by N/A
"Alright, then just sing a song for everyone." Han Ming Xiang spoke.
Since Princess Changle has spoken, everyone all quieted down. Du Xiao Li responded, and then began singing.
(T/N: The song she sings is called 'Wind Blows the Wheat Waves' by Li Jian---here a link.)
Under the distant azure sky,
the moving golden wheat waves.
There was once where you and I were in love.
Once the breeze brings the smell of harvest,
blowing towards my face,
recalling your gentle voice,
once bringing tears to my eyes.
En la,
We once sang songs in the fields.
Hoping in the winter,
yet wasn't able to wait until
this autumn scenery under the sunlight.
Just let the scattered promise dance in the breeze,
and float away with the west wind.
Just like your soft long hair,
once perfuming my dreamland.
En la.
Du Xiao Li only sang through once. After finishing, no one responded, so she said, "I'm done singing."
"What song is this? How come I never heard it before?" Ji Liu Xia asked.
The others also looked to Du Xiao Li, all feeling the song she sang was weird. The lyrics were neither like verse, nor like a tune, more like how everyone spoke. So even if her voice was very pleasant, and the meaning she sang was also very good, everyone still couldn't accept it momentarily.
"This is a song I heard when I was in the countryside, can probably be considered country music." Du Xiao Li faintly replied, and then no longer spoke.
"So it's a tune from the countryside, no wonder we never heard it before." Chen Ming said.
"Actually, it's not bad either. It has another kind of feeling to it." Han Ming Xiang felt it was rather good. Having gotten used to hearing those poetic tunes, this kind of straightforward music, she could also accept.
"Then let's continue." Fu Ya Lan said.
Thus the table began spinning again. However, it didn't stop in front of Du Xiao Li again. Some things, performed once was embarrassing her, to come again would be embarrassing the Prime Minister Manor!
The table continued spinning, and just when it reached the next person, the door was pushed open. Two men walked in.
"Sorry, we've come late." A magnetic yet also indifferent voice came through.
Du Xiao Li lifted her head, only seeing a man wearing an ink color garment with a tall stature, and a man in an aqua long gown with a slightly plump stature entering. The two were both seventeen eighteen years old, and as soon as they entered, they began sizing up the people that have gathered today.
(T/N: They are literally dressed as their names----Mo means ink, and Shui means water.)
"Gentleman Mo, Gentleman Shui, you've come! Quickly have a seat."
So they were the last two rare guest.
Mo Yang and Shui Ye Fan bowed towards Han Ming Xiang, before sitting down at the seats left for them.
"Mo Yang, you all actually came to participate in today's gathering, really a rare guest!" Chen Ming said.
Shui Ye Fan glanced at Mo Yang, and then said, "Originally, today, Mo Yang and I needed to go to teacher's place first, but teacher had a guest, so we thus returned. When we were passing by below, we recalled today's gathering, and thus came late, asking everyone to please forgive us."
"Want us to forgive, then later, drink three cups of wine first." Chen Ming said with a smile, completely different from his appearance when he was coldly mocking Du Xiao Li just now.
"That won't do. The grape wine that's coming up later only has one jar, if we let them drink it all, it won't be worthwhile." Du Ke Hui said with a laugh.
"There's actually grape wine today?"
"This year's grape wine came out?"
"No, it's one that shopkeeper Fu left over from last year. Right now there's only just this one jar." Du Ke Xin said, "Just, didn't expect that shopkeeper Fu actually agreed to give us to drink for today's gathering."
"That's cause sister Ke Xin has face. Last year, when we came here to eat, shopkeeper Fu didn't even sell to us." A girl admiringly looked to Du Ke Xin and said.
"It's probably because shopkeeper knows that this year's grape wine is about to come out." Du Ke Xin said. "Speaking of which, this Li family winery's fruit wines were all not bad, but only this grape wine sells the best."
"That's right, every year when this grape wine comes out, it'll sell out very soon. Last year, it was gone after a few sips. Hope this year they came produce a little more."
"Since everyone is all here, let's let the kitchen set the dishes." Du Ke Xin looked to everyone and said. Seeing everyone all agree, she thus let her personal servant girl Lue'er go inform the kitchen to bring up the dishes.
"Just now, when we were coming up, heard someone singing upstairs, don't know which miss it was?" Just then, Mo Yang, who'd only spoken once since entering, opened his mouth.
T/N: Either this boy has hella good hearing or she was singing hella loud---- I just want the author to stop making her sing, I really hate translating lyrics aksjldalkf; make her perform zither like normal trangsmig MCs!!! Tbh I'm actually a fan of Li Jian but this is his one song I don't like.
Ch. 062.2 – Army Outside the City Gates (2)
Army Outside the City Gates (2)
Everyone all knew that Mo Yang normally didn't speak much, and towards the surrounding matters, he also didn't care very much, wholeheartedly focusing on academic research. But now, hearing him actually asking who was singing, they all landed their gaze on him. Afterwards, they also uniformly turned to Du Xiao Li.
"Just now, the one singing was my third sister, Xiao Li." Du Ke Xin looked to Du Xiao Li and said, then pointed to Du Xiu Heng, "This is my eldest brother, Xiu Heng. Eldest brother and third sister both just arrived in the capital the day before yesterday."
Du Xue Qi was directly ignored by Du Ke Xin.
"Mo Yang, what, you're interested in that song?" Someone said.
Mo Yang nodded and said, "Recently, by the order of teacher, I've been searching for some commoners' miscellaneous tunes. Du third miss, can you teach me that song's lyrics and tune?"
"Hahaha, Mo Yang, you might as well just have her say the lyrics to you, and as for the tune, you might as well give up. She probably doesn't even know how to read music sheets! Else, with this many instruments here, why would she just sing without accompaniment?" Chen Ming said with a laugh.
"Then, Mo Yang will be blunt, don't know if Du third miss is free or not after the meal to have this song sung to Mo Yang and let me have this tune recorded?" Mo Yang looked to Du Xiao Li and asked.
Du Xiao Li looked to Mo Yang and nodded, "Okay."
"That's right, Miss Ji, I heard Ding Wang and your father and elder brother are about to return, is it true?" Du Ke Xin suddenly thought of the rumor she heard yesterday and asked.
"That's right, we don't have any accurate news. Miss Ji come tell us."
Speaking of her own father and older brother, Ji Liu Xia unconsciously let out a happy expression and said, "Yes, I heard Northern Yuan that we were at war with broke out in internal struggle, so they sent over letter of peace. That's why, the battle that was predicted to end next year, ended ten days ago. Right now, Ding Wang and my father and them are currently heading back to the capital. Heard, the morning of the day after tomorrow, they'll be able to arrive."
"The morning of the day after tomorrow----" The people present all were somewhat disappointed, making Du Xiao Li feel somewhat baffled. Shui Ye Fan's following words relieved her doubts.
"Today, when we went to find teacher, teacher said that on the day the army returns, everyone can have the day off. You all can go welcome the army returning!"
"Really? Then that's great!"
"Then, the day after tomorrow, we won't need to attend class and can go see Ding Wang?"
"That's really great!"
During the enti
re meal, everyone all were discussing the army's return, Ding Wang, and also the young general. Du Xiao Li listened for a while and felt this had nothing to do with her, thus had her attention shifted to the delicacies before her eyes. Although it wasn't as delicious as her own cooking, but she was lazy, too lazy to cook, and thus just ate.
And this scene of her battle with delicious food, in the eyes of some people, was another kind of understanding.
After eating, everyone wanted to go play, but Du Xiao Li wasn't interest, and thus asked Du Ke Xin if she could go back first. Du Ke Xin, seeing that her goals were accomplished today, thus agreed. And so, when everyone was heading downstairs, Du Xiao Li pulled along Du Xue Qi and Du Xiu Heng and fell behind.
Soon after, Du Xiao Li let Du Xiu Heng take Du Xue Qi back first, while she herself stayed behind. Du Xue Qi didn't know what Du Xiao Li wanted to do, but Du Xiu Heng knew, and thus left with Du Xue Qi first.
Not long after Du Xiu Heng left, the private room's door once again opened. Fu Wan San entered with a bunch of people, all successively bowing to Du Xiao Li.
"Miss."
Du Xiao Li looked to the people behind Fu Wan San and asked, "Uncle Fu, what is this for?"
"I brought them here to recognize master." Fu Wan San said, and then waved his hand at the people behind him, "This is our Feng Xue Lou's owner. In the future, everyone better remember clearly. Okay, you all can go back to work now."
"Yes."
The waiters bowed to Du Xiao Li, and then left.
"Miss, everything over at the estate has already been taken care of. When you have time, go have a look, if there's anything you don't like, we'll changed." Fu Wan San said.
"You and Ying Ge have worked hard." Du Xiao Li said, "I bought another piece of land behind the Prime Minister's Manor. When time comes to build the fence, help out Xia Yuan and them. En, while I'm free right now, go bring me this year's account book for a look."
"Alright." Fu Wan San said and retreated out. Very soon, he entered carrying an account book.
Du Xiao Li used less than an hour's time to have the account book read through. The entries were all written according to the income and expenditure balancing method she taught them in the beginning, so she could understand at a glance. Seeing that every month's lowest was also around some ten thousand taels of silver of pure income, even Du Xiao Li was shocked. However, this wasn't her property alone. She still needed to split the shares with Luo Qi, else she really might be a wealthy mistress.
After reading through all the accounts, Du Xiao Li finally left Feng Xue Lou with Xia Yuan. When they headed out, they just happened to see that beggar from before. Du Xiao Li instructed Xia Yuan a few words, and Xia Yuan thus chased after that little beggar.
Du Xiao Li walked along the streets by herself, looking at the various things displayed by the vendors at either side of the street, and in a moment of curiosity, she stopped her steps.
"Du third miss."
Du Xiao Li felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around, seeing Mo Yang standing behind her.
"Gentleman Mo? What are you doing here?" Du Xiao Li puzzlingly looked to Mo Yang. Didn't he go with them to go play? What was he doing here?
"Du third miss, at noon, you said you were willing to help me sing that song again. Don't know if you have time right now?" Mo Yang asked.
He originally didn't intend on participating in today's gathering, but when he and Shui Ye Fan passed by Feng Xue Lou, he just happened to hear Du Xiao Li's singing voice. He was drawn in by that singing voice, and when he went inside, he finally realized the singing voice was coming from Du Ke Xin's private room and thus joined the gathering with Shui Ye Fan.
(T/N: Fourth floor tho---this guy's ears are incredible, I'm shocked.)
Afterwards, when everyone said to go play, he thought that Du Xiao Li would also go. But later when everyone all gathered, he finally noticed that Du Xiao Li didn't follow along, and thus left first, wanting to go to the Prime Minister Manor to find Du Xiao Li.
"Okay." Du Xiao Li nodded. This Mo Yang although looked somewhat cold, he was full of passion towards learning. She didn't dislike him either. If she builds a good relationship with him, in the future, perhaps she can even ask him to take care of Du Xiu Heng.
"Then let's go to that teahouse over there?" Mo Yang pointed to the teahouse across from them.
"Okay."
T/N: Possible second lead? Dun Dun Dun. I really don't know either, so don't ask me lmaoo. Bit busy today so I'll release the remaining sponsored chapter tomorrow.
Ch. 062.3 – Army Outside the City Gates (3)
Army Outside the City Gates (3)
T/N: Chapter sponsored by K. Samel! Thank you for sponsoring!
The two entered the teahouse and ordered a private room. This private room just happened to overlook the street. For the sake of peace and quiet, Mo Yang had the windows closed, and then let the shop owner prepare the four treasures of the study.
"Alright, Du third miss, are you ready?" After Mo Yang had everything all prepared, he first let Du Xiao Li recite the lyrics once, and then let her sing again it without accompaniment.
"Done." In order to avoid mistakes, Du Xiao Li sang it once more. Just as she finished singing, Mo Yang already had the entire tune recorded down. Looking at the tune on the paper, Mo Yang happily said, "Thank you Du third miss for the help."
"You're welcome." Du Xiao Li lightly smiled.
"Don't know if Du third miss knows any other similar songs?" Mo Yang asked.
"I do." Soon after, Du Xiao Li sang some more. However, the ones she chose were all rather neutral and also carrying some antiquity. Those romance and love ones, ancient people probably can't accept either.
Mo Yang looked to the four five recorded songs and said with a smile, "Really just too grateful to Du third miss today. These songs' style are completely different from current songs, very distinct. I believe teacher will also like too. The day is already quite late, how about Mo Yang have you sent back first?"
"No need, later my maid will come get me. If Gentleman Mo is in a hurry, you can leave first." Du Xiao Li said with a smile.
"How can I leave Du third miss alone here. Since your servant girl is coming, then I'll wait with you. It's not too late for me to leave once she comes." Mo Yang shook his head and said. Although it was very important for him to go back and organize these tunes, he couldn't just abandon Du Xiao Li here by herself either.
Thus the two began chatting in the teahouse. Mo Yang normally didn't like to talk, but once on the topic of academics, he would began talking nonstop. This appearance of his made Du Xiao Li only think of one word: Bookworm!
When Xia Yuan appeared on the street, Du Xiao Li immediately knew. She stuck out her head and softly called for Xia Yuan. Xia Yuan followed the voice and saw Du Xiao Li upstairs, and thus entered the teahouse.
"Chatting with Du third miss today, Mo Yang gained a lot. Du third miss is truly a good teacher and helpful friend!" Seeing Xia Yuan arrive, Mo Yang somewhat didn't want to leave.
"I heard all these from my big brother. If Gentleman Mo likes it, you can go find my big brother." Du Xiao Li said. "In a few days, he should be able to start attending Four Way Academy. When the time comes, asking Gentleman Mo to look after."
"Definitely." Mo Yang had those sheets of paper stored into his chest. Seeing Xia Yuan entering, he cupped his hands towards Du Xiao Li and said, "Then Mo Yang will be leaving first."
"Miss."
"How is it? Is the matter taken care of?" Du Xiao Li asked.
"Something occurred in between, but it's already taken care of now."
"Then let's go back." Du Xiao Li said and took Xia Yuan back to the Prime Minister Manor.
When Du Xiao Li returned to the manor, the sun had already started leaning towards the west, and Du Ke Xin and them still haven't returned. Du Xiao Li directly returned to her own courtyard. Besides, right now, aside from Du Yun Han, no one else is interested in her whereabouts.
T
he Jade Bamboo Courtyard right now, aside from Xia Yuan and Ying Ge, there was only just a servant girl and a servant boy. Du Yun Han originally wanted to send some more people over, but got rejected by Du Xiao Li. One, her place was already rather small, so shoving in a bunch of servants, they would definitely be crowded to death. And two, she also was afraid that Silver might injure those people, so she only kept a servant girl and boy that knew martial arts.
However, this in an outsider's eyes became 'Du Xiao Li not receiving favor'. Thus, in the capital, two different rumors appeared. One said Du Xiao Li was favored, and one said Du Xiao Li didn't have any position in the Du Manor.
Du Xiao Li directly went to the drawing room in the first floor. At the moment, there was a person in tattered clothes currently sitting on the ground wiping her tears. Seeing Du Xiao Li come in, she quickly got up.
Du Xiao Li sat down, looking to that little beggar's reddened eyes. She turned to Xia Yuan and asked, "You bullied her?"
"Miss, how could I bully her?" Xia Yuan knew her miss was just joking, but she still explained.
Du Xiao Li looked to the little beggar's falling tears and somewhat heartached, asking: "What's wrong?"
The little beggar glanced to Du Xiao Li, but still didn't say anything, completely different from when Du Xiao Li saw her on the streets this morning.
"Miss, that old beggar that's together with her is ill. She used today's money she got from begging to go invite a doctor, but the doctor said there's already no hope."
"Died?" Du Xiao Li asked.
"Not yet, I let someone go invite another doctor, but he also said there's not much time left. Probably, it's just these two days. She at that old beggar depend on one another. In the beginning, if not for him saving her as an infant, there wouldn't be the her today." Xia Yuan said with a sigh.
Hearing Xia Yuan's words, the little beggar cried even harder.
"What's your name?" Du Xiao Li asked.
"I don't have a name, grandpa calls me Xiao Gui*." The little beggar said.
(T/N: Means little demon, it's an endearing nickname for children, kinda like calling them little brat but like in a cute way.)