Destined Marriage with Fragrance Chapter 141

This chapter was translated for only. And only for those people who don’t mind reading unprofessional translation that was being translated FREELY at the translator’s and editor’s own free times.

Chapter 141

Palace Gate (Part 2)

Both people were outstanding men, and were confronting each other, one was a respectful and dignified master of the country, and the other was a domineering and arrogant general who was holding a massive military force to protect the country. Their imposing manners were equally matched, and the two people did not want to yield to the other party. Both of them were calm and not moving at all, but the battle had already started!

Tong Fu was holding an ink stone with his trembling hand, the Emperor and General Xuanyuan’s complexions would scare people. He had been following the Emperor for many years, but he had never seen this kind of situation before. Even though General was always an arrogant and unruly person in the past, but he had never abandoned a ruler and minister’s protocol, that was why the Emperor always admired the General’s conduct with work, so what happened today?!

“The Empress Dowager has arrived……” The sound of a resounding announcement made Tong Fu’s heart that was hanging high, was lowered by half. But looking at the two people who were confronting each other, Tong Fu was still scared that his cold sweat was flowing steadily. The two people’s intimidating manners were not constrained at all just because of the sound of the announcement. 

When Gu Qian Yun went into the Imperial study, she could also see the intimidating scene in front of her, the Emperor son had been in politics for almost ten years, it was rare that he was this angry. And Xuanyuan Yi’s uncompromising attitude also made the battle between the monarch and official full of gunpowder flavor.

Murong Shu Qing who was standing at the back area, could also see these two mad lions. The two people had already controlled their own angers, but they still scared people who were in their surroundings. Admittedly, as the Emperor, one was not allowed to show happiness, anger, sorrow and joy, so even though she could not see the Empress Dowager’s face, but she could already feel her anxiousness just by looking at her back. Murong Shu Qing was shaking her head in her heart, if she knew that they were like this because of her, she reckoned that she would be classified as Bao Si or Da Ji (two of the famous Chinese beauties) in an instant!

Turning her head to look at Song Ling Qiu, Murong Shu Qing secretly laughed, comparing to Gu Qian Yun’s anxiousness, Song Ling Qiu seemed to look relaxed by a lot, so much so that her face still revealed a trace of pride?! Right, who would have this courage and strength, and could confront the Son of Heaven (the Emperor) within this whole world! She really liked this future mother in law’s brisk and courage more and more!

In those two people’s eyes, they were only gazing fixedly at each other, so the Empress Dowager did not have any alternative but to softly cough to break this imposing atmosphere. And she smilingly said with a casual and gentle voice: “Yi-er is also here?!”

For a good while, Xuanyuan Yi finally held back his sight, Xuan Tian Cheng also understandingly turned his head around and left his line of sight. It looked like the scene from a moment ago, was merely in their imaginations.

Xuanyuan Yi slightly bowed and cupped his hands to pay respect: “This official pays respect to the Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager conveniently raised her hand to change the atmosphere from a moment ago, and casually said: “No need to be polite, your mother came to chat with Aijia a moment ago. I heard that Your Majesty made Shu Qing to enter the palace to learn the etiquettes, so Aijia conveniently took Shu Qing to come and pay respect to Your Majesty.” 

After being called out, Murong Shu Qing could only half kneeling her body, and quietly said: “Murong Shu Qing pays respect to Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live.”

The quiet and light voice made Xuanyuan Yi and Xuan Tian Cheng to place their line of sights on her at the same time. Xuanyuan Yi could hardly cover up his heated eyes, while Xuan Tian Cheng silently endured his concern. Until Murong Shu Qing felt that her legs were somewhat aching, then Xuan Tian Cheng coldly turned his head around and said: “You may rise!” 

He actually felt that this ‘Your Majesty’ sound, was really ear-piercing, he did not need her to kneel and salute to him. This humble and respectful (character) did not suit her at all, he wished that she could speak freely to him like when they were at Ling Shan (mountain). But, every time, she was always anxious wanting to run away from him!

Xuan Tian Cheng’s hidden painful gaze made Gu Qian Yun completely realized that the Emperor son had some entanglements with this Murong Shu Qing, but she was Xuanyuan Yi’s wife ah! How could the Emperor son be so muddled like this! Xuanyuan Yi was Dong Yu’s country general, and he had half of the country’s military strengths in his hand. If he had any disloyalty to the Imperial court, that would be the greatest disaster for the Imperial family!

Slightly settling her mind, Gu Qian Yun asked with a smile like before: “Is Your Majesty discussing the nation’s affairs with Yi-er?”

At this moment, even though Xuanyuan Yi already held back his brash and imposing manner, but he still answered with a somewhat cold voice: “This official and Your Majesty are discussing the matter about Qing-er’s entering the palace to learn the etiquettes.”

Gu Qian Yun looked at the expressions of the two people, and also knew that the discussion was not pleasant, so she could only hoped that the Emperor son did not lose any rationality as a Monarch. Consequently, she quietly asked Xuan Tian Cheng: “What does Your Majesty think about this?”

Xuan Tian Cheng raised his head to look at Murong Shu Qing, he said with a soft voice that people could hear: “The Imperial edict had been decreed, so it will be done accordingly.”

Murong Shu Qing grievingly sighed, he could just say what he wanted to say, why did he have to look at her?! With an obvious provocation like this, she was afraid that Xuanyuan Yi would not resign to his fate either. Sure enough, Xuan Tian Cheng's gaze (to her) made Xuanyuan Yi feel angry, once Xuan Tian Cheng’s words had just left out, Xuanyuan Yi immediately answered with a cold voice: “This official will get married tomorrow, this will also be done according to the Imperial edict.”

Because of those words, the tense atmosphere was ignited again!

Murong Shu Qing slightly lowered her head, in this place, there were a country’s monarch, a master of the harem, and a country’s general. This did not have anything to do with her, and she did not care to say anything either, so she extremely contented with looking at her own feet. Listening to their undercurrent and turbulent dialogs, this was an insightful experience of the court. Anyway, staying at the palace this time was already a forgone conclusion.

Gu Qian Yun was looking at these two fiery men with a headache, she sighed and did not have any alternative but to mediate: “Yi-er, Aijia was just discussing about this with your mother a moment ago, since this marriage was bestowed by the Imperial edict, this wedding must be grand and lively. If you get married tomorrow, it is too sudden and will also grieve Qing-er. It will be better to make Shu Qing stay by Aijia’s side for a period of time, to show the respect for the Xuanyuan’s family, and wait until they prepare for the wedding properly, it will not be too late to get married.” Finished speaking, Gu Qian Yun conveniently asked: “What does Your Majesty think about this idea?”

Xuan Tian Cheng finally turned his body around, lightly stroked the sleeve of his garment, his face already showed that serene and dignified (expressions), he appeared to look like a monarch now. Slowly walking to the Imperial throne to sit down, Xuan Tian Cheng said with a bright voice: “Cang Yue has surrendered, the General should handle the military affairs, then he will  return to the Capital to get married, so this will be the best ways to handle this. Can it be that the General wants to make the civil and military officials, the common people in the whole world to think that the Xuanyuan’s family will put their own selfish reason and deceive the common people’s family?!” 

The muffled man’s voice was powerful and resonating, Murong Shu Qing who was closing her eyes to rest, slightly opened her eyes. Xuan Tian Cheng’s chess move was really ruthless, if he only punished Xuanyuan Yi with a criminal charge, he would feel contempt based on his temperament. So now, Xuan Tian Cheng suppressed him (XY) with the Xuanyuan family’s reputation instead. It was even in front of his mother, even if Xuanyuan Yi was untamed, he would have to take his father’s reputation into consideration! 

Sure enough, Xuanyuan Yi’s hands were unconsciously tightened up, but he had no alternative but to remain silent at the same time. 

This was because Song Ling Qiu who was always standing calmly like Shu Qing, stepped forward one step, and after she properly saluted to Xuan Tian Cheng, she said with an unhurried nor slow voice, but with a clear enunciation: “What Your Majesty is saying, is reasonable, but this woman subject has one thing that I am not clear?”

When the previous Emperor was on the throne, Song Ling Qiu was conferred a first rank commanding Madam, therefore, she could speak in the main hall. Even though Xuan Tian Cheng knew what she wanted to ask so he did not really want to answer it, but his mouth still asked: “Madam, please say it.”

Song Ling Qiu said with a clear voice: “The maximum time to enter the palace to study etiquettes should be one month, this three months period, even though it is the greatest favor for the Qi’s family and Xuanyuan’s family, but it is not appropriate. It should be changed to half a month, then it would be more appropriate?!”

Even though she did not say it aggressively, but Song Ling Qiu actually asked Xuan Tian Cheng to alter the Imperial decree clearly. But her words, not only made Xuan Tian Cheng to knit his eyebrows, but Xuanyuan Yi’s complexion was not too good either. Mother seemed to agree to let Shu Qing enter the palace, but it was only a matter of how long (she would stay in the palace).

Murong Shu Qing also knew that this was the best method to settle this dispute, she also did not think that Xuan Tian Cheng was really determined like this towards her. Even though she said that she would let Xuanyuan Yi to handle this matter, and Murong Shu Qing originally planned to follow him completely. But this situation, if it continued on, nobody would get any benefit from it, so Murong Shu Qing lifted her head up for the first time since she came into the palace hall, and lightly shook her head to Xuanyuan Yi who had a dark cloud on his face to indicate that he should not speak again.

Murong Shu Qing was somewhat nervous and staring at him, she was afraid that he would be stubborn, but fortunately, after their gazes looked at each other for a long time, Xuanyuan Yi closed his eyes. His hands that were tightened up closely, were released slowly, so Murong Shu Qing could finally breathe easily. 

Entering the palace for three months was indeed not appropriate, so Xuan Tian Cheng did not appear to have any good standpoint to insist on this. Gu Qian Yun also thought to settle this quickly, so she said: “Your Majesty announced Shu Qing to enter the palace to study etiquettes, it should also look at some situations, so half a month should be enough.”

Finally, Xuan Tian Cheng coldly threw this one word: “Granted!”

Song Ling Qiu also briskly said: “Thank you, Your Majesty, then this woman subject will come to get Shu Qing after half a month.”

Gu Qian Yun secretly relaxed, and smilingly said: “Alright, this is decided then, Shu Qing will stay at Xiang Rui palace to accompany Aijia. You guys can be at ease, Aijia will take care of her properly.” Even though these words were said so Xuanyuan Yi could hear it, and she hoped that there would not be any mishap within this half a month, otherwise, the Xuanyuan’s family would absolutely not be happy. 

Xuan Tian Cheng picked up the writing brush from the desk, and did not look at everyone who was inside the palace hall anymore. While he was writing, he said to Xuanyuan Yi: “General can go and prepare Cang Yue’s matters, Fang Tong almost reaches Lin Feng Guan border, so General should handle this earlier.”

Only Tong Fu who was grinding the ink by (XTC’s) side, saw that the Emperor’s hand that was holding the brush, was holding it so tight and it seemed that he would break it!

Xuanyuan Yi did not say anything at all, only coldly answered: “This official asks to leave.” When he passed Murong Shu Qing’s side, he halted his step for a moment. Shu Qing lifted her head up, she gave him a peaceful smile, and still said this sentence in a whisper: “I am waiting for you to come back!”

Xuanyuan Yi’s tense face slowly relaxed a little, and he left the Imperial study in large strides.

After Song Ling Qiu also asked to leave, Gu Qian Yun did not give Xuan Tian Cheng any chance to speak with Murong Shu Qing either. She said with a somewhat tiring voice: “Shu Qing, follow me to return to the palace!” 

“Yes.” Murong Shu Qing slowly followed behind Gu Qian Yun, she thought that starting today, she was afraid that she would be considered to be a trouble maker for some people, in the eyes of the Empress Dowager.

Sian’s notes:

Bao Si was supposed to be one of the famous Chinese beauties during ancient China. She was a favor concubine during King You of Zhou’s reign. King You of Zhou deposed his queen & crown prince to make Bao Si his new queen and make her son, a new crown prince. Legend said that she did not laugh easily so the King tried a lot of stupid things to make her laugh including using lightning beacons to fool the nobles into thinking that the enemies were about to attack, so when the nobles came, they found themselves laughed at by Bao Si. Then the former queen father mounted an attack on the King’s palace so when the King called the nobles using the same lighting beacons, nobody came to help him so he ended up being killed and Bao Si was captured. Sort of like the story about a boy who keeps crying a wolf to amuse people, so when a real wolf comes, nobody comes to help him so the wolf attacks him. Anyway, the story is also sort of the reason where the idiom “beauty that can topple a country” comes from, 倾城倾国, qing cheng qing guo. With that said, I still don’t know how people can determine how beautiful a person can be to be put into this category, qing cheng qing guo. Anyway, if you’re interested in reading about this story more, you can find it here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_You_of_Zhou & https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bao_Si

Da Ji was also a favorite consort of King Zhou of Shang. She is portrayed as a malevolent fox spirit in legends as well as novels. Again she’s considered as a classic example of how a beauty that causes the downfall of a dynasty in Chinese culture. You can also read more about her story here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Zhou_of_Shang & https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daji

It’s funny that the author was using those two beauties to compare MSQ as we all know MSQ’s beauty is definitely not her outer appearance so the fact that a monarch from a country and a general from a country are actually “fighting” for her, is rather interesting. MSQ, go run to Mo Can…

Song Ling Qiu is my second favorite female character in this novel. She’s definitely a good mother in law. Not a typical annoying mother in law that you usually see in the dramas. She’s a very cool lady…

I also just realized one thing about Xuanyuan’s last name. Xuan Yuan’s name was actually a personal name of the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di), so I’m wondering if people who use this Xuanyuan’s last name are actually a direct descendent from the Yellow Emperor. So in this case, Xuanyuan Yi is actually the great great great great great (enough great???) grandson of the Yellow Emperor. Hehehe… If anybody wants to read more about the Yellow Emperor: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Emperor

Chapter end