Little Cooking Saint – 0295 – Untitled

Chapter 295 – Untitled

Translated by Gumihou

Edited by Gumihou

More action and emotional scenes, so… erm…

“Soul Drawing Flag?” Shiyu had not paid much attention to that item. “It should still be in the cave.”

Suo Lan’s expression changed, “Let’s find it quickly!”

Seeing the urgency on Suo Lan’s face, Shiyu hurried back to the cave where they had left everyone. They rushed inside and… found that the atmosphere within was a little wrong.

Within the cave, corpses were lying haphazardly all over the place. In the middle of this disastrous scene, Dong-Fang Zhen was kneeling and clutching someone close to him. To the side, the empress was lying on the ground, her breathing very faint.

Shiyu was about to ask what was wrong when she noticed that the person in Dong-Fang Zhen’s arms was Imperial Concubine Feng.

There was a dagger stuck to her chest, her face was blue and the blood leaking out of the corners of her mouth was black.

“This is… what happened?”

When Dong-Fang Zhen heard Shiyu’s voice, a light flashed in his eyes and he pulled her closer. “Xiao Shi! See if you can save my Concubine Mother? Quick!”

To Dong-Fang Zhen, [1] Shiyu was a miracle worker. Someone who could make the impossible happen and has access to all kinds of miracle medicine. Surely she must be able to do something?!

Shiyu had no medical knowledge, however, she knew she had to try and save the person before her. [2a] She hurriedly took out Spring of Life water and some random rare medicines. She also called out Fat Cat.

The semi-transparent cat studied the Imperial Concubine seriously, its heavy tail swishing side to side, “It’s poison. I have some medical skills but this poison is unknown to me. Also, Imperial Concubine Feng is not a Cultivator. If she is not being supported by the child’s Spiritual energy, she would have succumbed to the poison by now.”

At this, Shiyu paused.

Poison…

Moreover, it was an unknown type…

She quickly hurried over and [3] pour Spring of Life water into Imperial Concubine’s mouth. “Try this first.”

[3] If the water doesn’t work she could only try the rare medicines.

An entire jade bottle of Spring of Life water was fed to Imperial Concubine Feng but her complexion did not improve. Shiyu took out her oldest and [3] most precious medicines and tried them on the woman but it was still useless.

“It’s useless, she can’t go on,” said Fat Cat.

“But, back then… Grandpa…”

“He suffered from a lack of vitality. This is poison. It’s not the same. The Spring of Life water is not a panacea,” although the Spring of Life water could increase vitality. [3] For it to work on Imperial Concubine Feng, the poison had to be detoxified from her body first before using the water.”

[3] Fat Cat’s words were like a death knell. Dong-Fang Zhen [2c] held his mother’s body with trembling hands.

“Don’t cry,” Imperial Concubine Feng grasped his hand, her eyes fierce as she stared at him. Her eyes moved over his face as though she trying to imprint his image in her mind. “I just… can’t be at ease… you… promise me one thing… alright?”

Dong-Fang Zhen nodded with a sob, “Anything, I promise…”

Relief flowed over Concubine Feng’s face, “I’ve… made arrangements… a good marriage… the New Song Princess… yes?”

At Imperial Concubine Feng’s words, everyone was shaken. Their eyes flashed between Dong-Fang Zhen and Xuan Yin.

Xuan Yin, who had been kneeling silently beside Dong-Fang Zhen, suddenly went rigid

“Concubine Mother, I…” Dong-Fang Zhen’s heart clenched. His expression pained. “You know I have someone…”

Imperial Concubine Feng shook her head weakly and tightened her hold on his hand, “P-promise me…” black blood splattered from her lips as she tried to speak.

Dong-Fang Zhen finally nodded, “Alright… yes… I promise…”

“Good, very good…”

These were Imperial Concubine Feng’s last words. After getting Dong-Fang Zhen’s promise, she closed her eyes and with a relieved smile, her hand slowly slipped off Dong-Fang Zhen’s…

For a long moment, nobody spoke.

Finally, Suo Lan said to Shiyu, “The Soul Drawing Flag is gone. I will send someone out to track it down. You stay here for now.”

This incident had nothing to do with him, which was why he was not as affected by the tragic scene. As for the others, in addition to a great sense of sadness, there was a greater sense of absurdity.

Just why was Imperial Concubine Feng so insistent on arranging a marriage for Dong-Fang Zhen when she knew that Xuan Yin is his sweetheart?

Shiyu’s main concern was… what would happen to Xuan Yin’s future trajectory once she breaks up with Dong-Fang Zhen? Would she revert back to the reverse harem route?

When Suo Lan left, Dong-Fang Zhen was still grieving while holding on to Imperial Concubine Feng. Shiyu’s eyes moved over the emperor and empress pair who were still dressed in their finery and finally found out what exactly happened from her friends.

After she left the group to pursue the escapee, the empress took the opportunity to assassinate Dong-Fang Zhen under the chaos. Imperial Concubine Feng saw the empress’s movements and blocked the dagger with her body. 

The dagger had been soaked with poison, and being an ordinary person, Imperial Concubine Feng was unable to resist it.

As for the empress’ motive for killing Dong-Fang Zhen, it remained a royal family secret. For now, Shiyu’s attention was on Xuan Yin.

“Xuan Yin…” Shiyu murmured.

“It’s fine,” Xuan Yin shook her head. “There’s no need to say anything. I understand.” She took in a deep breath and said, “These people have died and Tan-Tai Chu left the Ninth Realm. The matter should be over, right?”

“You…”

Xuan Yin just shook her head again. “I will stay and pay my last respects. After that, I shall see what he does. I am no longer a child. I won’t do something impulsive that I will regret for the rest of my life. If he wishes to marry someone else, I will not stop him.”

Shiyu said nothing. She held Xuan Yin’s hand, hoping to comfort her a little.

For the next few days, Dong-Fang Zhen did not leave the palace.

Imperial Concubine Feng was given a grand funeral. Shiyu and her friends went to pay their last respects and that was then they finally found out the reason behind the empress’ actions.

“As you know, Imperial Father only has me left. The empress had one son and one daughter but both died young. Because of this, the empress hated the emperor and was the one behind the assassination of the rest of my brothers and sisters until, in the end, I was the only one left.

Imperial Father knew the empress’ secret schemes but never revealed her, only did his best to protect my life. However, once the empress knew I had broken through to Divine Transformation realm she knew that her chances to kill me had dwindled. Which was why she chose that day to…”

In short, the younger generation suffered the consequences of the grievances and hatred of the previous generation.

“What do you intend to do now?”

The smile on Dong-Fang Zhen’s face became a sneer, “Since Imperial Father did not wish to deal with her, she had been locked away. It’s ironic. [1] If he loves her so much, to the point of turning a blind eye to her murderous schemes, why did he take so many women into the palace I wonder.”

Shiyu and the rest remained silent. This was not something they could comment on.

However…

“What about yourself? And… Xuan Yin?”

At the mention of Xuan Yin, Dong-Fang Zhen’s expression grew bitter. “In three days the New Song Princess will arrive at the Imperial Capital. We shall fix a date for marriage after that.”

At this, Shiyu had nothing to say.

What could she say?

It was a political marriage of great importance, feelings have no room for consideration.

While Dong-Fang Zhen prepared to meet his future bride and arrange his marriage, Suo Lan came looking for Shiyu.

“We have lost track of the Soul Drawing Flag.”

“Is the Flag that important?”

“Of course, it could contain a trace of Li Tian’s spirit…”

[Gumihou: …what a lovely mom, controlling from the grave. Bravo. Mom of the Year.]

We now have Glossaries for Character, Cultivation Terms, Clan Names, Restaurants & Places

[1] Added Details for Dramatic Purpose: Because sometimes, you need more details.

[2] Deleted Stuff:

[2a] she could only ask what happened to the people around her…

This line has to be expanded or deleted for better dramatic effect. Choose delete since it doesn’t contribute much and Gumi has too little information to expand it.

[2b] Dong-Fang Zhen

If Fat Cat is the one speaking, it’s weirder to have him speak the prince’s name out loud. If it’s one of the others it’s better but we have no idea who’s speaking. Throw everything to Fat Cat now.

[2c] …knelt on the floor

Logistics issue, were you standing just now? Again, an issue of either to expand or delete, Gumi choose to delete.

[3] Adjusted Details for Dramatic Purpose: Imperial Concubine’s death scene. Also, Shiyu’s incompetence, because… what kind of rare herb are you using?

 

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