BH Chapter 101.1

.By Yue Xia Die Ying.

Ban Hua was dizzy, as someone was holding her head, she simply slumped onto that person’s body, as languid as a boneless snake demoness.

Some of the people in the room could not resist stealing glances.

Rong Xia moved to hide Ban Hua behind his body, “Be careful of your stomach.”

Ban Hua looked tender and delicate but actually she seldom fell ill. However this time she had the sky and the earth spinning in her eyes that her vision blurry, her body was feeble without any strength, whatever Rong Xia said she did not bother to move.

The Dalisi official Liu Banshan coughed drily and said to Commander Chen, “Commander Chen, Junzhu is not well, it’s not appropriate for us to disturb.”

T/N – (Refresher) Liu Banshan first appeared around chapter 77.

“This…..” Aware of the weight this junzhu had in His Majesty’s eyes, Commander Chen knew he should not pressed for answers while she was ill. Last night’s wind and rain night was heavy, and having to deal with the bloody incident, Junzhu must be in a severe shock that she has fallen sick. It’s just that she was …. too devoted to Marquis Cheng’an. “What Official Liu said makes sense.”

He stood up and said to Ban Hua, “Junzhu, please have a good rest. Xiaguan will definitely catch the criminal soon.”

Rong Xia gently patted Ban Hua’s back, “Have to trouble Commander Chen.”

“Master Marquis praised too much, this is xiaguan‘s duty.” The protectiveness Rong Xia had towards Ban Hua gave him a new impression of Rong Xia. Commander Chen was a military official but this position had him dealing with many literary officials. Literary officials liked understanding, virtuous and gentle like water women. Valiant women like Fule Junzhu who shot arrows on the horseback, who exchanged blows, who could pick up sword and went against assassins, was the kind that they shrank from.

There would be plenty of talks if last night incident was spread, and not all of it would be positive. Not everyone could accept a woman who had taken life, however pretty she was, even if it was because she was forced to, even if she had no choice.

The poor Capital Governor has been keeping his mouth shut from the beginning to the end, he kept nodding along to everything. All present there were more powerful than him, none of them he could afford to offend.

He has furtively breathed a sigh of relief when Commander Chen said they were not going to interrogate Fule Junzhu. He could not wait to get up from the chair and said his farewell, unfortunately before he had the chance, a youth in white satin clothing entered in rapid steps.

Aiyo, isn’t that the Duke Jingting’s Shizi, the Capital’s famous wastrel?

“Sis!” Ban Heng has jumped on a horseback and rushed to Cheng’an Residence the instant he heard that assassins had broken into it last night. He entered without permission but the servants did not stop him. The master’s future brother-in-law, their future furen‘s little brother – who dared to?

Ban Heng almost jumped 3 feets high out of fright when he saw Ban Hua leaning weakly on Rong Xia , “Sis, what’s wrong, are you hurt? Where are you hurt? Have you called doctors?”

Ban Hua’s ears buzzed with the incoherent noises, she turned to look at him. She wanted to laugh at the sight of Ban Heng whirling in anxiety, but once her head shook, the sky and the earth started to spin again.

“Brother Ban, Junzhu caught a cold yesterday, she is not injured. I have sent for imperial doctors.” Rong Xia understood the Ban siblings were very close, Ban Heng’s agitation did not annoy him. “Sit down first.”

“How can I sit when Sister is like this.” He circled around Ban Hua. “She’s strong like a cow, she rarely gets sick. But once she is sick, it’s always very bad.”

“It’s you who is a cow..….”

Ban Hua was so sick that her vision was dark, but she still wanted to protect her beautiful image. Rubbing her forehead on Rong Xia’s waist, she grunted, “Don’t shake, I am dizzy.”

Ban Heng immediately stood still. He reached out to touch Ban Hua’s forehead, it was very hot. Glaring at Rong Xia, he was about to blame Rong Xia for not taking a good care of her, then he remembered the outsiders there so he swallowed it back.

Private affairs should be privately resolved, it was one of Ban family’s principles.

The Shizi was so anxious, the darens around could not decide whether to leave or to stay. Leaving might be misunderstood as not caring about Junzhu. Staying was improper since Junzhu was a woman.

Fortunately Rong Xia was good at reading the room, he saw their dilemma, “I almost forgot, if Darens’ wish to inquire further about the assassins, Darens can also check with my guards. They are injured, so currently resting inside. If Darens don’t mind, maybe ask them questions.”

“Then have to trouble, please lead the way.” Commander Chen agreed at once.

In the main courtyard outside, the Capital Governor sighed, “Fule Junzhu is really a heroine among women.”

Liu Banshan laughed, “Very true.”

Being unfamiliar with the two, Commander Chen only nodded stiffly without commenting.

Liu Banshan glanced at the silent Commander Chen without any change on his expression, his eyes turned to the courtyard walls. A string of blood stained the wall, it was from several hours ago, after being washed by rainwater, the colour of the blood strain had dulled away, resembling a string of mud splashed on the wall.

—

It did not take long for an imperial doctor to arrive. He checked Ban Hua’s pulse, “Please Master Marquis and Shizi don’t worry, Junzhu has only caught cold. By taking medicine on time and a few days of rest, Junzhu will be fine. However….. ” He carefully watched Ban Heng’s expression, “Junzhu is suffering from cold and shock, it’s not good to move too much, or to be outside.”

Ban Heng was not very happy of Ban Hua staying at Rong residence, but he knew what was important. He nodded rigidly and refrained from objecting.

“Any limitation on food?” Rong Xia knew how picky Ban Hua was, he glanced at her who was sleeping sluggishly on the bed. Touching her forehead, it was still shockingly hot.

“No greasy or oily food for now.” The doctor stroked his white beard, “And nothing spicy or cold either.”

“Many thanks Doctor, I’ve taken notes.” Rong Xia took a wrung handkerchief from a servant girl, gently placed it on Ban Hua’s forehead. The sleeping Ban Hua felt something was on her head, she confusedly tried to shake it off.

Rong Xia pressed the handkerchief down, while his other hand patted on the blanket like coaxing a child. He managed to coax Ban Hua back to deep sleep.

Ban Heng noticed that, he looked away, “I’ll go home to get Sister’s usual servants here. I will need to stay for a few days, hope Master Marquis doesn’t mind?”

“Very welcome.”

He glanced at the deeply sleeping Ban Hua, how could he not welcome?

The medicine was ready not long after Ban Heng left. Rong Xia woke her up, took the bowl from the servant girl and spooned it to Ban Hua’s lips.

The still half-asleep Ban Hua saw the black liquid, it made her stomach churned and she almost threw up. Seeing her unwell, Rong Xia took the bowl away and patted her back, “Is your stomach uncomfortable?”

“En.” Ban Hua looked at him weakly, pitifully complained, “It smells bad.”

Rong Xia tasted it, bitter and astringent. He frowned, it indeed smelled and tasted bad. He turned to the steward who was standing at the back, “Why is the medicine so bitter?”

Steward: ……

“Master, good medicine is always bitter.”

“No pills?” Ban Hua’s face was as white as paper, he persuaded softly, “Hua Hua, how about taking a little first?”

The beauty’s pair of pleading eyes were looking at her full of concern, Ban Hua could only nod.

A spoonful of medicine was brought to her.

“Give me the bowl.” Ban Hua refused to be fed by spoonfuls. One spoonful followed by another ones was simply a torture, she’d rather just swallow it all in one go. Being fed by a willing beauty was a great thing, but it was still too much to bear.

Rong Xia was stunned, but he gave her the bowl.

Ban Hua held it up, then gulped everything down in a few mouthfuls. She followed it up with a few pieces of candied fruits to suppress the vomitting urges in the throat.

The servant girl gave her tea to gargle, Ban Hua used it once, “Can’t gargle more, otherwise the medicine will be out too.”

“Get a good sleep after taking medicine, it’s good if you can sweat.” Rong Xia helped her to lie down, covered her with a blanket, and wiped her lips. He couldn’t resist planting a soft kiss on her forehead, “Sleep well.”

Ban Hua opened her eyes, the moist pair of eyes curved. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

The servant girl blushed at the scene, busily looked away.

“Serve Junzhu well,” Rong Xia stood up from the stool, “I’ll be back in a while.”

“Yes.”

Rong Xia exited the main hall, asked the steward who was following him, “Has Commander Chen left?”

“Master, the Darens have left.”

Rong Xia nodded, his eyes were cold, as cold as a sharp blade pulled out of the sheath in the middle of winter, one which edges noone dared to touch.

“Tell Wang Qu to see me in the study.”

Read this for free at SleepyPrawn site. Add to my viewer number and I will translate more happily!

—

Wang Qu bent down as he met Master Marquis.

“Have the traitors been caught?”

“It was the two gate keepers, their families were kidnapped….”

“I don’t want to hear.” Rong Xia interrupted Wang Qu without even lifting his head, “Sort them out according to rules.”

Wang Qu’s back was bent even lower, “Shuxia understands.”

“If it wasn’t for Fule Junzhu last night, today this residence would hang white banners and hire mourners.” Rong Xia looked up at Wang Qu, “I’ve overestimated Jiang Luo’s brain.”

T/N – It means the residence would have been in mourning today.

“Master, shuxia thinks Ning-wang is impatient.”

Ning-wang was impatient, and he did not see eye-to-eye with Master Marquis. Master was once again valued by His Majesty, and so Ningwang attempted the most stupid method ever, which was ‘hurting self for 1000 for the sake of injuring the opponent by 800’.

“When has he ever been patient?” Rong Xia sneered, “Seems that Xie Chongjin can’t get any better?”

Wang Qu paused, not understanding why Master suddenly brought up Xie Chongjin, “Eldest Xie Son indeed is unable to get better, but how is this related to Ning-wang?”

“He could not before, but he will now.”

He did not believe Emperor Yunqing would punish the Second Prince for his sake, he understood this emperor. Selfish and paranoid, in his mind everyone was out to get him, while he himself was blameless. No matter how outrageous Ning-wang was, it was still his son. After the investigation concluded, Emperor Yunqing might compensate Rong Xia, and some of Ningwang’s lackeys would be cut off to appease him, but the Second Prince would still get away unscathed.

In spite of anything, Xie family was now stuck aboard Ning-wang’s boat, and thus he wanted Xie Chongjin to be a thorn in Xie family’s side.

T/N – Because, as a refresher, Ning-wang Jiang Luo was married to Xie Wanyu, Xie Chongjin’s sister.

—

“Master, Ban-shizi is back.” The steward’s voice was heard outside the study.

Rong Xia quickly went out, he saw a line of people carrying several large boxes, and 20-30 men and women dressed as maids and guards. Ban Heng was in midst of these people, he looked like a street gangster leading his minions to collect protection money.

“Brother Ban,” Rong Xia watched as large boxes were lowered to the ground, “Not sure what these are….”

“These are the clothing and accessories that my sister usually wears, and some other stuff.” Ban Heng sighed, “She is staying temporarily at your residence, I can’t bring too many things, just these ones.”

“Brother Ban don’t be too polite, whatever is needed, feel free to bring here, we are not strangers.” Rong Xia took Ban Heng to the inner yard, “Your place is next to Hua Hua’s, I’ll take you there. Anything you don’t like, have the servants change it.”

“Don’t worry, I am not picky about living place.” Ban Heng’s stuff were all in one box, and he only had a few pageboys and guards, no maid with him. Most of the things he brought was for Ban Hua.

Rong family servants found this shizi exceptionally easy to serve. Apart from being a little particular about food, he had no problem with anything else. He paid no attention to pretty maids, and he never oppressed the servants or looked for troubles.

Such a gongzi, how did he get to be called a wastrel?

The standard for wastrels in the Capital must have been too low.

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T/N – I have been so distracted lately. Two overseas trips broke the routine, plus a new hobby to pursue. Need to get back in gear……

Shameless plug, I wrote a mini story today, this is the first time since primary school, and that was a homework.