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 16 钦差大臣 The Imperial Commissioner [1]
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Paying back one’s debts is right and proper, as sanctioned by Heaven and Earth. Read this on the original site and not on an aggregator!
Now that the silver had been duly repaid, Su Wanrong elegantly and nobly stowed away the silver ingots and compelled Yunqi to spend two taels to purchase the Jade thumb ring. Now that Tuoba Feng’s debts were all cleared, and Zhu Di had escaped, Yunqi would also have to roll himself back to the palace.
However, as soon as he returned to the palace, Yunqi encountered the “rage meter filled to the maximum and about to unleash his fatal finishing move” Huang Zicheng.
The green veins at Huang Zicheng’s forehead looked like they were fit to burst, as he roared, “You couldn’t even capture an assassin!? And you let the Prince of Yan escape?! Who that assassin was, you are all very well aware! Do you need me to speak his name aloud?!”
Yunqi challenged him in return, “Who instructed the Meridian gate guards to apprehend someone at the Jiang residence?”
Zhu Yunwen asked unhappily, “The Meridian gate guards?” Read on Sassy Strawberry Dot Com
Huang Zicheng was abruptly struck dumb, only after a moment he said, “The Prince of Yan falsified the Imperial Edict…”
Zhu Yunwen shouted loudly, “Grand Tutor should first explain the prior matter clearly, who instructed the Meridian gate guards to arrest the assassin?”
Huang Zicheng endured the humiliation and bit back his anger, as he answered, “It was this subject who issued the orders. The Jinyiwei have always been arrogant and supercilious, only taking orders from the Emperor. This subject acted in a fit of urgency…”
Yunqi laughed grimly, “This is an established regulation set by the previous Emperor; the Jinyiwei have always only heeded the Emperor’s orders. Since you couldn’t order us around, were you planning to raise your own guards? We’re apprehending an assassin, so why did you have the Meridian gate guards come join in the fun?”
“If the Meridian gate guards didn’t interfere, this subject is confident that he’d have been able to chase down the assassin. The Grand Tutor summoned over a hundred people, under the pretext of capturing the assassin, pursued all the way outside the Jiang residence, then suddenly dispersed for no good reason – was it due to a guilty conscience? Who put you up to this?! Were you intending to shift the blame to Jiang-lao?”
Huang Zicheng raged, “The hunting hounds caught the scent and tracked it to the Jiang residence, what does that have to do with me?”
Yunqi replied indifferently, “According to the Grand Tutor, it is actually the dogs raised by the Meridian gate guards that are fabricating the charge? You should summon the dogs here to give their testimony then.”
“…” Readonthe originalsite atsassy strawberrydotcom
Yunqi’s airily spoken words planted the blame squarely upon Huang Zicheng’s shoulders. Everyone in the hall held their silence.
Yunqi spoke clearly and loudly, “Since the Emperor dispatched Song Zhong to convey the edict, why didn’t he display the Imperial edict, instead making it a point to bear a fake Shangfang Baojian?!”
“I did not.” Zhu Yunwen was displeased. He considered the matter for a moment, before articulating, “Zhen didn’t send Song Zhong there.”
Huang Zicheng was so choked up that he couldn’t speak for a moment, before asking, “How did you know that Song Zhong went to convey the Imperial order?”
Yunqi replied, “Grand Tutor, I may not have the Imperial Edict, but I know the will of the Emperor. They’re still part of the same family – didn’t the Emperor want to summon the Prince of Yan into the city?”
Zhu Yunwen was silent for a good while, before he finally nodded, tacitly sanctioning Yunqi’s “execute first, report later [2] “ actions.
Rong Qing stepped forward, and knelt on one knee, as he said, “Song Zhong carried a fake Shangfang Baojian, and claimed that it was by the Emperor’s orders – he ordered the Prince of Yan to send his troops back to Beiping and to kneel outside the city for 19 days in apology for his crimes. On the day of the funeral cortege, he was to follow along at the back…”
Zhu Yunwen raged, “What is this about! Grand Tutor!”
With Zhu Yunwen’s roar, Huang Zicheng was immediately struck dumb, his eyes wide as he backed up half a step. Plainly, it was the first time that he’d seen Zhu Yunwen fly into a rage.
Yunqi folded his arms within his sleeves, his left hand gently stroking the jade thumb ring on his right hand, as he stared provocatively at Huang Zicheng.
There was only the sound of Zhu Yunwen’s furious panting in the hall. Yunqi’s machinations had succeeded. In such a large Imperial Court, only Yunqi was aware that Zhu Yunwen could get enraged, particularly when he felt that he’d been deceived.
Zhu Yunwen enunciated, “Summon Song Zhong.” Zhu Yunwen enunciated, “Summon Song Zhong.”
Zhu Yunwen’s face was icy, and this was the first time that Huang Zicheng had glimpsed it.
Huang Zicheng was quivering from head to toe, his too-tightly strung nerves couldn’t bear it any longer. He sank to the ground and wept loudly, “This subject’s crime warrants death! Requesting for your Majesty to punish me!”
With tears streaming down his face, Huang Zicheng raised his head and cried, “However, the Imperial edict permitting the Prince of Yan to leave the capital has absolutely nothing to do with this minister! Your Majesty, please investigate clearly! This subject absolutely would not have secretly let the vassal Prince leave the capital! The one who received the edict was the Deputy Commander of the Sentry guards. The Imperial Edict also ordered them to escort the Prince of Yan out of the city…”
Yunqi spoke, “No need to wait, they’ve probably already been killed.”
Zhu Yunwen suddenly chuckled, and asked, “What are you doing?”
It was unclear when Yunqi had brought over the punishment rod, holding it upright with both hands. He flashed a glance at Zhu Yunwen, and asked, “Not calling for the punishment rods?”
Zhu Yunwen simmered with laughter, and said, “Forget it. Get up, Grand Tutor.”
Huang Zicheng remained prostrate on the ground. Rong Qing led Song Zhong into the hall.
Zhu Yunwen assumed a dignified expression as he declared icily, “Song Zhong can’t be let off, forty strokes of the punishment rod! Strike!”
Yunqi and Rong Qing individually took the right and left sides, as they brandished the punishment rods. Song Zhong had the self-awareness to realize that he’d committed a serious crime, and didn’t dare try to argue. The punishment rods fell, and in the midst of the pained yells, one could hear Zhu Yunwen’s sigh as he sat in the dragon chair and remarked, “Gathered scholars, I fear that it’s truly time to reduce the feudatories [3].”
Yunqi raised his head slightly and peeked at Zhu Yunwen. Don’t read on aggregat0r sites.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
“I say da-xiongdi [4].” Zhu Di was feeling extremely drowsy in the carriage, as he said, “Put that flute of yours away, alright?”
Tuoba Feng swept a cold glance at Zhu Di, not bothering to grace him with a response, as he resumed playing his shepherd’s flute.
Zhu Di groaned long-sufferingly, “Feng-er, at least change up the tune. It would be best if you didn’t play anymore. You’ve already played continuously for the last three days.”
Half of Tuoba Feng’s guard uniform was colored with a layer of faint bloodstains, clearly, it hadn’t been cleaned properly. His intense brooding eyes gazed at the vast blue skies outside of the carriage as if entranced, as the strains of “Autumn at the frontier [5] drifted out of the carriage, echoing through the autumnal wilderness.
After the song ended, Tuoba Feng said apathetically, “Right, your feudatories are to be reduced [3], I heard Huang Zicheng mention it.”
“…”Zhu Yunwen enunciated, “Summon Song Zhong.”
Zhu Di replied, “You’d best just continue playing that flute.”
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
They passed through the Xizhimen [6] and entered Beiping. The city was unusually still, the main army headed towards the city’s military barracks. Zhu Di’s carriage drove to the Prince’s residence.
“What’s going on today?” Zhu Di frowned slightly as he evaluated the wayside view.
The roadside peddlers had all shut their businesses early. Outside the Prince of Yan’s residence, Xu Wen pursed her lips, her expression grave, evidently having waited for a long time.
Xu Wen voiced her displeasure, “Why’d you only come back now?”
Zhu Di smiled and said, “Has Furen waited for a long time? I’ve bought some trifles for you.” Having spoken, he turned back to sort out the gifts he’d brought back from Nanjing.
Xu Wen glanced over at Tuoba Feng before she handed a letter to Zhu Di.
Zhu Di knew something serious had occurred, and hurriedly opened the letter, asking, “Yunqi sent a letter?”
Xu Wen replied, “As the two of you left the capital, this letter followed closely behind. It’s unknown how many horses they ran to death in order to have it arrive a day before you.”
Zhu Di inhaled sharply, he pushed Tuoba Feng’s inquisitively outstretched head to one side, before speaking gravely, “Return to the residence first, we’ll discuss at length before coming to a decision.”
Xu Wen couldn’t be bothered to look at the novel little odds and ends that Zhu Di had bought back for her, merely following Zhu Di in returning to the residence to begin their deliberations.
After half a shichen, the Prince’s residence circulated the news that the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di had gone insane.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Zhu Yunwen was currently engrossed whilst reading a book. Seeing that Yunqi had arrived, he shut the book and stated, “Sit, it’s just the two of us.”
Yunqi smiled at this, as he walked to an empty chair, and hunkered down at a low table in front of the dragon desk. He removed his boots and shook out some sand, before saying, “What’re you reading? Annotating memorials?”
Zhu Yunwen picked up the book and waved the cover in front of Yunqi. Yunqi laughed, “Now that you’ve become the Emperor, you’re finally able to read a few leisure books.”
The depths of Zhu Yunwen’s eyes contained a smile, as he bantered, “Finally I can read it. Ever since you gave me this book [7], I’ve only flipped through a few pages.”
The two men looked at one another and smiled. Zhu Yunwen suddenly said, “Yun-ge’er, it was all thanks to you that day. It doesn’t matter if the assassin wasn’t captured.”
Yunqi nodded without replying. Zhu Yunwen spoke again, “You’ve saved me quite a few times already. Last time when I was squeezed into the corner of the wall by the bodyguards, it was also thanks to you…”
Yunqi sniggered, “How can you include that too.” Zhu Di replied, “You’d best just continue playing that flute.”09aue[n0bu0ruaw0[
Zhu Yunwen smiled faintly, “If Zhen says it counts, then it counts.”
The sudden change of address made Yunqi a little uneasy, but the feeling was only fleeting. However, Zhu Yunwen’s next words made him involuntarily rise to his feet.
“The Imperial Edict allowing my 4th Uncle to leave the city, was written by you, wasn’t it.”
Yunqi stood up, and muttered to himself for a moment, before answering, “Yes, this subject’s crime warrants death.”
Zhu Yunwen laughed and said, “Forget it.” sdadwadawrfb w58,6
Yunqi sighed. Zhu Yunwen spoke again, “You understand my thoughts, you didn’t want me to fall out and become enemies with my 4th Uncle, isn’t that right?”
Yunqi nodded.Zhu Di replied, “You’d best just continue playing that flute.”
Zhu Yunwen again gestured towards Yunqi. Yunqi came forward to let him take his hand.
Zhu Yunwen’s fingertips were icy cold, and his skin was smooth and delicate. These are the fingers of a scholar, Yunqi thought in his heart.
Zhu Yunwen gazed at Yunqi for a moment, before stating, “Yun-ge’er, when you’re by my side, I feel extremely at ease…”
Yunqi responded warmly, “The Jinyiwei’s duty is to protect you and put you at ease, Emperor.”
Zhu Yunwen smiled, and said, “You’re different. Tomorrow, you make the trip on my behalf. The Provincial Administration Commissioner of Beiping needs to set off in order to take up his official appointment.”
Yunqi had already somewhat guessed the situation; Zhu Yunwen’s reduction of the feudatories, and this matter about Zhu Di going insane required someone to witness it with their own eyes and report back to the Imperial Court before they could come to a decision. However, if he was dispatched as the Imperial Commissioner, would it suffice to suppress the civil officials?”
Yunqi suddenly understood, and asked, “Who else is going?”
Zhu Yunwen said, “Zhang Bing, do you know him?”
Yunqi nodded and replied, “Zhang Qin’s old father.” Zhu Yunwen said, “Zhang Bing, do you know him?”
Zhu Yunwen was still grasping Yunqi’s hand. He thought for a moment, before pulling open a drawer to take something out and placing it into Yunqi’s hand. He smiled, “This is for you.”
It was a Tortoiseshell Ring, the deep brown of the tortoiseshell shone with an antique color and luster. Yunqi quipped, “Where’d this come from?”
He accepted the ring and tried to wear it on his ring finger, but couldn’t get it on – it was too tight.
He tried it on his pinky and got it on with some effort, causing some discomfort. Zhu Yunwen blushed, and said, “When I put it on it was just right… Yun-ge’er should rest early.”
Yunqi didn’t even kneel, merely bowing with a smile as he left.
After exiting the Imperial Study, Yunqi’s expression became solemn. He took off the tortoiseshell ring and rubbed it between his fingertips. He contemplated the matter in the darkness as he walked back to the courtyard.
That Zhu Di was faking insanity was beyond all doubt. Any discerning person could see this.
That Zhu Di intended to rebel, was also something that he’d personally corroborated. However, his wanting to murder the Imperial Grandson a few years ago did not equate to him wanting to usurp the throne at this time…Why did he station his armies outside Nanjing? Testing the waters? Or had he planned to verify something else?”
15,000 men and horses surrounding the capital city, what is this? Zhu Yunwen had 500,000 soldiers. Zhu Di’s personal guards were stationed in Beiping, and the soldiers surrounding the capital weren’t even enough to fill the gaps between the Imperial court’s teeth…That’s it, Yunqi understood it now.
Zhu Di wanted to tell Yunwen that although Beiping’s military strength was weak, should the Imperial Court drive them too hard, these 15,000 soldiers would fight to the death.
Yunqi halted his footsteps, and just as he contemplated returning to the Imperial Study, his fingertips felt something at the inner ridge of the tortoiseshell ring, discovering some characters inscribed there.
Yunqi raised the ring to the lamp light that streamed out from the Supervisory room, and examined it carefully, there were four characters inscribed:
[8]. read on sassystrawb errydotcom
Yunqi stared in disbelief before sucking in a breath, was this ring something that Empress Ma [9] had given to her grandson?
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
“Empress Ma…”Jiang Huan narrowed his eyes, his voice slightly muffled as he said,“ Empress Ma was a good person.”
Jiang Huan tossed the tortoiseshell ring to Yunqi, which Yunqi caught in his palm. Jiang Huan said, “Twelve years ago during mid-Autumn, the Empress-niangniang [10] took it off her own hand, and personally gave it to the Imperial Grandson…”
“Now it’s the Emperor.” Su Wanrong articulated in annoyance, as she covered the incense burner. With a flick of her sleeves, the fragrance dispersed in all directions.
Jiang Huan nodded and stroked his beard as he spoke, “That year when Empress Ma said these words, Shifu was by her side. She said: Yunwen, Grandmother [11] will give you this ring. In the days ahead, when you meet a girl that you like, gift this ring to her. If Grandmother is still alive at the time and sees the girl who wears it, Grandmother will help you arrange this marriage…”
Yunqi listened quietly with a smile at the corners of his lips.Zhu Yunwen said, “Zhang Bing, do you know him?”
Jiang Huan’s expression changed, and he sneered several times. Yunqi was embarrassed and didn’t speak, then put the ring back on.
Jiang Huan spoke gravely, “Imperial Commissioner, you’ll be sent on a mission to Beiping tomorrow?”
Yunqi replied respectfully, “Yes, Shifu.”
This was precisely the reason for his night visit to the Jiang residence.
Yunqi said, “Jiefu…En, Shifu is already aware. Do you have any instructions for Tu’er [12]?”
Jiang Huan spoke in a carefree and leisurely manner, “This matter about reducing the feudatories can either be serious or minor…”
Su Wanrong interrupted him, “You’ve taken care of the Son of Heaven’s family matters for thirty years, you still want to bother with it now?”
Jiang Huan was silent for a moment, before replying, “To look after the matters between the Imperial Grandson and the various Wang-ye, is something that the Emperor personally instructed us old fellows, to do.”
Su Wanrong said, “The former Emperor certainly did not command Yun’er to do so.”
Jiang Huan didn’t speak further, after a long while he only said, “You do as you see fit then.”
Yunqi answered abruptly, “The Prince of Yan is my Jiefu, even if Shifu didn’t ask, I would definitely think of a way to mediate this matter.”
Jiang Huan sighed, and stated, “The Imperial Grandson, that person…”
Su Wanrong spoke sharply, “That’s the Emperor!”
Jiang Huan nodded, before continuing, “To accompany one’s monarch is akin to living with a tiger. Even if it is a young tiger, you must always remember not to become arrogant due to being favored [13], Yunqi.
Yunqi knelt and kowtowed a few times before leaving the Jiang residence.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
That night, Yunqi lay on the bed as he tossed and turned. He suddenly sat up, one hand holding the Qilin jade pendant, and the other hand clutching at the tortoiseshell ring as if he was weighing their respective values within his heart.
By the time the rooster crowed, the light of dawn shone through the windows, illuminating Yunqi’s soundly sleeping face and casting a layer of dim white light over his eyelashes.
Yunqi’s chest rose and fell with each breath. At the region around his chest, one could vaguely make out the outline of the Qilin jade pendant under the thin layer of his inner clothes. The tortoiseshell ring had been quietly placed on the bedside table.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
At daybreak the next day, Nanjing city was wreathed in a layer of early winter fog. Zhang Bing had already waited outside the Meridian gate for nearly half a shichen, as a group of Jinyiwei yawned impatiently while huddled around the not-quite-awake Yunqi, as they arrived together.
“Hello, Uncle Zhang.” The Jinyiwei casually greeted Zhang Bing, laughing and joking as they jostled one another around.
“Yun-ge’er, remember to bring some nice things back for us when you’re on your mission.”
Yunqi smiled, “Alright. If there’s anything good, I won’t forget about you all.”
A man stepped out from the Imperial palace, walking through the misty fog.
Yunqi frowned slightly and questioned, “Why is it you?” w0n8qgvuw[408qu0
Huang Zicheng responded unhappily, “The Emperor expressed that since he’d already said his goodbyes yesterday night, he wouldn’t be coming to send you off today. Your Excellencies, take care [14].
Zhang Bing busily expressed his gratitude for the favor. Yunqi carelessly flung out an item. Huang Zicheng lifted his hand to catch it, and Yunqi said, “That’s fine. We’ll leave now, goodbye [15] brothers.”
Huang Zicheng asked, “What is this? This… this is what the Emperor gave you? Commander Xu?!”
Yunqi mounted his horse, and he answered distractedly, “I’ll trouble the Grand Tutor to return it to the Emperor, don’t misappropriate it for yourself.”
Huang Zicheng was anxious and infuriated, as his face turned thoroughly red. Yunqi and Zhang Bing astride tall horses, led the dozens of the Emperor’s personal Imperial troops out of Nanjing, as they followed the official highway to the north.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
“Yun-ge’er!” 304n8qub2084ub0q2ub4[q2bu4
They’d barely gotten half a li out of the capital before someone called out urgently from behind. Rong Qing spurred his horse to a swift gallop as he caught up with Yunqi.
Yunqi turned his head and asked, “What is it?” Su Wanrong spoke sharply, “That’s the Emperor!”
Rong Qing huffed as he dismounted and ran closer, he extended his hand, saying, “The Emperor said that this was given to you. He asked what do you mean by returning it?”
Yunqi smiled, and asked, “Was the Son of Heaven‘s dragon visage filled with fury [16], or was he akin to a pear blossom covered in raindrops [17]?
Rong Qing said angrily, “ The Son of Heaven’s dragon visage was filled with fury…” Then he spluttered with laughter as he continued, “The Grand Tutor was the pear blossom covered in raindrops.”
Yunqi laughed heartily, shaking his head helplessly as he received the ring, carelessly putting it on his little finger. He turned and spurred his horse onto the state highway, and galloped towards Beiping.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Beiping, several days later.
“Why isn’t anyone here to meet us?” Yunqi frowned slightly.
Zhang Bing nodded as he gazed out over the echoingly empty long street, and cast an inquiring look at Yunqi, “Take Chang’an Avenue ?”
Yunqi answered, “Let’s go to the Prince’s residence first. The Wang-fei [17] is my elder sister. Uncle Zhang can rest assured.”
Yunqi had already made the proper arrangements, and Zhang Bing didn’t speak further. Fortunately, Zhu Yunwen’s considerations were comprehensive and meticulous, he’d understood that sending Zhang Bing on his own to take up his official appointment, would have been insufficient to suppress the entire city of soldiers. Zhu Di had been running this place for over ten years, and his power and influence were deeply ingrained, infiltrating the entire Beiping’s administrative system. How would he relinquish it easily?
Beiping’s military officials had formed two indistinct factions – namely, the ones who were pro-Imperial Court, and the ones who supported the Prince of Yan; each side awaiting the revelation of the final outcome.
Beiping during the 1st year of Jianwen [18], was akin to a barrel filled with explosives that were about to ignite. Without the shelter provided by Yunqi’s special status, Zhang Bing only feared that he’d have been captured and thrown into prison the moment that he’d entered the city.
The closer they got to the Prince’s residence, the more agitated Yunqi’s heartbeat became. Whether it was the reduction in feudatories, rebellion, or the usurpation of power – such things were of little importance to him.
The only thing that mattered in his heart was the person living in the Prince’s residence – Tuoba Feng.
Oh my. A tortoise shell ring vs Qilin pendant. Yun-er chose the pendant.
Thanks for the chapter!
You’re welcome!
I was worried for a moment since he seemed rather pleased with the ring… but luckily its still my OTP.
I’m guessing the imperial tutor also was there when granny empress suggested that the ring was to be given to a nice girl 😉
He did recognize the ring rather quickly, didn’t he? I’m sure he has seen it on granny anyway!
I boarded the wrong ship 😅
Maybe there’ll be more ships 😀
I can only imagine Yunqi’s horror of watching his brother-in-law streaking through the house & having him being affectionate while naked. Poor Tuoba Feng & his note!
It’s a very funny chapter!