Author: Dray

Chapter 16: Sending you off like a rushing river[1]

“Sister-in-law, drink some tea,” Murong Wanru used both hands to hand her the teacup, her movements slight and delicate. She looked every inch the warm and cute little sister.

‘Dootdootdoot, dootdootdoot…’

The detoxification system had been sounding its alarm for quite awhile, almost enough to split Han Yunxi’s head open. This tea was poisoned. Han Yunxi mentally switched on the scanning sensors, sweeping her eyes over the cup before determining that the tea contained one of the most basic toxins: a laxative.

What a Murong Wanru! She looked like a delicate and fragile flower, but she was actually a white lotus[2]! If she drank the laxative now, wouldn’t she be looking for a restroom the whole time she visited the palace? How much face would she lose for herself and the household?

Such a wonderful way to show your courtesy. Very well, this doctor will give you an even bigger courtesy. As the tea came closer, Han Yunxi hastily reached to take and drink it openly in one gulp. Right before she returned the cup her hand slipped, causing it to shatter on the ground.

“What happened?” Grand Concubine Yi exclaimed. For a teacup to break in the middle of the tea rites was a very unfortunate thing. Murong Wanru was quick to console her.

“Mufei, it’s all right. Pieces lead to peace, pieces lead to peace[3]!” As she spoke, she quickly knelt down to pick up the shards, but Han Yunxi followed right after her. 

“Allow me, allow me, don’t hurt yourself.” Even as she said this, a shard of porcelain in her hand cut through Murong Wanru’s skin. “Aiya! It’s bleeding! This is all my fault!”

Han Yunxi was astonished as she drew Murong Wanru’s finger closer, sucking away the blood with her own mouth. She managed to completely steal the role of the kindhearted figure, so Murong Wanru had to resign herself with freeing her hand.

“A little wound like this is nothing. Don’t be like this, sister-in-law, I dare not accept it.”

“How could it be nothing? Someone, hurry and call a doctor to have a look! What if the injury scars?”

Grand Concubine Yi unhappily pulled Murong Wanru into her lap as she looked pitifully over the cut. “How many times have I told you? Leave things like this to the servants. Why compete to do such menial tasks? Now you’re hurt.”

No matter how Han Yunxi looked at them, Murong Wanru and Grand Concubine Yi resembled a flesh-and-blood mother and daughter pair. There was an excellent likeness in their brows. But she didn’t think much of it at the time, since it was common for people who got along  to resemble each other after awhile.

Grand Concubine Yi didn’t even have time to blame Han Yunxi before Murong Wanru spoke up. “Mufei, don’t blame sister-in-law. I wasn’t careful enough.”

Words like these made Han Yunxi’s mouth twitch. This was no white lotus, but a poisoned one. Murong Wanru’s speech reminded Grand Concubine Yi to get angry as she looked over. “So clumsy, where did your self-possession go? You’re punished with…”

Before she could finish, there was the loud sound of a ‘PENG…’

What kind of noise was that? The crowd in the hall was confused, but immediately following the noise was a series of mini-explosions: ‘BENGBENGBENG, PENGPENGPENG, PAHPAHPAH…’

What loud and noisy farts!

Not only that…they were extremely stinky?

“Ah…” Grand Concubine Yi leapt up, holding her nose as she backed far away, face filled with loathing. “You farted! Smelly, stinky! Hurry up and leave!”

This time, everyone’s eyes rested on Murong Wanru, whose face was a violent shade of red, like a monkey’s bottom. It was only after the first fart that she realized, yet her attempts to hold it back were of no avail.

“Mufei, I…”

Before she could figure out how to explain, her butt went out of her control to release another successive series of farts, completely overtaking the scent of flowers in the room. The obsessively clean Grand Concubine Yi couldn’t take this at all and was on the verge of throwing up. She anxiously stamped her foot and yelled, “Someone take her out immediately! Don’t let her spoil my room!”

“Ah…” Murong Wanru gave a short shriek as she farted again. Heavens! How did it turn out like this? She clamped her legs together, almost wanting to cry but not daring to speak another word. Seeing the scornful look of the people around her, she felt awkward enough to jump into a crack somewhere and hide. This was extremely shameful, especially before the Duke of Qin. How was she supposed to face people in the future? What was wrong with her? Two servant girls prepared to pull her away, but suddenly another PENG released a splatter of excrement!

Immediately afterwards, the successive explosions were like a flowing, rushing river that completely stained her pants.

“Ah…ahhh…AHHHH!” Grand Concubine Yi couldn’t take it anymore and ran out screeching.

A disgusting stench filled the room. With Grand Concubine Yi gone, everyone else followed suit to flee too. There was only Murong Wanru left in the room, crying as she continued to go on as before.

How did it turn out this way? So shameful! How was she supposed to face people in the future? Who was going to tell her what was the matter? She clearly meant to drug Han Yunxi with a slow-acting laxative. Sitting in a nest of her own filth, Murong Wanru could neither rise from her seat or stay in place. She was completely at a loss–who could save her?!

Han Yunxi followed Long Feiye out the door before she released a snort and laughed. When she casually turned back, she saw him staring at her.

Aye, aye…

She suppressed her smile and covered her nose with her hands. “Your Hhighness, it smells. Let’s hurry on to the palace.”

“You directly poisoned her wound so it would take effect faster?” Long Feiye asked in a low voice.

“How could that be possible? Your Hhighness shouldn’t make false accusations,” Han Yunxi’s eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled a very pretty smile.

-o-

[1] like a rushing river (一泻千里) – yixie qianli, literally to “rush down a thousand li”, or “flow powerfully”. 

[2] white lotus (白莲花) – bai lianhua, refers to a two-faced woman who might look one way but act another. Pretty sure there’s a cultural reference attached to this if you’re interested in looking it up.

[3] pieces lead to peace (碎碎平安) – suisui pingan, she’s using a homonym for a lucky phrase here. Suisui (碎碎), or pieces, sounds like Suisui (岁岁) or ages, in Chinese. The term 岁岁平安 means peace year after year, so to mitigate the bad luck of the broken tea cup, she’s using pieces in place of ages. 

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Chapter 15: Rather interesting, rather righteous

Grand Concubine Yi was a carefree and leisurely woman who enjoyed beauty and cleanliness. To one side of the hall she had installed a room just for flowers. Their fragrance wafted into the room and almost made Han Yunxi forget that she was in the realm of dragons and tigers.[1] She only saw Grand Concubine Yi lazily reclining her chair. For a woman of 40, she was remarkably well-preserved, and a pair of pretty phoenix eyes gave her the appearance of a queen. 

She fixed her stare on Han Yunxi as soon as the latter entered the room. This daughter-in-law really was very beautiful, and looking at her made Grand Concubine Yi feel less irritated than before. If it wasn’t for the empress dowager forcefully wedding her to Feiye, she might have even liked her.

As the grand imperial concubine watched, Han Yunxi kept to herself and quietly walked to Long Feiye’s side. 

“Feiye, what time did you come back last night? You didn’t even tell your mufei when I was waiting all day,” Grand Concubine Yi said lazily.

“Did anything happen?” Long Feiye replied, finally showing a trace of emotion in his tone.

“Nothing in particular. I hadn’t seen you for a long time, so I missed you,” Grand Concubine Yi smiled.

Han Yunxi’s heart turned cold. Didn’t this mother and son realize there was a wedding yesterday? What were they trying to show by singing to the same old tune? She had held some hope for Long Feiye before, but now that was completely extinguished. If this was the way things were going to be, then she couldn’t push her luck. She’d let events flow as they were. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t experienced disasters before.

Unexpectedly, Long Feiye tugged out a white handkerchief from his sleeve and offered it over. “For the drop of blood on the handkerchief, please take a look, mufei.”

As soon as he took it out, everyone present looked over. Han Yunxi was the closest one with the best view. The handkerchief was folding neatly into a thick square, and the side showing on top was perfectly spotless, as white as white could be.

Just one glance was enough to make her lower her head in disappointment. She prepared herself for Grand Concubine Yi’s inevitable questioning. On the side, Murong Wanru released a long breath. She knew that the Duke of Qin wouldn’t touch this woman by any means. They only came in together because they both were here to meet the grand imperial concubine. Murong Wanru shot a glance at the old mama, who rushed forward to take the handkerchief and offered it with both hands to Grand Concubine Yi.

She gave it one look before putting on a long face. “New bride, what’s the matter with you? Exactly how did you serve Yyour Hhighness when he returned last night?” As she talked, she raised up the handkerchief for inspection. Who knew that such a casual motion would reveal a reddish smear on the cloth?

“Ah!” Grand Concubine Yi couldn’t hold back a cry. When she stopped to look again, she saw a bloodstain. Han Yunxi unconsciously lifted her head and saw the same red smear–the drop of red!

This…Heavens!

She gave an incredulous glance towards Long Feiye. As before, the man had no expression on his face like some sort of icy immortal. Despite this, her heart filled with a nameless warmth.

Long Feiye, you’re rather interesting, rather righteous! Really, thank you a lot!

“Mufei’s already seen it. Come, someone send us to the palace.”

Long Feiye’s orders were something even Grand Concubine Yi dared not disobey. The old mama hastily carried over a plate to receive the handkerchief. Still showing shows of astonishment, the grand imperial concubine reluctantly parted with the cloth. She gave Murong Wanru a significant look as if to ask, Han Yunxi couldn’t have bewitched my son somehow, right? My son’s never been moved by beautiful looks before!

That spot of red was like a thorn in Murong Wanru’s eye, pricking her to the point of pain. She couldn’t believe it! She’d never believe it!

The cloth was put away and warm tea offered in its place.

“Her highness wangfei respectfully offers her highness the grand imperial concubine tea,” the old mama announced in a loud voice.

With Long Feiye backing her, Han Yunxi felt much more confident than before. She steadily raised the teacup and respectfully kowtowed as part of the ceremony. “Chenqie[2] Han Yunxi greets mufei. May mufei live for thousands and thousands of years!”

Grand Concubine Yi couldn’t stop her eyes from roving around before shooting Long Feiye a look. Although she was both confused and unwilling, she still had to give her son some face. Accepting the tea, she downed it in one gulp before retrieving a gift of a blue jade hair clasp that she personally pinned into Han Yunxi’s hair. She kept her tone light. “This one has no particular tasks for you. Just remember this one thing: no matter what you say or what you do, don’t lose face for this one or Yyour Hhighness.”

“Yes, chenqie will remember this in her heart.” Han Yunxi replied sincerely.

“You may rise,” Grand Concubine Yi said, waving a hand for Wanru to come over. “Wanru, you’re a junior member of this family. Come serve your sister-in-law a cup of tea.”

“Yes.” Murong Wanru obediently followed those words, looking a little bit pitiable as if someone had bullied her. She lifted a cup of hot tea and walked slowly towards Han Yunxi, her weak and delicate gaze hiding a bitter resentment.

-o-

[1] realm of dragons and tigers (龙潭虎穴) – longtan huxue, literally ‘pool of dragons,’ ‘hole of tigers,’ AKA a potentially dangerous spot.

[2] chenqie (臣妾) – a humble form of self-address for a lower-ranked female, equivalent to saying ‘your servant’.

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Chapter 14: No Confidence At Heart

The bloodstained handkerchief was with the Duke of Qin? The old mama couldn’t help but suck in a cold breath as she looked towards him in disbelief. 

What kind of joke was this？

Nobody knew when the Duke of Qin had returned last night. It was already inconceivable that he hadn’t chased this woman out of the Hibiscus Courtyard. To walk together with her like this, she guessed he was there to pay respects to his elders. How could he and this woman do this and that…and bring the bloodstained handkerchief with him? This woman had to be lying, but how did she dare in front of the Duke of Qin? Was she looking to die? The old mama’s thoughts were all in a knot. She wanted to ask but dared not speak, only waited for the Duke of Qin’s reply.

Long Feiye only threw them a ‘Wait,’ before walking back by himself. 

To get the evidence?

The old mama couldn’t help but cover her mouth and steal a glance at Murong Wanru, who was spying on them from a distance. Han Yunxi curiously followed her gaze but saw nobody there.

“You…the two of you…” the old mama was extremely shaken. The way she was acting, it was as if she was watching an adulterous couple instead! Han Yunxi rolled her eyes before leaning against a bamboo fence to wait. Actually, she wasn’t confident either. Heaven only knows if Long Feiye would really bring back a cloth with blood on it. Last night she only made sure he’d accompany her to pay respects, but forgot all about this thorn. If there wasn’t a drop of blood on the handkerchief, then him coming with her would still be pointless. 

Only something like that could prove he accepted her.

Although she knew something like that was impossible, it was hard to accept that truth. Han Yunxi still held onto that tiny bit of hope since she’d already married him. 

Long Feiye, we were married because of the emperor’s orders, not because I insisted. If you can’t defy the emperor, could you not put all the pressure on my shoulders, please?

Han Yunxi lowered her eyes, falling into silence as she leaned against the fence. The old mama was burning with impatience as she paced in place, shooting glances at her every few seconds as if she was some strange creature. Finally, Long Feiye returned, but his hands were empty. Did he bring nothing because he decided to tell the truth? Han Yunxi did her best to ignore the misery in her heart and smiled without asking any questions. The old mama wasn’t so patient.

“Your Hhighness….where is the handkerchief?” she asked him nervously.

“I’ll bring it inside,” Long Feiye replied.

The old mama was greatly shocked. “Your Hhighness…Yyour Hhighness is going to see the grand imperial concubine, with her, together?”

Long Feiye didn’t answer her. Neither did he pay any attention to Han Yunxi, but started walking as soon as he finished speaking. His legs were long, so he walked very quickly, and Han Yunxi hurried to catch up before her brain could process what had happened. Her heart started to pound as she wondered exactly how he was going to deal with this. She wanted to ask, but didn’t know how, and followed him all the way to Grand Concubine Yi’s front doors.

Before them stood a girl of seventeen to eighteen years, as slender as a thread. It seemed that a simple gust of wind would knock her over. She was dressed rather simply, with a fresh and pure look and an exceptionally gentle warmth in her eyes. This girl was none other than Grand Concubine Yi’s adopted daughter, Murong Wanru. As soon as she saw them arrive, she hurried forward and called out shyly. “Elder brother, you’ve come too?”

Murong Wanru’s voice was soft and demure, enough to melt a person’s heart. Han Yunxi couldn’t help but grow goosebumps and sigh inwardly. What a big show for a ‘delicate and fragile’ flower! Tender and temperate, she was the type of beauty to attract attention wherever you looked. A shame that Long Feiye treated her as air and walked right past. 

So it seems like this guy is just cold to everyone he meets.

“Elder brother…”

Murong Wanru’s voice was warm enough to melt one’s bones, but filled with hurt at having been wronged. Han Yunxi shivered again, trying to shake off another round of goosebumps. She didn’t expect the girl to come over and attempt to measure her up, eyes filled with jealousy even as she smiled and spoke with a kindly tone. “Sister-in-law, you’re very beautiful!”

As she finished speaking, she affectionately took Han Yunxi’s hands to comfort her. “My brother’s just has this kind of personality, don’t mind him. Come, I’ll bring you inside.”

Wasn’t it Long Feiye who treated Murong Wanru like air just then? She was talking like she was the mistress and Han Yunxi was but a guest of the house. No matter how good this adopted daughter was, her surname still wasn’t Long. And no matter how unfavored she, herself, was as wife, she was still going to be mistress of the house in the future. Han Yunxi put on a false smile.

“Many thanks, Miss Murong, but I can go by myself.”

Having said so, she pushed aside the offered hand and stepped inside.

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Chapter 13: A drop of red on the handkerchief

Han Yunxi spent the night nesting in the study. Fortunately it wasn’t very cold so she could bear it. When she woke up the next day, Long Feiye was already gone from the bedroom. He wouldn’t have gone back on his word, right? Then again, he’d never given her a straight answer last night. Han Yunxi began to grow restless and burst out the doors. 

Who knew that Long Feiye would be drinking tea right outside? He saw her flustered form run out, her robes and hair in a mess. She wasn’t even wearing any shoes. He abhorred the sight and said unhappily, “You have an hour to prepare. Get yourself together before leaving the room!”

“Yes, I promise I won’t make Yyour Hhighness lose face,” Han Yunxi smiled like a lackey before hastily closing the doors. One hour was enough time for her to soak in the hot spring pool indoors.

However, she quickly discovered that she’d been far too optimistic. Ancient hairstyles were so complicated that she had no idea how to fix them. It took her a long time just to undo her hairstyle from yesterday. In the end, she had no choice but to adopt a typical Han-styled princess half-updo[1], spending three to seven minutes just fixing her bangs. She wanted to find some hair accessories, but the dowry that came with her wedding were all substandard goods. Han Yunxi was very clear that she’d lose face both for herself and the Duke of Qin’s household if she wore those things. 

Forget it, she wasn’t skilled at pinning them anyways, so she might as well wear no ornaments at all.

Han Yunxi was right on time as she opened the doors again. She was wearing a draping, ice-blue dress that highlighted the freshness of her white skin. The simplicity of the outfit complemented her unadorned hair. Even though she had no precious jewelry to enhance her appearance, the overall effect was quiet and exquisite, a refined beauty that brightened one’s eyes.

A beautiful person didn’t need superfluous accessories. Simplicity was the most beautiful thing of all.

“I’ve prepared myself, would Yyour Hhighness offer his inspection?” Han Yunxi was in a rather good mood.

Long Feiye looked at her for a long while before rising to his feet and walking away without a word.

“Such a miser, it’s not like you’ll die from saying one sentence,” Han Yunxi whispered to herself as she hurried to catch up. Of course, she didn’t know that Long Feiye had never looked at a woman for longer than three seconds.

With Long Feiye leading, Han Yunxi followed a step behind. Yesterday she hadn’t seen clearly because the wedding veil was over her head, but now she discovered that this Hibiscus Courtyard was filled with flowers and plants, and even a man-made brook complete with a grove of bamboo. It was a secluded and peaceful place that exuded refinement, almost like a hermit’s home.

They met no servants during their entire trek until they reached the main courtyard, where an old mama[2] stood dressed in the colors of Grand Concubine Yi’s people. The old mama was clearly surprised to see Long Feiye. It took a few moments until her shock wore off to hastily greet him. “Your elderly servant greets Yyour Hhighness the Duke of Qin.”

Long Feiye ignored her and kept walking. Though Han Yunxi was now his wangfei, she had no aspirations of people paying her respects. She copied Long Feiye and kept walking as if nobody was there. Only, the old mama barred her way with a stiff tone. 

“Esteemed wangfei, it’s custom for the grand imperial concubine to inspect for the drop of blood on the handkerchief. It also needs to be delivered to the palace for the empress dowager’s inspection.”

The drop of blood on the handkerchief was to test the bride on her wedding night to see if she was a virgin. Not every woman bled after their first time, so imagine how many innocents had been killed by this very cloth! If Han Yunxi couldn’t hand it over, she had to admit that either nobody visited her in the wedding chambers, or that she wasn’t a virgin. The first choice would make her a laughingstock and lose her status in the house. The second would grant her a death sentence and tangle up the fates of the entire Han Family. Entering the gates of the imperial court[3] meant there were dangers with every step she took. This was only her first day of marriage and troubles had already found her on this early morning. 

She didn’t even get to sleep on that bed last night, so where was she supposed to get a bloody handkerchief?

“Esteemed wangfei, please give the item to me,” the old mama pressed. 

Seeing Long Feiye’s unmoving form, Han Yunxi had a moment of hesitation. Well, since things were already so troublesome, she might as well risk it all! Thus she lowered her head, adopting a shy expression as she asked, “Your Hhighness, that thing’s with you, right?”

-o-

[1] typical Han-styled princess half up-do (韩式公主头) – Han shi gongzhu tou, for a better picture I suggest you check out the Google image search results. Han Yunxi…really can’t do her hair. ^^;

[2] old mama (老嬷嬷) – a form of address for an elderly woman, also a wet nurse.

[3] gates of the imperial court (宫门) – gongmen, while Han Yunxi didn’t marry the emperor, she did marry his only living brother, making her thus related to the royal family and part of their circle.

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Chapter 12: A clever bribe

CRASH!

Han Yunxi dropped the lamp in her hands again, so shocked that her face turned white. Wedding night? Your lordship? What was this guy trying to say?

Long Feiye rose to his feet, measuring her with one look before brushing past her to the bedroom, exactly like someone who owned the place. It took awhile for Han Yunxi to chase after him.

“You…you’re Long Feiye?”

“Impertinence!” Long Feiye replied coldly. There were few people in this world who dared called him by his full name. When he hurried back home, he hadn’t expected them to send Han Yunxi here. This place was his private quarters. yh

While Han Yunxi found it a bit unbelievable, she was still convinced of his identity. Now she was berating herself for being so foolish. What kind of assassin didn’t even bother with a face mask? What kind of killer carried such a lordly aura about them? There was vexation because things had suddenly gotten complicated. There was still poison inside this fellow’s body. Even if only a trace was left, there was still a risk of death. With this man as the duke, if he died–wouldn’t she be buried alive with him?

“You’re really Han Yunxi?” Long Feiye’s icy gaze seemed to bore right through her. There were too many suspicious details in regards to this woman. Plenty of people in this world wanted to kill him, though none had successfully planted agents by this side. Then again, if this woman really was an agent, he would’ve died just then. Han Yunxi’s face was full of depression as she allowed him to continue to stare. She couldn’t help but think that there was no way this man would see the truth about her time travel.

“Answer your lordship’s question,” said Long Feiye.

Han Yunxi sucked in a breath and walked over to lean against a pillar. “Duke of Qin, this question isn’t important. What’s crucial now is the poison in your body…actually, …I didn’t get rid of it all.”

“What did you say?” Long Feiye was surprised.

“There’s still some poison left in your body that I couldn’t draw out with my needles. You’ll need medicine to absorb the toxins, but I don’t have any of those kinds on hand. If you don’t believe me, then breathe deeply and see if that spot beneath your heart gives you a stabbing pain.” Han Yunxi spoke earnestly.

Long Feiye took a deep breath and did feel some pain. In an instant, his eyes were filled with killing intent. “You really are bold.”

“Duke of Qin, you have a poor choice of words. When I thought you were an assassin, you didn’t reveal your true identity. Even if I’d killed you then, it would’ve served you right.” Han Yunxi said in her defense.

Served him right?

Long Feiye turned his ice-cold stare on Han Yunxi’s eyes, but she wasn’t afraid. She merely gave a level look back and allowed him to gaze as he wished.

This woman had guts.

A flicker of admiration passed through his eyes, unnoticed by even himself, before he spoke in a cold tone. “Now you know. You should tell me which ingredients you’re missing, right?”

Han Yunxi couldn’t help but suspect what various kinds of unsavory things this man had done. Instead of finding a doctor to treat his poisons, he’d hidden himself away in these rooms. It seemed like he couldn’t afford to make his injury public. Although it was against her medical morals to take advantage of misfortune, this concerned her post-marriage life. She had to consider things carefully. Everyone knew that it was no guarantee she’d stay in the Duke of Qin’s house even if she got in. She was very clear on this point. In that case, she needed someone to depend on and the strongest pillar would be the lord of the household, Tianning Country’s all important member of the imperial family, the Duke of Qin, Long Feiye.

A crafty smile crept onto Han Yunxi’s features. “Your Lordship[1], actually…the medicine I gave you now can still hold back the poison for 10 days.”

“So?” Long Feiye stared at her as before, the pupils filled with endless ice.

Han Yunxi adopted an innocent, timid manner as she spoke pathetically. “Tomorrow when I serve tea to the grand imperial concubine and pay my respects in court, could Yyour Hhighness accompany me as well?”

The first day after the wedding, the bride had to serve tea to the elders in her new family. As long as this fellow agreed to go with her, then it’d mean he accepted her as his wangfei [1]. With his recognition, her life in the household would be much less difficult.

“And if his lordship isn’t willing?” Long Feiye asked coldly.

Han Yunxi lowered her head innocently. “Your lordship’s poison isn’t so rare, you can find any kind of imperial physician to treat it.”

“Tch, you’re very clever!” If he could find an imperial physician, why would Long Feiye waste his time here? This roundabout woman had managed to tactfully threaten him again.

Han Yunxi had a very pretty smile. “Thanks to Yyour Hhighness for his praise.”

Long Feiye couldn’t help but knit his brows, feeling somewhat helpless against her. There was no way to tell what he was thinking, but he finally waved her off. “Just watch your mouth. You may leave.”

Han Yunxi was thrilled. Success!

“Yes, many thanks to Yyour Hhighness the Duke of Qin,” she excitedly retreated from the bedroom, even taking care to let down the curtains for Long Feiye.

Only…after she’d turned around to face the dark room, she realized that this was her wedding night. Where exactly was she supposed to go?

-o-

[1] Your Lordship (陛下) – bi xia, different from your lordship (本王/ben wang) in that she’s actually using a formal way to address him outside of his title. (The English equivalent is “your grace” since he’s duke status/one step down from the emperor, but that sounds strange in a Chinese novel.) Because foreign titles can be confusing, I’ve tried to use English whenever necessary. Your Lordship will always be more formal than your lordship. Hope that helps!

[2] wangfei (王妃) – his official wife in name and in title, his duchess to his duke, his married partner, etc. Higher status than any concubine.

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Chapter 11: Where do you want his lordship to go?

Han Yunxi’s dumbfounded expression was extremely detestable to the man, who raised his sword to rest against her neck again.

“Hurry up!” he said impatiently, as if channeling an vicious spirit.

Recovering her wits, Han Yunxi cursed herself from the depths of her heart. How pathetic was she? After taking in a deep breath, she managed to compose her senses. 

“Set the sword aside. Otherwise, if my hand slips and causes an accident, it won’t be my fault.”

“You’re threatening me?” the man narrowed his eyes.

“You can take it that way, yes.” Although this man was a feast for the eyes, Han Yunxi was no lovestruck fool. She valued her life, but it really was harder to focus on her work when she was threatened. If Han Yunxi had glanced up just then, she would have saw him narrowing his eyes until they turned into slits. It was a look sharp enough to slice her into mincemeat. But what did it matter if he was fierce? Who told him to end up at the mercy of someone else? 

Slowly, the sword was withdrawn.

Han Yunxi didn’t say much, but used a cotton swab to inspect the wound, serious and alert. Eliminating toxins came in two steps: 1) expunging the poison and 2) diluting its remnants. 

Expunging meant finding a way to draw out the poisons from within the body, while diluting usually referred to poisons that couldn’t be expelled. Dilution required the use of certain drugs and toxins to dissolve the existing poison. Of the two, expunging poisons was Han Yunxi’s strongest skill.

There were two ways to expunge a poison. One used acupuncture needles while the second used medicines. Acupuncture itself was enough to expel most of the poison, then an application of various medicines to absorbed the remaining toxins that seeped out. After a thorough examination, Han Yunxi was convinced that this fellow’s poison could be expelled completely. It was only a pity she didn’t have all the  ingredients she needed.

Without uttering a sound, she extracted her acupuncture needles. Different sections of the body corresponded to different poisons and acupoints. An ordinary doctor might need some time to find them, but it was a simple task for her.

“It’s going to hurt, bear with it.”

The man didn’t reply, but looked at her from beneath hooded eyes. 

Han Yunxi was supposed to be an ugly woman, so how did her looks rival the entire capital’s to stun the populace? She was supposed to be weak and cowardly, so what was this courage and imposing manner in the face of danger? She was clearly the useless young Miss of the Han Family, so why were her acupuncture skills so exquisite?

Han Yunxi had no idea of the man’s suspicions because she was busy looking for acupoints. Her delicate brows knitted in concentration as she searched, emanating a thoroughly serious and professional air. It was the type of awe-inspiring dignity that made it difficult for people to interrupt her work. As the man watched, he didn’t even notice that he was getting more and more enthralled. He only thought that this woman wasn’t quite so annoying when she was focused on completing a task. 

As more and more needles were stuck into his acupoints, his wound began to ooze with blackish blood. The flow grew heavy, almost to the point of being nauseating, but Han Yunxi didn’t bat an eyebrow as she wiped the mess clean to prevent it from infecting the other cuts on his body.

It wasn’t until the wound started bleeding fresh, red blood that Han Yunxi withdrew her needles, cleaned the injury, applied some blood-clotting balm and bound up everything with gauze and bandages. Her actions during the entire process were dexterous, nimble, and neat, done in an systematic way that took less than two hours.

Although she didn’t want to take responsibility for this man’s life, she still eliminated as much of the poison as she could. As for the traces of toxins remaining in his body…without further treatment, it’d be up to Heaven to decide the man’s fate. The medicine she’d applied to his wound was just to reduce inflammation while temporarily inhibiting the poison’s effects. If she went to look for additional medicines, there would be no way to shake off this man. This was the Duke of Qin’s residence and today was her wedding night, with her husband was due back at any time. If he ever found out she was here with another man, she was dead!

This guy–the sooner he leaves the better! It’ll be best if he never comes back!

Han Yunxi handed over a few packets of medicinal herbs and said in earnest, “Take this medicine once a day and you’ll be well in a few days. Hurry up and go.”

Who knew that the man only raised his eyebrows to reply, “Han Yunxi, this is your wedding night. Where do you want your lordship to go?”

Nani?[1]

-o-

[1] nani (纳尼) －the pinyin for the text literally reads “nani.” A borrowed exclamation from Japanese. Nani? = “What?” 🙂 

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Chapter 10: Take off your clothes

Take off his clothes?

A dangerous glint shone in the man’s eyes. It was obvious that he was displeased and even in the dark, Han Yunxi could feel him staring at her. 

“What are you looking at? If you don’t take them off, how am I supposed to examine the injury? You’re a man and I’m a woman, so it’s me at a disadvantage, not you.” Han Yunxi finished speaking before moving in to take action herself. President Lin of Soaring Cloud Hospital had the right words in mind. Before a doctor, there was no difference between men or woman. At the very least, Han Yunxi had long grown used to such things. When her hands drew closer, the man slapped them away as if he loathed the thought of a woman touching him.

“I’ll do it myself.” Even now, his icy tone lacked all traces of warmth. Though the poison was by no means shallow, this man still possessed a good amount of strength. He quickly took off his outer robes. Truthfully speaking, Han Yunxi hadn’t seen much at all in the dark. Since the human body didn’t vary much, she could find its major acupuncture points with her eyes closed, and inserted two needles in acupoints by his heart to stop the progress of the poison. Afterwards, she collected samples of blood near the injury itself. The man instantly felt the needles relieve some of the pressure around his chest and gradually relaxed his guard.

“Hold on a minute, I’ll go get a light.” She rose to enter the bedroom, using the chance to put the blood samples into the detox system of her pocket dimension for analysis. The results were somewhat unexpected.

This poison was a blend of different snake toxins. There were differences between snake venom of modern versus ancient times–for example, many snakes of the past had become extinct in the present, so she had no stockpiles of antivenom in her stores. Even the ingredients needed to make one herself were missing.

After realizing her current state of affairs, Han Yunxi touched the sword wound on her neck and felt unusually calm. Fine, there was no helping it if she lacked the medicine. That despicable assassin, willingly slaughtering the innocent on a whim–it wasn’t as if she was really going to save him! So she retrieved some ingredients that could delay the onset of poison, as well as a few tools of her trade, and went back with her lamp in tow.

Under the guidance of lamplight, Han Yunxi could better make out the man’s features as she drew closer. Although he was sitting down, she could tell from his limbs that this man had an excellent figure–at least, he was very tall. Gradually, the light drew nearer. When it finally illuminated his features, Han Yunxi was stunned.

Heavens!

This man…

Despite being an assassin, his face wasn’t covered. The cold, stern contours of his features framed a face that looked as if it had been carved by the gods themselves. Even though he had been injured, he didn’t look like someone who had been forced into a difficult position. Instead, his entire body emanated the respectable, dignified air of a monarch, domineering and regal. Anyone standing before him would feel a bit inferior. Though the light illuminated his face, it gave no light into his eyes. Those deep, dark pupils seemed capable of taking in everything and everyone in this world. It was these eyes that stared coldly towards Han Yunxi as if trying to suck her inside.

She looked at him in a daze, hand shaking so much the lamp tumbled to the ground. She’d seen many outstanding men before, but today she had to admit that this one had the most advantages.

“What are you still dawdling for?” the unhappy man didn’t take well to Han Yunxi’s reaction. Only then did she quickly look away, regaining her cool once again.

“I haven’t eaten anything all day, so my grip was weak.”

So speaking, she picked up the lamp and walked closer, refusing to look at his face any further. Putting the light to the side, she kneeled next to him and took out the medicine, cotton swabs, gauze and plants, spreading them before her. The man spotted the delicate cotton swabs and gauze in bewilderment. “What are these?”

Han Yunxi pretended not to hear as she raised her head towards the wound. As soon as she set eyes on his chest, she couldn’t turn away. 

This man had an excellent physique!

It was a healthy chest, with firm abs and skin that shone almost bronze in the lamplight. It had a certain attractive wildness that made it hard to look away. This was proof that the saying of  ‘no difference between men and women in the eyes of a doctor’ only held true in certain situations! Han Yunxi forgot about the injury in light of studying this body, the tips of her ears growing redder and redder…

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Chapter 9: Mysterious man

Han Yunxi waited from morning until night. It wasn’t just the groom–there was no sign of any other human here. Late evening, she rested against the pillow before somehow falling asleep. Yet a sudden ramming noise from one of the windows woke her up. There wasn’t enough oil in the lamp to shine it outside, so Han Yunxi could only wait a long while with an uneasy heart. Eventually, she carefully stepped out of the bedchamber.

“Who is it?”

It was quiet and dim outside, and nobody answered.

“Did someone come in? Who are you?” Han Yunxi asked again, shining her oil lamp. At this moment, a dootdootdoot alert sounded in her head, warning her of poison in the vicinity. What was going on? 

Did someone come in with the intention of poisoning her?

Han Yunxi trembled, immediately turning around to go back to the bedroom. Who knew that right at this moment, a hand would reach out and grab her ankle?

“Ah–” Before she could cry out, someone dragged her back. The oil lamp fell to the ground as she toppled over. But she couldn’t worry over such things, she was too busy trying to kick aside the hand. Unexpectedly, her foot came in contact with a man’s chest, filling the room with the stench of blood.

“If you want to live, then don’t move,” a cold male voice spoke, chilling the room.

Han Yunxi suddenly grew still because the icy edge of a sword was resting against her body. This guy seemed to be injured–not only that, but poisoned as well. Was he an assassin?

Their surroundings were very quiet, enough to hear the man’s heavy breathing. After sensing no reaction from him for awhile, Han Yunxi asked timidly, “Hey, are you here to assassinate the Duke of Qin?”

The man didn’t reply.

“The Duke of Qin isn’t here. I don’t think he’ll return for at least a year. Why don’t you let me go and I’ll pretend none of this ever happened, okay?” Han Yunxi tried asking.

Sadly, the man still didn’t speak. In the darkness, Han Yunxi saw him sit down to lean against the wall. He was dressed all in black so it was difficult to make out his features.

“You’re injured. Don’t sit like that, hurry up and leave. I promise I won’t shout for anyone to catch you,” Han Yunxi said nervously, carefully crawling to her feet to try and push away the sword.

Who knew that as soon as she touched the sword, the man would raise it to her neck and prepare to slice?! With her life hanging on the line, Han Yunxi backed away and hastily spoke again. “You’re poisoned with a wound on your chest four inches[1] from your heart. It’s snake poison that set in an hour ago, not from a direct bite but extracted venom. You have labored breathing and slowed heartbeat because this poison is designed to injure the heart. The flare-ups will happen very quickly, so for you to last an hour is already your limit.”

Han Yunxi spoke everything in one breath according to the conclusion she’d drawn from the detoxification system. Even now, the tip of the man’s blade was still resting by her throat, and the slow trickle of blood down her neck was making her heart pound. But the fact that the man hadn’t moved his weapon any further proved that Han Yunxi’s words were on point.

In the ensuing silence, cold air flowed in to fill the tense scene. Swallowing her saliva, Han Yunxi mustered up the nerve to speak, “I can help you get rid of the poison. If I can’t, it won’t be too late to kill me then.” After that, she didn’t dare to speak again, trembling with fear where she stood.

After a long time, the man finally spoke coldly, “How long?”

“I need to examine the injury to check the intensity of the toxin,” Han Yunxi said, sticking to the facts.

The man didn’t reply, but lowered his sword. Her heart, which had been hanging in mid-air, finally settled back down. After making sure she didn’t have to worry about her life, Han Yunxi assumed a professional air and rose to her feet. Seeing that the black-robed man was about to do the same, she immediately commanded him, “Sit, you can’t move!” Her voice was weak, but brooked no room for rebellion. “If you move, you’ll speed up your blood circulation. If any more of the poison enters your heart, we’ll be in trouble.”

In the dim light, the black-robed man’s eyes flashed before he obediently stopped moving. Who knew that the next thing Han Yunxi said would be:

“Take off your clothes.”

-o-

[1] inches (村) – cun, Chinese unit of measurement approximating 1.4in.

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Chapter 8: Into the nuptial chambers

The bride had crossed the threshold, but without a groom how could she do the traditional three bows? Granny Wang listened to Grand Concubine Yi’s orders and sent her off to the nuptial chambers.

“Is she really that beautiful?” Grand Concubine Yi asked, her face full of doubt.

“Grand Imperial Concubine, your servant saw it with her own eyes! It’s the absolute truth! I don’t know where these groundless rumors came from to call such a beauty an ugly hag!”

“Impossible!” Grand Concubine Yi sat up straight. “I’ve seen her when she was young, she had a large scar on the right side of her face!”

“Grand Imperial Concubine, you’ll get to see the bride when she comes to pay her respects tomorrow. How would your servant dare to trick you? The Han family is renowned for their medical skills, so perhaps they’ve finally cured her,” Granny Wang could only try to explain things this way.

Grand Concubine Yi impatiently waved her hand, awarding Granny Wang some money before letting her go. 

“Mufei, this is great news! It’s better if she looks pretty, or else we’d completely lose face for the Duke of Qin by letting her in today, even though the empress dowager forced elder brother’s hand. Isn’t it better that she didn’t shame us?” Murong Wanru chirped happily.

Grand Concubine Yi was a little appeased by the fact that Han Yunxi was beautiful, but hearing the words ‘empress dowager’ put her back in a foul mood. She coldly replied, “The empress dowager forced the daughter of her lifesaver on my son. What else would this be, if not humiliation? So what if she’s beautiful?”

Murong Wanru had no choice but to heave a sigh. “Aye, if her mother hadn’t saved the empress back then, then now…”

Murong Wanru didn’t have to finish the sentence, but even an idiot knew that if that incident hadn’t happened, even the fate of current emperor might have changed. Han Yunxi’s mother saved the empress dowager’s life back then, changing the lives of an entire generation.

“Enough of that, I don’t covet that position. I’m already plenty satisfied with Feiye as a son. You can leave now,” Grand Concubine Yi rubbed her forehead as she spoke.

“Yes, Wanru’s said too much,” Murong Wanru retreated meekly. As soon as she went out the door, she headed towards the Duke of Qin’s Hibiscus Courtyard, but stopped just short of the door.

She was very clear that Long Feiye’s private quarters lay beyond the doorway and he resented others casually entering his space. Even a foster sister like herself was no exception. But that Han Yunxi had openly entered them under the title of his official wife. After thinking for a bit, Murong Wanru couldn’t help but clench her fists. She couldn’t help but muse that Han Yunxi would be chased out of the household as soon as Long Feiye returned. 

—

Han Yunxi had no idea about the particulars of this Hibiscus Courtyard. In the end, she ending up sitting on the bed, waiting for half of the day for nobody. She actually dared to lift the wedding veil and stood up to stretch, before deciding to take off the phoenix wedding coronet. Immediately, it felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her head, making things much more comfortable.

The first thing she wanted to do was check a mirror because she had no idea what she looked like to startle all the people outside. The nefarious culprit that had tried to incriminate her with the stealthy dart only put her in spotlight instead. That person must be very gloomy now, right? Han Yunxi was in a good mood as she casually sat in front a mirror, only to be stunned by her own reflection.

Her reflection was similar in spirit to her own face, but the shape, skin color, and features were far more attractive. The pretty looks of the original body combined with Han Yunxi’s own innate charm truly combined the best of beauty inside and out for a stunning sight. 

Han Yunxi lightly caressed her right cheek, where there wasn’t even any sign of the old scar. It was as if it’d never existed in the first place. She couldn’t help but think that this face was at least worthy of a Duke of Qin. That man still hadn’t shown up yet, so who knew what he looked like?

She stood up and paced around in a circle before discovering these rooms were unusually large. The bedroom wasn’t part of the main rooms, but separated from them by a layer of thick and heavy curtains. Beyond the curtains laid an even bigger space, with an indoor hot spring on the right and a study on the left. Straight in front of her stood a long, serene passageway flanked by two rows of pillars that led directly to the front gates. It would be better to say that this wasn’t a bedroom, but sleeping quarters equivalent to that of an emperor and empress.

“So excessively extravagant!” Han Yunxi went for a stroll, feeling her legs ache by the time she made it back. Didn’t rich and influential families have lots of attendants? This house is so large, yet there’s no sign of anyone around. She couldn’t even find a person to question here, how strange.

Han Yunxi sat back on the bed, wondering whether the bridegroom would come home tonight.

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Chapter 7: Whose beauty can cause the fall of a country?

The two rows of musicians dared not delay, and quickly fell into ranks to play their instruments. Gongs, drums, vertical flutes and suona rang out with boundless joy in celebration. Han Yunxi lifted her hand, and Nanny Wang hastily ran to her side. The bride had already left the sedan chair. With everyone watching, if she didn’t support her, then she’d be in the wrong.

Thus, before the gaping looks of hundreds, Han Yunxi straightened her back and climbed step-by-step onto the Duke of Qin’s doorsteps, every movement graceful. All the elegance and brilliance that day was taken by her as a honor that no one else could touch.

This led many people to forget that she was originally an ugly woman.

Who knew that after Han Yunxi alighted on the final step and came to a stop, a flying dart would whiz by her face, knocking her bridal veil to the ground?

“Ah…there’s an assassin! An assassin!” Nanny Wang screamed shrilly, releasing Han Yunxi to flee. She accidentally tripped and tumbled down the stairs.

Immediately, guards appeared from two sides of the duke’s residence, searching around without finding the culprit. A long while passed, but nothing else happened after the flying dart appeared. The crowd was all caught up in a fluster. Han Yunxi was frightened as well, her heart pounding in her chest. She could treat poisons but didn’t know martial arts. Just then, that dart had missed her head by centimeters, how terrifying!

A guard led the way to pick up the bridal veil and examine the flying dart, before giving the weapon to someone else to take care of.

“Lady Han, here.” the head of the guards personally returned her veil.

Han Yunxi patted her heart to calm down before turning to accept. “Thank you.”

Who knew that as soon as she turned, the head guard would suddenly widen his eyes and yell ‘Ah’ in surprise, terrified as he backed up a few steps?

The poison tumor was gone, but was she still very ugly? The head guard’s alarmed reaction hurt Han Yunxi slightly.

But if that was the case, then she’d just stay ugly. She’d always relied on her hands to earn a living, not her face. With her back to the crowd, she mentally prepared herself before confidently turning around, holding out the bridal veil. “Nanny Wang, it’s all right now. You can come up.”

Who knew that this single turn would cause the entire crowd to suck in a cold breath. Nanny Wang’s sharp shriek was even louder than her last one. “You…you…how could you, ah…”

Han Yunxi had no idea that looking back had revealed a devastating beauty beneath the Heavens, endowed with elegance and intellectual brilliance. She only heard someone in the mob suddenly cry out, “Too beautiful! Are you really Han Yunxi?”

Beautiful? Before she could process the words, a sensation broke out.

“Wasn’t it said that Han Yunxi was an ugly woman? What happened?”

“Rumors ruin a person, ah! Han Yunxi, you’re even more beautiful than Tianning’s top beauty!”

“Does his lordship the duke know? You can’t believe groundless allegations!”

—

In a moment, all sorts of voices had spoken out. Even the members of the Han Family couldn’t believe it and wondered whether someone had substituted their Han Yunxi. But just by blocking out half her face, they could tell this was the genuine girl. One could only say that Han Yunxi’s peerless beauty had been hidden too long by the poisonous tumor, so her sudden appearance today had stunned all the masses.

Chaos reigned before the front door until the noise carried into the main hall. Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanru were shocked after hearing the reports of the servants. Feeling as if they were on tenterhooks, the pair couldn’t help but want to run out and see for themselves. By now, Granny Wang had replaced the wedding veil on Han Yunxi’s head and led her past and over the threshold. Even though the new bride had gone inside, the crowd was still exclaiming over their beauty. They’d even forgotten the matter of their bets. 

Within the crowd stood a beautiful woman dressed in bright, new clothing, using all her strength to drag away the man next to her.

“Elder brother, there’s definitely a problem with Han Yunxi’s face! I’ve stolen a peek at her before and it was absolutely hideous. I almost wanted to throw up!”

This woman was none other than Tianning Country’s General Mu’s third young miss Mu Liuyue[1]. The man next to her was a young general with a huge reputation in Tianning named Mu Qingwu. He was a handsome young man with strong contours, his figure steady and profound. Though he wasn’t wearing armor today, there was still the powerful aura of a commander in chief about him, and his bright, piercing eyes show with an upright light. The dart from beforehand had been shot by Mu Liuyue. She was one of the Duke of Qin’s steadfast admirers, and like all his admirers, particularly disliked Han Yunxi. Her original intention was to humiliate the woman in public, but who could know she’d end up helping her instead?

Irritated by his sister’s complaints, Mu Qingwu grabbed Liuyue’s wrist and spoke in a stern voice. “Is this a place for you to act so wildly? Hurry up and go home!”

He hadn’t been interested in the ongoings here, but the new bride’s courage had drew him into lingering for a look. Who knew that there was still someone with a spine in this capital of weak-willed sissies–and a woman, at that?

Mu Liuyue was long accustomed to her brother’s rough manners and grabbed his hands, acting like a spoiled child. “Big brother! There’s definitely something wrong with that woman.”

“Even if she has problems, it’s none of your business! Go home!” Mu Qingwu commanded.

“There’s no common language with you!” Mu Liuyue pursed her lips but was lazy to say any more. She decided that she needed to find some more helpers and investigate whether this Han Yunxi was a fake.

-o-

[1] Mu Liuyue (杨琉月) － Mu is the surname meaning “solemn, reverent”, liu is a character found in “琉璃” (liu li), or ceramic glass, and yue is “moon.”

[2] Mu Qingwu (穆清武) －Qing refers to “clear, quiet, just and honest, pure”, while wu means “military, martial, valiant, fierce.”

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