Dou Ma frowned and finally sighed, “Princess Qiao Chu, why is it that Princess Qiao Rong is the only participant who appeared here?”
Qiao Chu furrowed her eyebrows and said, “The competition is about to start and the other beauties are nowhere to be seen. I think there must be another way for carriages to be able to enter the mansion. But Qiao Mei deliberately wanted her biological sister here, not only for Qiao Rong to show her face, but also wanted the people to see that the crown prince is backing her. Otherwise, even if she wanted to enter the house from the main entrance, the sedan chair would not need to stop in front and can just be carried directly in.”
Dou Ma nodded, “Princess is a sensible person. Since you know this, you should also know that you have already lost before this competition has even started. Everyone has a good background, how can you even compare?”
Qiao Chu smiled, “Si Da just said the same thing. But master, Qiao Chu only asks for a chance. I have never begged you. For old time’s sake, Qiao Chu only asks shifu to let me enter the house.”
Her eyes skimmed over the prince’s palanquin and she turned sideways, looking closely at Dou Ma.
Dou Ma took a look into the bend of the woman’s palm as she clenched and unclenched her fist. It was full of calluses from herding livestock and picking grains. Even though she is a golden branch and jade leaf¹ she had done all of this.
He felt sore in his heart. Qiao Mei had sent him to stop Qiao Chu, guessing that he would not dare to betray her, thus breaking Qiao Chu’s heart. Apart from the false reputation of the princess, Qiao Chu only has her mother, Si Da, Mei Ren and him as the master who teaches riding and archery in the Northlands.
He remembered asking Qiao Chu why she gave Si Da and Mei Ren those odd names. She only lightly said that having two people is too lonely, and to sound having four people seemed more lively.
He gritted his teeth and said, “Chu’er, if I let go, I would fail this task and this shifu would be deemed disloyal; but if do not release you, I would be ungrateful of the grace you have given me throughout these years. I would be unrighteous.”
But he continued.
“But this shifu will set a deal with you. If you do not announce your name as the 3rd princess of the Northland Desert— Qiao Chu, but can still enter into this Rui Wang’s Mansion under the eyes of the crown prince and everyone, this master will just pretend I did not see you today.”
Si Da and Mei Ren were surprised for a moment. But it was Si Da who then reacted angrily and said, “Dou Ma, where did you get the face to talk about loyalty? You clearly intend to make things difficult for my master. All the royal family members are in the Rui Wang’s Mansion in this consort selection for the emperor’s security. Who would let in a person of unknown origin?”
But Mei Ren winked at her and Si Da secretly scolded herself for being dull. As long as Qiao Chu can escape from Dou Ma’s restraint, when they arrive at the gate of the mansion, whoever cares about any agreement with you him. Qiao Chu can just take out the token, report her name and go in. That’s it.
The Emperor of Dongling once rewarded the Northland Lord with five beautiful jade, presented to five princesses. Although she was not escorted by any of the Lord’s personal soldiers, it is Qiao Chu’s strong evidence to prove her identity.
The two were overjoyed, but saw Dou Ma staring at Qiao Chu, and said sternly: “Chu’er, if you violate the agreement–“
Qiao Chu glanced at the two girls, and said softly, “Since shifu has set the conditions, there must be means to prevent us from cheating.”
Dou Ma’s face cleared up a little, said: “I will draw a bow in the dark. If you use fraud, you can’t blame this shifu for being unjust.”
Si Da and Mei Ren were taken aback. Duma can hit the leaves of the willow from a hundred steps away². Mei Ren’s martial arts is strong. Before she was poisoned, she was not already sure if she can stop his arrows. What more now?
If they don’t follow the agreement, Dou Ma will shoot Qiao Chu to death. But as agreed, how can they even get in? Now, the crown prince has already closed in.
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Notes:
[1] 金枝玉叶 (jin zhi yu ye) golden branch and jade leaf means noble or royal blood. Dou Ma juxtaposes her calloused hands with her supposed background being the 3rd princess of the Northland
[2] 百步穿杨 (bai bu chuan yang) I believe this idiom is pretty self-explanatory. It means the person has good marksmanship in bow and arrow.
T/N: Life happened. So sorry for being on halt for the past half a year, I think. I immigrated to another country and has been settling down. I hope you are all well and safe. After I settle down, I think my translations would be pretty much more frequent. Thank you!
Kaye's Ugly Translations 