RVW – Chapter 31

TN Warning: A little 18+ content ahead!

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Ah Nan’s eyes, full of love and affection, lovingly measured the ginseng. Such an unpromising appearance made Ru Lan turn her head, what remains unseen, the heart doesn’t grieve over¹眼不见为净 (literally what the eyes not seeing deemed to be clean), here referring to Ru Lan not wanting to see Ah Nan’s stupid appearance. Together with Ah Nan was a certain someone with the same conduct, the maid Ru Cui. This servant girl was now similarly drooling²垂涎欲滴 (literally drooling with desire) over as she looked at the ginseng.

“Xiao jie, if we sell this goblin, we will be rich!” Ru Cui said as she wiped her saliva.

“Good for nothing³he word used here is 没出息, it literally means ‘No hope’ as in ‘there’s no hope for you.’ It can be translated as good for nothing and unpromising (as I have translated above regarding Ru Lan’s (joking) thoughts of Ah Nan)!” Ah Nan pretended to hit her, “This is a good thing that can save lives, even a thousand gold may not be able to buy it. You actually said you want to sell it, truly no insight!”

After teaching the stupid maid with no insight a lesson, Ah Nan carefully put the ginseng back into the box and solemnly handed it over to Rulan to be put away properly. Who knows if one day she has to rely on it to save life. Afterall, medical treatment is still backward at this time. Even considering the miracle doctors, they may not have the capability to perform surgery, really making one anxious ah.

Ah Nan tried hard to suppress the excitement of wanting to use a part of her baby⁴In case you don’t know, 宝贝 (baby) can also mean treasure., then remembered what happened when she entered the palace today and immediately asked An Momo to come over.

“Wang fei, what do your esteemed self need from this slave?” After An Momo came, she immediately paid respect.

After Ah Nan called out, she smiled amiably, full of kindness, and said, “An Momo, Mu hou told Ben gong during the visit to the palace today, the two ladies Hua Yi and Feng Ya in the winter storage room may follow Ben gong’s arrangement. You see, is it possible to return their Hu tie⁵户帖 (hu tie), literally household sticker. During the Song dynasty, this Hu tie is actually a document containing detailed information of the household and their properties ownership, usually used for the government to issue tax payment. The role of Hu tie seems different in this novel. back and give them some silver money as a punishment?”

In this era, all palace maids had something called “Hu Tie“, which could be considered as their identification proof and work permits. If one wants to punish⁶The word used here is 谴走 (literally punish and leave), basically means they are punished by being relieved off their duties, I can’t find the right words for it. them, it’s not just about giving them silver, but also returning their Hu tie to them, which can be considered as lifting their status as palace maids and making them a commoner.

An Momo absolutely loathes the two palace maids. These two are lacking in awareness of the current circumstances and inability to weigh their worth made An Momo dislike them from the bottom of her heart ever since. Even if they were bestowed by the Empress Dowager, at the end they are still slaves. Wang ye did not promote them, aren’t they only allowed to stay at a corner? Just because a palace maid accidentally died, these two dared to arrogantly make demands. Even if it was because they are afraid the next one to die would be them, this kind of behaviour is still infuriating. Speaking bluntly, these two are, in fact, still slaves servants, their lives worth even thinner than paper, they can be casually killed if the master is unhappy. Still dare have a complaint?

Even though An Momo didn’t know why Wang fei would ask for her opinion on this matter, but she is a person who does her duties and has no opinion of Wang fei’s method of punishment. In addition, it’s good if those two were punished to leave so that there are no annoying people left in the mansion. 

Regarding the commotion these two people caused, Ah Nan did not tell Chu Baning about it. Housekeeper Qin and An Momo, the two insiders, also remained silent. In this way, they tacitly understood and handled this matter.

Ah Nan calling over An Momo was to hand the dealings of the matter to her. Naturally, Ah Nan decided to tell Chu Baning first tonight, and if he had no objections, the matter would be settled like this.

Not long after, the banquet ended and Chu Baning returned with a strong alcohol smell on his body. 

As soon as Ah Nan approached, she smelled waves⁷薰头 (literally smoking head) means to be exposed to certain things (like the smoke was put onto your face) of alcohol, smoking her head dizzy. She hurriedly came to support the man who clearly had drunk a lot.

“Ah Nan, Zixiu is drunk, you tell someone to take him to the guest room and get him sobering soup⁸醒酒汤 (soup that dissipates the effect of alcohol), not sure what the english equivalent is, because to my knowledge hangover medicine was to prevent hangover.…..”  Chu Baning sat leaning on the bed, face slightly flushed, covered his forehead with hs hands, and said slowly. “Wu….. also send him to his usual guest room in the west wing…..”

Upon hearing this, Ah Nan’s lungs were filled with burning anger, thinking, ‘turns out that girl is unexpectedly a frequent visitor.’ He couldn’t have pulled all kinds of reason to her family’s Wang ye to go watch snow, moon, and stars talking about life ideals~~

Ah Nan’s thin as a thread of goodwill for Wen Liang due to the big ginseng was once again lost.

Ah Nan secretly harboured various kinds of silent curses, but on the surface she still respectfully agreed in response. Although Chu Baning’s voice seems clear as usual, but he is somewhat sluggish, clearly he had also drunk a lot. Ah Nan first instructed Ru Lan to find housekeeper Qin to handle the drunkard in the main hall as Wang ye’s instructions. She then ordered Ru Cui to cook the sobering soup while the Momos went to fetch hot water.

Ah Nan reprimanded the maidservants and Momos to withdraw from the room, and went over to wring a hot towel herself to wipe the man’s face on the bed.

Chu Baning leaned against the bed, his black eyes half open, full of dazzling misty water. His scholarly elegant face was tinged with a faint blush, really a feast for the eyes. Ah Nan’s heart beat faster, she felt that at this moment, her family’s Wang ye is even more alluring than the capital city’s most beautiful man. Fortunately Ah Nan has already driven the maids away, if not they would have seen Chu Baning’s appearance right now. Not only would the prestige of Su Wang be gone, but would even cause the females to let their imaginations run wild ah!

“Really, why drink so much alcohol when there is nothing to do…” Ah Nan complained softly, like every ordinary wife who couldn’t help but say a few words when her husband drank too much.

Chu Baning lazily leaned against the bed, his voice full of seductive allure. “… It was Zixiu, that wine ghost, who insisted on pouring Ben wang’s wine. Ben wang don’t like drinking, alcohol and lust are harmful things…..”

Ah Nan startled, then stared at him. Seeing his expression serene, her heart relaxed. When Ah Nan realized the meaning of his speech just now, her face was covered in black lines, thinking inwardly, Wang ye, how old are you ah, repeating the concept of “alcohol and lust are harmful” this thoroughly? Should she be happy?

Ah Nan wiped his face with a hot towel and then took off his outer robe. Ah Nan effortlessly took off his outer robe along with his shoes. The drunken man was really quiet, cooperatively raised his hands without Ah Nan asking.

When Ah Nan leaned over wanting to pull the blanket over to cover him, Chu Baning suddenly reached out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her. Ah Nan’s person laid on his chest, suddenly a masculine scent accompanied by the smell of alcohol rushed into her nostrils.

Ah Nan was made dizzy by the scent and wanted to struggle, but both of Chu Baning’s strong arms pressed against her waist, making her unable to move.

“What’s wrong?”

Chu Baning picked her up, made her whole person lie on top of his body, then lifted her face and kissed her red lips….

Ah Nan’s eyes widened, immediately struggling. Her mouth was blocked, leaving her no way to speak, and could only shout in her heart. Hey Da ge, it’s daytime now ah! Aren’t you the most disciplined and upright Su Wang ye? Daytime indulgence of debauchery goes against sages’ teachings aaahhhh!!!

“Ah Nan, don’t move around.” Chu Baning frowned, obviously not liking someone’s lack of understanding⁹不识相 means being insensitive or untactful, here it refers to Ah Nan not recognizing Chu Baning’s desire to do *ahen* something with her, directly turned over to press Ah Nan under his body.

“Wang ye, now is no good, it’s daytime….” Ah Nan whispered, there are still maids outside.

“You are so noisy!” Chu Baning lowered his head, directly blocking her mouth. After kissing her dizzy, he tenderly kissed her face, saying hoarsely, “Call my name….”

“……….” Ah Nan confusedly glanced.

Suddenly, Ananda let out a loud Ah. She quickly covered her mouth, glaring angrily at the man on top of her—he, he, he actually directly kneaded her chest with his hands. Although it was not painful, the force made her feel tingly, really deadly¹⁰The words used here is 要人命 (literally want a person’s life) ah.

“Be good~ Call my name….” Chu Baning looked at her misty eyes, comfortingly kissed her lips. 

Ah Nan surrendered, it’s her own husband’s name, why can’t she call? Might as well let it go, she called out softly, “Ba ning…..”

The man was satisfied, his kisses gradually moved downwards, nibbling on her neck like a sausage.

After a while, just as Ah Nan had encouraged herself with great efforts in her heart, the body on top suddenly became heavy and silent.

Ah Nan was crushed down to the point almost unable to catch a breath¹¹The word used here is 一口气差点喘不过来 (literally taking a breath almost unable to even gasp). Seeing his head buried between the two mountains on her chest, exuding a sense of relaxation. Ah Nan carefully lifted the head with her hands, and found that a certain Wang ye was actually—asleep!

Ah Nan’s tears streamed down her face, TaT….. What is this ah? She is already prepared to indulge in daytime debauchery aaahhhh!!! But the male lead actually fell asleep, really too TMD, so annoying¹² 蛋疼 (literally egg pain)!!

Ah Nan didn’t know whether to cry or laugh, but still carefully shifted the drunk ghost on top of her to the bed, originally intending to get up. Who knows a certain asleep person was not well behaved, he habitually searched for her person with his long arms, then swept her in his embrace, hugged her then continued to sleep.

Ah Nan really couldn’t even gasp out a breath. Since getting married, they have never slept in separate beds, making her accustomed to his embrace, and also making her accustomed to being a sleeping bolster. Once a habit is formed, it becomes natural to them. So even if someone is drunk, he still has to hold a human body to sleep together as a bolster.

Ah Nan reached out and pulled the blanket over to cover the two of them with difficulty. She looked at the hourglass in the room, it happened to be just her time for an afternoon nap.

Ah Nan’s whole person shrunk in the man’s embrace, closing her eyes then slept her nap.

It was unknown how long she slept, only feeling that her companion’s body had moved suddenly. Ah Nan woke up in a daze, looking at Chu Baning lifting up the blanket to leave.

Ah Nan sat up, rubbing her eyes, pulling her long hair on her front due to sleep to the back.

“Wang ye, you have woken up? Do you want to drink sobering soup?” Ah Nan asked after she fixed her clothes.

Chu Baning rubbed his temples, thinking that the feeling of being drunk was uncomfortable, only responding to Ah Nan with “En.”

Ah Nan quickly raised her voice to call An Momo, instructing her to bring sobering soup over. Then asking Ru Lan about Wen Liang’s state in the guest room.

Ru Lan’s expression was twisted, glanced at Chu Baning who was drinking the sobering soup, saying quietly, “Wang ye, Wang fei, Master Wen is still drunk, he…. He climbed the roof and sang. Housekeeper Qin is making the imperial guards fetch him down….” What Ru Lan didn’t say was that Housekeeper Qin was furious, originally wanting to directly beat down the person who climbed on their imperial mansion’s roof and howled like a wolf.

Ah Nan, who has always been obedient in her past and current lives, has never seen anyone go crazy drunk like this before. Her eyes widened on the spot, using her sleeves to cover her mouth in surprise.

Chu Baning frowned, directly put the bowl down on the table and quickly stood up, “Ben wang will go take a look.”

“Respectfully sending off Wang ye.” Ru Lan bowed in salutation.

Ah Nan was really curious about the crazy drunken behaviour of Wen Liang, who was known as the most beautiful man in the capital. She was itching to go along and see, but Chu Baning didn’t call for her. She didn’t have the courage to run to the guest room to see a man’s drunken craze, it was not good for her reputation, so she stayed obediently in the room.

However, Ah Nan’s curiosity was quickly satisfied.

Ru Cui came in grabbing her, smiling cunningly as she shared gossip with Ah Nan, “Xiao jie, Master Wen’s singing sounds even better than the capital’s number one singer, Ji¹³姬 (Ji), I am not sure if the author intends it as her surname or a form of address (this Ji is also used to address an ancient female entertainer) Liufang~~. Xiao jie, you didn’t see, Master Wen is so talented. He flew to the roof like whoosh, then sat by the roof drinking and singing. When the wind blew, his hair was too long and loose, the dark of his hair flying in the air really similar to a group of demons dancing around…”

Ah Nan was originally listening in high spirits, but towards the end, her whole face only expressed 囧.

This one 囧 maid was still saying, “This slave would like to say, it must have been that Young Master Wen’s appearance at that time was too similar to the great demon of Huo Luan Ren Jian¹⁴霍乱人间 (can be translated as the world of cholera or the human world’s sudden disorder). To be honest I can’t find an opera with this name, only an online novel of similar name (pretty sure it’s not what they refer to) :”) if someone knows what it is you can tell me Opera¹⁵戏曲 (xi qu) is a chinese opera, like this. So when Housekeeper Qin saw it, he was agitated and immediately asked the imperial guard Da ge to directly beat him down. Later, the imperial guard Da ge said it was Zhen Guogong’s young master, Housekeeper Qin looked like he was in despair¹⁶The word used here is 失望 (meaning losing hope) and asked the imperial guard Da ge to go find a ladder to help Young Master Wen go down…”

Ah Nan: (╯_)╭ It’s really a pity that he was not directly beaten down, really~ Housekeeper Qin should really learn from Wang ye’s boldness~~

Wen Liang’s alcohol tolerance was really not good but still dared to drink heavily. This crazy tossing threw the entire Su Wang Mansion upside down into a mess. Although Ah Nan was not present at the scene, Ru Cui was slippery and came back after observing the crime scene, then repeated the scene in such a 囧囧 language.

Thus, in Ah Nan’s heart, the image of the most beautiful man in the capital city had declined to the negatives. That is just a rascal with beautiful skin, a fox in sheep’s clothing.

In the evening, Chu Baning brought Ah Nan along to send Wen Liang off the Mansion.

Wen Liang had already sobered up from his drunken state, charmingly swaying his fan, and gently said, “Wang fei, Zixiu has disturbed you. Please forgive me if I did any misconduct.”

“Young master Wen is too polite,” Ah Nan unenthusiastically said, gloomily thinking, if you give me another ginseng, I certainly won’t mind!

Wen Liang faced us, cupping his hands, and said, “Wang ye, Zixiu will go back to Tongcheng tomorrow. Zixiu will wait for you in Tongcheng, let us kill Bei Yue barbarians and let them know our court officials’ blood thirst!”

This kind of bloodthirsty sentence, coming from a beautiful man who sways his fan, not only lacks any thread of a man’s bloodthirst, instead it gives the illusion that a certain dandy is speaking vulgarly¹⁷To be honest I am kinda torn on how to translate 大放厥词. This chengyu comes from a poem and it basically means ‘speaking freely,’ but it has negative connotations such as ‘gossiping’ or unrestrained talk and intentionally/unintentionally insulting people..

Ah Nan covered her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed.

Chu Baning straightforwardly ignored it, saying “Too slow, not sending you off!¹⁸The RAW was 慢走，不送 (basically means “you walk (away) too slowly, not sending you off)”

Then directly called for the housekeeper to close the door.

 

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Two days later in the morning court, Emperor Chongde issued a decree ordering Su Wang, Chu Baning, to escort a batch of military provisions to Tongcheng in three days.

After waiting for the court to be dismissed, Emperor Chongde let Chu Baning alone remain. Emperor Chongde looked at the solemn appearance of the man in front of him, patted his shoulder, saying, “Ba Ning, you worked hard this time!”

“It is Chen di¹⁹臣弟 (this little brother)’s duty to share the worries of the emperor!” Chu Baning cupped his hand and replied in a deep voice.

“Ba Ning, the person that Huang xiong²⁰皇兄 ((older) brother emperor) trusts the most is you. Over the years, Zhen able to reach this step was because of your support.” Emperor Chongde pulled at Chu Ba Ning’s sleeve and sat down, not daring to really pull his little brother’s hand, avoiding himself being shaken off and losing face as an Emperor.

Emperor Chongde personally poured two glasses of wine and toasted Chu Baning, saying, “Zhen right now wish you a smooth journey!” then drank it in one gulp.

After the two of them finished drinking this glass of wine, Emperor Chongde discussed affairs with Chu Baning for a while. It wasn’t until Chu Baning was asking to be excused that Emperor Chongde suddenly said, “Baning, Zhen has instructed the Queen to take care of your Wang fei. If she comes into the palace, there is no need to worry about Mu hou.”

Chu Baning cupped his hands, “Thank you very much, Emperor.”

Emperor Chongde smiled gently, an expression outsiders could hardly witness: “Us two brothers, what thank you should there be²¹In case you don’t get my translation, Emperor Chongde is saying that there is no need to thank him because they are brothers who should be helping each other.!”

Both brothers understood that the Empress Dowager disliked²²The word used here is 有微词 (literally, have slight words or have something to say/critique, the implied meaning is negative) Ah Nan’s birth background—even though his marriage to Ah Nan was arranged by her, Ah Nan now is still alive and well even if there was no choice at the time. The Empress Dowager immediately became unrestrained and couldn’t not torment others. So, if Chu Baning were to leave the capital, the Empress Dowager would inevitably summon Ah Nan to stay in the palace on the grounds of a highly-sounding reason of filially accompanying mother-in-law.

It can be said that the Empress Dowager is really capable of tormenting others. Both brothers are filial and couldn’t find reason to block her if the Empress Dowager’s action is not excessive.

So, if Chu Baning were to leave the capital, Ah Nan would suffer a lot.

However, Ah Nan clearly did not have this awareness yet. At this time, she was just receiving her Imperial Chancellor father, who had rushed over like a rabbit.

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Translator’s little theater:

Ah Nan: Even a thousand year-old ginseng can’t restore your image!