This is actually my favorite chapter. I love the interactions between Zhangsun Cheng Yin and the Emperor. It’s rather funny… Over 3,320 words.
This chapter was translated for https://nuttyisprocrasinating.wordpress.com only. And only for those people who don’t mind reading unprofessional translation that was being translated FREELY using the translator’s and editor’s own free times. So rude & entitled people aren’t welcome to read this translation!!! So GO AWAY….
By Ye Shuang
Chapter 8 (Part 1)
Inside the Imperial Study was filled with people’s breathings, it was with great difficulty that after sending more than ten decrees down, Chai Zhe Xia who just came now, was kneeling on the floor.
The Emperor, whose face was in a rage and sitting on a high seat, was also staring down at him, it seemed like he (LZY) wanted to make a few holes in his body (CZX).
“Chai Zhe Xia, do you know your crime?”
“This official does not know it!” Chai Zhe Xia was a determined man, even though he was facing the Emperor, he did not change from his own cold and firm’s characters.
“You still do not admit your guilt, you have kidnapped a bride in the middle of the street, and disturbed the Imperial clans continuously, you obviously know that you participate in all of these reports?”
“This lowly person only sees a gap and sticks in a needle (making use of everything that’s available), does the Emperor believe it? Cui Daren has promised to marry Cui Miao He as this official’s wife, this official has a token to prove it, why can I not allow to meet my wife?”
“You…..”
Even if Chai Zhe Xia was right in dealing with this bride kidnapping matter, but it really gave him a headache, and he did not know how he should deal with the tides that were rushing forth, was it really right?
“The Emperor…..”
With a raging temper, Long Zi Yuan was just about to open his mouth to punish Chai Zhe Xia for his large disrespectful crime, but unexpectedly, he saw Zhangsun Cheng Yin and Ju Su Sheng entered the Imperial study. When both of them appeared, Long Zi Yuan’s complexion changed even heavier.
With regard to these three people, he indeed had love and hate (relationships), they were members of his inner circles. They were brave, smart in schemings and helpful in order for him to have a stable country. But they also stirred up many matters, those old officials from the previous dynasty, were waiting anxiously and looking for him to punish them.
“What are you two coming here for?” Long Zi Yuan’s complexion was ugly when he was staring at the three people back and forth. He also wanted to know whether these two people entered the Imperial palace, because they wanted to plea a leniency for Chai Zhe Xia.
“Reporting to the Emperor, this small officer has an important matter to present.”
“What is the important matter about?” Long Zi Yuan who was still angry, raised his head to ask without thinking.
In his heart, he still did not understand, because of one woman, why the General who was normally attacking the enemy in the battlefield, would unexpectedly did something like this due to one woman, and made him being ridiculed by the other people.
For him, this monarch, his harem of 3,000 beauties were only places where he could release his pressures, they were not worthy to have many troubles.
Chai Zhe Xia was obviously a man who knew that a woman was like a scorpion, and who also knew when his heart was touched, he would dare to do any world-shaking events, he looked like a demon.
“This official has just received an urgent report from General Mu who is guarding the border just now, that the different tribes near the borders are assembling the troops, it seems that they wish to invade the Imperial court’s territories.”
“What?”
Suddenly, whatever feelings in between children, and the battle of wits between the officials, were all thrown off far away. Long Zi Yuan’s expression was cold, and he was looking pensively at Chai Zhe Xia who was still kneeling on the ground.
“The Emperor, actually, General Chai is not necessarily guilty in this matter, those cabinet ministers only want you to condemn somebody without any pretext!
But looking at Long Zi Yuan’s eyebrows that was filled with murderous spirits, his anger was not small clearly, Zhangsun Cheng Yin did not beat around the bushes, and immediately cut into the important point.
Deviating from his original plan, and looking at Long Zi Yuan who had an irksome presence, he also saw the dragon eyes that suddenly narrowed. There was a trace of radiant and envy that shot out, and his lips were pursed up but he did not say anything.
“This official courteously asks the Emperor, why do you summon General Chai to enter the Imperial palace.” His words were humble, but on the contrary, there was not a tiny humbleness in his tone.
“Zhen looks for him to come, is naturally to punish for his crime, do you think it is to play chess or have a heart-to-heart chat with him?” Long Zi Yuan said it unhappily.
“What crime does the Emperor think that General Chai should be punished for?”
“Punish him for …..” Long Zi Yuan looked somewhat distracted at once, although there were two marriage sedans that were fighting for the person, but Chai Zhe Xia took out the promise token, so taking the bride to enter the door was proper and expected. But recalling the other officials’ declarations continuously, he was distraught with anxiety, and also felt exasperated.
“Punish him for not disciplining his army, their behaviors are not restrained.”
“En, the Emperor is really wise.”
Hearing what was said, Ju Su Sheng was about to send out his words urgently, but Zhangsun Cheng Yin pulled back his sleeve to block him.
“This loving official also agrees with Zhen’s punishment for Chai Zhe Xia’s crime?”
Hearing Zhangsun Cheng Yin’s words, Long Zi Yuan’s eyes shined momentarily, he clearly did not dare to believe that Zhangsun Cheng Yin would approve his punishment that was given to Chai Zhe Xia.
“This is natural.” Staring fixedly at the Emperor, Zhangsun Cheng Yin nodded his head very seriously.
“Then, good, immediately draft an Imperial decree from Zhen, staring today, Chai Zhe Xia will enter the Imperial prison, so he can reflect upon himself properly.”
Having heard what was said, Zhangsun Chen Yin nodded his head again, he even moved forwards for a couple of steps. Then, he turned around and said to Long Zi Yuan. “The Emperor, how can this official not know that the Emperor’s great aspiration is to lead the troops into the battle ah?”
“How can Zhen lead the troops into the battle?”
Anyone who had a day-to-day life that was comfortable, would not want to go, but going to the border to lead the soldiers to fight a battle, the Imperial court endowed many taxes every year to support these civil and military officials, was it just for fun?
“The Emperor is about to send the West General to enter the Imperial dungeon, these million soldiers do not even have the General, how do they fight the battle without the General? If the Emperor does not lead the troops into the battle, then who is going to fight the battle?”
When Zhangsun Cheng Yin did not even say any schemes for Chai Zhe Xia, Ju Su Sheng was really anxious, but after hearing this, he finally understood the meaning of Zhangsun Cheng Yin’s words, his handsome face showed a trace of dazzling smile.
Looking at the two people who had these foxy smiles on their faces, Long Zi Yuan’s proud expressions suddenly changed. “You….. Zhen…..”
“Actually, even if the Emperor does not go, how about we send General Yuan to go?”
“That youngster’s garrison who is guarding the Imperial city can still go to fight the battle at the frontier fortress since the battle is still early.”
“How about that General Wei Guo?” Clearly playing with Zhangsun Cheng Yin’s intention, Ju Su Sheng followed with his recommendations.
“Does he have Chai Zhe Xia’s military glories and brilliants as a General, who only needs to raise his well-known roars that can intimidate those different tribes to be scared witless?”
Hearing their recommendations, Long Zi Yuan did not even bat his eyes, unexpectedly, his original courage and conviction disappeared like a ball of gas, he did not have any confidence at all.
“Since the Emperor really needs General Chai, why not just open one eye and close one eye in regards to the chaos that he has created earlier?” Seeing that the Emperor was thinking about Chai Zhe Xia’s benefits, the fortunate timing was ripened, Zhangsun Cheng Yin immediately put forward the suggestion.
“However, if Zhen does not punish this big matter with a big punishment, how does Zhen stop the mouth of the numerous court officials?”
Originally, this was not a major event either, but looking at that reports that looked like small mountains, Long Zi Yuan really felt agitated, so he was angry. But hearing Zhangsun Cheng Yin’s opinions just now, it appeared that he did not think the most important situations for the country, and was very small-minded.
“Is this not simple? As long as the Emperor requests Chai Zhe Xia at the Jin palace hall to lead the troops to guard the border station tomorrow, and give him the opportunity to bear his crime and establish a meritorious service. This can also give warning to those outside individuals who have begun to stir things up, if they really start the war, General Ping Yuan can also establish a heroic contribution for the Imperial court.”
“Hey!” How could this stressing matter that he had, but yet, it was easily solved by Zhangsun Cheng Yin’s opinions, and it seemed that it was not even worthy of his worries?
Since he was able to suppress a group of officials’ angers, and he could also save his trusted General, so this would satisfy both ways, how could he not think about this?
“This official also thinks that the Emperor can still do one more thing, which is a favor for somebody at a little costs.”
“What favor for somebody at a little costs?”
“The Emperor can recognize Cui Miao He as an adopted sister, then issue an Imperial edict to bestow the marriage, so the Emperor will help them as a couple. This can make the Chai family’s Master and Madam to admit this daughter in law sincerely, so General Chai does not have to worry about his family matters, and the Emperor can even strive to the utmost even more, even after death.”
Long Zi Yuan’s eyes were immediately bright after he heard this ‘even after death’ words, these three letter words made him happy. But he carefully thought about it again, he always thought that Zhangsun Cheng Yin’s method was good, however, it would make him accumulate and swallow many melancholies. He was not someone who had virtuous intentions in this lifetime, so how he could easily explain the solutions on this.
“But, this can unavoidably make that arrogant youngster to have too much comfort, right.”
Accompanying the Monarch for many years, Ju Su Sheng also knew where the Emperor was going, so he followed through and put forward a suggestion. “The Emperor, it would be better to bestow the marriage later, use this opportunity to make Miss Cui to reside at the Buddhist temple to pray for blessings temporarily, to the green light of the ancient Buddha. Unless General Chai returns victorious, they are not allowed to see each other, this can also be regarded to make them experience the yearning of their sufferings, a small punishment but a big warning.”
“This method is good!”
Turning his head to look at Chai Zhe Xia who was still kneeling below the golden stairs, Long Zi Yuan whose heart was originally filled with anger, his anger actually drained out by a lot now.
Fine, he would just do what Cheng Yin and Su Sheng were saying, just opened one eye and closed one eye on this matter. Anyway, he was merely angry for a short time, and he did not really want to break the couple up.
*****
“Imperial edict….. has arrived!”
Early in the morning, the day was not completely bright yet, Cui Miao He was awoken by a sharp voice outside the door.
“Imperial edict.” These two words scared her that she promptly jumped out of the couch, and she still had not dressed properly when Chai Zhe Xia was already pulling her into his bosom.
“Lovely wife!” Chai Zhe Xia definitely did not care with any disturbance from outside the door, he pulled the person into his bosom, and stole her sweet fragrance without restraint.
“You…..” He was simply infuriating, could it be that he did not hear the Imperial edict’s loudly shout from the outside?
She was going to reprimand him for being impetuous, but his lips were lifted, and she was kissed head-on by the person.
“You seriously do not want your life anymore.”
So he was a person who despised the Imperial decree’s announcement, what if he was being reported to the Emperor by the other people, was it not setting off a burst reign of terrors?
“Let me get up.” Cui Miao He who was not originally shy but seeing his arrogant figure that was still lying on the couch comfortably, she could not help to roar at him.
When she was angry, both of her cheeks appeared to be attractive and flushed red, looking at that flirtatious appearance, Chai Zhe Xia’s lower abdomen could not help to surge to catch fire and heat up with desire.
But after carefully looking at her angry and shining eyes, he who was always reckless, actually did not dare to be reckless either. He stopped his movement to steal the sweet fragrance, but he would still embrace her in his bosom and his hand was not willing to let go yet.
He was staring at her, and acting shamelessly to demand a promise. “Promise me, do not think of leaving me again, otherwise I will not get up.”
“Refusing to receive the Imperial decree is indeed a capital offense, can you not act willfully like this?” Avoiding to look at him, Cui Miao He did not want to promise since this was an impossible matter.
Today, the Imperial edict would be issued at this courtyard, she was afraid that this would be related to the matter about the bride kidnapping. She was afraid that her own existence would influence his future prospects, and her hands were nervous and sweating.
Accompanying one’s sovereign could be like accompanying a tiger, although his army was glorious and had achieved meritorious deeds, but when the Emperor was provoked in anger, there was only a dead end!
“If you do not promise, I will not get up, the Emperor likes to punish whatever punishment, he wants to punish.”
How could he not know that she would cater to other people against her own happiness, but he could not dispel the thought that she would leave all along, so he must seize this opportunity to force her this promise for him.
He knew that he was a rascal for doing this, taking and forcing her with several dozens of human lives, but since it was this way, he also wanted her to stay by his side.
“Hurry get up, do not let gonggong waits for a long time, or there will be more rumors that are being transmitted to the Emperor’s ears again, do you really have the heart to let the whole Chai’s family to run the same misfortune as you?”
So regretful, how could he use his own life and the Chai family’s fates to force her?
Cui Miao He tried to speak some senses to him, but there was suddenly a sound of knocking from outside the door, there were frightening and trembling sounds from the always calm courtyard.
“Are you going to promise me or not after all?” For her, he could not return to the General manor for a good while, he only wanted to be inside the courtyard with Cui Miao He everyday, and enjoyed the day to be with his partner.
Thinking that she should understand clearly about his heart, but he did not expect that she was still thinking of leaving in her mind, how could this not make him angry?
“I…..”
Getting to the heart of the matter, today could be regarded that she was attracted to him, if he insisted on sharing the happiness and disaster with her, how could she still hesitate?
These days, she also knew that the Old Chai General and Madam were not very understanding to her, Madam Chai specifically wanted to see her in the courtyard several days ago, but Chai Zhe Xia was simply too stubborn and he kept hindering by standing outside the door.
For her, he actually offended the Emperor, the court officials and his parents. This kind of deep and serious feelings, where could she have the qualifications not to promise him?
“I promise you!”
Finally, Cui Miao He loosened up her mouth, she was gazing at him, and taking the initiative to grasp his hand, then looking at his eyes to say. “Let us hold hands, and grow old together, if we can not spend our old lives, then we will be together in the after lives.”
That promise was a lifetime’s pledge, each line of the sentence was engraved in Chai Zhe Xia’s heart, how could these several simple sentences make him who had never impressed with thousands of men and horses (the whole army), raised up traces storms and ripples in his heart?
Both of their whole lifetimes!
So, as it turned out, this person who had killed and attacked countless enemies, achieved meritorious deeds, but was actually demanding this simple sentence as a pledge ah!
“Quickly get up, ok.” Unable to bear her deep emotions anymore, Cui Miao He could only blink the tears that would be tumbling down, and raised her voice to urge him not to be willful anymore.
Combing his long hair to roll it up on a knot, even though both of them did not speak any longer, but the atmosphere filled with sweetness, and permeated in their own hearts.
Enjoying the taste of the soft and warm’s fragrant jade, Chai Zhe Xia looked like a kitten who just stole a fish. Perfectly satisfied, he opened the door to take care of the matter from the outside and let the palace eunuch to come and announce the Imperial decree.
“Accept the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor speaks…..”
The person steadily read the Imperial edict out loud, Cui Miao He was looking at Chai Zhe Xia’s sight, there were gradually unbelievable feelings.
When did he do this thing, he unexpectedly requested the Emperor to accept her as an adopted sister. He did this to make those many people to close their mouths, also to seek for her status, and to tell his mother not to make things difficult for her.
How could he….. do everything for her quietly, and yet he ought to travel to the border to fight the battle?
“You…..”
She lifted her slightly trembling lips, but Chai Zhe Xia reached out his hand to press against her lips, and changed his usually loud voice to say gently. “You have promised me, that you will wait for me here until I come back, do not make me unable to find the person when I come back!”
“En.” A cluster of tears suddenly slipped down, she could not even say anything, and could only nod to give her consent.
This lifetime, regardless whether she was dead or alive, she would definitely follow him. Getting this person, she did not have any regrets in this life!
For him, despite all of the rumors and embarrassments, she would not be afraid any longer.
Chapter 7 Part 2
Chapter 8 Part 2
nuttyisprocrastinating 