Translator â Xiao He Lian
The moment Qing Rong rushed out, Xian Sheng suddenly had the urge to take off the womenâs clothing and admit it all.
To be Prince just one last time, in front of everyone and then be killed at the altar. At least, he died standing. Because he knows after what happened today even if nothing is said on the surface, when he goes back he will be secretly executed.
No one will know that he is actually the prince of South Liang.
And even if this matter is not known, with the character of Emperor Jin, he will definitely find another way to take revenge on South Liang.
But this is a blessing ceremony, he doesnât care about Great Jinâs prestige but he must do this for Zhan Zhen.
Zhan Zhen refuted Qing Rong, he could only press back the impulse to come out and face Emperor Jin.
âErchen dared to ask, should I ascend this altar or not?â
He was wearing the dress calm and confidently. If he was a man, itâs fine and if he was a woman, it was also right.
Emperor Jin was stunned for a moment.
In fact, there is no need to ask. The reason is affirmative, because forbidding him to go to the altar at the moment is almost tantamount to admitting Qing Rongâs words
Xian Sheng didnât know what Qin Yi did with Qing Rong but he knew that even though Qing Rong wasnât smart enough, he wasnât stupid.
Before Emperor Jinâs words fell, Zhan Zhen had already walked back, âErchen brought the archer over.â
âNo needâ Emperor Jin said: âJiang Qin already went. First repel Qin Yi.â
Qin Yi is a mad dog. Since he dares to appear here, he must have made adequate preparations. Ten thousand people are gathered together. If he was not careful, the innocent people of Jin may be affected, so he canât shoot at random.
Xian Sheng turned around and raised his eyes.
He saw an arrow heading straight at Qin Yi. It was Jiang Qinâs handiwork. He was the number one archer in the Great Jin Dynasty. Although it was hard to show off today, at least he had to teach Qin Yi a lesson. Or else, if they let him walk away infront of so many people, how can Jin save its face?
Qin Yi dodged for a while, but was still caught in the left shoulder, staggered, turned over and leaped down from the other side.
There were shouts of approval from the audience.
Quietly, Zhan Yin, who was beside the queen, slipped out.
Xian Sheng retracted his gaze silently and walked towards the altar. Zhan Zhen suddenly realized that something was wrong, followed him for two steps and heard him say softly, âTransfer more horses and soldiers to Jiang Qinâs squad. Have more archers climb up to keep a lookout and dare not get distracted again.â
Xian Sheng lifted the hem of his skirt and walked up to the altar step by step.
The platform is very high and Xian Sheng felt that if he jumped from here, he would definitely die.
But it doesnât make sense.
If he dies, no one will help him recover his identity and he may even bring disgrace to Southern Liang.
Under everyoneâs attention, he took the incense stick and said the prayers. The bell rang, he knelt down and bowed. Like a tidal wave, the people on the stage bowed after him.
The Brahma bell1Brahma bell is a general term for the perfect round body clock with a circular cross-section since the Han Dynasty. Including morning bell, Buddhist bell and watch bell. The Brahma bell is dignified, heavy and beautifully cast, giving people a sacred feeling. The shape of the bell with various uses borrowed from the style of the Brahma bell not only enriches the connotation and extension of the Brahma bell, but also presents a splendid and solemn appearance rang across the sky. Xian Sheng closed his eyes and prayed, âI am not from Jin but I was born in the royal family. I have learned to protect my family and defend the country for the benefit of the people all my life. Now the drought in the northern part of Jin is so severe that the people canât make a living. Itâs like seeing the suffering of the Liang people. So, ask God for blessings and give them rain, give food to the people and save them from fire and water.â
He kowtowed, got up again and while kneeling there, he looked to the East.
I think itâs my fault for hiding, but it was also due to urgency. If I was exposed and died, please make sure to fulfill Zhan Zhenâs desire to become emperor. If I leave and be determined to turn against the enemy, I hope he will hide his arsenal and create a prosperous and peaceful world and make the same wind in a thousand miles2metaphor for peace in the world).
In the Princeâs Mansion, Zhan Yin rushed in, âAâyao! Has your teacher returned?â
âHe should be home tonight. â Aâyaoâs voice was crisp and he said, âWhy is Princess AâYin looking for my teacher?â
âWhat to do, what to doâŠIâm dying. I donât know who to look for except Royal Uncle.â
She paced back and forth. AâYao brought tea and said, âPrincess drink some tea.â
âStop drinking tea!! Iâm afraid that my Brother will not be able to keep the Crown prince position and that my sister-in-law will die!â
AâYaoâs eyes widened and his face became solemn: âYou mean, did something happen to the Crown Princess?â
There was an uproar at the Prayer for blessing ceremony. Whether the Crown Princess is male or female quickly spread through the entire capital that afternoon. Xian Sheng and Zhan Zhen drove back together, and were directly called to the Yonghe Hall where the Emperor lived.
At this moment, there are only Emperor Jin and the Empress, Zhan Zhen and Xian Sheng as well as the close personal minister who has been relied on by the emperor of Jin and outside are the guards who are ready to take orders.
Xian Sheng stood quietly beside Zhan Zhen, the latter looked tense until Emperor Jin said, âBring Qing Rong in.â
After all, it was the daughter of a meritorious hero. Although she was taken down, nothing happened to her. She walked in slowly, with a forcibly calm but flustered expression on her face.
Emperor Jin smiled and said, âQing Rong, look at me.â
Qing Rong hurriedly kowtowed: âThis servant3èŁć„ł or chĂ©nnÇ is an honorable way to call a daughter of a minister but there is no exact translation for the word. They also refer to themselves as concubines or servants since theyâre in front of the emperor is guilty.â
âAll your fatherâs subordinates have been stripped of their power. Even the people I sent couldnât find out anything, so how did you know?â
âYou can speak slowly, take your time.â Emperor Jin glanced at Zhan Zhen and Xian Sheng and said gently: âCrown Princess sit down first. You are fragile, standing is not good for your body.â
Zhan Zhen directly pulled over a chair and pressed Xian Sheng down.
The queen pursed her lips and took a sip of tea uneasily.
Qing Rong looked at Xian Sheng and a surge of grievance poured from her eyes. She said suddenly: âItâs Qin Yi! He confirmed with Tang Li that Xian Sheng is indeed a man disguised as a woman. He has been in poor health since he was a child, so no one knows about it!â
âYes.â Qing Rong said: âHe told me everything, he said he also suspected Xian Sheng. Before, when Xian Sheng asked him to deliver a letter, he said that he had a secret to tell Qin Yi, but Xian Shang deceived himâŠâ
âYou could have told me this in private.â Emperor Jin said: âWhy did you stir up trouble at the ceremony?â
âBecause⊠Qin Yi gave me poison.â
Xian Shengâs eyes flashed. Zhan Zhen frowned and said: âIâm afraid itâs not just as simple as poison, you must have made a deal in private. He must have offered you a condition that made you excited.â
âYes!!â Qing Rong glared at him and said: âHe said,â If I met Your Majesty, to tell that he also hates Xian Sheng and he wants Xian Sheng to lose his reputation.â
âYou value your Crown prince position and Xian Shengâs beauty is unparalleled, so you will definitely cover it up. Also, His Majesty actually allowed him to ride in a carriage inside the palace! Who knows, maybe Iâll be executed secretly. Only at the pray for blessings ceremony, in front of the people will I be able to spread this matter out and make it known to all⊠Only in this way can I force His Majestyâs hand and make Xian Sheng get the retribution he deservesâŠâ Her voice weakened for a moment then suddenly she cried out âBut he lied to me!! He didnât hate Xian Sheng at all. He used me to expose Xian Sheng, but he protected Xian Sheng in front of so many people. He did it on purpose!! He simply wants Xian Sheng!! Just like you, even if he is a man, he still wants him.â
Her face was filled with remorse. Emperor Jin suddenly waved his hand: âHelp the princess go down and take a rest.â
âYour MajestyâŠ!â Qing Rong said: âThis humble servant was deceived. This humble servant did not do it deliberately⊠This humble servant is guilty, your majestyâŠ.â
She was gagged and taken away and once again only their family remained in the hall.
Emperor Jin picked up the cup of tea, forcing to keep his self-control but his hands were still trembling slightly. Suddenly, he raised his hands and the cup fell into pieces, the tea splashed, and the queen trembled.
Emperor Jinâs gaze fell on Zhan Zhen and then slowly looked at Xian Sheng. He was born too well, too extraordinary. Looking at this bag of skin4pouch /pĂnĂĄng/noun â A leather pocket; a metaphor for a human body (mostly used in a derogatory sense), very few people would want to hurt him.
âChen qie5èŁćŠŸ [chĂ©n qiĂš]ć self-address to the emperor (by his wife and concubines) is here.â
âTake Xian sheng and examine her.â
Empress Xin looked at Xian Sheng, his makeup was not yet removed and although the robes worn for the Prayer for blessings are taken off, she still looks ethereal. She doesnât have the heart to force such an elegant and peerless person to take off their clothes.
Xian Sheng clenched his fist and Zhan Zhen suddenly walked forward âFather, Qing Rong is a lunatic, how can you believe what she says?â
âYou are playing your father for a fool, arenât you?â The Emperor Jin said in a cold tone âIâve long found that heâs hiding something. You are the crown prince of Jin, how dare you help the enemy prince to hide. Zhan Zhen, do you want to be the Crown prince? â
Zhan Zhen didnât speak.
He said again: âEmpress, what are you waiting for?â
Empress Xin stood up, came to Xian Sheng and said, âTake him away.â
Zhan Zhen stepped back again and stood in front of Xian Sheng: âMother Empress, he is not, Erchen can testify, heâŠ.â
âZhan Zhenâ Emperor Jin took a breath and said, âDo you want me to send some imperial bodyguards to check?â
Zhan Zhenâs eyes were red: âErchenâŠâ
âZhan Zhenâ A voice came from behind him. Xian Sheng said: âDo not argue with your father.â
He said something similar before, the original words Zhan Zhen cannot remember, but he remembered, Xian Sheng said, if one day his identity is exposed, he shouldnât argue with his father and between his Crown Prince position and him, he wants Zhan Zhen to choose the former.
He walked out from behind Zhan Zhen and performed South Liang etiquette: âThis matter is related to his highness the Crown princeâŠâ
Suddenly Zhan Zhenâs ears twitched. His internal strength is extremely high and he noticed some movements. He suddenly interrupted Xian Sheng: âShengâer is already pregnant.â
Xian Sheng immediately looked at him. Not only was his face pale and weak but also his heart was calm all throughout todayâs events, as if he had expected this day a long time ago.
He looked at Zhan Zhen and said, âDonât fool around.â
âRecently he had some symptoms of morning sickness. Some time ago we had a meal with Qi Ziyou and his wife and Erchen found that Shengâer and Xue Xiu had the same symptoms.â
The emperor Jinâs eyes turned cold and the Empress also frowned, âZhenâerâ
Even if she still likes Xian Sheng, but again she doesnât want to see Zhan Zhen deceiving the emperor: Emperor Jinâs expression turned gloomy. He stared at his heir and successor and said: âZhan Zhen, I will give you another chance. Do you choose to protect him or choose the Crown prince position? â
âRemember, if he is not pregnant, I will take off your crown today and punish you for the crime of deceiving the emperor.â He said, âThat is to be beheaded.â
The queenâs face changed dramatically, âZhan Zhen!â
âIt is true. â Zhan Zhen didnât hesitate, and emphasized every word: âTwo days ago, mother said for me to pay attention to signs of pregnancy. Therefore, according to shengâerâs recent actions and according to the written medical books shengâer is definitely pregnantâ
Emperor Jin laughed angrily.
He never expected that Xian Sheng would occupy such a heavy position in Zhan Zhenâs heart, compared to the Crown prince position. Under the circumstances, he is like a dead duckâs tough mouth6âDead duckâs mouth is toughâ is often used to describe a person who is stubborn, unwilling to admit his mistakes anyway.
âOkay, since you said so, I will give you another chance. Which imperial doctor do you want to call? Huh?â
Xian Sheng took a step forward but was instantly pulled back by Zhan Zhen, his hand was held tightly: âQi Sile.â
âHeâs not in the capital.â After the queen said this, Emperor Jin said âThen let imperial doctor Xuan Mu come.â
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhan Yinâs voice came from outside: âImperial Uncle is here. Heâs here!!â
The door was pushed open and Zhan Yin pulled Qi Sile into the room. The latter looked dusty, there were still spots of mud on the robe. He glanced at the Empress and the latter nodded gently.
Zhan Yin took a breath. The Emperor looked at the nervous people in the room, suddenly he stood up, and said, âExamine, show me if this is a man disguised as a woman or it is just a rumor?â
Suddenly Xian Shengâs body was picked up, Zhan Zhen put him on a chair, his dark eyes looked at him without blinking: âDonât be afraidâ
He took Xian Shengâs hand and Qi Sile had no choice but to put on a bold face and walk over, driving the duck onto a perch7è”¶éžćäžæ¶ [gÇn yÄ zi shĂ ng jiĂ ] â drive a duck onto a perch; Â force a donkey to dance; Â make sb. do sth. entirely beyond him.
If this matter is false, Zhan Zhen would be implicating a large group of people.
He put his hand up and saw Xian Sheng gently shake his head.
He didnât want to drag anyone down, whether it was Zhan Zhen, the queen who took Zhan Zhen as his backer or Qi Sile who was dragged over.
If Qi Sile told the truth at this moment, Zhan Zhen can still beg for mercy. Seeing Emperor Jinâs repeated condoning at this moment, he was still reluctant to give up on Zhan Zhen.
Qi Sile sighed and placed his hand on his pulse. He frowned and thought whether to tell the truth or lie later. His heart was not on his pulse at all.
Until Emperor Jin asked, âHow is it? If there is a happy pulse8ćè [xÇ mĂ i] â ć the regular throbbing of the arteries that indicates pregnancy, you should feel it out by now.â
âThis subject9Chen Di / èŁçŹŹÂ was distracted⊠â Qi Sile collected his thoughts and focused on his fingertips. Gradually, his eyebrows raised and his eyes widened with surprise.
He took the pulse again seriously, suddenly got up and smiled joyfully, âCongratulations, your majesty! The Crown Princess is pregnant. You are going to have a grandchild!â
Emperor Jin narrowed his eyes.
The queen breathed a sigh of relief. Xian Sheng didnât have the slightest joy on his face while Zhan Zhen put down his worried heart.
âQi Sileâ Emperor Jin said: âYou are from the Imperial Hospital; it seems that you have many friends?â
âI treat the people in the palace together with them, naturally I have some contacts.â
âLetâs call a few more doctors. You are still travel-worn and weary from the long journey, Iâm afraid you are tired.â
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Translator â Yesss!! Finally!! Our Sheng Sheng got to know he is pregyyy!!! Wonder how long it will take him to actually realize Qi Sile wasnât lying!!!
1Brahma bell is a general term for the perfect round body clock with a circular cross-section since the Han Dynasty. Including morning bell, Buddhist bell and watch bell. The Brahma bell is dignified, heavy and beautifully cast, giving people a sacred feeling. The shape of the bell with various uses borrowed from the style of the Brahma bell not only enriches the connotation and extension of the Brahma bell, but also presents a splendid and solemn appearance2metaphor for peace in the world)3èŁć„ł or chĂ©nnÇ is an honorable way to call a daughter of a minister but there is no exact translation for the word. They also refer to themselves as concubines or servants since theyâre in front of the emperor4pouch /pĂnĂĄng/noun â A leather pocket; a metaphor for a human body (mostly used in a derogatory sense)5èŁćŠŸ [chĂ©n qiĂš]ć self-address to the emperor (by his wife and concubines)6âDead duckâs mouth is toughâ is often used to describe a person who is stubborn, unwilling to admit his mistakes anyway7è”¶éžćäžæ¶ [gÇn yÄ zi shĂ ng jiĂ ] â drive a duck onto a perch;  force a donkey to dance;  make sb. do sth. entirely beyond him8ćè [xÇ mĂ i] â ć the regular throbbing of the arteries that indicates pregnancy9Chen Di / èŁçŹŹ