Why is the emperor going to the southwest!
On the streets of Wangcheng, it was almost too crowded to walk. The steaming food stall emits sweet aroma, and the little kids surround the candied haws vendor, standing on tiptoe and pinching copper coins, all wanting the biggest and reddest bunch.
In comparison, the palace was a bit deserted. This year, Chu Yuan did not hold a banquet to entertain the ministers as in previous years. Instead, he gave rewards to all the officials early in the morning, saying that there was no need to go to the palace to pay respects and that he could have a reunion dinner with his family.
A small warm table with a few dishes and a pot of wine, Chu Yuan sat in the hall, watching the snowflakes outside in a trance.
Sixi reminded: “Your Majesty, the dishes are getting cold.”
Chu Yuan asked: “Is there still wine?”
Sixi said: “There are other wines, but Feixia… This is the last jar, it will be finished after drinking.”
Chu Yuan raised his head and drank another glass of wine. He didn’t speak anymore, but his eyes were a little wandering.
Eunuch Sixi sighed in his heart, why even the Ninth Prince didn’t come this year? If there were more people in the palace, it would be a little more lively.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, heaven are worshipped, so one has to abstain from drinking on this day. After returning to the palace, Chu Yuan leaned on the bedside and wondered if it might be snowing in Southwest Mansion thousands of miles away. It was already midnight.
Foreigners have dominated the East China Sea coast, the situation in the Nanyang is uncertain, and even the snowfields in the Northeast are not stable. If the emperor leaves the palace at this time, the ministers are afraid that the sky will be turned upside down.
Chu Yuan smiled and rested his chin on his knees, but his eyes were a little lonely.
After the New Year, there were fewer letters from Southwest Mansion than before. Chu Yuan put all the letters one by one into the secret compartment, locked them, turned around and continued to wait for the next month. After eating Sophora japonica rice at the beginning of spring, the summer peaches fill the streets in a blink of an eye. Later, in the autumn, the food harvest is abundant, the people sing and dance, and a north wind blows heavy snow, which heralds the next good harvest year.
Everyone is saying that since the emperor ascended the throne, the harvest has been plentiful and the rain has been good, and life has been comfortable day by day.
“It’s been really cold this year. It’s snowed so heavily before winter has started.” Sixi said fairly, “It is said that the bluestones on the long street were buried tightly, and the government was plowing the snow early this morning. Many people’s horses fell down.”
Chu Yuan said: “Tell Gong Fei to send more people to prevent the people from getting hurt.
“Yes.” Eunuch Sixi agreed repeatedly, and then said, “Your Majesty has been busy all day. It’s time to go back to the palace to rest.”
Chu Yuan said: “It’s still early, let’s wait for a while.”
Eunuch Sixi wanted to say something more, but Chu Yuan raised his hand to stop the words before they reached his lips. So he stepped aside in silence, but couldn’t help but sigh in his heart. It has been four months, and the letter from Southwest Mansion to ensure that person’s safety has not been delivered. Even if it was worst weather, the letters from Southwest Mansion had never failed to arrive, they were always delivered on time to Wangcheng without a delay of even a single day.
Something must have happened.
The courtiers also discussed in hushed tones. It has been almost a month, and the emperor seems to be worried all the time, but no one knows what is he worrying for – it stands to reason that the world has been peaceful recently, so there should be nothing to worry about. Besides, the emperor is not of a melancholy nature, he must have encountered a lot of trouble to appear so frowning.
“Old Tao, I’m afraid it won’t work if this continues.” Liu Dajiong was worried, “You have to find a way.”
“What can I do?” Tao Rende also sighed, “I don’t even know why the emperor is behaving like this. I’m afraid I may speak rashly so I better not ask.”
“It would have been better if he had a concubine.” Liu Dajiong said, “If we can’t figure out what the emperor means, we could have at least asked her.” No like now where you can’t even see a single crack in the door1.
“It’s a pity that leader Shen has returned to Jiangnan.” Tao Rende said, “I don’t know when he will be back.”
The two of them were still discussing when someone came to report from the other end, saying that the emperor announced the elders to enter the palace.
“Yes.” Liu Dajiong said as he walked, “If the emperor is angry, you have to take up on his anger.”
Tao Rende was irritated by his nuisance. . When they entered the palace, they saw that many elders were already waiting in the side hall next to the imperial study. They all said they had just received a briefing and that the emperor has important matters to discuss.
“Isn’t there going to be another war?” Liu Dajiong asked in a low voice.
Tao Rende asked back, “Where?”
Liu Dajiong was choked by him, so he murmured, “Old Fox” in his heart, turned around and walked to the table to drink tea with the other elders.
Everyone was unsure. It was not until they were summoned into the imperial study that they learned why they were here today.
“Your Majesty is going to the southwest?” Tao Rende was frightened.
Chu Yuan said lightly: “Yes.”
Tao Rende asked, “When?”
Chu Yuan said: “Three days later.”
Tao Rende said, “For the King of Southwest?”
Chu Yuan said: “Yes.”
Tao Rende said again: “And the Southwest Mansion agreed?”
“What else does the rest of Aiqing2 want to say?” Chu Yuan didn’t answer him, but looked at everyone.
“Your Majesty.” Someone boldly suggested, “If Your Majesty wants to interrogate, it would be better to summon the Southwest King into the palace. It will be same thing.”
Chu Yuan looked at him with cold eyes.
Suddenly, it became much quieter below. The person who had spoken earlier bowed his head in fear and retreated. Even Tao Rende didn’t say anything again.
“Very good.” Chu Yuan said, “Within three days, I will arrange everything properly. If there is nothing else to report, please leave.”
Everyone accepted the order and bowed to him. After leaving the imperial study room, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
“This…” Liu Dajiong was confused as to why is emperor going to the Southwest Mansion.
“Don’t ask anything. I don’t know even if you ask me.” Tao Rende’s head was buzzing and he interrupted before Liu Dajiong could speak.
“It’s obviously inappropriate to go to the southwest at this time. He didn’t even give any reason. Besides, Dali is not a place to have fun.” Liu Dajong said, “I usually see you admonishing heaven and earth, but why didn’t you say even a single word today?”
“The emperor is obviously angry today. I’m not afraid of losing my head, but I’m afraid of losing my head in vain.” Tao Rende said, “At least let’s find out the reason first.”
“Southwest King, Southwest King.” Liu Dajiong sighed repeatedly thinking he was really the emperor’s nemesis.
Chu Yuan was not in the mood to explain more, and he didn’t even bother to be perfunctory. After sorting out the affairs of the court, he set off in the evening three days later, taking only dozens of shadow guards with him, crushing the snow and stars along the way, and galloped towards the southwest.
Tao Rende wrote a letter and sent it to Riyue Villa at high speed – if there was anyone else in the world who could take care of the emperor, the only one left was the Ninth Prince. It will become less dangerous if he knows about this.
Wangcheng is thousands of miles away from Southwest Mansion. Chu Yuan almost didn’t sleep all the way. In order to travel half a day longer, he even slept in the forest. Watching the snow melting on the branches around the bonfire, it’s dawn again before you know it.
In Dali City, Duan Yao was helping Aunt Jin sort herbs in the yard, the two seemed to be chatting and laughing, but neither of them was really happy.
A few days ago, Xiao Wu brought everyone back home. Not to mention Tianchensha, he couldn’t even find the direction of the Feimian Kingdom. After trying all kinds of hard work to pass through the vast white fog, there is only a barren island, where the turbulent waves beat the huge rocks and white waves soar several feet high.
Duan Baiyue was not surprised by this result. In fact, he had no hope at all.
The Bodhi Heart Sutra has been completed, and the golden silkworm thread is dead, which is already considered a good result.
“It’s been three years.” Nan Moxie said, “The days go by so fast.”
Duan Baiyue said: “Thank you for your hard work, Master.”
“Just get over it.” Nan Moxie patted his hand, “Come out of seclusion.”
Duan Baiyue stood up and reached out to pick up the mask on the table.
The stone door opened suddenly, and the sun poured in from outside. Although there was a night pearl in the cave, his eyes were still a little uncomfortable, and he kept them closed for a long time before they opened.
Duan Yao, Xiao Wu, Hua Tang, Aunt Jin, and several other grannies, were there.
“Brother!” Duan Yao ran over happily.
“You have grown up.” Duan Baiyue patted him on the shoulder.
Duan Yao looked at him with a smile. Compared with three years ago, his eyebrows were less childish and more heroic. There was a faint shadow of the Duan family.
“Brother.” Xiao Wu also stepped forward, “Congratulations.”
Duan Baiyue said: “It has been hard for you these past three years.”
“What are you doing standing here in the snow and ice?” Aunt Jin stepped forward and grabbed him, “Let’s take a walk and talk about it when we get home.”
Duan Baiyue nodded slightly and gently pulled his hand back.
“Why, are you afraid you will poison me?” Aunt Jin complained.
Duan Baiyue smiled: “It’s always prudent to be careful.”
Aunt Jin forcefully took his hand again and led him down the mountain.
Everything in the bedroom was as before, Duan Yao said: “At home you can take off the mask.”
Duan Baiyue said: “Since I have to wear it for a lifetime, it’s better to adapt to it as early as I can.”
“Whatever you want to wear for lifetime, do it in your own home.” Duan Yao said, “Take it off.”
Duan Baiyue reached out his hand: “Give it to me.”
“What?” Duan Yao was puzzled.
Duan Baiyue said: “Letters”
Duan Yao: “…”
“Don’t say that you have lost them.” Duan Baiyue was helpless.
“Of course not.” Duan Yao muttered in his heart, I knew they were your lifeblood. After returning to the room, he opened the secret compartment and took out a mahogany box: “All the letters from the past three years are here.”
Duan Baiyue said: “Thank you.”
Duan Yao sat beside him: “In the past few years, according to what you said, I have written fewer and fewer letters, but the emperor’s responses did not stop even for a month. I said that the Master has an order, and I’m not allowed to give his letters to you. But the emperor said it’s fine, just save them for three years and he will read them together with you.”
Duan Baiyue smiled: “I know. Go back, I’ll lie down for a while.”
Duan Yao said: “Yeah.”
Watching him go out, Duan Baiyue took off his mask, leaned against the bed and closed his eyes. He pressed his left hand on the wooden box, trembling slightly, but did not open the lid for a long time.
Outside the house, Duan Yao squatted at the door holding a knife, nervously eavesdropping so that he could rush in at any time.
===========================================================
As usual, if there are any mistakes or errors, please contact me and I’ll rectify it. If anyone is willing to help in translation who knows Mandarin, you are more than welcome to assist. In that case as well, please email me.
==========================================================
Notes:
this phrase means you can’t figure out the other person’s secrets. ↩︎ ministers or elders ↩︎
Why is the emperor going to the southwest!
On the streets of Wangcheng, it was almost too crowded to walk. The steaming food stall emits sweet aroma, and the little kids surround the candied haws vendor, standing on tiptoe and pinching copper coins, all wanting the biggest and reddest bunch.
In comparison, the palace was a bit deserted. This year, Chu Yuan did not hold a banquet to entertain the ministers as in previous years. Instead, he gave rewards to all the officials early in the morning, saying that there was no need to go to the palace to pay respects and that he could have a reunion dinner with his family.
A small warm table with a few dishes and a pot of wine, Chu Yuan sat in the hall, watching the snowflakes outside in a trance.
Sixi reminded: “Your Majesty, the dishes are getting cold.”
Chu Yuan asked: “Is there still wine?”
Sixi said: “There are other wines, but Feixia… This is the last jar, it will be finished after drinking.”
Chu Yuan raised his head and drank another glass of wine. He didn’t speak anymore, but his eyes were a little wandering.
Eunuch Sixi sighed in his heart, why even the Ninth Prince didn’t come this year? If there were more people in the palace, it would be a little more lively.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, heaven are worshipped, so one has to abstain from drinking on this day. After returning to the palace, Chu Yuan leaned on the bedside and wondered if it might be snowing in Southwest Mansion thousands of miles away. It was already midnight.
Foreigners have dominated the East China Sea coast, the situation in the Nanyang is uncertain, and even the snowfields in the Northeast are not stable. If the emperor leaves the palace at this time, the ministers are afraid that the sky will be turned upside down.
Chu Yuan smiled and rested his chin on his knees, but his eyes were a little lonely.
After the New Year, there were fewer letters from Southwest Mansion than before. Chu Yuan put all the letters one by one into the secret compartment, locked them, turned around and continued to wait for the next month. After eating Sophora japonica rice at the beginning of spring, the summer peaches fill the streets in a blink of an eye. Later, in the autumn, the food harvest is abundant, the people sing and dance, and a north wind blows heavy snow, which heralds the next good harvest year.
Everyone is saying that since the emperor ascended the throne, the harvest has been plentiful and the rain has been good, and life has been comfortable day by day.
“It’s been really cold this year. It’s snowed so heavily before winter has started.” Sixi said fairly, “It is said that the bluestones on the long street were buried tightly, and the government was plowing the snow early this morning. Many people’s horses fell down.”
Chu Yuan said: “Tell Gong Fei to send more people to prevent the people from getting hurt.
“Yes.” Eunuch Sixi agreed repeatedly, and then said, “Your Majesty has been busy all day. It’s time to go back to the palace to rest.”
Chu Yuan said: “It’s still early, let’s wait for a while.”
Eunuch Sixi wanted to say something more, but Chu Yuan raised his hand to stop the words before they reached his lips. So he stepped aside in silence, but couldn’t help but sigh in his heart. It has been four months, and the letter from Southwest Mansion to ensure that person’s safety has not been delivered. Even if it was worst weather, the letters from Southwest Mansion had never failed to arrive, they were always delivered on time to Wangcheng without a delay of even a single day.
Something must have happened.
The courtiers also discussed in hushed tones. It has been almost a month, and the emperor seems to be worried all the time, but no one knows what is he worrying for – it stands to reason that the world has been peaceful recently, so there should be nothing to worry about. Besides, the emperor is not of a melancholy nature, he must have encountered a lot of trouble to appear so frowning.
“Old Tao, I’m afraid it won’t work if this continues.” Liu Dajiong was worried, “You have to find a way.”
“What can I do?” Tao Rende also sighed, “I don’t even know why the emperor is behaving like this. I’m afraid I may speak rashly so I better not ask.”
“It would have been better if he had a concubine.” Liu Dajiong said, “If we can’t figure out what the emperor means, we could have at least asked her.” No like now where you can’t even see a single crack in the door1.
“It’s a pity that leader Shen has returned to Jiangnan.” Tao Rende said, “I don’t know when he will be back.”
The two of them were still discussing when someone came to report from the other end, saying that the emperor announced the elders to enter the palace.
“Yes.” Liu Dajiong said as he walked, “If the emperor is angry, you have to take up on his anger.”
Tao Rende was irritated by his nuisance. . When they entered the palace, they saw that many elders were already waiting in the side hall next to the imperial study. They all said they had just received a briefing and that the emperor has important matters to discuss.
“Isn’t there going to be another war?” Liu Dajiong asked in a low voice.
Tao Rende asked back, “Where?”
Liu Dajiong was choked by him, so he murmured, “Old Fox” in his heart, turned around and walked to the table to drink tea with the other elders.
Everyone was unsure. It was not until they were summoned into the imperial study that they learned why they were here today.
“Your Majesty is going to the southwest?” Tao Rende was frightened.
Chu Yuan said lightly: “Yes.”
Tao Rende asked, “When?”
Chu Yuan said: “Three days later.”
Tao Rende said, “For the King of Southwest?”
Chu Yuan said: “Yes.”
Tao Rende said again: “And the Southwest Mansion agreed?”
“What else does the rest of Aiqing2 want to say?” Chu Yuan didn’t answer him, but looked at everyone.
“Your Majesty.” Someone boldly suggested, “If Your Majesty wants to interrogate, it would be better to summon the Southwest King into the palace. It will be same thing.”
Chu Yuan looked at him with cold eyes.
Suddenly, it became much quieter below. The person who had spoken earlier bowed his head in fear and retreated. Even Tao Rende didn’t say anything again.
“Very good.” Chu Yuan said, “Within three days, I will arrange everything properly. If there is nothing else to report, please leave.”
Everyone accepted the order and bowed to him. After leaving the imperial study room, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
“This…” Liu Dajiong was confused as to why is emperor going to the Southwest Mansion.
“Don’t ask anything. I don’t know even if you ask me.” Tao Rende’s head was buzzing and he interrupted before Liu Dajiong could speak.
“It’s obviously inappropriate to go to the southwest at this time. He didn’t even give any reason. Besides, Dali is not a place to have fun.” Liu Dajong said, “I usually see you admonishing heaven and earth, but why didn’t you say even a single word today?”
“The emperor is obviously angry today. I’m not afraid of losing my head, but I’m afraid of losing my head in vain.” Tao Rende said, “At least let’s find out the reason first.”
“Southwest King, Southwest King.” Liu Dajiong sighed repeatedly thinking he was really the emperor’s nemesis.
Chu Yuan was not in the mood to explain more, and he didn’t even bother to be perfunctory. After sorting out the affairs of the court, he set off in the evening three days later, taking only dozens of shadow guards with him, crushing the snow and stars along the way, and galloped towards the southwest.
Tao Rende wrote a letter and sent it to Riyue Villa at high speed – if there was anyone else in the world who could take care of the emperor, the only one left was the Ninth Prince. It will become less dangerous if he knows about this.
Wangcheng is thousands of miles away from Southwest Mansion. Chu Yuan almost didn’t sleep all the way. In order to travel half a day longer, he even slept in the forest. Watching the snow melting on the branches around the bonfire, it’s dawn again before you know it.
In Dali City, Duan Yao was helping Aunt Jin sort herbs in the yard, the two seemed to be chatting and laughing, but neither of them was really happy.
A few days ago, Xiao Wu brought everyone back home. Not to mention Tianchensha, he couldn’t even find the direction of the Feimian Kingdom. After trying all kinds of hard work to pass through the vast white fog, there is only a barren island, where the turbulent waves beat the huge rocks and white waves soar several feet high.
Duan Baiyue was not surprised by this result. In fact, he had no hope at all.
The Bodhi Heart Sutra has been completed, and the golden silkworm thread is dead, which is already considered a good result.
“It’s been three years.” Nan Moxie said, “The days go by so fast.”
Duan Baiyue said: “Thank you for your hard work, Master.”
“Just get over it.” Nan Moxie patted his hand, “Come out of seclusion.”
Duan Baiyue stood up and reached out to pick up the mask on the table.
The stone door opened suddenly, and the sun poured in from outside. Although there was a night pearl in the cave, his eyes were still a little uncomfortable, and he kept them closed for a long time before they opened.
Duan Yao, Xiao Wu, Hua Tang, Aunt Jin, and several other grannies, were there.
“Brother!” Duan Yao ran over happily.
“You have grown up.” Duan Baiyue patted him on the shoulder.
Duan Yao looked at him with a smile. Compared with three years ago, his eyebrows were less childish and more heroic. There was a faint shadow of the Duan family.
“Brother.” Xiao Wu also stepped forward, “Congratulations.”
Duan Baiyue said: “It has been hard for you these past three years.”
“What are you doing standing here in the snow and ice?” Aunt Jin stepped forward and grabbed him, “Let’s take a walk and talk about it when we get home.”
Duan Baiyue nodded slightly and gently pulled his hand back.
“Why, are you afraid you will poison me?” Aunt Jin complained.
Duan Baiyue smiled: “It’s always prudent to be careful.”
Aunt Jin forcefully took his hand again and led him down the mountain.
Everything in the bedroom was as before, Duan Yao said: “At home you can take off the mask.”
Duan Baiyue said: “Since I have to wear it for a lifetime, it’s better to adapt to it as early as I can.”
“Whatever you want to wear for lifetime, do it in your own home.” Duan Yao said, “Take it off.”
Duan Baiyue reached out his hand: “Give it to me.”
“What?” Duan Yao was puzzled.
Duan Baiyue said: “Letters”
Duan Yao: “…”
“Don’t say that you have lost them.” Duan Baiyue was helpless.
“Of course not.” Duan Yao muttered in his heart, I knew they were your lifeblood. After returning to the room, he opened the secret compartment and took out a mahogany box: “All the letters from the past three years are here.”
Duan Baiyue said: “Thank you.”
Duan Yao sat beside him: “In the past few years, according to what you said, I have written fewer and fewer letters, but the emperor’s responses did not stop even for a month. I said that the Master has an order, and I’m not allowed to give his letters to you. But the emperor said it’s fine, just save them for three years and he will read them together with you.”
Duan Baiyue smiled: “I know. Go back, I’ll lie down for a while.”
Duan Yao said: “Yeah.”
Watching him go out, Duan Baiyue took off his mask, leaned against the bed and closed his eyes. He pressed his left hand on the wooden box, trembling slightly, but did not open the lid for a long time.
Outside the house, Duan Yao squatted at the door holding a knife, nervously eavesdropping so that he could rush in at any time.
===========================================================
As usual, if there are any mistakes or errors, please contact me and I’ll rectify it. If anyone is willing to help in translation who knows Mandarin, you are more than welcome to assist. In that case as well, please email me.
==========================================================
Notes:
this phrase means you can’t figure out the other person’s secrets. ↩︎ ministers or elders ↩︎