Thursday, February 26, 2015

Cold Sands (Beyond the Frore Dunes) - ch20

Translator: ayszhang
Proofreaders: Art_emis, Gwen, krabbykabbi, LSL, and Red


Cold Sands ch20
PS: Read our announcement post here.

XX Intimate Distance

Wearing a full set of Golden Guardian armour, I follow behind Uncle briskly to the palace. As we draw near the royal city, Uncle looks back and instructs, “Remember, better safe than sorry.”

I catch Uncle quickly scanning the Guardians standing guard at the royal gates with wary eyes. “You must pay close attention to the Guardian General, especially to what he does.” Only after I nod to show my understanding does he nod with furrowed brows and enter the gates, hurrying towards Yong An Palace under an attendant’s guidance.

I stride past soldiers standing guard and enter the royal palace. I look up at the ink black sky, then at the hazy palatial buildings. The grand halls are enshrouded by a thick, black fog, making the shapes ambiguous. It’s only the fourth watch now so what could be going on?

Uncle’s Wraiths had given a general report along the way. Just a while ago, the empress dowager assembled the Golden Guardians and other royal guards and placed the palace under maximum security. The Minister of Defense, Xie Yun, has already put his defense troops around the capital into action, and Heng Ziyu also has strategic points inside the capital under heavy guard with his own men. All of the capital’s gates have heightened security. The atmosphere in the capital is suddenly tense.

Time trickles by. The torches high on the palace walls accompanied by the dawn peeking through the horizon refract off of the Golden Guardians’ plates. I ponder silently about the current situation. Surely, it’s an emergency of sorts, otherwise the various parties would not be so anxious. But if it really came down to it, I doubt these pretty looking soldiers could do much.

I bite my lips. Could it be that the emperor is departing this life?

Quickly, I push forward, trying to find an acquaintance or two to catch up on what’s going on. Along the way, I see the palace under tight security with Guardians on patrol every hundred yards or so. None of the palace doors are opened and I can’t seem to find anyone I know. I grab a random soldier over and ask. He replies after some thought, “I just saw the Guardian General heading towards Tai Qing Palace.”

There are rows upon rows of soldiers in front of Tai Qing Palace and court doctors are coming and going with their heads lowered. When the Guardian General finally comes out, I hurriedly grab and ask him. Strictly speaking, he is Xie Yun’s younger cousin. He looks solemn as he whispers in my ears after making sure no one is around us. “His Majesty’s condition worsened last night. I don’t think He’ll last much longer.”

“What?!” I almost hear a buzz in my ears. I stare blankly at him, trying to wrap my head around this. Everyone knows His Majesty is ill year-long but this has come too soon to take in.

With the war in a critical period, everyone is anxious, and not to mention the hungry wolves eyeing the throne, so if His Majesty goes—worst case scenario—Great Rui goes. His Majesty may be ill but he still holds the Mandate of Heaven. As long as he’s here, the delicate balance can still be maintained, and the relocation may not happen as easily either. I gaze at Tai Qing Palace concealed in the dark with butterflies in my stomach.

Seeing this, he pats me on the shoulders, sighing. “’Tis troubling times.”

I stay outside the Palace after he leaves, watching the sky lighten bit by bit and the dawn light breaking through in the east. A new day. A new start. But will it mean fortune or misfortune for Great Rui?

A purple-ranked attendant comes running from behind, saying quietly. “The empress dowager has summoned you, Sir Han.”

Without a word, I let him lead me to Yong An Palace. Spotting the white steps and balustrade in fornt of it, my head starts throbbing slightly again. The attendant turns to me, saying, “Sir Han, the empress dowager wishes to see the pendant around your neck. Would you mind handing it to me?”

I falter for a moment before taking it off for him. Thank goodness I switched the pendants last night while changing. I just found it a bit difficult to look at. I thought I shouldn’t keep wearing it if I had chosen to leave in the first place.

Standing at the top of the steps, my head starts to pound and throb again as if something was struggling to burst out but it can’t for some reason. I hold onto the balustrade as a wave of pain strikes through me, tearing at my heart and lungs. My vision whirs around. I pant for air and hold tightly onto the railing as the things before me go blurry.

I hate this place. This happens every single time.

After resting against the balustrade for quite a while, the pain slowly fades away. Beads of sweat cover my forehead. I take off my helmet and gently wipe it off. My mind seems to clear up more as I breathe in air.

The attendant still hasn’t come back out, so I just keep waiting outside quietly. Soon, I hear someone approaching and curiously, it’s Pei Yuan. He grabs and pulls me along without saying anything the moment he sees me. I fling his arm away and point to the Palace. He looks in the direction but hisses quietly, “His Majesty wants to see you!”

I’m taken by surprise and an ominous feeling clings onto me. His Majesty?

It’s dead silent in the enormous palace hall. Attendants and maids stand wordlessly behind the curtains and the court officials have all gathered in the centre. The front row mostly consists of high-ranking ones, including Uncle looking detached and pale. Heng Ziyu is standing with hands clasped behind his back and a cool, stiff expression. The other officials are also looking reserved. I lower my head and eyes as I step into the grand hall, those butterflies in my stomach even more restless now: I have no idea why His Majesty would summon me.

Uncle sees me and coughs before telling me solemnly, “Han Xin, His Majesty wishes to see you.”

A bit caught off guard, I blurt out, “Why would His Majesty want to see me?”

He shoots me a cold look. “Shut up and just go.” I clench my jaw and follow the attendant towards the inner hall. When I walk past Heng Ziyu, I spot a heavy shadow over his eyes and a sly smile on his lips.

It’s also silent in the inner hall and only the pungent scent of herbs lingers in the air. This is where the emperor, the emperor who is only two years my elder, lives. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Wordlessly, I pass the hanging veils and swerve around a nine dragon jade screen. I quickly kneel down when I catch sight of the Emperor’s bed.

I hear a feeble sigh and some small movements coming from the emperor. “Is that…Han Xin?”

I nod. “It is I, your humble servant.”

I spy his arm reaching out from the bed, dangling weakly. “I don’t remember…seeing you for some time.” He waves to me with effort. “Come.”

I do as he says, getting up but keeping my body bent nonetheless.

He is deadly pale, heavy circles surround his eyes and he is breathing so roughly he almost cannot talk. He only watches me steadily with a strange expression. I start feeling a bit weirded out by it so I quietly call him a few times. Only then does he regain his focus. “You…you have changed quite a bit.”

I quickly reply. “Your servant hasn’t, Your Majesty.”

He chuckles softly. “Really? You haven’t, while I feel like I am getting weaker and weaker.”

I feel a bitter pang in my chest. His Majesty is two years older than me but has always been weak. He even needs someone serving medicine for him during morning court. It came to a point that he couldn’t deal with national matters by himself and has to do so through an assistant. I still remember he called me into the royal palace right after my coming-of-age ceremony and ranted on and on about how boring and constrained life as emperor was.

“You…are still the same…fooling around with your gang of scoundrels…right?” He laughs out loud and life seems to reappear in his eyes. “How nice…to be able…to be free.”

I try to keep my feelings down. “I beg that You don’t say that, Your Majesty. You are god-sent. This servant cannot compare to You.”

He shakes his head weakly, eyes staring at the door. “I’m not…joking. I’m actually…the most pathetic…I’ve nothing.”

“Your Majesty!”

Intermittently, he keeps going in his breathy voice. “Do you…remember we…climbed on the roof of Tai Qing Palace…when we were kids…and looked over the capital…that feeling…the wind in your ears, it was like…you were flying.”

He was in better shape in his earlier years and we would horse around all over the place. Tai Qing Palace is the most magnificent and solemn palace in the royal city of Great Rui and is the place where emperors ascend the throne. Even though we got punished severely by the empress dowager, he was still very enthusiastic and told me in private that he would do it again when he got the chance. With that in mind, I can’t help but feel miserable, but a ghost of a smile appears on his face.

I’m…afraid…I won’t have another chance.”

Immediately, I kneel down and bow forward, shaking. “Your Majesty, I beg of you. You’re the owner of this realm. You will definitely have another chance.”

He raises his quivering hand, pointing towards the door. “You have no idea…how much I want to see it once more…just once.”

I lift up my head in alarm and stare dumbly at him. The pink in his lips has completely drained and his eyes start to lose focus. “Even if…I am the emperor…I cannot do…anything…I am going to…get scolded…by Emperor Shun…when I get to the royal hills, aren’t I?” Then he starts coughing really loudly. “I…couldn’t…do…a thing.”

I can’t take it anymore. I grab his hand and croak. “It’s not your fault, Your Majesty. You are a good emperor.”

He holds my hand with a deathly grasp, twinkles increasing in his eyes. “Say…do you think…there’s a next life?”

I move my head up and down with force. “Yes, I’m sure there is.”

He looks steadily at me and then turns away and laughs. “Good…even if I…were to be a human next timeI don’t want…to be born a royalty.”

I gape at him as if struck by lightning. I just watch him fixedly, not a word coming out of my opened mouth. He blinks and then suddenly cracks an eerie smile at me. “You’re…not much better off…actually…you and I…we have the same fate…and there’s no escape.”

Out of shock, I pull my hand away, drawing back. I watch as he props himself up slowly. He keeps that miserable smile on his face while looking at me. “You…at least you’ve had…a taste of freedom.”

My ears start to ring. I back away, bumping into the jade screen. I save myself from falling only by holding on to it.

The emperor’s gone mad. Mad, I tell you.

I scamper out the door, not even stopping to help up the maid I knock down, out the inner hall and through all of the curious and the alarmed stares in the outer hall, leaving them all behind me.

♚♔

News of the emperor’s demise break out at night—the Son of God has returned to the heavens.

Pure white and black drapes are hung from the towering Tai Qing Palace, signifying the passing of an emperor of Great Rui. The Former Emperor’s casket rests in Tai Qing Palace. The court historians style his posthumous name as ‘Wen.’

I’m standing outside the hall, quietly gazing at the giant buildings. The impenetrable darkness unfurls its vast wings, enveloping the entire royal city within its embrace, obscuring all sight, like a vicious beast waiting to devour its next victim with its mouth wide-open.

The empress dowager is one strong woman. Normally, other mothers would be bawling their eyes out if they had to witness their child’s death, but no, not her. She just has to be strong and not show one bit of vulnerability. She paces up the hall with the help of her maids. She’s dressed in complete white mourning apparel. Half of the hair on her head has gone white. Tearless, wordless, she only gently slides her palm on the casket.

I regard the ghostly figures from afar and feel an abrupt chill running through my core. Quickly, I scan around myself. The maids and guards are in white mourning apparel too, all kneeling or standing rigidly like statues. The entire royal palace is covered in pale white, appearing utterly lifeless.

Just what horrors lie in the darkness around me?

What exactly is this fate they keep talking about?

Even if I have some particular history, they should make up their mind—say it or don’t say it at all. I hate people leaving me hanging halfway. I smash my fist on the wall. Fate—my fate—what the hell is it? Why is everyone being so goddamn secretive about it?

I rest my forehead on the wall and close my eyes. I’m shuddering. Fuck this place. It’s going to drive me insane. I need to get out of here. I need to leave!

“Guardian, are you mourning for His Majesty there or are you about to fall asleep?”

I glance sideways to see Heng Ziyu standing not far from me with that same old smirk and casual composure, only wearing white this time. I take a deep breath and say in the calmest voice I can manage, “His Majesty has just passed away, so I advise you to keep that smile in check.”

He steps closer, tilting his head back, and his eyes flash. “So what if I smile?”

I force a smile. “The brave Marshal has nothing to fear of course, but,” I remark as I hold onto the wall. “But surely you’ve heard of the saying: ‘A lack of forbearance now may upset the grand scheme of things.’”

He takes a scan around us, his eyes sharp like a hawk’s, and smirks before taking another step towards me. “Are you going to tell on me, Guardian Han?”

I straighten up and shoot him a look. “Good men don’t work in the dark. I still have duties, unfortunately. Please excuse me, Marshal.”

“Duties defending the palace?” He scoffs. “Do you really think this place is still worth defending?

I feel anger welling up. Even if he does have plans to rebel, he should at least show some respect even if he doesn’t have any in his heart when the Former Emperor has only just passed away. In contrary to my fury, I shoot him a scornful look. “His Majesty hasn’t yet been buried. It would be wise to refrain from any misconduct.”

The emperor has just departed, his remains just beginning to cool. Whoever causes a scene and disrespects the Mandate of Heaven at this time will be charged with the crime of insulting the crown, no matter how strong of an army he might have.

The moon lingers on one side of his face, appearing as a silver chip. I see one brow of his raise in slight anger. “I suppose I should thank you for the advice, huh.”

“Hmmph. Any time, Marshal.”

I turn to leave but he stops me with a raised arm. He pulls a thin smile. “You’re a smart man and quite skilled, I would think. Being a Guardian is a waste, don’t you think?”

I turn my head and lock onto his meaningful eyes, flashing a sardonic smile. “Do not forget. I’ve said that I have no wish to achieve anything.”

“The Golden Guardian is but a superficial title,” he pushes after a momentary pause. “I doubt you will get anywhere with it. Why not leave that behind and cross over to the righteous side?”

“Out of the people in this world, some want an empire, others want power, and there are yet others who want freedom,” I enunciate every syllable. “You want wealth and authority. I only want to be free. I’m going to have to say pass on that offer, Marshal.”

He scrutinizes me with squinted eyes. “What strong will. But allow me to say a few words.” He lets his arm drop and moves directly in front of me. “From all my years on the battlefield, and all the bows and swords I have seen, let me tell you, it’s the inflexible bows that lose their bowstrings first, and the stiffest blades that first get chips and cracks.” He focuses his piercing eyes onto me. “I am sure you are aware of this.”

I crack a thin smile. “Thanks, Marshal, but don’t you think you have more important matters than chatting here with me?”

He falters and then laughs. “You are straightforward all right, Guardian. No one has dared to speak in such a manner to me since I came to the capital, not even Minister Han Jun.”

I turn around. “My uncle is my uncle. I am myself.”

He bows his head in contemplation before looking back up. “You’re right. We should live a fulfilling life. But perhaps you should also consider just what the likelihood is that an egg can stay intact in a nest that is being flipped over.”

He smirks and opens his arms wide. “You cannot deny this is a world of chaos we are in.”

I nod after much debate and stay quiet. His eyes twinkle. “Only the strong get to decide their fate in a chaotic world. Not to mention, the secret haven that you speak of does not exist. There could not possibly be one when the country itself is in danger. You cannot leave it all behind as an army man of Great Rui.”

Words fail me. I feel utterly powerless all of a sudden. Everything he has said makes perfect sense. He gazes at me with a meaningful smile. Not wanting to continue the conversation, I turn to leave.

I’ve taken a few steps when he calls out to me. “You’re very interesting, Guardian Han.”

I stop and look back with a smile. “Marshal Heng, the one who says so is interesting himself.”



♚♔

According to Great Rui customs, the deceased emperor’s casket stays in the palace for nearly one month. Funeral services and ceremonies are performed during this period. The heir, the royal family, officials, soldiers and commoners must wear mourning attire for twenty seven days, ceasing all entertainment and marriages. For nearly one month, the emperor’s casket has been staying in Tai Qing Palace but things have gotten busy in the palace even before the emperor has been properly buried.

The empress dowager has summoned Duchess Yu Qing and Duchess Qi Huai to bring their sons, Mu De the Eldest and Duke of Yan Ning, respectively, into the palace. It looks as if she’s going to pick one out of the two to be the new emperor but then again, it might be the case that whoever gets chosen would just become a puppet, just like Pei Yuan predicted.

Some people support Mu De the Eldest while others support Duke of Yan Ning. Surprisingly, Uncle remains silent; Heng Ziyu chooses to stand and watch on the side on account of being a martial official; Xie Yun refrains from commenting. Without any of the powerful officials’ remarks, the issue of naming a new heir has been postponed again and again.

One day, it suddenly occurs to me that the empress dowager still has my pendant. I had left in such a hurry that day that I forgot to ask for it back and I think she forgot about it too. She blinked her eyes a little the next time she saw me and never brought it up.

Argh. Seriously, Empress Dowager? You could get anything in the world you wanted and you want my pendant? Grrr. It’s the only thing I can remember my parents by and I’ve had it ever since I could remember. I really don’t want to be a thief in my own house, stealing my own property.

I rant in my head as I help a soldier clean swords. He looks only about eighteen or nineteen and he’s excited and beaming like the sun. I rap him hard on the head. “Hey dumbass. What the hell are ya smiling for? Are you tryin’ to get yourself killed for disrespecting the crown?”

He scratches his head and frowns. “But I get to marry Xuanlan when the new emperor ascends the throne. I just can’t help it.”

“Well,” I continue after a pause, “can’t you keep it to a minimum? I reckon your jaw’s gonna fall off at this rate.”

He pouts and puts his back into scrubbing. Out of nowhere, he looks back up and scoots over to me. “Sir, how come you aren’t married yet?”

I drop my gaze for a while before hitting him again. “Mind your own shit.”

But he doesn’t give up. “But sir, you’re one good-lookin’ fellow. Don’t you have anyone you’re seeing?”

I really, really do not want to think about this. One is because there is a ton of other stuff to fret about lately, and two, only one thing comes to mind when it comes to this topic. I can only think of that one person.

The memories break through the gates and gradually well out. The more I think the more depressed I get. The more I think the worse I feel. So I won’t think about it. Simple.

I might say so but I can’t help myself. How is he? Is he still barking at people for no reason other than his temper? Is he still stubborn about drinking medicine when he’s sick and getting mad at Xiao Qinyun? He always calls her a baby but he’s pretty childish himself.

Brushing off the concern of others, always carrying all the weight on his own—doesn’t he know that even the strongest person will get fatigued sooner or later?

I don’t like this me, the me that would feel a sting in the nose when I think of him.

I’ve already made my choice, so why can’t I seem to forget about him?

Fragmented thoughts flutter past. His warmth. His gaze. His strong embrace. And…and his pledge, his promise:

‘I like you and I’ll protect you. I won’t let another nightmare haunt you when you’re in my arms.’

Every single word seems to have been uttered just yesterday.

I scoff at myself, ridiculing:

You were never this wishy-washy before. But nowadays, whenever you stop his phantom would appear in your mind and stay there.

Could it be that you’ve fallen for him? For someone who was never meant to be.

For an enemy of Great Rui, someone who very well could annihilate Great Rui.

But this someone has been stored in the most discreet crevice in your heart and you can’t seem to let go of it. Han Xin, oh, Han Xin, you have left now but your heart—it appears you have left your heart behind.

The oblivious soldier is still bugging me. I roar abruptly. “I swear, if you don’t get all this shit cleaned today, I’m gonna take away your holiday. Let’s see you get married then!”

He freezes, not understanding why I suddenly became furious. I don’t bother explaining either. Dumping whatever I have in my hands, I leave out the door.

I run into Uncle immediately when I walk out. He’s wearing his Rank One uniform and a tired expression. He nods to me. “Follow me.”

The crimson red doors, walls, windows and pillars in the hall have all been covered with white cloth. Even the sixty-four glazed lamps are white. The usual magnificent red platform has been reduced to a pathetic state. Emperor Wen’s temporary memorial plaque has been placed on the head altar and his casket rests in the middle on it. Who knows where the crying concubines and maids have gone. There is only that young emperor, lying all by himself in a cold coffin, waiting to be sent down to the lightless royal hills.

After a person dies and becomes a handful of dirt, do all the love, hate, favours and debts of a lifetime just disappear as well?

Uncle nods a little. “Go pay your respects to the Former Emperor.”

I do as he says, kneeling down properly after I plant the incense down.

Emperor Wen was always lonely. Even though he owned all the land of the realm, even though he was the supreme ruler, even though he had a harem of concubines, he was always by himself. Maybe it’s really not that easy to find another person whom you can share your heart and life with in this world.

I think of him. I think of the times.

“Han Xin, I have something to ask you and I want you to answer me honestly.”

I get up and nod in agreement. He sweeps over my face and then the entire funeral hall with darkening eyes before finally asking. “All these years, have you ever hated your uncle?”

I’m taken back by his unusually serious behaviour. Icy frost coats his face as he stares steadily at me.

“So, you really do hate me, huh?” He croaks.

Slowly I take a step back while keeping my eyes on him. I can’t begin to describe my thoughts. What’s going on this time? Why would Uncle say such a strange thing? Involuntarily, I glance over to Emperor Wen’s plaque. Could it be that Uncle has gone mad along with Emperor Wen?

A freezing gust blows past, the white sheets billowing along like levitating ghosts. I bite on my lips and gradually turn my head back to face Uncle’s eerie expression.

Do I? Or do I not?

The memories of my youth come rushing: a child under someone else’s roof, lonely with no one to depend on, alone to face the ridicule and bullying of his older cousins and the neglect of the servants, only knowing the comforts of food and substance but never of love or care.

Recalling the bygone only makes me feel miserable and unwilling to speak any further. I finally regain my composure after a moment’s efforts. “I choose to not answer that question, Uncle.”

He stays standing, motionless, watching me quietly, and finally breaks into a sorrowful smile. “You really are like your mother. She had a fair appearance but an intense personality, always clear on her feelings. You’re the same. You hate me and you won’t say the opposite.”

A spasm runs through my chest as I hear him talking about Mother—mother, the closest person one could have, whom I’ve never even seen, not even through a portrait. All I know about her is that she was the niece that the empress dowager adored, and the blood sister of Minister Han. That is all.

I hold his gaze, suppressing the anguish. “Yes. I never force lies out of my mouth.”

He suddenly tilts his head back to study the white sheets billowing from the ceiling of the building while his shoulders are shaking.

“You’re a descendant of Han but not a son of.” He chuckles drily. “After all, his blood is running through your veins.”

It doesn’t take a genius to know who he is. Uncle is talking about my father. Just what kind of person was my father? He has always been omitted on purpose, tucked into the darkness, never to see light.

“How many years has it been since I took you into my home? I have always hoped. Hoped that you would never find out.” He cracks a melancholic smile. “I guess my sister also did, but…she was wrong. Oh, so utterly wrong!”

I have to bite down hard to stop myself from running away.

He watches me with depressed eyes. “I’ve regretted it for twelve years, no, twenty years more like it!”

An odd emotion arises out of nowhere as I watch his aging complexion.

“She had always thought keeping you alive would be the best but it seems it might just be cruel for you now.”

A fire starts burning in my chest, smoking my heart. My head starts aching immensely as if something is circling around trying to break out or a knife is stirring up my insides. The keen blade slices over every inch as though to cut me apart. I scurry backwards, hitting the ice cold wall, and hold my head close as tremors run through me.

Ahh! It hurts so much!

He remains silent for a long time before turning away to face the door with a dazed expression as he looks to the distance as though he is reminiscing about someone or something of the long gone past.

The wind howls and the sheets swell up from all directions.

“There’s no use hiding it. What’s going to come will come.” He turns back around to me with a dejected smile full of pain.

I keep hugging my head while staring at him like a stranger.

He strides forth, grabs me by the wrist with frightening strength, dragging me out of the hall.

“Where’re we going?!”

“Yong An Palace!”
________________________________
Confucian coming-of-age ceremomy
Read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guan_Li
________________________________

ayszhang says: I smell something brewing!!! (It's been brewing for so long, did you just realise?! <_<) *cough* The climax and the dramatic reveal will be soooon!!! *dies of anticipation*
Dairytea says: Asdgfjk! Oh gosh, enough with the teasers~~~ *waaaits*

Chapter 19
Creative Commons Licence
Cold Sands - English Translation by ayszhang is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

51 comments:

  1. Thanks for the translation....u annoying old uncle...what's wrong with coming straight to the point...cliffhanger as always...Its going to be interesting to see how the equation between Han Xin and Heng Ziyu develops...Murong where art thou ??????!!!

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  2. XD thank u(^_^)

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  3. What? Am I still the only one? It is so lonely!

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  4. There seems to be some technical difficulties with mobile comments >< I can see that four people have already commented but it's not showing up for some reason

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  5. To those who have commented but whose comments aren't displayed: I read them and youre welcome :) and thank you for reading and commenting!
    also Murong says, where art thou my fair Han Xin ; _ ;

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  6. i third this time.. tottaly forgot that today was 26th ^^

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  7. Cruelty...
    Thank you!!!

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  8. i'm the sixth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ohh maaaan.. it's all because of my bad memory.. i thought we are still in yesterday ><... the exams are next week, that's probably making me all messed up ....

    next time .. i will definatly be the FIRST to comment >< just wait and you'll see, i will be first...

    anyway, lets talk about the chapter..

    the beginning made me think for a second the war has started.. but it was just the emperor dying XP

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    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.. i tottaly shed tears for him.. it was sooo sad.. and whenever Han Xin thinks about him.. his way of decribing him is just sooooooooooo saaaaaaaaaaad TT^TT.. i couldn't take it so i went to drink some water to cool off my emotions !!

    i didn't even know this emperor before.. how come it made me cryyyy?!

    i can't believe it... i have the an emotion complex.. my heart is working wrong.. i mean since i don't know him i shouldn't cry for him like that, right???

    and.. Horror.. how could i find horror CUTE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    this heart and mind are not functioning well.. their doing their work all wrong.. first i lost track of the date although i studied today and wrote the date in my copy book.. now i cry and think of stuff opposite to what they are.. i'm the strangest creature in the whole world no in the whole universe!!!

    yeah that's me...

    ok lets continue.. after that came Mr.satan .. yeah you guessed right..

    'Hang Ziyu' ... yeah he came to make everything worse ><

    naaaaaahh.. i don't think i hate him.. that guy is making the story awesome.. it's just his 'smirking' that is driving me insane.. i feel like punching him ( nooooooo not in "you know where" it's on the face this time !! ) but, i guess he really iiiiiiis interesteeeeeeeed iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan Xiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin... don't you dare.. he is not yours and you have nooo right to play with him baby.. oh yeah i'm threatning you.. got a problem ??

    Heng Ziyu appers infront of me out of no where and shoots me a glare that sends my body shivering uncontrolably , then he says in a deep threatening voice:"what did you say?"

    "ah?.. umm.. ehh" i try my hardest to repeat what i said ealier but my mouth as if having a mind of its own "

    "do 20 pushups !!" yells Heng Ziyu.

    i do it obligingly while crying ''somebody Heeeeeeeeeelp.. i wanna gooo home.. i miss you sweet sweet home.. i really love youuuuuuuuuuu.. come take me''

    as i finished that scream i cloud appears in the sky.. hold on it is my house.. it came to rescue me!! Hang Ziyu is like 'what the heck is that?' and the house crushes Heng ziyu and takes me home safe and sound.. ^^ nice story right.....

    alright, since i was babelling now i'll stop this comment here.. and start another one where i finish discussing the chapter.. enjoy the comment that somehow turned out into a storyy ?!.. told you i'm tha strangest creature.. see you in a few minutes

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  9. Oh my! That escalated quickly! XDDD flying houses now you dont see that very often

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  10. alriiiiiiiight.. where were we??

    hmm.. oh yeah.. we were talikng about heng ziyu.. i liked the ending of their conversation

    “Marshal Heng, the one who says so is interesting himself.” nice saying Han Xin..love .. howeveeer.. it leaves meee dobting that you are starting to think about that man.. oh no i was luckily wrong.. cheeers for that soldier who was clreaning the swords.. dude i'm totally blessing you with my presence in your marriage cause you made our Han Xin declare his love for our beloved devil.. Murong Yu ofc... ohhhhhh i really miss him.. can't wait for his comeback chapter..

    it was soo romantic and manly of Murong to say ‘I like you and I’ll protect you. I won’t let another nightmare haunt you when you’re in my arms.’ he's Han's knight in shining armour..

    oh i forgot to mention before.. it bugged me the emperor told xin that he can't escape his fate either.. and when the empress called out for the two kids i get the feeling that Han is the heir.. if not then who is he?..

    and yeah.. what's that dowager doing with the pendent??? it's great he changed the one Murong gave him.. he does not know how lucky he is..

    anyway there comes the Uncle.. well now his love shows more i think.. anyway when ha talked abou Han Xin's father and mother i just wanted to kill him !!! man spit it out already... just like Han said.. if you wanna say it say if you don't then don't give us all that mistery talk! eveyone knows about him what e does not know !!

    anyway that's all the more why i think he is the heir.. who is his father?? what happened in Yung An palace? i'll still stick to the theory about something terrible hapened to him which traumatized him and made him forget everything.. i said it in one of my priovios comemmnts i don't which exactly.. and also i add the dream Han Xin had when he was with Murong.. i belive i said then that they were his parents.. and i think they were killed for something they have done .. and they were ofc killed infront of him.. he couldn't take it, loosing two loved ones, as a result lost his memory.. maybe??

    and here ends the chapter.. it is irritating how it ended.. must wait another week to see what's happening.. that author terribly wants to die i'm tellling you!!

    what's up whith these ending??? why are you ending them in a very important moment.. although it makes it better and exiting.. but really the exitment is killing me ><

    anyway i'll add this one thing i noticed at the end of the chapter.. somethin gthat Uncle did.. and i was not okay with it at alllllllllll.. >:(

    did i just read waist? did he just grabbed his waist??

    Noooooooooooooooooo uncle noooo.. that place and the rest down there is reserved for only one person to touch!

    get you're lower back ready old man cause my 'you know where' kick is heading towards you, not mine only i got *Murong Xin* fans getting thei feet ready too!

    Hold on.. i misspelled it.. oopsy XD it was wrist !!!!

    sorry for that Uncle.. you almost died there >< well it's good that i just mis-spelled because if i didn't.. you won't be facing us readers only.. you'll get a beat up from Yu, i can imagine your teeth falling as he punch you.. and ofc the jealous Heng will bring all his army with him to kick you too.. unfortunatly their kick is 100000000000000000000000000 times stronger then ours soo Lucky.. guess luck is running in that familly ha..

    anyway thank you for translating.. and thank you again for changing from blogg to disqus.. it is easier like think.. and whenever i put a comment i make a lot of spelling mistakes so it is great that i can edit.. and it sooo beautiful i like blue color ^^

    see you in the next chapter (right after finishing exams lucky mee)

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  11. This novel is already complete with 4 volumes? I'm waiting to have some more chapter to read But if it's in the middle I'll start it soon. Thanks for the translation. Another question is this really explicit? It's not a big deal but just to know ^^

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  12. Are there any raws i can use google translate on?

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  13. i think it is better to wait for the translated chapter because it is better then translating in google in my opinion that way you can enjoy it more.. also to support the translaters to translate more novels for us to enjoy..

    you have to be patient :)

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  14. 4 volumes?? Nah~ there's only one with 41 chapters and 4 extras! We are about 46% into the book at ch 20 :)

    Explicit as in sexual content, yes there is a bit but not a lot. There are warnings at the beginning of the chapters that do. Hope you enjoy!

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  15. Yes there is! You can find raws easily by googling the original Chinese name. I don't think Google translate likes Chinese, especially if there are a lot of historical references!

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  16. Sorry I mistaken 4 extras for 4 volumes!!! ^^ Thanks for the answer, actually...I've already started it ^^

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  17. XD yay~~~ I hope you like it!!

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  18. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... i forgot a very important thing to say.. to that soldier who is going to marry.. thank you soooooooooo much for making Han Xin angry, although you have no idea what happened.... he is just soooo cuuuuuuuuuuute when he is maad !!!! (whisper* do not tell Murong or he'll kill... he will definatly do that) maaaaaaan i can imagine him killing. i don't mind my sweet devil Murong Yu.. make quick and less painful considering that i am a female 8P
    OOOOh GOOOOOOOOD.. the xiao .. the xiao is flying to me !!!!!!!!! it's gonna hit meee... Help Han Xin is going to killllll meeeeeeeeeee.. hold on i think i don't mind being by Han xin either.... alright i made p my mind Xin my love.. kill me!!! *Heng Ziyu falls from the sky and booooooooooooooooom.. i'm crushed* dude you're heavy.. just because i'm dead doesn't mean you can lie on top of me ><


    Murong yu from afar say:"serves you right nii_san for flirting with my Han Xin.." and secretly thinking:'two birds with one stone !.. like this Xin is mine .. ALL MINE HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA'
    Heng Ziyu who had a very tough day after being crushed by a flying house and now thrown at a 'Murong Xin' fan says with an obvious exaustion: "i'll take my revenge... i will be back.. and that golden gaurdian"


    BAM


    tha sound of the xiao hitting his head
    the xiao"HAHAHAHAHA no one is having Han.. he only for Murong.. i will kill you if you try getting close to him.. i fough a sword before and i'm not afriad of doing it again HAHAHAHAHAAAA"
    and then he back off and says : "finish them, buddy"
    and the flying house falls on them !!
    Heng Ziyu"not again ><"


    the dead me thinking 'hmmmmmmm.. how did i come back anyway.. wasn't i home a second ago ???' crack crack crak. the sound of my bones crushing along with Heng Ziyu's bones..


    Drip Drop


    "hhhhhh... serves you right" Sun Le appears and smirks at us..


    i say " what brougt you here this is not you novel.. yours ended already.. and why are you still crying"


    "first of all i'm a ghost so i appear where ever i want to appear non of your bussiness missy... and secondly i am not crying i am laughing and tears easly drop.. i've got a new friend his name is Xiao and i am here to help him crush you "


    "what ??? i thought you were shy.."


    " the story ended remember?"


    "where did you come from anyway??"


    "who do you think made the house fly ??"




    (another story i made up as i was writing what iforgot to say.. i don't know why my comments turn from commenting on the chapter to babbeling about my life or making up a story !!!!
    anyway enjoy

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  19. OMG ROFL XD the story made me forget my reply

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  20. waist but you were just trolling me lol!
    I think that line Han Xin said was just to retort Heng bcuz he doesn't like him! XD Only Murong for our dear Han Xin <3
    Haha that little soldier is so silly >< Han Xin probably wanted to slap him across the face for being so stupid hahahahaha

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  21. Ugghh, the anticipation is killing me! XD Someone needs to spill ALL the beans, haha!

    Thank youuuuu :D

    ~Michaela

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  22. Beans coming up next update~~~and lots of it!

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  23. I can't believe you dragged Drip Drop in here! >_<!
    You're so hilarious!
    Oh and the emperor's part was pretty sad :/ like I feel sorry for him.

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  24. Imma read the translates version but eh i want spoilers lmao

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  25. ohhh myyyy.. i lprefer to wait for them.. and since i have exams next week when i finish the chapter will be posted and i feel sooo special *sparkly eyes* i'm just soo happy .. gifting like this.. i'll work hard to deserve the chapter (yep .. i know if write more i'll turn it into a drama story so i'll stop) ^^

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  26. >u< You can email me if you want spoilers! You don't have to get confused by Google Translate haha

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  27. What's your e-mail?

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  28. Yay! Glad to hear that! I asked Dairytea about activating mobile view after finding that over 30% of our readers access the site via mobile! :)

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  29. Hmm... I wonder if Han Xin knows. Seems like he's subconsciously running away from it... Can't wait for the climax!! I feel a confrontation between Han Xin and Murong Yu!! I'm completely converted. I love both of them now >.<


    On another note, I'm hooked onto Chinese novels now. LOL. Legend of Sun Knight, Zhan Long, Key of the Sunken Moon, Eclipse Hunter, etc. Oh god. Not enough time to even read everything. Haha. Thanks for your hard work! You guys make me want to relearn Mandarin. XD

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  30. I think he might just fear the unknown and have a kind of instinct? Well we'll see what it is in the next chapter ;)

    Ooh yes. Big conflict. ;) I won't say more.

    Murong Yu is a good man and I respect him a lot, perhaps more than I do Han Xin. He's more straightforward and fearless. He knows what he wants and he will try his best to get it. I admire that.

    Haha ^^ relearn it and join us 8D

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  31. XD Cliffhanger again! Haha

    Thank you for the love >3< we'll keep working hard for you guys!

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  32. stalking my e-mail waiting for the spoilers

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  33. I don't think I've received any emails from you. Can you try sending me another email or giving me your email?

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  34. Hi! I've just replied you. Sorry about the wait ; u ;

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  35. Thank you for the chapter.

    Deeply unsetting, almost haunting scene with the Emperor; clichéd but very well done, pulls all the right strings.

    Han Xin continues flirting with Heng Ziyu…

    The arguments about the impossibility of total freedom (wind life style) starts getting through; I think, the conversation with the Emperor helped (and anyway, Murong Yu was there first)…

    I have wondered how truthful Han Xin is to himself with this wind idea. He is
    smart&clever, so why he is so naïve? Besides, in the very beginning he also
    mentioned the wish for a family (to wed and have a child), isn’t it a contradiction? I have decided that, perhaps, he is fed up to such a degree that he is kind of obsessed and that clouds his judgment.

    It also helps to understand why he was so eager to suppress whatever feelings he had for Murong Yu. He was a prisoner and that triggers only one “directive”, that of
    running away at the first opportunity.

    I loved what you wrote about Murong Yu. I like him also because he so wonderfully loves Han Xin. Oh, I wish there will be scenes, showing Han Xin’s love to Murong Yu not only in the former’s thoughts and dreams.

    I hope you don’t mind my reply to your reply to my comments for the previous chapter ;))

    So, Murong Yu will rage, how delightful. I hope it will happen because Han Xin will prove to be a worthy opponent or will it be again because of the cold tea? Either way, I hope Han Xin won’t let it slide. Measure for measure.

    The person I have in mind was mentioned, I think, twice, namely in chapter 7 and chapter 17, and under different titles.

    Foreshadow is the right word in many ways. Because, I think, if Han Xin saw the face of that man (that should be very much like his own) he would get the right answer sooner.

    Thank you again.

    P.S. I am sorry for being so petty but could you, please, say “u r welcome” to my comment that was first for chapter 20? You thanked only those whose comments were not displayed but I do not think mine was one of them; so I still feel very lonely.



    Thanks

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  36. 8D <--- me when i see a long comment!

    Yeah. I agree it's pretty cliché hehe but it works. And yeah kinda haunting D: the emperor seems to know a lot more about Han than he does himself. That is pretty scary imo.

    Nooo i think its Heng Ziyu flirting with Han! XD Han Xin is just dealing with him as best as he can

    Right, I totally feel you. I don't think he's truthful to himself either imo. Master Liao is going to say something about this next chapter which I think is so true! (No spoilers now though >< )

    Yeaaa thats right. He was a prisoner so he only had that in mind. Soon he's gonna regret it :S

    Oh no! Did I really do that D: they are the same person! sorry about that >< *goes back and changes it*

    You are welcome >3< very very welcome <3 and thank you for the long, well-thought comments :)))

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  37. waaah.. i think Han Xin is going to end up the next emperor and fight murong yu!!

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  38. Let's hope that doesn't happen (even though I already know what happens XD)

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  39. Hahahaaha i like that! He openly seduces hehehehe XDD

    It's after ch 41. As written on the summary page, extra 3 and 4 are after ch 41 :)

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  40. here i am.. though tooooooooo late but i'll explain why later i'll never give up on being the first to comment ><

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  41. Well, I definitely saw. And kinda expected it but still. What a shock. I didn't expect his family to have been "traitors".

    I do like how Murong Yu is straightforward. I mean, he was so gutsy for admitting his love. Han Xin irked me a bit at that point. But Murong is just too cool. Like, his treatment of his fiancee just felt too mean for me. I know he was forced into it and really doesn't like her, but couldn't he be more vocal about it? She kept holding out on the hope he'd love her. People who can't be vocal about their feelings irk me.... probably because they remind me too much of myself, haha. I like how he is now though. He's a lot warmer and vocal even if it's just to Han Xin.


    Haha. I need someone to teach me ;) Though really, I'm a bit too used to pinyin to be much use in reading and translating Chinese characters.

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  42. Oh yay! XD I was worried that everyone had already guessed the plot!
    Yeah :/ Murong is a bit mean but he can't out right reject her because he needs her dad's support. So he just tries to keep her content to a point, I think.
    But there are so many homynym! How could you distinguish between them using pinyin? Dx

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  43. LOL. I'm really bad at guessing unless it's super obvious. I understand but don't like what Murong has to do. Can't blame him for it though.

    Haha. I don't know enough to have that much of a problem and besides, have you seen Japanese? According to my professor, THAT'S when homynyms get crazy XD

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  44. Haha yes I speak fluent Japanese XD but that's why we use Chinese characters to expell any confusion

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