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 25 What was lost has now been recovered
Yunqi led his two nephews out of the Imperial Study. Zhu Gaoxu’s legs began to tremble uncontrollably as he hobbled to a remote section of the flower garden. He heaved a long heavy sigh. His face was extremely pale as he supported himself against a tree while he panted for breath.
“Xiao-jiu…” Zhu Gaoxu hugged Yunqi’s waist timidly, burying his head against Yunqi’s chest.
Yunqi had originally wanted to cuss out both Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi, but upon seeing Zhu Gaoxu’s state – he found Gaoxu pitiable and had no alternative but to restrain his ire. He said coldly, “Did Jiefu decide that even if Zhu Yunwen wanted to take action and kill the two of you, I’d definitely defend you to the death.”
Zhu Gaochi felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted as he smiled and answered, “That’s right, Xiao-jiu.”
Yunqi had a bellyful of rage that he couldn’t unleash on anyone. He nodded and said, “Very good, he guessed correctly. I would definitely protect the two of you.”
“Let’s take the both of you to rest first,” Yunqi replied grumpily as he turned his back on the young ones, and walked towards the Imperial Harem.
Zhu Gaochi limped along behind him. Yunqi instructed them as he walked, “Yunwen’s orders were for you to reside here first. Although he hasn’t placed any restrictions on your movements, be more sensible – you’re not allowed to run about the palace.”
“Yes, Xiao-jiu, we will listen to you in all things.”
“Where are the servants from home that you brought with you?”
“They’re waiting outside the palace.”
Before they reached Qingyan palace, Yunqi told them, ” Since they’re still outside the palace, don’t have them enter. Just order about the stewards within the palace. I’ll arrange the rest on both of your behalfs…”
Gaoxu frowned slightly and asked, “Why?”
“Don’t ask.” Zhu Gaochi stemmed his own brother’s questions, and nodded, “Alright.”
Yunqi whispered again, “ I don’t care what you’ve heard at home, but you’re not allowed to talk about Beiping at all here. The walls have ears, understand?”
Without waiting for the cripple to respond, Yunqi summoned the eunuchs waiting outside the Hall. He assessed them for a moment and selected one who looked honest and simple-minded, and told Gaochi, “This used to be Empress Ma’s place. You can have a rest here. I’ll have Sanbao come join you later.”
In this manner, the two brothers were left all alone in the Imperial Harem. Yunqi pondered for a moment before hardening his heart to leave.
Zhu Gaochi behaved like an old soul [1] and understood that the rank of Prince’s heir was merely an empty title when one was at the foot of the Emperor. On one hand, his own father busied himself ceaselessly and industriously with the preparations for rebellion at full swing, on the other hand, the preferential treatment that he and his brother had received upon their entrance to the capital at this time was entirely dependent on Yunqi.
If the Emperor’s number one favorite hadn’t laid down instructions, it is difficult to say whether this pair of brothers would have been despised and a target for derision.
As it got later, Yunqi made a trip out of the palace to settle the maidservants brought by the Zhu brothers, before anxiously returning to the room to rest.
“Yun-ge’er.” Rong Qing held a bowl and a pair of chopsticks at the window grille. He knocked on it and said, “Time to eat.”
Yunqi asked groggily, “What kind of food?”
Rong Qing told him the name of the dishes, and asked, “You sick? I’ll bring it into the room for you to eat?”
Yunqi responded, “Pack a food box, add some fresh bamboo shoots and mangosteens, prepare another half tail of steamed fish with the bones removed and drizzle some sesame oil on it. Tell Sanbao to send them to my two nephews.”
Rong Qing replied with a “Yo,” asking, “The Xiao-wang-ye have arrived? I also heard the brothers on duty today mention that…”
Yunqi expressed impatiently, “Go quickly, go quickly. Don’t be long-winded, Laozi is very sleepy.”
Rong Qing smiled and said, “ After I ladle out your food, I’ll leave…”
Yunqi slept again for a while. He suddenly felt an icy sensation at the corner of his mouth and carelessly flung it aside. He felt a soft fingertip.
Half-asleep, Yunqi turned toward the inside of the bed to continue to sleep.
A “thunk” rang out from the window. Yunqi was displeased and exclaimed, “Rong Qing! What are you doing, don’t behave like a monkey that randomly touches things!”
While speaking, he heard a faint laugh, then the voice asked if speaking to himself, “Dough figurines?”
“…”
Yunqi was greatly startled by this and hurriedly sat up. He saw Yunwen who had entered his room at some unknown time, whose fingers were currently tugging at a pair of dough figures inserted into the window grille.
These were precisely the dough figurines that they’d had someone mold while the idiots Tuoba Feng and Yunqi had stood side by side on the bridge when he’d gone back to Beiping to visit relatives.
The dough figurines were already dry and cracked. Zhu Yunwen scrutinized them under the lamp light and recognized one of them. He smiled and inquired, “Is this you? Who’s this fellow by the side?”
Yunqi replied, “That’s Shi…” He suddenly became alert. The matter regarding Tuoba Feng was extremely complicated. That incident of Zhu Di dispatching Tuoba Feng to murder Zhu Yunwen – absolutely cannot be disclosed at this time. Just as he was contemplating how to respond, Zhu Yunwen exerted some strength to tug at the figure, planning to pull it down to examine it.
Yunqi hurriedly voiced, “That plaything is stuck firmly inside…Yunwen, don’t touch it…”
With Zhu Yunwen’s tug, ‘Tuoba Feng’s head abruptly fell off with a “Thud”, before rolling under the cabinet and disappearing.
Yunqi’s ire at being woken up hadn’t yet abated, and he treasured these two dough figurines greatly; He abruptly bellowed angrily, “I told you not to touch them!”
Zhu Yunwen was startled into drawing back his hands, shamefacedly looking at Yunqi.
“…”
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
A long while later.
Yunqi rubbed at his temples. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he responded, “ Emperor, I’m sorry. This subject has transgressed the boundaries of etiquette.”
Zhu Yunwen exhaled and said, “I…will glue it back for you later. Are you sick? I went to visit Gaochi at dinner and coincidentally met the person you’d tasked to deliver food. He said that you hadn’t yet eaten your dinner, so I came over to have a look at you.”
Yunqi folded his blanket and made some room on the bed. Zhu Yunwen smiled as he sat down.
Yunqi answered, “I forgot to inform you. That man is called Sanbao and is a boy servant sent by my Jie. She stubbornly insisted that I bring him back with him to the capital.”
Zhu Yunwen nodded and said, “Will do. Have a waist token carved for him then, and state that I let him in. Next year during the housekeeping staff selection, he can enter my palace.”
Yunqi had truly shouted loudly and unrestrainedly earlier and was currently feeling a little frightened in the aftermath. He eyed Zhu Yunwen tentatively, and Zhu Yunwen looked at him; With a sudden onset of tacit comprehension between them, they laughed together.
The light from the oil lamp was reflected on the quilt. Yunqi sat with his knees bent, and asked, “Did my nephew say anything?”
Xu Yunqi was dressed in an unlined shirt and shorts, leaving his legs bare. The thin white clothes revealed the outline of a young man’s body. Yunqi’s skin was clean and fair, his shoulders broad with long limbs, and his figure was well-proportioned. The unlined shirt had several buttons left undone, revealing his collarbones and chest. His straight brows were like swords arching upwards to his temples. Although this face wasn’t as unrestrained or as valiant as Tuoba Feng’s, it still possessed a heroic spirit that was uniquely characteristic of the Confucian General [2] aristocratic families.
Zhu Yunwen was so distracted watching him that he didn’t actually know how to respond.
When sleeping, Yunqi was only concerned with comfort. Having sprawled (on the bed) for a long time, his face was red after waking. He tugged over the quilt to cover his crotch, where the shorts were tented. Zhu Yunwen swallowed a mouthful of saliva and unconsciously raised his hand, his fingertips grazing Yunqi’s face.
“??”
Yunqi was baffled as he asked, “What is it?” He grasped Yunwen’s fingers. The monarch of the country, the present dynasty’s Son of Heaven actually stooped over, his soft lips slightly apart, intending to kiss Yunqi. Yunqi said hastily, “Yunwen…no, wait.”
Zhu Yunwen held Yunqi’s wrist in a backhanded grip; Yunqi was a martial arts practitioner, and his wrists were very strong – it would be effortless for him to push Zhu Yunwen away. However, though the Emperor wanted to force himself on Yunqi at this moment, it wouldn’t be good to slap him. Yunqi could only let the red flush spread from his face to his neck as Zhu Yunwen climbed onto the bed and hugged Yunqi’s shoulders as he continuously kissed a trail down from his ear.
“Yun’ge’er…Yun…”
“Yunwen, you listen to me. No, Yunwen…”
Yunqi could only shove Zhu Yunwen away in a flustered manner. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he declared, “Don’t mess around. Emperor, I’m just a bodyguard!”
“Yunwen!”
“Don’t move! Zhen commands you…”
Zhen commands you to do what? Be obedient and submit?
Yunqi was unexpectedly in an extremely distressed and embarrassed state.
Zhu Yunwen embraced Yunqi’s waist, and plastered his face against Yunqi’s strong chest, breathing the male scent of his body. He couldn’t keep himself from saying, “Yun-ge, I…”
Yunqi’s eyebrows drew tightly together as he spoke earnestly, “Yunwen, when the both of us were young…although we were always together, but…these words must be said sooner or later, I’ve always only cared for you as a younger brother…with no other sorts of thoughts, Yunwen…”
Zhu Yunwen’s icy hands covered Yunqi’s abdominal muscles, causing him to shiver. Although Yunqi had no romantic affections for Zhu Yunwen, having been repeatedly teased and provoked, in addition to the fact that he’d just woken up – his lower body reacted and hardened.
Zhu Yunwen’s hands continued moving downwards before kneading Yunqi’s crotch. By this time, Yunqi had finally reached the end of his tether as he abruptly forced Zhu Yunwen away and raged, “Emperor!”
“I’m merely a bodyguard, and dare not breach etiquette,” Yunqi said.
Zhu Yunwen was already dazed and reacted desperately, “I’ll make you a General!”
Yunqi spluttered with laughter at this, and stated, “Yunwen, Yun’ge’er…has someone I like. You’re the monarch of a country; You’ll have to marry a wife and have children, establish an Empress – how can you be a cut sleeve?”
The sound of Yunqi’s laughter struck Zhu Yunwen’s ears like a series of thunderbolts [3], in that instant, it was as if he’d fallen into the endless abyss and couldn’t speak, feeling as if Yunqi’s smiling expression had transformed into a sneer.
“I…Yunwen, it’s impossible between us.” Yunqi said seriously, “Anyway, I’m not good enough for you… Yunwen!”
Zhu Yunwen stumbled out of the room. Yunqi threw aside the blanket to give chase, but after running a few steps, he stopped.
Forget it, let him go. Yunqi thought, there will always come a time when things need to be made clear.
That night, Yunqi had resolved a serious matter and his heart felt incomparably lighter. He shoveled two bowls of rice into his mouth in the dark, and then fished out dough figurine Tuoba Feng’s little noggin from below the cabinet. He rubbed some saliva on it and stuck it back, before going back to sleep in satisfaction.
Zhu Yunwen had failed in his attempted coerced seduction [4] and was instead friend-zoned [5]. It was unknown how unhappy he was, or whether he’d wail in misery – but it was truly a matter of timing and luck [6].
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
For several days in succession, the Emperor dismissed the court sessions and all the court officials were on holiday.
Yunqi sat cross-legged in the House of Dancing Smoke’s inner courtyard, eating and drinking all by himself. In the center of the Courtyard was Chun Lan, who had her sleeves rolled up and a board in hand as she rapped out a tempo while training the young prostitutes in the guqin.
Chun Lan bossed everyone around haughtily, and roared like a tigress, “Play something with a little more wealth and nobility.”
The young prostitutes were fearful as they hurriedly played their instruments accordingly.
Chun Lan cried out angrily, “Xu Yunqi, you are really too arrogant, aren’t you afraid of being thrown in prison by his Majesty.”
Yunqi smiled, “He’s not that sort of person; We grew up together, and I understand his way of thinking very well.”
Chun Lan’s dark-as-ink gaze shifted. Yunqi explained, “When he was young, he never had to take what he wanted by force. Instead, he understood the principle of generously taking a step back and matters will turn out fine [7]. Although he looks very gentle and civilized, his heart is extremely stubborn – even if he forced me…forced me to submit…”
Chun Lan laughed coquettishly, “It’s useless for him to obtain your body if he’s unable to obtain your heart.”
A layer of goosebumps rose on Yunqi’s arm, and even his scalp felt numb as he replied, “That’s right, it’s what you said. I have a suggestion, let’s not talk about this anymore? Yunwen is also an intelligent person.”
Chun Lan sneered, “Why didn’t you just go along with him; we can also benefit from your elevation like chickens and dogs ascending to Heaven [8]. The House of Dancing Smoke may have been in operation in Yingtian Fu for scores of years, but the business hasn’t grown very much. They say that having a backer within the Imperial Court will make things much easier to accomplish – next time you can lend us a hand, and put in a kind word before the Emperor, how’s that? Mama had originally considered moving the House of Dancing Smoke to Beiping…”
Yunqi almost spat out his wine. Chun Lan continued babbling on and on about her plans, and started to explain her dreams to Yunqi – She desired to be the Kiln Head of the Beiping kiln of the House of Dancing Smoke.
Yunqi changed the subject, saying, “In a few days, it will be the Qingming Festival. I have to accompany the Emperor to the mountain to burn paper money. My mother’s grave is also on Mount Zijin [9] since she wasn’t able to be buried in the ancestral tombs [10]. This year, could you clean her grave on our (siblings’) behalf?”
Chun Lan was currently ensnared in a state of infinite longing for her dreams. She responded, “Oh, Aunt Wen’s grave.”
Yunqi asked again, “I’ll send my two nephews to go with you?”
Chun Lan answered, “Forget it, I can’t wait upon two xiao-wang-ye. I’ll bring a basket and climb the mountain tomorrow. You’re her son, why don’t you also go burn some paper (money) on the way?”
Yunqi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this, “How would I dare bring the Emperor to my mother’s grave? Besides, there’s always a large group of people tagging along each Qingming Festival, it would disturb the grand old lady’s peace and quiet.”
Chun Lan couldn’t hold back from saying, “You should at least have Wen-er moved back to your father’s old home.”
Yunqi sighed helplessly, “It’s not as if I don’t want that too. My Jie has quarreled with Er-ge every year over his refusal to allow our mother to be buried in the Ancestral tombs – it’s only in recent years that matters have been peaceful.”
Chun Lan sighed, “All the women in this House suffer from hard lives, and even Aunt Wen was no exception…” Having spoken, she railed at her fledgling in the courtyard, “Why are you playing ‘ 花 好 月 圆 [11]’! Can’t you see we’re mourning here?”
The young prostitute who’d just started learning to play the guqin was chased off.
Chun Lan then seated herself before the guqin, her fingers plucked the strings as she sang quietly,
曲罢曾教善才服……妆成每被秋娘妒…… ”
The corners of Yunqi’s mouth twitched, and he said, “This is Grandma Wang selling melons – extolling the virtues of the goods that she sells [13]…”
Chun Lan cleared her throat and sang to herself. Once she finished her song, she spoke softly and sweetly, “If I were to go to Beiping, with my guqin skills, figure, and beauty – whatever the case I’d at least be a famed…”
“Xu Yunqi – – !”
There wasn’t a trace of anyone at the wine table – the Commander of the Jinyiwei had already slipped away.
Chun Lan stuck her hands at her waist and shrieked as she ran out in pursuit, “Bastard! Dog guard! You didn’t pay for your wine – – !”
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Since that day, Zhu Yunwen had been haggard and dispirited. Aside from Huang Zicheng, his favorite courtiers had already guessed what was going on and unanimously maintained their silence.
Huang Zicheng was the exception to the rule. The dog guards were about to fall from power, and the Grand Tutor’s day had finally come. Huang Zicheng took advantage of his enemy’s weakness to advance, as he showered Zhu Yunwen with assiduous and considerate attention. Nonetheless, the Grand Tutor’s subtlety had always been lacking, and gloating delight was written all over his face. Even while consoling Zhu Yunwen, he was secretly chuckling to himself.
Consequently, the Grand Tutor suffered a flung inkstone to his head before the world finally quietened down.
When Zhu Yunwen’s dragon visage filled with fury [14], Yunqi was standing at the side of the dragon desk.
Yunqi had still not spoken a word with regard to the chat that day. He’d reckoned correctly that Zhu Yunwen’s love wouldn’t turn to hate; not merely due to his understanding of Zhu Yunwen, but also for another reason: The one that you couldn’t get would invariably be the best.
Zhu Yunwen’s failure to obtain Yunqi would result in him feeling helpless on a subconscious level; He wouldn’t make life difficult for his nephews, and would only take it out on others.
After he’d vented his anger, Zhu Yunwen adjusted his robes. He ignored the ink-covered Huang Zicheng before declaring indifferently, “Let’s go now.”
Yunqi sighed quietly as he followed behind the Son of Heaven. Zhu Yunwen got onto the golden dragon carriage. Yunqi hesitated for a moment before following him.
It was the Qingming Festival and the convoy set off in a formidable and grand manner toward Mount Zijin [9] outside the city. Zhu Yuanzhang hadn’t yet been moved back to Fengyang, and had been temporarily buried on Mount Zijin’s Imperial Mausoleum. Zhu Yunwen was now truly the head of the household; he led all the members of the Imperial clan in Nanjing up the mountain to burn paper money and offer sacrifices to their ancestral tombs.
Zhu Yunwen asked coldly, “Commander Xu doesn’t need to ride a horse as a guard?”
Yunqi thought for a moment, and replied, “ I haven’t seen you for a few days. Converse with me for a bit. There’s Rong Qing outside to look after things.”
Zhu Yunwen mocked, “You are certainly quite presumptuous.”
Yunqi looked towards Zhu Yunwen, and smiled, “ This subject is untalented, emboldened merely by relying on the Emperor’s favor, otherwise, on what basis would I act presumptuously?”
Zhu Yunwen was quiet for a moment. Yunqi didn’t stand at the ceremony, sitting beside him.
Zhu Yunwen gathered up his courage to ask, “That person who you like…who is it?”
Yunqi fell silent. Afterward, he smiled slightly.
Zhu Yunwen’s hopes that had been previously completely extinguished had now been rekindled for some unknown reason. The young Emperor sighed once and leaned against Yunqi. He placed his head on Yunqi’s shoulder, and asked, “ Can you not avoid (me)?”
Yunqi pondered for a moment, and replied, “ The Emperor shouldn’t be too…out of line. This subject wouldn’t dare to avoid (you).”
Zhu Yunwen murmured, “Wouldn’t dare to avoid?”
Yunqi said, “What’s there to avoid? When we were young, didn’t Yun-ge’er also hug you like this, Imperial Grandson?”
Yunqi’s mouth may have spoken these words, but within his heart, he thought of Tuoba Feng who was a thousand li away. Zhu Yunwen abruptly smiled, and said, “Right.” He then proceeded to rest his head on Yunqi’s leg.
This was all within the scope of Yunqi’s expectations. Zhu Yunwen’s mood had improved significantly and he picked a few memories of their shared past to speak on. The horse carriage swayed unsteadily, tilting slightly to one side; They were probably climbing the mountain. After a brief spell, the carriage halted.
Huyan Ke lifted the curtains of the carriage and glanced into the carriage. He’d only caught a glimpse but it was sufficient to shock him immensely.
“We’ve arrived?” Yunqi asked.
Zhu Yunwen’s eyes were closed as he asked with some displeasure, “We’ve arrived so quickly?”
Yunqi smiled, and said, “Then let’s go a little further.”
Huyan Ke found the situation extremely awkward and didn’t know how to respond. He could only answer respectfully, “This subject…’s crime warrants death, we’ve arrived.”
The Imperial Carriage had already reached the summit. Yunqi held Zhu Yunwen’s hand as they got off the carriage. Just as he was about to relinquish his hold, his hand was gripped tightly by Zhu Yunwen.
“Emperor, the officials are all watching,” Yunqi voiced quietly.
Zhu Yunwen had no alternative but to let go, and said, “Everyone, follow me.”
It was the Qingming Festival. A fine drizzle from the overcast skies showered the young trees along the mountain road, turning them a verdant green.
The moss-covered steps were wet and slippery, everyone hitched up their robes as they walked cautiously. Their expressions were that of someone wallowing in grief, but the thoughts in their heart may have taken different forms; It was unknown whether they were silently mourning Zhu Yuanzhang, or for the lives that had been ended by Zhu Yuanzhang during the Hongwu era.
The Imperial Mausoleum had been built very high up the mountain. Yunqi and Huyan Ke took the lead in clearing the path, and the officials followed in their wake as they abandoned their carriages to traverse slowly on foot towards the mausoleum; A half li long line of people assembled on the mountain – truly a magnificent sight when viewed from afar.
Huyan Ke continued to scrutinize Yunqi, whereas Yunqi absent-mindedly glanced toward the foot of the mountain – his mother’s grave was located in a valley below.
At the foot of Mount Zijin, a lone figure bearing a bamboo basket walked in that direction. Yunqi identified the person going to visit the grave [15] as Chun Lan.
Yunqi’s face was expressionless as he thought: After death, the Emperor and Empress were both buried on the same mountain; even the space that they lay in was just this small piece of land.
Huyan Ke jeered, “Who’s buried at the foot of the mountain?”
Yunqi replied indifferently, “My mother, Wen Yuehua. The most popular Ah-gu [16] of the House of Dancing Smoke.”
Just as Huyan Ke was about to find ways to ridicule Yunqi, Zhu Yunwen smiled and expressed, “After performing the sacrifices for Grandfather, we can visit your mother’s grave [15] on the way back?”
Fang Xiaoru’s face paled as he cried out, “ This absolutely cannot be allowed! The Emperor is the 九 五 之 尊 [17], how can he offer sacrifices to a…offer sacrifices to a woman of ill-repute [18]? “
Yunqi smiled as he responded, “That’s right, if the Emperor bows to her, it might even cause her to be unable to rest in peace even in the underworld [19].”
With Yunqi speaking in such a mocking manner, the gathered officials all inhaled sharply – it appeared that the rift between the fatuous monarch and treacherous minister had been eliminated. An evildoer [20] is truly an evildoer – such an evildoer it is!
Yunqi was about to say something else when a clamor suddenly rose up within the ranks. Zhu Gaoxu and Sanbao laughed as they pursued one another.
“Gaoxu!” Yunqi hollered in haste, “The steps are slippery, don’t give chase! Be careful not to fall!”
Zhu Yunwen smiled and stretched out his hand. Sanbao held a locust woven from grass. His figure was as light and agile as a swallow as he took to the stairs in quick, short steps, flashing past the crowd. Zhu Gaoxu was very excited for some unknown reason, chasing behind Sanbao all the way
Yunqi yelled angrily, “Where’s Gaochi? Why isn’t he minding his younger brother?”
Zhu Yunwen smiled slightly, and replied, “Gaochi’s legs aren’t good, so he didn’t climb the mountain…Gaoxu, come over to Ge [21] here.”
Gaoxun laughed loudly, “No! Xiao-jiu, help me catch him!”
Sanbao deliberately slackened his running speed somewhat, as he waited for Gaoxu to catch him. Zhu Gaoxu was still a child; he sprinted a few steps upward before almost slipping. He hastily reached out to clutch at Ma Sanbao’s belt, causing Sanbao to stumble as well.
“Alright! Don’t mess around anymore!” Yunqi yelled, “Rejoin the group…”
At that moment, Zhu Yunwen’s countenance underwent a great change as he reached out to grab an item falling from the sky.
“Emperor!” Huyan Ke and Yunqi cried out simultaneously.
Yunqi’s spine suddenly went cold as he witnessed a small ring reflecting the sunlight fall out of Sanbao’s clothes as Ma Sanbao and Zhu Gaoxu tugged at one another.
The tortoiseshell ring slipped through Zhu Yunwen’s fingers and landed on the ground. It tumbled onto the stone slabs with a crisp sound before bouncing upwards and then rolling along the steps down the mountain.
Zhu Yunwen drew back his hands as he stood dumbfoundedly in place.
Yunqi flusteredly leaped off the mountain path, one leg on the wet grass as he slid down the mountain slope.
“Emperor?” Huyan Ke asked tentatively.
Zhu Yunwen turned his sights toward Sanbao, who stood there in confusion before coming to a realization and shielding Zhu Gaoxu behind him.
Zhu Yunwen inhaled deeply before roaring, “ Seize this kid [22]!”
Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Meanwhile, Zhu Di had already completed all his preparations. The insurrection could commence.
Prior to the rebellion, the most important thing was for him to: Bring back his two sons who were being held as hostages.
Otherwise, even if he sat upon the Emperor’s throne – without a Crown Prince, matters would be very, very bad.
Zhu Di wasn’t worried in the least, he’d set up this game of chess earlier when Yunqi had been visiting relatives. At this time, the peerless martial arts expert, Tuoba Feng had been assigned a mission by Zhu Di and confirmed his acceptance of the military order [23]; He would lead several riderless horses back to Nanjing and coordinate with Ma Sanbao internally in order to bring the two brothers, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu back with them.
Tuoba Feng was well-versed in the geographical layout of the Imperial Palace and proficient in the art of espionage and assassination. He was undoubtedly the best candidate for this task.
A pavilion every ten li [24], the fragrant vegetation was luxuriant, the snow’s first melt. Outside Beiping city, Xu Wen and Zhu Di sent Tuoba Feng off.
Tuoba Feng patted his horse’s head and placed his knapsack on the horse’s back. His only weapon was the Qixing [25] – the blunt sword that had been bestowed by Zhang Sanfeng.
“Aren’t you going to take along a dagger quenched in poison or something…will it really work?”
Tuoba Feng’s expression was unchanged as always, he laced up his saddle and answered, “When the sword exists in one’s heart [26], one can rule the world. I will not use a sharpened sword again, nor kill anyone.”
Xu Wen sighed, and said, “Those who should be killed must still be killed…”
Zhu Di interjected, “Alright, alright. You womenfolk wouldn’t understand. You must trust in Feng’er’s capability.”
Tuoba Feng stated apathetically, “I’ll leave now.”
“Sure, go then.” Zhu Di answered.
Xu Wen’s eyes reddened. She spoke in a bright and clear voice, “You must be sure to bring your younger brothers [27] back, Feng’er.”
Tuoba Feng flipped himself onto the horse, and replied quietly, “I will. I’m really leaving now.”
Zhu Di waved his hand impatiently, “Quickly leave, quickly leave.”
Xu Wen wanted to speak but stopped herself. Tuoba Feng hesitated for a moment, knowing what she wanted to say.
“Also Yunqi…” Xu Wen opened her mouth to say.
Zhu Di was disgruntled, “Didn’t we already talk about this?! It’s safer for Yunqi to remain in the palace than in Beiping. If you want him safe and sound, then don’t have Feng’er bring him back.”
Xu Wen sobbed, “I’m still worried…what if the Emperor wants to take him…”
Zhu Di said, “He wouldn’t, he wouldn’t! Feng-er, leave quickly. Don’t bother with her.”
Tuoba Feng nodded, “Oh, I’ll really leave now them.”
Zhu Di roared,” Beat it [28]!”
Tuoba Feng shook the reins and shouted, “驾 (jia) [29]!”
The 3 thousand-li horses [30] raised their heads to the Heavens and whinnied as they lifted their hooves. Amidst the chill of Spring, they galloped towards Nanjing. The corners of Tuoba Feng’s mouth bore a trace of a smile in the cold wind.
The Tujue swordsman spurred the horses into a gallop as he left Beiping – drawing back the curtains for the Prologue to the earth-shaking, world-changing Jingnan Campaign of the Jianwen era.
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Thank you for the chapter! Such a great translation :3
<3 glad you enjoyed it!