Chapter 109
The Noble Womans Guide On How to Tease Ones Husband Chapter 109
Translated by: Oinkoink
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The congratulatory envoys came with a lot of fine things and went in a flurry. The Ministry of Rites sorted out many that could easily turned to funds and directly filled the national treasury, and the rest of rare objects were delivered to Ye Huaiyang as ordered by Chu Jinglan.
After obtaining so many things at once, Yueya took most of the day to sort it out while Ye Huaiyang sat on the side listening to her reciting one after another and cleared out a number of valuables to throw them back to the Ministry of Rites, to let them hand over to the national treasury. Finally only one warm jade pillow and two auspicious jade qilin babys bracelets were retained.
When Xie Yun entered the threshold, Qu Fang was instructing the Taiji Palaces maids to pack up boxes of all sizes. Just when she thought of saying she had come at the wrong time, Ye Huaiyang was waving at her with a smile, Sister Yun, come this way.
This subject pays respect to the Empress Niang-niang[1].
She curtsied respectfully and heard Ye Huaiyang dismissing everyone when she got closer. After everybody had successively left, Ye Huaiyang shot her a quick glance and said, You and Lu Heng have this bad habit. Both were normal previously but since entering the palace, both of you started addressing Your Majesty and Niang-niang, isnt this dissociating?
Xie Yun smiled faintly and said, There are many people in the palace, wont I caused you trouble if I dont perform the thorough etiquette? You are now pregnant and should not endure those intrusive gossips.
Once she said that, Ye Huaiyang felt more at ease with subtle pleasures.
Speaking of which, why are you free to come see me in the palace today?
She asked this for a reason. Since Xie Miao took over as the assistant minister for the Board of Revenue, he has been sorting out the royal courts messy accounts for Chu Jinglan every day and still has to bicker with all the relevant fellow officials. He was so busy that he had no time to even drink water, thus completely unable to take care of the trivial things at home anymore, so Xie Yun naturally had to take care of it.
In the past, Xie Yuan was a noblewoman who seldom came out of the boudoir. Even though she has some knowledge, many hands-on things were really different from the theories which consumed a lot of effort. So during this time, she was so busy that her feet almost did not touch the ground. At first, she still entered the palace to accompany Ye Huaiyang for a chat, but she rarely now.
I found some efficacious prescriptions which are said to have miraculous effects on regulating the health of pregnant women when I was sorting out the Xie familys medicinal shop. I brought it over thinking that it might be able to heal your hurting back. You let him take a look if it is useful.
Ye Huaiyang naturally understood who the he that she referred to, yet she intentionally teased her, Who is he ah?
Perhaps Xie Yun is used to seeing all kinds of livelihood situations since managing the household recently, she is not as introverted bashful as before and merely retorted softly, Still ask when you know the answer.
Ye Huaiyang covered her mouth and chuckled, yet she did not forget to remind her, Lu Heng was said to have gone diligently to Xie mansion recently. I told you not to see him, so you had better resist ah.
It doesnt make any difference whether I resist or not. A shallow arc raised at the corners of Xie Yuns mouth that seemed like a smile but was more of disheartened, He is just conforming to some kind of unavoidable responsibility, so it is better off not to meet.
Thats not necessarily true.
Lets not talk about him. Hows your health lately? Were you extremely busy when the envoys came to court a while ago? Do you feel unwell?
Ye Huaiyang shook her head, indicating that she was fine.
Thats good. Seeing that her spirit and vitality were good, Xie Yun felt relieved too before asking again, My Elder Brother mentioned when he came home two days ago, saying that the envoys from Qiuci Country did not come, hes afraid there will be revolts in the northern-west again, is this true?
Ye Huaiyangs face sank slightly and said, Most likely. His Majesty has been coming back very late at night recently to discuss the matter of fortification for the northern-west with Junwang Rong and my Elder Brother.
His Majesty didnt call for Lord Meng?
Xie Yuns question had a deeper meaning which Ye Huaiyang understood instantly.
It stood to reason that Meng Qi, the Minister of War, might possibly have been set aside for such a major event of dispatching troops? Yet Chu Jinglan had precisely done so which also confused her. She did not know if he valued the Meng family.
Seeing that she didnt answer, Xie Yun cautiously speculated, It seems that His Majesty is still partial towards the Ye family.
Whether he is partial to the Ye family or not, the Meng family better not think of playing any tricks. Ye Huaiyang snorted.
She had asked people of Tianqi House to investigate and the rumors that Meng Chen was going to enter the palace to be an imperial concubine were put out by Meng Chen herself. She is really shameless. Her patience is also running low. Now that the time is ripe, settling the score with Meng Chen only lacks a favorable circumstance.
Xie Yun could guess what she wanted to do looking at the expression of her eyes. She couldnt help but feel a little anxious, Whatever that you want to do, just leave it to me. Dont take any more risks.
She had not forgotten what happened at Hanzhang Palace the last time. Although the opinions of both the royal court and the public were on Ye Huaiyangs side due to her ingenious scheme, she eventually shouldnt have gone there negligently.
Its okay to leave it to you. Ye Huaiyang smiled slyly, Do you know that Zhizi* of Quici Country?
[T/N: (Zhz) a prince sent to be held in a neighboring state as a hostage in ancient China]
No one knew what the two of them talked about afterwards and Xie Yun left Taiji Palace when sunset approached.
At first Ye Huaiyang wanted Yueya to send her off so that she didnt need to be repeatedly inspected during the three-door ban but she graciously declined so as not to trouble others. Who knew that a man strode over and stood in front of as soon as she boarded the carriage. Dressed in the bluish-green embroidered official robe, he was strapping and motionless like the mountain.
Xie Yun glanced out the fluttering apricot-colored curtain which could not hide the mans angular contour. In an instant, she had the answer in her heart it was Lu Heng.
He came at exactly the right moment, presumably to stop her on purpose.
Sighing inwardly, she couldnt help but somewhat regretted not allowing Yueya to send her off just now. If she had averted the inspection time, she might have been able to avoid him. Well, it was useless to think about it now and better to think of how to leave here. As there were guards everywhere, they could not cause a ridiculed scene in the public.
Thinking of this, she called out softly through the curtain, Its been a long time, Imperial Physician Lu.
Lu Heng instantly stiffened hearing those three words.
Seeing that he did not respond, Xie Yun spoke again after a few seconds, Its getting late and I still have things to handle, so Ill leave first.
She then motioned the coachman to drive the carriage away. Staring blankly at the raising reins, Lu Heng wanted to stop him but the soles of his feet seemingly filled with lead that he could not move and only managed to spit out two words with difficulty, Hold on!
The coachman halted his movement and looked at him puzzlingly.
.. Yuner, let me take a look if your injury is okay?
Xie Yun actually felt like a lifetime away hearing this heart-rending form of address after eight years that her beautiful slender hand unconsciously grasped the carriage window tightly which quickly turned icy-cold. She eventually regained her senses a moment later and slowly warmed her hands over the copper stove but the wisp of coldness had already seeped into the blood which pricked unstoppably.
He most probably wouldnt have taken the initiative to repeatedly look for her without this injury? After all, it was still compassion that was causing the trouble
She tried her best to steady her tone of voice and replied, Im already fine. Thank you, Imperial Physician Lu, for your concern.
The series of refusals shattered Lu Hengs determination. He stood stiffly in place with a totally muddled mind, completely not knowing how to deal with this Xie Yun, whose temperament has become unfamiliar.
She isnt even willing to get close to him anymore, is she feeling hopelessly apathetic?
Suddenly remembering what Ye Huaiyang had said to him, Lu Heng felt a chill in his heart and afraid that Xie Yun would really do something stupid but before he could persuade her, the carriage had already started moving. He didnt know where his courage came from when he reached out abruptly to grip the door and leapt up before squeezing into the carriage like thunderbolt!
The people inside all drew in a breath of cold air.
Xie Yun did not expect him to barge in. She stared at him for a long time before spitting out two words to the maidservant all of a sudden, Get out.
The maidservant hurriedly went to sit outside.
Unable to stretch his arms and legs in the narrow carriage, Lu Heng still raised his head and stared persistently at Xie Yun. His eyes swept inch by inch over her exquisite hair bun and graceful eyebrows before finally pausing at the blue silk veil that covered half of her face.
It was impossible to see the condition of her injuries.
While he was still sizing her carefully, Xie Yun spoke indifferently, There are many eyes and ears in the forbidden areas of the palace, hence its inappropriate for you to do this.
Lu Heng just pretended not to hear her as he looked steadily at her and said, Take the veil off.
Ignoring him, Xie Yun slowly shifted her line of sight to look out at the fast-flashing magnificent palace. The vermilion red and flowing green were only smudges of fragmented mortar in the eyes that hardly dissipated as it drifted along.
Lu Heng spoke again in a deep voice, Yuner, take the veil off. Let me see the injuries on your face.
What can you do after seeing it?
Lu Heng was taken aback by such a nonchalant tone and only spoke after a long time, I will do my best to restore to your original appearance.
No need. It doesnt matter if its restored. Like this is very good too. Xie Yuns voice was as cool as water that inexplicably pulled Lu Hengs heart and caused him severe pain.
Ladies attach importance to their appearance, not to mention the fact that she is still unmarried yet she had said this is very good. Wasnt it painful when she was burned? Wouldnt she cry when she looked in the mirror? Whats good about it!
Lu Heng squeezed her shoulders hard, forcing her to face him. Just as his hand pinched a corner of the silk veil, the pair of misty-autumn pupils met his eyes.
Ah Heng, the great revenge has been avenged. You should set yourself free.
Im already free. Lu Heng stopped moving and looked at her profoundly with slightly heavy breathing.
Then what are you doing still looking for me? Xie Yun lowered her long fan-like eyelashes and spoke softly as if murmuring, Im part of your nightmare. The more you come into contact with me, the more you cant break free. It will be better to go our separate ways. You dont have to force yourself to carry the heavy burden that doesnt belong to you and I dont have to deceive myself as well as others to take pity as love. Its time for both of us to move on.
Feeling his chest quivered, Lu Heng abruptly roared in the low-pitched voice, It was you who said we would start afresh after the revenge!
I was wrong.
The simple and plain three words completely broke down all of Lu Hengs inner defenses. He took a step back in disbelief and spoke in a trembling voice, What did you say?
I said I was wrong and shouldnt have been so stubborn. We were unable to stay together a long time ago, werent we?
You mean you want to give up?
The grips of Lu Hengs hands unconsciously increased that the delicate shoulders could not bear it and shook slightly, yet Xie Yun did not mention a word of pain. She only lifted her slender hand to unveil and raised her face slowly before uttering with curt finality under his gaze.
Yes, I gave up.
[1] (Ning ning) a kind of respect for women in Chinese . It is generally used to address queens, concubines, princesses and other royal and aristocratic women.
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