The Deer and The Cauldron

[crazee]

I'm using Sygil to create Epubs (for my personal use).
It's a WYSIWYG program and easy to use.

I've added pictures to the chapters too. Here's an sample:

http://www.mediafire.com/?5vl68ogq07qu3la

(password is... foxs)

Hey you ppl are grrrreat. errr how do you read epubs files btw ?
It just goes to show how ignorant I am...I opened it up and got gibberish.....

[owlHoot]

Really? wow didn't know about this..Wandering, could you compile for this translation? thanks so much!

crazee,
I assume you are asking about epub creation.
i download this freeware program called stanza
and i use that to cut and paste the text of the translation in to create my own epub

epub is just basically a bunch of zip html/text/word document with .epub instead of .zip extension...basically a compress version of a website if you were looking for an analogy. if you actually change the extension of .epub to .zip file..you can actually extract out the file to see what the directory structure is like.

i normally do some formatting from stanza and add pictures etc to make my epub look good
then i email myself the copy or upload it up to google docs..and then i will download it to my ipad to read it in ibook or read it on my sony ereader.

to get chapters etc..i normally starts off from an existing base epub file...like the one I did for A Deadly Secret.

if you guys want I can start compiling up the current translation of this book into an epub and keep it up to date.
I don't mind..it's pretty easy. Probably only take me a few hours to do it.




For those with amazon kindle etc..you can use a freeware app called calibre to convert the epub to .mobi for your kindle to read it.

[foxs]

Ali, forgive me for being slow, I really did not get it. What do you mean by 'rock'? Smurf, why don't you volunteer? Send a pm to the mods. Crazee, Wandering, Sky, Anh, Athlon, OwlHoot, I can send you my source file if you like, that way you save some time by not compiling it yourself. Of course I have all the MS-Word documents. Let me know. If you know my email, please email me, I do not usually log in into spcnet unless I need to post something.

---

Zhang Kangnian said, “Everybody says, who else would send her? This Wang Ke’er is only a sixteen, seventeen years old girl, she must be very loyal to the Princess, seeing that Princess was humiliated until she wanted to kill herself, she must be very upset, and thus she went to avenge the Princess to vent off her anger.”

In the darkness of his mind, Wei Xiaobao suddenly saw a spark of light. “Right, right,” he busily said, “That must be it. Such a beautiful young girl, what enmity might she have against Ping Xi Wang? Even if we wanted to assassinate Ping Xi Wang, we would not send a young girl like her.”

Zhao Qixian and Zhang Kangnian looked at each other; they thought, “Wei Fu Zongguan must be confused; why would we want to send anybody to assassinate Ping Xi Wang?” Zhang Kangnian said, “I think Ping Xi Wang also did not suspect anybody else. If this matter were known, who would gain from it? Most likely he would quietly send someone to kill this palace maid, and be done with it.”

“She must not be killed, she must not be killed,” Wei Xiaobao said with a trembling voice, “If he killed her, laozi will fight him to the death, I will fight with that old turtle, the big traitor, ‘white blade coming in, red blade coming out’.”

Zhao and Zhang, two men, looked at each other again; they were doubting in their hearts, “Could it be that Wei Fu Zongguan is angry because the Princess was humiliated, and he sent this palace maid to assassinate?” The two of them stood with hands hanging by their sides, they did not dare to say anything.

“What should we do? What should we do?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

Seeing he seemed to be not in his right mind and was extremely anxious, Zhang Kangnian comforted him, “Wei Fu Zongguan, this matter is indeed a big trouble, but if we report to His Majesty and have the main offender investigated, it is still Wu Sangui, father and son, who are in the wrong. Raping the Princess, what was he thinking? Besides, Wu Sangui did not die. Even if he investigated who incited the assassination, we can categorically deny that we do not know the person; he can’t do anything.”

Wei Xiaobao shook his head with a bitter laugh, “I swear it was not me who incited her,” he said, “We are brothers, could I be concealing the truth from you?”

Zhao Qixian and Zhang Kangnian were relieved instantly; they heaved a deep sigh together. “It’s easy then,” Zhao Qixian said, “We’ll say that we are asleep, we feign ignorance, and that’s that.”

“No, can’t do,” Wei Xiaobao said, “I am afraid I will have to brother two Dage: please take my visiting card to Ping Xi Wang, tell him that Wang Ke’er has offended Wangye, which is major offense, and that I am enraged. But she is the Princess’ personal palace maid, I am asking Wangye to hand this little girl to you, let me make a report to the Princess, and have her flogged heavily to vent Wangye’s anger.”

Zhao and Zhang, two people complied and left. They both felt that Wei Xiaobao was a bit superfluous; it would be better to have Wu Sangui kill this palace maid quietly, ‘the gods do not know, the ghosts are not aware’, everybody’s happy.

Wei Xiaobao hurriedly went to Jiu Nan’s room. When he pushed the door and went in, he saw she had just finished meditating and was still sitting on the bed; he said, “Shifu, do you know that Shijie … Shijie … about Shijie?”

“What about her?” Jiu Nan asked, “Why are you so flustered?”

“Shi … Shijie … she … she went to assassinate the big traitor,” Wei Xiaobao said, “But she … she was caught.”

Rays of light flashed in Jiu Nan’s eyes. “Did she kill him?” she asked.

“She did not,” Wei Xiaobao replied, “But … but Shijie was caught by him.”

“Humph,” Jiu Nan snorted. There was a disappointment on her face. “What a useless thing,” she coldly said.

Wei Xiaobao felt strange; he mused, “She is your disciple, and she is caught by the big traitor, yet you don’t seem to care?” But after thinking it over, he understood. “Shifu,” he said, “You have a way to rescue Shijie, don’t you?”

Jiu Nan stared at him; she shook her head and said, “I do not. She is such a useless thing!”

Along the way, Wei Xiaobao had noticed that his master was always cold and indifferent toward this martial sister, she did not seem to love her dearly, in fact, she did not treat her as well as she treated him. However, even if Shifu did not like her, I, Wei Xiaobao, liked her like crazy. He anxiously said, “The big traitor is going to kill her. I am afraid by this time he has already had her flogged that she is hovering between life and death; he wanted to … to find out who incited her.”

“It was me who incited her,” Jiu Nan coldly said, “If the big traitor has the ability, let him come to deal with me.”

Jiu Nan sent her disciple to assassinate Wu Sangui, Wei Xiaobao was not the least bit surprised. She was the former Ming Dynasty’s Emperor Chongzhen’s daughter, Wu Sangui was the person who delivered the Great Ming’s rivers and mountains on a platter, naturally she hated this man to her bones. Even she herself had tried to assassinate Kangxi on Mount Wutai. But Ah Ke’s martial art skill was mediocre, Wu Sangui had countless martial art experts as his guards by his side. Even if the assassination succeeded, it would be difficult for her to escape. Shifu sent her on this kind of mission, wouldn’t it be clear that she wanted her to deliver her own life?

Wei Xiaobao had myriads of doubts and suspicions in his heart, yet he did not dare to ask her openly. He said, “Shijie will never confess it was Shifu who sent her.”

“Is that so?” Jiu Nan said, and closed her eyes.

Wei Xiaobao did not dare to ask anything anymore, he went out of her room.

Since Zhao and Zhang, two people, went to Wu Sangui to ask for Ah Ke, he did not expect them to return quickly. He paced back and forth in the hall, until the sky gradually brightened. Three times he sent some Imperial Bodyguards to see if there was any news, but none of them came back to report anything. Finally he could not bear it anymore, selecting a squad of Valiant Cavalry sergeants, he personally led them toward to Ping Xi Wang mansion. About three li from Ping Xi Wang Mansion, he stopped at the Fa Hui [lit. Dharma wisdom/intelligent] Temple, and sent several Imperial Bodyguards ahead to find any news.

About the time needed to eat a meal later, he heard the urgent sound of hooves, Zhang Kangnian galloped over and reported to Wei Xiaobao: “Subordinate and Zhao Qixian went to see Ping Xi Wang under Fu Zongguan’s order. All along Wangye did not receive us. Zhao Qixian is still waiting outside the door.”

Wei Xiaobao was anxious and angry at the same time. He stomped his foot and cursed, “Damn it, Wu Sangui is putting on air!”

Zhang Kangnian said, “He is a king holding power over a territory; in the world, other than His Majesty, he is the most powerful. He is not willing to see us, lowly Imperial Bodyguards, this is a very normal occurrence.”

Wei Xiaobao angrily said, “I will personally come to see him. All of you come with me!” Wei Xiaobao turned his head toward a Valiant Cavalry Zuoling [company commander], “Call all of our troops, have them ready outside Wu Sangui’s doghouse, waiting for my order.” The Company Commander accepted the order and left.

When Zhang Kangnian and the others heard the order, they all panicked; looking at Wei Xiaobao’s flustered and exasperated appearance, it seemed to them that Wei Xiaobao was determined to go into conflict with Wu Sangui. But Ping Xi Wang’s troops and horses were numerous, while the people escorting the Princess from Beijing to Yunnan was only a little over two thousands men. If a war broke, perhaps in less than an hour they would all be decimated.

“Wei Fu Zongguan,” Zhang Kangnian said, “You are an imperial envoy, a high-ranking minister, you received His Majesty’s order to come to Kunming. Whatever happens, you must talk it over with him. Ping Xi Wang can’t possibly not give you any face. In your subordinate’s opinion, there is no harm in us coming slowly.”

“Damn it,” Wei Xiaobao angrily said, “What ‘thing’ is Wu Sangui anyway? If we are coming slowly, he would kill my w … kill Wang Ke’er, and then who’s going to save her?”

Looking at his hasty words and stern countenance, Zhang Kangnian did not dare to say anything anymore; he thought, “Killing a palace maid, what’s the big deal? She is not your Meizi [younger sister], why would you want to mobilize the entire force to go to war?”

“Get the horse, get the horse!” Wei Xiaobao repeatedly called. He turned around and jumped onto his horse, and galloped away toward Ping Xi Wang mansion. Seeing the minister, imperial envoy’s arrival, the guards at the gate busily welcomed him and escorted him into the main hall, while a guard rushed inside to report.

Xia Guoxiang and Ma Bao, two Zongbing [Regional Commander] went out to meet him. Xia Guoxiang was Wu Sangui’s son-in-law, the head of the ten Zongbing under Wu Sangui’s banner. After saluting Wei Xiaobao, he said, “Wei Jueye, it may be assumed that you have already obtained the news that Wangye was attacked by an assassin. Wangye’s injury is not light, he is unable to personally welcome you, please forgive his offense.”

Wei Xiaobao was shocked. “Wangye is injured?” he asked, “Didn’t they say he was not injured?”

With concern all over his face, Xia Guoxiang said in low voice, “The pit of Wangye’s stomach was stabbed by the assassin’s sword, the wound is about three, four cun deep …”

“Aiyo!” Wei Xiaobao exclaimed in shock, “That’s terrible.”

With knitted brows Xia Guoxiang said, “Whether Wangye can … can come out alive this time, right now it is still very difficult to say. We are afraid that the people’s hearts will be shaken, hence we did not announce it; we only said that he is not injured at all. Wei Jueye is one of us, naturally we must not conceal anything from you.”

“I want to visit Wangye,” Wei Xiaobao said.

Xia and Ma, two people looked at each other. Xia Guoxiang said, “Let Xiaoren show the way.”

Arriving at Wu Sangui’s bedroom, Xia Guoxiang said, “Yuefu [father-in-law], Wei Jueye is here to visit you, Senior.”

They heard Wu Sangui groaned behind the curtain several times, but he did not say anything. Xia Guoxiang lifted up the mosquito net. Wu Sangui was frowning with clenched teeth, as if he was suppressing the pain. There were splatters of blood on the quilt and the mattress. His chest was bandaged, from which blood did not stop seeping out. Two physicians were standing by the bed, with knitted brows and worried look on their faces.

Wei Xiaobao did not expect Wu Sangui’s injury to be this heavy. The anger that was filling his heart vanished into thin air in an instant; he could not help but was deeply anxious. He did not care whether Wu Sangui would live or would die, but if he died from his injury, it would be much more difficult for Wei Xiaobao to save Ah Ke. “Wangye,” he asked in a low voice, “Is your wound very painful?”

Wu Sangui let out some ‘he, he’ groans, he opened his eyes, there was no luster in them at all. “Yuefu,” Xia Guoxiang said said, “Wei Jueye is here to visit you, Senior.”

“Aiyo, aiyo,” Wu Sangui groaned several times, “I … I won’t make it. You … go kill Yingxiong … Yingxiong, that little animal. It was he … he who brought me to my death.”

Xia Guoxiang did not dare to reply; he gently laid down the curtain, and went out the room with Wei Xiaobao. As soon as they were outside, Xia Guoxiang covered his face and cried, “Wei Jueye, Wangye … Wangye … won’t make it. All his life the Senior displayed utter loyalty to his country, but he will end up succumbing to this fate. Really … really the Emperor of Heaven does not bless a good man.”

Wei Xiaobao said in his heart, “Display fart loyalty to his country! The Emperor of Heaven does not bless the big traitor, that is indeed the heaven’s law and earth’s principle.” He said, “Xia Zongbing, in my opinion, although Wangye’s injury is heavy, he won’t die for certain.”

“Thank the Heaven and thank the Earth,” Xia Guoxiang said, “If only it will be as Jueye’s golden mouth said. But I wonder how did you know?”

“I can tell fortune by looking at someone’s facial features,” Wei Xiaobao replied, “Wangye’s appearance is unspeakably noble. In the future, his status will be a hundred times better than it is today. This time he will definitely not die.”

Wu Sangui was a Qin Wang [see note 14, Chapter 30], governing all military and civil affairs of two provinces, Yunnan and Guizhou. In term of order of feudal nobility, he had already reached the top, his government official rank was also already at the extreme point. Wei Xiaobao said that in the future his status would be a hundred times better than today; other than the Emperor himself, who would have a status a hundred times better than Ping Xi Wang?

As soon as Xia Guoxiang heard this, his countenance changed greatly. “The Emperor’s benevolence is vast and mighty,” he said, “Our Wangye’s rank and nobility has already reached the peak, he cannot rise higher than he currently is. I just hope that as Wei Jueye’s golden mouth said, the Senior will turn misfortune into blessing, from death back to life.”

Wei Xiaobao saw his look; he thought, “Wu Sangui is going to rebel, nine out of ten you already knew; otherwise, when I said that he will rise a hundred times higher, why would you look that scared? I might as well scare him some more.” Thereupon he said, “Xia Zongbing, please set your heart at ease; I look at your facial feature, your appearance is also unspeakably noble. Someday I might ask you for much promotion, for much improvement.”

Xia Guoxiang bowed and cupped his fists; he said respectfully, “Imperial Envoy Daren words are too heavy. Daren has strived to encourage me, Xiao Jiang will be loyal and dedicate myself to the service of my country; I do not dare to bear Imperial Envoy Daren’s high hope for me.”

[SkyWalker]

Thanks much foxs. It would be great if you can send us the file but I'll wait till you have completed this translation first. Don't want to waste your time if you have to send us the file every time you update.

[Anh Nam]

Thanks Foxs
It is Chinese New Year Festival time if you like that sort of thing. Our area has one in the Community College on Feb, 12
They have some of the same shows you could see at places like Disney Epcot Center

[crazee]

Thanks for the update Foxs....

Wow...a plot within a plot ? How come Ah Ke suddenly want to assassinate Pi Xi wang ?
I wonder if it's Jui Nan's orders but it does not seem likely because with her limited skill she can't even kill XB.

Getting interesting...and how come Wu San Gui....a great warrior, I suppose greater than Au Bai it seems got stabbed by a miserable no namer Ah Ker ??? so confused.......

No lah...getting Foxs to send us the compiled file every update is going to be too much for Foxs.
Maybe someone can help post the unabridged version ? or is there one already ??

[aliderhamy]

FOXS how can you not know who the rock is ???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y_Al_1_eyA

take it to the 4th min and watch... youlll understand what i mean :P

thanks for the translation

ohh some good ideas for your intro foxs at min 6

[smurf120]

Foxs - you mean send suggestion to mods about Facebook?

Thanks for so many updates! I hope Shang'er comes back soon.

[crazee]

Foxs - you mean send suggestion to mods about Facebook?

Thanks for so many updates! I hope Shang'er comes back soon.

Yes.... I miss shuang er too.

[foxs]

Sky, I did not mean every update, just the existing chapters, and then perhaps when an entire chapter, maybe two, is finished. Anh, you are welcome. Too bad you live at the other corner of the country. Crazee, I think Whiteskwirl and Grundle are going to help me posting this story on their web-site. I must say that I have quite a difficult time accessing spcnet today. Ali, sorry bro, I am not interested in wrestling like that. Smurf, yes. This is a community of volunteers, I just don't know who is (or are) the decision maker(s).

---

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, “Hey, hey, you are doing well! Your Heir Apparent becomes the Prince Consort, he is bestowed the titles Shao Bao [young protector/Junior Guardian] and Taizitaibao [tutor to the crown prince/Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent] simultaneously. In the past, Yue Fei, Grandfather Yue, who routed the Jin army at the Zhuxian town, massacred the Jins and drove them scared shitless, was only bestowed the title Shao Bao. Only by being the Princess’ husband one would reap this kind of benefit. Xia Zongbing, you are doing well!” They were talking while walking out.

Xia Guoxiang was so scared that the palms of his hands were wet with cold sweat; he thought, “Listening to this kid, it looks like he knew that my father-in-law wants to be the emperor. Could it be … could it be that this matter has leaked out? Or perhaps this kid does not know the immensity of heaven and earth and just casually talking rubbish?”

When they reached the winding corridor, Wei Xiaobao halted his steps and asked, “The assassin who attacked Wangye, did you catch him? Who is he anyway? Who sent him? Was it the remaining evil element of the previous Ming? Or perhaps Mu Family people?”

“The assassin was a woman,” Xia Guoxiang replied, “Her name is Wang Ke’er. Someone talked nonsense … that she is a palace maid serving the Princess. Xiao Jiang does not believe it, most probably she pretended to be a palace maid. Imperial Envoy Daren, please understand, Xiao Jiang is almost certain that this person was sent by the Mu Family.”

Suddenly Wei Xiaobao was frightened, he groaned inwardly, “Not good! They do not dare to offend the Princess, hence falsely accuse Ah Ke as Mu Family people, so that they could execute her at will. This is terrible!” He said, “Wang Ke’er? The Princess indeed has a palace maid serving her by the name Wang Ke’er. The Princess likes her very much, she would not allow her to leave her side even for a short time. Isn’t this girl about seventeen, eighteen years old, slim, and very pretty?”

Xia Guoxiang hesitated. “Xiao Jiang’s mind was occupied solely by Wangye’s injury, I did not pay any attention to the assassin at all. If this woman did not impersonate a palace maid, then she must have used fake name. Imperial Envoy Daren, please think: if this woman surnamed Wang is really the Princess’ favorite palace maid, then she must have received Princess’ instructions; she must be well-educated and understand propriety, gentle and obedient, how can she go and assassinate Wangye? It does not make any sense.”

The more he asserted that the assassin was not a palace maid serving the Princess, the more Wei Xiaobao was frightened. With a trembling voice he asked, “Have you … have you executed her?”

“Not yet,” Xia Guoxiang replied, “We want to wait for Wangye to heal and recover completely, then he can interrogate her in person to ascertain who is the mastermind behind the assassination.”

Wei Xiaobao was relieved. “Take me to see the assassin,” he said, “Whether she is a real palace maid or a fake one, I will know as soon as I see her.”

Xia Guoxiang said, “We do not dare to toil Imperial Envoy Daren’s honorable self in this matter. This woman is definitely not a palace maid serving the Princess. There are many rumors floating outside, Daren need not pay any attention.”

Wei Xiaobao’s countenance sank; he said, “Wangye was attacked by an assassin, his injury is very heavy, supposing there is ‘three-long two-short’ or ‘two-short three-long’[4], nobody would escape the responsibility. When I return to Beijing, His Majesty will definitely ask me in details what happened, who was the assassin, who was the mastermind? If I don’t see it clearly with my own eyes, and His Majesty raises the question, how am I going to respond? Could it be that you want me to talk nonsense? This guilt of deceiving our lord, naturally I cannot take it upon myself. Xia Zongbing, hey, hey, I am afraid neither can you.”

As soon as he brought up the Emperor’s name, Xia Guoxiang did not dare to disobey anymore. “Yes, yes,” he repeatedly said, but did not move a single step.

Wei Xiaobao’s face showed his displeasure. “Xia Zongbing always uses all sorts of excuses, what trick are you playing?” he said, “If you have any trick, or prepare some trap, there is no harm in bringing it on, let’s see if I, the one surnamed Wei, can handle it or not.”

Because his beloved was captured, he believed unfortunate fate was more likely to befall her than a fortunate one; in his anxiety, in his speech he unexpectedly did not give Xia Guoxiang any leeway, the hypocritical façade of the officialdom was completely ripped down.

Xia Guoxiang anxiously said, “How can Xiao Jiang dare play any trick on the Imperial Envoy Daren? It’s just that … it’s just that I really have some difficulties.”

“Is that so?” Wei Xiaobao coldly said.

Xia Guoxiang said, “I am being honest to the Imperial Envoy Daren, our Wangye has always been very strict to his subordinates. Xiao Jiang is the Senior’s son-in-law, Wangye is twice as strict toward Xiao Jiang, so that the other subordinates cannot say behind his back that Wangye is unfair.”

Wei Xiaobao smiled and said, “You are his son-in-law, but you do not make a good use of your position. I heard Wangye’s queen is called Chen Yuanyuan, the number one beauty under the heavens. Our Great Qing’s rivers and mountains have strong connection with Chen Wangfei [wife of a king]. Your mother-in-law has a ‘bashful flower obstructing the moon’ appearance, naturally your wife also has a ‘fish sink, goose alights’ appearance[5]. If you want to take full advantage of your position as the son-in-law, you only need to look at your mother-in-law several times more often, lick your father-in-law’s behind several times more often, you are not doing too bad …”

“Xiao Jiang’s wife …” Xia Guoxiang started, but Wei Xiaobao cut him off, he said happily, “As the saying goes: when the mother-in-law sees the son-in-law, her saliva is dripping greedily. In my opinion, however, your mother-in-law is such a beauty, the saying must be reversed: when the son-in-law sees the mother-in-law, he swallows his saliva into his tummy. Ha ha, ha ha …”

Xia Guoxiang looked awkward; he thought, “This kid talk’s rubbish, the way he speaks is just like a marketplace hoodlum, there is not even half a point of high-ranking official’s manners.” He said, “Xiao Jiang’s wife is not Chen Wangfei’s daughter.”

Wei Xiaobao sighed, “What a pity, what a pity. Your luck is not good.” His countenance sank as he said, “I want to interrogate the assassin, yet you are talking about this and that, even steered the conversation toward your mother-in-law. Hey, hey, it’s really strange.”

Xia Guoxiang’s anger was rising, but he maintained a respectful expression as he said, “Imperial Envoy Daren wants to interrogate the assassin, nothing can be better than that. Imperial Envoy Daren’s one question surpasses a hundred questions, a thousand questions of ours; but I am afraid Wangye … Wangye …”

“Wangye what?” Wei Xiaobao angrily said, “He won’t allow me to interrogate the assassin?”

“No, no,” Xia Guoxiang hastily said, “Imperial Envoy Daren must not misunderstand; if Daren can look at the assassin and investigate her background, our Wangye can only be grateful to you, he will not detain you, absolutely. Please forgive Xiao Jiang for being bold, I have something to say, and ask that Daren not to take offense.”

Wei Xiaobao stomped his foot and said, “Ay, you are always humming and hawing, there is not the least bit of real man’s lofty quality. You must be kneeling in front of your wife’s bed a lot. Speak up! Speak up!”

Xia Guoxiang cursed in his heart, “Your surname Wei’s eighteen generation ancestors are b@stards.” He said, “I am only afraid that if by any chance the assassin is indeed a palace maid serving the Princess, when Daren sees her, you would take her away, and then when Wangye wants to see her, Xiao Jiang cannot hand her over; that … that would be terrible.”

Wei Xiaobao mused, “This fellow is very crafty indeed; he wants me to promise in advance that I will not take the assassin away. Your granny, this assassin is my dear wife; how can I let you bully her?” He laughed and said, “But you said the assassin is definitely not the Princess’ palace maid, why worry?”

“That was Xiao Jiang’s guess,” Xia Guoxiang said, “As for the actual fact, actually I am not clear myself.”

“So you won’t allow me to take the assassin away?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

“I do not dare,” Xia Guoxiang replied, “Would Imperial Envoy Daren please sit down in the hall and make yourself comfortable, let Xiao Jiang report to Wangye, and then Imperial Envoy Daren may discuss this matter with Wangye later. If Wangye is angry, he cannot blame Xiao Jiang.”

Wei Xiaobao said in his heart, “Turns out you are afraid your father-in-law might spank your bottom, you don’t dare to take on the responsibility.” He let out a ‘hey, hey’ laugh, and said, “Alright, go and report. But let me tell you this: I don’t care if Wangye is asleep or awake, I want you to come back to me immediately. Your Wangye’s health is important, our Princess’ life or death is not a trivial matter either. After Her Highness the Princess was bullied by your Heir Apparent, I don’t know her condition right now, I must hurry back to check on her.” He was afraid Wu Sangui was still unconscious and was not awake, and thus Xia Guoxiang would stay by his bed and did not come out again.

Xia Guoxiang bowed and said, “I definitely do not dare to harm Imperial Envoy Daren’s business.”

“Humph,” Wei Xiaobao snorted. “This is your business, not mine,” he said with a cold laugh.

However, after Xia Guoxiang went in, it was quite a while before he came out again. Wei Xiaobao lost his patience, he repeatedly stomped his feet.

“Wangye is not awake yet,” Xia Guoxiang said, “Xiao Jiang was afraid Imperial Envoy Daren is waiting anxiously, as soon as I finished my report, without waiting for Wangye’s instruction I came out to serve Imperial Envoy Daren to examine the assassin. Imperial Envoy Daren, please.”

Wei Xiaobao nodded, and followed him inside. After passing through several winding corridors, they arrived at a garden. He saw several dozen guards with weapons in their hands, patrolling back and forth; the garden was heavily-guarded.

Xia Guoxiang led him toward a rock garden, where he showed a golden arrow banner of command to the military officer guarding in front of it. “Wangye’s order,” he said, “I am here to serve the Imperial Envoy Daren to examine the assassin.”

The military officer checked the arrow banner of command, bowed and said, “Imperial Envoy Daren, please. Zongbing Daren, please.” As he stepped aside to let them pass.

Xia Guoxiang said, “Let Xiao Jiang show the way.” And he entered into the cave in the rock garden.

Wei Xiaobao followed in. Only several steps later, he saw a large iron door. Two armed-guards stood on either side of the door. Turned out this rockery was the entrance to a dungeon. They walked through three such doors in succession; the path was sloping down. Finally they arrived in front of a small room. There were thick iron bars in front of the room, behind the bar a young girl was sitting on the floor, with both hands holding her head, she was sobbing quietly. There were several oil lamps hanging on the wall, illuminating the room with its pale yellow light. Wei Xiaobao rushed forward; with both hands gripping the iron bars, he focused his eyes on the young girl.

Xia Guoxiang shouted, “Stand up, Imperial Envoy Daren has some questions for you.”

The young girl turned her head around, the lantern light shone on her face. Wei Xiaobao’s and the girl’s four eyes met, “Ah!” both exclaimed in shock. The girl immediately stood up, the shackles on her hands and feet created clanking noise. “How … how did you get here?” she asked. They were both utterly amazed.

Wei Xiaobao would never expect that this girl was not Ah Ke at all; rather, she was the Mu Family’s Xiao Junzhu [young princess, see note 1 of Chapter 10] Mu Jianping.

After calming himself down, he turned his head around to ask Xia Guoxiang, “Why is she locked up in here?”

“Daren knows the assassin?” Xia Guoxiang asked, “Is she … is she really a palace maid who serves the Princess?” His shock was not below Wei Xiaobao and Mu Jianping’s.

Wei Xiaobao asked, “Is she … is she the swordsman who assassinate Wu … assassinate Wangye?”

“That’s right,” Xia Guoxiang said, “This woman has a gargantuan nerve, she dares to commit this kind of crime, rebelling against the Emperor. In the end, who sent her? Would Daren please interrogate her clearly?”

Wei Xiaobao was slightly relieved. “Turns out it’s a big misunderstanding,” he thought, “The assassin who tried to kill Wu Sangui is not Ah Ke; actually, it’s the Mu Family’s Xiao Junzhu. Her father was killed by Wu Sangui. She tried to assassinate him, obviously it is to avenge her father. It’s not surprising at all.” He asked Xia Guoxiang again, “Did she say that her name is Wang Ke’er? And that she is a palace maid serving the Princess?”

Xia Guoxiang said, “After we captured her, we asked her name, surname and origin, as well as who sent her here. But she was unwilling to say anything. However, someone recognized her as the palace maid Wang Ke’er; I don’t know whether she is or she isn’t. We ask Daren to verify.”

Wei Xiaobao pondered, “Xiao Junzhu is captured, I have to try to save her. She is also my wife, I must not be partial.” He said, “Naturally she is a palace maid serving the Princess. Princess is very fond of her.” While saying that, he signaled Mu Jianping with his eyes. “Why did you assassinate Ping Xi Wang?” he asked, “Don’t you want your little life anymore? Who sent you? Quickly confess, otherwise you will suffer.”

Mu Jianping boldly said, “Wu Sangui is a big traitor to Han people, he acknowledge the criminal as his father, he handed over the Great Ming’s rivers and mountains to the Tatars. Among all Han people, which one does not wish to take his life? I only feel sorry that I failed to kill this traitor.”

“Little servant girl!” Wei Xiaobao pretended to be angry, “You dare to disregard the law and natural morality. You have lived in the Palace so long, unexpectedly you did not understand any rules and regulations, you dare to speak such treason and heresy? Aren’t you afraid you might lose your head?”

---

[4] Three-long two-short ( 三长两短 ) is an idiom means ‘unexpected misfortune/accident’.


[5] An idiom from Zhuangzi: female beauty captivating even the birds and beasts.

[sablemagi]

At last wxb showing some confrontational spirit.

[tweety365]

If there was more substance to WXB's love for Ah Ke, I would find his concern for her quite sweet. Anyway, at least JY brought back Mu Jianping. I like her much better than the sadistic princess and Ah Ke.

Thanks, foxs!

[crazee]

If there was more substance to WXB's love for Ah Ke, I would find his concern for her quite sweet. Anyway, at least JY brought back Mu Jianping. I like her much better than the sadistic princess and Ah Ke.

Thanks, foxs!

Funny the way things turned out....How can Mu Jianping be Ah Ke ??? ...err I suppose they actually have David Copperfield or is it Houdini then ???

Thanks Foxs...

Things are at least moving...yes the romantic / sadistic /adultrous affair and the Ah Ke chasing is definitely boring as it gets too long.....

I would like to volunteer to help out someway but with my limited knowledge and resources....I fear I might not be able to fulfil the gangs's expectation....err I don't even have my own computer...only relying on my company's notebook.... ...hopefully no reader is from my company heh heh heh.

[owlHoot]

Hi Foxs,

thanks for the updates and thks for offering to send us the files, juz send us at your own convenience

[whiteskwirl]

Crazee, I think Whiteskwirl and Grundle are going to help me posting this story on their web-site. I must say that I have quite a difficult time accessing spcnet today.

I'll take that as a yes, then, on helping you post it. I'll get right on that.

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, “Hey, hey, you are doing well! Your Heir Apparent becomes the Prince Consort, he is bestowed the titles Shao Bao [young protector] and Taizitaibao [tutor to the crown prince] simultaneously.

According to Charles O. Hucker's Excellent A Dictionary of Official Titles in Imperial China, Shao Bao (少保) is listed as "Junior Guardian", and Taizi Taibao (太子太保) is listed as "Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent". Not that there's anything wrong with your translations; I'm just throwing this out there.

As an aside, if anyone is interested, and if foxs approves, then when this translation is complete I can put it together in ebook and pdf form if you all would like. Here's an example of my design skills as far pdf goes. I designed that issue myself.

[Ace High]

WXB is being tricked by WSG... think about it, its pretty much of a coincidence from all the palace maids following the princess to Yunnan, WSG happened to use the alias Ah Ke is using.

[KChill]

"You must be kneeling in front of your wife's bed a lot!" Bwahahahaha....what's wrong with that, LOL.

[owlHoot]

wow whiteskwirl, your design skills are good!

[athlonkmf]

Hi Foxs, if you can send me the source files too it'd be great.

[SkyWalker]

Thanks for the update foxs. Greatly appreciate your effort in translating this. And thanks in advance for sending us the source file.