Editor: NU

Chapter 27 Beautiful as Sword (4)

She lifted the curtains and saw a familiar carriage parked at the gate.

“Gu Qinghong?” Xiao Fengqing frowned and asked.

“Yes.” Nie Wushuang’s voice trembled.

Suddenly inside the carriage fell into a dead silence. Xiao Fengqing frowned. Nie Wushuang bowed down her head and didn’t say anything. From far away they could hear a song faintly lingers. This place was a brothel! you could even hear which guests were laughing.

“Come, step down from the carriage.” Xiao Fengqing said lightly and stretched his hand to her. Nie Wushuang couldn’t help but looking at him and realized that she couldn’t reach him.

Xiao Fengqing squint-eye was deep like a swords. His voice was as cold as ice. “The lesson that I will teach you today is for you to know how you should face your pain. If you dare not face him, how can you talk about revenge?”

“Yes.” Nie Wushuang’s heart shook, she lift her beautiful eyes up, and looked at the man in front of her as if he was not a human but a demon. It was him who took her in, gave her a new life, and now he take her further on the road of no return…

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“Liufang Pavilion”(33) is the largest brothel in the capital of Qi State. The pavilion had a wonderful variety of exquisite pavilions and courtyards. If noble lords or high officials came here and thought that in front of the courtyard was too noisy, they would spend a large sum of silvers for the quiet, elegant and secluded courtyard.

Nie Wushuang followed Xiao Fengqing, led along the corridor for around  seven or eight directions. Eventually, the light shines up front, showing an exquisite parlor located on a lotus pond. Now was the month of March, wondering how could they make the lotus bloomed ahead of time. Some were waiting to burst, and the fragrance filled in the courtyard.

Nie Wushuang looked closer and realized that this pool of water was hot, the entire courtyard was full of mist, such a paradise like scenery.

“Ha-ha, Lin gongzi has come, Zhou mou has made a mistake not to go out to welcome you.” A cheerful laugh came in, Nie Wushuang lifted her head and saw a middle-aged man in a white robe coming forward.

Xiao Fengqing smile slightly, held Nie Wushuang’s hand and greeted him: “I’ve not seen you for many days, General Zhou are you doing well?”

Zhou Ning smile and walked forward when he glanced over at Nie Wushuang’s face that was wearing a veil, he couldn’t help but stunned. “This is…”

“Oh, this is my new concubine, her talents are singing and dancing. Let her cheer us up for later.” Xiao Fengqing said casually.

Nie Wushuang stared and silently bowed at Zhou Ning. Now, her hood had been taken off, under the veil, the stunning appearance faintly appeared, a pair of extremely charming eyes were exposed, made people’s heart stunned. Zhou Ning’s eyes were glowing as he was attracted by her.

Xiao Fengqing’s expression didn’t change as he looked at everything in front of him with a faint smile.

Suddenly a handsome figure appeared from behind. “General Zhou, who is the distinguished guest, why don’t you introduce him?” a voice that was pleasant and familiar made Nie Wushuang’s heart trembled.

Under the lights of the parlor, he walked in with a smile. Nie Wushuang held her breath and waited for him to come closer, but found out that she was sweating profusely.

“Oh, Please…this is our young and promising Prime Minister, the Emperor’s most trusted person.” Zhou Ning quickly introduced: “This is Lin gongzi, he is of noble descendant.”

Gu Qinghong glanced over Xiao Fengqing and stopped at Nie Wushuang’s body. Suddenly, he said, “This guniang looks familiar as if she was one of my old friends.”

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(33) 流芳 (Liúfāng) mean leave a good name or leave a reputation.

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某 (mǒu) address oneself e.g. Zhou Mou = This Surname Zhou.

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Chapter 26 Beautiful as Sword (3)

Xiao Fengqing just laughed, “I know. What if he had seen you? Have you ever heard of it?”

Nie Wushuang thought about it.

Xiao Fengqing  quietly said : “You were the number one beauty in the capital of Qi. General Zhou Ning had been called ‘Xiao Zhou Lang’, and pretended to live like a wind. For such a kind of person, could not say that he had not attempted and fancy you? He repeatedly visited Gu Qinghong, not just to talk about the world.”

Nie Wushuang choked. “What do you mean?… He has intentions for me?” It is impossible… Although General Zhou Ning delivered the invitation at the door, he and Gu Qinghong usually had their conversations freely in the teahouse outside the palace, and rarely enter prime minister’s fu, moreover let her come out to see the visitors.

The very handsome like devil Xiao Fengqing smiled, even the glistening of the night pearl in the carriage was not comparable to his smile.

“General Zhou Ning is a hypocrite. He wanted to see you but afraid that people will ‘say three things knowing four things’ (31), besides he is a minister in the imperial court. If he is too close to Gu Qinghong, who had originally come from a poor family, he surely will make the aristocrat families in the capital dissatisfied and will also alerts the Emperor. Naturally, he would not be that foolish. He would only wanted to be seen as a guest.” Xiao Fengqing slowly analyzed.

He suddenly approaching, Nie Wushuang only felt like something flashing in the eye. His slender hand had already taken out a pearl veil, as thin as a cicada’s wings (32), the fluttering gauze material was adorned with tiny pearls.

“Put it on.” He ordered.

Nie Wushuang put it on and looked up at him. Her face almost covered by the veil, leaving only a pair of charming eyes exposed, which looked very enchanting.

She saw his eyes gradually shows satisfaction, slender fingers stroking her eyes with his unique scent. Nie Wushuang heart jumped and quickly bowed down.

“A wife cannot compare to a concubine; a concubine cannot compare to a thief; a thief cannot compare to a touch.” Xiao Fengqing smiled coldly: “The reason why beauty is beautiful, because of beauty can’t be seen clearly if it’s separated from the clouds. I’ll make him want to see you tonight, but yet he can not.”

He pulled and sat her next to him, leaned over her ear and whispering, “If you want a revenge, you have to do what I said. I want you to get something…”

He whispered in detail. The more Nie Wushuang listened, the more frightened she became. She stared at him in surprise.

His beautiful long eyebrow raised: “you don’t want to?”

“No..” Nie Wushuang bit her teeth and said, “I hope that wang ye will keep his promise and help me get a revenge in the future.”

Xiao Fengqing raised his eyebrows, his eyes showed playfulness: “As long as I hold the power in my hand, you will have a day for revenge.”

The great power within his grasps?! Nie Wushuang heard a strange meaning in his tone. When their eyes met, she saw a forbearance wild ambition in the bottom of his eyes, and felt her heart shivering.

Xiao Fengqing, he hides his identity and come to the capital of Qi State,  he must have had other aims!

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“Lord, …something is not right.” the coachman’s low voice can be heard from outside the carriage.

“What is wrong?” Xiao Fengqing asked.

“It seems like General Zhou has invited other guests.” The coachman said in his uncertain voice: “Look at the carriage, it seems like the carriage of Lord Gu.”

Nie Wushuang was slightly shocked, but her heart suddenly turned cold.

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(31) 说三道四 (shuō sān dào sì) make carping [thoughtless] comments on; make irresponsible remarks

(32) 薄如蝉翼 (báo rú chán yì) as thin as a cicada’s wings = very thin like a translucent.

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Chapter 25 Beautiful as Sword (2)

Chun Zhi turned back: “Do you know General Zhou Ning?”

Nie Wushuang reluctantly smiled, “I’ve heard about him and that his position was very high.”

She was ambiguous, but her heart beat faster. She knew more than that,  Zhou Ning was the minister of the Ministry of War. In the early years, he led one hundred thousand troops to broke through the invader of Qin State. It was very heroic. What was rare was that he worked in a civil and military,  and he received the title ‘Scholar General’. (29)

The most important thing is he was very close to Gu Qinghong! Prime minister’s fu often received his invitations. Gu Qinghong frequently went to the teahouse with him to taste the tea and chat , that’s the reason she waited for Gu Qinghong at the teahouse on that day.

Nie Wushuang was flustered.

Chun Zhi twitched her mouth and sneered, “High officer? Not a wanton ghost!”

Nie Wushuang’s heart jumped and uneasiness gradually expanded, an ambiguity reply. What Xiao Fengqing wants to steal from General Zhou Ning?

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Soon comes the night, after Nie Wushuang had her dinner, immediately dressed up with the help of the wet nurse sent by Xiao Fengqing. She puts her makeup carefully.

Chun Zhi stared at the cloths and jewelry and murmured for a long time, “Heaven! It is so beautiful.”

Nie Wushuang looked at herself in the mirror unnaturally. Today she combed her hair into a high bun (30), revealing a slender neck. Pearl flowers comb made from tiny pearls just like stars were inserted on it, look elegant and noble. Eye tails draw into a phoenix tail, brush eyelids with light red made a pair of charming eyes more heart-wrenching. Drew light eyebrows and wore red color on the lips. Looking forward, there were none who could compete with her beauty.

She was wearing a very thin dancing dress with a high waist under the chest, revealing a little spring on her breast, which aroused people to loose in fanciful. Her long skirt waved away, her gauze was also embroidered with little gorgeous peach blossoms like a person was standing under the peach blossom tree then showered by peach blossom rain. Like an  idiom of ‘beautiful as a flower’.

Even a stern-faced wet nurse nodded when she saw her: “Guniang has a good shape and beautiful appearance. Now we can set out.”

Nie Wushuang looked at the mirror for a while, in her heart she smiled bitterly. Nodded at a wet nurse, took a black hood cloak, followed her out.

Chun Zhi seemed to understand what she was going to do, her eyes shows less jealousy, but more a pitiful.

An inconspicuous carriage had been waiting outside, she lifted the curtain up and  stunned, where she saw Xiao Fengqing’s eyes closed, leaning on the cushion.

He heard the movement, slowly opened his eyes. Even seeing his eyes were different from other people, Nie Wushuang was scared slightly as his eyes could read through people’s heart and mind.

He glanced at her, praise showed in his eyes then nodded, “Really good.”

Nie Wushuang looked up at him: “What does the Lord want Wushuang to do?” When she asked this sentence, cold sweat emerge her palms.

Xiao Fengqing supported his jaw with his hand: “I heard that you have many talents and skills , and was born in a noble family. I assume that you could play qin and dancing.”

Nie Wushuang nodded: “I’m quite proficient.” A Jinghong dance in that year, making her reputation of the number one beauty in the capital widely known. But since she was married, she devoted herself to become a good wife. She had never danced in front of Gu Qinghong. Normally that her skills would drop down slightly.

She paused, her beautiful eyes stared at Xiao Fengqing’s eyes. “General Zhou Ning knows Gu Qinghong.”

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(29) 儒将 (rújiàng) means a general who is an equally accomplished man of letters

(30) 高髻 (Gāo jì) High Bun

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Translator’s talk corner:

Wow, I didn’t expect my novel’s ranking on NU is that high. Thank you everyone 🙂

TGIF

Teatime

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Chapter 23 Late Night Call (2)

Nie Wushuang was stunned, after a while, she answered: “I understand. I’ll be right there.”

She quickly lit the oil lamp, looked at the mirror before combing her hair. She considered and  chose a dark purple dress. This time as a servant, she naturally combed her hair in two double buns (23) and decorated them with jiluolan (24) flower, her face was like jade but pale and haggard, when she finished, the clothes on her body added her a look of more mysterious and nobility.

She looked into the mirror, smiled bitterly. Dared not to delay any longer, hurried to Xiao Fengqing’s residence, “Han Ming” pavilion. (25)

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Three days, she had been living in Xiao Fengqing’s other side courtyard. She  now even found a place to settled down, but she had nightmares every night. Xiao Fengqing did not treat her good or bad, like she was just an ordinary servant. In the past three days, this was the first time he had called her after their conversation in the carriage.

She arrived at Han Ming pavilion, only a short while she walked, Nie Wushuang was sweated. She was still weak after her miscarriage but dare not speak with others. She could only tolerate it.

After wiping a cold sweat, she quietly went into the centre of the warm room (26), which was fumed by a light bitter scent of duruo (27). She opened the bead curtain and was shocked.

Seeing Xiao Fengqing, only wore an inner cloth, had fallen asleep on a couch. The hairpin was undone and his hair was dropped all over the ground. His long black hair like ink poured down on the snow-white fox fur. His face was red from drinking.

“Your Highness?” Nie Wushuang approached and whispered.

Xiao Fengqing remained motionless and seemed to have fallen asleep. Nie Wushuang picked up his hairpin and tidied his boots up, sit on the stool beside his bed and stared at him blankly.

Three days, as if she was still in a dream, seemed to wake up from a nightmare at any moment, after waking up, everything was still the same.

She was still in a position of Prime minister’s furen that envied by everyone, still have the prosperity and nobility of Nie’s family, a father that loved her dearly, elder brothers that take good care of her, and  lived an extravagant life, carefree without worried.

But… She looked at the scars that were scarlet and dazzling as if an imprint on her palms. That was the day she pinched her nails into her palms to make herself stop from crying.

These marks remind everything that had happened…

“You came…” A warm breath brushing on her face, Nie Wushuang suddenly raised her head, looked up at his deep amber eyes.

“You cried?” He faintly said, his fingertips wiped the tears on her face, a droplets stains his finger: “I have been very curious, you had never cried in these three days, I thought, who actually died on the execution ground, were not your father and brothers.”

“What is your Lord wants to instruct me?” Nie Wushuang interrupted him stiffly, kneeling on the ground and waiting for orders.

Xiao Fengqing looked at her, suddenly laughed, “You don’t even do filial piety for your father and brothers, and yet still meticulously dressed up so beautiful. Are you trying to seduce your Lord?”

He spoke slightly licentious. Nie Wushuang was stiff all over. After a while, she looked up, smiled slightly. Her face was as beautiful as tanhua (28) blooming at night. Such an astounding beauty: “Does Your Highness easily seduced by Wushuang?”

Xiao Fengqing looked at her smile for a long time, suddenly sighed: “Forget it, come with me tomorrow night, we are going to meet someone.”

He looked into her eyes and said, “I want you to help me stealing something.”

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(23) 双鬟髻 (shuāng huán jì)

(24) 紫罗兰 (zǐluólán) Hoary stock

(25) 翰明轩 (hàn míng xuān) Hanming means Brilliant Writing, Xuan means Pavilion with a view

(26) 暖室 (nuǎn shì) A side room that settles a fireplace or Chinese stove bed for warm the main room.

(27) 杜若 (dùruò) Pollia japonica

(28) 昙花 (Tánhuā) Epiphyllum

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Chapter 22 Late Night Call (1)

She thought about her father’s words in the past, he said: “Ying’s emperor had many sons. Only the fifth prince who was born by a foreign singer while visiting the border. He was raised by the empress at that time. Although Ying’s emperor extremely favored him, often praised him for ‘astuteness’ ‘farsighted’ and ‘can take care of a great responsibility” but because of his mother’s lowly origin, therefore his final decision named the third prince, Xiao Fengming, became the crown prince…”

Nie Wushuang’s body bend inside the carriage, cold sweat dripped down from her forehead and her shoulders trembled slightly. She had forgotten about this and almost caught trouble by a tongue. She talked so eloquently but broke in a halfway, how can Xiao Fengqing who is in front of her not be suspicious?

She’s done! Nie Wushuang had only three words echo in her mind.

“They said that the fifth prince’s mother is a foreign singer, his origin is humble, and have different eye colour…” Xiao Fengqing suddenly chuckled: “Good! Good! Good!”

He said “good” words three times, his face still smiled like the spring breeze. Could not see clearly whether he was happy or angry.

Nie Wushuang extremely regretted it, wanted to explain away but the carriage had stopped. She held her breath, looked up at the man in front of her, nervous and unable to speak.

“Get out of the carriage.” Xiao Fengqing sat up, pulled his robe, prepared to get out of the carriage.

Nie Wushuang hurried rushed to her feet. Kowtowed repeatedly: “Wushuang was wrong. Asking wang ye to forgive my mistakes! Wushuang did not mean it, Wushuang dare not make a joke and disrespect wang ye!”

“Get off!” Xiao Fengqing didn’t even give her a glance. “It doesn’t matter to me if you think you can get revenge by just saying words on the carriage.”

He pulled her away and got out of the carriage. Looking back, his face fluttered and dimmed under the carriage lamp, and a white hand stretched out to her: “If you want my help, it is not difficult, let me see how much you will pay the price for your vengeance.”

Nie Wushuang was overjoyed and held his hand tightly.

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Blood, lots of blood gushing out from the ground, fogs are all in four directions. She looked around blankly.

“Shuang’er, I said that Gu Qinghong was not sincere to you, but you do not believe me. Not only you harmed yourself but also hurt your family of more than a hundred of lives…” A sudden chillness blew to her ear.

She was startled and looked back abruptly. She saw her father looking at her with his bloody eyes.

“Little sister, what benefits does Gu Qinghong give you? Why did you get angry with your brothers for him?” Her little brother came out of the mist, his face was pale and gloomy.

“No, no… I don’t, dad, little brother, I don’t…” She kept shaking her head, no, she didn’t, she didn’t!

“Little sister, my future has been ruined by you…” her third brother sighed and said.

“No, I don’t, it’s not me…ah…” She suddenly awakened, in the dark night all around  was quiet. Her heart was still beating vigorously when she touches herself, full of sweat.

On the bed next to her, Chun Zhi murmured, turned over and went back to sleep. Nie Wushuang claimed herself down.

After a long while, she got out of bed and move towards the window, saw the faint moonlight outside was warmed. Suddenly someone called from the outside window: “Wushuang guniang, Your Highness wants to meet you.”

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Translator’s talk corner:

I’m just forget to tell you that this is Chapter 3.

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