"My Lord is a Stone"《我家君王是石头》Chapter 33

Zhao Jin Yu and Chen Rong sat by the window, ordering food from the waiter, while waiting for the dishes to be served, Chen Rong said, “So you are determined to return to the Zhao family.” Speaking of it the Zhao family was a prestigious family, even though Zhao Jin Yu was a bastard, but currently the Zhao family had no heirs, and was the only granddaughter, inevitably she was extremely precious, besides Zhao Jin Yu was set on rescuing Zhao Chang Chun, and right now it the Zhao family who had such an influence.

“Auntie Chen…”

Chen Rong rather disapprovingly said, “Why are you still calling me Auntie Chen? You should call me maternal aunt.” Following which she poured tea for Zhao Jin Yu from the teapot, feigning anger she said, “So we’re actually this unfamiliar with each other.”

Zhao Jin Yu smiled helplessly, saying, “I just somehow can’t say it.”

“Then take your time.” Chen Rong took the dish from the waiter’s hand placing it in front of Zhao Jin Yu, saying seriously, “Since you’ve decided to return to the Zhao family, I will go with you.”

“Auntie Chen?”

“I found you with such great difficulty, how can I just let you go to the Zhao family alone?” Chen Rong picked up food for Zhao Jin Yu, “Don’t think because the Zhao family looks well-regarded on the outside, because there is no one to inherit the main branch, it had a great impact, the second branch of the family has almost bullied their way to the top…, ai, inside those large families there tends to be a lot of trouble.”

Zhao Jin Yu had already known that these sort of influential families prospered because of sons, but due to fighting over the benefits, a lot of small minded things happen, but hearing Chen Rong speak of it so bluntly, she still felt somewhat flabbergasted, “Isn’t the current head of the family Zhao Xing Kun?”

“Yes, it’s still him, your paternal grandfather, otherwise no matter how much you cry, I would still drag you back to Jinling.” Chen Rong saw Zhao Jin Yu look at her quite startled, calmly she said, 

“Your maternal aunt is such a Jianghu person like this.”

Zhao Jin Yu laughed as she shook her head, thinking that ever since Chen Rong found out her identity, she became very different from before, her words were even more direct, manner was also very intimate, like an elder of a similar age. She liked this frank and sincere character even more, she said, “I like Auntie Chen.”

Chen Rong hearing this laughed, saying, “Good child, eat a bit more.” Again she said, “I will take you to Xihu Louwai resturant to eat Xihu vinegar fish tomorrow, we’ll have fun to our content then go back, you don’t know those large influential families, especially the Zhao century old type of family, with an awful lot of rules and customs, if you wish to leave the gates it won’t be easy.”

Zhao Jin Yu was worried for her adoptive father Zhao Chang Chun in the prison, since she was determined, she only wished to immediately return to the Zhao family, make the Zhao family think of ways to rescue her adoptive father, but also did not want to refute Chen Rong’s good intentions, she nodded, saying, “Fine, but Auntie Chen…” Zhao Jin Yu muttered irresolutely, “You don’t have to come with me to the Zhao family.”

“You don’t have a say in this, maternal aunt is in charge.”

Zhao Jin Yu, “…”

In the evening Zhao Jin Yu again ordered stir-fried pork, but perhaps because too many people ordered it, when Zhao Jin Yu placed her order there was none left, when the majority of the dishes had been served already, the waiter nervously approached saying, “Guests, I’m really sorry, we don’t have enough meat, could you change to another dish?”

Zhao Jin Yu felt a little pitiful, she was just about to say that’s fine, when who knew a person appeared by her side, wearing jade coloured beautiful rounded embroidery designed chang pao,[1] a black min fur cloak draped over his shoulders reaching the floor, a man appearing in a deity like handsomeness, he smiled saying, “Give my dish to her.”

Who do you think this person was? It wasn’t just anyone but Su Qing Chen who had just been apart for a few days, Zhao Jin Yu felt that if Su Qing Chen had a fan in his hand as well, this really would be a situation of a standard son of an official hitting on someone.

When the waiter heard this he said with admiration, “Fine.”

Zhao Jin Yu, “…”

The waiter returned to the kitchen, seeing the massive vat of stir-fried pork marinated in advance, he said to the owner, “There’s still so much left, why aren’t we selling it?”

The tavern’s owner mischievously laughed, his hand held a silver ingot, he proudly said, “Did you see that lord just now? He spent ten silver ingots straightaway, he really is generous.”

The plump chef walked over rocking and swaying, he asked, “What do you think that lord wants to do? Why did he tell us to say there is no meat left.”

The owner hmphed, “Stupid, isn’t’ this his way of worming his way into being friends with the young lady?”

“Zeze, public morals are truly degenerating with each passing day!” The plump chef shook the fat on his face, saying disapprovingly, “Owner, this really isn’t too good, what if that person is harbouring unfathomable motives?”

“Nonsense! Go cook, what do you know!” The owner hurriedly hid the silver ingot. He had worked painstakingly for a month, he might as well treat himself once.

Su Qing Chen shamelessly moved closer, smiling as he said, “Such a coincidence, meeting Jin girl again.”

Zhao Jin Yu thought to herself, you’ve had quite a few coincidences already, now at this moment, her trust started to sway, does this Su Qing Chen really have feelings for her?

However a moment later the table was laden with dishes, and there was a food box brought from outside, opened up it actually contained Xihu vinegar fish, Su Qing Chen smiled brilliantly, very elegantly and gracefully, he said, “I got someone to bring this back from Louwai restaurant.”

Zhou Jin Yu, “…”

When it comes to it Su Qing Chen had spent a night outside the tavern in the wind, he thought about it over and over and couldn’t think what he had done wrong, when he followed this time, he had decided, to trap her under his wings without delay, after she became his, everything would not be a problem right? That’s why this time his strategy was so conspicuously bold, particularly unreserved.

You want to eat Louwai restaurant’s Xihu vinegar fish? It will arrive straightaway.

You want to see Xihu? I have a ship for you to take!

You want to take a look at Gusu? I just happen to go that way……

Just now Zhao Jin Yu had thought Su Qing Chen had taken a fancy to her, but now she was already absolutely certain…, this guy simply did not have good intentions! This was a disguised form of swindling someone.

Luckily her heart was steady…, actually disregarding Su Qing Chen’s stereotypical method, this guy was very handsome and rich, with great power, both elegant and smart, fawning on a girl extremely tenderly, an average person simply could not resist!

Under Su Qing Chen’s invitation, Zhao Jin Yu awkwardly decided to go see Xihu…, in fact she really wanted to see it, because just as Chen Rong said, the Zhao family had a lot of rules, after she entered the Zhao family gates, it would be extremely difficult for her to make a trip outside. Taking advantage of the freedom she still had, she should do things she wanted to do.

Chen Rong seemed to be guarding against a wolf with Su Qing Chen, every time she stood between the two of them, Xihu was not as bustling as it would be in the future, but at the lakeside there were still many little shop fronts, lanterns hung in the evening, people came and went, a small bridge over the flowing stream, red starry lights, a special scenery.

Su Qing Chen was obstructed by Chen Rong, his expression stiffened quite a few times, but his elegance did not diminish, a cultured and refined smile remained on his face, leaning against the parapet, the corners of his clothes blowing in the wind, setting off his jade like features, like gems, attracting sidelong glances from people, even Chen Rong had to admit, Su Qing Chen’s manners and appearance were extremely remarkable.

“This scene is intoxicating, I ought to play a tune fitting with the season.” Su Qing Chen took a jade xiao[2] from the chamberlain, speaking with a smile.

Zhao Jin Yu did not think Su Qing Chen would also be able to play the xiao, quite unexpectedly, she said, “Good.”

Su Qing Chen saw Zhao Jin Yu’s eyes sparkle, it was actually more bright and beautifully intoxicating than the star filled sky, his heart shook, unconsciously a tender smile appeared, holding the xiao he started playing.

This was a song about a butterfly’s attachment to a flower, but the manner it was played made Zhao Jin Yu particularly think of the theme song to the old version of A Dream of Red Mansions,[3] euphemistically beautiful, the melodious sound carried a trace of lingering affection, like an invisible silk string, twisting around a person…, both deeply emotional, and indescribably sad, Zhao Jin Yu looked into the distance at the lake surface reflected with red lights, unconsciously she was profoundly drawn in.

After a good while Su Qing Chen put down the xiao, “It’s been some time since I’ve played, now I’m somewhat out of practice.”

Zhao Jin Yu had still not returned to her senses after that xiao performance, saying, “Lord Su you are too modest, it really is pleasant to hear.”

Su Qing Chen heart was happy, he naturally had seen Zhao Jin Yu had previously always avoided him, now at this moment her face finally showed some genuineness, making him want to win her over even more, he said, “Since Jin girl doesn’t dislike it, then I will ignore my embarrassment to play a song.”

There were few entertainments in the olden times, it was particularly hard to hear music, furthermore running into such an expert player Su Qing Chen, Zhao Jin Yu obviously treasured it a lot, saying, “Excellent.”

A great joy arose in Su Qing Chen’s heart, throwing his life into playing, to be begin with he had played a good song, now he took it even more seriously, the sound of the xiao was like butterfly wings, inciting the wings to flutter all around, beautiful and awe-inspiring, getting lost in it.

The more Zhao Jin Yu listened the more intoxicated she was, boats came to the side in twos and threes, and stopped nearby, evidently coming over to listen to the xiao, for a while it was quiet all around, only this beautiful xiao sound could be heard rippling over the dark green lake surface, picturesque.

An Wen Yao hid to the side, expressionless, like the old stone tablet beside him, lacking in warmth.

However no one knew his heart was not calm.

His inner soliloquy was like this, damn it, this Su Qing Chen simply does not want to live! If this carries on…, tonight wouldn’t His Majesty directly order someone to throw Su Qing Chen into the lake to feed the fishes?

Su Qing Chen was usually very quick witted, how did he suddenly become so stupid like this?

The more he was told to stay away from Zhao Jin Yu, the more he was like a dogskin plaster[4] sticking to her, His Majesty had thought that changing into a stone, he could be free from the constraints of his identity, carefree, now he ought to be thinking his original body is much better?

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[1]

[2]

A free reed mouth organ with five or more pipe holes blown from the bottom.

[3] One of the four great novels by Cao Xueqin, movies have been adapted from it.

[4]  A medicinal plaster used for treating contusions, rheumatism etc.