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 84

Translated by: Oinkoink

Chapter 84 – Separation

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

As the plague in Shuzhong broke out fast and fiercely, it hit the disorderly royal court like a big wave and instantly awakened those prominent family officials who live in clover, but what distressed them most was none other than their own money.

It is known to all that Shuzhong’s natural environment is abundant and is richly endowed with natural resources. It is the second largest province capital after Wangdu and its prosperity is second to none in the south. The city surrounded by the bend of Yong River is very vast with great numbers of buildings and weaved with horse-pulled carriages. There are completely no vacant shops found on the main street and alleys while constant peddling persists unceasingly. Dark-skinned Hu merchants, dance girls with half breasts exposed and play boats with silver bells drifting along the lake are all indispensable parts of this place that completely washes off the murky water of the worldly mortal affairs as well as the hustle and bustle of the world.

This situation naturally attracted many people to come here to do business and the prominent families are of no exception. Merely the Wang and Xie family have invested a large amount of money to buy houses and shops to carry out trades. Now with the outbreak of the plague, the losses are difficult to estimate. On the second day after the news was spread out, various memorandums concerning plague control measures appeared in the royal court discussion and there were no quarrels between the parties as all of them were unprecedentedly of one mind.

However, the present Emperor just leaned idly on the dragon throne’s armrest from the moment he entered the Hall of the Golden Chimes and merely allowing the ministers taking turns to present their petitions without response, as if this was just a trifle matter and could be solved with a snap of the fingers.

[T/N: 金銮殿 (Jīnluándiàn) – popular name for the Emperor’s audience hall / throne room]

Seeing this behavior of Chu Sanghuai, Yue Ting could not help but feel somewhat nervous.

The epidemic this time was extremely fierce. Not only was it spreading fast, the death toll was also rising steeply. If medical officers and medication are not delivered sooner, perhaps there would be a greater disaster whereby the thousand-year-old ancient capital will likely be destroyed just as such. It was impossible for Chu Sanghuai not to understand this, yet he was actually so relaxed. If he did not already have a way to deal with it, then he was precisely planning some deathly trap, so heedful precaution against him is necessary.

Thinking of this, Yue Ting cast an unobtrusive glance at Chu Jinglan who had his thin lips pursed tightly and hadn’t spoken since entering the hall. He was evidently thinking about something. While on this side of the hall and headed by Wang Xie, various families were still enthusiastically offering their opinions.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, there is no room for anymore delay as there is now recurring chaos in Shuzhong. This Minister deems that we should quickly deploy manpower such as medical officers to treat the ills, army forces to reinforce the city and to preserve the dyke from the three nearby Qu, Guan and Ding states in order to overcome the epidemic in Shuzhong, so that other provinces will not be affected.”

Once Xie Miao finished, Xie Si from the Shu[1] clan of the Xie family stood out unexpectedly and said, “This Minister seconds the motion. In order for the common people’s peace of mind, the royal court should send someone to take charge in Shuzhong. This Minister wanted to nominate myself, however, my humble position is not enough to undertake this important responsibility. This Minister heard that Lord Wang’s hometown is in Shuzhong and as the senior minister of two monarchy, the local people will most likely feel the imperial grace and will not dare to use the disaster to cause trouble if you can personally take on this encounter.”

Wang Jian immediately cut him with a severe look when heard those words.

The bloodshed cases of the two families have yet to be solved while the three divisions have been oppressed in all respects that no one dares to continue the investigation. It was also because of this, the two families believed that the other party had bought over connections which caused the cases to drag on until now. Privately, they have tacitly agreed that each other is the murderer, hence these endless fights both inside and outside the royal court.

But this move of Xie Si really surprised Xie Miao.

He had already said during the previous discussion in the clan home that the main focus at present is to recover the losses of the Xie family and not to confront the Wang family for the time being. But as a son of the concubine, Xie Si took it upon himself to come out with such a play which was already a violation of the family’s rules. Not to mention, he is only a military general of Wangdu’s defending troops and to intervene in such a matter was evidently beyond his bound of authority. Should Chu Sanghui take this matter seriously, it will be troublesome.

Fortunately, Chu Sanghuai still has the expression of smiling yet not a smile and watching the fun without making a sound.

Wang Jian stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, like the so-called spring silkworm dies once its silk depleted*, this Minister is willing to devote my last effort to the Emperor and the common people although this Minister is advanced in age. When the little prince is born in days to come, he will be proud to have such a maternal grandfather like this Minister. Earnestly requesting Your Majesty to issue the decree!”

[T/N: 春蚕到死丝方尽 (Chūncán dào sǐ sī fāng jǐn) – metaphor for till death do us part / deep devotion]

Xie Si could not help sneering hearing these words.

What a cunning old fox! He would appear to be devoted upon righteousness that inspires reverence but in fact, he was using his age and the child in the Empress’ womb to pressure the Emperor. Should his subordinates follow and say in chorus, the Emperor will not let him go no matter what.

Sure enough, Chu Sanghuai pulled up the corners of his lips and said, “We[2] appreciate the devotion Our dear Minister has for the country and the common people, but Shuzhong is hundreds of miles away and We are afraid that Our dear Minister will not be able to withstand the fatigued by the long journey. So, it is better to let these young people go instead.”

Wang Jian did not argue either but bowed and returned to his position.

There was some contempt revealed within Chu Sanghuai’s eyes before his gaze moved slightly eastward and stopped on the straight figure on the right and casually threw out a sentence, “Wouldn’t it be better if Younger Brother run this trip for Us.”

The royal assembly hall became quiet at once, that even the sound of a dropping needle could be heard.

Yue Ting, who is always composed like a mountain, felt a tiny rising wave in his heart at this moment. Without a care of being exposed, he stepped out adamantly and said, “Requesting Your Majesty to think thrice. Just look at the tactics of King Lan against Deng Shi last time, he is too eager and unsuitable to lead a team to govern the disaster in Shuzhong.”

Casting a glance at him, Chu Sanghuai looked extremely terrifying as if a storm that ravelled with lightning and thunder seemingly whirling up within the depth of his dark pupils.

Pei Yuanshu and Ye Huaixin, who were listening to the royal court deliberations in the outer hall, looked at each other and both felt that their mentor was a bit off today. Under this brief and appalling silence, Chu Jinglan spoke all of a sudden.

“Aren’t the remarks of Lord Yue rather too baseless This Minister is willing to go to Shuzhong to govern the disaster and pacify the common people. Asking Your Majesty for permission.”

The suspicion in Chu Sanghuai’s eyes gradually receded like the tide and after a long while, he lightly smiled all of a sudden.

“Permission granted.”

Ye Huaiyang was silent for a long time when she learned that Chu Jinglan was going to the epidemic area but she still did not utter a word. She went back to the room and started to pack the clothes while Chu Jinglan sighed and followed to stop her.

As both these flooding and plague are not within his control, he can’t take her to such a dangerous place.

Ye Huaiyang did not cry nor make a fuss but stayed home quietly the whole day to personally help him pack and get everything ready. She intended to follow quietly as planned on the day of departure but in the end, she was stopped by Tang Qingfeng who appeared suddenly at the door.

It turned out that he had already guessed she would do so.

The tacit understanding that she usually pride of has now become the stumbling block instead. Ye Huaiyang put her bag down and said to Tang Qingfeng with a bitter smile, “How many people has he arranged to watch over me?”

“Reporting to Wangfei, only this subordinate.”

He has over hundreds of shadow guards under his command, yet he only left the most skillful one behind with the intention of not letting her get through.

Ye Huaiyang sighed softly, “It’s okay, I won’t go with him then. You don’t have to stay home to keep your eyes on me as I will feel more at ease if you stay by his side to protect him.”

Tang Qingfeng looked at her suspiciously.

“Can I still deceive you!” Feeling a little annoyed and a little amused, Ye Huaiyang glared at him then raised the tips of her eyebrows and said, “Why are you still not going to prepare a carriage? If it’s any later, I won’t be able to send Wangye off in time!”

Seeing it did not look like a trap she set up, Tang Qingfeng nodded and turned around to lead the carriage.

When they arrived outside the city, Chu Jinglan and others had not left yet. Taking a closer look, Ye Huaiyang noticed a beautiful silhouette standing under the sparse camphor tree who was looking at the carriage from afar yet hesitated and refused to go forward.

It is Xie Yun.

Seemingly understanding something, Ye Huaiyang jumped off the carriage and walked over to ask, “Sister Yun, are you here to see Lu Heng off? Why don’t you go over and talk to him?”

Xie Yun smiled bitterly, “He doesn’t want to see me and even refused to accept these medicines that I brought him.”

“You can be rest assured. He is a physician, will there be any less medicine in his hand? Besides, the royal court has also allocated a lot to them. Look at the many carriages behind which all contain the best medicinal herbs.” After saying that, Ye Huaiyang patted her hand and gave her a reassuring look before walking over there.

When the shadow guard who was driving the carriage saw her coming over, he gave way automatically. She climbed onto the carriage agilely and immediately spoke to Lu Heng once she was in the carriage, “Make way, I want to say a few words to Wangye.”

Recalling the person standing outside, Lu Heng frowned at once.

“What, you want to listen to our husband and wife’s intimate words too?”

Every word of Ye Huaiyang was compelling and she even sat directly in Chu Jinglan’s arms with the general intention of being intimate in front of him. The corners of Lu Heng’s eyes twitched when the curtain was lifted and he went down. Ye Huaiyang looked at his back before slowly revealing a triumphant smile.

“Playing tricks again.”

Seeing through her tricks, Chu Jinglan could not help but speak out to reprimand her lightly yet there was an intense doting in his eyes. Ye Huaiyang stuck her tongue out at him and said, “Why is he always avoiding Xie Yun? Let him go down to face her.”

“You still care about other people’s affairs. Didn’t I ask you to stay at home, what are you running over here for?”

“I came to see you off.” Ye Huaiyang pouted her pink lips before burrowing into the hollow of his shoulder, “Originally planned to follow you secretly, so I didn’t say goodbye to you properly …”

Chu Jinglan laughed in spite of himself then immediately stretched out his arms to hug her and comforted her warmly, “It’s just a month or two and I’ll be back soon. Besides, with Lu Heng here, no gargantuan plague will be able to enter my body. Put your heart back in your tummy and wait obediently for me at home, okay?”

He usually does not talk very much. Even during their intense intimacy, he mostly uses his expression and body to convey himself yet he had said so many words in one breath today, just because he was afraid that she can’t rest or eat besetting with worries. How could she not understand his thoughts? But this separation is imminent and she is really reluctant to bid him farewell, so she buried her head in his arms afraid he will hear her voice that was choked with emotion.

She really hates parting. Just like her parents, her elder brother and now him too. Yet after enduring it so many times, she still could not bear it. She hated herself for being so childish.

Chu Jinglan could sense her mood swings, so he moved his hand to caress her back while his voice became softer and gentler like the water, “If you are really bored, go back and play leaf-grip cards with Huaixin and the others. If you win, it’s yours and I will bear all the losses.”

“Pfft –”

Ye Huaiyang was amused by his teasing that most of the sorrow of separation unknowingly dissipated too. She gazed at him for a long time before kissing him abruptly. Wrapping his arms around the soft and delicate body, he absorbed wholly on responding to her and only released her when she ran out of breath.

“Come back early.”

“Okay.”

Without too much sentimental or sweet nothing words, they stopped at this point as they have to face the reality no matter how in love and inseparable they feel. Ye Huaiyang left the carriage without dallying even though her heart still lingered up there. Raising her head inadvertently, she found Xie Yun still standing in the same spot with precisely the same expression as herself. Stumped, her frown then immediately unfolded.

No matter the estrangement between the two or whether they did meet each other or not, the question of lovesickness is always difficult to solve.

[1]  庶 (Shù) – children borned from concubines

[2]  朕 (Zhèn) – used by an Emperor in proclamations instead of I

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