34 Ye Cheng Fu

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Ye Cheng Fu

 Chapter 34: 

 

The servants did not question my orders and went about their tasks as usual, serving the dishes. I picked up my spoon and told the shadow guards in the dark, “If Young Master Su arrives, do not stop him.”

“Yes.”

The voice of the shadow guards responded from the shadows as I sipped the hot soup.

Soon, I heard the sound of someone opening the window. I turned to see Shen Ye standing by the window. He quickly closed it, rubbing his hands together and saying, “It’s so cold tonight. Fortunately, your room is warm enough.”

“Please, have a seat,” I said calmly. “I’m about to eat.”

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

“Let’s eat together,” he replied with apparent delight, hurrying to the table, sitting down, and picking up his chopsticks. “I see you’ve prepared bowls and chopsticks for me. Have you been waiting long?”

I didn’t respond, focusing on my meal. He, however, continued to chatter on while eating. Eventually, he said, “Shu Cheng, shall I tell you a story?”

“Sure.”

“Shall we start from Lianyan?”

“Hmm?” I was somewhat puzzled, feeling that such a story might reveal too much about him.

However, he looked at me with an open expression. Not wanting to press further, I listened to him continue.

He spoke for a long time, and even after we went to bed, he continued telling stories. His voice was soothing enough that I fell asleep to it.

When I awoke, I found myself in White Shaotang’s bed. The servants knocked and entered to help me get ready for court. White Shaotang looked at me, hesitating as if he wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent. After dressing me, he saw me out.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

Just before I reached the door, he suddenly spoke, “Shu Cheng.”

“Hmm?” I turned back while yawning.

He stood at the door in his inner garments, and after a long pause, he said, “Please have dinner with me tonight.”

Hearing this request, I couldn’t help but frown. His expression darkened, so I immediately responded, “Come to my place for dinner tonight.”

Given the previous events, I was wary of getting too close to others.

I was concerned about causing him trouble.

Shaotang’s eyes showed a hint of bitterness, but he nodded and waved his hand, saying, “Go.”

As soon as I entered the court, the discussion was already buzzing with news about Chen He’s sudden death in the Imperial Study. Few officials in court had access to inside information, and most had heard only that Chen He had died suddenly of illness, lamenting her early demise. As someone who knew the truth, I remained silent.

The Empress began by announcing Chen He’s death and then asked for recommendations for candidates suitable for the position of Minister of the Military. 

The competition for this position was always intense. Major families, having learned the news last night, had likely spent the whole night preparing recommendations. Even Qin Yang had put forward his candidate.

The court was soon in an uproar of arguments, and the matter was temporarily shelved while other issues were addressed. With little major news in recent years, the court discussed trivial matters until the end of the session, and we were dismissed.

On the way home, Mother, who was riding in the same carriage with me, mused, “The Empress must have someone in mind for the position.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Wasn’t that obvious? If it weren’t for a preferred candidate, would they have resorted to such drastic measures?

“You know?” Mother noticed my expression immediately.

I nodded. “It was the Dark Court’s doing, aimed at getting Gu Qiangsheng into the position.”

“Gu Qiangsheng…” Mother’s face showed understanding. “The one you keep under your thumb in the Inspection Department. It’s indeed a pity.”

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but twitch my mouth. “A pity” coming from my own mother? Was that really appropriate?

“There’s now Qin Yang in the Court, and Gu Qiangsheng has been promoted, while the King of Zhen'an in Huazhou holds fifty thousand troops. The Emperor’s hold on the realm is growing stronger…” Mother continued her musings. Then she suddenly remembered something and asked, “Did you hear this from Su Rongqing?”

“Mm.” I was reluctant to talk about Shen Ye.

Mother’s eyes brightened with amusement. “He still has some use after all. I’ll have someone deliver a jade ruyi to him tonight.”

“There's no need for that…” I said with a pained expression. Given Shen Ye’s status, would he really value a jade ruyi from my mother?

Mother, with her usual cunning, smiled and said, “Then I’ll send a pair to Bai Shaotang as well. They’ve been in the mansion for so long, and as their mother-in-law, I haven’t shown any appreciation. I wouldn’t want them to think I don’t like them.”

“You like them?” I was somewhat surprised.

Mother laughed. “One has delivered twenty thousand cavalry from Yunzhou to our family, and the other has provided us with valuable intelligence about the Empress. It’s hard not to like them.”

Mother, you truly are perceptive.

But thinking about my mother’s extensive household, which rivals the inner palace, I realized that in terms of managing men, there is indeed a gap between her and me. Of course, I have no intention of bridging that gap. I’ve never believed that having many people around is a good thing.

Affection is always unique, and love even more so. I’ve never believed that one can share love with multiple people.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

I chose not to delve into this topic further with her and instead casually commented on the political situation in the court.

When I returned to my room, I read for a while, and as night fell, I had dishes prepared and summoned both Shen Ye and Bai Shaotang.

The moment they met, their expressions changed. I took my seat at the head of the table and said directly, “Since you’re both married into the family, are you planning to be at odds for a lifetime?”

Their expressions shifted. Shen Ye was the first to respond, “Please instruct us, wife.”

Bai Shaotang quickly added, “Anything you say, anything.”

“Then let’s begin the meal.”

They didn’t say much more and took their places beside me. The dinner was quiet. Bai Shaotang ate with a grim expression, almost tearing the meat apart, while Shen Ye maintained a calm demeanor.

That night, I went to Bai Shaotang’s place again, and then quietly slipped back into my room. As soon as I opened the window and jumped in, Shen Ye caught me and kissed me.

He tenderly brushed the misty hair from my face and said softly, “You’re back?”

Those simple words softened my heart. Unable to respond, I quickly pulled away from his embrace, nodding, “Yes.”

That night, he continued telling me stories about Phoenix Tower. As the story about Lianyan remained unfinished, I listened quietly. 

Halfway through, feeling drowsy and with my thoughts muddled, I murmured, “What kind of person do you think the Empress is?”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“Clearly, taking down Chen He was to make way for Gu Qiangsheng. Why didn’t the Empress just appoint Gu Qiangsheng directly today?”

“The Empress is a person who values appearances,” he said, making me realize it. “If she appointed Gu Qiangsheng directly, she’d worry about accusations of unfairness and more about revealing that Chen He’s death was orchestrated by the Dark Court.”

“The Empress certainly thinks a lot…” I felt like I was beginning to understand the high and mighty figure for the first time. To be honest, over the years, I’d thought that the current ruler wasn’t very concerned about their reputation. After all, someone who cares about their reputation wouldn’t have executed the popular and virtuous Prince Wei Yunxi right outside the palace gates.

Shen Ye, propped up on one arm, lay beside me, brushing my hair gently, and said softly, “Actually, making the Empress happy is quite simple. Just go along with her. If you understand her mindset and keep her pleased, she won’t make things difficult for you.”

“What if she wants my life?”

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

“Then give it to her,” he said, looking at me with complete seriousness.

His words made my heart chill, instantly dispelling any sleepiness. I gazed at his beautiful face and suddenly wondered about the relationship between the Empress and Shen Ye. The Empress had placed such a beautiful person by her side and trusted him so deeply, giving him control of the Dark Court—what kind of relationship did they have?

This was the first time I had thought about the relationship between the Empress and Shen Ye. The more I thought, the more I couldn’t stop. The feeling was so real that it made me change color.

“What are you thinking?” Seeing my change in expression, he seemed to know what was on my mind and smiled, “Are you wondering,” he leaned closer, whispering in my ear, “if the Empress has ever favored me?”

His question struck my heart like a blade, cutting straight to my vulnerable core.

However, I tried to stay calm and responded, “You don’t need to tell me. What’s in the past is past. Of course, if you don’t want to discuss it, I won’t force you.”

“You’re overthinking.” He interrupted with a smile, “The Empress is only interested in my father.”

I remained silent, not wanting to reveal that, at the moment he said that, the blade in my heart had turned into a bouquet of flowers.

Despite the joy swelling inside me, my expression remained stiff. I turned over and said, “What does this have to do with me?”

“Don’t you want to know how I gained the Empress’s trust? Beg me, and if you kiss me, I’ll tell you.”

“No need. I’m going to sleep.”

“Beg me, please.”

“I don’t need to…”

“Kiss me, kiss me, and I’ll tell you.”

“Are you annoying…”

“Kiss me, kiss me…”

He kept tugging at me from behind. Annoyed and unable to bear it any longer, I turned around, grabbed him, and gave him a fierce kiss. I snapped, “Alright, let’s sleep!”

He seemed taken aback by my sudden kiss and lay there stunned. After a while, I noticed that his fair ears were flushed and red.

Now it was my turn to be stunned. After a while, I tentatively asked, “Shen Ye, are you blushing?”

He didn’t reply. I pursed my lips, thinking it wasn’t a big deal, and turned back to continue sleeping.

After some time, he probably thought I was asleep, and gently reached out to pull me into his embrace.

I was just about to fall asleep when I suddenly felt him lean close to my ear, gently nibbling on my earlobe, and whisper, “Yes, I’m blushing.”

I said nothing and continued to pretend to be asleep.

Yet, at that moment, for some reason, my heart pounded like a drum.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

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