Blooming Flowers, Silent Sorrow

Translator: Silvery ButterflykFEPkLtqzJGSrAExHBxOOBPcogqFAl

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Li Gongxiang was an imperial emissary personally dispatched by the Emperor. The fact that he secretly went to the south of the Yangtze River  was known only to a few high-ranking officials in the court. That the Jin family managed to catch wind of the investigation into the Fu Run Chamber of Commerce and the dispatch of Li Gongxiang before it happened was no small feat. In a desperate struggle to avoid utter disaster, they spent countless taels of silver. In the end, all they achieved was securing a clean and comfortable cell, good food, polite treatment, and the chance for the family of three to stay together.VpIaxUnNnUFkZySWWZqKbxjxzlEPYI

At first, Xiao Bao was emotional, crying and causing a commotion. But after being thrown into the cell, he closed his swollen and tired eyes, lying on Lady Jin’s lap as she gently stroked his hair. He fell into a long silence.ZiQjqzryHQyFKkbOdWNbqRDXGngjws

Eventually, he propped himself up and sat, staring blankly at the gray, bald wall. “Father, tell me, what exactly happened to the Jin family? Let me die with some understanding.”eiSzjVVUlRUEJbEnvvCvUBrOzNcISI

And Zong Zheng….. Huai En, if in this life I have another chance to see you, I must ask you clearly. Did I, Jin Xiao Bao, ever wrong you in the slightest? Did you ever have even a shred of genuine feeling for me? If not, I will die with regrets, and even in heaven, on earth, or in the cycles of reincarnation, I will keep asking until I find the answer.cbHrEHPfCzncqeEMcXTmeITvuhfeWd

Master Jin let out a long sigh, seemingly using all his strength to steady his breath before slowly beginning.PQEobGJRmDleMHLQOmLoBLpTJSzwgJ

“Where should Father start….. The Fu Run Chamber of Commerce, you’ve never heard of it because it’s an underground chamber. It includes the Jin family and the five wealthiest families in Jiangnan. None of these families are aristocratic; their wealth was accumulated in the last few decades, or even just over ten years. During the early days of the new Emperor’s reign, they became immensely rich by taking risky ventures. When the Emperor stabilized the internal and external troubles and brought peace to the realm, we wanted to clean up our act and do legitimate business. But by then, it was impossible to turn back…..”mFsTKUkosBWImEOXWpMRbzHKGvccsz

“The five of us managed to come together and make this short-lived fortune because of the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau and the royal family’s internal strife back then…..”wGjKjkHXYhjcPLkrTXleYRoCAZGlBC

Master Jin sank into long memories, his face showing a serene desolation in the face of such dire circumstances.ZTRLMOPWKwXrIXIMCjAsZLdvNGaTbg

“The then head of the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau was Xue Wei.”DrcMgehAkTqNlkMkAWMXKNoOsBckkc

“Xue Wei?” Xiao Bao exclaimed. Wasn’t Xue Wei…..fsEopoSKqVzGrVUONSMKZuhPqPyEQm

“That’s right….. he was Xiao Yu’s grandfather, the head of the Xue family.”nmkbMtUntyNecxLwpjoOtDpNOARJdS

Xiao Bao’s heart pounded. His father had always acted as if he didn’t know the Xue family. What kind of complex entanglements lay beneath the surface?LoEpGFkpftDEklqpsNXWEilQmcGkoT

“Xue Wei was already an Assistant Minister of Works during the previous Emperor’s reign. He was a native of Suzhou. His eldest daughter, Xue Tong’en, you must have heard of her. She was once hailed as the number one beauty in Jiangnan, renowned for her talent and beauty. Later, she caught the eye of the Crown Prince, who is now the current Emperor. When the Emperor ascended the throne, Xue Tong’en became a noble consort. Though the imperial harem was vast, she was second only to the Empress and enjoyed the Emperor’s favor alone. Thus, Xue Wei was put in charge of the weaving bureaus in Jiangning, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. The Jiangnan Weaving Bureau was mainly responsible for supervising and purchasing silk and embroidery for the imperial palace, a highly lucrative position. Additionally, it secretly monitored the situation in the four provinces for the Emperor. His close relationship with the Emperor was largely due to his daughter’s influence. Otherwise, such a position would never have fallen to him.mmLLGwvfqclrNsPJsxVEZbapKLcdRI

Later….. the records only mention a few lines, stating that Noble Consort Xue died in childbirth, the Emperor’s first son was stillborn, and Xue Wei, stricken with grief over the loss of his daughter, retired to Suzhou to spend his remaining years in peace.”cKarxtgtgDCTBnpyNADlRYGbsMocWt

“But the reality was far different. The current plight of the Jin family is intricately tied to the royal family and the Xue family’s decades of enmity and love.”kZBVKaHFqSexdRcNMDmRygarLJjwdm

“Ah….. this matter goes back to the days of Emperor Jiayun. As you’ve heard, Jiayun was an incapable ruler. He was weak, reclusive, and for his thirteen-year reign, he was nothing but a puppet in the hands of powerful ministers. Disheartened and unmotivated, he indulged in pleasures and neglected state affairs, allowing the clans of the First Prince and the Second Prince to play politics. When the country was on the brink of collapse, he finally realized the peril and decided to abandon Jiayun, supporting a new emperor to save the nation. The death of Emperor Jiayun led to mutual accusations between the First and Second Princes, and it remains unclear to this day who was responsible. After much overt and covert fighting with countless sacrifices, the First Prince ascended the throne, and the Second Prince fled.xLGyzEyAUBdBizAZVQBllNOmCIZUxp

The Jin family’s involvement in this royal power struggle can be traced back to a femme fatale.zFcRgmhhgCigNXSqcfLwwxFbPsXLCI

From a young age, the First and Second Princes were embroiled in fierce competition, unwilling to yield even an inch. Their maternal clans had been battling for power for half a lifetime, and by their generation, these factions were well established, intensifying the conflict.WooVmkkDMYzmcpRPLlIxiFzRDohZZX

Xue Wei was originally aligned with the Second Prince, who was deeply infatuated with Xue Tong’en. He had sworn that if he became emperor, Xue Tong’en would be the empress. However, at a grand palace banquet, the First Prince was struck by Xue Tong’en’s beauty at first sight. It’s said that he couldn’t eat or drink, going to great lengths to win her over. After the Second Prince was defeated, Xue Tong’en had no choice but to align herself with the new power and entered the palace.FdjGpBgDwoeHKOGZPsoomUCmgFJFLC

The Second Prince, with substantial wealth and influence, did not easily give up. He quickly established a presence in the Jianghu and had numerous loyal followers within the court, always waiting for an opportunity to make a comeback.”ePBOQCUGmTaBtlnnISiXpJSMpcbOqX

“Shortly after the Emperor ascended the throne, Noble Consort Xue became pregnant. Rumors spread that she had secretly conceived a child with the Second Prince. Enraged, the Emperor confined her to the Cold Palace. The Empress, who had always harbored a grudge against Noble Consort Xue, seized the opportunity to kill her. Given that the Empress’s family had rendered significant service, their position in the court was unshakable. Whether or not the Emperor tacitly approved of this act, Noble Consort Xue died in vain.”smvlwMMHnHhVhioIlLIGwWjoiUwTQm

“Though it was publicly announced that she died in childbirth, many in the palace knew that the child was born alive and had been taken out of the palace by the Second Prince’s loyalists.”bKSRwMDNdLLziiFXaEtEAlZTmmKuQb

“The Xue family naturally fell from grace, stripped of real power and assigned a minor position in Suzhou. At his peak, Xue Wei was on par with high-ranking court officials, enjoying great prestige. Suddenly, he plummeted to rock bottom. His doting affection for his eldest daughter surpassed that of any beloved only child in three generations. Losing his daughter and his career simultaneously, he was utterly crushed. But such days didn’t last long; soon, the Second Prince came to him.”wDNjEndGjmxwNyXIFhiCGeZjMTBBQv

“Though Xue Wei had originally sided with the Second Prince, he had surrendered to the First Prince due to his weakness and greed. Yet, the Second Prince didn’t blame him. Instead, he persuaded him to help him make a comeback and avenge his daughter. Xue Wei was initially hesitant. Despite his dissatisfaction, the Emperor, out of old affection, had allowed his family to live in peace. He didn’t dare risk his family’s lives. But then the Second Prince presented him with a child, the product of his affair with Noble Consort Xue. The boy, rumored to inherit Noble Consort Xue’s celestial beauty, was a boy. The Second Prince’s deep and unwavering love for Noble Consort Xue, even after her death, implied that if he succeeded, the world would also belong to the Xue family.”YmVKfllOQJPIlpIXMKCAqlMgdunskx

“Although Xue Wei lost his power, he maintained numerous connections in the Weaving Bureau and various commercial circles in Jiangnan. Many people had benefited from his patronage. Xue Wei was extremely shrewd and skillful, and with the substantial gold and silver provided by the Second Prince as a stepping stone, he quickly utilized the influence of the Weaving Bureau to pave hidden paths for various illicit but highly profitable trades. He chose a few financially weak but promising merchants and lured them with the promise of high profits to join him in these ventures. These were our five families.”UnJLKimzARkpjiDdolcqHsKPbmHNDW

This revelation hit Xiao Bao just as hard. He had always believed that the Jin family’s success was due to timing, skill, and destiny, never considering what it truly took to amass such immense wealth in just twenty years—wealth that others couldn’t achieve in generations.kYgYddSXvHUHjQgQMQXoapLMlaqnps

“The feeling of getting rich overnight….. it was utterly insane. Impossible to stop. Not that I wanted to stop. You know, your father was a rough mountain bandit in his youth…..” Jin Bao silently gazed at his wife and children. “Your maternal grandfather always looked down on me until you were born. Things improved slightly after that. I was determined to make a name for myself. Even though I knew I was dealing in deadly trades, wasn’t it the same when I was robbing on the mountain roads? So, I was the most reckless, growing the fastest and fiercest. Moreover, the Second Prince had forces in the court and Jianghu protecting us, making everything incredibly smooth. We didn’t know about the entanglement between the Xue family and the royal family, and blinded by profit, we didn’t question how such good fortune could exist.”YLvUGOnaltnaAvALKOEUiGMpgpNazS

“It wasn’t until one morning, when I woke up and realized we had built such a vast empire, that fear set in. The Emperor, young and promising, had settled internal strife and was about to triumph over the barbarians. What would follow would undoubtedly be extensive reforms. We made a fortune amidst the chaos, and the court, preoccupied, had no time for us. But the bigger the tree, the more it catches the wind. Sooner or later, the Emperor would start to consolidate his power, and our amassed wealth would be the perfect remedy for the state treasury’s emptiness. We would be the prime targets for slaughter.”zldIvOFxEElRfgaJtSJdLHruYNuVPw

“So we started planning, quickly expanding our legitimate businesses to launder our reputation. But the underground trades were too vast, like pulling a single thread that would unravel the entire fabric. We wanted to retreat, but it was impossible. One wrong move would provoke the Second Prince, hidden in the shadows.”DQDKCzTNAkhfKmiMZyFSZlpDZBLRLs

“Over time, intentionally or unintentionally, we uncovered many unknown secrets. Piecing them together, we finally understood. We….. we were merely tools for the Second Prince’s rapid wealth accumulation, to fund his rebellion. And here we thought our ancestors’ graves were emitting green smoke, that we had chanced upon such a golden opportunity to bring glory to our family. In reality, our decade of prosperity was just us being fattened pigs, with the slaughterhouse not far off.”mxIeFFWYfeWogSAPVWOvhyJQeFlEPs

Jin Bao’s face turned ashen. Xiao Bao, worried, called out, “Father…..”LVPgAXonZgOqqDgVpIPDXCTRUAwtfb

After a pause, Jin Bao continued, “Eventually, the court noticed us. For years, we’ve been trying to suppress the situation, hoping to divert the Emperor’s attention for a little leeway….. but all efforts were in vain…..”dfkwqDnzTRFYKpIOPAIHmpGaLWroUb

“More than a year ago, we knew our fate was sealed. Both the Emperor and the Second Prince were eyeing our wealth, ready to strike when the time was right. For us, it was a dead end. We began transferring our assets, relying on Alliance Leader Su’s influence. Prince Li had promised to find a way to protect our family, at least secretly sending you and Xiao Yu away. But by the time we got the news, the Emperor had already dispatched Li Gongxiang as an imperial envoy to the south. At this critical moment, a plague broke out in Yunnan, leaving Prince Li unable to help. When we decided to save ourselves, we didn’t expect a traitor had already infiltrated, and the fatal ledger was stolen. It seems heaven itself is bent on destroying the Jin family…..”vAScBcXOIpTLXjpgsMNQZimWGWlKLP

Xiao Bao’s lips trembled, and in the end, he couldn’t say a word from the heartbreak. It turned out that from beginning to end, it was just a scheme. He came with a purpose, and many things now made sense. It was laughable how he had been blinded by lust, deluding himself into thinking the other person genuinely cared for him. In the end, he foolishly sold his own mansion.TdLkEpelbhcpLScgJkYCPaVHryBIdh

He even naively comforted himself that even if Huai En had ulterior motives, he could afford it. Little did he know, what Huai En wanted was something he could never afford. He discarded propriety, integrity, and shame, enduring disdain and contempt, fawning over Huai En in every way possible. He humbled himself, willing to spread his legs for him. Huai En toyed with him inside and out, achieving his goal and then leaving him behind. Now, he was on the brink of ruin. For someone like him, what was the point of living? Even beasts weren’t as foolish and despicable as him. No wonder Huai En never saw him as a human being.QqnVgmxRZIeoYPnOdavPQaOzixftku

As he thought about it, he laughed softly a few times. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to chop himself into pieces and feed them to the dogs. No one was more deserving of his hatred than himself!NVwsqCpHPFgfihudoDJDiQISZgSwdG

The elderly Jin parents watched their son with concern, about to speak, when suddenly a series of crisp clapping sounds echoed through the dim, solemn cell. Following that was a string of lazy yet chilling laughter.dFnrlbqQyGWdNiAhUFJnlLNDOeUISN

The three were shocked, not knowing when someone else had appeared nearby.wwvoGKHXkimsyeBNnobLNtkxSYGfet

From the shadows at the corner, a figure slowly emerged. The person walked leisurely yet powerfully, with long strides and an imposing, fierce aura. However, his face carried a hint of cynical playfulness as he spoke mockingly, “Old Master Jin’s story is well-told and mostly accurate. But whether intentionally or not, it seems some thrilling details were conveniently left out.”hLgCHqJFzRwGlTplUUJUzJcrTuJLle

Xiao Bao saw the person clearly, and it felt as if his scalp was about to explode. Fear instantly engulfed his entire being.pfOaaUoiXZuRBAauOwfzFdKXIVmMMw

SB’s Note: Thanks so much for the Ko-fi, Laura Wilke! I dropped an extra chapter just for you. Hope you enjoy it!yHKmIIaCNzFGfYIRbUMnixWowTSMcb

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