Saiunkoku Monogatari:Volume 1 Chapter1
Chapter 1
Everyone knows that there will be a moving music from the Erhu in this Taoist temple at this time.
The music is indeed beautiful, hence attracting many customers to nearby tea-booth or restaurants at this specific time to listen. The music received praises from many people, but the popularity of the maiden playing the music is even greater than the Erhu,--only that the maiden does not know it herself.
Today the lesson ended again by the children’s pleading, the maiden—Shurei Kou then played the Erhu, but she is not playing the music today, instead it is the legend of the establishing of the Saiunkoku that the children likes.
Following the end of the music, Shurei ends the story as usual. “……in the end, the Eight Coloured Sages disappeared without a trace, and it is said that they have blend into the commoners’ life, maybe as our neighbour!”
When Shurei laughed: “Ok, the story has ended!” The children that were surrounding let a sigh.
“Teacher Shurei!”
“Yes?”
“Is there really a Sento Palace in the royal palace?”
Shurei put down her Erhu at one side, smiled: “Yes,” and pat the boy’s head.
“Although it is now renamed as Sento Province, but JinLan said it really resides in the royal palace somewhere.”
“Then have Teacher Shurei seen it before?”
A cute girl with a bun hairstyle climbed up Shurei lap.
Hearing this question, Shurei let out a serious sign of regret.
“Although regretful, I have not seen it before, I have always hoped to see it at least once too, but it is a pity that the Sento Palace resides in the royal palace. I could have got in if I joined the state exam; however it is only opened to males.”
“Then I shall join the state exam when I grow up, become a great official and marry Teacher Shurei, then bring Teacher Shurei into the royal palace.”
Looking at the energetic boy proudly stand tall, Shurei can’t help smiling:
“Really? That will be great. –But LiuJin, since you have now set your target, you should work even harder, and I bet you have forgotten to write your homework for yesterday, right?”
“That, that is because……“ The boy is at a loss without knowing what to do; the girl, with the bun hairstyle hugging Shurei; rolled out her tongue and make a grimace.
“You should stop daydreaming; you have never done your homework.”
“If LiuJin want to be an official, he should just follow JinLan and enter the state martial arts exam, and become a military official.
“Ah—Exactly! Because he is good at fighting! And he is only good at this.”
“But he is afraid of his mother and Teacher Shurei, isn’t he a bit too useless?”
“You, you guys……” The boy blushed, put up his fist, but someone knocked at the temple door at this time.
“Sorry, pardon my intrusion, Miss.” When Shurei saw the tall body that entered the doors, she was surprised: “—JinLan! Why are you here?”
“Ah—it’s JinLan!”
“JinLan! Let’s play some war games--!”
The youth that were immediately surrounded by the children, --JinLan showed a wry smile.
“Erm……Sorry, I am busy today, maybe next time?”
A boy let out a sigh of disappointment; the youth tapped the boy’s forehead and moved towards Shurei.
“Miss, could you please hurry back? You have an important visitor.”
“What--?” This time all the children shouted disappointingly.
Shurei also groan inwardly due to this uninvited guest. –What a coincidence, I have a very important ‘job’ waiting for me today! Which gullible guest chooses today to visit? Even so, Shurei still stands up quickly; unwillingly caress the head of the children that are pulling her skirt.
“Sorry, we will have to end here today. Do not forget what was taught today, and LiuJin have to do your homework.”
Blinking her eyes, Shurei went with JinLan; on the way, Shurei wondered:
“JinLan, why are you here at this time? I remembered you were supposed to go court meeting today?”
“Yes—Miss, you are right. But the guest requested that I travel together……”
“The guest wanted you to follow for personal stuff? –This guest’s identity isn’t simple then?”
“Yes, yes……”
The vague answer made Shurei even more suspicious.
Even though JinLan is courtly, he is actually strong in his swordsmanship. Therefore, even if Shurei’s family—Hong family in name only backs him, he still cut a striking figure with a new record speed, he has now a small standing in the military. Even though he has not amounted to much in the imperial court, but someone that can influence JinLan, the guest must be a big shot.
“I do not know who the guest is, or why he wanted to see me, but as courtesy, he should have informed me earlier. A sudden visit…… will ruin my planning and schedule!”
Shurei hold her fist, look up at JinLan, and strongly gripped his shirt
“What should we do, JinLan--?” We are in overdraft for this month again! There is a job with good pay but it is all going to ruin now! I thought we will be able to afford rice with the pay, but only wheat…… wheat…… wheat ah--! The middle line in the wheat! That middle line that is distinct from rice is going to sarcasm me in this month again: ‘I am not rice!’ Ah—I am not willing, not willing! I hate that guest~!”
“Miss! Nobody said that! Wheat can’t talk.”
JinLan is afraid of attracting sideway glances from passer-by, quickly look around. This reaction is natural, after all Shurei is standing in the streets yelling…… but the passer-by ignored her.
“Miss, please do not worry, I will take up more part time jobs, I have to repair the tiles from the roof that were blown off a few days ago, otherwise it would troublesome if it rains, buckets are expensive so I will go buy tiles and repair them myself, this will save quite a sum of money. I will also get some lattice doors from town to replace the broken ones…… Miss, please do not be sad, I love to eat wheat, it’s very nutritious.”
“Waaaaaaaaaa—JinLan! I am sorry! Always troubling you, if only my father was more useful, we will not end up in this situation!”
“Miss should not be mindful of little things like this.”
“Our Hong family couldn’t pay the salaries, all other servants have left…… but you have always stayed, a dignified military officer has to do the accounting for restaurants, write letters for others, do errands for merchants, only our Hong family in the world will order people.” “…………”
It seems to be so, JinLan thought. “Your salary originally would be sufficient for you, but staying in Hong family, you have to spend all your salary repairing our house and livelihood…… Even so, our family are still afraid and not willing to let you go find a better master, please forgive us! However, if you really find a better environment, then it is okay to not care about us.”
“Miss.” JinLan interrupt Shurei with a wry smile. “Really do not have to mind about these, unless you chased me out, I would not leave you, I have no complains, and is actually happy that I could repay the grace.”
“Grace……?”
“13 years ago, Hong family accepted and housed me even though I am a stranger, I am already determined that I will repay the grace in this life, so Miss, you should not brood on this at all.”
“……JinLan……”
Shurei’s face distort once more.
“Ay—so frustrating! Why our family end up in this situation--! Being of high statue only is useless at all-----!”
“…………”
Patting the back of Shurei, JinLan nodded and agreed to this statement with mixed feelings.
(…… indeed high status ‘only’……)
This can be seen from the surname of Hong.
Saiunkoku territory are split into 8 states, they are the Ran state, Hong state, Heki state, Ko state, Haku state, Koku state, Sa state and the Shi state. These states name follow the old names, 600 years ago, the emperor then ordered the ruling clan of each state to change their surname on a whim. The Ran state marquis change to Ran, the Hong state marquis change to Hong, and so on. At the same time, commoners are forbidden to share the same surname as these 8 clans, hence having these 8 colour surname are a symbol of the nobles among the nobles. Due to the capital—where the imperial court resides, the Shi state marquis is also the emperor, since then on; the Shi surname represents the surname of the royal family.
600 years later, the ruling system changed from each state marquises ruling to the imperial court ruling gradually, but the 7 surname—Shi surname being another story due to royal—still exists.
The imperial courts that used to be mostly the noble clan are now open to commoners too, the official appointment system—state exam that has been implemented for decades, participants that are able to enter the final round are mostly members from the 7 clans. This is because when the state exam is implemented, the 7 clans are willing to spent large sum of money to nurture the talents, the results is obviously the 7 clans having many talented and outstanding men, and their popularity in its heyday. Once they are honoured with high official titles, they will be able to get rich pay, hence no harm at all to the 7 clans.
Shurei was born in the Hong family— is of pure lineage and the daughter of the eminent family. Hong family is only under the Ran family in the 7 clans, is the noble among the nobles. It is said that the Shi representing the royal family is the combination of the Ran and Hong family, hence giving the Hong and Ran surname to 2 of the most powerful clan then.
(…… if so, Miss should be living a generous life, served by a big group of maid.)
No matter how ridiculous, she should not be crying on the streets that they can only eat wheat for the month; their family being overdraft, the tiles being blown away, worrying about the leaking roof but no money to repair and such.
Why did a lady of the Hong family end up in such a situation--?
The reason may be the eldest son of the Hong family, Shurei’s father DengKe. Due to his gentle literati personality from birth, there are frequent criticisms of him not able to be the head of the family; and there’s his talented younger brother, hence DengKe’s father before his death, instruct his brother to be the next head. Originally believing that he himself is not meant to be the head, DengKe has no complains and is happy to follow the instructions of his father.
However, as his brother inherit the family business, DengKe position as the eldest son becomes awkward. Therefore after much consideration, he decided to bring his whole family and leave Hong state, but Hong clan will never let the eldest son to be displaced, hence they build a residence in Shi state beforehand and arranged a high position for DengKe in the imperial court. Thus DengKe’s family migrate to Shi state, and on the way, accepted JinLan who fainted on the side of the road, then moved into the current residence.
The imperial high official is actually just a post responsible taking care of the library, a post that is dispensable, even not many people have heard of this post, hence the management of financial board often forgets to pay salary to DengKe, furthermore DengKe has never complain about this, thus the salary decreased gradually, in the end it becomes everyone in the family—total of 3 people, DengKe, Shurei and JinLan—have to work to support themselves. Yet, DengKe is always buried in the books, it is almost impossible to depend on him to support the family, thus it is really Shurei and JinLan supporting the family.
JinLan think back to the past, his eyes become drifty.
(……Can’t believe that huge residence requires such a huge maintance fee……)
In the beginning, Shurei and JinLan is optimistic as life was thrifty and as long as sufficient money is earned for 3 people, life can still goes on, however……
It was totally unexpected, that large residence to maintain a suitable environment actually has to spend more than half of the pay; since the salary is dropping, the workload has only been increasing. Even though strictly regulating DengKe to earn a certain amount of salary, he did not take it seriously. Once he entered the library, he will be free of ‘distractions’.
“Miss……Miss, you have tried really hard, day in and day out repeating teaching children in the Taoist temple after house chores, working until sun sets…… Today must be a holiday for Miss by heaven, furthermore my salary will be increasing soon……”
Shurei looked up, her face filled with happiness.
“Meaning you are going to be promoted again? Congratulation! JinLan, Ok, and then I treat dinner today!”
“Ah? But……”
“Relax! The ingredient may be few, but the method of cooking are varied, just the chance to showcase my skills, just you watch, I will cook a table of amazing cuisine!”
Watching Shurei walk happily, JinLan laugh softly.
What makes Shurei happy is not the rise in salary but the promotion, and this thought make JinLan very pleased.
“Imperial court three TaiShi—XiaTaiShi!?”
After aggressively pressed JinLan who is vague about the identity of the guest, the answer made Shurei shocked, almost spilling the tea leaves on the floor. –so close! Tea leaves are expensive, enough to see how surprising is the answer from JinLan.
The imperial court three TaiShi are the mentor of the emperor. Their positions are just below the emperor, although they are not involved in the politics, they are still one of the hundred officials, and their powers are even greater than the royals who are of lower seniority.
Furthermore, XiaTaiShi was the famed previous emperor’s right hand man, as the highly respected and prestigious minister. To Shurei, he is a legendary character.
“Why, why, why did XiaTaiShi come see me!!”
“No idea.”
JinLan have no idea too. When XiaTaiShi tell him straight: “I want to talk to the young lady of Hong family, can you pass the message.” He did not really understand at first. Because he could not link ‘young lady of Hong family’ to Shurei and the residence when Shurei lives have not enough servants to pass the message, and that lady is working outside during the day and not at home.
“……Currently, is it only ‘that’ father dealing with that big shot……?”
“……Yes.”
“He actually didn’t serve tea to the guest.”
“……Because Master do not know where the tea set is.”
JinLan smile with helplessness, while putting the buns into the plate to be served as refreshments.
The messy dishes in the kitchen looked like the work of a burglar, but the most important tea set was untouched. ……Looked like he worked really hard but couldn’t find the tea set, father’s ability in housework really makes people afraid to set expectation on him.
“…….forget it, at least he deserves to be praised for knowing to serve tea to guest, this is good considering his normal standard.”
Shurei sighed deeply, carried the ready tray.
At this moment, Shurei’s movement changed, her back becomes straight, and her steps become smooth like flowing water. Her graceful movement always amazed JinLan, not even the female officers in the royal palace have such perfect etiquette.
And because of this JinLan always feel pity, if Shurei spend the rest of her life in the marketplace like this, it would be such a waste of her knowledge and upbringing.
Once reaching the living room, the soft laughter from inside make Shurei surprised.
“……it seems that they are chatting congenially, but father has no eloquence at all, unless their interests are common?”
Or maybe it is XiaTaiShi deliberately catering to father…… very possible, no, it is definitely the latter.
Just as Shurei converge her expression, JinLan entered the living room, kneel with one knees to his master and guest.
“—Master, Lady Shurei has returned.”
“Oh, she returned already?” A man stood up hearing this, an approachable smile appears on his face, he is the master of the mansion, Hong DengKe. Forty years old, he has no beard, hence he look like only thirty plus.
“Erm…… Where’s…… the tea……?’ Watching the master hesitatingly whisper, JinLan can’t help laughing.
“Miss is carrying the tea here, and the red bean bun Master likes the most.”
Hearing that, DengKe’s expression brightens up.
The straight-forward reaction almost makes JiuLan laugh out loud, he immediately uses strength on his dan tian, as there are other people present, and it is impolite to laugh out loud.
After trying hard to adjust to a serious expression, JiuLan slowly opened the door.
Shurei entered the room gracefully, put down the tray, and moved back 3 steps, kneeled down on both knees.
“—Shurei pay a visit to XiaTaiShi. TaiShi specially came to see me, but I cannot welcome you personally and made TaiShi wait for me, I am deeply sorry, forgive us for the poor reception.”
Shurei placed both hand in front of her chest, and did a perfect bow down ceremony.
The old man observes Shurei’s every actions, slight nod and stand up.
“……Please rise, Miss Shurei.”
Shurei can’t help raising her head.
Due to wrinkles left by the years, the long beard and his eyes that shows wisdom—TaiShi with his back straight, looked like a hundred year old tree. Shurei unconsciously lowered her head.
“To be able to see the countenance of XiaTaiShi today, Shurei is deeply honoured.”
“It’s ok, enough with the etiquette, let’s sit!—Mr JinLan, take a seat too.” Before JinLan can insist, XiaTaiShi said solemnly.
“This issue is related to Mr JinLan, come, both of you please sit.”
Shurei and JinLan can’t help looking at each other. ……What exactly happen?
“Can you help to pour some tea for me? After drinking quite the amount of water, my stomach feels cold.”
XiaTaiShi feeling slightly uncomfortable while stroking his stomach, hearing this Shurei looked at the table; and her face immediately turned white.
Look like father is unable to find the tea set, and went straight to serve water. Observing closely, there is a water bucket on the floor. It seems that the water was from the well using the bucket, then using a bowl to scoop the water in front of XiaTaiShi. We are not feeding cow or horse—and, and the worst thing is that the guest is one of the most important officials!
(Dad----!)
Shurei secretly cry, yet DengKe is smiling happily, hoping that his daughter will praise him: “Well thought out.” Shurei could not care about her own feeling, immediately poured tea.
XiaTaiShi did not enter the issue immediately, but sipping the tea, reaching for a bun, and he is surprised:
“This delicacy is made by Miss Shurei, right?”
“Ah, yes! ......Thank XiaTaiShi for the compliment.”
Watching the bun disappearing one by one, Shurei is filled with anxiety. Although she hopes that XiaTaiShi will start on the serious issue soon, she couldn’t say it out.
“Feel free to eat more.”
Never kill the joy of the guest! –This is one of the teachings of her late mother, never initiates a request, must silently wait till the guest is willing to say it, before that have make every effort to serve the guest, place yourself in the second, this is the basic for dealing with guest.
(Mother, I understand.)
Shurei carefully poured the tea into the cup. JinLan also looked as if nothing happen, kept adding buns to XiaTaiShi’s plate. XiaTaiShi dart a look at DengKe, DengKe spotted XiaTaiShi glance, hence smiled proudly. It seems like he is saying: “See, these two children are very well-behaving right?”
After a moment of silence, XiaTaiShi coughed softly, and put down his cup.
“—Miss Shurei, Mr JinLan! ……I ask for your forgiveness for coming uninvited, I have something to ask for your help.”
Shurei and JinLan hearing this, sat up properly.
“If both of you are willing to accept this job—I would pay a reward.”
XiaTaiShi extended out his shrivelled right hand.
Starting the discussion with money, JinLan couldn’t help but be stunned, Shurei’s reaction is different.—because she is responsible for managing the whole family’s finance, she couldn’t beat around the bush, while calculating and planning in her mind, she immediately replied.
“—how much is the pay? 50 copper? 500 copper? … …it, it can’t be 5 silver?”
XiaTaiShi smile proudly but did not nod, Shurei feel that her palm is sweating. “…… This, can’t be…… a big business……!?”
Feeling the creepy atmosphere between the two, DengKe and JinLan slowly stepped back.
XiaTaiShi stared at her, almost shouted “This shocked you right!” “—it’s 500, gold!”
Shurei eyes changed radically, she couldn’t believe her ears. This is sufficient to feed the whole family of 5 for 10 years—plus the repair and maintenance fee for the big mansion, and every little luxury—this sum of money can feed the whole family with white rice every day.
“I accept--!! I am willing to do anything!””
No more wheat! No more using buckets to catch the leaking rain! This is the only thing going in her mind right now.
“Then!” XiaTaiShi never ask whether Shurei is sure, if she is unsure it would be troublesome.
“Mr JinLan will then be promoted to Habayashi Army, serving as His Majesty’s bodyguard.”
A leap of few ranks in one go, JinLan still wondered whether he heard wrongly.
XiaTaiShi then announced seriously to Shurei:
“—Miss Shurei, please enter the imperial harem as a princess consort.”
JinLan described later that the expression of Shurei at this moment can be said to be a unique wonder.
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