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An Understanding Beauty (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!
Not long after the first lunar month, Zhennan Wang Lu Xian Ren submitted a request to the palace, letting Lu Qi Yang inherit the family’s noble title. Quite a few people were secretly speculating that the reason Zhennan Wang did this was all because their family’s prestige was too prominent, arousing his Majesty’s suspicions. Therefore, for the sake of self preservation, he had no choice but to do this.
On the fourth of the second month, Lu Qi Yang receive the imperial decree before the emperor, inheriting Zhennan Wang’s position, also getting conferred as the General of Chariots, a low second rank position.
Hearing that Lu Qi Yang inherited the wang title, quite a few relatives and old friends came to congratulate. For a time, in front of Zhennan Wang Manor, it was bustling with the sounds of horses and carriages. It was Shen Lan Chi’s first time taking charge of the manor’s internal affairs, busy to the point of not having a moment of rest. Fortunately, her mother-in-law Xie Ying Luan was still in the capital, so able to help out a little.
On this side, the steward had just presented up the guest list, when someone on the other side reported that a madam from the Xia family has come to visit, even bringing their family’s young lady, saying that she wanted to discuss a marriage arrangement.
Marriage?
Shen Lan Chi blanked for a moment, asking the servant woman that came to report: “Marriage with who? Tig……wangye still doesn’t have children yet. Even if wanting to arrange an engagement between the children, that is still too early.”
The servant woman responded in a low voice, “That Madam Xia said, their Xia family’s daughter has an engagement with wangye in the past………..” As she spoke, she was somewhat nervous.
This wangfei although had just married in not long ago, her relationship with wangye was nevertheless extremely good. It goes without saying that she was very favored in front of wangye. Even the old wangfei all got won over by her, having her treated as half a daughter. Inside and outside of the manor, no one dared to cause trouble under the wangfei’s eyelid.
The servant woman’s explanation actually reminded Shen Lan Chi. After Lu Zi Xiang ascended the throne, he still thought of ways to give her trouble, saying that the daughter of the Xia family had an engagement with Lu Qi Yang.
Looks like, this Xia family still hasn’t forgotten about this matter.
“Since it’s womenfolk, then just lead them to my place. It’s still better to not disturb wangye with the matters of the inner manor.” Shen Lan Chi said with a smile.
The servant woman received the order and retreated out.
Very soon, a pair of elegantly dressed mother and daughter got led into the main courtyard by the servants. This Xia family was a cultured and well-mannered family. Sir Xia was also a great scholar. This Miss Xia had gotten raised extremely well, her every expression all radiated with grace and decorum.
Shen Lan Chi sat in the main seat, lifting her eyes to size up the mother and daughter pair, saying with a smile, “Do see Madam Xia and Miss Xia to their seats.”
Perhaps because their family have always had the backbone and spirit of a true scholar, Madam Xia and Miss Xia both carried a bit of haughtiness in their brows.
Heard that this Miss Xia was well-read, not losing to men, her calligraphy elegant and graceful. Presumably, she has the confidence to display such pride.
Towards the purpose of their visit, Shen Lan Chi was already aware inside, thus opened her mouth after pondering for a moment, “Seeing Miss Xia, I just feel a sense of familiarity, feeling that Miss Xia is somewhat similar to me when I was still a girl in the boudoir.”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Similarly proud and arrogant, yet not know one’s limits.
Hearing these words of her, Madam Xia calmly said, “Wangfei feeling Yin’er is familiar, that really is Yin’er good fortune. Coming to bother today, it’s just for the sake of an old matter.”
“Madam Xia, feel free to speak. I’m keen to hear the details.”
“When the late emperor was still alive, an imperial decree was once issued, wanting to have Yin’er married to wangye as his wife. At present, the new emperor has taken the throne, and wangye has also married another, but the imperial decree can’t be abolished. Our Ying’re can neither marry wangye, nor defy the imperial decree and find another husband, and has now been held up.” As Madam Xia said this, her gaze slightly sharpened, “It’s impossible for a woman to not marry. As such, I want to resume this marriage agreement, even if just as a side consort……….”
Before she could finish speaking, she just heard the sound of the teacup heavily slamming against the small table, startling Xia Yin’er who was to the side.
Madam Xia lifted her head and saw the wangfei in the main seat reveal a smile that was hardly gentle, slowly saying, “This, unfortunately, cannot go as Madam Xia wishes. Between wangye and I, there’s no room for a third person.”
These words of hers were said domineeringly, not leaving any leeway, making Madam Xia very shocked.
Madam Xia’s family strictly abided by etiquette and tradition, always stating that women need to obey men. If a man wants to take in a concubine, then the wife needs to help him take care of the other concubines. Jealousy was the most unacceptable. However, Shen Lan Chi was completely different, not giving the least bit of face.
“But, your Highness, our Yin’er originally just has a marriage agreement with wangye……….” Madam Xia still wished to continue.
“That isn’t my problem.” Shen Lan Chi fiddled with the teacup’s lid, saying with a wry smile, “Go look for the one who bestowed the marriage for you.”
Madam Xia’s complexion was very unsightly.
Who bestowed the marriage for the Xia family?
The late emperor lying in the imperial tombs!
“These words are true. This wang also doesn’t acknowledge this marriage.” Suddenly, a man’s voice sounded outside the door. Turns out, Lu Qi Yang had come. He pushed open the door and entered, his gaze sweeping over Xia Yin’er’s pretty face, slightly pausing on her face. His expression was somewhat angry, complaining in a low voice, “If to take in a few more pretty ones, how will wangfei still have eyes for me?”
Madam Xia thought that she’d heard wrong, blanking for a moment.
In this bit of time, Lu Qi Yang already put on a serious look, waving his hand and saying: “I will enter the palace today to let his Majesty find another husband for Miss Xia. His Majesty is benevolent and has always liked drawing strings and being the matchmaker, so certainly will be willing to agree.”
When Xia Yin’er heard, she bit her lip, feeling a bit anxious.
Look for another husband? How can those people outside compare with the prestige and glory of this Zhennan Wang Manor?
Feeling anxious inside, she hurriedly revealed her feelings towards Lu Qi Yang.
“Wangye, ever since obtaining this marriage, Yin’er…….” Xia Yin’er has never said such daring words before, very much hesitating, her face thoroughly red, “Yin’er has fallen for wangye……”
“But, you’ve never met me before, so how did you fall for me?” Lu Qi Yang, however, wasn’t the least bit romantic.
When Xia Yin’er heard, an awkward look appeared on her face, stuttering and stammering, unwilling to speak again.
This new Zhennan Wang seemingly doesn’t have any sympathies towards her, making her feel extremely upset.
Pausing for a moment, Xia Yin’er gloomily said, “Beauty with no substance, how long can it last? Having beauty but no talent, one can just be an understanding flower?”
These words were said somewhat harshly. Even the smile on Madam Xia’s face stiffened.
Wasn’t this saying that the wangfei, Shen Lan Chi, only has beauty, but no talent, and Zhennan Wang Lu Qi Yang was an idiot that just looks at beauty?
Admittedly, this was indeed the case———-This Shen Lan Chi although has a face that was the most beautiful in the capital, she doesn’t know how to compose poetry, doesn’t know how to dance nor play the flute, her talents pitifully few. Compared with Xia Yin’er this kind of talented young lady, she indeed paled in comparison.
But, she was ultimately the wangfei!
When Lu Qi Yang heard, he laughed instead of getting angry, saying: “Miss Xia is right.”
Hearing this, Xia Yin’er blanked for a moment, revealing a slightly joyous look.
Looks like, wangye isn’t really a vulgar man who only likes beauty, then it was still possible for her to marry into Zhennan Wang Manor.
As long as she can marry into Zhennan Wang Manor, based on her outstanding talents and gentle charm, why worry about not being able to defeat that wangfei who only has beauty but no substance?
Lu Qi Yang seemingly saw through her thoughts, slowly saying, “Those who only have beauty but no substance, their beauty will certainly wane, along with love. However, I deeply love wangfei, because she understands me the most. Even if she grows old in the future, her face filled with wrinkles, I will still treat her the same. Miss Xia is able to see clearly. Wangfei truly is the flower in my heart.”
Upon hearing this, Xia Yin’er blanked.
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