Di Huang Shu Chapter 17

        

    The news of Princess An Ning and General Shi Zhengyan's return to the capital caused quite a stir in the city. However, the effect was quite the opposite. Due to Princess An Ning's reputation, the children of the prominent families in the city all chose to stay at home and avoid any trouble. On the other hand, there were quite a few poetry banquets held by the noblewomen of the capital recently, and it was rumored that all the invitations were sent by General Shi Zhengyan. It was said that this illustrious general, who had never retreated on the battlefield, had hung up his shield and stayed indoors in response to the flurry of invitations, like a snowflake settling on the ground.　

　"Yuan Qin, is this a mere rumor? Princess An Ning has exceptional military achievements and a forthright temperament. How could the young masters of aristocratic families not be fond of her?"

    Although Ren Anle had declined her reward from the Emperor, the old emperor was not a stingy man. He not only rewarded her with a thousand taels of gold but also granted Ren Anle the privilege of entering and leaving the Forbidden Palace at any time.

　　Early in the morning, after attending the court meeting, Ren Anle noticed that the imperial city was bustling with activity and the scenery was excellent. She led Yuan Qin to stroll around the Forbidden Palace gardens and happened to overhear the court eunuchs talking. She asked questions in dismay.

    Yuan Qin's face looked odd. She took a few steps behind Ren Anle and whispered, "Miss, Princess An Ning has a unique preference......"

　　

　"What kind of preference?" Ren Anle stopped in her tracks and raised her eyebrows.

    "Four years ago, Princess An Ning descended from Mount Tai, and His Majesty held a banquet to choose a husband for her."

　　 "Why, didn't you choose someone who is a good match for you?" 

    "No," Yuan Qin paused and said, "Princess An Ning was very pleased at the banquet. She chose five husbands in a row and said she would keep them in the Princess's Mansion until she returned from her years of training in the northwest military camp. His Majesty was furious, he left the table with a brush of his sleeve, and the selection of the Princess's husband was put on hold."

    The young gentlemen of the prominent families in the capital are all refined and graceful. When the Emperor Jianning picks one for his eldest daughter, it must be the best of the best. If the children of the five major aristocratic families were to send their sons to serve the princess together as her husbands, it would truly be a grand spectacle that would shock the entire world.

　　

    Somehow, Ren Anle couldn't help but feel like these were the words that the woman she had seen in the Tianjian Pavilion that night would say.

    "No wonder the children of prominent families are hiding in their homes, there is a reason for it. This Princess An Ning is quite to my liking."

　　

    Ren Anle dragged her chin and puckered her lips. Suddenly, she heard footsteps coming from the path ahead and raised her eyebrows to look ahead.

     A 15 or 16-year-old girl dressed in a light yellow palace gown stood by the rockery. Her face was dignified and her demeanor was graceful. Mixed in with her expression as she looked at Ren Anle were indifference and barely perceptible resentment. When she noticed Ren Anle's gaze, she hesitated for a moment before walking over and giving a slight bow.

　　"Du Tingfang has seen Lord Rén."

    Ren Anle frowned, but Yuan Qin, who clearly understood, whispered something in Ren Anle's ear. Only then did she realize that the girl in front of her was actually the daughter of Shang-Shu[1] Du, who had been bailed out by Princess Shaohua as a palace maid to avoid her deportation because of her friendship with her.

[1]尚书 shàng shū high official; government minister

    The daughter of the prestigious Minister of Education, who was once famous in the capital, was now a palace maid living under the roof of others. No wonder she harbored such resentment.

    

      "Miss Du, there is no need to be polite. Do you have something to ask this official?" Ren Anle spoke indifferently.

　　

    There was a hint of surprise in Du Tingfang's eyes. Since her family's downfall, she had lost contact with her former friends and was looked down upon by others in the palace. Even with the protection of Princess Shaohua, she only had a place to live but lacked a sense of purpose. She didn't stop Ren Anle today to seek clarity on right and wrong, but rather because she harbored some lingering resentment in her heart...

    Forget about it. It was the end of her family's fate, so she could not blame anyone else. Du Tingfang lowered her eyes and said, "Tingfang has nothing to ask. Your Excellency, please go ahead." She then retreated to the side.

    

     Ren Anle took a few steps before stopping. "Miss Du, what the Du family did has nothing to do with you, and what your brother did has nothing to do with you either."

    With a simple sentence, Du Tingfang suddenly raised her head, her expression complicated. She was about to speak, but was interrupted by someone suddenly.

    "Tingfang..." Princess Shaohua rushed over from the other side of the path with disheveled hair and an anxious expression. Upon reaching the rockery, she stepped forward to block Du Tingfang and faced Ren Anle with a calm face: "Lord Ren, Tingfang is a person in my palace. I hope Your Excellency will forgive her if she has offended you."

    The appearance of youth is fleeting, arriving hastily upon first sight. Although it still exudes an overwhelming and dominating aura, Rén Ānlè was somewhat surprised. She didn't expect that beneath Shao Huá's usual arrogance and domineering behavior, there was a hint of sincerity towards Miss Dù.

  

　　"Princess, it's not like that..." Du Tingfang's eyes were grateful as she tugged at Shaohua's sleeve.

      "Don't be afraid, this princess is here." Shaohua stepped forward and raised her eyebrows, saying: "Lord Ren, I know that you are appreciated by my father and are a new dignitary in the court, whom I cannot afford to offend. However, the crime is not as serious as that of a family member, so I am sure that Your Excellency will not take up the matter with a mere woman and lose the temperament of a great official of the court."

    

　　It seems that Shaohua remembered what Ren Anle had said in the hunting ground that day, which was why she used her words to retort against her at this moment.

    Ren Anle frowned. This princess isn't really that bad at heart... it's just that her insight is really poor.

    

　　Ah, women are really troublesome, and women with poor insight are even more troublesome!

　　"Princess, Lord Ren did not make things difficult for me."

　 "Shao Hua, it's been a few years since we last met, how come you've become so unruly and aggressive!"

    

　　Two voices sounded almost simultaneously as Princess An Ning came out from behind the rockery with a cold face, looking at Shaohua with a slightly displeased look.

　　Almost immediately, Shaohua's face turned pale. Stepping back and dropping her head in salute, she said, "Greetings, Imperial sister."

 

    Princess An Ningg's exceptional meritorious deeds are incomparable to those of princesses raised in the deep palace. Even if Shao Hua were domineering, she would not dare to show off in front of her.

   

    Dressed in a deep blue long skirt, An Ning looked sharp and confident as she waved her hand to interrupt Shaohua. With impatience in her voice, she said, "Go back to your palace and inquire thoroughly. The palace maid who delivered the message enjoys spreading rumors. It's inappropriate for you to blindly hold someone responsible without distinguishing the truth. How can you befittingly represent the court and its officials?"

 

    Shaohua's face changed several times. She murmured a "yes" in a low voice and led Du Tingfang away hastily with red eyes.

     "An Le has a bad reputation. How does the princess know that Anle didn't make things difficult for that Miss Du just now?" Ren Anle did not miss the unwillingness under Shaohua's eyes, but just rested her arms and looked towards An Ning in front of her.

　　"With your temperament, it would be better to just give that little girl a slap and be done with it, rather than wasting time bickering with her," An Ning shook her head and walked over, curling her lips as she spoke.

　　

　　"I'm afraid it's your temperament, Princess." Ren Anle laughed.

        "Shaohua has been accustomed to being domineering since she was young, and children raised by a heavenly family are not as meek and pure as those raised by ordinary people," An Ning sighed and lamented in the direction Shaohua had gone far away. Turning her head back, she saw Ren Anle leaning against the rockery, staring at her without blinking. She smiled and said, "Fortunately, I have met Your Excellency. Today's weather is good, why not choose this day for a stroll in the capital together?"

　　Ren Anle stretched out and turned towards where the palace gate came from.

    

　　 "If the princess invites me, I dare not refuse. As a loyal subject, I have a carriage and horses, and that would be considered as repayment for today's favor of being released from this predicament."

　　 An Ning gazed at the lazy and sluggish woman in front of her, grinned, and caught up with her.

    

    The street was bustling with people walking hurriedly. Some were laughing and chatting while others looked sorrowful. The carriage came to a stop and Ren Anle lifted the curtain and got out. She looked at the building in front of her and seemed to understand something, then glanced at An Ning who was following behind her.

     An Ning clapped her hands and sighed, "It has been several years since I last returned to the capital, and yet business here seems to have grown even more prosperous." With that, she lifted her foot and prepared to step inside."

    

    "Princess..." Yuan Qin changed her address under An Ning's disapproving frown. "Miss An, my mistress is an official appointed by the imperial court and cannot enter this place."

　　In front of the three of them was the largest gambling house in the capital, the Ju Cai Lou[2].

　　

    The phrase "聚财楼" translates to "Gathering Wealth Building" or "Accumulating Wealth Tower."

聚财 (jù cái) means "gathering wealth" or "accumulating wealth."

楼 (lóu) means "building" or "tower."

So, combining the two characters, "聚财楼" refers to a building or tower where wealth is gathered or accumulated. This phrase is often used as a name for businesses, such as restaurants or hotels, to convey the idea of prosperity and good fortune.

　　An Ning gave a wry smile and glanced at Ren Anle.

    "Yuan Qin, you go back to the mansion first," Ren Anle waved her hand.

    Yuan Qin lowered her head and returned to the carriage. Ren Anle said, "Wherever the princess wishes to go today, Anle will accompany her."

    

　 "Very well..." An Ning smiled calmly and gracefully, "I was wondering how there could be bandits who don't enjoy gambling. It seems that General Ren truly understands my heart. If you need me for any future expeditions, just call upon me, An Ning."

    

　　Ren Anle nodded and led the way into the Ju Cai Building. She smiled and said, "An Ning, you can also do the same."

　　An Ning was slightly stunned, but then she raised the corner of her mouth and followed her inside.

    The noisy hall suddenly quieted down with the appearance of the two. Although the Ju Cai building had numerous guests, there were very few women who entered, and with the extraordinary temperament and luxurious attire of the two, they immediately drew the attention of the whole room.

　　The two women ignored them, and Anning casually looked around the lobby and asked, "Anle, which one are you good at?'"

    

    "I can play a little bit of everything,' Ren Anle said, walking up to the table for playing the game of big and small. 'This one is the simplest, how about it?"

    

    An Ning nodded and, with an imposing manner, waved her hand at the people gathered around the table: "Disperse, don't disturb this miss's interest."

    

　　Upon hearing this, everyone felt that today's gambling was interesting and immediately dispersed.

　　

    The banker looked at the two of them and thought that they must be some young ladies out to spend money. With a big smile on his face, he narrowed his small green eyes[3] and said, "Ladies, please sit down. Welcome, welcome. Care to bet big or small?"

    [3]As a slang in Chinese, "绿豆" (lǜdòu) usually refers to a person's eyes that are small and green, resembling the shape and color of a mung bean (绿豆). It can also be used to describe a person who has a shrewd or cunning personality.

　　 "In my haste, I forgot to bring silver bills," said An Ning as she took off a green jade pendant from her waist and threw it onto the table, landing precisely on the box marked 'big'. She smiled and said, "Let's use this jade as the stake, worth one thousand taels. Since it landed on 'big', I will bet on 'big'."

　　"I'll also bet big." Ren Anle pulled out a silver note from her sleeve, and said lightly, "One thousand taels."

   

　　Pan Jia's[4]eyes flashed with surprise as he saw the transparent green ornament. It was no ordinary piece, and worth a thousand taels - more than enough. As for the young lady who could casually produce a thousand tael bill from Huitong Bank, it was also a rare sight. He smiled and said, "You two are generous. Jintong will assist you in having a good time."

[4] 盘家 (pán jiā) - household manager

　　After speaking, he shook the dice cup and the crisp sound of the collision rang out in the hall. In the blink of an eye, the dice cup slammed onto the table. Everyone looked up and saw the dice cup being opened. Cheers immediately erupted, one after another. Jintong's face changed slightly as he looked at the dice in the center of the cup. His narrow eyes squinted even smaller as he watched it.

　　He had been managing the gambling house for ten years with an extremely strong inner power, and no one had ever been able to win against him. But today, as he couldn't resist his urge, he decided to take up the role of a banker for a couple of rounds, only to encounter such a strange event? 

　　"One more game."

　　

　　 As An Ning's voice fell, the spectators around who were just watching the excitement, immediately placed their gold and silver chips on the squares chosen by An Ning and Ren Anle. Even the people at other gambling tables crowded around to join in.

　　

    Half an hour later, the entire Jucai Building was as silent as a tomb, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Looking at the mountains of silver bills piled up in front of Anning and Ren Anle, Jintong's hand holding the dice cup trembled slightly. How could this be possible? They clearly didn't even touch the edge of the table, how could they win every round?

    

    He had already lost almost a hundred thousand taels of silver, which was nearly a year's worth of profits for Jucai Building. If he continued to lose, he was afraid...

　　

    There is no doubt that even a fool could tell that these two women had come to challenge the authority of Ju Cai Lou. However, Ju Cai Lou had stood tall in the capital for years, making a fortune every day. If there were no powerful figures supporting it from behind, it would have been swallowed up long ago by jealous dignitaries.

    

    "Ladies, would you like to place another bet?" Thin beads of cold sweat trickled down as Jin Tong's voice almost burst out from between his teeth.

    "Of course," An Ning stretched lazily, her phoenix eyes sparkling with delight and humor. She turned her head to look at Ren Anle and whispered, "I heard that today is the day when Lin Lang, the top performer of Lingxiang Tower, will present her skills. After we've earned enough silver, let's go and witness it ourselves."

    Ren Anle nodded in agreement and then lifted her eyes to look at Jin Tong, who remained silent. She leisurely uttered two words, "Carry on."

    

　　 On the second floor of Ju Cai Lou, the gloomy-faced shopkeeper stood behind the railing. The other bookmaker behind him anxiously said, "Fifth Young Master, this can't continue like this. We've already lost so much money! I'll go call some people to throw these two ignorant women out, and make them spit out the money they won."

　　

　　 "Nonsense," the Fifth Lord said coldly, "If you lay a hand on them, our Jucailou will lose more than just ten thousand taels of silver." He pointed to the green jade ornament hanging from Anning's waist, "That is the Shuangfeng Xiangyun green jade ornament, the only one in the world, bestowed by His Majesty to Princess Anning on her full moon celebration. As for the other woman... she is not afraid of even the Marquis of Zhongyi, why would she be afraid of a few thugs?"

　　 The man took a sharp breath and muttered, "This is the person who seeks to marry the Crown Prince!" Then immediately he cried out with a mournful expression, "How did we end up provoking these two living Bodhisattvas to come in?"

　　

　　"I have already delivered the message to the Mu Prince's Mansion. The prince said to wait and observe, and not to provoke these two individuals." Fifth lotd sighed, feeling resigned to the situation.

  

　　In the Imperial Palace's Royal Garden, Han Ye and Shi Zhengyan came out of the study room and met a palace maid hurrying past from the An Ning Palace. Seeing the maid's anxious expression, Han Ye felt a little strange and casually asked, "Where did Anning go?"

　　The palace maid's face turned red, and she knelt on the ground for a while before finally stuttering out, "Replying to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the princess invited Lord Ren to leave the palace for sightseeing."

    Han Ye furrowed his brows and felt a bit of a headache. He asked an unusual question, "Where did they go for sightseeing?"

　The little palace maid lowered her head even further and said, "Your Highness, the princess said... she said that once she has won enough silver, she will take Lord Ren to Lingxiang Pavilion to broaden her horizons..."

　　The Imperial Garden suddenly became quiet, and the palace maid lifted her eyes quietly to look at the Crown Prince's cold and hard expression. She was so scared that she did not dare to breathe.

    After a moment, Han Ye slowly lifted his steps and walked towards the palace gate, followed closely by Shi Zhengyan. In a deep voice, Shi Zhengyan said, "Your Highness, I believe that with the martial arts of the Princess and Mr. Ren, they are capable of protecting themselves in the capital city." 

    

　　Han Ye came to a halt as the dusk settled, his voice becoming somewhat inscrutable. "The customs in South Jin are very open. Ren Anle has yet to learn what is good, but she knows a lot of messy things. If she learns more about places like Lingxiang Tower, and with her personality, along with Anning, the young masters and ladies of the noble families in the entire capital will not even dare to step out of their doors!"

　　Shi Zhengyan blinked his eyes and looked at the crown prince who was almost sprinting ahead of him, and smiled.

    

　　This female bandit who emerged from the depths of the mountains indeed has some skills.

     In the study behind the Yongning Temple, flowers bloom in clusters, and the fragrance of agarwood permeates the room, exuding extravagance and luxury.

    The woman standing by the window listened to the low-pitched report of her handmaid, frowning displeasedly."Xin Yu, when did this news come?"

　　

     "Miss," Xin Yu lowered her head, with a hint of unease in her eyes, "The Left Prime Minister said that Ren Anle has already been in the capital for three months and has shown great interest in His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. She even publicly asked for his hand in marriage in front of all the civil and military officials in the court..."

    The woman waved her hand, her voice cold and disdainful: "A mere female bandit dares to harbor such thoughts..." She paused halfway through her words, remaining silent for a long while before speaking again slowly: "Tell the left minister that if he can help me return to the capital, I will assist him with everything he wants"

    Xinyu's expression froze, and she responded with a low "Yes" before stepping back.

    

T/N: Hi there! This is the translator speaking. I just wanted to let you all know that I've been on hiatus with updating the translations lately because I've been focusing on my studies and maintaining my grades. I really appreciate all the support and kofi from my readers! Going forward, I will be updating the chapters slowly, so please bear with me. Thanks again for your understanding!

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