Plan A
Old Shadows of the Republic of China 16
White purple
The Second Concubine came from a theater troupe, and even after being a noble lady for so many years, she hasn’t forgotten her skills and often takes time to practice them.
Singing opera was considered a lowly job, and not many people respected them at that time.
The Second Concubine practiced secretly, not daring to let others see, especially that old rival First Wife. If she found out, she would undoubtedly mock her.
The Second Concubine truly loved singing opera, not because it could support her, nor because she was picked up by the theater troupe and forced into this life. When standing on the stage, with the erhu and gongs and drums playing, she felt her soul belonged there.
“Mother, you don’t need to do that; I’m here, and my shooting skills are exceptionally accurate.”
Su Xin shook the gun in her hand, not caring if the sudden action would scare her.
“How long until the person you invited arrives?”
Su Xin opened her mouth but couldn’t give an accurate number.
She knew Shen Xiangting would certainly come, but she was unsure of when she would arrive, only hoping it would be soon.
“How long can you hold out? Although Mother has stayed in this grand courtyard for decades, she’s not foolish. In her youth, she saw all kinds of people. Since those devils have come to our house and called all the women out, can they really have good intentions?”
The Second Concubine is most worried about her increasingly charming daughter. The Second Miss was married off not long ago, and now there’s only this daughter waiting in the boudoir at home.
If Su Xin were to appear in front of those devils, Second Concubine couldn’t bear the consequences.
“But… Mother, if it’s about delaying time, I can do it too.”
Su Xin is now much more agile than before, and if forced to act, she would be the safer option.
“What can you do? What do you know?”
Second Concubine thought it was a case of the few against the many, with so many people surrounding their home, holding so many guns. Even if her daughter’s shooting skills were accurate enough to kill the devil leader with one shot, those Japanese soldiers would mercilessly wash their home in blood, which, for Second Concubine, was too high a price.
Su Xin was speechless. She… she… she could fight.
“Listen to Mother. If that Japanese person likes to listen to opera, Mother will use this method to drag it out. If he doesn’t like it, then can you come in?”
Second Concubine touched Su Xin’s soft hair, smiling.
“No, you can’t bear to let me take the risk, so how could I possibly bear to let you take the risk?”
If by chance something happens, the first to die would definitely be Third Concubine.
“Don’t be afraid, anyway, I already don’t have long to live.”
Second Concubine patted Su Xin’s hand and rubbed her own temples.
“Mother, are you hiding something from us?”
“The doctor said, there’s something growing in my brain, and it’s incurable.”
She had a fall and invited a famous doctor from the medical clinic.
After the doctor prescribed her medicine, Second Concubine continued taking it as usual, but the next day, while she was sitting on a stool just fine, she suddenly blacked out and fainted. She woke up several hours later, always feeling headaches and nausea.
Second Concubine called that doctor again, asking him to check what was happening. After examining her, the doctor pressed on the back of her head and advised her to be open-minded.
A hard mass indicated that her life was nearing its end.
(If you're not reading on littlepandatranslations.com, it means this has been stolen)
Su Xin immediately realized what it was, probably a tumor.
If it were in the future, scientific research and technology would be enough to support brain surgery, and the chances of surviving a benign tumor would be very high, whereas for a malignant tumor, one would have to prepare for the end.
However, according to current medical technology, even foreign doctors don’t dare to perform such surgery casually, as there are no precise instruments and good environments. The brain is not like other parts of the body; one cannot be careless.
Moreover, according to people’s views now, brain surgery is such a terrifying thing, almost equivalent to death, isn’t it?
Su Xin suddenly stood up from the chair. Second Concubine loosened her hair and pulled Su Xin’s hand to touch that spot; indeed, there was a hard lump.
“Originally, Mother didn’t want to say anything. Just suddenly sleeping away one day isn’t a bad thing. Even if Mother tells you, your brother and father have no way to cure me, so why speak out and worry them?”
Second Concubine sighed.
“So let Mother do it. Anyway, Mother is soon to die; how could Mother bear to let you risk your life?”
Even if Su Xin has grown and become strong, in Second Concubine’s eyes, she is still a child.
Su Xin moved her lips and tightly hugged the woman in front of her.
“Mother.”
Su Xin’s nose tingled with emotion; this is a very great mother.
“Mother’s greatest regret in this lifetime is not seeing your brother start a family and establish his career, and not seeing you find your own good home.”
“Go.”
Second Concubine patted Su Xin’s back and closed the room door properly.
Her most beloved opera costume still lay pressed at the bottom of the box. When she had nothing to do, she would take it out to let it see the sun, letting her old friend see the daylight. The greasepaint was still there, and when she was alone, she would paint half of her face with makeup, then hurriedly wash it off.
When Su Xin walked into the living room, the Japanese people on the main seat stared straight, saying something gibberish to the translator beside them.
“The Taikun (supreme commander) said he very much appreciates your family’s daughter, praising her for her good looks.”
The translator said with a smile.
The Wei family members in the living room couldn’t bring themselves to be happy, all wearing stern faces, expressions indifferent.
“The Taikun wants you to come and sit by his side.”
The translator said to Su Xin.
“Does this bastard like listening to opera?”
Su Xin did not step forward, instead standing in place and looking at the translator.
“You can just speak Chinese; this bastard won’t understand anyway.”
The translator nodded seriously as he spoke.
He was forced to be brought over as labor, and actually, this kind of face-to-face insult was quite satisfying since the others couldn’t understand anyway.
“What is she saying?”
The Japanese person pointed at Su Xin.
The translator communicated in Japanese with that person, and suddenly the Japanese person clapped his hands, smiling and nodding.
(If you're not reading on littlepandatranslations.com, it means this has been stolen)
“Zhizhi?”
Sitting to the side, Master Wei had a bad premonition, and when he saw that Second Concubine had not come along with Su Xin, that premonition grew even stronger.
“Father, this is Mother’s choice.”
“Nonsense!”
Master Wei gripped the chair, the veins on his hand bulging, hating his own uselessness. At this point, he still needed his wife to stand out.
“Mother has her own reasons; her body can no longer allow her to accompany you for long.”
Very tragic, and also very helpless.
If this ending is destined to be a tragedy, then for Second Concubine, such a death would be more meaningful.
The Japanese person seemed to have quite a bit of patience, his eyes constantly fixed on Su Xin, revealing an intention that anyone could perceive.
Wei Ting frowned, feeling restless.
The First Wife sat there, unmoving like the wind, with Wei Xuan sitting beside her, maintaining silence.
The First Wife always behaved very calmly, even when others pointed guns at her, she did not show much fear. Only just now did her expression change slightly, because she heard news about Second Concubine.
When Second Concubine stepped in, the living room was completely silent. Even Wei Ting had never seen his mother in this manner.
“Ah Zi…”
Second Concubine’s full name was Bai Zi, simple and clean.
Master Wei murmured to himself, staring at Second Concubine in a daze.
It was as if he suddenly returned to several decades ago when he still had the appearance of a wealthy young man, sitting with crossed legs, listening to the new theater troupe perform. The main performer came on stage, singing “Farewell My Concubine.” That Yu Ji’s eyes were expressive, and her singing was sorrowful, capturing his heart and soul instantly. He married this woman without hesitation.
Several decades later, the scene before him suddenly froze like a painting, tinged with yellow.
The thick greasepaint masked Second Concubine’s original appearance, her back straight, full of dignity.
“One person shouldn’t sing this opera alone, but this might be my last performance. Master, when we first met, I sang ‘Farewell My Concubine,’ and now, as we are about to be separated by life and death, I will sing this piece again.”
Second Concubine gracefully bowed to Master Wei, her water sleeves flowing in the air.
“Ah Zi… don’t do anything foolish!”
Master Wei was anxious, even somewhat pleading as he looked at the woman who had accompanied him for several decades and bore him a pair of children.
Second Concubine did not respond, clearing her throat and preparing her posture.
There was no erhu, nor gongs and drums.
Second Concubine’s skills were excellent, playing two roles herself. Although her portrayal of the Overlord was not perfect, when she sang Yu Ji, whether in recitative or song, it was deeply emotional.
“Oh, Great King! How could I bear to implicate you, Great King? If this dispatch of troops encounters disadvantage, retreat to Jiangdong and plan again later. I am willing to use the treasured sword at your waist to end my life before you, to spare you concern!”
Second Concubine performed her movements, each step filled with frowns and worries, her eyes never leaving the direction of Master Wei.
Su Xin thought, this woman truly loved this man very deeply.
“Han soldiers have already invaded, Chu songs surround us on all sides, the King’s spirit is exhausted, how can this humble concubine continue to live!”
The King’s spirit is exhausted, how can this humble concubine continue to live!
Second Concubine is gambling; she doesn’t know if her next actions can save her beloved husband and the children she holds dear, but if she does nothing, there might be no hope at all.
(If you're not reading on littlepandatranslations.com, it means this has been stolen)
Second Concubine knows that Master Wei is a proud man who detests being forced to bow to anyone, especially such vicious foreigners.
She cannot bear to see her husband in a humiliating situation, nor can she bear her daughter being defiled.
“Ah Zi…”
Master Wei’s voice was very low, almost stuck in his throat.
Second Concubine stepped forward with a gentle smile.
She poured a cup of tea for the Japanese man, bringing it to his lips. The Japanese man drank happily, placing one hand on Second Concubine’s waist.
The enemy couldn’t see Second Concubine’s face and naturally didn’t know her age. Without looking at her face, her figure was still like that of a sixteen-year-old girl, and the enemy gleefully accepted this beauty throwing herself into his arms.
Master Wei clenched his fist, about to stand up and fight the Japanese man desperately, but Su Xin held him down.
They could not act impulsively; once they did, everything would be ruined.
A soft, boneless hand slid over the shoulder, and in the next moment, the Japanese man’s expression turned stiff.
A bright knife was against his neck, emanating the light of death.