Princess Agents Chapter 102 English Translation

Translator's Notes:  Here is where Zhuge/Yuwen Yue and Chu Qiao ended up in a caravan together.  Chu Qiao is still wounded and he is taking care of her.  The pair have come to the realization that their unexpected meeting has complicated their lives with an unexpected relationship growing between them.  Zhuge Yue gains a new perspective while Chu Qiao still appears to be struggling with it.


Princess Agents - 特工皇妃楚喬傳

Chapter 102: Paired Touch

"Master Zhu, AnBai County is just in front, there we will rest for the night, then we'll be back on the road in tomorrow morning.  We'll reach Tan Jing in another two days."

He was a stout, bearded, burly man; his figure was robust but his face was honest and simple.  He shouted loudly to the pair sitting inside the carriage draped in blue cloth with white floral pattern.  Then, a pair of bony heads showed forth but the person inside wasn't weak or thin at all, instead a nobleman's impressive hand reached out and pushed the curtain aside revealing a handsome and elegant face.

The man was dressed in black cotton robes, not displaying any rich ornamentation, but also rather natural and unaffected.  His face  was calm and his temperament good.  At first glance, he appeared to be from a great family.  Even when he smiled there were extra traces of noble mien in that smile that allowed people to neither stand too far or too close to him.  He said to the burly man riding the horse, "Thank you, brother."

The burly man smiled, showing his set of pearly white teeth, chortled loudly, and asked, "Is the wife any better now?"  Upon hearing it the man betrayed a little smile and nodded, "Thanks to your medicine brother, she is doing much better."

"Heh, heh," the big man replied happily.  "Good then.  Just by looking at you I knew you two were from a rich and influential family, probably never had to go through such hardships."

The man nodded slightly but seemed reluctant to say more on the matter.  He laughed lightly and said, "You have a good eye, brother."

The burly man gave a hearty wave but gave no further response as the carriage curtain was already down, blocking the face of the man's lightly laughing visage, and instead gave a long sigh of relief.

This man, even when laughing in front of people, his expression was cold.  His smile never quite reached his eyes and what was in his heart was something to be wary of.  Aside for his pretty little wife, the man's expression was consistent for everyone else; though his wife's attitude towards him was not very good.

The burly man shook his head without saying a word.  Seeing this kind of woman was a first for him.

"Giddy'ap brothers!  Hurry up along the road!  Give it your all to Tan Jing, then everyone can take a rest!"

A sudden cheer burst from the ranks of men driving the caravan, their thick voices piercing through the clouds high above, sending the serene birds in mid flight into a panic.

As soon as the curtain had fallen, the smile on the man's face immediately disappeared.  Within the carriage sat a young lady in a lake green dress, the clothes were of very fine quality, though a bit damaged, obviously having gone through a series of hardships along the way.

These two were exactly Chu Qiao and Zhuge Yue.  Even if Chu Qiao behaved with more tenacity, it was hard for her to even prop herself up while she was seriously injured.  If it wasn't for Zhuge Yue safeguarding her on this journey, she would have long died in the wilderness.

The woman called XieJiu was right.  Even if the dart wasn't very poisonous, it wasn't a simple concoction.

Even though ancient poisons are depicted in film and television most people living in the 21st Century wouldn't give these things much consideration.  Everyone would agree that with the level of science and technology in ancient China it would be difficult to extract any toxin of any intensity.  Aside from several rare snake venoms, there was basically nothing that would be absolutely fatal on a poison needle.

As a vice commander of Division 11 of the military intelligence Chu Qiao knew that things were much more simple here.  In the 21st Century the research and development of poisons have reached a point where it was technically feasible.  A tiny NH-6099 gas bomb, for example, could annihilate a mid-sized city with a population of 1 million in 30 seconds.  The newly developed UX-3 toxin in M country can erode sea water in a 20 nautical mile radius with just one drop.  The knowledge from this particular country developed since the Second World War meant its murderous pharmaceutical research was prominent and at the forefront of the world.

It was the kind of research and development that lacked any humanity.   Compared with atomic bombs, gas bombs were more powerful, their costs much lower, their death rates more cruel, and their subsequent influence ran even deeper.  And now from Chu Qiao's firsthand experience, as early as 2,000 years ago the Ancient Chinese had already developed such impressive poisons.  Can't say that the ancients weren't wise.  When truly facing this predicament, one realizes how small one really is.  Taking her present state as a case on point, with her completely weak and limp body, she had absolutely no ability to even turn herself around.

After stepping out of the marshes that day they did not go to XiangMa Pass to stop Zhu Shun.  In their current state they would no doubt have died.  Therefore Zhuge Yue made the decision to go south to Tan Jing.  After walking for a day Zhuge Yue noticed Chu Qiao's pale face and ashen grey lips, knowing that she was such a stubborn personality, though her body was in such a state she did not utter a word.  So he stopped and they happened to meet a caravan team delivering goods on their way to the capital and joined them.

Then, like a cliche scene in an old movie, they became a poor scholar traveling with a seriously ill wife to go live with relatives in the city.

"How do you feel?" asked Zhuge Yue quietly, seeing Chu Qiao open her eyes.

Chu Qiao's complexion was still awful, her body weak, and she could not hide the weariness in her eyes.  She took a deep breath and shook her head.   Suddenly the carriage shook violently, seemingly having run over a hard object, and without any shockproof measures the carriage instantly swayed.  Chu Qiao's body was unstable and her entire body softly toppled in Zhuge Yue's direction.  Zhuge Yue's reflexes were fast, and one hand went immediately to her waist while the other held her shoulder firm, preventing her from hitting her head and thus he waited a while until the carriage settled down again.

Chu Qiao's head rested against his chest, and she quickly pushed away with both hands, pushing her hair behind her ears, looking both annoyed and embarrassed.  Zhuge Yue didn't say a word, loosened his hands and leaned back against the carriage, remaining silent.

Chu Qiao glanced sideways at him and thought how unexpectedly bizarre this turn of events was.  If someone had said to her a year ago that she would one day sit in the same carriage as Zhuge Yue and not only would they not have the 'you-live-I-die mentality,' they would also not try to actively kill one another, she wouldn't have believed it even if they beat her to death.  Now, even she was confused about the awkward relationship between them.  She wanted to stubbornly say that they still had many new days of antagonism and animus between them, there was no way to reconcile their class differences, but even so, she would find it difficult to believe.  She didn't want to think about it further.  After they arrived in Tan Jing Zhuge Yue would attend Li Ce's grand wedding, and she would head south towards NanJiang, and afterwards, they would be separated by worlds apart, and not even in death would they meet again.  Some things are better off not to be thought of too deeply.  She slowly closed her eyes and quietly rested until the moment she suddenly heard the caravan head call out.

"Steady lads, Master Zhu's wife is still sick, eh!"

It was best to not say anything at this point, for upon hearing it the two were rendered speechless.  Thankfully the sound of people came forth immediately afterwards and Chu Qiao parted the curtain to look out the window.  She saw the bustle of people everywhere on the main thoroughfare, plainly clothed commoners carrying loads on poles carrying flower baskets, old and young, men and women, moving along together up the road, everyone laughing loudly together, giving the impression of a prosperous and peaceful scene.

DaXia and Bian Tang were very different countries.  The contrast was even more stark the closer you came to the Bian Tang capital. 

Outside the caravan's armed escort rode their tall horses through, and the caravan head looked over at Chu Qiao, laughing as he said, "Lady of House Zhu, we've arrived at AnBai County where we'll be sure to find a good doctor for you; once we make it to the inn we'll ask around!"

Chu Qiao responded with a smile.  The figures on the street densely compacted, coming and going on all sorts of business, the surefooted merchants rushing forward.  Chu Qiao gazed into the distance, and at a point not too far away saw the fog gradually disperse.

The dusk sun shone slowly through the village and cast its light onto the caravan's carriage.  She raised her head slightly and a trace of a smile touched the corner of her lip.  In front was Bian Tang's important city in AnBai County, already visible.

A sudden cry broke Chu Qiao's contemplation and before she could even react and she saw a burly and rough, unpleasantly hairy hand, lift up the carriage curtain.  At a glance, he was a member of the city's militia guard, and with a small inclination of her head she said carefully, "We were picked up from previous city, a scholar and his sick wife, surely you've seen this before sir, and will kindly let us pass."

The soldier had not intended to do anything untoward, though it was common for him to collect a few coins for drinking from such a large caravan.  But as soon as he raised the curtain further, he saw the stern but pale and pretty face of Chu Qiao and his two eyes didn't even blink as he gawked at her blankly.

Looking into the soldier's eyes Zhuge Yue's expression went cold and his eyebrow inadvertently ticked upward as if he was about to attack.  

Suddenly Chu Qiao procured some coins in her hand, presented them in front of the soldier's face, and said softly, "Good soldier we ask you do us a convenience, as my husband and I are new arrivals we are not familiar with the people or this place, and if we have offended in any way, please let us know."

The soldier was instantaneously flattered, and like a silly twit, obediently let them pass.  The drivers immediately cracked the whip against the horse's flanks, and with their large quantities of consigned goods, the vast and mighty caravan entered the city.

The curtain gently fell down, and Zhuge Yue's odd expression was directed at Chu Qiao.  She narrowed her eyes at him, though not directly looking at him, but unemotionally muttered under her breath, "Useless."  [TN: the idiom is "成事不足" which means "unable to accomplish anything but likely to spoil everything."  That's a bit uncharitable of her considering she would be dead without him… but if he actually attacked the guard, that would be a waste of effort, and I suppose considering their past she is still sorting through her feelings and can't hold her biting tongue.]

Uncharacteristically, though Chu Qiao often accused him of being intolerant, Zhuge Yue had no such tit-for-tat satirical rebuttal.  Instead the man made no sound and oddly turned away, looking out toward the bustling street, watching with interest.  Chu Qiao saw that he had no response and this reaction was rather boring, so she pushed aside both curtains to look out and proceeded to ignore him.

However at this moment, the expression of the fourth young master of the Zhuge House suddenly turned gentle. In his head a particular phrase reverberated, "My husband and I…."  [TN: This guy is gone… ^_^;]

AnBai County lay to the east.  Although it did not border DaXia, it was also far from the border city of Huai Song, and was a strategic location for the country of Bian Tang. There were no threats from the neighboring countries because east of town was a vast wasteland, the largest of the land.  And, in order to keep criminals from escaping into the wilderness, it was also a city with a stationed militia.  Although Bian Tang did not have a custom of being a militaristic country but the strategically placed fortress on this side was a show of how rich and powerful the country was.  People skilled in the ways of martial arts were treated with respect and reverence, which was why there were so many buildings for martial arts guilds.  All along the road were martial arena contests, even one with three armed contestants.  Chu Qiao watched it all with a sigh.

Besides its rich and prosperous martial arts practices, AnBai County was an important commercial district in eastern Bian Tang.  It bordered on valuable land, and even though there were occasional scuffles between powerful gangs in the wilderness, that did not however interfere with the progress of frequent trade and commerce.  Nearly half the country's cattle, sheep and horse trade took place here.  Additionally, Bian Tang was Huai Song's neighbor, and Huai Song had the longest coastline of all the countries on the continent, therefore the salt trade in An Bai County was booming, encompassing all of Bian Tang's salt and fish trade.  Just like the merchandise escorted in the caravan they came in, was assigned by the Liu clan business to deliver salt to Tan Jing.

Furthermore, because AnBai County was so close to Huai Song, many of the islanders off the coast of Huai Song came to do business in AnBai County. Their native wares are traded for other necessities of life, such as silk, tea, bronze swords, pottery, medicinal herbs and so on.

The street was so spacious there was still room for pedestrians to run parallel to the team of eight, blood black paired horses. Flowing continuously like this, the carriage then swayed and turned around to stop abruptly.  Outside, the caravan leader made called the others to dismount.  Zhuge Yue lifted the curtain, raised his head and saw the wineshop sign waving in front of the door to an inn.  The sky was not yet dark, but the two red lanterns were already mounted, giving the entrance a simple but elegant atmosphere.  People were coming and going through its doors, and it seemed business was lively.  Two giant black ink letters were written on the plaque above.  Their driver, Li, saw Zhuge Yue alight the carriage he hastily and exaggeratedly moved closer, smiling as he said "Master Zhu, you are a learned man, will you tell me what those two letters mean?  We can't go out and not even know where we're staying.  If I asked the others, surely they'd laugh at me."  The caravan had two vice heads, one leader and fifteen guards.  The remainder totaled about forty escorts.  Everyone conducted themselves simply and honestly, and several of the guards were rather outspoken, and all were very polite to them.  Though Zhuge Yue was not inclined to speak much, he nevertheless answered politely, "The inn is called The Wild Goose; when you come back to look for it just say you are staying at the Wild Goose Inn and that should be fine."

Having heard what was said, Li read it over silently twice, and then he beamed, leaped down from his horse, then advanced towards the other escorts on one side, and though they were far away, Zhuge Yue's practiced ears could hear everything. He heard driver Li slap escort Liang's back, and laughed as he said, "Old Liang, learned to read? Do you know what this inn is called?"  Zhuge Yue smiled faintly, as his life rarely came in contact with these worldly commoners of the lower class. Now that he has had some contact, he was inclined to have a favorable impression of them.

At that time one of the inn's clever waiters ran out and shouted, "Honored customers, whether resting or eating our establishment is clean, when you stay with us, our house is your home.  Our dishes have big fish, big meat, whatever you want; with our supply of aged, seventy year old hua-diao wine, you're guaranteed to feel right at home."

The head of the escorts saw this and laughed loudly, "What a clever mouth on this one, it's a pity he's a waiter, if you followed me, I'd be sure to find you a pretty wife later on."

The waiter's smile welcomed those coming in and those leaving, and he had long since trained his golden tongue and polished his skill.  "Master is joking, my son is already two years old, but thank you, master, for your kindness.  The tigress in my house is fierce, I don't dare to have needless ambitions!"

The group of escorts and the shop's waiter guffawed loudly.  The caravan master laughed as he said, "Brat, stop spouting nonsense and give us three rooms.  We'll stay two to a room, and hurry up and bring good wine and meat for us.  We've been traveling in the wilderness for more than ten days, my mouth is about to break out into birdsong."  Zhuge Yue saw the others being merry and lifted the curtain and helped Chu Qiao out of the carriage.  Chu Qiao was jostled about throughout the journey, her body lax and weak, with the poisons continuously staying in her body.  If it wasn't for her strength of mind she would have already fallen unconscious, and the fact that she was struggling to prop herself up was really remarkable. Zhuge Yue could see that her pale white face tinged with blue, and she couldn't even stand properly; he could not help but feel a fit of anxiousness.  Only the poison was too potent and ordinary doctors would only be able to cure ordinary ailments. They had no option but to go slowly towards the capital and find a means of detoxification there.  

In this instant there was nothing more to say and the least he could do was hold her against his chest as he said to the waiter, "Prepare two clean rooms for us and then deliver some food."  

The caravan head wrinkled his brow and said loudly, "You're already married, what are you talking about taking two rooms for? Little sister is already so ill, you'd best watch over her."  He turned to the waiter and said, "Listen here, one room, take food and wine up, put it on my account and go find a doctor."

The waiter answered enthusiastically, "Yes sir! Four rooms on the upper level, masters if you'll follow me."  Zhuge Yue said nothing more, but hung his head and glanced down at Chu Qiao and only saw her resting peacefully against his chest, breathing evenly, apparently she had already fallen asleep though her face was faintly reddish.  [TN: she's not asleep]

The room was quiet, and the open window faced a grove of peach trees in blossom, their fragrance flowing everywhere, faintly wafting inside, making the occupants feel refreshed.  The warmth of the light from the blood red sunset on the horizon touched Zhuge Yue's face.  His ink dark long locks hanging from his temples were carried by the breeze, his black robes fluttering.  He straightened his posture, as if having gone through several rare scrolls.  [TN: I didn't understand this sentence, but it's like he's a bookworm and there is hardship and pleasure in that meaning]

The him in this moment was not the very powerful and capable member of the influential Zhuge Clan.  [TN: literally, he is one who can "翻手为云覆手为雨" or one who "turns his palm up to gather clouds, and turns his hand down to make rain"] A light robe with a loose sash, a cheerful temperament, a different sort of beauty in the world.

"Zhuge Yue," called Chu Qiao softly as she lie in bed. 

He knew she was not asleep and calmly turned around to face her, saying, "Are you hungry?  Shall I call the attendant for food?"

"No need," Chu Qiao said, taking a deep breath and slowly said, "Sit down.  There's something I need to say to you."  Zhuge Yue stood in place without sitting, contemplated for a long while, then just saying in a low voice, "I know what you're going to say and there's no need for you to say it, nor do you need to ask because I don't even know why.  All I know is that right now there is no way I could abandon you.  After all, it was because of me that you were injured, so let's just wait until you're cured before we talk about it."

Chu Qiao looked at Zhuge Yue, and all the words she had originally wanted to say were now unable to escape her lips.  Between the two of them, it was equally an extremely muddled bill of accounts.  They have betrayed each other, slaughtered each other's people, rescued each other and showed the other mercy too many times to count. Now, with barely a line of hatred between them, it was exceedingly difficult to explain their relationship. 

"Zhuge Yue, now I owe you another life."

Zhuge Yue's brows knitted together as he looked at Chu Qiao, and in a quiet puzzled voice asked,  "Why do you not take account of what other people may owe you?"

Chu Qiao side-stepped the question by answering, "I will repay you in the future."  Zhuge Yue scoffed at her answer, but said nothing further, knowing that she was trying to make peace with it on her own, so he sat down and poured a cup of tea.  At that moment someone knocked on the door.  He opened it to see the caravan head standing there, who then said with some discomfort, "Master Zhu, I don't think we can journey on together."

"Oh?" asked Zhuge Yue.  "Has something happened?"

"Our young master has arrived," he said suddenly excited.  "The young master came from XianYang, and is conveniently going to Bian Tang, and our escort team will be accompanying his entourage.  We will rest in AnBai County and then return to WuPeng three days after.  But I've already told the young master that you will follow his group and return to the capital."

Zhuge Yue thankful responded, "Thank you, but it would be best if we did not hassle you all further.  We'll simply buy a carriage and horses and be on our way."

"What kind of talk is that?" shouted the head escort.  "You've already paid your way, how can we let you spend your money again?  Moreover this road ahead is not very safe, there are a lot of gangs and it would be safer to stay in a group.  Young Master has brought four to five hundred guards with him this time, rest assured, there'll be no trouble on the road."   

It would be ungracious to refuse a kindness, and it was really inadvisable for them to stir up more trouble for themselves, so Zhuge Yue nodded, and gave thanks and thanks again to leader Yu.

"Of course, of course. They say when you're at home, you rely on your parents, and when you go out you rely on friends."

"By the way, where is your young master from, what is his name?"

Leader Yu said with frustration and pride, "Our master is the food merchant Liu of XianYang, but he has no sons, so he adopted his nephew, who is the young master who leads the group.  His name is Liu Xi.  Has Master Zhu ever heard of him?"

Zhuge Yue was dumbfounded, and frowned, saying in a low voice,  "Liu Xi?"