Capture the Jade

The room was in chaos. Dong Erniang did not know if she was scared or just itchy. Her body trembled even more, and the steward was whimpering, anxiously twisting her body like a fat worm. Without saying a word, the servants from the palace tied both of them up, and dragged them out of the room.   

At this time, the bed curtain arched, and from behind the curtain, Jue Sheng ran out with a bowl of soup: “Senior brother, the poison in Mrs. An Guogong’s body has been extracted. This is good, as there is no need to worry that she will die halfway before reaching Qingyun Temple.” 

Lin Chengyou took a tea cup, and the light yellow tea had a wisp of ink-like thing hanging inside. It was not much, but it was still better than not being able to draw out a single drop. He loosened his eyebrows, and asked: “How are the other four wounded victims doing?” 

“The poison is almost cleared up, and I’m guessing that they will wake up tomorrow.” 

Lin Chengyou asked the servants from the palace again: “Is An Guogong  here yet?” 

“He is here, and has just arrived in the front building. The second prince of Chun’an is also outside. An Guogong was too anxious on the way here, and accidently fell off his horse and snapped his leg. Despite having a serious leg injury, he still insisted on rushing to the back of the building. Luckily, His Majesty, the second prince of Chun’an was there and stopped him. At present, he is still in the front building, having his leg bandaged.” 

Lin Chengyou turned around and walked out: “Prepare horses and carriages, and quickly return to Qingyun Temple.” 

 *** 

The lights outside the building were vibrant. The carriages and horses waited solemnly at the front of the building. 

Teng Yuyi supported Madam Du and went up the carriage, and just as the coachman was about to raise the whips, there was an uproar of horses and carriages from behind. The carriages and horses of Duke Zhen surrounded them. Duan Ningyuan rode on the silver saddle of a white-nosed horse. He took control of the reins to stop, and dismounted. He rushed towards the carriage to salute and respectfully said: “Madam was frightened tonight. This junior can not rest assured, and if the madam does not dislike the foolishness of this junior, allow this junior to escort you back to the city.” 

His face was very calm, and after saying this, he stood up with his hands cupped together. 

Duan Wenyin appeared from behind, and also got off the horse: “Madam, Yu’er. Tonight, Ningyuan lost his temper because of drinking too much, and said a bunch of nonsense, but his temperature is pure and straight, and did not have these intentions. There were many misunderstandings, and it still needs to be cleared up in person. He was already full of remorse long ago, and had just told me a moment ago. There are tourists everywhere in the city, and the Teng family also needs to take care of several injured victims. One is afraid that there would be no one to take care of you two on the way back to the city, so we wanted to take the initiative to send you back.” 

In front of the Teng family’s carriage, there hung a bluish green colored curtain outlined in gold. Quietly inside, the curtain rolled up, and Madam Du extended her head to come out. However, the person that spoke was Teng Yuyi who was still in the carriage, only to hear her smile: “Many thanks for Madam’s kindness, but there is no need to. At first in the Ziyun building, and in front of so many seniors, I have already analyzed and understood this matter. Although I am young, my heart is not muddled. I have understood everything thoroughly, so I think that the seniors will only understand even better. My biao jie1biao jie = older female cousin has just taken medicine, so getting on the road should not be delayed for too long. We are leaving now, and there is no need for Madam to escort us. I also ask for General Duan to please not block the road in front.” 

Duan Wenying’s face stiffened slightly, and instead smiled towards Madam Du and said: “Aunt Du, one family does not speak two different languages2family members speak frankly with one another, not courteously, as if they were from two different families. I remember when Ningyuan and Yu’er had settled the marriage agreement when they were only twelve years old. In an instant, seven years have passed, and now Yu’er and Ningyuan are already nineteen years old, but after all, he has not reached adulthood yet, so it is inevitable that he will be impulsive at times.” 

“To say some improper words, there are very few young nobles in Chang’an city who do not desire for wine and seek pleasure. Just take those children of the Duan mansion, which one of them has not done preposterous type acts? Taking concubines, visiting prostitutes……too many to count. In detail, Ningyuan’s behavior is really rare to be seen, and when he was young, he studied well and practiced martial arts. I never have seen him say a word of pain. When he was older, he was sent to train in the army by father. Even more, he has slept in the frost and snow3means experienced hardships with the soldiers. The Duan family has long had rules where one can not sleep with someone else before marriage, and after marriage, one can not take a concubine at will. As the eldest son of the Duan family, even at nineteen years old, there is not even a single maid by his side. When ever Ningyuan is mentioned by the people in Chang’an, who would not praise him for being a good man?” 

“Madam Du, you are a person who has experienced a lot. You know these problems of the youth better than Yu’er. Whether Ningyuan is a good or bad child, you just need to look broadly at Chang’an. Sometimes rubbing sand in the eyes4very strict and clear about the principle, and there is no room for error and violation is not necessarily a good thing. On the contrary, it can increase trouble instead. Occasionally being muddle-headed and saying nonsense is not a big deal. However, I can see that Yu’er did not put these words at heart. But Madam is different, you are Yu’er’s most respected elder. The child’s heart is knotted, and she needs your help in order to help untie it.” 

Madam Du sighed in her heart. The meaning of Duan Wenyin’s words could not be clearer. It was simply saying that young men are foolish at times, and if Duan Ningyuan and Dong Erniang had an affair, it would not be a big deal. If they were to withdraw from the marriage on impulse, they might not be able to meet a better husband than Duan Ningyuan in the future. However, after tonight’s incident, don’t even mention that Yu’er’s attitude can not be swayed, even she, as her aunt, would no longer agree to this marriage. She did not know how Duan Ningyuan got to be acquainted with Dong Erniang, but once a young man is in love, his heart can not be taken back. 

She thought in relief, as it was fortunate that Yu’er saw through it more incesively, and her way of handling things was also more decisively. 

She looked at Duan Ningyuan again. This child is heroic and handsome, and indeed was a dragon and phoenix5refers to the best among the people. Even when he was put in such a difficult situation earlier, there was nothing to disapprove about his etiquette. However, he was standing here quietly and calmly at the moment, and only he himself would know where his mind was. 

She smiled slightly: “Madam, since it has already come to this point, I also want to say some heartfelt type words. Yu’er, this child is no better than others. When she was five, she lost her mother. At that time, it was exactly when the Tubo6the Tibetan Tubo dynasty 7th-11th century AD invaded. After her father took care of her mother’s funeral arrangement, he hurriedly left to guard the border. As her aunt, I did not have the chance to go take care of her, because I just gave birth to Da Lang. In the first few days, other than the old steward, Yu’er did not have an elder who cared for her at the time. She always thinks of her father and mother, and at such a young age, she had to carry her own shoulders7to take on her own duty, take care of herself.”

Duan Ningyuan moved slightly, and subconsciously, he lifted his head up to look at the semi-hanged bluish green curtain. 

“There was a time when I rushed to visit Yu’er, and this child was holding a little ragdoll that her mother sewed for her. She was sitting on the swing in the garden alone and was asleep on it. She accidentally fell down, and raised a big swollen bump on her head. At that moment, I cried, and this is just one of the moments. Even since she was a child, she had no mother, and she is just a little girl. As for how much grievance did A’Yu suffered over these years, as her aunt, I did not dare to think deeply about it.” 

After speaking, Madam Du’s eye sockets were a little hot. 

“Later, her father sent her here to have me instruct her. I was itching to take out my heart to dearly love and care her. Yu’er has suffered a lot of grievances, and it is more painful than digging into my flesh. Yu’er’s heart is not smooth, and as her aunt, I will only feel even more sorrowful. So Madam is wrong. For the matter tonight, don’t even mention that I will have to straighten it out for Yu’er, I’m afraid that it will be Yu’er who has to straighten it out with me. I have also understood enough. Although General Duan is young, he is indeed not a reckless child. If he had not long had other thoughts, he would have never have said the words of breaking off the marriage——” 

Duan Wenyin hurriedly opened her mouth to speak, but Madam Du spoke again: “Besides, marriage is not a child’s play8small matter, and as her aunt, how can I just carelessly come up with ideas? In a few days, my brother-in-law will return to Chang’an, and for exactly what to do about this matter, my brother-in-law will make the decision. Madam stayed up for half of the night, and is probably tired. No matter how important this matter is, it can not be finished discussing in one day. It is better to say goodbye, and accordingly go back to our residence to rest.” 

Duan Wenyin touched two nails that were neither soft or hard, but she did not get angry. After muttering to herself irresolutely, she smiled and led the horse to the side: “Alright, it is important to take care of the injured victims. Anyways, in a few days, our grandmother is going to be celebrating her birthday, and at that time, our two families will meet again. Madam and Yu’er should leave first, and tomorrow, I will come to visit Lady Du.” 

Madam Du pretended not to hear the last two sentences, and lowered the curtain with a slight smile. At this moment, the Ziyun building was bustling with noise from the horses and carriages. A group of richly dressed men came out of the building, discussing something as they walked. 

It was late at night, and the flowers of the moon reflected into each other. Those few people stopped in the half-light and half-dark shadow of a lantern. It was hard to distinguish their faces. 

The servants one by one led the horses to them, and those people went down the steps. The person in the front was wearing a purple robe and a jade crown. With a contemptuous and unruly manner, if it was not Lin Chengyou, who else would it be? 

Lin Chengyou’s mount is a dashing and powerful horse, with a purple mane and snow hoofs. Decorated with a brocade saddle and a gold net. It is probably a tribute from a foreign nation as the color of the coat is extremely different. 

After he got on the horse, he lifted his fingers to whistle, and a shadow swiftly swooped out from the darkness, and approached Lin Chengyou. With one leap, it leaped on the horse. 

Madam Du covered her chest in fright, and Teng Yuyi glanced over. The thing’s bluish green eyes were glimmering, and ears were as sharp as scissors. It turns out to be a little glossy black cheetah. 

The little cheetah crouched behind Lin Chengyou. It was small in size, but was also majestic. In Chang’an city, there were often many wealthy nobles who raised eagles, falcons, or lynxes. Such a fierce and difficult to tame cheetah is rare to be seen, but this is consistent with Lin Chengyou’s manner. 

Not long after, the guards escorted the carriage of the Duan family over. Duan Ningyuan took the reins and turned around twice in the same place. 

At the end, he could not resist, and rode his horse towards Lin Chengyou. Duan Wenyin’s complexion deepened, and immediately chased after. 

The siblings were just halfway there, when Lin Chengyou turned his head to look at the carriage of the Teng family. He suddenly said something to the little Taoist boy in front. 

The little Taoist boy nodded, and picked up his Taoist robe, running towards the carriage of the Teng family. He asked: “May I ask if Lady Teng is inside the carriage?” 

At this moment, not only did Duan Ningyuan show a surprised expression, but Madam Du was also surprised.  

Teng Yuyi asked curiously inside the carriage: “Little Taoist, what is the matter?” 

Jue Sheng scratched his head: “Can you let this humble Taoist inside the carriage? These words have to be said face to face.” 

Here is the second part of chapter 10. So many idioms! Does everyone prefer if I directly translate the idiom as it is and just put a footnote explaining it or does everyone want me to translate what the actual idiom means?

1biao jie = older female cousin2family members speak frankly with one another, not courteously, as if they were from two different families3means experienced hardships 4very strict and clear about the principle, and there is no room for error and violation5refers to the best among the people6the Tibetan Tubo dynasty 7th-11th century AD7to take on her own duty, take care of herself8small matter