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Affairs of the Capital
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!
Shen Ran treated Shen Xi to a cup of tea and some desserts, before gently asking her to go back and rest.
Shen Xi walked out of Shen Ran’s territory completely unscathed, somewhat unable to scratch her head——don’t know why Shen Ran wanted to see her….?
Several days later, borrowing Lu Jing Hua’s hand, Shen Ran bestowed a marriage, saying that she pitied Shen Xi for being all alone in the capital on her own, so found a good marriage for her. The other party was the son of a civil official from a small family, scholarly and refined, his moral character excellent.
This marriage came like lightning and thunder, directly reaching the hands of the main branch’s clan leader, Shen Qing. By the time Shen Xi learned of this matter, it was already set in stone, with no room to turn around. She couldn’t help but feel dumbstruck.
How in the world did Shen Ran manage to arrange a marriage in merely ten days?
The most hateful part was that this marriage arrangement got directly sent to her grandfather, not even informing her once!
The son of a civil official from a small family, compared with the sons of the Lu family, that was worlds apart. She originally could’ve been a noble consort, yet now, can only pitifully spend her days with a sixth rank minor official!
Shen Xi was unwilling inside, wanting to write a letter to persuade her grandfather and father to reject this marriage. But, who knew that her father would personally rush to the capital, having her thoroughly scolded, blaming her for offending Court Lady Shen who was currently in control of the inner palace, nearly bringing disaster to the family.
Shen Xi felt increasingly wronged.
But what use was there feeling wronged? She could only bite her lip and tearfully return home to await her wedding.
Now, she finally knows why Shen Lan Chi said that it wasn’t good to provoke Shen Ran——-This Shen Ran can’t stand seeing other women become more powerful than her. Angering Shen Lan Chi, Shen Lan Chi would just have you expelled from the capital. But, if one angers Shen Ran, Shen Ran would hide daggers in her smile, needles in brocade, and soundlessly have your path of retreat severed.
After Shen Xi left the palace, the palace city returned to tranquility.
Ji Fei Xia ultimately was Lu Zi Xiang’s wife, so it wasn’t appropriate for her to continue to stay here. After arranging for Shen Xin Gu and Shen first madam, Lu Qi Yang kept his promise from that day, ordering someone to escort Ji Fei Xia south to Huailu, sending her back to Lu Zi Xiang’s side.
On the day of departure, Ji Fei Xia was like a new bride setting out, soundlessly crying, unknown as to what she was crying about. Song Yan Li was in prison, so unable to come see her off. Hearing that Ji Fei Xia will head south, he sent someone to pass on his well-wishes from afar——-“Have a safe journey.”
The south was far from the north. Perhaps from here on, they will never met again.
The snow in winter fell thicker and thicker. When nearing the end of the year, soft snow gently fell for three to four days in a row, the entire palace city covered in white. At this time, a letter from Wei Zhen came from up north, stating that Liu Yu was heavily ill and afraid won’t have long to live, hoping that Lu Qi Yang can allow him to return home.
When he received this letter, Lu Qi Yang fell silent for a long while.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Pausing for a moment, he said to Lu Jing Hua by his side, “Although Liu Yu was once Lu Zi Xiang’s loyal retainer, he ultimately has made great contributions to the country. If not for him persuading Hongcheng’s Wei Zhen to lend me soldiers and provisions, afraid I would’ve already died under the iron hooves of the enemy.”
Lu Jing Hua nodded his head and said, “Sir Liu’s heart isn’t in a bad place. It’s Lu Zi Xiang that failed to recognize his worth. Such an intelligent person, how could he bear to have him placed at the borders?”
“Lu Zi Xiang recognized his worth in the past, having Liu Yu viewed as his right-hand man.” Lu Qi Yang answered, “Afterwards, he ascended the throne, becoming extremely paranoid, finding everyone unpleasant to the eyes. Liu Yu was also very unlucky.”
Lu Jing Hua signed off the document. Liu Yu could finally return to the capital. He was already an arrow at the end of its flight, so shouldn’t tirelessly rush on the road, but he was unwilling to die in a foreign land, thus forced himself to return to the capital. After such a taxing journey, he was immediately bedridden upon returning to the capital.
When Lu Zi Xiang fled south, the Liu family also fled south with him. Liu Yu although returned to the capital, he was still all alone, with only his attendant Liu Chang by his side taking care of him. He could see the winter snow continuously fall, yet he could only prop up his frail body, leaning against the recliner as he listened to the sound of the wind and snow enter the bamboo, endlessly coughing throughout the night.
A few days before the new year, someone came to visit Liu Yu.
Liu Chang put on a large coat and went out to answer the door. As soon as the large doors opened, he saw a man dressed as a scholar standing in the light snow, asking, “Does Sir Liu live here?”
Liu Chang didn’t know who would come to visit at this time. Taking a closer look, he discovered that this person was the Shen family’s former eldest young master, Shen Ting Yuan.
Liu Chang didn’t know the inside story, just knowing that Shen Ting Yuan tricked the third miss Liu Ru Yan to elope with him, so immediately jumped in anger, “Well, well! Aren’t you that Shen Ting Yuan who tricked away our young lady? Coming to the door now, what do you want!?” He’d made up his mind; he won’t let others strain his young master’s sick body anymore, so he didn’t want to let Shen Ting Yuan in.
However, he saw from the horse carriage behind Shen Ting Yuan a woman slowly climb down. It was precisely Liu Ru Yan who has already become a mother.
“Heard that older brother is severely ill…..” Liu Ru Yan pulled the cloak on her tighter, her cheeks slightly red from the cold wind, “So I came back to visit.”
Seeing Liu Ru Yan, Liu Chang felt a bittersweet feeling well up inside, no longer daring to block, hurriedly leading the two of them inside. Arriving before Liu Yu’s sickbed, Liu Ru Yan’s eyes already turned thoroughly red before even saying a word.
Liu Yu leaned against the bed, his figure having withered away, leaving only bones. His formerly handsome face was outrageously thin. Seeing his younger sister, he slightly lifted his eyelids, his eyes just as clear and as dark as ink as before, “Ru Yan, you’re back.”
Hearing him call her name, Liu Ru Yan’s tears instantly streamed down. She used her sleeve to wipe her tears and said, “Yes.”
“Have you been well?” Liu Yu asked.
“Now that Ting Yuan has become a teacher, the two of us are living a quiet life in the countryside, with coarse tea and simple meals. All is well.” Liu Ru Yan choked up as she replied, “Our eldest son used the name older brother picked, called Shen Jin. Currently Ah Jin is staying at his grandparents’ place, so didn’t bring him along.”
Shen Xin Gu and his madam didn’t flee south with the others. Currently, they were carefreely living in the town next to the capital. Shen Ting Yuan occasionally would go back to visit his parents.
When Liu Yu heard, he nodded his head and calmly said, “Then this older brother can rest assured.”
Seeing his thin appearance, a burst of anger suddenly emerged from the bottom of Liu Ru Yan’s eyes. She said, “Older brother originally should be a capable minister of a well-governed era, having limitless prospect, yet now actually ended up as such. If not for that Lu Zi Xiang being distrustful by nature, how could he have caused older brother’s aspirations to remain unfulfilled?”
Seeing her angry, Liu Yu actually softly chuckled.
He very rarely smiled, always having a cold and indifferent look. Seeing him smile, Liu Yu Ran was rather astonished.
“In the past, when at the borders, this older brother was also once vexed. Why does the heavens treat me so unfairly, causing me to be unable to fulfill my aspirations. Afterwards………” Liu Yu lowered his eyes, slowly saying, “I also thought things through. Everyone has their own fate, unable to force it. Having a sickly body, to be able to live until now is already a fortunate thing.”
“Older brother…..” Liu Ru Yan choked up even more.
“Perhaps, in the last lifetime, I didn’t even live to this age.” Liu Yu’s consolation simply wasn’t considered a consolation. He was a apathetic person to begin with, unable to say heartwarming words. A while later, Liu Yu reached out, grasping Liu Ru Yan’s wrist, saying in seriousness, “Ru Yan, for this older brother to be able to see you marry and have children, it is already more than enough.”
• • •
The New Year had just passed. Amidst the entire court’s advocacy, Lu Jing Hua ascended the throne as the emperor. His father, Shanyin Wang, originally had already escaped to the south. Hearing that his second son claimed the throne, he instantly turned pale from shock. Fearing that Lu Zi Xiang, who was similarly in the south, will have him executed, he immediately fled back to the capital without stopping.
After Lu Jing Hua ascended the throne, Lu Qi Yang started discussing with the various generals about campaigning against Lu Zi Xiang.
Because Lu Zi Xiang had colluded with the Mujin tribe, betraying the country, the generals were all filled with rage, all saying to attack Huailu, letting Lu Zi Xiang apologize to the generals and soldiers that have died in battle at the borders in vain.
Seeing that the timing the good, Lu Qi Yang decided to take advantage of the opportunity to march south.
Before setting out, he was practically unable to sleep throughout the night, focusing on the army’s deployment and formation. When the sky was about to dawn, he suddenly heard a knocking sound. Turns out, it was Shen Lan Chi coming over to see him with a garment draped over her shoulders and her hair down.
Lu Qi Yang glanced at the color of the sky outside. Seeing that it was still dark, he furrowed his brows, “Why are you not properly resting?”
Shen Lan Chi was already close to giving birth, her cheeks also having become much rounder. She tugged the coat on her and said, “I had a nightmare in the middle of the night, thus woke up, unable to sleep. Remembering that you will leave tomorrow morning, I just came to see you.”
She used her fingers to scratch her sleeves, a look of wanting to say something but hesitating.
“What’s wrong?” Li Qi Yang could tell that she had something to say, thus asked.
“Nothing.” She replied, “Don’t concern yourself.”
“Since when do you stammer in front of me?” Lu Qi Yang said with a smile, “Really a rare sight.”
Shen Lan Chi found a seat nearby and sat down, having her hands placed inside the hand warmer, twisting them. With a calm look, she said, “A few days ago, I’ve been wishing for you stay, waiting until our child is born, before going south to confront Lu Zi Xiang.
Hearing this, Lu Qi Yang slightly hesitated.
How could he not want to? To be able to stay by his wife’s side, personally witnessing the birth of their child, how fortunate of a matter is that? But opportunity waits for no one. If they don’t send troops at this time, then once Lu Zi Xiang recovers his strength, it won’t be good.
“Afterwards, I thought things through.” Shen Lan Chi softly said, “Right now, you don’t belong to me alone, but rather, to the entire imperial court. If you don’t campaign against Lu Zi Xiang, then no one will go. Therefore, I won’t keep you.”
As Lu Qi Yang listened, a smile slowly appeared on his lips.
“But, you need to promise me one thing.” Shen Lan Chi suddenly raised her voice, her eyes and brows revealing an unyielding resolve.
“Go on.” Lu Qi Yang said.
“Once you have cleared up the empire’s affairs, you can only belong to me alone. The imperial court, the State of Chu, the commoners, don’t concern yourself with them anymore.” Her eyes slightly flickered, saying, “I’m willing to give up wealth and glory, also hoping that you can……..come and go with me.”
After she said this, she fell silent for a while. The candle wick crackled, drawing out a long shadow on the wall.
A long while later, Lu Qi Yang said, “Alright, I promise you.”
Shen Lan Chi felt a weight lift from her shoulders and also started smiling. A while later, she got up and stuck her finger out by Lu Qi Yang’s lips, wiping away the cake crumbs, sympathetically saying, “Wangye secretly ate honey cakes again? So pitiful, no wonder when seeing me come, you were this nervous.”
• • •
The next day, Zhennan Wang led his army southward.
Lu Zi Xiang and Lu Qi Yang stood on equal footing, so this war won’t be easy.
Another month later, Shen Lan Chi gave birth. After four hours of difficulty, she finally gave birth to a daughter in the capital, giving the name Lu Guan Rong, her nickname Mi Gao (honey cake).
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