Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty Chapter 11: Yan Shi Zi
By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
Jin Jiao had been in an uneasy state of mind these past few days. Each time she saw the child, Chu Qiao, an uncontrollable chill ran through her body. She couldn't even eat or drink, as if her throat was blocked. On this particular morning, the weather was fine, with snow blanketing the courtyard as the servants began their daily routines.
While preparations for the royal meal were underway, a messenger from Red Mountain arrived with urgent news. He reported that the Lingnan Mu Household and the Mu family's young male heirs had recognized the Emperor's seal. Seventh Prince Zhao Che, Eighth Prince Zhao Jue, and Thirteenth Prince Zhao Song were all mentioned. In the Red Glass Hall, the Crown Prince of Yanbei, Yan Wang Fu, was also present, accompanied by the third and fifth young masters. They had all rushed to inquire about the health of Fourth Young Master Zhuge Yue, concerned about his well-being.
At the Zhuge household, Zhuge Yue found it odd that several of his brothers, who were typically busy with government affairs, were not at their usual hangout in Castle Peak Courtyard. Normally, they would be reading, eating snacks, or enjoying the fruits, while eagles flew overhead. But today, there were no eagles in the sky, as if the oppressive heat had even silenced the birds. Zhuge Yue, lying in bed, had already informed his servants that he wasn't feeling well and would not attend their meeting that day.
Chu Qiao stood before the incense burner, gently fanning the incense. Her pale face and reserved demeanor reflected the thoughts running through her mind. After a while, the meal was set out on the table. However, Chu Qiao, without much appetite, sent the food tray back to the kitchen maids and quietly followed them out.
Jin Jiao's eyebrows furrowed slightly, harboring a secret in her mind. Though her efforts were short, she had uncovered a hidden gap, something that gave her pause.
The Red Glass Hall, despite its name, was more of a pavilion than a hall. Situated in the middle of Red Mountain, it stood octagonal in shape. In summer, the sky above was a bright blue, but now in winter, the lake was frozen, and snow covered both sides, giving the scene a silver, eye-catching beauty, with the Merlin trees blooming in icy splendor.
Merlin was part of the Zhuge family's Happy Home Valley. A large hill on the estate had been transformed according to Imperial protocol, with the intention of creating a hunting ground and a pasture for breeding high-quality horses. The area was sparsely populated, and adjacent to it lay a remote section with no entrance, completely off-limits. Chu Qiao, small and clever, managed to slip past the guards unnoticed as she climbed up the slope of the valley. Thankfully, she wasn't caught.
Jing Yuer, though small in stature, had a strong spirit. She often struggled with tasks that required more strength, like moving a large potted plant, but her determination never wavered.
Before leaving, her eyes were drawn to the mountainside, where she spotted a suspicious figure. Her curiosity piqued, she carefully crept closer, only to see the man move away. She then noticed a dark horse tied to a nearby tree, its large body standing still, without a rider in sight. Chu Qiao's sharp mind quickly assessed the situation: such a fine horse wouldn't belong to an ordinary person, certainly not a student. She observed the saddle and found that the horse hadn't eaten its buckwheat. Narrowing her eyes, she gently tugged the horse's head down, scrutinizing the scene further.
As she was about to leave, Chu Qiao spotted a cluster of white feathers and an arrow embedded in the ground. A small, silver arrow, with the intricate engraving of a Yan Zi pen, caught her eye.
Meanwhile, back at the Glass Hall, the princes gathered for a feast of plums. Jin Jiao ran down the remote, octagonal cliffside trail, carrying a pot of fire vine. From a small bag, she released several snakes onto the trail.
"I know you're a ghost!" A sharp voice suddenly pierced the air. Chu Qiao turned, only to find Kim Hyung standing triumphantly behind her.
"Don't worry, I won't tell Fourth Young Master. If I did, you'd be dead again," Kim Hyung sneered.
"Really?" Chu Qiao tilted her head, her ears alert to distant footsteps. With a sly smile, she replied, "That won't be necessary." Without warning, a figure suddenly tumbled off the cliff.
"Ouch!" A cry rang out at the same moment, as Jin Jiao hit the ground with a thud.
Zhu Shun's cold gaze landed on Jin Jiao, his voice harsh. "Jin Jiao, people saw you. Do you have anything to say?"
Jin Jiao, shocked, quickly replied, "It wasn't me! It was the Star Child! I only followed her!"
"Nonsense! I saw you sneaking around Zhu Shun's house, stealing a pot of rattan and trying to frame others!" A sharp voice retorted. Jin Jiao turned her head to see a little girl standing beside Zhu Shun, a familiar face. Her mind raced, piecing together the situation, and she suddenly exclaimed, "She and Jing Xinger are part of the Zhu household! I can't believe it's her!"
Zhu Shun, seated on a soft chair carried by four young men, had been nursing his wounds from a beating a few days earlier. His eyes narrowed as he asked coldly, "What happened to the Star Child?"
"She jumped off the cliff," Jin Jiao replied, trembling.
"What?!" Zhu Shun exploded with rage. "Are you saying that the girl jumped just to frame you?"
"I..." Jin Jiao stammered.
"You're useless!" Zhu Shun spat. "I've had enough of your incompetence. You've been in the government for years, and this is what I get? Bitter water thrown at my head?"
"Zhu housekeeper, please believe me!" Jin Jiao pleaded.
"Enough!" Zhu Shun barked. "Take her away and punish her!"
Screams echoed from a distance as Chu Qiao, clutching a rope, swung into a small cave hidden in the mountains. The cave was covered in purple moss, a rare plant used for its unique aroma. Every spring, this moss was collected by the Zhuge household, and Chu Qiao knew the area well. She waited in the cave for the crowd to disperse.
Suddenly, a warm breath brushed her ear, followed by a male voice whispering, "You're quite the little schemer, aren't you?"
Startled, Chu Qiao twisted around, but her assailant was fast. Yan Xun, a young man with dark, intelligent eyes, held her firmly.
"I've seen plenty of sharp-tongued girls in my time," Yan Xun said with a grin, "but you're the sharpest."
Chu Qiao, despite being pinned to the ground, glared at him coldly. "Who are you?" she demanded.
Yan Xun looked surprised, then laughed. "Who am I? Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"
Yan Xun's eyes gleamed with amusement as he studied her. "I saw a little girl trying to escape," he teased. "And here you are, caught like a mouse in a trap."
"I'm no child!" Chu Qiao snapped. "And this is no place for you to play. Why are you even here?"
Yan Xun chuckled softly, his face breaking into a mischievous smile. "You're bold, I'll give you that."
Chu Qiao's mind raced. She considered pushing him off the cliff, but her hand barely touched the dagger at her waist when Yan Xun raised a finger. "If you want to stay hidden, you'll have to be more careful," he warned.
With a sarcastic smile, Chu Qiao replied, "And why are you here? Hiding, perhaps? Up to no good, I presume?"
Yan Xun shrugged, casting a glance at the birds flying overhead. "It's a beautiful place, don't you think?" he said, with a twinkle in his eye.
Before Chu Qiao could respond, voices from above interrupted them. Yan Xun called out playfully, "Hey, we're just enjoying the plum blossoms! No need for all the shouting."
Recognizing Yan Xun, Zhu Shun quickly withdrew his servants. Yan Xun released Chu Qiao from his grip and gave her a teasing smile. "Looks like you owe me a favor."
Chu Qiao stood up, brushing the dust off her clothes. "I owe you nothing," she retorted, her voice cold. "Watch your horse next time!" She turned on her heel and walked away.
Yan Xun watched her go, a mixture of surprise and amusement playing on his face. "Interesting," he murmured to himself, watching as the girl disappeared into the distance.
As the morning sun rose over the octagonal mountain, casting a golden glow on the frozen lake, Yan Xun stood alone, smiling softly.