Inner Residence arc ー Chapter 4 (Part 2): A Second Elder Brother who is unconventional and acts independently
"Promise? What promise?"
Xie Zhaoying pressed on with the question, "You don't remember even this?"
My curiosity was hooked, "Exactly what promise?"
Xie Zhaoying didn't say instead and actually looked as if he was relieved, "Since you have already forgotten, then let the promise be nulled. Alright, it's also not early anymore, you should sleep earlier and I should also go back."
I called "Second Brother" a few times. He did not even turn his head and hoisted himself up the wall, his movements as agile as spider-man, vanishing into the dense night sky in the blink of an eye. Seriously, climbing over walls and courtyards even in his own house. How did that Elder Xie teach out such a good son?
The next day when I was eating dinner, I saw Xie Zhaoying again.
Xie Zhaoying was different from yesterday as heaven and earth. His hair was bound with a golden cap and he wore a snow-white long gown with cloud patterns and tied a green jade belt around his waist, looking tall and slender against the ground, bearing a suave appearance like a jade tree in the wind*. Now that his waistcoat, I almost couldn't recognize him.
*T/n: Used to compliment a young man's talent and physical appearance
I bent my knees to greet him while he helped me up and decently said a series of affectionate talk. I honestly had goosebumps all over. His fiancée, Miss Bai, watched him attentively while exuding love, yet he treated as he did not see her.
Madam Xie said to her second son, "This time you have come back, then stay at home properly. It's going to be the New Year, there are a lot of matters at home, assist a little."
He replied, "This son knows. This son has let Mother be worried."
At this moment, the servants served a plate of boiled meat slices. Dong Qi did not have this dish originally, it was I who guided the chef to make it. The reason the Xie family members mostly preferred light flavors was not actually because they did not like to eat spicy food, but because Dong Qi usually did not have any appetising spicy dishes. I became Dong Qi's version of Dae Jang Geum* once, personally cooking a few dishes of Sichuan Cuisine* and it was unexpectedly well-received. From them onwards, it was present at every family banquet.
*T/n: A Korean kitchen cook who became the king's first female physician. In this case, I think she is comparing the part about culinary skills.
**T/n: Known for its spiciness
Xie Zhaoying saw me eating with relish and said in surprise, "Fourth Younger Sister, since when did your tastes change?"
Madam Xie said, "Since Xiaohua recovered, her tastes have become much heavier. I also don't know where she learned her skills from, these Spicy Diced Chicken1, Fish-flavored Shredded Pork in Garlic Sauce2 and what Braised Duck Cubes with Brown Sauce3 on the table, were all made according to her methods, the taste is rather good, you should try it too."
1.
(Spicy Diced Chicken)
2.
(Fish-flavored Shredded Pork in Garlic Sauce)
3.
(Braised Duck Cubes with Brown Sauce)
Do the dishes look appetising? :D
Xie Zhaoying picked up a piece of meet with a face of uncertainty and placed it into his mouth to chew slowly, "It's indeed delicious. Where did Fourth Younger Sister learn from?"
The same excuse, "A sudden surge of inspiration."
"Inspiration from where?"
I said ferociously, "A chicken broke into my courtyard at night, drank my tea and after slaughtering it, I realised that it's meat was extremely tender. I suppose after that I specially selected the tea fed with tea to use for cooking and only then did I created this peerless dish which name will go down in the annals of history for thousand years: Tea Chicken."
Xie Zhaoying twitched his mouth and bent his head down to start eating well-behaved.
After that, I then often bumped into Xie Zhaoying at the Xie's residence. He seemed to have no job, lived off his parents and idled his time away whole day long. The Xie parents seemed to have given up all hope on him and did not interfere further.
One time I passed by the rockery at the garden and heard his lustful voice right away, "Lian-er(Lián-er, do you know, if you are that wind, then I am that sand. You and I will always accompany each other……"
Those actor lines which were like a hydrogen bomb exploded at me back to Pluto all at once.
Probably because I made some sounds, a good-looking maid ran out with her face blushed and lowered, running away like a wisp of smoke that disappeared instantly. I remembered that she seemed to be Madam Xie's maid. What a good Xie Zhaoying, carrying out clandestine love affairs* all the way to Madam's side.
*T/n: The original word meant something like sneakily eating but I thought that I may not be as clear if I leave it like that, so I changed it.
On this side, Xie Zhaoying tidied up his clothes and cap, calmly and unflusteredly strolling out of the rockery. When he saw me, he acted out a "it is such a small world" expression, "Fourth Miss, you also came to the garden to play?"
"Well yes". I smiled sarcastically, "The moonlight is so enchanting, what is it again that causes one to toss about in bed and unable to fall asleep?"
The warm sunlight of the winter day illuminated the both of us. Xie Zhaoying smiled in a soul-stirring manner.
Translator Corner:
As you can see, the MC is rather amusing and has lots of own unique phrases she comes up with as well as all the allegories. 😀
Anyway, I am picking up another Chinese novel! It’s called “Bringing Calamity to the Nation”. Some of you may have already seen it under the Recommendations and Reviews. I have read this before so I can say that has some angst for those who like it but not too much either, as well as some politics and schemes in play. I guess you can say that it is rather PG too?(or maybe some of you are looking for non-PG stuff haha). In any case, do keep a lookout. I’ll be updating soon! 🙂