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Unable to Go Back
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!
For Liu Yu, only the country was the most important. Everything else comes second.
At present, Lu Zi Xiang was frustrated over Lu Qi Yang’s unwillingness to obey orders. Because of this, he would rather have him eliminated, than to leave Lu Qi Yang to fight against the foreign tribe. However, Liu Yu’s thoughts were far different from Lu Zi Xiang’s———For the sake of defending against the foreign tribe, Lu Qi Yang must stay alive to command the several hundred thousand troops of the Northern Pass.
To this end, Liu Yu was willing to be a despicable scoundrel, having Zhennan Wang’s wife handed over to Lu Zi Xiang. In this way, Lu Qi Yang has no choice but to obey the emperor, thus preserving his life.
That very night, Liu Yu wrote a letter and quickly passed it back to the capital. From the north border to the capital city, even if spurring the horse at full speed, it’ll still take three days and three nights. Fortunately, Liu Yu’s letter managed to arrive before Lu Zi Xiang set out to campaign against Lu Qi Yang.
Inside Qianfu Palace’s study, Lu Zi Xiang finished reading Liu Yu’s letter and had the letter folded up.
“Wu province…….” Lu Zi Xiang’s phoenix eyes slightly turned, muttering to himself, “This emperor didn’t know that Zhennan Wangfei is actually hiding here.” After saying this, he turned towards Shen Ran who was beside him and asked, “Minister Liu said, your older sister is currently hiding in the Wu province. Say……should this emperor have her invited back to the capital?”
Shen Ran’s hand held the teacup, having the fragrant tea poured into the cup.
“Zhennan Wang possesses troops at his command and has control over the north border, but wangfei is his weakness.” Shen Ran picked up the teacup and brought it before Lu Zi Xiang, her eyes shimmering as a delicate smile faintly appeared on her face, “In Ran’er’s view, your Majesty naturally should do so.”
Hearing this, Lu Zi Xiang revealed a questioning look, “Lan Chi is your older sister. Reasonably speaking, you should be closer to her and detest this emperor. How come now, you’re instead helping this emperor plot and scheme?”
When Shen Ran heard, she didn’t bat an eye, the smile on her face unchanging, yet her hand under her sleeve slightly clenched.
“Your Majesty jests. If not for the deposed crown prince rebelling, Ran’er wouldn’t have ended up in the jiaofang. Every grievance has its cause, every debt has its owner. If Ran is to hate, it should still be hating that deposed crown prince who caused older sister Tong Ying to die in a sea of fire, and not your Majesty.” Pausing for a moment, she lifted her sleeve and slowly started grinding ink for the emperor, “As for older sister Lan Chi, we aren’t very familiar to begin with. The rumors of the Shen family’s two branches not getting along in the past, could it be that your Majesty never heard of before?”
The inkstone and the green ink that was worth thousands of gold exuded a faint fragrance.
Lu Zi Xiang nodded and said, “You’re right.”
He didn’t forget Shen Ran’s background as a daughter of a condemned official, just he didn’t care. Shen Ran was merely a woman, having no power and influence in hand. Aside from entertaining him in bed, what else can she do?
Seeing Lu Zi Xiang lower his head, continuing to review the memorandums, Shen Ran considerately retreated to the side, no longer making a sound and disturbing him.
She lowered her eyes, her mind echoing Lu Qi Yang’s instructions towards her before leaving the capital——–If Liu Yu wants to use wangfei as a hostage, then push along the tide, letting Lu Zi Xiang go to the Wu province to capture wangfei. If Lu Zi Xiang should hesitate, then help him strengthen his resolve.
The inside of the study fell silent for a while. Suddenly, the eunuch’s voice sounded outside the door, “Your Majesty, her Highness the Empress has come.”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Lu Zi Xiang hurriedly put down the brush and got up, saying, “Let the empress come in.” He personally opened the door, smiling to the person outside the door, “Fei Xia, don’t you usually like to take a nap at this time? How come you’re not resting today?”
Ji Fei Xia carried a gold-leaf food container in hand, her face lightly powered, her attire regal. Hearing Lu Zi Xiang say this, she raised the corner of her lips, revealing a sweet smile, cheerfully saying, “The weather is stuffy today, unable to fall asleep. Thinking how your Majesty is still toiling over governmental affairs, this wife ordered the little kitchen to make an icy lotus pudding to help cool off the summer heat.”
Ji Fei Xia had the food container handed to the eunuch. As she lifted her eyes, she swept onto Shen Ran who was obediently standing to the side, her smile instantly stiffening.
Ji Fei Xia had long heard that this Shen Ran was clever and perceptive, not only skilled in poetry and prose, she can even speak on matters in regards to governing the state. In his Majesty’s words, her talent and insight didn’t lose to men. Because of this, his Majesty specially allowed Shen Ran to serve in the study as a court lady.
Such honor, not even the empress possessed.
Seeing Shen Ran, Ji Fei Xia was somewhat unhappy.
———She had agreed to take care of Shen Lan Chi’s parents in exchange for Shen Lan Chi leaving the capital. She originally thought that his Majesty would hereon give up on that thought that he shouldn’t have and spend the rest of his life with her. Who knew that there would suddenly be a Shen Ran who resembled Shen Lan Chi.
How could this make her happy?
Lu Zi Xiang held Ji Fei Xia’s hand, letting her sit down on his dragon throne, saying with a smile, “Empress came at the perfect time. Two days ago, father-in-law discussed with this emperor on what kind of official post we should bestow your older brother. At present, we are currently at war. Your older brother had also once studied military books before with Zhennan Wang in his early years, so this emperor was thinking of appointing him as the Fuguo General.”
Hearing this, Ji Fei Xia revealed a slightly astonished look.
Ji Fei Xia’s older brother was called Ji Ling Kang, a male beauty that had the reputation of ‘rivaling Pan An[1]‘, his literary talents outstanding. But, in terms of military tactics, he only superficially learned a bit of the basics, not considered proficient.
His Majesty actually wanted her older brother, this kind of novice, to go be a general?
Could it be that because Zhennan Wang now no longer obey imperial orders, his Majesty is trouble over not having anyone to use, thus ordered Ji Ling Kang to lead troops?
Throughout Chu, talented generals were the most scarce. This bit, Ji Fei Xia knew. Aside from Zhennan Wang and the Song family, across the vast Great Chu, there was actually no one else capable of leading troops into battle to fight against the foreign tribe.
Two generations ago, the Song family was still considered a formidable clan, their name feared beyond the pass. But, ever since the previous emperor had General Song summoned back to the capital, the Song family no longer had any troops to command. Among the Song family’s younger generation, like Song Yan De and Song Yan Li, they also have never established any military achievements before. The elder brother Song Yan De oversaw a small army of a few thousand in the capital as a minor general, while the younger brother Song Yan Li was just a trusted aide of the prince with no official post.
“My older brother although has learned military tactics before, he doesn’t truly have a grasp of it, and can only be considered a novice.” Ji Fe Xia said, “This wife feels, when it comes to leading troops and fighting battles, the generals of the Song family are the first to come to mind.”
“This bit, this emperor has also considered before.” Lu Zi Xiang said with a smile, “Empress doesn’t need to worry, this emperor won’t really let your older brother go onto the battlefield. Once he has served as the Fuguo General for two years, this emperor will just confer him into a marquis.”
In other words, this Fuguo General was merely a stepping stone for promotion. After two years, Lu Zi Xiang will even confer Ji Ling Kang into a marquis.
When Ji Fei Xia heard, she revealed a sweet smile, saying: “Such generous favor from your Majesty, how can this wife be able to bear it? First, it’s granting titles and rewards to this wife’s younger brother and uncles, and now, it’s one’s older brother. Letting outsiders see, they will even say it’s ‘all the siblings are granted lands and titles, undeservedly adding luster to the family’, needlessly inviting criticism from others.”
“This emperor favors the empress, like how Xuanzong favors Consort Yang[2]. Is this, not good?” Lu Zi Xiang said.
Shen Ran who was to the side was a perceptive one. Seeing how the emperor and empress was getting more and more intimate, she immediately retreated outside, not making a sound, nor a fuss, very obedient.
Shen Ran stepped out of the palace hall and lifted her head. The sky in the capital was gloomy again, a layer of gray, pressing extremely low. A white strike of lightning occasionally would flash across the horizon, followed by the rolling sound of thunder.
• • •
That very night, Lu Zi Xiang sent out a squad, making their way to the Wu province overnight, following the address given by Liu Yu, to secretly invite Zhennan Wangfei back to the capital. But, who knew, when they reached the Wu province, there was nothing to be found. According to the owner of that residence, no ‘Zhennan Wangfei’ has ever lived here. The soldiers searched extensively, but nothing came up, unable to find any clues. They could only regretfully have this matter reported back to his Majesty.
When Lu Zi Xiang received the news, he naturally was extremely angry.
———Liu Yu in the past merely had opposing views with him, but now, he actually dared to deceive him!
——–Could it be that because he had him sent to the borders, he was thus dissatisfied, and relying on the fact that he won’t live for long anyways, he brazenly challenged the emperor’s might?
In just one night, Lu Zi Xiang’s anger towards Liu Yu twisted and turned, becoming more and more intense. The loyal vassal he once viewed as his right-hand man has now already become a deceitful traitor.
He was extremely furious towards Liu Yu, so directly issued an edict, not even letting Liu Yu be the military inspector anymore.
Liu Yu was stationed at the border. When he received this news, it was already four days later.
Learning that Zhennan Wangfei wasn’t in the Wu province, Liu Yu was momentarily stunned. Afterwards, he actually felt a sweet taste in his throat, with a rush of blood surging upward.
He was currently in the army tent. At this time, his vision was dark, his body weak all over. He could only support himself against Wei Zhen’s shoulder, weakly muttering, “It’s karma……it’s karma…….”
As he spoke, dark red blood endlessly poured out from his mouth, dying the corner of his lips bright red.
“Sir Liu!” Wei Zhen hurriedly supported Liu Yu, anxiously saying, “Quickly go invite the doctor!”
However, Liu Yu’s eyes were devoid of life, still repeatedly muttering, “It’s karma.”
——He now finally understood, why Lu Qi Yang would deliberately take him to the Wu province.
Afraid, Lu Qi Yang had long calculated everything and would have wangfei taken away from the Wu province. ‘Having wangfei arranged in the Wu province’, this matter, originally was just an act for him to see.
If he, Liu Yu, was an upright nobleman, not using a woman as a hostage, keeping silent about this matter, then naturally, nothing will happen. But, if Liu Yu was a despicable scoundrel, having this matter told to his Majesty, then once his Majesty rushes to the Wu province, only to find nothing there, the rift between his Majesty and him will only deepen even more.
Turns out, Lu Qi Yang already had everything taken into consideration!
But, even so, Liu Yu still could only blame himself——-blaming himself for letting the despicable thoughts overcome him, corrupting the way of a noble man. If he hadn’t conceived this malicious thought, then how could he have brought this retribution upon himself? All of this was just the bitter fruit that he’d sown himself!
His emotions were unstable, completely consumed by sorrow and regret, endlessly vomiting blood for a while. Wei Zhen brought the doctor, but the doctor was also powerless. He could only stroke his bread and say, “Sir Liu has had this cold constitution since childhood, can only carefully nurture his body.” He prescribed a few warming remedies that didn’t have much use and instructed him to ‘normally just rest in bed’, ‘don’t let worries burden the heart’, and such, before taking his leave.
Seeing Liu Yu lying in bed, his two eyes empty, his thin face cast in a somber hue, a look of pity appeared on Wei Zhen’s face.
“Sir Liu, your body does not allow you to think about too many troubling matters.” Wei Zhen urged, “Think on the bright side, since Zhennan Wang knows that his Majesty doesn’t trust him, perhaps Zhennan Wang has already made thorough preparations and won’t easily die. In this way, the Mujin tribe won’t dare to casually enter the borders.”
When Liu Yu, who was lying on the bed, heard this, he nodded his head, saying in a practically inaudible voice, “He’s that smart, so how could he not think of this?”
After saying this, he turned his head and closed his eyes, as if to sleep.
Outside the army tent, there was the howling sound of the sand and stones whirling in the wind. Liu Yu listened to this wind sound, suddenly recalling the green trees and verdant shades in the capital during summer. In the past, whenever summer came around, his younger sisters at home would laugh and play in the boudoir, while his younger brother, Liu Wen, would wave the fan and pretend to be elegant.
How was this not a hard to come by joy in life?
But now, his third younger sister Liu Ru Yan has eloped, his fourth younger sister Liu Ru Hua has shaved her head and become a nun in the imperial monastery, spending her days by the green lamp, while he himself was stationed at the border. The Liu family no longer has the merriment it once had in the past.
The past is but a distant memory, unable to go back.
[1] Pan An – He was a scholar and politician from the Western Jin dynasty, his original name Pan Yue. He’s so renowned for his beauty that his name has become a byword for handsome men.
[2] Referring to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his beloved Noble Consort Yang. Although considering how these two ended up…..this analogy really is foreshadowing a bit.
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