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Prior to the Birthday Felicitations
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!
“Timely snow foretells a prosperous year.”
“Just based on this line of Wan Wan’s, next year certainly will be a prosperous year too.” Li Hong Yuan walked up to Jing Wan’s side. The formal qinwang gown similarly had a cloak draped over top, but what was different was just that the fringe of the cloak was bordered with a ring black fur, and the fur around the collar area was about a palm’s width. The black satin on the outside contrasted the scarlet inside, making him appear increasingly noble and handsome, and making one unable to avert one’s eyes.
Jing Wan slightly lifted her head to look at him, carrying a bit of a smile, “Ah Yuan is saying it like even the heavens all need to give me face.”
“Don’t they all need to give you face?” Li Hong Yuan lifted his hand, gently caressing Jing Wan’s face, and not at all surprisingly, it was somewhat cold, but her complexion was still the same.
Li Hong Yuan, perhaps because of practicing martial arts all year round, had a sturdy physique, so this while, even if not having a hand furnace, his hands were still very warm. Jing Wan subconsciously snuggled against his hand. Speaking of which, Jing Wan also wasn’t the type with a cold constitution, but she still can’t compare with Li Hong Yuan, this human heater. Holding him at night was simply just too comfortable.
Li Hong Yuan reached out, having the hood of Jing Wan’s cloak lightly pulled over her head, tidying the two sides.
Today, Jing Wan was styled with a cross hairstyle[1], the two sides each in a loop hanging over her shoulders. Just, at the top of her head, there was a head ornament that was larger than a palm. The main body was gold, while the shape was somewhat like a violent chrysanthemum layer upon layers. The most upper layer was meticulously decorated with grain-sized pearls, and each ‘flower petal’ was either pointed or naturally bent, either relaxed or rolled out. A portion of the tips even hung with a few thread-like tassels, and below the tassels were brightly glistening gemstones, appearing exceptionally beautiful.
It was obvious, when making the cloak, the possibility of a tall hairstyle was already put into consideration. As such, there naturally won’t be situations where the tight hood will mess up the hair ornaments.
Jing Wan saw Li Hong Yuan not retract his hand for some time, puzzled, “What’s wrong, is something the matter?”
“No, just felt that Wan Wan is very beautiful. Under the heavens, there is no one more beautiful than Wan Wan.” Li Hong Yuan’s voice was very soft, yet his words sounded very sincere.
Jing Wan’s cheeks slightly burned, and shortly after, said with smile, “How is there none, isn’t there one right in front of me?” Her own husband’s female appearance definitely defeated all women, and his normal appearance also defeated all men. When the heavens were creating a certain someone, definitely must have been partial to no end.
Li Hong Yuan gently scraped Jing Wan’s nose, “Regardless of who, and regardless of look, in my eyes, it can’t compare with Wan Wan, you.”
Alright, this was just the typical case of ‘Xi Shi in the eye of the lover[2]‘. “In my eyes and in my heart, it’s also Ah Yuan that’s the most handsome.” This wasn’t just ‘Xi Shi in the eyes of the lover’ either. Setting aside this bit, he was the most handsome in too many people’s eyes.
Li Hong Yuan smilingly kissed her. This time, the kiss lightly landed on her forehead, “Let’s go, it’s time to enter the palace.”
Jing Wan nodded, allowing Li Hong Yuan to hold her hand, and neither quickly nor slowly exited the main courtyard. The couple walked hand in hand, quietly chatting along the way. Behind them, Gong mama as well as Eunuch Mu held the birthday presents for Le Cheng Emperor. Gong mama was the same as usual, but Eunuch Mu’s expression was a bit cracked. Can this thing really be brought out?
The other court officials were the same as the officials outside of the capital, having long sent the presents into the palace, registering into the record. But, it wasn’t the same for the various princes, as well as the emissaries. That was needing to publicly offer up the presents in front of everyone. For the others, it was all kinds of rare treasures, yet only their master took out this thing. Isn’t it too……?
Eunuch Mu shook his head, having the random thoughts in his head tossed out. The present was prepared by wangfei, and wangye had also personally looked over and didn’t express anything. Then, that just means that this present doesn’t have any problems. Although appearing this plain, it certainly must have its special meaning. As expected, it was still him that was too stupid, completely unable to tell.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
The full qinwang procession grandly headed towards the palace.
As the Emperor’s sons, when entering the palace, they naturally don’t need to wait in line like the court officials as well as their family members. In this kind of weather, the longer one was outside, the more likely it was to freeze. Jing Wan actually somewhat worried about Luo Old Madam’s body, but her grandfather was already the Head Minister of Appointments, so as his family, the order for entering the palace will also be according to Luo Pei Shan’s position. Presumably, they won’t need to wait too long. Thus, she finally relaxed a little.
Speaking of which, the entire process for the birthday felicitations will all require quite some time, going one by one based on status and position, and based on gender. It was definitely a vast undertaking. Of course, don’t assume that by being able to congratulate Le Cheng Emperor on his birthday, one will just be able to see emperor.
That’s why, as one can imagine, just how massive that line was. Moreover, since it was the emperor, then naturally also need to maintain distance. Ordinary people were simply unable to approach easily.
According to custom, Li Hong Yuan took Jing Wan to Yucui Palace first to visit Noble Consort Su. This while, Noble Consort Su’s place was also quite lively.
Have to say, among the entire imperial harem, it was also just Noble Consort Su that had the most children, having a total of three. And now, they’ve all married already, so naturally her branches and leaves were growing increasingly dense. One has to know, for the other imperial concubines, to be able to be fortunate enough to have two was already pretty good.
In reality, in Le Cheng Emperor’s harem, the ones that have given birth to two were really just those countable few. And of the ones that have actually survived until now, that also have a son, it was also just Noble Consort Su. As for having two biological sons, don’t even think about it. For Noble Consort Su to have been able to raise Li Hong Yuan while also having her own son, it was purely because in Le Cheng Emperor’s eyes, her relationship with the Imperial Noble Consort was still pretty good. But more importantly, Noble Consort Su was the only other person that knew the truth, so there was no one more suitable to raise Li Hong Yuan than her.
As for the others, it was just two other imperial concubines that have two princesses, their ages all still small.
It was also just on this bit that Noble Consort Su was full of confidence. As such, this while, seeing the younger generation gathered together, her mood was also pretty good. Especially when seeing Li Hong Yuan, her smile was increasingly obvious. Just, upon seeing Jing Wan by his side, her smile subconsciously faded a little.
Li Hong Yuan right now had already produced estrangement with Noble Consort Su, so sometimes, he was also too lazy to continue putting on an act.
Compared to the outside, the inside of the palace hall was quite warm. Li Hong Yuan conveniently untied his cloak, handing it over to Qing Zhu, ignoring the Yucui Palace palace maid that came forward. Turning around, he just took over Jing Wan’s ‘task’ at hand, taking down her hood and undoing her cloak, handing it to Bai Shao that stepped forward. The entire process was smooth and natural, appearing like it was just a habit. This scene, in certain people’s eyes, was just unpleasant. One has to know, under normal circumstances, Li Hong Yuan and Jing Wan should have their roles swapped.
The most infuriating was probably the fact that Jing Wan even accepted it so naturally.
Perhaps because the atmosphere was too harmonious, it kept making one feel unbearable to watch, producing jealousy inside, “Oh my, oh my, sixth brother is really good to sixth sister-in-law. It’s no wonder that Former Wei Princess Yi Ning just fell for sixth brother at first sight. On this bit, that Princess Yi Ning very much possess insight. Presumably, when time comes, sixth brother similarly will cherish the beauty.” Princess Min Xiang’s delicate voice sounded.
“Wangye naturally is good, just very few have insight.” Jing Wan faintly said with a smile. Towards Princess Min Xiang’s words that were specifically said to disgust her, she didn’t mind in the slightest.
Probably, in everyone’s eyes, the Former Wei’s Princess Yi Ning becoming Li Hong Yuan’s side consort was already something set in stone. After all, this kind of thing, no one would refuse. Just, exactly who she will end up with, one will probably know tomorrow.
Li Hong Yuan swept Princess Min Xiang a glance, “Now that Min Xiang has married, this mouth has also become harsh. Is it because of not having consort mother constantly instructing that you’ve just let out your true nature, or is it that your husband’s family has problems, and you’ve been deeply influenced by them?”
These words didn’t carry the slightest vulgarity, yet it made Princess Min Xiang’s complexion exceptionally unsightly. However, Li Hong Yuan was like as if he didn’t see, “There’s one thing that outsiders should know, whether or not this woman can enter Jin Qinwang Manor, I, Li Hong Yuan, have the final say. Any random woman falling for this prince can just enter Jin Qinwang Manor? What do you take this prince as?”
Li Hong Yuan’s latter words can be said to be like a knife, directly stabbing into Rui Qinwang’s heart. These words, only Li Hong Yuan was able to boldly say. For them, they wouldn’t even dare to come close.
Directly getting someone from the opposing faction appointed as their side consort by their old man, not only did they not dare to utter a sound, they even had to obediently have the person accepted into the manor. Even if disliking, they can’t even directly kill them off. Although everyone all knew that they were already abandoned by their families, but if killed off, the family clan behind them, as well as the person their family clan was loyal to, certainly will make a fuss, hating that they can’t tear a few bites from him, and best if they can bite him to death.
Based on Li Hong Yuan’s saying, what were they? And what did they count as?
Noble Consort Su felt both stifled and flustered. This kind of situation right now was definitely what she was unwilling to see. She kept feeling that this son was growing further and further apart from her. Although she knew the reason, in her heart, she kept feeling that it wasn’t the real reason. But, the truth was placed before her eyes, and she was unable to find the source of that strange feeling. Afterwards, Jing Wan got innocently blamed once again. Alright, in essence, Jing Wan also wasn’t considered innocent. Li Hong Yuan’s change in attitude indeed had Jing Wan’s influence inside, no?
Noble Consort Su berated Princess Min Xiang a few words, but in reality, Noble Consort Su really didn’t feel her daughter said anything wrong, purely doing it for her son to see.
Princess Min Xiang felt wronged, but right now, her mother’s complexion was very unsightly, so she also didn’t dare to say anything. And on the inside, she naturally had this grudge pinned on Jing Wan. That’s right, clearly the ‘source of evil’ was Li Hong Yuan, but towards Li Hong Yuan, she didn’t dare to even hold a grudge.
Towards this kind of palace drama instantly turning into family ethics drama, Jing Wan just silently watched, firmly not inserting a word. However, she felt that her own husband truly was too impressive. The father was eager to be tormented, and the mother right now also needed to act according to his mood. It sure was something.
Afterwards, the atmosphere was just that tiny bit unwell. However, Li Hong Yuan and Jing Wan entirely weren’t affected at all, completely just like they were here to temporarily rest for a bit.
In this kind of heavy atmosphere, Noble Consort Su pulled Li Hong Yuan to chat. Even if Li Hong Yuan can still be considered to be giving face, it was still unable to have this atmosphere warmed back up. From the looks of it, it was really impossible to return to how it was in the beginning again. Noble Consort Su felt endlessly depressed and angry. Her initial good mood completely got shattered. Thus, she just let someone have the womenfolk of her maiden family, as well as the womenfolk from her children’s in-law families invited to Yucui Palace. Even if she herself wasn’t in the mood to talk with them, she can just let her daughter-in-laws and son-in-law go handle. At least, it would be better than this suffocating feeling right now.
For Jing Wan to be able to see her own grandmother, she naturally was happy, and everything else all got tossed aside.
What kind of person was Luo Old Madam, she naturally was able to sense the abnormal atmosphere here. However, after faintly studying her own dear grandchild, as well as her grandson-in-law’s expression, she just relaxed. The rest, she didn’t care about anymore. Speaking from this bit, Luo Old Madam was actually also an ‘open-minded’ one.
Regardless of how cold it was outside, in this palace hall, quite a few people were still comfortably warm physically and mentally.
Unknowingly, the time had arrived. It was time for everyone to go give their birthday congratulations to Le Cheng Emperor.
First was the court officials, then the titled madams, then afterwards it was the imperial consorts and concubines, and after that it was Le Cheng Emperor’s daughter-in-laws, as well as the grandchildren generation, followed by the various princes, and lastly, it was the other countries’ emissaries. ————-The imperial relatives were divided into the first two groups.
Although it sounded like a lot, only very few can actually enter the hall to pay their respects to Le Cheng Emperor.
This kind of thing, because there were arrangements, whoever’s turn it is, the palace servants naturally will come guide. That’s why, there wasn’t any need to rush.
Jing Wan sent Luo Old Madam out. Other than this, she was unable to do anything else, and could only warn the palace servant to be more careful. That palace servant naturally didn’t dare to slight.
In reality, the entire process was longer than what Jing Wan had anticipated. By the time it was Noble Consort Su’s turn, Jing Wan was finally sure that it was almost their turn.
Speaking of which, Le Cheng Emperor’s daughter-in-laws were also just those few, so one wave was enough.
“Sixth sister-in-law, let’s go, it’s our turn.” Rui Wangfei said with a gentle smile.
Jing Wan nodded. Speaking of which, they were also just going through the formalities, kneeling down and paying their respects, saying a few auspicious words. The main focus was still the imperial grandchildren.
As for the imperial consorts in front of them, actually, it was also just that. If Le Cheng Emperor was still young, perhaps he can even separately arrange a banquet before and after, letting the imperial consorts display themselves as much as they like. Unfortunately……………….
The imperial grandchildren were still small, so the things they offered up were mostly prepared by their own consort mothers.
Afterwards, the main act finally came……………
[1] Luckily this time I was able to find a perfect example of this, so just see the image below.
[2] This idiom is similar to ‘beauty in the eye of the beholder’. Xi Shi was a famous chinese beauty, the foremost of the four legendary beauties of ancient times. She was given to the King of Wu as a concubine by the King of Yue in a plot to destroy Wu.
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