Chapter 121

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We finally reached the end of this novel!!!!

Kinda sucks that the ending is just this, like what about this and that (we have lots of things we wanted to be covered) but still it’s a fun ride. If only there are extra scenes or something. Well, maybe we’ll have to rely on fanfic or dream or something for that.

Anyway, many thanks to everyone who patiently read this novel to the end with me. Took more than a year to finish this. It’s my first time translating (sort of) and it’s finally completed. I really don’t know how to express my feelings of achieving this. This novel had helped me a lot with learning Chinese, though my English grammar went to drain at the same time. Now, time to bask in happiness and hopefully find a new interesting novel to translate.

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Chapter 121 – Finale

Translated by HaruOngy at Geniusly Plain (If you can see this line, you must have read this in the aggregator site which illegally steal various works. Be shameful of yourself for not appreciating the translator’s hard work. Don’t think only you want to have it the easy way. Support the fanbase and translator!)

Chu Xun was in sorrow, a large chunk of his heart collapsed with a loud crash.

The weather in the capital city started to turn gloomy and more black clouds gathered, it was sign of upcoming heavy rain.

Chu Xun didn’t know how long he was senseless, he didn’t know how he return to the imperial palace. When he regained his senses, he was already sitting inside the Ming Jue Palace, big drops of rainwater were falling down outside. Pitter-patter, pitter-patter and many people were surrounding him.

Senior Official Song, the lantern girl, King Lin Xian, Hong Han Pin, Supreme General Di, Di Mu Yang, the Empress Dowager, Eldest Young Master Mei, Sixth Young Master Mei, Xie Yun, Xiao Jing Zi, Zhu Li……even Prince Chen who was confined inside the Cold Palace came out too.

“You all surrounding zhen like this, zhen feel a bit suffocating.”

They moved away but they still stared at Chu Xun as if they were afraid he would do stupid thing.

Senior Official Song as their representative started to console, “Your Majesty, according to what this Young Master Hong said, Little Deng’s ship went missing during the sea fog. Other than Little Deng, Fourth Young Miss Di and her future husband were on the ship too. If Little Deng is intentionally avoiding you, there is no reason to bring along these two bags of troubles.”

Following that was Old General Di’s fierce glare. His daughter and future son-in-law were missing too. Old man, how can you say like this?!

It was fine if he didn’t mention, Senior Official Song’s words were like a sharp needle, violently stabbing Chu Xun’s heart, with every stab his heart ached. Chu Xun held the clothes on his chest with one hand, a circle of creases appeared on his chest.

Entangled heart.

Chu Xun suppressed the surging waves in his chest, he said lowly, “Although the great sea is vast, there will always be an end. Send people to search. They must bring back Mei Qian Deng for zhen.” He found Hong Han Pin among them and pointed at him, “You’re someone Mei Qian Deng picked, you must be more experienced. Do you have anything to say?”

Hong Han Pin paid him a respect and slowly talked, “I grew up on the sea, have seen countless ships come to a premature end by the great sea. The sea fog Her Majesty Empress encountered was very strange, I have only heard of it in rumours before.” If Hong Han Pin had encountered it before, he probably wouldn’t be standing in front of Chu Xun right now.

Chu Xun was abnormally calm, he asked calmly, “What rumour?”

“On full moon, the sea fog that appears will cause a time-space warp, they will connect with the supernatural world. However, there is a sea monster guarding the entrance. The sea monster will swallow any ships that intrude the sea fog to turn them into ghost ship. If one somehow manage to escape the sea monster, they might have a chance to be immortal.”

“Heh.” Chu Xun smirked, “Nonsense.”

Of course Hong Han Pin didn’t believe it too but when the small, weak human faced such natural, endless strength, they would make up supernatural stories to comfort themselves.

“Imperial Mother, all of you please leave first. Zhen want silence alone.”

With Chu Xun’s words, the Empress Dowager led all of them away, frowning she was very worried of her son, “About Qian Deng, heavens will help the worthy one. It’s possible she will return in a few days. Xun er needs to take care of your dragon body. You’re the Great Chu’s emperor, on your shoulders are your responsibility to the world.” Yet at the end, even she felt it was not convincing enough.

“What Imperial Mother says is right.” Chu Xun answered perfunctorily. Turning his head, he stared at a certain place and started to be in daze again.

A group of people slowly went out from the palace. Their feelings were low too. Mei Qian Deng suddenly disappeared in the sea, not only Chu Xun felt despair, Mei family members couldn’t accept it too. It was too sudden. Also, Di family lost a daughter and a future son-in-law. No one spoke, the Ming Jue Palace was dead silent.

After that.

Inside the palace, the properly sitting Chu Xun bent his body, his chest squeezed suddenly. He threw out a mouthful of fresh blood.

The pattering raindrops accompanied by the occasional lightning and thunders made the whole imperial palace caged inside the storm.

Senior Official Song, the lantern girl and King Lin Xian were on a table. Senior Official Song shook his head, “This is bad, if Little Deng doesn’t return, out of heart pain, His Majesty can torture himself to death.”

The lantern girl was quite fond of Mei Qian Deng, this child was still young yet why her life was always rough? “Then, what else, you want to fight the heavens? The sea is so large, so deep, to find a ship is akin to searching for a needle in the great sea.”

King Lin Xian was the one didn’t care the most among them. He never interacted much with Mei Qian Deng. Plus, this narcissist great king only cared of himself. Currently, he leisurely added, “Since she disappeared without any trace too suddenly, then just give His Majesty a memento.”

“How to give?” Senior Official Song and the lantern girl looked at King Lin Xian.

King Lin Xian stood up and about to go see Chu Xun. “None of you should follow. Just look at this King’s ability.” The narcissist great king was this self-confident.

King Lin Xian reached Chu Xun’s bedroom again. The monarch laid as if he was dead on the emperor bed. His eyes were hollowly staring at the ceiling and his face was deadly pale as if he had lost all hopes in this world.

“Never expect Your Majesty is such a pessimistic person.”

Chu Xun turned his head to glance at King Lin Xian, he didn’t speak. In his mind, Chu Xun had created one hundred mishaps after Mei Qian Deng accidentally intrude the sea fog. He did his best to imagine how Mei Qian Deng victoriously won and safely returned. Yet, he couldn’t stop himself from thinking a hundred ways of Mei Qian Deng’s death.

King Lin Xian talked to himself, “This King’s ancestor was once the counsellor during the Great Chu’s founding. He had seen a lot and accumulated vast knowledge. Our house has a record that mention there is an island between the Great Chu and Po Ye. Its location is special, due to the weather and sea tides, no one can ever approach it. Only during the full moon night before summer arrives yearly, the water flow will change and anyone can enter it.”

Chu Xun sat up from the bed, “You’re saying Mei Qian Deng might be stranded on this island?”

“Yes, that island’s entrance only opened once a year and the duration is very short. This King believes the Empress’ ship was on that island. Whether she can escape will have to see Your Majesty’s decision.”

Chu Xun hurriedly summoned Hong Han Pin, telling him to draw estimated location where Mei Qian Deng disappeared on the sea map and then dispatched people to guard that area all the times.

King Lin Xian even took the chance to take potted plant beside the table. He picked several leaves for Chu Xun, “Why, this King with otherworldly appearance and ability can be considered as half an immortal. How about today this King will reveal some skills and calculate your future a bit?”

“……”

He let Chu Xun silently recited what he wished the most while he divided the nine leaves into three to throw them separately.

Those leaves randomly fell onto the table. King Lin Xian with a solemn look counted for a moment.

“This is a rising sign. There is sorrow and happiness, there is separation and gathering. The divination says there is pain first before sweet, in the end will get the treasure and may even get some unexpected nice surprises.”

Chu Xun rolled his eyes, “You must be sent by them to comfort zhen, aren’t you?”

“Can be counted as one, but immortals like this King will never speak nonsense. If Your Majesty believe this King, you should relax and wait for a year. After a year, your efforts will be rewarded and gain back what you lose.”

Chu Xun’s expressions changed nonstop. That pair of eyes would shine and dim in succession. Looking at King Lin Xian, he was clearly tempted. “Are you speaking the truth?” King Lin Xian’s solemn vow was truly Chu Xun’s last straw of hope.

King Lin Xian nodded. Holding a leaf, he rubbed it and added, “Don’t throw away these leaves. If tomorrow they are still fresh, it means the person divined by them is still alive.” This great king’s hand cream was already smeared on the leave. That hand cream was the greatest essence of beauty care, even if the leaves were left three days they would never wilt.

The innocent Chu Xun actually believed his lie.

He really packed those leaves into a handkerchief and put it on the head of the bed.

When King Lin Xian left, Chu Xun’s mood was turning better.

On the next day when Chu Xun woke up and saw the leaves on the head of the bed were still green and fresh, Chu Xun grinned foolishly like a three years old kid.

Everyone would always appear in front of Chu Xun. They were secretly and publicly watching in case he took things badly. Although everything looks calm, everyone felt the emperor was different from the past. He seemed as if he had lost his emotions, wouldn’t be angry with others. Senior Official Song, the lantern girl as well as King Lin Xian thought of countless ways to make him angry but Chu Xun would respond with a smile. His smile was a hollow one, perfunctory that it was better if he didn’t smile.

Chu Xun had turned into a dull and calm wooden beauty boy.

Every day, the question he asked the most would be, “Xiao Jing Zi, what is the date today?”

The next year when summer was approaching, the imperial palace was shrouded in about to face great foe feeling.

Chu Xun summoned Hong Han Pin who was now the Great General. Hong Han Pin had just became a father last night, his face was glowing and his mood was very good. Chu Xun opened his mouth and the first word came out was, “Brother.”

Hong Han Pin’s big build trembled, he retreated three steps.

“Your Majesty, this official doesn’t deserve such good fortune.”

Chu Xun was weirdly in glowing spirits, “You’re the brother the Empress found for zhen so there is no qualm about it.”

“If Your Majesty have any order, please just say it.”

“Zhen want……”

“No.”

Chu Xun glared. You just told zhen to just say it, how can you turn your face this fast!

Hong Han Pin had never been afraid of the Emperor, with a serious look he said, “If Your Majesty want this official to bring you to the sea, then don’t talk anymore. Even if this official resign, this official will never bring you along.”

“……”

After a moment of silence, Chu Xun changed his stance, “In half a month, it will be a year already. Do you have any preparation?”

Hong Han Pin said, “This official had sent people to guard that sea region daily. We did found something weird with a certain region in the eastern side. As long as the ship approach it, it will slightly change course. If we didn’t carefully check it, we may never realise this difference.”

“Slip the width of a single hair, astray a thousand miles.” That small difference had caused a year of waiting.

“Your Majesty, don’t worry. This official will move out this evening and reach the harbour as soon as possible without stopping. Tomorrow, this official will personally sail off and will surely find back Her Majesty Empress.”

Chu Xun didn’t say anymore, letting Hong Han Pin to leave. What happened the next day was when Hong Han Pin’s ship left the harbour, the palace was in chaos because the Emperor was missing!

Chu Xun was disguised into a lowly soldier by the lantern girl. Right now he was on Hong Han Pin’s ship. After the lantern girl helped Chu Xun, she returned to the Lin Xian Mountain with King Lin Xian. Senior Official Song secretly believed since the one year limit was about to come and if His Majesty didn’t find back Mei Qian Deng just as what King Lin Xian predicted, he might went on rampage and kill King Lin Xian this liar to release his anger……

King Lin Xian was not stupid. After having a good life in the capital city for a year, it was now time for him to escape.

“Ai, you, go down there and pedal the ship.” A blind[1] soldier pushed Chu Xun.

Chu Xun didn’t throw a tantrum and went to the cabin. Tens of lowly soldiers were listening to the command to paddle. At the end there were several empty seats for people to paddle which moved the gear. Chu Xun sat there and did his best to paddle.

He wished to reach there sooner, the place where he most probably might found Mei Qian Deng.

Three days later, Hong Han Pin received a flying pigeon letter to see if the Emperor was on the ship. Only then Hong Han Pin invited the monarch who had silently paddled for three days outside.

“Your Majesty!”

Chu Xun let go. What can you all do to zhen?

They really had no way with him.

Chu Xun stood on the deck, staring the moon that was almost full in a daze.

Hong Han Pin came over and told him, “Her Majesty Empress disappeared around here.”

“General Hong, zhen recently thought of something.”

“En?”

“Wait until zhen bring back Mei Qian Deng, zhen must give her a title based on zhen’s surname instead.”

“……”

“Empress Mei, no empress[2]. Bad, bad!”

“……”

The night of full moon, no fog appeared on the sea.

Looking at the moon above from the sea, it seemed much rounder and brighter.

Hong Han Pin brought along ten ships but he didn’t dare to move recklessly.

Chu Xun was mysteriously calm, he asked Hong Han Pin, “Is there any abnormality with the sea water?”

Hong Han Pin had told his subordinates to throw a string of specially made floating balls into the sea. The soldiers down there came and reported that the seawater direction and flow rate had changed.

“Your Majesty, please stay on the ship. This official will personally lead a group of people to check the route in a small ship.”

Chu Xun only stared blankly at the seawater, “Fine, go ahead.”

Hong Han Pin felt restless, Chu Xun like this was too obedient.

“Your Majesty, this official is about to ask a death worthy question. If we can’t enter this weird sea area today and can’t find Her Majesty Empress, will Your Majesty jump into the sea to commit suicide?”

Chu Xun indifferently smiled, “General Hong, you’re thinking too much. Zhen still shoulder the whole world. If this year we can’t find her, maybe she will return next year. If next year still can’t wait for her, there are still other next year. Zhen will use this life to slowly wait for her, wait until the end of this lifetime.”

Only then Hong Han Pin felt assured to prepare the small ship and left. The small ship was tied with an extremely long rope that filled the whole deck. It was the last precaution. Chu Xun stopped him again, “Your wife and child are still waiting for you at home. If this rope is already stretched taut yet you have no findings, come back immediately.”

“This official will obey.”

Chu Xun stood at the deck as he watched Hong Han Pin’s small ship moved further away.

He suddenly remembered that poem. There are naturally infatuated one in life, only hate can’t be like wind and moon. He then had a mood to try cheer up. Will zhen become a lovesick emperor down the history? Thinking so, Chu Xun laughed at himself.

Time moved like the flowing water. The moon was setting and the sky was turning white.

The rope on the deck had long stretched taut.

There was still some cold dews on Chu Xun’s body. With a slightly weary voice, he ordered those on the ship, “Go and pull back the rope.”

“Your Majesty……” The soldier thought that the general had yet to give up searching but the emperor had gave up first.

“It’s fine.”

Everyone followed his order and started to pull back the rope together. After pulling for half a day, Chu Xun could see the rising sun, the red light rose from the eastern side, due to optical illusion, it was as if the rope on this ship was pulling the sun upward instead.

The small ship was pulled back from the dawn.

Yet the ship was completely empty.

Chu Xun’s face paled, he pursed his lips quietly.

No one dared to talk.

Hong Han Pin had made complete preparation before leaving. If they met one hundred possible dangers, he had one hundred and one ways to save himself. However, right now, the ship in front of Chu Xun was empty, there was no sign of damages or differences, only the people on the ship had disappeared into nothingness.

It couldn’t be that there was really supernatural in this world?

In Chu Xun’s mind were scenes of Po Ye’s Yu Qing Ruo’s usually resentful look toward Hong Han Pin. If he returned and told Yu Qing Ruo that her obstinate bandit husband disappeared too, would Yu Qing Ruo be happy or grieve? Would she hate this emperor who gave the order?

“Your Majesty, look quick——!”

A sharp eyes soldier broke the silence, pointing at the faraway sun.

The Sun had gotten off the horizon, between the fiery red was a small black dot.

Hence, everyone held their breath as they stared at that dot.

They watched how that dot slowly grew bigger.

It was a ship.

A worn-out ship.

A mottled ship that passed through time and returned again.

“Move the ship to them.” Chu Xun was so excited his whole body was shaking.

He could see there were several people standing on the deck of that ship. Among those figures, was the person he waited for at there too?

Chu Xun couldn’t wait anymore, from faraway, he shouted, “Mei——Qian——Deng——”

It was a heartrending cry, “Mei——Qian——Deng——”

“Mei——Qian——Deng——”

“I’m here——”

It was just like the sound of nature.

Chu Xun moved back and fro on the deck, looking nervous. If he could transform, he would be a loyal dog right now. Seeing his owner returning soon, he would wag his tail furiously and jumped around. He hated unable to turn into the Howling Celestial Dog[3] and fly to there.

Finally, the long separated person was right in front of him.

Mei Qian Deng was in male garbs, returning just like a young man.

She smiled wryly at she stared at Chu Xun, Chu Xun’s eyes didn’t have anyone else anymore.

Chu Xun wanted to jump from the ship to Mei Qian Deng on the other side, his butt was raised and his legs had yet to move.

When he saw Mei Qian Deng softly kicked the ground and easily reached Chu Xun’s side.

“Your Majesty, I’m back.”

Chu Xun immediately pounced at her to hug her.

Unexpectedly, he got stopped by something in Mei Qian Deng’s bosom.

Only now he realised Mei Qian Deng was hugging a baby in her bosom.

That little baby opened their eyes large to look at Chu Xun.

Chu Xun frowned, “Zhang Hu Bao and Fourth Miss Di move so fast. Disappearing for a year, the marriage has yet to be done and yet they have a child already. Quite an amazing skill.”

Mei Qian Deng had a smile on her face.

Chu Xun was dissatisfied, “Why are you hugging this baby?”

“Your Majesty.”

“Hmm?”

“This is your son.”

What?

What??

WHAT???

Chu Xun had a shocked look.

Mei Qian Deng approached his ear and quietly said, “That night, didn’t I put the aphrodisiac Princess Xiang Xiang gave into your wine……”

Chu Xun’s mouth was still wide open, at first it was shock then, it turned into joy, laughing until he couldn’t close his mouth.

“Zhen had just thought, how Zhang Hu Bao and Fourth Miss Di can give birth to such a cute child, so he is zhen’s son! Zhen is quite amazing! To hit it in one shot!”

Mei Qian Deng pounded his chest. Do you still want face?

It was the joy of being a father!

……

“Wife, did you choose a name for our son?”

“No, I just call him Yi Yi[4].”

“Then, if we have a second one, you will call Er Er[5]?”

“En.”

“Then, let’s just call this son Chu Yi Nian[6]!”

“Wa——” Chu Yi Nian wailed. Dad and mom pick name too casually, can’t hold it.

……

“Wife, how did you pass this one year?”

“That time, the ship can’t be controlled, it floated to a small island. We thought of ways to escape every day. Coincidently, Leader Hong found us. We don’t have enough manpower so he called the people on the ship to change into our ship to help us move the ship. We’re just waiting for you to pull back their ship and we just followed at the back.”

“This Hong Han Pin is really, at least leave someone on that small ship. Seeing that empty ship, zhen almost want to jump into the sea.”

……

“Your Majesty.”

“En?”

“That island is actually very pretty, like a celestial land.”

“You don’t miss zhen, why are you missing that stupid island for?!”

“When we’re old, why don’t we live in that island?”

“There is no need to wait until we’re old. After returning, we must properly teach Chu Yi Nian. Then, after he’s of age, zhen will throw this world to him. We’ll have fun and travel around the world.”

“Alright.”

“Wa——” Chu Yi Nian cried like he wanted to die so that he could reborn again.

Author’s notes:

Many thanks for accompanying this, let’s meet again in another book!

[1] Not literally blind but not being able to see the truth.

[2] Mei surname sounds almost the same as the ‘don’t have’ (mei) word in Chinese.

[3] Erlangshen’s faithful dog.

[4] One, one.

[5] Two, two.

[6] Literally, one year. Bad naming sense for both parents huh….

Translated by HaruOngy at Geniusly Plain (If you can see this line, you must have read this in the aggregator site which illegally steal various works. Be shameful of yourself for not appreciating the translator’s hard work. Don’t think only you want to have it the easy way. Support the fanbase and translator!)

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