Chapter 37: Wasted Manor

Chapter 37: Wasted Manor

Because of the nature of their business, Xuanjing officers kept a low profile, and Xia Dongs return to the capital was no exception. But to those who cared to find out, it was not difficult to keep track of her movements. To those eyes that watched either openly or in secret, Xia Dong did not purposefully hide her actions, but went freely between the palace, the residence of the Marquis of Ning, and the Mu residence, and then afterwards, retreated deep into the residence of the Xuanjing officers and was seldom seen out again.

But what was surprising to both the court and commoners alike was that the expected bombshell of Xia Dongs return to the capital, the Land Infringement Case had not exploded immediately; yet this calm before the storm feeling was difficult to bear, and the old Duke of Qing had long since taken leave from the court and was lying sick at home, and according to the imperial physicians, his illness was no pretense.

Another event that everyone had been expecting also failed to materialize, as, although the reputed chosen husband was still staying as a guest at the Marquis of Nings residence, and the Emperor had bestowed upon him two pieces of calligraphy and once summoned him into court to play the zither and have tea, there was nonetheless not the slightest whisper of an engagement. Instead, Princess Nihuang, after being visited by Xia Dong, sent someone to deliver a letter to him. No one could understand what these people were up to.

The Crown Prince, who had been confined for reflection, was on his best behaviour, and although he could not publicly apologize to the Princess because the true reason for the prior events had been concealed, whenever the people of the Eastern Palace met their counterparts from the Mu household, they would bow and yield with extreme politeness, rendering the Mu household members, who had been brimming with fury, speechless instead, and so the relations between the two households did not publicly deteriorate. Noble Consort Yue also milked her suffering for all it was worth, and her speedy transformation into a wan, sallow aging woman stirred up pity in the Emperors heart, and his anger was no longer as great as it had been previously.

It was at this time, when events seemed to have slowed to a stop, that Su Zhe, who had become famous in the capital, leisurely chose a fine, sunny day, and invited several of his young friends to accompany him out.

Mottled white walls and crumbled ledges with the occasional gap in the walls, on which crawled a splendid mess of rose and ivy vines surrounded them. Looking around, wild grass and half-dried lotus ponds filled the view as far as the eye could see, along with collapsed rock gardens and promenades covered in spider webs. Only the outer wall, which was built along the sloping grounds, still stood firmly, surrounding this little manor which had been neglected for far too long. In the middle of the manor, there seemed to be a silhouette of a curved flowerbed, which no longer held any flowers, but was instead overrun by weeds on yellow, withered soil.

It was on this wasted ground that several people stood in splendid clothing, forming quite a contrast to their surroundings, as they looked around, as if in admiration of the desolate view.

If it were not for the fact that you can see the spire of Chongyin Tower if you look up, I really wouldnt know where I am. The speaker was the son of the Imperial Uncle, who stood handsomely with his fan despite the fact that it was winter. I never thought there was such a desolate place in the city of Jinling. Brother Su, how did you find this place?

I did not find it myself, The young man who replied smiled ruefully. I only found an estate business and said I was looking to buy a manor in the city, and their boss recommended this place, and said it was very good.

Very good. Xie Bi echoed the two words, looking around dazedly, his gaze stopping at the half-collapsed flowerbed not far away.

He said it was very good and you believed him? Didnt you look at the place before you paid? Or is Jiangzuo Alliance really so rich nowadays? Ya Yujin fired off his questions, expressing his disapproval.

II sent Fei Liu over for a look, he said it was very good too.

Very good The echo came again, and Fei Lius figure flew by and disappeared into the maze of collapsed rock gardens, where he seemed to be playing with keen interest.

Yan Yujin crossed his arms and fixed his gaze on the refined gentleman. Buying a house through an estate business and only sending a child over for a look before paying, this was how the qilin prodigy worked? He really was different from normal people.

Really, this place isnt too bad, Mei Changsu smiled. At least the location is good, and is overall appropriate, and as it has not been lived in for awhile, its no surprise that it has deteriorated to this degree. I have only to have it cleaned up a bit, and it will be quite beautiful, and anyway, Fei Liu likes it toodont you think so, Jingrui?

The person who had not spoken a word until now gave an affirmative Ng, as if in agreement.

What? Xie Bi came closer. Its obvious Brother Su has been tricked into buying this place, so why do you look even more dismayed than he does?

Yan Yujin glanced over at his friend, and did not join Xie Bi in teasing him as he had so often done before, but continued slowly hitting his closed fan against his palm, and wandered a few steps away, as if to inspect the manor more closely, but he had not gone far when, with a sudden Oh!, he disappeared.

Everyone jumped in fright and ran over to the place where he had mysteriously vanished, and Xiao Jingruis agility being the best, he naturally arrived first, shouting all the while, Yujin! Yujin!

Here A muffled voice drifted up from below ground. Give me a hand up.

After Xiao Jingrui had pulled him up by the wrist, the son of the Imperial Uncles splendid robes were caked with dark soil and withered grass, and as Xiao Jingrui brushed him off, the air filled with dust.

Its a dried up well, looks rather cold and dark. Xie Bi carefully pulled aside the grass obscuring the mouth of the well and peered down. The well platform has completely eroded, its no wonder you didnt notice it

Its a good thing I was quick and caught the edge, Yan Yujin brushed at the grass stems in his hair, looking unhappy. What terrible luck!

Xiao Jingrui said thoughtfully, Its good luck that it was you who fell, if it was Brother Su, he definitely wouldnt have caught hold of anything, and would have fallen straight to the bottom.

Yan Yujin gritted his teeth and looked at his ungrateful wretch of a best friend, and said angrily, What do you mean it was good luck that it was me who fell? You heartless.

Mei Changsu had also come over to help him brush off the dirt, and asked warmly, Are you injured?

No, no, how could an expert like me be so easily injured? Yan Yujin laughed and waved his arm carelessly.

Thats true, Xie Bi nodded his agreement seriously. Hes very good at hanging off objects in mid-air, you could often find him dangling in the air back in those days in Shuren Court.

Fei Liu had also appeared at some point, and was staring with wide eyes at Yan Yujin, who was looking quite pitiful indeed.

Its difficult to know what dangers there are in a desolate yard like this, we had better walk on the stone path on our way out, Xiao Jingrui warned, and then turned to look at Mei Changsu. Brother Su, you should walk in our footsteps.

You are being too careful, Xie Bi said with a smile. However bad this place is, it still cannot be not full of wells.

One cannot be too careful. Mei Changsu smilingly spoke up for Xiao Jingrui. Although the wild grass is dense, if Yujin had been more careful, he might not have lost his footing. The ground is uneven here and has been covered by grass, it would indeed be better to return by the main path.

The words of seniors have their weight, and after his suggestion, everyone returned to the main path, and slowly continued on to the areas they had not yet seen, but no matter where they went, the manor was just as desolate. The courtyard was not large, and they quickly arrived at the back door, which was closed firmly with a thick steel lock. Aside from Fei Liu, no one wanted to walk back through the courtyard, so Xie Bi, who was in front, stretched out a hand to pull the door open, but as soon as he pulled, the entire door came loose.

Good heavens, its deteriorated to such a state, I suppose only those brick buildings are still acceptable. Yan Yujin shook his head. There isnt a single place that doesnt need fixing.

The doors and windows of the buildings also need changing, even if they have not rotted, they are far too filthy. Xie Bi added, Brother Su, how could someone like you live in such a crude manor? I hear theres a good place in the eastern part of the city.

Never mind, Mei Changsu cut him off with a smile. The money has been paid, what more is there to say? As Yujin said, our Jiangzuo Alliance isnt wealthy enough to buy a few manors in the capital and have them sit empty.

Xie Bi added hurriedly, You would not need to pay for the manor in the eastern part of the city, His Highness said.

Xie Bi, Xiao Jingrui sounded a bit fed up. Brother Su will handle this himself, why are you saying so much?

Xie Bi was getting angry too, and was about to retort when Mei Changsu slipped in between the two and said with a playful smile, Even if this manor isnt good, I have already bought it, and I must live in it no matter what, or my brothers in the alliance would scold me for spending money recklessly, and you dont want to see me receive a scolding, do you? As he spoke, he pondered which Highness Xie Bi had meant.

Im afraid it will be at least a month before this manor is fit to be lived in. Yan Yujin smiled. But Brother Su has said he is in no hurry, and Jingrui doesnt want you to move out so soon either, look, weve only come out to see the place today and he already looks so unhappy.

Xiao Jingrui bit his lip and did not counter Yan Yujins words, but thought for a long moment and then finally asked slowly, Brother Su, are you reallymoving out?

I think I will be staying in the capital for awhile, and if I continued to take advantage of your hospitality, I would not feel comfortable. Mei Changsus questioning glance was gentle, but he spoke with his normal courtesy.

Since the jade moon chain was an ornament hung from the waist, it was naturally quite small, and although Xiao Jingrui had gone down for quite some time, he only kept calling for them to let him down further, as if he had not found anything yet.

Stop, Ive reached the bottom, the mud is really quite thick. A while later, Xiao Jingruis voice drifted up from the bottom of the well, echoing against the mossy walls and coming out slightly distorted. Its difficult to search down here, it might take me awhile, and the torch is just about used up so if you see it go out, dont worry.

But Yan Yujin bit his lip, worried, and was about to continue when an arm fell across his shoulder, and he turned to see Mei Changsus smiling eyes.

Dont worry, the torch has been burning steadily all along, it should be fine.

Looking into that knowing gaze, Yan Yujin couldnt help lowering his eyes, saying quietly, Jingruihas always loved being clean.

It is only the mud of the well, and will easily wash off, Mei Changsu smiled. He doesnt mind, what are you minding for? Is the jade moon chain very important to you?

Ng, Yan Yujin nodded. Its an heirloom handed down in my family, my grandfather gave it to me before he died.

So, Mei Changsu was still smiling faintly, Finding something important to his friend is also very important to Jingrui.

Yan Yujin looked at him for a moment and suddenly smiled, then crawled to the edge of the well and called down in a loud voice, Jingrui since you have this rare chance to do a favour for me, you better look hard down there

Damn you! The cheerful curse drifted up from below. Just wait til I get out and shower you in mud!

Mei Changsu couldnt restrain his smile, and Xie Bi also shook his head with a grin, and the mood lightened considerably. After a long while, there still seemed to be no sign of success.

Jingrui, if you cant find it, just come back up, theres no need to stay down there. Yan Yujin called.

A bit longer. Xiao Jingruis voice echoed up, but the sound had not yet faded when suddenly shook, and a surprised Oh! sounded from below.

What is it? Yan Yujin was terrified, and leaned half his body into the well, shouting loudly, Jingrui! Jingrui!

A reply came from somewhere down the well: Im alright.

Then what did you do that for, you scared me to death! Yan Yujin couldnt help scolding, and turned to say to Xie Bi, Lets pull him up!

Wait, Xiao Jingrui hurriedly stopped them, There are still some places I missed, Ill be done soon.

Mei Changsu quietly added, Dont worry, if theres anything wrong, Jingrui would tell us. Since hes gone down, he might as well have a careful look.

Yan Yujins brow furrowed as he sat down again by the mouth of the well, and a few moments passed before he heard the voice call again, Pull me up!

Coming up was naturally much easier than going down, and in the blink of an eye, Xiao Jingruis head emerged, his body predictably covered in mud, and both arms covered in soil as well.

Yan Yujin silently grasped one of his hands and brushed roughly at the dirt with the inner side of his robes. It was Xie Bi who finally asked, Did you find it?

Xiao Jingrui raised his other blackened hand, which had been tightened into a fist, and slowly opened it to reveal a hard, moon-shaped object covered in mud.

Oh, it really did fall in there. Xie Bi pulled out a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped the jade moon chain clean, then returned it to Yan Yujin, who glanced at it before slipping it into his pocket.

Im glad you found it, and now you two smelly monsters can go back for a bath! Xie Bi let out a sigh and slapped them both on the back.

Brother, Xiao Jingrui turned his head, his gaze serious. We will go back and bathe, but I must trouble you to make a run to the Capital Magistrate Office.

The Capital Magistrate Office? What for? Xie Bi didnt understand.

To report a case. I saw down in the mud of the wellthere were human skeletons.

What? Everyone was shocked. Yan Yujin said in a hush, When you cried out just then, was that when you found the bones?

Ng.

Then why didnt you come up right away?!

I saw just then a glint of green in the grass on the other side. The jade moon chain is so small, if I came out then and let others go in to remove the remains, it would be covered and lost, so I wanted to find it first, and luckily, I did.

Stupid! Yan Yujin scolded through gritted teeth. It must smell so bad, hurry and go bathe.

Human remains in a dried well Xie Bis face had slowly become pale. Even hearing the words is terrifying. You really have some guts, to stay down there for so longif it were me, Id have climbed out right away.

Can you compare to Jingrui? After all, hes half a jianghu man! Yan Yujin had quickly found a new object of attack.

Yes, and Im only a useless man of the court! Xie Bi replied self-mockingly, then shrugged. Lets go, Brother Su.

Xiao Jingrui looked at him strangely. Where are you taking Brother Su?

To report the case to the Magistrate Office!

Cant you go by yourself?

Xie Bi raised an eyebrow. Big brother, this manor has been bought by Brother Su, it would be best if he reported the case in person, no?

Xie Bi is right, Mei Changsus gaze drifted over to the well hidden amongst the wild grass. I should really go myself.

Xiao Jingrui thought about it and saw the logic, and anyway he was extremely uncomfortable in his current dirty and smelly attire, and didnt say anymore. The five split into two groups, and each went their own way after leaving the manor.

Chapter 37 Translators Notes:

I laughed my way through this chapter too. The Sunshine Boys are the best (though MCS is also hilarious).