Chapter 144: Warning

Chapter 144: Warning

Preamble:

Its been slightly over 3 months, and in that span of time, Ive translated 27 chapters. Wow. At this point, there are 30 more chapters to the end. Im not sure if that will take another 3 months or a year, or even more, since Ill be starting work again soon..but well, we have gotten very far! And we wouldnt be here if not also for the work of earlier translators. Unfortunately, my Chinese hasnt really improved, but Ive seemed to translate a lot faster after my break, because I think I have let go of trying to be very precise with every bit of the translation, drawing more from inference and overall visual / feeling / intention the author is trying to convey. Hopefully its also made for a better read since its (hopefully) much less literal!

Faced with Prince Jings query, Mei Changsu didnt immediately answer but instead turned to face the Emperors tent on the east side. Didnt Your Highness go over to pay respects to His Majesty?

Father Emperor is having his afternoon nap. How long could I do that?

So why didnt Your Highness come in?Cheêck out latest novels at novelhall.com

Mother clearly wanted me out of there. Why would I go back in so fast and annoy her?

But Your Highness, you..would still like to know what we talked about?

Of course. Xiao Jingyan was getting impatient with his nonchalant manner. Mother has not lost her self control like this for many years. I must know the reason for this.

Then why didnt Your Highness eavesdrop at the tent door? Neither niang niang nor I are martial arts masters. If you were careful, we wouldnt have noticed.

Prince Jing stared at him, a slight scowl on his face. Ive never done that, much less do it to my mother.

Since Your Highness didnt eavesdrop, why bother asking me now? Mei Changsu replied coolly, There isnt much difference between the two. If Your Highness really wants to know what we talked about, it would be better for you to ask Concubine Jing niang niang. Its not appropriate to ask me.

Prince Jing was momentarily at a loss for words, and he hesitated, his eyes flickering.

Actually.. Mei Changsu said slowly, In Su mous humble opinion, its enough for Your Highness to know that Concubine Jing is a good mother who would do her best for you, so why is there a need to pursue this? Everyone has something they do not wish anyone else to know. Not asking is also a form of filial piety. If you really cant help it, then you should ask her personally. In short, I will not say anything. I seek Your Highnesss understanding.

Prince Jing strode back and forth several times, then stopped. Did Mother forbid you to say anything?

Niang niang gave no such command, but since she sent you out, she obviously didnt intend for you to know.

If she didnt intend for me to know, then why is it okay for you to know?

Mei Changsus shoulders collapsed in defeat. It looks like Your Highness really cannot bear not knowing. Then you should go and ask niang niang. I shall return to my tent first. With these words, he clasped his hands, turned around and walked off.

Prince Jings anger flared momentarily, but this matter concerned his mother and had nothing to do with Mei Changsu. He hesitated for a while, but he couldnt stop worrying so he proceeded to enter the tent.

At the time, Concubine Jing was cleaning her face with a wet towel. Other than her swollen red eyes, there were no other traces of weeping on her face. Seeing her son enter, she put down the towel and gave him a slight smile. Youre back. Mister Su didnt wait for you and has left.

Your son knows. We..ran into each other outside.. Xiao Jingyan walked over and helped his mother over to the seat. He pulled a cushion over for himself and sat by her knees. Looking up at her, he slowly asked, Mother, do you really have nothing you want to tell your son?

Concubine Jing put a hand on her sons head, gently stroking it. She sighed deeply and said, Jingyan, can you not ask?

But I have not seen Mother so sad in such a long time. Maybe if you tell me, I can do something..

I understand your filial piety, Concubine Jing smiled at him sadly, her voice still gentle and calm, but Jingyan, Mother used to have a life of her own. Many things happened before you were born that have nothing to do with you, so why must you ask?

I know. Mister Shisan had already investigated. Its because of a woman named Junniang, right?

Yes.. Tong Lu lowered his head in shame, I can give up my life, but I couldnt give up Junniangs life, so..so

Theres no need to say more. I understand. Mei Changsu said lightly, You didnt reveal everything you knew, so we guessed that you were forced to betray us, and it wasnt voluntary. But betrayal is betrayal. Theres nothing more to say. Mister Shisan looked closely into your whereabouts but could not find you. Why did you come out and reveal yourself?

Tong Lu touched the ground with his forehead, his previously pale face turning red. In a low voice, he said, In the beginning, they used Junniang to threaten me, but later, they imprisoned me to threaten Junniang. One day.Junniang secretly came to look for me. Thats when I found out that they were the ones who sent Junniang.sent her.

Junniang was a sister disciple of Qin Banruo. We only discovered this later.

The way Junniang lied to me, I shouldnt have trusted her anymore. But she said.she also wanted to cut herself away from the past, to return with me to the countryside, to live a carefree life.Chief, she was also in a helpless predicament. Shes different from Qin Banruo..

I dont want to talk about Junniang. Get to the point. Why did you come and see me?

Three days ago, Junniang broke me out, but as soon as we left the city, assassins overtook us and we barely escaped with our lives. However, Junniang sustained serious injuries, and that night.she.she choked. Tong Lus lips trembled violently, his eyes blood red, but there were no tears. We had originally planned to find a small village to quietly live out our days.Chief, Junniang is really different from Qin Banruo, really.

Mei Changsu couldnt hide the trace of pity in his eyes, but he immediately suppressed it. Keeping his voice level, he said, An assassination is an assassination. But why did they try to assassinate you? Did you both discover some secret information? Is that why you came to look for me?

Yes, Tong Lu bit his lip hard, as if the pain would help clear his head. Prince Yu is plotting a rebellion.

As soon as these words were spoken, not only Meng Zhi but Xiao JIngyan too leapt up. Thats impossible. Prince Yu doesnt have that many men. Why is he plotting a rebellion?

I.I dont know very much. Tong Lu said as he thought hard, According to Junniang, as soon as the hunting party left the city, Prince Yu secretly went to visit Xia JIang in Sky Prison. Im not sure what plan they hatched, but what is certain is that Prince Yu had already figured out a way to take control of the imperial guards who had stayed behind in the capital.

What? Meng Zhis expression changed drastically. The guards who stayed behind number approximately 7,000. It wont be so easy to take control of them. How is he going to do that?

Word has it that the two deputy commanders of the imperial guard who stayed behind have already sworn loyalty to Prince Yu.

Faced with Prince Jings questioning gaze, Meng Zhi was a little embarrassed. These two deputy commanders were not the ones I trained and promoted. They were transferred over after the murder of the palace eunuchs. I really have very little hold over them. But.I believe my men will not obey orders to start a rebellion.

Tong Lu said that they had only taken control, not that the imperial guards have fallen completely under their control. Mei Changsu shook his head as he said, The imperial guards have always been well-trained and have always followed orders. Now that the capital has to respect the imperial order*, if they were separated into groups with their weapons recovered in batches, and then gathered and watched over in a central location, it would be possible to control them. After all, there is no fighting outside. Although the imperial guard may not understand their superiors orders, they wont use force to resist for no reason.

Even if the imperial guard is disarmed, Prince Yu only has 2,000 soldiers. What could he do with them? At most cross swords with the Capital Patrol, maybe not even succeeding.

Its more than that. Tong Lu spoke urgently, Junniang learnt from her contact that Prince Yu has strong support from Jingxi.whats his name.Xu.Xu

Xu Anmo! Prince Jings eyebrows leapt up, his hand that was on the table clenched tightly into a fist.

Footnote:

*Im not sure what this really is and it was difficult to find an explanation on google. I believe it refers to the system that was in place when the Emperor was not in the capital i.e. they had to listen to the officials / commanders left behind to manage things while the Emperor was away. If anyone finds any reference online, please do share!

Afterthought:

MCSs interaction with Tong Lu reminds me how much heart Xiao Shuai (Junior Commander) really has for his people even as he has to be the Chief. He is such an empath!!!!