c7 (1/2)
Until I got around to translating, I’d had forgotten how beautiful in its playfulness volume 1 of Yun Zhong Ge was. Tong Hua crafts these scenes and imprints it indelibly on the reader’s memory. The fireflies becoming the stars on the ground, the dandelions becoming the snow in the palm, it all makes sense because Yun Ge is such a young and vibrant character, so the things around her are naturally unique. Da Mo Yao is nearing the end of my translation project and I’m finding myself loathe to pick up the final few chapters, almost like I was saying goodbye to a dear friend. In contrast YZG is just ramping up and spending time with it is like hanging out, drinking wine, and looking at the stars. This chapter involves a kiss and an embrace, and not with the same guy. LOL, I’d say that Yun Ge was pretty flighty, especially since neither guy is her fiancee/love of her life Ling gege. Ooooh, the plot thickens.
Chapter 7: Heartbeat Wrinkle
After Meng Jue parted with Yun Ge, he walked down the alley to the street and saw a figure standing in a dark. “Ms. Xu, it’s quite late, why are you still outside?”
“I was purposely waiting for Meng dage. Did Yun Ge go to bed?” Meng Jue smiled “I was planning to sneak in and out, in the end I bothered you all.” Xu Ping Jun replied “Such a beautiful scene, I’m just happy I didn’t miss it. Plus this has nothing to do with Meng dage, I’ve been sleeping poorly these past few days. A few days ago, I saw Yun Ge and Bing Yi laughingly coming back late into the night. They actually went to the remote countryside to play late at night, what could possibly be so entertaining there?”
Meng Jue’s smile didn’t change, like he didn’t understand the hidden meaning of what Xu Ping Jun just said “Ping Jun, I already address you like Bing Yi does, so what is it you want to talk to me about?”
Xu Ping Jun stood there in silence, and Meng Jue didn’t push her other than moving over to block her from the wind blowing into the alley. “Meng dage, I know you can get things done. I beg you to help me, I don’t want to marry into the Ouhou family, I want to marry…….” Xu Ping Jun’s words trailed off and she bit her lip to keep herself from crying.
“Ping Jun, if you want to be a wife and mother, live a peaceful life, then marrying into the Ouhou family is the best choice.” “I just want to marry……I can live a tough life, I’m not afraid of living a hard life.”
Following Liu Bing Yi isn’t simply living a hard life, so Meng Jue was silent for a moment “If you are sure this is what you want, I can help you.” Xu Ping Jun wanted to use Yun Ge as a gamble, but Meng Jue didn’t care. She was despondent and now he was a source of hope for her “Meng dage, you will really help me?” she grabbed his arm.
Meng Jue smiled gently “If you believe me, then go home and sleep. Don’t fight with your mother anymore, be a good daughter and I will make it so you don’t marry into the Ouhou family.” Xu Ping Jun nodded and was about to leave when a deep voice said “Meeting a beauty in the dark of the night, little brother Meng sure can enjoy life.”
This person was wearing a big hat so Ping Jun couldn’t see his face, but he was followed by a few guards. If he wasn’t a n.o.ble he was at least very rich. She wanted to clear up the misconception but Meng Jue said “Ping Jun, go home first.”
Xu Ping Jun quickly left. Meng Jue turned to the person with a bow “Your highness is looking for me?” [Meng Jue addressed him as an Infante Duke.]
The person walked up to Meng Jue “After the Crown Prince Wei incident at the North gate, everyone in Chang An is nervous and there is much discussion. The little Emperor’s likely not sitting at ease right now on his throne. Shang Guan Jie and Huo Guang are likely not sleeping well. With such an easy gesture, we got such results. Little brother Meng’s idea was brilliant! I’m very impressed with you now, so I came tonight to talk with you and ran into your personal matter. Someone wants to steal a girl from little brother Meng? I can take care of the Ouhou family, and use this to show my appreciate for you.”
Memg Jue smiled “Meng Jue thanks your highness for your grace.” The man patted Meng Jue on the shoulder “I’m off now, tomorrow come have a drink with me.” Meng Jue’s eyes followed the group as they melted back in the darkness. His slight smile slowly disappeared. Not for the person, but for himself. Why was he feeling nervous? Why didn’t he let Xu Ping Jun clear up the misunderstanding? Why did he let this misunderstanding stand?
Life is so unexpected, and days before Xu Ping Jun’s wedding, her fiancée suddenly dies randomly of an illness. Yun Ge never saw the man before and his death comes as a shock to her. Xu Ping Jun looked wan, completely out of it when she did ch.o.r.es and making lots of mistakes.
Xu Ping Jun’s mom railed to the Heavens and blamed Xu Ping Jun for having a bad luck life. Xu Ping Jun went from talkative to saying nothing for days. Yun Ge and Liu Bing Yi would think of ways to cheer her up. Xu Ping Jun pretended to be fine, but she would often just stare at Liu Bing Yi. Even when her staring made him fidgety, she still didn’t notice.
Yun Ge heard that a fortune teller was renowned in Chang An and wanted to take Xu Ping Jun there. But Mr. Zhang was adamant and refused, his rule was three people a day and it had to be reserved in advance. The waiting list extended into next year.
Liu Bing Yi heard Yun Ge complaining and he laughed and said he will go ask a favor. When Mr. Zhang saw Liu Bing Yi, his att.i.tude completely changed and he agreed to everything she wanted. Yun Ge was confused and asked Liu Bing Yi.
He explained with a laugh “What do fortune tellers do? They use the past of the client to make them believe their powers, and then conjure up vague things for the future. Since he makes all his clients reserve in advance, and everyone who can afford him is rich or powerful, then such people…..”
Before he finished, Yun Ge laughed and interjected “Such people are easy for big brother and your band of hooligans to dig up dirt on them. So this Mr. Zhang relies on big brother for his secrets and insight. With everyone on the lower rungs of Chang An following big brother, then nothing can happen here without big brother knowing.”
When Liu Bing Yi heard this, his expression changed slightly. He was just intendling only to explain a bit, but who knew that Yun Ge has been around all sorts of different people since she was a kid and has seen so much, plus she’s very perceptive and quick on the uptake.
“Yun Ge, you can’t tell any one this, you have to keep my secret.” Yun Ge nodded “I know.”
Mr. Zhang looked at Xu Ping Jun all over and told her that her life was so exceedingly wealth-p.r.o.ne that it was too good and such strong aura was too much for her fiancée so handle so he died.
Xu Ping Jun asked “So I didn’t do anything to kill him?” Mr. Zhang replied “You did and didn’t kill him. He died because your aura was too strong, but that’s just his own lot in life and ordained by the Heavens. You don’t need to feel bad.”
Xu Ping Jun’s mom was giddy and wanted to know how high her Ping Jun would fly with her wealthy aura. Mr. Zhang looked at her “Madam will be living off of your daughter’s good fortune in the future.”
Yun Ge tried hard not to laugh, but she was impressed with this old dude’s ability to make bulls.h.i.+t seem quite believable. After Xu Ping Jun visited the fortune teller, she was happier and Xu Ping Jun’s mom was nicer to her as well.
Yun Ge was pleased, this fortune telling session resolved Xu Ping Jun’s worries and brought mother-daughter closer together. It was worth it, and she vowed to encourage more people to go see the fortune teller.
Yun Ge suddenly saw from the corner of her eye someone who looked like Meng Jue. Since he left that day there was no word from him, not sure what he’s busy with. She hesitated for a moment before quickly saying goodbye to Xu Ping Jun and her mom and then running after Meng Jue.
Meng Jue was turning left and right as he weaved through the streets, almost like he was trying to avoid being followed. Thank goodness Yun Ge was familiar with his form and was also adept like a wolf following its prey, otherwise it was hard to keep up.
Yun Ge was feeling excited thinking about how to surprise him, but then he entered a brothel and Yun Ge immediately pouted. She planned to turn and leave, but she was feeling a tad miffed, and snuck into the brothel.
She searched around but couldn’t find him, and soon it was dark out. When she was about to give up, she saw Meng Jue sitting in an empty courtyard. She snuck behind a fake boulder and saw a richly dressed man in his forties sit down across from Meng Jue.
Yun Ge couldn’t hear what they were discussing, and suddenly the man laughed out loud while Meng Jue had a slight smile. He bowed slightly, such a simple gesture, but from him it just looked so elegant and refined.
They must be done talking because ladies and food and wine were brought in. Yun Ge was trying to figure out how to leave when someone grabbed her by the hair. A heavily made up woman yelled “No wonder I’m short one person, you came here to be lazy. Don’t think that because Madam is sick you guys can take advantage of a new person like me. I was once famous too, and know all your tricks.”
Yun Ge was yelping at the pain as she was dragged into a nearby room. She was relieved that it was just a mistaken ident.i.ty and the woman didn’t know who she was. She planned to find the opportunity to sneak off.
The woman looked at Yun Ge and took out make up and put it on her. She tried to take off Yun Ge’s clothes but Yun Ge tightly held on “You girls like to pretend all innocent, then keep pretending! Just make sure you take good care of the customer. We all know what the men want at a brothel. But those guys still like this fake innocent act of yours.”
The woman dragged Yun Ge out and before Yun Ge can react she was pushed into a room “My lord Liu, getting her ready took some time, please don’t be mad. She’s the best we have.” Yun Ge stood at the door and gave Meng Jue a silly apologetic smile.
A woman was kneeling next to Meng Jue, and she was just staring at him wors.h.i.+pfully with her eyes wide open. Meng Jue startled momentarily and then immediately returned to normal. Lord Liu looked at Yun Ge coldly “Coming so late, at least you appear worth the wait.” He gestured for Yun Ge to sit next to him.
Yun Ge wanted to slap herself for being such a muttonhead, but she still walked towards Lord Liu while trying to think of a way to extricate herself. Meng Jue suddenly laughed “This girl is indeed the prettiest of the ones tonight.”
Lord Liu laughed “Since little brother Meng likes her, who don’t you go pour him a cup of wine.” Yun Ge immediately knelt beside Meng Jue and poured him a cup and handed it to him. Lord Liu coldly sneered “Is this your first day? Do you not know what it means to pour a cup?”
Yun Ge saw the woman resting on Lord Liu’s shoulder take a drink of the wine before kissing Lord Liu and pa.s.sing the wine into his mouth. Her tongue even lightly grazed Lord Liu’s lips.
When has Yun Ge ever seen something like this? If it was a stranger that would be at least bearable, but the person next to her was Meng Jue. Yun Ge felt her entire body burn up and her hands holding the cup began to tremble.
She looked at the guards standing in the room, all of them alert and powerful, not like regular guards but more like soldiers. Yun Ge worried about how bad things could get as she slowly drank the wine.
It’s just lip to lip, right? Every one needs to use their lips to eat, to drink. Don’t be scared! Don’t be scared! Just think of him as a cup. Yun Ge tried to give herself all these excuses but she still didn’t make a move.
Meng Jue silently sighed and then lifted Yun Ge’s chin. He stared at her, his obsidian eyes reflecting a hunger even he didn’t fully understand. Meng Jue wrapped one arm around Yun Ge’s waist and another hand went up to cover her eyes.
Yun Ge saw Meng Jue get closer and closer to her, she saw two little hers reflected in his eyes, she saw his lips lightly press on hers, she saw his hands brush over her eyes.
Her world immediately descended into darkness.
The darkness separated her from everything, leaving only the soft warmth on her lips. It was as warm the May sun, causing a heat to spread in her limbs and leaving her feeling weak. It was as satisfying as the finest wine, leaving her flushed from its effects.
She didn’t know if she drank the wine, or Meng Jue drank the wine. She didn’t know if it was due to shame, or other reasons, but Yun Ge’s entire body felt weak and she needed Meng Jue’s arm strength to help her remain sitting upright.
Meng Jue’s arm was gently but firmly wrapped around her, encircling them into a world that was just the two of them. Yun Ge’s face was resting on Meng Jue’s shoulder and her mind was blank. Her ears were humming and her heart was beating so fast and loud it felt like it was about to pop out of her chest.
After some time, Yun Ge finally calmed down and she could make out what they were discussing. Hearing Meng Jue and Lord Liu talking about casual topics calmed Yun Ge down and she gradually straightened herself.
Meng Jue appeared to be deep in conversation with Lord Liu and not paying attention to Yun Ge, but his arm wrapped around her waist casually let go of her. A guard came in and whispered something to Lord Liu, whose face turned cold. He immediately waved everyone out.
Yun Ge was leaving with everyone when suddenly a flash of a sword was heading for her chest. She wanted to duck but she couldn’t avoid it. A hand suddenly pulled her into an embrace and he used his body to s.h.i.+eld her.
Lord Liu said to Meng Jue “I’ve seen plenty of women, and when this one walked it I knew something was wrong. My guard just confirmed to me, their Infante lord, that she doesn’t work at this brothel.”
It is a grave offense for an Infante to sneak into Chang An, and for this one to not try to hide it means that he intends to kill her. Seeing the guards in this room, she was done for.
Meng Jue said to Liu Dan, the Infante of Yen “I didn’t realize the misunderstanding could be so grave. I won’t conceal it anymore – her name is Yun Ge and she is the Elegant Chef in Chang An. We know each other and today she’s not here for your highness. She’s here for me. I should have explained it when she walked in, but I didn’t know how to explain these personal matters between a man and a woman. Will your highness forgive me? If you don’t believe me, then I will take whatever punishment you mete out.”