good mood today.” Zhu Di hurriedly entered the hall.
Yunqi walked to a corner of the courtyard and sat with his back against the wall. That high wall separated Yunqi and Tuoba Feng’s backs.
Yunqi wasn’t aware that Tuoba Feng was on the other side of the wall, but Tuoba Feng was aware that Yunqi sat on that side of the wall.
Each of them separately fished out a Qilin jade pendant.
Yunqi idly caressed the Qilin jade pendant, as he murmured under his breath,
“Heaven is Ageless, Love is Endless [18]…” “Think of something yourself.”
Tuoba Feng took out a shepherd’s flute [19] and began playing it gently.
Yunqi held his breath and listened to the sound of the flute coming from the other side of the tall wall. Was it Lao-Ba? No, he’d never been able to play the flute.
The melodious music reverbrated in the empty lane in late autumn, as a Wutong leaf lightly detached itself from the branches.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
“Ethereal, do you understand ethereal… your saliva has clogged up the hole…” Xu Wen yelled angrily, “Xiao-di!”
Little Yunqi stared at Xu Wen in ignorance. Xu Wen reached out to snatch away the flute, hating iron for not becoming steel [20], “It’s not played like that!”
Little Yunqi cried out impatiently, “Not learning anymore!”
Xu Wen’s face was ashen, “Forget it, forget it. Don’t learn anymore, you can really anger a person to death!”
Little Yunqi pouted and ran off.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
“The sound of the flute is ethereal, who would vigorously pour in so much saliva like this.” Xu Wen said angrily.
Tuoba Feng took back the flute in all apparent earnestness and brought it to his lips as he clumsily pressed his slender fingers on the holes of the flute.
Xu Wen abruptly snatched away the flute, saying, “Don’t learn anymore, your skills are just as deplorable as my di [21]’s .”
Tuoba Feng suddenly extended his arm, and grabbed the flute, his face impassive as he articulated, “ I want to learn.”
Xu Wen snatched the flute back again, as she cried out angrily, “No time to teach you, scram!”
Tuoba Feng again grasped the flute, and asserted, “Learn!” Little Yunqi pouted and ran off.
“…” read this onsassystrawb errydotc om
Xu Wen said, “Then you go practice on your own, I can’t teach a clumsy disciple like you.”
Tuoba Feng didn’t bother with Xu Wen as he practiced intermittently. After spending a long time rehearsing, the sibilant whistling of the flute gradually strung itself into a continuous melody.
Zhu Di lay in the Imperial Garden, as he lifted his head from a book that he’d been reading, the expression in his eyes disoriented as he asked, “Who’s that, tooting like a howling ghost the entire day?”
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
“Yun-er!”Little Yunqi pouted and ran off.
The strains of the flute stopped and Yunqi patted his brocade clothes as he got up.
Su Wanrong gave instructions from inside of the hall, “Go to the backyard’s vegetable plot and pull up a radish, a thicker one.”
Zhu Di cried out, “You…Jiang-furen!”
Su Wanrong scolded him, “Either way leads to death, so what is Wang-ye afraid of?”
“??” Yunqi was bewildered. Su Wanrong exhorted him a few times.
Yunqi didn’t understand what was going on, but he turned towards the backyard to pull up a radish. When he returned to the courtyard, Yunqi leaped up the high wall suspiciously and clung to the top of the wall as he glanced down. There was no one in the lane.
Tuoba Feng was plastered against the eaves of the main entrance, holding his breath. He raised his head slightly to look upwards, and upon catching sight of the corner of Yunqi’s sleeves, felt a tug on his heartstrings.
Yunqi jumped down and entered the front hall. “Shi-niang, there was someone playing the flute outside just now…”
“I heard it. Your mother played that song best, “Autumn at the frontier [22]. I didn’t expect that there would be anyone in Nanjing aside from your Jie who would be able to play that song.” Su Wanrong received the white radish that Yunqi held out to her, tossed a key onto the table, and again picked up her carving knife.
She spoke carelessly, “Go to Lao-Jiang’s study. There’s a locked box at the topmost shelf, fetch the yellow brocade over.”
Yunqi sucked in a breath in shock, Su Wanrong arched a beautiful eyebrow and said with some displeasure, “What?” Yunqi didn’t dare speak further, merely acting in accordance with her instructions.
Zhu Di ground the ink, as Su Wanrong gave the orders, “ Yun-er replicate the Imperial Grandson’s handwriting, and write this on the brocade…”
Yunqi felt as if he’d been struck by a series of thunderbolts [23], Su Wanrong was actually going to pass a false Imperial Edict [24]!
Nevertheless, the moment Su Wanrong opened her mouth, Yunqi already understood. He had no alternative but to brace himself and compose an exit permit Imperial Edict on the yellow brocade.
Zhu Di said, “Thanks Xiao-jiu-zi.” Zhu Di took his leave.
Yunqi sighed, “It’s what I should do. Your thanks should actually go to Shi-niang.”
Su Wanrong said, “The Emperor ordered Lao-Jiang to watch over the various Wang-ye, and not to allow internal fighting that would result in disaster [24]. Lao-Jiang is not here at this time, and I am a mere woman with limited knowledge and experience… I can only aid you so much, the Prince of Yan will have to fend for himself.”
Su Wanrong carved the radish into a Imperial Jade Seal, dipped it into red mud, and stamped it properly and firmly onto the yellow brocade – her great work accomplished.
Zhu Di didn’t dare delay further, as he rolled up the false imperial edict into his sleeves, and bowed deeply towards Su Wanrong, declaring, “With regards to Jiang-furen’s great kindness today, this humble Prince will engrave it in his heart and will strive to repay your grace in future.”
Su Wanrong smiled, “Go then. Send my regards to Wen-er.”
Zhu Di took his leave.Zhu Di took his leave.Zhu Di took his leave.
Yunqi then closed the main door, and turned to ask, “Shi-niang, what’s all this about?”
Before Su Wanrong could respond, three items flew in from outside the yard; Two silver ingots embedded themselves in the carved wooden windows with a “thunk”, and jade thumb ring flew through the window pane with a “whoosh”, striking Yunqi in the face and sending him staggering.
“Who’s there!” Yunqi yelled angrily.
Su Wanrong couldn’t help bursting into laughter. Yunqi’s face swelled rather severely where he’d been struck by the jade thumb ring. He opened the door in a rage, but heard a familiar voice ring out, and immediately felt as if he’d been struck by lightning.
“Shi-ge will be in Beiping waiting for you.” Zhu Di took his leave.
The sound of Tuoba Feng’s voice gradually faded away.
“Shi-niang, Feng-er will leave now, good bye [25].”
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
The author has something to say:
I’ll explain a little if the text wasn’t too clear:
Zhu Di ruthlessly smacked Tuoba Feng causing him to stagger, and said fiercely, “Didn’t I tell you to wait for me to move forward before you throw the blade!”
Tuoba Feng pondered for a moment, and said, “What? Say it again, when I saw Yunqi on the gate tower, my heart already went out to him, and I didn’t listen carefully to what you were saying.”
“…”
Zhu Di spoke sorrowfully and mournfully, “I said…I wanted you to wait until I stepped forward and was speaking to the Imperial Grandson. Then to throw the hidden weapon from the window! ! To act out a play where I can save the Imperial Grandson’s life!”
Tuoba Feng suddenly saw the light, and said, “I understand now, let’s try again.”
It means that, when they were outside the city and Tuoba Feng insisted on following Zhu Di into the city, Zhu Di had no other choice but to come up with a plan on the spot.
He would have Tuoba Feng “assassinate” Zhu Yunwen, and Zhu Di would rescue him just in time!
To increase the Imperial Grandson’s favorable opinion of him~!
But it turned out that Shi-ge, this idiot, was absent-minded and distracted upon seeing Yunqi, and screwed up.
The “Autumn at the frontier” is from Fan Zhongyan’s poem
“渔家傲”
塞下秋来风景异，衡阳雁去无留意。
四面边声连角起，千嶂里，长烟落日孤城闭。
浊酒一杯家万里，燕然未勒归无计。
羌管悠悠霜满地，人不寐，将军白发征夫泪。
Translation of poem here
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
At present, Nanjing is in a state of anarchy, the old Emperor has passed away, and the new Emperor has not yet ascended to the throne.
Both Huang Zicheng and Su Wanrong took advantage of this loophole. Read on the TL’s website.
That is why Shi-niang was fine even after falsifying the edict. Zhu Di took his leave.
As for the Grand Tutor, hehe, for falsifying the Imperial Edict, he’ll have his just desserts~
Thank you!
Shouldn’t Tuoba Feng throw *all* the money he got to Yunqi? 😉
What a shame they couldn’t have properly met this time…
and Zhu Di, what kind of a silly plan is that even?!