Chapter 23

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Translator: Anne

Editor: Miqi

Proofreader: Ani

The ‘young man’ reprimanded: “If your words let the spies mess up our master’s business, I will come back and stomp on your ‘cleavage’. Who taught you such a lewd and obscene word such as ‘cleavage’?”

The ‘boy’ pursed his lips: “Our master.”

“…”

The ‘young man’ became silent.

In the end, he said, “the master can teach, but you can’t learn. Be good.”

“…”

The ‘boy’ stayed quiet.

A leisurely voice said, “Si Da, Meiren, stop fighting, things have already been ruined.”

Si Da and Meiren.

Although they had been given these two weird names (1) by their master years ago, the ‘boy’ and the ‘young man’ couldn’t help but slightly twitch their lips whenever their master called out their names. They turned around to look, but saw a large man with a beard standing behind a green-clothed youth. The youth’s waist was clearly being prodded with a sharp dagger.

The two were shocked, and one said angrily, “Duma, the master is your apprentice, even cruel tigers don’t devour their young.”

The ‘young man’ sneered and whispered, “Meiren, has he ever considered our master his disciple? In the past, he taught the best of the best to Qiao Mei and Qiao Rong, but what he taught our master was nothing but superficial.”

“Duma, you know fully well that it was our talented master Qiao Chu who made a White Head’s Covenant (2) with the crown prince, not Qiao Mei! Now our master’s mother is in trouble and the lord refuses to save her. We only came to Zhaoge (3) to beg for a humble opportunity. If master becomes Prince Rui’s wife, then Prince Rui can intervene and save the lady.”

“The emperor already gave his approval to the lord’s five daughters, however the two eldest daughters are married, and the fifth daughter is too young. The emperor’s father supported this, saying that all the daughters of the Qiao family that haven’t been married can participate in the competition. The fourth Princess, Qiao Rong, could come, so why can’t our third Princess, Qiao Chu, come as well? I hate that the lord only sent Qiao Rong to Zhaoge, and now they have the impudence to send you to stand in her way?”

The man smiled and said, “girl, this ambush was something your master expected, why are you pretending to be surprised? Otherwise, why would all of you dress up in men’s clothing? Furthermore, why didn’t you go straight to the Ceremonial Officials and give them your names so you could enter the prince’s residence?”

Si Da and Meiren looked toward their master—the silent youth dressed in a green robe—Qiao Chu. Her face was covered by a silk veil and she said while smiling faintly, “No, Qiao Chu is slow-witted and only knew that there would be an ambush. I was afraid that if I ventured out, I would be captured by the ambushers before reaching the Ceremonial Officials, so I was looking for a way to escape. I didn’t expect to be discovered so soon, nor did I expect that my older sister, Qiao Mei, would send you, Master Duma.”

A cold glint flashed in Meiren’s eyes, Qiao Chu quickly glanced at her and shook her head. Duma sneered, “when you helped Qiao Chu out of the desert, you were poisoned. If you strain your body, you’ll only die faster.”

Meiren said coldly, “I didn’t ask you (4) for your concerns. I will send her inside even if it kills me.”

Duma whispered, “girl, your body isn’t as good as it used to be. You won’t be able to send her in, even if you die trying!”

Si Da was furious. She glanced at Meiren, but saw her looking at Qiao Chu, who was frowning slightly while looking straight ahead.

Two palanquins (5) stopped in front of the entrance to Prince Rui’s mansion. The original tidal wave of noise abruptly quieted down; everyone was holding their breath as they stared at the woman stepping down from the first palanquin.

Footnotes

(1) Weird names explanation: Si Da literally means Four Big while Meiren Beauty (Beautiful Person)

(2) White Head’s Covenant: “The White Shou/Head’s Covenant” is an online novel created by Yu Shi, published on Jinjiang Literature Net. It means ‘to grow old together,’ thus indicating that this contract symbolises they’ll be together forever.

(3) Zhaoge: Zhaoge was the capital of the Shang Dynasty.

(4) You: This was said extremely politely. Nin (a polite form of ni; [you]) and Lao (meaning old or venerable person).

(5) Palanquin: covered litter carried on poles on the shoulders of multiple bearers, formerly used in eastern Asia.