by N/A
Seeing Du Xiao Li still sulking, not saying a word, he said, "Still don't understand my meaning?"
"Eh, I comprehend. But I don't understand." Du Xiao Li said with a distracted look.
"What don't you understand?" Han Ming Yi felt, having not met in several years, Du Xiao Li turned dumb.
"I don't understand, how did you end up liking a countryside girl?" Du Xiao Li voiced her feelings.
"En, this question, I also don't understand. How did you steal my heart away? And even when you were still that small." Han Ming Yi's blurred eyes gazed upon the hazy world below the moonlight, recollecting the scene at that time. "I know you want an unrestricted life. I don't want to force you, so at the time, I didn't have you enter the capital with me. However, I never thought that this time coming back, you actually became Prime Minister Du's daughter. Since you're destined to be trapped, I might as well have you tied to my side. I've already let go of you once, I won't pass by you a second time."
"But......" Du Xiao Li wanted to say that she didn't want to share her husband, but thinking of his identity, the words couldn't come out.
Han Ming Yi, as Ding Wang, coming from the meaning to stabilize(ding) the country and bring peace, this kind of figure, how can he promise her to be only a pair for a whole lifetime.
"I know what you want to say." Han Ming Yi said, "I don't have side consorts, don't have concubines, don't have tongfangs, and don't have bed warming servant girls either. None in the past, none at present, and there won't be any in the future either."
T/N: I feel like she should have realized she doesn't have control over her own marriage by time her true identity was known. Emperors in feudal era love playing matchmaker. I feel like my only gripe with the OP MC transmigration genre is the historical nuances. Most these MCs are way too privileged compared to actual women in ancient times. While they're satisfying to read about, the history nerd side of me just ends up crying in a corner. Really random, but I was browsing the other day and saw this one novel synopsis that read 'stepped on a spider and transmigrated'.
Ch. 065.2 – His Confession, His Promise (2)
His Confession, His Promise (2)
T/N: Chapter sponsored by Gigi Jinx and Anon! Thank you for sponsoring!
Du Xiao Li's slightly agape mouth expressed her surprise. When Han Ming Yi finished speaking, she momentarily couldn't control herself and had the words in her heart voiced out.
"You're still a virgin?"
Han Ming Yi's complexion darkened. Clearly this was such a romantic moment, yet she actually said such mood ruining words.
"I heard, last year, you had Eastern Li's princess thrown out. You don't have a problem, right?" Du Xiao Li said, and seeing Han Ming Yi's face dark like it was about to drip ink, she giddily laughed out.
Han Ming Yi grabbed Du Xiao Li by the hand and had her pulled closer to his side, saying: "Whether or not I have a problem, why don't you personally examine and see? If there's really a problem, aren't you a doctor, you can just treat me, so as to avoid it affecting our married life in the future."
'Shua---' (T/N: Sound of a brush stroke, but also used for sound of blushing---don't ask me how blushing makes a sound.)
Du Xiao Li's face instantly turned deep red. She wanted to pull back her own hand, but no matter what she did, she was still tightly confined by Han Ming Yi. She couldn't help feeling somewhat shocked. Her martial arts even Luo Qi praised to be high level, but right now, she actually couldn't even pull back her own hand from Han Ming Yi's hand. Just how strong is his martial arts exactly?!
"Alright, not angry with me anymore?" Han Ming Yi let go of Du Xiao Li's arm, changing to hold her little hand.
Du Xiao Li wasn't able to struggle free, and said in a bad mood, "I don't like you, why should I marry you? Hmph!"
"It doesn't matter if you don't like me now. There's still more than a year until you reach marriageable year, we can slowly cultivate feelings." Han Ming Yi said.
"In your dreams."
"Alright, it's very late tonight, I'll send you back." Han Ming Yi said, and then picked up Du Xiao Li in his arms, using qinggong to take her back to Du Manor. Towards her martial arts, he only remembered that she wasn't able to successfully learn qinggong back then. He simply never would've imagined that Du Xiao Li right now was already a master only a mere one point away from himself. Especially in qinggong, she can be said to not be inferior in any way compared to him.
"Properly rest." Han Ming Yi placed her down on the balcony and said.
Du Xiao Li took off his coat and handed it back to him, "Thank you."
Han Ming Yi took the coat, looked to her exposed skin and said, "In the future, before getting married, you're not allowed to wear such revealing clothes!" With that said, he turned and left. If he doesn't leave sooner, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to walk anymore!
Du Xiao Li watched Han Ming Yi leave in a hurry and lowered her head to look at her own clothes. She didn't feel there was anything wrong, and so his words were very quickly thrown to the back of her head.
"Miss, where did you go just now? Earlier when we came up, we saw that you were gone and couldn't find you anywhere. We were worried to death!" Ying Ge anxiously said.
Although they all knew that Du Xiao Li knew martial arts, but aside from qinggong and some ordinary martial arts, they've all never seen Du Xiao Li use 'wind blowing snow' before.
"That's right miss, when we came up, we saw that the screen in the room had a hole, but the other furnitures were all proper, really scared us to death." Xia Yuan also said.
"Miss, where did you go just now?" Qiao Zhu asked.
"Just now, big brother Yi came. His martial arts skills are very impressive, so you all didn't notice." Du Xiao Li explained, "Alright, I'm fine, you all don't need to worry anymore."
"Miss, big sister Xia Yuan and them say your martial arts skills are very impressive. How come you also got kidnapped?" Qiao Zhu asked.
"Miss, although his Majesty bestowed a marriage for you two today, but he came and took you away in the middle of the night, so why didn't you use that martial arts skills against him?" Ying Ge asked
"Big brother Yi doesn't know that I know martial arts, so I didn't resist the whole time, and I also wanted to see just what he wanted." Du Xiao Li said.
"Which martial arts skill? Miss, you know a lot of martial arts skills?" Qiao Zhu curiously asked. Seeing Du Xiao Li safely return, everyone had all relaxed.
"Can be considered like that." Du Xiao Li said.
"Then what is that martial arts skill?" Qiao Zhu asked.
"You won't know even if I say it. However, I can demonstrate it for you all to see. Xia Yuan and Ying Ge have also been curious for a long time too, right?" Du Xiao Li saw Ying Ge and Xia Yuan's eyes suddenly lighting up.
"Alright, alright!" Qiao Zhu said as she clapped her hands.
Du Xiao Li let Ying Ge go pick a tender green bamboo leaf that just sprouted out in the courtyard, and then after washing it clean with water, she brought them to the balcony. She had the bamboo leaf placed to her lips, and with a light blow, the bamboo leaf let out a crisp and drawn out sound, like a bird's cry. Soon after, the river below produced a splashing sound like the water surface broke.
Qiao Zhu and them quickly looked down and saw several fish jump out from the water, and after circling in midair, landed into the water again.
"So, so amazing!" Qiao Zhu watched the scene below in awe. She didn't know martial arts, and didn't know just how impressive this martial arts skill was either. She just purely felt amazed.
As for Xia Yuan and Ying Ge, they both had came from Luo Qi and were more knowledgable than normal people, so seeing this move, they already couldn't be described as 'amazed'. It wouldn't even be enough to say that they were shocked. Currently, Du Xiao Li was just using a bamboo leaf to play a few notes. If she were to use an instrument to perform a complete piece, then that power would be enough to turn the heaven and earth upside down!
"Now do you kno
w?" Du Xiao Li had the bamboo leaf in her tossed and turned around to look at the three stunned servant girls.
"Miss, your martial arts was that....."Ying Ge wanted to say, but all of a sudden got covered by the mouth by Xia Yuan.
"We didn't see anything tonight." Xia Yuan looked to Ying Ge and said.
"Why?" Qiao Zhu asked in puzzlement.
Du Xiao Li smiled and said, "It's fine, this martial arts technique, I've already trained to the fifth level, even if ordinary people know, it won't cause me any trouble."
"But it's still best to be careful." Xia Yuan said.
"Why?" Qiao Zhu continued asking her question from just now.
"Because this is the martial arts that has been missing from the pugilistic world for ages now, and one that everyone all are scrambling to obtain. If others find out that the secret technique book is in miss's hands, then she might incur the entire Wulin as well as the government's pursuit to kill her." Xia Yuan said with a grave expression.
(T/N: Wulin refers to all the martial art sects collectively as a whole.)
Qiao Zhu instantly covered her own mouth and said, "Just now, I didn't see anything."
"Starting from tomorrow, Xia Yuan and Ying Ge, you two will put emphasis on preparing rear fence, and have the perimeter wall built as quickly as possible. This way I can finally feel safe letting Silver and them play there. As for the design of the interior, I'll draw it out tomorrow and then give it to you." Du Xiao Li said. "Alright, it's late now, everyone all go to bed."
The three finally returned to go rest. Although it was somewhat late tonight, Du Xiao Li still practiced her inner energy manipulation technique a few times before going to sleep.
Wind blowing snow had ten levels altogether, but aside from the elder that invented it, those previous people at most only trained to the fifth level. However, even so, it was enough to arrogantly laugh through the pugilistic world.
Perhaps it was related to her two lifetimes of experience, or perhaps it's because of her natural born ability to comprehend music, or perhaps because of her super high IQ, or some other reason, she didn't encounter much resistance when practicing this. Only thirteen and already reached the fifth level, but also still unable to touch the sixth level's doorsteps.
When she finished practicing, Du Xiao Li went to sleep. She had closed her eyes, but her mind still thought about the design for the back area.
T/N: My cold is better but I still feel so dead inside, and the fact that spring is coming and my pollen allergy is going out of control isn't helping either rip me.
Ch. 065.3 – His Confession, His Promise (3)
His Confession, His Promise (3)
The next day, Du Xiao Li got up early and had the blueprints drawn up. While washing herself up, she had the designs handed to Ying Ge.
Fortunately because Du Ke Xin and them all went to school, Du Xiao Li didn't need to go give her morning greetings to Du Old Madam. Du Old Madam's original words were 'Ke Xin and them all went to school, so why don't she also be excused. When school lets out, she can just come over together. Young people nowadays all like to sleep in late."
Although it sounded like she was quite considerate of Du Xiao Li, but Du Xiao Li more so believed that was because Du Old Madam didn't like her and just didn't want to see her everyday.
However, that way, it was very better. She was also too lazy to go over every day. She had majority of her energy spent on the construction of the rear fence.
Half a month later, the outermost wall finally was built. Du Xiao Li had Silver and Gold moved to that side. Outsiders also became curious towards the sudden perimeter wall, and wanted to come have a look, but after hearing Silver and Gold's cries, they thus halted their thoughts. And as for the people of the Du Manor, because Silver and Gold's cries also came from the direction of Du Xiao Li's courtyard, and because they normally weren't familiar with this side either, they all didn't notice anything unusual either.
Knowing Du Xiao Li was very busy lately, Ji Liu Feng and them all didn't come to bother her. However, in between, she actually went out once.
'Du du du---' (T/N: Knocking sounds)
'Creak---'
Niu Jing's front entrance was opened, and a child dressed as a medicine apprentice appeared behind the door, rubbing his hazy eyes. Seeing Du Xiao Li and the others, he mumbled in a soft voice, "You all looking for my shifu? He went to the palace."
"Then when will he return?" Du Xiao Li looked to the tender doll-like little face and asked with a smile.
"Today is shifu's day off on the rotation, so probably will be back around chen-hour (7-9am). Who are you all? What are you looking for my shifu for?" The little child asked.
"Niu Jing is your shifu?" Du Xiao Li asked, "Then, I'm your shishu."
(T/N: Shishu - translates to teacher-uncle, but the term is used for both genders, used to address your own shifu's junior brothers and sisters.)
"Ah, you're Du family's third miss?" The medicine boy said in sudden realization, "I heard my shifu say, Du family's third miss is his little junior sister, older than me by two years, so must be you, greetings shishu, I'm Tong Tong."
(T/N: Pfft his name is literally child-child)
"Then, can we go in and wait for your shifu to return?" Du Xiao Li asked.
"Okay, shishu this way." Tong Tong has the door opened wide, letting Du Xiao Li, Xia Yuan and Qiao Zhu enter.
After entering the Niu Manor, Du Xiao Li discovered that Niu Jing's house not only looked not that great on the outside, the inside was also rather worn out, with many things wearing out from age. However, it was still considered rather clean, appearing mostly the same as the house in Du village.
"Shishu, please have some tea." After Tong Tong lead Du Xiao Li to the guest hall, he went and made a cup of tea for her. Although he was only two years younger than Du Xiao Li, he still was very respectful.
"Thank you." Du Xiao Li said as she accept the tea.
"Shishu, last night when I was studying, I found some problems, can I ask you for guidance?" Tong Tong said.
"Alright." Du Xiao Li gladly replied.
Although she currently still haven't gone to the so called Medicine King Valley, but because of Niu Jing, as well as that medical book that she's already memorized by heart, she still had quite a sense of belonging towards Medicine King Valley. A place that can cultivate someone like Niu Jing naturally won't be lacking!
"Then I'll go get the medical book." Tong Tong said and immediately ran out, returning very soon with a medical book in hand. Du Xiao Li looked it over. It was already not the entry level kind. Looks like Tong Tong's gift in medicine was also not bad.
"Here, here, and also here, I all don't understand very well." Tong Tong had the medical book flipped to the place he was reading last night and pointed out a few places for Du Xiao Li to see.
When Niu Jing returned, what he saw in the guest hall was the two in deep discussion about medicine.
"Keke, Li girl, you've come?" Niu Jing walked in and somewhat unnaturally greeted Du Xiao Li.
"Shifu." Tong Tong turned around and called out to Niu Jing, "Shishu is currently explaining the places I don't understand."
"En, your shishu's medical skills are very unique, it's very beneficial for you to learn lots from her. Alright, go back and read it yourself." Niu Jing said with a nod.
"Yes, shifu." Tong Tong performed a bow towards Niu Jing, then bowed to Du Xiao Li, before finally withdrawing.
"Grandpa Niu." Du Xiao Li looked to Niu Jing, who'd aged quite a bit these last few years. She suddenly sighed at the aging of time, and that shred of complaint towards him inside her heart also went away.
"Haha, clearly we're now senior brother and sister, you're still calling me grandpa Niu." Niu Jing said with a laugh.
"I'm used to it. Senior brother." Du Xiao Li looked to Niu Jing's smile and said.
"You came to interrogate me today?" Niu Jing asked, "Sigh, this matter indeed is my fault. Clearly, I'd promised your mother to no
t have your matters exposed, but I still wasn't able to do it."
"At the time, I was somewhat angry at senior brother, but afterwards, I heard that day was your madam's death anniversary, so I stopped being angry. Besides, some things you have to live in this environment to understand the feeling within. Perhaps, I might even encounter a different kind of truth." Du Xiao Li said with a sigh.
"You didn't come to punish me? Then that's good, if I'd known, I wouldn't have gone to the border station." Niu Jing said.
(T/N: I feel like my impression of this old man changed a lot from the first arc....)
Du Xiao Li smiled and took out the medical book Niu Jing had given her at the time, "Right now, I'm returning this intact to the rightful owner."
Niu Jing said in surprise, "You finished reading it?"
Du Xiao Li smiled and nodded, "I've already more or less comprehended it all."
"Haha, I just knew you'd definitely be able to do it!" Niu Jing slapped his own thigh and laughed out, "This book has been with me for ten years, yet can't compare to the six years it's been with you. Hahaha, not bad! Not bad!"
"Senior brother overpraises." Du Xiao Li said.
"Come, I'll take you to tour my residence. It's said that this place once belonged to an old official. Afterwards, he moved away, and his Majesty then had it bestowed to me. Don't look at how the front isn't that great, the rear's scenery is still quite good." Niu Jing suggested, his mood was currently quite good.
"Okay."
Du Xiao Li followed Niu Jing to the back of the residence, discovering that the river behind her own courtyard actually also passed through Niu Jing's courtyard. Moreover, because the terrain was flat, she could see the perimeter she built from here.
"That's your place?" Niu Jing pointed to the perimeter wall and asked.
"How did senior brother know?" Du Xiao Li asked in astonishment.
"Two days ago when I went up the mountain in the back to look for medical herbs, I heard wolf cries coming from inside." Niu Jing said, "Lately, everyone all say Prime Minister Du Manor's third miss doesn't know poetry or literature, doesn't like interacting with others, yet love being together with wild beasts. Haha, I suppose aside from you, no one else would dare to raise wolves."