Ch. 14.2
As expected, Yi Liankai rushed home after he got the call. Zhu Ma greeted him as she would have a saviour and said, ‘Master, you’re home at last. Missy keeps saying she doesn’t feel well, neither wants to eat nor sleep. Being young and thin-skinned, she doesn’t want to send for the physician even though she’s feeling poorly. You’ll have to persuade her.’
Yi Liankai answered her even as he took the stairs two, then three at a time and reached the second floor. Here, he was in a vestibule next to which was a hall. He hesitated slightly then pushed the door open lightly. All he saw was Qin Sang hugging her knees as she sat on the sofa, lost in her own thoughts. Although she was in pyjamas, her hair was neat and had obviously been washed and combed. However, her eyes were puffy and he couldn’t tell if she had been crying. He gave a little cough but she didn’t even raise her head. Consequently, he took care to speak mutedly, ‘Zhu Ma told me you haven’t had dinner. Neither have I. Why don’t we ask the kitchen to make something and we can have it together?’
Qin Sang shook her head. She was not wearing any make-up and usually a bare face would bring out the beauty of her bright eyes. At this moment however, her eyes looked dull as if the former sparkle had been wiped away by some unknown force. Yi Liankai tried again: ‘You can’t keep refusing to eat.’
She shook her head again then asked, ‘Where did you go? You’re home so late. It’s snowing outside and the roads are bad, the chauffeur always drives so fast as well…’
She had never been in the habit of asking about his movements. Although her tone at present was still wan, it was music to Yi Liankai’s ears¹ and a sort of happiness bubbled up unbidden in his heart. He replied smilingly: ‘No such thing. They’ve always driven quite reliably so don’t worry yourself about that.’ He added: ‘If you have no appetite, I’ll get you a glass of warm milk. You can’t be going to bed on an empty stomach.’
¹ 綸音 lúnyīn + 佛語 fóyǔ: Imperial edict + Buddhist term . If you’re not reading this chapter at MerakiTranslations, it has been stolen and reproduced by bootleg websites.
Qin Sang complained: ‘I’ve already slept the entire afternoon, I don’t feel like sleeping any more. When I woke up, you weren’t here and when I asked the servants, none of them could tell me clearly where you had gone.’
Yi Liankai knew that she had never liked him to hug or cuddle her but there was something inexpressibly pitiful yet endearing about her as she lay curled up on the sofa. Hence he couldn’t resist enfolding her into his arms while explaining, ‘I was afraid to disturb your rest and happened to have some official business so I went out for a while. If you find it boring being home by yourself, I’ll just go out less over the next few days.’
Qin Sang was particularly docile as she lay tucked in against his chest. She did not speak again, seeming rather indolent as she held on to his arms like a clinging vine, soft and helpless. In all the time they had been married, not once had Yi Liankai seen her this affectionate and he was secretly ecstatic.² Her faint fragrance enveloped them as she lay in his embrace and for a time it was so quiet that the sound of his heart beating was audible. He did not stir at all for fear the slightest movement would irk her.
² 心花怒放 xīnhuā-nùfàng: burst with joy; be wild with joy; be elated. Translation originally published at tranzgeek(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com.
Only after a spell did he ask softly, ‘Shall I send for the physician since you’re not feeling well?’
Qin Sang shook her head slightly then confided, ‘I’m feeling frightened.’
‘What of?’ Mildly amused, he added, ‘Other women also have morning sickness and give birth.’
‘That’s not what I’m afraid of.’ She seemed a little wounded and her voice also became softer: ‘It’s so messy outside. You’re the Chief Commander in name; who knows how many people hate you because of it. Why bother with such a tough and thankless³ job? Why don’t we go back to Changye? I really am worried.’
³ 吃力不討好 chīlì bù tǎohǎo: arduous and thankless task (idiom); strenuous and unrewarding. Please consider reading from MerakiTranslations rather than at bootleg websites.
Yi Liankai assured her: ‘That’s silly. This place is peaceful and there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s precisely because my title is an empty one that no one will come after me. They know very well I have no army of my own so what’s the benefit of killing me? Don’t worry any more. We’ll definitely go back to Changye one day, but we need to wait until Father’s health is better.’
Qin Sang buried her face in his chest and pleaded: ‘Whatever it is, I just feel uneasy. Just don’t go out over the next few days but keep me company, won’t you?’
How could Yi Liankai refuse so gently-worded a plea?
Thus for quite a few days, he did not go out at all and merely conducted his official business at home. Even those who wanted to see him had to come up to the residence. All of Fuyuan’s military had heard that Qin Sang was indisposed. When Commander Yao’s wife paid her a visit, she brought a specially prepared present as it had been Miss Yao who had been lunching with Qin Sang the day she fainted. After hearing that Madam Yao had called on her, many of the other officers’ wives could hardly be remiss themselves and so came one after another to enquire after Qin Sang’s health. Yi Liankai turned them all away with excuses⁴, merely returning the courtesy with gifts in kind.
⁴ 擋駕 dǎng//jià: (Euphemistic) turn away a visitor with some excuse; decline to receive a guest. Translation originally published at tranzgeek(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com.
During this time, Qin Sang herself was sparing no effort, using every trick in the book. At the same time, she was worried about being too obvious so every few days, she kept Yi Liankai at arm’s length5. He was in rare good humour these days and even if she picked a quarrel or purposely flared up, he was willing to overlook much so the two of them were getting along rather well. Zhu Ma, observing them with secret glee, kept pointing out to her, ‘It still takes a child. Look at Master now. It still takes a child to hold a man’s heart.’
5 若即若離 ruòjí-ruòlí: be neither close nor distant; maintain a lukewarm relationship; keep sb. at arm’s length.
Qin Sang had no patience for any of her sermons about motherhood6. As it was just after the Greater Snow period7, a soft divan had been placed in the heated hall. Reclining on the pillows, she could see a profusion of red plum blossoms growing on the trees outside the window. Although this place couldn’t compare with the Yi family home in terms of size, there were still several trees planted in the courtyard. In particular, the two plum blossom trees outside the hall in the western wing had bloomed beautifully, and the combination of white snow on red blossoms was an invitingly refined enjoyment.8
8 雅玩 yǎwán: LITERARY refined enjoyment; elegant pastime. If you’re not reading this chapter at MerakiTranslations, it has been stolen and reproduced by bootleg websites.
Looking at the beautifully flowering plum blossoms, Qin Sang remarked, ‘It’s been some time since I visited Father, Da Ge and Da Sao*. These blossoms are so pretty. Why not send someone over with a couple of branches so Da Sao can display them?’
*Da Ge, Da Sao: Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law. Please consider reading the original (and free) translations from MerakiTranslations rather than at bootleg websites.
Zhu Ma replied: ‘Eldest Mistress heard that you weren’t feeling well so she sent someone over to see how you were a few days back but Master declined the visit. Master has really been taking especially tender care of you recently. He can’t bear to let even the smallest thing bother you.’
Hearing this, Qin Sang said ‘Oh’ before asking: ‘Then did the person say how the Marshal is now?’
Zhu Ma said: ‘Still the same. Quite a few physicians have been attending to him but there hasn’t been much improvement and he still can’t speak.’ She added: ‘It’s a fine day today. Shall I ask Eldest Mistress to come up for a visit so that you won’t feel so bored here alone?’
Qin Sang looked tired as she replied: ‘No need.’ She then asked: ‘How many people did he take with him today?’
Zhu Ma answered: ‘Master was afraid to disturb your sleep so he got up very quietly this morning. He didn’t even call for us to wait on him. I happened to run into him downstairs after I got up today. He said he had some urgent official business and had to go out. He said to tell you only after you had gotten up.’
‘Adjutant Pan went with him?’
‘Yes.’ Zhu Ma went on, ‘I saw Adjutant Pan open the door for Master who got into the car and they both went out together.’
‘Did he say where he was going?’
‘Master didn’t say. But I overheard the chauffeur, Xiaoliu, talking and I guess they must have gone out of the city because he was telling them to put anti-skid chains on the tyres. If they were just going around the city, they wouldn’t need those. So, they must be going out of the city where it’s snowing heavily and that’s why they needed the chains.’
Qin Sang was privately worried but since Zhu Ma was completely in the dark, there was no point in probing further.
After a while, she muttered to herself: ‘Even if they’ve gone out of the city, it’s almost going to be noon. Aren’t they coming back for lunch?’
Zhu Ma reassured her: ‘Master has been keeping you company for quite a few days and must have had to put off quite a lot of official business. Don’t worry, Missy. Once he’s finished with his work, he’ll definitely come home.’
However, Yi Liankai was still not home by lunchtime. Nor was he home for dinner. Qin Sang was deeply anxious for she did not know where he had gone nor was there any way to contact him. Night fell and still there was no word. Alone at home, she just had some porridge then took herself to bed. But although she was lying down in bed, her mind was churning and she could not fall asleep at all. Just as she was tossing and turning9, the telephone rang suddenly.
9 輾轉反側 zhǎnzhuǎn-fǎncè: toss about (in bed); toss and turn. Translation originally published at tranzgeek(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com.
The telephone in her room had been disconnected so the ringing came from downstairs. As each ring was short and sharp, she could still hear it clearly even though the telephone was downstairs and far away. After about four or five rings, someone answered the call. Not long after that, a panic-stricken10 Zhu Ma hammered on the door while calling agitatedly, ‘Missy!’
10 驚慌失措 jīnghuāng-shīcuò: to lose one’s head out of fear (idiom)
‘What is it?’ She got up hastily and opened the room door, asking as she did so, ‘What’s happened?’
Zhu Ma saw that she was in her pyjamas and suddenly recalled that Missy was with child and should not suffer any alarm. Therefore, she swallowed hard and did her best to speak calmly, ‘Master had some trouble. It seems there was a problem with the car and it skidded into a ditch. He’s not hurt but he’s in hospital…’
Qin Sang’s heart skipped a beat. Feeling like she had stepped off a ledge, she pressed a hand to her heart and asked, ‘Who was it who called?’
‘It was one of his bodyguards.’ Zhu Ma knew there was no concealing it from her. She said: ‘Missy, your condition isn’t good. Why not go and see Master tomorrow instead…’
‘Tell them to get the car ready,’ Qin Sang seemed extremely calm. ‘I’m going to the hospital now.’
‘Missy…’
‘Get me my otter fur overcoat. I’ll go change,’ Qin Sang said. ‘Quick, and get me my hat and gloves too.’
Zhu Ma could not withstand her repeated urging so she took out the overcoat for her from the cupboard and a hat from the chest. She thoughtfully selected an otter fur hat and then went over to help Qin Sang change. By the time Qin Sang went downstairs, the chauffeur was already waiting at the main door.
Zhu Ma went with her of course. In line with the special instructions Yi Liankai had issued earlier, they were followed by bodyguards when they went out. Both cars made straight for the hospital. Even from a distance, they could see that a guard post had been set up in front of the building. It was a windy, chilly evening and the lorry that met them was full of guards with rifles slung across their backs. At their head was one of Yi Liankai’s trusted men, a captain of the guard. When he saw Qin Sang, he stood to attention sharply and saluted her before saying in a low voice: ‘Master is inside. Please come with me, Mistress.’
Qin Sang had an inkling of the situation but was not particularly flustered. Only after they had entered the hospital proper did she learn that Yi Liankai was still being operated on. She grasped the wall for support with one hand and a pained gasp escaped her. Zhu Ma, seeing that she was ashen, hurriedly tried to help her sit down. Waving this offer of help away, Qin Sang lowered her voice as she asked the captain: ‘What happened exactly?’
‘We went to inspect the garrison outside the city. On the way back, there was an assassin. Glass shards were buried in the snow to deflate our tyres and then several shots were fired into the car.’
‘Where was he shot?’
The captain was silent for a while before he answered, ‘Left side of his chest.’
12’s notes:
6 媽媽 māma + 經 jīng: literally ‘Mama Scriptures/Sutras’
7 A handy summary of the terms used by the Chinese calendar.
Ch. 14.2
As expected, Yi Liankai rushed home after he got the call. Zhu Ma greeted him as she would have a saviour and said, ‘Master, you’re home at last. Missy keeps saying she doesn’t feel well, neither wants to eat nor sleep. Being young and thin-skinned, she doesn’t want to send for the physician even though she’s feeling poorly. You’ll have to persuade her.’
Yi Liankai answered her even as he took the stairs two, then three at a time and reached the second floor. Here, he was in a vestibule next to which was a hall. He hesitated slightly then pushed the door open lightly. All he saw was Qin Sang hugging her knees as she sat on the sofa, lost in her own thoughts. Although she was in pyjamas, her hair was neat and had obviously been washed and combed. However, her eyes were puffy and he couldn’t tell if she had been crying. He gave a little cough but she didn’t even raise her head. Consequently, he took care to speak mutedly, ‘Zhu Ma told me you haven’t had dinner. Neither have I. Why don’t we ask the kitchen to make something and we can have it together?’
Qin Sang shook her head. She was not wearing any make-up and usually a bare face would bring out the beauty of her bright eyes. At this moment however, her eyes looked dull as if the former sparkle had been wiped away by some unknown force. Yi Liankai tried again: ‘You can’t keep refusing to eat.’
She shook her head again then asked, ‘Where did you go? You’re home so late. It’s snowing outside and the roads are bad, the chauffeur always drives so fast as well…’
She had never been in the habit of asking about his movements. Although her tone at present was still wan, it was music to Yi Liankai’s ears¹ and a sort of happiness bubbled up unbidden in his heart. He replied smilingly: ‘No such thing. They’ve always driven quite reliably so don’t worry yourself about that.’ He added: ‘If you have no appetite, I’ll get you a glass of warm milk. You can’t be going to bed on an empty stomach.’
¹ 綸音 lúnyīn + 佛語 fóyǔ: Imperial edict + Buddhist term . If you’re not reading this chapter at MerakiTranslations, it has been stolen and reproduced by bootleg websites.
Qin Sang complained: ‘I’ve already slept the entire afternoon, I don’t feel like sleeping any more. When I woke up, you weren’t here and when I asked the servants, none of them could tell me clearly where you had gone.’
Yi Liankai knew that she had never liked him to hug or cuddle her but there was something inexpressibly pitiful yet endearing about her as she lay curled up on the sofa. Hence he couldn’t resist enfolding her into his arms while explaining, ‘I was afraid to disturb your rest and happened to have some official business so I went out for a while. If you find it boring being home by yourself, I’ll just go out less over the next few days.’
Qin Sang was particularly docile as she lay tucked in against his chest. She did not speak again, seeming rather indolent as she held on to his arms like a clinging vine, soft and helpless. In all the time they had been married, not once had Yi Liankai seen her this affectionate and he was secretly ecstatic.² Her faint fragrance enveloped them as she lay in his embrace and for a time it was so quiet that the sound of his heart beating was audible. He did not stir at all for fear the slightest movement would irk her.
² 心花怒放 xīnhuā-nùfàng: burst with joy; be wild with joy; be elated. Translation originally published at tranzgeek(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com.
Only after a spell did he ask softly, ‘Shall I send for the physician since you’re not feeling well?’
Qin Sang shook her head slightly then confided, ‘I’m feeling frightened.’
‘What of?’ Mildly amused, he added, ‘Other women also have morning sickness and give birth.’
‘That’s not what I’m afraid of.’ She seemed a little wounded and her voice also became softer: ‘It’s so messy outside. You’re the Chief Commander in name; who knows how many people hate you because of it. Why bother with such a tough and thankless³ job? Why don’t we go back to Changye? I really am worried.’
³ 吃力不討好 chīlì bù tǎohǎo: arduous and thankless task (idiom); strenuous and unrewarding. Please consider reading from MerakiTranslations rather than at bootleg websites.
Yi Liankai assured her: ‘That’s silly. This place is peaceful and there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s precisely because my title is an empty one that no one will come after me. They know very well I have no army of my own so what’s the benefit of killing me? Don’t worry any more. We’ll definitely go back to Changye one day, but we need to wait until Father’s health is better.’
Qin Sang buried her face in his chest and pleaded: ‘Whatever it is, I just feel uneasy. Just don’t go out over the next few days but keep me company, won’t you?’
How could Yi Liankai refuse so gently-worded a plea?
Thus for quite a few days, he did not go out at all and merely conducted his official business at home. Even those who wanted to see him had to come up to the residence. All of Fuyuan’s military had heard that Qin Sang was indisposed. When Commander Yao’s wife paid her a visit, she brought a specially prepared present as it had been Miss Yao who had been lunching with Qin Sang the day she fainted. After hearing that Madam Yao had called on her, many of the other officers’ wives could hardly be remiss themselves and so came one after another to enquire after Qin Sang’s health. Yi Liankai turned them all away with excuses⁴, merely returning the courtesy with gifts in kind.
⁴ 擋駕 dǎng//jià: (Euphemistic) turn away a visitor with some excuse; decline to receive a guest. Translation originally published at tranzgeek(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com.
During this time, Qin Sang herself was sparing no effort, using every trick in the book. At the same time, she was worried about being too obvious so every few days, she kept Yi Liankai at arm’s length5. He was in rare good humour these days and even if she picked a quarrel or purposely flared up, he was willing to overlook much so the two of them were getting along rather well. Zhu Ma, observing them with secret glee, kept pointing out to her, ‘It still takes a child. Look at Master now. It still takes a child to hold a man’s heart.’
5 若即若離 ruòjí-ruòlí: be neither close nor distant; maintain a lukewarm relationship; keep sb. at arm’s length.
Qin Sang had no patience for any of her sermons about motherhood6. As it was just after the Greater Snow period7, a soft divan had been placed in the heated hall. Reclining on the pillows, she could see a profusion of red plum blossoms growing on the trees outside the window. Although this place couldn’t compare with the Yi family home in terms of size, there were still several trees planted in the courtyard. In particular, the two plum blossom trees outside the hall in the western wing had bloomed beautifully, and the combination of white snow on red blossoms was an invitingly refined enjoyment.8
8 雅玩 yǎwán: LITERARY refined enjoyment; elegant pastime. If you’re not reading this chapter at MerakiTranslations, it has been stolen and reproduced by bootleg websites.
Looking at the beautifully flowering plum blossoms, Qin Sang remarked, ‘It’s been some time since I visited Father, Da Ge and Da Sao*. These blossoms are so pretty. Why not send someone over with a couple of branches so Da Sao can display them?’
*Da Ge, Da Sao: Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law. Please consider reading the original (and free) translations from MerakiTranslations rather than at bootleg websites.
Zhu Ma replied: ‘Eldest Mistress heard that you weren’t feeling well so she sent someone over to see how you were a few days back but Master declined the visit. Master has really been taking especially tender care of you recently. He can’t bear to let even the smallest thing bother you.’
Hearing this, Qin Sang said ‘Oh’ before asking: ‘Then did the person say how the Marshal is now?’
Zhu Ma said: ‘Still the same. Quite a few physicians have been attending to him but there hasn’t been much improvement and he still can’t speak.’ She added: ‘It’s a fine day today. Shall I ask Eldest Mistress to come up for a visit so that you won’t feel so bored here alone?’
Qin Sang looked tired as she replied: ‘No need.’ She then asked: ‘How many people did he take with him today?’
Zhu Ma answered: ‘Master was afraid to disturb your sleep so he got up very quietly this morning. He didn’t even call for us to wait on him. I happened to run into him downstairs after I got up today. He said he had some urgent official business and had to go out. He said to tell you only after you had gotten up.’
‘Adjutant Pan went with him?’
‘Yes.’ Zhu Ma went on, ‘I saw Adjutant Pan open the door for Master who got into the car and they both went out together.’
‘Did he say where he was going?’
‘Master didn’t say. But I overheard the chauffeur, Xiaoliu, talking and I guess they must have gone out of the city because he was telling them to put anti-skid chains on the tyres. If they were just going around the city, they wouldn’t need those. So, they must be going out of the city where it’s snowing heavily and that’s why they needed the chains.’
Qin Sang was privately worried but since Zhu Ma was completely in the dark, there was no point in probing further.
After a while, she muttered to herself: ‘Even if they’ve gone out of the city, it’s almost going to be noon. Aren’t they coming back for lunch?’
Zhu Ma reassured her: ‘Master has been keeping you company for quite a few days and must have had to put off quite a lot of official business. Don’t worry, Missy. Once he’s finished with his work, he’ll definitely come home.’
However, Yi Liankai was still not home by lunchtime. Nor was he home for dinner. Qin Sang was deeply anxious for she did not know where he had gone nor was there any way to contact him. Night fell and still there was no word. Alone at home, she just had some porridge then took herself to bed. But although she was lying down in bed, her mind was churning and she could not fall asleep at all. Just as she was tossing and turning9, the telephone rang suddenly.
9 輾轉反側 zhǎnzhuǎn-fǎncè: toss about (in bed); toss and turn. Translation originally published at tranzgeek(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com.
The telephone in her room had been disconnected so the ringing came from downstairs. As each ring was short and sharp, she could still hear it clearly even though the telephone was downstairs and far away. After about four or five rings, someone answered the call. Not long after that, a panic-stricken10 Zhu Ma hammered on the door while calling agitatedly, ‘Missy!’
10 驚慌失措 jīnghuāng-shīcuò: to lose one’s head out of fear (idiom)
‘What is it?’ She got up hastily and opened the room door, asking as she did so, ‘What’s happened?’
Zhu Ma saw that she was in her pyjamas and suddenly recalled that Missy was with child and should not suffer any alarm. Therefore, she swallowed hard and did her best to speak calmly, ‘Master had some trouble. It seems there was a problem with the car and it skidded into a ditch. He’s not hurt but he’s in hospital…’
Qin Sang’s heart skipped a beat. Feeling like she had stepped off a ledge, she pressed a hand to her heart and asked, ‘Who was it who called?’
‘It was one of his bodyguards.’ Zhu Ma knew there was no concealing it from her. She said: ‘Missy, your condition isn’t good. Why not go and see Master tomorrow instead…’
‘Tell them to get the car ready,’ Qin Sang seemed extremely calm. ‘I’m going to the hospital now.’
‘Missy…’
‘Get me my otter fur overcoat. I’ll go change,’ Qin Sang said. ‘Quick, and get me my hat and gloves too.’
Zhu Ma could not withstand her repeated urging so she took out the overcoat for her from the cupboard and a hat from the chest. She thoughtfully selected an otter fur hat and then went over to help Qin Sang change. By the time Qin Sang went downstairs, the chauffeur was already waiting at the main door.
Zhu Ma went with her of course. In line with the special instructions Yi Liankai had issued earlier, they were followed by bodyguards when they went out. Both cars made straight for the hospital. Even from a distance, they could see that a guard post had been set up in front of the building. It was a windy, chilly evening and the lorry that met them was full of guards with rifles slung across their backs. At their head was one of Yi Liankai’s trusted men, a captain of the guard. When he saw Qin Sang, he stood to attention sharply and saluted her before saying in a low voice: ‘Master is inside. Please come with me, Mistress.’
Qin Sang had an inkling of the situation but was not particularly flustered. Only after they had entered the hospital proper did she learn that Yi Liankai was still being operated on. She grasped the wall for support with one hand and a pained gasp escaped her. Zhu Ma, seeing that she was ashen, hurriedly tried to help her sit down. Waving this offer of help away, Qin Sang lowered her voice as she asked the captain: ‘What happened exactly?’
‘We went to inspect the garrison outside the city. On the way back, there was an assassin. Glass shards were buried in the snow to deflate our tyres and then several shots were fired into the car.’
‘Where was he shot?’
The captain was silent for a while before he answered, ‘Left side of his chest.’
12’s notes:
6 媽媽 māma + 經 jīng: literally ‘Mama Scriptures/Sutras’
7 A handy summary of the terms used by the Chinese calendar.
