Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty Chapter 5: Spiking

By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
Edited by Angel Chua, 01 June 2019

The skies gradually turned darker, the north wind whistling and blowing, calling forth a cold chill that pierced to the bone. Winds picked up, and numerous snowflakes began to fall, the sky sobbing like a mad monster.

At the Zhuge Huai household, people were cleaning the paddock, shoveling up the young bodies and throwing them into the carriage. Not far from the hunting grounds, servants were digging a small pit, and a cumulus cloud appeared, crackling and burning, emitting thick black smoke. The clouds helped bury the children along with the bloodthirsty beasts. These weak souls passed on like a ball rolled in once; the wealthy owners played with them, grew tired, and discarded their bodies.

Looking back at the cage where Jing Yu'er was confined, she was the only child left from Zhuge Huai's group. Unlike the others, she wore nothing but tattered rags, her head hung low as she sat quietly in the cage, barely showing signs of life. She had suffered injuries so severe that even an adult might not survive. The Zhuge servants thought she would die soon. Yet, when they returned to check on her repeatedly while finishing their work, they found her still alive. Gasping for air, the shallow rise and fall of her chest indicated she was still breathing. The servants sensed something different about her, as if a strange force might help her survive and continue her journey in life. Out of pity, they chose not to throw her into the burial pit. But when it was time to leave, they placed her back in the cage.

The cage, once overcrowded, now felt empty, with only one child left alive. The carriage driver glanced at her and muttered a wish for good luck, though all he could do was quietly observe her.

Though she could not speak, the man keenly noticed that, compared to earlier before the hunt, the child had changed little, still appearing helpless.

Meanwhile, the gates of Huang Cheng opened. The Zhuge household, with its high status and influence, displayed its power. The defenders, proud and dignified, wore waist buckles exclusively crafted for the Zhuge family, and their servants bowed in respect as they entered.

Jing Yu'er had no sense of time, unaware of how long she had been in the cage. She was trembling with hunger and barely conscious. The sun shone brightly, but the wind was bitterly cold, blowing through the cage's window and cutting into her thin clothes like a blade.

The carriage turned onto Jiuwei Main Street, leading into the inner city of Lagerstroemia Square, named after the ancestor of the Queen's family four hundred years ago. This site was revered as a Holy Land, where commoners knelt and worshiped at the central Lagerstroemia Palace, taking three steps and bowing nine times in respect.

The Zhuge servants finally arrived home and dismounted, kowtowing before the palace.

At this moment, a horse neighed, and a soft voice from ahead asked, "Whose servant is this, blocking the road?"

Zhu Shun hurriedly stood and greeted Shu Ye Son, his arrogance dissolving as he respectfully replied, "It is Shu Ye Son. How may I assist you?"

The Zhuge servants quickly moved aside, and as they passed, the horses' hooves tapped lightly, as if showing sympathy for the child. Shu Ye Son glanced at the cage and heard the child's soft sobs. He paused for a moment and asked, "Why are you crying? Have you been bitten by a wolf?"

Zhu Shun quickly answered, "Shu Ye Son, she is just a slave. No harm done."

Shu Ye Son ignored Zhu Shun's comment and continued staring at the child. He bent down slowly and asked, "Can you look at me?"

Zhu Shun, impatient, struck the child with a whip, startling her into raising her head. She looked at the whip with wide eyes.

Shu Ye Son, displeased, asked coldly, "What are you doing?"

Zhu Shun, fearful, explained quickly, "This slave is bold, unworthy of Zhuge Huai's attention."

"They call you Zhu Shun, right?" A soft voice suddenly spoke. Though weak, it carried a calm authority.

Zhu Shun frowned. "Yes, that's me. Why?"

"Nothing," the child said, shaking her head.

Shu Ye Son gently took Zhu Shun's arm and nodded. "I remember this whip."

Zhu Shun, growing furious, was about to speak when Shu Ye Son made him realize his rudeness with the whip. Shu Ye Son laughed softly. He was tall, with a straight posture, looking elegant in his white robe embroidered with layers of clouds. He looked at the child and asked, "What is your name?"

Jing Yu'er met his gaze but shook her head, her eyes solemn yet bright.

Shu Ye Son turned to Zhu Shun and said seriously, "Listen to her. So I don't have to come to the cage to ask again."

He then smiled at the child and added, "This little slave is my friend. You cannot bully her."

Zhu Shun nodded reluctantly.

"Little girl, I'll wait for you to tell me your name one day. Until then, protect yourself."

Jing Yu'er nodded, and Shu Ye Son smiled gently before riding away.

Back at the Zhuge residence, Zhu Shun handed Jing Yu'er to two servants, gave a few instructions, then walked away.

A loud knock echoed as the door unlocked. Jing Yu'er, in pain, crawled inside, and the door was shut and locked behind her.

It was 4:00 PM, and though still light outside, the storeroom was dim. Large bundles of firewood were piled in a corner, and a rat rustled nearby. The child remained calm, silently sitting in the center of the room. She tore a piece of her ragged sackcloth with her teeth and carefully wrapped her wounds, showing surprising skill.

As time passed, Chu Qiao's memories returned. She was no longer the helpless child Jing Yu'er, but the capable Deputy Commander Chu Qiao. The harsh reality of the present, however, offered little room for emotion.

Back in Jing Yu'er's time, the realization dawned: she was not merely a child but the spirit of Chu Qiao, reborn to face new challenges in this brutal world. Her mission was clear.

Jing Yu'er's fragile situation allowed no self-pity. If she did not stay strong, she wouldn't survive the night.

She stretched out her dirty hands and, with a stick, wrote names on the ground: Zhu Shun, Zhuge Huai, the King's little prince, Mu, Zhao, and finally, Yan.

In the Zhuge Hall, Yan Xun's right eye twitched. He frowned as he stared into the dark night, his thoughts lingering on the child.

Night burials, jungle flights—this corrupt dynasty was rotting from within.

The old order was destined to crumble, and a new one would rise from the ashes.

AC's Afterthoughts
In the original novel, Chu Qiao's time travel was not detailed, so I added highlights to enhance the transition between Chu Qiao's and Jing Yu'er's time. It feels as though Jing Yu'er was gifted with a divine mission to correct the injustices of her time, with Chu Qiao's spirit guiding her. There was no literal exchange of place, but Jing Yu'er realizes that she is Chu Qiao. That night, two souls died, and Chu Qiao reached out to Jing Yu'er across time. Chu Qiao accepted her fate, and through her, Jing Yu'er's destiny would unfold.