The Times Spent in Pretense

The crown prince continues to use the regular “I” for a section of this chapter part, since he is undercover. I will make it known when he switches to the crown prince “I.”

 

“Isn’t this performance center supposed to open at the period of Si?”

“Young Miss, something seems off today. Why are there yamen bailiffs standing guard outside?”

 

The crown prince said to his personal attendant, “Bring the young miss inside.”

The attendant lowered his head and said, “Yes.” He returned in a flash with a master and her servant. Yunhan glanced at the people who had arrived. The young lady was the Young Miss Yao who had visited yesterday.

But Young Miss Yao did not look at him. Rather, she made her way in front of the crown prince in a well-behaved manner. Curtsied. “Greetings, Young Master.”

“Is this the musician you and Liuli listened to last night?” asked the crown prince, expression apathetic, extending a hand to point at Yunhan.

Young Miss Yao nodded obediently.

“Does Hua Liuli like him a lot?” The crown prince furrowed his brows a shade. In the blink of an eye, they smoothed over again.

Young Miss Yao replied, “Probably.” But then she noticed the crown prince’s countenance becoming unsightly, and she blurted, “A-actually, she doesn’t really like him. We only listened to him play. We didn’t do anything else.”

She had wanted to buy this musician when Hua Liuli wasn’t around, and anger Hua Liuli in the process. Never had she imagined that right after she stepped through the front doors, she would encounter the Imperial Court of Judicial Review and the crown prince, frightening her to the point that she was too afraid to talk recklessly.

Don’t tell me this musician committed a huge crime?　　

And so the crown prince had his attendant tell me in advance not to expose his identity?　　‌

Just as she thought this, the voice of a female rang outside. Joy suddenly filled her heart when she realized Hua Liuli had arrived. She shot a glance in secret at the officials of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review and the yamen bailiffs. If we die, we die together. We’re just people who passed by this performance center, so why did the crown prince and the Imperial Court of Judicial Review catch only me?　

“Something’s off about this performance center,” said Hua Liuli, sensing something amiss with the atmosphere just as she had stepped foot through the main doors. It was too quiet. So quiet, that rather than a performance center, this place more resembled a book store.

Jiamin, whom Hua Liuli had dragged along with her, eyed the surroundings. “What’s wrong?”

To which Hua Liuli glanced at Jiamin and turned around to leave.

Before she could, someone called out, “May the two Commandery Princesses please wait.” Hua Liuli turned her head to look at the person who had come out through the doors. He seemed familiar. Doesn’t that look like the court eunuch who accompanies the crown prince?

“Commandery Princesses, His Highness the crown prince and Deputy Head Pei of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review are currently handling a case inside. Since the two commandery princesses are already here, why not enter and enjoy the show?”

“Since His Highness and Deputy Head Pei are handling a case, wouldn’t it be bad if we do that?” Then Hua Liuli said in a tactful fashion, “I think it’s better if I don’t disturb them.”

“Rest assured. His Highness is pretending to be an ordinary young noble providing assistance to Sir Pei in this case. Once the two commandery princesses enter the performance center, address His Highness as ‘young master.’” The eunuch smiled as he invited them into the lobby.

Hua Liuli felt somewhat complicated. It was her first time ever trying to look for a beauty, yet the next day, the people of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review surrounded her. So how could she wholeheartedly appreciate beauties in the future?

Clenching her teeth, Jiamin said by Hua Liuli’s ears, “If you didn’t wake me up so early in the morning to take me here, we wouldn’t have lost so much face.”

“If it weren’t for the fact that you fought over a person with me yesterday, I would not have brought you with me today,” replied Hua Liuli in a whisper. “We’re sharing weal, no?”

“Pei! This is obviously sharing woe.” Jiamin rolled her eyes.

“May the two commandery princesses please enter.” The eunuch turned his head and caught sight of Commandery Princess Jiamin rolling her eyes at Commandery Princess Fushou. Instead of getting angry, however, Commandery Princess Fushou simply gave Jiamin a gentle and soft smile, and said, “After you, Elder Sister Jiamin.” Hua Liuli turned her body to the side, indicating for her to go first.

As Jiamin reached out to support Hua Liuli, she said by her ear, “Younger Sister is delicate. I will support you. Please go ahead.”

When the officials of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review and the yamen bailiffs saw the two noble young ladies in rich attire come in together, they lowered their heads in succession. They did not dare to look the young ladies in the face.

The moment the two stepped through the doors together, the first thing they saw was the crown prince, who was sitting next to Pei Jihuai. One ought to say that as long as the crown prince was present, people would subconsciously take note of him in every case.

Good-looking people seemed to shine spontaneously, causing others to lose color and appear dull in comparison.

“Greetings, Young Master,” said Hua Liuli and Jiamin together as they let go of each other’s hands, saluting to the crown prince.

The crown prince pointed at the empty seats by the side. “Sit down before we talk.”

The moment Hua Liuli took a seat, he asked, “Commandery Princess, I heard that you truly admire a musician in this performance center?”

Although there were two commandery princesses present, in the crown prince’s eyes, there was only one.

“Which musician?” Hua Liuli raised her head and scanned the surroundings, before noticing the musician whom the people of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review currently had detained. After she had a glimpse of him in passing, she shifted her gaze to the crown prince. “What crime did he commit?”

Pei Jihuai responded, “His servant boy is actually a young lady in disguise, her visa a counterfeit. I suspect he is an accomplice in those large cases prior.” Worry had filled his heart that Hua Liuli would blame him for taking away that musician, and thus he explained the situation as gravely as possible.

“Commandery Princess, this humble one is no accomplice to evildoers. This humble one beseeches Commandery Princess to redress the injustice.” Yunhan lifted his head, revealing his good-looking eyes and bridge of his nose, expression sullen and helpless. “Noble Guest, Yunhan is merely a musician with no one to rely on. Commandery Princess, please see clearly.”

With the crown prince’s good looks present, how could Hua Liuli pay attention to Yunhan’s “handsome-male” scheme? She took out a handkerchief. Covered her mouth as she coughed lightly. “Sir Pei is the most skilled official in the Imperial Court of Judicial Review at investigating cases. With him around, whether or not you are innocent will be uncovered, so don’t worry.”

“So even you don’t believe in me?” Yunhan was beside himself, dropping his head. As though he had lost all his strength. “I thought Commandery Princess was different…”

The crown prince turned to look at Hua Liuli; Hua Liuli rushed to shake her head. I didn’t do anything to this musician.　

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

“Sir Pei, I’ll hand this case over to you.” The crown prince rose to his feet. Said to Hua Liuli, “Commandery Princess, return with me.”

Hua Liuli said, “Alright.” Following that, she stood to catch up with him.

Jiamin was speechless.

Why was she even here? To show proof on how biased the Ji family was? She, his younger cousin from the female line, didn’t even exist in the crown prince’s heart, huh?

“Commandery Princess…” Yunhan looked at Jiamin in a sorrowful manner, as though she were his final hope.

What a pity that Jiamin was too preoccupied with scolding the Ji family’s partialness in her thoughts, and totally missed Yunhan’s gaze. It wasn’t until the yamen bailiffs dragged him away that she rose to her feet with an apathetic countenance. “Sorry for disturbing your investigation. I’ll leave first.”

As the saying went, one degree of biao equaled 30,000 li of separation. She could understand this. Could accept this.

So why did he just have to treat Hua Liuli so well?!

Did he know what hid beneath Hua Liuli’s weak and delicate appearance?! Everyone was blind.

“Fortunately, that musician did not harm you,” said the crown prince to Hua Liuli, the latter riding a horse in a slow trot. “If he approached you and seized the opportunity to assassinate you, wouldn’t you be in terrible danger?”

“Many thanks for the reminder, Your Highness. This official’s daughter will definitely be more careful next time.” Hua Liuli turned to look in Jinling Center’s direction, gaze bright.

“There’ll be a next time?” The crown prince frowned.

“W-what’s wrong?” asked Hua Liuli. She sensed that he wasn’t too happy.

“The people outside have unclear intentions. Commandery Princess has a noble identity, and should not allow villains to have an opportunity to exploit you.” A pause, before the crown prince forced himself to say, “If Commandery Princess is fond of listening to the zither and watching dance performances, the palace raised many musicians and female dancers. I can bring you to watch them.”

“The identities of the palace’s musicians are different. How could this official’s daughter put a hand on them…”

The crown prince whipped his head to face her. “What did you say? His expression was tranquil to the point of terrifying.

In a daze Hua Liuli stared at the somewhat unfamiliar crown prince. For some reason, her confidence decreased. She turned her head, looking him in the face. “This official’s daughter has a weak body and cannot be married. If this official’s daughter does, it would harm that respectable young noble’s family. That’s why, this official’s daughter hopes to raise two to three handsome male companions, enjoy some happiness, then wait for death.”

“Is it that Commandery Princess thinks you are unsuitable to marry, or that you do not want to marry those people?”

“Which man in the world doesn’t want to take a perfect woman as his wife? Which woman in the world doesn’t want to marry a perfect man as her husband?” Hua Liuli slightly lowered her eyes. Changed the hand that was holding the reins. “It’s just that the body of this official’s daughter doesn’t allow it. So this official’s daughter doesn’t want to give problems to other people.”

“If there is someone in the world who does not disdain your weak body, would Commandery Princess marry him?”

Laughter spilled from Hua Liuli’s lips. The picture of puzzlement as she looked at the crown prince. “Your Highness, why have you suddenly asked such a question?”

Could it be that the woman he liked had passed away due to her weak body, causing him to be deeply moved like so?

When she realized this, Hua Liuli said, “Your Highness, this official’s daughter knows clearly if this official’s daughter takes a fancy to someone, it would just bring him suffering. It’s better if he forgets me and hates me than if we become involved.”

Not!

If she were that sicky young lady, she wouldn’t have any misgivings. Even if they couldn’t be together, she would make it so the crown prince understood her feelings. At the very least, she wouldn’t hold any regrets right before she died.

For a violent person who held grudges like her, it’s a good thing not to be a person whom she took a fancy to. If someone became the object of her affections, then they would have a lifetime of grievances.

“I understand,” said the crown prince, a smile on his lips. “Liuli, if you ever start liking someone, you must let me know.”

“Your Highness wants to help this official’s daughter take possession of him?”

This caused him to laugh lightly. He did not say a word.

“How could this official’s daughter allow Your Highness to do such a thing?” blurted Hua Liuli, thinking he had agreed tacitly to help her. “Seizing a good man isn’t a good thing to do. This official’s daughter doesn’t care if my reputation is affected, but Your Highness’ reputation is another story.”

“If it can make Liuli happy, then it’s something you can do.” A light sigh escaped the crown prince’s lips. “In any case, my reputation isn’t too good to begin with.”

“That was all because of nonsensical rumors from other people.” When Hua Liuli recalled those slanderous rumors about him, indignance filled her heart. “Your Highness is clearly a talented and handsome crown prince.”

When his ears caught those words, the crown prince turned his head to her, a light smile tugging on his lips.

Captivated by his beautiful smile, Hua Liuli felt a hint of regret spring up within her. How nice would it be if he wasn’t the crown prince?　　

If he weren’t the crown prince, even if she had to spend an unimaginable fortune to obtain him, such a stunningly handsome man, and raise him well in her villa, she would do it. He would become her most favored male pet.

What a pity. What a pity.　　

After the Imperial Court of Judicial Review and office of the capital governor issued the crackdown, in a short three months, the capital’s style changed to an immense degree. In the red-light districts, there were no longer men and women in exposing attire trying to lure in customers on the street. The price of alcohol in the performance centers tanked. However, despite the low prices, the people who dared to spend money at places like this proved few.

Some outsiders who had just arrived at the capital felt deeply moved. The civilians in the capital were truly different from those of other places. Knowing that the spring exam was upon them, places where people could spend money for entertainment grew calm. All in order to not affect the performance of the exam candidates. It was to the point that one could not even see thieves. Even if one were not careful and dropped money to the ground, there would be someone who returned said money to the owner.

There was even a foreign merchant who specially wrote travel notes regarding this. And these notes read the following: The Great State of Jin is a prosperous, graceful, beautiful, and fine country. Where even if someone drops something, no one would pick it up for themselves.

Emperor Changlong noticed that his favorite son had been strange these past two days. Sometimes, when he gave him a peerlessly boring memorial to annotate, his son would still stare at it in a daze.

One the day that the spring exam just ended, Emperor Changlong could not help but ask, “Yuansu, why have you been so absent-minded for the past two days?”

“Imperial Father, Son-Official suddenly realized that Son-Official is a beast.” The crown prince raised his head to look at Emperor Changlong. Without any shame, he said, “Son-Official needs your help with a certain matter.”

The moment Emperor Changlong heard these words, he grew pale from fright. “What is it? Did you forcibly seize a woman from outside?!”

 

Author’s Note:

Two months prior:

Crown Prince: Son-Official sees the Hua family’s little girl as a younger sister. As an elder brother, how could Son-Official have feelings for my younger sister? Son-Official is not a beast.

Period of Si: 巳时. 9-11am.Pei: 呸. Onomatopoeia of spitting. Used to signify contempt (in this context), but Chinese people also spit in order to cast aware unluckiness.Sharing woe: So basically HLL only used the first part of the saying ‘sharing weal and woe,’ whereas Jiamin’s only using the second part.Ji family: Recall that the imperial family’s last name is Ji.Biao: 表. Had to keep it in pinyin because I couldn’t find a way to seamlessly integrate it into English. Basically, a biao relationship is the kind where you are cousins with someone, and one of each of your parents are siblings of opposite sex. Thus, you will have different last names. The Chinese make a distinction between cousins that share their last name and cousins that don’t, with cousins that do share last names as ‘closer.’30,000 li: 里. A li is an ancient Chinese measurement of length, approximately 500m. So 30,000 li is like 15,000 km. I: 孤. Back to his special crown prince ‘I.’