Bu Bu Jing Xin Chapter 8 (Part 2)

步步惊心/ Bu Bu Jing Xin

Startling Surprises with Every Step

Written by Tong Hua

Chapter 8(Part 2)

Translated by Hoju!

Brought to you by the Magnolia Translation Team

Hey everyone. We are still scrambling to try to translate chapter 8, so unfortunately, updates will slow down quite a bit. Nevertheless we will try to keep our weekly updates to the best of our abilities.

Good news is, the Bu Bu Jin Xin Drama is out on full force! Have you all been watching? =)

Download link:

http://www.mediafire.com/?dalkucnifrmkuot

Disclaimer

This work is an amateur fan-translation of original work by Tong Hua as available in free online format in Mandarin Chinese at:

http://vip.book.sina.com.cn/book/catalog.php?book=80155.

The translation is done as good will, so that fellow fans who do not read Mandarin may enjoy this lovely work. We declare that we do not profit monetarily in any way from this work, and also do not pretend to be professional translators. Hence, we apologize in advance for inadvertent translation errors. In addition, reposting of the translation must be done with explicit permission of all translators as contactable via spcnet.

Characters Introduced So Far

(In Alphabetical Order)

Crown Prince (Aisin-Gioro Yinreng): The second son of Emperor Kangxi. Currently the Crown Prince and thus next in line for the throne.

Dong Yun: One of Ruolan’s maids.

Fourteenth-prince (Aisin-Gioro Yinzheng): The fourteenth son of Emperor Kangxi. He is described as being quite handsome. Is currently around fourteen to fifteen years of age.

Fourth-prince (Asin-Gioro Yinzhen): The fourth son of Emperor Kangxi and the future Emperor Yongzheng. Slightly pale and has an impassive demeanour. Very close to the Thirteenth-prince

Eighth-prince (Aisin-Gioro Yinsi): The eighth son of Emperor Kangxi. Also known as the Eighth Bei’le. Ruolan is his Ce’fujin (Second Wife). Is often seen smiling out of the corners of his mouth as well as conducting himself with a calm and gentle disposition.

Kangxi: The current Emperor of China.

Luwu: A courtesan who seem to have an unclear relationship with the Thirteenth-prince. Luwu is one of the more high ranking courtesans who has the right to choose her clients. She befriends Ruoxi through the introduction of the Thirteenth-prince.

Mingyu Ge’ge (Guoluoluo Mingyu): Younger sister of the Eighth-prince’s Di’fujin, Guoluoluo Minghui. Not on good terms with Ruoxi. Most likely the one who caused the original Ruoxi’s accident after an argument. During the Tenth-prince’s Birthday banquet, Ruoxi and Mingyu gets into a fight, resulting in quite a spectacle. Arranged to marry the Tenth-prince by Kangxi.

Ninth-prince (Aisin-Gioro Yintang): The ninth son of Emperor Kangxi. Currently not given a peerage title. Seems to have a more taciturn personality. Nicknamed “the venomous snake” by Ruoxi.

Qiao Hui: One of Ruolan’s maids. Qiao Hui used to serve Ruolan even before Ruolan’s marriage. When Ruolan married, Qiaohui accompanied Ruolan to Eighth-prince’s household. Seems to be concerned for her mistress especially regarding Ruolan and Eighth’s relationship.

Ruolan, Maertai: Ruoxi’s older sister. The two are especially close as they are born from the same mother. She is also the Ce’fujin (Second Wife) of the Eighth-prince. Mild and gentle in nature, Ruolan likes to spend a better part of her days reciting Buddhist scriptures. Has a deceased lover who was a soldier in her father’s army. The man was of Han descent and had taught Ruolan how to ride.

Ruoxi, Maertai (Zhang Xiao): Protagonist of the story. Originally a modern day, white collar professional named Zhang Xiao. Under certain unexplainable, supernatural occurrence, Zhang Xiao’s spirit travelled through time upon her death and took over a young Manchurian girl’s body. Now stuck in ancient times, Ruoxi must navigate through an entirely foreign environment armed only with the little historical knowledge she remembers.

Tenth-prince (Aisin-Gioro Yin’e): The tenth son of Emperor Kangxi. Currently not given a peerage title. A bit of a simpleton. Likes to tease and bicker with Ruoxi. Nicknamed “the blockhead” by Ruoxi. Likes Ruoxi, but is forced to marry Mingyu Ge’ge.

Thirteenth-prince (Aisin-Gioro Yinxiang): The thirteenth son of the Emperor Kangxi. Nicknamed “the Death Challenging Thirteenth” by his brothers. Has a more carefree and unrestrained demeanour. Due to this, he has developed a great rapport with Ruoxi and they are close friends. Has an unexplained relationship with the beautiful courtesan Luwu. Very close to the Fourth-prince

Glossary of Terms

(In Alphabetical Order)

Bei’le: Shortened from Duo’luo Bei’le. A peerage title that can be bestowed to those within the royal family. It is the third rank in the Qing peerage system for the imperial line.

Ce’fujin: A title. Meaning second wife or ‘side’ wife in Manchurian.

Di’fujin: A title. Meaning first wife or main wife in Manchurian.

Ge’ge: A Manchurian word for young mistress, or lady. It is a title you would call an unmarried noblewoman (or before they are bestowed an official title by the Emperor) above a certain rank.

Imperial Father: What the children of the Emperor refer to their father as.

Jie-jie: Older sister in Chinese.

Ji’xiang: A standard greeting one of lower status uses to greet people with higher status in court. The word literally means auspicious and can be translated as, ‘I wish good fortunes, prosperity and happiness to you”

Zhen: A word that the Emperor refers himself as.

Chapter 8 (Part 2)

When I retreated to the other side of the curtain, I finally released the breath I had been holding, while at the same time inquired a eunuch next to me, “Who is inside?”

The junior eunuch lowered his voice to reply, “The Fourth, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth prince.”

I thought, other gatherings have never been this complete before. It seems Kangxi wants to ask for their opinions. I hurried back to tell Yunxiang and Yutan to prepare tea. I have not even opened my mouth, however, when I heard Yutan laugh, “The tea is prepared already. Right after you left, Wang Xi came and told us the princes had arrived, so I quickly made all the preparations first.”

I nodded approvingly at her before walking over to inspect everything. As I looked things over, Yutan quickly pipes up again, “We’ve remembered all the rules! The Fourth-prince likes Taiping Houkui tea[1], the Eighth-prince likes Sun-Infused Snow Bud tea, the Ninth-prince likes Pre-Qingming Dragon Well[2], the Tenth-prince does not have any particular preference, and the Thirteenth-prince likes…”

I quickly waved her off while laughing, “Enough, enough. As long as I know that you remember.”

Yunxiang smiled, “No wonder people in the palace say that Miss is detailed and attentive. The people who previously served the emperor directly only needed to remember his Imperial Majesty’s preferences. Now, though, Miss requires that we memorize all the prince’s preferences as well.” I arranged the tea bowls, all the while thought, I have my own reasons, just that I cannot say what they are.

Yunxiang held the tea tray and followed behind me. Right as we arrive outside the curtain, I heard Kangxi ask, “What are your opinions on the accounts submitted in court today by the Ministry of Rites[3]?”

I cannot help but halt in my tracks and mull silently, Crown Prince had committed so many offenses, which one is it this time? Seeing I had suddenly stopped, the eunuch beside me holding the curtain open looked at me in surprise. I hastily stride in.

I headed slowly over to the Fourth-prince and gently set his tea down on the table, then turned and headed over towards the Eighth-prince’s table. As I placed the tea down with my head lowered, I heard the Fourth-prince reply, “From what subject-son has seen, Second Brother is usually magnanimous to his subordinates. There are those shady people, though, who would embezzle money and property behind Second Brother’s back while acting in Second Brother’s name.”

Kangxi nodded slightly while listening. I think to myself, it seems this is about the Crown Prince taking without authorization for himself items of tribute to Kangxi. History records had noted that even though this greatly angered Kangxi, in the end, the Crown Prince was still not disciplined for it, and only the other people involved were punished. If that is the case, it looks like Kangxi’s emotional side will prevail this time.

As I am setting down the Ninth-prince’s tea and the Fourth-prince has just finished what he was saying, the Tenth-prince pipes up, “Even if a lackey has the gall as great as the heavens, if no one is backing him, do you think he would dare take imperial tributes that were meant for Imperial Father?”

I sighed inwardly, This Tenth never seem to be able to restrain himself. I walked up beside the Tenth-prince’s table and turn around to pick up, from the tea tray that Yunxiang was holding, the tea that had been prepared for him. As I am about to set it onto the table, I heard him add, “Fourth Brother’s words are rather peculiar. But, Fourth Brother has always had a good relationship with Second Brother, so, with this whole situation, maybe Fourth Brother is also…” Before he could finish his thought, he let out a loud cry and leaped up from his seat.

It turns out, when I was holding the saucer; I had accidentally spilled all the hot tea onto his shoulder. A junior eunuch, who had been attending off to the side, was already there helping to wipe him off and to check to see whether he has been scalded.

I kneeled on the floor crying, “Maidservant deserves death! Maidservant deserves death!” At the same time, I say in my mind, it doesn’t matter if you offend the Crown Prince. He is going to be removed sooner or later anyway. But if you cross the Fourth prince, your end will be terrible. While I know the outcome is not reversible, I still cannot bear to have the entire progression play itself out right before my eyes. I sigh secretly; if I can prevent even one little part, then that will be one little part that does not have to happen.

Seeing it is me, the Tenth-prince couldn’t let out his anger, and he is also afraid that if the situation blows out of hand, I will suffer, so he can only say, “It is of no matter.”

The head chief of the eunuchs who directly serve Kangxi, Li Dequan, came over and rebuked, “Clumsy! Hurry and leave now!”

I quickly stood up and backed out. As I reach the curtain, I hear Kangxi say, “Zhen is tired today. All of you, be dismissed.” I mused secretly, it seems a decision has been made, and so with my mind at ease, I returned to the teahouse.

I have been back for not very long when Yunxiang came in carrying the tea tray, and with an anxious expression, exclaimed, “What was going on with you today? You scared me to death.”

I sat there with my head down, not uttering a word. In my mind I thought, first, Kangxi is a virtuous and benevolent emperor, and so long as it is not a mistake regarding a matter of principle, he has always been kind and lenient to servants. Second, the person I scalded was the Tenth-prince, and no matter what, he will always plead for mercy for me. Therefore, although I was very tense, I reckoned that the worst that could happen was that I am taken out and made to suffer a round of beating by plank. At least there wouldn’t be any fear for my life. Furthermore, at that moment, I was so anxious that I did not have time to worry about the consequences. My only thought was to take care of the situation at hand first.

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[1] Also known as the Monkey King Tea. The Taiping “Monkey King” is a type of green tea and is considered to be one of the top 10 teas of China.

[2] The Qingming here is referring to the Qingming Festival. Pre-Qingming Dragon well is Dragon well tea that is harvested right before the time of the Qingming Festival. The quality of the tea leaves tend to be the best right before the festival and decline as time passes, and since the window of time between the tea’s maturity and the Qingming festival is short, it also means the quantity of Dragon well tea that gets harvested before Qingming Festival is very limited; many end up harvested afterwards. Therefore, the tea is prized but also very expensive.

[3] Orig. 礼部 ‘Li Bu.’ In Qing feudal China, six government ministries (or ‘bu’ 部) reported directly to the emperor. The Ministry of Rites managed all state ceremonies and rituals, imperial examinations, receiving foreign emissaries, etc.