Mulberry Song

Jiu Lu Fei Xiang

Translator: xia0xiao1mei
PDF: midnightmoonsonata
DISCLAMER: This is a translation done by xia0xiao1mei. This PDF is a fan
made for this translation.

Mulberry Song

Table of Contents
DESCRIPTION ____________________________________________ 2
CHAPTER ONE ___________________________________________ 4
CHAPTER TWO __________________________________________ 12
CHAPTER THREE _________________________________________ 23
CHAPTER FOUR _________________________________________ 31

Mulberry Song

DESCRIPTION

ne leap from the city tower thus fulfils the Marquis of Chang Yes
triumph in conquering the world, establishing a new era. Yet she
only turns into a wisp of a lone soul, accompanying him day and night.

Mulberry Song

CHAPTER ONE

Perished country

alf a sky of the imperial city burning in red flames, the gradually
accumulation of clouds engulfing that touch of moonlight in the
horizon.
Holding up my overly complex skirt, I slowly set foot on the light grey
steps of the city wall, walking with great difficulty. I have never liked these
sort of overly complicated clothing, unless absolutely necessarily, I would
never dress myself in such attire, and even if I do, behind me, there will
always be a large number of maids to help hold up the skirt.
But today, there isnt.
There are only soldiers in heavy armours, holding up ice cold spears,
stained in blood, their faces expressionless as they hold me in capture,
heading up the city tower.
Above the tower are battle flags, fluttering in the wind, having yet to
arrive at the top, the cries of women and children are already audible. I
step over the stiff cold limbs of a noble ladys corpse, her head and body
severed, with resolute indifference, I walk over to where the highest
balcony lies.
The stars in the distance were revolving, the clouds rolling past faster and
faster. Eyes witnessing a rainstorm soon to approach.

Mulberry Song

Below the city tower, three hundred thousand soldiers have already
encircled the imperial city, blocking all sides, sparing no chance for
escape.
With this many people, other than the irritating neighing of the warhorses,
I cannot hear any other noise. The night wind carries a bloody scent as it
icily hits my face, I free my hold from the skirt, simply allowing it to dance
along to the wind. I believe, this wedding gown of endlessly flowing
bright red, among this night, should be the most stunning colour aside
from the crimson blood.
A frosty sword carrying a bloody stench lines my neck, such coldblooded
murder that stains the armour of the man behind, makes my hairs stand
on end. He loudly hisses:
Marquis of Chang Ye, An Zi Wu!
The three hundred thousand soldiers below the walls submerges into
silence. I lower my eyes, masking the look that can be seen in my orbs,
looking rather similar to a statue void of consciousness.
An Zi Wu! The raging anger of the man behind erupts, (Imperial) I
command you to quickly come out, one minute late and I shall gauge out
one of your madams eye, one moment late and I shall cut her into a
human swine 1!
Human swine, removing all four limbs, gouging out the eyes, cutting off
the ears, slicing off the nose and tongue, this is still the most favourite
punishment of the monarch behind me.
My eyes remain lowered, collecting my thoughts, calming my heart, not
letting leak the slightest of expression.

Human swine or pig rn zh / a highly cruel form of torture that turns the person into a so called pig.
Chop off all four limbs; gouge out the eyes; drill copper rods into their ears, thus making them deaf; pour poison
down the throat and cut off the tongue, destroying the vocal cord, thus making them mute; and then throw them into
a latrine to live there. A torture invented by Empress Lu Zhi who performed such torture on Consort Qi.

Mulberry Song

The troops below grows slightly restless. The majority of them serving
under my husband, Marquis of Chang Ye, many of the generals are also
familiar with me. Killing one woman is no big deal, but in a situation like
this, to brutally kill the woman of the rebel leader, is but a type of
deterrent.
Not to mention that above this city wall, there are many other family
members of the generals and soldiers, they are all currently sorrowfully
weeping. Right now, to kill me like this, is also a way of saying: not long
after, they too will be brutally killed in the same manner. These troops
have camped out in the outside world for a long time already, longing
only for their wives, children and parents back home, should their women
and children be killed
The emperors strategy that targets hearts and mind alike, really is
viciously cruel.
The stomping of hooves sounds from below the city. This sound is
originally very light, yet I am still able to make out the noise. Perhaps
because I was once a songstress for a number of years, I am more
sensitive to sound, or maybe its because the horse hes riding Long Mei
is one he and I had picked together.
A path pierces through the military fronts, the man on horseback pulls at
the reigns, neither rushed nor slow as he appears before everyones eyes.
Amongst the shrouded night, only the lighting of torches allows me to see
an unclear view of his face. Only knowing that his backbone is set very
straight, the silver armour on his body, outlining perfect proportions, this
is not the first time Ive seen him in battle gear, but is the first time Ive
seen him in battle gear whilst in battle.
Less of an easy-going nature, more of a severe sternness.
The corners of my lips unconsciously traces an arc. That is my husband
Marquis of Chang Ye, An Zi Wu. Currently the leading commander of
the rebel army, about to overthrow the tyrannical reign of the ruling
master of this country.

Mulberry Song

Seeing Zi Wu come out, the emperor behind me is somewhat happy.

After all, rumours that Zi Wu and I share feelings that runs bone deep, is
known throughout the Capital. They all believe that Zi Wu and I are a pair
that will follow one another through life and death.
Follow one another through life and death.
Only I know, this is but an image Zi Wu wants them to see.
Marquis of Chang Ye, should you be willing to withdraw troops,
(imperial) I can show leniency towards your madam, and further forgive
and forget all this, continuing to allow you to remain an official in court,
loyal in serving my great Qi!
The humid night breeze rolls up the flags on the city walls, and the person
on horseback below, remains motionless in the night wind.
He has not yet replied, but I already know his answer.
He sinks into silence, leaving several hundred thousands to wait for his
response.
I tightly clench my eyes shut, enough, to have this moment of deep
silence is already enough. Also not a waste of me exhausting so much
thoughts into putting on this body of festive wedding gown. In this life,
Sang Ge being able to gain this moment of hesitation from An Zi Wu in
exchange
Is enough.
Thinking to myself: Marquis of Chang Ye, you wanting these thousand li
of rivers and mountains, is only lacking in this final step, allow me to help
you one last time. Not only to fulfil your ambitions, but also to save you
from bearing the notoriety of having a cold heart and iron bowel.
During Emperor of Zhaos reign, natural disasters were constant, yet no
thoughts to appease the commoners of the world were considered, and
instead corrupt officials were appointed, plundering flesh and blood of
the people, resulting in times of hardship. In the reigning third year, this

Mulberry Song

tyrant Xiao Cheng, for his personal pleasure, reduced hundreds of female
court attendants to human swine. In the reigning fifth year, dozens of
loyal ministers were sentenced to the frying punishment2. In the reigning
eighth year, five massacres occurred in three cities in Jiangnan, causing not
a voice to be heard in Jiangnan for three years, countless heaps of
atrocities committed! And today, Marquis of Chang Ye is enforcing justice
on behalf of the heavens, to eradicate this tyrant, to cleanse this world.
Thousands of troops are deployed along the borders, Xiao Cheng,
Emperor of Zhao is rendered powerless, what is there to fear?!
Shut up! Xiao Chengs sword traces blood on my neck. He glares at me,
overcome with so much resentment, his eyes were practically about to
pop out its sockets, yet due to Zi Wu, he dares not to actually kill me.
The sobbing of the women and children on the wall gradually weakens,
they are mostly highly educated women, such reasoning I speak of,
perhaps if spoken before the commoners in the streets, it would not have
much effect, but when spoken to them, they would still be somewhat
shaken.
Raindrops slowly falls from the sky, I raise my head in face of the
heavens, loudly shouting: My lord should be tired from leading the
troops through day and night, in order to guard the people of our
motherland, shedding blood and sweat, fighting with all your might, it is
no easy task to come all this way here! Our generation of women, may not
be able to stand on the battlefield in substitute of our husbands, to
eradicate this tyrant, we also cannot become their burden!
The women all become quiet for a moment.
Tyrant
Shut up!

The frying punishment or po lo zh xng / is yet another form of cruel torture, whereby copper
pillars were painted with oil and heated with charcoal fire, the offender is then strapped to this pillar and is
fried/baked to death.

Mulberry Song

I still wanted to continue speaking, but was interrupted with yet another
thunderous roar, and this time, this voice cannot be any more familiar to
me. Every time in my sleep, I would always hear him softly call out my
name by my ear: Sang Ge, Sang Ge. Such voice, truly is more melodious
than that of songs.
I look towards him below the walls, one person one horse, stood amongst
the rainy scene. Before him stands the palace walls and my life, behind
him are the three hundred thousand soldiers who had fought alongside
him to this very day.
I am unable catch a clear look of his face, but is able to hear anger and
fear in his voice.
Worried for me?
I smile, Zi Wu, there is no longer the need to now.
After getting married to him, I rarely do things that goes against him, of
course I have never enraged him either. But today, I dont want to listen
to his words. Amongst the xi xi su su rain sound, I further raise my voice,
this time I did not spit out scornful words of the emperors tyranny, but is
simply performing my original profession singing.
When is the day of mourning? I and thees death
Before the sentence comes to an end, the emperor is absolutely enraged,
one sharp blade striking down at me.
I only see one arm attached to a sleeve of gorgeous blood red, fly out.
Drawing a curve in the air, falling to the muddy ground
At the time, the pain had yet to reach my mind, I cover my endlessly
bleeding arm, continuing to loudly sing. Blood and rain alike drenching
the wedding gown Im wearing.
Shut it!
No!

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Mulberry Song

He and the emperor roars at me at the same time. Emperor of Zhao raises
his sword at me in a moment of madness.
Amidst the blurring of my senses due to the pain, I seem to hear Zi Wu
screaming out: Xiao Cheng! If you dare harm her once more
Before he finishes, Emperor of Zhao reveals a treacherous smile, quietly
saying by my ear: Since Marquis of Chang Ye wants to seize (imperial)
my country, should he really obtain it, then (imperial) I shall let him
obtain it without the pleasure!
He grabs my hair, dragging me along and knocks me onto the grey steps.
At this point, I no longer cared about anything else, the remaining arm
randomly clawing at his face. Within a trance, my fingers suddenly felt
warm and wet.
Following was Xiao Chengs loud cries: My eyes! My eyes!
Taking advantage of his moment of panic, I loudly shout out: Marquis of
Chang Ye, is eradicating the tyrant in order to bring peace to the world,
Sang Ge to be able to be the wife of the great marquis, has no regrets in
this life! Absolutely no remorse!
Throwing those words aside, with all my strength, my head charges into
the emperors abdomen. The gown and sleeve fluttering, I along with this
tyrannical emperor, falls down from the walls of the imperial city.
Before a person dies, time seems to slow down a lot.
I look amongst the heavy rain, hundreds and thousands of soldiers,
everyone sobbing. I see the dark night about to fade and the approaching
of the lightning fast Long Mei. In that final moment, I see the blood
staining his armour and the mournful sorrow in his eyes.
Sang Ge!
For so many years, I longed for your calling, now, I finally hear it. With
the netherworld reaching out, I hear you calling my name, within this
heavy rain, yelling till your voice turns hoarse.

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Mulberry Song

Zi Wu, do you by chance remember, our first encounter was also amongst
the curtains of rain.
A first encounter amongst the poetic rain scene. At the poplar and willow
shore in Jiangnan, under the roof tiles, hazy layers after layers of drizzling
rain. At that time I was only a little known songstress, and you were just a
dandy, idling marquis.
Met in the rain, knotted for life.
And now, I can finally free myself.

CHAPTER TWO

Festive Lanterns long song

PERISHED, the city defences were re-established, with Marquis of

QIChang
Ye An Zi Wu as monarch, the new reigning era named
Chang Ge3. Time flows by, in a blink of an eye, it is yet another year of the
seventh-seventh festival. I quietly stand by the shore, looking out to the
big ship in the middle of the river, currently holding a banquet, I stand
there silently, wordlessly.
Thats right, I died. Died on the night the imperial palace of the Qi nation
was seized, but I have not yet left for the netherworld. It is not that I
3

Long Song

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Mulberry Song

dont want to go down, but because no wardens of the netherworld had

come to guide my spirit away, so I can only take on the form of a
wandering soul amongst the human realm. The so called
Ghost.
To qualify being a ghost, one must be subjected to the existence of an
intensely strong attachment. I have reflected over this for a long time, but
I indeed cannot find anything or place that I am still reluctant to part
from in this world. I dont know where I should go, fortunately, I have
been following my husband all along.
I watched him ascend the throne, become the emperor, clean up the
bloodshed covering the imperial city inside out, then grandly bury me,
exceeding the proper ritual an empress should have, a funeral that was
practically a national mourning.
I know, perhaps in his heart he can only compensate me in such way. And
I am really grateful I was able to see this.
I watch over him, every day in court, during meals, when sleeping. To the
point of feeling that this period of time, compared to when I was still
alive, I have spent much more time with him than ever before. There is
no one able to see me, which means I can freely shuttle to wherever his
presence lies.
But today I dont wish to be by his side. Because on an occasion like
today, countless singing orioles and dancing swallows are bound to be by
his side, with countless fragrant elegance and veiled screens. No matter
how open minded I can be, I will still feel absolutely unpleasant. So it is
better to hide a little further away, what the eye does not see, is regarded
as clean.
The lantern lighting dims a little on that luxurious pleasure ship, painted
in joyfulness. The banquet seems to have ended. Thinking of the
atmosphere of rouge and power on it, I am still not very willing to go
back.

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Mulberry Song

And what I did not expect, after a little while, was a line of people dressed
in ordinary clothing, leaving the pleasure ship. That one walking right at
the front is precisely my husband of my lifetime, An Zi Wu.
This is emperor incognito?
Following by his side are all his trusted confidants, I curiously follow after
them.
They head down to the towns night market, on the night of seventhseventh, the town is brightly lit up, the road lined with shops selling
lanterns on both sides, all around are couples walking hand in hand. He
steadily walks to the front, choosing to head to the most bustling areas
where the crowds are, not even caring for the guards behind, anxious like
ants in a hot pan.
An Zi Wu is just a wilful person like this. Still this wilful after becoming
emperor.
I follow after him without a sound. He seems to be deliberately trying to
lose the guards, walking in several circles around the crowded areas, in the
end, he buys a ghost mask to put on, and also buys a lantern, acting just
like a man out searching for his lover.
I couldnt resist a little burst of laughter.
Time flies by, the people passing by me all carrying warm smiles on their
faces, the little river running through the city is filled with lanterns,
carrying phase after phase of either deep or shallow romances as they
gently float by.
He slowly walks past the little white stone bridge over the river, one hand
holding a festive lantern, one hand hanging by his side. I continue to
watch as he turns his body sideways, allowing the frolicking children to
run past him, his hand reaching behind, practically giving me the illusion
of thinking he wants to hold someones hand.
After the children had all ran past, he remains standing on the spot,
freezing for a moment, he abruptly hooks up a smile, carrying half a trace

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Mulberry Song

of taunting, but within those eyes, there is even more of an infinitely

disconsolate loss.
This kind of expression does not stay on his face for long, as he steps off
the little bridge, walking up to the riverside, rolling up those wide sleeves,
he lights a lantern and places it on the river.
I who was on the other side of the shore, upon seeing this scene, couldnt
help but to think back the seventh-seventh festival many years ago in
Jiangnan, under the dim moonlight, I said to him: An Zi Wu, I set off a
lantern for you.
Thank Madam for taking to the trouble. His hands rests behind his
back as he gazes towards the lively market in the distance, answering
without much care.
I help him neaten out his cloak and tidy his hair, messed up in the wind,
literally turning his face towards me: Youre always putting on such a
good-for-nothing impression of a wealthy boy in front of people, but I
know your heart lies higher than the clouds in the sky, definitely not
satisfied with being a mere idling marquis. There will be a day youd leave
the Marquis of Chang Ye Estate in this misty Jiangnan.
His eyes falls upon me, the glimmer in his eyes swirling.
In my hometown, lights are a harmonious melody, taking on the
meaning of remaining behind in waiting. Sang Ge being your wife in this
lifetime, towards me, be it real affection, be it insincere feelings, I am still
your wife. Should there be a day, you leave. I will definitely wait for you,
even if this life is depleted.
His eyelids hangs low, sinking into silence for a long time: Wait for me
then.
Later, I have always been waiting. The Marquis of Chang Ye Estate in
Jiangnan moves into the Capital City, every day I wait for him to come
back from the court assembly. When he is out in the Xiongnu plains
beyond the Great Wall, every night I wait for his triumphant return. He

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Mulberry Song

employs a plot to make Emperor of Zhao send him out the Capital, I thus
became a hostage, constantly waiting for his return to collect me.
Later he finally returns, yet along with my waitingbrushes past my
shoulder.
A lively sparkle suddenly flashes past my eyes, along with a tremendous
burst of sound, interrupting my thoughts. I raise my head as I look up,
not knowing what grand family in this little town is setting off fireworks.
Illuminating the night skies with great magnificence.
Everyone else is looking up towards the night sky, a burst of amazed
cheers erupts.
I could not help curving my lips into a smile, during every banquet in the
palace, there will always be fireworks, grand and luxurious, however,
looking at it always make people unable to refrain from sensing an icy
coldness, absolutely not as warm and joyful as it is here.
Zi Wu must also feel this way right?
I turn my head to look back at him, but sees his face is not carrying a
smile as I expected, and is instead rigidly looking towards my direction,
slowly removing the mask from his face.
Within those eyes filled with incredible disbelief, there faintly suppresses
wild joy.
In this moment, I ridiculously thought, perhaps he sees me. Silently
standing by the riverside, gazing at the him on the other side of the shore,
I slowly spread a smile. If not for the slowly floating lanterns following
the waves of the river and the beautifully blooming fireworks in the sky, I
would have thought time had already stopped.
Sang Ge.
He softly, tenderly calls out, one foot stepping into the river water.

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Mulberry Song

In the moment everyone had yet to react to this, he abruptly trickles into
the river, pathing his way to where I stand. Knocking over many lanterns
along the way.
The guards discovers him, struck with slight panic, they constantly call out
from above Lord! Lord! Careful! He cannot swim, but fortunately
this river is not deep, the deepest area just about sweeping past his chest.
Eyes locked onto me, step by step towards me he approaches. With every
step closer, the delight in his eyes becomes increasingly hard to conceal.
A sharp sourness softens my heart, my face somewhat unable to withhold
the smile.
All of a sudden, with a slip of his foot, his entire person drops into the
river. I instinctively step forward, wanting to pull him up, but sensing the
water flow directly through my ankle, gently flowing away, I freeze on the
spot, motionless.
The guards could no longer care for anything else right now putong
putong a few of them jumps in, desperately rushing to his side. He
struggles in the water for a bit before solidly standing on his feet, the very
moment he stands up, those eyes urgently sweeps towards the shore, face
suddenly turning pale.
Sang Ge! He yells my name in panic, pushing aside the guards who
came to support him, staggeringly running onshore, overwhelmed like
losing a child, Sang Ge! Sang Ge
As though other than these two words he cannot say anything else.
I silently listen to him call out to me by my side, looking all around.
Whole body drenched, appearing in an absolutely sorry state.
An Zi Wu, since when has he ever been in such sorry state before
I lower my eyes, with only a sigh no one can possibly hear.
He is sent on the road back to the palace, overcome with gloom,
frightening all the officials to not dare let out a breath.

Mulberry Song

18

That night he runs a high fever, his consciousness unclear, mouth

repeatedly muttering the same words, the eunuch boldly moves his ear
closer, vaguely hearing him mutter song ( Ge)
His majesty wishes to listen to songs. Stricken with ill health, its not like
he can be out in the wind, the eunuch thus had the songstresses shut
outside the doors, leaving them to stand in the cold wind, singing an
entire night.
I sit by his bedside, senselessly gazing at him. Only I know he isnt calling
for songs, but me. Only I know, what he needs most right now isnt
songs, but a peaceful night, a good nights rest.
Yet Im unable to inform others of his needs.
Midnight, amidst the songstresses singing, carrying slight tone deaf, Zi
Wu suddenly opens his eyes, his eyes somewhat slack, voice hoarse, as he
says:
Sang Ge, I set off a lantern for you.
Once said, he drowsily drifts back to sleep.
I gaze at him, silently without a word.
An Zi Wu has always been a very healthy person, never does he fall ill, but
this round of ill health bore down on him menacingly4 , much more severe than
I had thought. Repeatedly dragging on for longer than a month. By the
time he just about regained his health, it was already the mid-autumn
festival. The palace is to hold a mid-autumn banquet, inviting the Nanyue
King. They say that this time, the Nanyue King had brought along his
daughter with beauty that overthrows cities. The intention cannot be any
more obvious.
Since the establishing of the new reigning era, not only is the empress
seat empty, but also the entire back palace has not a single concubine.
4

The original phrase for bore down on him menacingly is li sh xing xing / which more
accurately translates to with the oncoming force of vicious torrents.

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Mulberry Song

Ministers have petitioned for Zi Wu to select and take in imperial

consorts on numerous occasions, but were all brushed aside with the
reason of being too busy with the state affairs.
This time, Im afraid he will be marrying his first woman since becoming
emperor.
His woman
My fingers slowly traces the outline of his face, finally stopping by the side
of his lips. I think, after he marries the daughter of the Nanyue King, I
shall go wander off elsewhere. Because he already has another woman
accompanying him, awaiting him.
On the night of the mid-autumn festival, with the full moon reigning the
sky, the palace banquet hits its peak.
The Nanyue King who occupies the upper left seat, raises his cup and
says: Your majesty, [my] dear daughter would like to offer your majesty a
dance.
Zi Wu faintly smiles: (Imperial) I have heard Nanyue Princess holds
peerless beauty, but was never aware princess can actually dance as well.
This I shall take a good look at.
Nanyue King proudly smiles, with two claps, a girl whose face covered
behind a veil, dressed in a sheer gown of moon white, lightly ascends to
the centre stage, with a beautifully delicate figure, she already earns a
round of appreciating sighs despite having yet to reveal her face. She
gracefully bows to Zi Wu: Su Er has only inadequate skills.
This voiceI was instantly stunned, regaining composure, I can only
helplessly sound a bitter laugh. Is it the will of heaven, or was it
deliberately arranged by the Nanyue King? This I have no idea. Just that,
should Zi Wu feel the slightest longing for me, then he would probably
marry this Su Er.
Her dancing is not necessarily the best, but such delicate figure is enough
to capture the attention of all present.

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Mulberry Song

As the dance ends, Su Er with one spin of the body, originally intending
to perform a bow to Zi Wu, but in the end, with a twist of foot, a sound
of ai-ya, she falls to the ground. The veil floats down from her face,
indeed a face of peerless beauty.
A round of amazed sighs suddenly arises from all around.
Several maids come forward to help her up, Su Er with two eyes
containing crystal tears, sheepishly glances at Zi Wu, showing it wasnt her
intention. Such tenderly fragile appearance, only makes people want to
step forward and pull her into their comforting embrace with loving care.
The Nanyue King very quickly recovers from this sudden situation,
standing in bow to Zi Wu, saying: [My] dear daughters incompetence,
may your majesty excuse it!
Zi Wu does not respond to him, only staring dead on Su Er, the look in
his eyes unclear. The Nanyue King was not only not angered upon seeing
his attitude, but instead loudly laughs: This little king has heard your
majesty has yet to take in a consort since founding the country, and the
soil and grain of the land cannot possibly be missing a female
master
Not waiting for him to finish, Zi Wu suddenly speaks up: Does Nanyue
King perhaps know of (imperial) my empress?
The late empress sacrificed her life for the country, is but a one-of-a-kind
woman in this day and age, this little king naturally knows.
Since the founding of this era, (imperial) I have always been longing for
my empress, every day tossing around for a long time, before being able
to fall asleep. Should princess enter the back palace, Im afraid princess
will suffer unjust. These words of his did not hold a single trace of
emotional fluctuation. The several senior ministers familiar with Zi Wu
simply continues to lower their heads in drinking, not sparing a glance
towards the stage.

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Mulberry Song

Nanyue King believes the emperor has already been shaken by the
thought, hurriedly turning to Su Er as he loudly asks: Do you feel
wronged?
Su Er timidly glances at Zi Wu, cheeks brightly glowing red, she softly
answers: Su ErSu Er doesnt feel wronged. Nanyue King smiles at
Zi Wu, but sees him indifferently place the wine cup down, saying: But
(imperial) I fear my empress will be wronged.
Once those words were spoken, Nanyue Kings face instantly changes
colour. Su Er even more so, turns limp as she falls into the maids arms, a
pale face staring at the emperor.
Thunder strikes my heart. The land of Nanyue has always been subjected
to endlessly chaotic struggles. And today, the Nanyue King has brought
his daughter along, intending to make peace through intermarriage, should
Zi Wu agree to this, that land shall definitely settle down a lot more in
future. Yet he actually
This throne came with the price of the empress life, (imperial) I being
able sit on this throne every day is all thanks to the empress grace. His
speaking tone remains indifferent, yet the words spoken had a group of
peoples faces turning ashen, As long as the emperor is An Zi Wu, the
empress shall forever be Sang Ge. Should anyone want to enter the back
palace, in accordance to the rules of the imperial family, first go ahead and
ask the empress for her consent.
This years mid-autumn banquet, Nanyue King storms out with the whisk
of his sleeves, all the ministers remain silent like frozen cicadas, for a
while, the emperor alone gazes at the moon scene before telling everyone
to disperse.
As the ministers slowly takes their leave, the eunuchs starts to tidy up the
mess of the banquet. An eunuch advises the emperor to go back and rest,
but is suddenly questioned: Is that Nanyue Princess pretty?

Mulberry Song

22

The eunuch struck with shock, hastily drops to his knees. Not knowing
for what reason the emperor would ask this, he dares not to rashly
answer.
The emperor lets out a sigh, mumbling to himself: Indeed an exceptional
beauty, but cannot compare to even a bare minimum of her. She has her
own stubborn pride, of course she would not be able to put on such timid
and weak appearance. Having said that, he stands and leaves.
I step onto the centre stage, empty with not a single soul sight, my hand
clenching at my chest, under the moonlight, this long stagnant heart of
mine seems to have thumped a bit, An Zi Wu said, him not selecting
concubines, is in fear of wronging you.
He said, as long as the emperor is An Zi Wu, the empress shall forever be
Sang Ge.
I tightly clench at my chest, the noise there sounding just like thunder.
That night, Zi Wu summons a few senior officials. The next day, the
senior officials makes a joint remonstration: for her highness Empress Yong
Yi5 who sacrificed her life for the country, his majesty should compensate
her grace, never to elect another empress during his reign. A paper of
absurd admonition, yet the emperor actually readily agreed to it, even
heavily awarding the remonstrating ministers.
Since then, not one person mentions the matter of selecting concubines
to the emperor again.

Empress Yong Yi is the title or courtesy name bestowed upon Sang Ge after her death Yng Y Hung Hu
/ which literally meansEmpress of Everlasting Righteousness or Empress of Everlasting Justice.

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CHAPTER THREE

Deep Dreams

N A BLINK OF AN EYE its the twelve lunar month, the imperial

city blanketed in glittering white.

After handling the political affairs, Zi Wu returns to his bedchambers, and

Im here slowly following behind him. These past few days, there have
been local reports of increasingly powerful snowstorms in the southern
region, hes very worried, unable to sleep for a good few consecutive days.
Such is the cause of those bluish-black circles forming under his eyes.

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After a while of reading, the drowsiness gets to him, as he lies on the

study desk, unknowingly drifting into sleep. How much I want to drape a
layer of blanket over him, but can only want to.
Outside the windows, is once again the su su sound of descending snow.
It is but a very gentle sound yet still manages to wake him. He gazes out
the window, and with a sound of sigh, covers himself in a big coat, before
leaving the doors. Rejecting the eunuchs following, he alone holds an
umbrella and carries a lantern as he steadily takes a stroll through the
imperial palace. His steps leisurely slow, seeming to not have any
destination in mind.
With no stars nor moon, an entire sky filled with drifting snow, the areas
inside and out of the imperial city seemingly dressed in ominous
mourning clothes, and he, carries the light seeming to become the sole
colour within this world.
From behind him, I match the rhythm of his steps as I follow, one human
one ghost. I think I want to continue accompanying him like this,
watching over him as he ages through the years isnt bad either.
Not sure for how long weve walked, he suddenly comes to a stop, silently
standing before a set of palace doors. I also follow in stopping, one glance
upon raising my head, I couldnt help sinking into an absent mind.
Su Lu Ge []
Emperor of Zhao, the reigning monarch of the last era upon learning of
Zi Wus betrayal, later had me confined within the palace. Before my
death, my final days were spent staying here, staying here for one entire
year. Back then, those past happenings that had me experiencing such
pain of being better dead than alive, thinking back to them now, I actually
find that the memories are already unbearably blurred, only vaguely
sensing slight stuffiness inside, unwilling to remember.
Xiao Cheng was extremely diligent in telling the world how I spend life in
the palace, he wants to use my pain and suffering to force Zi Wu into
giving up. Yet he has never considered, why would this man with such

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vigorously ambitious heart, be willing to give up the world for one

woman.
Zi Wu pushes open the heavy doors, one foot treading inside. Seeing the
scene inside the courtyard, he appears to be stunned. This place has never
been cleaned by anyone, entering the eyes is but a scene of complete
mess, time here seems to still be stuck on that night the last reigning era
had perished.
With so many rooms within the imperial palace, after becoming emperor,
he very rarely comes to the back palace. Nor does he usually show much
concern to the internal matters within the palace, every day, the people in
the palace will only clean the areas he goes to, so how would they think of
cleaning up this place?
In the courtyard, the snow accumulates in thick layers, his every step
leaving a deep footprint, walking with slight difficulty. Coming up to the
centre of the courtyard, he silently stands for a while, suddenly calling out:
Sang Ge.
I instinctively sound a response, but was immediately hit with the
realisation, how could he possibly hear my voice?
He alone speaks to himself: Did you ever call out to me like this also?
Naturally I have, when Xiao Chengs military affairs werent going
smoothly, he would like to take it all out on me. Every time, the harm
inflicted were so unbearably painful, so I would call out his name,
thinking back to the misty rain and the Marquis of Chang Ye Estate in
Jiangnan, this way the pain will lighten up a lot.
He pushes open the doors and enters the building. Raising the lantern to
light it up, inside is filled with dust. Flipped over stools, fallen
candleholders, smashed cups, not one thing does not tell of the despair of
those days.
I can still remember, a scene of panic inside the imperial city that day, very
early do I dress myself in that bright red wedding gown, sitting in front of

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the mirror, allowing my personal maid, who was trembling all over, to
help me pull up a beautiful hairstyle, just like a readied appearance for a
wedding.
And later the soldiers enters, taking away the maid who served me all my
life, beating her to death, then captures me to the city tower.

He sits on the dust covered couch-bed. Hand stroking across the quilt
thats as hard cold as iron, fingers trembling, he hazily speaks: Every
triumph, will always be accompanied with news of your suffering. Xiao
Cheng indeed achieved it, every time I stand on the battlefield, what I
think of first is not what good comes from the victory, but what kind of
pain you have to endure this time.
A burst of sourness softens my heart. I cannot bear to see such look on
his face.
But where is the path to retreat? The war has already started, striving
forth, still contains a glimmer of hope, and should I give up, not even a
glimmer hope will be left. His voice is very tightly stretched, carrying
hoarseness like sorrow, like pain:
Sang Ge, yet you were too stubborn to even give me the chance to save
you.

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Mulberry Song

I lower my eyes as I silently stand by the doors, such heart like stagnant
water giving rise to tidal waves, sour and astringent, also containing that
damned hidden warmth.
He sits on the bed, slowly falling asleep. I walk up, kneeling down by his
side, repeatedly getting a close look at his face. Hes gotten a lot older,
among the black there are already strands of white hair, wrinkles also
forming at the corners of his eyes. But I still find him good looking.
I silently eye him, as though I could never get enough.
Up until a ray of morning light passes through my body, shining on his
face.
His brows slightly knits together, softly sounding a hum. His childish
actions draws out a little laugh from me, all of sudden, his eyes open,
within his look there still carries the haziness of early waking: Sang Ge.
En.
The haziness quickly disperses, he steadily locks his eyes onto me, within
that pair of sparkling black eyes, there shows irregular flickering, making
me fail to see though his thoughts: Sang Ge.
Im here.
His breathing becomes extremely light, as though afraid of frightening
me, expression also becomes extremely tender: This years seventhseventh festival, I set off a lantern for you.
I nod with a smile: I saw.
Sang Ge, take me away. These words put me at loss, unable to laugh or
cry, I dont even know how to leave myself, how am I to take him along?
And how much abandoning is hidden behind this word away, I cannot
possibly imagine, just that seeing his current expression, I sense the
swelling pain in my eyes as though Im still capable of crying.
I shake my head.

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As though unable to bear it, his voice unravels slight panic: Are you still
angry at me for leaving you alone in the Capital? Are you still resenting me
for not coming earlier to save you? That day on the city tower I
Zhi-ya sounds, the doors to the courtyard were pushed open. I
instinctively lean out wanting to see whos come, the morning light
revolves around my body, and ears suddenly catches the sound of him
falling from the bed-couch: Sang Ge!
Such panic.
He desperately reaches forward, hand passing through my body, only
managing to scoop the empty air into his embrace.
Not allowed to leave!
Dont leave
I look back at him, only seeing his red eyes, pale complexion.
Lightly letting out a sigh, I close my eyes, unable to bear seeing the
dejection filling those orbs.
Outside comes a few eunuchs who came in search of him, seeming to
have been frightened by his cry, only after waiting for a long time do they
dare take trembling steps in: Your majestyits time for morning
assembly.
He fiercely raises his head, the murderous intent in his eyes like a biting
chill: Just now, who opened the doors?
The three eunuchs all drops to their knees, entire bodies violently shaking,
cold sweat directly flowing down. No one dares to answer. The look in Zi
Wus eyes extremely cold: Who?
Finally one eunuch, with a hoarse whisper, says in despair: Itsits
this servant. He does not say anything, standing up and walking past the
doors, that eunuch had just let out a sigh of relief, only to hear a voice
containing not a trace of emotion sound from outside:

Mulberry Song

29

Slow-slice. 6
The eunuchs body turns limp, collapsing to the ground.
I lightly sound a sigh, the heavens will is always fooling with people. I and
he are already life and death apart, clearly no longer able to come in
contact with one another, why must the heavens let him see me again?
Why let him suffer the pain again?
Third year of Yong Ge, the emperor is greatly enraptured in Taoist
sorcery, gathering sorcerers from across the lands into the palace, with the
desire to call upon the spirit of Empress Yong Yi.

Slow slice or lng ch / death sentence by dismembering of the body.

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Mulberry Song

CHAPTER FOUR

In The End

ENTH YEAR OF YONG GE, the emperor falls gravely ill, electing
Tai Hao, son of Prince Si as crown prince.

Watching those sorcerers fussily chanting incantations by his side, I just

want to vent out my irritations. These Taoist priests, who are nothing
more than deceiving mystics trying to play god, I seriously wish I could
just reveal my true form and scare every one of them to death.
He has long been lying sick in bed, his body already thinned down to the
extreme, the dark circles under his eyes deep, yet every time these Taoist
priests comes to chant the incantations, he would still keep his spirits up,
watching them complete all those bizarre rituals.
The state power has already been completely handed over to the crown
prince. To this day, Zi Wu has not taken in a single consort, with no male
heir, he naturally elects his brothers child as crown prince. Fortunately
the crown prince holds absolute respect towards Zi Wu.
The strange rituals finally comes to an end, the sorcerers all withdraws. He
is already extremely exhausted, closing his eyes to rest.
I sit by his bedside, silently gazing down on his face, the sourness in my
heart unbearable.

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Zi Wu, Zi Wu, why put yourself through such suffering?

What honour Sang Ge has, to receive such longing from you
Your majesty. A senior eunuch very lightly calls out to him, Your
majesty, Crown Prince is here.
He slightly stretches his eyes open, lightly nodding. The eunuch thus
invites the crown prince in.
Imperial uncle, is your body feeling any better?
Zi Wu shakes his head, helplessly smiling: Isnt it still the usual, how are
the state affairs?
Everything is well at peace. Hao-er visiting today, is to inform uncle of
great news. Zi Wu grows interested, raising his eyes to look at him, Tai
Hao cheerfully says, Not long ago, when Grand Secretary Xiao Yi was in
Tachun, at the outskirts of the Capital, he ran into Reverend Tai Xu! Xiao
Yi thus invited Reverend into his estate as guest. This person is but the
grand master of metaphysics, should we invite him in, then uncle
you
Zi Wu waves his hand, smiling as he says: What reverend, what grand
master? Can the amount of reverends and grand masters thatve come to
the palace these past years be considered little? It is but an empty title,
nothing more than fakes, deceiving mystics trying to play god. Hao-er
should not believe it.
Tai Hao is stunned: But does uncle not believe it?
Believe? Zi Wus one laugh brought along a round of coughing fit, the
surrounding people busying to feed him water, after a very long time,
does he finally settle down, looking out the windows, saying, It is but a
ray of obsession that cannot be put down. Always fearing when its time I
go down, she has not waited for me. Always wanting to get a little look of
her now, only then would my heart be at ease.

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Tai Hao hesitates to speak: Then Reverend Tai Xu, to invite or not
invite?
Zi Wu after a moment of silence: Invite.
That next day, I see this Reverend Tai Xu. Divinity running bone deep,
whats more important is, I can sense an overwhelmingly strange air
shrouding his entire being, inducing the fear in me, thus not daring to stay
close. As soon as he enters the grand hall, I could only sense a pressuring
force, pressing down on me to the point I couldnt breathe, having no
choice but to hide outside. I watch them through the windows.
That Reverend Tai Xu does not perform a grand bow upon seeing Zi Wu,
only nodding his head lightly. Zi Wu is not bothered by it either, allowing
the eunuchs and palace maids to all withdraw to the outer hall.
Old priest I, hears your majesty has indulged in Taoist sorcery for many
years.
Zi Wus pale lips tugs up a little: [Im] but only clinging to one person.
Reverend strokes his long long white beard: The empress? Zi Wus eyes
instantly sparkles, steadily staring at him. Reverend smiles, saying: Should
it be the empress, shes right here. Once spoken, his beaming smile
directs towards me.
My heart clenches, but sees Zi Wu also look over desperately, his
expression filled with nervousness, he does not see me.
You can see her? You can see her? Zi Wu keeps on asking, Is she well?
Is she still waiting for me? Is sheis she.. Following on, he actually
grows so overwhelming anxious, that he does not even know what to say.
My eyes were overcome with absolute swelling pain, should I still be able
to cry, I would already be choking back my sobs.

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The old priest looks me over, saying: The empress has been swallowed in
severe attachment, thus become a ghost. Should she still not relieve her
soul and reincarnate, Im afraid she will be confined to the human realm
for eternity, reduced to an evil spirit.
Severe attachment?
Since when did I have a severe attachment? My eyes turn to see Zi Wu,
struck with the sudden realisation, so it is not that had no attachment, but
because being overly attached, I have actually let go of self-importance.
Attached to An Zi Wu, persistently awaiting him. Awaiting him through
the aging years, standing by him, watching over him.
Zi Wu upon hearing Reverend Tai Xus words, freezes, asking: How to
relieve?
With no attachment left, without relieving, can also reach reincarnation.
What attachment does Sang Ge have?
This, your majesty will have to ask yourself.
Zi Wu once again freezes, mouth softly whispering the two words severe
attachment, abruptly dumbfounded: Shes waiting for me, shes indeed
waiting for me. The exhilarated joy in his words difficult to conceal.
Reverent Tai Xu leaves with a smile.
That night, Zi Wus bedchambers has not one person guarding it, I stand
under the plum tree in the courtyard, silently gazing at the hazy moon
scene.
The breathing of the person inside the chamber grows a little heavier, I
turn my head back, and sees him quietly leaning by the window, those
features lit with a warm smile. Just like the very first encounter amongst
the misty rain in Jiangnan.
I a forsaken songstress, he a dandy marquis, beautiful like the dreamlike
first meeting.

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The plum blossoms behind in full bloom, the descending of petals like
pink snow paving the land.
Sang Ge. He says, Im home.
On the third month of Yong Ge tenth year, the emperor passes away.

END

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Mulberry Song

Translator Notes

Finally after a decade of waiting, a decade of longing, the two are finally
together.
I love how after all this time, there is nothing else to be said in that
precious moment other than that one phrase of Im home. For Zi Wu,
after all that worrying of whether she is still waiting for him, also those
questions of panic, and the explanations he wanted to ease her anger
with in chapter 3, he spent seven whole years trying to reach out to her
again, just to get another little look of her, and thanks to the reassurance
from the godly Reverend Tai Xus words, he comes to realise she is still
the Sang Ge who was always waiting for him, so all that was left for him
from that very point, was only to return to her side, to finally end her
waiting. As for Sang Ge, she has watched over him this entire time, and
has personally seen his devotion to her alone. No words are needed to tell
her how much she actually means to him, no words can exceed the
devotion he has displayed throughout his ten years of reign. And so, with
those very words coming from his lips, she really could not ask for
anything more. Because all along, this is all she wanted, to be able to wait
for him to return to her.
Actually, Zi Wus Im home sounds so much more softer and sweeter
in Chinese (w hu li le / ) the more accurate translations
would actually be Im back, but excuse me for changing it to a less
accurate translation, because I personally found it sounds a tad too
comical this way, all I could think of was The Terminator when I typed it
out at first talk about ruining the mood

So I took it upon myself to

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change it to Im home, hoping that it sounds sweeter in its own

rightonly by Sang Ges side is Zi Wu at home
either way, please understand this little alteration haha, but if anyone
has any ideas for a better way to put it, I will gladly accept your
suggestions ^_^
Also I just noticed that the author first introduces Zi Wus country
as Chng G / which means long song, but in chapters three and
four, the country or the reigning era seems to be called Yng G /
which meanseverlasting song. Yong Ge is definitely the more
meaningful name, not to mention the more auspicious name for a country
too, but both are named after Sang Ge anyways a homage that
represents Zi Wus everlasting love, longing and gratitude towards her,
such that would continue to be passed down through generations, even if
a day comes when Yong Ge perishes, this reigning era that had once
existed would still continue to go down in history, as will the story of the
empress whose noble death lead to the rise of this era, and the emperor
whose undying love for her lead to a lifetime of longing, a lifetime of
remarkable devotion, with not a single woman setting foot in his back
palace throughout his entire reignthis in itself is a godly feat considering
the hundreds of concubines that occupies the back palace back then, but
of course such devoted emperor only exists in fiction haha
Well~ its been one hell of a short rollercoaster ride, with endless
shedding of tears along the way, but Im very happy to have shared this
wonderful story with everyone and I do hope you all had a wonderful
time reading as I did with translating it ^_^
Next time, I promise I will pick up a more comedic story, and make up
for all the tears with plenty of laughs
Thanks for reading!