Han Jianming had been busy with outside matters these days and hadn’t paid much attention to the inner courtyard. When he heard from his little page boy that Yuxi was already asleep, he casually asked, “What is the Fourth Miss doing these days?”

As a page boy, his eyes had to watch four roads and his ears had to listen in all direction Chinese idiom : be observant and alert. In this way, when Master Shizi a heir to a noble family asked, he wouldn’t be at a loss on how to answer. The little page boy replied, “Fourth Miss fainted today. When the physician came to see her, he said afterwards that Fourth Miss had been too exhausted, which caused her to pass out after using too much of her energy. The physician told her maids that Fourth Miss should take a proper rest.”

Before Han Jianming could open his mouth, his aide, Mr. Zhao, asked in bafflement, “Too exhausted? What did Fourth Miss do that made her too exhausted?”

The little page boy answered, “I heard that she was so engrossed in reading that she fainted. When the doctor came to check on her, he said that Fourth Miss had overworked herself, so she required a proper rest.”

Han Jianming roughly knew the reason why Yuxi is overworked. She was afraid that Heshou Xianzhu he = harmonious, shou = long life, xianzhu=Princess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang was still thinking of killing her, so she was looking for a solution and reading was only her pretext. “You can withdraw.” This noob translation was translated by a noob translator きつね. Please read this chapter at xin-shou.blogspot.com.

When Mr. Zhao looked at Han Jianming’s appearance, he asked, “Master Shizi a heir to a noble family, is it true that Fourth Miss fainted after reading a book?” Mr. Zhao had been drawn to Han Jianming’s side just recently, thus he wasn’t too familiar with the people and events happened in the State Residence, but he could feel that Shizi a heir to a noble family seemed to treat this Fourth Miss a bit special.

Han Jianming shook his head and said, “I’ve just asked her to come over tomorrow, then we can inquire about it from her.” For such a trivial matter, he didn’t have the mental energy and time to guess, thus he would just directly ask her. However, he only hoped that this girl, Yuxi, wouldn’t disappoint him.

Mr. Zhao smiled and stopped talking about it.

That night, Han Jianming once again discussed official business with Mr. Zhao until midnight. He also didn’t return to the backyard, and just stayed overnight directly in his study.

The white part mixed with blue is what they called whitish colour of a fish belly.

From what I read it mostly happened in early summer and at the end of winter, and before 5am.

Image Credit | 股上行 at WeChat

Early in the morning, the sky was displaying the whitish colour of a fish’s belly, and dew was coagulating on the trees. Everything looked so clean that it could make one’s heart untroubled and spirit pleased Chinese idiom : carefree and relaxed, just like a light ink painting, which was filled with the smell of the grass.

Yuxi opened the door, walked into the yard, then took a deep breath before she began her morning exercises. She had been busy reading books for the past few days that she hadn’t stuck to her wuqinxi. As a result, when she did them now, she felt sore all over her body.

After half an hour passed, Yuxi stopped, and panted heavily as she took the towel handed by Zisu. As she wiped the sweat from her face, she said, “I must stick to it in the future and I must not stop.” After she stopped doing them for a few days, all of her muscles ached when she started to practice them again today.

Zisu took the already damp towel and complained, “In the past, Miss used to remind us not to go fishing for three days, while drying the nets for two days Chinese idiom : (of a person) lacking perseverance, but now, it’s Miss herself who doesn’t set a good example.”

Yuxi smiled and said, “This time, things happened for a reason, and it won’t happen again next time.” This time, the matter was quite special, and there was no way the matter would happen again.

After her morning exercise, Yuxi noticed the fine weather and the air was very fresh, hence she simply brought out her medical book and memorised it in the yard.

Zisu helplessly shook her head, as she no longer tried to advise her Miss, and she just went directly to the kitchen.

It was only after their breakfast did Zisu let Yuxi know about the little page boy who came over last night, “Master Shizi a heir to a noble family asked Miss to make a trip to his study once Miss had finished with breakfast. From what I see, Master Shizi a heir to a noble family must have something to find Miss.”

Yuxi also wanted to find Han Jianming, so she immediately went over once she got the information.

Han Jianming looked at Yuxi’s rosy cheeks and good spirits, which didn’t look at all like she had been overworked. “I heard you fainted after reading a book? What book did you read? And why did you become this obsessed?”

Yuxi was speechless. “Who’s talking nonsense? I was just too tired from reading and fell asleep. How could I faint from reading a book?”

Han Jianming got interested and asked, “What book managed to make you this obsessed until you pass out? Don’t tell me it was a medical book?”

Yuxi rolled her eyes and replied, “I won’t tell you.”

Just like a little kid. Han Jianming had a smile on his face as he said, “If you don’t want to say it, then don’t say it. But why did you tell your Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege yesterday evening that I had found the mastermind behind the scenes?”

Yuxi tilted her head and asked with a look of surprise, “Am I wrong? Didn’t Dage eldest brother already find the master behind the scenes?” This noob translation was translated by a noob translator きつね. Please read this chapter at xin-shou.blogspot.com.

Han Jianming was not going to take this kind of behaviour from Yuxi and asked, “You know that’s not what I meant. Tell me, why did you do this?”

When Yuxi looked at the serious Han Jianming, she also put away the smile on her face and explained, “I remember that Dage eldest brother once said that you would like to revitalise the State Residence with Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege. But if you look at Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege’s current behaviour, can he afford this heavy responsibility?”

Han Jianming knew that Yuxi wouldn’t say those words to Han Jianye without rhyme or reason Chinese idiom : completely uncalled for, “If you have something to say, just say it. There’s no need to waste time by going round the curves and skirting the corners Chinese idiom : beat around the bush in front of me.”

Yuxi criticised him in her heart, ‘You’re the one who had long wasted your time’, “Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege has been learning martial arts from Master Yang in the mountains all these years, and yet he also developed this simple and straightforward temper. Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege is a person who wants to walk on the road of an official, which is filled with people fighting and scheming against each other. Dage eldest brother, with Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege’s temper right now, it will surely become his fatal weakness when he starts to work as an official.”

Han Jianming put his hands behind him and asked, “Do you have any good ideas?”

Yuxi shook her head and said, “Dage eldest brother, you have been overprotective of Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege until he doesn’t know about the current situation of the State Residence, and the hardships that he will face outside. If Dage eldest brother really wants the best for Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege, you ought to be the one who tells him about it. Not only that, you should also let Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege know how hard you have worked to revitalise the family line of business, even to the extent that make you feel less capable than desirable Chinese idiom : not as strong as one would wish. Only then will Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege truly mature and work with you to revitalise the family line of business.” Yuxi said these words based on her own personal experience as well. In her last life, she didn’t know how nasty the surroundings she was in while she only knew how to feel remorse, where in the end, she ended up in such a terrible situation. She felt that only by letting her Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege know how bad the surroundings of the State Residence was currently in, he would start to take on his responsibility.

Han Jianming was deeply moved by her talk. Every time he talked to Yuxi, he had this regret on why Yuxi was not born with male body, but rather born as a girl. “I also realise the problems that you’ve mentioned, but you have to eat your food one bite at a time Chinese metaphor to Rome wasn’t built in a day., and things have to be done step by step. If you pull the seedlings to help them grow Chinese idiom : spoil things by excessive enthusiasm, the seedlings will wither and die.”

Yuxi nodded as she agreed, “I know.” Actually, Han Jianye had matured a lot more in a few months compared to before, but as Han Jianming had said, it was impossible to change one’s temperament in an instant. This incident had made her lose her peace of mind and she had become a little anxious.

Han Jianming stopped talking about Han Jianye and asked, “Do you have any opinions regarding Heshou Xianzhu he = harmonious, shou = long life, xianzhu=Princess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang’s matter?” From Yuxi’s appearance, it seemed like she also had something to say about it.

Yuxi nodded, “I do have some ideas. But before that, I would like to know Dage eldest brother’s plan. Do you think long-term like Grandmother and my Father, or do you have other plans?”

Han Jianming didn’t answer Yuxi’s question, but instead said, “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

Yuxi looked at Han Jianming with a depressed expression. Dage eldest brother was only seven years older than her. Why did she always have the feeling that she was facing an old fox every time she faced her Dage eldest brother? “San Jie san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie said that Heshou may have the ability to predict, since she and us know that me and San Jie san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie will pose a deadly threat to her, before she would do it again next time….” At this point, Yuxi paused to look at Han Jianming’s expression.

Han Jianming urged, “Keep talking, I’m listening.” He felt that this reason was a bit ridiculous. What with Heshou he = harmonious, shou = long life being able to foretell the future? The one who could foretell the future was an immortal, so how could a woman who has a heart as malicious as snakes and scorpions extremely murderous like Heshou he = harmonious, shou = long life be able to do it?

Yuxi carefully said, “I just listened to what San Jie san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie said and thought of ‘taking away the firewood from under the cauldron Chinese idiom : take drastic measures to deal with an emergency’ method.” The method that she thought was actually quite simple. It was to publicise the fact that Heshou Xianzhu he = harmonious, shou = long life, xianzhu=Princess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang had bribed the bandits to sneak into the State Residence to burn, kill, and loot on the night of the palace rebellion, and then spread the reason why the Heshou Xianzhu he = harmonious, shou = long life, xianzhu=Princess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang did it as well.

Han Jianming didn’t find Yuxi’s strategy as useful. “I don’t see any use for it other than making people think that the State Residence is incompetent.” For the dignified Duke of the State’s Official Residence to easily let bandits sneak into the residence to kill and loot, what could it be other than being incompetent?

Yuxi felt that Han Jianming’s thoughts were too one-sided. “Didn’t Heshou Xianzhu he = harmonious, shou = long life, xianzhu=Princess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang make Monk Le Tong prove that she had opened her all-seeing mind Buddhism : mind which perceives both past and future? We helped her confirm this matter by letting the world knows how Heshou Xianzhu he = harmonious, shou = long life, xianzhu=Princess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang used her all-seeing mind Buddhism : mind which perceives both past and future.”

Han Jianming glanced at Yuxi. This method was indeed taking away the firewood from under the cauldron Chinese idiom : take drastic measures to deal with an emergency, but it would also bring a fatal blow to Heshou Xianzhu he = harmonious, shou = long life, xianzhu=Princess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang. “Do you mean to let the world know that Heshou he = harmonious, shou = long life has taken advantage of her ability to predict the future to harm others, so that people will be on guard against her?” Not only would people be on guard against her, they would even want to get rid of her quickly.

Yuxi nodded, “Yes.”

Han Jianye calculated the feasibility of this matter in his mind.

Upon seeing this situation, Yuxi added, “Dage eldest brother, Heshou Xianzhu he = harmonious, shou = long life, xianzhu=Princess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang is not only hostile towards me and San Jie san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie, she also has a deep animosity towards Yu Xiyu. I’m sure Yu Xiyu can feel it, once this news spread out and I don’t believe she will be indifferent when she hears it.” After a pause, Yuxi continued, “Even if Yu Xiyu treats it indifferently, it doesn’t matter. I believe that with these rumors, Heshou Xianzhu he = harmonious, shou = long life, xianzhu=Princess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang won’t be able to be the 9th Prince’s Imperial Concubine.”

Han Jianming’s head was full of black lines after hearing her words and asked, “Who told you that Heshou he = harmonious, shou = long life will be the 9th Prince’s Imperial Concubine? Did you hear it from Yuchen again?”

Yuxi was dumbfounded. After a while, she managed to ask in a low voice, “Isn’t it?”

Han Jianming shook his head. The women in the inner courtyard have limited insight after all. “Of course not. With Qiao’s family status, even if Monk Le Tong said that she had opened her all-seeing mind Buddhism : mind which perceives both past and future, she was not qualified to be the Prince’s Imperial Concubine. At most, she can just be a Side Concubine ce fei, a status lower than Imperial Concubine (zhang fei).” When he noticed Yuxi was staring at him, Han Jianming explained, “The Qiao family has gone downhill since Old Master Qiao passed away. There is no one in the Qiao family who is good enough, in addition with Qiao Meng being profligate, it is impossible for the Emperor to let Heshou he = harmonious, shou = long life be the Imperial Concubine.”

Yuxi screamed in her heart, ‘Yuxi-ah, you had spent your mind thinking for a long time till you exhausted your mind and body for nothing ah’. Heck, she was the one who trusted Yuchen too much and thought her information wouldn’t be wrong. “It’s me who’ve been too presumptuous.”

The corner of Han Jianming’s mouth raised. The attitude of admitting one’s mistake was very upright. “You have a very good idea. If we really used this strategy, Heshou he = harmonious, shou = long life can’t even think about being the Prince’s Side Concubine ce fei, a status lower than Imperial Concubine (zhang fei).” In fact, as long as this news of Heshou he = harmonious, shou = long life took advantage of the palace rebellion incident to buy off local bandits to slip into the Duke of the State’s Official Residence was verified, the Emperor would never match this woman who had a heart as malicious as snakes and scorpions extremely murderous with the 9th Prince. However, Han Jianming had his own concerns. If this incident was spread, it would have a great impact on the reputation of the State Residence.

Yuxi looked at Han Jianming’s face and roughly guessed what he was thinking, “Dage eldest brother, one only need one thousand days to be a thief, but where one had time to wait a thousand days to prevent the thieves Chinese saying : It is difficult to achieve long-term prevention, there is always time for negligence. With Heshou he = harmonious, shou = long life scheming to get us killed and since she had known about the palace rebellion in advance, it was not shameful for us to be caught off guard. At least, there weren’t any major casualties in our home.”

Han Jianming asked, “Have you ever thought that if this matter is spread, your reputation will be damaged and your marriage will become very difficult?”

Yuxi’s attitude was very clear, as she questioned him back, “Dage eldest brother, have you ever thought about that if Heshou he = harmonious, shou = long life becomes the 9th Prince’s Side Concubine ce fei, a status lower than Imperial Concubine (zhang fei), she will be the Prince’s moneybag? If we deal with her at that time, it will be the same as we go against the 9th Prince.” The 9th Prince was always the second person that the Emperor held dearly in his heart until the 9th Prince passed away. It was definitely not going to give them a good end if they had to confront the 9th Prince by then.

Seeing Han Jianming being silent, Yuxi knew that her words had worked, and she continued, “On the night of the palace rebellion, many families had been attacked by bandits. The law can’t take action against masses, so no one will deliberately target us sisters.”

Han Jianming suddenly changed the subject as he asked, “What exactly have you been reading these past few days? What kind of book would have the words ‘take away the firewood from under the cauldron Chinese idiom : take drastic measures to deal with an emergency’?” He didn’t have to think about it, it must be a book on arts of war.

She had been seen through, and it was useless for her to hide or make up any story anymore. Yuxi honestly admitted, “I was reading «Thirty-six Stratagems in Sun Tzu’s Art of War». ‘Taking away the firewood from under the cauldron Chinese idiom : take drastic measures to deal with an emergency’ is one of the thirty-six stratagems.”

Han Jianming looked depressed. That book of his was for Han Jianye, but he didn’t expect that Yuxi would be the one who was obsessed with it. “I didn’t think you would delve into the book on the arts of war.”

Yuxi immediately said, “My books were all burnt and I had no books to read, so I went to Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege’s side to borrow some. Not only did I borrow «Thirty-Six Stratagems in Sun Tzu’s Art of War», but also «Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government», «Zuo Zhuan», and «Guoyu».”

These books were picked out by Han Jianming for Han Jianye to read. Han Jianming said, “I have this feeling that you have taken all of your Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege’s book.”

Yuxi wisely said, “Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege doesn’t look at them anyway, so I might as well read them to pass the time. But speaking of it, the book «Thirty-Six Stratagems in Sun Tzu’s Art of War» is really interesting and useful.”

When Han Jianming heard Yuxi say that she read books on arts of war to pass the time, he once again regretfully said, “It’s a pity that you’re not a man, and it’s actually useless for you to learn this.” The one who should learn about them, didn’t want to learn, but the one who didn’t need to learn them, took them seriously.

Yuxi silently disagreed in her heart. ‘Who said that it was useless for me to learn them, when it was clearly useful?’ She just didn’t dare to say it out loud, and she instead came with, “Being Idle is being idle, and just by reading a book can I pass my time.”

Han Jianming’s eyes flashed with a smiling expression, “You’re quite special. Other girls pass their times by watching birds and flowers, but you pass your time by reading medical books, history books, and books on the arts of war. You’re really special for having a particular hobby like this. By the way, when did you start reading history books?” Han Jianming now sort of knew why Yuxi could see problems so thoroughly.

Well, Han Jianming couldn’t help but sigh in his heart. If Han Jianye was as thorough as Yuxi, he would not have hidden the truth from him.

Only a fool would answer this question. Obviously, Yuxi was not a fool. “Dage eldest brother, I don’t know yet. I haven’t finished reading my medical books until now, so there is no time to read history books. Other than that, there is really no book that’s worthwhile for me to read this time, that’s why I took all the books from Er Ge er=second, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege.”

Han Jianming didn’t force Yuxi to answer. Anyway, what should be known, he had already known, and what wasn’t known, he could always know about it later. At that moment, he said, “There’s nothing more for you to do here, so you can go back.”