I suppose that we can say this is a "sweet" chapter for MSQ & XY since the interactions between those two are rather scarce, we might as well enjoy every little time that they have together. ☺️
This chapter was translated by Sian for only and edited by Din2.
By Qian Lu
Chapter 46
Explanation
Murong Shu Qing followed Xuanyuan Yi out of the manor, her arm was in pain so she slightly wrinkled her eyebrows, but she did not say anything. Who said that a woman"s heart was like a needle in the bottom of the ocean, the man"s heart was also difficult to guess. She did not remember that she ever provoked him, but looking at his tense face, it would still be better if she would quietly wait to see any change.
The two people were in the carriage, Murong Shu Qing"s hand was free again, she kneaded her arm, while leaning on the soft couch, and waiting for Xuanyuan Yi to vent his indescribable anger. But after a long time, Xuanyuan Yi was also still quietly sitting, and did not say anything either, his calm star eyes were watching outside the window. His arrogant and handsome face did not have any black cloud any longer, but she could not see clearly what he was thinking. Murong Shu Qing slightly knitted her eyebrows, today"s Xuanyuan Yi was really different.
The carriage was traveling tranquilly and slowly through the night, the horses" hoofs were treading on the road, their kicking sounds echoed, the two people who were inside the carriage remained silent.
After a very long time, Xuanyuan Yi"s m.u.f.fled voice that carried a magnetic sound, finally broke the tranquility in the room: "Dong Xue is my nurse"s (ru niang) daughter." He did not know why he wanted to explain this to her, but he really wanted to tell her about Dong Xue"s ident.i.ty. During dinner, he was very infuriated that she was not in the least concerned, but why was that? Did he wish that she was overflowing with jealousy?! Did he not dislike a jealous woman? Murong Shu Qing, why did he change into someone different in front of her!
His unexpected words, made Murong Shu Qing feel stunned somewhat, Dong Xue was really a gently and quiet girl. Raising her head to look at Xuanyuan Yi who was still looking outside the window, Murong Shu Qing lowly asked: "Did she already become your concubine?"
"No." He and Dong Xue could be regarded as childhood sweethearts, her gentleness, her thoughtfulness, her consideration of other people needs, there was no man who did not like those personalities. He originally planned to withdraw from their marriage agreement so that he could take her as his concubine. But after he succeeded in withdrawing the marriage agreement, she often occupied his mind, that silhouette with a trace of tranquility and calmness.
No? "Then, Princess Chu Qing….."
Xuanyuan Yi said with disdained: "I am not interested being married with the Imperial household." Even though he was in the Imperial Court, but in regard to being a family with the Imperial household, he remained at a respectful distance.
Murong Shu Qing suddenly felt somewhat funny, was this considered that he wanted to explain this to her? Even thought his awkward explanation, made her heart feel somewhat joyful, he was an overbearing and arrogant man after all, he would never try to explain anything in the past. Murong Shu Qing lightly sighed, the woman"s frightening vanity could really flare out at any time.
But based on their relationship now, he did not really need to explain these to her, after all, they already cancelled the marriage arrangement. Murong Shu Qing said: "You do not need to tell me these."
Her words had succeeded to infuriate Xuanyuan Yi again, she could see that he slightly narrowed his eyes, and dangerously said: "I said it before, after I returned to the Capital, I would prepare for our wedding." She clearly did not take his words seriously.
Wedding? He was still overbearing like this, Murong Shu Qing did not want to bother with him anymore, but she only said this sentence: "Let me remind you again, we already cancelled our marriage agreement."
"Why do you not want to marry me so much?" He did not understand why she opposed to marry him so much. Could she not stand him in her heart?
"Why must you marry me!" Murong Shu Qing was curious, if she said that Xuanyuan Yi fell in love with her, that was just inexcusable. If he did not love her, why was he so stubborn about this matter like this!
Why? Xuanyuan Yi unexpectedly could not answer it for a period of time, he only knew that he would think of her frequently, miss her calm and floating smile, miss her indolent and casual bearing. He only knew that his body, his thought was crying out for her.
In the end, his answer changed into these three words: "I want you!"
He wanted me? Murong Shu Qing did not speak anymore, between them, could it be that they would always be in a tangle with this question? Overcoming this person, she was destined to be in this entanglement, thinking deeply for a moment, Murong Shu Qing said: "Alright, we will speak openly tonight, you should think clearly why you want me, and I will also tell you what I want."
Murong Shu Qing knew even if she said it out, he would not necessarily understand it, after all, the way one was thinking in this era was really different, but she wanted to tell him now.
It was not that she did not have any feeling towards him, his elegance, his unruliness, his talent, his dedication, the way he whispered by her side, even his sometimes overbearing-ness, all of them were carved into her heart. And she was not a 17-18 years old young girl either, she knew what she wanted with regards to feeling. Today, she would just tell him, and also give an opportunity for the both of them.
Meeting Xuanyuan Yi"s waiting gaze, Murong Shu Qing seriously said: "For me, love is a part of life. If I do not have love, my heart is contented with mountains and rivers scenery (living peacefully) and freedom. If I have love, I want to treasure this predestined affinity, being interdependent with each other, but that person needs to know me, understand me, love me, pity me. In our world, each can have his and her own sky, but we can firmly hold our hands, and soar together. I do not need to be sheltered from the wind and rain, but we need to be able to deal against the trials and hardships. However, it can only contain two people in this world."
Her speech was finished, inside of the carriage sank into silent again, Murong Shu Qing did not look at him anymore, she lightly returned to lean on the soft couch. She finished what she wanted to say, so she should not be worried about what next.
Xuanyuan Yi"s complicated complexion was looking at Murong Shu Qing, after a long time, he affirmatively said: "You want me to marry only you."
Not bad, even though he did not completely understand what she really wanted to convey, but he seemed to get the preconditions on what he had heard.
"No." Murong Shu Qing lightly shook her head: "My husband can only marry one wife." She could not control how many wives he wanted to marry, but if he still wanted to persist in marrying her, then he could only marry one wife.
They remained silent towards each other for a long time, Lu Yi"s voice came through from outside the carriage: "Miss, we are here."
Murong Shu Qing regained her sight, but she did not say anything, she also did not look at him, and just got up to pa.s.s through him to get down from the carriage. Xuanyuan Yi did not pull her to stay, but when she was just about to enter the Qi"s manor, he lowly shouted: "Murong Shu Qing."
This was the first time that Xuanyuan Yi called her name like this, Murong Shu Qing did not turn her head around, and her back was still facing him, but she stopped her footsteps.
Xuanyuan Yi"s firm voice came through after: "I still do not understand completely what you mean, but I will remember it."
Finished speaking, the sound of Xuanyuan Yi"s firm footsteps, disappeared into the night.
Tonight"s moonlight was not bright at all, but it was enough to lengthen Murong Shu Qing"s thin figure, she lightly hooked the corner of her mouth and entered the Qi"s manor.
Even though it was not too late, but there was n.o.body walking within the Qi"s manor, walking on the winding small trail, there were a few small lanterns, that were barely able to light up the road.
Murong Shu Qing walked slowly along the small trail, Lu Yi was following her from behind, within a far distance, and did not say anything.
Without the tea fragrant smell that filled Die Cui Xiao Su, the smell of the simple gra.s.s also made people to feel bewitched. After walking for half way, Murong Shu Qing stopped her footsteps, she stood on the neat and soft lawn, used her arms as pillows, and casually lied down on it. Looking up at the night sky, tonight"s moon was not bright, the stars were not many either, the sky did not have that dark blue look, it seemed that there was no appreciation of the night.
Murong Shu Qing lightly closed her eyes, the autumn wind was gradually colder, and blowing her black hair with its movement. How long did she not listen to this wind under the moon! Tonight, her heart seemed to be very anxious.
She did not know how long she was lying down, and just did not want to open her eyes, but a small stone was thrown at her, so Yan Yu who was in a secret place, used his palm to flick it. The stone fell on the side of the bluestone trail, and rolled for several rounds, when it stopped, it made a crisp sound within this tranquil nighttime, so it appeared to be especially loud.
At the same time when the stone reached the ground, an indolent sound of a man"s voice echoed at the same time: "Unexpectedly, there is another person who is admiring the full moon just like me in such a night like this."
Murong Shu Qing softly sighed in her heart, helplessly opened her eyes, the night scene tonight could not be regarded as beautiful, but she could still encounter a "kindred spirit to admire the full moon", it was truly rare.
Sitting up, she saw there was a vague silhouette, who was in front of her and separated by the flower beds, and he was just like her a moment ago, looking up at the starry sky. If he did not say anything, it would be difficult for her to discover that there was another person who was lying down also. Just lying under the hazy moonlight, n.o.body could see him clearly! Even though the opposite party already said something, but he did not make any movement, as if he did not make any sound a moment ago.
Murong Shu Qing continued to lie down on the lawn, and did not make things difficult for her own self either. Comparing the starry sky now with the one from a moment ago, it was actually brighter by a lot, but the moon was still not bright.
Under the black night sky, the two people"s casual and free silhouettes, were appreciating the not so bright moon, and remaining silent for the whole night.
Sian"s notes:
That word "nurse" when XY explained about who Dong Xue was, actually used ru (milk/breast) niang (mother/woman). I have no idea how to translate the words. I believe he was raised by Dong Xue"s mother. And sometimes, back in the day, I think it"s very common that this ru niang also provided breast milk to the child whom she took care of.
Ehmm… who"s that man??? How can he get inside the Qi"s manor?? Aiyo… all of these characters in the novel are so many and they’re killing my brain cells trying to remember them.