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Drizzling Rain in the Capital (1)
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!
The next morning, as the dawn light broke through the horizon, drizzling rain quietly fell.
The commoners that got startled by the sound of horse hooves and clanging weapons last night all timidly stuck their head out from their own home, looking left and right. Many were talking, wanting to see whether or not the sky has already changed in the capital, and whether the one sitting on the throne has been replaced or not.
By the wells and ends of alleyways, there were people talking in whispers.
“Heard that the crown prince revolted last night, yet got shot down by the Zhennan Wang Manor’s heir with three arrows in front of Guangshu Gate!”
“His Majesty is still perfectly fine in the palace, just don’t know whether that crown prince is dead or alive.”
“Watch your mouth! What ‘crown prince’? Afraid he’s now scorned by everyone!”
Whenever someone approached, the commoners would suddenly fall silent, instantly scattering like birds, respectively returning home in the rain.
The inside of the palace city was also dead silent.
The blood spilt upon the long stairway last night has already dried and got washed away by the rain, the color gradually fading. The palace servants and guards endured the drizzling rain as they cleaned up the mess in the palace little by little. They timidly cleaned up the bloodstains as they quietly whispered about what they heard and saw last night. It’s said that thankfully, Zhennan Wang had led over his troops to protect the emperor, thus letting his Majesty be completely unharmed.
Inside Qianfu Palace, the Chu Emperor seemingly aged by ten years overnight, his complexion haggard.
Lu Zi Xiang stood to the side. Although not having slept all night, he still appeared to be at ease, smiling elegantly, like a piece of natural jade.
Last night, after the shocking turn of events at Guangshu Gate, the Chu Emperor wasn’t able to sleep all night. After having Lu Zhao Ye detained in prison, he immediately wanted to have Lu Zi Xiang established as the crown prince. Returning to his senses at this time, the Chu Emperor was still shaken and uneasy inside.
“Xiang’er, if that Shen family is not eliminated, they will ultimately become a threat. Shen Xin Gu has been in court for many years, forming cliques for personal gain. You should be the most clear about this.” The Chu Emperor recalled sending soldiers to raid the Shen family in the latter half of the night, saying to Lu Zi Xiang, “For what reason did you stop the people this emperor sent? You are not a reckless person, so there must be a reason for it.”
Only towards Lu Zi Xiang will the Chu Emperor put down his assertions and carefully discuss the pros and cons with him.
After all, this was the prince that will inherit the throne in the future. It was only natural to talk with him more about the country’s affairs.
“Truth be told, imperial father, the method for curing the plague that Zi Xiang previously presented was offered up by the Shen family. This son figured, for the Shen family to be able to have such consideration, it can be considered making up for their past mistakes, able to be spared from the death penalty. If the contributor in curing the plague were to be sent to prison by imperial father, and the people were to find out, it will inevitably bring about criticism for imperial father.” Lu Zi Xiang said with a smile, “However, how the remaining charges and offenses will be handled, it will be up to imperial father to decide.”
When the Chu Emperor heard, he nodded his head and said, “So that was the case, you sure have considered for this emperor.”
“Actually, this son also has some selfish motives.” Lu Zi Xiang sighed, “The Shen family daughter ultimately once saved this son’s life. Although her uncle has committed an enormous crime, she’s just a daughter of the boudoir that got implicated, ultimately innocent.”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
The Chu Emperor shook his head and said, “You having pity in your heart is a good thing. However, in the future, when you inherit this emperor’s mountains and rivers, you absolutely mustn’t be this benevolent. Forget it, this emperor will spare their lives. Just have the men of the Shen family removed from their official post, reduced to commoners, and confiscate their family wealth, letting them be unable to cause trouble in the future.”
Lu Zi Xiang ultimately was the child he wholeheartedly adored, so his words, the Chu Emperor will always listen to a little.
Furthermore, not killing at this time didn’t mean that he won’t kill them in the future. The Shen family at present was already an arrow at the end of its flight, so certainly won’t be able to escape from his palm. How to deal with them, wasn’t it just a matter of flicking his finger?
“Imperial father is benevolent.” Lu Zi Xiang said with a smile.
The Chu Emperor ordered someone to draft an imperial edict, sentencing several dozen people of the crown prince’s faction. These people all held important positions in court, the great majority also disciples of the Shen family, and without exception, ended up getting exiled and their possessions confiscated. When the guards arrived before the Shen manor, Shen first madam had already tied a white silk on the ceiling beam, just waiting to step onto it.
Shen Xin Gu clearly understood that the end was already set, his face filled with a lifeless look——–Although last night, he didn’t get directly taken into prison like his second brother’s family, he was ultimately unable to escape this fate today.
Hearing that guards and the imperial edict have arrived, Shen Xin Gu personally went to the door to welcome, kneeling on the ground to receive the order with a dejected look on his face.
However, the short dozen or so words on the imperial edict just made him remove his official hat, not saying anything else.
After the guards left, Shen Xin Gu blankly knelt in place, not getting up. The servant girls and Shen first madam came to help him up, yet were also unable to have him supported up. A long while later, Shen Xin Gu finally slowly stood up, saying: “……….Just afraid, this is a dream.”
Shen first madam and the servant girls shed tears of joy, saying: “Master, it’s merely losing the official post, not losing one’s life. This is already a very fortunate matter. As long as we have the family wealth given up to his Majesty, in the future, the tides in the capital will no longer have anything to do with us. We can still nicely live out our days.”
Last night was an entire night of storm. Shen first madam was inevitably anxious, so her complexion today was wan and sallow. Currently, she had tears streaming down her face, but her face carried a joyous look.
In the past, she cherished wealth and power, but looking at it now, they weren’t considered anything at all. As long as one can live, it was already very good.
When Shen Xin Gu saw his wife crying, he suddenly sighed in his heart.
He managed to escape last night due to the second prince helping him on a whim. But, in the future, without the second prince’s help, how will he be able to protect his family? His younger sister, Shen Xin Yi, was still in the palace, not having any news, afraid also not any better off. Additionally, his father, Shen Rui, had many enemies in jianghu. Now that the Shen family has fallen, afraid they will come to retaliate against them the next day.
It didn’t matter for Ting Yuan and him——-With the crown prince falling from power, bringing disaster to the ministers, that was also inevitable. In the future, when his Majesty thinks of the two of them, deciding to sentence them again, that was also imaginable. But, what will his daughter Lan Chi who has been raised deep in the boudoir do?
She has been pampered since childhood. Without the Shen family’s protection, what will she do in the future?
“Madam.” Shen Xin Gu spoke with a hoarse voice as he slowly turned towards his wife, “Come inside with me. I want to discuss something with you.”
Shen first madam wiped the tears from her face and nodded her head.
• • •
Shen Lan Chi also didn’t sleep well last night, her heart full of worries.
Although there was Lu Zi Xiang’s assistance, she ultimately was unable to be at ease. She was terrified throughout the long dark night, and only when thinking of Lu Qi Yang would her heart ease a little.
He had said that much during Shen Tong Ying’s wedding, clearly telling her, he was also someone that had lived an extra lifetime.
She didn’t know whether she should be happy or cry, just feeling sad inside.
She curled up in a corner of her bed, holding her knees, her thoughts heavy and unstable.
Right at this time, the servant girl from the front came to invite Shen Lan Chi to go before Shen first master. Shen Lan Chi worked up her spirit and quickly tidied up her appearance before following the servant girl to her parents’ side.
There had been a sudden change overnight, yet thankfully, the servants at home didn’t lose their bearing. Although everyone’s face carried an anxious look, everything was still in good order. The servant girl holding the umbrella for her had a dejected look, yet still maintained proper etiquette.
Shen first madam was waiting for her in Baorong Courtyard, her face filled with a solemn look. Shen Xin Gu was also present. When Shen Lan Chi entered the room, she just felt as if the rain was everywhere, already having her hair and clothes drenched. Even if holding an umbrella, it was also useless.
“Father, mother.” When Shen Lan Chi saw her parents, a complicated feeling bubbled up from the bottom of her heart.
Although having gone through wind and rain, losing everything, her parents were still by her side, so how was this not a great fortune?
Shen Xin Gu had a heavy look, saying to Shen Lan Chi, “Do you know what happened last night?”
“This daughter…..naturally knows.” Shen Lan Chi answered, softly consoling, “This daughter doesn’t care about wealth and glory. As long as mother and father are still by one’s side, that is enough.”
“Last night, the crown prince got shot down by Zhennan Wang Manor’s heir with three arrows under Guangshu Gate.” Shen Xin Gu’s face grew colder, saying, “This Zhennan Wang Manor had always concealed themselves, yet last night, stood against the crown prince as an enemy. Afraid our Shen family is also a thorn in their eyes. Therefore, the marriage arrangement that was previously agreed upon by your mother and that Zhennan Wangfei now no longer count.”
When Shen Lan Chi heard this, she was slightly shocked, immediately saying: “Father! Why are you always obstinately persistent in going about things the wrong way? That crown prince isn’t a good person to begin with. If he ascends the throne, the first he will kill to serve as a warning to others in the future will be our Shen family! This act of the heir’s is for saving you, and not trying to harm you!”
“As a daughter of the boudoir, what do you know?” Shen Xin Gu angrily scolded, “If I help the crown prince succeed, then that will be a meritorious service to the rising emperor! Now, the heir has shot three arrows in front of Guangshu Gate, severing my Shen family’s future prospects, even nearly taking the lives of our entire family, yet you’re still speaking for that scoundrel!?”
Shen Lan Chi was shaken inside, yet unable to refute.
How could her father know? If they really were to let Lu Zhao Ye take throne, then the Shen family will really be unable to escape from death.
“I just ask you, if that Zhennan Wang heir still has feelings for you, will your heart still side with him?” Shen Xin Gu asked with a cold face.
“I……” Shen Lan Chi’s eyes reddened, suddenly kneeling on the ground and saying, “The heir has helped me a lot. If not for the heir’s help, this daughter wouldn’t be here today. If to from hereon cut ties with the heir, then this daughter would be an unjust and heartless person.”
“You have really raised a good daughter!” Shen Xin Gu sneered at Shen first madam and then angrily said to Shen Lan Chi, “Since you wholeheartedly want to side with an outsider, then don’t be my daughter anymore!”
After saying this, he ordered the servants to have Shen Lan Chi dragged out of the manor.
Shen first madam covered her face with a handkerchief to the side, not saying a word, her eyes thoroughly red.
“Father?!” Shen Lan Chi got dragged away, her complexion shaken. Her hair and clothes got ruffled in the struggle as she said to her parents, “Father, please listen to this daughter. To be able to preserve one’s life at this time is already a great fortune. The crown prince is cruel and ruthless, absolutely not worth serving……..”
She got dragged all the way to the front gate. Once the vermillion gate opened, the servants had her pushed out like throwing away trash.
She lost her balance and immediately fell onto the ground. Last night, the crown prince had raised a coup, so there were already many people secretly waiting to see what will happen to the Shen family. At this time, seeing the Shen family’s young miss get thrown out in a mess, they immediately swarmed over, pointing and gossiping.
They saw Shen Xin Gu stand before the gate, saying to Shen Lan Chi in a cold voice, “From here on, my Shen family will no longer have such a daughter as yourself. I, Shen Xin Gu, will sever all ties with you, ending it all here! In the future, whether you’re dead or alive, it will all have nothing to do with my Shen family! It’s best if dead. Even if alive, you’re not allowed to return!”
After saying this, he coldly snorted and returned back inside.
With a creak, that grand vermillion gate that Shen Lan Chi has looked at for over ten years just slowly closed shut.
T/N: I’ve officially completed the translations for this novel! All the chapters are up on patreon now! Annocements for my next project will also be up on patreon soon.
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