The beautiful man who was kicked flying in the courtyard had then been “Aiya-Aiyo”-ing. When he got up, there are already a few dead leaves tangled on his loose hair. His porcelain-white-like-jade cheeks were also stained with some mud. His gorgeous embroidered clothes did not look very dirty in comparison due to its valuable inky blue1The RAW: 贵重的墨青色. Some of you may be confused about the ‘valuable’ color, it is indeed written like that in the RAWs. You might have heard that there are some colors that are considered expensive (even now there are ‘expensive’ colors), back then vibrant colors and black were considered valuable colors, only worn by nobles or wealthy individuals. As for the the 青色, nowadays it is the color green (blue is 蓝色), but back then there is no blue (蓝). Blue was also called 青色. I chose to use blue here because… well I don’t think inky dark green fits in such a setting. color.
A beautiful man who was full of charm as a jade was kicked flying like this, whatever his image was like, everything turned into nothing.
The imperial guards on both sides of the road buried their heads, looking solemn and respectful, their expression wholly showed “I had seen nothing.”
Ah Nan spirit went 囧囧, even the two maids following behind her, Ru Cui’s and Ru Lan’s jaw went slack. The Momos of Su Wang Mansion looked upwards at the sky, looking as if they were busy with many things.
Wen Liang nimbly pushed his long hair that was hanging from his chest to the back, plucking the withered leaves tangled on his hair in a few strokes, gracefully used a handkerchief to wipe his face, then straightened his clothes. He finally restored his previously fine, outstanding, and charming young master of the mortal world appearance, as if the one who had been kicked flying before was not him. In a short moment, he went back to the gorgeous and elegant man, looking full of smiles, truly as charming as flowers, making one sigh, worthy of the capital city’s most beautiful man.
“Ba Ning, you are way too enthusiastic~” Wen Liang flipped open the folding fan, fanning it gracefully, complaining a little. He saw that Chu Baning’s expression was the same as usual, not even looking at him, he could only pretend to sigh sorrowfully and followed along behind him, looking a little bit like a little wife.
The two of them quickly saw the end of the corridor, a lady adorned in gorgeous palace attire and two beautiful maids were waiting there.
Wen Zixiu slowed down his steps, walking and shaking his folding fan gracefully. A pair of affectionate peach blossom eyes looked at them as if they were the world’s most beautiful sight, already entering his heart—Ah Nan’s mouth twitched, finally knowing why this man can make all boudoir ladies in the capital city fell in love at first sight and insisted to not marry after their goodbyes, truly a person who possessed great seduction nature2The word used in RAW was 实在是太具有欺骗性了. 欺骗 (qi pian) here means to deceive or cheat, 性 (xing) can mean natural character or sex/sexuality. So here it can be understood as Wen Liang having a seductive nature or being a deceitful person..
If it weren’t for seeing his sorry state just now, seeing such a man as charming as a flower would probably have made her heart melt.
Ah Nan led the two maids forward to pay respect. Ru Lan appeared expressionless, eyes looking straight, while Ru Cui buried her head, stealthily laughing but still followed and respectfully paid respect.
“Wang ye, you have come back!”
Chu Baning walked with his sleeves held back, nodded, and said to Ah Nan, “Wang fei, Zhen Guogong’s little young master, Wen Liang. Zixiu, this is my wife, Lu Shi3氏 is added usually used at the end of a married woman’s surname (clan), usually outsiders would refer to them as (clan) Shi. For example Wei Shi, Liang Shi, etc..”
Wen Liang elegantly and charmingly nodded towards Ah Nan to greet and pay respect, and then said in a charismatic masculine voice, “Wen Zixiu greets Wang fei.”
“Young master is polite.” Ah Nan returned the greeting, expression a bit unenthusiastic.
No matter how elegant and charming Wen Liang is, no matter how hard he tries to save his own image, Ah Nan has imprinted that image of her family’s Wang ye Fu jun kick flying action towards him, without the slightest attractive charm. No matter how she looks, she just wants to laugh. In order to avoid laughing, Ah Nan didn’t even glance at him, her gaze was only on her Wang ye.
“Speaking of which, an apology is due. When you got married, Zixiu was at Tongcheng dealing with Bei Yue people, and only returned to the capital city a few days ago, didn’t know that Wang ye’s wedding ceremony was already over.” Wen Liang said with a face full of depression, as if it was such a regrettable thing. “Zixiu is deeply sorry for being unable to attend your wedding. Being able to see Su Wang get married in this lifetime, Zixiu feels like he can now die without regrets….” Wen Liang said, as he lifted his sleeve to his moist eyes.
“…….”
Ah Nan: =__=! This girl4She really referred to Wen Liang as girl (丫) is really courting death! What a fucking performance5The RAW was 特么的会演戏, the 特么的 (te me de) is a modification of 他妈的 (ta ma de)!
Wen Liang’s speech could influence6煽情 (bian qing), literally stir-frying emotions, meaning able to emotionally influence people or stirring up emotions. emotions, even almost saying that Su Wang was his son, that seeing him blissfully happy made him, an old person, able to peacefully live his remaining life span… Chu Baning’s expression became darker and darker. Ah Nan secretly twitched her lips, thinking that there are also talkative men around. Chu Baning should open his eyes wide and take a look, this is what a nagging mother and grandmother looks like, don’t think only women are naggy.
“Wang fei, this is the wedding present Zixiu prepared for you, a little bit of sincerity, not worth mentioning.” Wen Liang handed a small embroidered box.
Ru Lan approached and took it, Ah Nan superficially7皮笑肉不笑 (the skin smiling, the flesh not smiling) smiled, saying, “Wen Gongzi is considerate.”
After Wen Liang sent the gift, he started to shake his fan again. With a noble young master look, he calmly said, “Wang fei don’t have to be polite. Zixiu had known Wang ye from childhood and grew up together. We are fated friends. Zixiu’s belongings are also Wang ye’s, Wang ye’s belongings…..”
“Shut up!” Chu Baning can no longer listen.
Could this girl8Remember that Ah Nan sometimes refer to Wen Liang as this girl (丫) really want to say “Wang ye’s belongings are also his”? No wonder the old housekeeper doesn’t like him, Ah Nan also realized she doesn’t like him.
Ah Nan quickly interjected, saying, “Wang ye, Wen Gongzi, the banquet is ready.”
Chu Banning nodded, leading Wen Liang straight to the main hall. Because men and women must not be together, Ah Nan commanded the servants to serve the food and drinks, and then bowed to Chu Baning and Wen Liang before leaving with the maids.
“Wang ye, Wang fei is actually quite virtuous. Why does everyone outside say she is an envious woman? Unexpectedly dare to return the women bestowed by the Empress Dowager to the palace?”
From afar, Ah Nan heard Wen Liang’s question. This person’s voice is really charming9The word used was 魅惑力, meaning so charming it has the power to confuse people., just listening to his voice can make a woman fantasize.
“…..Rumors should never be trusted!”
“Hey hey~~ Really can’t you….. Ah Ah——If you want to hit, don’ hit the face, I only have this good looking face!!!”
Ah Nan clenched her fist, secretly cheering, o(≧v≦)o~~ Wang ye, beat him good!
Ah Nan glanced around, chose a secluded corner, leaning against the wall not far from the main hall. Ignoring Ru Lan’s disapproving expression, she hurried the two maids to keep watch and then perked up his ears to eavesdrop.
A few moments passed, Wen Liang’s broken hearted voice once again heard, “……. I say, Ba ning, who would be the us two’s partners ah? How could you suddenly get married? Even if you get married, shouldn’t you tell me? I know you have your own responsibility, but I also won’t stop you from getting married…”
Ah Nan’s heart twitched as she listened, thinking, Every man has a gay friend10基友 (ji you) means same sex friends who are incredibly close, but it can also be used to refer to gay partner. I translated it here as gay friend to fit the… atmosphere! It looks like Chu Baning’s gay friend is this Wen Liang.
“No need!” Chu Baning voice sounds gloomy yet very calm.
“How could it be not needed? Baning, you obviously know I think of you….”
Then, no more sound was heard.
Ah Nan cursed heavily in her heart, Your sister! What do you want to say? Don’t sully my family’s Wang ye ah!
“Ao——Gentlemen use their mouths not violence. Chu Banning, you are not really a gentleman, different at the mouth. Your action today is not that of a gentleman….. Ah Ah, quickly let go. My hair would be plucked off by you. It’s really not easy to grow it to such length….”
……………
Ah Nan almost scratched the wall off, inwardly roaring, “In the end, what is going on aaaaaahhhh11The RAW was actually no 啊啊 but 这到底是肿么回事嗷嗷嗷 (ao ao ao, like wailing)? Could it be that her rival in love wasn’t just women but also the capital city’s number one man? What kind of a mess is this ah!!
“Wang fei?”
Just as Ah Nan was inwardly cursing a certain bad man who wanted to bend her man, a careful voice sounded. Ah Nan was startled, turning around to see the old housekeeper standing not far away, looking at her strangely. Her two maids who were supposed to keep watch, stood there with their heads hanging down, like two pieces of wood.
Ah Nan cursed heavily inwardly, decided that she would definitely work out a “Code of Conduct for Professional Maids” for them when she went back. She must cultivate qualified, standardized, and reliable maids whom the master can share troubles with. Not this kind of maids who couldn’t even keep watch properly.
Ah Nan smiled awkwardly, kept touching the wall, saying in a low voice, afraid that the people in the main hall would hear, “Hehe, Housekeeper Qin ah, the paint on this wall has fallen off a bit. Let’s call some craftsmen to repair it another day.”
The old housekeeper replied solemnly, “Understood, Wang fei doesn’t need to worry, leave it to this old servant.”
Ah Nan nodded reservedly, leading the two palace maids to walk away.
The old housekeeper respectfully bid farewell, waiting for the figure of Wang fei and two maids to disappear. The old housekeeper looked around, reached out and stroked the wall, then tucked his sleeves in, copying a certain someone’s posture just now, and pressed his ears.
Listening for a while, he heard the voices coming from the main hall. The old housekeeper inwardly let out a sigh of relief, only then feeling relieved enough to leave.
“Ai ya, why are those two leaving already? What a pity ah~~”
In the main hall, a handsome and elegant man slowly shook his folding fan, a smile on his face, and smilingly said to the solemn man who was slowly drinking wine across from him, “Housekeeper Qin is still the same~~ Sister-in-law Furen is also interesting~”
Chu Baning glanced at him, saw his romantic look, and scolded, “This kind of astonishing immoral look, is this appropriate?”
Wen Liang retorted with a smile, “Life is so short, what harm is there to indulge yourself for a while?” he said. He turned his eyes, then said enthusiastically, “Before, everytime I came here, housekeeper Qin guarded against me as if I was a thief. Unexpectedly, after you married a wife, he is still guarding against me so tightly. Hehe, and there is still your wife, really fascinating….. Are the Imperial Chancellor’s daughters all this distinguishable12与众不同 (yu zhong bu tong, literally different from the crowd), meaning to stand out among the masses)?”
“……..”
“What a pity that I did not marry a Lu family’s daughter. Not a Lu family’s daughter is also fine ah, as long as she can satisfy me…. With such an interesting beauty as a companion, a lifetime will not be lonely!” Wen Liang sighed regretfully, then recalled that young girl just now, even if she isn’t remarkable, but she is round and sticky, smiled purely and sweetly, just like a cute snow ball, really made one feel amiable and wholeheartedly feel happy.
Chu Baning placed his wine glass on the table and looked at him with deep and cold eyes, snorting, “Please restrain your eyes for Ben wang. Dare to turn around, Ben wang don’t mind poking it blind.”
Wen Liang let out a big laugh, popping his folding fan open and shook it, “Chu Baning ah Chu Baning, turns out you also have such a day!”
Chu Baning gazed coldly, “Is Ben wang’s name13名讳 (ming hui) or taboo name refers to a person’s (someone with a lot of authority or high rank) name being unable to be casually mentioned. For example, Chu Baning is always referred to as Su Wang here, or Zhen Guogong whose surname is Wen but you don’t know what is his name. You also rarely hear an emperor’s name, they are usually referred to by their title. something you can call?”
“I can’t mention it, then could it be that only your beloved Wang fei is allowed to call?” Wen Liang mocked, completely ignoring his solemn expression, the person relaxed and comfortable.
Chu Baning frowned, saying solemnly, “What kind of behaviour is this? It’s no wonder Zhen Guogong threw you to Tongcheng for training! If you don’t change your conduct, if there are any accidents in the future, Zhen Guogong won’t be able to protect you!”
Wen Liang lifted the wine jug in his hand and drank big mouthfuls, but he smiled unrestrainedly, “It’s just a cheap life, never mind it gone!” Seeing Chu Banning’s disapproving gaze, he shifted the topic and said, “Alright, let’s get to the point. Wang ye, when will the emperor issue a decree for you to escort food and grass to Tongcheng?”
“In two more days.” Speaking of business, Chu Banning straightened his back and said, “The route has been drafted. This transportation of grains must be foolproof, there is no room for accidents.” With that, Chu Banning explained the route in detail and asked, “Do you think this route is feasible?”
“There is no problem with the route, just that…. Hehe, there is one more thing to consider, you know. That the Bei Yue court can no longer wait!” Wen Liang shook his fan, expression restrained, reducing his romantic flavor by a few points, looking noble and deep, extremely charming, “Wang ye, our spy in Bei Yue has received information, Bei Yue’s vanguard general, Alkai14The RAW was 阿尔凯 (Ah-erkai) had already found out this batch of grain and grass will be transported to the border. They have planned an ambush in Tiandie Valley, a thousand kilometers away from Tongcheng to rob this batch of rations.
This move, for them, can be considered killing a few birds with one stone15一举数得 (one move, gain all), came from 一举两得 (one move, got two). Not only will it solve their problem of rations and fodder to survive winter, but also dealt a fatal blow to our court.”
“Their courage sure is great!” Chu Baning’s face was gloomy, he coldly looked at the sky outside the window. After a long pause, he said, “This matter still has to be discussed with the emperor. Perhaps… we can play tricks and capture them all in Tiandie Valley.” Chu Baning tapped on the table surface, saying softly.
“Hehe. This plan is also great, I really like it!” Wen Liang smiled, pleased.
The two men’s eyes made contact and parted, then each of them pondered by themselves.
******
Ah Nan led the two maids to her dwellings in the Shuangrong courtyard, grumbling to the two maids for not protecting their master, making her lose face a lot.
Ru Lan frowned, her master’s character was already shameful enough. Unexpectedly, she even caught someone off guard by doing something so 囧. She, as a maid, was also very embarrassed ah.
Only Ru Cui dared to retort, “Xiao jie, who asked you to eavesdrop? Didn’t you know that was a public space where it is easy for people to appear?”
Ah Nan angrily said, “You still talk nonsense! That was obviously a secluded place where few people walk, it must have been you two dead maids like wood poking like a sore thumb there that made the old housekeeper come!”
“Xiao jie, I had already given you a signal, it was you who didn’t see it.”
“Pei16呸 is onomatopoeia for spitting, you signalling behind my butt, how could I have seen it?” Ah Nan retorted angrily.
“Xiao jie, you are bullying people….”
Ru Lan saw that the two master and servant were speaking more and more unreasonably, so she quickly stopped them. If they want to quarrel, wait until they are in the room to quarrel. Couldn’t they see that there were still some Momos cleaning around?
Arriving at the Shuangrong Courtyard, Ah Nan became increasingly frustrated. At the same time, she was also worried that her Wang ye would be coveted by that obviously ill intentioned Wen Zixiu. On the other hand, if her Wang ye really run to indulge in beauties outside, it would be too late for her to cry.
“Xiao jie, where should this gift be put?” Ru Cui asked as she held the embroidered small box in both hands.
Ah Nan saw that it was the wedding gift given to them by Wen Zixiu. There is an impulse to throw it away directly. After some thought, she decided to let Ru Cui bring it over and see what he had given them.
When Ah Nan opened the brocade box and saw what was inside, she took a deep gulp of air.
In fact, it was not just her, the two maids, Ru Cui and Ru Lan, had the same expression.
In the brocade box, a ginseng laid there quietly, complete from head to the roots, still well preserved. Ah Nan has never seen ginseng with such a large root in both her past and present life. This ginseng may be several hundreds years old. Moreover, such a large ginseng, let alone being rare among the common people, it is rarely seen even in the imperial palace. It has a price but no market. Suddenly seeing—furthermore even belonging to herself, Ah Nan felt—pleasedly dizzy.
Ginseng is a good thing ah! It can save lives, prolong lives,even hang lives ah!
“Wow, what a big goblin17 地精 (di jing)!” Ru Cui stared at the ginseng in the brocade box with bright eyes and said excitedly, “Xiao jie, this goblin seems to be around a thousand years old. Even the Imperial Chancellor Furen may not necessarily have such a big goblin. Ai ya, Master Wen is really a good person, unexpectedly willing to give such a precious thing as a gift~~” Ru Cui generously sent a good person card to Wen Liang.
“Goblin?” Ah Nan clearly blanked for a moment, and then remembered that ginseng in ancient times was also known as “yellow ginseng,” “goblins,” and “divine grass.” People in this world are more accustomed to calling them “goblins”.
Ah Nan was overjoyed18心花怒放 (literally heart flowery, freed from anger), fully agreeing with Ru Cui’s statement. Wen Liang is indeed a good person ah~~~
Translator’s little theater:
Ah Nan: My good person card is not cheap!
wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1