Song in the Peach Blossoms Chapter 22 (Part 2)

[Previous] | [Table of Contents] | [Next]

---

Desert Arc ー Chapter 22 (Part 2): The Place Where an Old Friend Rests in Peace 

The current emperor has really taken great pains back then.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I haven’t met Song Zijing all this while. I heard that he had gone out for some matters. The next few days, I was writing from my memory of the medical books and tidied them. I also used the chance to find a scooter for Little Jue Ming to play. The child pedalled it to meet up with girls. Little Sister Pin Lan was six years old this year. She had beautiful and delicate features, fair and adorable. When she stood with Jue Ming, they looked like a pair of babies in new year pictures*. 

*T/n: An example may be something like this: 

Source: https://www.zhongguofeng.com/nianhua/53223.html

I carried Pin Lan up and placed her on my knees. “Pin Lan is obedient. Do you like our Jue Ming?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Yup, I like him!”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Then do you want to see him every day from now on?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Yup, I want to!”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I smiled. “Then can you become his wife in the future?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Girls matured earlier. She understood what I meant and her face instantly blushed. “I don’t know.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I teased her. “Since you don’t know, I’ll go and ask your maternal uncle. Your uncle will definitely consent.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
At this moment, Little Jue Ming anxiously pulled Pin Lan’s hand. “Pin Lan, just agree. We can play together every day.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I asked Jue Ming, “Do you want to ask for Pin Lan as your wife?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Little Jue Ming patted his chest. “A real man should naturally gain some achievements and build his career before marrying and properly settling down.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I was very touched. “Although you’re still very far from being a real man, this slogan is resounding. However, you have to mean what you say. Stinky men who have a change of heart will become side consorts or wives in their next lifetime.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Little Jue Ming suddenly called, “Prince Yan!”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I quickly disagreed, “No no, his character still hasn’t reached such an irredeemable stage.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.　
Even Pin Lan called, “Prince Yan.” Her hand pointed to behind me.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I turned around and saw Xiao Xuan standing at the courtyard entrance with a face of puzzlement.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“What are you cooking up about me again?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I stood up with my face wreathed in smiles. “Why would I do that? When did you come? Have you eaten? Are you thirsty? Are you extremely bored? If you’re extremely bored…”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Why don’t you come with me?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Huh?” I was stunned.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xiao Xuan rolled his eyes at me. “I’m taking you to visit the grave.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Realisation dawned upon me. That’s right, Xie Zhaoying.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xiao Xuan took me out of the city and we kept heading towards south. On the vast expanse of the prairie, there were roads everywhere. We did not take any attendants with us but we did not speak at all throughout the journey. Everyone’s mood was heavy.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
The blue-green mountains stretched on and the green water flowed perennially. Xie Zhaoying’s resting place was in an area with mountains and water that was between Taizhou and Xiyao City. In the east, Mount Nantian could be seen. In the west, it was a vantage point to overlook the enormous prairie. There was a White Birch Forest there. There was a carpet of green grass beside the river and little white birds leaping about in the forest, bringing some life and vigour into this area of silence.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
This place was so beautiful that it made me consoled me a little regarding Xie Zhaoying’s early demise while he was still in his prime.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xie Zhaoying’s burial mound had no name. With a cursory glance, I would even think that it’s a pile of earth. There was a thick layer of plants covering it and there were pure white flowers blooming.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“It’s here?” I asked.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xiao Xuan nodded silently.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.　
I knelt towards earth mound.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
There was no paper money, no joss sticks and candles but just a cup of diluted wine. I deferentially kowtowed three times and filled the cup to the brim for my real Second Elder Brother.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Second Elder Brother, I am Xiao Hua. I have come to visit you. It must have been very lonely for you to be here by yourself all these years. I will come here often to visit you in the future. Don’t worry, we won’t forget you. The Xie Family and the world won’t forget you.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.　
I poured the wine into the earth, leaving behind a pleasant fragrance which was dissipated by the wind in the next moment.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xiao Xuan told the grave. “Old Second, rest well. I won’t disappoint you.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
He glanced at me. “I will also take good care of your family members.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
After we left Xie Zhaoying’s grave, we did not go back immediately. We led the horse and slowly walked in the forest.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I asked, “What plans do you have from now on?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“You have already seen them.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Will you go to war?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“If it can be avoided, no one will be willing to have blood shed.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“A great personage* once said, ‘Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed.’”*T/n: The great personage is Mao Zedong.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Your brain always has some strange ideas.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“You’re a man with ambitions.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“All men have ambitions.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“There are also men who choose to guard their families.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“That’s them putting up with the second best.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.　
I smiled. “You’re incisive. Have you thought about what you would do if you don’t succeed by any chance?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xiao Xuan kicked the grass on the ground. “Many times, we can’t think about our routes of retreat. Only then will be able to dauntlessly move forward.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I looked at his dignified side profile and could not help but call softly, “Second Elder Brother…”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xiao Xuan turned around and smiled at me. “Do you want to know how your family members are currently?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I hastily asked, “How are they?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“I previously received news that everything is still fine. However, Fourth Miss suddenly got affected with smallpox. She’s currently shut in the house to recuperate.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I gasped in admiration from the bottom of my heart. “Really impressive. Fourth Miss has to be careful of disfiguration. The Second Imperial Prince won’t want her now.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xiao Xuan curved the corner of his mouth. “His Highness the Second Imperial Prince didn’t want her since a long time ago.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I was shocked. “What does that mean?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Everyone is aware that His Highness only loves the Xie Family’s Third Miss. It’s because he brazenly found trouble for the Director of Board of Rites’s son on the main streets.
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Why?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“It’s because Young Master Zhang sent a love letter to Third Miss Xie every day to express his ardent feelings.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I didn’t know if I should cry or laugh. “This is surprisingly to everyone’s satisfaction.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xiao Xuan looked at me. “You’re relieved already?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I honestly told him, “Although escaping was for the sake of freedom, I’m really worried that my family members would be implicated. I would protect them well even at the expense of my reputation and integrity.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xiao Xuan snickered in contempt. “Your reputation and integrity are long gone…”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I sneered. “You’re so unbridled in your speech. It seems as you don’t plan to have me help you detoxify your Three Month Fireworks.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xiao Xuan changed his thinking and immediately smiled to placate me. “Xiao Hua is obedient.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I rolled my eyes at him. “I’m not obedient at all. Let me ask you, I haven’t seen Teacher Song for quite a few days.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xiao Xuan narrowed his eyes. “So it turns out that you miss Zijing. Why don’t you say it directly? He has some matters so he made a trip back home.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Where is his home?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
Xiao Xuan smiled. “Mount Jiulan’s Heaven Steps Valley.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Who lives there?”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
“Dong Yuan’s Song Family.”
Free and Original at Michilun Translations.
I asked, “Then who exactly is Song Zijing?”

---

Translator Corner:

Hello! Sorry for the late update. >< I was previously very busy with some matters but then I got sick for quite a prolonged period of time. When I finally recovered, there were again lots of stuff waiting for me since I hardly did anything when I was sick. T^T

Anyway, it is very likely that I’m going to officially take up a 770 chapter project >< so I am worried about the future of my projects here since 770 is a really daunting number. Furthermore, I recognise that my translation works here aren’t really approved which is why there is a high chance that I’ll eventually focus on my new official project where I actually have the rights to translate it. It is also pretty demoralizing to see the aggregator sites faring better than the original website but I suppose that it’s my fault since I didn’t take precautions but oh well at least I have learnt something!

I will still add in new novel recommendations whenever I come across something interesting!

---

[Previous] | [Table of Contents] | [Next]