How Dare You?! 成何体统 (Cheng He Ti Tong)
By 七英俊 Qi Ying Jun
Translation by Spider
Yu Wanyin had arrived only recently and hadn’t experienced enough partings and deaths to understand others’ kindness, which ultimately turned into a consuming fire.
The small hot pot bubbled noisily, and Bei Zhou ate, emitting a cold aura.
Yu Wanyin called out to Xie Yong’er, “Why are you standing there? Help with cooking.”
Xie Yong’er was still in a daze. She hadn’t expected that her first hot pot after arriving here would be under these circumstances.
The couple in front of her were already engrossed in conversation, seemingly exchanging today’s new information.
“There are rumours spreading among the common folk,” Xiahou Dan said, “saying that I’m responsible for the Empress Dowager’s death and that the thunderstorm was a punishment from the heavens for my unjust rule.”
“My goodness, this must be rumours spread by Prince Duan’s faction, right?” Yu Wanyin responded, “They’re gearing up for a propaganda battle. No scallions for me, thanks.”
Xiahou Dan asked, “Should we add the shrimp balls to the hot pot?”
“Who’s spreading these rumours?” Bei Zhou raised his head and interjected, “I’ll catch one and execute them to set an example. What do you think?”
“No,” Yu Wanyin and Xie Yong’er said simultaneously.
Yu Wanyin asked, “Huh?”
Xie Yong’er, a veteran star chaser, said, “I understand propaganda battles. Silencing them will only backfire. You need to fight fire with fire. Send people to the streets and alleys, spreading rumours that Prince Duan is unjust and dispatched assassins to Mount Bei to kill both you and the Empress Dowager. Luckily, you are the true dragon emperor, blessed by the heavens, and 81 lightning bolts struck down all the assassins.”
Xiahou Dan fell silent for a moment. “That’s a bit exaggerated.”
Yu Wanyin agreed, “Indeed.”
“The common people aren’t afraid of exaggeration. They believe in things like fish bellies harbouring secrets, and the more exaggerated the rumour, the more widely it spreads,” Xie Yong’er spoke confidently. “Xiahou Bo has been passive all along. Do you know why? He actually believes himself to be the righteous saviour sent by heaven for Great Xia, so he insists on taking credit. Now with these rumours, it sounds like he’s reluctantly preparing to take action himself, laying the groundwork.”
Yu Wanyin clapped her hands together. “Yong’er, Prince Duan has been able to cause so much trouble all this time, all because of your support.”
Xie Yong’er smiled uneasily. “He’s leagues ahead of me.”
“That’s because you have a heart. You’re more human than he is!” Yu Wanyin said firmly.
Xiahou Dan pondered, “In that case, we can’t just launch a sudden attack without cause. Otherwise, we’ll be accused of matricide and fratricide, and it will destabilise the court’s opinion.”
Yu Wanyin added, “According to Xu Yao’s records, there are two assassination plans against you, both after the Empress Dowager’s death. One is at the memorial hall, and the other is during the funeral procession. But with the situation changing so much now, it’s hard to predict which Prince Duan will choose, or if he’ll choose either. We should prepare defences against both plans. Prince Duan will surely be watching closely. Once he makes a move, we can catch him red-handed and deal with him legitimately.”
Mentioning Xu Yao’s book, Xie Yong’er’s ears twitched, and she looked up at Yu Wanyin. “Speaking of which…”
“What is it?”
“You told me last time that Xu Yao’s recorded plans differed somewhat from my initial proposal,” Xie Yong’er spoke slower as she continued, “But how did you know… How did you know about my initial proposal?”
How did you know about my initial proposal? I only told Xiahou Bo about it. Could it be that with his perfect villainous style, he actually turned around and told you? At that moment, she was so shocked by the sudden impact that she didn’t think about this part. As her emotions gradually calmed over the past few days, this question floated up in her mind time and again, only to be suppressed each time. She wasn’t sure if she really wanted to know the answer.
Yu Wanyin glanced quickly at Xiahou Dan, her expression unchanged, and patted Xie Yong’er on the shoulder. “Xu Yao told me about it after he turned against Prince Duan. Your suggestions were discussed with Prince Duan.”
“Oh.” Deep down, Xie Yong’er felt this explanation was somewhat strained. But if it wasn’t Prince Duan or Xu Yao, how did Yu Wanyin really gain insight into it? Insight. Suddenly, Xie Yong’er had a strange feeling: she shouldn’t keep searching along this line of thought. Otherwise, the truth she ultimately found wouldn’t be one she liked. Feeling a weight on her shoulder, Yu Wanyin embraced her. “Sister, in this world, where can’t you find green grass? Let’s go find somewhere else.”
Xiahou Dan glanced inexplicably at Yu Wanyin.
Xiahou Dan said, “She’s your sister too?”
Under someone’s deliberate control, the Empress Dowager’s illness fluctuated back and forth, keeping many on edge. It wasn’t until the entire imperial medical team took turns pleading guilty that the truth gradually became clear: her condition was indeed deteriorating.
During these days, the supporters of the Empress Dowager scattered like falling leaves. Some prominent figures were dismissed, others resigned and were permitted to do so, while the rest were smoothly integrated into the Emperor’s camp with hardly any changes in their official positions.
The vacant positions were filled by new appointees. Er Lan and Li Yunxi both received promotions. Yang Duojie finally bid farewell to the Qintian Observatory with tears, and then enthusiastically joined the Ministry of Personnel, making noise and music.
Many low-ranking officials who had been labouring quietly at the bottom of various departments were quietly promoted.
Everything happened silently. Because of the unnerving calm, there was a lack of the sense that a storm had passed.
Therefore, the cannon fodder who had waded through muddy waters were still lamenting that the Emperor had gotten lucky. The smartest players, who had been deeply involved, were already feeling a chill.
They couldn’t sense the storm because it had been snuffed out in its infancy.
They had previously only known Prince Duan to be a formidable figure, but now they were startled to discover that there were even more ruthless figures above him.
Just by observing who was promoted and who lost their lives, one could see that the Emperor had been pretending to be blind for so many years, when in fact he saw everything more clearly than anyone else. He was like the most venomous and cunning snake, capable of feigning death completely until he had absolute certainty, never moving a muscle even when kicked or trampled. But once you saw his fangs, you were already a dead person.
Thus, those who were afraid became even more fearful, while those who were bold began to think differently.
There were plenty of talented individuals in the court, but after enduring in this murky atmosphere to this day, most of them were disheartened. With the Empress Dowager’s fall, the winds of change subtly hinted at a new hope for them to make grand plans.
Even within Prince Duan’s faction, a few risk-takers came to pledge allegiance to the Emperor. They had previously lamented their misfortune in not meeting a wise sovereign and had pinned their hopes on Prince Duan, waiting for him to replace the current Emperor. Now, however, they realised there was no need for such elaborate plans.
And so, with the disappearance of the Empress Dowager’s faction, a new group of loyalists to the Emperor emerged in the court.
Mu Yun was anxious.
Mu Yun was determined to maintain his position under Prince Duan’s command. He had kowtowed to the Emperor through the Empress Dowager’s faction, but then hastily ordered his subordinates to intensify the spread of rumours, ensuring that the tyrannical image of the Emperor took root in people’s hearts.
He had done the dirty work for Prince Duan for so many years, considering himself adept at it, flawless even.
But after a busy day and returning home, he awaited an imperial decree.
Xiahou Dan casually found a pretext and dismissed him from office for investigation.
Mu Yun was shocked and at a loss, unable to understand where he had exposed himself. It wasn’t until he heard that other undercover agents under Prince Duan had also been completely exposed that he suddenly realised, someone had handed over the entire list to Xiahou Dan.
“Xie… Yong…er…” Mu Yun tasted the bitterness of these words.
Meanwhile, Prince Duan’s faction was holding its 18th emergency meeting of the month.
The courtiers were anxious and desperate, subtly suggesting that Prince Duan should act soon. The Emperor was growing rapidly, and every day delayed meant one less chance of success.
Xiahou Bo appeared solemn and elegant on the surface, with a hint of sorrow between his graceful eyebrows. “Although His Majesty has had his faults as a ruler, he is after all my biological brother. While he may lack benevolence, I cannot lack righteousness. As the saying goes, virtue has many helpers, but vice has few. If I were to resort to the same means as him, how could I justify the heartfelt aspirations of all of you?”
The courtiers were moved to tears. “Your Highness!”
Xiahou Bo gently comforted them, “You must remain calm and not act rashly. Those who commit injustice will eventually perish. You must believe that his retribution will come soon.”
After seeing off the courtiers, Xiahou Bo summoned the assassins. “Arrange according to plan.”
An assassin spoke anxiously, “Your Highness, I heard that Lady Xie has already switched sides. She often has premonitions. Could she have also reported our plans to the Emperor?”
Xiahou Bo smiled faintly. “In the past, whenever she proposed ideas, I would make minor adjustments during implementation, and she wouldn’t notice. This time will be no different. On the day of the plan, I will instruct you to do an additional small task.”
He dismissed everyone, lowered his head, and opened a hidden compartment at the bedside, taking out a roughly embroidered sachet, which he twirled between his slender fingers.
If Xie Yong’er truly had the Divine Eye, she would have noticed the sachet he was playing with wasn’t the one she had embroidered.
Yu Wanyin sneezed.
“Yu Wanyin.” Xiahou Dan interrupted her, his tone unusually firm. “Don’t go. If Cen Jintian has any last words, I can pass them on.”
Yu Wanyin stared at him in confusion, as if she didn’t recognize him, and after a while, she asked softly, “Do you want him to look towards the palace before he dies too?”
With the bed curtains shielding them, Xiahou Dan’s face was hidden in shadows, pale and indistinct, which suddenly reminded her of the fear she had before she knew his identity.
His tone was weary, reminiscent of those times. “I will repay his debts after I descend into hell.”
Nevertheless, Yu Wanyin still left the palace.
In the evening, while Xiahou Dan was meeting with others, she took Xiao Tiancai and the shadow guards, slipping out as she was familiar with the routes. The shadow guards were used to her doing as she pleased in the palace and never thought she would defy an imperial decree this time.
They confirmed as usual that no one was following them. Yu Wanyin was worried that Xiahou Dan would send someone to chase after her once he found out, so she urged the carriage straight to Cen Jintian’s private residence.
The familiar experimental fields were already buried under snow, concealing any signs of crops.
The unexpected person who came out to greet her was Er Lan.
Er Lan had seen Yu Wanyin in men’s clothing before and immediately recognized her. “Madam. Cen-xiong is seriously ill and has no relatives or friends around. I’ve come to help.”
Without stopping for pleasantries, Yu Wanyin hurriedly pushed Xiao Tiancai forward. “Let him take a look at Lord Cen.”
Xiao Tiancai reluctantly took the patient’s pulse.
Cen Jintian struggled to open his eyes and saw Yu Wanyin. His expression was urgent, skipping all formalities, and he used his remaining strength to say, “Madam, I’ve recorded the cultivation methods of Yan millet in various fields in the book…”
Er Lan helped hand the book to her.
Cen Jintian had mentioned before that it would take two to three years for these methods to be tested, so she didn’t know what method he had used to rush them out.
Yu Wanyin said solemnly, “Rest assured, Tur has promised to transport goods as soon as he arrives in Yan. The implementation of the agricultural law is proceeding as usual, and by the spring, farmers across the country will be planting Yan Millet.”
“The granaries…”
“The Ministry of Revenue has already checked the reserves of granaries in various places. Once a drought strikes, we’ll know how to provide relief. After the drought passes, we’ll adjust crop types according to your book across the country.”
“His Majesty…”
“His Majesty is well. He misses you very much but is unable to come, so he entrusted me.”
“He asks you to take good care of yourself and when the Yan Millet in the fields matures next year, we’ll go see it together.”
Cen Jintian smiled faintly and nodded slowly.
After Xiao Tiancai finished checking his pulse, he pulled Yu Wanyin out of the room and whispered, “His chronic illness is hard to cure. He seems to have been born with a fatal illness, and now it’s too late to reverse.”
Yu Wanyin’s heart tightened, unwilling to give up hope. Suspicious that he hadn’t tried his best, she didn’t know how to ask him and could only bow deeply. “Xiao-xiansheng.”
Xiao Tiancai was shocked. “Madam, you can’t ask for this!”
Yu Wanyin said seriously, “The person inside is a benefactor to all the people of Xia. I ask Xiao-xiansheng to please let him live a little longer, even if he can see a good harvest just once.”
Xiao Tiancai pondered for a moment. “If it’s just a few more months, perhaps there’s a way.”
Yu Wanyin was about to rejoice when he added, “But I have a condition.”
“What is it?”
“I see that His Majesty trusts you very much. After he deals with Prince Duan, could you say a few good words in front of His Majesty to let Lady Xie go free?”
“…?”
“Xiao-xiansheng, your kindness knows no bounds.” She admired Xiao Tiancai sincerely.
The refined young man choked on his words for a moment, awkwardly not knowing where to put his hands and feet. “That’s not what I meant! I just see her melancholy and… forget it, Madam, just say if it’s possible.”
“Of course, it’s possible. Besides letting Lady Xie Yong’er go, I can also leave with you. You can accompany each other in the mortal world, galloping freely and enjoying the prosperity of the world.”
“I don’t-” He interrupted himself. “Thank you Lady Yu.”
Xiao Tiancai went to write a prescription.
Yu Wanyin looked at the snow-covered fields and heard footsteps approaching behind her. She turned slightly and said, “Xiao Tiancai is very capable. He should be able to let him live a few more months.”
“En.”
They fell silent at the same time, looking out over the empty snowy field.
Yu Wanyin asked softly, “Does Lord Cen know that you’re actually a woman?”
It was the first time she had admitted this fact.
Er Lan shook her head calmly. “He only sees me as a good friend.” She smiled self-deprecatingly. “If he’s already like this, why should I add to his troubles?”
Yu Wanyin sensed something and was somewhat shocked. “Your feelings towards him. “
Er Lan didn’t deny it. “My feelings are my own business.”
She seemed to notice Yu Wanyin’s distress and gently touched her head with a smile.
Er Lan was tall and had a dignified air about her. Even dressed as a carefree young man, she didn’t seem out of place. Speaking softly now, her voice revealed a feminine tone. “I was born into a merchant family, had the reputation of a child prodigy in my youth, with an eidetic memory. My parents were wealthy, so I studied alongside my brothers. It wasn’t until I turned fifteen that I realised, despite reading many books of sages and saints, that I was still destined to marry a dull man…”
Yu Wanyin was taken aback. She hadn’t expected that Er Lan had been married before. But then she reconsidered. Er Lan looked about twenty-five or twenty-six, and in this era, she could easily be a grandmother in a few more years.
Er Lan continued, “Later, my husband died, and I became a widow at home, becoming the subject of gossip among neighbours. If they had nothing else to talk about, they speculated whether I dressed too attractively or glanced at some man. Finally, one late night, I jumped into the river, thinking if I couldn’t swim to the other side, I would die in the river.”
“I made it across. So I kept moving forward, never looking back. I walked and walked until I reached the capital, met you all, entered the Ministry of Revenue, and did many things…”
She took a deep breath of the chilly air. “When the situation stabilises, and there is peace across the land, it will be time for me to retire.”
“Why?” Yu Wanyin asked knowingly.
“You can tell I’m a woman, and sooner or later, others will figure it out too. Rather than wait to be exposed, it’s better to retire gracefully, find a peaceful place to spend the rest of my life. Having experienced this once, I can finally say I’ve lived and loved without regrets.”
Er Lan turned to look at Yu Wanyin. “Actually, Wang-xiong and Cen-xiong, they definitely do not have regrets either. So don’t be sad, Yu Wanyin.”
Translation by Spider
Next: Chapter 18
Previous: Chapter 16