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 89

Translated by: Oinkoink

Chapter 89 – Huge Fire

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

 
It is known that most officials of the royal court reside mainly in the northern part of the city where some are only a few feet of rafters and tiles away from the outer Imperial City which only took a few steps to get there, not mentioning how comfortable this is saving lots of troubles and efforts.

But there are inevitably few different individuals amongst these people, for example, Lord Yue of Zhongshu Sheng* whose residence is the only one located amidst the wealthy merchants’ household in the east city. Others even say that he is obsolete but he does not care. He will rest at home after every ten days, either painting the streetscapes in the attic or fishing around the small pond in the backyard which is harmoniously joyful.

[T/N: Zhōng Shū Shěng (中书省) – Zhongshu Province is one of the three provinces in the central government system. It is mainly responsible for discussing the drafting of bills with the emperor/Central Secretariat]

The residence’s layout stressed on the changes of scenery that every part has a different landscape, which simplicity is elegant and often bedazzles the visitors who come to the residence for the first time, such as Pei Yuanshu and Ye Huaixin.

Both of them mutually reminded each other to regain their senses. Yet when they stepped into the backyard, they found that the person they were looking for was sitting and fishing by the waterside pavilion with a dark green bamboo pole in front of him while a cup of fragrant green tea by his side. He looked relaxed and at ease, as if he could spend the whole afternoon with these two distinct things alone. After craning his neck to glance carefully at him, Ye Huaixin then sighed suddenly.

The fishhook that was not under the water was clearly straight. What kind of fish does this old man want to catch …

As Pei Yuanshu is an honest person, he didn’t look around after coming in but first paid the disciple’s greeting then looked strangely at Ye Huaixin, who stood motionlessly before he finally heard him ask, “Teacher, what can you catch with this?”

Stroking his beard, Yue Ting said, “What this Teacher is catching is not the fishes in the pond.”

So, he was indeed waiting for the two of them.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, the big fish scratched his head and said, “Students took the liberty to come here and trouble the Teacher.”

The small fish followed with a bow but his tone was much wittier, “Teacher is worthy being the mentor who even so accurately pinpoints the timing of our arrival while those who don’t know will even think that you can foretell.”

Before the certain person even expressed his stance, Pei Yuanshu glared at Ye Huaixin first – is this the way to talk to the Teacher?

With a smile on his face, Yue Ting hailed them to take the side seats then personally poured two cups of tea and gently pushed the cups before them without the least bit of arrogance but with extreme geniality.

Drinking his tea obediently, Pei Yuanshu was about to compliment when Ye Huaixin’s words almost made him spurt the tea out.

“Teacher, you and brother-in-law have indeed fooled me miserably. You are obviously in league yet insist on pretending to be enemies. It’s fine to hide it from Yuanshu but why am I, the family member, not told?”

Why is he not a family member? He went to propose marriage to the Ye family last month and is just not officially marrying Ye Huailing yet!

Pei Yuanshu looked at him angrily but he didn’t dare to complain. Who does not know that their Ye family acts in collusion and if by chance, Ye Huaixin has nothing to do but talk nonsense in front of his future father-in-law, he will have to take the consequences.

With the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, Yue Ting shot a glance at Ye Huaixin and said, “You merely decided to be in favor of Wangye because he is your brother-in-law?”

“That’s not it.” Ye Huaixin immediately understood what he meant and explained earnestly, “Whether it is the late Emperor’s behest or from the perspective of justice and benevolence, brother-in-law is the undivided candidate. The situation in the current royal court till now is that Chu Sanghuai only knows to abuse his power and indulge in pleasure. If this continues, I am afraid the peace that Chu Country enjoys will not last long and the only best policy to rectify this is by supporting a new monarch.”

“It’s rare to hear you say such words.” Yue Ting’s gaze was profound with a hint of admiration hidden when he turned to Pei Yuanshu, “Do you think so too, Yuanshu?”

Pei Yuanshu lowered his eyes slightly and said, “Student does not have the foresight but does have closely related worries. The taking back of the salt and iron control has already extend to three provinces and six regions that even the rich and prosperous area like Jiangnan has become like this, not to mention those extremely poor places in northwest where the common people’s hard-earned money is squeezed dry bit by bit and turned into his personal lakes of wine and forests of meat* which student really couldn’t stand.”

[T/N: 酒池肉林 (Jiuchi Roulin) – unbridled debauchery and licentiousness]

Yue Ting nodded, “This Teacher got it.”

After saying that, he went to fiddle with the fishing pole when at times he would pull the line and occasionally adjusted the angle without further delving. Not knowing why he would probe as such, Ye Huaixin and Pei Yuanshu became anxious to find out.

“Teacher, what about you? Why are you pledging your loyalty and devotion to my brother-in-law?”

“Are you asking why this Teacher doesn’t want the current influential ministry’s position but instead taking the risk to do such a detrimental deed?” Yue Ting swept his insightful gaze over.

Ye Huaixin grinned without denying it.

Yue Ting turned his head to look over the pool of crystal-clear water for a long time, as if losing himself in the memories.

“As a matter of fact, the reason why this Teacher becomes an influential minister is simply to wait for Wangye’s return. You do know the late Emperor died prematurely without appointing a Crown Prince. To be enthroned, the succeeding Prince must possess the testamentary edict which certainly has to go through Zhongshu Sheng. In this case, this Teacher had never seen that edict Chu Sanghuai presented to the crowd which then made this Teacher realized there are two paths ahead at that time, either to suffer in silence by pledging my loyalty to the traitor or righteously go to see the late Emperor which was a very difficult choice to make.”

“Later, you still chose to stay alive.” Ye Huaixin spoke in a low voice, “It is also by good fortune that you survived. As long as the green hills last, there will always be wood to burn*.”

[T/N:  留得青山在，不怕没柴烧 (Liú dé qīngshān zài, bùpà méi chái shāo) – where there’s life, there’s hope.]

“Yes, surviving into someone that I myself do not even recognize.”

Yue Ting drew out a long deep sigh, recalling the many unethical things he had done for the sake of gaining Chu Sanghuai’s trust and now spilt water could not be retrieved*. Fortunately, Wangye has returned and the great cause will soon be accomplished, and all his forsaken over the years are finally noteworthy. He will be able to justify himself to the late Emperor when he goes to the netherworld someday in the future. As for those great aspirations that he once had, he can no longer accomplish them in his present capacity but these two students still can.

[T/N: 覆水难收 (Fùshuǐnánshōu) – what’s done is done and can’t be reversed / it’s no use crying over spilt milk]

“Teacher, dawn is at hand.” Pei Yuanshu spoke solemnly.

Yue Ting laughed but said nothing.

Ye Huaixin then changed the course of conversation, “Teacher, there is one more thing that I want to ask you. Was it my brother-in-law’s intention that you were willing to accept me as your student in the first place?”

“Naturally yes. At that time, the connection between the poor family faction and the prominent family was already extremely tense. As this teacher was also tied up with major matters, why attract unnecessary trouble by specifically accepting you? It was Wangye who specially sent this Teacher a letter which only contained four words – youngster is worth teaching.”

“So that’s it.” Not only was Ye Huaixin not disappointed, he was actually smiling happily.

It seemed that brother-in-law was not completely indifferent to his elder sister at that time. She will definitely be very happy when he tells her this later.

As he was thinking about this, another matter suddenly popped up in his mind that he asked promptly, “By the way, Teacher, have you seen the testamentary edict my elder sister sent to you the other day? Is it genuine or fake?”

Yue Ting’s expression turned serious and nodded with extreme caution.

“It’s genuine. This Teacher could not have misidentified the late Emperor’s writing and the stamping of the imperial jade seal.”

“Then … have you and Wangye already figured out when to let everyone know about the testamentary edict?” Pei Yuanshu asked urgently.

“Not yet. Still have to wait for Wangye’s return to carefully discuss it.” At this point, Yue Ting sighed faintly, seemingly rather worried. “Not knowing when the epidemic in Shuzhong can be completely eradicated. Even if the success of this matter is of great help to Wangye, it is still much more risky than going to suppress the rebellion in Jingzhou.”

He deliberately proposed a deadly scheme to Chu Sanghuai at that time precisely for the sake of Chu Jinglan returning to the royal court with the merit of eliminating Deng Tianguan, and also to stir up this muddy water. Since the planning had started long ago, the investigation materials and personnel arrangements had already been concluded before Chu Jinglan went to Jingzhou, hence the danger was greatly reduced naturally. But this time it was different with the befalling natural disaster that no matter how great the certainty was, it might still be subverted instantly.

Ye Huaixin comforted, “You can be rest assured, Teacher. Various regions are now aiding Shuzhong spontaneously that even my elder brother has also sent soldiers over to assist the local defending troops in maintaining the law and order.”

Yue Ting’s eyebrows rose slightly, seemingly relieved, “That’s good. As Guanzhong and Shuzhong are originally across the river, mutual help should be rendered. Moreover, your elder brother has always governed the army strictly and with his help, those bandits who took advantage to make trouble will most likely not be able to make any waves.”

Ye Huaixin immediately nodded and about to speak when the sound of rapid footsteps unexpectedly pierced into the ears. A sturdy young man looking slightly flustered was seen rushing this way.

“My Lord, it’s not good. Something has happened to the Xie family!”

All three of them stood up instantaneously when Yue Ting took the lead to ask, “What had happened?”

“Not knowing how a huge fire had started in the Xie family’s clan home that broke out all the way from the inner residences to the outer courtyard and only the sound of collapsing buildings could be heard but no one was seen escaping, presumably …”

Ye Huaixin’s complexion changed abruptly as he asked swiftly, “Are there anyone putting out the fire now?”

The young man nodded, “Lord Xie, Xie Si has led his soldiers to fight the fire while King Tao has also transferred his men from Xiaoqi Battalion and is now on his way there.”

What should have been a cause for rejoice yet Yue Ting looked stagnant instead.

That’s not right. The capital camp where Xie Si is located is much farther away than Xiaoqi Battalion, so how could he appear at the scene of the fire so quickly? Moreover, the city mayor will also have people putting the fire out while it is a violation and a big taboo for them to mobilize soldiers for their own use without authorization. As Chu Sanghuai is of an overly suspicious nature, won’t Xie Si be afraid of being disposed of?

This is too strange.

After a moment of deliberation, Yue Ting realized what was going on all of a sudden and an alarm swiftly sounded in his head. Without hesitation, he immediately spoke to Ye Huaixin and Pei Yuanshu, “You two take the testamentary edict and leave the city immediately. The farther you go the better!”

Both of them had never heard him speak so anxiously before that they were both stunned before they soon became aware of what was going on.

“Teacher, has the Xie family been exposed?”

Yue Ting did not answer but merely asked the servant to fetch the thing quickly before stuffing it into Pei Yuanshu’s arms and said, “I’ll have Liu An escort you. If you can’t get out now, wait for nightfall but make sure you leave smoothly. Do not turn back but keep going south.”

Going south … he is asking them to go find Chu Jinglan in Shuzhong!

Ye Huaixin had fully understood what was going on. His face turned pale instantly yet he spoke firmly, “No, I’m not going anywhere. Ye family is still here, I will not leave them behind.”

Pei Yuanshu felt a burst of chilliness when he recalled that Ye Huailing was still attending classes in the outer Imperial City, “I’m not going either, Teacher.”

“Impudent!” Yue Ting rarely lost his temper and his face could not hide the grievances, “There will only be extermination awaiting for the Ye family and Wangye with your impulsiveness! Only by you escaping will they have a chance to survive, understand?”

Pei Yuanshu eventually hesitated hearing these words. No sooner said than done, he passed out when Ye Huaixin’s karate chopped him before he was then handed over to Liu An.

“Teacher, trouble you to let him escort Yuanshu out. I must stay behind.”

Yue Ting did not expect him to do that and was momentarily stunned before sighing heavily. He then gave a hintful glance to Liu An, who was then seen carrying the person over his shoulder promptly and nimbly ran to the side of the wall before disappearing after a few leaps.

Both of them breathed a sigh of relief and remained reticent at the same time as the most crucial thing had temporarily left this dangerous place. Ye Huaixin only spoke out a while later, “Teacher, I’m leaving now.”

He had to go to Tianqi House to make arrangements to send the Ye family’s members out.

Knowing what he had in mind, Yue Ting waved his hand and entered the house with his back even more unwaveringly upright than ever, just like a sharp spear.

The struggle has already started ahead of schedule.

Sorry for the late updates. Hope everyone is doing well.  (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡

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