Ch. 11.1
Qin Sang had previously never taken note of this, but the various people inside the mansion spoke out of turn; even though she was never too far from the residence, a line of gossip would ultimately spread to her ears. She knew that Yi Ji Pei had rather favored the son of the dead mother, mostly because Yi Lian Kai was clever by nature. Thus, he was the one who could provoke the favor of Yi Ji Pei. The other reason was probably because of his mother"s untimely death which made him inevitably pity him.
Yi Lian Kai followed up to ask: "What were you looking at anyways? Can it be that my face has flowers on it?"Chapter originally published at MerakiTranslations.
Qin Sang also felt she had somewhat forgot her manners. Thus, she laughed, took up the tea cup, and took a sip.
Qin Sang had originally been following him out. She didn"t know what he was doing, but she saw that he had the heart to poke fun at her. Presumably, nothing important had come up in his work. Consequently, she spoke without thinking it through: "I was looking at you, because actually, you look a lot like the Madam."
Though Qin Sang felt it was inappropriate, seldom did Yi Lian Kai only startle faintly, before he understood who she spoke about. His expression was extremely ordinary as he stated: "Oh, originally Zhang Ma also said so."
Zhang Ma was the elder of the Yi family, and she was also the dowry maid that Yi Lian Kai"s birth mother had brought from Yun residence when she married over. Later, she also became Yi Lian Kai"s wet nurse.
Yi Lian Kai had lost his mother ever since childhood. As for this Zhang Ma, she had taken care of him as a child. Yi Lian Kai"s temper was extremely bad, but in front of him, Zhang Ma could actually speak with him.
Ever since Qin Sang had married in, she had even met this Zhang Ma, but her age was already very old, so she retired very early on. That time, she had met her for the wedding into the Yi family.
Qin Sang still remembered that pet.i.te little married woman with a red flower on her head, and a blissful appearance.
Because Yi Lian Kai mentioned Zhang Ma, she followed with: "Where"s Zhang Ma now?"
She didn"t think that Yi Lian Kai wouldn"t become annoyed. He said: "She returned to the countryside to enjoy a life in retirement. How would I know where she is?"
Qin Sang had run into this kind of a snag that wasn"t hard or soft. Thus, she didn"t speak further. After a moment, she suddenly heard footsteps from the top of the stairs. Qin Sang still thought it was a fellow who had come to send wontons, but she didn"t expect that people would come to knock on the door. Yi Lian Kai said "Come in", and the voice that responded indeed made him out to be Pan Jian Chi.
Qin Sang heard someone say that he was seriously injured. At the present time when she was extremely worried, she met him, so she could not help but have a slight stunned appearance.
Gauze was wrapped around Pan Jian Chi"s arm. Evidently, he had truly been wounded, but his gait was constant, and she couldn"t make out any indications of "serious injuries".
Pan Jian Chi slightly bowed, which could be considered paying his respects. He lowered his voice and said: "Master, the person here to serve you desserts has come."
As he said this, he dodged out of the way to the other side, as another person quietly walked out from behind him.
Only that person"s guard uniform could be made out clearly. On his head was a military cap, as it pressed down, extremely low. Even half his brows and eyes had been covered.
Pan Jian Chi closed the door to the room, as that person took off his hat. Although his stature was not excessive, he had an imposing appearance, and a pressing heroic spirit.
Even though Qin Sang had the vaguest suspicions, when she saw it was truly Murong Feng, she still could not refrain from becoming startled. As for Murong Feng, he smiled faintly, and called: "San Ge!"¹
¹ Third Brother. If you’re not reading this chapter at MerakiTranslations, it has been stolen and reproduced by bootleg websites.
Yi Lian Kai smiled from ear to ear, as he rushed over to grab his hand, and said: "Liu Di² has come from the south, and in the past few days, I have been unable to meet you. I really had no choice but to wrong Liu Di by forcing you to disguise yourself and advance through the water. I hope Liu Di will forgive me."
² Sixth Brother
Murong Feng said: "San Ge has gone through many hardships and perils, and Pei Lin³ understands this. Today, San Ge has taken this risk for us to meet in person, and thus, Pei Lin is extremely grateful." To Qin Sang, who brought up the rear again, he said: "I have been indebted to Sao Furen"s⁴ reception day after day, and have not had a chance to express my grat.i.tude."
³ Murong Feng’s given name
⁴ Polite term of address for a friend’s wife. Please consider reading from MerakiTranslations rather than at bootleg websites.
Qin Sang promptly got up to return the courtesy, as Yi Lian Kai said: "We are all family. Why should we regard each other as outsiders? I won"t conceal this from Liu Di, as I don’t have it easy in this profession. As the time lengthens, due to fear that this information may be divulged into rumors, we must urgently discuss our proper business."
At once, the two mutually compatible brothers sat down to talk.
Qin Sang didn"t understand a word of government affairs, and only saw them chatting with low voices, looking up expectantly. Contrary to what one might expect, Murong Feng spoke a lot, while Yi Lian Kai"s brows slightly creased, as he personally listened carefully, his fingers incessantly stroking the cover of the teacup.
All she knew was that as it turned out, Yi Lian Kai had spent so much effort to meet Murong Feng secretly, which naturally meant that something exceedingly important was about to happen.
She lifted her head to glance at Pan Jian Chi, but he only looked tranquil, and she could not make out anything. However, his sight drooped downwards, apparently thinking of something. Scanning him at this moment, she saw that the gauze on his arm had faint bloodstains that had penetrated through. The only thing she didn"t know was how heavy this wound was.
As she thought through many complications, suddenly, footsteps sounded outside. Immediately afterwards, a guard shouted loudly: "Who are you?"
While this occurred, the first individual"s voice said: "Sir, the wontons are ready."
Presumably, this was Yuan Ji"s partner who had sent the wontons over.
That guard said: "Give it to me, and we can send them in." Yi Lian Kai heard this, and gave Pan Jian Chi a meaningful glance. Pan Jian Chi quickly slipped out the door. Because his right hand was injured, he used his left hand to hold the red lacquered big plate, as he kept silent and placed them on the table. What Qin Sang saw was a great ocean of chicken soup, while in the middle, the snow white heavy wontons sat, faintly exposing the pinkness of the shrimp meat stuffing. Inside the plate, a few spoons were even stacked with spoons. Thus, she personally grabbed a spoon and allocated the wontons into two bowls. One bowl was for Murong Feng.
Murong Feng naturally repeatedly expressed his thanks. Qin Sang gave the other plate and ladle to Yi Lian Kai. Yi Lian Kai used the spoon to slowly stir the piping hot chicken soup, however, he sighed and said: "I completely understand Marshal Ling’s5 and Liu Di"s sincerity. However, this is no small matter at stake. Father and Marshal Ling have a sworn brotherhood and friendship. I believe Liu Di must also know of the conservative thoughts of the elderly, who always feel that government matters concern national prestige. As of now, my father is sick, and I do not dare provoke his anger, so it is inconvenient to agree to you as of my own initiative."
5 Probably a courtesy t.i.tle for Murong Chen. If you’re not reading this translation from tranzgeek(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com, it has been stolen and reproduced by bootleg websites.
Murong Feng laughed and said: "I am aware of San Ge"s apprehensions, as the situation now has rapidly changed in an instant. However, I hope that San Ge can come to a decision as soon as possible as not to lose this decisive opportunity. What"s more, Marshal Yi is currently sick. Every matter of the Jiangzuo is naturally arranged by San Ge temporarily."
Yi Lian Kai sighed again and said: "As for the circ.u.mstances within the Jiangzuo, Liu Di, do not pretend you are unaware of them. Meeting Liu Di like this is already putting us at great risk. I need not elaborate more on General Li"s conduct. Liu Di, you also know what is going on."
As Murong Feng privately spoke with Yi Lian Kai, only now could it be considered reaching the crucial point. In Murong Feng"s mind, there was a great article about speaking gently and gradually, but he had been stopped again by this sentence by Yi Lian Kai. Thus Murong Feng laughed, and said: "In fact, why is there any need to consider it further, San Ge? Though General Li holds a ma.s.sive military force in his hands, his name is not upright, and his words are extremely adverse. Thus, whatever the case, I can only rely on San Ge as the Chief Commander. San Ge currently occupies the position of power no matter what level of society we consider. Thus, our various friends from home and abroad will naturally a.s.sist San Ge, especially father and me, who are also willing to put forth our humble efforts and abilities."
Yi Lian Kai said: "Lian Kai is very grateful for your feelings and the generous friendship between Marshal Ling and I. However, this matter will implicate numerous people once it spreads. To be frank, if I agree to permit this condition, I am only afraid that it will go unjustified when put in front of public opinion."
Murong Feng had originally been asking for sky-high prices, with the intention to pay him back after they hit the ground, but when he heard him say this, he did not become anxious, and only said: "San Ge understands General Li"s temperament better than I do. If General Li agrees to lease his naval base to the j.a.panese, then this matter will already have Sino-foreign people in an uproar. Why must San Ge help him carry this kind of a black hole? San Ge has also said that Marshal Yi is extremely conservative. If he knows of the matter of the naval base, according to pathos and logos, not even San Ge could justify yourself&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;What harm is there in refusing to collaborate with those on our side? Could it be that you really want to hand over such a great state of affairs over to General Li?"
Yi Lian Kai laughed, and said: "At present, what we speak of is nothing but idle chit-chat. I lack soldiers and armies, so what can I promise you?"Chapter originally published at MerakiTranslations.
Murong Feng said: "As long as San Ge speaks one word, the hundred thousand soldiers in Chengzhou will all hope to serve San Ge as well as they can."
Yi Lian Kai shook his head: "These words are of great importance. Frankly, whoever becomes the Cabinet prime minister does not matter. After all, the Cabinet is merely a representative of the country. Regardless of who is a.s.signed the task of prime minister, they all do things for their country. Marshal Ling wants to establish a better Cabinet, which is also for the good of the country. As for me, I do not have any objections. However, on the matter of borrowing the railway and transferring troops, I am merely afraid father will find out."
Murong Feng obviously knew that Yi Ji Pei was currently seriously ill, and had yet to recover. He could not even speak. Yi Lian Kai"s words borrowed his father"s name to tactfully decline. Thus, he spoke: "As for borrowing the railway, and transferring troops, that is also to deal with Jiang Shuang Xi from Xibei6. According to my familial relationship with my father, I guarantee that we shall absolutely not violate the Jiangzuo in the slightest. San Ge, what other misgivings do you still have? Could it be that you are worried that our words cannot be trusted?"
6 Northwestern China.
Yi Lian Kai said: "Marshal Ling is a hero in our present age. One word from his mouth is worth nine sacred tripods.7 This is a point that I am certain of. However, if I were to allow troops to cross the Jiang river, in my current situation, perhaps the army would be displaced, which would burden me with an unfilial and disloyal reputation. Originally, my conferred t.i.tle became illegitimately conferred. When the moment comes, with just one word from General Li, he may order his subordinates to take me prisoner. At that time, though I wish to collaborate with Marshal Ling, I will have lost the decisive opportunity. What"s more, Er Ge is currently at Xibei. After all, he is my older brother; furthermore, he has accompanied my father for many years. Amidst the ranks, he has quite a few old friends. In the event that he were to make a public appeal, perhaps many people would comply with him. At that time, my side will become terrible."
7 一言九鼎 yīyánjiǔdǐng: one word worth nine sacred tripods (idiom); words of enormous weight. Please consider reading from tranzgeek(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com rather than at bootleg websites.
Murong Feng spoke: "My father means that we can only outwit them. We cannot force them. Sending out troops is an alternate scheme. As for Er Ge, if I were to speak irreverently, my father hopes that San Ge will lend a helping hand and allow the Jiangzuo to break away from General Li"s influence."
Yi Lian Kai said: "I would like to hear the details."
Translated by Tranzgeek
Minor editing by 12