TSP 37.1 – BEAST

 

How could the yamen bailiff dare to accept the steward’s money? When he noticed her fetching it, cold sweat soaked his back. If his senior officer misunderstood him as accepting bribes, how could he stay in the yamen from then on?

Seeing that the steward did not insist on stuffing the money into his hands, and instead, looked toward the door, the yamen bailiff let out a sigh of relief. He turned and cast a glance at the door. The person standing there had come with the officials from the Imperial Court of Judicial Review. While the yamen bailiff did not know what kind of status said person held, Sir Pei, the deputy head of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review, had treated him with much courtesy. Perhaps he was a young noble who had followed along to enjoy the excitement.　　　

The capital had some rich and powerful young nobles with very strange interests and hobbies. Some liked pretending to be beggars. Some liked frequenting tea houses to tell stories. Still others liked practicing Daoism, only leaving the temples after finishing their cultivation. A wealthy person like this one, who simply liked joining in on the excitement, was already considered ordinary.

This time, the investigation had been particularly thorough and strict, that even the deputy head of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review had to appear in person. It was evident that the emperor placed much importance on the capital’s desires and mental state being healthy.

The only thing they could blame for the deputy head personally leading this investigation was the performance center’s own good luck. He was definitely going to be stricter than the others during the investigation.

“Report: The number of people matches the records.”

“Report: There are issues regarding the visas of two female dancers, one waiter, and two musicians.”

“Sir, there are illegal drugs hidden in this establishment.”

“The recorded revenue and taxes paid are unclear. There are suspicions of tax evasion.”

In just a short, short hour’s time, many problems were brought to light from the investigation on Jinling Center. There were some matters that could only be discovered under careful inspection. But today, the expert investigators—namely the Imperial Court of Judicial Review—had come in person. Of course they’d be able to determine who was fishy with a few looks.

Those able to work in the Imperial Court of Judicial Review were all skilled in a specialized area. To have Sir Pei investigate such a performance center was already wasting his talent.

Sitting down on a chair, Pei Jihuai pretended not to see the crown prince’s personal attendant wiping a stool three times before the crown prince sat down. “Young Master, there are many issues with this performance center. We humble officials are afraid that we may need to spend more time here. Your honored self is busy with your duties. Wouldn’t staying here delay your matters?”

“I’m merely here to have a look. May Deputy Head Pei continue handling the case and not worry about me.” The crown prince wore a smile. He appeared like a friendly person, yet Pei Jihuai knew that this was not a master that would accept half-hearted work from his subordinates.

Since the crown prince was unwilling to leave, Pei Jihuai did not insist on him doing so. He continued to listen to his subordinates’ reports.

“Sir, most of the staff in this performance center have already arrived. However, there is still a zither musician as well as two female dancers who live outside the premises that are unaccounted for.”

“Does that musician also live outside the premises?” asked Pei Jihuai, arching a brow.

“Reporting to Sir, the musician lives in this performance center.”

“Then why is he not present?” Pei Jihuai slammed a teacup on the table. “When the Imperial Court of Judicial Review handles a case, if someone doesn’t comply with our investigation, then they are a criminal suspect. They could only be brought into the Imperial Court of Judicial Review and slowly interrogated.”

Brought over by the yamen bailiffs, the grumbling musicians and female dancers all grew silent once they had heard those words. They were the best at discerning what people thought by body language, so one glance at Deputy Head Pei and they knew he was truly furious. Thus, no one dared to cause trouble.

The female dancers and musicians crowded together as they stood on stage, each of them with their shoulders hunched and heads bowed. They feared that they would be punished as an example to others.

“Apologies. This humble one woke up late and caused Sirs to wait a long time.” A man slowly appeared at the top of the stairs wearing a loose silk robe. His fine, black hair had yet to be bound, a smile that did not quite touch his eyes as he looked at everyone downstairs. “Why did Sirs need us to appear in person?”

“The security of the capital affects every civilian. This official has come today in order to ensure the safety of all civilians, not to deliberately make things difficult for you all.” Pei Jihuai looked at the musician who had his hair let down. Behind said musician was a petite servant. Pei Jihuai frowned.

Noticing Pei Jihuai staring at his loose hair with a frown, Yunhan smiled. “Sorry, this humble one rushed to come here and could not properly groom myself. Forgive me.”

When the steward saw their source of easy money arrive, she rushed to hint to him with her eyes the following: The identities of the people here today are not simple. You must be more careful with your words and actions, so as to avoid provoking disaster.

Yunhan paid no heed to the steward’s warning. Instead, he swept his gaze through everyone present. In the end, his gaze fell upon a man wearing a splendid brocade robe, hair bound and secured with a jade crown. However, the other party ignored his stare; he did not even lift his head.

“May the two of you take out your visas. I need to verify them.”

The little servant cast a glance at Yunhan; Yunhan nodded. Then the little servant fished out two visas, in a hurry as they handed them over to an official of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review.

When said official received the visas, he had yet to open them for a look when he said, “Steward, why do you have a girl dressing up as a servant boy?”

“What girl?” The steward fell into a daze. Noticing the official’s gaze upon the little servant of Yunhan, she at once understood. Because Yunhan often treated her as if she were air, the somewhat carefree steward turned her head and looked at the musician standing at the top of the stairs. “Yunhan, I allowed you to stay in this performance center to coax our honored guests to happiness, not to raise a little beauty by your side in a life of pleasure seeking.”

The little servant cut a flabbergasted figure. Never had they expected the officials from the Imperial Court of Judicial Review to say such words. “Sir, this little one is really male. It’s just that this little one has a feminine appearance.”

But the official from before paid no attention to her. He opened the visa. Gave it two looks. He raised his hand, ordering his men to arrest the little servant. “Whether one is male or female, I can tell with just a glance. There’s no need for your explanation. As a female, you used a male’s visa. Arrest her first, talk later.”

He had worked in the Imperial Court of Judicial Review for many years. If he couldn’t even tell the difference between a man and a woman, how could he still have the face to remain employed there?

“What? You really are a woman?” Yunhan appeared as if he had never expected his servant to be female. He looked at her in an astonished fashion, anger from being deceived flashing in his eyes.

“Young Master, it’s because this slave likes you so much! So this slave tried to stay by your side using the identity of a servant boy. Please forgive me, Young Master.” The little servant wanted to throw off the hands of the yamen bailiffs and kneel to Yunhan to beg for forgiveness. But said yamen bailiffs today were very strong and held her down with much force, so much so that she could barely twitch.

“Sir, this is a fake visa.” The official from the Imperial Court of Judicial Review handed over the visa to Pei Jihuai.

“Yongzhou prefecture’s government office issued this visa,” said Pei Jihuai as he examined the fake visa. “In my early years, this official studied at Yongzhou prefecture’s government office. These years, this official has grown nostalgic of that place. May Young Miss describe the scenery there for me.”

The little servant stuttered as she did as told. To which Pei Jihuai tapped the table top, tone cold as he said, “Bring her to the Imperial Court of Judicial Review.”

Once they had dragged off the little servant, Pei Jihuai raised his head, gaze falling upon the musician standing upstairs who wore an indifferent expression. “Bring this musician as well.”

“Sir, is there an issue with this humble one’s visa?” Yunhan took his time descending the stairs. He saluted in a grand manner toward Pei Jihuai. “Sir, this humble one is a victim.”

Translated by Sleepchaser at https://sleepchaser.wordpress.com/ If you read it anywhere else besides Sleepchaser’s wordpress, that copy was stolen.

Although the steward of the performance center was discontent with Yunhan, she didn’t want anything to happen to her money tree. She hurried to say, “May Sir see clearly. That servant has been working at this performance center for two to three years. Yunhan arrived here three months ago. They can’t be accomplices.”

A click of the tongue. The young noble in splendid attire, who had yet to say anything until now, shot Yunhan a glance. Irritated, he said, “Whether or not there are any problems, the Imperial Court of Judicial Review will be just and fair toward him. If you had the final say in everything, then what’s the use of the yamen?”

“Noble Personage, while your words ring true, if our performance center loses our main act, we won’t be able to continue doing business,” said the steward, rushing to curry favor and smile. “Noble Personage…”

“You still want to open your doors to do business?” The young noble in splendid attire rose to his feet. “Jinling Center violated countless laws of the Great State of Jin. Before this case has been thoroughly investigated, you cannot resume business.”

The steward’s heart clenched. She turned her head, line of sight falling upon Pei Jihuai. When the official did not move to refute the young noble, an ominous feeling entered her heart. “Sir, yesterday two commandery princesses gave an order to us,” she blurted. “Her Highnesses the commandery princesses said that they would come to listen to Yunhan. If Sirs take Yunhan away and have our humble performance center close down, then when Her Highnesses the commandery princesses arrive, this humble one would not know how to appease them.”

When the young noble in splendid attire heard the two words “commandery princesses,” his gaze moved to Yunhan, the cold look in his eyes carrying the intention to be nit-picky. “The person whom the two commandery princes took a fancy to yesterday was him?”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Thinking that the young noble feared offending the commandery princesses, the steward said at once, “The two commandery princesses were quite satisfied with Yunhan. Before leaving, they paid a lot of money so that Yunhan did not need to take other customers.”

“Since the two commandery princesses have taken a fancy to him…” said the young noble in exquisite clothes, muttering to himself for a short while. Once hope sprang in the steward’s eyes, he said, “It’s even more important that he does not approach the commandery princesses as he wishes. The commandery princesses have noble identities. If this person harbors evil intentions, what if he harms them?!”

Then the young noble in gorgeous clothes turned to Pei Jihuai. “Deputy Head Pei, bring this person to the Imperial Court of Judicial Review and investigate him thoroughly.”

“Yes,” said Pei Jihua, cupping his hands in obeisance.

Yunhan looked at the young noble. His expression grew quite unsightly. He was quite proud of his own peerless appearance, but now, someone even more handsome had appeared. It caused the wildfire of envy in his heart to become a conflagration, incapable of being extinguished.

“Who are you?” Yunhan sent a firm glare at that young noble dressed to the nines, hoping he’d just disappear already.

“Just what are you even? You don’t have the qualifications to ask about our young noble’s identity,” said the young noble’s attendant, looking at Yunhan with contempt. “You’re just a lowly musician. You’ve only played a few songs for the commandery princesses, yet have the delusion of being a pheasant that transforms into a phoenix. What a joke.”

When the crown prince heard his attendant say these words, he looked up. But he did not stop him.

“This humble one has a lowly background, and dares not make invidious comparisons between Young Master and me. It’s just that Young Master has an outstanding and peerless appearance, causing this humble one to want to make acquaintances…”

“So if you want to make acquaintances, then you can make acquaintances?” The young noble’s attendant sneered. “Are you qualified? No way!

“Countless people in the world wish to be friends with our young master. You aren’t even fit to stand in line,” said the personal attendant, voice proving somewhat sharp and high-pitched. When he scolded others, it seemed even more harsh and mean. “If I were you and stood in front of a celestial immortal, I would have felt ashamed of my inferiority a long time ago, too embarrassed to lift my face.

“Such a cheap and lowly thing actually dares to look at our young master with envious eyes. Quickly move away. Don’t disgust Young Master with that ugly face.”

Everyone grew silent. Pei Jihuai glanced at that attendant, not a word escaping his lips. He had long since been aware that the crown prince had all sorts of talented people by his side. Yet, never had he imagined that the crown prince did not even lack an attendant skilled in scolding others.

If the capital city conducted a scolding competition, then this attendant of the crown prince would place in the top three.

The attendant’s words almost angered Yunhan into spitting out blood. A servant actually dared to call me ugly?

He had been a pleasure for the eyes since childhood. Caused numerous women to grow infatuated with him. How was he ugly? Yunhan almost broke character and charged at the attendant to retort. Unfortunately, he was too slow; the people of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review were faster, detaining him in a few steps.

“Why is it so cold and cheerless here today?” said a female from the other side of the door.

Yamen: 衙门.The administrative office or residence of a local bureaucrat in imperial China. Somewhat similar to a modern police station.I’m:  我. The crown prince uses the regular ‘I’ now, most likely because he is undercover as a regular young noble. For the rest of this chapter part, he uses the normal “I.”