Princess Agents 特工皇妃楚喬傳, Chapter 180 English novel translation

Princess Agents - 特工皇妃楚喬傳 

Translator's notes: My friends, this is moment of truth for Xing/Yue fans.  It only took 180 chapters.  Ready? Turn up the A/C and your favorite groove music, because it's going to be hot….. 
-Kero

Chapter 180: Wedding Night

Zhuge Yue had always been a person with a plan for everything.  Once he decided on something, he would methodically take action for the master plan.  Neither being too hasty nor too slow, step by step he would implement what was feasible and practical, and no matter what, he would not change his mind.

So, in the following time that passed, he bathed, changed his outfit, inspected his appearance in the mirror, and of course saw the striking man with straight sword brows and starry eyes looking back at him, uncommonly talented, majestically debonair, handsome and straight, and he was very self-satisfied.   And then he felt a bit nervous, sat down and took a cup of tea. (TN: hahahahahahah)

The tea was already cold, the white porcelain cup with blue flower motif was pinched between his slender fingers.  The light seemed to penetrate the thin cup, as if through a layer of ice that had just entered the winter season.

He leaned against the back of the chair, meticulously calculating what he would say, what he would do, sentence by sentence, very carefully.  Then after envisioning multiple situations he tried to figure out how the other party would respond, how he would then respond, and how he would change the topic of conversation bit by bit, create that ambiguous mood, and take the initiative and grasp the situation with his own hands and let everything seem natural, leaving no trace of his plans. (TN: is he planning a seduction or an assassination....?)

All right.  No problem.

He put the cup down and stood up, but who knew that before his finger could even reach the threshold, someone pushed his door open.

Chu Qiao stood in the doorway, still wearing her off-white dress.  The warm lantern light of the corridor lit up her small face, giving it a lighted warmth.

Holding up a bowl and still braving the hot steam, she tilted her head and her eyes looked him up and down, taking measure of him and their stark contrast.  Her brows frowned slightly at the oddity, and she asked, "It's the middle of the night.  Where are you going dressed like that?"

What the hell was this situation?  Zhuge Yue was slightly shocked as it all seemed to go beyond the boundaries of his plans.  (TN: ^__^;)

But young master Zhuge's ability to adapt was quite commendable, and he immediately responded in earnest, "I've slept too much during the day and I am not sleepy at the moment.  I want to go out for a walk."

"The further north we travel the colder it will be.  The night wind is strong and you're wearing so little, I think it's best if you don't wander around."

Chu Qiao went directly into his room and put the soup bowl onto the table and called him over, "I saw that you didn't eat much earlier.   Come and eat this porridge."

Zhuge Yue went over and saw it was a bowl of very plain white porridge, and sent her sideways glance, "Using something like this to mock me."

Chu Qiao stared at him, "Having anything to eat at all is good enough. You're so picky."

As soon as she said it she stepped up in front of him, pat his head a few times as if he were a puppy, and said very seriously, "After you've eaten go to bed a little early, it's unnecessary to go out and wander."

Then, she turned around and paraded off.

Zhuge Yue was instantly dumbfounded.  What just happened?  His plans were all interrupted.  The prey had just delivered herself to his door, and he just let her strut away?

Why was he still eating this porridge??   (TN: Hahahaha he does exactly as she tells him!  I'm dying….)

He stood up and quit the room.

Because he had to conceal his whereabouts at this time, the this boat was not very large so its corridors were quite cramped, only one person could pass at a time.  As the lanterns shone on his slender figure, he arrived under the lamplight dressed in a long and warm, beautiful moon-white robe with cloud patterns.  (TN:  Did he change again…? ^_^;;)

Step by step, his progress was slow.  The ship's hull swayed to and fro as it rode the vast, large river, just as it had many years ago in that bout of spring rain.  He had stood on the river bank watching that ship that drifted farther and farther away.  The world was dim and cold, and only that lapping flame inside his body burned, never extinguishing, accumulating from beginning to end, from when he was a child until he gradually became an adult, continuously to today. 

A sudden burst of song came forth and his footsteps paused slightly in front of her door.  Her door had not closed shut and a warm stream of light came through.  He only heard the gentle voice of the woman and the sound of the baby boy's babbling.

Under the orange glow of two lanterns, Chu Qiao's white skirt trailed onto the ground and her sleeves were rolled up high. She knelt beside a dark wood basin and was giving Li Ce's little son a bath.  

Rong'er was very fat, and though he was still quite small, the look of his eyes were exactly like his father's.  His eyes were curved, picking up slightly at the ends like a little fox's peach blossom eyes, and when he laughed you almost couldn't see the whites of his eyes.

He was presently sitting in the dark wood basin, his hand fisting a small bell.  As it rung, the sound was very crisp.  In a steady rhythm, the child kept patting the water, splashing Chu Qiao all over.  Every time Chu Qiao cried out in exasperation he would happily clap and laugh out loud. 

"Rong'er be good, don't make trouble."

Chu Qiao tried to communicate with the child, but the child didn't acknowledge her.  His fat little legs thrashed wildly, and nearly half the water in the basin splashed out. 

"There's no need for you to be so naughty.  Your father wasn't even this annoying."

Chu Qiao's upper body was already soaked through, parts of her clothes were even dripping.  (TN: we all know where this is going….)  Rong'er raised his head and cried out, babbling in rebuttal.

"Just look at yourself.  Do you even resemble a prince right now?"

"Yayayaya, wu wu wo wo. Aaaaaaaaaa mmm paa ooh pooh…."

"As soon as I criticize, you still have an opinion?"

"Pah pah aah, puuu aaa nnngh….."

"How about I sing you a song?"

The child blinked his eyes and raised his head to stare at her.  A pair of small, fat hands grabbed onto the material at Chu Qiao's neck, wanting to climb out as if it was matter of life or death.

By his actions and attitude it was obvious that he had no love of baths and had no interest in the words coming from her mouth, let alone anything she had to sing.

However it was as if Chu Qiao didn't see any of it, her excessive personality ignored him and she pat his head, saying, "I'm going to sing now, listen well."

"Boo boo beh meh mmmm nnngh."

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,

You make me happy when skies are grey.

You'll never know, dear, how much I love you,

Please don't take my sunshine away."  (TN: in English.  'You are my Sunshine' is an old popular song, originally sung by Johnny Cash.  The lyrics are sad though if you read through it all.  It's about loving someone who loves another, but the singer's devotion continues)

"Yi yi yen aaap aaayaaa yaaa mmm."

The warm and gentle sound of the song was like a mesmerizing, tranquil fragrance, quietly flowing into the the air.  The lights were warm, spreading circles of round spotlight. The woman in the white dress crouched on the floor.  Her long hair spread over her thin shoulders.  The ebony colored wooden basin contained a white and fat little child. 

The woman was enthusiastic as she sang, but the child in the basin ignored her and they both grappled with one another's hands and feet.  The one inside was desperate to climb out while the one outside fiercely tried to keep him down, her persistent mouth continuing to sing with unparalleled sweetness.

No one would be able to understand what she was singing.  Her pronunciation was similar to what Rong'er was saying, and it was definitely a strange thing.  But seeping through the warm melody, one could feel the song's emotions, like a kind mother, or even more so like the deep feelings of a lover.

*Pong*  The little basin finally overturned onto the ground and Rong'er climbed out bare naked, very proud of himself and laughing.  The expression in his eyes bent upward, exactly like his father.

The room was a mess and Chu Qiao's clothes were already wet.  She was slightly disappointed as she looked at this baby, and it was almost like she saw past him and was looking at Li Ce.  She glared at him furiously, "The person is gone and yet he still left this kind of troublesome thing to bully me."

Rong'er laughed happily, turned his white and fat little butt around, and crawled out towards the door.  Chu Qiao was just about to reach out to grab him, but her eyes then saw the man who was leaning against the door frame.

He seemed to have been standing there for quite some time.  The lantern light in the corridor came in, illuminating a halo onto his face.  His eyes were deep and profound, the color of his skin very white.  But it wasn't the white of a scholar who never saw the sun, it was the kind of upper class quality of white, like top quality Hetian white jade.  He was just leaning sideways against the doorframe like that, watching her with plenty of interest.  His expression had a few traces of languor in it, as well as mischief.  The corners of his mouth were not laughing, but his eyes were already smiling.

For a moment she was at a loss for words.

She though perhaps she was bedazzled by this handsome man.

Rong'er shuffled his little white butt left, then right, and then managed to climb up besides the door.  He saw the unexpected visitor, raised his head at a ninety degree angle.  Originally he had wanted to bully him with the backing of a powerful person behind him and scream at the top of his lungs, but perhaps it was because he realized he was not even as tall as his opponent's boots, that he suddenly had a clear view of things and made no sound.

He plopped down and sat there for a while, looked back at Chu Qiao, then raised his head to look at Zhuge Yue again, then looked at his little cradle located next to the bed.  In the recesses of his inner mind an intense struggle was underway, until at last, he let out a sound that was similar to a sigh, and tugged at Zhuge Yue's lower hem.  Zhuge Yue looked down at him and saw that he was pointing to a string of carved jade swords hanging at his waist, his mouth babbling at him.

This was something Zhuge Yue had worn to go with the outfit he wore this night.  The light penetrated the dark green to make it sparkle in the light.  Zhuge Yue untied it and handed it over into the child's hand.

The first thing Rong'er did was stick it in his mouth and bite a few times.  He had not yet grown teeth, nor could he differentiate tastes, but he tightly held it in his hand, and then crawled out the door.

The fat little child wriggled left and then right and crawled to the adjacent room next to Chu Qiao's, sat on the floor, and used his short little legs to heroically pound on the door.

Mei Xiang opened the door with sleepy eyes half open, and as soon as she saw him she happily cried out, and hurriedly took the child into her arms.  Thinking it was strange, she went over to Chu Qiao's room to take a peek.   As soon as she saw Zhuge Yue Mei Xiang's cheeks suddenly went red, and her expression was suddenly happy.  She nodded towards young master Zhuge, and carried the child back into her room.

And just like that, the little hindrance was taken away.

Zhuge Yue though that even though the little guy was a touch annoying, but at least in this kind of situation he understood, just like his father.

As if he had come to his own room he calmly closed the door and then with deliberate steps he went in front of Chu Qiao, looked down at her from his commanding height, extended his hand and said, "Aren't you getting up yet?"

Chu Qiao was a little embarrassed, furrowed her brow in vexation.  What was wrong with her?  Was she really confused by his beauty?

She did not take the extended hand but instead wanted to stand up on her own.  Who knew that as soon as she moved, her foot suddenly gave way.  The floor was so slippery that she cried out, and before she could stand straight she slipped down again.  

The anticipated pain did not come, as Zhuge Yue was quick of eye and deft of hand, and had caught her by the waist.  The warm palm closely attached to the flesh at her waist.  It was impossible for her already drenched clothing to hide her exquisite curves, and it was so closely attached to her body it was even more extravagantly seductive. 

Having crouched on her heels too long her legs were already numb.  Zhuge Yue carried her in his arms and placed her onto the bed.  Her hair was wet, the water droplets dripping downward, her clothing was thoroughly sopping as if she was the one who had been held down in the wooden basin instead.  Zhuge Yue took a quilt from the bed and draped her body with it, then stood in front of her to pull it tightly around her as he said, "Don't catch cold."

The lanterns in the room burned with an ambiguous light, traces of it reflecting onto his face, giving off a hazy, ethereal atmosphere.  He retrieved a dry towel and wrapped her hair into it.  Someone like him actually stood before her, and,  one stroke at a time, he helped her rub her hair dry.  He was very attentive, without saying a word.

Chu Qiao's palms were sweating a little.  The room felt as though it had suddenly become very hot.  Wrapped in a thick quilt her sweat flowed down her wet clothing.  Her skin felt sticky and the quilt was damp and warm.  A few strands of hair fell onto her forehead, blocking her line of sight in front.  Through her hair she could only see the rustling clouds on his moon white colored robes.  Circle after circle it made her dizzy looking at the pattern.

"What song were you singing just then?"

Zhuge Yue suddenly asked, the sound so very gentle, but also a bit husky like a man.  It was very pleasing to hear as it echoed faintly in the air, drumming in her ears.

Raising her head she looked this face, so handsome it was downright unreasonable, and his scent was so pleasant it just made her want to fall asleep peacefully.

Zhuge Yue saw that she hadn't responded, gently picked his brows up, and asked, "Xing'er?"

"You Are My Sunshine."

Zhuge Yue was a bit surprised, asking, "This is language from your world?"

"Mmm,"  Chu Qiao honestly nodded her head.

"Sing it for me."

His voice seemed to have magical powers on this night, making her not want to argue and squabble with him as usual.  She slowly took a few deep breaths. The clean and gentle sound slightly echoed in the air, like a very thin rain of the first spring, quietly hitting a lotus pond, splashing little star-like bursts into the water.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,

You make me happy when skies are grey."

The sound of the song seemed to grow wings, faintly soaring through those years past.  

From the first meeting, to the road of struggle and strife.  Life was an uncultivated field of wild grass, never knowing when you'd be buried in a pitfall, and never knowing where you would see a bright new vista for a new life.  He stood in front of her, his long slender fingers through her dark black hair to help her dry it, as if he was stirring up the ripples of years past.  The material of his clothing was so soft, her head leaned against his waist, as she softly sang her favorite song from her past life.

"You'll never know, dear, how much I love you,

Please don't take my sunshine away."

The warmth in the room caused her to remember a time many years past, back to to her days at Sheng Luo An Orphanage.

The dean was an old soldier who had gone to war for eight years, an old veteran of the Korean War conflict.  In battle he had lost a leg and shot down an American plane.  When he retired, he used his pension to open an orphanage in his hometown specifically to adopt children without parents.  She was unlike other orphans.  She was fortunate, he had been a very good grandfather, and afterwards her grandfather paid her way through school.  There she asked her friends to come and join the military academy with her, join the army, be a soldier and defend the country.

She also did not betray her grandfather's hopes for her.  It took little for her to grow up to be strong and healthy, her grades excelled, her mind proved to be flexible.  She had kindness and integrity and finally she entered the military, entered the command post, and entered the National Military Intelligence Office.  For her, everything went along a broad, well-planned road without any bumps in her path.  

From a very young age her grandfather had told her that to be a soldier was to loyally love one's country, protect it, its people and the weak.  He told her so many war stories and told her that being an adult meant being honest and trustworthy, as well as have personal integrity.  He told of the meaning of living with principles.  She was like a sapling growing under the care of her grandfather until she was grown up.  She still even remembered how happy her grandfather was the first time she completed her first assignment.  His wrinkles trembled under the sunlight, his chest shook as he laughed.  Her grandfather hugged her, happily calling her his filial granddaughter.  

That was the happiest day of her life. She had the dearest person who loved her most in the world, receiving one of the warmest embraces of the world.

Grandfather had studied abroad in the United Kingdom and he studied foreign languages, so he taught her English, taught her Western etiquette and even taught her how to waltz.

Left, right, left, right, transverse, converge three steps, spin….

Then there was the song her grandfather taught her:

"The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping,

I dreamed I held you in my arms.

When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken,

Please don't take my sunshine away."

She suddenly reached out and hugged Zhuge Yue's waist.  The shadows from the candles were like a circling halos.  They flew and danced in the corners of the room, each tiny spot of flame floating away, swaying, flitting across the window.  Atop the water the boat rocked, the landscape from both shores seemed to fly away.  Indistinctly, they seemed to be able to hear the sound of the wind as it blew across.

"Xing'er,"  Zhuge Yue lowered his head and asked, "What does the song say?"

For some reason Chu Qiao's face suddenly turned red and she lowered her head, saying nothing.

From above a warm breath blew down, his chest slightly trembled, and Chu Qiao knew he was laughing, silently, though she still knew.

"It sounds pleasant."

Zhuge Yue crouched down, looked straight at her and smiled as he said, "I really like it."

Chu Qiao didn't really dare to look into his eyes, and looked looked left and right as she spoke, "Why are you here again?  It's rather late."

"I missed someone, so I was unable to sleep."

Chu Qiao was a bit stunned as he suddenly said something like that, and abruptly lost the ability of speech.

"That person is very pretty, very adorable, but is a bit foolish.  If I am even a little bit careless and don't keep watch, this person may self inflict wounds; this person gets lost quite easily, easily disappears, is easily kidnapped by others.  So even if I keep a close distance to this person, I cannot be at ease.  If I don't see this person at least once, I'm worried I won't be able to sleep."

Chu Qiao's face was bright red now. Like a thief she quietly looked up and glanced at Zhuge Yue, whispering, "How am I as foolish as you make it sound?"

"Even more foolish than I've said," Zhuge Yue's eyes were sparkling, and he laughed loud and clear when he added, "But I have no idea how that fellow Li Ce could produce such a favored child.  He makes me really worried."

Chu Qiao was stunned, suddenly realizing that she had been played, and used her fist to take a whack at him but Zhuge Yue caught it.

His hand was large and warm as it tightly wrapped around her fist.

She never knew that his hand had such strength, so strong even that she couldn't even move her hand a little.

He slowly moved closely forward, the look in his eyes were like two dark, deep pools.  She was unable to see how the great billowing waves inside churned and tossed about.

His voice was deep and husky as he said softly by her ear, "This is your punishment for making mischief in broad daylight."

As soon as he said it he bowed his head down to kiss her lips.  She suddenly was so nervous she didn't know what to do.  Certainly she had already lived two lifetimes, and it wasn't like she'd never had any experience receiving a kiss, but for whatever reason, every time she faced him she was still always nervous and a complete mess, so much so that she didn't even know where to put her hands or feet.

But, she closed her eyes and waited for quite some time and realized he wasn't moving.  She carefully and cautiously opened her eyes in a thin line, and saw that someone was grinning broadly under the lamplight as he watched her.  Seeing that she was peeking he came forward, his breath on her face as she said, "Were you waiting for me to kiss you?"

"Zhuge Yue!"  Chu Qiao was angry as she shoved him, "You're such a bully!"

He suddenly embraced her, and she was so taken by surprise.  He held her so forcefully that the quilt and the cotton towel both went flying.  He pulled her face over and kissed her hard, binding her ever so tightly, so urgently, as if he wanted to knead himself into her body.

Once, twice, three times….

"Chu Qiao."

He looked at her and suddenly called her by her name.  In his eyes it was as if a large inferno was raging, without blinking, he only steadily said, "Marry me."

Chu Qiao was suddenly astonished.  The lanterns lit up Zhuge Yue's face so that half was in light and the other half hidden in shadow. He looked a bit unreal.  Her ears seemed to be hearing things and she was at a loss as to what to do.  She wanted to say something and she opened her mouth but didn't know how she should answer.

"Xing'er," he said as he quietly looked at her, again calling her by this name.

Her head was a bit fuzzy as she answered, "Hmm?"

"I love you."

As if a bomb had exploded over her head, Chu Qiao felt as though her own face was burning, her body temperature was rapidly rising, and her thoughts felt as though someone had added cement to them, all at once solidifying.  She watched him in a daze.  In her chest there was a kind of happy and flurried thing beating for all it was worth.  Chu Qiao used her hand to rub it, as if it would leap out of her chest if she didn't press it down.

"I've loved you for a long time, do you know?"

His words were light and airy as he spoke to her, as if they were speaking of other people's affairs, without any uneasiness or bewilderment. 

Chu Qiao nodded, "I know."

"Then what about you?" His eyes were too bright.  Chu Qiao felt as if she would suffocate and die. 

She drummed up her courage and whispered, "Me too."

He definitely refused to let it go at that, smiled and asked, "What about you?"

This boat is really small, Chu Qiao thought to herself at this time.  Why were the rooms so small and so hot?  She was almost gasping for air.

"Say it."  He aggressively leaned forward, gently pinching her pointed chin as he said, "What about you?"

"I also,"  Chu Qiao used force to grip onto his fist.  The corresponding tableau of their long and arduous journey came at full speed.  "I love you too."

I love you too….

The sound was so light, all at once it pierced through the night's darkness, and illuminated a smile on his face.  He kissed her forehead and asked, "Since when did you start?"

Since when?

She didn't know.  Perhaps from the time they met again at the base of XiZhao Mountain.  Or maybe it was that time they had released lanterns during the Lantern Festival in Xian Yang.  Or maybe it was when they were under Qian Zhang Lake, and he told her one syllable at a time, "Keep on living."

Or perhaps it was even earlier than that.  From when he held her at Meishan Mausoleum, or that huge and ambiguous misunderstanding in WuPeng City, the mutual support along the road and tacit agreement while fighting shoulder to shoulder, or the tears she shed in Bian Tang after he had saved her from the clutches of Zhao Chun'er.  Or perhaps she could trace it back more than ten years, from that room filled with the scent of orchids, when the unyielding teenager used a white handkerchief to wipe her tears and snot.  It was like this, one action at a time, one after another, willfully, stubbornly, recklessly entering her heart. 

Without any greeting.  Without asking if she consented or not.

"I don't know."

She reached out her hand to straighten out the slightly wrinkle of dissatisfaction in his brow, as she said, "Perhaps it was from a really, really long time ago.  So long that I don't even know.  I can't clearly pinpoint which time it was."

She leaned into his chest and softly said, "Perhaps it was many instances, accumulating a little bit at a time.  I can't remember."

"Such a simpleton."

He hugged her, suddenly laughed, and said, "Actually I can't remember either."

Right, perhaps it was like that.  Neither of them knew which time it was exactly.  Love always came quietly.  When you finally realized it, it had already deeply taken root.

He lowered his head and kissed her, kissed her lips, her face, her earlobe, her neck, extending little by little until he kissed her thin collarbone. 

Chu Qiao's body became softer and softer, bit by bit snuggling up to his body.  Zhuge Yue's body became scorching hot.  The hand at her waist gradually moved upward, exploring further and further.  Like a raging fire, it gradually burned away only her accumulated reason.

"Ya!"

Chu Qiao suddenly exclaimed as she felt the the earth and sky spinning,  and someone embraced her closely as she was pressed sideways across the bed.

More than half of her clothing was already wet, so wearing it and not wearing it was almost the same.

As he looked at her like that, the space between his brows lightly knit together, like he was pondering over something, his eyes were scalding.

She could hear his heavy breathing next to her ear, his wet lips sucked on her earlobe, and she went lip and numb as if an electric shock abruptly aroused her.  The straps on the side of her outer jacket were skillfully undone, revealing her short, beige undergarment embroidered with a yellow bird inside.

Her smooth and rounded shoulders were exposed to the air and it was slightly cold.  Thin and slender fingers lightly swept across them, triggering a slow shudder.  As she lay sideways, a little finger picked, and the straps at her neck slipped away, and her clothes were suddenly falling down.  Chu Qiao was surprised and instinctively pulled them closer, and just as she did she heard a short laugh over her head.

"Shy?"

Chu Qiao strenuously wanted to get away from his embrace, and in a muddleheaded way pointed at the lanterns at the foot of the bed, her voice unreasonably husky, and cried out pitifully, "Blow out the lights."

Zhuge Yue was suddenly smiling happily.  Though he continued to maintain his consistent appearance, he turned his head and didn't make a sound, but there was definitely a upward curvature to the corners of his mouth.

All around it was quiet without a sound.  Occasionally they could hear the sound of waterfowl flying over the river as it flapped its wings.

He held on to her waist and by her ear he spoke low, "Don't be afraid."

The brocade was smooth and sleek.  The instant his kiss fell she was in a trance and drowning.  It triggered a weak layer of moisture on her skin, her body gradually started to boil.  Clothing was removed, layer by layer, until only the coy body was left.

Smooth, snow white, like the colored glaze of a jade, sculpted with superb craftsmanship.  This was territory that no one had ever set foot, swaying with youthful vitality and melodious movement.  He gently covered over it, skin to skin, like a rolling fire, little by little, igniting passion.  

Her breath was completely swallowed, her face pressed against his shoulder.  Abruptly she saw that hideous wound.  Her body froze and produced a cold shiver.

He felt it, and rushed to use his hand to cover her eyes, and he whispered, "Don't look."

She pulled away his hand and stretched out trembling hands to encircle his shoulders, the soft skin of her cheek pressed against the wound.  Her tears flowed down in columns, snaking their way down onto the black and red scar.  Zhuge Yue silently gathered her into his arms without saying a word, and just quietly watched her as she cried.

On the day Li Ce was buried she had sworn she would never again shed tears.  But at this moment, when she saw his scar, saw the place that she herself had stabbed, she still felt awful to the extreme.  She hugged him tightly, as if she was afraid if she let go he would disappear.  Just like that time long ago in that lake, as soon as she let go she was no longer able to see him.

"Zhuge Yue, I'm sorry."

She sobbed.

"Simpleton."

Zhuge Yue kissed her billowing hair, lightly smiling as he said, "I have been scarred by you, so you must now take responsibility for me."

Chu Qiao knew he was joking and she simultaneously sobbed and gave a retort, "The wound, on your shoulder…doesn't count.  It doesn't count as that type of scar."

Zhuge Yue laughed under his breath, his two pupils were black like a deep pond, bottomless, where only her reflection, like a delicate lotus flower, could be seen.  His soft lips gently kissed the tears from her face, murmuring under his breath, "Don't care.  I want you to take responsibility."

The strength of his arms was so powerful it hurt a little, but in that pain she was so happy, like a vast, boundless sea of joy.

How good it was that they still had today.  Once upon a time she had though everything had suddenly come to a halt, ruined in the biting cold lake water, everything coming to a place of no return.

The movements went deeper and deeper, and a fine sweat slid down the forehead.  They were surrounded by the azure waves of the river, with no sound of others.  Presently, time seemed to move directly.  The wind also stopped blowing.  Only the two of them were left behind, united in this beautiful moment.

The side of her lips couldn't help but cry out in discomfort, the pain made her body bend like a bow, and a warm, sanguine smell flowed in between her legs, slightly red, like vermillion.

His movements suddenly solidified, a trace of incredulity flashed between his eyes, and soon afterwards he looked at her deeply, as if piercing through the layers of dense fog, then he looked towards the far lanterns outside, as if seeking the way to go forward.

Her face was so very red, her lips were also swollen red, her hands pulling the bedding, nervously covering her chest.  Seeing his gaze return and wait for a while, without a sound.

Then he suddenly laughed in a way that she had never seen him laugh before.  At first it started with only a slight opening of his mouth, but then he gradually laughed out loud, the sound growing louder and louder, until Chu Qiao felt compelled to place a small hand to attempt to cover his mouth.

He suddenly buried his head into the hollow of her neck, and he whispered, "Xing'er, I'm so happy."

Her thin arms wrapped around his waist.  His figure was quite good, like a Calvin Klein jeans model on TV.  She grinned happily in the dark.  The red candle gradually extinguished, the candle's tears wriggled down to its base.  She smiled as she thought, This is my wedding night candle.

Separated by so many people, so many occurrences, for so long a time; their country's enmity, the hatred between their families, separated by life and death, this life and past life, step by step, and still arriving at today.

She immersed herself into his shoulder, and deliberately let her tears flow.

Translator's notes:  Is it hot, or is it just me?  Our favorite couple has hit a home run.  I'm happy for them.  Now, where's my bucket of cold water?  @__@ 

Now that our couple has united in mind, soul and body, I'm not as much in a hurry to translate the rest of the novel.  I do want to know what happens to them, as I'm sure you all do, but our time with Princess Agents novel translations in English will soon come to an end.  I'm feeling nostalgic so I'll go a bit slower since we're nowhere near Season 2.  I will probably watch Season 1 again ^__^;
  - Kero

Princess Agents 特工皇妃楚喬傳 Chapter 179 English Novel translation

Princess Agents - 特工皇妃楚喬傳

Translator's Notes:  This is by far one of the sweetest Xing/Yue chapters so I translated it from beginning to end.  It's also a great synopsis of everything that's happened to her from the 1st Novel through the 4th Novel, and it gives some backstory and first person POV from Chu Qiao, which is kind of rare since she never really confronts her feelings.  -K

Chapter 179: Be Honest and Open

Chu Qiao had never seen Zhuge Yue sleep like this.  From the time they boarded the ship at Cang Zhou he had slept one day and one night without opening his eyes.  He didn't even know she had opened his door.  Yue Qi added that since they started out from the imperial capital in DaXia, he had never gotten a good night's sleep.  From Xian Yang they switched to the overland route, and he didn't even shut his eyes after that.  Now, he must have been extremely tired.

Zhuge Yue's health was not altogether very good.  These past few days he'd been rushing on the road, and Chu Qiao had seen him take a dark colored medicine pill in private.  When she confronted Yue Qi, he was very vague about it.  Duoji knew a bit of pharmacology and afterwards he told Chu Qiao he must have over exhausted himself, his heart blood was insufficient, and on top of that he might have caught a cold.

Exhaustion, caught a cold -- 

Chu sat in a chair and propped up her chin.  The boat traveled steadily, the weather was good, with neither wind nor waves.  The window was shut but she could still see the rolling mountains one after another as well as the green water through the window paper.

She once again thought of the time she was forced to flee Zhao Chun'er and went into Bian Tang.  She and Liang Bookworm were purchased by the Zhan family as slaves.  At the time she had been injured and the nerd happily ran out to get food in the servant's dining hall for her, and she had been lying alone in a small cabin, looking at the scenery outside through the only window.  There was one day it rained heavily, in her dream state she heard Meteor's whinny.  She rushed out but the big boat took her farther and farther away until at last she couldn't see Jangnan's spring shore throughout the melodious and moving drizzle.  (TN: Zhuge Yue was on that shore looking for her, and that's how he caught a cold before they met during the bath scene ^_^)

At that time, the siblings Zhan Ziyu and Zhan Ziming were still a classic case of downtrodden nobodies, and Li Ce was still alive and well, being a natural and unrestrained crown prince of the Tang Dynasty.  Then, Mr. Wu and Miss Yu and the others also continued to give their all to strive for their ideals. Yan Xun was still her close friend and lover whom she had grown up with and she still had firm confidence in the future.  She deeply believed she could rely on her own strength, together with the help of a group of friends who shared her own beliefs, and do her part for this world filled with devastation as far as the eye could see.

It was unfortunate then that time ended up being this world's most ruthless and murderous weapon.  Li Ce was gone.  Mr. Wu was murdered.  Ms. Yu died in her arms.  Zhan Ziyu's ambition killed all his relations.  The people she once thought were like-minded friends turned out not to be so steadfast or loyal when faced with what was right and siding with the emperor.  Many people gradually left her, and even Yan Xun distanced himself from her the farther he went, until they had become strangers.

Her world fell apart, the hegemony was carried off, and ideals became like ash in the wind.  Past oaths were derided and cast off like weeds on barren soil in late autumn shaking its withered leaves. 

It's true.  Who doesn't change?  Even who she was today, was she still the same as before?

She gently turned her head back.  Zhuge Yue was still sleeping peacefully.  He really was an awkward and stubborn person, even when sleeping his brows were wrinkled.  His pair of always swift and fierce eyes were covered by his eyelids so his other features were more prominently displayed; high nose, thin lips and a well defined profile. 

She had heard that people with faces like his were fickle with shallow relationships.  Except for him, who was so persistent, so obsessive, obstinate to the point of making people fall in love with him.

Zhuge Yue had asked her before whether she had always thought that way or whether she had discovered her conscience and changed her mind?  But in fact, even now, it was difficult for her to answer this question.  The human heart was such a complicated thing.  When confronted with one issue, you could either have ten or a few hundred ideas, and perhaps in this moment you had planned to approach it one way, but in the next moment you have another idea.

She thought that she too had changed.  If she was the old Chu Qiao she would have stayed in Bian Tang, and even if she couldn't really be married to Li Ce, but she could stay in the palace as a guest and protect Li Ce's son until he was a grown up.  

However, after experiencing so much, she finally had her own selfish desires and something she could not put down or throw away.  Bian Tang's court went up in a tidal wave and the previous thousand years worth of sediment covered the royal court.  It wasn't the openly aggressive spearhead between DaXia and Yan Bei, but a really thin, invisible and cold arrow.  It was a scheme wrapped in layers of embroidery in the warm, southeasterly wind.  In a careless moment it could kill people without the trace of a shadow.  (TN: I wonder if this is where the writers thought of Yuwen Yue's ice arrows in the drama…?)

She later learned from the old hands at the Bian Tang medical pavilion had passed on the fact that Li Ce's father had also been killed by his mother.

For so many years, she had always been trying to kill the emperor with poison, assassination attempts, and there were a few times she had almost succeeded. Yet the old emperor always defended her, and did not pursue the matter.  He was once angry and secretly ruthless, he and Prince Luo who took the side of his mother's family had mutually threatened one another, while the emperor expressly favored his other concubines.  She was banned and even went to the Cold Palace three times.  (TN: traditionally the Cold Palace is a dilapidated part of the palace where the queen/concubine lives out her days with few servants and no finery; a place the emperor will never visit)

In the end, he was unable to overcome his own heart.  In his later years he dismissed all his concubines and kept only her as his wife, and he cherished and took care of her to the extreme, and she seemed to be influenced by him, and even gave him a few years of happiness and gratification.

Then, he still died by her hand.  He had been feeding her medicine and accidentally tasted it, poisoned himself and died.

By that time he already knew she had already existed on a deathly ideal.  For many years she had poisoned her own food and took all sorts of strange toxins to counter the effects, waiting for the moment he would be careless.

Thus, the emperor of Bian Tang died at the hands of the woman he loved most in his life.  Although he kept watch over her keeping watch over him for a lifetime, he still could not match her perseverance and patience.

Still he couldn't bear to kill her, and only left a decree that she be banished from the palace and into the monastery, never again to re-enter the palace in her lifetime.  Outsiders only saw the emperor and empress as a married couple in love, but didn't know that before he died the emperor was only trying to protect his only son.

Yet this court secret was known to Zhan Ziyu, and it was he who told imperial concubine Zhan Ziming.  After Zhan Ziming's unsuccessful assassination attempt, he privately took the queen mother from the temple, and with the help of this woman whom no one would dare resist, he killed Li Ce and killed the Li family dynasty's chances of happiness.

After hearing of Li Ce's death, Empress Yun still committed suicide. Chu Qiao didn't know what kind of feelings she had at that time. Was it great joy and relief, or the vast emptiness of a big mistake and helplessness?  She was both a stubborn and extreme woman.  Because of that year's blood debt she persevered for a lifetime, and personally killed the two men who loved her most in the world.  In that last second of her life would she have laughed out loud in absolution?

Perhaps not.  After all was said and done, at the same time she took her big revenge for her husband and son she killed her other husband and son.  For one stretch of enmity, she ruined her entire life, from her beautiful springtime to the ending vicissitudes.

After the death of Empress Yun, she was buried together with the emperor.  The two were resentful when alive.  They fought, secretly plotted, plotted to assassinate, detested, with feelings of gratitude and resentment entangled wholly for a lifetime.  In the end, in that cold and deep underground imperial mausoleum they only had each other for company, and no one else, no other force, had the power to separate the two.

Chu Qiao didn't know what had happened that fateful year and she didn't understand how a person's hatred could be so terrible.  But she would still sometimes secretly ponder that perhaps Empress Yun still had a thread of maternal love for Li Ce.  She thought of the time when the empress approached her on a sunny afternoon, saying, "He wants a dedication to Buddha in the palace…heh…my word….  If you have time, go admonish him.  He is the crown prince of the Tang dynasty, he cannot raise such a ruckus."

However, after the death of Prince Luo, that last bit of love was eventually destroyed.  She finally succumbed to the devil in her heart, and met her death in this royal family that ate their own.

After Li Ce died, Bian Tang fell into chaos, the internal government was a mess, and outside members of the royal family were glaring like tigers at their prey.  With the strength of the imperial royal guard and the XiuLi Army she was able to eliminate the Central Army and remove the Zhan siblings.

Yet as such, Prince Jing'an and the others would never openly deploy troops, and used these types of hired guns to fence in the monarch in a dignified manner.  Sooner or later, appeasement would bring disaster.  A new emperor ascended the throne and at the very least there was no need for massacre.  So Chu Qiao met their plot with one of her own, first allowing Zhan Ziyu take his power, and then like a thunderclap, she got rid of it.

Borrowing the excuse of putting down a revolt, she had rendered a great service in the limelight, and with the support of Sun Di and his group she was able to pull out the groundwork from under them to ascend the throne. She gave Prince Jing'an and his group a reason to raise their banners and deploy their troops, and then she was able to get through all the arrangements Li Ce had set before his death, and take down the traitorous lot in one fell swoop.  Once and for all she was able to solve the civil unrest that had been brewing in the Tang Dynasty for 20 years.  Twenty years later, Yi'er would be an adult and he would have the ability to resist whatever storms may come.

But who she was at this time did not really have any thoughts of staying in Bian Tang after the disorder.

That night Jing Jing baked two of the melons Zhuge Yue had sent over from QingHai.  They had smelled so fragrant, like a whiff of cloud that carried her heart away.  Jing Jing was sitting on a small stool outside, carefully skinning one of the melons, and muttered, "Qing Hai must be very cold, these skins are really quite thick."

Her heart felt a stab, and in her mind she once again remembered that day in the deep, icy lake.  Zhuge Yue's face was so white, and he had written stroke by stroke in her hand, "Keep on living….  Keep on living…."

The human heart really was such a complicated thing, but no matter how many hundred or thousands of ideas in it, in the end, only one decision could be made at a time.  No matter if she would come to regret it in the future, at the very least, she finally obeyed her own feelings for once.  (TN: Thank goodness! She was driving us crazy!)

A rush of soft sounds suddenly came forward and the window was gently pushed open by the wind.  The river breeze blew the heavy curtain and it gently swayed, startling Chu Qiao out of her deep reverie.  She turned her head and saw that Zhuge Yue had at some point already woken up.  He was reclining upright against the head of the bed.  Dressed all in an off-white long gown, he looked refreshed.  His face lacked the habitual chilly solemnity and instead showed a modicum of peace and warmth. 

Seeing that she was looking his way he lightly waved his hand, gesturing for her to come over.

She walked over, poured him a cup of tea, and asked, "Did you sleep well?"

"Mm."  He drank a mouthful of tea, and then said, "If someone hand't snuck into my room and started sighing in despair all over the place, I think I would have slept even better."

Chu Qiao flushed red, and then raised the corner of her eyes to ask, "Hungry?"

He nodded and said, "I was just then, but now it's much better."

Chu Qiao stood up and said, "You've already slept for a day and night without eating anything, of course you'd be hungry.  I'll tell the kitchen staff to prepare something for you."

"No need,"  Zhuge Yue suddenly reached out his hand to hold hers, and pulled her to sit on the bed, saying, "First, sit with me for a while."

Chu Qiao laughed and consented to sit down.

"I've watched you sit in a daze for quite some time, what were you thinking just now?"  Zhuge Yue very naturally held her hand, his palm warm, without letting go.

Chu Qiao shook her head and said, "Some old, irrelevant things."

The corners Zhuge Yue's mouth harbored the trace of a smile, with a light appearance, leaning against the bed, giving her a sideways glance, and faintly said, "I have nothing better to do, let's hear about your old irrelevant things."

Chu Qiao looked at him, and a mischievous streak rose in her heart.  She frowned slightly, her eyes staring straight at him when she slowly said, "I've done a lot of things wrong in the past, and I repeatedly neglected to repay someone.  Now that I think of it, I feel rather sorry towards him."

Zhuge Yue was stunned, not expecting Chu Qiao to say these words at this time.  His shining eyes staring intently at her, and he looked a bit more serious.

Chu Qiao continued to say, "He has always treated me very well, and I had taken his actions for granted, selfishly seized the warmth and the assistance he gave me.  Several times he had gone through life and death to save me.  For many years no matter what kind of predicament I had entered into he never gave up on me.  He gave me hope when I was in desperation.  He went through many difficult days with me, not even asking for anything in return, and I had never thought about what I should have given back to him, neglecting him time and time again."

Zhuge Yue looked at her, the corner of his lips gradually overflowing with a beaming smile, his calloused hand rubbing over Chu Qiao's fingers.

"Since I know that I regret it now, if I promptly reciprocate, I can still make it in time."

Chu Qiao looked at him, her eyes misty and she murmured, "But I'm afraid he will blame me."

Zhuge Yue's hand that was holding hers gradually loosened and slowly moved up.  In his eyes there were a few traces of doting and emotional stirring as his palm lightly touched her cheek.  He smiled as he said, "Who would be willing to blame you?"

"Really?"  Chu Qiao opened her eyes wide, and slyly asked, "Do you think He Xiao will not blame me?  He's followed me for so many years, and I even abandoned him at one point.  He's almost thirty and he has neither home nor wife…."

The more she spoke the more she wanted to laugh, until finally she sputtered and Zhuge Yue knew he had been tricked.  With a tug he pulled her into his arms, pinching her chin, and he said fiercely, "You dare play dirty tricks?"

Chu Qiao smiled, "Your own fault for suffering from unrequited love."

Zhuge Yue cast a sidelong glance anther, his eyes darkened, bringing with it a few traces of dangerous atmosphere that only a wolf would have as he smiled evilly, "Which household taught this girl so little manners?"

"Whose household?  Wasn't it your household in QingShan Manor, Young Master Zhuge?"  Chu Qiao smiled as she said, "Did you forget that it was you who volunteered to teach me how to write back then?"

"Oh?" Zhuge Yue deliberately extended his voice and nodded, "I really did forget.  It seems I have to set a few rules for you, lest you show no respect for your elders in the future."

As soon as he finished saying it, Zhuge Yue suddenly bent down and pressed in close, and a scorching hot kiss covered her lips, carrying with it a trace of controlled boiling.  Mercilessly his kiss writhed on her lips, the arms across her waist were getting tighter and tighter.  The ice cold lips gradually became warmer, lightly probing her lips to open, and a force that was a bit difficult to resist slid into her mouth.  It was cool and refreshing like sweet spring water, but also scorching hot like charcoal fire.

He looked at her with half-closed eyes, a dim, unseen light in the depths concealed by his eyelids.  With great force Zhuge Yue suddenly had her in his arms pressed on top of the bed.  The tail-end of Chu Qiao's cry of surprise was swallowed between his lips and teeth.

"Do you understand?"

Chu Qiao glared at him, ruefully rubbing her already swollen lips, saying, "This is the punishment of your household?"

"Not all."  Zhuge Yue lightly smiled, carrying with it a trace of arrogance, holding his chin high, he said, "There are some that are even more intense.  Want to try?"  (TN: fangirl giggles)

Chu Wiao narrowed her eyes and and eyed the self-important man in front of her.  Then, she suddenly pressed closer, her eyes charmingly seducing him and unexpectedly stuck out her tongue and licked his lip.  Zhuge Yue was suddenly stunned, and before he could react, the woman wickedly bit down hard on his chin like a little animal. 

Zhuge Yue grunted at once, reaching up to feel the little teeth marks she'd already left even though she didn't draw blood.

"Ha!  Don't think I'm scared of you!"

Chu Qiao brandished a fist in demonstration as she spoke aggressively.

Zhuge Yue moved his wrist as if to strike back, and said, "Damned wench, these past years you've gotten more wild.  Now I'm really going to have to properly deal with you."

Just as he was about to move, Chu Qiao was faster, and she agilely jumped away from his side, taking a few steps towards the door.  She smiled as she said, "Do you think I'm a fool?  Bye now, no need to escort me!" (TN: she literally says "bye-bye" in English here)

As she said it, she opened the door swiftly.

At that time she heard a few sudden exclamations of "Oh no" and Jing Jing and the others fell into the room head first.  They rolled and climbed over one another, faces alternating between red and white.  Embarrassed, they rushed to greet the two of them.

The pretty face of Chu Qiao, this victorious general who had once commanded 100,000 troops, turned beet red.  She frowned as she saw Jing Jing and Ping An, and an unexpected Yue Qi following behind them.  Angrily, she said, "Yue Qi, having the two of them monkey around is bad enough, but you also tagged along for fun!"

"Heh, heh, about that, I was just passing by, and I was just going to tell you all it's time to eat, haha…."

Yue Qi stoke up, making an honest face, nodding as he left, laughing as he said, "You two continue, carry on."

As soon as he said it he turned to run out, but before he left he raised a fist to Zhuge Yue and cried out, "Young Master!  You can do it!"  (TN: ^__^;;)

Then he strutted away.

Grinning cheekily, Jing Jing ran over, sweetly calling "brother-in-law."  Zhuge Yue was in an incredibly good mood, and casually took out a small, high quality, forged dagger decorated with little rubies on the hilt, and very comfortably rewarded this astute little sister-in-law.

When he saw this, Ping An followed suit.  Having nothing else on him at the time, he promised that as soon as they made it to the capital, he could go to his stables and pick out any horse he liked.

The two wildly cried out "Long live brother-in-law" three times.  Chu Qiao's eyes burned with fire, and said secretly, Who was it that said Zhuge Yue was old fashioned and not even well known in official circles? He is certainly well versed in how to bribe his way into people's hearts.

Their meal was quickly ready to serve, and because it was outside, and there were young people present, so they casually set one table and everyone sat around it to eat.  (TN:  This is really touching, now Zhuge Yue doesn't have to eat alone anymore at an empty table….)  Yue Qi and the others were inevitably a little restrained, while Jing Jing, Ping An, Mei Xiang and the others observed the class distinctions loosely.  He Xiao was already familiar with Yue Qi and the others.  Only Duoji maintained his dour mood with an icy cold expression.  Jing Jing said at least ten sentences to him but he did not engage.

After they finished their meal, the sky was already darkening.  Yue Qi said that they had already reached Cang Ling and in two days they would dock in Hu Xian Port.  When she heard this information she was slightly startled, since Hu Xian was so close to the imperial capital.

The wind at nightfall was a bit strong, and she sat at the stern of the boat as the sun was about to set.  In between earth and sky it only showed half its face and dyed the entire river a rich red color.

Time passed so very quickly.  In the blink of an eye, she had already passed fourteen winters here.  Many times she thought of her past world, but now she didn't know if she could be considered a modern person who had traveled back in time, or an ancient person with memories from the future.  Things that had happened in the past were like a dream, rushing forward, and then rushing away.

She thought of how she was able to come here and live another life after she had died. So now that Li Ce was dead, would he too go somewhere else and continue to live?  Also Mr. Wu, Miss Yu, Huan Huan and Xiao He, after they died, would they see one another again?  Would they still remember one another?  And what about Zhisu?  She hoped that her sister could live in a time with a justice system, and spend happy and comfortable days in her next life.

She sat there with her rambling thoughts, and gradually her heart became a little broader.  She lifted her head at the sunset and seemed to see Li Ce with a smile reaching his eyes as he looked at her, "You need to eat more meat.  Your figure is truly awful."  

"What are you thinking?"

Zhuge Yue's voice suddenly came up from behind her.  Chu Qiao turned her head and saw that he was dressed all in purple robes, with the word 'blessing' embroidered in small characters.  It was a very simple outfit but when he wore it there was a unique charisma about it, and it looked outstanding on him, clear and handsome, tall and straight.

Chu Qiao gawked at him with eyes wide open, and Zhuge Yue slowly frowned, and said rather uncomfortably, "What are you staring at, like a simpleton."  (TN: awww, he's shy ^_^)

As soon as he said it he sat down by her side.

The snow white froth of the waves rippled in circles around the stern.  Birds flew across the sky canopy, and the sunset was blood red as the river's breeze blew their clothing.  Their cuffs blew like the fluttering wings of large butterflies.

"Xing'er, why did you change your name to Chu Qiao?"

Zhuge Yue asked her, and Chu Qiao turned her head smiling as she said, "Because I am not Jing Yue'er at all.  My original name was actually Chu Qiao, and then something happened and I died.  And then, hmmm, how do I explain it, it's like what you all say in this world, like a 'spirit possessing a corporeal body,' I possessed Jing Yue'er.  So when I escaped, I changed my name back."

Zhuge Yue would never have thought she would answer him like this, and momentarily he was stunned and his expression was extremely astonished.  After a long while he finally muttered, "Then, the first time I saw you?"

"At that time I had just acquired my body for a few days, and I was planning to run away."

Zhuge Yue nodded his head, and then lowered his head as if using all his capacity to meditate on the matter's truth and credibility.

"Hey, you don't really believe me, do you?"

This time it was Chu Qiao's turn to be shocked.  No one would believe this type of story that pushed the boundaries of the supernatural.  She remembered when she was small she had once told Yan Xun, and at the time Yan Xun was still a fresh-faced little adolescent, who thought she was talking nonsense in her fever, and gave her a bowl of hot soup to drink.  From that point forward she never said anything about it again.

"I do."

"Huh?"

Zhuge Yue looked at her strangely, the place between his brows slowly knitting together, "Why wouldn't I believe you?  I did investigate you.  The servants all said that from the time you came back from the hunt you were a completely different person.  At the time I thought it was because you had gone through such a fright, but now that I look at it, your explanation seems a bit more plausible."

Zhuge Yue had enigmatically accepted her even more unfathomable explanation.  He nodded as he said, "So that's what it was.  I had thought it was strange.  Even when I was a seven or eight year old I would not have thought of the schemes or the methods you used at that time.  Of course you weren't even a seven or eight year old child.  That's right, before you died, you wouldn't have been a decrepit seventy or eighty year old, right?"

Chu Qiao found it difficult to follow his jumping trains of thought and she felt a bit foolish answering, "At that time, I was…tw-twenty seven."

"Twenty seven?"  Zhuge Yue frowned a bit unhappily as he replied, "Then you were already so old, you must have been married, or maybe had children?"

"No," she answered honestly and timidly, "We, don't actually consider twenty seven as being very old.  We actually marry late and have children later."

"Then where is your hometown?  Bian Tang?  Da Xia?  You have such feelings for Yan Bei, could it because you were a Yan Bei person?  He spoke up to there and Zhuge Yue's facial expression changed suddenly, and he asked nervously, "You wouldn't be Yan Xun's mother, correct?  No, that's not right, the timeline doesn't quite align, I think she was a bit older."

Chu Qiao wanted to cry on the inside, "We are from another world, apart from yours.  We don't share the same space, but we are parallel, and neither worlds intersect.  There is not only distance in space but also distance in time and it would be impossible to reach from here.  This, do you understand?"  (TN: this is by far the best explanation of this place)

She tried very hard to explain it to Zhuge Yue, and she hoped she could help him by using words he understood, repeatedly trying to give him an analogy but she couldn't find the right words.  But it was obvious she underestimated the power of young master Zhuge's understanding, and the man slowly wrinkled his brow a bit and asked, "So you're saying it's like an apple tree, and we are the spring leaves, while you are the autumn fruit?"

Chu Qiao was astonished.  She never thought he would think of this layer, and she hurried to happily add, "You are half right, but that's not all, because in between us there is still distance, or space.  Do you understand?  Space is…."

"Hm."

Zhuge Yue nodded and said very naturally, "We are the spring leaves of the apple tree, while you are the autumn fruits of an orange tree.  Right?"

Chu Qiao brightened beautifully, and she was dazed for a long time, and finally she nodded in a silly manner, "Correct." 

Then Zhuge Yue turned his head around and continued to watch the rolling river water silently without speaking.  The sunset sprinkled onto his face, reflecting a glittering, golden magnificence.

Chu Qiao could not help but sigh with emotion, seeing this person was so calm, and she was fortunate to see someone who possessed such great wisdom and knowledge in this big society.  So profound, so calm, so without curiosity, very unlike those local bumpkins in your usual time-traveling novels who would ask, 'What do you all look like?' or 'How many eyes do you have?'  Or even 'Do your kind look like beasts with long hair all over your bodies?'  The problem with these questions was that only their world would have people with two eyes and one nose, and outsiders must be covered in fur and have a mouthful of fangs in order to show their own superior mentality.

This was real unperturbed leisure; this was the face of calm even amidst a mountain landslide; this was really someone content to be happy with things as they were and not wallow in self-imposed melancholy.  This was truly what they meant by remaining indifferent whether favored or humiliated, a heart like the bright moon……

"So what do your kind look like?"  (TN: hahaha all that praise wasted….)

"……"

"How many eyes do your people have?"

After someone whose deep silence was finally over and he slowly recovered himself, and was very interested in asking, "Are your kind like beasts, their entire bodies covered with fur?  I once saw someone like that in Nan Jiang, his behavior was very strange.  Could it have been a distant relative?"  (TN: smh)

Chu Qiao took a deep breath and revived her spirit, and began teaching the beginner's course of rudimentary knowledge of the new world. 

She spoke until her mouth was dry, and the sun had already set below the mountains, until a round moon started climbing the mountain peak and the moonlight scattered mercurial light over the waves.   

The river wind blew lightly, and Chu Qiao traveled by ship, suddenly giving rise to a sliver of poetic feeling, with cup overflowing with deep affection, she recited, 

"The sea births the bright moon, 

here in the remotest corner of the world."

Zhuge Yue said a bit coolly beside her, "It's a bit unsuitable for the occasion, since this is a river not a sea."

Chu Qiao frowned, "The river births the bright moon, then." 

Unconvinced, Zhuge Yue looked at her and asked, "That probably wasn't written by you, it was written by someone from your world, and you've just appropriated it haven't you?"  (TN:  ….)

Again, Chu Qiao cried on the inside, was suddenly disconcerted, her cheeks were really red. Look, saying this kind of thing out loud isn't going to do any good….

"Xing'er."

The two of them sank into silent for a while, and Zhuge Yue suddenly called her name, and she irritably responded.  Then she heard Zhuge Yue say without rhyme or reason, "I don't care who you are."

At first Chu Qiao didn't quite understand, but after carefully thinking on it, she suddenly understood his meaning.  She smiled and nodded as she said, "I know.  I will always be your Xing'er."  (TN: ^_^ she just admitted she would always be his)

Zhuge Yue's body was in slight shock. He dipped his head and his two eyes shone brilliantly as he stared at her.  Chu Qiao harbored some regret after saying this and two streaks of blush crept up her cheeks.

Just as she wanted to duck her head she saw Zhuge Yue reach out two fingers and very proficiently lifted her chin.  The depths of his eyes carry a hint of a smile as he said, "Say it again."

She evaded his gaze, with a bit of embarrassment, she asked vaguely, "Say what?"

"Repeat what you said just now."

Zhuge Yue said this very firmly, his eyes carried two swirls of hot flame, not particularly hot, but bright and piercing.

"I am yours, and you also have to be mine."

Chu Qiao plucked up her courage, and steadily said, "In my life, I could sacrifice anything and pay it forward.  But there are two things that no matter what the circumstance I will not negotiate. The first is my beliefs and my principles.  The second is my marriage and my body.  If you want all of me, you have to give me all of yourself."

Zhuge Yue lifted his brow, giving her a perverse look, and asked, "All of me?"

"Oh to hell with you," Chu Qiao pushed his shoulder, and turned her head away, "You're not even half serious."

"Xing'er," Zhuge Yue's arms suddenly embraced her, his warm, masculine scent enveloping her, his arms binding her shoulders tightly, ever so tightly.

"I am very happy," he whispered.  "Very happy."

Chu Qiao leaned against his chest and her heart felt a peace that she hadn't felt these past few years. She turned around and hugged him back as she said softly, "Let's not part ever again."

Zhuge Yue asked, "If you come with me to the capital, you won't be afraid?"

"I'm more afraid of being parted from you.  Every time we part a lot of things always happen.  Like this time, I almost never saw you again."

The situation in Bian Tang City was such a mess, and she was fighting with no possible retreat, as if she were treading on thin ice. If she wasn't careful she would have fallen into the palm of her enemy's hands.  Zhan Ziyu's power was at the time in the grip of the arrogant and despotic.  The bloodshed at Tai'an Gate was chaotic.  After the royal proclamation was conveyed those rushing into the imperial city killed non-stop every night.  Then there was that last battle with hundreds of thousands of people.  At the time she hadn't put much thought into it, but now that she thought on it she did faintly feel fear after the fact.

Zhuge Yue held her against his chest and said in a deep tone, "In the future you will never have to be afraid."

The moonlight was very good, and the two of them sat there for a long while. 

***

After returning to to his room, Zhuge Yue sat on his bed frowning as he pondered for a long time.  He thought that what Chu Qiao said was right.  He should really consider finding an appropriate time to let the two of them to give all of themselves to the other.

Yes.  This was really not a bad idea.  The more one walked the night road, the harder it will be to avoid ghosts.  The more you sleep the more difficult it would be to avoid dreaming.  There must be cleanliness and order in everything one does and one should really connect and go deep into that vital point, and give the final word.  It was time to be frank and open with each other….All of him…thoroughly….. (TN: I can't tell if he's thinking about proposing or thinking about sex, haha….) 

In the middle of the night he suddenly stood up, made a few turns about the room, and then felt that today was as good a time as any.  (TN: hahahahahaha)

Translator's notes:  Is it weird to want Li Ce to haunt her forever?  But as much as I miss the mirthful monarch I'm blushing and laughing at Zhuge Yue's honesty and silliness.  The cold ice block only acts like this in front of the woman he loves.   I'm happy she was frank with him about who she was.  Surprisingly he turned out to be the man who loved her most and the only one who believed her without a doubt.  Our couple is evolving so sweetly!  Get your hand fans ready, the next chapter is very swoon worthy.  -Kero

Princess Agents 特工皇妃楚喬傳 Chapter 178, English novel translation

Princess Agents - 特工皇妃楚喬傳

Translator's notes: Perhaps Chu Qiao should have heeded Zhuge Yue's warning to not get involved in Bian Tang politics.  Though she had no intention of doing anything beyond getting revenge for her best friend, she also feels obligated to stay behind because Li Ce's son was still so young and susceptible to outside influences as an orphaned emperor.  What makes it worse is that the poor child saw his mother commit suicide and still has nightmares.  As his 'auntie' Chu Qiao stays with him she has inadvertently become his guardian.  Everyone looks to her to make decisions for him and Chu Qiao suspects that she is exactly where Sun Di wants her to be.  This is an EXTREMELY long chapter, but well worth the wait because of the reunion at the end.  I'm intermittently summarizing the war/politics and fully translating the interesting parts. - K

***

Synopsis:  Sun Di and Tie You have a heated argument outside of her presence.  The three of them all want what is best for Bian Tang but Tie You confronts Sun Di about the death of the Queen Mother.  Sun Di does not deny that he wrote a letter to the Queen Mother while he was in prison that distressed her so much, it led her to commit suicide when the Valiant Wolf army rushed in to secure the premises.  Sun Di does not deny that he would have killed her sooner or later if it meant he could protect Bian Tang all the longer.  She was a silly woman who would not have been able to capably govern for her son, she would have been heavily influenced by the opposition party due to her relations.  His purpose in killing her was to keep Chu Qiao here, knowing that her loyalty to the deceased Li Ce would make her stay out of obligation.  If she stayed here, she would unlikely marry Zhuge Yue.  If she married Zhuge Yue it was unlikely that the king of QingHai would allow his wife to stay in Bian Tang to govern. This way, Bian Tang would be well protected on both sides with Chu Qiao and her XiuLi Army here, and Zhuge Yue, will uphold the defenses of DaXia against Yan Bei at CuiWei Pass.  Tie You thinks his scheme is improbable, dishonorable and they cannot force her to stay.

Though she promised Zhuge Yue she'd wait for him, things have changed again, and despite Mei Xiang's desperate pleading with her, telling her the dead are already dead and she should not live for the dead, she feels compelled to stay to do what she must.  Of the thirteen letters Zhuge Yue wrote her, she didn't open a single one, partly in fear that his words will make her lose her resolve.  She could picture his stern face and wondered if he decided to scold her, give up on her, or if he still wanted to marry her.  She didn't have the courage to open them and decides to burn them all.  Mei Xiang tries to stop her and as Chu Qiao looks down at the burning pile she notices these words on the curling paper:

You must wait for me…..

…waiting for you….

It was at this time that Sun Di concocts a scheme to help her rule Bian Tang.  They would announce her marriage to Li Ce posthumously.  Since Li Ce had granted her a manor that belonged to his forefather, it was his intention to bring her into the royal family.  Since he died before naming it, they could write down an imperial name to make her more legitimate.  The terms of the marriage would be that if anything happened to Li Ce, then she would rule as Emperor until she gave birth to a son.  Since it was impossible for her to conceive a child by Li Ce, she would simply rule as Emperor.   She would be the XiuLi Wang (Beautiful Monarch).

As she ponders her next move, Chu Qiao has a flashback of the time she spent with Zhuge Yue in the back garden of the inn at Qiu Feng City (conveniently left out of that chapter just so it could be a flashback here):

The heat in her chest cooled bit by bit, gradually solidifying into a lump of sturdy ice.  She absently recalled the words he spoke to her that night.  At the time the laurel tree was swaying lightly, the moon was enchanting, and he turned his head to look at her, his eyes with that clear handsome expression.  He slowly asked, "The road ahead is not yet at its end, and there may be some other variables. Are you afraid?"

The wind blew softly then.  The weather was warm and tepid and her sleeves were bulging airily by the wind, like a butterfly that wished to fly.  At that time she had thrown away all the knots in her heart and she quietly laughed lightly and said she was not afraid.  He smiled gently, a very rare occurrence.  There was no awkwardness, no fit of pique, no bickering, no disagreement.  His smile evolved from his innermost self.  Then under the moonlight he slowly lowered his head and kissed her lightly on the side of her lips, a strong hand rested on her waist, his lips and teeth gently caressing her soft skin and fragrance, allowing him to breathe in many years of yearning and sweetness. 

However, this dream could be over before it even began.

The years in her were already cursed with death by a thousand cuts and isolation.  Her fate was boundless nothingness, just as a raging wildfire over a once burned wilderness; unable to cover, unable to douse, eternally restless, completely without peace.

But at that very moment Zhuge Yue is taking ten days off from his official duties while his family covers for him to go to Tang Jing at breakneck speed without rest.  When he makes it to the ferry at Xiang Yang which is the shortest route he is told it will take 3 days.  At this time, he had not heard that Chu Qiao was about to be enthroned in 3 days, and opts to get there on horseback before then.

Sun Di believes he has the upper hand, having suppressed the opposition to Chu Qiao's enthronement with the threat of force from the armies.  At this time Chu Qiao sends MeiXiang and DuoJi off in a bait and switch throwing off Sun Di's spies, and she goes to meet He Xiao and whispers something in his ear, asking him if he will help her.  Naturally, her right hand man fist bumps her in consent.  And, just as Zhuge Yue makes it to the capital he comes across someone who was racing down the same road to seek him.

The day of the coronation arrived.  Dressed in brocade and finery Chu Qiao feels the scrutiny of the crowd and the very walls of the ancient palace on her.  If she consented, she would control one-fourth of the continent. There was no warmth here, not even the sun was warm.  As the ceremony drones on she recalls the intensity of his handsome eyes and those fierce flying letters in his handwriting, You must wait for me!  Wait for me!

As it is happening, Zhuge Yue is racing towards the city, the bell around his neck continuously sounds, "Remember, I'm waiting for you…"

A sudden explosion erupts at one of the city gates and the messenger announces that Prince Jing'an of the opposition was at the city gates and General Xu Su who was supposed to be countering him suddenly switched sides.  The Minister of Rites fainted and the phoenix seal in his hand rolled down the marble steps.

Chu Qiao confronts Sun Di and hands him a letter, on it written a cluster of high ranking ministers who have been secretly supporting Prince Jing'an, and told him to take care of it.  Several of the ministers in the audience seemed to go pale and Sun Di realized he was seeing this woman clearly for the first time.

She declares she will meet Prince Jing'an on the field, and entrusts the emperor and the city to him.  When he says the enemy of 400,000 outnumber the city garrison of 150,000 Chu Qiao seems certain that General Xu Su will turn again.  That's where we begin….

Chapter 178:  Country's High Stakes Gamble

Sun Di immediately froze.  He stared for a while as Chu Qiao tore off her majestic celebratory costume without much difficulty, revealing the close-fitting silver white suit of armor she wore inside.  (TN: A variation of Li Ce's armor)  Her coif full of pearl and jade ornaments were plucked out and she wrapped her head with a blue scarf made of three thousand silk threads.  Immediately she mounted the horse that He Xiao had brought her and she lead the officers and men of the XiuLi Army, and roared away.

The 150,000 strong imperial garrison soldiers had prepared earlier and were already in full battle array.  The young woman was already in full battle attire, her face no longer showing that deep silence or indifference from before.  She was bathed in resplendent high spirits, like a phoenix reborn.

She raised her sword, lifted her head beneath the city gate and shouted, "Open the gates!"

In that moment, it was as if the world opened its first thread of light, so beautiful that it brought people to tears.

Sun Di watched the towering city gate slowly open, thousands of horses hooves picked up the yellow earth and dust, heading for the battlefield ten miles out in thunderous unison.

The world was a smelting furnace, and all things on earth its fuel, the chaotic world was flowering, and she, she was the sharp sword coveted by all.

The cold wind continuously pierced the air by her ear and she once again recalled what Li Ce had said to her before his death:

"After I die, the imperial court and country will be in chaos.  The Zhan siblings are but paper tigers.  The members of the imperial clan will be the real wolves.  Sun Di is rather extreme, so if there are any abnormal shifts you must not listen to him.  Take the ring I gave you and go first to Han Shui. Once Xu Su sees it he will obey your command.  Tie You's Wolf Army will also heed to your direction.

Qiao Qiao, your life is so full of restraints.  If, because of my death, your footsteps are once again bound, then even when I am in the underworld I cannot rest with peace of mind.

You, must not disappoint me."

She felt a prick in the corner of her eyes and Chu Qiao pursed her lips tightly.  She only saw that the two forces were already engaged in the wilderness before her, with Xu Su leading the charge, his body armored like a god of war, his hand holding a large saber, and large flags behind him that read: Kill the Rebels, Punish Wicked Officials.

"CHARGE!"

The Wolf Army gave out a deafening war cry, and so finally began the first turmoil after the ascension of Emperor Yongjun of the Tang Dynasty.

***

Xun Su had been acting under Chu Qiao's direction to lure the enemy out.  And the world's history records the epic event as follows:

  Prince Jing'an, 57, died at the hands of general Xu Su and the XiuLi Wang relinquished any right to rule, favoring the young Emperor as the rightful heir to the throne.  The Emperor in turn gave her the honorary title of highest imperial concubine, awarding her a hereditary seal of the Tang Dynasty, other treasures and gifts, naming her, "Princess XiuLi."  -- From the Book of Histories, XiuLi Wang, Chapter 127.

(TN:  I love how Li Ce anticipated this would happen and when he hugged her that night while drunk he might have had a premonition that his life was near its end, and so made preparations.  That hug was both an appeal and an apology for asking her to save his legacy.  I love their friendship… the feels!! TT__TT)

Before she leaves Bian Tang she has a heart-to-heart with Sun Di.  She relinquishes her XiuLi Army to live in Bian Tang and flourish there.  She entrusts the country with him as steward until the emperor is old enough to rule on his own because Sun Di has no real military power, he is a high ranking civil servant with no ties to the royal family, and Li Ce trusted him.  Though he is extreme, she knows he is most loyal to Li Ce's legacy.  She gives him a letter from Zhuge Yue and and Zhao Che pledging their support to the new emperor's regime, which will lend him some weight as steward, and tells him all they can do is protect Li Ce's bloodline and the foundations of the Tang Dynasty.  They cannot avoid war with Yan Bei and warns him not to interfere with geopolitics until the country is stronger again.  The people have suffered first under Prince Luo and now because of Prince Jing'an.  He concedes to her wisdom and will fulfill his promise to Li Ce and heed her words under punishment of death if he fails.

*** 

At the bridgehead, Zhuge Yue was fully dressed in brocade robes, sitting high atop his horse.

Fang Chu said in a low voice, "Master, Miss Chu has come."

Just as his voice fell, a team of horses and people suddenly appeared over the horizon, led by a young woman in a white cape, her face smiling, urging her horse against the wind as she rushed over.

"Miss!"

Mei Xiang had originally been sitting on top of rock but as soon as she saw Chu Qiao she happily ran over to her.  DuoJi followed suit and took a few glad steps forward.  In a flash, Chu Qiao and the others were right before their eyes.  She jumped off her horse and she and Mei Xiang embraced.  Half crying, Mei Xiang said, "Miss, I even thought you had lied to me, I really thought you wouldn't come."

Jing Jing, Ping An and the others happily rushed over to Duoji, and the began asking each other about their ordeals.  Ping An of course had to recount the events of the big battle that day in vivid portrayal in a way that made him pleased with himself.  He Xiao, who had no family, did not wish to stay in Bian Tang and instead followed Chu Qiao.  He, Yue Qi and the other guards had not met in person before, but they had mutually heard much of the other's accomplishments, and in little time they became well acquainted.

Only Zhuge Yue stood with a livid expression on the field, coldly watching Chu Qiao who was in the middle of her warm reunion with Mei Xiang, clenching his jaw so hard the two rows of his teeth nearly shattered.  (TN: ^__^; someone needs a hug)

Finally, his inhuman gaze startled that other reunion to pieces.  She smiled and walked over, and just as Zhuge Yue was about to move, she obediently raised both her hands, and cried aloud, "I surrender!  That was the last time!  I promise!"

Zhuge Yue raised his hand to dispatch some small form of punishment on her, but after gesticulating for a long time, he didn't even know where he should start.  Seeing that she had shrunk her neck and closed her eyes shut, and said with awkward anger, "Why aren't you fighting back?"

Chu Qiao opened her eyes, and with a pout, she looked extremely pitiful, "I'm admitting I was in the wrong."

"Do you even know where you'd gone wrong?"  Zhuge Yue's eyes glanced at her, regardless of the subordinates all watching them with amused expressions, unexpectedly, in a nonsensical way, reached out to pinch Chu Qiao's already thin cheeks, saying in a low voice, "You dare not reply to my letters, you've become quite capable, is that it?"  (TN: laughing so hard right now…)

"I didn't have time!"  Chu Qiao made a bitter face as she tried to justify herself.

"You didn't have time to reply yet you had time to burn my letters?"

Chu Qiao raised her head and continued to argue in her defense, "If I didn't make a display of bitter suffering Sun Di would not have believed it.  If he didn't believe it then Prince Jing'an would not have believed it."

"So you even lied to Mei Xiang?"  Zhuge Yue glared at her intently, and very incisively continued to interrogate, "Are you certain that at the time you really didn't think that way?  Are you certain that you didn't discover your conscience at the very end and changed your mind?"

"How could I?"

Chu Qiao cried in grievance, "Am I such a person who waffles in her position?"

As soon as she said it, she turned her head and looked around, indeed discovering that her own subordinates and lackeys were all betraying her, hastily nodding, as if they were saying, Don't doubt it, she is!    (TN: ROFL)

Chu Qiao glared at them in disdain, and hurriedly turned her head, making mental notes to tally all the meal tickets, travel arrangements, free board, spending cash, etc. they all owed her in the future.  "Don't believe any of them, my revolutionary willpower was the most resolute those years I was in the army."  (TN: LOL she's not even defending herself in the present very well…)

Zhuge Yue glanced at her with disdain, gleaming with stubbornness, "I count you as sensible, otherwise I would have brought my soldiers to destroy his lair, and see whose princess you could become."

As if.

Chu Qiao whispered that in her heart, but on the outside she was still very tactfully said, "Still, how could I?  I stand by what I say, I would never back out of my commitment to you."

Zhuge Yue's held his head high in a very puffed up manner, his male self-esteem was greatly satisfied.  (TN: she plays him like a fiddle….hahahaha)

"Waaaaaaaaah!"

The sudden cry of a baby came from the carriage that had traveled with Chu Qiao.  Zhuge Yue and the others were shocked and Chu Qiao quickly ran over, opened the curtain to the carriage, revealing two nursemaids carrying a 4-5 months old baby boy.  The baby had just woken up, and at the moment was doing his obligatory course: crying.

Chu Qiao quickly held the child to her chest, very skillfully trying to coax it.

"What is that?"

Zhuge Yue's facial expression sunk into negativity as he asked coldly.  (TN: as soon as she declares her commitment he finds out she had a baby, hahahahaha)

Chu Qiao looked at him incredulously, and replied rather straightforwardly, "A baby."

"I know that," Zhuge Yue's temper became more and more unstable, asking angrily, "Whose baby is that?"

Chu Qiao realized she had not yet explained it to everyone, and said, "This is Li Ce's third son, his name is Li QingRong, but perhaps later on we will have to give him another name.  His mother was Zhan Ziming.  Before he passed Li Ce left him in my care, saying he was afraid the child would come to harm in the palace, and so entrusted him to me to take him out of the palace."

"That's Li Ce's son?"

Zhuge Yue frowned and eyed the baby, only seeing that its lips were red and its skin white, his eyes were very dark, at the time he was holding back his grievances and was playing with the tassels of her cape.  His small eyes shifting wildly as he babbled, just like his old man who had passed.

His heart felt a bit desolate, and just as he was about to say something, the baby suddenly saw him, and his dark eyes rolled around, and it suddenly opened its mouth and released an earth shattering cry loud enough to wake gods and frighten ghosts.  It waved its hands and feet wildly, obviously out of sorts to the extreme.

"What's wrong? Why do you cry?"

Chu Qiao asked bewildered, and Mei Xiang ran over asking the nursemaids, "Is he hungry?"

The nurse maids shook their heads hastily, saying he had just eaten.  Mei Xiang turned over the baby's swaddles and did not see he needed to be changed.  Chu Qiao suddenly arrived at the conclusion, turned to Zhuge Yue and said, "Children probably dislike you."

Zhuge Yue turned blue and asked angrily, "Why would it hate me?"

"Just go farther off and try, it's probably you."

As someone who really could not accept it, he furrowed his sword brows asking, "Why? I didn't even hit him?"

"Some people are just very unpopular, and it's possible you are such a person."

"It's true, brother-in-law, just go farther off, perhaps Rong'er saw you and got scared."  Jing Jing said from the side, adding oil to the fire and vinegar to the wound. 

"Why would that be?"  Yue Qi said quietly with very little effort to protest, actually trying to defend his master out of loyalty, "The young master actually looks very amiable and easy to approach, affable and genial…."

Unfortunately, even he didn't think it worth the effort and his voice got smaller as he spoke.

Finally, Zhuge Yue went far far away after being elbowed out by the crowd, and Li QingRong suddenly stopped crying.  Although he had just been crying wildly, now, though he was taking some time to calm his small sobs, he was already smiling a little.

After a while, the group of people suddenly erupted into laughter, and the little guy was playing with Yue Qi's sword hilt, and then desperately gnawing on Yue Qi's shoulder.

Zhuge Yue sat on a rock far far away from it all, looking at the crowd from a distance, his mind full of unspoken criticism: Damned whelp, just like your old man.  (TN: haha, the rivalry lives on!)

At some point in time, Chu Qiao ran over to him, and sat closely next to him.  Yue Qi and the others were the type of men who need only move their feet to make the world tremble, yet they continued to be sent into a flurry by a baby boy.  After a while they heard Mei Xiang scolding, "Aiyo, as soon as a child comes you just want to leave.  When I say hold him, just hold him!"

Chu Qiao hugged Zhuge Yue's arm, and rested her face against his shoulder, sighing with relief, "It's finally over."

"Tired?"

"I'm fine."  Chu Qiao closed her eyes, and golden red colors sprinkled across her face, with a layer of dazzling light.  "I was afraid you would worry and all the while was at odds with myself saying I had to go faster, and hurry up."

Still rather resentful, Zhuge Yue continued persistently to ask, "Why didn't you read my letters?"

"I didn't even know if I was going to succeed."  She raised her head slightly, and smiled directly at Zhuge Yue, "I didn't have any confidence at the time, I was afraid I would fail, or I would die, afraid that if I read your letters I would have no more courage to continue to persevere and be strong."

Chu Qiao's smiling face was like a flower, and in her life it seemed she rarely smiled like that, without any worries or burdens.  She smiled and said, "You are my weakness.  You could make me lose all my resolve."  (TN: and she is his weakness...)

Zhuge Yue looked at her, his face gradually softening.  He reached out his hand to pull her waist closer, his voice low and deep as he said faintly, "By my side, you don't need to be strong."

As soon as he said it, he lowered his head and kissed her on the lips.

"Oooh!  For shame!"  

They suddenly heard Jing Jing cry out.

The heavens and earth were so vast and expansive, in the season of late autumn, a palette of bright yellow splendor.

The wind blew from far away, blew across the bell, and it quietly murmured:  Remember, I am waiting for you.

I am waiting for you…. I am waiting for you…  Forever…. I will be waiting for you…..

"Zhuge Yue, why didn't you go into the city?  When I was going to be a princess the outfit I wore was so beautiful!"

"Just wait, wait until I give you something even more beautiful in the future."  (TN: as his princess… ^__^)

"If you say it, it has to count."

"It will count."

"Hehe!"

….

Translator's notes:  Here ends the story arc for Li Ce.  We are approaching the end of the novels, friends, only 12 more chapters!!   Then we can all scour the web for the lost novels and read other people's blogs!!!  hehe.  Has anyone heard anything about Season 2? What will we do before that?  Oh, the torture! 

So Chu Qiao finally stays by his side, a little earlier than anticipated, but we shall see what they can accomplish together.  And if the other summaries are any indication, it gets a little hotter after this!  ^_^  You were all warned…..  -Kero