48 Ye Cheng Fu

FlamingoBees

Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)

Ye Cheng Fu

Chapter 48:

Shen Ye gave a bitter smile but did not respond, instead leading me into the imperial study. As soon as we entered, Shen Ye knelt on the ground and said, “Shen Ye pays my respects to Your Majesty.”

The Empress remained silent, and Shen Ye did not move. I entered calmly and also knelt beside him.

The Empress continued to review documents, seemingly ignoring us. After an hour, having finished the last document, she finally looked up, took a sip of tea from Linran, and asked lightly. “Do you know why you are kneeling?”

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“Your Majesty, I took Lord Shu away without informing you.”

“I sent four parties to notify you to bring her back to the palace…” The Empress sipped her tea nonchalantly.

Shen Ye suddenly looked up, pretending to be surprised, and asked, “Four parties?”

The Empress frowned in surprise, “You didn’t see them?”

“I am deeply anxious,” Shen Ye continued to frown, “I took Lord Shu away for two reasons: first, because I could oversee her more securely; second, because as her husband, I could not bear to see her suffer, which is my own selfish reason. However, if Your Majesty had summoned me, I would never have dared to disobey your decree!”

The more Shen Ye spoke, the deeper the Empress' frown became. After Shen Ye finished speaking, the Emperor instructed Linran, “Linran, have someone investigate.”

Shen Ye remained kneeling calmly, but I couldn’t help feeling a surge of anxiety.

I glanced at him secretly and couldn’t help but think that he truly had a lot of courage.

After instructing those around her, the Empress finally turned to look at me and asked, “Lord Shu, is your injury getting any better?”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace,” I replied promptly, “It is getting better; my life is not in danger. However, I can’t lift my hand, and the doctor said that if I continue to be exposed to the cold, I might lose the use of my hand.”

“It would be unfair to inconvenience Young Master Shu,” the Empress changed her address and took a sip of tea. “If you continue to be held in the prison, your mother might blame me. Although I am the Empress and must remain impartial, as your elder, I should treat you better out of both sentiment and reason. So, you have been injured and need to recover, but you shouldn’t go too far.”

“Your Majesty, there is a palace in the Eastern Garden that belongs to Master Su,” Linran beside her reminded with a smile. The Empress' face showed a smile. “Indeed, Young Master Shu is the wife of Rongqing, and it is only proper for you to stay with him.” She then looked at me and said lightly:“You may stay in the Yangxin Hall in the Eastern Garden.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I bowed and expressed my thanks. The Empress nodded and said kindly, “You are not sentenced yet, so take good care of your injury. You may still attend court banquets as usual, as long as you do not leave the palace, I will not make things difficult for you.”

I respectfully answered “Yes” and then left with Shen Ye. On the way to Yangxin Hall, Shen Ye and I remained silent. I increasingly struggled to understand the Empress' intentions—why was she suddenly being so kind to me? Allowing me to stay in the palace, not sentencing me yet, and letting me attend court banquets. Why not sentence me now? Why give us time?

As I pondered, Shen Ye seemed to be thinking about the same issue. When we arrived at Yangxin Hall, his expression was still quite dark. It wasn’t until I called out to him, “Shen Ye,” that he suddenly looked up and asked, “What’s wrong?”

I was surprised to find that he always shed those dark emotions and became particularly gentle when facing me.

I couldn’t help but be stunned, my face turning red instantly. I turned my head and asked, “Is Yangxin Hall where you live in the palace?”

“Yes,” he replied, lost in thought and not noticing my reaction. He continued quickly, “Yangxin Hall is all managed by my people, so you can rest assured. Just don’t wander outside of Yangxin Hall. I can’t quite figure out the Empress' intentions right now, so take good care of yourself. You haven’t had dinner yet, have you?” He suddenly remembered, turned to the palace servants, and instructed, “Prepare a meal.”

Afterward, he rubbed his temples, looking a bit weary, and stepped inside first.

Shen Ye was unusually silent, and he didn't eat properly. After the meal, Peony and Shen Cong walked in from outside, both holding swords. Peony had changed into a new set of clothes, heavily perfumed, but the smell of blood still lingered. I couldn't help but frown, and Shen Ye immediately said, “Peony, sit further away.”

Peony was taken aback, and after a moment, he retorted angrily, “Shen Ye, you’re turning your back on me! I just finished a job and now you’re complaining about the smell!”

Shen Ye didn’t reply, instead turning to Shen Cong and asking, “Have you eaten? You’re still young and growing, so you need to eat more to grow taller.”

“I’ve already eaten,” Shen Cong replied calmly, “Peony was busy, so Wen Heng bought me some plum cakes, and I ate those too.”

This made me shiver a little. The unmistakable smell of blood on Peony, which indicated that he had killed someone, contrasted sharply with the fact that Shen Cong, who was still only a teenager, seemed unfazed by such matters. It made me think that those from Phoenix Tower were quite extraordinary, and compared to them, Shen Ye’s actions were somewhat understandable.

Hearing Shen Cong, Peony snorted and did not come closer. Instead, he propped his legs up and sat in the farthest chair. After a servant served him tea, he said, “I’ve cleaned up everything. The bodies and the four groups of people were thrown into the old temple on the main road. I used arrows with the Shangguan family’s crest, but they were made of yew wood.”

Yew wood is a specialty of the Shu family’s territory. As soon as I heard this, I understood that Peony was trying to frame the Shangguan family by using the Shu family's yew wood.

The Shangguan family had no reason to stop the Empress' people, but the Shu family did. Listening to their plan, I had to resist the urge to throw the bowl at them. I took a deep breath and said coldly, “Are you trying to frame the Shu family?”

“No, no,” Peony replied with a smile, “Recently, the Yanluo Palace of the Dark Court received a large shipment of yew wood.”

“The Dark Court is divided into three main palaces and nine guardians by rank. The Yanluo Palace handles interrogations and is overseen by Xu Ming, who is Xu Qing’s niece; the Junzi Palace, which was restructured, handles assassinations and is overseen by Wen Heng; and Phoenix Tower, the third palace, deals with intelligence and is managed by me.”

Shen Ye explained this to me as I listened, and I nodded to show that I understood. Shen Ye served me some food and casually said, “You don’t need to worry about the Shu family. Such a clumsy scheme won’t fool the Empress; she’ll continue to investigate. Linran will certainly review all the transactions involving the large purchase of yew wood. Yew wood is rarely sold north, so Linran will quickly notice Xu Ming.”

“So where did you get the yew wood from?” I asked, somewhat puzzled. Shen Ye’s expression remained calm as he replied, “I got it from the Shu family. Your Shu family’s tables are all made of yew wood. I had Shen Cong steal five tables, and just a few pieces were enough.”

Indeed, no matter how much you guard against it, it's difficult to guard against family thieves.

“Then why would Xu Ming frame the Shu family?” I quickly shifted my focus. Shen Ye served me another piece of meat and said lightly:“If it were the Empress, she would think Xu Ming is trying to provoke a rift between me and the Empress, making the Empress believe that I am pretending not to receive the news to protect the Shu family. This could create the appearance that I am allied with the Shu family, leading the Shu family to trust me more than the Empress. If Xu Ming is clever, she will prepare evidence suggesting that I am allied with the Shu family once the Empress discovers it was the Shu family’s doing. However, as long as Linran traces the yew wood… Stop just asking,” he nudged me, “hurry up and eat.”

I quickly began eating, and Shen Ye continued, “The Empress has long known that I would favor the Shu family, so she does not mind that I show partiality to them to some extent. It is Xu Ming’s framing that would make the Empress believe in my innocence further.”

“Two birds with one stone…” I showed an expression of admiration. Shen Ye smiled, his eyes curving up. Beside us, Shen Cong snorted derisively and turned away, muttering, “Foolish.”

Shen Cong's voice drew Shen Ye's attention. Shen Ye smiled and said, "A'Cong, you're so clever. Help me with a task."

"No," Shen Cong replied.

"Go check the activities of the various branches of the Shu family."

Both spoke simultaneously. Shen Cong, looking displeased, snorted and said, "Brother, you're no different from that Zhou Youwang."

Shen Ye remained silent, took a sip of tea, and said lightly, “I’m willing.”

Shen Cong, furious, stood up abruptly, flinging his sleeves and stormed out. Peony sat quietly sipping tea, while I silently finished my meal.

That night, Shen Ye came to my room. Knowing I couldn't refuse him, I automatically made space for him. He lay beside me, saying nothing, gently holding my hand.

As I lay awake in the night, I finally asked, “What are you thinking about?”

He buried his face in my neck and said slowly, “Nothing much. Tomorrow night is the Spring Festival,” he seemed to recall something, “are you going?”

The Spring Festival is a major ceremony in the Great Chu, held at the end of spring or the beginning of summer, to pray for national peace, favorable weather, and an abundant harvest in the fall. The festival's palace banquet is usually grand, featuring dances led by priests, with officials paying tribute. Nobles and gentry also get the opportunity to showcase their talents on stage, which is a chance for many to make a name for themselves before the Empress.

I had already passed the age of seeking fame and success, but being trapped in the palace, the Spring Festival was the only time I could connect with my mother, so I had no reason to refuse. I said, “Of course, I’ll go.”

“Hmm, then I’ll arrange it.”

He murmured and then nuzzled my face.

By the next day, the palace was bustling with activity. From within the Yangxin Hall, I could hear the lively sounds from outside. Palace maids came in carrying peach blossom lanterns, smiling as they hung them up one by one. After breakfast with Shen Ye, he was summoned by the Empress, and I waited alone with a cup of hot tea, watching the maids hang the lanterns. Despite the heaviness I had been feeling for a long time, I felt inexplicably relaxed.

Shen Ye returned hastily in the afternoon after being summoned by the Empress all day. He was covered in sweat and had a bath prepared. I took his clean clothes from the palace maid and quietly waited at the door, entering the room when he called for me.

He was submerged in a bath filled with peach blossoms, only his shoulders exposed, his long, thick hair cascading over his back. When I entered the room, he spoke in a tired voice, “Call Shen Cong over.”

Without speaking, I walked to his side and began to gently dry his hair with a cloth. He stiffened suddenly, realizing it was me. I lowered my voice and said, “I want to see the Shu family privately.”

“The Empress won’t allow it,” he said hoarsely.

I stroked his hair, drying it with the cloth, leaned over to kiss his neck, and whispered, “That’s why I’m here.”

He stiffened further. I then dipped my hand into the water. He suddenly grabbed my hand, breathing heavily. After a long time, he said hoarsely, “I understand. Leave the clothes here and go out. I’ll arrange it for tonight.”

“Okay.” I kissed him gently on the forehead and then got up to leave. Just as I was about to exit, he suddenly called out, “Cheng’er.” He rarely used this term of endearment, and now it was drawn out with a tender tone, making it sound especially affectionate. I paused. He seemed to want to say something but remained silent for a long time before finally saying, “You can go now.”

I didn’t explain, just opened the door and walked out. As I closed the door behind me, I heard him forcefully slap the water’s surface.

The sun was setting, and the first star had appeared on the horizon. As the sun and stars aligned, I looked at the distant clouds and took a deep breath.

Playing the seduction game in front of Shen Ye, I was indeed a bit naive; I ended up not stirring him, but rather stirring myself…

I patted my flushed face and quickly returned to the main hall.

After a while, Shen Ye came out dressed. His hair was still damp, and he carried a towel in his hand as he walked toward me. He led me into the bedroom, then sat down on a nearby chair and said, “Help me dry my hair.”

I glanced at the time, realizing we still had some time before the banquet began, and stood behind him to dry his hair.

He sat upright and straight, and while I was drying his hair, he directed the palace servants, “Open that wardrobe and show me the clothes, one set at a time.”

The palace servants immediately followed his orders. When the wardrobe was opened, my expression changed dramatically—I was shocked to see it was filled with women’s clothing! Wasn't this his bedroom? Where did all these women’s clothes come from?!

I managed to hold back my questions and complaints. The palace servants brought out each piece of clothing and displayed them for him, and he critiqued them one by one.

"Too ugly."

"Too gaudy."

"Too vulgar."

"Too plain..."

After a long time, with so many clothes to review, and his hair almost dry, there were still many outfits left to see. I took the hair oil from the servants and applied it to his hair, the unique orchid fragrance spreading through the room. The servants then presented a white robe. This robe seemed to be cut from the same fabric as the one he was wearing, both pure white silk with a water-like ripple effect under the light. He tilted his head, smiling, and said, “This one will do.” Then he called out, “Bring over the jewelry box.”

“Shen Ye,” seeing the servants line up, opening one jewelry box after another, I couldn’t hold back anymore, “Where did you get all these women’s things?”

He didn’t answer me, carefully selecting from the items in the jewelry boxes. After choosing a complexly crafted phoenix hairpin adorned with red rubies, he finally said, “Shu Cheng, you don’t care much about dressing up. I’ve been preparing these for a long time.” He then picked out a pair of ruby earrings and continued, “I always thought about what you’d look like when you married me. Whenever I missed you, I’d pick out something for you.”

I had no response to that.

I always knew that Shen Ye was extraordinarily skilled at flirting, and I found myself utterly at a loss on how to handle it.

His hair was nearly dry, and it was getting late. I styled his hair and added a jade crown with red ruby embellishments. After finishing, he stood up and instructed the maid carrying the selected items, “Assist the lady in changing her clothes.”

“You’re so thoughtful…” I said, my lips twitching, “Next time, just focus on dressing yourself up. After all, I am a woman…”

“I’m beautiful,” he interrupted, looking displeased. “No one can compare to me, whether dressed up or not. You’re different; you’re not very good-looking to begin with, and if you don’t dress up, you won’t have any chance to make an impression.”

His words nearly choked me with anger, but after thinking for a while, I found I had nothing to counter with.

He is indeed handsome, and I am indeed plain. But I felt something was off, so I could only say, “A woman should be known for her talent…”

“But you have no talent either.” He propped himself up, coldly watching as others helped me into my clothes and fixed my hair. He pulled me over to the bronze mirror and helped style my hair. I suppressed the urge to stab him with one of the hairpins on the table, took a deep breath, and said, “If you were to pursue an official career, I’d definitely make sure you become the Minister of Justice.”

He chuckled softly behind me. As others finished my hair, he came over and inserted the phoenix hairpin, then embraced me from behind and inhaled deeply at my neck. “Tonight, I’ll attend with you in the name of Su Rongqing. You are here on imperial pardon to recover from your injuries.”

“Okay.”

“Our seats will follow closely behind the nobles but will be far from your mother. During the evening, I’ll perform a dance. I’ll have the hall darkened, with only the Emperor’s seat and the stage lit. Our seats will be in the shadows, so Bai Shaotang will definitely come over. You’ll have a chance to speak with him during one dance.”

“I understand.”

“Shu Cheng,” his voice lowered, sounding tired, “don’t bully me.”

I didn’t reply immediately. After a long pause, I finally patted his hand gently and said softly, “Alright.”

He probably knew that my words were just to appease him. Whether or not I could bully him wasn’t up to me but rather to the situation. The things we said were probably sincere at the time, but circumstances often change things.

He held me quietly. After a long while, the palace servants came in to ask us to attend the event, and he finally let go of me, adjusted my clothes, and led me out.

As soon as we stepped outside, he immediately masked his smile, his expression turning calm and indifferent as he followed behind me.

Wearing his white robe, his previously carefree demeanor was replaced with an aura of nobility and ethereal grace, like a snowy mountain peak. I couldn’t help but glance back at him, thinking that this truly was the image of Su Rongqing.

The noble, aloof gentleman.

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48 Ye Cheng Fu

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