Translator: 🍓SassyStrawberry | http://www.sassystrawberry.com
Project: Phoenix Totem (凤凰图腾） | Author: Huaishang (淮上) | Rating: Mature
Trigger Warnings: Non-con, rape, underage, grooming, age gap, abuse of authority, problematic gong, harem politics, depression, suicide, murder, death.
Tags: Abusive obsessive love, Imperial Court and aristocracy, Strong x Strong characters, Jianghu grievances
Please do not re-upload this translation elsewhere, and do not trade/distribute EPUBs.
You can support the author on JJWXC here, note that there are many locked chapters. There’s also an AD that just started here
Chapter 3 Daytime Clamor
FOR THE BEST READING EXPERIENCE, WE RECOMMEND READING THE CHAPTERS IN THE ORIGINAL FORMAT INSTEAD OF THE WORDPRESS READER.
After seven days, Xia-zhaoyi died from a sudden illness.
Prime Minister Xia mourned and wailed incessantly. The Empress sympathized with the loss of his daughter and personally visited him to offer her condolences. Prime Minister Xia’s second daughter, Xia Rubing served tea and poured water for the Empress. The Empress noted her natural beauty, and her endearing intelligent nature, and found her extremely pleasing, bestowing a jade pendant upon her as a reward,
These are the contents of what the shadow guard Shangguan Mingde reported in private to the Emperor after the event. The Qianwan Emperor sat within the inner chamber of the Imperial Study, his tone of voice so indifferent as to seem extremely casual,” Didn’t you say that the Empress intends to have the Prime Minister’s daughter become the Crown Prince’s consort?”
Mingde said,” Yes.”
“Then why weren’t the betrothal gifts sent [1]?”
“This subject thinks that it is because Xia-zhaoyi has recently passed away. To arrange a marriage at this time goes against the natural principles of harmony of Heaven and Earth.”
The Qianwan Emperor smiled at this, and said,” Mingde, your work is indeed extremely meticulous.”
Mingde’s countenance was entirely inexpressive,” It is all due to Your Majesty’s skill in using people appropriately.”
The Qianwan Emperor stood up from his seat of honour and slowly walked in front of Mingde. Mingde knelt on the ground and watched as the corner of the golden dragon imperial robe appeared before him. It was spread over the lush and thick carpet, looking extremely heavy.
The carpet had already been changed, the soft silk fabric is smooth and comfortable, and one would not find it irritating.
“Mingde,” The Qianwan Emperor spoke slowly,” This morning, the Imperial Physician found traces of safflower [2] in the Guifei’s tea.”
Mingde replied with a bland “Oh”.
“Zhen [3] feels that,” the Qianwan Emperor continued on,” in the entire Imperial palace, those who will be able to avoid the eyes and ears of the shadow guard and are capable of lacing the Guifei’s tea with abortifacients, will not exceed five people. You, Shangguan Mingde coincidentally are one of these few.”
Mingde replied,” Your Majesty’s praise is misdirected.”
“Didn’t you seem to have some opinions with regard to the Guifei’s pregnancy?”
“This subject would not dare to presumptuously comment on the affairs of Your Majesty’s family members.”
His jaw was suddenly lifted up, and Mingde’s eyebrows drew together violently. The Qianwan Emperor squeezed his lower jaw and forcibly lifted him up from the ground.
“If you would like, I can also convert you to one of the Emperor’s “family members”! I can even lock you up inside for a lifetime. You will never, ever dream of even taking a step out of the inner palace!”
To Imprison the beauty within the inner palace – Every Emperor has this same dream. The Qianwan Emperor loved beautiful people by nature, but they had to be surpassingly beautiful without equal. Although the harem was filled with beauties, it’s a pity that none of them could be considered peerless beauties of their generation.
It was at this time, that the Qianwan Emperor obtained Shangguan Mingde. He had very easily managed to win over the fifteen-year-old who was helpless and alone in this world but with the long dreamt-of peerless appearance. It didn’t even take a long time since, like an orphaned, flightless young chick, he was easily captured by the hunter.
Shangguan Mingde struggled violently twice, then his waist was grabbed by the Qianwan Emperor. He was then lifted in the air and pressed against the wall. The bones in his jaw felt like they would be crushed. Mingde wanted to turn his head away, but the Qianwan Emperor forced him to look at him.
“Shangguan Mingde, you made meticulous plans and plotted to protect and shield the Empress and the Crown Prince, in order to give the Crown Prince such a strong ally as the Xia family, you’re even willing to poison Xia-zhaoyi to death, and frame the Guifei for the crime! The pitiful Xia Zheng, that poor old man actually unhesitatingly believed in your lies, and from henceforth will stand by the Empress and the Crown Prince – viewing the Guifei and her unborn royal child as the most detestable thorn in his side!”
Shangguan Mingde’s gaze was extremely clear, with a trace of youthful purity and elegance. His eyes clearly reflected the Emperor’s furious visage, but he was not in the least afraid. Although it was very painful being grabbed by the Qianwan Emperor’s hand, he still gave a smile.
“Your Majesty, do you blame me?”
The Qianwan Emperor’s voice came out like it had been forced out from between gritted teeth,” You, this niezhang……”
“This is all due to Your Majesty’s own mistake.” Shangguan Mingde spoke lightly,:” Had it not for your exhibiting favouritism, Xia-zhaoyi would never have incurred the Guifei’s jealous wrath; Had it not for the Guifei’s harbouring jealousy within her heart, I would not have been so successful in framing her. Had the Guifei not been plotting deliberately to seize the position of Empress, why would I have to meticulously plan to suppress her and her unborn child? It’s not as if I’m so extremely idle that I would spend every day plotting against the women of the Imperial harem.”
He spoke these words in the tone of “I had no choice in this either.”
The Qianwan Emperor was so infuriated by him almost to the point of laughing,” So what you’re saying is, you’ve plotted against all these people, but ultimately, the fault is all mine?”
For a moment, Shangguan Mingde’s smile was very similar to the instructor momo [4] from the Empress Dowager’s palace,” …… Your Majesty, with regards to the Imperial Harem, one must spread out one’s favour and grace, like the rain and dew, in equal measure.”
The tail end of his words disappeared into his own throat. Mingde only felt his eyesight blur, as the Qianwan Emperor lifted him up in the air, then let him fall onto the seat of honour – that huge dragon throne.
That dragon throne was very large, it could almost fit two people lying abreast. Although it was padded with a thick, bright yellow cushion, however, Mingde still groaned once and raised his hand to fruitlessly block the Qianwan Emperor’s hand.
The Qianwan Emperor twisted his hand backward bit by bit, the joints protesting with a cracking sound. From Mingde’s throat came a soft moan, and he later felt an icy, fine chain lock onto his wrist. He turned his head towards the entrance with great effort, there was no movement outside. The Qianwan Emperor’s knee was currently between his thighs, and he smilingly asked in a low voice,” Who are you waiting for? The Empress?”
Mingde suddenly recalled something, and his expression changed slightly.
“Don’t wait anymore. I’ve already had someone stop her en route.” The Qianwan Emperor lifted his hand, and slowly moved it along the youth’s fine and smooth thigh, sliding it to his most private area – maliciously playing with it. He said,” – You’d best pray that she doesn’t rush over here, otherwise I will immediately abolish her as Empress……Mingde, just try it if you don’t believe me!”
Shangguan Mingde’s expression showed a drastic change, but with some effort, he still managed to keep his tone steady. “This subject is fearful [5]. If your Majesty plans on creating a clamour [6] in the daytime, this subject is willing to summon the beauties on your Majesty’s behalf.”
The Qianwan Emperor smiled very slightly at this, and his hand exerted some force. Mingde unexpectedly made a pained ‘Ah’ sound. The youth’s thin upper body was like a fish out of water, abruptly springing upwards. The Emperor grabbed him by a hand against his waist, and roughly pressed him into his own embrace,:”…… Didn’t you murder the zhaoyi? Now you can personally take her place in fulfilling her responsibilities!”
In that instant, Mingde realized what was about to happen. He actually wasn’t truly fearless, he was afraid of this man who was much stronger than him, and that fear went down to his bones. Even if that man merely laid a finger on him, his entire body would tremble in trepidation.
Since he was born, there had been countless occasions where he had nearly been casually and simply put to death by this person. Later this Emperor decided that he didn’t want his life anymore, only his body. This person has innumerable novel and frightening methods of toying with him. All those interesting ways that couldn’t be used on the Imperial concubines, were all used on Shangguan Mingde. It seems that this man will never tire of tormenting him. It’s as if he derives a supreme sense of satisfaction and fulfilment from watching him groan and flail about and seeing him beg for mercy.
Mingde was still young after all, and his fear was immediately revealed on his face. His miserable avoidance of the Qianwan Emperor’s deceptively close, strong body, was followed by his soft pleading,” ……I was injured in the course of my duties two days ago, and haven’t recovered……”
The Qianwan Emperor’s hand had already felt the bandages wrapped around his chest.
What lies beneath the bandages is flesh and blood, but it is difficult to imagine the person beneath him will also hurt. Such a cunning, selfish, cold-blooded, vicious person. It is truly difficult to believe that he will truly groan aloud due to pain.
The Qianwan Emperor bent over, and forced open the youth’s warm lips, compelling him to accept this kiss,”……be good, bear with it.”
It was precisely at this time, that two light knocks sounded on the door. A person stood outside and whispered,” Your Majesty, the shadow guard has something urgent to report.”
The Qianwan Emperor’s movements stilled. Mingde froze for a moment, and lightly let out a breath,”…… Your Majesty, an urgent report.”
His entire body was forcibly sandwiched between the Dragon Throne and the Qianwan Emperor’s body. The old white robes had been yanked down to his wrist, and the youth’s delicate and soft arms were exposed to the eyes of the man on him. The Qianwan Emperor inhaled deeply, his reason and fierce impulses struggling for dominance for a moment. After which his desires clearly and obviously prevailed.
Mingde moaned lightly, and futilely tried to turn away his face and avoid the intimate kiss,” …… the shadow guard would not make such an urgent report unless the matter was of utmost urgency and immediacy…… Your Majesty! Making a racket [6] in the daytime is not something that the Emperor in his most noble character and wisdom should engage in!”
The person outside the door seemed to have become aware of something and again knocked on the door twice. The shadow guard team leader Rong Shiba’s voice was again vaguely heard,” Your Majesty! There is urgent news from the front lines!”
The Qianwan Emperor stared at Mingde for a while, in his heart he thought ‘What actions that the Emperor should engage in’, was the lofty son of heaven’s visage something that others could even look at? In this youth’s presence, when did he retain the least bit of resemblance to the ‘ nobility and wisdom of an Emperor”?
It must have been that the desire in his gaze was too obvious, and Mingde cowered a little at this. The Qianwan Emperor seeing him like that found him both pitiful and adorable. Hence he covered him up with his outer robe, and then quickly got up, saying:” Come in!”
Rong Shiba probably could guess that the person inside was some unknown high-ranking person in the palace. He lowered his eyes and entered with caution, prostrating himself on the ground,” This subject is guilty of a death sentence. Your Majesty, the spies of the shadow guard that had been sent to the Xiwan Country have urgent reports, the Xiwan country has decided on a ceasefire on the front lines and has sent envoys to present their credentials to our Imperial court. These are the contents of the secret missive.”
Rong Shiba carefully kept his head lowered, raising both of his hands to hand over the rolled-up secret missive. The Qianwan Emperor tore it open and glanced over it, then casually passed it to Shangguan Mingde who was behind him.
Mingde lay on his side on the dragon throne and opened the letter to give its contents a glance. He spoke almost inaudibly,” The spy sent to the Xiwan country is the most experienced shadow guard in the team. The contents of this missive are most likely to be genuine. To magnanimously and calmly demonstrate our Imperial Court’s might. Your Majesty can deliberate on this to make a decision.”
The Qianwan Emperor stared at him in silence, Shangguan Mingde respectfully lowered his lashes. His thin and lightweight figure and his thin and long eyelashes cast fan-shaped shadows over his face. At first glance, it seemed like he was in poor spirits and out of sorts, looking especially feeble and docile.
……This person actually is in possession of great talents and is likely to be able to endure being placed in a powerful position of great responsibility in the future.
The Qianwan Emperor had only thought of this lightly, and then ruthlessly rejected the idea.
The capital is teeming with talented and witty young people with lofty aspirations and endless ambition. Those who can be empowered and placed in positions of great authority are many. However, to speak of unrivalled beauty, someone who could bring smiles to their monarch – how many such people would an Emperor encounter in his lifetime?
Rong Shiba absent-mindedly seemed to have heard his own subordinate’s voice, however, this feeling passed quickly, seeming as if it was a figment of his imagination. After which the Qianwan Emperor’s voice rang out again,:” Send my orders to the front line to withdraw our forces, and prepare to meet with the Xiwan envoys.”
Rong Shiba prostrated before him with great ceremony,” This subject has received the order.”
Although the order had been received, he did not retreat. The Qianwan Emperor asked impatiently,” Is there anything else?”
Even an idiot would be able to hear the strong warning in his words. Rong Shiba felt a chill rush up his spine, but he still persisted,” Your Majesty, this subject has a formal request.”
“What is it?”
“This subject’s subordinate Shangguan Mingde discovered assassins within the capital two days ago, was accidentally injured, and his high fever has not yet abated. The shadow guards are sorely short-handed, and this subject requests for your Majesty to allow the Imperial Physicians to examine him and administer treatment, in order to let Shangguan Mingde recover as soon as possible.”
The Qianwan Emperor stared at the back of Rong Shiba’s head for a while, before saying, “ Allowed.”
Rong Shiba rose to his feet and retreated,:” This subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace.”
Alas, as the leader of the shadow guard, Rong Shiba’s intuition was extremely acute. He could clearly feel that the Emperor really wanted to wring his neck ad this time, but he had no choice since words had already been said, there was no way to take them back even if he wanted to.
Rong Shiba swiftly and quietly retreated out of the main grand palace. After a while, the shadow of a thin figure, upon seeing Rong Shiba, bowed deeply, saying,” This subordinate thanks Rong-daren.”
Rong Shiba smiled wryly,” Mingde, I offended his Majesty on your behalf.”
Shangguan Mingde lowered his head respectfully, saying,:” Hence this subordinate offers his thanks to Rong-daren. ”
Rong Shiba didn’t really know how to respond to this. He had been a shadow guard for a full eight years and had long reached the time where he should convert to working in the open. In the ranking of the shadow guard’s martial arts experts, Shangguan Mingde was in the top three. He was young and intelligent, hence the position of team leader would eventually go to him. If he could not take on this position, then Rong Shiba would probably have to remain in this post for several more years.
He somewhat felt like he didn’t want to muddle around in this profession any longer. With his qualifications, he would at least be a commander of the Crimson Retinue Guard; even if he didn’t remain in the capital – if he went outside he would at least be some region’s provincial governor or a high-ranking border official. What is this about being the local tyrant? Being able to sit on the great authority and power of salt and steel, the wealth and glory will already be inexhaustible. One’s honour and glory will already have reached their peak, why would it not be better than spending days in the palace with his life always on the line?
Rong Shiba said,” You don’t need to thank me. I’m also thinking for myself…… Mingde, you are still young. The so-called Imperial favour is actually something that can’t be relied upon. It’s better for you to make serious plans for the future.”
These words may bear some misunderstandings about Mingde’s character, however, they are ultimately still heartfelt advice. Mingde nodded his head,:” Daren speaks truly.”
Rong Shiba and he followed the main path outside the main palace hall. By the time they were halfway there, they saw Shangguan-shilang approach from a distance. Rong Shiba wanted to go forward to greet him, but Mingde instead patted his shoulder and whispered,” This subordinate has something to do, hence will leave first. Please excuse me.”
As Rong Shiba turned his head, unexpectedly he only managed to catch sight of a flash of clothes, and couldn’t even find a trace of his shadow. Mingde’s qinggong [6] was superb even amongst the shadow guards, it is likely there was no other who could surpass him in this respect.
Rong Shiba thought about the rumour that Shangguan Mingde being the son of a concubine, was not well-favoured in his family. It seemed that it was likely true. Shangguan-shilang’s main wife Zhang-shi ‘s character is acrimonious and prone to jealousy, and he himself wasn’t really anything good either. How on earth did they have such a talented and good-looking son? Rong Shiba thought this, and upon seeing Shangguan-shilang approach in a hurry, he also quickly leapt up into a tree and slipped away.
Speaking of Rong Shiba-lang [8], he can also be considered someone who is rather suave and romantic. Were a Princess or a beautiful lady, he would most assuredly be willing to greet them and get close to them. As for an old fogey whose own son couldn’t even be bothered with him…… He really couldn’t find it within him to show interest.
