Queen of No.11 Agent 11 Chapter 153 Part2

Chapter 153: Sounding of Firecrackers (Part 2)

h.e.l.lo readers! Another update! Please always read the NOTES for each update. They will definitely help with your understanding, as they are specific for each update.

*****IMPORTANT: Original novel is set in some made-up dynasties in ancient China. However, I think China probably has some sort of rule where production teams can't historical dramas being set in non-existent dynasties (because it does not accurately represent Chinese history or something like that), so the production team changed it and adapted everything into the Wei/Liang dynastic era. The surname of Yuan was the actual last name of Wei rulers, and Yuwen was also the surname of a minister family during that time.

Please use the following as a key (some of these places have not yet shown up in my translations, but will soon show up):

Wei = Xia (for those who know Chinese history, this Xia is does not seem to be the same Xia as the one in Chinese dynastic order)

Yanbei = Yanbei

Liang = Bian Tang

Yuan = Zhao (so instead of Yuan Chun/Yuan Song/Yuan Che it is now Zhao Chun/Zhao Song/Zhao Che)

Yuwen = Zhuge (so instead of Yuwen Yue it's Zhuge Yue)

Xiao Ce = Li Ce (Li Ce is the ruler of Bian Tang)

Qing Hai = new place in the book created by Zhuge Yue and later ruled together by Zhuge Yue and Chu Qiao

Huai Song = place in book, not in drama

*****NOTES (to help with your understanding of this chapter!):

Shang Shen: a city in Yanbei……I can’t remember what this city was for but I think it was a city that Chu Qiao spent a lot of time working on to spread her beliefs (I’ll update this when I remember in better detail) Huan Huan: Yan Xun’s last surviving family member. In the drama, both his parents and all of his siblings died. In the book, Huan Huan didn’t die. She is his youngest sister. She’s not in the drama. Yun Bi（云碧）is a town in Yanbei. The town name translated literally is “blue-ish green clouds.” Zhao Qi is basically Yuan Qi in the drama. He is one of the princes of Xia (or Wei) that Chu Qiao killed in battle. Zhao Yang is basically Yuan Yang (Yang’er). In the drama, Yuan Yang is a young kid and Chun’er got close to him so she could hopefully use him for her own power. I think he is probably slightly older here in the novel and I can’t remember if Chun’er used him in the book. I think that arc was just added for the drama version. Da Tong Chamber of Commerce = In the drama, I believe they call it Xian Yang Chamber of Commerce. It’s that a.s.sociation with all the merchants that Yan Xun killed. I don’t watch cdramas with engsubs so I don’t know what they called it in English. Leave a comment below if I’m wrong and I will correct it! Holy Gold Palace = This is essentially the imperial palace of Xia state.

"What's the point of a coffin when the person's already dead." Chu Qiao said quietly as she stood up.

In the beginning, she was fed some medicine. She had eaten nothing for almost six/seven days. She walked in a floating manner, but almost fell. Zi Su wanted to help her, but Chu Qiao pushed her away. Chu Qiao trembly walked forwards toward the bookcase. She picked up a brush and paper, looking as though she wanted to write.

"I will make you some ink." Zi Su quickly rushed forward, and began to grind ink.

At this time, the room's door was still open. A gust of wind blew its way in, causing the books on the table to chaotically move all over the place. Zi Su anxiously told a nearby a maid: "Hurry and close the door!"

Zi Su looked down again, only to see that Chu Qiao had already finished writing. Chu Qiao handed the letter over to A'Jing, and calmly said: "Please give this letter to He Xiao. Tell him to follow what I wrote. He must prevent Zhuge family a.s.sa.s.sins from making their way into Yanbei."

A'Jing blankly took the letter, and watched Chu Qiao quickly write another letter. She handed it to him, saying: "This letter is for Mr. Wu. Tell him that my personal strength has limits, but there are many ways to fulfill our aspirations. I have already planted the seeds in Shang Shen. I now hand over that place to him."

Then Chu Qiao picked up her brush to write another letter.

"Give this letter to Huan Huan. Tell her that she is in charge of everything."

A hint of an ominous premonition stirred in A'Jing's heart. The straightforward young man blankly asked: "Miss, you aren't trying to commit suicide, right?"

Chu Qiao raised her eyes to look at him, her eyes bright. But to A’Jing, there seemed to be something different about the look in her eyes now.

Yes, her eyes are different. Before, even when Miss maintained her calmness, you could still clearly feel her emotions of happiness, anger or sadness, when her eyes met yours. But now, even if she stared at you, you still couldn't feel her gaze. Her eyes stared at you, and yet it seemed as though she was staring straight through you, straight through your body, pa.s.s the room, pa.s.s the courtyard walls, pa.s.s the clouds and distant moon……

"I won't." Chu Qiao said lightly.

And then she turned around, telling Zi Su: "I'm hungry; bring me something to eat."

Jing Zi Su suddenly blanked out, and then after a moment, finally happily agreed, and quickly ran outside.

The food had already been prepared and was being kept warm the entire time. Zi Su and other maids hurriedly set up multiple dishes across the table, and stood by Chu Qiao's side excitedly saying: "These foods were all sent by the King. You have just started to recuperate, so eating these will be best for you. This is the diet that Doctor Yu prescribed. It will help nourish your spleen and stomach. You haven’t eaten for so many days. You can't eat such too much meaty or fishy things. This is a chicken soup I personally cooked for eleven hours using warm fire. Hurry and try it……."

Slowly, Zi Su's voice lowered little by little. She helplessly watched as Chu Qiao simply picked up a bowl of food, and mechanically shoved in all the rice bite by bite and then swallowed the rice mouthful by mouthful. She quickly finished one bowl, and then helped herself to a second bowl, sat down, and continued to eat.

Her eating posture was very scary. She was like a beggar who had been hungry for a long time, desperately shoving food into her mouth. Jing Zi Su was frightened, and tried to stop Chu Qiao with trembling hands, only to have Chu Qiao completely ignore her. Zi Su bit her lips as tears started to fall from her eyes one by one. She forcefully pulled Chu Qiao's arm to a stop, and sorrowfully cried: "Yue'er, if you're sad then just cry. Don't hold it all in like this; it won't help. If you're sad just cry!"

The room was very quiet; the only sound being Zi Su's tearful crying. A'Jing's fingers felt icy cold as he held those three letters in his hand. He wanted to say something, but was met with a cold look from Chu Qiao's eyes. She raised her head stiffly, and lightly said to him: "You can go now."

When A'Jing left, Chu Qiao had just finished taking her medicine. Doctors carrying large medicine boxes walked in batch by batch. The courtyard seemed to suddenly have some warmth of life, but for some reason, A'Jing felt even more cold.

Just as A’Jing walked out the door, he saw Yan Xun standing beneath the poplar tree. Yun Bi was definitely a nice name for this town, except it was unfortunately an impoverished backcountry with poor mountains and terrible water and every year there would be large snowstorms. The citizens who live here almost never have enough food to fill their stomachs. Each year, many civilians flee from famine. Aside from some elderly citizens, there was nothing left except for these poplar trees.

Yan Xun did not turn his head even after seeing A'Jing walk towards him. A'Jing handed the letters to Yan Xun. Yan Xun opened them one by one and looked at them carefully. The three letters were not long, and yet Yan Xun stared at them for almost half an hour. Finally, he put the letters back into the envelopes and sealed them back to how they originally were and handed them to A'Jing, saying: "Plan everything according to what she requested."

A'Jing's face was flushed; he felt like a thief who had been caught. He was quiet for a second, and then finally deeply said: "Your Majesty, Miss isn't going to commit suicide, right? I felt like I was listening to her writing her will and writing her last words."

Yan Xun maintained expressionless, and gave A'Jing the same answer that Chu Qiao gave A'Jing: "She won't."

"Then……." A'Jing asked again: "Why must Miss be the one accused of killing Zhuge Yue? Aside from the Zhuge family a.s.sa.s.sins madly wanting to avenge his death, won't Miss hate you as well?"

"Hate me?" Yan Xun raised his voice. He laughed once, and lightly said: "That is still better than being dead."

A'Jing was slightly stunned, he suddenly seemed to understand something, but also didn't seem to completely understand. He asked again: "Your Majesty, we randomly selected a corpse to use and lied to the Zhuge family of Xia. There won't be any problems, right? We accepted their ransom money."

Yan Xun did not answer him. He simply extended his hand and pointed at the vast snow plains, slowly saying: "A'Jing, do you know why Yun Bi is not marked on the Yanbei map?"

A'Jing did not know why he would suddenly ask this, so he shook his head: "I don't know."

"Because this place has no use," Yan Xun replied in a low voice. He continued coldly: "This place is too small; there are rugged and strange stones that cannot be cultivated. This place cannot be used as a pasture either, as gra.s.s will not grow and clear water does not pa.s.s its way through here. Qian Zhang Lake is very far from here, and the climate here is terrible. Once winter arrives, there will always be snowstorms. The location is so remote that even burglars do not come here. Whether for military or economic affairs, this place will always be Yanbei's burden. There is not a single use for this place, so even the Yanbei map does not have this place marked on it."

He coldly laughed once; his voice was so low and heavy as he slowly turned his head and said: "Zhuge Yue in regards to the family of Zhuge, is just like how Yun Bi is to Yanbei. His existence will only be a shame and a burden. For a reckless, wanton imperial general to not die on a battlefield but rather die in the hands of a woman he has been infatuated with, what kind of an ending do you think is waiting for him? Zhuge family members will only worry about cutting off all relations with him. Who will bother to care for his corpse?"

A'Jing suddenly understood, replying: "Oh, no wonder Your Majesty wants to use Miss as a pretense; the original aim was towards Zhuge family."

Yan Xun looked on afar with an emotionless expression, slowly replying: "Zhuge Yue's death is only the beginning. Zhuge family, Zhao Che, General Le Xing, and also Meng Tian who had recommended Zhuge Yue before, will all be affected by this issue. Xia country is in great chaos right now, aren't they? Zhao Qi has already died, Zhao Song cannot be helped, the power of the Wei family and Zhao Yang is still too weak. Why don't I a.s.sist them? Only when the inner politics of Xia country is unstable can my own country sit with stability."

A'Jing could not say anything. He stood there, allowing the wind to blow across his face. His entire person seemed to look a little stunned.

"A'Jing, stop being at odds with Cheng Yuan." Yan Xun looked at him, frowning slightly: "You are no longer an a.s.sa.s.sin for civil society. Yanbei's time for fighting and expedition is coming, and you are my confidant. If one wants to play politics, then he must have the means and att.i.tude to play politics. A lot of people must be sacrificed. If you cannot understand this aspect, then you will always be like those unrealistic and delusional members of Da Tong Business a.s.sociation, dreaming useless dreams for your entire life and unable to ever get a taste of power."

Yan Xun turned around, but did not look towards A'Jing's sluggish face. There was something that he did not say out loud. Even though lions are ferocious and useful, they are hard to control. Sometimes, all he really needs is a group of dogs.

As for A'Chu, she will eventually understand that killing Zhuge Yue was a must. There was no other alternative other than using her name to set up this trap because of two reasons. One, Zhuge Yue was not someone who could be easily used. If uncommon means were not used, than he would be difficult to control. Secondly, Yan Xun indeed needed the aftereffect of Zhuge Yue's death. Once Xia state starts to fall apart because of this incident, she will naturally understand that he was actually right.

As for her feelings towards Zhuge Yue, Yan Xun scoffed. He did not fear Zhuge Yue when he was alive, why should he fear a dead person now? Currently, she is just acting in her usual manner: being in a bad temper and a sad mood for a couple of days. Time will lighten everything. And for Yan Xun, he had plenty of time.

A'Jing remained silent, thought for awhile, and then suddenly asked: "Your Majesty, Miss is very heartbroken. Won't you go in and see her?

"I don't have time. I have to go the country edge tonight. Zhao Che has already been here long enough. It is time for him to go home."

Yan Xun walked away right after he finished talking. A'Jing continued to stand there and watch Yan Xun climb onto his horse and then ride farther and farther away under the protection of the guards. A'Jing suddenly remembered something that Yan Xun said to himself once when they were still in Holy Gold Palace.

Back then, A'Jing himself had tried to advise him to consider the whole picture of their situation, but Yan Xun had turned around and asked him "If there is no A'Chu, what use Yanbei to me?"

He remembered that sentence extremely clearly. Even to this day, that sentence seemed to echo in his ears. But now, has His Majesty already forgotten what he said? Or perhaps, he did not forget and that Yanbei was never that important to him. His heart was too big, his wisdom too high, and his eyes, were looking towards the entire world.

A'Jing lowered his head, already confused as to what was right and what was wrong. Perhaps ever since A'Jing had decided to follow Yan Xun, this day was already predestined to happen.

He turned around to return to Army Headquarters. For some reason, his usual straight back was now slightly stooped over, as if something was leaning onto him, preventing him from ever walking upright again.

Chu Qiao rested for a complete five days before her vitality and spirit were finally restored. Zi Su would spend the entire day talking to her, reminiscing about their times together as children, telling her about the parents and relatives that she had never met. Zi Su was already married; her husband was an army general. Chu Qiao had seen her receive a letter yesterday and judging from her gleeful look, Zi Su seemed to be quite pleased with this husband.

These days, Chu Qiao was very normal. She ate well, took her medicine, and when she wasn't sleeping, she would do some stretching workouts in the courtyard. Due to her previous serious illness, her face had grown so thin that she seemed to have lost her features. But now she slowly started to get better, except her face continued to be very pale. Jing Zi Su was very confused. Sometimes Zi Su would quietly check up on Chu Qiao at night, only to find that although Chu Qiao was laying down in bed, she did not close her eyes. Her eyes would often remain open until the sun rose; she would not sleep for the entire night.

Today was the start of the new year. The battles on the country border had concluded three days prior. Holy Gold Palace had requested that Zhao Che return to the city capital. With no other option, Zhao Che could only withdraw his troops. Yan Xun used this opportunity to attack the border of Yan Ming. Although he could not completely capture the border of Yan Ming, he was able to make Xia state suffer more than fifty-thousand casualties, which still could count as a great gift for Yanbei this new year.

Yan Xun returned to Yun Bi a day earlier than expected. Yun Bi suddenly became Yanbei Emperor's celebratory place. The government officials at Yun Bi were so excited, ordering that decorative lights be placed everywhere, making the entire town festive and full of joy.

Early this morning, Jing Zi Su picked up some new clothes. The clothes were red [1], embroidered with hundreds of lilies, making the clothes look lucky and joyous. But when Chu Qiao saw the clothes, she immediately felt uncomfortable. She thought the color looked exactly like blood, slowly creeping its way towards her. She didn't even want to use her fingertips to touch the clothes.

Everything had been arranged already. The news had been sent out, Shang Shen had already been handed over to Mr. Wu. As for the Xiu Li Army, if they continued to follow her than they would have no future left for them. It would be unsuitable for Mr. Wu and Miss Yu to control any military power, as they were both the backbones of Da Tong Chamber of Commerce and Yan Xun had already become extremely wary of both of them. Chu Qiao could only ask Huan Huan, the only remaining person of Yan family blood and also a woman. She was the Princess of Yanbei, and also had the Fire Cloud Army in her hands. Handing Xiu Li Army over to her would give the entire Xiu Li Army a prospective future.

As for this place, there was no need to continue staying here.

When Yan Xun entered, the room was already empty. Everything was the same as before, clean and orderly.

He suddenly remembered the night many years ago when the engagement between Zhao Chun'er and himself had been settled. His heart suddenly cooled down. It's not that he did not expect any of this to happen, except he was still hanging onto a sliver of hope, that perhaps Chu Qiao had thought it through? Perhaps she no longer blamed himself anymore? After all, they had been together for almost ten years now [2], she had always tolerated his actions, no matter what he did, she could always forgive him. He had once given up on South East Town House Official [3], he had once left Yanbei behind, he had once killled her subordinates, he had once suspected her and shunned her. But even after all this, she still hadn't left him, right? But just a single Zhuge Yue, just a Zhuge Yue. Even if she did have feelings of grat.i.tude towards him, those feelings could not possibly compare to the friends.h.i.+p and mutual care that Chu Qiao and himself had shared for the past ten years.

All they needed to do was to talk it out. As long as he openly explained all of his ideas to her, then she should probably be able to understand him. Even if she was angry, she would eventually lose her anger. If needed, he could just return her military powers back to her. Now that the overall situation was already settled, there was nothing left to take into consideration.

He didn't know why he would be this incompetent. These past few days, he repeatedly rea.s.sured himself hundreds of times in his heart. But now, as he looked at the clean and tidy room, he suddenly became anxious and fl.u.s.tered. He hurriedly ran outside. But on his way out, the edge of his clothes accidentally knocked down a small object from her desk. All he heard was a crisp snapping sound travel to his ears. Yan Xun looked down, only to find that under the faint light, a white jade ring [4] had fallen to the ground, completely shattered into multiple pieces. The light within the room reflected faintly off the broken pieces, slightly dazzling.

Yan Xun blankly stood there, staring at that jade ring. He suddenly remembered A'Chu's words from that particular day: "If Zhuge Yue dies in Yanbei, I will never forgive you."

"I will never forgive you……"

Never……

"Yue'er?" Jing Zi Su pushed open the door, gleefully running inside and calling out: "Come with me to look at lanterns!"

She suddenly saw a dumbfounded Yan Xun standing there and she frightenedly and hurriedly kneeled down and bowed. For a long moment, she did not hear Yan Xun make any sound. She carefully raised her head, only to see he was still standing there in a very straight manner, his face solemn, as though heavy mist was swirling around him not wanting to dissipate.

Chu Qiao walked on the streets, holding onto her horse, and wearing a very ordinary cyan-blue cloak. Happy crowds surrounded her on all four sides, colorful lights burned brightly. Everyone wore brightly colored clothes; young children carried various lanterns as they ran around the streets.

All of those lanterns were delicately made. There were long dragons, phoenixes, tigers, white plum trees, East China Sea G.o.d of Longevity, little dogs, chickens, clever cats, and cute rabbits……

Fireworks bursted in the sky, and the entire street filled with a strong aroma of fresh wine. Lights decorated the streets, and vendors were also selling their goods. Rows and rows of lantern riddles lined up both sides of the streets, and far away on the ice-rink, civilians were dancing, the entire place filled with festive sounds.

Many people pa.s.sed by Chu Qiao, and yet no one stopped to even glance at her. People walked by hand in hand, as husbands held the hands of their wives, the wives held the hands of their children. Children would turn their head around to call out to their grandmothers, and grandmothers supported aging grandfathers. Everyone had family members and relatives. In this festive and joyous holiday, they all walked out of their impoverished homes to come to this lively street, happily smiling as they joyously celebrated this rare holiday.

[5] "A'Chu, I never told you, all these things I will only say once, so you listen well. I want to thank you, I want to thank you for staying with me in that h.e.l.lish place for so many years. I thank you for not throwing me away during the darkest times of my life. I thank you for always standing by my side. If not for you, Yan Xun would be nothing today, for he would have already died eight years ago in that dark winter night. A'Chu, these things I will never say again. I will use my entire life to repay you. There are some things between us that we do not need to say out loud; we should be able to understand each other. A'Chu is Yan Xun's; A'Chu is only mine. I will protect you, and I will take you far away. I held onto your hand eight years ago, and I have never intended to ever let go."

"Yan Xun, I have never had a hometown. It's because you exist, so I made your hometown my hometown as well."

"A'Chu, trust me."

Trust me, I will protect you, I will look after you, I won't allow you to be hurt, I won't let you suffer any wrongs, I will make you happy, trust me……

Tears fell from Chu Qiao's eyes one by one, soundless, just silently sliding down her cheeks and rolling down her sharp face, gliding down her chin. Cold wind blew by like a thin blade, hurting her. She held onto her horse and continued to walk slowly.

All of her past drifted messily in front of her eyes, that stalwart, tall figure finally crashed down, shattering into many pieces, fluttering away like light goose feathers.

Suddenly, the midnight clock loudly sounded, a group of children suddenly ran forwards, cras.h.i.+ng onto her body. A little girl immediately fell sitting on the ground, shattering her lantern. That lantern was in the design of a little white fish with red eyes. It didn't really look like a fish but rather looked more like a rabbit. A gold ingot had been drawn on its stomach. The young girl held the broken in lantern in her hands and started to cry louder and louder. Chu Qiao stiffly stopped her steps, squatted down, reached out to wipe the young girl's tears, and reached into her own garments to give the little girl some silver.

At this time, a thunderous sound of firecrackers sounded loudly. Families all around lighted up their firecrackers. The young girl was suddenly stunned and then stupidly forgot to cry and covered her ears as she shouted excitedly.

However, Chu Qiao felt as though she had been hit by the fist of an invisible giant; her face lost all trace of color.

"If you dare die, I will follow you to the King of h.e.l.l! Got it?" He snapped at her as he turned his head around, and arched up his eyebrows.

She stubbornly raised her head and replied: "If you die, then I will light up a hundred firecrackers to celebrate the fact that I will never have to constantly bear in mind that I still have to repay you for all your help."

Strings of firecrackers sounded louder and louder as Chu Qiao suddenly started to cry. All of those memories she had tried to suppress with great effort suddenly flashed in front of her all at once. Lung-piercing pain suddenly hit her, causing all of her calmness and self-control to turn into ashes.

"You……what happened to you?" The young girl asked. 

The little girl was frightened by Chu Qiao’s sudden crying. She loudly called out among the blasting firecrackers: "Don't cry, I won't make you pay for it, okay?

The sound of firecrackers slowly grew louder. Chu Qiao finally could not hold it in any longer. Chu Qiao kneeled down on the lively and festive street, covered her face, and burst into tears.  

[1] red — In Chinese culture, red and yellow colors are highly liked. Red symbolizes good luck and yellow symbolizes wealth. It is common to wear red during festive holidays, especially during the new year.

[2] In the books, she spends about seven to eight years with Yan Xun in Xia state. In the drama, she only spent three year with him in Wei state.

[3] South East Town House 西南镇府使 —— This doesn’t seem to be the right translation LOL but I am trying to figure out how to translate this. But not knowing what this thing is will not mess with your understanding of the story. Just know that it’s something that Yan Xun gave up and Chu Qiao wasn’t that happy about it. 

[4] In the drama version, Yan Xun was carving that jade piece to give to Chu Qiao. However, he never ended up giving it to her and you can see that he was clenching it in his fist in the finale episode. In the books, Yan Xun actually gifts her a jade ring instead. Chu Qiao was very happy about it actually, because she even explains to Yan Xun the significance of an engagement ring in modern times (since she time-traveled from present time back to historical times).

[5] These lines are all things that she and Yan Xun had said to each other before in previous chapters.

SECOND HALF OF THIS CHAPTER IS UP!! I did not split this chapter up evenly LOL so this one took longer to translate.

I am moving into my university dorm in the next few days, so the next update will have to take longer as I am packing my computer away. Also once I get there I have a lot of registration stuff to do and have to figure out how to connect to my university’s Internet in order to actually update my next translation. But hopefully the next update will be up within the next two weeks!!

If you found any part of this translation confusing, leave your question in a comment and I will reply to it as soon as possible. I will also look at this again and edit it to make the reading hopefully more smooth. Leave any other comments/suggestions in the comments below; they are greatly appreciated!! Share with other fans/friends as well. Have fun!!