Yuchen had been recuperating for nearly half a month, and Yan Wushuang had not shown his face throughout that time. The only person attendi...
Yuchen had been recuperating for nearly half a month, and Yan Wushuang had not shown his face throughout that time. The only person attending to her was Qingyi, her newly assigned maid. Unlike Yuchen's previous maidservants, Qingyi put on airs as if she were an important person. For example, Yuchen had just asked her to bring her a cup of water.
At that time, Qingyi was sitting on an embroidered stool eating melon seeds. When she heard Yuchen's request, she replied impatiently, "It's not as though you can't get up. Can't you pour it yourself?"
Left with no choice, Yuchen could only get out of bed and pour herself some water. Such behaviour would not have been tolerated if they had not been in Yan Wangfu. In the past, a maidservant acting like this would have been dragged away and beaten with a wooden board.
That afternoon, Zhao Shi came to Yan Wangfu once again to visit Yuchen. "Mm, your complexion looks much better." Over the past half month, Zhao Shi had visited Yuchen every other day. She did nothing else but keep Yuchen company and chat with her.
Yuchen replied miserably, "What difference does it make if I recover?" Even if her body recovered, she could not face anyone. Even if Yan Wushuang allowed her to go out and meet people, she was too ashamed to do so.
Qingyi grew somewhat impatient as she watched them. She picked up a plate of melon seeds and went downstairs. In any case, with Zhao Shi there, Han Yuchen was not going to take her own life.
Zhao Shi held Yuchen's hand and advised her, "Yuchen, listen to your Saozi1's advice and get better as soon as possible. Don't worry about anything else."
Yuchen's face was filled with bitterness as she replied, "Saozi1, even His Majesty's forty-nine-day mourning period2 has not yet ended, and I am already living in Yan Wangfu. What will the world think of me? How could I possibly show my face before others again?" Although no one had told her what was happening outside, Yuchen knew there must already be many rumours about her.
Zhao Shi's expression stiffened, but she quickly reassured her, "Don't think too much about it. None of this is your fault." In truth, Zhao Shi knew that Yuchen was still innocent and that nothing had happened between her and Yan Wushuang. However, no one would believe her even if she said so. Some people outside were even maliciously speculating that Yan Wushuang had forced Yuchen to lose her chastity, which was why she had attempted to take her own life.
From Zhao Shi's expression, Yuchen could tell that the rumours outside were probably even worse than she had imagined. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face once again. "Had I known this would happen, I should have smashed my head against a pillar and followed His Majesty into death when His Majesty was encoffined by Heaven3." Had she died then, she would not have needed to carry the burden of things she should never have had to bear. But she had been unable to let go then. She had been unable to leave Yan-er behind!
Zhao Shi was also deeply saddened. She replied gently, "What foolish things are you saying? Even a wretched life is better than a good death4. Moreover, none of this is your fault. You were forced into this by the times we live in." In these troubled times, merely staying alive was no easy matter.
Yuchen's words soon reached Yan Wushuang's ears. After relating everything, Qingyi said, "Wangye, this cannot continue. She might try to take her own life again. Wangye must find some way to eliminate her thoughts of s*ic*de." Qingyi had already grown impatient from listening to her weep and whine endlessly.
Yan Wushuang ordered, "You may leave."
However, Qiu Dashan could not help saying, "Wangye, since you like Han Shi, you should simply take her as your woman. A woman must not be indulged too much. Once she becomes yours, she will be utterly devoted to you." Qiu Dashan had no objection to Yan Wushuang taking Han Yuchen as a concubine. Any man would want to possess such a great beauty. Yet Han Shi kept making a commotion while his Wangye remained perfectly calm and unhurried, making Qiu Dashan anxious on his behalf.
Yan Wushuang did not respond to that. Instead, he asked, "I heard you recently took in another beauty?" Previously, Yan Wushuang had borrowed Zhou Chaijin's hand5 to reward the various generals with gold, silver, jewels, and beautiful women. Qiu Dashan was now the Commander of the Imperial Guards and wielded considerable authority.
Qiu Dashan nodded. "Mm. She is a beauty sent by the Zhou family. She is attractive, and her skills in bed6 are quite impressive as well." At this point, Qiu Dashan glanced at Yan Wushuang. Seeing that Yan Wushuang did not appear offended, he continued, "Wangye, being beautiful is not the most important quality in a woman. What matters most is that she knows how to serve a man and can bear sons." It was true that Han Shi was beautiful, but she acted half-dead7 every day, which was unbearably tiresome and irritating!
Yan Wushuang smiled. "You do not need to concern yourself with my affairs. Look after yourself and do not let women drain your body dry8." Ever since he had killed all his enemies, Yan Wushuang had become easier to talk to than before.
Qiu Dashan laughed cheerfully. "Wangye, you had better hurry things along. My Little Dunzi is already ten years old. In another two years, he will be old enough to join me in the military camp." Little Dunzi was the childhood name of Qiu Dashan's eldest son. He had not yet been given a formal name.
Although the words were spoken as a joke, Qiu Dashan was genuinely anxious. Yan Wushuang was already twenty-eight, yet he still had no children. If he did not hurry, it would soon be too late.
Yan Wushuang responded, "There is no need to rush." Only Yan Wushuang, Uncle Tang and a small number of covert guards knew that he had two sons. It was not that he distrusted Qiu Dashan; he simply felt there was no need to tell him. The fewer people who knew about the two children, the safer they would be.
Another half month passed, but Yuchen still had not recovered. During this time, Yan Wushuang still did not visit her even once. Deep down, Yuchen felt that being ill had its advantages, since she did not have to see that madman Yan Wushuang. Unfortunately, although that was what she wished for, it was not to be.
Qingyi said to Yuchen, who was lying on the bed, "Get dressed and come outside with me." She appeared to be in an excellent mood that day.
Yuchen asked instinctively, "Outside? Where are we going?" It was extremely strange that Yan Wushuang would allow her to leave.
Qingyi answered impatiently, "Why ask so many questions? Just do whatever you're told. You can also go out dressed like this if you don't want to change. It makes no difference to me." Although she had been well fed and well provided for during this period, she truly did not want to stay there any longer. Fortunately, she would soon be freed from this ordeal. If she remained beside this woman any longer, she felt that she would become ill herself.
Yuchen got up and selected an outfit from the wardrobe herself. Since she didn't know what she was being taken out to do, she didn't apply any make-up and simply arranged her hair neatly. Fortunately, she had learned how to do these things in the past and could manage without assistance. Even though she was only styling herself casually, it still took her more than fifteen minutes.
Qingyi thought that, from that day on, she would no longer need to attend to this sickly beauty9. Therefore, although the wait made her impatient, she did not mock Yuchen aloud.
When they left, more than twenty guards accompanied them.
After travelling for some distance, Yuchen heard loud noises outside. She lifted the curtain and looked out to see merchants calling out their wares and performers displaying their tricks. People streamed back and forth, and the scene was extraordinarily lively.
A passing man happened to look up and see Yuchen lifting the carriage curtain. The basket he was holding fell onto his feet, but he didn't even feel any pain. It was only after the carriage had passed that the man came back to his senses. He hurriedly grabbed someone beside him and asked, "Whose carriage is that?" The woman inside the carriage looked like a celestial maiden descended from heaven.
The street vendor replied, "Didn't you see the insignia on the carriage? That carriage belongs to Yan Wangfu." Whenever people encountered a carriage like this, they had to move aside without being told.
Seeing Yuchen's desolate expression, Qingyi leaned against the carriage and remarked, with complete self-satisfaction, "What is it? Does it hurt you to see everyone else looking so happy?"
Yuchen ignored Qingyi. She was only enduring this because she was now a fallen tiger stranded on the plains10. In the past, she would have ordered Qingyi beaten to death long ago. She had never encountered such a recklessly audacious maid.
Qingyi didn't get angry either. It was not worth getting angry with a woman over this. "Don't blame me for failing to warn you. Prepare yourself mentally. Don't faint from shock once we reach our destination."
Yuchen asked warily, "Where exactly are you taking me?" She knew that they could not possibly be going anywhere pleasant.
Qingyi was unwilling to reveal it in advance. She replied, "You will find out when we arrive." If she told this woman now, she would certainly spend the entire journey weeping and sobbing again.
Their surroundings became increasingly remote. Yuchen's face turned pale, and she demanded sharply, "Where exactly are you taking me?!"
Qingyi curled her lip. "You can only behave this way because you rely on your good looks. Otherwise, how could you stand here shouting and making a scene at me?" Had Wangye not taken an interest in her, a mere prisoner at another person's feet11, she would have been slapped long ago for speaking to Qingyi this way. In Qingyi's opinion, Han Yuchen simply needed to be taught a harsh lesson. Just by starving her for three to five days, she would certainly become more obedient than anyone else.
The road became increasingly difficult, and the carriage jolted violently. The motion made Yuchen feel as though she would vomit, but when she saw the ambiguous expression on Qingyi's face, which seemed to suggest mockery, amusement, or concealed intent, she forced herself to endure it. However, the moment she stepped out of the carriage, she vomited so violently that the world seemed to spin into darkness.
Qingyi handed her a cup of water. "Rinse your mouth." Yuchen had become this sick merely from riding in a carriage—how delicate she was! Had she been forced to travel here from the capital on foot, it would probably have cost her half her life.
Yuchen looked around and spotted a line of military tents in the distance. Quite a few people were moving about over there. Yuchen asked, "Where are we?"
Qingyi replied, "A military camp." Seeing Yuchen's puzzled expression, she instructed, "Come with me. Follow me over there."
After walking two steps, Qingyi added, "With all the trouble you caused just now, I nearly forgot." After speaking, she hurried back and retrieved a green veiled hat from the carriage.
Noticing Yuchen's puzzled expression, Qingyi explained, "Your face attracts far too much attention. It would be better to cover it up. Otherwise, do not blame me if someone behaves improperly towards you later."
If those men saw Han Shi, they would probably be so captivated that they couldn't take another step. To prevent a disturbance, it was best to conceal her face.
Yuchen put on the veiled hat and said, "The veil is too thick. I cannot see the road clearly." The veil attached to the hat extended all the way down to her ankles.
Qingyi stepped forward, supported Yuchen, and said, "I will help you walk."
After walking for less than fifteen minutes, Qingyi led Yuchen towards one of the tents. As they approached it, they could hear a woman moaning and men saying things that were too obscene to repeat.
Yuchen had already given birth to children, so how could she not know what was happening inside the tent? Her face turned livid. She pushed Qingyi away and shouted angrily, "What kind of place have you brought me to?!"
Gripping Yuchen's hand, Qingyi warned her, "Don't shout and make a scene here. If you draw the people inside the tent out, I will not take responsibility for what happens to you." Qingyi was deliberately frightening Yuchen.
Yuchen shuddered, and her voice unconsciously became quieter. "What kind of place is this?" They were doing such a thing in broad daylight. It must be a filthy place.
Qingyi did not keep her in suspense. She answered, "The army is filled with men. They naturally need a way to vent the pent-up fire inside them. This place exists so that they can release their inner lustful fire12. The women inside these tents were all sent here as punishment after committing offences…"
Before she could finish speaking, Yuchen began vomiting again. This time, it seemed as though she would even vomit bile. Qingyi shook her head and, without avoiding the subject, said directly to Yuchen, "Why are you vomiting? If Wangye hadn't taken a fancy to you, you'd be pinned beneath those soldiers right now."
Yuchen could no longer endure it and fainted.
P.S. (Author June): O(∩_∩)O~ Yan Wushuang used this move to remove the firewood from beneath the cauldron13. Dear readers, what do you think of it?
Footnotes Full List
- 嫂子 (sǎozi) literally means 'the wife of one's elder brother'. It is used for your own older brother's wife and as a polite, affectionate form of address for a married woman slightly older than you (not necessarily a blood relative).
- 七七 (qīqī) — 'seven sevens'; the forty-nine-day period following a person's death, observed through seven successive seven-day mourning rites
- 殯天 (bìn tiān) — a respectful imperial euphemism for the death of an Emperor
- 好死不如赖活着 (hǎo sǐ bùrú lài huózhe) — 'a good death is not as good as living on miserably'; a proverb meaning that remaining alive, however difficult, is preferable to dying
- 借周璟的手 (jiè Zhōu Jǐng de shǒu) — to use another person to act on one's behalf
- 床上功夫 (chuángshàng gōngfu) — 'bedside skills'; a colloquial euphemism for sexual ability
- 要死不活 (yàosǐ-bùhuó) — 'about to die yet not alive'; to appear listless, miserable, or lacking vitality
- 掏空了身子 (tāokōng le shēnzi) — 'hollow out the body'; a metaphorical and suggestive expression meaning to exhaust a man physically through excessive sexual activity
- 病美人 (bìng měirén) — 'ill beauty'; a literary expression for an attractive woman whose frailty or illness gives her a delicate appearance
- 虎落平阳 (hǔ luò píngyáng) — 'a tiger fallen onto the plains'; a powerful person who has lost their position and become vulnerable
- 阶下囚 (jiēxiàqiú) — 'prisoner below the steps'; a captive or defeated person entirely under another's control
- 邪火 (xiéhuǒ) — 'evil or improper fire'; a metaphor for improper desire, particularly sexual lust
- 釜底抽薪 (fǔdǐ-chōuxīn) — to solve a problem fundamentally by eliminating its underlying cause
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