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The Soul Flying Beyond the Clouds
T/N: Translated by Jen on Broken Jinsei! Please do not repost my translations! All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
But, settling on the heir apparent was one thing. The final storm of Xuan Emperor’s court at the end of the Tianxu period didn’t truly end because of this.
Practically the very night the decree regarding the crown prince was issued, all levels of society from top to bottom, inside and outside of the scholar circle, all were vaguely and reservedly, yet also extremely enthusiastically discussing the ‘unspeakable’ yet also extremely hard to hold back from talking about awkward matter between the brothers of the imperial family.
Among the various emotions, the feeling of shock was naturally the deepest. The remaining guesses, sighs of pity, and even secretly mocking were by no means isolated cases. There were practically all kinds of sayings.
And with this matter being this heatedly discussed, then naturally, it will also let other matters that occur around the same time, especially matters that appear to be unrelated to Wu Wang and Wei Wang, greatly reduce its probability of getting noticed by others.
For instance, Xun old madam suddenly became fatally ill.
This so called ‘suddenly’ just happened to be on the night of the twenty-second of the eighth month. It can be said that the capital from top to bottom, or even the eyes of all the people in the world, were all completely gathered on the decree regarding the heir apparent. Practically no one noticed that the Wen’an Marquis Manor, where the imperial physicians have already visited many times, had once again hastily invited a doctor.
Because the unforeseen events in the palace were this serious————–Wu Wang and Wei Wang still in the palace ‘reflecting upon themselves’, probably also recuperating from their injuries, Xuan Emperor also because of this enormous ugly scandal was angered to the point of being unable to rest or eat in peace for several days in a row, his liver burning extremely violently, and Li Consort falling ill from being worried and shock further didn’t need to be mentioned——–for a time, the Imperial Physicians Court unexpectedly didn’t have an imperial physician that can head to the Xun manor.
Thus, they had no choice but to prepare a heavy reward and generous gifts to hire a renowned doctor from the capital and quickly rush to the Xun manor to treat Xun old madam.
The neighbors and the relatives although also had people that heard this disturbance, but on one hand, how could this matter be as shocking as the princes’ affair, and on the other hand, ever since Yu Lingxin gave birth in the sixth month, Xun old madam has had news of being ill in bed. And now, for her condition to suddenly worsen, it seemingly was also normal, so there was further no one that would think anything of it.
But, behind the Wen’an Marquis Manor tightly shut gate, it was a completely different scenery.
Inside Yuzhu Hall, the Wen’an Marquis, Xun Nanheng, who’d just rushed back to the capital from the northwest, was still dressed in his official uniform, having yet to change. On his handsome and valiant face, where one can clearly make out the weariness and frost, it was full of stern chilliness, his gaze as sharp as knives, currently angrily glaring at his eldest son that was kneeling before him, “Xun Che, Councilor Xun, is there still anyone that you can take seriously now? Is there still anything that you don’t dare to do?! Just this one day, you’re also unable to wait?! Were the words previously all said in vain, the whip previously also endured for nothing?!”
As Xun Nanheng angrily roared, even his eyes all turned red, clearly having genuinely flew into a rage. Never mind Yu Lingxin and Xun Cong, these younger generation, tremblingly standing in the back not daring to make a sound, even Ming Huayue was somewhat apprehensive sitting to the side, also deliberating over and over again, yet still not daring to open her mouth.
Xun Che knelt in front of his father, his back erected upright, but his head was slightly hanging, his voice also very steady, “I don’t want to let father be troubled, also not wanting to let the family get affected anymore. At present, the northwest is still unstable, the Chen province army also not completely purged clean yet. Even if something happens to the old madam, the military affairs still need people to handle, so presumably, his Majesty will issue a decree, needless to observe———”
Before the word ‘mourning’ even exited the mouth, Xun Nanheng, who was originally already filled with rage, directly got up in anger, kicking Xun Che in the chest, “Bastard! You brute!”
Xun Che wasn’t someone that practiced martial arts begin with, and Xun Nanheng was also under violent rage, so his entire body instantly got kicked onto the ground. The pain in his chest made him practically choke on his breath.
“Marquis!” Ming Huayue also got up in alarm, quickly going to pull Xun Nanheng, but she ultimately was still half a step too late and could only half-pull and half-urge as she tried to pacify Xun Nanheng first, “Marquis, don’t be like this, no matter how shameful Che’er was, even if using the family discipline rod to beat him, you still can’t beat like this, what if he gets crippled, sit down first, sit down first.”
Yu Lingxin and Xun Cong were also both frightened and worried, quickly going over to support Xun Che, and at the same time, also just knelt down together, “Father!”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Xun Nanheng’s entire body was practically shaking in anger, also heavily heaving. Just as he was about to scold again, he unexpectedly saw Xun Ying quickly enter from the outside, her pretty face unprecedentedly calm and solemn, “Father, please don’t blame second brother———-”
“Ying’er!” Xun Che at this time already strugglingly got up along Yu Lingxin’s support, kneeling upright again, coldly cutting her off, “There’s none of your business here, get out!”
The usually obedient and gentle like water Xun Ying, however, for the first time in her life, didn’t listen to Xun Che’s words, even step forward again, directly looking at her father Xun Nanheng, “Cide Hall’s drug, it was added by me.”
Once these words came out, Xun Nanheng and Ming Huayue immediately froze in shock. Even Xun Cong was stunned, “Ying’er, you………”
Only Xun Che and Yu Lingxin didn’t have any look of surprise. As the couple shared a glance, there was only helplessness.
“Ying’er, do you know what you’re saying?” In the next instant, Xun Nanheng immediately understood the greater half. Although he was still filled with disbelief, he nevertheless had a vague outline of the situation. Especially when glancing again at Xun Che and Yu Lingxin’s expression, he was even more certain.
Xun Ying gazed towards her father, the expression on her dainty face without ripples, “I know, I tried to poison grandmother. Grandmother perhaps will die.”
“Ying’er——-” Ming Huayue’s lips were all somewhat faintly trembling, not daring to believe that these words really were said by Xun Ying.
But, Xun Ying still calmly continued, “The books say, the way of filial piety, ‘to take a small staff, to run from a big staff’[1]. Grandmother wishing to be bias, or if there’s something normally, I should still comply. But if grandmother wants my life, I shouldn’t let grandmother have her way, so as to avoid giving her a bad name. These are all written in the sage’s book. But, the books don’t say, if one’s grandmother were to collude with outsiders, first attempting to poison and harm one’s sister-in-law and little nephew, and afterwards, scheme with the people in the palace, wanting to let the third prince defile me, then force me to become the third prince’s concubine, letting second brother and his Highness Qin Wang be at odds, letting our marquis manor, in front of his Majesty and the princes, leave behind the offense of wavering in between, harboring a second heart, then exactly what should we, as the younger generation, do.”
Speaking to here, she paused again, her two hands folding, lightly bowing towards her father and mother, “But, I also know, even if grandmother is vicious in thousands of ways, having all kinds of fault, she ultimately is still father’s birth mother. You, from the bottom of your heart, hope for grandmother to be well. But, this act, I’ve already committed. Father, if you’re unable to cross over the bump in your heart, then I’m willing to pay my life for grandmother’s.”
When her two hands separated again after speaking, she’d already taken out a pair of sharp silvery scissors from her sleeve, directly stabbing towards her own neck!
“Ying’er!” The one closest to Xun Ying was precisely Yu Lingxin. Just now, when hearing Xun Ying’s words, she’d already felt that there was seemingly something off about Xun Ying. In this moment, her soul nearly flew beyond the clouds, practically throwing her entire body forward by instinct, reaching out to grab that scissors. Even when her palm got slit, she was all unable to bother, “Ying’er, don’t do something stupid! Quickly give me the scissors!”
Xun Ying’s strength wasn’t big to begin with. Even if having the resolution to seek death, it’s not like she really didn’t have any hesitation at all. In addition to Yu Lingxin throwing herself over like that, Xun Ying also staggered, and seeing Yu Lingxin’s hand get cut, fresh blood gushing out, she immediately cried too, “Sister-in-law!”
In just this moment of buffer, Xun Cong and Xun Nanheng both hurriedly rushed up, having the scissors snatched away. And Yu Lingxin completely disregarded her own injured hand, still shaking all over from the fright, loudly crying as she held Xun Ying, “Dear little sister, you absolutely mustn’t do anything stupid. You can’t let anything happen to you. If something really were to happen to you, your older brother certainly won’t be able to live, I also won’t be able to live. Good little sister, good child, sister-in-law is begging you, think more positively. No matter how big of a matter, we’re all still here, you absolutely must be well……..”
Xun Nanheng, Ming Huayue, Xun Che, and Xun Cong naturally also got frightened to the point of having lingering fear, hurriedly going over to support Yu Lingxin and Xun Ying to sit down first, also quickly letting someone bring over the cotton cloth, medicine powder, and such for Yu Lingxin.
Xun Ying at this time was increasingly unable to stop crying. All the sadness and grievance inside have already been repressed for too long. And in this moment, seeing Yu Lingxin this worried and sad, her tear further couldn’t be restrained. For a moment, the two of them bitterly cried onto one another. Even Xun Che’s eyes also reddened.
Clenching his teeth, Xun Che once again kneeled before Xun Nanheng, “Father, if able to preserve the old madam’s life, this son still wants to preserve. Just, the current state of affairs is just as such. Even if we want to let the old madam stay far away from the mess, letting her enjoy her elderly years, it’s still impossible for Changchun Palace to not cause trouble. Father, you have your difficulties, this son knows, this son really knows. Ying’er, this time, although was impulsive, it’s ultimately still because this son didn’t look after her well enough. I will take the punishment, don’t blame Ying’er, she really was scared.”
Xun Naheng deeply exhaled a breath, and shortly after, lifted his eyes to look at Ming Huayue. Seeing his wife filled with worry, her eyes also slightly red, for a moment, he feelings were very complicated. It was unclear exactly how much was sorrow, how much helplessness, but in the end, he still reached out to support Xun Che, “As the father, I’m frequently not in the capital, you’ve also worked hard. Forget it, the old madam’s matter, just leave it to the heavens.”
Xun Che deferentially bowed, “This son sharing the burdens for you, it is my duty. This son just hates that one isn’t intelligent enough, unable to let things be perfect on all sides, still letting father be troubled.”
Xun Nanheng sighed again. Just, before his next words even came out, he just saw the steward outside quickly enter to report, “Marquis, there’s a decree from the palace, asking you and the heir to enter the palace for discussion.”
Xun Nanheng and Xun Che shared a glance, both knowing that it might be related to the northwest. On governmental affairs, the father and son pair were extremely coordinated, immediately instructing Ming Huayue and Xun Cong a few words before respectively tidying their official gowns, entering the palace under orders.
And on this side, Ming Huayue naturally quickly let someone take care of the cut on Yu Lingxin’s hand, also arranging for Yu Lingxin and Xun Ying who have practically drained themselves from crying to respectively go back to rest.
After Yu Lingxin returned to Qingyu Pavilion, for a moment, she didn’t dare to immediately go see An’er. It was better to recover a little first, her emotions gradually calming down.
Bai Guo truly was worried, taking Yu Lingxin’s pulse before urging, “Young madam, you’ve truly gotten severely frightened today. This servant will let the little kitchen add a bowl of calming soup for you right away. And at night, you also need to properly rest.” After saying this, she seemingly still had something to say, but thinking again, she ultimately didn’t say anything more, just retreating out.
Yu Lingxin slowly adjusted her breathing. She understood Bai Guo’s doubt————Although Xun Ying being close to slitting her throat in that moment truly was frightening, her reaction today in Yuzhu Hall was still too intense.
But, as Yu Lingxin slightly recalled the situation earlier, her heart still somewhat filled with lingering fear.
The instant she saw the scissors in Xun Ying’s hand, Yu Lingxin finally understood what ‘like falling into an ice cellar’ meant. In the past life, the start of the Xun family’s tragedies was precisely Xun Ying’s death. In this life time, after Xun Che’s rebirth, aside from his aspirations in governmental affairs, the most important was actually still protecting his family.
If Xun Ying really were to slit her throat again, Yu Lingxin practically didn’t dare to imagine, for the latter half of their life, whether or not Xun Che and her can still sleep again.
However, fortunately, it was ultimately just a scare.
When Yu Lingxin finally thought to here, her mind also slightly relaxing a little, she just sensed the pain coming from the wound on her hand, so she called Ganlu to bring in two more servant girls to help her wash up. Once she changed her clothes, she went to go see An’er.
The fair and plump little guy was very quiet. Even after drinking milk, he also didn’t like to make a fuss. His eyes were big and bright, filled with curiosity. Yu Lingxin held him for a while, but still felt her hand hurt, so could only once again have him given to the wet nurse to take care of while she returned to her room to rest.
In less than an hour, Xun Che actually returned to Qingyu Pavilion.
Yu Lingxin although was happy that he came back this early, she was still a bit surprised, “How come this quick today?”
Xun Che’s expression was a bit grave, “His Majesty has made up his mind, unwilling to let the chaotic state of affairs previously continue anymore, appointing father to head to the northwest, and according to Qin Wang, no, according to his Highness the Crown Prince’s investigation results previously, sort out the military in the northwest.”
Yu Lingxin stared at his expression, closely asking, “Could it be that this wasn’t within your expectations?”
Xun Che reached out to embrace her shoulder, “Father heading over, naturally was within my expectations. But, his Majesty’s words today truly were too resolute. I still feel there’s something not right.”
[1] This is an idiom from the ‘School Sayings of Confucius’, a supplement to the Analects. It’s the attitude that the Confucian scholars believe filial children should hold towards receiving punishment from their parents. Overall, it’s to endure if it’s a light beating, but run away if it’s a heavy beating. Also, sage majority of the times refers to Confucius.
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Wooow, Xun Ying is like “Yeah, I poisoned her. Sure, I put up with her blatant favoritism which is reasonable but I don’t have to put up with her deliberately trying to cast me into the fire. She deserves to die so we don’t have to deal with her anymore, and if I have to die too, I don’t regret it!”
XY is right, she’s too right. I may be extremely biased (bc although I didn’t have a grandmother who wanted to sell me, she wasn’t great) but there absolutely has to be a limit to filial piety and respecting elders. the old lady is really better off dying quietly. looking at the situation in the capital as it is, just based on the fact that you didn’t raise your elder son, throwing his whole branch into the fire, do you think the branch you like isn’t going to be affected? wasn’t the other XY (the one who died in the carriage) killed for this reason? you think they won’t fight? idk where her confidence comes from tbqh. the last life they were all exterminated; this life is literally only bc our heroine didn’t want her man to be reviled.
Stupidity really, its sorta subtly hinted that Xun old madam isn’t that well-educated nor raised that well, which was why her mother-in-law took the first son away to raise herself. As well as how she doesn’t bother to understand current events because she finds politics too confusing.
There’s also another reason why they’re keeping the old madam alive, it’s because of the mourning practice in ancient times. If the grandmother dies, the grandchildren have to observe mourning for a year at least, that means XC will be forced to resign from his position until the mourning period is over. The situation is too sensitive for him to step away from the court at present.
…I keep forgetting she’s stupid 😔 but like, her granddaughter died, her wing was set on FIRE, didn’t XC at some point literally threaten them verbally with extreme actions if they tried any tricks against YLX.. will she only stop now that she’s bedridden or are we going to see her still sending news and trying tricks on her deathbed?
At this point, she’s pretty much considered under house arrest, paralyzed in bed, and cut off from the second branch.
But, her stupidity is actually quite logical, from her perspective at least. There’s two important points about Xun old madam that fuels her stupidity the most. 1) Her ignorance and unwillingness to understand current events and politics. 2) Blind obsession with nobility and status.
It’s interesting that considering her family background, before marrying, in terms of status, she’s technically inferior to YLX. For better or worse, YLX’s father is an official in the capital. The Jiang family doesn’t have anyone in the capital. But, if you look at the preferred granddaughter-in-laws she wants for her grandsons, she prefers girls from families with a noble title, yet never considers if that family even has any political influence or power, because that is just way too confusing for her to understand. This is also why she never tried to scheme against Ming Huayue.
Her blind obsessions and ignorance pretty much results in her believing in the imperial family’s absolute power, which was why after Xun Yan’s death, her favorite grandchild was Qi Pei. Every time she causes trouble, it’s always directly or indirectly related to Qi Pei. She becomes even more conceited after Qi Pei marries in the imperial family because in her view, the imperial family is very powerful and now that her granddaughter is a member, she has power and protection too through her. In a way, you can see how the Chang’de Countess and Qi Pei resemble her the most. This was also why she wasn’t scared of the first branch anymore, because she thinks she can use the imperial family’s power to suppress the first branch. Of course, if she’d bother to understand politics, she’d realize how naive her idea is.
There’s also a lot of things behind the scenes that we don’t see. Like we don’t know what Li Consort may have told her or promised her, or what kind of ideas Qi Pei put into her head to convince her that they will for sure succeed.