58 Ye Cheng Fu

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Ye Cheng Fu

 Chapter 58: 

 

My mother successfully executed the plan to "cleanse the court" that day, beheading Shangguan Yun, Shangguan Lin, and Mr. Xu from the Yanluo Brothel in the Dark Court, with Shangguan Liuqing's help. Afterward, my aunt Shu Huang took responsibility for my actions, and the officials and commoners who pleaded for leniency kneeled in the streets outside the palace gates. In the end, the Empress, considering my aunt's circumstances, spared her from punishment. Finally, Shangguan Liuqing, after taking control of the Shangguan family, thoroughly investigated Shangguan Liulan's death, confirming that she was murdered by the conspiracy of Shangguan Yun and Shangguan Lin. It was proven that I had nothing to do with it. With all evidence and witnesses in place, I was declared innocent, and my mother took leave for me under the guise of recuperation.

While it was bustling outside, life in the villa remained cold and quiet day after day. Over half a month passed, and Shen Ye still hadn’t woken up, but I knew he would wake up.

One night, it rained. I lay beside him, quietly asleep. In the middle of the night, a loud thunderclap startled me awake. I trembled and then was pulled into an embrace. I froze, and after a long moment, I finally spoke with disbelief, "Shen Ye?"

"Yes, I'm here," his low voice resonated, and my eyes instantly filled with tears. He held me close, sighing, "Did you disobey and sacrifice something to save me?"

"A revival herb," I replied hoarsely.

Shen Ye was stunned, asking in disbelief, "That really exists?"

"Yes."

"That's good..." Shen Ye relaxed, "I was afraid you fell for the Empress' scheme and used the blood contract, harming yourself."

"I didn't..." I gently hugged him, burying my head in his chest, my eyes reddening. "Shen Ye, you can't do this again."

He laughed softly, his laughter rumbling in his chest. He lowered his head and kissed me, speaking tenderly, "Alright, my lady."

As he spoke, his hand moved inside my clothing, and I couldn't help but blush. "You're still sick."

"I'm better now!" he suddenly rolled over and pinned me beneath him.

Well, later I believed that he was truly recovered.

The next morning, I woke up with sore muscles, but he was full of energy. After preparing everything and checking the luggage, he took me back to the Shu residence.

© 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.

When we returned, Bai Shaotang was serving my father at dinner. Seeing Shen Ye and me, he gave a wry smile and said nothing more.

That evening, I decided to speak with Bai Shaotang. I told Shen Ye, "I want to go and talk to Bai Shaotang."

Shen Ye was momentarily surprised, then smiled and said, "Alright."

Bai Shaotang seemed to have anticipated my visit, waiting there in his white robe. He had lost a lot of weight and looked somewhat haggard.

After I entered, he silently poured tea for me and then sat down. We faced each other in silence for a long time. Finally, he broke the silence and asked, "Are you here to discuss a divorce?"

I hesitated, finally summoning the courage to say, "I... I'm sorry."

"Shu Cheng," he said, lowering his gaze, "Have you considered what will happen to me if we divorce? I am a nobleman," he smiled bitterly, "Don't you know that face is everything to us nobles? If you divorce me and send me back, how will I live?"

"But..." I spoke with a bitter tone, "I can't let you live your life as a widower forever."

“I know you only have Shen Ye in your heart now, but Shu Cheng, what about the more than ten years of our relationship?” He looked up at me, his eyes filled with desolation. “Does it mean nothing? Just because you and he are in love, am I supposed to be the one who gets hurt? I’ve done so much for you… all these days, I’ve been the one managing everything with your mother. And now you come back and say you want to divorce me.” His eyes reddened, and he forced a bitter smile. “Shu Cheng, ask yourself honestly…”

“And what do you want to do?” I interrupted him. “Shaotang, I used to think that I could part ways with Shen Ye and come to love you, that I could give you the position of the head of the Shu family. But I’ve realized I can’t do it. If I can’t, I can’t delay you.”

{Translator Note: why are we even trying to be nice to Shaotang? When we thought Shen Ye was the Empress' spy we were so mean! Allowing him to not even have coal in the winter time. :( Yet, this man lied so smoothly and even poisoned Shu Rou? What the heck Shu Cheng! Punch him!}

He choked up, and after a long silence, spoke with sorrow: “So, you’re really going to divorce me, no matter what?”

“I’ll do my best to compensate you,” I said with deep regret. “If you have your eye on a particular woman, let me know. If she doesn’t like you, I’ll force her to marry you…”

“Then why don’t you just force yourself to be with me!” He shouted in anguish. “Am I, Bai Shaotang, doomed to be despised for the rest of my life? Shu Cheng,” he closed his eyes and clenched his fists, “if you don’t like me, someone else will. Fine, you want to love Shen Ye, go ahead and love him! But you can’t divorce me. At least give me some dignity. From today on, I won’t see you again. I’ll stay quietly in my courtyard, never troubling you. But you can’t divorce me until I find someone I love… If I don’t find someone, I’ll adopt a child and raise him as my own to take care of me in my old age.”

I didn’t speak. Bai Shaotang laughed bitterly: “So even this isn’t acceptable?”

“Fine.” I closed my eyes. “I’m already at fault with you. If you want face, I’ll give it to you. You find someone you like, and if you do, I can give you a divorce at any time; if not, the Shu family will support you for life, and I will treat your child as my own.”

“Good.” Bai Shaotang lifted his head with a proud demeanor and pointed to the door. “You may leave.”

I didn’t speak, but knelt in front of him.

I bowed three times, then stood up and walked out.

Just as I was at the door, he suddenly called out to me.

“Cheng Cheng,” he said hoarsely, “I don’t hate you, nor do I blame you. Please don’t be angry.”

© 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 know.” I sniffed, “It’s my fault. I’ll take good care of you. Don’t be sad. Also,” I remembered something and asked, “Check thoroughly for any spies from the Empress around you.”

“Really?!” Bai Shaotang looked up suddenly, incredulous. “Where did you get this information?”

“I’ll have Shen Cong explain it to you in detail,” I said, feeling it was time to leave. “Shaotang, take care.”

With that, I walked out. When I returned to the courtyard, Shen Ye was waiting for me at the door. He stood there in a deep blue robe, holding a gold-adorned fan and a lantern, quietly waiting for me in the night.

I walked over slowly.

I asked, “Why are you waiting for me?”

He smiled and said, “Waiting for you to come home.”

I suddenly embraced him, and he held me tightly in his arms.

In the days that followed, I did not visit Bai Shaotang. As he had promised, he remained in his own courtyard, rarely coming out. Shen Cong visited him once, and soon after, it was rumored that Bai Shaotang had killed a servant.

Shangguan Liuqing succeeded Shangguan Liulan’s position, becoming the new Chief Judge of the Dali Temple and concurrently the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Her first case was extremely challenging.

In the 19th year of Tianqing, during the tumultuous times when the Empress ascended to the throne, a mob, under the pretext of punishing evil and aiding the poor, had taken over Yangzhou. They enforced their own laws within Yangzhou, committing arson, murder, and robbery, which caused prolonged unrest in the city. It wasn’t until the Empress' reign was stabilized that she sent people to reclaim Yangzhou and restore peace to the city.

The case involved many impoverished people, numbering in the tens of thousands. The judgment was difficult because many of these people believed their actions were justified. They had killed wealthy landlords, humiliated rich young masters, and seized the wealth of the rich—all purportedly for the benefit of the poor.

So the officials involved in the case were afraid of incurring public wrath and were reluctant to make a decision. However, Shangguan Liuqing was even harsher than Shangguan Liulan. She took on this case with determination and summoned the witnesses from that time.

Soon after, Shangguan Liuqing approached me and said, “Lord Shu, could you do me a favor?”

The morning court session had just ended, and Shangguan Liuqing walked swiftly towards me. For a moment, I thought she was Shangguan Liulan, returned from the past, but I quickly realized my mistake.

This was because she smiled at me so warmly and appropriately, a stark contrast to the ever-cold Liulan.

I knew that Shangguan Liuqing was skilled in maneuvering.

I took a deep breath, regained my composure, and replied, “What does Lord Shangguan need help with?”

“It’s like this,” Shangguan Liuqing said with a polite smile, “I’ve taken on a case involving a witness named Bing Shu. He has identified everyone except for the mastermind, Bai Qingqing. I believe there is something hidden here.”

“Oh?” I feigned interest. Shangguan Liuqing and I walked out of the palace together as she continued, “Bing Shu is from the Phoenix Tower. Could you ask Young Master Su about the entanglements here?”

© 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.

Upon hearing this, I looked up sharply and fixed my gaze on her. Shangguan Liuqing remained calm, saying, “I have known Lord Shen before you did, so there is no need for you to be suspicious. I have someone very important under Young Master Shen’s care.”

As she glanced at the evening sky, Shangguan Liuqing clasped her hands and said, “It’s getting late. I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, she turned and left. That night, I relayed the news to Shen Ye. He was surprised but then smiled and said, “Why don’t I take you to the prison to ask Bai Qingqing?”

That very night, the two of us went to the prison.

I learned that Bing Shu was originally a lawyer who, years ago, was responsible for the death of Bai Qingqing's father. In her quest for revenge, Bai Qingqing fell in love with Bing Shu. Unable to endure her own weakness, she eventually left him behind. In the year 19 of Tianqing, she orchestrated the chaos in Yangzhou. Bing Shu, being a lawyer and having offended many people, was later reported by someone, and Bai Qingqing personally sold him into a brothel.

She and those common people ruined Bing Shu's life. After the chaos in Yangzhou ended, they left peacefully because of public sentiment. Shortly afterward, the court issued new laws that Bing Shu himself had helped implement. According to these new laws, Bai Qingqing's father would not have been sentenced to death.

It was only then that Bai Qingqing realized Bing Shu had not completely lost his humanity; he had simply upheld justice in his own way.

He said that the law is the law because it must be adhered to. If you find the law unjust, you can change it, but you cannot defy it.

Bing Shu had been waiting for justice from the law, but justice never came.

The people who ruined him were repeatedly set free.

After Bai Qingqing explained everything, she looked up and asked us, “Did I truly make a mistake?”

I didn’t know how to answer. At that moment, from the distant tower, Bing Shu jumped off. Soon after, news came that the presiding judge of the case had been replaced by the cunning Gu Qiangsheng.

I didn’t know the relationship between Shen Ye and Bing Shu, but I saw Shen Ye’s eyes turn red when Bing Shu jumped from the tower.

He then asked me, “Could you posthumously grant Bing Shu an official title?”

I was taken aback. I had never seen Shen Ye this distraught before; it felt as if my heart was being twisted. I nodded and said, “Alright.”

The same day, I went to see my mother to discuss the idea of establishing a male official system. She was taken aback but then said, “If this is what you want to do, go ahead. You’ve grown up.”

With my mother’s approval, I was overjoyed and cheerfully walked back to the courtyard. On the way, I saw Shen Cong sitting on the railing of the garden, having had a bit too much to drink. His face was flushed, his clothes slightly open, and he seemed a bit overheated. When he saw me, he glanced at me and then turned his head away.

I couldn’t help but smile at the sight and walked over, saying, “Children shouldn’t drink.”

“I’m not a child anymore,” he retorted, his eyes cold with irritation. I was taken aback, realizing how refined Shen Cong’s features were.

Although still bearing the youthfulness of a teenager, his looks were charming, different from Shen Ye’s noble, aloof demeanor. Shen Cong’s features were more flirtatious, with eyes that had a hint of the seductive allure.

© 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.

He tossed the bottle into the lake and turned to me, saying, “Where have you been?”

“Your brother wants me to posthumously grant Bing Shu an official title. I thought, why not also establish the male official system? If it succeeds, you could take the imperial exams and, with your talent, surely become a top scholar.”

I laughed, imagining how prestigious it would be to have a top scholar as a younger brother-in-law.

Shen Cong didn’t respond immediately. He raised an eyebrow at me, his eyes shimmering with a certain light. I figured he was indeed quite drunk.

“A top scholar?” He looked disdainful but then added, “Do you want me to become one?”

“Of course…” I hesitated, “I mean, if you and your brother…”

“I’m asking if you want me to be one,” he interrupted impatiently. I hesitated and said, “I do, but if you’re not happy about it…”

“Fine,” he nodded, “I’ll do it.”

Hearing his childlike response, I laughed, “Shen Cong, you’re drunk.”

“Let’s just say I’m drunk,” he nodded, seriously adding, “If you want me to be a top scholar, then I will be one.”

“Shu Cheng,” he called my full name, looking at me seriously, “I’m going to tell you something, and you mustn’t tell anyone. If I sober up, you can’t tell even me.”

“Okay,” I smiled, finding Shen Cong’s drunken state quite entertaining.

“When my brother died,” he said with a pained smile, “I actually felt a tiny bit of dark satisfaction.”

I stood stunned. Shen Cong didn’t say more and turned to look at the pond in the garden.

The wind howled and thunder rumbled in May. I stared at the handsome young man before me, who had closed his eyes, his expression filled with anguish.

From behind, a voice called, “Cheng’er.”

I turned around to see Shen Ye standing in the courtyard with an umbrella, smiling at me.

“It’s going to rain,” he pointed at the sky.

As if to confirm his words, another flash of lightning illuminated him, and I murmured, “It’s going to rain…”

A storm was approaching; the weather was about to change.

© 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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