Four Seasons Brocade – CH 229

Chapter 229 ☆、

“How is that possible?” Ah Wu did not believe it. Although the Xiang family had collapsed, the Sixth Prince, Chu Yu, was still the Emperor’s biological son. The Emperor couldn’t take his life. Besides, the Longqing Emperor’s edict did not implicate the late Empress; his true intention was to protect this son.

Chu Mao picked up his teacup, took a sip, and smiled at Ah Wu.

Ah Wu exclaimed, “Ah!” and lightly tapped her hand on the small table, scolding, “So cunning.”

Chu Yu was not just trying to survive; he also wanted the Longqing Emperor to release him and, ideally, regain his favor. After all, the Emperor only had three sons he could rely on, but the fifth was incompetent, and the fourth was so disliked. So Chu Yu chose to gamble.

Since he had already attempted suicide, how could the Emperor possibly force him to die again?

“He did not die,” Chu Mao said with a hint of regret. “He did have some tricks up his sleeve.”

“But did he think the Emperor was a fool? The Emperor will not believe he genuinely committed suicide,” Ah Wu pointed out the flaw in Chu Yu’s strategy.

“Come here,” Chu Mao gestured to Ah Wu.

Ah Wu pouted. That was one of Chu Mao’s flaws; even in the sweltering summer, he always liked to hug and cuddle. Luckily, the rain was heavy today, making it relatively cool. Ah Wu moved closer to Chu Mao, who pulled her onto his lap. Only then did she hear Chu Mao ask, “So, what trick do you think Sixth Brother used?”

Ah Wu looked at Chu Mao, then remembered his hurried arrival, running errands in such heavy rain. Ah Wu’s eyes widened. “He wanted to frame you?”

Consort Xiang had killed the late Empress, and Chu Mao, seeking revenge, was trying to force Chu Yu to his death. This made perfect sense, especially with the enormous throne as a reward. Chu Yu’s move was truly vicious; he was courting death himself and not forgetting to drag someone down with him.

Chu Mao rewarded Ah Wu with a kiss on the cheek. “Smells so good.”

“Then Your Highness…” Ah Wu was about to ask Chu Mao how he had dealt with it, but before she could even open her mouth, Chu Mao had already captured her lips, repeatedly ravaging and teasing them.

The kiss came quickly and fiercely, like a wolf that had not eaten meat for days. Ah Wu’s two pink lips were sucked until they made smacking sounds. She hated Chu Mao like this; he would rush into things before she could even finish her sentence. Therefore, Ah Wu forcefully punched Chu Mao’s shoulder.

Chu Mao’s kiss grew increasingly fierce, forcefully prying open Ah Wu’s teeth with his tongue, skillfully slipping inside, and exploring every inch of the soft flesh inside Ah Wu’s mouth.

Ah Wu was not one to be bullied. She bit Chu Mao with her teeth. Chu Mao felt pain and grabbed her chest hard, causing Ah Wu to groan in pain.

But Chu Mao seemed like a completely different person, showing no tenderness whatsoever. He vigorously rubbed and scratched Ah Wu’s body, and Ah Wu could only cry out, “No, my neck, my neck…”

Since Yuan Rongmeng’s death, Ah Wu and Chu Mao had not consummated their marriage. Although they were not required to observe mourning, they still had to be discreet in the palace. Ah Wu had originally intended to let Chu Mao do as he pleased for a while; he was always very measured and would not cross the line. However, Ah Wu suddenly felt Chu Mao’s hand slip inside her undergarments, caressing and moving towards her private parts.

Ah Wu panicked, tightly pressing her legs together and forcefully pushing against Chu Mao, crying, “Your Highness, Your Highness, you cannot…”

Chu Mao, hearing this, bit Ah Wu’s shoulder, leaving a clear tooth mark. Ah Wu cried out in pain, tears welling in her eyes, “Are you an animal? How could you bite someone?”

Chu Mao, breathless, released Ah Wu and laughed, “I really wish I could turn into an animal.” Chu Mao’s hands encircled Ah Wu from behind, cupping her breasts and fondling them.

“Hey, hey, I am talking to you about serious matters,” Ah Wu said, remembering what Chu Mao had interrupted her earlier.

“Starting tomorrow, you will pretend to be sick. Tell everyone you just got caught in the rain today,” Chu Mao said seriously, releasing Ah Wu’s adorable breasts.

Ah Wu assumed Chu Mao was using this tactic to deal with Chu Yu. Although she did not understand why she was feigning illness, she immediately nodded, fully cooperating with Chu Mao.

“Your Highness, have you thought of a way to deal with him?” The “him” Ah Wu was referring to was naturally Chu Yu.

“Do not bother with him. A grasshopper in autumn will not be jumping around for long. I am more worried about the banks of the Yellow River.” Chu Mao frowned, the previous romantic atmosphere in the room instantly vanishing.

Ah Wu adjusted her clothes, stood up, took a large gulp of tea to moisten her throat, and then said, “Your Highness is worried about the rain…”

This year, there had been a lot of rain in the capital, but that did not mean there had been a lot of rain in the south.

“News has come from the south that there have been over a dozen breaches in the dikes along the Yellow River and Huai River,” Chu Mao said, frowning. “The dikes along these two rivers have been repaired and breached every year for years. Those officials are incompetent, yet they continue to hold high positions and receive generous salaries, while the Emperor is preoccupied with personal matters, neglecting the well-being of the people.”

Ah Wu could not get a word in edgewise on these matters of state. “Then what does Your Highness think?”

“These river works cost a fortune every year. Those old men keep appointing their own protégés and former subordinates, showing no consideration for the hardships of the people. I do not want those old foxes hindering us in the future. Ah Wu, I have more faith in those young people who are energetic and driven; even if it’s just to climb the ranks themselves, they want to do something worthwhile,” Chu Mao said, gazing at the rain pouring down the eaves outside.

“But they lack experience,” Ah Wu said.

“I want to see the Yellow River and Huai River line for myself, Ah Wu,” Chu Mao said.

“Now?” Ah Wu exclaimed, “But that’s too dangerous.” If Chu Mao were to go to the front lines and the riverbanks breached, causing devastating floods, even Chu Mao, with his exceptional skills, might not survive.

“Controlling river works is a bottomless pit, but I still hope to fill it. If those people could accomplish even a little, the national treasury would not be so empty, and the Tatars in Loubei, the Nuzhen in Dongbei, and the Wakoku in the south would not act rashly.” Chu Mao pulled Ah Wu’s hand and embraced her.

Ah Wu could hear Chu Mao’s ambition: to subdue the Tatars in the north, unify the Nuzhen in the east, and control the river works, making the Great Xia Dynasty peaceful and prosperous. “But these things cannot be rushed, Your Highness.”

“As long as Ah Wu is with me, I am not in a hurry.” Chu Mao kissed Ah Wu’s earlobe.

Ah Wu wanted to ask why he was not in a hurry to accompany her, but she was afraid Chu Mao would say something strange to her, which she could not bear.

“Then what does this have to do with me pretending to be sick?” Ah Wu still did not understand. If it was not for Chu Yu’s sake, why was Chu Mao asking her to pretend to be sick? “Does Your Highness want to take me to the Yellow River and Huai River area?” Ah Wu suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

Seeing Ah Wu’s wide eyes, filled with joy and excitement, Chu Mao squeezed her hand. “Well, I have my reasons.”

Although Chu Mao did not give Ah Wu a definite answer, Ah Wu felt it was most likely true. Did he not take her to Luobei last time?

The next day, Ah Wu indeed fell ill, with a persistent high fever and cough. She drank bowl after bowl of medicine, but it was ineffective. Meanwhile, the Longqing Emperor also fell ill after returning from the Qingliang Back Mountain.

After consulting with the imperial physician, Chu Mao reported back to Empress Tian, ​​and Ah Wu was moved to his villa on Qingliang Mountain. Because of the Longqing Emperor’s recent serious illness, Empress Tian was naturally eager to get rid of Chu Mao from the Emperor’s side, leaving only the Fifth Prince in the Western Garden. That way, if anything were to happen, Chu Mao would not conveniently have the advantage of proximity.

Returning to Chu Yu, for some reason, the news of his suicide seemed to disappear without a trace, like a pebble dropped into a deep pool, without implicating Chu Mao. The Longqing Emperor, however, sent Su Dehai to the Prince Wei’s residence to question him.

Later, news spread that the Longqing Emperor’s message through Su Dehai was one of furious rebuke for Chu Yu. His father was still alive; how could he allow the elderly man to experience the pain of burying his son? He condemned Chu Yu for filial impiety and disloyalty, demoting him from Prince of the First Rank ^(qinwang) to Prince of the Second Rank ^(junwang).

Ah Wu sighed. The Longqing Emperor clearly still valued Chu Yu. If he truly did not care about this son, why would he have sent Su Dehai to deliver a message of reprimand? As long as an elder was willing to discipline a junior, it was likely they still intended to care for him.

“Does His Majesty not suspect you?” Ah Wu was now residing in Lanxue Hall at Guitian Garden. Guitian Garden was a small garden under Chu Mao’s name, used as a summer retreat. It was built on the Qingliang Mountain range, but not on the front or back of the mountain; rather, it was on a mountain that meandered westward, known locally as Zheyue Peak.

Guitian Garden occupied only a dozen acres, but though small, it was fully equipped. Its name itself suggested a place that embraced nature, built in favor of agriculture, hence the name “Guitian” ^{(returning to the fields)}. Guitian Garden was surrounded by mountains, with thousands of trees blocking out the sun and bamboo groves obscuring the moon. It was even cooler than Qingliang Mountain. There were monks’ huts nearby, and the sound of chanting came from the bamboo at dawn and dusk. As soon as Ah Wu settled down, she fell in love with this place.

“The more one explains, the more problematic it becomes. Even if I could completely absolve myself of all responsibility in the Emperor’s situation, he would still harbor some suspicion,” Chu Mao said.

Ah Wu nodded. Seeing the Longqing Emperor’s health deteriorating, she knew that if she were in his shoes, she would also be suspicious of all her sons. After all, it was the most prestigious throne in the land; who would not be tempted, who would not scheme?

Ah Wu believed that the Longqing Emperor must have already become suspicious of Chu Mao’s revelation of the ‘sheguocao’ incident. And Chu Mao’s ‘quick retirement,’ moving away from the Western Garden, coupled with his later request to manage the river and distance himself from the capital, would greatly alleviate the Longqing Emperor’s suspicions.

The scenery of the countryside was so pleasant that Ah Wu stopped thinking about those worries and settled down peacefully.

Ah Wu looked around and said, “Your Highness, are there not too few servants here?”

“Since you are retiring to the countryside, what’s the point of having so many servants? Does it not spoil the mood?” Chu Mao pinched Ah Wu’s nose. Currently, in Lanxue Hall, where Ah Wu resided, besides Zi-Yi and Zi-Jin, there was only a maidservant and a young maid. Bing-Shuang stayed in a secluded spot in the garden for quiet cultivation.

A moment later, Zi-Jin entered, carrying a square wooden fabric box, about a foot in size, carved with a flowing water and longevity motif. Chu Mao, who had been leaning against the couch, immediately sat up straight. “Put it down. Today, you and Zi-Yi are given half a day off. Go out and tell that maidservant and the young maid to also have a day off, and no one is allowed near the osmanthus grove before dinner.”

Zi-Yi and Zi-Jin agreed and went out.

Ah Wu exclaimed in surprise, “What is Your Highness doing? Will we not be left without even a cup of tea? Are you taking me out to play?”

Chu Mao smiled mischievously. “Of course, you will have plenty to play with.”

Chu Mao opened the fabric box, revealing two thin garments inside. Ah Wu immediately recognized them as the designs Chu Mao had drawn, which he had had embroidered.

Ah Wu spat under her breath, surprised that Chu Mao had actually ordered them made.

Ah Wu put on her shoes and got off the bed, waving an ivory-silk fan in her hand. “Oh, it’s so hot. I will go for a walk in the bamboo grove.”

As she was about to leave, she heard Chu Mao say behind her, “Ah Wu, do you not remember that bet we made while playing Weiqi? You still owe me a request.”

Ah Wu turned around in surprise. “Of course I remember, but did I not already grant His Highness’s request?” On the day they consummated their marriage, Chu Mao had coaxed her into finishing that game of Weiqi. If it were not for that, Ah Wu felt she would never have let Chu Mao take advantage of her so readily.

“How come I do not remember making a request to you?” Chu Mao’s hand caressed her clothes.

“Although you did not say it aloud, what you meant that day was…” Ah Wu began, then realized she had fallen for Chu Mao’s trick; he really had not made a request.

“I knew you were going to renege.” Chu Mao walked over and pinched Ah Wu’s cheek. “I remember we made a deal: if you wore this dress, I would not touch you for over half a month. Do you remember?”

“I do not remember at all,” Ah Wu retorted.

T/N:
Nuzhen, the author used 女真; this is usually translated as “Jurchen,” but this term was used later in history.
Wakoku, the author used 倭国; this is the term used in Imperial China to refer to what we later call “Japan.”