Yin Yan Returns (Part One)
“The lengthy poem sounds burdened and lonesome, but when the grand carriage returns to carry out an inspection.”
“The return home in silk clothes is of lesser import, as all riches shall be bequeathed to the ex-wife, bequeathed to the ex-wife…”
A small blue carriage passed by on the long street but came to a screeching halt upon hearing this poem recited at a nearby restaurant.
A wrinkled hand reached out from the carriage’s window and tremblingly lifted a corner of the curtain. This revealed an aged face with eyes that were no longer as sharp as before.
He slightly lifted his head and saw the words Yu Shan Building on the plaque outside.
“What is this place?”
The servant driving the carriage heard his hoarse voice and hurriedly said: “Master, this is the best restaurant in the capital. Even His Majesty has visited it and wrote a couplet for it! I heard that it’s a business under Princess ZhenJiang’s ownership. They are always bringing in people to perform for the guests, and that voice must have belonged to the singer inside.”
The elderly man slowly nodded and took his time contemplating the name Princess ZhenJiang while lowering the curtain.
He had only been gone for one year, but that adopted girl in Marquis Gu’s Manor with an unclear background had already become a princess. Just what sort of drastic change had occurred in the capital…
The small carriage continued on its way and came to a stop in front of the prime minister’s manor.
The servant at the gate saw the rundown carriage and snorted with contempt, “Yet another one has come to curry favor with our prime minister’s manor. Even the person riding in this sort of carriage dares to come and curry favor with the prime minister’s manor? Did they not see that even great lords riding in pearl-adorned carriages pulled by four horses have been driven away?”
As he said this, he waved his hand to motion for the small carriage to be chased away.
Who knew that the driver of the carriage would be the first to speak, “Hey, why haven’t you gone to get the eldest young sir and young miss to come and receive master? Have two people come and help carry master’s luggage.”
“Master?”
The servant froze, “Ma-Master! You’ve returned! Quickly go and help master out!”
The latter command was directed to the servants. The group that was about to chase them away with fiendish expressions saw his expression change at an incredible speed. They too hastily put on fawning smiles and bowed before moving next to the small carriage.
The driver helped Yin Yan out of the carriage, and everyone was shocked by the sight…
Master had only gone to the old family home for a year, so how did he age like this?
Yin Shuo and Yin JiYao exited the manor one after the other. Rushing forward, they moved to support Yin Yan. The sight of father and son, who had been separated for a long time, caused tears and snot to flow.
Yin JiYao was already sobbing, “Father, how did you become so thin? Are you cold?”
She took a handwarmer from Pei’er and stuffed it into Yin Yan’s hands. The latter immediately noticed the white gauze on her head, “What happened to your face?”
Yin Shuo felt his heart drop, as he thought to himself that this matter could not be hidden from Yin Yan. He could only smile and say: “Father, it’s cold outside. Let’s go in and have a leisurely chat.”
From the main gate to the main hall, Yin Yan paid close attention to the atmosphere in the manor.
There were no changes from when he had left, and the main hall was still clean. It seemed that it was being cleaned from time to time.
But he could acutely feel that something had changed.
The servants’ expressions had changed. They were all full of joy and pride, and they were much more respectful toward the eldest young sir, Yin Shuo.
“Eldest young sir, Lord Liu from the Board of Civil Office has come and requested a meeting. Will you be seeing him or…”
“See him? Did you not see that father returned today? I won’t be seeing anyone.”
When a servant came in to report, Yin Shuo glanced in his direction, and the servant immediately bowed and retreated from the main hall.
Yin Yan noted his assertiveness and felt his heart sink a little but did not say anything.
It was only after sitting down in the head seat with a cup of hot tea in his hand did he say: “You are now the prime minister. You stand above all but one and are heavily favored by His Majesty. That Lord Liu must have come to curry favor with you, yes?”
Yin Shuo spoke inattentively, “When His Majesty sent the New Year’s gifts, the prime minister’s manor was the first to receive the gifts. In the past, these people didn’t even think about us, but now that His Majesty favors us, they do their utmost to curry favor with us. Just how should son look at them?”
Yin Yan knew that Yin Shuo enjoyed the new ruler’s favor but did not know that he was being favored to such a degree. He said in surprise: “Then what of Marquis Gu’s Manor?”
The corners of Yin Shuo’s lips slightly curled up, “His Majesty only sent New Year’s gifts to the princess at Marquis Gu’s Manor. As for Marquis Gu’s Manor itself, they will need to wait a little longer. I don’t think Marquis Gu’s Manor has ever been given the cold shoulder to such a degree before. Father, are you happy?”
“Happy? Ah, I’m happy…”
Yin Yan was thinking about something, as he turned to look toward Yin JiYao, “What exactly happened to cause the injury to your face. Let father take a look. How did it affect such a large area?”
He removed the white gauze, and the dark scar beneath it caused him to frown. He immediately looked toward Yin Shuo with displeasure, “When father left, I told you two that you two must support each other. How could you let your younger sister get this injured?”
Yin Shuo looked toward Yin JiYao. Rather than waiting for her to voice her complaints, it would be better for him to tell Yin Yan first.
Sooner or later, this matter would be exposed. Yin Yan might get angry over this, but he would never overreact and have a falling out with him over Yin JiYao.
He had faith in this.
Just as he was about to speak, Yin JiYao took the opportunity and spoke first: “It was a result of my willfulness. Eldest brother told me to do something, but in my carelessness, I hurt my head. Blaming eldest brother, I refused to see an imperial physician. When eldest brother did bring an imperial physician in to treat me, I refused to take the medicine and refused to be treated. That was what caused the scar.”
Yin Shuo froze and pursed his lips but did not speak.
This younger sister of his had lived in Marquis Gu’s Manor for two months and suddenly returned yesterday. Upon entering, she said that she knew that father would be returning soon and wanted to bury the hatchet with him. She wanted to act as if the things in the past had not happened.
Yin Shuo did not know what plan she had up her sleeves, but he could not refuse. If Yin Yan returned and found out that she was not in the prime minister’s manor, things would be even more disastrous.
He initially thought that Yin JiYao would surely complain about him to Yin Yan, but she actually took the initiative to cover up for him. Why was she doing this?
Yin Shuo never believed in someone being kind just to be kind, even if that person was his own younger sister.
He cautiously observed Yin JiYao and suddenly heard Yin Yan say: “Why have I not seen Princess DanYang? When you sent that letter to tell father, father was overjoyed. It’s just that there were a few items left behind by your mother that could not be delivered to daughter-in-law in time.”
Yin Shuo smiled and gave a look to the servant at the door. The servant swiftly ran off to invite Princess DanYang.
“Speaking of, DanYang still has not greeted father as your daughter-in-law. Son will have someone bring her to come and greet father.”
He had used the word bring and not invite.
Yin Yan seemed to notice that something was off, and he could not help but stand up in shock upon seeing Princess DanYang walk in. She was thin and wearing plain clothes.
Yin Shuo grabbed his hand, “Father, please sit. DanYang is of the younger generation. Morals dictate that she should greet father.”
Yin Yan furrowed his brow and quietly said: “Morally speaking, this is true, but there’s a difference between rulers and subjects. When a princess arrives, it’s not like with most other families. You and I are subjects, while she is from the ruling family.”
Yin Shuo smiled and looked down toward Princess DanYang. She stepped forward and bowed to Yin Yan, “Greetings, former prime minister.”
Yin Yan felt the atmosphere was odd. The letter clearly stated that Yin Shuo and Princess DanYang were living a normal newlywed life; however, he felt that these two did not seem like a newlywed couple at all.
Instead, they felt like rivals, neither wanting to look at the other.
Before Yin Yan could speak, Yin Shuo stood up and scolded her: “It’s the end of the year, yet you’re wearing such plain clothes. It’s also a good day since father returned today. Are you trying to curse my prime minister’s manor?”
Yin Yan was shocked, never thinking that he would openly scold Princess DanYang in front of him.
Seeing Yin JiYao wear a distant and uncaring expression while sipping tea on her own, Princess DanYang’s status in the manor was clear to see.
Princess DanYang did not show any reaction to being insulted and scolded. She just looked up and sneered, saying: “Father Emperor passed away less than three months ago. As his daughter, tell me, what is wrong with my show of filial party? Could it be that husband wanted me to wear a set of red clothes and celebrate the new year with you?”
“You…”
A look of fierceness flashed through Yin Shuo’s eyes. Yin JiYao stealthily looked up and forced herself to continue feigning aloofness.
Yin Yan immediately moved to advise against this, “Alright, you should be a little more polite to princess. What she said is right. His Majesty’s mourning period has not yet ended. Though it’s the end of the year, we must not celebrate too much. We should be a little more reserved.”
Saying this, he walked over to Princess DanYang and gently said: “When princess arrived in the prime minister’s manor, this old man was in the old home and could not come to greet you. In accordance with the Yin family’s rules, this old man has a few accessories that the late madam wore that shall be bequeathed to princess. They are items that my mother handed down.”
Yin JiYao smiled and said: “Those accessories were given to mother by grandmother. Mother would then hand them down to her daughter-in-law. Not even her… her own daughter would have a chance of receiving them. Eldest sister-in-law must accept them.”
Yin Yan nodded with a smile. The vigorous and resolute Prime Minister Yin of the past was now nothing more than an old man watching over the younger generation.
Although Princess DanYang’s heart was full of hatred, she still nodded to Yin Yan, “Many thanks, former prime minister.”
TN: The poem at the start is quite likely to be mistranslated.
Yin Yan Returns (Part One)
“The lengthy poem sounds burdened and lonesome, but when the grand carriage returns to carry out an inspection.”
“The return home in silk clothes is of lesser import, as all riches shall be bequeathed to the ex-wife, bequeathed to the ex-wife…”
A small blue carriage passed by on the long street but came to a screeching halt upon hearing this poem recited at a nearby restaurant.
A wrinkled hand reached out from the carriage’s window and tremblingly lifted a corner of the curtain. This revealed an aged face with eyes that were no longer as sharp as before.
He slightly lifted his head and saw the words Yu Shan Building on the plaque outside.
“What is this place?”
The servant driving the carriage heard his hoarse voice and hurriedly said: “Master, this is the best restaurant in the capital. Even His Majesty has visited it and wrote a couplet for it! I heard that it’s a business under Princess ZhenJiang’s ownership. They are always bringing in people to perform for the guests, and that voice must have belonged to the singer inside.”
The elderly man slowly nodded and took his time contemplating the name Princess ZhenJiang while lowering the curtain.
He had only been gone for one year, but that adopted girl in Marquis Gu’s Manor with an unclear background had already become a princess. Just what sort of drastic change had occurred in the capital…
The small carriage continued on its way and came to a stop in front of the prime minister’s manor.
The servant at the gate saw the rundown carriage and snorted with contempt, “Yet another one has come to curry favor with our prime minister’s manor. Even the person riding in this sort of carriage dares to come and curry favor with the prime minister’s manor? Did they not see that even great lords riding in pearl-adorned carriages pulled by four horses have been driven away?”
As he said this, he waved his hand to motion for the small carriage to be chased away.
Who knew that the driver of the carriage would be the first to speak, “Hey, why haven’t you gone to get the eldest young sir and young miss to come and receive master? Have two people come and help carry master’s luggage.”
“Master?”
The servant froze, “Ma-Master! You’ve returned! Quickly go and help master out!”
The latter command was directed to the servants. The group that was about to chase them away with fiendish expressions saw his expression change at an incredible speed. They too hastily put on fawning smiles and bowed before moving next to the small carriage.
The driver helped Yin Yan out of the carriage, and everyone was shocked by the sight…
Master had only gone to the old family home for a year, so how did he age like this?
Yin Shuo and Yin JiYao exited the manor one after the other. Rushing forward, they moved to support Yin Yan. The sight of father and son, who had been separated for a long time, caused tears and snot to flow.
Yin JiYao was already sobbing, “Father, how did you become so thin? Are you cold?”
She took a handwarmer from Pei’er and stuffed it into Yin Yan’s hands. The latter immediately noticed the white gauze on her head, “What happened to your face?”
Yin Shuo felt his heart drop, as he thought to himself that this matter could not be hidden from Yin Yan. He could only smile and say: “Father, it’s cold outside. Let’s go in and have a leisurely chat.”
From the main gate to the main hall, Yin Yan paid close attention to the atmosphere in the manor.
There were no changes from when he had left, and the main hall was still clean. It seemed that it was being cleaned from time to time.
But he could acutely feel that something had changed.
The servants’ expressions had changed. They were all full of joy and pride, and they were much more respectful toward the eldest young sir, Yin Shuo.
“Eldest young sir, Lord Liu from the Board of Civil Office has come and requested a meeting. Will you be seeing him or…”
“See him? Did you not see that father returned today? I won’t be seeing anyone.”
When a servant came in to report, Yin Shuo glanced in his direction, and the servant immediately bowed and retreated from the main hall.
Yin Yan noted his assertiveness and felt his heart sink a little but did not say anything.
It was only after sitting down in the head seat with a cup of hot tea in his hand did he say: “You are now the prime minister. You stand above all but one and are heavily favored by His Majesty. That Lord Liu must have come to curry favor with you, yes?”
Yin Shuo spoke inattentively, “When His Majesty sent the New Year’s gifts, the prime minister’s manor was the first to receive the gifts. In the past, these people didn’t even think about us, but now that His Majesty favors us, they do their utmost to curry favor with us. Just how should son look at them?”
Yin Yan knew that Yin Shuo enjoyed the new ruler’s favor but did not know that he was being favored to such a degree. He said in surprise: “Then what of Marquis Gu’s Manor?”
The corners of Yin Shuo’s lips slightly curled up, “His Majesty only sent New Year’s gifts to the princess at Marquis Gu’s Manor. As for Marquis Gu’s Manor itself, they will need to wait a little longer. I don’t think Marquis Gu’s Manor has ever been given the cold shoulder to such a degree before. Father, are you happy?”
“Happy? Ah, I’m happy…”
Yin Yan was thinking about something, as he turned to look toward Yin JiYao, “What exactly happened to cause the injury to your face. Let father take a look. How did it affect such a large area?”
He removed the white gauze, and the dark scar beneath it caused him to frown. He immediately looked toward Yin Shuo with displeasure, “When father left, I told you two that you two must support each other. How could you let your younger sister get this injured?”
Yin Shuo looked toward Yin JiYao. Rather than waiting for her to voice her complaints, it would be better for him to tell Yin Yan first.
Sooner or later, this matter would be exposed. Yin Yan might get angry over this, but he would never overreact and have a falling out with him over Yin JiYao.
He had faith in this.
Just as he was about to speak, Yin JiYao took the opportunity and spoke first: “It was a result of my willfulness. Eldest brother told me to do something, but in my carelessness, I hurt my head. Blaming eldest brother, I refused to see an imperial physician. When eldest brother did bring an imperial physician in to treat me, I refused to take the medicine and refused to be treated. That was what caused the scar.”
Yin Shuo froze and pursed his lips but did not speak.
This younger sister of his had lived in Marquis Gu’s Manor for two months and suddenly returned yesterday. Upon entering, she said that she knew that father would be returning soon and wanted to bury the hatchet with him. She wanted to act as if the things in the past had not happened.
Yin Shuo did not know what plan she had up her sleeves, but he could not refuse. If Yin Yan returned and found out that she was not in the prime minister’s manor, things would be even more disastrous.
He initially thought that Yin JiYao would surely complain about him to Yin Yan, but she actually took the initiative to cover up for him. Why was she doing this?
Yin Shuo never believed in someone being kind just to be kind, even if that person was his own younger sister.
He cautiously observed Yin JiYao and suddenly heard Yin Yan say: “Why have I not seen Princess DanYang? When you sent that letter to tell father, father was overjoyed. It’s just that there were a few items left behind by your mother that could not be delivered to daughter-in-law in time.”
Yin Shuo smiled and gave a look to the servant at the door. The servant swiftly ran off to invite Princess DanYang.
“Speaking of, DanYang still has not greeted father as your daughter-in-law. Son will have someone bring her to come and greet father.”
He had used the word bring and not invite.
Yin Yan seemed to notice that something was off, and he could not help but stand up in shock upon seeing Princess DanYang walk in. She was thin and wearing plain clothes.
Yin Shuo grabbed his hand, “Father, please sit. DanYang is of the younger generation. Morals dictate that she should greet father.”
Yin Yan furrowed his brow and quietly said: “Morally speaking, this is true, but there’s a difference between rulers and subjects. When a princess arrives, it’s not like with most other families. You and I are subjects, while she is from the ruling family.”
Yin Shuo smiled and looked down toward Princess DanYang. She stepped forward and bowed to Yin Yan, “Greetings, former prime minister.”
Yin Yan felt the atmosphere was odd. The letter clearly stated that Yin Shuo and Princess DanYang were living a normal newlywed life; however, he felt that these two did not seem like a newlywed couple at all.
Instead, they felt like rivals, neither wanting to look at the other.
Before Yin Yan could speak, Yin Shuo stood up and scolded her: “It’s the end of the year, yet you’re wearing such plain clothes. It’s also a good day since father returned today. Are you trying to curse my prime minister’s manor?”
Yin Yan was shocked, never thinking that he would openly scold Princess DanYang in front of him.
Seeing Yin JiYao wear a distant and uncaring expression while sipping tea on her own, Princess DanYang’s status in the manor was clear to see.
Princess DanYang did not show any reaction to being insulted and scolded. She just looked up and sneered, saying: “Father Emperor passed away less than three months ago. As his daughter, tell me, what is wrong with my show of filial party? Could it be that husband wanted me to wear a set of red clothes and celebrate the new year with you?”
“You…”
A look of fierceness flashed through Yin Shuo’s eyes. Yin JiYao stealthily looked up and forced herself to continue feigning aloofness.
Yin Yan immediately moved to advise against this, “Alright, you should be a little more polite to princess. What she said is right. His Majesty’s mourning period has not yet ended. Though it’s the end of the year, we must not celebrate too much. We should be a little more reserved.”
Saying this, he walked over to Princess DanYang and gently said: “When princess arrived in the prime minister’s manor, this old man was in the old home and could not come to greet you. In accordance with the Yin family’s rules, this old man has a few accessories that the late madam wore that shall be bequeathed to princess. They are items that my mother handed down.”
Yin JiYao smiled and said: “Those accessories were given to mother by grandmother. Mother would then hand them down to her daughter-in-law. Not even her… her own daughter would have a chance of receiving them. Eldest sister-in-law must accept them.”
Yin Yan nodded with a smile. The vigorous and resolute Prime Minister Yin of the past was now nothing more than an old man watching over the younger generation.
Although Princess DanYang’s heart was full of hatred, she still nodded to Yin Yan, “Many thanks, former prime minister.”
TN: The poem at the start is quite likely to be mistranslated.
