CH 82

Translator – Xiao He Lian

Chapter 82

Before and after Qingming, the rain basically did not stop.

Xian Sheng didn’t know what exactly Zhan Zhen planned but as long as his brother was there for a day, he would not be at ease.

He cherished every opportunity to meet with his brother and just after returning from the imperial mausoleum, he came to the reception mansion.

Unexpectedly, my brother’s face was a little solemn today, “How can Zhan Zhen rest assured that you come out by yourself?”

“He escorted his father back to the palace and dropped me here on the way.” Xian Sheng asked, “What happened?”

Xian Shang was not ready to hide it from him. He took Xian Sheng by the wrist and walked aside, whispering, “Qin Yi knows about you.”

Xian Sheng’s heart skipped a beat, “Who told him?”

“He didn’t say, just questioned Tang Li.” Xian Shang said, “He’s just a lunatic, no one knows what he will do.”

“Brother, don’t worry.” Xian Sheng gave a soothing smile and said, “Zhan Zhen said that brother can go back in a few days and he is true to his word.”

“What about you?”

“Brother knows that I have to stay for the time being, but Zhan Zhen promised me that when the time comes, I can also go home.”

Xian Shang does not believe that Zhan Zhen could do this for Xian Sheng: “Is this true?”

“Naturally it is true.” Xian Sheng’s eyes were bright and he said softly, “Zhan Zhen will not lie to me.”

Xian Shang frowned. In his opinion, Xian Sheng was coaxed around by Zhan Zhen, and even believed such words.

But what worries him the most is Qin Yi. No one can guess his mind at all and he doesn’t know what he thinks of Xian Sheng now, and whether he will make Xian Sheng’s matter known to everyone.

That night, there was a ringing of bells and a rider got down from the horse and rushed straight in. The bodyguard wearing a poncho at the gate of the palace suddenly perked up “It’s his majesty’s Imperial Guards, quick, open the gates”

Emperor Jin was woken up by Eunuch Liao and sat on the bed yawning: “Let him come in and talk.”

The man took off the poncho, stepped on the water stains on the ground with his boots and saluted, “My subordinate was ordered to go to South Liang to thoroughly investigate the matter of the Crown princess and no doubts were found.”

“You rushed back in such a hurry, is there something else to report?”

“Let’s hear it.”

“Emperor Liang was assassinated and his life is in danger. Now they are without a leader. They had secretly sent a letter to the crown prince of Shang. IThey should have received it by now.”

The Jin emperor looked sideways and said, “who did it?”

“A Jianghu person, excellent skills, My subordinates failed to catch him.”

Emperor Jin was silent for a while and sighed softly: “Then it seems that we can only let him go.”

*

“The emperor was assassinated?!” Xian Sheng was shocked, and was supported by Zhan Zhen. He looked at Xian Shang, said: “How is he?”

“You don’t have to worry, if something happens, I will write to you.” Xian Shang actually didn’t know the specific situation, but in front of Xian Sheng, he could only pretend to be calm and said: “It’s just that, brother won’t be able to accompany you on your birthday.”

“This side…” Xian Sheng’s eyes flashed: “Are you willing to let you go?”

“The two countries have now reached an alliance. I went to the palace last night to say that I am leaving. His majesty promised to let me go back due to the deep affection between father and son.”

Xian Sheng nodded and said, “Will you be leaving today.”

“It’s an emergency and I’m already packed. ”Xian Shang looked at him, Xian Sheng’s eyes were red, he nodded and said, “I will send my brother out of the capital.”.

The delegation came slowly but left quickly, and the party was vast and mighty.

Xian Sheng went all the way to the Shili Pavilion in the outskirts but was persuaded by Xian Shang: “Dark clouds were gathering overhead, the wind was chilly, so don’t follow.”

Zhan Zhen cupped his hands and said: “Then I will send you off from here. He is not in good health, so he has to rest.”

Xian Shang with a good smile, glanced at Xian Sheng again and said, “Take care of yourself, when I have time, brother will come to see you again.”

Xian Sheng didn’t know how many times his eyes turned red today but he nodded again: “Please tell father… daughter is not filial and I can’t go back to visit.”

Before the words fell, tears burst down and Zhan Zhen felt a fierce tug in his heart. He has never seen Xian Sheng cry so pitifully and he has never seen him show such a sad expression. He stretched out his hand, but Xian Shang embraced Xian Sheng in his arms first.

“Father Emperor will be fine, so you do not harm your health.”

Xian Sheng grabbed the corner of his clothes, crying very softly but sobbing very seriously.

Xian Shang touched his head but Xian Sheng slowly let go, he choked softly, and said : “Brother… go back.”

He said: “Be careful with everything.”

Xian Shang handed him over to Zhan Zhen and said, “You too.”

They looked at each other, Xian Sheng took a step back and pushed him: “Leave, quickly go.”

As long as he goes back, Xian Shang will be safe.

Xian Shang mounted his horse, but Tang Li suddenly said:: “Princess, be careful with Qin Yi… I wanted to look for him to admonish him again, but the incident happened suddenly, so I can only ask you to take care”

Zhan Zhen frowned.

Xian Sheng nodded, his neck was wet with tears, his eyes and nose were red too. He said to Tang Li: “You also take care.”

The cloak was blown up by the wind and the wind in the north was still bitterly cold. The envoy drove away, Xian Sheng watched quietly. Zhan Zhen took his hand, but Xian Sheng suddenly chased forward two steps.

He watched his relatives go further and further away, in a trance, as if he was the only one left in the world.

Until someone put a bigger cloak on him, his slightly cool body was embraced into a warm embrace: “Good Sheng’er. Let’s go back.”

“Will you send someone to protect my brother?”

“Yes.” Zhan Zhen assured him: “He will return to South Liang safely.”

“Will something happen to my father?”

“Will not.”  Zhan Zhen said in a low voice: “He will be safe as well.”

Xian Sheng knows that this is his plan to help his brother go home. He understood from the moment he heard the news, but he still couldn’t help feeling sad in his heart.

Because he knew that if something really did happen to his father, he would not be able to go back. If one day he could go back, it would only be to attend the funeral.

Because the two countries were too far apart, and his body was poor, with high mountains and rivers in between, it would take at least three months.

Not to mention, he may not live for long. Now that Qin Yi also knows his identity, the ghost inexorably hangs on1[haunting spectre; the ghost inexorably hangs on; the soul refuses to leave] The original meaning refers to the fact that after death, as long as the ghost does not disperse, it can also carry out various activities within a certain range. Now it is used as a metaphor for a bad event that has passed, but its bad influence has not been eliminated. Or the bad guy is dead, but his bad style is still manifested in another person) And the day it is exposed, is the day he will die.

“How did you deceive your father?”

“I have my own ways”

Xian Sheng nodded and didn’t ask more.

In the evening, he ordered Qi Ziyou to come out.“Would you like to go to a restaurant for dinner to relax?” Zhan Zhen said and added: ” You also have to learn from his wife.”

Xian Sheng’s reaction is very indifferent: “Okay.”

“Do you want to eat hot pot?”

“Since his wife is pregnant, let’s see what she wants to eat.”

“Okay, will listen to Sheng’er.”

Xian Sheng was still in a low mood. He was hugged into the carriage and dozed off for a while.  When he got home, he slept for another hour. When he woke up, Zhan Zhen was sitting by the bed and looked at him worriedly.

But he quickly changed his expression and said: “yo2expressing slight surprise, the little lady is awake? Looking at your sleepy face. If I didn’t know, I would have thought that you are really pregnant.“

Xian Sheng rolled his eyes at him and sat up slowly. Zhan Zhen’s mouth is shoddy but his actions were distinct. He gently helped him, then squatted down to put on his shoes and said, “It’s fixed at Duan Jialou, I heard that his wife likes to eat the pastries from that house. It just so happened that I also took you there to try it.”

Xian Sheng washed his hands and checked himself out a little bit. He is not someone who refuses to go out. On the contrary, he likes to go out. But, Zhan Zhen is not happy to take him out.

When they arrived at Duan Jialou, Qi Ziyou had already arrived ahead of schedule. Sitting beside him was a delicate little beauty. Although the little beauty was delicate, she was dressed lavishly. She was worthy of being the first beauty in the capital, her appearance and temperament were first-class.

There is no one in this world that doesn’t like beautiful women and Xian Sheng is the same. After all, some people are pleasing to the eye just by looking at them.

Zhan Zhen suddenly pulled him around and Xian Sheng was forced to face him. He asked awkwardly, “What are you doing?”

“Why are you staring at her?” Zhan Zhen looked cold and solemn: “Could it be that the first beauty and the second beauty see eye to eye?”

He’s eating vinegar3eat vinegar [chī fēi cù] be jealous (of a spouse) again.

Xian Sheng couldn’t help laughing: “Don’t make trouble, people will see the joke4Watching a joke, pronounced kàn xiào hua, a Chinese word, refers to a group of people surrounding a person or a thing, with a “discuss” or ridicule mentality to watch. Often used as a derogatory term..”

“Don’t stare at her.”

“Didn’t you ask me to learn from her?”

Qi Ziyou had already stood up and politely waited for them to enter. Zhan Zhen had a cold face and saw him call cluelessly: “Your Highness, this way.”

The two walked over and sat down, the little beauty opposite made a shallow bow. Her voice was soft and gentle and said: “Greetings to you both”

She looked at Xian Sheng for a few more eyes and said with a smile: “Your Highness is really worthy of its reputation. Originally, I thought I was robbed of the limelight. I was distressed. But now that I saw you today, I admit defeat.”

She is delicate and soft, but she speaks in a generous way. It’s easy to make people feel good about her. Before Xian Sheng answered, Zhan Zhen said, “I’m tired of listening. Sit down.”

This first beauty is surnamed Xue, named Xue Xiu and her father’s official position is not big but she was born to be outstanding. I heard that Emperor Jin had visited the mansion in person back then and especially told Xue Fu Yin that he wanted to give her to Zhan Zhen as a concubine. As a result, Zhan Zhen later met and commented that she had surplus appearance but lacked grandeur, which was not the choice of beauty in his heart and that he didn’t want to marry her.

Xue Xiu’s eyes flickered, she could see his possessiveness towards Xian Sheng. She had the sense not to say more and turned her head to look at Qi Ziyou, the latter said, “It’s rare for Your Highness to bestow me this favor, It’s an honor Your Highness.”

Zhan Zhen can be said to be in the limelight among the younger generation. Like stars twinkled around the bright moon5Many stars gather around the moon. It is a metaphor for people to support one person or many things to surround one thing. Same as “the stars save the moon”, and no one can beat him. He picked up the cup and Qi Ziyou took the initiative to touch it. After drinking, he smiled and said, “It’s quite lively in this building today. Does Your Highness like to listen to a story book? I can ask them to come and read a paragraph.”

Zhan Zhen asked Xian Sheng, “Do you want to listen to it?”

“Then let’s listen to a story.”

So Qi Ziyou immediately called someone to come over. Downstairs, a storyteller soon came to the stage and there were people eating and drinking under the stage. Someone said “It’s not going.”

“Young master Qi is rich and generous. This little old man will tell you a story!”

“Say something new!”

Qi Ziyu kindly asked, “Which part does the Crown Princess want to hear?”

“This is my first time, so let’s listen to everyone and hear something new”

Zhan Zhen stared at Qi Ziyu expressionlessly and drank a mouthful of wine. Xue Xiu hurried to pull her husband, whispering “His Highness is here. Why are you asking the crown princess?”

“Seeing that His Highness is asking the Crown Princess, I’ll just ask directly.”

Xue Xiu glared at him and the storyteller under the stage said “In that case, let’s say something new. Let’s talk about a story in the Capital.”

“Good!” The people under the stage yelled. It was really lively.

Suddenly a man came from upstairs, it was Qiu Wu Lun. He smiled and said, “Your Highness is also here? Just now I saw some honored guest has graced their presence and I didn’t think it was Qi Ziyou”

Qi Ziyou said coldly, “What are you doing here?”

These two are ancestral rivals, Qi Ziyou met His Highness the Crown Prince secretly, and Qiu Wu Lun was naturally uncomfortable. What if the Qi family won the favor of the future Emperor over the Qiu family?

He said: “Like I said, I came here to meet the honored guest.”

Zhan Zhen smiled on the spot and said: “All right, come in.”

He didn’t mind many people joining in. Qiu Wu Lun quickly sat down. Zhan Zhen looked at Xian Sheng again, the latter was looking downstairs with interest. “He said that there was a Taoist priest in the capital, and he read the royal family fortune.  Is there such a thing?”

Zhan Zhen raised his eyebrows: “I didn’t hear it clearly. What did he say?”

Qi Ziyou frowned and was about to call someone to say it again when Qiu Wulun suddenly clapped his hands and said: “I know! Your Highness, just at the entrance of Hongqiao Alley in the southwest, I heard someone say that an immortal like fortune-teller foretold their fortunes only for the fated people.  The news came from there.”

Xian Sheng immediately asked: “What news?“

“He said that the Son of God will descend on the capital soon. The Son of God will be very noble and his appearance will be extraordinary. In the future, he will rule the world. I’m afraid it’s the blood of the royal family and it is said that the crown princess may be pregnant!”

He said this obviously to compete with Qi Ziyou but Zhan Zhen frowned.  Xian Sheng said: “We merely visited the imperial mausoleum, the news has spread slower.”

“ The Crown Princess doesn’t know this, it was mainly about the description of the Son of God. This god-son descended from the heavens, unforeseen and extraordinary. Which child didn’t come from the mother’s womb? It couldn’t come from the father’s womb, right? So everyone is talking about how this child can be extraordinary.”

Zhan Zhen suddenly looked at Xian Sheng’s stomach. Xian Sheng gave him a kick.

Qi Ziyou said: “How can these rumors be taken seriously?”

“You silly.” If they want to curse each other, Qiu Wu Lun will definitely have the upper hand, because Qi Ziyou wants to save face and doesn’t use swear words: “The world is so ignorant. If it spreads widely, it becomes true. It doesn’t matter if we don’t believe it, the world believes it.”

Qi Ziyou frowned and said, “That can’t possibly come out of a father’s stomach, you said it’s the royal bloodline, could it be possible…”

He glanced at Zhan Zhen and swallowed his words.

Zhan Zhen’s brows twitched, Qiu Wu Lun smiled and said, “Isn’t this just an analogy? Such auspicious things are hard to come by.”

On the table, a plate of fish soup was served, Xue Xiu frowned immediately covering her mouth and nose: “This… Why did you order fish?”

Qi Ziyou was about to explain, Qiu Wu Lun hurriedly said: “I ordered, I ordered it. Since His Royal Highness is here, I ordered this dish. Sister-in-law, what is wrong?”

“She is pregnant. The smell makes her nauseous. Quickly take it away.”

Zhan Zhen and Xian Sheng were still a little stunned at the moment, until Xian Sheng looked at the fish and suddenly raised his hand and pressed his chest.

Surprisingly, he also felt a little nauseous.

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1[haunting spectre; the ghost inexorably hangs on; the soul refuses to leave] The original meaning refers to the fact that after death, as long as the ghost does not disperse, it can also carry out various activities within a certain range. Now it is used as a metaphor for a bad event that has passed, but its bad influence has not been eliminated. Or the bad guy is dead, but his bad style is still manifested in another person)2expressing slight surprise3eat vinegar [chī fēi cù] be jealous (of a spouse)4Watching a joke, pronounced kàn xiào hua, a Chinese word, refers to a group of people surrounding a person or a thing, with a “discuss” or ridicule mentality to watch. Often used as a derogatory term.5Many stars gather around the moon. It is a metaphor for people to support one person or many things to surround one thing. Same as “the stars save the moon”