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 3: The Summon the Wind and Rain Talisman
Chapter 23 The Pacification of Calamity (Jingnan) Begins
If there are no upright officials in the Imperial Court, and there are treacherous and rebellious dissidents within coercing the Emperor, the Princes must raise an army to punish and quell them, in accordance with[1].
–Zhu Yuanzhang:[2]
“What 清 君 侧 [1]?”
Xu Wen buried her head in a book as she flipped through it, and replied unconcernedly, “ These are rules set by the former Emperor himself. If there is no integrity behind the name, what is said will seem unreasonable; if what is said is unreasonable, then nothing will be accomplished [3]… Since you intend to ‘attack the tyrant and alleviate the common people’s suffering [4]’– you’ll need a basis for justification.”
Zhu Di smiled, “This is not so; it is not attacking the tyrant to alleviate the common people’s suffering [4]. At this time, the four seas are at peace [5] and the Son of Heaven is in place – what manner of suffering do the people face? This husband is learning from Kong Rong [6] and my aspiration is ‘to pacify calamity [7]’.”
Xu Wen laughed as beautifully as a sprig of fluttering flowers, as she said, “Don’t spout nonsense. How can one compare himself to that fellow? ‘Rong [6] had limited talent with far-reaching ambitions, he didn’t achieve success [8]’. Did you return this sentence to your Teacher [9]?”
Zhu Di squinted as he replied slowly, “Furen ah…” Translator SassyStrawberryDOTcom
“Reporting to Wang-ye, General Wang of Huizhou [10] is outside the residence requesting an audience.” A servant entered the room and said.
Zhu Di was thrilled as he exclaimed, “They’ve finally arrived!”
Xu Wen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “Lao-Shiqi [11] has really invested a great deal of capital [12]this time, even lending you his personal guards.”
Zhu Di left with a gust of wind, and in a moment, he came hurriedly sprinting back, “ Furen, guess how many subordinates did Zhu Quan summon with that letter?”
Xu Wen gave Zhu Di a half smile. Zhu Di exclaimed, “Ten thousand people! Tonight this Prince will start flinging bricks! I’ll fix that Zhang Bing and Xie Gui and show them how powerful your husband is – – “ As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, and rubbed his fists, itching for a fight.
Xu Wen said, “Wait, wait! You can say what you want, but let Lao-Shiqi go first. Imprisoning your younger brother in your own home, how can that be justified?”
Zhu Di said, “ Furen don’t bother yourself with that. Our family’s obedient [13] little Quan-er has always liked being bound.”
Xu Wen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, as she cried out angrily, “How can I not bother? All the matters in this residence are managed by Laoniang! That fellow who eats twelve large baozi still hasn’t been sent away, and now there’s an additional mouth to feed!”
“Zhu Quan, that fellow only drinks first-grade Laojunmei [14] tea, and the snow-melt water [15] used to brew it with must have been stored the year before. If he wants to eat pastries – it must be a tribute cake [16]. When feeding him a slice of watermelon, the seeds must be picked out first! He’s so difficult to wait upon – how is one to live like this [17]?
Zhu Di grimaced as he said, “If I allow Lao-shiqi to return to Huizhou at this time, I fear that he’ll only encounter the Imperial Envoys who have come to announce the reduction of the feudatories, and the Duoyan Sanwei [18] will be seized and incorporated into their own forces. The loss of soldiers is a small matter, but if Zhu Quan enters Nanjing – his fate is fraught with grim possibilities… That crowd of acrimonious and pedantic people around Yunwen are full of wicked ideas [19]. Amongst my brothers…”
“…Zhu Quan and I have the best relationship, how can I not bother?”
Zhu Di smiled apologetically, “Let him go for now. Help me review this soldiers’ registry once; Furen has always had an eidetic memory, remember the names of the sergeants [20] and accompany me to the military camp tomorrow, please.”
Zhu Di tried every possible method to persuade her, “When we get back I’ll buy a stick of Tanghulu for you.”
Xu Wen spat out, “Who eats that kind of plaything that only little girls like.”
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
By this time the exterior was dark and the lights in the residence were lit, Xu Wen still hadn’t eaten her dinner. She held a brush as she ruminated over the book of soldiers’ names. She set an elbow on the desk, supporting her head as she dozed off.
Tuoba Feng stood by the table and stretched out his neck to peer at that soldiers’ registry.
That soldiers’ registry listed the Prince of Ning’s personal guards – a veritable sea of humanity.
Xu Wen lifted her head and met the gaze of the approaching Tuoba Feng, as she asked coldly, “What is it? You’ve nothing to do so you’re here to bother this Grand-aunt [21]?
Tuoba Feng clenched his fists, bowed respectfully, and asked excitedly, “Grand-aunt [21], are we going to rebel yet?”
Xu Wen inhaled deeply. Read on the original site and not on aggregators.
Tuoba Feng displayed the eagerness of a monkey as he questioned again, “When are we going to rebel? I want to go fetch Yunqi.”
“…” Translator SassyStrawberryDOTcom
Xu Wen placed a hand on her forehead, and violently flung down the brush, screaming hysterically, “Zhu Di! Quickly come and sort out this evildoer [22]for this wife!!!”
The afternoon of that same day, Zhu Quan’s personal guards totaling 10,000 arrived at Beiping in grand style.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
However, the scenery in Nanjing was entirely different at this time; the winds swept through the towers, heralding the rising storm in the mountains – as they foreshadowed events to come [23].
Yunqi sat within the carriage, meditating quietly to himself. This matter about the reduction of the feudatories [24] – should I want to do something about it, what can I do about it? I’m not a minister of the Imperial Court; my words do not have any weight before Zhu Yunwen. No matter how high the position of the Jinyiwei is, no matter how trusted they are, their jurisdiction is limited to the palace grounds, when they stand within the magnificent golden palace – he is merely a stake under someone’s command.
The Jinyiwei haven’t accumulated sufficient power to be able to influence the Emperor’s decisions. If he could be like Jiang Huan, who was able to speak a few words before Zhu Yuanzhang… Yunwen and himself…Jiang Huan and Zhu Yuanzhang… Yunqi’s eyebrows knit together; What if he asked Jiang Huan to step forward again? No, Fang Xiaoru and the rest would definitely not give the Jinyiwei any face.
“We’ve arrived?” St0len Translation.
Sanbao lifted the carriage curtains a crack, and smiled as he answered, “The Donghua Gate [25].”
Yunqi unexpectedly discovered that gazes towards himself from the soldiers on guard duty were now different. They no longer quivered with fear when they glimpsed the Jinyiwei. Instead, there was an almost imperceptible sense of gratification; the sort of “sitting by and looking on as a tall building collapses” delight in another’s misfortune.
The entirety of Nanjing was under martial law. In comparison to when he’d left the capital city, there were now triple the number of sentries patrolling the city.
Yunqi instructed the carriage driver, “Don’t return to the palace. Head toward Plum lane first.”
Sanbao asked, “I’ll bring the carts filled with the things back to the palace first?”
Yunqi shook his head, saying,” No, you accompany me for a bit, I’ll take you to my Niang-jiu [26]’s home.”
When Sanbao discovered that Yunqi’s ‘Niang-jiu’ ‘s home was actually a place named the ‘House of Dancing Smoke’, all the fine hairs on his body stood on end.
Chun Lan cried out, “ Xu Yunqi! You returned to Beiping but you didn’t bring any novel or fun playthings for Laoniang. Yet you have the cheek to come to ask for information?”
Yunqi sat down and declared, “Gu-niang [27], serve the tea. Da-ye wants to whore you.”
Chun Lan, “…” Read on the original site, sassystrawberryDOTcom
Chun Lan glanced at Ma Sanbao and conveniently took the opportunity to pour tea for him. She picked up her handkerchief in an orchid finger gesture [28], her tone displeased, “ You’ve played so much that you’ve lost your head! Yesterday, bearing the Imperial edict, the six divisions of the armies left from the four different city gates – north, south, east, and west. This news has been spread throughout the city causing much uproar…”
Yunqi said, “He doesn’t whore. Don’t frighten Sanbao.”
Chun Lan gnashed her teeth as she reached out to pinch Yunqi. Yunqi hurriedly avoided her whilst laughing, and asked again, “Who’s been goading them on?”
Chun Lan considered for a moment before responding, “Huang Zicheng, Qi Tai, Li Jinglong, and Fang Xiaoru – these four fellows jointly submitted a written petition.”
Sanbao’s mouth gaped slightly. He had the vague misconception that he’d entered the wrong place. Wasn’t this place a brothel? Why did it feel like he’d somehow absentmindedly entered the Privy Council [29]?
Yunqi seemed to have guessed Sanbao’s thoughts, and grinned slightly as he explained, “You had no idea that the world’s most well-informed place is none other than the House of Dancing Smoke.”
Sanbao didn’t fully understand, and Chun Lan whispered again, “Let’s not talk about this first. I received the news three days ago, hired a carriage, and sent someone to Beiping to report to you, Wang-ye and Furen. Did you receive it?”
Yunqi shut his eyes and shook his head, answering, “Perhaps we missed one another on the road. Since the Emperor wants to keep me in the dark about the reduction of the feudatories, he’d have calculated the dates exactly – how would he let someone leak out the news?”
Chun Lan rested a hand on the red railing, casting a coquettish glance down at the horse carriage that had stopped outside the lane. Yunqi asked, “Who’d you hear it from?”
Chun Lan replied leisurely, “The Ministry of War’s Vice Director, the Secretariat’s Office Manager Li… everyone who came said that your family is about to be toppled.”
Yunqi smiled, “My family has long fallen, only leaving an empty shell since – there’s no need for that crowd of fifth-grade or sixth-grade Daren to bother themselves with it.”
Chun Lan spoke again, “ The Supervising Secretary even said that the Emperor intends to withdraw the Jinyiwei organization – you’d best ease off a little.”
Yunqi felt that something was amiss, as his voice shook, “What? You sure you listened carefully?”
Chun Lan didn’t respond. She glared mock angrily at Yunqi, and as if intending to make a scene, cried out unreasonably, “Then what’re you going to do? Xu Yunqi, you agreed to marry Laoniang, when the time comes don’t shirk your responsibility like a scoundrel.”
Yunqi cried out angrily, “Tell me the truth! This is important! If the Jinyiwei are to be withdrawn, Laozi’s enemies are spread throughout the Imperial Court – I expect that it won’t be long before I lose my head!”
Chun Lan was taken aback when she realized the severity of the matter. She stuttered, “Then…then…that Huang Yili… the youngest gongzi of the Huang family… he was speaking nonsense, speaking nonsense. Aiyo, Commander Xu, Ai, You are a noble person [30], you’ll be fine, you’ll be fine.”
Yunqi waved his hands, “Alright, alright, that’s enough! Da-ye did not say I was going to marry you, I only said that I’ll find someone to marry you off to…”
Chun Lan replied, “It’s all the same. You decide what’s best.” She got up after speaking, intending to send off her guests. The Spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold [31], therefore she hastily went to receive her customers.
The master and servant duo left the House of Dancing Smoke. Yunqi smiled as they walked, “Sanbao, my Jie asked you to keep an eye out for any gu-niang by my side, did I guess correctly?”
Sanbao nodded awkwardly, and corrected him, “It wasn’t Wang-fei, it was Wang-ye.”
Yunqi was rather surprised but didn’t think too much about it. He explained to Sanbao, “Chun Lan wants to marry someone, but doesn’t want to really marry someone.”
Sanbao’s expression indicated his lack of understanding.
Yunqi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, as he chuckled at himself, “Look what nonsense I’m spouting… Chun Lan wants to follow a man in the status of a wife, but doesn’t want to actually be someone’s wife.”
Sanbao was surprised, “The women from this House – I fear that their reputation wouldn’t be too good.”
Yunqi quipped, “That’s not necessarily the case. The mother of the wang-fei and I, was the number one beauty Wen Yuehua – she originally came from this House, otherwise, why would I refer to it as my niang-jiu’s home. ”
It was only at this that Sanbao came to his senses, and busied himself confessing and apologizing for his blunder. Nonetheless, Yunqi was open-minded and generous about it.
“In any case, she just desires a fake marriage, no giving birth to children and all that. She’s accumulated enough savings from entertaining customers that she just wants to live happily on her own.”
Sanbao sighed, “Once a girl has reached a certain age they should be married, it’s also not a viable plan to always remain an old gu-niang.”
Yunqi scratched his head and laughed, “For a man to marry a stonefish [32] and raise it at home – it’s no easy task.”
As he spoke, he abruptly recalled Xu Da and Wen Yuehua. If he seriously evaluated his own father – he was definitely someone of importance; Xu Da’s position was not comparable to that of an ordinary man. When the Great General Tiande’s armies entered Nanjing, he actually took the most popular girl from the House of Dancing Smoke as his concubine – he must have encountered a lot of obstacles on the way.
If he gets the chance, he must be sure to ask his Da-jie how their parents got together.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
While speaking, they arrived at the palace. Yunqi presented his waist token, and communicated to the gatekeeper, “This fellow is new to the Jinyiwei, and there wasn’t enough time to craft his token.”
The gatekeeper glanced distrustfully at Yunqi. Yunqi then smiled as he slipped some silver coins into the gatekeeper’s hands. That gatekeeper spoke reluctantly, “Don’t flout the rules next time.”
Yunqi nodded, arched his hands, and said, “Thanks to these two xiongdi then.”
Witnessing this scene, Ma Sanbao couldn’t help grumbling to himself – Isn’t Xiao-jiu-ye the Emperor’s favorite? Why is he in such miserable straits?
Yunqi behaved as if he hadn’t noticed, and stated, “First we’ll get you familiarized with the routes; the palace is really large, and there are several places that are off-limits…”
“Who goes there! Wandering about and trespassing in the palace!”
They were met with a man leading dozens of Meridian Gate guards as they hastily came forward with five or six leashed hunting dogs; the dogs were menacing with their masters’ backing – upon catching sight of Yunqi and Sanbao, they began barking murderously.
Ma Sanbao had merely assumed that these were Yunqi’s subordinates and that the Jinyiwei had come to receive them. Unexpectedly, these people stood before them but were extremely rude as they ridiculed, “I was wondering who it was, so it was Commander Xu returning to the palace. Only a few days away and you can’t even recognize where you live? What are your intentions in breaking into the Imperial Gardens?”
On normal days, let alone the guards of the palace, even when the court ministers met Yunqi they would still nod in greeting, or greet him with a respectful “Commander Xu”. Looking at the current situation, although he’d only been away from Nanjing for two months, the formerly powerful Jinyiwei whose influence had once surged upwards towards Heaven were now as beaten down as a floundering dog in water [33]. Only Heaven knows how many people were currently gloating over their misfortune.
After some deliberation, Yunqi smiled faintly, “Commander Huyan, hope you’ve been well? Yunqi grew up in the palace, and glimpsing these things reminds me of the people associated with them, hence I wanted to stroll around a bit more. If one day I’m relieved from my office, I won’t be able to see them anymore. I’ve given offense, and will return now.”
These words were spoken by the Meridian Gate Commander Huyan Ke. His eyes darted stealthily onto Ma Sanbao as he continuously assessed him from top to toe, and asked, “Who is this young fellow? Commander Xu has another lover [35] now?”
Ma Sanbao pushed up his sleeves in anger. Yunqi held him back imperceptibly, as he smiled, “ Commander Huyan, this statement is incorrect. What do you mean by another lover? Yunqi doesn’t understand your words, tomorrow he’ll be so bold as to ask the Emperor.”
Whether Yunqi had indeed fallen from favor was yet to be seen, weighing the pros and cons, if he indeed were provoked to bring his complaint to the Emperor – it would be difficult to deal with. Huyan Ke had no alternative but to let Yunqi off at this time, saying, “The Emperor has summoned you to present yourself.”
Yunqi thought that it would be just right if he brought Ma Sanbao before the Emperor and had Zhu Yunwen consent to his presence – then they wouldn’t need to sneak about. He followed Huyan Ke through the Meridian Gate and waited outside the Imperial Study.
Zhu Yunwen was currently in the midst of a discussion of state affairs with a gaggle of senior ministers, therefore Yunqi and Ma Sanbao were obliged to wait quietly outside the Imperial Study.
Yunqi noticed that Ma Sanbao appeared rather uncomfortable, and quietly consoled him, “The Emperor’s temper is very good, don’t be afraid.”
Ma Sanbao replied affirmatively “Yes,” but his heart was ruminating on another matter. Word had it that the Jinyiwei were domineering and behaved arrogantly within the Imperial Palace, ranking first amongst the 22 guard divisions. Yunqi is a Commander and can look disdainfully at others in the capital city – He is the head of the almost one thousand guards within Nanjing.
But now it seems that this famed glorious reputation is entirely nonexistent; on the contrary, he resembled a dog that had been abandoned by its owner – in order to meet the Emperor, he had to wait outside.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
It was currently noon. Before the Imperial study bloomed a mass of luxuriant flowers. The spring sun shone down warmly on them. Yunqi stared at the flower garden in a daze; his heart thinking of Tuoba Feng – when he’d been ten years old, they’d often come to roll amongst the flowering shrubs, or they’d sneakily run into the Imperial Study and lie behind the bookshelf to take an afternoon nap.
The sunlight would shine through the skylight in the Imperial Study, the rays converging into a beam of light with fine dust motes shrouded within as it fell onto Little Tuoba Feng’s face.
Little Yunqi would carefully study the wolf’s head tattoo on Little Tuoba Feng’s back, manipulating him such that his limbs sprawled out in all directions, then turning him over face down again.
The sound-asleep Tuoba Feng was completely unguarded towards Yunqi; when they’d been young it had been so, and now that they’d grown up it was still the case.
Yunqi was extremely curious; when the two of them slept together – How did Tuoba Feng identify that it was himself who was touching him? What if by chance, it was an assassin who wanted to kill him?
It seemed as if he possessed an innate instinct that allowed him to differentiate between safety and danger.
Little Yunqi scrutinized Little Tuoba Feng’s fast-asleep features and took the initiative to kiss his eyelashes. He was hugged by Little Tuoba Feng as the sounds of Zhu Yuanzhang’s voice spread to his ears.
Regardless of the time, Zhu Yuanzhang’s voice had always been icy cold – Imperial Court…Northern Yuan…Kill…Extermination of the nine clans…
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Huang Zicheng exited the study and shut the door. He cast a glance at Yunqi, his gaze eloquent and meaningful as he smiled provocatively.
“Grand Tutor Huang, I trust that you’ve been well,” Yunqi spoke indifferently.
Huang Zicheng grunted coldly as he raised his hand and drew it across his neck, miming a beheading, before folding his hands behind his back and departing.
Yunqi put away his smiling expression, before licking his lips and saying, “Sanbao, you wait here. If the Emperor happens to summon me, casually find an excuse to stall him for a little, and I’ll be right back.”
Sanbao agreed. Yunqi watched Huang Zicheng’s back view as it disappeared behind the corridor, and hastily sprinted in the opposite direction.
Yunqi cut through Fengtian Hall [36], sprinting towards the front of the hall. Once he’d reached the top step, he performed an exquisitely graceful sideways drift and hid behind a pillar. He listened for the footsteps and counted within his heart – Three, two, one…
He then extended one of his legs outward.
The clear skies were vast, an expanse of cloudless blue.
Outside Fengtian Gate, several teams of Imperial guards were practicing ceremonial drills. In full sight of everyone present, Grand Tutor Huang, like a vicious dog flipping over, was sent flying down from the forty-nine steps.
Huang Zicheng screeched miserably, “Ah– -”
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
“The Emperor summons Yun-ge’er into his presence.” A eunuch came out of the study, and emphasized the three words “Yun-ge’er”. Noticing that there was only a youth that he didn’t recognize standing outside the study, he frowned slightly and asked, “Who are you?”
Ma Sanbao’s eyes gleamed as he lowered his head. He raised his voice somewhat as he responded, “Gonggong [37], Commander Xu has gone to rest. He had me wait here for the summons, this lowly one will go call him.”
“No need!” From inside the Imperial Study came Zhu Yunwen’s voice with a trace of anger. Through the layer of the door and windows, he questioned again, “ Is Yunqi not feeling well?”
Ma Sanbao didn’t respond.
The sound of footsteps rang out, and Ma Sanbao and the eunuch both knelt down. The eunuch replied, “To reply to the Emperor, Commander Xu has made an exhausting journey, presumably he’s also…”
Sanbao didn’t dare raise his head, only to hear Zhu Yunwen’s slightly displeased tone of voice, “Never mind. Let’s go.”
The eunuch hastily got up and accompanied Zhu Yunwen to leave, the guards inside the study also withdrew in succession.
Ma Sanbao sighed quietly. Read on SassyStrawberryDOTcom
Yunqi hummed a song as he swiftly rushed [38] back. He stuck his head into the Imperial study and asked Sanbao quietly, “Did the Emperor summon me?”
Sanbao smiled as he answered, “He didn’t.”
Yunqi nodded and folded his hands in his sleeves as he continued to wait.
As the sun gradually moved towards the west, Yunqi waited for a very, very long time. The door to the Imperial Study was still shut, all the way until dusk and the lamps in the Imperial Palace were lit. Sanbao stood until his legs were unbearably sore. Yunqi sighed helplessly, and abruptly caught sight of a eunuch leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
Yunqi pulled at that young eunuch and asked, “Where’s the Emperor?”
The young eunuch was surprised, “Commander Xu came back? The Emperor already left.”
Yunqi, “…”
Yunqi pressed his lips together, unable to guess what Zhu Yunwen was thinking, and had no choice but to bring Sanbao home with him.
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
The Jinyiwei’s great courtyard was cold and quiet, with the several carts of goods that Yunqi brought back with him placed by the door.
Winter was gone, and Spring had come; this courtyard was the picture of verdant Spring scenery. There were still a few tattered kites by the walls, with paper fragments from the New Year firecrackers that hadn’t yet been swept away – they’d been rained on by the spring showers and fanned across the floor, adding to the air of desolation.
Yunqi shouted, “I’m back, brothers.”
“Oh, my Ye [39] – -!” Rong Qing led a herd of Jinyiwei as they rushed out hastily.
“You’ve finally returned!”
“Yun-ge’er!” Don’t read on aggregat0rs.
This loud shout startled the guards still in their rooms, as the doors opened upstairs and downstairs in unison, and dozens of people raced out only to cling onto Yunqi without letting go.
Numerous incomparably familiar faces all spoke one after another, and some of them clamored indignantly. It was evident that while Yunqi had been absent, the Jinyiwei had been suppressed to a miserable state. There were even some people whose eyes reddened as they spoke, unable to control their emotional states as they clenched their fists – startling Ma Sanbao into backing up slightly.
Yunqi smiled, “Sanbao went to keep a lookout. Everyone find a spot to sit down. One by one, you can speak now.”
“You’re still in the mood to smile!” Tu Ming voiced his frustration, “These days have really been intolerable.”
Yunqi soothed, “We’re all in the same situation, I just stood for the entire afternoon outside the Imperial Study. Everyone’s brothers here, let’s not behave as if we’ve encountered enemies, alright?”
As he said this, Yunqi abruptly realized something was amiss. He asked seriously, “Who was on duty outside the Imperial Study, this afternoon? Why didn’t I see any Jinyiwei?”
Rong Qing sighed, and answered, “The Emperor wants to withdraw the Jinyiwei and revise the palace staffing structure. All the brothers are currently idle and have had nothing to do for the last three days.”
“By the Emperor’s orders, the forty-eight of us are not to leave the courtyard to avoid stirring up trouble. Yun-ge’er, you teach us what we should do. Our lives and future are all in your hands.”
Yunqi had already prepared in advance for the worse; it was the reduction of the feudatories which would lead to him falling from favor. Nonetheless, Zhu Yunwen would presumably take into account their former friendship and not make life difficult for the Jinyiwei.
But now it appeared that Zhu Yunwen had restricted the Jinyiwei’s movements, only waiting for him to return… Could it be that the tides of fortune have turned, and the general situation has really deteriorated to this extent?
Even before Yunqi had managed to come up with anything, from outside the courtyard came the sound of, “The Emperor has arrived – – !”
“…”
The entire courtyard of Jinyiwei was stunned as all of them turned to look toward Yunqi.
Yunqi quivered with excitement, but regardless, he couldn’t find it within himself to be happy. He cried out flusteredly, “Rong Qing, go open the door, everyone kneels down! To welcome the Emperor! Sanbao, go into the room to hide! Quick!”
The red lacquered door was pulled open, revealing Zhu Yunwen’s pale and fatigued visage.
“These subjects greet the Emperor!”
Yunqi led the entire courtyard of Jinyiwei to kneel on one knee as they clasped their hands in salute.
Zhu Yunwen sighed but didn’t speak. He gazed at Yunqi for a while, before asking, “Beloved subject [40] Xu, where is the ring that Zhen gifted you?”
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Translator’s Note:
The 1st year of Jianwen (1399)
- During the 4th month of the 1st year of Jianwen:
Zhu Bai, the Prince of Xiang (12th Prince) commits suicide by self-immolation.
Zhu Fu, the Prince of Qi (7th Prince) & Zhu Gui, the Prince of Dai ( 13th Prince) are deposed due to criminal behavior. - During the 6th month of the 1st year of Jianwen:
Zhu Pian, the Prince of Min is deposed for crimes.
From the timeline of the Ming Dynasty The Jianwen Era – contains spoilers.
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