CH 41

After Yan Hui left, Ban Huai gave Rong Xia a stiff smile, “Many thanks Count Rong.”

Ban Huai disliked brain exercise, but he wasn’t that stupid not to see Rong Xia had deliberately came to free him from the ambush. He glanced around quickly and whispered to Rong Xia, “It’s about my daughter.”

He didn’t get it at first, but as Yan Hui kept insisting on talking to him alone, he understood. But what was the point of talking to him, the decision wasn’t in his hand.

He couldn’t tell Rong Xia his family’s private matter, so he just shook his head in a profound manner, trying to hint how precious his family’s daughter was that even a proposal from the powerful Left Minister couldn’t move him. Ban Huai felt himself was like a noble and upright figure in storybooks, humble and reserved, unbending in the face of worldly dirt.

T/N – The phrase the author uses is ‘unbending for the sake of five pecks of rice’. See bottom for the origin story.

His wife was quick to tell him that Yan-furen was a difficult person, how if his daughter was disliked by such mother-in-law? If his daughter suffered, no matter how nonsensical a person he was, he still couldn’t order people to beat up the mother-in-law. Even the Emperor wouldn’t be able to help him if it became a big issue.

A married daughter depended on her new family. If she had a mother-in-law who was difficult to get along with, his daughter would suffer big time. The two words ‘filial piety’ could squeeze someone breathless. His own daughter-in-law, let’s imagined as if he had one, he wouldn’t have had the heart to oppress her, so why would he let his own daughter be oppressed by Yan family?

T/N – The phrase here is 嫁汉嫁汉，穿衣吃饭 (lit. marry someone, marry someone, wear clothing and eat food). See bottom.

Rong Xia could see Ban Huai’s obvious relutance of this marriage, “Uncle, wanbei thinks after the Court, Uncle needs to make things clear with the Left Minister to prevent unnecessary misunderstanding.”

* Wanbei 晚辈 = younger generation

“You are right,” Ban Huai nodded, “I should make it clear early so their family would give up sooner.”

You want to marry, doesn’t mean we have to accept, stop dreaming.

Rong Xia laughed and returned to stand at his own place, greeting other officials in leisure, displaying his elegant and impeccable presence.

—

The Court started after the Emperor arrived, it looked to be commencing smoothly until an imperial censor brought up the case of Xie Chongjin’s malfeasance. The smell of gunpowder among the officials rose again.

“Your Majesty, weichen thinks even though Xie-daren is alleged to be inadequate in his supervisory duty, but this offense is not that serious, please Your Majesty reconsider.”

* Weichen 微臣 = This Humble Official.  * Daren 大人 = title of respect, similar to Sir in English.

This official was the Second Prince’s man, he was speaking for Xie Chongjin in order to help the future Second Prince’s wife, to strenghten the power of the Second Prince’s wife’s familly.

T/N – Refresher: the Second Prince Jiang Luo was supposed to marry Xie Wanyu.

“Your Majesty, if all officials of our Court are indifferent of their supervisory duties, then how will they be earnest to the common people?” An imperial censort spoke sharply, “If an official fails to do his responsibility to the people, he better just go home to stay with his parents.”

This imperial censor’s tone and language was quite unrestrained.

“Chen seconds the motion!”

“Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty!”

The noise made Emperor Yun Qing’s brain hurt, he impatiently said, “Xie Chongjin is guilty of incompetence in  supervision, allowing his subordinates to fleece common people, this negligence can’t be overlooked. However, as he was deceived and was not involved himself, the person is pardonable. From today onwards, he is dismissed from the post, he is to recuperate at home and be exempted from other punishments.”

So Xie Chongjin’s career had come to an end?

Count Zhongping only had two sons, the eldest has been dismissed from the Court, the second has lost an eye and was unable to become an official. The next generation of Xie family was done for.

“Your Majesty,” Count Zhongping knelt down in distress, bowing deeply to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, my dog son is wronged, begging Your Majesty for leniency.”

“Xie-qing, Zhen has forgiven his crime.” Emperor Yun Qing waved his hand impatiently. “No need to say it again. If you were not my in-laws, the eldest Xie son should have been sent to the the border and not to return for five years.”

* -qing = Official. Xie-qing = Official Xie.

Count Zhongping’s face instantly paled, only after a long time that he kowtowed, “Weichen…… thanking Your Majesty for the kindness.”

His Majesty didn’t give him any face, his daughter would suffer after marrying the Second Prince.

Officials of the Great Ye dynasty normally didn’t kneel without reason, but Count Zhongping had knelt in front of the full Court out of desperation. Apparently his face was not large enough, the Emperor didn’t reduce Xie Chongjin’s punishment.

After the Court was dismissed, Count Zhongping immediately looked for Ban Huai. His face was thoroughly flushed red with hate, “Ban Huai, you are too much. Xie family takes note of your great gift.”

The officials who were still around saw there was another show to enjoy, they slowed down to furtively watch the drama.

“What a joke. Your eldest son committing a crime has nothing to do with me.” Ban Huai wasn’t afraid of Count Zhongping, he retorted, “I didn’t investigate his case, I didn’t impeach him, but you are angry with me. Do you think I am easy to bully because I have no authority?”

The officials almost couldn’t resist laughing out loud. Only Marquis Ban could say something like that, he really didn’t want his face.

Count Zhongping didn’t expect Ban Huai would say so, his face crimson as he choked with anger, “Ban Huai, don’t twist the words!”

* 强词夺理  = to twist words and force logic, showing false arguments down people’s throats.

“I didn’t say anything throughout the morning court, and yet you come to trouble me. Isn’t this bullying the weak?” Ban Huai flicked the imaginary dust on his body, “That imperial censor said it well, an official who fails to do his responsibility to the people shouldn’t be an official. Do you think your eldest son is not at fault?”

Ban Huai lifted his chin, “Don’t think that because you are going to be in-laws with the royal family so common people are beneath your notice. You should know His Majesty is a rare once-in-a-thousand-year great ruler, if you think Your Majesty will tolerate your misbehavings, then your Xie family is wrong. Very wrong, extremely wrong!”

After these impassioned words, Ban Huai flung his sleeves, walking out of the Main Palace with his head held high and his chest puffed out.

The imperial censor who criticised Xie Chongjin in the court today had mixed feeling on having his words cited by Ban Huai. It was nice to be praised and approved, but if it was by the infamous idler of the Court, this …..

Anyhow, this Marquis Jingting actually still had a strong sense of right and wrong.

—

“Sis,” On the lively main street, Ban Heng pointed afar, “Isn’t that Father and Left Minister Yan, why are they going into that teahouse?”

His face abruptly changed, he turned to Ban Hua, “Could it be that Father and Minister Yan are discussing yours and Yan Zhen’s marriage?”

Yan Zhen the bookworm, how was he worthy of his sister? Today he was accompanying his sister shopping, he didn’t expect to come across this.

“Let’s go, let’s follow and listen.”

Ban Heng couldn’t help worrying. Yan Hui must be very smart to be able to become the Left Minister. In case he twisted his words and made Father confused so he agreed to the marriage, what to do?

“What is there to listen.” Ban Hua wasn’t anxious at all, “Father wouldn’t want me marry into Yan family.”

“I know he doesn’t, but Minister Yan is good at scheming, I am afraid Father will fall for his scheme.” Ban Heng was deeply suspicious of his father’s level of intelligence, but as the son he couldn’t say it out. “Sis, hurry, come with me.”

Ban family guards standing at the entrance of the teahouse could only stare as their family’s heir and Junzhu sneaked past, they had to pretend they didn’t see anything.

Ban Heng asked the waiter to take them to the next room so they could eavesdrop on this super important matter.

Ban Hua felt this was a nonsense, but as a good elder sister who loved her younger brother, she was willing to indulge him in his nonsense. She even followed his example, sticking her ears to the screen.

Yan Hui and Ban Huai didn’t know two wanbei‘s were eavesdropping from the next door room. After some small talks, they got on the main topic.

“Marquis, my dog son and your precious daughter…..”

“Minister, my dog daughter is still young, she has nothing to do with your precious son.” Ban Huai sipped a bit of tea then shook his head, “Probably Minister doesn’t know, my dog daughter is spoiled rotten by her mother. She really is not worthy to be Yan family daughter-in-law. Please Minister do not mention this matter again.”

“Does Master Marquis feel my dog son won’t treat your precious daughter well?” Yan Hui felt what Ban Huai said was unacceptable, but remembering how his youngest son lost his soul, he could only thicken his face, “Yan-mou can guarantee, if Marquis would let your precious daughter marry into our humble family, noone in the family will mistreat her, not even an inch.”

“This is not about treat or mistreat.” Ban Huai sighed with difficulty, “Minister, a marriage is the matter of attraction and willingness. My dog daughter and your precious son are not fated, therefore it is not to be forced.”

* 你情我愿 = you are attracted and I am willing, basically a mutual thing.

Yan Hui didn’t expect such a blunt rejection, there was not even a little room to manouvre. This was the same as saying ‘my daughter doesn’t like your son, so of course she won’t marry him, heh heh heh.’

He wouldn’t be able to swallow this anger had this been anyone else, but this was Ban Huai the famous most  absurd person in the whole Capital. In truth, Yan Hui also felt his youngest son insisting on marrying Fule Junzhu was an exceedingly absurd thing.

The talk was going nowhere, Yan Hui dropped the smile on his face, he stood up, “In that case, Yan-mou will take my leave.”

How on earth that such an absurd person was allowed to have that beautiful daughter. Wasn’t it dangerous for all the good young men of the Capital?

“Farewell.” Ban Huai rose to return Yan Hui’s salute, he was all smiles as if he hadn’t seen the other party’s displeasure.

After Yan Hui was gone, Ban Huai hummed a little tune, drank most of the tea in his cup with a loud gulp. These so-called cultured people were so sophisticated that their teacups were of the size of a thumb, even an ant wouldn’t drown in such a cup. It was pointless.

“Father.” The door was pulled open from outside, Ban Heng and Ban Hua squeezed in and sat in front of their father.

“How come you two are here?” Ban Huai put the cup down, picked up the teapot and directly pour into his mouth. His meat cake this morning was too dry, he had been longing for big gulps of drink.

“We saw you and Minister Yan. Sister and I followed you.” Ban Heng moved the teacup in front of him aside, “Sister and I heard what you said when you were rejecting Minister Yan. You are like this.”

Ban Heng kissed up to him with a big thumb up.

“Hmph.” Ban Huai proudly straightened his back, he turned to Ban Hua, “Don’t worry, my good girl. Father won’t force you to marry anyone you don’t want to marry.”

Ban Hua gave him a sweet smile. She had known from the beginning that Father and Mother wouldn’t just let her marry anyone.

—

Being rejected so unceremoniously, Yan Hui’s face was inevitably a little ugly. He was about to get into his palanquin when he saw Rong Xia coming over on a horseback, he unbent his waist to wait.

“Minister Yan.” Rong Xia jumped down from the horse and bowed to Yan Hui. “Aren’t you with Marquis Ban for a talk, how come…..”

“It didn’t go well.” Yan Hui’s tone wasn’t very good, “No need to talk more.”

Rong Xia only stood on the side, smiling without a response.

Yan Hui suddenly realised he shouldn’t have shown a sulking face to an unrelated person, he hastily offered a salute to Rong Xia and bent to enter the palanquin.

“Minister, farewell.” Rong Xia stepped back a little, respectfully bowed to the palanquin.

Yan Hui lifted the palanquin’s curtain, looking at the respectful Rong Xia, his stuffed chest felt significantly better. The Capital needed more people like Count Rong.

As for that flop Ban Huai…….

Hmph!

Du Jiu saw his master getting on the horseback, he asked in lowered voice, “Master, aren’t you going to drink tea?”

“There is no need, go back.”

Rong Xia glanced up to the first floor of the teahouse, he pulled the rein once, the horse turned around to the direction of his residence.

T/N – 不为五斗米折腰 (lit. not bowing for five pecks of rice) was uttered by a recluse poet from Jin dynasty called Tao Yuanming. Due to his family’s hardship, he took up a position as a county magistrate despite his disgust of the corrupt government. One day a tyrannical and arrogant inspector was sent to his county, this bully demanded that Tao Yuanming came to pay respect to him. Tao Yuanming refused to change to official uniform for the visit, so an attendant reminded him that the inspector would be upset. Tao Yuanming couldn’t bear it anymore, he said “I’d rather die than bowing to a lowlife for the sake of five pecks of rice.” (five pecks of rice was the salary from the government). He then resigned for good.

How do you think Ban Huai compared to Tao Yuanming…. similar?

T/N –嫁汉嫁汉，穿衣吃饭 (lit. marry someone, marry someone, wear clothing and eat food). I can’t find the exact translation, but inferring from the articles found, it is the traditional view on marriage in which the husband provide financially for the family, while the wife is responsible for domestic tasks.

I can’t relate it to this story because Yan Zhen this rice pot wasn’t exactly a provider type.