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Feb 25, 2022

Volume 1, Chapter 16-Tricked

quick pre-chapter note: looking for editor and/or co-tl, pls dm me on twitter! more notes at chapter end, thanks 🤡

Content warnings: misogyny

As soon as Yi Mo left, the spell he casted naturally lifted. Shen Qingxuan heard the numerous but still distant sound of footsteps coming through his window screen, while an accompanying red lantern swayed as it passed through the corridor and arched entryway, gradually nearing his courtyard. His newly married concubine, who was askew by the bedside, was also quietly waking.

At this point, the night was already quite dark, but Shen Qingxuan knew that he would have much to do this night.

Firstly, of course, was to take care of the mess that cold and naughty snake left for him.

Thinking of this, Shen Qingxuan could not help but be vexed. In the past thousand years, had this snake become accustomed to going at his own pace? With that air, he seemed to slip into his role as a hands off shopkeeper quite smoothly, without even including a polite remark.

Once he thought about the word “polite”, it very naturally followed that Shen Qingxuan remembered that “gift”, and his face immediately darkened. His face was black as he glared at the box on the table for a very long while before he gripped the thing in his hand, along with that pearl as well, and stowed it away, near to his body.

Unexpectedly, his face also recovered its poise within the blink of an eye, as if that promiscuous object had never existed.

Xu Mingshi came to, and in his daze, he felt a dull, burning pain that radiated from the back of his head. His thoughts, however, were still convoluted. At that moment, he heard a voice that seemed to sound familiar near his ear; it was asking him, “You’re awake? How do you feel?”

Xu Mingshi opened his eyes. What entered his sight was Shen Qingxuan’s face that was smiling a not-quite-smile with some concern contained in his eyes and who happened to be looking at him with incomparable composure.

The scene from before rushed into his mind like a tsunami. Both of Xu Mingshi’s eyes glared like orbs as he shouted with anger, “Shen Qingxuan!”

Shen Qingxuan still had that expression, not moving at all as he looked at him, and then without haste, he leisurely sounded out an “Mm” from his nose. The final syllable was raised and not said without provocation.

Xu Mingshi flew into a rage. The moment that he bounced up from his chair, he discovered that he had been tied to a chair. The hemp rope was thick, strong, well-tied, and happened to have him tied up into a zongzi

without a fuss. Meanwhile, Shen Qingxuan sat on a chair, his expression quite leisurely and satisfied. The way he looked at him was like he was looking at a zongzi that he was going to eat with his meal. Xu Mingshi could only feel like his lungs were about to explode. The fact that he was tricked by this disabled person who looked gentle and harmless, who could not even tie up a chicken, who even needed someone to push him to be able to move, someone so useless!

“Shen Qingxuan!” Xu Mingshi hatefully shouted once and then paused for a moment. He still could not think it through so he asked, “You and I have no grudges against each other, why did you harm me?”

“Have I harmed you?” With a smile in his eyes, Shen Qingxuan replied to him with a question, but he added, right before the other man was completely enraged, “Why do I feel like I am saving you?”

“……You, save me?” Xu Mingshi said out of clenched teeth, “You tying me up like this can be called saving me?!”

“This is just me worrying that you’re too hot-tempered, “Shen Qingxuan replied leisurely, “and will do something stupid.”

“You’re afraid that I’ll kill you?” For once, Xu Mingshi caught on.

“Exactly.” Shen Qingxuan admitted without any shame. He said seriously, “Mind you, I am no yao. If you get an angry rush of blood to your head and “collect” me, you will have to pay it back with your life”

He said it both solemnly and seriously with a cold expression. When Xu Mingshi heard his words, he immediately had the helpless feeling of a scholar encountering a soldier. He was obviously the soldier, yet he had been controlled by a mere scholar to the point that he could not retaliate. This truly made one furious! With great difficulty, he restrained his urge to rip apart this person in front of him. Xu Mingshi calmed down and thought about the cause and effect again. Naturally, he recalled the part he had overlooked previously. When Shen Qingxuan heard that Yi Mo was a snake yao, he did not show any surprise, moreover, he went out of his way to help it without any regard for his own safety, so it could be seen that they knew each other.

He then lifted his head to look around, but Xu Mingshi could not tell where he was being imprisoned. In the pitch-black and narrow room there were only two benches and a wooden table. A candle wick was alight on the table, its flame as big as a bean, a feeble light that could only illuminate a small portion of the scene in front of him. Most of the space was still pitch-dark with the cramped and small window far off to the side. The air gave off a smell of old, rotten wood like a prison cell.

“What is the relationship between you and that snake yao?? Why did you help him? Where did my yao collecting ding go? Where’s that snake?……” After he sized up his surroundings and paused for thought, Xu Mingshi’s questions came one right after another.

Shen Qingxuan sighed deeply and asked, “You have so many questions, which one do you want me to answer first?”

Xu Mingshi was temporarily speechless.

“Then I’ll just answer them one by one.” Once Shen Qingxuan had teased him enough, he pushed his wheelchair a bit closer and moved the candle light on the wooden table between them. In the candle light, his expression was gentle. He slowly said, “Previously, you were surprised about why I was not a mute like the rumors had said. More than likely, this has already occurred to you as well. Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking. I owe that snake a favor. He had first saved my life, and then he restored my voice. A slight pause, and then Shen Qingxuan continued, “Now, this is the answer to your second question. I helped him because, like you said, he is a good yao. Furthermore, he is my benefactor. As for your third question, that little red copper ding, I’ve detained that object.” Shen Qingxuan lied with ease.

At first, Xu Mingshi was stupefied and hurried to say, “What are you going to do with my artifact? You don’t even understand Daoist rites, what use do you have taking it!”

“It is exactly because I do not understand Dao rites that I would take it.” Shen Qingxuan smiled and reached out his hands to undo Xu Mingshi’s ropes. He said with his head lowered, “At least I will not be impulsive and harm a good person that I should not harm.” The last phrase he said with extra emphasis.

Xu Mingshi stared stunned and speechless. He thought about his prior recklessness, which had already spoiled his mental Dao cultivation and made him feel ashamed. Just like Shen Qingxuan said, he had nearly harmed this snake yao who was so close to cultivating into an immortal. Not to mention harming the other man’s cultivation, but if that yao collecting ding really detained him, Yi Mo would vanish into nothing. If Xu Mingshi unwarrantedly committed an evil deed like murder, it would be even harder to redeem himself. When he thought about this, his face flashed green then white, looking extremely awful in this moment.

Seeing his complexion, Shen Qingxuan had basically figured out his frame of mind, so he quickly undid all of Xu Mingshi’s ropes, including the ones on his legs. At the time, he had let the servants bind the ropes taut, so undoing them took quite a bit of time. Shen Qingxuan’s fingernail bent a bit, which was exceedingly painful. He thought to himself, This is called asking for a hard time. However, his face still had that sincere and serene look, not revealing even a trace of anything else. His manner was that of an elegant gongzi, as if he had not at all done something like smash someone unconscious and then tie their arms and hands behind their neck. His pretense was well presented.

Once the ropes were all undone, Shen Qingxuan threw the bundle of hemp rope off to one side before he straightened his robes and sat up straight. He said sternly, “To possess a treasured artifact, you must be even more prudent in your actions. Or else, at best you will harm people and yourself, and at worst you will bring doom to your country and people!”

He paused for a moment, changing to a gentler tone, and said, “I see that although you are young, you can differentiate between good and evil and know good from bad. Tying you up today was not completely because I was worried you would harm me. I was more worried that you would be young and impetuous, and go find that snake yao for a fight. From the start, you were not his match, and then you lost your artifact. If you really provoked him, would it not be a waste for you to lose your life? Moreover, I have seen the robe you are looking for as well. I presume that with your level of Dao attainments, you are not unable to see what that thing is. Yi Mo taking it back has always meant a return to its rightful owner. What’s the point of bitterly pestering him?”

Xu Mingshi rubbed the rope marks on his wrists as he listened seriously. His Dao attainments were not low, yet he had little experience in the world, plus his nature was simple and straightforward, so although he felt it was not right, he could not pick out any faults in Shen Qingxuan’s words. The person on show in front of him, in his eyes, was just a disabled person who valued friendship, and even understood the bigger picture. His behavior and conduct in the world were profoundly generous. At this time, he still did not understand what was known as smooth talking, and what was conspiring and scheming.

Like this, smashing and binding, yet also personally untying the ropes and speaking softly spoken words to him, a verbal cudgel smashing down like a needle hidden in a brocade blanket with a softness that hid strength, it already made him muddle-headed and he nearly could not find north.

Fortunately, it was just nearly. In his muddledness, Xu Mingshi still grasped the most pertinent point. He said, “Then return my things.”

Shen Qingxuan was silent when he heard his words, and looked at him for a moment. The expression in his eyes was utterly still as if they were two ancient, deep, and serene wells. He stared until he made Xu Mingshi’s hair stand on end before he shook his head. “I cannot give them to you.”

“Why can’t you give them to me?!” Xu Mingshi immediately blew up. “Is it because you’ve taken a liking to those treasures of mine? I’m telling you, that was handed down by my founding master. If you don’t return it, I’ll return to the temple tomorrow and all my shixiongdi will come find you to get it back! We will cause chaos for the entire Shen family, even the chickens and dogs!”

“Shut up!” Shen Qingxuan shouted quietly. His volume was not loud, yet even the air vibrated as if there was a wind. He was, after all, born to a big clan as the eldest son who had been praised by everyone, so he still had an aura about him. This low yell frightened Xu Mingshi for a second and he subconsciously stopped talking to stare at Shen Qingxuan dumbly.

At that moment, Shen Qingxuan was staring at him with his brows knit.

Xu Mingshi also sensed that his tone was much too impatient, plus, he had lost too much face when he obediently shut his mouth after Shen Qingxuan merely shouted once, so he could not help but add, “……Cough……In any case, you have to return my things to me.”

“Not only will I return the yao collecting ding to you, I also have the snake molt robe in my possession. I will give you both treasures. How about that?”

“Ah?” Xu Mingshi gaped his mouth.

“I am a person of the ordinary world, I have no use for these things in the first place. So what if I just give them to you? However, there is one condition.”

“What?”

“For the time being, go and temper yourself. Once I know you can truly spread benevolence and eliminate evil, and not lose your temper by fighting other’s, and not do anything horrendous, then I will personally present the two treasures with both hands.”

“I, what……” Xu Mingshi scratched his head, his face looking foolishly at Shen Qingxuan. “Why does hearing this feel somewhat confusing?”

He appeared much too foolish with his mouth agape, eyes staring, and whole face of confusion. As Shen Qingxuan looked and looked, he thought of his younger brother who would occasionally have this kind of dumb expression and he could not help but laugh. He thought to himself, These two have unexpectedly similar dispositions: very naive. He said in a low voice, “From the looks of it, your conduct is not bad. You only need to temper your disposition and in the coming days you will surely be able to rid demons, protect the Dao, and have your name travel far. To give you these two items would count as helping you. However, now is not the time. Your attainments are still shallow. Once you hold a treasure, it’s easy to be arrogant and willful. If you meet a powerful enemy, it will harm you instead. Plus, your temper is impulsive and your behavior is reckless. So if you meet someone with a disposition in opposition to yours, for example, a good yao like Yi Mo, you will depend on the treasure in your hand again and harm them……” Shen Qingxuan smiled and could not help but reach out his hand to pinch that silly face. He continued, “I will keep the items in your stead. In the days to come, once the time is ripe, I will let someone deliver it to you. Phrasing it this way……do you understand now?”

When Xu Mingshi had his cheek pinched by him, he only felt that this action was incomparably intimate. In a daze, he felt like it was still childhood; it was an experience only had when he played with his fellow apprentices. Once they grew up, his apprentice brothers were all busy with practicing Daoism and gaining experience. It was hard to see each other, and even if they did, for some reason they had become much more distant……the finger on his face was warm and carried an inky fragrance that had been nurtured for years. The pinch was neither painful nor itchy, just unexplainably affectionate. Even his tone was gentle, like the earnest and sincere urging of an old friend of many years.

Although Xu Mingshi was listening to him speak, and heard clearly, he did not know why, but he opened his mouth and could not reply. He could only foolishly stare at Shen Qingxuan.

In the sway of the candlelight, the person before him had clear, handsome features and a tranquil expression. The candlelight reflected a layer of tenderly flowing golden light onto his jet-black hair. He had a gentle beauty that could not be put into words.

Xu Mingshi stared, dumbstruck

Shen Qingxuan did not receive a reply after quite a while, so he raised his brow and his palm to lightly tap the table. After a “pa” sound, the elbow that Xu Mingshi was resting on the table slid and his whole person lost his balance, flopping onto the tabletop. His head harshly bumped against the edge of the table with a muffled sound.

Seeing him embarrass himself, Shen Qingxuan laughed soundlessly.

As Xu Mingshi clutched his head, he felt awkward to the utmost degree. He knew that he had severely lost control and he rushed to straighten up his body and sit properly again. His head was lowered to stare at his toes and he did not dare to raise it.

“Have you heard everything I’ve said?” After Shen Qingxuan laughed enough, he quickly recovered and asked him like normal. Xu Mingshi nodded his head.

Seeing this, Shen Qingxuan narrowed his eyes and asked again. “Do you agree?” Xu Mingshi still had his head lowered, and nodded it again.

“Since that is the case, you will go to the guest room to rest tonight. I will call for a physician to take a look at the injury to your head. The night is late, rest early, and if you have any issues, we can discuss them tomorrow.” Seeing that everything had been taken care of, Shen Qingxuan turned the wheelchair to leave, but just as he reached the entrance, he heard that clear voice behind him say, “But now that I cannot retrieve the robe and also lost the ding that my temple’s founder transferred down, I cannot return to the mountain anymore.”

Shen Qingxuan paused and after a moment he turned his head back to say, “Then what is your plan?”

Xu Mingshi kept silent for a moment before he said, “Could I live here as a guest of your residence, and treat it as a lodging place to get my footing? This way, as my practice bears fruit, you can witness it at any time.”

Shen Qingxuan thought about it and inclined his head, agreeing. “No problem, I will arrange it. From now on, the Shen family doors will open for you.” Seeing the clean smile on that young face, Shen Qingxuan thought of another matter. He hurried to instruct him. “Regarding the matter of my ability to speak, besides you and I, do not spread it any further.”

Xu Mingshi had no concern for these things so he naturally agreed with pleasure. Afterwards, he helped Shen Qingxuan push the chair as they left the dark, little room.

Once they had walked out, he turned back to look, and with the help of the moonlight, he clearly saw that it was the Shen family’s small courtyard for storage.

Shen Qingxuan became a mute again. He arranged for someone to take Xu Mingshi to rest and then he rang the bell again to call over a servant to push him to his own nanmu quarters. On the way, they turned through many more pavilions, terraces, and verandas. Shen Qingxuan sat in his seat, feeling the occasional jolts of the path below him as he thought of the swollen lump of congealed blood that he felt while checking Xu Mingshi’s injury.

Such a young kid, yet he used such a harsh tactic.

He was not without apprehension.

At what point did he become like this? He could be unmoved when faced with clean, pure eyes. He could harshly act against someone who was going to save him. He could be full of schemes and calculations against someone who was similar to his own little brother.

Deceptions and lies, when had he become so smooth at telling them? He remembered when he was little he was still a pure and kind child. Where was the Shen Qingxuan who used to be earnestly taught by his father and teacher to adhere to virtue, justice, ethics, wisdom and trust?

Such a ruthless person who would stop at nothing to get what he wants, is this really Shen Qingxuan?

With shut eyes, Shen Qingxuan made no sound the whole way. Not one person discovered that the fingertips of the hand he hid in his sleeve resting atop of his knee was shaking slightly, like a panic-stricken butterfly.

The servant boy stopped in front of the courtyard entrance, in view of the small nanmu building. Two servant girls came forth and took over the wheelchair handles, and started wheeling him again to enter the inner courtyard.

At that place, there was still a newly-taken concubine waiting for him.

Shen Qingxuan opened his eyes again, his expression returning to stillness. He did not know when his fingertips stopped shaking, but they were steadily resting to the side.

Everything returned to normal.

Consummate the marriage? Yes, I will.

Shen Qingxuan thought to himself, But not right now.

Towards a woman who suddenly flew to the top branches of life, romance and attachment would only mislead her and let her think that she had actually become a phoenix and could do whatever she pleased. She would no longer fulfill the three obediences and four virtues and would even carry out a murder and a betrayal!

He must be indifferent to her first. Let her know that even if she was a woman who had served him since he was young, there would be zero exceptions.

Only once he had been indifferent to her for long enough, until she understood that she was just a concubine that he was well with or without, would he give her a child and let her have a proper place. Then, she would obediently serve her husband and raise their child. And respect his legal wife.

Shen Qingxuan narrowed his eyes again, Should I or should I not take a legal wife? From his personal experience, to avoid familial ups and downs, one wife was more than enough for a man. Really even one concubine could be enough. As long as she could carry on the incense inheritance.

Else, once he has a legal wife, he really will not be able to go beyond propriety again.

Thinking of this, he sighed again. If only Yi Mo was a woman. He could immediately marry him as a legal wife, write him into the Shen family genealogy log, and leave him with no escape. Even if he died, and Yi Mo lived for another thousand or ten thousand years, he would still belong to the Shen family!

Alas.

Shen Gongzi shook his head and laughed silently, feeling bitterly disappointed as well.

Unexpectedly, he had hard to ignore feelings of possessiveness towards Yi Mo. This was far more dreadful than sensual desire.

~~~~~

oTL looking for an editor and/or co-tl, my editors also got wrecked by irl and my job is taking a lot out of me so i can’t tl at a steady pace and editing takes me foreverrrrrrrr so...if you’re interest pls dm me on twitter

i’m ded o-(-( ch 17 in progress but no fixed date rn since i have a big deadline coming up irl, thanks for your patience everyone! i’m sad the quality has gone down too TAT trying my best!

#a snake encounter #Yu she #su hen #danmei #tl #eggytranslations

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