by La Mi Tu
At this point, Wanyan Kang made up his mind. In the future, he needs to mingle with Murong Qi Qi.
Since Murong Qi Qi was the person in Feng Cang’s heart, he only needed to get in Murong Qi Qi’s favor. Then, Feng Cang cousin brother will certainly be happy. By that time, he (FC) might let him (WK) train in the military, lest to not let him be idle in the capital all day long.
“Alright, alright. I’m afraid of you! I apologize to you!”
Here he doesn’t mean he is afraid of MQQ. Chinese use the phrase ‘I’m afraid of you’ when they admit defeat and can’t endure it any longer.
After Wanyan Kang said that, he actually bowed to Murong Qi Qi.
“Cousin-in-law, forgive this little brother! This little brother has eyes but fail to recognize Mount Tai! In the future, such a thing won’t happen again!”
Have eyes but fail to recognize Mount Tai: fail to recognize somebody important; to be blind to the fact. Mount Tai is a mountain with historical and cultural significance in China. It’s the most sacred mountain of China. It’s associated with sunrise, birth and renewal.
This bow let Murong Qi Qi know this prince’s personality. Didn’t think that in the palace of Bei Zhou, there’s actually such an interesting person! Seeing Feng Cang, their relationship doesn’t seem bad. Then, she will consider him as one of their own!
Originally, Yu Shi Shi was thinking about how to solve the problem. Ever since Feng Cang appeared, she had been repressing her heartbeat. Her eyes were following him. After witnessing how Feng Cang pampered Murong Qi Qi, Yu Shi Shi’s heart was in pain like a knife was digging at it. Especially when Murong Qi Qi used ‘our family’s wangye’ again and again, her voice was very ear-piercing.
Now, seeing that Murong Qi Qi was able to get familiar with Wanyan Kang, who had the weirdest personality of the imperial family, in such a short time, Yu Shi Shi’s expression looked somewhat bad. Plus, hearing Wanyan Kang calling Murong Qi Qi ‘cousin-in-law’, Yu Shi Shi’s jealousy expanded completely.
“Fifth little brother, princess Zhao Yang and wangye’s marriage isn’t set yet. You saying it like this would make people misunderstand. It’s not good for the reputation of a girl!”
Yu Shi Shi softly opened her mouth. Every word was like, she was considerate about Murong Qi Qi. However, coming out of her mouth, the words revealed a deep jealousy.
How would Wanyan Kang not know what Yu Shi Shi was thinking? He grinned and lightly humphed from his nose.
“Imperial sister-in-law, the person involved doesn’t care, so why would you worry? In the end, is it cousin brother who is marrying or is it imperial brother who is marrying, ah? As long as cousin brother likes her, what does it matter what other people think?!”
Wanyan Kang saying it so beautifully was very much to Murong Qi Qi’s liking. Seeing Yu Shi Shi become so angry that even her nose was crooked, Murong Qi Qi wanted to laugh, but her face was full of modesty. The next moment, she stepped out of Feng Cang’s embrace.
“Crown princess is right. It’s bengong who was negligent. Wangye, bengong is not wangfei yet, there are differences between man and woman!”
Murong Qi Qi lowered her head slightly with a well-behaved expression. Seeing her like this, Yu Shi Shi’s heart got somewhat more comfortable. After all, seeing Feng Cang embrace Murong Qi Qi was eye-piercing. Her eyes felt painful like a needle was poking into them.
Yu Shi Shi wasn’t even happy for two seconds, when Murong Qi Qi once again fell into Feng Cang’s embrace.
“This is benwang’s4 domestic affairs. Don’t need to trouble crown princess to worry!”
Such cold words hit her directly like thorns, making Yu Shi Shi feel pain over her whole body.
“Wangye, I did it for your own good…….”
Just as Yu Shi Shi’s tears were about to fall, a gloomy voice came from behind her: “Beloved consort, can you put the heart of caring for other people onto this crown prince, ah?!”
“Your, your highness!”
Yu Shi Shi’s heart skipped a beat. Her expression immediately changed. From the one full of grieving to the now gentle and dignified expression. Such a fast change that even Murong Qi Qi couldn’t help but want to raise her thumbs to praise her. Master, really a master! Changing expression is even faster than turning a page!
“Your highness, how come you came?”
Yu Shi Shi just turned, when she was locked into Wanyan Hong’s embrace.
“This crown prince is worried about you, ah!”
Wanyan Hong’s eyes swept once over Feng Cang and Wanyan Kang. Finally, his eyes fell on Yu Shi Shi’s face.
“En, good. You didn’t lose anything!”
These words made Yu Shi Shi extremely embarrassed and Murong Qi Qi was able to see how this couple got along with each other. However, Feng Cang didn’t speak and Wanyan Kang was looking at the ceiling. He was even singing a song. Murong Qi Qi simply continued to pretend to be a small white rabbit.
When emperor, empress, consort De and the others arrived, Wanyan Bao Zhu and Mu Yu Die had already changed into new clothes. Their hair were also neatly combed. There was not a single trace of the embarrassment of just now.
“What happened?”
Wanyan Lie looked at Yu Shi Shi. On the way here, Consort De Lin Ke Xin had explained what happened. Now, it’s Yu Shi Shi’s turn to explain.
Yu Shi Shi explained what happened in a simple way. In the end, she added one more sentence: “Daughter-in-law was a bit far and didn’t see clearly. Princess Zhao Yang is one of the involved parties. Emperor father can ask princess Zhao Yang.”
* * *
TL Note:
When imperial family or court officials refer to themselves in front of someone of higher rank, they will use chen. For example, erchen (subject son/daughter, used by children of the emperor), chenqie (subject wife/concubine, used by wives of the imperial family), chenxi (subject daughter in law, used by daughter in laws of the emperor), chennu (daughter of your subject, used by daughters of officials). This means that before they are family, they are subject to the emperor first.
Er: term of endearment
Wangye/ wang: the prince of first rank
Bengong: I, used by the females of the imperial family
Benwang: I, used by the prince of first rank
Chapter 72: The First Kiss (2)
* * *
It seemed that this woman really hated her! After hearing Yu Shi Shi’s words, Murong Qi Qi made a judgement of her. She pushed away all responsibility. With one sentence ‘did not see clearly’, she got rid of all relation. Now, she pushed her (MQQ) out. Does she (YSS) think that she (MQQ) really is a pushover who everyone can bully?
“Qing Qing, don’t be afraid. Say what you saw.”
Feng Cang held Murong Qi Qi’s small hand and seemed to cheer for her. In fact, it’s also telling everyone that he’s standing on Murong Qi Qi’s side.
With Feng Cang’s support, Murong Qi Qi’s confidence was enough. She pretended to recall what had happened. Her expression paled. Her voice began to tremble. Her voice pointed at palace maid Ning er1 who was standing at Wanyan Bao Zhu’s side.
“Worms……many worms……Then I fell. Fifth royal highness saved me.”
Such short sentences made people unable to guess the content. The people who heard it became even more puzzled. They didn’t know what kind of meaning this princess Zhao Yang wanted to express. It’s the eloquent Wanyan Kang who then translated Murong Qi Qi’s words.
“Emperor father, it’s this palace maid who poured the worms on princess Zhao Yang. Princess Zhao Yang was afraid. As she was taking a step back, she slipped and fell. As for how miss Mu pushed little sister into the lake and how she was then pulled into the lake by little sister, this subject son doesn’t know a thing about it.”
Black, really a black belly! Hearing Wanyan Kang’s words, Murong Qi Qi almost vomited blood. You already said that it’s Mu Yu Die who pushed Wanyan Bao Zhu into the water and then she herself was pulled in
to the water by Wanyan Bao Zhu, in the end you still say you don’t know anything? This fifth prince was a black belly to the extreme.
Having this testimony of Wanyan Kang, the truth about the ‘falling into water’ incident came out. Wanyan Bao Zhu and Mu Yu Die also didn’t have anything to say. They glared once at each other, full of hate.
“It’s good that nothing happened. It’s good that everyone is safe!”
Empress Li Bing smoothed things over. As long as this incident had nothing to do with crown princess Yu Shi Shi, then she was relieved. The empress wanted to let this incident pass, but someone was not willing.
“Ai, this poor child. You must be certainly frightened!”
Lin Ke Xin saw Murong Qi Qi’s expression, and her mouth showed much heartache: “Empress, it’s chenqie’s2 fault. Chenqie’s body is weak. Just took two breezes and my head felt a powerful headache. I had to let crown princess take care of them. Didn’t expect that such a thing would happen……”
One sentence let all the responsibility fall onto Yu Shi Shi again. This crown princess Yu Shi Shi was the empress’s daughter-in-law. How could consort De let her be well?
After listening to Lin Ke Xin’s words, Wanyan Lie nodded: “Crown princess, you are also responsible for this incident. When you go back, shut yourself up and ponder over your mistake for one month! As for palace maid Ning er, she knows the rules and still offended her superior. Drag her out and beat her to death!”
“Daughter-in-law accepts the decree.”
Yu Shi Shi’s face was pale. Her body shook a bit. Obviously, this incident didn’t have anything to do with her. Why was it that it had turned around in a circle, that the one who would receive punishment was her?!
As for Ning er, she had it even more bitter. She knelt and kowtowed.
“Emperor, have mercy! Emperor, have mercy! This slave knows this slave’s wrongdoing. Emperor, have mercy!”
Seeing that emperor father wanted to sentence Ning er to death, Wanyan Bao Zhu also got anxious.
“Emperor father, Ning er didn’t do it on purpose! This is not Ning er’s fault. It’s this subject daughter who let her go get the fish food! Emperor, have mercy! Ning er served this subject daughter since little. This subject daughter is already accustomed with using her. Emperor father, don’t kill Ning er! Asking emperor father to please have mercy!”
One word of the son of heaven is worth nine sacred tripods. Once those words came out, naturally they cannot be recovered. So Wanyan Lie didn’t soften at his daughter’s tears. It just so happened that empress and Consort De helped with Wanyan Bao Zhu’s plea, making Wanyan Lie’s frown loosen up a bit.
One word of the son of heaven is worth nine sacred tripods: one word of the emperor has enormous weight. It means that the emperor cannot easily go back on his words.
“Emperor, since this incident has something to do with princess Zhao Yang, why don’t we listen to her opinion?!”
After all, she’s a person who shares a bed with Wanyan Lie. Only a subtle movement from him, and Lin Ke Xin can figure his mind out clearly. After seeing that Wanyan Lie wanted to let Ning er off the hook, but because he had opened his golden mouth and couldn’t go back on his words, Lin Ke Xin found a way out for Wanyan Lie.
Ultimately, this ball was kicked back to Murong Qi Qi. The moment Wanyan Bao Zhu saw that things could turn out for the better, she quickly let Ning er go beg Murong Qi Qi.
Although Ning er was full of tears, but Murong Qi Qi didn’t see the slightest remorse in her eyes. Even Wanyan Bao Zhu let out a breath, thinking that she wouldn’t dare to do anything to Ning er.
Ai, this master and servant, ah. They really misjudged her!
“At home, there are rules of the home. On a country, there are laws of the country. Qi Qi doesn’t dare to be presumptuous and change the decision of the son of heaven!”
Murong Qi Qi glanced once ‘full of fear’ at the emperor. With a soft voice, she kicked the ball back to him and tightly closed Ning er’s way to survival. Since Murong Qi Qi said it like that, Wanyan Lie couldn’t go back. One order, Ning er’s mouth became blocked and she was dragged out. Outside, she was directly beaten to death.
A welcoming banquet ended with the death of a palace maid. Outside the palace gate, Murong Qi Qi took a deep breath. The palace and her really don’t mesh well. Why was it that every time she went into the palace, there would always be people dying?
Murong Qi Qi taking a breath had been seen by Wanyan Kang. He couldn’t help but open his mouth to tease her: “Cousin-in-law, in the future you need to be careful, ah! Today, Ning er died. Bao Zhu will certainly put this thing on your head. That girl bear grudges very strongly. You need to be careful!”
Obviously, it’s good advice, but coming out from Wanyan Kang’s mouth, it had the taste of him wanting to watch a ‘play’.
Murong Qi Qi pretended to not understand the meaning of Wanyan Kang’s words. She looked at Wanyan Kang confusedly.
“Royal highness, why would princess blame me? Was it not the emperor who sentenced her to death? This is Ning er’s blessing, ah! Wangye3 don’t you think so?”
It so happened that Feng Cang nodded.
“Indeed, it’s her blessing!”
“Blessing?”
This word choked Wanyan Kang half to death. Was this princess Zhao really naïve or was she pretending to be naïve, ah? Why was cousin brother also following her in playing the fool, ah? Not waiting for Wanyan Kang to understand, Murong Qi Qi’s carriage slowly drifted away.
Inside the carriage, Murong Qi Qi was leaning against Feng Cang’s chest. She closed her eyes slightly. In her mind, she was thinking about Yu Shi Shi and Feng Cang’s relationship. Although, today she had met many infatuated flowers, but in her heart, Murong Qi Qi felt that this infatuated flower was somewhat different. She didn’t know how it was different. However, the hatred emitting from her (YSS) towards her (MQQ) was a lot stronger compared to the others.
“Frightened?”
Feng Cang’s big hand was on Murong Qi Qi’s black hair.
“No.”
Murong Qi Qi shook her head. She wasn’t afraid of those worms. There were many things more frightening than worms, such as people’s hearts…….
“Do you have anything you want to say?”
Seeing that Murong Qi Qi remained silent and was not the same as usual, Feng Cang couldn’t help but inquire into this little wangfei’s4 heart.
“Wangye, there’s something that I don’t know if I should say it or not.”
“Say it. What is it that let my Qing Qing be sulky?”
Only when Feng Cang said that did Murong Qi Qi become aware that ever since she had stepped inside the carriage, she had been unhappy. Could it be because of Yu Shi Shi and Feng Cang’s relationship?
“Wangye, the way crown princess looks at me is very strange. It’s as if she is looking at a love rival. You say, what does she mean, ah? Is she eyeing what’s in the pot as she eats from her bowl? Is she standing next to crown prince and still misses you, ah?”
Eyeing what’s in the pot as she eats from her bowl: not content with what one already has/ wandering eye.
Murong Qi Qi twisted her hair in her fingers and bit her lips. A pair of watery eyes looked at Feng Cang, making him almost lose his soul. So, it’s because of Yu Shi Shi? His little wangfei saying that, could it be that she’s a bit jealous? Feng Cang felt somewhat happy.
“She and I once had a marriage agreement. Half a month before the marriage, she suddenly cancelled the agreement and married Wanyan Hong.”
Feng Cang concisely summed up in a few words what his relationship with Yu Shi Shi was.
“Oh……?”
Hearing Feng Cang’s ‘explanation’, Murong Qi Qi stretched her voice and didn’t ask any further.
The silence made Feng Cang feel uncomfortable. He gentle patted Murong Qi Qi’s nose twice.
“What kind of relationship did Qing Qing think we have?”
“At the very l
east, it should be childhood sweethearts.”
Murong Qi Qi vaguely remembered that the other girls mentioned childhood sweethearts. Those girls certainly said it on purpose for her to hear. So, she still remembered.
“Childhood sweethearts?”
This was the first time Feng Cang heard such words. So, the others thought that he and Yu Shi Shi’s relationship was that of childhood sweethearts? What a joke! It’s just that when they were young, their parents knew each other and also had some connections with each other. They saw each other a few times only. How come they had become childhood sweethearts to everyone? No wonder every time crown prince looked at him, his demeanor was not right. Could it be because of this?
Listening to the tone in Feng Cang’s voice, Murong Qi Qi became completely rest assured.
If a man uses a cold, ruthless and with some disdain type of voice to mention a woman, then that woman certainly doesn’t have any place in his heart. Besides, Feng Cang’s voice also had a trace of disgust as if, if he goes to touch that person, he would get dirty. Could it be that this was the so-called obsession with cleanliness?
“Wangye, you are so ruthless, those ladies’ hearts will certainly be broken!”
Murong Qi Qi’s mood was very good. This also let Feng Cang’s face become full of laughter.
“Qing Qing is now at ease?”
Her state of mind being pointed out by Feng Cang made Murong Qi Qi immediately feel embarrassed. Her small face turned pinkish. She glanced at Feng Cang. Seeing the smile in his eyes, Murong Qi Qi felt even more embarrassed. She hid her face to not let Feng Cang laugh at her.
“Hahaha!”
Seeing Murong Qi Qi hide her head like an ostrich, Feng Cang couldn’t love her enough. He reached out and took her into his embrace.
“Little fool, don’t restrain yourself too much! Come out!”
“No!”
Murong Qi Qi stubbornly shook her head. What a shame! All those thoughts had been seen through by Feng Cang.