"My Lord is a Stone"《我家君王是石头》Chapter 51

Zhuang Qing said, “I’ve already ordered people to look into it.” After a strange expression appeared on his face, seeming rather puzzled, “Father has been moved to the back cells. Mother you also know, the conditions over there are better, at this time we can at least heave a sigh of relief, only this son is afraid…” He did not dare to finish the words, the last time him and mother visited father Zhao Chang Chun, he was already skinny as a bag of bones, frail like a breeze could knock him over.

“Who did it?” Lady Zhuang’s voice was emotional, thinking about it Lady Zhuang had a n introvert personality, she was only very carefully regarding her husband’s situation, “Last time the sect leader said he would help us, did the sect leader do it?”

Zhuang Qing shook his head, saying, “Mother, didn’t the sect leader also say we have someone on the inside, a very powerful and important person, but even he doesn’t dare to step in, because this matter is being personally watched over by the emperor.”

“Then that’s strange right? Who is it?”

“This son doesn’t know either, only it isn’t a person from the sect, and not a friend of father, that’s why I sometimes think it might be younger sister…” When Zhuang Qing finished speaking he saw 

Lady Zhuang’s complexion change, she shouted, “Have you still not given up on her? Even if she was the eldest young lady of the Zhao family now, just on the fact that you had left her alone in the capital city, solely because of this there is distance between you both, you can no longer go back to before, what’s more, she’s a girl, one without the right social connections, two without relations, again how could she have done this?”

Zhuang Qing closed his eyes, tightly saying, “Mother I know, only I truly cannot find who helped, I thought maybe now that younger sister is at the Zhao family, she implored Zhao Xing Kun to help.”

Lady Zhuang shook her head, saying, “Impossible, let me ask you, if you were Zhao Xing Kun, would you offend the imperial court for your granddaughter’s adoptive father? Would you be willing to be dragged into this matter?”

Zhuang Qing’s complexion darkened, saying, “Mother is right, I’m thinking too simply, Zhao Xing Kun apart from being younger sister’s grandfather, he’s still the head of the family, he still needs to take the Zhao family into consideration, this sort of widespread implication, especially a case His Majesty the emperor is paying attention to why would be get involved? At most…, he would only find someone to make sure father doesn’t die nothing more.”

“Precisely, how many people have we angered before? If it wasn’t for this matter being too complicated, why would we mother and son have had to jump into the pit of fire?” Towards the end tears rushed out of Lady Zhuang’s eyes, deeply hurt and heartbroken.

Zhuang Qing rushed to comfort her saying, “Mother, don’t cry, isn’t father fine? So long as I hold my position in the sect firmly, I will definitely find a way to rescue father, if we really can’t, we will break into the prison.”

“Don’t do anything stupid.” Even though Lady Zhuang cared about her husband greatly, but Zhuang Qing was her only son, she naturally hoped Zhuang Qing could live well, breaking into prison was the last helpless method.

Lady Zhuang rubbed her tears, cheering up, she asked, “You’re sure you want to rely on the sect leader? What about your younger uncle Zhuang Ke Ji?”

“Mother, why are you bringing up such a person as Zhuang Ke Ji? Him and You Hu Fa are definitely colluding, first they involved father, he knew father had abandoned that life at an earlier time, and had promised us to never again be involved in the Tiangui’s matters, and wanted our family to live a good life.” Zhuang Qing’s eyes were filled with hate, gnashing his teeth he said. “If it wasn’t for him using means to force father to participate in the corruption case, why would father be locked up in prison?”

The more Zhaung Qing spoke the more angry he got, ruthlessly smacking the bed frame’s pillar producing a bang noise, causing the heart to shake, “A month ago he even wanted to sacrifice you to the god? I definitely will not forgive the both of them.”

Lady Zhuang sighed, saying, “If you’re certain then fine, from what you’re saying you’ve managed to persuade older brother-in-law to ask the sect leader for help together?”

Zhuang Qing’s older uncle Zhuang Ke Ren was the previous Xianjun, his position in the sect was stable, it was him who helped Lady Zhuang and Zhuang Qing when they were in a tight spot. They naturally liked him more compared to his younger uncle Zhuang Ke Ji who treated outsiders better than family.

Once upon a time the Tiangui sect was almost spread north and south sides of the Yangtze River, one in every ten person in the Zhou dynasty was a believer, it was at this time the Zhuang family got involved, offering up all its property, becoming the Xianjun who was second to the sect leader, the former emperor for a time was determined to eliminate the Tiangui sect, the entire Zhuang family was almost exterminated because of this, at that time Zhuang Chang Chun was the only son of Zhuang family’s first wife, but did not want to join the Tiangui sect, living incognito he started his life afresh, who would have imagined in the end he still could not escape such fate…

Having spoken so much Lady Zhuang’s face showed tiredness, Zhuang Qing saw this and hurriedly said, “Mother, rest first.”

***

Zhao Rui Zhi waited at home for three days yet did not receive any news…, she was unable to sit or stand still, in every case thinking she had taken things too far.

A kind of unease rushed to her head, could grandfather have seen through her lies?

Zhao Rui Zhi ruthlessly kneaded the handkerchief in her hands, almost wanting to turn that handkerchief into a cleaning rag for her hatred to disappear, thinking aloud she said, “I already said I would take older sister’s place to enter the palace, why would they still hesitate? They’re reluctant to part with their own granddaughter, but also not willing to give the opportunity to me…, what do they actually want?” Immediately a rather sinister look appeared on her face, “He really is an old fool, he seriously thinks I will not be able to make a living after leaving the Zhao family?”

A maid just at that moment came over with tea, seeing Zhao Rui Zhi’s sinister expression she jumped in shock, unable to move, she spoke trembling, “Young lady, why is your expression so scary?”

Only then did Zhao Rui Zhi return to her senses like she woke up from a dream, immediately she recalled what she had just said out loud, subconsciously covering her mouth with her hand, her heart pounding violently, what did she just say?

“Young lady, do you want to rest for a bit? You haven’t slept well for a few days already.” The maid somewhat worriedly said.

Zhao Rui Zhi propped up her chin, taking in a deep breath, closing her eyes, then very quickly opened them, her face returning to her usual gentleness and beauty, she said, “I am indeed rather tired, what has grandfather been up to recently?” She seemed to ask in passing, but her gaze was firmly fixed on the maid.

The maid seeing Zhao Rui Zhi’s amiable expression, released a breath, pouring tea for Zhao Rui Zhi before handing it to her, then standing at the side she replied, “The eldest old master wants to see the madam, but the madam won’t yield, he has been returning with his tail between his legs over the past few days.”

As long as the two did not see each other…, then her plan could not have been exposed,  then where was the problem?

The maid immediately again said, “However, before I came here it seemed like the eldest old master was going to find the eldest young lady.”

“Why is he going to find the eldest young lady?”

“There has been many rumours lately, some say the eldest old master wants to send the eldest young lady to the palace, others say the main branch of the family wants to give their head of the family position away, right now its too confusing.” The maid seemed to think it was awfully preposterous, covering her mouth as she smiled, “Unexpectedly a marriage is being arranged for the eldest young lady right now.”

“Arranged marriage?”

“Yes.” The maid nodded, carefully peeling a tangerine for Zhao Rui Zhi, getting rid of the pith, “But a lot of people say this is just a joke, now that the Zhao family is arguing so viciously, who would dare to conclude a marriage? The imperial concubine selection was happening right now…, and the eldest young lady coincidentally was born in the year of the rabbit, who would want to be lovey-dovey? Wouldn’t that just be fighting over someone with the current emperor? Even if they fancy the eldest young lady and want to conclude the marriage, they would have to wait until after the imperial concubine selection right? Otherwise it would stir up trouble.”

“It is really as messy as a bowl of congee.” Zhao Rui Zhi said sneering.

“Young lady, what did you say?”

“Nothing.” Zhao Rui Zhi threw the tangerine the maid handed to her on to the long table as she wished, saying, “I’m tired, leave first, I’m going to rest for a bit.”

Although the maid felt Zhao Rui Zhi was slightly weird today, but she was after all her mistress and did not dare to ask any more, she only urged with a few words before withdrawing.

Zhao Rui Zhi laid on her bed but tossed and turned unable to sleep, she simply knew, she could only wait right now, there was no alternative.

***

At that moment grandfather Zhao Xing Kun was just talking to Zhao Jin Yu, this time the atmosphere was not as relaxing as before, it was extremely grave and serious, the hot tea on the teapoy[1] had already been changed several times, however they were still not done talking.

Zhao Jin Yu truthfully couldn’t carry on sitting much longer, she stood up, saying, “Grandfather’s meaning is for me to enter the palace?”

“No.” Zhao Xing Kun shook his head, “Grandfather won’t force you to do something you don’t like, but the family your grandmother has arranged your marriage with is simply not suitable.” In accordance with principle Zhao Xing Kun should not be directly speaking to Zhao Jin Yu about this marriage, but right now there was a disconnection between them, Zhao Jin Yu’s parents had passed away, now it was an unusual time, and he could only speak frankly like this.

Thinking of this marriage Zhao Jin Yu also felt uncomfortable, in order to prevent the old master from sending her to the palace, the madam rapidly and quickly arranged a marriage, that Bai family was also a prestigious family in Hangzhou, accepting a marriage at such a time was also due to respect for the madam, but Zhao Jin Yu really didn’t like that person.

The Bai family’s son was not bad looking, tall and lanky, fair and cultured, the problem was there was a sour smell to him…, he simply couldn’t stand it, the first time they met he deadpan asked her if she had read nujie?[2] And in an especially understanding way he said, she had just returned to the family, so it would be very normal for her not to have read it, but he hoped once she married him she would earnestly study it afterwards, he would keep her company properly.

At that time Zhao Jin Yu thought of smashing the teacup, if she did not recall incorrectly, the 

beginning of nujie, guzhesheng nu sanri, wozhi changxia…, generally it meant three days after a girl is born make her sleep beneath the bed, it made clear females ought to be lowly and delicate, often treating people in a humble manner.

This third young master Bai wanted her to clearly demean her status right?

“Your grandmother clearly wants the best for you, but she’s too rushed.” Zhao Xing Kun considered his words, very slowly very slowly he said, afraid of saying anything to upset Zhao Jin Yu, “That third Bai young master, has a simple and kind nature, kind-hearted and honest, and does not have a concubine, moreover is the son of the first wife, your grandmother chose very well, but he’s too pedantic, not flexible, he would make a good friend, as granddaughter’s husband, grandfather simply is not happy.”

Zhao Jin Yu thought to herself, I also don’t like it.

Zhao Xing Kun continued saying, “Ever since the matter with your father, grandfather has realised, I ought to ask my child whether or not they are happy with the marriage.”

Zhao Jin Yu raised her head, seeing Zhao Xing Kun’s sentimental expression as he mentioned her father she was rather moved, saying, “Grandfather, in truth I also don’t know what to do.”

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[1] A small three-legged table or stand, especially one that holds a tea caddy.

[2] Lessons for Women by female intellectual Ban Zhao. It outlines the four virtues a woman must abide by, proper virtue, proper speech, proper countenance, and proper conduct. The book itself describes the status and position of women in society. It is a small book and many women had the sections memorized.