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Political Marriage Resolution (2)
T/N: Translated by Jen on Broken Jinsei! Please do not repost my translations! All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
On the day before the Banjaro delegation will leave the capital, his Majesty arranged a banquet in the imperial garden to entertain the envoys. Because there was the lesson from before, he didn’t dare to invite too many people to this banquet, also not having song and dance, just inviting a few important ministers, influential nobles, and descendants of the imperial clan.
Shen Xin Gu was a powerful official of the court, so he naturally needed to enter the palace. Just, the banquet this time was somewhat special. His Majesty specially ordered him to have his daughter Shen Lan Chi brought along into the palace too. As such, he let the servants carefully dress up Shen Lan Chi, doing their best to pick modest clothes, so as to avoid her losing face in front of the noble foreign guests.
Shen Lan Chi although already made up her mind to avoid her empress paternal aunt in the future, but his Majesty’s summoning, she had no choice but to obey. As such, she had to nicely dress up and head for the palace together with her father.
When the An Duke Manor’s horse carriage passed by the bustling Vermillion Bird gate, Shen Lan Chi suddenly felt that something was off.
A farewell banquet for the envoys, why should she, a mere daughter of an official, attend?
As her mind spun, she immediately recalled the things Prince Ajindo did after coming to Chu in the past life——-Not only did he settle on a trade agreement with Chu, he also married a noble young lady as his wife. That noble young lady also only learned of this matter at the farewell banquet, so naturally unwilling inside. But, unfortunately, the timber has already turned into a boat, unable to be reversed. She got conferred into a princess and politically married off to another country, no longer hearing from her for the rest of her life.
In the past life, Shen Lan Chi at this time was already engaged and about to marry Lu Zhao Ye, so this ‘political marriage’ absolutely won’t fall on her head. But, the current her was different——–She was beautiful and young, possessing a high noble status, yet still not engaged, precisely the perfect candidate for a political marriage.
“Father!” Once she thought things through, Shen Lan Chi immediately said to her father, “Can we stop the carriage at the street market in front? Lan’er wants to purchase something. It’ll be a bit too later after coming out from the palace, Lan’er is scared that one won’t make it in time.”
His Majesty’s mouth was tight, the matter of the political marriage not leaking out in the slightest. If at this time, she were to tell her father about the so called ‘political marriage’ out of nowhere, her father certainly won’t believe her, so it was better for her to think of a way herself.
When Shen Xin Gu heard, although puzzled, but seeing that the time was still early, he still agreed and instructed the coachman to stop the carriage ahead on Chang’an street.
Shen Lan Chi thought about the strange stories of the Banjaro Kingdom that she’d learned about in her past life as she descended the carriage and led along her two servant girls into the shop by the street.
An incense stick later, Shen Lan Chi finally came out from that shop and got back on the carriage.
“What did you buy?” Shen Xin Gu asked.
“Lone-copy book collection.” Shen Lan Chi said with a smile, “Last time, didn’t bring enough money, so didn’t get to buy it.”
Shen Xin Gu nodded and didn’t say more.
The horse carriage slowly entered the palace city. The Shen family father and daughter pair descended the carriage.
There was already a palace servant waiting there, coming to lead the two of them to the imperial garden.
As the sky gradually darkened, the dim yellow lanterns lit up along the blue cobblestone path. Under the eaves of the wide open octagonal pavilion, crimson brocade curtains were put up to block the wind and keep out the cold air. The warm charcoal furnace inlaid with gold made the surrounding become as warm as spring, unable to sense the coldness of winter in the slightest, fully displaying the imperial family’s extravagance.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Shen Lan Chi sat down with her father. Looking around, she saw that there was less than ten people at the banquet tables. Aside from the prince, the envoy, his Majesty, Empress Shen, and Noble Consort Liu, there was just a few of his Majesty’s favorite officials and powerful nobles of the Chu capital.
Shen Lan Chi was the only young girl at the banquet, so naturally very conspicuous. The officials repeatedly sized her up. Even Noble Consort Liu was glancing at her from time to time.
Unknown as to why, Noble Consort Liu’s gaze kept containing a trace of pleasure at another’s misfortune, making one uncomfortable. Getting stared at by Noble Consort Liu like this, Shen Lan Chi began to regret not kicking Lu Zi Xiang in the face hard enough back then.
After the subjects bowed and exchanged their greetings, the banquet began. Prince Ajindo was full of expectation, not touching the dishes, nor drinking the fine wine, just vigorously staring at the Chu Emperor’s face, unknown as to what he was waiting for.
Finally, the Chu Emperor opened his mouth.
“A few days ago, the prince said that he wanted to marry a daughter of our Great Chu as his consort. This emperor figured, such a political union is a good matter that will bring good fortune to Chu, leaving a mark behind in the history books. Moreover, the prince is kindhearted and handsome, like a jade tree in the wind, while also admiring the talent and beauty of our Great Chu’s daughters, thus specially came to seek a marriage, so this emperor really shouldn’t turn down.”
Hearing the Chu Emperor say this, Shen Lan Chi’s brows furrowed, thinking to herself: ‘Sure enough.’
Shen Xin Gu suddenly lifted his head, also revealing an astonished look.
He fell silent for a while, then quietly touched the back of his daughter’s hand, comforting in a low voice, “Don’t worry.”
“…….Surveying across the capital, very few can match the prince in talent and appearance. After thinking back and forth, this emperor feels that the An Duke Manor’s Shen Lan Chi is a pretty good candidate.” The Chu Emperor placed down the wine cup in his hand, leisurely asking, “Beloved Minister Shen, what do you think?”
Prince Ajindo wasn’t proficient in the han language[1]. Listening halfway, he just got jumbled up by the Chu Emperor’s fancy phrasing. Currently, he was muttering with his attendant, seemingly discussing exactly what the Chu Emperor was saying.
Without waiting for Shen Xin Gu to open his mouth, Noble Consort Liu just sweetly smiled and said, “To be able to share the burdens for his Majesty, it’s naturally Miss Shen’s honor. Presumably, Miss Lan Chi has always been a sensible person, so naturally won’t ignore the interests of her home country and won’t have no regard for his Majesty, right?”
Seemingly a joking tone, yet she easily had Shen Lan Chi pushed into a dangerous position, as if she’ll be disloyal to the ruler and disloyal to the country if she doesn’t agree to the political marriage.
When Shen Xin Gu heard, he was a bit angered inside, immediately wanting to get up to retort.
He was a favored minister before his Majesty, so he has always been direct and bold with his words. A mere woman of the imperial harem, he didn’t even take that seriously.
Just as Shen Xin Gu was about to get up, Shen Lan Chi pressed him down and said, “Father, I’ll handle it.”
After saying this, Shen Lan Chi got up and brightly smiled, saying to the crowd, “Your Highness is right, to be able to share the burdens for his Majesty, it’s naturally Lan Chi’s honor. If by marrying to the faraway Banjaro Kingdom, Lan Chi can bring peace and prosperity to our Great Chu, then Lan Chi is naturally willing.”
After saying this, she slightly bowed.
Between the lines, it was clearly filled with ‘willingness’.
Hearing these words, Shen Xin Gu was very surprised, suddenly standing up, seemingly wanting to say something. Even Empress Shen uttered a sound in shock, asking in confusion, “Lan Chi, how come you’re…….”
Noble Consort Liu revealed a surprised look, then proudly smiled, saying, “Since you’re this sensible, it’s naturally great.”
Shen Lan Chi however didn’t speak, just bowing in front of the Chu Emperor, carrying a deferential look.
When the Chu Emperor saw, he also revealed an approving smile, saying, “Didn’t expect that Miss Shen would actually be this courageous, deserves to be rewarded!”
Prince Ajindo did his best to listen to them talk as he sized up Shen Lan Chi. He saw Shen Lan Chi’s sleeve slide up, revealing a section of her fair white wrist. On her wrist, there was a winding red mark, seemingly a birthmark, faintly resembling the silhouette of an eagle, appearing unusually ferocious.
Prince Ajindo narrowed his eyes, carefully staring at her wrist. Once he saw that birthmark-like red mark on her wrist clearly, his face lost all color from shock, collapsing onto the ground and saying, “This! This is a white mountain eagle!”
“What’s the matter prince?” The Chu Emperor asked in slight confusion
“Nothing serious!” The attendant by the prince’s side was more proficient in the han language, hurriedly explaining, “According to Banjaro’s legends, the life of the founding king was precisely taken by goddess of the netherworld riding on the back of a white mountain eagle. This goddess of the netherworld will reincarnate every one hundred years, and every time she reincarnates, she will leave behind a white mountain eagle birthmark on her body. If a descendant of the royal family were to marry a reincarnation of the netherworld goddess, then they will have their life taken away.”
Pausing for a moment, the attendant dripped with sweat, saying, “However, this is also just our Banjaro’s legend, so can’t be taken for real.”
Based on his meaning, by having this white mountain eagle birthmark, Shen Lan Chi was just the so called ‘netherworld goddess’s’ reincarnation.
Although he said to not take it ‘for real’, looking at Prince Ajindo’s scary complexion, it wasn’t like something that they didn’t take seriously. When the Chu Emperor saw, he slightly pondered——-If the Banjaro people really believe in this legend of the netherworld goddess taking lives, then afraid, they won’t agree to taking Shen Lan Chi.
Seeing how this political marriage will be spoiled, Noble Consort Liu was unwilling to accept inside, immediately interrupting, “How come this consort has never seen such a birthmark on Miss Shen before? It can’t be that it was drawn on today?”
How laughable! How can she let Shen Lan Chi, this lowly girl, continue staying in the Chu capital and bewitch Xiang’er, making him fall head over heels?!
“Birthmark? What birthmark?” Shen Lan Chi put on a confused look. She lifted her sleeve and carefully looked, suddenly coming to realization and saying, “Lan Chi was painting in one’s boudoir during the daytime, thus accidentally getting stained with the cinnabar. It isn’t some birthmark.”
When Noble Consort Liu heard, she snorted and said, “So it’s like this! Since not some goddess of the netherworld, then there’s no problem with this political marriage.”
Once these words came out, the Chu Emperor was somewhat unhappy, saying, “Beloved consort, this political marriage is ultimately a major mater, so must be treated with caution. How can it be as easy as you say?” After saying this, he casted a rather reproachful look towards her.
Noble Consort Liu blanked, immediately realizing that she was being too impatient. In his Majesty’s eyes, it was naturally the country’s affairs that were more important. Whether it’s this Shen Lan Chi marrying or not, it’s still secondary. The most important thing was keeping the Banjaro Kingdom happy.
However, when that attendant of the Banjaro prince heard, he was unwilling to let his prince marry this Shen Lan Chi no matter what. The people of the Chu capital didn’t know of the Banjaro legends, so how could they think of this white mountain eagle?
It was better to be safe than sorry. If the King were to learn that he’d agreed to letting the prince marry a woman with the white mountain eagle mark, then afraid his whole family will get fed to the wolves.
Prince Ajindo finally comprehended what these people in front of him were saying, his face tensing and immediately jumping up, using his broken han speech to say, “Your Majesty, the one I want to marry, is princess.”
He said it extremely seriously, and saying it once wasn’t enough either. He carefully repeated, “Your Majesty, I’ve been saying this whole time, I want to marry Princess Yong Chun.” After saying this, he was even more anxious, actually disregarding his image as a prince, shouting in dissatisfaction, “You can’t bully me for not understanding your words and just secretly change my consort!”
This last line was actually very smooth, even full of grievance.
“This…..” Chu Emperor was troubled.
He was somewhat reluctant to part with his precious daughter, and Hui Consort most likely won’t be too happy either.
Right at this time, beside the folding screen behind the Chu Emperor came a set of light footsteps. Afterwards, the Chu Emperor heard an awkward yet delicate voice.
“Imperial father, this daughter, this daughter…….isn’t that unwilling……to marry the big dum……no, marrying to Banjaro isn’t that bad.”
The ministers were all shocked, successively lifting their heads and seeing Princess Yong Chun standing behind the folding screen. She was wearing a teal colored watercress pattern palace dress. The round necklace with gold veins on her neck was decorated with fine white feathers, making her little face even more adorable. Yong Chun at this time no longer had her usual haughty air, just biting her lips with a blush on her face, softly saying, “Imperial father, Yong Chun is willing to marry.”
Princess Yong Chun thought to herself: Now, she finally knows how great brother Qi Yang is.
No wonder brother Qi Yang specially told her to come here to eavesdrop. Turns out, he was worried that the prince will secretly marry someone else behind her back.
Brother Qi Yang really is a good person!
T/N: The author occasionally alternates between calling their language the han language (汉语) or the Chu language (楚国语), but it’s essentially referring to the same thing. The han language is the language of the han people (ethnic group), which is what we use as mandarin now. 楚国语 is just language of the Chu country, but the people of Chu speak the han language.
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