Chapter 59
First Time Coming to the Capital (1)
T/N: Chapter (1/4) sponsored by Madam Daim! Bless our golden thigh Madam Daim for sponsoring so many chapters again!! This chapter will be divided into 5 parts again.
“Miss, we still haven’t reached the capital, how can there already be a.s.sa.s.sins?” Ying Ge asked.
“It’s precisely because we still haven’t arrived, but are about to reach the capital.” Du Xiao Li said, “Blocking someone else’s path, so naturally there will be someone that doesn’t want us alive.”
“It’s that madam?” Xia Yuan asked.
“Aside from her, who else can it be? Who let the Emperor have this di son and di daughter position given to us.” Du Xiao Li said. Although she didn’t care for this di son di daughter thing, this was still considered a certain recognition to Su Su Xin’s status. They can’t not want it!
(T/N: iirc the equal wife’s children are considered shu born, only first/main wife’s children get di status.)
Yuan Ge stuck her head out and glanced at that a.s.sa.s.sin, saying: “Just with those people they sent, not even enough for us to pick our teeth!”
Du Xiao Li laughed. This a.s.sa.s.sination attempt, not only won’t harm them, but will even have that one in the capital’s intentions exposed out in the open. Beating the gra.s.s to scare the snake, wait, why did she have herself compared to a snake!
The a.s.sa.s.sins saw Ying Ge sticking her head out from the third horse carriage with Du Xiao Li also inside and said, “Boss, in the horse carriage in the back, I saw that female target!”
The a.s.sa.s.sin boss listened. Since they’ve confirmed that Du Xiao Li and them are here, then this party of people all can’t be let off, thus he opened his mouth, “Since you’ve encountered us, just forget about pa.s.sing through here. Attack!” The a.s.sa.s.sin boss waved his hand, and the men in black behind him all flew over from horseback, completely surrounding all four horse carriages in front.
The window next to Du Xiao Li was opened the whole time, letting her see those people clearly. For them to have sent a.s.sa.s.sins to intercept them here, they must have had this side’s manpower and strength clearly figured out. That’s why, the people they sent out were a little stronger than the ones Du Yun Han left behind, and the amount was also a little higher too.
But they’ll never guess that after coming out of Fuyang, Du Xiao Li and party would be together with the Meng family. Although she didn’t know the Meng family’s ident.i.ty, she noticed yesterday that their guard’s movements were swift, uniform and orderly, one look and can tell they’ve been meticulously trained. These a.s.sa.s.sins encountering them can also be said to be unlucky.
As expected, without waiting for those a.s.sa.s.sins to come near, the Meng family’s and Du family’s guards pulled out their swords in succession and forged ahead, only leaving behind a few near the horse carriages to defend.
Actually the Meng family’s guards were all selected from the imperial family’s army, because the Meng family possessed an prestigious position in the capital. Meng Bo Wen was the emperor’s teacher. Moreover, his son was also the current crown prince’s teacher. Two generations of imperial tutors, who in the capital dared to offend? Even when the emperor saw Meng Bo Wen he would be deferential and respectful, else he would get spurned by the people of the world!
And Meng Bo Wen this time had returned to his old home for Qingming to sweep the tombs, but because his body wasn’t very good, he stayed at his old home until the sixth month before returning to the capital. Learning that the previous emperor’s* teacher wanted to return home, the emperor specially sent the imperial guards to protect.
(*T/N: I’m a.s.suming he’s the teacher for both the previous emperor and current emperor.)
Therefore, this bunch of a.s.sa.s.sin’s luck really wasn’t good!
However, no one expected that the Du family would be together with the Meng family, no?!
Very soon, those a.s.sa.s.sins were all eliminated. As soon as that boss saw the situation wasn’t right, he immediately escaped. When he was escaping, Du Xiao Li just happened to see that he had a birthmark behind his neck.
“Old master, all is taken care off.” The guard said to Meng Bo Wen.
“To actually dare to be this insolent the foot of the emperor, after going back, I will definitely tell his Majesty to properly investigate this matter! Cough, cough…..” Meng Bo Wen was so angry that he started coughing.
“Alright, your body isn’t good, don’t be that angry anymore.” Meng old madam consoled, following which said to the people outside, “Send someone to invite the capital’s magistrate, let them come take care of these corpses. Let’s continue on our way.”
“Yes, old madam.” The people outside replied and immediately had someone head back to the capital first on horseback.
This place wasn’t far from the capital. If they’re fast on horseback, there and back won’t take more than two hours.
Soon after, the horse carriage once again set out, continuing towards the capital city. Finally, before the sky grew dark, they arrived at the capital.
Having entered the city gates, Du Xiao Li and them had to part ways with the Meng family. Before leaving, Madam Meng pulled Du Xiao Li and said, “Xiao Li, you see, my father’s body isn’t that great. If in the future, anything happens, still need to trouble you greatly.”
Du Xiao Li looked to the already much better Meng Bo Wen and said, “This isn’t a problem, however Xiao Li has a small request.”
“The medical fees naturally won’t be lacking.” Madam Meng thought that Du Xiao Li wanted to say this and spoke first.
Du Xiao Li shook her head and said, “My request isn’t this, but rather wanted to ask grandpa Meng and you all to help me keep this a secret and don’t let my medical skills be known to others.”
“Just this?” Madam Meng asked.
Du Xiao Li nodded, looked to Meng Bo Wen and sweetly smiled, “Grandpa Meng will help Xiao Li keep this secret, right?”
Seeing Du Xiao Li’s appearance, Meng Bo Wen stroked his beard and loudly laughed out, “Fine, I’ll help you keep this secret.”
“Thank you grandpa Meng.” Du Xiao Li said with a smile.
“Then if there’s something, where will we go to find you?” Madam Meng asked.
“I also don’t know where is where.” Du Xiao Li had never came to the capital before, so she didn’t know where Du Yun Han’s old lair was either. She turned around and shouted towards her own ranks, “Chang Feng.”
Chang Feng walked over and said, “Miss.”
“Where’s my father’s old lair?” Du Xiao Li asked.
—–eh, old lair!
Chang Feng felt a cold sweat dripping from the back of his head, replying: “Directly say Right Prime Minister Du Manor, the entire capital all knows.”
“Oh, I actually forgot!” Du Xiao Li was still thinking of how like in her past life they needed to know which street and which road to find someone, and forgot that her father now was also a famous person. His residence, everyone probably all knows.
“Aunty Meng, if there’s anything, you all can send someone to the Prime Minister Du Manor to find me.” Du Xiao Li turned and said to Madam Meng.
“So it’s Prime Minister Du’s children. As expected, not bad. Then we’ll be going first. Later, when you’re free, come visit this old man, understand? Xiu Heng you also come.” Meng Bo Wen had always quite admired Du Xiao Li and Du Xiu Heng. Hearing they were Du Yun Han’s children, he wasn’t too shocked either and bid them farewell with a smile.
“Hehe, when we have time, we’ll go visit you all. Grandpa Meng, Grandma Meng, Aunty Meng, goodbye!” Du Xiao Li and Du Xiu Heng said, afterwards retreated out of the way to let their horse carriage pa.s.s through.
After they all left, Du Xiao Li finally asked, “Big brother, do you know where they live?”
Du Xiu Heng shook his head and said, “Don’t know, you don’t know?”
“I also don’t know.” Du Xiao Li said.
“Yesterday, after dinner, didn’t you chat with them very happily? You had them all amused into laughter in their room, and even returned to your room that late, don’t tell me you didn’t ask?” Du Xiu Heng said.
“Cough cough, I forgot.” Du Xiao Li said.
“Then never mind. If in the future, we encounter them again, we can ask. If we don’t, then just never mind.” Du Xiu Heng said. He also felt Meng Bo Wen and them were quite nice, but they also have only been acquainted for a day. There weren’t that deep of feelings.
“Young master, miss, that should be the Imperial Tutor Meng and his family.” Chang Feng said from the side.
“Imperial Tutor!?” Du Xiao Li never thought that Meng Bo Wen was actually the imperial tutor. That was the emperor’s teacher, ranked one of the three Ducal Ministers, proper first rank official!
T/N: New golden thigh++; if this was an rpg her luck stat must be off the charts, tho she is a cheat character lol. Actually depending on dynasty, her father would actually be considered equal in rank to him.
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First Time Coming to the Capital (2)
T/N: ML has a short cameo in this chap and next chap ;v; but it’ll still be a few more chaps before he officially meets up with MC.
“This one should be Meng Bo Wen, Imperial Tutor Meng. He’s the previous emperor’s sworn brother, and the current emperor’s teacher. His son Meng Wei Ren is currently the crown prince and the other princes’ teacher. In the capital, members of the Meng family that were capable of having this kind of imposing manner can only just be the imperial tutor’s family.” Chang Feng explained.
“Oh, is that so. Anyways, never mind for now. Let’s go back first.” Du Xiao Li said as she returned back onto her horse carriage. After Du Xiu Heng got on his horse carriage, and Cheng Feng returned to his horse, he lead the horse carriage towards the Prime Minister’s residence.
“Never thought that the person we encountered was actually the old imperial tutor.” After the horse carriage began advancing, Xia Yuan said with a sigh.
“You know him?” Du Xiao Li asked.
“We although walked the pugilist world in the past, we still know of the important figures of each country. It’s said that this old teacher Meng is infamous for his eccentric personality, but is also very impressive. Even if his Majesty makes a mistake, he would still punish accordingly. But for the previous emperor to have been able to succeed the throne that year, old teacher Meng’s contributions cannot go unnoticed. Moreover, he only served as the imperial tutor, such a empty position, and very much received the previous emperor’s trust, knowing that he punished the princes, yet never said anything.”
“So he can also be considered a legendary person then.” Du Xiao Li said, afterwards turned and pulled open the window curtains, gazing out to the street view outside. Because after entering the city, Du Xiu Heng didn’t allow Du Xiao Li to pull open the carriage windows, she could only secretly open a little to look at the people coming and going outside. After looking for a while, she felt bored and put down the curtains again.
“This capital city really is much livelier than other cities.” Ying Ge said.
Xia Yuan nodded. She could tell from hearing too. Ying Ge and Xia Yuan although didn’t look, they both possessed martial arts, so they could hear the sounds outside.
“It’s Feng Ming’s capital city after all. The development naturally needs to be good.” Du Xiao Li said. Thinking about the corruptions behind the flourishment, she couldn’t help but sigh.
“Miss is worrying about the matters after returning home?” Xia Yuan asked.
Du Xiao Li nodded, “Although I’m not scared of the schemes and whatnot, I don’t like it either. If possible, I still want to go live in the village.”
“Where is there any villages near here? The land near the capital have all been bought up by those officials.” Xia Yuan said.
“I was just thinking only. Heard that many with power and money all have estates in the outskirts. If there’s land, let’s also go build one. In the future, when I don’t want to live at home, I can still go to the outskirts to relax. Ying Ge, leave this to you to handle.” Du Xiao Li said.
“Miss, this I’ve long prepared.” Ying Ge replied.
“When did you take care of it?” Du Xiao Li looked to Ying Ge in surprise.
“It was prepared last year. At that time, when miss just had the matters handed over to us, I’d mentioned it to miss. At the time, miss, you said that you needed to come to the capital, so I began letting someone prepare it.” Ying Ge said. These things were all being handled by Ying Ge. Although her temper wasn’t as steady as Xia Yuan’s, her ability to take care of these things was still very strong. “Moreover, I’ve even let them plant miss’s favorite grapes in the estate. The northern region’s weather warms a little later, so should be able to mature soon.”
“Really?” As soon as she heard Ying Ge even let someone plant grapes, Du Xiao Li excitedly hugged Ying Ge at once. She recalled that Ying Ge seemed to have mentioned this matter to her before, but she never thought that she actually had this matter taken care of already. “Then when we have time, let’s go check out the estate.”
“Yes, miss.” Xia Yuan and Ying Ge simultaneously replied.
The horse carriage travelled past several bustling streets and entered a quiet and secluded street. Lightly lifting the window curtains, Du Xiao Li discovered that this street they were currently traveling down was a little wider than the previous streets, but there weren’t any people around, appearing very quiet. Moreover, on the two sides of the street, from time to time, there would be a very imposing house erect, and written on there, something something manor. Looks like, it was all large wealthy households.
Suddenly, she saw a residence that was obviously slightly inferior. On there were the words ‘Niu Manor’. She thus had Chang Feng called over and asked, “Is that Niu Jing’s residence?”
“Yes miss, that is Imperial Physician Niu’s residence.” Chang Feng took a glance and replied.
Looks like Niu Jing is doing quite well in the Imperial Physician’s Court, because a normal imperial physician didn’t have their own official residence and were all arranged to live in the Imperial Physician’s Court’s living quarters.
“Good eldest senior brother, just wait until I catch you, see how you explain yourself to me!” Du Xiao Li somewhat angrily said. If not for Niu Jing, she wouldn’t need to come to the capital now, and further wouldn’t need to use this ident.i.ty to enter the capital! She said to the Chang Feng outside, “If I want to go pay someone a visit, what should I do?”
“Just need to pa.s.s along a visiting card in advance. If the other party receives the visiting card, miss can just go according to the time written on the visiting card.” Chang Feng said.
Send an invitation card? Probably as soon as Niu Jing sees the visiting card, he’ll just escape. Looks like this method won’t do. She needed to think of another way. Presently, she still didn’t know that Niu Jing currently wasn’t in the capital.
Niu Jing at the moment was currently at a place thousands of miles away, watching the army pitch camp, somewhat wishing to cry, but there were no tears. He’d just arrived not long ago, and they were already about to withdraw the troops and return to the capital! Thinking that Du Xiao Li was already in the capital waiting for him by now, he just wanted to escape, escape, and escape!
“Sigh!”
On the little mountain slope, Niu Jing stuffily drank a sip of wine, then recalled that it was precisely all this wine’s fault and angrily had the wine gourd thrown on the ground. Watching the wine flowing out, he felt a burst of heartache, and picked it back up again.
Wine Gourd
“Yo, what’s wrong with our great imperial physician Niu? To actually take your anger out on wine!”
From behind, came a teasing voice. Niu Jing picked up the wine gourd and turned around, seeing Han Ming Yi and Ji Liu Feng in full-body armor. He performed a bow and said, “Ding w.a.n.g, young general.”
Presently, Ji Liu Feng was already a 21 year old young man. The once still somewhat tender youth has already grown into a handsome man that made thousands of young maidens faint. Wearing a silver white armor, he looked formidable and valiant, yet it didn’t diminish his elegant inherent nature.
And Han Ming Yi was also already 18, his chiseled face even more stern than before, emitting an ice cold air all over, letting one not dare to easily approach. The black armor on his slender and tall body didn’t look c.u.mbersome, but instead was like a decoration, letting his entire person appear even more attractive.
Ji Liu Feng sat down on the mountain slope and said, “Imperial Physician Niu, what’s wrong, to be this sulky? If you have any unhappy matters, say it out and let us be entertained.”
Niu Jing gave Ji Liu Feng a glare and crawled back onto the little mountain slope, “Young general, I’m already quite vexed here, yet you all still want to laugh at me!”
“I’m just seeing that you’re down and wanted to let you say it out loud, so as to avoid wasting this good wine!” Ji Liu Feng said with a smile.
“Sigh, wine really is a bad thing!” Niu Jing both lovingly and resentfully looked to the wine gourd in hand.
Actually, he very rarely let himself get drunk. After all, he was a doctor. But that day when he was drinking with Du Yun Han, it’d just happened to be his wife’s death anniversary. In a moment of grief, he got drunk.
Ji Liu Feng glanced to Han Ming Yi and then asked Niu Jing, “Looks like you’ve gotten into trouble because of wine! No wonder you would run here. Aiyaa, don’t tell me you got drunk and wrecked some family’s young lady?!”
“Go go go, at this age, what young lady would I wreck. If have to wreck, it’s still a young lady wrecking me!” Niu Jing said. Thinking what kind of ending he will have if he meets Du Xiao Li, why did he feel his legs just want to run?
“If not for defiling some miss, then what are you worried about, even running to this border town to hide.” Ji Liu Feng was even more curious inside now.
“It’s that girl Du Xiao Li, she……” Niu Jing spoke halfway and suddenly stopped.
“Du Xiao Li? Isn’t she at the little mountain village in the south? How did she scare you into coming here?” Ji Liu Feng recalled that little village girl, who once said he smiled very alluringly. Although he’d only lived in Du village for a short few months, but even until now, they would still recall from time to time that simple and beautiful period of time.
Hearing Du Xiao Li’s name, Han Ming Yi’s eyes flashed as he silently sat next to Ji Liu Feng.
T/N: Lol this chapter I just thought, now that Niu Jing ran away we’re replacing him with a better old man.
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First Time Coming to the Capital (3)
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“Sigh, you’ll know when you go back anyways, so I’ll just tell you.” Niu Jing sighed and had the entire matter explained from beginning to end.
“What did you say?! That girl is Du Yun Han’s daughter!?” Ji Liu Feng widened his eyes and looked to Niu Jing in disbelief.
“Her mother is Su Su Xin?” Han Ming Yi immediately guessed Du Xiao Li’s ident.i.ty. Because of the living’s taboo towards the deceased, when they were in Du village, they never heard anyone mention Su Su Xin’s name before. Who would’ve thought that it was actually that year’s number one beauty Su Su Xin. And who would’ve guessed that Du Xiao Li was actually Du Yun Han’s daughter.
(T/N: Ah the cla.s.sic mother is number one beauty troupe….)
Ji Liu Feng sympathetically looked to Niu Jing and said, “Old man, you’re screwed! That girl has a rather vengeful personality. You messed up her good matters, tsk tsk, even if you don’t lose a layer of skin, you’ll probably at least lose a piece of meat.” He said as he patted Niu Jing’s shoulder.
“No wonder you would run to the border town.” As Han Ming Yi imagined Niu Jing’s appearance as he’s about to get killed by Du Xiao Li, the expression on his face eased quite a bit.
(T/N: Did I mention there’s a black-belly tag on this novel, I’m just not sure if it’s referring to MC or ML.)
“I figure if I stay at the border town for a year or two, then when I go back, that girl’s anger will have dissolved. But unexpectedly, this battle ended this quick.” Niu Jing let out a sigh. Right now, he best think about how to face Du Xiao Li’s wrath when he gets back. Going head-on was definitely not possible; then he could only just go soft and pretend to be pitiful.
“That girl entered the capital?” Ji Liu Feng asked.
“With my understanding of Du Yun Han, he definitely will have Du Xiao Li and her brother brought to the capital. At present, they should’ve already arrived at the capital for a while now.” Niu Jing said.
“Then in the future, the capital’s going to be entertaining.” Ji Liu Feng and Han Ming Yi’s mood were both quite good. Only Niu Jing alone had a miserable look.
Niu Jing’s guess towards Du Yun Han was correct, but what he didn’t guess correctly was that Du Xiao Li and them had only just arrived in the capital today.
Chang Feng lead the horse carriage to a grand residence and stopped in front. Getting down from his horse, he said towards the horse carriage in the back, “Young master, miss, we’ve arrived.”
Du Xiu Heng and Du Xiao Li got down from the horse carriage and looked to the very imposing residence, “Never thought that this old lair actually looked like this.”
(T/N: Idk why it cracks me up every time she calls the place his old lair.)
Looking at the cold and desolate large gate, Du Xiao Li coldly laughed inside. Already want to intimidate them?
However, that’s right. Right now, the entire Du Manor probably all don’t want to see them return. No one coming out to welcome them is also something within reason.
Chang Feng also didn’t expect that aside from the two guards guarding the gate, there wasn’t a single person inside and outside the gate. Originally, their task was just to have Du Xiao Li and them sent back, and all other arrangements were supposed to be arranged by madam. But there was no one right now, so he could only just put on a bold face and say: “Young master, miss, let’s go in.”
“Let’s go, big brother.” Du Xiao Li went up and pushed Du Xiu Heng forward.
Du Xiu Heng fury, upon seeing Du Xiao Li’s smiling eyes, eased quite a bit. In the beginning, when they decided to come back, another reason was to get to the bottom of that incident that year, and restore their mother’s innocence. That’s this home, they needed to enter even if they didn’t want to.
After walking past the courtyard in front, Chang Feng no longer knew where he should lead Du Xiao Li and Du Xiu Heng to. Just when he was in a pinch, a servant girl walked over and said, “You all must be young master and miss. Madam said, you must be tired from your trip, so to first take you all to your residence to rest. Guard Chang Feng no need to come along.”
Chang Feng knew this was Zhong Mei Qing’s personal servant girl Xiao Cui. Seeing someone come take over Du Xiao Li and them, he thus said a word of ‘trouble you’ and afterwards, bowed towards Du Xiao Li and them, before turning to leave.
“Young master, miss, let’s go.” An arrogant att.i.tude, and a disdainful look, very much looking down on the siblings who came from the countryside. Before even waiting for Du Xiao Li and them to reply, she just turned and left.
Du Xiu Heng wanted to get angry but was stopped by Du Xiao Li as she shook her head at him, pulling him along as they followed behind Xiao Cui towards the rear court.
Whoever loses patience first is whoever will lose. Since that madam wanted to play with them that much, then she’ll just accompany her till the end!
Xiao Cui had Du Xiao Li and them lead to a shabby courtyard and said, “Madam said recently the living s.p.a.ces are rather tight, so will just have to trouble young master and miss to put up with this place for now. Once the courtyards in front are fixed up, then let young master and miss move over. Madam is still waiting for Xiao Cui to return, Xiao Cui will leave first.”
“Wait.” Du Xiao Li called out to Xiao Cui who wanted to turn away, “Where’s my father?”
“Master went out with a few sirs. Xiao Cui will withdraw now.” This time, without waiting for Du Xiao Li and them to speak, she turned and left.
Not at home? No wonder this madam dared to be this brazen.
They measured up the courtyard. Although it was rather worn-out, it was still relatively clean. Then again, this is the prime minster’s residence, how worse can it get?
“Young master, are we going to move our things in?” Xi Gu, who was next to Du Xiu Heng, spoke.
Xi Gu was an eighteen to nineteen year old young man, and just like Xia Yuan and them, was also given to Du Xiu Heng by Luo Qi to protect him. Although in these years, Du Xiu Heng also learned some martial arts, he was still primarily focused on studying after all. The times he practiced were little, so he wasn’t all that impressive.
“Let’s move in first.” Du Xiu Heng said.
“Sigh, you all just move big brother’s, no need to move ours.” Du Xiao Li said to Xi Gu.
“Miss?” Ying Ge looked to Du Xiao Li in confusion. If they don’t move their things in, what are they going to use in a bit?
“When boys reach 10 and girls reach 8, they’ll need to live in their own courtyard. Before, when we were in the countryside, we didn’t bother with these, but now that we’re in the capital, we need to pay attention to these. That’s why miss can’t live together with young master. Else, tomorrow in the capital, the biggest joke will be young master and miss coming from the village, doesn’t understand etiquette, and actually lived together.” Xia Yuan said.
“It’s still Xia Yuan that understands me.” Du Xiao Li said. “Then, when time comes, they’ll say to the outside that they’d prepared for us two courtyards. By then, even if we have mouths we won’t be able to clear things up. We just arrived here. First, it was the a.s.sa.s.sination attempt outside of the city, and now, we’ve just entered the house and they’re already scheming against us like this. When the time comes, ruining my reputation will also make big brother become the laughing stock of the capital, affecting big brother’s official career.”
“Younger sister is right. We can’t live in this courtyard at the same time.” Du Xiu Heng also thought of this and nodded.
“Then what do we do?” Ying Ge asked.
“What else can we do? I’m already about to starve to death, first let’s fill our stomachs, then talk. Ying Ge, I want to eat roast duck.” Du Xiao Li eagerly looked to Ying Ge, like as if she was a roast duck.
“Alright, miss, just wait!” Ying Ge had the luggage in hand handed to Xia Yuan and flew to the rooftop in one leap. She looked in all four direction, before flying towards the back. Even the guards of the manor weren’t alerted.
Right now, the sky had already turned dark completely. It’d long past the time for n.o.ble families to eat. Reasonably speaking, knowing that Du Xiao Li and them would arrive tonight, the manor should’ve prepared dinner. But judging by the current situation, this dinner naturally didn’t exist. That’s why, it was still best to rely on themselves!
Xi Gu and the others began moving Du Xiu Heng’s things inside. Xia Yuan had managed to find a lantern from who knows where. They found the bedroom and study and had Du Xiu Heng’s things moved in. Afterwards, everyone all waited for food to descend from the skies.
T/N: Luo Qi gonna appear next part so I’m gonna try to finish it in next few hours before I go to bed.
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First Time Coming to the Capital (4)
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Du Xiao Li unexpectedly found a rocking chair in the room. Although it wasn’t as comfortable as a guifei couch, she still had the rocking chair moved to the courtyard, lying on top, as she gazed up at the sky filled with stars, and humming to herself, “I love roast duck, crispy skin, tender mean, oh oh oh, fragrant and crisp, tasty and addicting, oh oh oh….I love baths, skin so nice, why did I hum to lyrics from the past, I love roast duck, crispy skin, tender meat, oh oh oh………”
(T/N: Trust me those lyrics sound just as cringy in chinese….)
“Miss, what song are you humming?” Xia Yuan came out and arrived at Du Xiao Li’s side, asking with a smile.
Du Xiao Li inwardly thought, even if she said this was the ‘Bath Song’, you wouldn’t know anyways, thus said, “Roast Duck Falling From the Sky Song.”
“Everyone all say meat pies fall from the sky, yet with you, it becomes roast duck falling from the sky.” A voice came from the rooftop in a fully playful manner.
Du Xiao Li immediately got up from the rocking chair and looked to the figure on the roof, happily shouting: “Big brother Luo Qi, why are you here?”
“I heard someone singing ‘Roast Duck Falling From the Sky’, and thus came to deliver a roast duck.” Luo Qi landed in the courtyard and looked to Du Xiao Li amused, even carrying a case in his hands.
“Big brother Luo Qi.” Du Xiu Heng heard the voice and came out from inside, also with a happy look.
Luo Qi nodded at Du Xiu Heng and said, “Come, try this roast duck from the skies, and see how it tastes.”
“Big brother Luo Qi always laughs at my words every time, not fun at all.” Du Xiao Li pouted. However, she still accepted the case from his hands and opened it up before her for a smell, “Smells really nice. I’m going to go wash my hands, don’t secretly eat on your own.”
She had the case handed to Xia Yuan and went to go wash her hands. When she returned, she saw several figures leaping down from the roof, each one carrying a food container in their hands. Ying Ge was also among them.
Food Container
Those people entered the room, had the food containers placed onto the table, then swiftly leapt onto the roof and disappeared. The last person to leave turned towards Luo Qi and Du Xiao Li, and said, “Young master, miss, we’ll later come again to get the containers.”
Luo Qi waved his hand, and that person very quickly disappeared from the prime minister’s residence too. If there was a local of the capital present, then they would definitely recognize, this last person to leave was the capital’s most prestigious restaurant’s shopkeeper, Fu Wan San.
Du Xiao Li watch this dish serving spectacle. This kind of operation for a meal, afraid even the great ministers all wouldn’t be able to enjoy.
“Heard you all haven’t eaten anything good all day, so I specially had the kitchen make some of your favorite dishes. Quickly go eat.” Luo Qi said.
“Okay, I’m really starving to death!” Du Xiao Li came into the room. Xia Yuan and Ying Ge already had the dishes all set. After she sat down, she picked up the chopsticks and clamped a piece of roast duck. She dipped it in the sauce and downed it in one bite.
“How’s the taste?” Luo Qi asked.
“Although compared to my cooking, it’s just that tiny bit inferior, the flavor is still not bad.” Du Xiao Li said.
(T/N: It’s 3AM and I really want to eat roast duck too ;v;)
“I also want to eat the roast duck you make, roast one for me sometime.” Luo Qi said.
“Alright. Anytime you want.” Du Xiao Li said, “That’s right, big brother Luo Qi, are you going to be staying in the capital?”
“I came to take care of some matters. Knowing you all were about to arrive, thus waited to come see you all before leaving.” Luo Qi said, “If you all didn’t come, I would still have to leave tomorrow.”
“Is that so, then you need to thank me.” Du Xiao Li said.
“Why?”
“Because I let them hasten the speed. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to see big brother and I, then wouldn’t you have waited these days for nothing.” Du Xiao Li said, and then looked to Du Xiu Heng and said, “Right, big brother?”
“En, yes, right.” Du Xiu Heng looked to Du Xiao Li’s appearance and replied with a laugh.
“Big brother Luo Qi, I need to go stay at your Laifu Inn for some time, can you give me a discount?” Du Xiao Li asked.
“You want to go stay at an inn?” Luo Qi asked.
“Yes, that madam just prepared for us one courtyard, so I can only go stay at an inn.” Du Xiao Li said.
“Then just go stay at Suiyuan.” Luo Qi said.
“Don’t wanna, Suiyuan is too high-end. Right now, I’m just a country girl who’d just entered the capital, how can I go live there. Staying at Laifu is enough.” Du Xiao Li said.
(T/N: The names of these places are so….auspicious; Laifu = ‘fortune come’; Suiyuan = ‘follow fate’)
“Then do as you please, you also have share of Laifu anyways, it’s your own place too.” Luo Qi said.
“Then I won’t pay.” Du Xiao Li said.
“Fine.” Luo Qi flatly agreed
While this side was happily eating dinner, the other side, after Xiao Cui returned to the main courtyard, she had Du Xiao Li’s situation reported to Zhong Mei Qing.
“Did they say anything?” Zhong Mei Qing asked.
“Replying to madam, that Du Xiao Li asked for master. I said master went out with some sirs.” Xiao Cui replied.
“I understand, you can withdraw.” Zhong Mei Qing waved her hand and said, “That’s right, order the kitchen to prepare a sobering soup. Tonight, master will come back dead drunk.”
“Yes, madam.” Xiao Li bowed and left.
“Mother, do you really have a way to let those two lowly b.a.s.t.a.r.ds leave the capital on their own?” Du Ke Xin who was sitting in the room said.
Speaking of which, this Du Yun Han’s genes were quite good. His sons and daughters, each and every one, all good-looking and beautiful, very much visually pleasing to the eyes. Du Ke Xin, who was about the same age as Du Xiu Heng, appeared flawlessly beautiful, like an immortal fairy descending down into the mortal world, inheriting both her parent’s best genes.
“Don’t worry, mother won’t let them block your path!” Zhong Mei Qing comforted her own daughter.
“But as soon as they came back, they had the di daughter and di son status s.n.a.t.c.hed away!” Du Ke Xin resentfully said.
“We can just s.n.a.t.c.h it back. Just this bit of problem and already losing your patiences, in the future, how can you still accomplish big things!” Zhong Mei Qing said.
“But I’m just unbearably angry! Du Manor’s di miss has always been me. This is also something the entire capital all knows. But now, as soon as they came back, it became that s.l.u.t’s. I feel so bitter inside!” Du Ke Xin said.
“You still need to endure. Before stealing back your status, you need to let others know, even if she has the di daughter status, she is still a brat from the countryside, someone too inferior to be seen in public! You have to let people know, you are better and more outstanding than her in all aspects of the four arts! You are actually the true di daughter of the prime minister manor! And not disgracefully getting angry here, understand!”
“I understand mother.” Du Ke Xin lowered her head and replied, yet another kind of light flashed by in her eyes.
“Xing Gu, the matters I let you take care of, how are they?” Zhong Mei Qing, seeing that her daughter already realized her mistake, asked a old mama to her side.
“Replying to madam, the news has already been spread a few days ago. Right now, in the capital, from the official family’s misses, to the ordinary commoners, in fact even the beggars all know that the Du family’s new miss had grown up in a village, not a dot of ink on her chest*, no talent, no virture.”
(*T/N: Meaning she’s illiterate.)
“En, good.”
“That’s right madam, how come the people we sent today failed?” Xing Gu skeptically said. She’d gone out during the day and didn’t see Liu Da return.
“Liu Da returned and said that those two lowly brats actually traveled with someone else on the road, and the other party’s guards were very strong.” Zhong Mei Qing said, “Xin’er, her reputation has already been spread out. In the future, when you go out, you need to display yourself better. Who is the true young lady of the prime minister manor, everyone will understand at a glance. It’s very late now, you go back and rest first.”
“Yes, mother.” Du Ke Xin got up, bowed, and lead her servant girls away.
T/N: Tbh all these bullying antics of villains in cnovels make me cringe so much. It’s so uncomfortable for me to sit through them, thank G.o.d there’s not too much in this novel. I’m fairly neutral to their father, he comes back next part. I don’t think he’s an irredeemable ahole compared to most cnovel fathers, but he is pretty stupid sometimes. I find him to be that ‘wants to be caring father but is bad at it’ type, guess I do pity him. Tho in the parts where he goes full on shameless for MC are pretty hilarious. As someone with a chinese father, for him to throw his face out the window for his daughter, I’d say is quite praiseworthy.
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First Time Coming to the Capital (5)
T/N: Chapter (4/4) sponsored by Madam Daim! Thank you for sponsoring!
Du Xiao Li had a little more than half the roast duck finished, before finally putting down her chopsticks contently. A while later, those people from before came again to take the containers away. Fu Wan San said to Du Xiao Li, “Miss, this humble one will be awaiting your visit.”
“Hehe, when I have time, I’ll definitely go.” Du Xiao Li said.
After Fu Wan San and them left, Du Xiao Li said a few words to Du Xiu Heng, before leaving the Du Manor together with Luo Qi. At the time when they left, the dead drunk Du Yun Han was supported back to the manor by someone and directly sent to Zhong Mei Qing’s courtyard.
“Wu, today is the day, Xiu Heng and them came back, I need, I need to go see how they’re doing right now?” Du Yun Han was completely drunk, and when he finished saying this, he immediately collapsed onto the bed and pa.s.sed out.
“Madam, if master learns of it tomorrow, will he blame madam?” Xiao Cui said.
“What’s there to blame? Those courtyards are all still being rebuilt right now, who knew they would encounter a rainy season, delaying the construction. How can this be pinned on me? This is also something the old madam previously agreed on.” Zhong Mei Qing said, “Alright, go to bed then.”
“Yes.”
The servant girls went forward and served Zhong Mei Qing in changing, attending her for bed.
The next day, Du Xiao Li woke up early and strolled around Laifu Inn. Although this was her first time coming to the capital, she was still very familiar with this Laifu Inn, because she’d also partic.i.p.ated in the construction of this in the beginning. However, he’d only designed it, and Luo Qi invested the manpower, material resources, and money. Unlike Suiyuan, which was her independent establishment.
“Miss.” When Du Xiao Li returned, Xia Yuan was waiting for her.
“How was it?” Du Xiao Li asked after entering.
“The prime minister had indeed been called out by a few officials near evening. It wasn’t anything important either, just went to a restaurant and ate a big meal, even got forced completely drunk. He’d returned to the manor, when we were leaving.” Xia Yuan replied, “Those few were all a.s.sistant Minister Zhong’s good friends.”
a.s.sistant Minister of War, Zhong Yi was precisely Zhong Mei Qing’s nephew(sister’s son), this bit of help, he would still help.
“I understand.” Du Xiao Li said.
“Also, miss, when I went out in the morning, I heard some rumors outside regarding miss.” Xia Yuan somewhat hesitantly spoke.
“What rumors about me? Seeing your hesitant look, it’s definitely not anything good.” Du Xiao Li guessed.
“En.” Xia Yuan said, “Right now, the outside all say you’re a wild village girl, unlearned, with no talent, no virtue. Everyone all say that you’re not fit to be the prime minister manor’s di daughter.”
“Looks like their movements were quite fast.” Du Xiao Li wasn’t angry and lightly laughed, “Mouths all grow on other people’s faces. We have no control over that, so you don’t need to be that angry either!”
“But things are clearly not like that!” Ying Ge angrily said to the side.
“En, this Zhong-shi is indeed a little hateful.” Du Xiao Li narrowed her two eyes and said, “Then we’ll just return her the favor.”
“Miss, what are you going to do?” As soon as Ying Ge saw Du Xiao Li’s look, she just knew she had a plan, and curiously asked.
“This, you’ll know in a bit. Right now, I’m hungry. Can we go eat breakfast now? If no mishaps occur, then during breakfast, there’ll be a good play to watch.”
“Really? Miss, let’s quickly go eat then.” Ying Ge impatiently said.
Du Xiao Li ordered three bowls of porridge, a steamer of buns, and a few side dishes, and began eating together with Xia Yuan and them. Every Laifu Inn’s chefs were meticulously picked and all had a specialty skill. The normal guests that come to stay at Laifu Inn, if there’s no special circ.u.mstances, all won’t chose to eat outside.
“This steam bun tastes quite good. Ying Ge, you went to gather information this morning, you’ve worked hard, eat some more.” Du Xiao Li put a steam bun onto the empty bowl in front of Ying Ge.
“Thank you miss.” Ying Ge said, afterwards lowered her voice again, “Miss, just earlier you said you were going to return her the favor, just what was that all about?”
“In a bit, you’ll know. You also don’t need to do anything. Just watch from the sidelines. Xia Yuan, in a bit, act according to my signals.” Du Xiao Li said.
“Alright miss.” Xia Yuan replied.
Just when Ying Ge planned on asking again, a loud disturbance suddenly sounded outside the door. The people that were having breakfast in the hall all looked out. Turns out it was a luxurious sedan stopped at the entrance.
Du Yun Han got down from the sedan and immediately saw Du Xiao Li who was having breakfast in the hall.
“Xiao Li, what are you doing here? Quickly, come home with father.” As soon as Du Yun Han entered, he bolted towards Du Xiao Li, saying as he looked to her.
Du Xiao Li swept Du Yun Han a glance; those eyes contained bare accusation. Then, her nose turned sour, and two streams of tears fell, as she said, “I won’t go back, there isn’t even a place for me to stay there. Why would I go back? Later, I’ll just return to Du village, never coming back to the capital ever again.”
(T/N: I swear every transmig MC are like oscars level actresses.)
“What do you mean there isn’t a place for you to stay? That big of a house, how can there not be a place for you to stay?!” Du Yun Han said, but seeing the tears on Du Xiao Li’s face, his att.i.tude immediately softened, and said, “You come back with father, and can stay wherever you want to stay, how about it?”
“Hmph, if there’s a place for me to stay, then why last night was big brother and I arranged into one courtyard?”
The spectators outside recognized Du Yun Han and spoke in succession, “Isn’t that Prime Minister Du?”
“Really is Sir prime minister. Entered the capital yesterday? Could it be, this is that rumored talentless, virtue-less, and unlearned countryside daughter of his?”
“Actually had the siblings arranged into the same courtyard, is that prime minister’s madam muddled-headed?”
“Hey hey, the wealthy family’s affairs, aren’t they all like that!”
“That’s right, those large family’s affairs, how are they anything like what we see, bright and clean? Even if it’s the prime minister’s wife who’s always had a very good public reputation, didn’t she still do something like this?”
“……….”
The people at the entrance all fervently gossiped, and very soon, this place filled with spectators.
Du Xiao Li listened to those people’s words and wiped her tears. Not waiting for Du Yun Han to speak, she continued, “Although I grew up in a village, mother once said, when I’m grown up, I can’t live in the same courtyard as big brother, else others will gossip. That’s why, I just let big brother live at home, and I move out with Xia Yuan and them. But last night when we arrived in the capital, it was already that late. The sky had already darkened, but we still needed to come out and look for a place. However, we’ve never been to the capital before, and wasn’t familiar with the place, how could we even find our way around? Fortunately, a kindhearted person pointed us in the right direction, else last night, we would’ve had to sleep out in the streets!”
Du Xiao Li gave Xia Yuan a glance, and Xia Yuan also started crying along. Ying Ge seeing Du Xiao Li and Xia Yuan both crying, also cried along too. The three feeble girls directly cried into a lump, appearing very heartbroken.
The three feeble females held each other as they cried. That sobbing sound made all the people present can’t help but feel sorry for them, especially the father, Du Yun Han, who was even more heartbroken. He never thought that his precious daughter was actually this pitiful, and nearly ended up sleeping in the streets. He quickly went forward to apologize, “Yesterday was all father’s fault, don’t be sad anymore, alright?”
Du Xiao Li looked to Du Yun Han, seeing the genuine heartache and self-blame in his eyes, thinking whether she’d somehow gone too far? But recalling the things that woman in the Du Manor did to her, right now, she couldn’t give up halfway either. She could only continue. Thus, she lowered her head again, and began weeping, continuously using her handkerchief to wipe her tears, making herself appear especially wronged.
Alright, in reality, she really was wronged! Who would come this far to encounter something like this and not feel wronged?
Du Xiao Li’s tears made quite a few young women in the surroundings also began tearing up. For a moment, the scene was somewhat out of control.
T/N: Better hone your acting skills in case you might transmigrate one day lmaoo
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