Chapter 1

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“Have you heard? Xu Laosan has disappeared.” In the bustling imperial city opposite the main street, two familiar figures walked by, one calling out to the other in a soft voice and beginning to talk about the strange thing that he had just heard.

“Dis-disappeared? What do you mean?” The other person wrinkled his brows, and his voice filled with puzzlement, “Could it be that he went missing?”

“Ai, I don’t really know how to describe it either,” the first person ushered his companion toward a corner, so as to avoid blocking the way of others, “I heard that last night, Xu Laosan and his family were sitting together and eating, but as they ate he suddenly disappeared.”

The other man frowned even more, “I’m getting more confused, you meant Xu Laosan was eating halfway when he left the house? Or did he suffer from the sudden eruption of an illness and pass away after eating halfway?”

The first man also frowned, “He didn’t walk out halfway, nor did he depart from a sudden illness. Rather it was that he suddenly vanished in front of his family’s eyes. I heard that Xu Laosan was even holding on to a bowl of rice and speaking with his family. This person hadn’t even finished his sentence when he vanished without a trace before everyone, the bowl that he was holding onto smashing to the ground.”

“Are you for real? You’re truly not lying to me?” The other asked with some disbelief.

“Of course it’s real, even if I’m not reliable, I wouldn’t make a joke over something like that.” The man set his jaw, “Our four neighbours also assisted Xu Laosan’s daughter-in-law in searching for half the night, but we couldn’t even find a single ghost. Early today morning, Xu Laosan’s daughter-in-law went to the Magistrate’s office to report it. I’m not trying to jinx it, but I’m afraid that this is the end for Xu Laosan.”

“This event is really a portent for evil, how could a big living person just disappear in front of so many pairs of eyes?” The other man hugged himself with his arms, looking a little scared. He took a step forward and lowered his voice, “Hey, do you think that Xu Laosan got entangled in some unclean things, [1] why else would he just vanish out of the blue?”

The other person was just about to speak when a new voice belonging to neither of them cut in, “These two brothers, [2] are you saying that someone has disappeared again for no reason?”

The two men exchanged glances, then registered the word “again” that he used, and one of them asked, “This brother, have you also heard of this matter?”

The newcomer nodded his head, “Two days ago, one of my relatives also went missing like that. The entire family searched for days, ai!” Saying this, the man shook his head.

The other two immediately murmured words of comfort, then said, “But it really is strange. Do you think it’s the work of a demon?”

The three of them each spoke a few sentences and began talking nonstop on the street. Leaving these people aside, on the street just diagonally opposite this corner there is a restaurant called the “Heavenly Drunken Quarter”. Even though it wasn’t yet noon, the restaurant was already packed with customers.

Following this line of sight upward, one would be able to see an elegant room with an open window on the second floor, where a young man with a slender frame and an exceptionally alluring appearance is standing before it.

That young gentleman was staring at something afar from the window, both hands clasped behind his back looking exceedingly beautiful and elegant, and exuding a noble aura from head to toe.

“Your Highness, have some tea.” A beautiful pair of hands brought a cup of tea from the side to his front, the sound of his voice like the tinkling drops of spring water striking stone, also from a highly attractive young man.

“I have troubled you.” The youth that had been called highness had a clear voice like the peal of two jade pieces colliding, bright and translucent, with a pair of astonishingly well-made hands.

“Tomorrow is Your Highness’ big day, [3] why is Your Highness still drinking with me over here? You should be heading back to the mansion early.” That voice carried a hint of a smile.

In the entire imperial city, perhaps there wasn’t anyone who was unaware that tomorrow is Ruiying Wang’s [4] wedding.

Prince Ruiying, birthname Yan Shi, courtesy name Jingchu, [5] aged twenty one, is the legitimate firstborn child of the Yuan Dynasty, born from the Emperor ChongJin and the Empress.

However, although he was the eldest, he was not conferred the title of Crown Prince, and was until now only a Jun Wang. It should be known that the Chongjin Emperor’s three remaining sons that were of age have already been established as Qin Wang. [6] The reason for this can be traced back to the shocking incident in the palace fifteen years ago, the case of “harming the Emperor’s son”.

Fifteen years ago, a prince who was still in swaddling clothes was suddenly assaulted. The entire harem was imperiled, but as the investigation went on, all the evidence pointed toward Empress Wei. Yet just when they were about to investigate further, Empress Wei committed suicide in Zhengyang Palace, and the case could only be concluded with the suicide. At that time, the situation at the border was dire, and the Wei family was busy defending it from the enemy’s troops. To appease the Wei family, Emperor ChongJin decided to not pursue the matter and closed the case, holding a burial ceremony for the late Empress.

Thus even though Emperor ChongJin later crowned another Empress, Yan Shi was still the eldest son. [7] Yet the kind of life he has led in the palace for the past ten years or so, only those parties involved were clear.

Yan Shi smiled and shook his head, “Qingyue ah Qingyue, I didn’t expect you to mock me.”

Jiang Qingyue also smiled, “Qingyue doesn’t dare.”

Yan Shi casually took a sip of tea, the tea was very fragrant with a lingering aroma.

“Your Highness, I still don’t understand, why would the Duke [8] Kang Le betroth his son to you?” Jiang Qingyue received Yan Shi’s tea cup and placed it on the table, “And the one marrying over is even the future heir. Duke Kang Le is Prince Zhao’s [9] man, if he betrothed his son to Zhao Wang then that’s fine, but for him to marry you…… I have already sent someone to find out, this marriage is something that the Duke Kang Le personally requested.”

In the Yuan dynasty, men were allowed to marry other men but they couldn’t have a male concubine. If one married a male wife, then they wouldn’t be able to accept another concubine, and won’t be able to get a divorce. Of course, this was with the exception of the Emperor. After both parties were married, the family status that both originally enjoyed would also remain unchanged. To put it simply, if one was the eldest son and heir, even if they were to be married as a male wife, he would still be entitled to his rightful inheritance, be it the title or the family business.

“I really can’t guess what kind of game Duke Kang Le this wily old fox is playing.” Yan Shi let out a bitter smile, and sat in front of the table, pouring a cup of tea for himself.

Jiang Qingyue also sat down with him, “Then what does your highness intend to do?”

“Naturally it’s to get married. Didn’t he want me to get married?” Yan Shi brought the cup of tea up to his nose and inhaled, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes, “I want to see just what kind of medicine he is selling in his gourd. My Ruiying Wangfu [10] is not a place where he can casually run wild. If he intends to use his son to create difficulties for me, then that is really a big mistake!”

“Oh right, another person went missing last night,” Yan Shi lifted his head, having already resumed his gentle appearance, “It’s a carpenter, called Xu Laosan.”

Yan Shi is now a judge presiding over the Imperial Court of Justice [11], and overlooked all the cases happening within the Imperial City. As his marriage was approaching, Emperor ChongJin let him remain in his courtyard to prepare for his impending marriage.

“Your subordinate [12] has already sent someone to go to Xu Laosan’s home to take a look.” Saying this, Jiang Qingyue frowned, “But we still couldn’t find anything.”

Yan Shi suddenly asked, “Do you believe that this is the work of a ghost?”

Jiang Qingyue shook his head, “In this world there are no ghosts, only people with ghosts in their hearts.” [13]

Yan Shi laughed out loud, “Interesting, really interesting. Alright let’s go, we should go back to the courtyard to have a look, the people from the Ministry of Rites and the palace should have arrived by now.”

Yan Shi was right, the people from the Ministry of Rites have long arrived.

“Hey, why is Wangye [14] only coming back now? We have already waited for more than half a day, thinking that you weren’t satisfied with this marriage and was hiding.” The one speaking was a eunuch in his fifties, his voice high and sharp, with a rounded figure. Upon seeing Yan Shi, he didn’t even greet [15] him, but just stood there and stared. Even though this man’s face was smiling, but looking at that smile made people feel extremely uncomfortable, for it was filled with cold and cunning.

This person is Emperor Chongjin’s personal eunuch, and is also the head eunuch, Lian Gui GongGong. [16]

Standing next to Yan Shi, Jiang Qingyue had just finished hearing this speech and was about to retort when he felt a gentle tug on his sleeves. Toward a prince who did not receive his father’s affections, even a eunuch would be free to bully him.

Yan Shi took a step forward, “Lian Gui GongGong must be joking, the four joys that the people frequently talk about – ‘The sudden rain after a long drought, a familiar face in place far-off from home, a flower and candle-filled night, and attaining a gold title.’ [17] This flower and candle-filled night is one of the four great joys, and I’m also just a person, how could I not want it? Just now I was delayed by some matters, I hope GongGong will not blame me. GongGong has been here for a long time and must be tired. What does GongGong think about coming in for a cup of tea?”

“After you, my prince.” [18] Though he said this the eunuch still walked a step ahead of Yan Shi. Staring at his back, Yan Shi’s expression faintly turned dark, his eyes stony.

“My prince, this humble lord has been waiting here for a long time.” The voice came from behind Yan Shi and when he turned his head to look, it was actually Minister Zhang from the Ministry of Rites. Minister Zhang has been a minister for a long time, and is used to doing his work with due dilligence and impartiality. He did not care if the prince is unloved or not, as long as he is a prince, then they were all the same to him.

Yan Shi turned around and smiled, “Minister Zhang, I’m guilty for letting you wait for such a long time. Please, let’s have a cup of tea together.”

Minister Zhang politely refused, “Your Highness, this minister just wanted to discuss some marriage matters, it would only take a short while.” Sitting with the prince to have tea, this he really didn’t dare to accept. [19]

“Minister Zhang, let’s just sit down and speak about it in detail.” Yan Shi made an inviting gesture.

Minister Zhang thought it wasn’t good to refuse again, and bowed even lower, as he adopted a similar pose of invitation, “Then please my prince, you go ahead first.”

“Qingyue, you stay behind and listen to what the rest of them have to say.” Yan Shi did not forget to instruct Qingyue before he left.

Upon entering the main hall, Lian Gui Gong Gong had already seated himself on a chair and was holding on to a cup of tea. Seeing the two figures enter, he didn’t bother standing up [20] and only lifted his eyelids and said, “Minister Zhang is here as well.”

Minister Zhang pretended to not hear, he was but a servant yet he even dared to be so impetuous in front of the prince, but he also didn’t want to speak out against him. He had already been a court official for many years, and naturally knew what kind of person this Lian Gui Gong Gong was. He was narrow-minded and must always seek revenge for the smallest grievance. Minister Zhang wasn’t afraid of him, but was only worried that if he offended him, he would drag Yan Shi into it as well.

Translator’s Notes:

[1] By “unclean things” the author is referring to those evil, ghostly, demonic beings.

[2] FYI they’re not really brothers (related to each other), but it’s like a “hey bro” kind of thing.

[3] Big Day (大喜之日) refers to his day of marriage.

[4] Wang (王) translates into ‘prince’. I will be using both terms interchangeably.

[5] Ahhh names, they have so many names. Yan Shi is the name given him at birth and I’m presuming that Ruiying is part of his title. You can read more about names here.

[6] Jun Wang (郡王) is something like a ‘lesser prince’ and are of lower standing than Qin Wang (亲王), who have been publicly acknowledged (and probably the top candidates in the line of succession) and are second only to the Emperor (and Empress).

[7] 嫡长子 (Di Zhang Zi) = Refers to the eldest son, which in China, is usually the future heir. The term here doesn’t just refer to being the eldest son but also the heir.

[8] 国公 (Guo Gong) = Duke

[9] 昭王 (Zhao Wang) = Prince Zhao

[10] 王府 (Wang Fu) = Personal courtyard and place of residence.

[11] 大理寺卿 (Da Li Si Qing) is like the modern day’s Supreme Court. I’m assuming that Yan Shi is the judge though it wasn’t stated explicitly.

[12] 属下 (Shu Xia): Literally means ‘your subordinate’ (It’s a way of referencing oneself)

[13] Though it’s translated literally to ‘having a ghost in (one’s) heart’, it refers to people who harbour evil intentions.

[14] 王爷 (Wang Ye): used to refer to a prince (I know, the Chinese have so many titles)

[15] Again, greeting here involves bowing etc. and rising only when one’s superior has given his permission/ acknowledgement (this is part of palace etiquette so do keep this in mind for I’ll probably be referencing this in future chapters)

[16] 公公 ( GongGong) is a title for the Head Eunuch.

[17] This is a saying, the first part about the rain refers to the delight at finally obtaining one’s long-held wish, the second part about a familiar face refers to things that make people happy (in the phrase it’s the happiness at meeting someone you know in a foreign place), the third part refers to the bliss one (typically) feels upon getting married, and the last refers to the joy one feels at doing well in the imperial examination and getting a title (I presume it refers to the top three scholars).

[18] 请 (qing): means something like ‘please, after you’. It’s meant to be a polite gesture, but also part of palace etiquette. Usually the host or someone of lesser status will say it (aka those of higher status will walk in front, leading the way) and it is accompanied by a bow.

[19] Because generally princes sit above everyone else.

[20] Okay so, if someone of a higher status enters a room you are already in, you have to get up/stand up to greet him or her and by greet I mean verbally and also bowing *sigh palace etiquette*

dreamxx: Okay that was a long ass explanation… I hope I managed to properly convey all that stuff about the palace etiquette. Also Yubufu will be updated sometime later this week~

Thank you for your support! ( ˘ ³˘)♥

SummaryChapter 2

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