The Scum Shou's Survival GuideChapter 46.2

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Right when Li Zechen was feeling apprehensive, he heard Ye Ming say, “Your Majesty, please do not approve my father’s request to resign. Father works his hardest for the sake of the country and the common people. He has grand plans. If he’s forced to leave because of my affairs and henceforth suffer people’s ridicule, I’ll be very distressed.”

Li Zechen immediately nodded and assured, “Don’t worry, zhen will properly implore the Grand Tutor to stay.” jv3Ca2

Ye Ming said sincerely, “Many thanks, Your Majesty.”

Li Zechen’s eyes were sad. “This is what zhen originally owes to you. What zhen is doing now cannot make up for even a tenth of a thousandth of zhen’s mistakes.”

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Ye Ming shook his head, “That Your Majesty recognizes his mistakes and can improve is the most important. Chen is content.”

Li Zechen gave a bitter laugh. Ye Ming didn’t blame him, and in the end, he only regarded him as his emperor, and was only devoted to him in the capacity of a ruler. Everything he had done for him was because he hoped he could be a good emperor… oU6Xnr

If you loved me, or if you were a little bit more selfish, you probably wouldn’t forgive me this easily.

Li Zechen’s heart was endlessly pained, but he knew he should leave now. It was just that he was a bit reluctant to part with him still. For the rest of his life, he wouldn’t dare hope Ye Ming harbored any affection toward him, but what about in the next life…?

Initially, Li Zechen had been prepared to turn around and leave, but he suddenly asked, “Wen Qing, if I were not the emperor, if I had not been born into the royal family, would we…have a chance together?”

Ye Ming started in surprise. He didn’t think Li Zechen would ask this.

naD4YT

He looked at the man in front of him. This powerful man seemed to be able to overcome any obstacle, but at this moment, he was looking back at him with such a fragile expression. The hopeful expression in his eyes seemed as if it’d shatter upon contact, and it made him appear so lonely and sad.

Ye Ming suddenly felt very distressed for him.

Why did he treat this person so well back then? It was probably just because he had, by chance, witnessed his loneliness and sadness…Such a young child he was, yet he seemed to have been abandoned and forsaken by the entire world.

He gave him hope, allowing him to persevere through it all, but he still wanted to cast him aside. But this time, there wouldn’t be anyone else to pull him out of that filthy quagmire and give him hope. ocG0Ry

Although I’m doomed to be unable to reciprocate your love, I still pray that you can continue living on with hope in your heart.

You remembered me that day; how could I not remember you?

It was just a pity that in the end, our paths diverged.

Ye Ming lightly stepped one foot forward, raised his head, and kissed Li Zechen’s lips. dCAtf

Strictly speaking, it didn’t even count as a kiss—only a light brush of the lips—and it happened so quickly it didn’t give Li Zechen the time to respond.

By giving him that kiss, Ye Ming seemed to have tossed aside his lifelong dedication to abiding by propriety. His ears reddened and he didn’t overdo it, saying, “Your Majesty should leave now.”

Yet Li Zechen stood in place without moving, as if he had been struck by some body-petrifying technique.

Originally, he hadn’t held out any hope, but this person had generously given it to him. QgPoDW

Li Zechen suddenly smiled. Now that I have this answer, even if I can’t get closer to you in all my life, it still does not matter.

Because I know that perhaps in the next life, or the next…there will finally come a life when I am not an emperor, and there will not be any worldly obstacles to separate us, and we will have a chance together.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

As long as this tiny possibility exists, I will have no regrets for the rest of my life.

[Ding, Li Zechen’s blackening value -1, current blackening value 0] gMRz3f

Ye Ming watched Li Zechen as he left, and then he turned around and returned to his room.

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.

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Il Ite kfca ja bcmf. Vbbc, rtf mjwf yjmx jcv abiv Tf Zlcu atja atf Zjrafg kjcafv tlw ab ub rff tlw ja atf ogbca.

Ye Ming finally left his courtyard again. XEwCFt

Grand Tutor Qi and Madam Qi just so happened to be together. In the short time that they hadn’t seen each other, the two of them seemed to have aged a lot. The look they directed at Ye Ming was both disappointed and sad. Madam Qi was the first to speak. “If you have something to say, then go ahead and say it.”

When Ye Ming saw that his parents, who had once loved him most dearly, appeared so distant and cold now, it made his heart ache terribly. He thought of his decision and felt even guiltier toward his parents’ kindness in raising him.

But this was the only option he could think of.

Ye Ming knelt and respectfully said, “Your son knows he’s made a grave mistake and doesn’t dare beg for Mother and Father’s forgiveness. He only hopes that Father will not resign and leave, otherwise it’ll be tantamount to giving people a chance to come after you and cause the entire Qi family to be implicated because of me. Your son is ashamed.” CA7Xk6

Grand Tutor Qi coldly said, “Who doesn’t know of your affairs by now? Do you want to stay here in order for other people to laugh at you?”

Yet, unlike before, Ye Ming’s expression was resolute. “This was done by your son alone and has nothing to do with the Qi family. Even if the consequences must be borne, it should be me alone who bears it.”

Grand Tutor Qi became even angrier after hearing this and almost wanted to strike him again, but he was held back by Madam Qi. Furious, he cried, “You’ll bear it? How will you be able to bear it?!”

Ye Ming knocked his head heavily against the floor three times. He seemed to be saying goodbye through his eyes. “I will bear it.” 2tPQcn

Grand Tutor Qi laughed incredulously and waved his hand. “Get lost!”

Ye Ming slowly stood up. Sorry for making you disappointed and sad…Your son is unfilial. He glanced at Grand Tutor Qi and Madam Qi, reluctant to part, then resolutely turned around and left.

Zi Zhu said, “Gongzi, don’t be sad. The Master was only having a fit of anger. Actually, he still really cares about you, otherwise, he wouldn’t want to leave the capital for your sake. He’s just sharp-tongued, but his heart is soft.”

Ye Ming laughed at himself derisively, “I see…” JgSHNt

“Yes,” Zi Zhu said.

Ye Ming shook his head and said, “I haven’t gone outside in a long time. Today I want to go out and relieve my boredom. You don’t need to come with me.”

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Zi Zhu said worriedly, “How can that be? Nubi should still accompany you.”

Ye Ming smiled. “You’re a little servant girl; it won’t be convenient for me to take you with me. Do not worry, nothing bad will happen to me.” rB4xYS

Zi Zhu couldn’t manage to stop Ye Ming and could only watch him leave.

………………

Ye Ming left the Qi residence and headed directly toward the Yan River Bridge.

[Ye Ming: Are there any of Li Zechen’s people following me?] OSvnYl

[888: There are two.]

[Ye Ming: Big brother, help me out. I want to lose them.]

[888: Okay.]

Ye Ming followed 888’s instructions. Not once did he turn around. He darted left and right through alleyways, and with great difficulty, finally lost those two. zLcwpQ

There were many people on the Yan River Bridge. It was one of the capital’s famous sights. Below the bridge, the river water flowed rapidly. When Ye Ming arrived, he happened to encounter two of his former peers.

Their relationship used to be quite good; now, they looked at him with curiosity and scorn. They asked meaningfully, “Wen Qing, we haven’t seen you in a long time. Why have you not come out recently?”

Ye Ming looked at them and raised his eyebrows, saying, “Such dignified men, if you have something to say, why won’t you be straightforward about it? You insist on behaving like those gossipping ladies? Senseless! Ridiculous!”

His peers were angered. You were involved in such a scandal, but not only are you not ashamed, you would also mock us? qY3aLj

Ye Ming suddenly burst into loud laughter. “I would never pander and ingratiate myself!”

Then he immediately leapt off the bridge.

His peers still hadn’t been able to react when they saw his white robes leap past them. Ye Ming’s figure had already disappeared into the river rapids.

After a few more seconds, people finally reacted. They frantically shouted, “Someone fell into the water! Someone fell into the water! Save him!” VlmHNR

………………

Li Zechen complied with Ye Ming’s request and rejected Grand Tutor Qi’s resignation. But for some inexplicable reason, he felt a bit ill at ease today. A droplet of ink fell onto his memorial, and a stain bloomed.

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He put down his brush and took a deep breath. He thought of the gentle kiss Ye Ming gave him yesterday, and his eyes revealed a tender, infatuated affection.

Just then, a eunuch frantically burst inside and said, trembling, “Your—Your Majesty…something bad has happened…” gR9oOd

Li Zechen said, “What’s made you so panicked? Tell me slowly.”

The eunuch knelt on the floor and said, “Qi gongzi has committed suicide by jumping into the river! H-his body has just—been found!” When he finished speaking, he pressed himself against the floor and trembled for fear that Li Zechen would kill him in a fit of anger!

Li Zechen’s movements halted and his pupils shrank. His mind even seemed to blank for a split second. He mumbled, “What did you say? Zhen didn’t hear clearly…”

The eunuch said in a trembling voice, “Qi gongzi has committed suicide by jumping into the river!” OI6H1S

Li Zechen swayed. He used his hands to support himself against the table and finally managed to steady his body. Without thinking, he wanted to rush outside, but after taking two steps, it was as if his acupuncture points had been pressed, and he halted.

After a long moment, Li Zechen slowly turned around. He went back to his files and began writing a response to the memorial.

The kneeling eunuch looked up at Li Zechen in confusion. He appeared dumbfounded.

The emperor loved Qi gongzi the most—previously, he’d done all those preposterous things for him; why was he so indifferent about his death now? Could it be the fickleness of a ruler’s love? But the eunuch quickly realized that Li Zechen wasn’t completely unfazed. His hand seemed to be shaking; he couldn’t even hold his brush steady. DzKliC

Li Zechen tried hard to read the words written on the memorial before him, but it seemed that no matter what, he couldn’t see clearly, his vision completely blurry.

He was unable to steady his gaze, even after giving it everything he had. The black text in front of his eyes seemed to come to life. They twisted into the grasses that grew at the bottom of the river, and coiled around him. He wanted to break away from them, but he couldn’t struggle free. He felt like he was suffocating.

When you died, did you feel very sad? Very hopeless?

A thousand, ten thousand times sadder than I feel now. CYe789

It’s precisely because of how much you suffered that I can’t let you die for nothing. If you would rather do this to rid yourself of disgrace, how could I have the heart to go against you?

So not only can I not go see you, I can’t even show any concern for you…

Even if you’ve died, I still have to pretend we’re two people who have nothing to do with each other.

I can’t even see you one last time. BjiUfN

Li Zechen closed his eyes. A single tear fell onto the memorial where the drop of ink had just smudged it. It disappeared into the black and then couldn’t be seen at all.

If I love you, then I can’t let anyone know how much I care about you.

Chrysanthemum Garden.

A few days later, Li Zechen once again rejected Grand Tutor Qi’s resignation in front of the royal court. In addition, he expressed regret over Qi Mingyan’s death. He denounced those who had spread rumors about him; they even pushed a good person to his death! As emperor, if it weren’t for Qi Mingyan’s death, he wouldn’t have known there were such ridiculous rumors. He felt deeply embarrassed and angrily berated those who had helped spread this evil. They were great ministers of the imperial court, yet they would spread such slanderous rumors that could destroy someone’s reputation? He was seriously disappointed in them!

The ministers saw that Li Zechen really didn’t seem to know anything about the earlier rumors, then thought of Qi Mingyan’s pure, honest nature, and one after another, they began to suspect the validity of the rumors. They’d originally come from the rear court and didn’t have any proof to back them up; how could the ministers fully believe such baseless claims? QdLBEc

From the emperor’s behavior, it seemed likely that he truly didn’t have any relationship with Qi Mingyan.

With the emperor so angered, they were on pins and needles, and they didn’t dare to talk drivel anymore.

Slowly, different voices started to pipe up. Some people began sympathizing with Qi Mingyan; such an honorable, modest, noble character was forced to his death by such a ridiculous rumor. They started to recall how upstanding and honest Qi Mingyan was and how he always abided by propriety.

Some people also brought up his poetry to demonstrate that he was proud and unyielding. How could someone who could compose such works use charm to curry favor? 4 KbhF

Considering his last words, he must’ve been unable to bear such humiliation and finally chose to prove his sincerity through death!

Li Zechen only expressed his anger that one time in front of the royal court. After that, he never once deliberately expressed concern for Qi Mingyan again. It truly seemed as if they had nothing to do with each other.

Grand Tutor Qi stayed in the end. Everything ended thus with Qi Mingyan’s death. At least, on the surface.

……………… S4P3p

In a flash, three years went by. A hooded man arrived before Qi Mingyan’s grave. The man stood there by himself, cutting a lonely figure. He didn’t take off his hood, which hid his face underneath it.

Li Zechen gazed at the gravestone. In the depths of his eyes, there was a look of reminiscence and yearning. He appeared to be somewhat rueful. Softly, he said, “I only dare to secretly come visit you at this hour.”

“Don’t worry, I was very careful. I won’t let anyone discover me.”

His voice was very soft and carried an unspeakable sadness. Lo 7mc

We couldn’t be together in life, nor can we be together in death. The only thing I can do for you is to clear your name.

For you, I have been a model emperor for three years, so good that not a single subject could find a problem with me. I’ve been cautious and conscientious, and I work so hard that I skip meals and sleep. Nowadays, we’re in an era of stability and prosperity. Did you see?

But I just think it’s utterly pointless.

Emperor? Land under heaven? None of it means anything. vT701o

I just want to be with you, but that’s even harder than being emperor.

Li Zechen stood for a while longer, before finally leaving reluctantly.

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A year later, Li Zechen fell gravely ill and died despite receiving treatment. Because he had no heir, the throne was passed on to the seventh prince.


That’s it for this arc~ Maybe Wen Qing and Li Zechen are living out their good ending in a different life right now :”) QDTIAt

Translator's Note

Formal “you.”

Translator's Note

A court document written to the emperor that would be folded up like an accordion.

Translator's Note

In case you forgot, Qi Mingyan is Ye Ming’s formal name in this world. Wen Qing is his given name.

Translator's Note

生不能同裘,死不能同穴. I think it’s meant to say 衾 or 床 instead of 裘, from the saying 生不能同衾,死同穴, which means roughly “can’t share a quilt/bed in life; buried together in death.” So a very, very deep (and forbidden) love that the two parties persist in even after death (死同穴). But for LZC and QMY, they still can’t be together even after they die (死不能同穴).

Leave a Comment

33 comments

  1. Balling my eyes out at 2am 😭😂

    Thanks for the chapter!

  2. Tbh, I felt like Wen Qing wasn’t that much of a scum in this arc. He just wanted a good Emperor. Even tho his actions were super duper misleading, but all he did was give Li Zechen hope, not a promise in bed 😑 And then he had to commit suicide too, like damn, how unlucky

    Thanks for the chapter! 😘

  3. But if it is “proven” that everything is only rumour, wouldnt the parents wondering why their son wont say anything and kinda have the attitude that the rumors are true?

    Anyway serves you right emperor…

    • only the parents and LZC know the rumors are true! (and probably also some of the harem ladies and palace staff but they know they can’t say anything at this point.) the parents probably know that LZC put on a show to make everyone else think the rumors are false for the sake of their and WQ’s reputation!

  4. why after every arc of this story do I drown in tears? T_T

    thanks for your work

  5. Sometimes I feel like this author hates their readers. 😂 this novel and it’s sequel are both beautifully painful to read. Slightly traumatised after each world. 😢

  6. I cried for the first time in a while, at least it’s healthy to cry every now and then.. so sad (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥`) Wen Qing I hope you lived millions of happy afterlives!!

  7. Holy shit this hurts 😭😭😭😭 I didn’t realize it will be unrequited love until the end…which is honestly much appreciated for its realism but damn….

  8. When loving is more painful than being happy😭😭😭 Already at the 3rd arc ending but still I cried. Thank you for the wonderful chapter

  9. The first arc i shed many tears ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ. In other arc it’s still give my poor heart ache in every last part~~ I think i will soon dehydrated from it huhuhu ಥ╭╮ಥ

  10. i actually skipped the arc from the first 3 chapters to the ending bc i thought it would be either boring or too complicated that i wouldnt understand it.

    BUT I STILL CRIED A BUCKET WHILE READING THIS (ㄒoㄒ) why did I read this while listening to AKMU’s Melted ,,,,,,,,

    but anway, i love this arc bc it’s so realistic, much more compared to Imperial Palace arcs of other QT novels.

  11. In a period where altruism for the country is the strongest form of love, I think this arc had been a very good example. MC probably knows that he cannot develop romantic feelings for the future emperor since it is forbidden for a male to become an empress. Another point to stress is that being ‘filial’ is a big thing for Chinese, moreso from the earlier imperial times. In such a setting where altruism for the country and the emperor prevails, the second most important thing is serving the greater good for the family.

  12. The ending was so unfair to MC😭😭 sure he gave the ML false hope then rejected him but in the end MC lost his freedom, family, dreams and reputation 😭😭 even if it was cleared up in the end, he still lost his family and life 😭😭 I skipped a lot of this arc cause the ML was making me rage 😡