The Noble Woman’s Guide On How to Tease One’s Husband

The Noble Woman’s Guide On How to Tease One’s Husband – Chapter 55

Translated by: Oinkoink

Proofread by: SilkScreen

Chapter 55 – Watch a Play

This novel is only hosted on Foxaholic, copies found elsewhere are either stolen or plagiarized.

The sun is setting beyond the western hills and daylight gradually faded. For Liuyue City, the busiest time of the day is about to commence.

The horse’s hooves threaded along the bluestone road, accompanied by the rhythmic rumbling noises that sounded all over East Street. Amidst these endless streams of traffic, an inconspicuous double-wheeled carriage parked in front of Jingque restaurant. A man and a woman descended the carriage successively then walked hand in hand towards the crowded lobby at a slow pace. Upon closer inspection, it seemed there was some issue with the woman’s legs.

“Chu Zhenghe has really chosen a good place.”

The man grunted, obviously quite dissatisfied with this crowded restaurant but the woman reassured him in a soft voice, “The injury on my leg has healed, so it’s fine. What’s more, it’s so boring to be cold and cheerless. This is more fun.”

It turned out that these two people were Chu Jinglan and Ye Huaiyang. Their arrival to Jingque restaurant is actually for the appointment with Chu Zhenghe, who is now in a private room on the third floor. It’s a long walk from the threshold and seeing Ye Huaiyang’s pronounced interest, Chu Jinglan couldn’t bear to snatch her wish away, so he accompanied her and strolled in leisurely.

The lobby was boisterous with theater booths set up in every direction, some imitated the hundred tongues* while others sang the ancient literature rap or pulled the face-changing performance. Both of them strolled in and halted. Although they did not participate in any of the booths, they stopped and watched from a distance for a long while that from time to time they would nestle close and whisper, appearing very intimate.

[T/N: 百舌 (Bǎishé) – a kind of bird that can change its voice]

[T/N: 诸宫调 (Zhū gōngdiào) – is a kind of ancient traditional folk art rap or narrative verses that composed of two part – rhyme and prose which normally accompanied by instruments like pipa.]

On the way to the top of the stairs, a group of richly dressed young masters and ladies were enthusiastically playing a guessing game. The enamel whorled flat square* appeared very exquisite that nothing much could be concealed under it yet no one managed to guess even after several rounds. Watching them, Ye Huaiyang’s interest was piqued. So, she turned around and asked, “Can you guess what’s under it?”

[T/N: 扁方 (Biǎn fāng) – a unique flat hairpin worn by the aristocratic women during the Qing Dynasty]

Without looking at it, Chu Jinglan blurted out casually as he pulled her up the stairs, “Green ring.”

“Huh–”

A certain young lady over there raised her voice in surprise and turned her head to stare at the man. When a rich young master lifted the flat square, there was indeed a verdant jade ring under it followed by a burst of uproar.

“How did he know?”

“Yan’er, did someone see it when you put it there?”

Several young masters were evidently not won over and pestered the young lady with questions. Feeling vexed, the young lady flicked off her sleeves suddenly and exclaimed with displeasure, “You guys can’t guess it right yourselves yet blame others for cheating, just because you can’t bear it when someone is better than you! Hmph, I don’t want to play with you guys anymore. I am going upstairs to watch the shadow puppet play!”

After saying that, she lifted her skirt then stomped several steps before running upstairs and deliberately glanced back when she passed Chu Jinglan. She was so shocked by the handsome peerless face, she couldn’t move a step and stood there in a daze, as if she was somewhat dull-witted.

Seeing the scene, the facial expressions of the young masters following behind became a little unsightly as one of them tugged the young lady’s arm and said, “Yan’er, didn’t you say you want to go upstairs? Let’s go. The private room has already been booked.”

 

Only then did Feng Shuyan react as splotches of blush rapidly covered her cheeks, yet she still stood woodenly and asked softly, “Gentleman, are you here to watch the shadow puppets play, too?”

Chu Jinglan ignored her and pulled Ye Huaiyang to the third floor. Turning the corner, Ye Huaiyang imperceptibly glanced at her.

She, who is in the waterside pavilion* has yet to catch the moon and this person, who popped out from nowhere, is coming to snatch it blatantly?

[T/N: 近水楼台 (Jìnshuǐlóutái) – favorable position]

Seeing that Chu Jinglan paid her no heed, Feng Shuyan felt bashful and didn’t say anything more. However, those young masters’ surged-up fury were like ignited firecrackers making them want to chase after them seemingly to demand an explanation. Fortunately, Feng Shuyan grabbed them and avoided any conflict. Amidst their clamoring, Chu Jinglan and Ye Huaiyang already entered the private room.

“You guys are so tardy, I almost starved to death.”

As soon as they walked in, they heard Chu Zhenghe’s complaint. Chu Jinglan’s expression became even more displeased and snorted coldly, “Look at the place you picked where there are all kinds of rabble-rousers outside!”

Raising the tips of his brows, Chu Zhenghe spoke with conviction, “What’s wrong with this place? It’s so close to the common people! Besides, I arranged it according to Little Cousin-in-Law’s request and the most famous shadow puppets troupe in Yanzhou is performing in this restaurant, which other places don’t have!”

“Get rid of the word ‘little.’”

“Yes. Cousin-in-Law, please take a seat.” Chu Zhenghe murmured defiantly as he pulled out a wooden armchair, “It’s obvious you are an old cow eating tender grass*, yet still would not allow others to say it.”

[T/N: 老牛吃嫩草 (Lǎo niú chī nèn cǎo) – a metaphors about romance between a significantly older man and a younger woman]

Hearing that perfectly clear, Chu Jinglan’s face darkened, “Chu Zhenghe, say it again if you’ve guts.”

Chu Zhenghe feigned deafness and took his seat at lightning speed. Ye Huaiyang laughed seeing this situation and only tugged Chu Jinglan’s hand when she saw his continuous long face, “Okay, sit down and eat. I’m also hungry.”

The dishes were ready the moment they entered the door. Merely because Chu Jinglan hadn’t taken his seat, the maidservants dared not arbitrarily step forward to serve the food. As Ye Huaiyang mentioned being hungry, Chu Jinglan sat down without demur. Looking over from this side through the perfumed clothes and gorgeous hair, Chu Zhenghe couldn’t help revealing a little disquieting smile.    

Besides being a little beautiful and somewhat gutsy, he really can’t fathom what is so attractive about Ye Huaiyang that make Chu Jinglan so fascinated with her, which really perplexed him.

It is useless to reckon as he still has to eat, how can there be no good wine facing such delicacies? He turned to the attendant, “Bring over the wine that’s brought over from the mansion. I want to have a nice drink with my cousin today!”

With such an address, it means this is a family reunion feast.

Watching the jade cup gradually filled with wine, the black pupils of Chu Jinglan were also brimmed with layers upon layers of warmth. Raising his hand slightly, the slender knuckles pinched the edge of the cup.

“Even taking out the ten-year old wine. Are you trying to get me drunk here?”

Chu Zhenghe laughed heartily, “It’s not bad to be drunk, either. Drunkenness can dispel all sorrows.”

“It was fine before but not possible now.” Chu Jinglan emptied the cup in one gulp then looked at Ye Huaiyang with an overflowing faint smile at the corners of his lips, which was as warm and mellow as this strong wine that entranced her for a while.

  

“Tsk, tsk. It’s different after having a wife. Let it pass and leave it then, lest you say this local thug is making things difficult for you both.”

As if Chu Jinglan was truly absurd, Chu Zhenghe sighed pretentiously, looking extremely ridiculous that Ye Huaiyang couldn’t help covering her mouth and lightly laugh upon seeing this.

“I’ve only heard how gallant and unrestrained Junwang was before, but didn’t expect you to be so humorous, too.”

Hearing this, Chu Jinglan’s eyes twitched and there seemed to be subtle emotion flashing through them which was soon restrained by Chu Zhenghe’s exaggerated expressions and actions.

“Of course, or else how could I cause thousands of young girls in Wangdu vying for my hand in marriage?” 

As soon as those words came out, the faces of the attendants on the side were filled with suppressed smiles and Ye Huaiyang also nodded her head with feigned seriousness, “Naturally. Junwang must have been overwhelmed by them, otherwise, why would you hide in Yanzhou….”

Raising his dashing brows, Chu Zhenghe was about to speak when the beating drums and gongs resounded from outside. A short while later, the window curtains and the green tent were lifted in midair while people in the private rooms walked to the circular balconies one after the other. Opulence and clattering jade pendants filled the atmosphere. Staring fixedly down, it seems the shadow puppet play is about to begin.

Within the large wooden room with half translucent white gauze, colorful carved little figures appeared on stage one by one, performing swords dances with rhythmic and sonorous Chinese opera singing that reverberated endlessly. Watching through the window, Ye Huaiyang unconsciously put her chopsticks down. Unable to enjoy the show fully, Chu Jinglan led her to the balcony but who would have thought that once they appeared, they bumped into half an acquaintance–Feng Shuyan and others were just standing directly opposite them.

Following closely behind them and their line of sight, Chu Zhenghe looked over and asked puzzlingly, “Acquaintance?”

“Ran into them when we were going upstairs.” Ye Huaiyang answered indifferently then shifted her gaze back to the shadow puppets play. Those nimble little figures moved up and down in full swing with incessant talking and singing.

Today’s play is the famous duel of the Wu River.

Originally, Ye Huaiyang was not fond of such tragic play but this troupe did have some ability to actually act out the tragic and heroic suicidal of slashing one’s own throat with grandeur and awe-inspiring that aroused the audiences’ admiration for Xiang Yu’s* heroic spirit. When he finally died on Wu River, many ladies in the audience reddened their eyes, including Feng Shuyan who was on the opposite.

[T/N: 项羽 (Xiàngyǔ) – A conqueror / warlord (232-202BC) that were defeated by Han Dynasty’s first emperor]

“Xiang Yu was truly an unrivalled hero and if I were Concubine Yu, I would also be willing to follow him and slash my own throat on Wu River!”

She did not hide the strong admiration on her face and even wittingly or unwittingly glanced at Chu Jinglan while the jealousy jars of those several young masters over there shattered with a bang that after a moment, one of them could not mollify his anger and deliberately sang out the contradictory statements.

“Younger sister Yan’s words were wrong. So, what if Xu Yiang was formidable? Victory was king while the one thwarted would be the enemy and he eventually lost in the hands of Liu Bang, just like King Lan, who was very much favored by the late emperor and holding both civil as well as military skills. But what’s the use? Ultimately, wasn’t he defeated and ran away?”

Several people beside him nodded their head successively in agreement.

Chu Zhenghe’s complexion sank abruptly and was about to summon his guards to throw them out when he suddenly heard a scornful laugh by his side.

“Back then when Yanzhou suffered the great drought, it was King Lan who came thousand of miles away with provisions to save the common people in overcoming the extreme hardships when the local grain merchants demanded exorbitant prices for their rice. Now that all are fine, all your mouths that should have been begging for food actually weaved lies and mocked him! As the saying goes, barren hills and untamed rivers produce unruly people. This saying is indeed true!”

“You–” The man turned pale by her derision. He stared ruthlessly at the speaker with his rounded eyes when an applause unexpectedly resounded. 

“Well said!”

Clapping his hands openly, the earlier perturbed anger that Chu Zhenghe felt was seemingly washed away by torrential rain with indescribable great satisfaction. He took a profound look at Ye Huaiyang since he never expected her to recount what had happened years ago with familiarity. Her impeccable sharp words brilliantly caused the other party to be extremely inarticulate!

Weak like a fledgling phoenix yet the moment she fended Chu Jinglan with her spread wings, the feathers turned into blades with apparent ferocity.

He vaguely seems to understand what is good about her.

“Someone come. Take down these good-for-nothing blabbers for this Little King! Don’t release them from Yamen until they have received one hundred beatings!”

Once Chu Zhenghe’s order came out, the frictions sound of armors and weapons reverberated all around immediately. Dozens of the King’s guards surrounded the opposite floor and lifted those men like rats before escorting them downstairs, which all took merely less than fifteen minutes. Everyone present was shocked and Feng Shuyan, who escaped by sheer luck, turned ghastly pale.

Only one person in the entire Liuyue City dares to call himself Little King, which is exactly the biological cousin of King Lan, and they have really hit the muzzle of a gun* this time.

[T/N: 撞到枪口上 (Zhuàng dào qiāng kǒushàng) – say or did smthg improper or run into bad luck]

Everyone instantly knelt and bowed in salutation, merely realizing they had inadvertently offended Junwang Rong yet they had no idea that the rightful owner of the conversation was standing right before them with indifferent expression and without the slightest displeasure. He merely lowered his eyes slightly to look at the woman in his arms and asked an irrelevant question.

“The play has ended, should we go home?”

“Let’s go.” Looking nonchalantly, the woman seemed completely unconcerned with the situation. She even stood on tiptoe to whisper something in his ear that others did not hear, which Chu Zhenghe nevertheless clearly heard.

She said, “Piggy-back me later.”

To which Chu Jinglan actually nodded his head.

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