Princess Agents - 特工皇妃楚喬傳
Translator’s notes: I really missed Chu Qiao and Zhuge Yue so I came back to the novel to do more translation.
This chapter is mostly politics and the story of the imminent downfall of DaXia. Chu Qiao, who used to be at the forefront of the story, now takes her position as an observer of things happening with and around Zhuge Yue.
I have to say, these characters stimulate my imagination and I really want to see them to the end to give myself some closure. I really want these two to find their happy ending.
Chapter 184: With You I Am Fearless
In the blink of an eye, it was already the end of the year. Even though this year wouldn’t be counted as a very favorable year, but on the surface, the capital city still maintained a splendid and peaceful atmosphere. Still half a month from the spring banquet, the capital’s governor called off the city curfew, and by the authority of the council of elders, he reduced the merchant tax for the period of the new year to promote merchant trade, to help the emperor’s economy prosper, published in the emperor’s name on the imperial edict. The outer province officials entered the city to pay homage together giving praise and honor towards officials with outstanding merits during the year.
Just like that, within three days, the capital city regained its past elegance. Under the government’s deliberate conniving, this new year was particularly extravagant as the wealthy families from countryside entered the city proper. Inside the capital were ten miles of fanfare with colored satin draped along the trees, and the sound of song and dance rising and falling. No matter how disorderly it was on the outside, how imminent the border war, the people of the imperial city were still immersed in a sublime dream of the Heavenly Court. (TN: As a side note, the emperor is known as a ruler by divine right, a son of heaven, so in Chinese tradition, his court is an extension of court in heaven.)
A winter wind, icy and violent, blew past the city, carrying a befuddled and warm, southeasterly breeze towards the distant north.
However the war with Yanbei at the northwestern border had indeed become more tense. Zhuge Yue slept later and later, and often he practically stayed up all night. The dripping wax of the candles in the study dripped down drop by drop, creating layer upon layer of liquid red ripples upon the candle holder that reflected his increasingly unpleasant facial expression. His tall and straight back was rather like the shaft of a sturdy javelin.
Three days ago, Chu Qiao finally saw Zhao Che again.
It had still been snowing that day, preceded by non-stop snowfall for four days, creating an accumulation at least two feet thick. Walking through it nearly buried their legs up to the thigh. These past few years Chu Qiao’s body had remained weak, unable to endure the cold. She lazily refused to go out and mostly stayed in her chambers the entire day, dozing off.
That evening, the sound of Zhuge Yue’s laughter carried over from far away. She was reclining on a soft divan and gently frowned, but happened to open her eyes. She felt a chilled breeze on her face and lightly shivered. Pulling off the coverlet draped over her, she slowly stood up. Soon after, she saw a smiling Zhuge Yue pull aside the hanging curtain and say, “Xing’er, look who has come.”
As soon as he said it, following behind him someone entered the bed chamber.
Zhao Che entered with the light at his back, dressed in crow black, long robes with no embroidery or adornment, low keyed and quiet. He still maintained that style, although he seemed a bit taller and thinner, but his face was unchanged. His eyes no longer had that arrogant and obstinate look of years past. They had changed to look deep and serene, like a cold and calm winter pond. Even though he was smiling, in that smile there was a small portion of aloofness and caution.
Very placidly he gave her greetings, still the same as ever, slowly nodding, followed with a light smile, “We meet again at last.”
As swiftly as flowing water, food and dishes from the kitchen flowed onto their dinner table. Zhao Che had brought QiangHu wine from the north, which was very pungent and spicy. As soon as he opened it their noses caught the sudden fragrance of heavy alcohol. He and Zhuge Yue drank and laughed together, recounting in detail the battles and situation of the past few days. Occasionally they made impromptu comical gestures and remarks, mixing in a few jokes with mutual disdain.
Zhuge Yue had few friends, and in this world there was someone who could talk to him like this. Perhaps with the exception of this man before him, there was no one else who could. Chu Qiao quietly sat at one side, nursing her drink and listening to them tell of things past, with unflattering anecdotes from when they spent their youth in the military together. After having grown up, they each thought highly of themselves up until the war suddenly started, the government and the people decayed, and the smoke of the alarms blew free and easy in all parts of the country. The imperial power faded and they gradually came together.
They each were of noble birth, their status aloof, their hearts with ambitions large enough to swallow the sun, their minds talented enough to run a country. They were both stubborn and obstinate, young with lofty sentiments, but willfull. Neither of them did this for the country, nor for worldly recognition. They were both proud and aloof to the extreme, their characters persistent, and both were rebels in the eyes of their clans, set aside as different. They were both born into splendor, both stripped of that same splendor, both having had to climb back up from the mud and dirt, step by step back into the center of power. However, though their hearts were forged from iron, it was difficult to conceal their warmth and sincerity after all. Male friendship, especially after such a long time, left things unspoken like this.
Chu Qiao quietly sat to one side, rarely seeing Zhuge Yue glowing with pride and happiness like this, and even more so, had never seen Zhao Che speaking so freely and uninhibited. (TN: Chu Qiao probably feels like a third wheel to this bromance… -__-;)
In a daze, she seemingly saw two poplar trees who had withstood wind and rain, standing shoulder to shoulder, slowly growing into two towering, age-old trees.
Another shadowing image crossed her mind unconsciously, of those dark days of her youth, those unconstrained, dangerous days. While Zhao Che and Zhuge Yue were standing shoulder to shoulder deep in this world’s sea of people, she had also once hacked her way through a road of brambles and thorns with someone. Only after a while, they no longer could reach the same goal on their divergent paths.
That night, Zhuge Yue indeed became quite drunk. His ability to drink had never really been very good, but he had always imposed self-discipline. Except that night, facing a reunion with an old friend, he had been a bit free and easy and quite forgot.
Chu Qiao was well aware that he was really very tired. In recent days, there were large snow storms in the northwest, poor harvests in the southwest, and one third of the country was awash with starving refugees. The grain and clothing regulated to them were exploited by the local government officials and their families, causing long delays before even reaching the hands of the commoners who needed them. Zhao Yang was the center of power in the imperial west, but he allowed the pubic greed of his subordinates and indulged their clans in order to win the support of the upper classes. Within a half month, 200,000 westerners died, and over a million people fled south, east and even northwest. Before the gates of Yang Ming Pass, Tang Hu Pass and the Shao Pass, there were large numbers of refugees who didn’t have enough to eat. Hundreds of people died of starvation daily, but the emperor would rather spend his riches on repairing his palatial buildings. With the coming spring banquet, he was unwilling to send troops to deliver food for a way for these people to live.
Zhuge Yue had written more than ten petitions, but with the exception of a few untitled government officials, no one in the government, literary, or martial circles cared to support him. All his written memorials were ignored, his admonishing edicts were bundled up. The government and the people were respectful and submissive on the surface but they indulged in creature comforts. The elders of the council were like a group a decaying locusts, and they only had eyes for whatever their large hands could reach. They only let the local officials sing their praises and turned a blind eye to actual disaster. He told them that the local disasters were serious and more than 200,000 people had died in the western region. They told him that the realm of DaXia was ascending, that the people lived auspicious and happy lives and he was therefore speaking nonsense.
He told them that at the points of YanMing, Tang Hu and the Shao Pass there were gathered hundreds of thousands of people fleeing disaster. If they still did not relieve the congestion there would be a public uprising, and that would breed great disaster. They responded that the three passes were strongly fortified, and outside the gates were miles of fertile land, a broad and level expanse. There was law and order in the local townships, the people were honest, and there was not a single pickpocket or bandit to be found.
He told them DaXia’s moment of capsizing, to survive or perish, was approaching, that the elders deceived themselves and others; that the court and government were without direction; while the local officials embezzled insolently and if they were not punished, great chaos would ensue. They indeed reneged and framed a case against him, claiming he was assuming importance by amassing troops, manufacturing the chaos of the court and commons, and monopolizing power into a dictatorship.
The disputes within the government were like a pot of boiling gruel, while the common folk were dying everywhere at every moment. They pointed out the submission of the populace under the umbrella of merit and virtue, and in long epistles sang praises of the emperor’s kindness and love. The government was peaceful and righteous, the blessings of DaXia’s throne was boundless and unbroken. Then they turned and accused him of not having any evidence, and of slandering the government for no reason.
Evidence?
She had heard he was in his study yelling at a few prominent generals, so angry that his cheeks were steeled in fury, and his eyes were like lake water, rolling with waves.
They turned a blind eye to the dense and dark mass of refugees outside the three passes, to the countless dead corpses across the land in all cardinal directions. Nowadays, they were deaf to the heartfelt cries of the sorrowful that shook the earth. They had indeed deceived themselves and others holding onto land that was corroding beneath their feet and praising it as the best. And they ridiculed him for not having evidence?
(TN: the author uses the phrase, 米虫进献的万民伞, which refers to a paper umbrella, most likely bound with string and rice glue, that was traditionally given to a favored official by his people when he left his district as a token of gratitude. A “May you be protected from rain and foul weather” sort of thing. But here, the author refers to the umbrella as infested with bugs (rice weevils), most likely eating away the glue, as the people are dying and the officials continue to deceive themselves. It is a poignant political commentary indicating that the prosperity of a kingdom is nothing if the people are suffering).
That night, before going to sleep, he had gone silent for a long while. Then by her ear he gnashed his teeth and said if he could take a sword and cut away all the bugs in one swing he would.
He said it in such a low and suppressed tone, it caused Chu Qiao to shiver as if a layer of frost was climbing up her back. She reached out her arm to embrace his waist, lightly touching his upper arm only to feel his muscles pulled tight, his fists clenched, and his skin was as cold as solid ice in the forests on top of Mt. Long.
However, Chu Xiao knew that he could only say it. Even though he was so inclined for a moment, even though his position was advantageous, even though his held military power, even though he was estranged from his House, there were still some things, still some people, and still some responsibilities he simply could not ignore.
Though the emperor was supposed to be a dead man a while ago, but these days he was getting better. His mind was clear and occasionally, he would even attend court.
For this ruler who had held his seat for many years without being deposed, no one dared look down on him. In these many years, he seemed to always have the same tendencies. Anytime, anywhere, exhibiting a passing interest in politics, but in the moment anyone dared to take a half step forward, he would unleash devastation upon them. Fourteen years ago, the King of Yanbei was such an example.
However, people were starting to wonder again, since the emperor was old after all, and was not an immortal god. Now Zhao Che and Zhao Yang were in a position to fight over who can better please the emperor, who can know the emperor’s mind more, and who had the most wins over the other. Now, the emperor was happy over the state of things. In this moment who would dare to replace the ambiance with scenes from the disaster in the southwest to ruin his mood? Even Zhao Che had no choice but to suppress his critique of the situation in the west.
At that time Zhao Che was not in the capital city, and Zhuge Yue had been a single tree propped up as a center of resistance. He had the backing of the Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce as well as the merchants and large households to supply him silver and grain to be transported to the three passes. But it was, after, just a drop in the bucket.
Once, the soldiers at Shao Pass made a mistake in the food distribution, and because the grains were scarce to begin with, the rice porridge was too thin. When the people confronted a soldier about it he was heavy handed, which led the refugees to counter with a small scale riot. Soldiers and civilians fought, about 30 soldiers died while about 50 people were killed, and nearly 100 others were injured.
When Yue Qi came to the manor, Zhuge Yue had been in his study. It so happened that Chu Qiao was also present. She never asked about Zhuge Yue’s affairs, but they occasionally crossed paths, and Zhuge Yue never kept her in the dark. (TN: unlike Yan Xun…) It was because of this that she had heard the slander the officials were saying of him on this matter, and heard of the blasphemy and the complaints of the people outside Shao Pass. With darkened expression Yue Qi repeated what they said word for word, that they had scorned him for embezzling their relief supplies, cursed his black heart as a blood sucking dog official, saying he intentionally wanted the people to suffer, and cursing his cruel and unscrupulous line to die without heirs. (TN: harsh…)
He listened all along, his face without a single change, but what he was unwilling to say to Yue Qi his eyes could not hide.
After Yue Qi had left, she didn’t dare go to him. The cold afternoon sun that day lightly sprinkled across his face that was getting more gaunt. He sat on his chair quietly drinking his tea as if nothing had happened. But Chu Xiao noticed that the base of his teacup was gradually leaking water, and even though the white jade tea cup was still in his hand, a crack had suddenly appeared along its side.
Yes, they were dying. They were hungry. Natural disasters and man-made disasters had come one after another, and the people had no way to live. They government was still corrupt and siphoning money. They should be cursed. But the people did not know the court had already given up on the matter. No one would heed the exploitation by the local officials. The reports were forcibly suppressed. The official response was that all matters would be delayed until after the Spring Banquet.
Every bowl of porridge and every meal the refugees ate was was derived from the sale of Zhuge Yue’s various estates and properties throughout the land. A man as proud as he was, lowered himself to appeal to the merchants of the capital, and asked them to join together and assist the people through this disaster.
He was too tired. Tired to a point beyond his limit. That is why he drank until he was drunk, bemoaning the stupidity of the emperor at the table, decrying the incompetence of the court, calling Zhao Yang an idiot and threatening to separate his head from his body this very night. (TN: Zhuge Yue is an embarrassing drunk…. -_-;)
He was really drunk. To the point of being a sorry mess.
That night, Chu Qiao personally escorted Zhao Che, also drunk, to the door. But as soon as he crossed the threshold the seventh prince who was just staggering underfoot suddenly stood up straight from the waist. His eyes were no longer dazed as he quietly said to her, “Go back inside, and take good care of him.”
Chu Qiao watched him, standing quietly without saying a word.
There was a trace of coolness in Zhao Che’s expression as they stood opposite one another, and vaguely it seemed they had gone back to a time many years past. At that time, the national power of DaXia was strong, its standing was first of the three countries, and he was the proud imperial prince. She was the eye-catching instructor personally appointed by the emperor, standing in front of the loud military camp as she once said to him indifferently, “If you leave the camp today, you will die.” (TN: this refers back to a scene in book One)
How was life so bizarre?
At the time, they had both harbored their malicious intentions, they had both taken precautions against one another and were plotting against each other. How could they expect that one day they would stand entrenched together and become comrades in arms?
“The situation has come to this, and I am powerless to stop it. If it goes on like this it will become a revolt against all of DaXia. Right now, we still don’t have the strength.”
Zhao Che spoke in a low voice, his face unwavering.
Chu Qiao no longer looked at him, and turned to leave, (TN: LOL, girl still gives 0 F*…. ^__^;) but Zhao Che suddenly called her name from behind. She turned, and saw his earnest expression as he said, “Old Fourth is a good man. Don’t let him down.”
Chu Qiao’s gaze gradually narrowed, a faint trace of light flashed through them like the glint of a sword. She slowly opened her mouth and whispered, “You also.”
Her meaning was ambiguous.
He was also? Also what? A good person?
No, Zhao Che understood exactly what she meant, but she did not wait for his response. She turned and left. Her body frame was light and thin, as if a sudden gust of wind would blow her away.
He is a good person, so don’t disappoint him.
The sky was a pitch-black canvas, full of starlight. The wind blew from a distance. He breathed it in deeply and could smell the hunger that came from the west.
When Chu Qiao returned to the room everything had been cleared away and there was no trace of Zhuge Yue who had lain drunk on the bed. She walked all the way back to the study and opened the door, only to see him clear eyed, getting back to the matter at hand and writing with a passion as soon as he sat down by the bookshelf.
She watched him silently for a long time; watched as he finished writing, sealed the letter with wax, and then slowly walked over, kneeling by his side. She took one of his hands and bent over to rest on one of his knees without saying a word.
The candles in the room burned quietly, from time to time a spark would sizzle, and break the silence. The aroma from the incense burner rose and became a fine smoke. His dry and slender fingers gently stroked her long hair.
“Xing’er.”
He whispered her name. His voice was weighed down with tiredness and hard work. But that was all he said, and nothing followed.
Her cheeks rested against his thigh, and she was surrounded by his scent. Her voice was like layers of gentle waves, quietly echoing in the room. “I completely understand.”
His knee trembled, and he held her hand even tighter.
Yes, she did understand everything. She understood his hard work and his fatigue. She understood his disappointment and disdain for everything around him. The emperor was muddled. The princes were embattled. The ruling government was corrupt and incompetent. The various institutions of the empire were dying. After going through the hardships of war, after personally witnessing the suffering of the commoners, after reversing his fortunes and coming out from the wilderness, how could he bear to continue watching the ugliness of the country and its officials?
However, persistently, he was still a part of this battle. It’s just that he used Zhao Che’s superior position to cast aside all innocent thoughts. But now, before seizing everything, he had to experience such a cold winter. He didn’t even know what would be left after they stood atop the white bones and skeletons. After they brought down their enemies, what would be left of the world?
Civilization would be destroyed, the people would be slaughtered, the armies would be snuffed out, the country extinguished and what would be left was perhaps only them, facing the smoke and ash of a smoldering and devastated land, with thousands of lives buried by this battle.
Shifting politics, what was the meaning if after battle they destroyed everything and at such a price. Would they be able to pay it?
“Xing’er, I’m really not a good person.”
He said it softly that night, just as dawn approached. (TN: does anyone else find it odd that he’s always watching her, no matter where she is? It was like that when she was talking to his grave when she thought she was alone, it was like that when he watched her as Li Ce took her away from the battlefield. He never lets her out of his sight, not even when drunk, lol.)
***
The next five days were so dark that it shocked the whole country of DaXia, and, even the whole continent.
The refugees outside of the three passes finally rioted. They captured the manor of the ruling clan and looted the grain and money. Because of hunger they begged. When that didn’t work they stole. When that failed they robbed. When that wasn’t enough they rebelled.
The officials forced them to rebel, and the people had no choice but to rebel.
Hundreds of thousands of unarmed refugees took wood and stone to pry open the gates of the manor and ignited a bonfire in the thick soil of Western Yunan. Countless died in the chaos. The officers and men in the Yunan region seemed thin like paper paste and were as fragile as shafts of wheat. Despite the repeated reports that the chaotic force was extremely strong, and they were being led by extremely capable leaders giving them pointers here and there. No one believed it, and they all laughed it off as pretext and sophistry.
The officials were shocked, in succession reporting the events to the throne, but how could the hundreds of officials in court report it to the government now of all times, and report it to the emperor? They could only secretly dispatch the army to placate the chaos.
But, the great Minister of War, Zhuge Yue, asked in return, “The empire has ascended in the world, and the people of the west have just become a part of its prosperity. How could they commit treason and heresy by rebelling? Surely, this is the biggest jest in the world.” (TN: Zhuge Yue did not want to send the army to crush the rebellion and kill more people than necessary)
As a result, the issuing of troops was delayed, and delayed, and the chaos in the west became more and more pressing. On the 24th of December a fast messenger horse entered the capital. The rider was covered in blood, in his hand he had a report from Cao Chang Qing, and he vomited fresh blood and collapsed onto the Imperial Road.
The city was shocked. At the forefront, the emperor was furious, yelling and cursing at the court. On the spot he deprived Zhao Yang of the title of Master of the Western Provinces. Zhao Che did not benefit from any of the turmoil. On the contrary, it was the one who hid the key facts, the Seventeenth Prince, Zhao Yi, who led the army into the southwest to quell the chaos. Zhuge Yue, who had prevented the immediate dispatch of troops to stop the chaos was punished with house arrest. Several times, Zhao Che went to plead his cause and was dismissed by the emperor.
However Chu Qiao knew the origin of this turmoil. When Zhao Che went to the manor and saw Zhuge Yue, he suddenly was furious and called him a madman. Zhuge Yue nevertheless showed a smile and hooked an arm around his shoulder, saying “I only wanted to leave you some capital when you ascend. If they are all dead, who would you lead as emperor?”
In the civil strife of the western Yunan region, there were countless deaths and injuries, and seven or eight of the ten large families of that clan ruined, with 80,000 dead in the revolt. But as Zhuge Yue had said, 80,000 in exchange for millions of lives saved, the exchange was really worth it.
Yes, it was worth it. The southwest clan was destroyed, Mu Xiao Gong’s power was greatly diminished, and Jing Han was also affected. Zhao Yang had angered the emperor and was cut off. Though Zhao Che had no derived any benefit, but he also lost nothing. Only Zhuge Yue was forced into house arrest to reflect, and for the time being, he retreated from DaXia’s political stage.
Everything seemed to go according to his plan. But Chu Qiao clearly remembered how in those few days, every time he heard some people somewhere had been massacred en masse, where the rich had been shackled and thrown into dungeons, where defenders had been completely annihilated, where commoners had dropped into the grass, and the over the top news was nothing but bandits and murder and the like, his nights were sleepless, and how extremely worried he was. Everything had to be perfect. If there was any slight deviation, if the people he sent could not restrain the chaos, could not avoid the local militia, could not incite some of the soldiers into armed rebellion, then the entire result would have been bloody and muddy, and the entire southwestern region would be engulfed in the vast flames of war, and the consequences would have been disastrous.
What they said about him was right, he really was crazy.
She was worried that he would be discouraged be depressed because his power was wrested from him, but indeed he was the one comforting her instead, saying he would finally be able to spend the end of the year with her.
The spring banquet finally arrived, and the arrogant former Minster of military affairs was left out in the cold, but inside the court laughter was rare.
Although the the news of the chaos in the southwest had passed into the capital, it did not affect the excitement and fanfare of the emperor’s big celebration day. The streets and alleys were noisy and the government coordinated with local wealthy businessmen to set off fireworks in the square. The laughter of children penetrated the heavy wall and blew in with the gentle wind into their lofty mansion.
Starting from three days prior, Zhuge Yue had ordered new decor for the entire manor. Scarlet red lanterns were hung up high to follow along the doors of the entrances of the winding corridor, the flowers outside the windows were a brilliant red. Meticulously and carefully, the serving maids cut out various patterns such as the Canopus constellation representing the God of Longevity, XiLing’s deer of longevity, the eight immortals crossing the sea, the goddess Guan Yin, and thousands of other auspicious pictures. They put out potted red flowers, lending color and extravagant aromas everywhere, and the servants changed into new clothes, a riot of more red, in one jubilant horde.
Zhuge Yue also resumed his way of life and work, reverting back to the days of Qingshan Pavilion. He had always been a self-disciplined person and did not partake in the bad habits and pastimes as other sons of wealthy households such as hunting and riding. Now that he was free, his days were spent more leisurely, he was careful to take care of his body, and presently spent his time reading and planting flowers. Every morning in the early hours he was forced by Chu Qiao to exercise and build up his physique, the two of them learning from each other as they exchanged views of their skills. One by one they competed with sword, spear and bow staff, always attracting the attention of the servants in the manor. After a while, seeing Zhuge Yue had no reaction, they each in turn grew a little braver, and occasionally would applaud and shout out praise when witnessing one of them execute a brilliant move.
The days passed tranquilly and smoothly like this, as if they were in the quiet of the storm, calm enough to make a person nervous. (TN: hate it when the author throws out ominous metaphors like this….)
The New Year came in this kind of quiet atmosphere. She put on a new dress, brilliant red, all around its color enviably bright and beautiful. The person reflected in the mirror had a face that shone like the rosy dawn of the three spring months, as if it was filled with endless joy and hope overflowing in the silk. Zhuge Yue stood behind her, wearing a misty cyan blue robe, looking dangerously handsome. He randomly selected a gold hair pin adorned with a bright pearl and skillfully wound up a spring green silk sash around her head, inserting the pin in the gap between her bun and hairline.
Chu Qiao looked at herself in the mirror and was momentarily embarrassed. She had never seen herself like this. It seemed from a a very young age she had decided that women wearing read and green were extremely tacky, then, after being tossed about from place to place in her youth she was less inclined to dress up. But wearing it today, it felt as though layers warmth came upon her a bit at a time, like ocean waves. Her cheeks were bright like spring peach blossom, or like autumn crocus, and even her brows and lip line displayed a joy and warmth that could not be concealed.
Though she originally though it tacky, she no longer held that opinion.
Mei Xiang stood to one side and watched her with a smile, her face full of joy. Zhuge Yue stepped forward lazily, smiling at the mirror and said, “You really are exceedingly beautiful.” (TN: The phrase 倾国倾城 literally means the face of a woman lovely enough to cause the fall of a city or state, devastatingly beautiful, or in Western terms, a face to “launch a thousand ships.”)
Chu Qiao pushed him aside in embarrassment, her ears tinged red, and said, “You exaggerate. Stop speaking nonsense.”
Zhuge Yue smiled as he gazed at her, saying, “I was speaking of myself. What were you thinking?”
Furious, Chu Qiao reached out to pinch him, Zhuge Yue dodged to avoid it, and said to Mei Xiang, “Look at your household’s miss. She flew into a rage just because I didn’t praise her.”
Mei Xiang smiled but did not retort. The sun outside was extremely warm. Far away there was the sound of firecrackers.
Over the many years, this was Chu Qiao’s most peaceful New Years. She even cooked and taught others how to wrap dumplings. She even wanted to enlist Zhuge Yue, but a certain someone exerted male chauvinism as he looked down at her in disdain and walked away. (^__^;)
They ate the New Years dinner, set off firecrackers, and hung the lanterns. Zhuge Yue ate the dumpling with the red date in it, and the servants came to give him New Years congratulations. He was in such a good mood he rewarded them with gifts that flowed like water, and the entire manor was filled with the sounds of happy people thanking his generosity. The gates of Zhuge Manor were closed, and all those who came up were blocked off outside. Only at midnight Zhao Che sent people to bring two jugs of good wine. Chu Qiao and Zhuge Yue drank it together. They drank until Chu Qiao’s head was dizzy, and in her drunken stupor she fell into Zhuge Yue’s embrace.
The servants were setting off firecrackers outside, and the popping sounds carried inside, full of jubilation. In her stupor Chu Qiao seemed to see Li Ce’s smiling fox eyes, and she reached out to grab it, only to grasp thin air.
She was really drunk but her head was so clear. She remembered the years she passed in her own time, her friends at the academy and her colleagues from the military department. She remembered her white-haired grandfather. She recalled the years she spent wildly running and enduring hardship, and the several times she wandered into life and death situations. She remembered Mr. Wu and Miss Yu. She also remembered Jing Zi Su and many others who had died or were still living, as well as Li Ce and Yan Xun….
Happiness came so quickly, it had made her worry about personal gains and losses, and everything felt as though it were a dream.
She buried herself in Zhuge Yue’s arms, her nose filled with his pleasant scent like birch leaf pears. Her eyes were slightly wet, and she lifted her head and looked at his handsome profile, and with bright eyes she suddenly said, “Zhuge Yue, I love you.”
Zhuge Yue was stunned. He lowered his head. Even though they were surrounded by servants, her voice was so loud it even overwhelmed the sound of the firecrackers. Stunned, everyone had turned their heads to look at her. But she completely ignored them and simply said in a loud voice, “Zhuge Yue, I’ve fallen in love with you!” (TN: face palm…she is even more embarrassing than he is when drunk…)
A southeasterly wind passed through the hall, some people snickered low. Jing Jing and Mo’er’s laughter was heard from far away. Her cheeks had turned charmingly red, her eyes seemed to gather water, her gaze was direct. In the span of half a year it seemed as though the face of the beautiful girl of seventeen or eighteen had returned. (TN: recall back to the time they met again, before she left for Yan Bei) Just like that, she looked at him so directly, her smile beaming, her face written with the word ‘happiness’ in bold letters. (TN: it seems the damage wrought by her many trials and by Yan Xun were finally smoothed over, with Zhuge Yue’s love and care.)
With a ‘whoosh’ the wind blew past her ear, and she was suddenly lifted up in the air and unceremoniously carried. Then, in front of everyone’s stunned faces, Zhuge Yue grazed a few bites from the table filled with dishes, and turned to retreat to the bed chamber.
The quilts on the bed were all new, all in red, the color of happiness. On them, layers upon layers of embroidery. There were mandarin ducks on the water, the cowherd and the weaver girl, there were magpies and the goddess Guan Yin to grant children. A warm sweetness seeped through everywhere.
His eyes had darkened, revealing traces of fiery temper as he pulled open his collar and resolutely stared at her. He said in a restrained voice, “Little siren, I will never again give you wine to drink.”
As soon as he said this, he bowed his head to firmly kiss her lips. His breath was hot like fire, strong like a flame, and wherever he kissed, she went limp and numb.
The corners of her eyes were smiling as she hugged his waist and enthusiastically responded in kind.
Romance hung low, surrounded by brocade; the long night was noisy. (TN: *blush*) Outside, it was also filled with the sounds of lively laughter.
There were too many unpredictable variables in life. You never know when the storm will come, or how big the waves will be, or whether they will overturn everything you have. Some feelings that had been bitterly suppressed, those words that had been hidden for so many years, those emotions that were kept inside, had finally found a way out. Everything is unpredictable, and all that can be done is to cherish what is in front of you.
The splendid brocade, the billowy curtain flying every which way, she lay upon layer and layer of luxury, clinging to his body. Emitting a fine sweat, both her body and mind were satisfied and worn out, she recoiled back into his arms. Across his shoulders she looked out the window, separated by a layer of window paper, in the far-reaching heavens beautiful fireworks were faintly visible, wreaking havoc and wandering across the sky.
Whatever happened in the future, she would no longer be afraid.
Tranlator’s note: That got hot really fast…. Hahahahah, wasn’t expecting it. ^__^; Hope you enjoyed it. Seven chapters left, plus one epilogue…. Game of Thrones final season is coming back this month, so I will definitely be distracted. But I will put up the next chapter as soon as I can. - Kero
