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Beautiful Story for the Later Generations
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!
Lu Qi Yang spoke to the deputy general by his side, letting them enter the palace to report first, while he himself got on the Zhennan Wang Manor’s horse carriage, returning home together with Shen Lan Chi.
In these past six months, Zhennan Wang Manor has been entirely managed by Shen Lan Chi alone, the inside and outside all having gotten renovated under her watch. As soon as Lu Qi Yang stepped into the manor, he just saw the whitewashed walls and black tiles, all appearing brand-new.
She had Lu Guan Rong handed to the nanny and personally rinsed a towel to help wipe away the stains on Lu Qi Yang’s face.
She slowly lowered her hand, but when she wiped onto his cheek, her wrist got grabbed by Lu Qi Yang.
“What?” She asked.
“…….Sorry.” The first word out of his mouth was unexpectedly an apology, “When you were giving birth, such an important time, I wasn’t by your side.”
Beyond the walls, there were the cries of the remaining autumn insects, the rustling sound endlessly lingering.
Shen Lan Chi softly chuckled and said, “Why be like this? For you to be able to safely come back, that is already the greatest thing. As for the rest, why fuss over it that much?”
Pausing for a moment, she teased, “As for the first man Guan Rong saw actually being that golden hand in internal medicine’s little apprentice in charge of running errands and brewing the medicine, this kind of thing, I’ll just spare you the details.”
Lu Qi Yang: …….
Taking a blow, he instantly became dejected, even appearing a bit pitiful.
After he finished cleaning up, the nanny had Lu Guan Rong brought over. Lu Qi Yang carefully took her into his arms, wanting to playing with this cute little daughter. This time, seeing Lu Qi Yang’s face having gotten wiped clean, little Guan Rong not only didn’t get frightened into tears, she even laughed until there was snot bubbles coming out of her nose.
“Aiyoo.” The nanny came up to use the handkerchief to wipe the snot bubbles, saying, “Junzhu likes wangye a lot!”
Lu Qi Yang half-raised little Guan Rong, happily playing with her for a while, then suddenly turned his head and asked Shen Lan Chi out of nowhere, “Lan Lan, that ‘errand running little apprentice of that master of internal medicine’, what’s his name, which alley does he live in?”
Shen Lan Chi quivered and hurriedly said, “You better not go after them!”
“Seeing his contributions, I just wanted to nicely reward him, that’s all.” Lu Qi Yang revealed a fake smile and said, “Thanking this little doctor for helping this wang fulfill the duties of a father.”
Shen Lan Chi: ……
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Feels like the top of his head has turned green.
After resting for a while, Lu Qi Yang and Shen Lan Chi entered the palace together.
After going through half a year of renovations, the imperial city has already recovered its former majestic splendor of gold and jade, lofty and magnificent.
In front of Kunyi Palace, the sunlight poured down, the white jade long steps gleaming with radiance. The dragon patterns carved on it was lifelike, as if climbing the clouds and treading the mist.
“Zhennan Wang and Wangfei has arrived——-”
Hearing that Lu Qi Yang has come, Lu Jing Hua personally went out to welcome. This young emperor had shed off his former attire as a leisure noble young master and changed into the dragon robe. His handsome and noble face carried a bit of haste.
“Brother Qi Yang……..”
He came up to greet, but Lu Qi Yang deferentially bowed, saying in a deep voice, “This subject greets your Majesty.”
Lu Jing Hua was somewhat flustered, hurriedly saying, “Quickly get up.” Seeing Lu Qi Yang all well, he revealed a smile and said, “Zhennan Wang has made significant contributions to the country this time, I…..this emperor certainly will bestow great honor and generous rewards.”
Lu Qi Yang glanced at Shen Lan Chi and said to Lu Jing Hua, “No need for great honor and generous rewards. This subject just has something to request from your Majesty.”
“Brother Qi Yang, feel free to speak.” Lu Jing Hua said.
“Now that the country has stabilized, the inside and outside all in order, this subject wishes to lay down one’s military duties and leave the capital with one’s wife and child, so as to enjoy the joys of family life.” Lu Qi Yang said.
These words of his came out of nowhere. Lu Jing Hua blanked.
Shen Lan Chi also blanked for a while, but afterwards, a smile slowly emerged on her face.
Before Lu Qi Yang left capital, they’d made an agreement, wanting him to ‘only belong to her alone’ after he returns. Who knew, he would fulfill his promise in this way.
This was wanting to put down the power in his hand to live in seclusion with her amidst the rivers and mountains?
He was actually willing?
Lu Jing Hua was somewhat anxious, hurriedly saying, “Brother Qi Yang, you don’t need to show your loyalty like this! I’m not Lu Zi Xiang, that kind of easily paranoid person. I won’t, because of the military power in your hand, just make baseless assumptions towards you.”
Lu Qi Yang shook his head and said, “I’m not resigning because of this.”
“Then…..then…..” Lu Jing Hua was increasingly anxious, “The mountains and rivers have just stabilized. I also have no talent and no virtue, so how can I grasp the heart of the people? It’s better for brother Qi Yang to stay and be my right-hand man.”
“You’ve recruited virtuous men, possessing talented individuals like Wu Xiu Ding, so why worry about not being able to rule the mountains and rivers?” Lu Qi Yang asked back, “Moreover, I’m just a mere soldiers, only good at leading troops and fighting battles, at most just able to keep a girl happy. But, if you want me to help you govern the court, I’m indeed unable to compare with even a toe on Wu Xiu Ding.”
Lu Jing Hua got stifled by his words, momentarily at a loss for words. A while later, he softly said, “Brother Qi Yang, exactly what is the reason why you want to leave?”
“This…” Lu Qi Yang raised his brow, his tone very calm, “There’s just one reason, my wife won’t let me stay in the capital as a general.”
My wife won’t let me stay in the capital as a general——-
My wife won’t let me———-
Won’t let——
Lu Jing Hua’s mouth dropped wide open, completely dumbstruck.
“This…..this kind of reason?” Lu Jing Hua wasn’t convinced.
Shen Lan Chi went forward, saying with a smile, “Your Majesty, don’t be doubtful. This really is my wish. I hate that he’s always leading troops and fighting battles, having no time to accompany Guan Rong and I. That’s why, I want him to obediently remove his armor and resign from his post, going to live an ordinary life with me.”
After she said this, she revealed a carefree smile. Her complexion was like a gradually blooming flower on a branch in spring, making others unable to avert their eyes.
When Lu Jing Hua heard, he gradually came to acceptance.
His eyes swept over the two before him. Seeing Lu Qi Yang and Shen Lan Chi looking at one another, as if having thousands of words contained in their smile, a surge of emotions suddenly welled up in his heart.
No wonder the man Shen Lan Chi picked in the end was brother Qi Yang, and not that deposed crown prince or the second prince.
There were countless in the world that were willing to fall for her, but the only one willing to give up glory and power for her was just brother Qi Yang.
Lu Jing Hua slightly sighed and said, “This emperor understands. Since Zhennan Wang has already made up one’s mind, then this emperor will permit Zhennan Wang to resign as the Great General, additionally bestowing five cities as fief, and a thousand shi[1] of rice as the stipend.” Pausing for a moment, he added, “…….But, if war breaks out again someday, and this emperor summons Zhennan Wang back, Zhennan Wang must not defy.”
Lu Qi Yang soundlessly laughed. A while later, he deferentially said, “Naturally so.”
“Your Majesty.”
Right at this time, they heard a woman’s voice. Shen Lan Chi lifted her head for a look. Turns out, it was Shen Ran.
She was dressed as a court lady. There was a gentle look on her face as she gazed at Shen Lan Chi from afar.
“Sister Lan Chi, I know, you will leave the capital soon.” She walked forward a few steps and said to Shen Lan Chi.
Seeing her interrupt, Lu Jing Hua surprisingly didn’t pursue her rudeness, appearing to be used to it.
Shen Ran moved closer to Shen Lan Chi, a look of regret appearing on her pretty face, “I originally thought that older sister Lan Chi would stay in the capital, yet never expected that our time together would be so short.” Pausing for a moment, she added with a smile, “However, I can’t force older sister to stay.”
Shen Lan Chi nodded her head and said, “I know you’re a strong-willed person. After I leave, I won’t be able to help you anymore. You need to take good care of yourself.”
Shen Ran was slightly astonished. Afterwards, she hooked her lips into a smile and said, “Older sister Lan Chi, a lot in this world have wronged me. I once resented many people, but only you alone, I’ve never once resented, just harboring gratitude towards you………..There are no other words, just hoping that older sister Lan Chi take good care of oneself on this journey.”
• • •
After Zhennan Wang returned to the capital, the people were all eagerly waiting in anticipation, waiting to see how Zhennan Wang will get promoted and gain immense power.
But after waiting for several days, they just heard the news of Zhennan Wang laying down his armor and traveling far away to the south.
Reportedly, his Majesty was deeply grateful of Zhennan Wang’s great achievements and noble favor, so specially bestowed Zhennan Wang the five cities of Lunan, also having his title changed into a single character, a simple ‘Nan Wang[2]’, as a mark of imperial favor and promotion. Since the founding of Great Chu, throughout the generations, there has only ever been a single case of a single character wang title. It can be seen just how deeply favored Lu Qi Yang was.
A few days after Zhennan Wang left the capital, the former head of the Liu family, Liu Yu, because of having a weak constitution and suffering from a cold, coughed up blood every night, ultimately dying of illness on the Qiu Mountain outside of the capital. Prior to passing away, he forcibly wrote down a farewell poem. Although his handwriting was a bit messy, it still showed his refined elegance——-
On a night when the white dew has turned to frost, the bamboo grove bathe in tears;
I wish to shine full of moonlight, yet instead reflect the murky pond.
Unaware that dawn has arrived, the morning blends in the autumn wind;
This body no longer that of last night, can the merfolk still weep for me?
After leaving behind this farewell poem, he departed from this world.
From then on, the world lost a noble and refined gentleman.
• • •
Late autumn, outside the capital city, a horse carriage traveled along the main road.
Arriving at a tea stall, the owner of the carriage climbed down to rest. A stunningly beautiful young madam carrying a little girl descended the carriage, her demeanor dignified and elegant. As she looked up to glance around, that face that was as delicate as peach and plum blossoms just attracted countless attention. However, she seemingly was already used to stares like this, not the least bit uncomfortable.
When the tea stall owner saw, he was confident that this was a noble madam of extraordinary status, so immediately went forward to greet, “What does madam want to drink? Guests coming from the direction of the capital are all big shots! I’m quite perceptive.”
As he spoke, the male master of the carriage had also finished tending to the horses and walked over. This man was dressed in refined clothes, his face handsome, carrying a somewhat carefree smile, an appearance that would surely please women.
“Owner, you’ve thought too much. We’re merely an ordinary couple from an ordinary family.” The man said.
After saying this, he glanced at the woman and asked, “Right, Madam?”
When the woman heard, she smiled and said, “Yes, we’re just ordinary people.”
The tea was served, emitting wisps of hot steam. The coarse tea leaves floated up and down in the tea. On the mountain path outside of the capital, a flock of birds flew over the horizon.
• • •
Nan Wang, Qi Yang, shu branch grandson of Gong Emperor, his mother Lu Xie-shi. Yang year 13, he was conferred as the heir. Afterwards, taking charge of the affairs at the northern border, he was appointed as the General of the Left Guard. In the first autumn of Baojia, the muddled ruler Lu Zi Xiang passed away. By the imperial decree: ‘Son of Shanyin Wang, Hua, inherits the state, the world under his rule.’ Year of Xin-Xu[3], son of Shanyin Wang ascended the throne; Qi Yang promoted to Nan Wang, moving to Lunan.
In the Tianqing era, Shen-shi was installed as the wangfei. Shen-shi was beautiful and exceedingly virtuous. Baojia year 1, he obtained a daughter, and granted fiefs, having power over them. Baojia year 4, there was unrest at the border. Nan Wang led troops to the north border, establishing military achievements again, receiving three more cities as bestowment. Baojia year 6, he obtained a son, conferring as the heir.
The deep love between Nan Wang and Shen-shi became a beautiful story for the later generations.
[1] An old unit of measurement shi(石). 1 shi is about 100 liters.
[2] Nan Wang literally translates to the ‘Southern King’. To be honest, there was one thing I’ve always been confused about his family’s title. ‘Zhennan’ translates to ‘stabilizing the south’, but his father mostly served in the north, defending the borders there, so the title always felt kind of off.
[3] This is date by the sexagenary cycle, a combination of a heavenly stem (Xin) and an earthly branch (Xu). I’m not too familiar with this system, so I won’t elaborate on it. For context sake, just know that it’s the traditional chinese system for recording year, month, day, and hour. There’s a total of 60 combinations of the heavenly stem + earthly branch, resulting in a 60 year cycle. The earthly branches are also commonly known by the zodiacs.
T/N: This is the official end of the main story. Next is the modern AU, which is just a short oneshot. Thank you to everyone who has read until the end! I’m quite happy to be able to complete another novel. A lot has happened for me this year and I don’t know if things will get better next year, but I will try my best to continue translating. I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported my projects all these years! Please check out my next project: Returning to Mom and Dad’s Youth
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Jen you have wonderful taste in novels and I find myself drawn into every one you choose. I binged and thoroughly enjoyed this one. I also really admire how consistent you are with your translations and timing especially in these days when people disappear without a word or go months or even years between posts. Your dedication, commitment and hard work are not unnoticed. I genuinely look forward to the notification of your new posts; they’re a bright spot in my day. So truly thank you! 🥰
Thank you for another great translation. I had been waiting for the completed translation so I could binge it. The ending was so sweet.
Thank you for the great translation! Re the north/south: might’ve made his/ancestors made their name in south and shifted north- sometimes generals were shifted to make sure they didn’t get too powerful. But agree that it’s sorta weird 😂
That is one way to explain it lol. It was quite a headache for me when translating the fake prophecy part. 😭
Thank you for all your hard work! This was a very fun read 😀
Thank you for the translation of this story! I really loved the dynamics of Lan Chi and Lu Qi Yang they were a couple that made me laugh so much. I guess you won’t be translating the AU side story?
I don’t know if things will get for you next year, but this year has been very tough for me and I’ve have been grateful to have these translations as entertainment to take my mind off once in a while. Thank you!
This year has indeed been very rough 😔.
Oh I did translate the au, just forgot to link the next chap.
Thank you so much for your hard work. You translated beautifully, and the story was worthy.