Translator – Xiao He Lian
This is a translation hosted on KnoxT, copies found elsewhere are either stolen or plagiarized. Please support the translator by reading it at KnoxT.
Fun fact – Do you know that Chang’an is modern day Xi’an where the famous Terracotta warriors are located in?! And also It is a very famous capital in ancient china where it had been the capital for several dynasties.
Chapter 1.2
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The candlelight flickered in the room, filled with an indescribable medicinal fragrance. Shen Zhen opened the curtain and saw at a glance her aunt, Shen Lan, who was the most affectionate to her in the past.
Shen Lan was lying on the couch, her face a little pale. When she saw Shen Zhen walking in, she quickly sat up and said, “Zhen’er, come in quickly.”
Shen Zhen stepped forward and called softly, “Auntie.” Her voice was sweet and coquettish, and when she spoke, she was compassionate.
Shen Lan patted his side and motioned for her to sit down. After their eyes met, she couldn’t help but lift up her handkerchief, cover her mouth, and choked up: “Half a month ago, I went to Dali Temple1(Dali Temple ; Supreme Court ; central judicial office (in feudal China since the Northern Qi Dynasty, similar to today’s supreme court)).”
Shen Zhen’s eyes suddenly widened and she hurriedly said, “Did Aunt see my father?”
Shen Lan shook her head, “I heard that your father was flogged inside and I wanted to send some money in, but the current minister of Dali Temple, Zhou Shu’an, is a close official of the emperor. He is stubborn and won’t take any money.”
Shen Zhen couldn’t help but secretly clench her hands on her knees and couldn’t help but tremble: “Then my father’s injury…”
Shen Lan looked at Shen Zhen with pity and said slowly: “The prison is cold and damp and it’s winter…” She sighed again, “It’s probably going to be difficult.”
As soon as the words fell, Shen Zhen’s crystal clear eyes couldn’t help but glow with water.
However, when a beautiful woman sheds tears, it is particularly pitiful.
When it comes to Shen Zhen’s beauty, most people in Chang’an who have seen her would use the word “Allure2(Qingcheng ; the whole city/town ; (of a woman) lovely enough to cause the fall of a city or a state ; devastatingly beautiful ; exceedingly beautiful ; ) ” to describe her.
Her appearance is neither ostentatious nor presumptuous, just like a heavy fog in the water town of Jiangnan. The fog blows on the face, hazy and soft, making everyone unable to help but fall deeply into it.
As long as she smiles sweetly, I’m afraid most of the men in the world will sink and fall for her.
Or like this moment, when the beauty is weeping, weak and delicate, even the most resolute man will have a tender heart and feel love and compassion in his heart.
Shen Lan looked at her face, which was as clear as a hibiscus and couldn’t help but secretly sigh: Who can escape such a countenance?
She took Shen Zhen into her arms and patted her back gently, “Okay, okay, don’t make your eyes red from crying. Since you came to see me today, as your aunt, I will give you some advice.”
Shen Lan first wiped Shen Zhen’s tears with her thumb and then recalled the past days. As she spoke, her eyes turned red, “Zhen’er, the Shen family has lost power, and my life in your uncle’s house is also like walking on thin ice. No matter how much I want to help you, I’m afraid I’m powerless… But fortunately, there is always someone in this world who can help you.”
Shen Zhen’s eyes were clear and she said softly: “Auntie, it doesn’t matter, just say it.”
Shen Lan looked into her eyes and couldn’t bear it, but when she thought of the warning given to her by her husband, she could only say cruelly: “On the tenth day of this month, King Teng will hold a Cuju3(ancient game of kicking a ball) competition, and I will take you there at that time. As long as you beg him, I promise you that he will protect you in the future and will never let you suffer again.”
Go and ask King Teng.
After Shen Zhen understood the hidden meaning, she felt that the blood all over her body was rushing to her chest.
King Teng was over forty years old, had many wives and concubines, and was ruthless. He had always been at odds with her father. If he wanted her to enter King Teng’s mansion, what difference would it make to killing her directly?
Shen Lan looked at her slightly trembling fingertips and seemed to hear what she was thinking.
She took Shen Zhen’s hand and whispered: “Zhen’er, as long as you can endure it and keep your head down, someone will help you solve the debts owed by your father and the Shen family. But if it’s the other way around, the debt of eight thousand, what will it take to pay it back? Is it possible that you really want to be sold as a girl?”
The sky turned slightly dark, and the cold wind blew against the doors and windows of the inner room, making a knocking sound that suddenly became stronger and weaker.
Just like Shen Zhen’s heartbeat at this moment.
Why her aunt mentioned King Teng, she understood after thinking about it carefully. Now that the big tree of the Shen family has fallen, the situation of the Suning Bo Mansion is already very embarrassing. They are eager to seek refuge with a more powerful person to stabilize the reputation of Uncle’s Mansion.
Someone like King Teng, who had plenty of money and power and was favored by the emperor, was naturally the best candidate.
As it turned out, she was nothing more than the good faith of Suning Bo Mansion to flatter King Teng.
Before today, she thought that as long as her aunt remembered her old relationship, she would help her no matter what, but facts proved that her eldest sister’s instructions to her were right.
Don’t believe a word other people say.
Seeing that she didn’t respond, Shen Lan knew that pushing too hard would easily make things worse, so she said softly: “You don’t have to give me an answer now. If you haven’t figured it out, go back and think carefully…”
Before she finished speaking, Shen Zhen stood up directly.
This is a translation hosted on KnoxT, copies found elsewhere are either stolen or plagiarized. Please support the translator by reading it at KnoxT.
She avoided her aunt’s concerned eyes and said word by word: “Zhen’er will act as if she has never heard what my aunt just said.”
“I came uninvited today and have caused a lot of trouble. I hope, aunt will forgive me.” After saying that, Shen Zhen turned and left.
Just as Liu momo was about to step forward to stop the person, Shen Lan gave her a “let her go” look.
The door closed with a creak and Grandma Liu couldn’t help but say earnestly: “This old slave feels that the third young lady is used to being pampered. According to her temperament, even if she enters King Teng’s mansion, she may not be of any use to madam in the future.”
Shen Lan raised her hand to rub her temples and said disdainfully, “Do you think those people in brothel holding pipa and singing songs are all born to please men? In the end, they are not forced, and when they are forced to the point, they will naturally know that it is most useless to struggle to death.”
After saying that, Shen Lan turned her head and sighed.
If it weren’t for her having nowhere else to go, who would be willing to be plotted against her own family? Although Shen Zhen is not her legitimate niece, at least she is from the Shen family.
Thinking of this, Shen Lan couldn’t help clenching her fists.
Xie Cheng is a villain who is sinister, hypocritical, and ruthless. In the past month, he has not only hollowed out her power in the house and given it to his beloved Concubine Sheng, he has also sent her only son Xie Peng, to the old lady’s house.
If Shen Zhen can’t please King Teng and help him get promoted in the Ministry of Rites, then her and son’s life will probably be even more difficult.
I hope her niece won’t be stubborn and unruly, otherwise, she can’t be blamed for forcing her.
Shen Lan nodded and counted the time. The people from Jin Family’s money shop should come to collect debts again.
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