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Winding Honeysuckles (1)
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!
Spring was near, the tender shoots newly sprouting.
The Chu Emperor discussed with the officials of the Ministry of Rites in detail regarding the Lingshan sacrificial ceremony. Afterwards, he leaned against the recliner in the imperial study for a light nap. While still hazily half asleep, he suddenly heard someone faintly whispering something by his ear, seemingly “Nan Wang appears, North Chu cold”. These words were very light, yet it made the half asleep Chu Emperor instantly wake up.
When opening his eyes, he just saw the eunuch Liu Wang standing in the imperial study.
“Liu Wang.” The Chu Emperor got up and said, “Just now, this emperor heard someone say ‘Nan Wang appears’, was it you rambling nonsense?”
Liu Wang had his eyes lowered as he said, “How could this servant dare to disturb your peace? Your Majesty must have had a spiritual dream, the gods conveying you a message.”
The Chu Emperor blanked for a moment and nodded his head, “You’re right.” Pausing for a moment, he slowly said, “Previously, even dreamed of Cai Zhi coming to talk to this emperor. Afterwards, just got disrupted by those words. What all did Cai Zhi say to this emperor? The crown prince isn’t compassionate……can’t remember anymore.”
Thinking of Lu Zhao Ye, the Chu Emperor’s face turned cold.
If not for Lu Zhao Ye having a malevolent fate, how could his birth mother pass away prematurely?
If not for Lu Zhao Ye, Cai Zhi wouldn’t have left this early.
Liu Wang slightly lifted his head, secretly peeking at the Chu Emperor’s complexion, carefully saying, “Your Majesty, words such as ‘Nan(south) Wang Xian(prominent)’ actually have been going around in the marketplace. The entire line is ‘Nan(south) Wang appears, North Chu cold’. It’s mostly sung and chanted by the children in the alleys. Perhaps your Majesty heard it before outside.”
The Chu Emperor didn’t speak, just putting on an outer garment, carrying a heavy look between his brows.
Nan Wang appears?
Could it be……….
It’s referring to that Zhennan Wang Lu Xian Ren?
Thinking of Zhennan Wang, the Chu Emperor felt extremely complicated. This Zhennan Wang has very high prestige in the army. For many years, he hasn’t been able to make him relinquish his miliary power, allowing him to hold onto the great army of three hundred thousand troops in the north. Fortunately, the Zhennan Wang Manor’s heir wasn’t an ambitious one, so even if Zhennan Wang has the intention, afraid he will still get dragged down by his son.
Thinking of that Lu Qi Yang who was always idle all day long, as well as that Zhennan who possessed great military achievements, the Chu Emperor felt a bit unwasy———-Leaving that Zhennan Wang there is ultimately threat. Prior to Xiang’er ascending the throne, it’s still better to have these thorns all plucked, so as to pave a smooth path for Xiang’er.
Thinking like this, the Chu Emperor rested for a while, saying to Liu Wang, “Is Noble Lady Hua still resting in the side hall? Let her come to this emperor’s side for a sit.”
Liu Wang received the order and went out.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
This Noble Lady Hua was naturally Liu Ru Hua who’d just entered the palace.
It hasn’t been long since she first entered the palace, yet she practically got summoned by his Majesty every day. In the daytime, she needed to accompany along by his Majesty’s side. Even when his Majesty is reviewing memorandums in the imperial study, he would have Noble Lady Hua accompanying by his side. That Noble Consort Liu who was once the most favored of the six palaces already hasn’t seen his Majesty in a long time.
Inside Guangxin Palace, hearing that it was Liu Ru Hua accompanying by his Majesty’s side again today, Noble Consort practically went mad from anger.
Liu Ru Hua was a lot younger and prettier than her, also resembling the late De Consort even more. Afraid, in a few days, his Majesty’s heart will all go to Liu Ru Hua. At present, Liu Ru Hua was still willing to be deferential before her, but in the future, afraid she will be unable to resist showing off her might!
She must think of a way to let that Liu Ru Hua know who is the true favored consort before his Majesty!
Seeing Noble Consort Liu in a bad mood, Luo mama had the intention of pleasing her, thus said, “Your Highness, yesterday, the people below presented up a hairpin. You certainly will like it. If you wear this hairpin and accompany his Majesty to the Lingshan sacrificial ceremony, you can let Miss Hua know who is the true master of this imperial harem.”
After saying this, Luo mama ordered the maid to bring up the hairpin. Noble Consort Liu took a closer look, seeing that this hairpin had intricately carved out a flying phoenix with decorative grass patterns. The phoenix held a large bright pearl in its mouth, and an inch long gold thread hung down from it, extremely extravagant.
“Phoenix hairpin? It indeed suits this consort.” Noble Consort Liu completely forgot about Empress Shen’s existence. She had anger in her heart, no longer caring about whether it exceeded the rules or not. She said to Luo mama, “When going with his Majesty to attend sacrificial ceremony on Lingshan that day, I will wear this hairpin.”
The treasures sent into the palace as tribute by the people below were always sent to Noble Consort Liu’s place first, no exceptions. Even Empress Shen all needed to move back. For the sake of showing off her endless imperial favor, Noble Consort Liu naturally picked the best. This time, it was also the same. She didn’t feel that there was anything wrong.
She had this hairpin inserted into her hair and looked at herself in the mirror, feeling extremely pleased.
• • •
A few days later, it was the day of the Lingshan sacrificial ceremony. The court officials and the descendants of the Lu family rode in over a hundred horse carriages as they grandly exited the Chu capital city.
The sacred mountain outside the capital was fresh with greenery, the entire mountain filled with tender branches, precisely the most vibrant time.
On the mountain there was a temple. This was the place where the emperors throughout the dynasties worshiped the gods. Every dynasty, every generation, would all have an astrologist serving here, predicting the will of heaven and praying for good fortune. At the start of spring this year, the astrologist had long ordered the apprentice under him to clean the temple in order to prepare for his Majesty’s arrival.
This astrologist had the surname He and has been the imperial astrologist for nearly twenty year, always pious and kind, and very diligent in his work. He has trained several students under him, also renowned throughout the capital, frequently conveying the will of heaven. Among his students, there was one called Hong Wu, who because of his skills in observing the celestial bodies, was extremely valued by the emperor. Towards this Hong Wu, Astrologist He also treats very courteously, just waiting to rely on Hong Wu’s good fortune to rise above the clouds.
Astrologist He took Hong Wu to the foot of the mountain to personally welcome the Chu Emperor, just witnessing the grandness of the emperor’s procession, the hundreds of officials lined up in rows.
The emperor and empress wore their bright yellow formal gown, their clothes embroidered with dragons and phoenixes respectively, fully displaying the majesty of the imperial family.
According to custom, for the sake of showing piety, starting from the foot of the mountain, the emperor and empress will personally travel on foot. Meanwhile, the two princes will stay in the sacred palace at the foot of the mountain, respectively holding incense to serve the gods.
When reaching the temple at the top of the mountain, everyone was all somewhat tired. However, the Chu Emperor was in high spirits, wishing to first make sacrifices to the heaven.
Once the ceremonial music sounded, the Chu Emperor bowed and worshiped the gods. The temple majestically towered above, the court officials silent without a sound, the atmosphere extremely solemn.
After bowing three times, the Chu Emperor turned towards Hong Wu and said, “The one dancing before the gods today isn’t Yong Chun, but a daughter of the Shen family. Don’t know if the gods will be angered because of this?” After saying this, he loudly laughed.
However, Hong Wu’s complexion changed, cupping his fist and solemnly answering, “Replying to your Majesty, this subject has divined the will of heaven, the stars show a bad omen, afraid it’s not suitable to present a dance before the gods.”
The Chu Emperor slightly furrowed his brows and said, “Bad omen? What do you mean?”
“This subject divined the celestial phenomena overnight, just happening to see the seven stars[1] appear in the west, the east side welcoming the spring. This is an ominous sign, afraid there will be a great calamity or major epidemic this spring. Otherwise, it’s just a military disaster.” Hong Wu said.
The Chu Emperor deeply believed in Hong Wu’s divination skills. Hearing these words, he anxiously asked, “What does military disaster mean?”
Hong Wu profoundly said, “This subject received a dream last night. The heavens say, ‘the one bearing the winding honeysuckles[2] is the soaring dragon’.”
Once these words came out, Chu Emperor was greatly shocked, immediately casting his eyes towards Zhennan Wang Lu Xian Ren. The court officials were also dead silent, looking at him with the corner of their eyes.
It was known by the entire court that this Zhennan Wang frequently wore clothes embroidered with winding honeysuckles and nine rolling sea waves. Inside and outside the court, there was just him alone, and no one else.
The Chu Emperor recalled the ‘Nan Wang appears, North Chu perish’ he heard in his dream a few days ago, becoming even more alarmed inside.
(T/N: The author keeps changing this phrase around, I’m not sure which version is the intended version.)
“Your Majesty, if one wants this country to be stable, one absolutely mustn’t lower one’s guard!” Hong Wu’s voice was resounding.
Although Hong Wu appeared extremely devoted and loyal on the surface, he nevertheless had his own calculations inside. He’d long accepted the Crown Prince Lu Zhao Ye’s money, just waiting to spout nonsense in front of the Chu Emperor, provoking his Majesty’s suspicions towards that Zhennan Wang.
“Non….nonsense!” Although there were giant waves stirring in his heart, the Chu Emperor still forcibly remained calmed, saying with a smile, “This emperor and Zhennan Wang are brothers, so absolutely won’t randomly doubt him! Hong Wu, if you’re saying nonsense, wanting to slander Zhennan Wang, this emperor will have you expelled from the imperial temple!”
Although said like this, the Chu Emperor’s gaze towards Zhennan Wang still carried a hint of suspicion.
Seeing everyone all looking at him, Zhennan Wang said in confusion, “Your Majesty, although the pattern on this subject’s clothes resemble honeysuckles, it isn’t honeysuckles. The ‘soaring dragon’ that Hong Wu speak of perhaps refers to someone else.”
Hong Wu coldly sneered, “If this is not honeysuckles on Zhennan Wang’s clothes, what else can it be? Could it be that my eyes have gone bad?”
Zhennan Wang angrily glared at Hong Wu, lifting the hem of his robe and bluntly saying in a crude voice, “Look carefully, what’s embroidered on my clothes is winding lotus flowers[3], five petals. That honeysuckle at most can only have four petals, so what does it have to do with me?”
Everyone took a closer look. Sure enough, this was the case. Hong Wu carefully counted. It was indeed so. Although both decorative grass-like patterns, but upon careful inspection, it was still different flowers. In this very moment, Hong Wu’s face was somewhat burning red. On the inside, he started to resent that Crown Prince Lu Zhao Ye for saying nonsense, causing him to nearly lose face.
For the sake of saving face, Hong Wu added, “Then perhaps this ‘winding honeysuckle’ refers to someone else.”
Seeing this situation, the doubts between the Chu Emperor’s brows seemingly eased a little.
Zhennan Wang placed down the hem of his clothes, appearing as if nothing had happened, yet his palms were covered in a layer of cold sweat.
Prior to going out this morning, his son Lu Qi Yang forced him to change clothes. Seeing how the patterns on this outfit were similar to what he wore in the past, practically unable to tell the difference, he just felt that his family’s little rascal was messing around again, nearly wanting to have Lu Qi Yang beaten up again.
But looking at it now, this outfit practically saved his life!
Thinking about how his Majesty suspects him to be that ‘soaring dragon’, Zhennan Wang shook inside, actually feeling somewhat sorrowful.
Right at this time, Noble Consort Liu who was standing in the back felt that she got bumped by someone, the hairpin in her hair unexpectedly falling onto the ground, splitting in half.
In the midst of silence, the sound of this hairpin breaking was extremely piercing to the ear, causing the Chu Emperor to suddenly look over.
“Noble Consort, while we are offering sacrifices to the gods, what are you doing?” The Chu Emperor said in displeasure. Pausing for a moment, his line of sight landed on the hairpin on the ground, suddenly blanking. Afterwards, he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Noble Consort Liu’s beautiful face, muttering, “Noble Consort, this emperor recalls, your personal name is called…..’Nan Feng’?”
Noble Consort Liu was currently holding her hair, trying to cover up her sorry state. Hearing the Chu Emperor call her by her given name in front of the court officials, she was a bit elated inside, immediately answering, “Precisely, this consort’s name is ‘Nan Feng’.”
Empress Shen’s eyes were sharp, seeing on that hairpin on the ground the flying phoenix in the branches, the golden threads dazzling, thus saying, “Noble Consort, carved on this hairpin…..is this honeysuckles?”
The Chu Emperor slowly walked before that broken hairpin, bending down to pick up.
“Although the decorative grass pattern[4], but upon careful inspection, it’s actually honeysuckles.” The Chu Emperor turned over a piece of the broken hairpin, coldly snorting, “Never mind the winding honeysuckle pattern, to actually even be wearing a phoenix. Noble Consort, this emperor sees that you’ve become too full of yourself, not knowing your place, forgetting what day it is today!”
This line made Noble Consort Liu who was still overjoyed a moment ago feel as if she’d fallen into an ice cellar, her body stiffening.
Winding….winding honeysuckle patterns?
[1] In ancient astronomy, the seven stars refer to the sun, moon, mars, mercury, jupiter, venus, and saturn. It was believed that the movement of these celestial bodies can affect a person’s fate, luck, and health.
[2] This pattern below. Although unrelated to the story, the pattern itself has strong connections to buddhism. It originally came to China as decorations on items related to Indian Buddhism. It has the meaning of ‘endurance’, in fact the name of honeysuckles in chinese is literally ‘endure winter’.
[3] See below. This pattern is actually very commonly seen on chinaware.
[4] This type of plant-like patterns are collectively referred to as decorative grass patterns. They are overall similar, but can differ based on the different types of flowers used.
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