Chapter 4 - Qiyang

Qiyang

‘Not clean?’ When Mrs. Jiang heard Jiang Mingwei’s words, she became speechless. Since Jiang Mingwei was back, that topic became taboo in the Jiang family.

Jiang Mingwei eloped with a Beirong man[1], and lived one year and four months in a foreign land. But, what mother is willing to doubt her daughter’s chastity? Jiang Mingwei even hinted that nothing had happened between her and that man. So Mrs. Jiang didn’t ask or think about it and would rather believe her daughter.

Other than that, there was another issue. Jiang Mingwei left with a Beirong man. Beirong and Ye Chao[2]were mortal enemies. If it weren’t for the fact that she was a weak woman, she would be a suspect of collaborating with the enemy and treason. Fortunately, no such thing happened.

So, when Jiang Mingwei mentioned this topic, Mrs. Jiang couldn’t answer. Mu Mingtang lived with the Jiang family for more than a year, and no one doubted Mu Mingtang’s innocence. But, Mu Mingtang also lived outside for more than a year after becoming a refugee. There were different types of people among refugees. So, nobody knows what happened other than her.

Mingwei is talking about Mu Mingtang. But my Mingwei also stayed outside. So…….

Jiang Mingwei looked at her mother and saw the strange look of her mother. She suddenly realized what Mrs. Jiang was thinking. Jiang Mingwei’s face turned red, then turned pale with anger: “Mother, are you doubting my chastity?”

“I didn’t…”

“Do you think I’m not clean?” Jiang Mingwei burst out and shouted, “I fought my life to return to the Ye dynasty and returned to the capital. All I wanted to do was serve my parents and take care of me, but my family had adopted another. She has stolen my room, my identity, and even my marriage. Now, mother, do you think I am not innocent and unworthy to be the daughter of the Jiang family?”

“Mingwei…, how can mother think so!” Mrs. Jiang said with teary eyes. “When you left, there was no news about you. I went to Chen Liu but still can’t find your trace. I gave up, thinking that I would never see you again in this life. Thanks to God, you came back. How can I doubt my own daughter?”

Jiang Mingwei’s heart filled with sorrow. Actually, she didn’t want to shout at her mother. She just wanted to express her feeling about the grievances she suffered in her previous life.

Jiang Mingwei thought about the hardships she had experienced in Beirong in her previous life. Instead of having a comfortable life, she was covered to death by a wet handkerchief at night. She thought of the discrimination and abuse she had received and the missed opportunity to be the queen. The more she thought about it, the more she became sad. So, Jiang Mingwei covered her face and cried bitterly.

Mrs. Jiang did not expect that just one sentence would make Jiang Mingwei cry like this. Her heart became very painful after seeing her daughter’s tears. How many grievances does she suffer outside? Even if Jiang Mingwei brought a Beirong child, Mrs. Jiang would recognize it.

Mrs. Jiang pressed her eyes with the veil, hugged Jiang Mingwei hard, and said, “Okay, Mingwei, don’t cry. You are back home. Everything is over.”

Jiang Mingwei slowly stopped crying. Yes, everything is over. Xie Xuanji did not blame me for escaping the marriage and immediately offered his wife’s position with both hands.

Looking at the comparison between the present and her past life, Jiang Mingwei felt that she was blind in her previous life. Because of her stupidity, she married Yeluyan instead of Xie Xuanji. Fortunately, she woke up in time in this life. She was the eldest Miss of the Jiang family. She was the one who was supposed to marry King Jin.

Furthermore, Xie Xuanji had already discussed with Jiang Honghao, and said to the outside world that she had been recuperating in a foreign place for a year and kept silent about her escape from marriage and disappearance.

Jiang Mingwei was satisfied with the current situation. The only thing she does not like is probably Mu Mingtang.

Jiang Mingwei’s unspeakable disgust for Mu Mingtang was faintly apprehensive. After all, in her previous life, Mu Mingtang married Xie Xuanji instead of her and finally became the queen, but Jiang Mingwei never made her debut.

Now, no one can stop my destiny. However, Mu Mingtang can’t stay. As the second miss of the Jiang family, she can become a hidden danger. But if Mu Mingtang become a commoner, there would be nothing to worry about. Jiang Mingwei thought.

Jiang Mingwei slowly stopped her tears, held Mrs. Jiang’s hand, and said, “Mother, it’s your daughter who is ignorant, so you are worried.”

“Silly child, what are you talking about.” Mrs. Jiang held back her tears and patted Jiang Mingwei. “How can a parent blame the child? As long as you are safe and sound, and live well with King Jin for the rest of your life, your mother will be at ease. King Jin really cares deeply about you. You are sensible, and now I know that he is so affectionate. You have a husband-in-law who loves you very much, and you are still a serious princess. As long as you get over it in the future, life will not be bad. Mother and your father still expect to rely on you in the future.”

There were many hidden meanings behind Mrs. Jiang’s words. It means that Xie Xuanji is already a prince, and if he goes further, he will be the Emperor. Jiang Mingwei lowered her eyes and said: “Mother, Xie Xuanchen… Can he really wake up?”

Mrs. Jiang’s expressions instantly became heavy. She slowly shook her head: “His life is hanging on a thread. When he woke up a few years ago, he still fought with guards, every time guards of the Qiyang Palace[3] had to change, but since this year, his sober time is getting shorter and shorter, and he can’t beat the guards. It shows that his body is exhausted. It’s just a matter of days.”

Now, outsiders could see the glory of King Jin’s royal family. But at the beginning, they were just a small family in Lin’an. The real dignitaries were actually the big house of the Xie family, the elder brother of the current emperor Xie Rui, the Xie Yi family.

In troubled times, two brothers went their separate ways. The younger brother Xie Rui became a seventh-rank official in Lin’an, while the older brother Xie Yi joined the army and was transferred to Guo Rong’s command, making a lot of military achievements. At that time, Emperor Gong of the Jin Dynasty ruled their country. Later, Emperor Gong became suspicious of Guo Rong and had conflicts with them.

Somehow, Guo Rong ascended the throne. Xie Yi was Guo Rong’s henchman, and Xie Xuanchen grew up with Guo Rong. After Guo Rong ascended the throne, Xie Yi and his son became very close to Guo Rong. Especially Xie Xuanchen, Guo Rong loved that child very much.

The power of the Xie Yi family expanded rapidly. So he took his younger brother Xie Rui’s family from Lin’an to the capital. After Xie Rui moved, he mentioned his former neighbors and colleagues. Xie Yi waved his hand and promoted all their people in the alley to the capital to enrich his power.

Guo Rong died after ascending the throne for two years, and Guo Rong’s son succeeded him. Xie Yi and his son had become the top leaders of the capital, how can they be willing to obey a child? In that year, Xie Yi and Xie Xuanchen turned their backs.

As a minister, Guo Rong rebelled against the former Emperor. And Xie Yi, as Guo Rong’s confidant, also turned against the Guo family.

It was said, during the rebellion, Xie Yi hesitated, but Xie Xuanchen brought the dragon robe and put it on Xie Yi. After that, Xie Xuanchen’s soldiers shouted long-lived Emperor, and Xie Yi had no way to retreat, so he returned to attack the capital.

Xie Yi ascended the throne, established himself as Emperor, and changed the country’s name to Ye. Xie Xuanchen, Xie Rui, and Xie Xuanji were all named kings.

However, an unfortunate incident happened after Xie Yi ascended the throne. Xie Xuanchen was ordered to attack the Southern Tang Dynasty. So Xie Xuanchen went there.

Nobody knew what had actually happened there, but Xie Xuanchen became murderous, and he started to attack the friendly forces around him. All his lieutenants died in that accident. Blood spilled everywhere. Soldiers had to use a lot of strength to control Xie Xuanchen.

After the news reached the capital, Xie Yi was shocked. He went out to see his son in person. As a good brother, Xie Rui naturally accompanied him. However, when they went there, Xie Xuanchen’s hands and feet were tied, and he was unarmed. After seeing the scene, Xie Yi and Xie Rui collapsed.

Xie Yi was shocked and angry. After returning to the capital, he ordered to cast chains with black iron to lock King Qiyang in the palace. Without his instructions, no one could let go of King Qiyang.

Xie Xuanchen’s condition didn’t get better. At first, he was half coma and half violent. As long as he was awake, no one could subdue him, and he could only be consumed by wheel battles. Xie Xuanchen’s awake time was getting shorter and shorter, but even so, his lethality when he was awake should not be underestimated.

Xie Xuanchen was no longer a god of war, but a sinner. His reputation was torn apart. He became an enemy among his own people and was named a murderous madman who slaughtered his comrades-in-arms.

Xie Yi became depressed. He ordered Xie Xuanchen to be locked up. One night in the second year of the founding, Xie Yi summoned his younger brother Xie Rui into the palace to speak. That night, Xie Yi died of a sudden illness, and before his death, he left an imperial decree to pass the throne to Xie Rui.

After the Ye Dynasty changed to a new emperor, it changed the momentum of forging ahead, and the military attachés were marginalized one after another. Xie Rui placed great importance on writing and disregarding martial arts, and he was in a corner of peace. Xie Xuanji also replaced his cousin Xie Xuanchen as the next generation heir to the throne.

Xie Rui’s former neighbor, Jiang Honghao, was also promoted to the deputy envoy of the Third Division at this time.

After Xie Rui became the Emperor, the officials in the capital changed. So, Xie Xuanchen’s reputation for winning a hundred battles and Xie Yi’s achievements were forgotten by the people. Now when everyone mentioned King Qiyang, they could only remember that he was a lunatic, half-dead, and dying.

However, the Emperor, Xie Xuanji, Jiang’s family, and Jiang Mingwei, those who had seen Xie Xuanchen with their own eyes, always had a sense of jealousy towards him. That’s why Jiang Mingwei was so indignant about Mu Mingtang marrying Xie Xuanchen.

Moreover, Jiang Mingwei still has some unbelievable thoughts about Xie Xuanchen. When she was 12 years old, she was shocked by Xie Xuanchen’s handsomeness. Although Xie Xuanji was praised by everyone, compared with Xie Xuanchen back then, it was still far worse.

Perhaps the most amazing people should die early so that they never fall. Xie Xuanchen became what he is today, Jiang Mingwei sighed.

The hero boy should stand on the top of the mountain all his life. If she can’t get it, why should another woman get it? Besides, that woman was Mu Mingtang, a lowly, vulgar, and mediocre person.

Mrs. Jiang signed and held Jiang Mingwei’s hand tightly. She could guess what her daughter was thinking by looking at her expressions.

“Mingwei, you were young at that time. It was ok to have feelings. But now everything has changed. The Holy Master promised Mu Mingtang to marry him quickly, and he ordered the Ministry of Rites to rush it, just because King Qiyang couldn’t hold it.”

Jiang Mingwei was surprised: “Can’t he even hold it for a few months? “

Mrs. Jiang nodded. Mrs. Jiang can understand Jiang Mingwei’s mood very well. “Mingwei, you don’t need to be angry with Mu Mingtang. Although she married King Qiyang, she is incomparable to you. Who knows what will happen after the marriage? Maybe she will die at the hands of King Qiyang. If not, after King Qiyang dies, she will be buried with her husband.”

Jiang Mingwei began to recall her past life. After she went to Beirong in her previous life, she never heard the name of King Qiyang again. Within two years, Xie Xuanchen died and completely disappeared from the world. Later, Xie Xuanji ascended the throne, and no one remembered Xie Xuanchen.

Why should I become serious with a cannon fodder who was doomed to fail? It’s true that Mu Mingtang will becomes a princess, but what is the point? Isn’t she a living widow? After Xie Xuanchen’s death, Mu Mingtang will be a widowed princess who is unwanted by everyone. At that time, I will deal with her. Jiang Mingwei thought.

“Yes mother, what my mother said was true. This daughter was wrong.”

“You finally understood.” Mrs. Jiang was overjoyed and took Mu Mingtang to the other side and showed her clothes and jewelry, “Your wedding date with King Jin is approaching. These are the dowries prepared by your mother for you, or if you have other styles you like, I will make them for you.”

Jiang Mingwei could not hide her smile after seeing the things in the boxes. This is just the beginning. When I become a queen in the future, I will enjoy ultimate glory and wealth.

Jiang Mingwei went to her room and looked inside. Mu Mingtang lived here for a year, but there was no trace of her anywhere. So, she is just a replacement, nothing more. She smiled lightly, picked out a jewelry box, summoned the maid, and said, “Second Miss is still living in the guest room recently, right? It’s hard work. You give these to Second Miss. Just say it’s her sister who congratulates her on her wedding.”

End of chapter 3

Translator Notes:

1. Beirong man – A man who lives in another realm / a foreign land. Beirong people had lived around the western extremities of ancient China. ↵

2. Ye Chao – Name of the dynasty which was ruled by the Xie family. ↵

3. Qiyang Palace – The palace that Xie Xuanchen lives. ↵