CH 81

“Liu-daren.”

“Count Cheng’an, please have a seat.” Liu Banshan sent a subordinate to prepare tea. “Wonder what brings Count Cheng’an here today?”

“Naturally it’s Duke Jingting’s incident.” Rong Xia replied, “Has Daren found something?”

“Where the flower pot came from is clear. The assassins are also not tight-lipped, they have answered everything, and they are not professional assassins. The tricky thing is finding the mastermind.”

Liu Banshan did not intend to conceal the matters, when the tea was ready, he told his subordinates, “Everyone retreat. I will talk privately with Count Cheng’an.”

Everyone at Dalisi knew that Duke Jingting was Count Cheng’an’s future father-in-law. Whether he and Fule Junzhu was a real couple or not, Count Cheng’an still had to be involved so they understood why he was there.

After everyone left, Liu Banshan said, “Out of 4 assassins, one is still unconscious, and the other 3 are seriously injured. Master Count, Fule Junzhu’s martial skill…… is not bad.”

Rong Xia raised the cup to moist his lips, “Then I don’t need to worry she would ever lose, excellent.”

Liu Banshan stopped talking further, in a loud voice he said, “Count Cheng’an please be assured, xiaguan will definitely investigate this case as quick as possible.”

“Rong-daren,” The Director of Dalisi came into the room, raised his hands to salute Rong Xia. Rong Xia stood up and return it but the Director quickly moved aside to avoid the salute, “Rong-daren, we will investigate with utmost care. How could we trouble you to personally visit us here.”

“Today happens to be my day off, so I am here to bother Daren. Hope Daren does not mind.”

“Haha,” The Director laughed, “Rong-daren is too polite. You are here today, xiaguan welcomes you so much.” As the Director of Dalisi, he knew things that other people did not know, for instance, that His Majesty had his own secret agents. However, he did not know who they were, or who the leader was, this he could not find out.

He once suspected it was Rong Xia, but someone like Rong Xia was not suitable to be a secret agent. He could not make up this mind yet, but it did not lessen his deference to Rong Xia.

“Daren is handling this, I am certainly relieved.” Rong Xia smiled plainly, “I just can’t bear the thoughts of my fiancee being upset and terrified all the time, so I am here to bother you all. Hope everyone can forgive me.”

The Director laughed drily, this was Count Cheng’an putting pressure on them.

“As for Duke Jingting……”

“Duke Jingting is shocked, he has returned to his residence to rest. And Fule Junzhu….” Rong Xia picked up his cup, after a slow sip, he gently scraped the rim of the cup with the lid. The Director felt his heart jumping up and down, wishing for Rong Xia to give him a relief.

“Junzhu is a woman, she grieves to see her father suffer. She is currently at the Palace for an audience with His Majesty.” Rong Xia sighed, “Daren also knows how His Majesty is towards Ban family. This case should not be delayed, otherwise His Majesty would be angrier. Who can help if Daren is considered to have failed?”

“Many thanks for Daren’s reminder, xiaguan will investigate this case closely.” Dalisi Director felt more stressed. For some reasons Ban family was really capable, they did nothing but His Majesty valued them so much. Even in mourning, the rewards from His Majesty kept on coming. The Grand Princess did have the merit of saving the Emperor, but should His Majesty give them this much attention?

“Daren is busy, I won’t bother for too long. Farewell.”

“Rong-daren, take care.”

After Rong Xia left, Dalisi Director walked up to Liu Banshan, frowning, “This case has neither the beginning nor the end, how to investigate.”

“Daren, the assassin has described the person who ordered them, this is the picture.” Liu Banshan handed the picture to the Head of Dalisi. He accepted it and immediately gasped, “What a good picture. Qingfeng, your drawing skill has improved again.”

“Daren, this is not my drawing.” Liu Banshan smiled bitterly, “This is Count Cheng’an’s drawing.”

He was a member of Dalisi, but his drawing skill was not as good as Count Cheng’an’s. He was both ashamed and awed.

“What?” Dalisi Director was surprised, “Isn’t that Rong Junpo never draws human?”

“Perhaps there is always an exception to everything.” Liu Banshan remembered Fule Junzhu, he shook his head, “Anyway, fortunately there is this drawing. It will make the case easier.”

Dalisi Director carefully placed the drawing on the desk. This was Rong Junpo’s first human drawing, he had the urge to stuff it into his own robe.

Some said Rong Junpo never drew human because he was not good at it. But now he was able to draw out the suspect’s image based on the assassin’s description only, no way he was not good at it?

It’s a pity the object was an undistinguished criminal, otherwise he would have braved himself to shamelessly pocket this drawing.

—

Read this for free at SleepyPrawn site. Add to my viewer number and I will translate more happily!

In the Great Moon Palace, a songstress was singing for Emperor Yunqing. She was secretly happy to see His Majesty having some interest in herself.

“Your Majesty, Fule Junzhu requests an audience.”

Emperor Yunqing who was immersed in the songstress’ singing suddenly sat up straight and turned to Wang De “Who did you say?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, it is Fule Junzhu.”

“Yo, this girl is now wilful towards zhen too.” He hadn’t seen this girl for a while, Emperor Yunqing was quite missing her. He stroked his chin while smiling, “You this old bugger, why haven’t you invited her in.”

“Yes.” Wang De retreated. Considering Fule Junzhu’s teary face, he was worried His Majesty would have a headache.

As expected, when Emperor Yunqing saw Ban Hua’s red eyes and crumpled top, he thought she had been bullied, immediately said, “Hua Hua, what happened to you?”

“Your Majesty!” Ban Hua knelt down, her mouth drooped down. Like a bullied little creature who has finally found her backing, she let out a ‘wah’ sound and bawled.

Not being an Emperor’s concubine, there was no need to cry elegantly, she cried pitifully, pouring out a load of grievances.

“What’s wrong?” Emperor Yunqing was dumbfounded. This was no time to care about the songstress, he hurriedly ordered the female attendants to support Ban Hua. All staff at the Great Moon Palace became busy at once, trying to pacify this great aunt who cried uncontrollably.

“Hua Girl, let’s not cry anymore. What happened to you, tell Uncle, Uncle will help you.” Had this been a concubine, Emperor Yunqing would have swung his sleeves and left, but his favourite junior was different. He was thinking who was so bold and senseless to disrespect his favourite junior.

Disrespecting his beloved subject was akin to disrespecting himself, Emperor Yunqing found himself became unhappy too.

“Your Majesty,” Ban Hua sniffed, her eyes and nose were very red. Emperor Yunqing suddenly remembered the little white rabbit he had when he was a child. What happened to that rabbit?

It was snatched by his Second Younger Brother, the son his father loved. The rabbit was played to death in just a few days. Second Younger Brother then skinned the rabbit and hang it on a tree. When he found out about it, the rabbit’s skeleton had long aired dry.

It was a hazy old memory, but that feeling of oppression, he had never forgotten.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry. Let’s not be sad.” Emperor Yunqing brought Ban Hua a cup of honey tea with his own hands, “Drink a little first.”

Ban Hua accepted the cup, thanking him between the sobs, “Thank you Your Majesty.”

Emperor Yunqing breathed a long sigh, she has finally stopped crying.

“Your Majesty, someone is trying to kill us.” Ban Hua’s big eyes were brimming with tears as she stared at Emperor Yunqing, “I don’t want to die.”

“Who wants to kill you?” Emperor Yunqing’s eyes were opened wide in surprise. Could it be someone was dissatisfied because he was too kind to Ban family? Outrageous, he was the Emperor, he could be good to anyone he wanted, who dared to be displeased?!

Ban Hua did not know what was in the Emperor’s mind, she began to tell what had happened. But because she was too sad, too scared, there were occasional omissions in the story. It was just too normal.

“Chennü has no idea why anyone wants to kill us, could it be…….” Ban Hua seemed to recall something and her face changed.

* chennü 臣女 = This Official’s Daughter

Emperor Yunqing knew she was not someone able to conceal her thoughts, “Just say it. In front of Uncle, don’t be afraid to talk.”

“Maybe we did something that made someone unhappy so they retaliate?” Ban Hua muttered, “But we have been in mourning, we can’t have offended anyone.”

Emperor Yunqing heard this, his mind went far further.

The grudge might not actually about Ban family, but about he himself, this emperor. Aunt lost her life in the assassination attempt, so if Hui-wang’s old followers wanted to retaliate, Ban family would be a natural pick.

Under Aunt’s knees, the only descendants left were Ban family.

An emperor’s biggest taboo was finding anyone plotting for his throne. He was the most magnanimous person who gave his favourite people the utmost glory. At the same time he was also the pettiest person, he remembered many, many, things forever. Plenty of unfortunate things could fall on those who annoyed him.

If Hui-wang’s old followers were not cleaned up, then wouldn’t he the Emperor be always in danger?

“Hua Girl, I will issue a decree to Dalisi to investigate this carefully. You won’t be disappointed.”

“Chennü thanking Your Majesty for the kindness.” Ban Hua sniffed. Seeming suddenly realised she had been crying without a care for her image, she covered her face with both hands, “Your Majesty, please just forget how chennü looks when crying.”

Emperor Yunqing couldn’t help laughing loudly, “What’s there to be ashamed of. When you were small, you peed on zhen. It is too late to be ashamed now.”

Ban Hua’s face reddened, “Your Majesty, chennü is still a girl. Please give chennü some face.”

“Fine, fine, fine. Giving you some face.” Emperor Yunqing rose, “Come, follow zhen to see your aunt. Today we uncle and niece are going to your aunt’s place to freeload a meal.”

—

The Empress was talking to her two daughters-in-law when the eunuch said the Emperor and Fule Junzhu were coming. The Empress ordered the palace attendants, “Remove all the refreshment, change to the ones Fule Junzhu usually eats.”

Watching her tea taken away, Xie Wanyu was shocked in the heart. Ban Hua turned out to be very highly valued by the Empress.

No wonder she was so carefree to the point of not giving face to anyone, she was secure in the knowledge that she had such backing.

The Crown Princess glanced at Xie Wanyu from the corner of her eye, silently wiping her lips with a handkerchief. Since the rumours of the ambiguous relationship between her own younger sister and the Second Prince, she and this sister-in-law had been harmonious on the surface only. More than that, they had nothing to say to each other.

As someone who abide by the rules, The Crown Princess had become extremely unhappy. It was embarassing that her own sister was embroiled in this kind of matter, especially since that person was a brother-in-law. People in the Palace dared not talk to her face, but how could she possibly be at ease?

His Majesty and Ban Hua soon entered the room. Ban Hua’s face was red, it was bare without make up, and her clothing was messy and crumpled. The Crown Princess’s eyebrows raised, what was Ban Hua doing, coming to the Palace and meeting the Emperor without observing the etiquette?

Xie Wanyu kept her head bent as she rose to salute the Emperor, as if she had not seen Ban Hua behind the Emperor.

“Ay yo yo,” The Empress said as soon as she saw Ban Hua, “What’s going on, quickly go change your clothes. There should be some that fit you here.”

“Thanking Empress Niangniang.”

Ban Hua forced a smile at the Empress then followed the palace attendants inside.

The Empress looked at the Emperor, “Your Majesty, what happened?”

Emperor Yunqing’s face darkened, “Duke Jingting has met assassins.”

What?

The faces of the three high status women in the room were all shocked.

Then….. is Duke Jingting dead?

T/N – Who says Ban Hua this brash and violent girl only knew how to beat people up? The way she used Emperor Yunqing’s self-centeredness to get him to work for her, she was no stranger to manipulation and pretense!

T/N – I did not post last weekend, was a little unwell and no mood to do editing, plus I fell into the rabbit hole watching LOTR The Rings of Power. A bit too early to tell, but I quite like it especially the dwarves, although I can’t reconcile the talkative young Elrond with the stern old one in the movie.