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Spring Radiance in the Winter Night
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!
Yu Lingxin really didn’t expect that were was also this layer of change, immediately becoming stupefied. A moment later, she finally gradually organized her thoughts, “What do you mean by related to Young General Qii? You mean to say that he got killed because he discovered someone colluding with the enemy? Or…….”
Xun Che’s eyes slightly lowered, his expression also increasingly serious, “Right now, the Qii family’s rough explanation is precisely this meaning. After all, back then, Qii Feng had died on the battlefield. Afterwards, they weren’t even able to retrieve his corpse. Although there’s always cases of the troops dying for the country, but the situation at the time seemingly was also a bit odd. And now, this matter of colluding with the enemy has come up too. The Qii family although still haven’t formally shed all pretense of cordiality, openly mentioning by name, but they can still be considered to have all the so called clues and suspicions pointed towards Duanyi Xianzhu.”
“But——” Yu Lingxin increasingly found it all the more unimaginable, “But how is this possible? Never mind the Cheng family sacrificing themselves for the country for generations, just looking at xianzhu’s own family background and status, what reason does she have to collude with the enemy? There ultimately needs to be a motive in order for it to be worth risking the entire family to do this kind of thing, right?”
Xun Che deliberated for a moment, his voice practically lowering to the point where it can’t be any lower, “Someone mentioned that back then, after Young General Qii and xianzhu married, their relationship actually wasn’t too harmonious. Xianzhu frequently trained soldiers and levied troops, especially between Jingyang and Jinglin, separately forming a small squadron. And in that squadron, there was seemingly……..seemingly someone that was once very close with xianzhu.”
He once again pondered over his wording, additionally explaining, “Jingyang and Jinglin are the two cities closest to Yulong Pass. A few years ago, when Great Sheng ceased war with North Rong, the commoners still had quite a few ongoing trades, such as medicinal ingredients, fur clothing, and so on. That’s why, Jingyang and Jinglin have actually always had people from the two countries intermarrying. Although, in the other prefectures of the Chen province, it’s actually much fewer, but in Jingyang and Jinglin, there’s still quite a few. In the past years, when levying troops, generally speaking, they would very rarely recruit young people from Jingyang and Jinglin, fearing that there might be a spy from North Rong, but a few years ago, xianzhu selected a batch, even personally training. Back then, there were also quite a few controversies.”
Yu Lingxin followed along this train of thought, “Could it be that those people are saying, xianzhu fell for a North Rong spy’s ‘male beauty trap’? That’s why, she lost her head over lust and betrayed the country, colluding with the enemy and even murdering her own husband?”
“More or less.” Xun Che sighed again, “I naturally know that these words, for you and I, are complete nonsense, but Qii Feng died without a corpse intact. Moreover, prior to dying in battle, he was indeed together with xianzhu in his last moments. This is a fact. At present, the matter of colluding with the enemy in the Chen province camp has already happened. Those fifty-four dead bodies are all real. The Qii family putting out these speculations, in addition to xianzhu being unwilling explain herself, the situation really is very disadvantageous.”
“Then, what is his Majesty’s side saying?” Yu Lingxin was increasingly nervous and couldn’t help but tightly hold Xun Che’s hand, “A few days ago, I heard that there have been many debates in court in regards to changing the Chen province commander, already faintly implicating the Yulin camp and city guards’ training. Is it that someone brought up the matter of Jincheng and General Xie letting xianzhu participate in the soldiers’ training back then?”
Speaking of the capital, Xun Che’s lips actually hooked into a smile, “In this current political weather, waves rise even when there’s no wind, let alone the Chen province having such a major incident occur. His Majesty’s ears are indeed a bit soft, but being soft-hearted and indecisive also have its benefits. If really according to his Majesty’s personality, then it’s hoping that everything can all be steady and unchanging. On one hand, he doesn’t believe that the Cheng family will really collude with the enemy and betray the country, but on the other hand, he simply doesn’t hope for this kind of thing to happen. That’s why, during today’s court discussion, I asked his Majesty to give xianzhu a bit more time, temporarily not touching the Chen province army and generals. Although the Ministry of War very much object, his Majesty actually relaxed a breath.”
Pausing for a moment, he indifferently added, “After the court discussion, I once again entered the palace under imperial orders. From the meaning in his Majesty’s words, he is also very agitated, mainly because the inner cabinet has been repeatedly bringing up the matter of establishing the heir apparent. Changchun Palace and Zhaoyang Hall, at present, although have already had this harmonious relationship maintained for a period of time, but when it really comes to establishing the crown prince candidate, the two palaces absolutely won’t stay quiet. They although won’t go as far as to directly extend their hands towards the Chen province army, but taking advantage of the situation to stir up trouble will nevertheless be unavoidable. And on the other hand, probably on the matters relating to the womenfolk in the princes’ and imperial clansmen’s back manor, there will certainly be some movements too.”
“Indeed.” Speaking of this, Yu Lingxin also couldn’t help but slant her mouth, “Setting aside the far, just looking at the nearest example, isn’t it precisely our family. Don’t even know what Empress Wen is thinking. Right now, his Highness Qin Wang can already be considered to have turned against her, yet she still dares to extend her hand towards our family.”
Xun Che reached out to hold her, “Sure enough, still got angered? Not worth it. This kind of little trick, what does it count as? The dumbest is still Qi Pei. She thinks that by giving our family trouble, it can be considered as currying favor with Wu Wang. Moreover, with the empress’s name hanging above in gold lettering, she can advance or retreat. But, in reality, if something really were to happen, the one that will get blamed will just be her alone.”
Yu Lingxin thought for a moment, “You’re saying that if Li mama were to do something, the empress will push it onto Qi Pei?”
Actually, having talked this much, Xun Che was already a bit tired. Previously when talking about Cheng Yanling’s matter, it was ultimately a major matter hanging on the mind. Moreover, it will also inevitably be the next controversy in court, a major matter that touches upon the Chen province garrison and even the entire political state of affairs. That’s why, he forcibly worked up the energy to comb through clearly one by one with Yu Lingxin. But now, when talking about the back manor tricks and schemes between the womenfolk, he was just too lazy to be that attentive.
Touching his hair, it was already more or less dry, thus snuggled against Yu Lingxin, “Dear wife, let’s lie down and talk. Your husband really has been exhausted these days.”
Yu Lingxin saw that his eyelids were already heavy at this time, so naturally heartached, “Alright, that bit of trivial matter, needless to talk about. Let’s rest.” At once, she ordered the servant girls to extinguish the lights and so on, preparing to go to bed.
After lying down, Xun Che first had his wife completely taken into his arms. Sensing the warm soft jade in his embrace, he finally closed his eyes, “Actually, I know you’re worried inside. These days, I’ve been away, so you certainly must have been very stressed inside. Cong’er is a bit more sensible now, but far from being able to stand on his own, still lacking practice. Ying’er is pure-hearted, and in the past, had met with mishap before. What you are worried and scared about, I know.”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Yu Lingxin felt extremely at ease in his arms. Hearing how Xun Che’s voice was already somewhat drifting like muttering in his sleep, she reached out to stroke his arm, “It’s nothing. Shenzhi, you’ve been awfully exhausted, go to sleep.”
“I’m alright, my eyes are just a bit sore.” Xun Che tightened his hold, slowly saying, “Regarding Qi Pei’s movements, no need to worry. Zhaoyang Hall actually also has the intention of advancing or retreating depending on the situation, thus giving someone. To put it bluntly, if something really were to happen, the empress naturally will push the blame onto Qi Pei. No matter how unfavored by Wu Wang, Qi Pei is still Wu Wangfei. When time comes, she can even accuse Changchun Palace too. As for Wu Wang and Li Consort not blocking this matter, it’s just thinking that with the empress making the move, if something happens, they can just push it onto Zhaoyang Hall. As for the so called harmonious relationship in the imperial harem, that is really what can just be torn apart in seconds. This mama, just leave for now. When the right time comes, we can make use of her then. Just keep an eye on Ying’er, don’t let her get tricked away by a white-eyed wolf.”
“Ying’er has also grown up nowadays.” Yu Lingxin recalled Xun Ying’s recent changes, still feeling somewhat gratified.
Xun Che however snorted, “En, grown up, even knowing to secretly go buy poetry collections.”
“Poetry collection?” Yu Lingxin blanked. Turning her body around, she directly hugged Xun Che from the front side, “What poetry collection? Hasn’t Ying’er always been buying various poetry books?”
Xun Che still didn’t open his eyes, just his left hand very familiarly slid into Yu Lingxin’s sleeping gown, caressing upwards along her waist, “The Chang’de Countess although directly offended Qi Ke, the Chang’de Count and Qi Jue nevertheless weren’t that muddled. Never mind personally going to Qingyang Academy to apologize, they even helped him produce a few poetry collections recently. This young and noble first place scorer in the provincial exam indeed has a bit of talent.”
“Hey—–be a bit gentler!” Yu Lingxin suddenly felt Xun Che’s strength become a bit heavier. Although it wasn’t considered very heavy, but recently, because of her pregnancy, her chest was somewhat swollen and sensitive, so she immediately just cried out.
Xun Che caressed a few more times, “Previously, I was thinking, with this little guy coming this early, it truly does get in the way of things, but didn’t expect that there would also be some plump benefits.”
Even if the two of them have already married for more than half a year, Yu Lingxin’s face still slightly heated up upon hearing this. She further didn’t expect that when there were still a pile of serious and important governmental affairs in front, he would suddenly just turn onto this kind of unserious topic. Yu Lingxin immediately spat at him, “What nonsense are you saying! Let go, properly sleep. Aren’t you tired?”
“Of course, I’m tired.” How could Xun Che let go, not only holding her even tighter, he even flipped over to kiss her neck, “But, I’ve been busy in the Chen province for that long, thinking of you everyday, yet after returning to the capital, still need to endure. You ultimately need to give me some sweet benefit, else how wronged would I be.”
“What? How come you’re just feeling wronged?” Yu Lingxin listened to this line, sounding that serious and logical, yet how come it was just that shameless, “Then, today, why don’t you——”
Before she could finish, Xun Che had already lowered his head, kissing all the way to the left side. Yu Lingxin instantly quivered, her toes immediately curling, “Shenzhi!”
“En, I know.” Xun Che vaguely responded. However, his tongue and movements were increasingly adept, very quickly making Yu Lingxin bite her lip, unable to say anything more. And all those worries previously about the governmental affairs, family affairs, and so on, also drowned out in the endless spring radiance in this winter night…………
In the following days, the entire capital was increasingly lively amidst the preparations for the large and small banquets for the new year.
Upon the imperial court, the Chen province matters naturally were the focus, with all kinds of endless arguments and disputes. Even though Xuan Emperor has already clearly expressed to discuss again after Cheng Yanling has caught the traitor, the accusations towards the Cheng family and even Xun Che who was in charge of the investigations nevertheless were still endless like running water.
Meanwhile, among the gatherings inside and outside of the palace for the womenfolk of the imperial clan and upper class noble madams, Cheng Yanling’s marriage also became a hot topic. Even though they still revered and had misgivings towards Grand Elder Princess Zhaoning, but this legendary female general that was like a god of war now being rumored to possibly having a dubious relationship with a soldier, even going as far as to murder her husband, it still made this entire matter all fill with extreme entertainment and thrill.
With this matter to discuss over, even the rumors regarding the current struggles between the wives and concubines in Wu Wang Manor, as well as those liangyuans that were waiting to enter Wei Wang Manor, all seem dull and boring.
All the way until the palace banquet at the end of the year, when Wu Wang Manor’s most successful Side Consort Tan suddenly passed on the news of becoming pregnant, did everyone’s gaze finally get drawn back towards the imperial family again.
And during this time, the Xun family also just happened to be having their own family banquet.
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