Yuxi greeted the Old Lady, then went to the master courtyard to greet Qiu Shi. Upon entering the Master Courtyard, she smelled an unusual smell.
Qiu Shi's face was unsightly, and she did not even relax when she saw Yuxi. She only said, "Yuxi, aunt is currently busy right now. Please go back to your yard first."
After paying her respects, Yuxi withdrew and left the Master Courtyard. When she arrived at Rose Courtyard, she immediately ordered Hongshan, "Go and find out what happened." She didn't know what kind of drama Concubine Rong did this time, and no one could blame her for having this thought. In this state residence, only Concubine Rong could agitate Qiu Shi.
Since her heart could not calm down, Yuxi could not do embroidery work. Furthermore, she was also at a loss while mulling over her qipu[1]. So, she thought she might as well grind her ink and started to practice writing characters on the wall. She had been doing this for four months, and she still felt the extreme soreness on her shoulder every time she had done writing.
By the time she wrote the forty-fifth character, Hongshan finally came back.
Yuxi hastily asked, "What happened?" By looking at her Eldest Aunt, she knew it ought to be something major. She knew that she should not do anything, but she merely wanted to understand the tendency inside the residence. By knowing the score[2], she wouldn't be deaf or even blind.
Hongshan shook her head. "It wasn't the matter of the residence, but matter from the outside. Donghu barbarians had managed to breach the border town Liandong. Both Marshal Yan and General Huaidong died in battle. The barbarians broke through Tong[3] City, burning, killing and robbing the common people. It is still unknown the actual total of people that have been killed. Since the border has been broken, do you think the capital will be in danger, Miss?"
Yuxi asked with puzzlement, "General Huaidong?" The name sounded familiar, but she couldn't remember where she heard it.
Hong Shan was somewhat worried. Why was her Miss's concern not on the same line as hers? "Miss, General Huaidong was the eldest son of Old General Yun, erm...also the father of Young Master Yun Qing." Her Miss knew Yun Qing, so this should be clearer to her.
Yuxi was shocked. "You mean Yun Qing's father died in battle?"
Hongshan nodded. "Well, General Huaidong died along with Marshal Yan. Not only that but his wife and children were also killed by the Donghu barbarians." After a pause, her face also showed a heavy colour as she continued, "Old General Yun has only two sons and one daughter. His youngest son died ten years ago, while his daughter died during childbirth. Now he has lost his last remaining son and two grandchildren. I wonder if Old General Yun can stand it?" To see one's child die before oneself, three in succession, even an iron man couldn't stand it.
Old General Yun was also a famous Liaodong general. However, he was seriously injured in a battle and could no longer go to war, so he stayed in the capital to enjoy his life in retirement. During his time as an active General, he had brilliant military service. Even if he had not been on the battlefield for more than twenty years, everyone still respected him.
Yuxi's hand shook. At that one time, she had wondered why the present Yun Qing, who was so bright and had the initiative to save people, would become a killer after a few years. No, if only because of General Huaidong's death, it would be impossible for Yun Qing's temperament to change drastically. Whether it was a soldier or a general, going to war was always a dangerous matter. Something else must have happened.
Remembering what Hongshan said just now, Yuxi shuddered and asked, "Did you just say Marshal Yan was also killed?" Marshal Yan was not only the grand marshal who controlled two hundred thousand troops but also the eldest brother of the Empress. It could be said that the Empress and the Crown Prince could compete with Imperial Consort Song because Marshal Yan was supporting them from behind. The Empress and the Crown Prince would be in danger now that he was dead.
Hongshan had some doubts. What was wrong with Miss? She had clearly told her, but why she still asked such a stupid question? However, she did not dare to question Yuxi and hastily said, "Yes, Marshal Yan also died. I also heard that Yan Wushuang, the eldest son of the Yan family, was also missing. It is said that he has disappeared, but everyone clearly understands that he should have already been dead." Seeing Yuxi's puzzled face, she continued, "Yan Wushuang is like the younger version of Marshal Yan. It is rumoured that Yan Wushuang has been gifted since childhood and will be the successor of Marshal Yan in the future. Therefore, the news of Yan Wushuang's disappearance left many people excitedly holding their hands."
Although Yuxi did not understand military affairs, she was sure it was not that simple. "What else?"
Yuxi was a little depressed. In her previous life, not only did she not know the significant events happening inside the Imperial Court, but she also didn't even know what happened inside the state residence. Even when she grew up, she didn't care much about things that had happened outside, so she had no impression of such a big thing. Otherwise, she would have known about the incident afterwards.
Hongshan didn't know why Yuxi wanted to know all this, but she said, "That's all I heard. If Miss still wants to know more, I'll ask my Third Brother to go outside and have a good look."
Yuxi nodded. "Ask your Third Brother to pay attention and act accordingly based on the weight of his abilities. Don't attract people's eyes and end up in trouble." Such a big thing would set off a big wave. She just wanted to know the whole story of these things and didn't want to cause anyone trouble.
Hongshan smiled. "My Third brother knows how far he can go and when to stop." She knew that Yuxi only wanted to see the situation outside, not what to do with it. Her Third Brother asked for all well-known news, not something conspicuous, and he was not doing any dangerous research on the situation. Of course, for Yuxi, who had always stayed in the deep boudoir, it was already rare to get such news.
The Imperial Court was sighing with relief when General Zhang, the deputy commander, managed to drive Donghu barbarians out of taels[4] City. However, this time a memorial to the throne regarding the incident was also handed over to the Emperor.
This memorial accused the Old Third Master Yan of colluding with Donghu. Not only did he leak the city defence map of taels[4] City, but he also leaked Marshal Yan's marching route, which led to the collapse of the city and the tragic death of countless people.
When Yuxi heard this, she opened her mouth and asked, "Has this man lost his mind?" Yan family people and Donghu were ancient enemies. So, the one who leaked the city defence map could not be from the Yan family. How did the person behind the scenes do such a foolish thing?
Hongshan replied, "My Third Brother said that Third Master Yan's mother was a Donghu and incompatible as fire and water[5] with Marshal Yan. She also threatened to kill Marshal Yan."
"There is no evidence. This is slander," said Yuxi.
Hongshan shook her head. "My brother said that all witnesses and material evidence have been found." The last sentence she said was the main point.
Hearing these words, Yuxi became cold. Since there was concrete evidence of the crimes, they showed that the other party had done such meticulous planning. The Yan family might not be able to avoid being doomed this time. Alas, she sighed again. Why didn't she know anything about this in her previous life?
At the same time, Old Master Yun looked at Yun Qing, who was not in his proper appearance and said, "You will leave tonight and follow Chang Qing to Yu[6] City."
Yun Qing was stunned for a moment. Yu[6] City was a border city in the northwest, the territory of the Qin family. Everyone knew that the Qin family and their family had not gotten along well with each other. Wouldn't let him go to Yu[6] City be the same as sending a lamb into a tiger's den? No, the critical question now was why he should go there. He asked, "Grandpa, are you hiding something from me?"
Old Master Yun's heart dripped blood as he said, "Old Third Master Yan does indeed collude with the Donghu, but he is only a scapegoat. The real culprit is the Song family."
Yun Qing was stunned. "Why did the Song family do this?"
Old Master Yun's face filled with grief, and he was choking as he said, "For the throne. As long as Marshal Yan is present, the Emperor cannot abolish the Empress or the Crown Prince. Only when the Yan family is gone can they have no future trouble and eradicate the Empress and the Crown Prince, paving the way for Song Guifei[7] and the 9th Prince. "
Yun Qing's eyes flashed with hatred. "Grandpa, we can't let the Song family get away with this. We must let them pay blood with blood. Let them pay for my parents' and brothers' lives."
Old Master Yun's spine was going to collapse. He couldn't stand up. He bowed his back and said, "The Emperor favours Song Guifei[7] and dotes on the 9th Prince. He has always wanted the 9th Prince to replace the Crown Prince. This matter has gone according to the Emperor's wishes." Otherwise, the Song family would not have been acting so arrogant.
Yun Qing asked incredulously, "Grandpa, how can we let more than one hundred thousand common people, tens of thousands of soldiers, and my parents' death in vain?"
Old Master Yun said, "For a nobleman to take revenge, ten years is not too long[8]. If you fight with the Song family now, there is no benefit except to implicate you too. Qing-er, the Song family has planned for years with all their hearts for this day, and they will exterminate the Yan family. We are close to the Yan family, so they will not let us go. Qing-er, you are our only remaining blood. You can't meet with any accident."
How could Yun Qing leave his grandfather alone? He begged, "Grandpa, let's leave together."
Old Master Yun's eyes showed reluctance, but he could not help but send Yun Qing away because he had no way to protect his only remaining grandson. "Grandpa is already an old man and can not walk anymore. As long as you are well, Grandpa will be at ease."
If Yun Qing went to Yu[6] City, he would leave behind his only relative, the Old Master Yun. He would flee, and his Grandpa would be alone. However, after thinking hard, he still could not do it anyway. "Grandpa, if you don't go, then I won't go either."
Old Master Yun sternly said, "You are the only one left in the Yun family. If anything happens to you, our Yun family will be ruined. How can you let Grandpa fall to the ground and meet our ancestors like this ah..."
Yun Qing knelt on the ground and said, "Grandpa, if you don't go, I won't go either." After so many years of being together, he knew his Grandpa very well. Once he was gone, Grandpa would have no worries, and then he would undoubtedly fight all out with the Song family.
Old Master Yun looked at his hard-raised child, and his eyes were dry. He was old and only had a few days to live, but his grandson was still young and had a long time. More importantly, the future of the Yun family would depend on him to restore its appearance and name.
After a long silence, Old Master Yun finally said, "Okay, go back and tidy up. I'll go with you in the evening."
Yun Qing had some foreseen feelings. His grandfather was very accommodating this time. In case of fraud, he was unwilling to leave the Old Master Yun's side. "Just let Guo Xun pack up the things, and I will accompany you, Grandpa." He worried Old Master Yun would act on his own to fend him off.
Old Master Yun also didn't object. He nodded in agreement and said, "I have sent someone to
Tong[3] City. They will bury your father and your family. When you finally have support in the future, go to taels[4] City and move their graves to our ancestral graves."
Yun Qing held back his tears and nodded. "Okay."
Since Old Master Yun knew about his eldest son's death, it seemed like he had aged ten more years, but he had tried to stand up strong for the past few days. It was because he knew that if he did not stay strong, he would also lose his only grandchild. "Qing-er, when you get to
Yu[6] City, you must listen to Chang Qing."
Yun Qing's intuition suddenly gave him a bad feeling. "Grandpa..."
Old Master Yun waved his hand and said, "Grandpa is already old. I'm also not in good health and have a bad memory. While I still remember, I will tell you these first to save time and before I forget to say them to you."
On this day, Old Master Yun and Yun Qing talked about many things, all of which were to explain some things to Yun Qing. As they spent time talking, Yun Qing started to panic, making him not dare leave Old Master Yun's side even for half a step.
Footnotes Full List
- record of a game of qi (Chinese chess), go or shogi
- Chinese idiom: to be well aware of the situation
- bronze
- unit of weight equal to 50 grams (modern) or 1⁄16 of a catty 斤 (old)
- Chinese idiom: be totally incompatible
- elm
- noble consort
- Chinese idiom: revenge is more satisfying when one has had time to prepare vengeance that is well-planned, long-feared, or unexpected
Noob Translator's Musing
My tune of the day:
I love love love the mix of guitar and the
qin sound, though it is inappropriate for the situations that happened in this chapter.
Tags:
The Rebirth of Han Yuxi