Preamble:
I just wanted to take this mont to thank you all for leaving your comnts!! I know I have been remiss in replying all of them especially last month when I took a break from translation for a while, but I want you to know Ive read each and every one of them. Just that sotis, when Im sitting in front of the computer like now, Im just itching to finish a chapter or go on to the next one!
But I wanted to let you know that its a big encouragent for to hear from so many of you, and even though I may not always reply, I would still love to continue hearing your thoughts on the chapters so do keep them coming!
Prince Jing returned from the hunting ground with the Liang Emperor. After accompanying his father back to his tent, he took his leave but did not return to his tent, proceeding instead to visit the third prince, Prince Xu and the fifth prince, Prince Huai. Though they werent especially close to Prince Jing, the relationship between these brothers was generally good. During the ti of the Spring Hunt in previous years, the crown prince and Prince Yu were in elevated positions and only revolved around the Liang Emperor, while the three brothers were of similar rank and thus housed in the sa location. But this year Prince Jings rank was a lot higher compared to previous years, so the both of them dared not visit him as they pleased like they used to do, so now that Prince Jing had so free ti, he took the initiative to visit them. The tents of Prince Xu and Prince Huai were next to each other. In order to receive Prince Jing, laid mats, barbecued ats and wine in the open space between the tents and enjoyed each others company.
Just when everyone had eaten and drunk to their hearts content and were starting to have tea to aid their digestion, Concubine Jings maid ca over, accompanied by Lie Zhanying, with i Changsu standing in the distance, waiting. Once they heard that Imperial Consort Jing had summoned him, Prince Xu and Prince Huai did not delay him and hurriedly got up to see him off.
The princes tents werent very far away from the imperial tent, except that they needed to pass through the imperial guards posted around it. ng Zhi stood by the entrance of the surrounding tall wooden fence and saluted them, ready to accompany them in. He glanced aningfully at i Changsu, and the latter smiled faintly in return, his expression calm.
When they arrived at the entrance of Concubine Jings tent, her maid announced their arrival, and both n entered one after the other. The internal furnishings were simple and neat. There were only a chest, a divan and two small tables, with four to five low chairs with curved backs. Concubine Jing was wearing a gray mink coat over a plain long skirt because she was still in mourning, and on her head, only a silver hair ornant. She looked graceful, gentle and unassuming. When she saw her son kneel down to pay his respects, she smiled and stretched out her hands to raise him up.
Prince Jing raised his hand and gestured in introduction, Mother, this is Mister Su.
i Changsu stepped forward and bowed in greeting. Su mou greets Concubine Jing niang niang. He was just a step behind Prince Jing so Concubine Jing had already caught a glimpse of him, but she was in a complex fra of mind and dared not look closely. Now that they were standing face to face, seeing that frail figure and hearing that strange voice, she felt a sudden chill in her heart and a tautness in her throat, and couldnt speak for a very long while.
Mother, are you feeling unwell? Surprised by her reaction, he gently supported Concubine Jing by her arm.
Concubine Jing smiled with difficulty and steadied herself, saying, ..Mister Su must be tired from the entire journey. Please sit down.
i Changsu thanked her and sat down on the guests seat. Concubine Jing was a little calr, and after ordering for tea to be served, she asked politely, Mister Su has lived in the capital for more than a year, right? Have you gotten used to it?
Winter ti is a little cold, but other than that, its not bad.
Is Sir afraid of the cold?
Yes.
Concubine Jing turned to Prince Jing and said, You really dont know how to take care of others. Have you checked if there are enough hot coals in Mister Sus tent? Camping out in the wild is much colder than the house.
i Changsu smiled and said, Thank you for niang niangs concern. His Highness has been very thorough with his care. Everyone is reluctant to enter my tent now as they feel that its too hot.
Concubine Jing shook her head and said, These few days will not be like ho. Youll constantly have to move in and out of the tent. If the inside is too warm and the outside too cold, itll be easy to fall sick. It would be better to keep the inside of the tent well-ventilated to ensure a suitable temperature.
Niang niang is really knowledgeable in the art of healing and maintaining ones health, i Changsu raised himself slightly off his seat*, I also have a physician at ho, its just that he didnt accompany these few days. I shall make sure I keep warm. Thank you niang niang for your advice.
*polite gesture
Sir just ca in from the wind and should not drink this tea. Concubine Jing imdiately summoned her maid and instructed her, Go and bring the purple ginger tea.
The maid went to carry out her instruction and soon returned with a clay teapot and a small cup. When i Changsu saw Concubine Jing stand up to pour the tea herself, he imdiately thanked her humbly and said, How dare I trouble niang niang? Please let this jie jie pour the tea.
Concubine Jing smiled serenely, ordering the maid to retreat. Lifting the tea cup with both her hands, she said, Sir, in sparing no effort to help Prince Jing, it is only appropriate for to offer you a cup of tea to honour you. Having said this, she passed the cup to him, but the cup slipped unexpectedly, rolling down, its contents splashing onto i Changsus sleeves.
Oh no! Sir, did you get burnt? Concubine Jing hurriedly reached for a cloth to wipe the tea off him. Prince Jing also hurried over.
i Changsu understood Concubine Jings intentions. In his heart, he knew that it would be hopeless, so he did not try to evade it, letting her seize that opportunity to roll his sleeves up.
When Concubine Jing saw that his arm was smooth, with no scar in sight, she had the sa expression as Princess Nihuang, except that her reaction was more understated. All she did was take a step back in a daze, nothing more.
Su mou is not hurt. Niang niang doesnt need to worry. i Changsu looked away and said this in a soft voice.
Prince Jing helped his mother back to her seat, looking a little bewildered. He wanted to ask but he wasnt sure what to ask, and after a monts hesitation, he said, Mother, you seem to be tired today. Why dont you take a rest, and Mister Su and I will return another day?
Concubine Jing seed lost in thought and did not seem to have heard her son. After a mont of silence, she suddenly said to i Changsu, I really liked your book, Xiangdis Travel Notes. It ntioned a waterfall in Tuzhou. Seeing Sirs annotation, you must have been there before?
Yes.
According to the book, this waterfall flows straight down with a force that is magnificent. I regret that Im unable to see it in person. But I can never seem to rember, which Tuzhou county is this waterfull in?
i Changsus gaze wavered slightly, his lips tightened. Tuzhou Qinying Prefecture. A very simple answer, but it was actually his deceased mothers maiden na. Although he understood why Concubine Jing asked this question, he still couldnt speak it calmly, and so after a monts hesitation, he had no choice but to shake his head and say, Su mou doesnt rember either.
Concubine Jing stared at him quietly. For so reason, her eyes beca clear yet at the sa ti laden with grief. Looking at his mother, Prince Jing felt a little uneasy and asked her, Mother, do you really want to see this waterfall? Your son still rembers, that place is..
No need, Concubine Jing quickly cut him off, I was just asking. How could I leave the palace?
Niang niangs status is too precious now, and so cannot travel at will. She can only be aggrieved and leave it as regret. i Changsu lowered his eyes as he said this.
Status is too precious. Concubine Jing smiled dejectedly, her expression bleak, Lets not speak about this. Sir, you seem to be out of breath and your complexion is pale. Your illness must have lingered for a long ti. What dicine do you usually take?
Its a sort of restorative tonic. I dont know much so I just listen to my physician.
I still have so dical knowledge. If Sir doesnt mind, allow to feel your pulse?
Since she said this in front of Prince Jing, of course i Changsu could not mind. On the contrary, Prince Jing was the one who said, Mother, Mister Su already has a famous doctor tending to him. You dont need to..
Im rely feeling his pulse, not treating him with acupuncture or dicine. Why so serious? Concubine Jing smiled gently. Dont you know all doctors like to broaden their experience through more dical cases?
Prince Jing knew that even though his mother had a gentle nature, once she had her mind set on sothing, it was difficult to change it so he had no choice but to get up as she moved her seat to i Changsus side and then went to fetch a small pillow bag.
i Changsu squeezed his arms tight within his sleeves. He was very well aware of his own physical condition, but he didnt know how far Concubine Jing had progressed in her dical knowledge. Naturally that also ant that he wasnt sure if his secret could be kept once he stretched out his hand.
But at that mont, he had no choice. Concubine Jings deep and sorrowful eyes also made it difficult for him to refuse. Which is why in the end he slowly extended his left wrist and put it on the pillow bag.
Concubine Jing calmly adjusted her breathing and slowly pressed two fingers on i Changsus pulse, her eyes lowered. She remained like this for a very long ti before she slowly loosened her fingers.
Prince Jing bent forward, just about to enquire about his condition, but who would have thought that one look would make him turn pale with fright. After Concubine Jing retracted her hand, he saw her covering her lips with the back of her wrist, her long eyelashes fluttering, drops of tears falling down like pearls, unable to hold them back. Xiao Jingyan hadnt seen his unassuming and quiet mother cry like that in many years, and he was greatly alard. He imdiately knelt down and asked anxiously, Mother, whats wrong? If there is sothing you are unhappy about, please instruct your son. I will do my best to take care of it
Concubine Jing took a deep breath but she still couldnt stop sobbing. The more composed and cautious one was in ordinary tis, the more difficult it was to suppress emotions once they broke through. She put her hands on her sons shoulders, leaning on him. No matter what he asked, she only shed more tears and shook her head. After weeping for period of ti, she said softly, Jing.Jingyan, today..have you paid your respects to your father?
She wept so much yet spoke such words. Prince Jing was stunned for a mont. I was with Father Emperor.I was with him this morning..
What about this afternoon?
Not yet.
Then.you should go pay your respects to your father..
Prince Jing was dumbfounded and said, Isnt Father Emperor having a nap?
Even if hes taking a nap, you should still go, Concubine Jing stamred, At least wait, wait for him to wake up. If his attendant says..you dropped by, he will.definitely be happy..
In a daze, Xiao Jingyan looked at his mother for a long ti. Suddenly understanding her intentions, he turned to look at i Changsu, and saw that the advisor had already stood up and moved quietly to one side, looking as if he was wearing a mask, his face revealing nothing.
Go, quickly, go. Concubine Jing patted her sons chest, slowly but firmly pushing him out. But after he left, she didnt imdiately speak to i Changsu, but dropped onto her chair, still wet with tears. i Changsu gazed helplessly at her for a mont and finally, heaving a long quiet sigh, he stepped forward, crouched before her and removed a soft handkerchief from his sleeve to wipe her tears, saying softly, Niang niang, please stop crying. What good will crying do?
I know.its just that Ive endured it all these years and I suddenly couldnt bear it anymore. Concubine Jing tried her best to calm herself, pulling i Changsu up to sit by her side. She gazed at him for a while with teary eyes then bowed her head again, taking hold of the handkerchief to dab her eyes.
Im fine now, i Changsu softly comforted her, Just a little more ill than the ordinary person, and it doesnt really bother .
Choking with emotions, Concubine Jing said, The poison of the bitter fla is the worlds most poisonous. Isnt it far more than just removing a layer of skin to clear it out? The doctor who took the poison out, did he say anything?
He said..I have a good constitution. Theres nothing to worry about.
How could it be alright? After clearing out the poison by rearranging the bones and peeling off the skin, the most important thing is full recuperation. Concubine Jing grabbed hold of i Changsus hand and said earnestly, Dont worry about Jingyan anymore. Take good care of yourself. I will manage things in the capital. Trust , I will succeed..
i Changsu looked back at her warmly but resolutely and slowly shook his head, It wont work. The inside of the palace is different from the outside.I have co this far, overco so many roadblocks. Niang niang, are you also going to block my way?
Concubine Jing felt as if a knife had stabbed her heart, and her tears overflowed, gushing out continuously, as if more than ten years of suppressed emotions had chosen that very mont to burst forth.
If you want to help , you mustnt say anything to Jingyan, i Changsus eyes were also gradually turning red, but the corners of his lips still held a faint smile, Jingyan is very good. Im not as tired as you think. Dont worry yourself. I know my limits.In future, you should continue making hazelnut pastries for Jingyan. Even if he isnt careful and gives the wrong set, I wont be confused and eat it carelessly.
Xiao Shu..Xiao Shu.. Concubine Jing murmured this na aloud, gently caressing i Changsus face, You used to look so much like your father last ti.
Niang niang, lets not talk about this anymore, i Changsu continued to wipe away her tears, Now is not the ti. Youll help , wont you?
Concubine Jing gazed at him through a blur of tears for a long ti. She finally closed her eyes and with great heaviness, nodded her head.
Seeing her promise, i Changsus lips revealed a faint smile, obviously relieved yet at the sa ti sorrowful. Concubine Jing couldnt bear to look at him and lowered her head, burying her face in the handkerchief.
Niang niang, i Changsu slowly stood up, saying gently, Its late. I should leave. Will you be alright on your own?
Concubine Jing took a deep breath, did her best to wipe dry the tears on her face and lift her head, Dont worry about Jingyan. I know what to do.
i Changsu nodded and stepped back, knelt down and bowed deeply with respect, then composing himself, he turned around, drew the curtain and left without looking back.
It was noon, faint warmth of the last of the winter sun could be felt outside the tent, but the air was still cold. Xiao Jingyan was standing quietly beneath the porch of the imperial tent with his arms clasped behind his back, completely motionless as if he had frozen over.
Hearing the sound of footsteps behind him, Prince Jing imdiately turned his head, his eyes piercing as he asked in a low but forceful voice, Mother had leave. What did you both talk about?
Afterthought:
I felt the drama pulled off this scene better, perhaps because of the intimacy created by MCS calling Concubine Jing Jing Yee or Aunt Jing. But what ca across to better than the drama was XJYs internal conflict. I felt so so so so so very very sorry for him. Imagine, even his mother sidelined him! As readers, of course we know the reason, but he didnt!
Though, there were so many clues for XJY. At this point, I wondered if Hai Yan really had to make him out to be so dense in this aspect, but I realized too that when you want sothing really badly to be true, there will always be internal conflict, an inner voice that keeps telling you that it cant be true, always blindsiding us. So maybe thats why no matter how many clues were dropped, XJY just couldnt see it. Still, I cant help but feel very sorry for him.
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