Chapter 13 (2/2)
From the corner of her eyes, she notices Mo Na reveal a smile, Gui Wan really felt embarra.s.sed, with Ye Li saying such words, she is neither happy nor angry, within that moment, she does not even know how she should react. Upon getting along with them these past few days, she has already noticed, the personality traits of Nu people are completely different from that of the Celestial Empire people, the Nu people do things directly, bold in their expressions, even their display of affections is obviously bare. Ye Li is even more recklessly daring, so unacceptably overbearing.
Sensing Gui Wan’s displeasure, Ye Li no longer dares to take another step further in expressing himself, leisurely smiling, he starts to eat. Suddenly, a rumbling sound nears them, he raises his head to look outside the teahouse.
A gust of dust rises on the main road, yellow smoke filling the skies, not long after, a team of guards quickly arrives outside the teahouse, neatly arranged in rows. The teahouse immediately turns silent, everyone looks outside in surprise, forget how strange of a matter it is to have a team of guards show up here, but to actually have two young women leading them, everyone present cannot possibly not be in wonder as they simultaneously look over.
Upon seeing the guards and the two maids Ru Qing, Ru Ming, Gui Wan’s eyes s.h.i.+nes brightly. All of a sudden, her shoulder tightens, in an instance, the tiniest amount of remaining strength left in her body is also drawn back as her body reclines, falling back into a generous embrace, Ye Li’s voice sounding beside her ear: “What’s wrong? Lady Wife, is your body not well again……?” His tone filled with worries, only the closely held Gui Wan was able to clearly see the playful yet sharp warning in his expression.
With her shoulder bone locked in his hold, she could not make even the slightest of resistance, Gui Wan could only helplessly lean against Ye Li’s shoulder, whilst everyone else is thinking that that pale and sickly woman’s illness is acting up again, not one person noticed the inside story. Deep inside, Gui Wan grew desperate, with vague uneasiness, she recalls everything that happened since the moment of encounter in Qu Zhou, she has thoroughly fallen into a disadvantageous position, completely losing head start in the matter, although she senses that someone has been controlling the development of events from behind the scenes, right now, she has not even a single clue, despite the past few days of her paying special attention to their conversations, Ye Li has been deeply unpredictable, not even letting slip half a word of revelation.
Ru Qing, Ru Ming dismounts from their horses, and walks up to the teahouse, attentively looking around the inside, having scanned the entire place, the two people simultaneously reveals a look of disappointment, they signal the soldiers behind them to have a rest, the guards dismounts from their horses one after the other, planning to rest for a while at the teahouse.
Ru Qing walks up front, asking the owner of the teahouse: “Storeowner, these past few days, have you by chance seen a really beautiful woman come by?”
The owner responds with a smile, courteously saying: “There are many women who are really beautiful ah, half a li from here there is a widow selling tofu, she is also very beautiful, there is also that……” Everyone within the teahouse upon hearing this, all guffaws out loud. Ye Li also could not hold it in and lowly laughs, lowering his head to look at Gui Wan, his eyes revealing arrogance and amus.e.m.e.nt.
Hearing the owner endlessly list the women he finds beautiful, Ru Qing grows impatient, Ru Ming walks up front, coldly cutting off the owner’s chatter: “Who’s speaking of those regular blush powders, the one we’re looking for is a……” Suddenly coming to a stop, she temporarily could not describe Gui Wan’s appearance in detail, unable to sum it up by saying: “In any case, one who is difficult to forget upon one look, just someone who is exceedingly beautiful.”
Everyone freezes, before laughing out loud again, such words are equal to saying nothing at all.
Ru Qing waves her hand to stop Ru Ming from speaking further, lightly shaking her head twice, the two people withdraws from the teahouse. Ru Qing speaks up: “The matter should not be publicised.”
Nodding her head in agreement, Ru Ming looks far into the distant, softly saying: “Just who could have taken Madam away? There’s not even a single clue……”
“It is all because of our poor protection,” Ru Qing displays an expression of shame, and also concern, “The Madam of the rest inn in Qu Zhou is probably the only one who seen the people that abducted our Madam, but she couldn’t remember anything when she woke up. This is far too strange.”
“Such loss of memory should be caused by some sort of mind manipulating martial arts or sorcery.” Ru Ming quietly answers with slight teeth gnas.h.i.+ng hatred.
“The Prime Minister Estate’s spies have already gone to investigate all aspects in this case, a trail will be found in no time.” As though consoling Ru Ming, Ru Qing reveals a trace of smile, but then quickly gathers it up, the two of them sadly letting out a sigh. Hearing something sound behind them, they look back to see a small group of travelling Nu merchants, one who is supporting his seriously ill wife, as they all brush past Ru Qing, Ru Ming. Ru Ming upon seeing this ill woman, unconsciously takes a step back to give way, it is in this moment of pa.s.sing by, that the man takes a deep glance at both Ru Qing, Ru Ming, and at the same time, both their hearts receives a chill, unknowingly standing fixed on the spot, following behind is a charmingly pretty girl who sweetly smiles at them, causing the two of them to find it extremely weird.
Only after seeing the few Nu people enter their horse carriage, heading off in the direction of Ru Shui City, did Ru Ming return to reality, turning her head to say to Ru Qing: “After a little rest, let us get moving again, we still need to continue searching for Madam’s whereabouts.”
Ru Qing lightly nods her head, looking over at the far away travelling Nu merchants, not knowing for what reason, her heart just seems to be feeling empty, as though something seems to be amiss……
It has already been a few days since she heard the liveliness of people, Gui Wan half lies within the carriage, her eyes prominently filled with dejection, her drugged body has not even the littlest strength to lift the carriage curtains, her heart filled with complete sorrow, she clearly knows, the carriage team has already left the Celestial Empire’s borders, hence why they are surrounded by such peacefulness.
In her moment of deep thoughts, the carriage curtains is suddenly lifted high up, the silhouette of a tall, strong built appears before Gui Wan’s eyes. Carrying a smile, Ye Li sits beside Gui Wan in the s.p.a.cious carriage that is not at all crowded with two people there. Gui Wan closes her eyes, right now, she really is not in any mood to put up with him.
Seeming to have not seen her action, Ye Li extends his arms, lightly tapping at few spots on Gui Wan’s body, Gui Wan opens her eyes, looking at him in puzzlement, he only smiles apologetically, and takes out a really small pill, gently pinching Gui Wan’s chin as he stuffs the pill into Gui Wan’s mouth.
In her mind, the memory of that time when she got poisoned is far too unforgettable, Gui Wan unconsciously retreats, but finds that there is nowhere to retreat to, she doubtfully looks at Ye Li, Ye Li acts innocent as he shrugs his shoulders, laughingly saying: “No need to be afraid, it’s to relieve your body’s soft tendons.”
With slight urgency, Gui Wan moves her hand, because the acupoint channel has been unblocked, it has indeed recovered a lot, immediately half pulling up her body, she lifts the curtains at the side of the carriage, not caring for the aching of her entire body as she takes a look outside, and completely freezes on the spot, turns out the scenery beyond the curtains is of such unfamiliarity……
Skies of boundless yellow, difficult to make out whether it is sand or soil, the entire s.p.a.ce expansively open and empty, half of the sunset seems to be of another side of the sky with a defeated sun red like blood, a vast array of colours rendering the entire sky, looking like a piece of great landscape painting, everything before her eyes seems to be a grand and heroic piece of writing, calligraphed by the heavens, revealing the boldly unconstrained heroic spirit of the wilderness, here, there is no graceful restraints of Jiang Nan, no dazzling glory of the Capital City, here, is a scene of wilderness without any artificiality of manmade developments.
Stunned by what she has seen, Gui Wan could not help but to softly mutter the words: “So beautiful……” Such astonis.h.i.+ng view of nature, makes one feel infinitely small.
Speechlessly watching Gui Wan with a smile, Ye Li also sighs, the many women of the Celestial Empire who had come here before, if not crying then they would be throwing a tantrum, because the desolation of this place frightens them, only the woman before his eyes, is able to see the beauty of this place at one glance, sensing the magnificence and power of this remote place, he silently sighs in praising, as he looks at her side profile in captivation, Mo Na’s skilful hands may have camouflaged her elegant face, but it cannot possibly cover up the clear magnificence of her peerless temperament and grace.
Absently letting go of the curtain, Gui Wan feels hundreds of feelings gather in her heart, although moved by such beautiful scenery before her, the dilemma she is in also instantly shrouds her heart, the last time she saw Ru Qing, Ru Ming was outside Ru Shui City, after around twenty days of travelling, she has already far left her homeland, all on her own, coming to this unfamiliar nation, what is she to do? And how is she to return?
“Suo Ge Ta,” Lightly calling back Gui Wan’s empty consciousness, Ye Li says with a rare show of gentleness, “Do not worry, just give it one or two days, and your body will be able to restore its comfort, the aching pains will also disappear.” Perhaps he has thought of how overbearing his actions has been, he speaks apologetically.
Looking at Ye Li, and once again looking at the wonderful scenery outside, she slightly calms herself down, Gui Wan reminds herself that she cannot panic no matter what, she must think of a way to let news of her reach the Celestial Empire, this is her most urgent priority. Thinking how, along the way, Ye Li’s ingenious arrangements of all sorts and every flawlessly[2]planned out steps taken, coupled with a great possibility of someone playing dirty tricks from behind the scenes, she definitely must not panic right now, with one wrong step, all the following steps will be wrong, right now, she cannot afford to take a single wrong step at all.
Her movements are free now, her thoughts process has also started to turn exceedingly fast, Gui Wan half leans to the side of carriage, resting to attain mental tranquillity, and at the same time, entering her deep thoughts. A melodic tone suddenly drifts past her ears, she lightly moves her body, once again glancing outside, in this open s.p.a.ce of wilderness she sees no other human figures, puzzled, she has no idea where the singing has flowed along from, upon closer listening, the singing seems to be of the Nu Tribe’s native folk song, not only is such melody and rhythm distinctively different from that of the Celestial Empire’s songs, it is also sung in the Nu language, but the words “Suo Ge Ta” can be vaguely heard in the lyrics, Gui Wan is greatly surprised, although she has already heard those words numerous times, she does not know of the actual meaning behind it.
Seeing her ear to the side to listen, Ye Li lowly laughs, saying: “Are you listening to the song? This is a song that all us Nu people knows how to sing, do you like it?”
Turning her head to look at him, she originally didn’t want to pay any attention, but this singing is indeed comfortable and nice to listen to, it strikes a deep chord, thinking how her acupoint channels have already been unblocked, she is able to speak again, Gui Wan asks: “It’s sounds nice, what song is this?” Upon speaking, she finds that her voice sounds as light as mosquitoes, incomparable frail.
Slightly knitting his brows, Ye Li says: “To explain in your Han language, this song is an ode to the G.o.ddess, it is also a song we Nu people sing to express our love to the one we love.”
A faint expression of realisation appears on Gui Wan’s disguised face, Ye Li is amused upon seeing this, gently asking: “Do you want to know what the lyrics are? I’ll sing it for you.”
Getting slightly carried away, Gui Wan throws out the words: “No need to trouble Brother Ye Li.”
Knowing that she is originally one who is as calm and indifferent as the light clouds and breeze, and also knowing that she has the intentions to purposely distant herself, Ye Li acts as though he did not hear her answer, clearing his throat, eye locked onto her, as he sings out loud in the Han language:
Suo Ge Ta, ah, Suo Ge Ta
Water-like pearl
Cloud-like jade casket
Your appearance like an angel, bright and clear
I am your loyal servant
For your beautiful smile
I am willing to give up the best thing in the world
Suo Ge Ta, ah, Suo Ge Ta
Clear is the rising sun
Cloudy is the rosy morning glow
Your appearance like a G.o.ddess, flawlessly beautiful
I am your reliable knight
For your gentle sweet words
I am willing to defend our expansive homeland
Suo Ge Ta, ah, Suo Ge Ta
The sky is the horizon
The sea is the corner
Your body of a fairy, luminously bright
I am willing to be your affectionate lover
For your loving tenderness
I am willing to give up my freedom and life
Ye Li’s bright and clear voice lowly shrouds the entire carriage team, his singing gentle and pleasant, such magnet-like voice accompanied by traces of tenderness, echoes throughout this vast land of endless wilderness. Gui Wan half closes her eyes, not daring to look directly at Ye Li, hearing such moving singing, her mind grows slightly confused, as she thinks of herself, thinks of Lou Che, thinks of her prosperous homeland……
The few people outside the carriage all listens to the waves of singing, their faces revealing smiles like that of flowers, in this moment, they have all gone back to their own homeland, a surge of homesickness gives rise within their hearts. Right when everyone was deeply immersed, a hurried horse appears amongst the yellow horizon, and a loud voice travels over from afar: “Your royal highness, Prince Ye Li……Eldest Prince has come to greet you……”
The singing within the carriage comes to a sudden stop, Gui Wan also opens her eyes, what, Ye Li has an older brother? Raising her eyes to meet Ye Li’s, his eyes reveals a look of complexity, in it, there harbours a sincere smile, a trace of intoxication, a trace of concern, there’s also a trace of tenderness……
[1] The phrase one cannot be helped but to be moved by or wǒ jiàn yóu lián /我见犹怜 is actually more accurately translated to anyone cannot help but to love her upon seeing her, but my translation in the text more accurately fits in with Lou Che’s viewpoint at the time, and also, I think that this translation of the phrase can cause a bit of confusion because primarily the phrase is used to refer to a woman far too beautiful that one cannot bring themselves to hold negative feelings towards her. So it is not necessarily love that Lou Che is feeling here, he just simply cannot bring himself to get angry at Yao Ying.
[2] The original phrase used for flawless here is tiān yī wú fèng / 天衣无缝which literally translates to a seamless heavenly robe.
“worldly matters cannot be forcibly pressed, only by letting go of others can one let go of oneself” – quote of the day! If only that palace maid is able to actually speak her mind and tell Yao Ying this. Honestly Yao Ying could be a somewhat of a likeable character, but we just have to always see her in such tear-filled clingy state, which causes my negative feelings towards her character to grow, thinking about it carefully though, she too is victim to a pitiful fate. From her very first appearance in chapter one, where we got the impression of her as a very prideful person who loves herself to the shattered girl now who is losing grip of everything she cherishes. Thinking about it this way, perhaps clinging onto Lou Che is also her last hope of clinging onto her past where happy memories and days of ease lies.
As for Lou Che, I swear this man constantly brings your hopes up and instantly crashes it back down, just when you are hoping for him to hurry back to Gui Wan’s side and save her quicker, something else happens -_-
<script>