by N/A
"A while ago, rumors of political marriage leaked from the palace. Although the matter was left unsettled afterwards, but ever since then, Princess Changle was no longer that cheerful anymore. If not for meeting you, I think Princess Changle won't even have that bit of happiness on the surface." Meng Jiang Zhuo said, "Xiao Li, do you know the real reason why I'm not going to the academy?"
(T/N: Interesting fact, in c.545, Princess Changle of Western Wei of the Northern dynasties was given in marriage to Bumin Khan in a political marriage. And also Northern Qi was a real place historically as well.)
"Isn't it because you need to accompany grandma Han?" Du Xiao Li asked.
Meng Jiang Zhuo shook her head and said, "I won't be going to the academy afterwards either. I think by today, my father will have already finish handling my graduation for me."
"You're going to be graduating?" Du Xiao Li said in shock.
"En, in another two months is the day of my coming-of-age ceremony (fifteenth birthday). Yesterday, my father told me he's planning on discussing a marriage for me, it's the Jiangnan Wu county's governor-general's eldest son, that is Shui Ye Fan's eldest brother. I think not long after, I'll probably have to leave the capital."
"What?!" Du Xiao Li was shocked by this news and directly straightened her body.
"You know Xiao Li, that Shui Ye Yang and I have never met before, but soon I might become his wife." Meng Jiang Zhuo powerlessly leaned against the wall, her body emitting dense sorrow.
"I see that Shui Ye Fan's character is quite good, presumably his older brother should also be more or less the same. Perhaps this might even be a good marriage match for you!" Du Xiao Li consoled.
"How do you know?" Meng Jiang Zhuo gazed to Du Xiao Li, and seeing her with a face of certainty, her messy heart suddenly settled down.
"That's right, don't they all say, 'people who don't belong together, don't enter the same family gates*'. If not too out of bounds, then a whole family would all more or less be the same. For instance, just by looking at you, I can tell your older brother is a gentle and refined person, and also what kind of people your parents are." Du Xiao Li explained. "Look at Shui Ye Fan, although he's a bit short and a bit chubby, the feeling he gave others was still very good, so that older brother of his definitely can't be bad. Furthermore, the eldest son usually matures faster than the other children, so your future husband will also be a very capable person. If he's really an idiot, how would your parents be willing to marry you off that far away?"
(*T/N: Basically similar people live under the same roof.)
"I hope so." Meng Jiang Zhuo said, "I hope everything you said is accurate!"
"Hahaha, of course it's accurate. Can't go wrong with believing in me." Du Xiao Li said.
"Hmph hmph, if what you said isn't correct, I'll run back to settle the score with you!"
"Alright, if you aren't living well, then just come back. I'll definitely find a new husband for you!"
"Really? I'll be remembering your words!"
"A girl's words can't be chased back even with eight horses."
(T/N: Pun off the common idiom that a man's word is hard to chase back with four horses.......I really hope I remembered that correctly. Basically means it's hard to take back the words once they come out.)
"Hahahaha......"
The two chatted until very late, all the way until the moon rose to the middle of the sky did they finally fall asleep.
The morning of the next day, after Du Xiao Li finished making breakfast for the Grand Empress Dowager, before she had the time to eat, she got hastily called away by Eunuch Shan.
"Miss Du, a life is at stake, let's go by horseback!" Eunuch Shan anxiously said as he saw Du Xiao Li preparing the horse carriage.
T/N: You know, I have a pretty interesting perspective on arranged marriages, because my parents met through matchmakers and couldn't meet until they were engaged, but they're still happily married, same with my grandparents on both sides. So to me I don't see it as the worst thing that could ever happen to people, but I can obviously also understand the other side.
I personally think that if you go into anything with a negative mindset that it's going to fail, it'll always fail, but if it's something inevitable like this, if both sides put in the effort, then perhaps there might be a good outcome.
Ch. 075.1 – The Poison King and the Grape's Bromance (1)
The Poison King and the Grape's Bromance (1)
Du Xiao Li looked to Eunuch Shan's anxious expression and nodded, letting someone prepare her and Xia Yuan horses. And after mounting the horses, they left the estate together with Eunuch Shan.
They madly rushed to Phoenix city, arriving at the inn.
"Miss Du, this way please." Eunuch Shan got down from the horse and said to Du Xiao Li.
When Du Xiao Li and Xia Yuan got down, someone immediately came forward to lead their horses away.
"Miss, this place seems to be........" Xia Yuan leaned in and whispered into Du Xiao Li's ear.
Du Xiao Li nodded and said, "That's right, it's the inn that princess was staying at. Don't know what happened, let's go in first."
"Miss Du, please follow me." Eunuch Shan said to Du Xiao Li and then entered the inn.
Du Xiao Li and Xia Yuan looked to one another and then followed Eunuch Shan inside. Right after they entered, on top a tall building not far from the inn, the two people that were observing the inn the whole time were both somewhat confused. One among them had a devilish looking face, wearing fiery red clothes, and had a pair of fox-like eyes flickering with a bewitching expression. And the other person appears to be his bodyguard.
The devilish looking man watched Du Xiao Li and Xia Yuan enter and skeptically asked, "Why did Han Ming Ze bring two little dolls?"
"Previously, didn't even Niu Jing say there was no hope?" The bodyguard replied, "What is master still worried about?"
"En, this poison, even the medicine sage of Medicine King Valley can't easily cure either, let alone Niu Jing. His medical skills are not bad, but in regards to poison, he's not even half as good as the medicine immortal. But to go invite the medicine sage right now, before they can even come halfway, she will have already died! For this Eastern Li's most precious daughter to have died in Feng Ming, don't know what kind of reaction the Eastern Li Emperor will have, hehe........" The devilish looking man said with a nod.
(T/N: I want to nitpick why they didn't just give her insta-death poison....)
"Master, how about we leave first? Han Ming Yi is still in the city right now. If we get discovered by him, it'll be difficult to escape later."
"Han Ming Yi......." Mumbling Han Ming Yi's name, the devilish looking man's fox-like eyes shot out a dangerous glint, "When will we have a match? Hehe, I'm waiting for that day to come........"
After Du Xiao Li and Xia Yuan walked into the inn, the entrance gates of the inn were immediately shut by someone. She turned back to look and behind the door already stood a row of guards!
This was the imperial guards of the palace! What are they doing here? Could it be that something happened to the Emperor?
Eunuch Shan lead Du Xiao Li and Xia Yuan all the way to the back courtyard, arriving at the place where Lu Jun Qi was residing.
"Eunuch Shan, the other few wangyes have already arrived." A eunuch that was guarding the courtyard entrance looked to Eunuch Shan and said.
"Understood."
Eunuch Shan brought Du Xiao Li before a building, and Du Xiao Li immediately saw the crowd standing outside the door. Aside from Ding Wang, Ren Wang, and Xian Wang, there was also a few marquises and old wangyes. Additionally, there was also her own father.
Eunuch Shan bent his waist at them, and then brought Du Xiao Li directly to the door, "Your Majesty, this servant has already brought Miss Du here."
"Quickly bring her in." Han Ming Ze's voice came from inside.
"Yes." Eunuch Shan replied and then pushed open the door, making a gesture at Du Xiao Li.
Du Yun Ha
n had long known Eunuch Shan had gone to invite someone, but when he saw Du Xiao Li, he really was shocked. His daughter was the person that his Majesty sent Eunuch Shan to personally go invite?
Hearing Han Ming Ze's voice just now, Du Xiao Li knew the one in trouble wasn't him. Looking at it now, it should be that Eastern Li princess that met with mishap. Just as she was preparing to enter, someone grabbed her arm. Following the arm, her gaze met with Han Ming Yi's trusting eyes.
"I'll do my best." Du Xiao Li looked to Han Ming Yi and promised. She knew that if the Eastern Li princess were to die in Feng Ming, if not dealt with properly, it might cause war between the two countries. Feng Ming had just ended war with Norther Yuan. If they were to then start war with Eastern Li at this time, even if they were to win in the end, it would still be at the cost of both sides suffering the damages. If other countries were to then take advantage of the situation and invade, Feng Ming will be in danger.
With this precisely being the case, that's why this many wangyes and marquises have gathered here. Because this Lu Jun Qi's life was too important!
"I know. What I wanted to say was don't tire yourself out too much." Han Ming Yi said.
Eh----
Du Xiao Li felt herself getting defeated by Han Ming Yi's line of thought. Right now, he wasn't worrying about Lu Jun Qi's life, but rather was thinking for her to not be too tired. However, she still felt somewhat warm inside.
"I know." Du Xiao Li finished saying and entered together with Xia Yuan.
"Greetings your Majesty." After Du Xiao Li entered, she lowered her head in a bow.
"You're excused." When Han Ming Ze saw Du Xiao Li, there were some doubts in his eyes, and also a kind of 'staking all on one throw' determination.
Just now, the people from the Imperial Physicians Court that had examined Lu Jun Qi's situation all shook their heads one after another. Even Niu Jing who had the best medical skills didn't have a way to cure the poison. Just as he was planning to send someone to the Medicine King Valley to invite the medicine sage, Niu Jing said won't make it on time, and even recommended his junior sister to him, saying that she also just happens to be in the capital, so why not call her over for a try.
After learning that Niu Jing's junior sister was Du Xiao Li, Han Ming Ze had an indescribable feeling inside. It was like surprise, but also felt like he'd long guessed it. But regardless of how he felt inside, he still immediately sent Eunuch Shan to the estate to have Du Xiao Li brought over.
Now, seeing Du Xiao Li once again, there was still disbelief in his eyes, because her age was truly too puzzling. Would a thirteen year old child really have that kind of high level medical skill? But right now, aside from believing in her, it seems there was no other way.
"Du Xiao Li, come look at third princess's situation." Han Ming Ze's mind made hundreds and thousands of turns as he instructed Du Xiao Li.
"Yes, your Majesty."
Du Xiao Li got up and saw the group of people wearing the uniform of imperial physicians standing before Lu Jun Qi's bed. Everyone all somewhat skeptically looked to her. This was the little junior sister Niu Jing spoke of?
Lu Jun Qi's servant girl was standing at the head of the bed, already crying into a puddle.
Du Xiao Li walked over and saw Niu Jing, who was blocked inside by the other imperial physicians. At the moment, he was currently taking Lu Jun Qi's pulse with a grave expression, not even aware of her arrival.
"Senior brother."
"Junior sister, you've finally come. Quick, have a look at her situation." As soon as Niu Jing saw Du Xiao Li, he quickly got up and yielded his spot, letting her sit on the lone stool to examine Lu Jun Qi.
Du Xiao Li sat down and first looked at Lu Jun Qi's situation, just seeing her entire face right now flushed red, her lips appearing black, and her exposed neck was also a patch of crimson, yet her two hands were a purplish-blue color! She touched Lu Jun Qi's body. The places that were crimson red, the temperature was terrifyingly high, yet the places that were purplish-blue, were terrifyingly cold.
"Such a bizarre poison!" Du Xiao Li couldn't help saying.
"Junior sister, do you know what poison this is?" Niu Jing asked.
After Du Xiao Li came to the bedside, Han Ming Ze also followed over. The imperial physicians all retreated two steps and watched Du Xiao Li examine Lu Jun Qi together with Han Ming Ze.
"If my guess is correct, this is the poison king's newest creation 'Fire and Ice'." Du Xiao Li relied.
(T/N: Technically the full name is like 'fire and ice, two layers of sky')
T/N: I really enjoyed the comments on last chapter, so thank you for that! Tbh whenever I tell people my parents were in an arranged marriage people look at me like that's the strangest thing in the world. Then again I live in America.
On that note, it made me realize that everyone's view of ancient china is purely through the aristocratic and wealthy circle, guess because almost all cnovels are about them. But that's like in the far future if all the books on our time period is about the life of the top 1% and people think that's the norm of our time period. It's like not everyone has to deal with corporate espionage. A lot of the problems in cnovel are fairly exclusive to the upper class. Not everyone had a harem lmaooo, it's expensive having multiple wives.
In ancient china, only the wealthy and nobles had the privilege of having multiple wives, kinda like how only the wealthy and nobles can afford having servants. Majority of the middle class and poor commoners usually only have one wife. Marriage and even taking in a concubine is hella expensive (you need to send betrothal gifts even for a concubine). So it's safe to say that probably 80% of the population were monogamous (the wealth gap during that time period was really extreme too). I mean what girl would want to become the concubine of some poor ass peasant lmaooo, there's no benefit. (I feel like during my research somewhere on marriage etiquette I read that commoners were only allowed one wife------not exactly sure if that's 100% true, or it may have been true for a certain dynasty or time period, don't quote me on that.)
There's a novel written in the 1960s(i think) about the life of a poor farmer in ancient china. I can't remember the title--------but it's basically a novel about a poor commoner's problems in ancient times. I remember the part about him getting a wife rather well. He needs a wife to help him with farming and around the house. He and his wife have a very platonic/pragmatic relationship but he does have a sense of responsibility towards her. I like to think that novel's perspective is closer to what the average person's mindset was at the time. Most of his thoughts were about farming and money, no time for that love, survival more important.
I feel if my broke peasant ass gets transmigrate, I'd end up in some poor peasant's family. Like just think about all the types of MCs that get transmigrated into noble and wealthy families lmaooo they were already not normal in our modern world standard, eg. mafia boss, assassin, genius super doctor, actress, etc.
Ch. 075.2 – The Poison King and the Grape's Bromance (2)
The Poison King and the Grape's Bromance (2)
"What, this is 'Fire and Ice' poison?" Hearing Du Xiao Li's words, an imperial physician said in shock.
"Imperial Physician Hu, you know this poison?" Han Ming Ze asked.
"Replying to your Majesty, this fire and ice poison is also a kind of poison that recently appeared in the pugilistic world. Because everyone that has seen this poison have all died, that's why no information about this poison has spread. Because of this, this old official didn't recognize it. Just now hearing Miss Du say it, this old official recalled it was this." Imperial Physician Hu replied, "However, this old official heard, this fire and ice poison, the poison king seemingly didn't develop an antidote either........"
"En, very rarely would the poisons developed by the poison king have antidotes." Du Xiao Li said.
"Without an antidote, what will the third princess do?" Another imperial physician said.
"Imperial Physician Hu, since you know this poison, can yo
u develop an antidote?" Han Ming Ze asked.
"This old official is ashamed. The poison king's poison has always been something this old official is unable to catch with." Imperial Physician Hu replied, cupping his hand in a bow.
Imperial Physician Hu was the on that understood poison the most among all the imperial physicians. Even he said he was powerless, never mind the others.
"Junior sister, do you have a way to solve this?" Niu Jing looked to Du Xiao Li and asked.
Du Xiao Li was taking Lu Jun Qi's pulse just now. When Niu Jing asked, she'd just finished taking her pulse. She placed Lu Jun Qi's hand back under the blankets and said, "This fire and ice poison, I still haven't studied yet. Whether or not I can cure it, will have to wait until after I finish studying it to know."
"Heard after getting this fire and ice poison, the person will die the next day. From getting poisoned late last night to until now, it has already been about 12 hours, will Miss Du make it in time?" Imperial Physician Hu asked.
"That's right, this fire and ice poison indeed will kill in one day, but I can use a method to prolong this time to ten days." Du Xiao Li said, "If in these ten days, we are unable to think of a solution, then even if the poison king personally comes, there would be no hope."
"What, you can have the time prolonged to ten days?" Imperial Physician Hu said in surprise.
Du Xiao Li nodded and said, "I've been continuously researching the poison king's poison, so I more or less know some of his habits in medicine. Ten days should be enough time to develop an antidote."
"Little Shan Zi." To the side, Han Ming Ze, upon hearing Du Xiao Li's words, called out.
"This servant is here."
"Have Xian Wang called in."
The door was opened, and Han Ming Yuan entered from outside. Upon seeing Du Xiao Li actually sitting by the bedside, he inwardly thought to himself that she really did know medicine!