To Love a Ruined Man - Chapter 17
“The Princess Consort went to Anding Marquis Manor this morning to practice swordplay with the old general.
“Madam Zhao scolded the Princess Consort for a long time, her words extremely disrespectful.
“The Princess Consort had lunch at Old Qin’s house and drank three bowls of wine.
“She probably won’t be back for dinner tonight; she’s taking people to West Street for a fight.”
I sat quietly in the study, listening to Uncle Chen report Zhao Yunshu’s whereabouts throughout the day.
Uncle Chen, humble and deferential, said, “If I may be so bold, Madam Zhao may be the Princess Consort’s birth mother, but the Princess Consort is now of high status. How can she be allowed to insult the Princess Consort so wantonly? So I took it upon myself to send two old matrons to the Marquis Manor to teach Madam Zhao the proper rules of respect.”
I rubbed the heart-shaped stone in my palm and said lightly, “You did well.”
Uncle Chen then placed a letter on the table: “Western Regions Commandant Jiang Cheng has sent another letter, along with some rare curios for the Princess Consort.”
I held the letter for a long time without speaking.
During the three years Zhao Yunshu disappeared, she accomplished something great.
She led five thousand Broker Army soldiers beyond the border, braving death to open a trade route.
From then on, the Great Ning Dynasty could trade with the countries of the Western Regions.
The Great Ning Dynasty had been wracked by civil strife for years, everything in ruins and in dire need of funds.
With that trade route, silk, tea, and porcelain could be sold to other countries in exchange for silver and jewels.
With silver in the treasury, every ministry in the court became much more efficient.
The Emperor wanted to grant Zhao Yunshu a marquisate and a general’s title, but she only asked for one imperial decree.
She wanted the Emperor to pardon the Broker Army for their past crimes, whether they had been mountain bandits or rebels.
From then on, no further pursuit.
The Emperor consulted me and agreed to it.
Jiang Cheng was appointed Western Regions Colonel by me and sent far away.
“Why on earth is she going to West Street for a fight?” I asked, letter in hand as I walked out.
Uncle Chen spoke softly: “The firewood business on West Street was given by the Princess Consort to some poor folk. But the Minister of Rites’ brother-in-law took a liking to the business. He had Xingyi Hall sell firewood and kept harassing the woodcutters. The Princess Consort made an agreement with Xingyi Hall: tonight there will be a brawl on West Street. The winner stays, the loser pays medical expenses and can never touch the firewood business again.”
Now that the world is at peace, the term Broker Army can no longer be used.
Those under Zhao Yunshu’s command are now called the Broker Gang.
Every province and county has the Broker Gang.
They act as protectors for the poor and outcast, always fighting over territory, always brawling.
Sometimes, even late at night, Old Qin would come knocking, and she’d grab her blade and go.
“Your Highness, should I intervene?” Uncle Chen asked.
“No need. If I meddle in her affairs, she’ll be annoyed.” I stood up. “Let’s go. Let’s bring her home.”
At midnight, West Street was deserted.
I sat on the second floor drinking tea, watching Zhao Yunshu arrive with her people.
Her hair was tied in a neat ponytail, and she wore black short clothes.
I’ve taken good care of her these past two years.
In this bright moonlit night, her fair and full face was clearly visible.
“Damn it! You’re just a woman-why aren’t you at home having babies and warming the bed? Always fighting and killing, what’s the meaning of it?”
The other side cursed when they saw Zhao Yunshu.
Zhao Yunshu didn’t waste words. She raised her blade and charged!
These gang members are vicious and ruthless when they fight.
As long as no one dies, a broken arm or a lame leg is nothing to them.
The fight lasted only a quarter of an hour.
The master of Xingyi Hall clung to Zhao Yunshu’s leg, crying, “Good ancestor! Please stop! I had no choice but to go against your Broker Gang! The Minister’s brother-in-law came to me-what could I do? How about this: from now on, our Xingyi Hall will merge into your Broker Gang. Good ancestor, you have to look after me!”
“Go, go, go, speak properly,” Zhao Yunshu kicked him away impatiently. “You really can’t take a beating.”
She asked Old Qin to handle the aftermath, then hurried off to the teahouse to find me.
“It’s so late, why haven’t you gone home yet?” Zhao Yunshu sat down and drank the tea from my cup.
She took my hand and asked, “Have you eaten?”
Uncle Chen bent over, smiling, and said, “Madam, the Prince has been waiting for you to dine together.”
“Starving until now?” Zhao Yunshu looked at me in surprise.
After thinking for a moment, she took me through the streets and alleys to a lamb soup noodle shop that was still open.
“Miss Zhao, you’re here again,” the owner wiped the table briskly and smiled, “Oh, today you’ve brought a handsome young gentleman.”
Zhao Yunshu touched her chin awkwardly and smiled, “He’s my Husband.”
Hearing this, the gloom that had weighed on me all evening finally lifted.
The owner praised, “A talented man and a beautiful woman, truly a perfect match.”
“Jiang Cheng wrote to you?” Zhao Yunshu rubbed my sleeve, “You’ve been silent all night.”
She took out the letter, tore it open and glanced at it, then said casually, “Nothing much, just the usual greetings.”
I replied with a simple “Mm,” and didn’t say more.
We ate in silence and returned to the Prince’s residence.
Zhao Yunshu bathed and changed, then rolled into bed.
After lying down, the dim room was utterly silent.
Suddenly, Zhao Yunshu said, “Xie Yun, you can’t always be jealous over this or that person. Jiang Cheng was sent to the Western Regions by your orders-that’s his fate, and I don’t want to argue with you about it. But the other day, when I was drinking with the gang brothers to celebrate, Brother Liu just got drunk and hugged me out of gratitude for giving him a meal, and you nearly killed him.”
“Did you say something? I can’t hear you,” I turned my head to look at her.
Zhao Yunshu, exasperated, rolled over and pressed down on my chest, angrily saying, “Every time you’re upset, you pretend to be deaf! I was clearly speaking on your right side-how could you not hear me?”
She leaned in and bit my lip, “You have to promise me, don’t keep sulking. I’ve already been very careful to keep my distance from the brothers, but sometimes it’s hard not to cross your boundaries.”
“Zhao Yunshu, my ears hurt, I can’t hear what you’re saying.” I untied her sash, drawing her close to me.
When I said this, her bite softened, and she let me savor her sweetness.
She clung to my shoulders, trembling gently.
Later, she couldn’t take it anymore and called out my name.
Before sleep, Zhao Yunshu leaned in my arms and said, “Xie Yun, I’ll love you a little more every day. Please be happy, alright?”
I said, “Alright.”
