Chu Xinian was in his early twenties, and his temperament was uncertain. Deceit and denial were also common things, and seeing this, Madam Mei was not surprised.
Chu Xinian earnestly said, “Mother, you must have misheard.”
What did she mishear, what did she mishear? She was so angry that her hands were shaking. It was clear that it was Chu Xinian who made a fuss, crying and shouting that he did not want to marry a disfigured ugly monster, she was not deaf!
The front door of the Buddha Hall was open, and although the servants outside didn’t dare to look in brazenly, their ears pricked up.
“It’s only skin, even if you are in the prime of life and are a beautiful woman, you will grow old with white hair and dry bones. If everyone in the world were to seek marriage for appearance, in the end, they will only have one happy night.”
Chu Xinian looked at Madam Mei, “I have heard that Mother was one of the most beautiful women in the Capital when she was not married and that there were many who sought her. Now that you are no longer young, Father still loves you as before and has never accepted concubines. Son thinks this is the way between husband and wife”.
Madam Mei gasped at his words and fell silent.
As Chu Xinian said, when she was young, Madam Mei was astonishingly beautiful and came from a scholarly family. Ten thousand people in Beijing wanted to marry her. Who would have thought that she would choose to marry Qu Yanghou, who was still a poor scholar? Making the world lament that pearl had stagnated in mud.
However, although Qu Yanghou has not made any achievements in the Court for so many years, he loved his wife very much and never set foot in any brothel. Just listen to opera and walk the birds, which was a hundred times better than in any glamorous household.
It was a pity that the world was so ignorant and blinded by gold and jade, making it unable to see through the filth and dirt within.
Madam Mei could not fully believe that this was coming from the mouth of her uneducated youngest son, and her expression was one of surprise.
Even Chu Jiaoping, who was next to her, looked surprised and frowned, “Second Brother, you must think carefully, the Imperial Family is not like ordinary families. The slightest mistake is a big crime that will cost you your head.”
As he was the protagonist of his novel, Chu Xinian couldn’t help but look at him twice, “Big Brother, you don’t need to worry. Although I am naughty, I know how to behave. After I get married, I will restrain myself.”
Chu Jiaoping glared at him, he said in a serious tone, “Do you know that Xie Jingyuan is cruel by nature?”
“I know.” Chu Xinian didn’t seem to mind, he met Chu Jiaoping’s gaze, and his expression was sincere, “But even a brutal person should know right from wrong, hearts are not made of stone. If I treat him with sincerity in the future, I believe he will naturally do me no harm.”
After all, he was a writer and could speak eloquently, and with a few words, he dispelled Madam Mei’s hesitant thoughts at this time.
Chu Jiaoping wanted to say more, but Madam Mei raised her hand to stop him, “Enough.”
Madam Mei looked at Chu Xinian with a complicated expression and felt that this incompetent young son had finally matured a lot after being beaten, “From the beginning, I did not agree with your Big Brother’s idea, it is inappropriate to spread the word, but since you said so, rest well today… Tomorrow, I will personally take you back. ”
Chu Xinian being the second son, the title of Marquis Quyang did not belong to him, and naturally, he did not have the qualifications to divide the property. Although he was married to Xie Jingyuan, he didn’t even have a manor of his own and had to live in other’s manor, which looked like an upside-down door.
No wonder Marquis Quyang Manor is so unhappy with the marriage.
Chu Xinian froze for a moment, “So fast?”
Madam Mei, however, said nothing, walked toward the door, and left the Buddha Hall with her personal maid.
Only then did Chu Jiaoping slowly withdraw his gaze. He sighed and said to Chu Xinian with deep meaning, “In a few days, the Emperor returns to the Capital.”
In early Spring, it rained heavily and was inevitably cold at night.
It rained in the afternoon and stopped soon after. Water dripped down the dark blue transparent tiles and fell on the green slabs of the long hall, making the sound very clear.
Xie Jingyuan had military power in his hand, he also achieved great merits. No one knows whether the Emperor’s attitude toward him was positive or not. If it is said that he is favored, one would have to question why the Emperor gave him as a wife to Chu Xinian, that useless man. And if it is said that he is not favored, it should be noted that the Chu Family still had the name of an Imperial relative and they were still respectable.
There are a thousand opinions in the mouths of a thousand people, but the Emperor’s heart is unpredictable and no one knows the truth.
The General’s residence was heavily guarded, with armed guards before the gate, all with cold stares and a chilling aura. Although Jiu Yong was a confidant of Xie Jingyuan, he had to remove his sword before he could enter the inner courtyard.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Zs Obgv, atf rqlfr tjnf rfca cfkr abvjs.”
Ktfgf kjr j ragbcu wfvlmlcji rwfii lc atf jlg, ylaafg jcv qecufca, ilcufglcu, atf gfreia bo sfjgr bo erlcu wfvlmlcji tfgyr. Dea Ale Tbcu kjr erfv ab la jcv, klatbea mtjculcu tlr ojmf, tf qeiifv j nbiewf bo rfmgfa ifaafgr ogbw tlr riffnf jcv qgfrfcafv la klat ybat tjcvr ab atf wjc rfjafv yftlcv atf vfrx.
On the corner of the carved red sandalwood table was a candle that moved slightly, brightly illuminating the man’s face. His eyebrows were straight and his eyes were long and thin, and his pupils were dark and bright, looking a bit like a fox, but he was more like a black snake swimming in the cold water.
A beautiful half-face.
However, when the man looked up slightly from the shadows, the dim candlelight illuminated the other half of his face. He had several hideous scars on the right side of his face as if someone had given him several cuts, a shocking sight.
The white wall was dusty and the beautiful jade had flaws, but that’s all.
Xie Jingyuan did not open it, “From the Marquis Quyang’s Manor?”
Jiu Yong bowed his head, “Yes.”
Certainly, Xie Jingyuan was as rumored, severely ill, and it looked like he had a terminal illness. He covered his lips with a white handkerchief to suppress the low cough that was ripping his chest and then, after catching his breath, asked, “What, their family wants to withdraw from the marriage?”
Jiu Yong did not know how to answer for a moment.
Seeing this, Xie Jingyuan looked up and finally opened the secret letter, but saw that it reported what happened after Chu Xinian was taken away by the family’s servant, everything was detailed, even what was said in the Buddha Hall was also written word for word.
“He treats me sincerely…?”
When Xie Jingyuan saw this line, he made a faint pause and shook the paper against the candle flame, not understanding what it meant. Finally, the white handkerchief in his hand was tossed aside, and on it was a thick bloodstain, translucent from the darkness.
Jiu Yong raised his head and looked at Xie Jingyuan’s strangely bluish lips and said, “I heard that tomorrow Marquise Quyang is coming with Chu Xinian, presumably to make peace…”
To make peace, not to withdraw from the marriage.
It was also true that a mere Marquis would certainly not dare to refuse the marriage granted by the Emperor himself.
And naturally, Xie Jingyuan could not either.
A seriously ill general who could no longer lead troops into battle was no different from an invalid. How could his status compare to the glory of the past?
Xie Jingyuan coughed again. He pressed his fist against his lips to suppress the rust in his throat and stared at the piece of paper, without looking at Jiu Yong, he said in a hoarse voice, “If they want to come, let them come.”
Marquis Quyang Manor was one of the most insignificant of the many decaying noble families, but thanks to Chu Xinian, the useless son, there were many “topics of conversation” circulating widely in the Capital.
However, Xie Jingyuan’s situation was not much better now. It could be said that he was walking on thin ice.
Since the death of the late Empress, the Crown Prince had been in a bad situation, and a few days ago, having offended His Majesty, he was even confined to his residence and had yet to come out. There were even rumors that the Emperor intends to abolish the Crown Prince.
Xie Jingyuan was the Crown Prince’s right-hand man, and many people want to get rid of him. This marriage was just a chess game played by those palace women. They can not only get a pawn in but also humiliate.
The fact that the newlywed Chu Xinian ran away from his wedding made Xie Jingyuan a laughingstock in the Capital.
The atmosphere was heavy and depressing, Jiu Yong said, “The eldest son has long since joined Prince Jin, and although Chu Xinian is frivolous, there is no assurance that he is not a spy. Master, should we get rid of him?”
Xie Jingyuan suddenly laughed, “Get rid of who?”
He squeezed the thin paper in his hand with a loud sound, but his body slowly fell backward in the chair, really as unpredictable as the rumors.
“I heard that Chu Jiaoping is extremely intelligent, something rare in the Capital. How come his younger brother is the opposite?”
Everyone in the world knew that he killed countless people, and no matter what the reason was, gods and ghosts avoid him. Chu Jiaoping had already told Chu Xinian of his cruel nature, and he thought he wouldn’t hurt him?
How could he think that he would not hurt him and treat him sincerely?
Xie Jingyuan suppressed his smile. He closed his eyes slowly and expressionlessly stroked the ugly scar on the right side of his face as if remembering something from the past.
He never believed in that kind of thing…
Jiu Yong could not understand what his master was thinking, he could only lower his eyes and stare at the lamp in the corner of the table. It took a while until the candle was half gone before Xie Jingyuan finally opened his eyes, “Keep him…”
He said slowly, “Don’t kill him.”
If he killed him, wouldn’t he be giving Prince Jin a motive for nothing? The Crown Prince is now disadvantaged, Xie Jingyuan can only remain inactive and tolerate.
Even if the Emperor wants to marry him off to trash as his wife.
Even if he, a General who has fought on the battlefield, is forced to lie on the bed, Xie Jinyuan could only tolerate it.
This is the imperial power.
And the only thing Xie Jingyuan wanted to do was to remove that man from the throne. As long as he can change the dynasty of Great Yan, he can endure anything and do anything…
Chu Xinian did not know that he had narrowly escaped death. In the evening, he was alone in front of the table, writing something quickly, he already had a thick stack of papers.
“A Thousand Years of Feud” was a work he began preparing five years ago. He had written almost three million words one after the other. Although the main plot had not been forgotten, many of the loose ends have been revised too many times and were no longer remembered, it costs a bit to recall them.
A ball of light squatted quietly in the corner of the table, though it did not speak, its presence was quite noticeable.
System asked: [Are you writing the original plot? The direction of this world’s plot has long since been changed, it’s useless for you to think about it]
Chu Xinian, “How do you know if you don’t try?”
There are a total of 3 million words in his novel. Assuming he writes 100,000 words a day, it will take at least a month. And since his manuscript was only at the bad friend’s house for a few days before he returned it, the other side must not have had time to change much.
In other words, even if the plot at the beginning collapsed, the final plot could still be stable.
The moon was high above the willow tree and the night was getting darker. Chu Xinian put away the brushes and papers and was about to go to bed, but suddenly heard the sound of footsteps outside, followed by Yun Que’s voice, “Young Master, do you need anything?”
Chu Xinian gasped at these words: Chu Jiaoping, what was he doing here in the middle of the night?
Other than Madam Mei, the manor had hardly any female family members, so naturally there was nothing to avoid. Chu Jiaoping directly opened the door and walked in, only to see his uneducated younger brother sitting behind the desk, he couldn’t help but stop his steps.
“Second brother?” Chu Jiaoping watched him carefully, looking puzzled.
Chu Xinian put aside the brush in his hand and unhurriedly stood up, “Big brother, what brings you here?”
Chu Jiaoping did not reply, he felt that today’s Chu Xinian was very abnormal, clearly in the past what he detested the most was brush and ink, why did he still stay in the study late at night? He looked at the table with nothing in sight but saw a large buffalo drawn on the paper.
Chu Jiaoping, “…”
Certainly, he had worried too much.
The purpose of Chu Jiaoping’s night visit was not to talk to Chu Xinian by candlelight and share brotherly love. He sat down in front of the desk, with the blue hem of his clothes hanging quietly, looking like a gentleman. And said, “Second brother, you will leave the manor tomorrow, it’s not too late to repent.”
Straight to the point, no nonsense.
Chu Xinian listened to his words without saying anything, thinking that even if he repented now, he didn’t stand a chance. His courtyard was now guarded by eighteen men, all sent by Madam Mei to guard him. If he dares to go out, they will break his leg immediately.
“What is Big Brother talking about?” Chu Xinian slowly poured a cup of tea and handed it to him, his eyes seemed unfathomable under the candlelight, “Is there any way to refuse his Majesty’s decree?”
Chu Jiaoping’s character in “A Thousand Years of Feud” belonged to the career-oriented male protagonist, concerned about his family and people, so he could even sacrifice himself.
“Second Brother, Big Brother is still determined. If you don’t want to, I will replace you.”
In difficult times, compared with the continuation, rise, and fall of a family, human life is too useless.
Chu Xinian was not at all surprised by Chu Jiaoping’s attitude, but he should not be allowed to replace him. If he did so, Xie Jingyuan would surely die.
Chu Xinian, “Big brother, you are the eldest son and will inherit the title of the family in the future. Leave this matter to me. The incense of the Marquis of Quyang Manor cannot be cut off.”
He put into practice what he had heard today from the maid.
Chu Jiaoping probably did not expect his ignorant brother to have such a conscience, and looked at him in surprise, “Aren’t you afraid that Xie Jingyuan will kill you?”
If I don’t go to hell, who will go?
Chu Xinian already understands this sentence very well, “He won’t.”
Once dead, the person who would be most suspicious is Xie Jingyuan. This would allow Prince Jin to ask questions, and the Crown Prince’s side would also cause no end of trouble, they are not so ignorant.
Chu Jiaoping averted his gaze, his eyes hid a guilt that only he knew, “Second brother, you … don’t hate Mother…”
Chu Xinian, “She’s not wrong, it’s good that I can do something for the family, at least there’s one left.”
Chu Jiaoying lowered his head and pondered as if he had fallen into some kind of difficult decision. Suddenly he looked at him with burning eyes, “…Then, would you like to help Big Brother?”
Chu Xinian continued pretending, “Of course, I’m willing…. huh, help with what?”
He noticed something was wrong, his eyes instantly widened and he unconsciously looked at Chu Jiaoping, but heard him say, “Although our Chu Family is in decline, it is considered a noble family, and we will inevitably be involved in the murky waters of the Court. Prince Jin is virtuous, benevolent, brave, and intelligent, and is undoubtedly the best choice.”
Chu Jiaoping implied that the family has already decided to support Prince Jin, and with so many princes competing for the throne, he was very optimistic about him, who will undoubtedly be a brilliant ruler.
Chu Xinian said tentatively, “Big Brother, what do you mean by the Chu Family supporting Prince Jin? The Crown Prince still holds the title, there is nothing wrong with him.”
Chu Jiaoping frowned slightly, disagreeing with his words, “Although the Crown Prince is the firstborn of the late Empress, he acts harshly and is not benevolent. Our family is already in the same boat as Prince Jin, and if he ascends to the throne, I’m afraid he won’t let us go.”
Prince Jin’s mother, Concubine Mei, and Marchese of Quyang Manor, Madam Mei, are sisters from the same clan, so they have some nepotistic ties. In the eyes of others, the Chu Family has been part of Prince Jin’s party for a long time.
Now, Prince Jin and the Crown Prince openly and secretly fight each other, and the situation in the Court has long been like water and fire, and if the Crown Prince ascends to the throne and settles old scores, the Marquis of Quyang Manor is likely to be out of luck.
In short, the Chu Family was closely tied to Prince Jin. It was easy to get on this boat, but it was hard to get off. The only way to get off the boat was to quietly help Prince Jin ascend to the throne.
Chu Xinian, “Then how can I help Big Brother?”
Chu Jiaoping lowered his voice a little, and the night became a little solemn, “Xie Jingyuan has a map of the army formation, and there is a list of all his trusted cronies in the army on the back of the map. If you get a chance, find a way to make a copy.”
Chu Xinian reacted a bit, “Make a copy?”
Brother, are you sure it’s not stealing?
Chu Jiaoping seemed to have read his thought, “Stealing is also okay.”
Chu Xinian, “Oh…”
This cheap brother is trying to save the country with shortcuts. Do you want me to go to Xie Jingyuan’s side as an undercover agent?
dONT!!!!!!!!!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭 YOU OLDER BRO SETTING UP UR OWN YOUNGER BRO FOR DEATH 😡😡😡😡 U DONT CARE ABT HIM U SELFISH BASTARD
LMAO😭 No matter how I see it, older brother Chu is indeed setting Chu Xinian up with this undercover mission or whatever. Altho there may be good intentions for that, still, it’s dangerous!
+1!!
You cannot believe my shock reading your username in capital bold letters 😭✋
+1 LMFAOOOO
I hope chu xinian see past through this ‘caring, self-sacrificing’ brother of his!
Looks like this cheap brother made this marriage happen and wanted to go in as a spy. He never imagined his little brother would go through with it
I feel as if his personality Is so much more different than the original’s, I wonder how they will react! He seems much more tame than the flamboyant naughty playboy!