"My Lord is a Stone"《我家君王是石头》Chapter 9

The emperor haughtily said, “You ought to say, Your Majesty, please dine”

Zhao Jin Yu, “…”

The emperor had thought of teaching the girl in front of him more on what was seniority, but it was now stuck in the dish of fragrant food assailing his nose, directly in front of him was a thoroughly cooked spare rib, the flaky and well-cooked meat already peeling off from its bone, languidly leaning against the bottom of the bowl, like it was waiting for him to take a bite, behind him was a soft potato, its warm heat pressed against his back, this moment was absolutely wonderful, the smell of the food was like a hand tugging at his stomach, seducing his taste buds.

Not concerned now, first eat then talk later.

Zhao Jin Yu attentively looked at the stone, the more she looked the more amazed she was, only seeing the little spotless white stone nesting in the bowl motionless, yet the food all around it however at a slow speed under her naked eyes become less, she even moved her head closer to the edge of the bowl to look carefully, yet she couldn’t see anything, only faintly detecting that the food seemed to only come near the stone and automatically vanish…, could it be every surface of the stone can act as a mouth to eat?

The emperor ate until he was full, his brows smoothed out, his mind however was thinking how he should coax the girl in front of him to tell him her name and address in a while, who would have imagined he would see Zhao Jin Yu’s enlarged face when he lifted his head, that pair of clear eyes was tainted with a misty fog because she was puzzled, under the dim light of night they were especially bright, beautiful like an obsidian soaked by water, his heart lurched, bellowing, “Do you have any sense of honour? Staring as us like that…, we are indeed a man!”

Zhao Jin Yu was also scared she jumped, pulling her neck back, but very soon she returned to her senses, she couldn’t help smile, saying, “So you’re actually a man.” Rubbing the top of the stone’s head with a fair and delicate fingertip, with a very tender expression.

The emperor frowned slightly, saying, “Don’t disregard our words, you ought to know, in accordance to your status, you’re not even suitable to carry our shoes, you shouldn’t even absurdly think of peering at our imperial face.”

Zhao Jin Yu, “…”

“You’re merely someone below the level of an ordinary person.” The emperor said more and more arrogantly, “I hope you always remember this.”

A very uncomfortable feeling flashed through Zhao Jin Yu’s heart, saying, “Why must people be separated by class? When we’re born we’re all naked coming into this world…, and we have two 

eyes, one nose?”

“If you have the ability then use your own strength to change the current situation, if you don’t then don’t speak this sort of false statement and consoling words to yourself…, these words of yours seems reasonable, but in fact it’s an excuse of a weak person!”

Zhao Jin Yu, “…” She was so choked up she unexpectedly could not say a word of retort.

Since the afternoon it had begun to snow, it had stopped at all to the evening, Zhao Jin Yu finished eating and prepared to wash up, in the end the water in the water jar had already frozen and unable to use, lacking another option she placed the bowls and chopsticks in the wooden basin and returned to the inner room, fortunately she had prepared a pot of hot water earlier, she could use it to brush her teeth and wash her face, soak her feet, as for the bowls and chopsticks she just had to wait until early tomorrow morning to once again heat up the water to wash.

Waiting to go into her kang, Zhao Jin Yu stuck her face on the cotton-padded mattress nice and warm as it was close to the kang, looking at the scene of silver white snow outside her window and thinking of worries, tomorrow was the first day of the month, she can go to the prison cell to visit her adoptive father Zhao Chang Chun, time passed very quickly, it was soon two months since the incident occurred with her adoptive father, and adoptive mother with older brother had returned to her native home almost half a month ago…, could it be she will always stay here? Not talking about that, her food was almost finished, this was the most realistic problem.

In fact she ought to have left long ago, forget about the house being shabby, staying in an absolutely empty place all the time, made her feel even more lonely, just like a child having been abandoned, without help, bewildered as a baby.

Zhao Jin Yu thought of that heartless gaze of her adoptive mother before she left, “Now our Zhao family has encountered a great catastrophe, we honestly do not have the resources to look after you, let alone you’re not a part of the Zhao family, from now on take care of yourself.”

At that time she was both shocked and bewildered, her eyes searching for her older brother who had always loved her dearly, but seeing her older brother avoid her gaze not daring to face her, Zhao Jin Yu could not say what the feeling was, it was like having everything, then suddenly having nothing at all…

Full, and influenced by the warmth, Zhao Jin Yu hazily fell asleep, in her sleep she returned to the year when she was six, she had just opened her eyes to find she had travelled in time to this dynasty not even having been recorded in history books.

She did not know her name, where her home was, her body did not have any memories at all, so several days passed muddleheadedly, so hungry, copying the few children besides her she took a rice straw sticking it in her messy hair prepared to sell herself, shrinking down into a crouch she sat in the corner, bursts of food smell came from the distant steamed bun store, making her stomach cry out.

People came and went on the street, the sound of peddling, the sound of haggling prices never stopped, even more were nobles with retinues in front and behind them escorting them as they majestically strolled down the street, next to her was a child all skin and bone who she reckoned truly could not bear it anymore, with a somewhat determined look the child advanced towards the steamed stuffed bun store, very soon the painful sound of a child’s pleading could be heard, “Don’t hit me, I just want to eat a bun.”

“A young beggar raised by a whore still wants to eat a bun?” The waiter scolded extremely vulgarly, 

“Pei, ignoring you came to steal, even if you came to buy it with money, I wouldn’t even sell it to you lowly being!”

Zhao Jin Yu blankly looked, that child was being kicked on the ground by the waiter, beating so that 

blood seeped from the corner of the child’s mouth, choking with sobs, “My mother is not a whore, your mum is the whore!”

A child sitting beside Zhao Jin Yu, lowered their heads, as if they couldn’t bear to watch, saying to Zhao Jin Yu, “His family used to be very good, his father was a bailiff responsible for catching criminals, then his father offended the head housekeeper of the princess’s residence, that housekeeper found an excuse to beat him to death while still alive, his mother had no choice but to sell her body to the brothels, every month she’ll send money to him, he however didn’t want it, always begging for food here.”

All living things are equal?

Zhao Jin Yu suddenly felt she was somewhat ridiculous saying such words.

Such a good person like adoptive father…

This was an era where the emperor was greater than the heaven.

“Hey, wake up!” Zhao Jin Yu became aware someone was incessantly disturbing her sleep, she frowned, unwillingly opened her eyes, waiting until her eyes focused she saw the stone not too far away bouncing in anger, producing a disturbing banging noise, extremely ear-piercing, no wonder she would be woken up by the noise, she helplessly held her forehead, saying, “Little thing, don’t be noisy, I’m very tired.” Then again she buried her heads under the bedding, covering her head prepared to continue sleeping, thinking about it she had already not had this dream for a very long time, but she still hadn’t gotten to the part where she met her adoptive parents, that was her fondest memory.

“Wake up for us!”

Zhao Jin Yu, “…”

“Humph, then don’t blame us for being rude!”

Zhao Jin Yu thought the emperor’s voice was just too cute, even though he was angry like this he still appeared like a soft and sweet child, extremely provoking people to pamper him, thinking up to here, she couldn’t help cover her face, groaning as she thought, she feared she had become foolish from being alone, to other people they would perhaps see it as a terrifying freak, or an existence which made people afraid, how could she completely lack ill-feelings and think it’s adorable?

Thudding, a bang, Zhao Jin Yu felt pain on the back of her hand, she opened her eyes to look, the stone had used all its strength to jump over from the table, not only the hand which got hit in pain but it was looked very greasy, “Little thing, what are you doing?”

The emperor seemed furious, criticising her, “You didn’t give me a bath just now!” Then showing a somewhat malicious expression, “Since you won’t give us a bath, then we will rub ourselves against your quilt, this perhaps is your only quilt right?” The emperor simply did not know his current actions were no different from a rascal, not at all conforming to his identity as an emperor, = =.

“Don’t!” Zhao Jin Yu hurriedly grabbed hold of the restless stone, somewhat helplessly said, “I’ll give you a bath.”

Before because she was sulking at the stone, frankly speaking she felt the stone’s words were too offensive, obviously she knew it was wrong, but again she had no means to retort, therefore she gave it a cold-shoulder, in fact it was nothing more than punishing it, let it stay in the greasy bowl after eating.

The stone had a lot of demands, such as the bowl for him to wash in must be cleaned a few times over everywhere, and cannot use chopsticks, he was the most revered person so must use her hands to gently wash him.

“Why do you not even have soap?”

“Your hands are so rough!”

“Can’t you be more gentle?”

“The water is cold, add some hot water.”

“Fine Your Majesty!” Zhao Jin Yu gnashed her teeth, she watched the stone appearing to immerse itself in a warm bath, and ordering her about like a maid, she really wanted to toss it out, = =.

After washing it clean it comfortably laid on the pillow, actually it was the stone’s violent request, it felt its status was venerated, even sleeping it needed to maintain its most honourable position, this position was on the pillow.

The night was quiet, the sound of snow rustling outside could be heard, it seemed more and more quiet, the emperor was covered with Zhao Jin Yu’s silk handkerchief as a quilt, adorably looking like a quail egg covered with a quilt, he hesitated and asked, “Why were you angry just now?”

“Is it because of what I said?” The emperor thought about it then continued, “This is simply a world where the weak are prey to the strong, a lot of the times if he doesn’t die then you will…, there simply will be no chance for you to take a breather, that’s why all living things have never been equal? If you want other people to look up at you, you have to go work for it and not stay here uttering sentimental nonsense, say some pretty words to comfort yourself.”

Zhao Jin Yu softly closed her eyes, some loneliness showed on her face.

The stifling darkness flowed all around, after quite a while, the stone possibly felt uncomfortable, with a softened tone he asked, “There’s only you in this house, did something happen?” His soft and sweet voice held a sense of concern, on this extremely lonely snowy night it penetrated people’s hearts even more.

“En.” Zhao Jin Yu silently answered.

“So silly, just say out loud any worries, maybe we are willing to help you.”

“You’re the silly one! Even if I say it what can happen…, a little stone spirit, and can only be alive at night, simply cannot do anything.” Zhao Jin Yu finished speaking and again felt her manner was a little too cold and detached, earnestly expressing her thanks, “but nevertheless thank you for your kind intentions.”

“Uh-huh.” The stone haughtily snorted.

The stone and the person became silent, as if immersed in their own thoughts, after a long while the stone suddenly asked, “Thinking about it we still don’t know what your surname and name is? Where is this as well? Is this the capital?” The stone appeared to carelessly ask, only a profound secretiveness was hidden in his eyes.