Return of the Swallow c1-644 Read online

  Chapter 398: Explanation

  Chapter 399: Coming-of-Age

  Chapter 400: A Decision

  Chapter 401: Treasure (I)

  Chapter 401.2: Treasure (I)

  Chapter 402: Treasure (II)

  Chapter 403: Counterattack (I)

  Chapter 404: Counterattack (II)

  Chapter 405: Thumping One’s Chest and Stamping Feet in Sorrow

  Chapter 406: Secretariat Lu

  Chapter 406.2: Secretariat Lu

  Chapter 407: In Full Combat Readiness

  Chapter 407.2: In Full Combat Readiness

  Chapter 408: Meticulous Preparations

  Chapter 409: Brother

  Chapter 410: A Question

  Chapter 411: To Resolve

  Chapter 412: Sparkling

  Chapter 413: Grand Wedding (1)

  Chapter 414: Grand Wedding (II)

  Chapter 415: Grand Wedding (III)

  Chapter 416: Ten Miles of Beauty

  Chapter 417: Wedding Night (I)

  Chapter 418: Wedding Night (2)

  Chapter 419: Daughter-in-Law Tea Ceremony

  Chapter 420.1: Mother and Daughter-in-Law

  Chapter 420.2: Mother and Daughter-in-Law

  Chapter 421.1: Thanking Imperial Favor

  Chapter 421.2: Thanking Imperial Favor

  Chapter 422.1: Severe Punishment

  Chapter 422.2: Severe Punishment

  Chapter 423.1: Cause and Effect

  Chapter 423.2: Cause and Effect

  Chapter 424.1: The Earth Dragon Turns Over

  Chapter 424.2: The Earth Dragon Turns Over

  Chapter 425: Protecting the Wife

  Chapter 425.2: Protecting the Wife

  Chapter 426.1: Bias

  Chapter 426.2: Bias

  Chapter 427.1: Three Days After the Wedding

  Chapter 427.2: Three Days After the Wedding

  Chapter 428.1: Father and Son-In-Law

  Chapter 428.2: Father and Son-In-Law

  Chapter 429.1: Disaster Relief

  Chapter 429.2: Disaster Relief

  Chapter 430.1: Togetherness

  Chapter 430.2: Togetherness

  Chapter 431.1: Flirtations and Taking Advantage

  Chapter 431.2: Flirtations and Taking Advantage

  Chapter 432.1: Arrangements

  Chapter 432.2: Arrangements

  Chapter 433.1: To Lose

  Chapter 433.2: To Lose

  Chapter 434: Direction

  Chapter 435: Treasure

  Chapter 436: Imperial Wishes

  Chapter 437: A Furious Slap

  Chapter 438: Transportation

  Chapter 439.1: Dead Men Tell No Tales

  Chapter 439.2: Dead Men Tell No Tales

  Chapter 440: Whisper

  Chapter 441: To Detain

  Chapter 442: Digging One’s Own Grave

  Chapter 443: Arrival

  Chapter 444: Scenes of Devastation and Despair

  Chapter 445: For the People

  Chapter 446: Drawing Close

  Chapter 447: Secret Decree

  Chapter 448: Donation

  Chapter 449: Yang County

  Chapter 450: In the Shadows

  Chapter 451: Raising Prices

  Chapter 452: The Issue of Provisions

  Chapter 453.1: Riots

  Chapter 453.2: Riots

  Chapter 454.1: Spies

  Chapter 454.2: Spies

  Chapter 455.1: Raid

  Chapter 455.2: Raid

  Chapter 456: Contact

  Chapter 456.2: Contact

  Chapter 457.1: Betrayal

  Chapter 457.2: Betrayal

  Chapter 458.1: Spy

  Chapter 458.2: Spy

  Chapter 459.1: Fissure (I)

  Chapter 459.2: Fissure (1)

  Chapter 460: Fissure (II)

  Chapter 461: Traitor (I)

  Chapter 462: Traitor (II)

  Chapter 463: Life or Death (I)

  Chapter 464: Life or Death (II)

  Chapter 465: Interrogation

  Chapter 466: Excavation

  Chapter 467: Clues

  Chapter 468: Defying Orders

  Chapter 469: Desert

  Chapter 470: The Khan

  Chapter 471: Intentions

  Chapter 472: A Complete Act

  Chapter 473: Something Afoot

  Chapter 474: Two-faced

  Chapter 475: Provocation

  Chapter 476: Declaration of War

  Chapter 477: Conquer

  Chapter 478: Unreconciled

  Chapter 479: Khanbaliq

  Chapter 480: Reminder

  Chapter 481: Going Down

  Chapter 482.1: The Hunt (I)

  Chapter 482.2: The Hunt (I)

  Chapter 483.1: The Hunt (II)

  Chapter 483.2: The Hunt (II)

  Chapter 484: Tyranny

  Chapter 485: Demanding Their People

  Chapter 486: Old Friends

  Chapter 487: Slander

  Chapter 488: Destiny Realized

  Chapter 489: Out for Blood (I)

  Chapter 490: Out for Blood (II)

  Chapter 491: Out For Blood (III)

  Chapter 492: Out for Blood (IV)

  Chapter 493: Fresh Blood

  Chapter 494: From Spark to Flame (I)

  Chapter 495: From Spark to Flame (II)

  Chapter 496: Turnabout

  Chapter 497: Turnabout (II)

  Chapter 498: Squabble (I)

  Chapter 499.1: Squabble (II)

  Chapter 499.2: Squabble (II)

  Chapter 500.1: Treacherous Heart

  Chapter 500.2: Treacherous Heart

  Chapter 501: The Search

  Chapter 502: The Devout

  Chapter 503: Fleeing

  Chapter 504.1: Faith

  Chapter 504.2: Faith

  Chapter 505.1: Denouncement

  Chapter 505.2: Denouncement

  Chapter 506.1: Chiming in One After Another

  Chapter 506.2: Chiming in One After Another

  Chapter 507.1: Support

  Chapter 507.2: Support

  Chapter 508.1: The Desert

  Chapter 508.2: The Desert

  Chapter 509.1: Deeply in Love

  Chapter 509.2: Deeply in Love

  Chapter 510.1: Hope

  Chapter 510.2: Hope

  Chapter 511.1: Negotiations

  Chapter 511.2: Negotiations

  Chapter 512.1: Official Denunciation

  Chapter 512.2: Official Denunciation

  Chapter 513: Rations

  Chapter 514.1: Support

  Chapter 514.2: Support

  Chapter 515.1: The Situation at Hand

  Chapter 515.2: The Situation at Hand

  Chapter 516: The Plan

  Chapter 517: Guest

  Chapter 518.1: Pursuing

  Chapter 518.2: Pursuing

  Chapter 519.1: Fleeing?

  Chapter 519.2: Fleeing?

  Chapter 520: Catching Up

  Chapter 521.1: Silencing

  Chapter 521.2: Silencing

  Chapter 522.1: Blockade

  Chapter 522.2: Blockade

  Chapter 523: Staying or Going

  Chapter 524.1: Token

  Chapter 524.2: Token

  Chapter 525: Settled Scores

  Chapter 526.1: Battle Tactics

  Chapter 526.2: Battle Tactics

  Chapter 527.1: Chastisement

  Chapter 527.2: Chastisement

  Chapter 528.1: Falling Ill

  Chapter 528.2: Falling Ill

  Chapter 529.1: Caretaking

  Chapter 529.2: Caretaking

  Chapter 530.1: Awake

  Chapter 530.2: Awake

  Chapter 531.1: Xiyue

  Chapter 531.2: Xiyue

  Chapter 532: Refugees (I)

  Chapter 533.1: Refugees (II)

  Chapter 533.2: Refugees (II)

  Chapter 534.1: Currying Favor

  Chapter 534.2: Curr
ying Favor

  Chapter 535: The Princess Consorts

  Chapter 536.1: Picked On

  Chapter 536.2: Picked On

  Chapter 537.1: Success

  Chapter 537.2: Success

  Chapter 538: Asking For Her Hand (I)

  Chapter 539.1: Asking For Her Hand (II)

  Chapter 539.2: Asking For Her Hand (II)

  Chapter 540.1: Asking For Her Hand (III)

  Chapter 540.2: Asking For Her Hand (III)

  Chapter 541: Asking For Her Hand (IV)

  Chapter 542: Dashing Grace

  Chapter 543.1: Dashing Grace (II)

  Chapter 543.2: Dashing Grace (II)

  Chapter 544.1: Dashing Grace (III)

  Chapter 544.2: Dashing Grace (III)

  Chapter 545.1: A Good Beating

  Chapter 545.2: A Good Beating

  Chapter 546.1: To Speak Softly of Love

  Chapter 546.2: To Speak Softly of Love

  Chapter 547.1: Strategy

  Chapter 547.2: Strategy

  Chapter 548.1: Harvest

  Chapter 548.2: Harvest

  Chapter 549.1: Fury of the Gods

  Chapter 549.2: Fury of the Gods

  Chapter 550.1: Treason

  Chapter 550.2: Treason

  Chapter 551: A Way Out

  Chapter 552.1: Parting Ways

  Chapter 552.2: Parting Ways

  Chapter 553.1: The Way Home

  Chapter 553.2: The Way Home

  Chapter 554.1: Entourage

  Chapter 554.2: Entourage

  Chapter 555.1: Bastard

  Chapter 555.2: Bastard

  Chapter 1: Return to the Manor

  Chapter 1: Return to the Manor

  The tenth month of the year had just begun. It wasn’t yet the eighth day, which heralded the coming of winter, but the days were already turning cold. Even the few pots of chrysanthemums, placed along the hallways of the upper house in the prime minister’s manor, had begun to wilt.

  A great matter had occurred in the estate; the servants had no mind to spare for the flowers. The chrysanthemums were left to weather the wind and frost as they would.

  Qin-mama rubbed her hands together and huffed into them as she walked swiftly into the Garden of Loving Piety, passed through a connecting corridor, and set foot into a passageway paved with square limestones. She hurried all the way to the main house, her inky-green cape, woven of fine cotton fibers, fanning out behind in her haste.

  When she reached the corridor of the main house, a young maid, yet to grow out her hair, eagerly offered forth a brass cauldron hand-warmer. “You’re back, Qin-mama.”

  “Mm.” Qin-mama raised an eyebrow and the latter immediately made herself scarce without further ado.

  The heavy, padded curtains in front of the doors to the main house were embroidered with inky-green characters for fortune and longevity. They lifted as head maid Jixiang ducked outside after hearing the disturbance.

  When she saw Qin-mama, Jixiang quickly pulled her aside and spoke lowly, “Old Dowager is feeling a bit better now. The girls are keeping her company.”

  Qin-mama rubbed her chilled hand against the hand-warmer, responding in a similar hushed voice, “Is Senior Madame in?”

  Jixiang shook her head and pointed in the direction of the Garden of Tranquility, pulling an expression of mock crying. “Second Madame and Third Madame are trying to talk some sense into her.” Her expression snapped back to seriousness. “Has the lord brought that person back yet?”

  Qin-mama nodded gravely as Jixiang’s face flashed through a series of minute changes. The two turned, lifted the curtains and went inside, placing the hand-warmer on a sandalwood accent table with bowed legs that was sitting in the corner where two outer walls met.

  Qin-mama patted her cheeks, still slightly stiff from the cold, and squeezed out a small smile appropriate for the occasion. Only then did she swiftly trot around a black-lacquered panel, carved with magpies alighting on plum blossoms, making her way into the side hall.

  Compared to the outer room, the old dowager’s quarters were as warm as spring.

  Sunlight streamed in through windows gridded with Goryeo paper, gracing the exquisite, carved sandalwood decorations inside with a soft layer of light. Pale-green brocade cushions scattered with flowers sat on chairs, and more flowers blossomed on soft, brocade carpets from Persia. Fine, glittering charcoal glowed in a brazier in the middle of the room.

  Two young married ladies attired in fine jewels were in the middle of shifting stools over to the brazier for warmth, and five other charming young girls were either standing or sitting next to the luohan bed that was placed by the window. The bed, made from fine grain sandalwood, was adorned with carvings of well wishes and good luck.

  Sitting cross-legged on the luohan bed, the old dowager was wearing a dark gold jacket with a row of buttons down the front, topped with a high, round collar. A brocade headband of the same color, embedded with jade, wrapped itself around her head. A golden hairpin tipped with a jade flower had also been slid in diagonally into her hair. A pale-green cylindrical seat cushion adorned with inky-green flowers supported her back.

  As Qin-mama walked in, she was tugging on a young, delicate girl next to her who was wearing a light blue beizi [1]. The old dowager’s expression was quite benevolent and loving, no different from what it was normally.

  Nevertheless, Qin-mama was inwardly at solemn attention. The fourth miss was the most favored one alright! Her status in the old dowager’s heart still hadn’t decreased in the slightest even after such an event!

  “Old Dowager.” Qin-mama made her greetings. Everyone in the room quieted in bizarre accord as they all looked at her with strange expressions.

  The old dowager’s face darkened. She spoke lowly, “Has she been brought back yet?”

  Qin-mama carefully bent at the waist, her head lowered. “Yes. This servant received a message from those in the second residence. They say that the senior master, second elder master, master, and second master brought the girl through the Door of Ceremony. This servant has hastened to bring you this message.”

  The old dowager’s frown deepened. “But did you see what kind of girl she is?” Without waiting for Qin-mama to respond, she spoke again, her voice cold. “No matter what, she’s a girl from our household! Our darling Huining has been with us for fourteen years! I’ve held her in the palm of my hand and loved her as my precious jewel. How did she turn from my dear granddaughter into a fake?!”

  The girl clad in blue sitting closely to the old dowager started sniffling and crying again when she heard this.

  The old dowager sighed and tugged on the blue-clad girl’s hands, soothing her, “Don’t cry, my darling. My heart breaks so when you cry.”

  Qin Huining hiccuped as she snuggled closer to the old dowager, tears streaking her cheeks. Her bright, almond-shaped eyes were almost as puffy as walnuts after all the crying she’d done.

  “Grandmother, your granddaughter has freely enjoyed all these years of your love. To you, and the Qin family… how can your granddaughter be fake? How can I be fake?”

  The rest of the room was dead quiet as the blue-clad girl sobbed out her grievances. All the girls in the room looked at the old dowager as one.

  The old dowager couldn’t bear to see the only granddaughter from her eldest son cry. She gathered the girl in her arms and wept with her. “Don’t you worry! No one will dare tell you to leave! I watched you grow up, how are you not your parents’ daughter? This matter isn’t settled yet! Who knows, they might have brought back some savage runt who only wants power and wealth! Grandmother wants you no matter what. Grandmother loves you no matter what!”

  “Grandmother!” Qin Huining knelt in front of the old dowager, visibly moved. She hugged her grandmother’s legs, resting her tear-stained face on the old dowager’s knees. No matter what happened, she would still be the eldest Qin daughter of the official wife, as long as the old dowager loved her!

  The
old dowager patted Qin Huining’s head with a wrinkled hand that bore a jade ring. How would anyone not understand this heartwarming scene by this point? The young girls of the second and third branches of the family [2] were all moved as a few tears were shed.

  “Old Dowager, the senior master, second elder master, master, and second master have returned.” The young maid’s voice traveled in crisply from outside the door as a gust of cold air barreled inside with the lifting of the curtains.

  Everyone craned their necks for a look as the men circled around the panel. Next, a tall, limber young girl with delicately arched eyebrows and eyes came into view. She was bashfully beautiful.

  The eyes of those assembled lit up when they saw her walk into the room. She was thirteen or fourteen years old, wearing new clothes of plain downy yellow and a cloak embroidered with flowers. She walked with a light step, and although she was skinny, there was a certain bearing to her frame. Her jet-black hair was first coiled into two small buns that then trailed down past her shoulders, held into place by only two downy yellow ribbons.

  She wore no powder on her cheeks and her plump lips appeared a bit pale. Her eyebrows extended gracefully to frame two almond-shaped eyes that glittered with light, presenting quite a beautiful sight. Her features bore a remarkable likeness to the senior master Qin Huaiyuan in his youth!

  It was apparent that the girl had never seen such a large occasion that was currently on display in front of her in the Qin home. She was standing with her head slightly lowered, a bit of apprehensive shyness and slight panic intermixed with her quiet demureness. It was enough to evoke pity from those who saw her.

  The Qin family was known for beautiful children, and Qin Huaiyuan had excelled among his peers in that. He’d been hailed as the head of the “four gentlemen of the capital” in his youth, and all the young ladies had flocked after him. His carriage was always filled with flowers and fruit whenever he took a spin around the city.

  He was well read and highly intelligent, his plots without parallel. He’d used a scheme to drive a wedge between the then ruler of Northern Ji and General Pang Zhongzheng, the Protector of the Nation, at the age of twenty three, successfully getting rid of the latter. That had caused Northern Ji to slowly self destruct in a wave of chaos. Qin Huaiyuan’s rise had been meteoric since then and he was now prime minister of Great Yan.

  Although Northern Ji had now changed its name to become Great Zhou, and General Pang Zhongzheng’s remaining child was currently carving his way into Great Yan and was almost at the doorstep of the capital with an army in tow, Qin Huaiyuan still retained his looks and talents. Taverns even told tales of the “Wise Pan An’s Marvelous Plan” [3] in getting rid of a wily enemy.