< Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter >
The Way of Relatives
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!
“Since that’s the case,” Chang’de Count managed to smooth his breathing, “does shizi want to go to my study for a look? Presumably, today, aside from coming as relatives to add to the dowry, his Highness, and also brother-in-law, all have other things to say?”
Qin Wang’s expression on the surface was very calm, “Chang’de Count has thought too much. This prince just accompanied wangfei out to visit relatives, not having any other intentions. But, if Chang’de Count has some thoughts, this prince naturally can listen too.”
Actually, this was even Chang’de Count’s first time facing the young eldest prince this directly. Prior to this, his impressions towards the princes were all very blurry. After all, previously, all the princes had resided in the palace. Aside from the seasonal palace banquets, the nobles and officials very rarely would have the opportunity of meeting the princes.
That’s why, until now, the Chang’de Count has only met his own future son-in-law, Wu Wang, twice. And towards this Qin Wang, whose birth mother was of a very low birth, and whose current relationship with his foster mother, Empress Wen, was also complicated, Chang’de Count for the most part never had the opportunity to directly speak to before.
Now, they’ve finally spoken, even in this kind of relaxed tone, addressing as relatives. However, the Chang’de Count suddenly produced immense fear, even more nervous than when facing the emperor. For a moment, his lips actually trembled, forcing a smile, “Your Highness, your Highness really is……..really is amiable.”
“Brother-in-law, no need to be nervous.” The Wen’an Marquis opened his mouth after a moment of silence, “Today, we all came over to reconnect as relatives. Aside from adding to the dowry for your beloved daughter, we also came to see if everything is all well in the manor. After all, we truly didn’t visit much previously, but this blood that is thicker than water ultimately is unable to severed.”
“Ha, ha, yes.” Hearing the incredibly valiant Wen’an Marquis this calmly say such courteous words, Chang’de Count increasingly had a bad feeling inside, “In that case………”
“Uncle-in-law still doesn’t understand?” Xun Che calmly looked at the Chang’de Count, whose temples were already beginning to faintly sweat, in the eyes, “Your noble manor has always been neutral. Even if having some minor swaying thoughts, it’s still of no concern. Just, now, the times have changed. Your beloved daughter now has such future prospects, and you have also obtained actual power in hand. The path in front, exactly how it will be walked, as well as how to continue getting along with the relatives in the future, you still need to have some clear resolutions.”
Chang’de Count couldn’t help but look around this room full of people again. As his thoughts rapidly turned, he was also somewhat puzzled. This kind of words, why say in front of this many womenfolk?
Shouldn’t it be the men going to the study to talk, while letting the Wen’an Marchioness Ming Huayue, the young madam Yu Lingxin, as well as the Grand Elder Princess’s god of war granddaughter all go have tea and chat to the side?
“Count, it’s precisely because you have this kind of thought,” Xun Che suddenly laughed again, “your madam and beloved daughter would thus conduct themselves in such a way. Do you understand?”
Chang’de Count, as well as Qi Jue, who was sitting next to him, both were shocked. At this time, looking again at the womenfolk present in the reception hall, seeing in their clear gaze, both realization, and also faint contempt, then recalling his own wife and daughter that peacefully resided in the back manor, the Chang’de Count somewhat deflated, “If shizi has something to say, then please say it directly.”
The mockery in Xun Che’s smile was increasingly obvious, “Then, let’s start from your beloved daughter’s criticism towards my wife.”
The Chang’de Count helplessly sighed, waving his hand towards the servants, “Why don’t all of you withdraw.”
The servants successively complied and retreated out, having the reception hall’s doors closed from the outside. Those among them that were perceptive couldn’t help but stand a bit farther away, and intentionally or otherwise, when turning their head, they saw on the pathway beyond the moon gate, the servants that were still busily running around with a face full of delight, happily and excitedly discussing their eldest miss’s upcoming grand wedding.
The servants waiting outside the reception hall couldn’t help but mutually look at one another. Although they weren’t able to understand too well what will come of the discussion about ‘the way of relatives’ inside the reception hall currently, there were already those that instinctively sensed that their madam and eldest miss’s irritation and anger from yesterday afraid will come again for another round before the day of the wedding……….
Twelfth of the tenth month, Wu Wang’s wedding ceremony.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Strictly speaking, this day’s celebration attracted even more attention than back then when Qin Wang married Ming Jinrou.
This wasn’t because under the current state of affairs, Wu Wang was even more regarded by the imperial clansmen and officials than Qin Wang, but for the officials that were swaying in between, they actually further wanted to know, exactly what Xuan Emperor’s intentions were regarding the standards.
After all, based on Great Sheng’s steady state of affairs currently, where there was no major outside threat and no major internal strife, exactly how these vast beautiful mountains and rivers will pass on, it mainly still depended on Xuan Emperor’s swaying thoughts.
And on the other hand, for Wu Wang Manor’s wedding ceremony this time, aside from a Sun surname liangyuan having no choice but to temporarily postpone her entry into the manor due to a high fever, the rest, Zhu, Li, Tan, and You, these four liangyuans, will all marry in at the same time as Wu Wangfei Qi Pei.
Moreover, the day before the wedding, Qi Pei even specially reported to the palace that for the sake of showing her virtuousness and benevolence, she specially had the four liangyuan’s time for performing the rites shifted ahead of time. In other words, an hour after Qi Pei herself enter the manor, the four liangyuans will get taken into the manor at the same time.
Although it will still only be Wu Wang and Qi Pei bowing to the heaven and earth, but after that, they will arrange for the four liangyuans to directly greet Wu Wang and Wangfei. There will also be ceremonial music, giving the liangyuans proper honor and glory.
Speaking of which, this can also be considered the new custom for the princes of Great Sheng when marrying a wife and taking in concubines on the same day. The Ministry of Rites and Zongjing Bureau although were all very surprised, towards Wu Wangfei voluntarily mentioning this kind of arrangement, they still didn’t oppose.
Just, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that Wu Wang Manor having this kind of arrangement clearly was just for the sake of putting out an extremely vivid contrast with Qin Wang Manor’s way of taking in the side consorts in a low-key manner, particularly displaying Qi Pei, this Wu Wangfei’s benevolence and magnanimity, and how she treats Wu Wang’s concubines generously, already close like sisters starting from the day of the wedding. In terms of having a broad mind, she can also be considered to surpass the mass.
Towards this, Xuan Emperor also directly permitted, though he didn’t express how glad or hesitant he was either. Aside from instructing the Ministry of Rites to be careful and attentive during the ceremony, he didn’t say anything else.
But, Changchun Palace clearly was very happy. For this, Li Consort even immediately bestowed a ruyi scepter, four box of pearls, and a certain amount of palace satin, adding four more trunks of dowry for this sensible daughter-in-law of hers.
As for Qi Pei herself, whether or not she was really that honored and delighted like what was stated in the memorandum submitted up soon after to express her thanks, outsiders had no way of knowing. Because ever since a few days ago, when the Wen’an Marquis Manor, Jin Duke Manor, and even Qin Wang Manor, as well as the Grand Elder Princess Manor visited to ‘add to the dowry and congratulate’ for Qi Pei, the Chang’de Count Manor finally started to restrain themselves a little amidst the busy preparations.
Although there was the memorandum requesting to treat the side consorts leniently sent into the palace, but in these last few days, they had strangely settled down a little. Even though there were still the friends and relatives dropping in to congratulate and add to the dowry, but the people of the Qi family, when going in and out, amidst the decorative lanterns and colored banners, seemingly were somewhat reserved for some reason.
To the extent that when the wedding ceremony actually carried out, the make-up rushing and door blocking in Chang’de Count Manor were all very simple like going through the motions. And the Qi family’s guests that came to send off the bride also weren’t particularly many. That’s why, although Wu Wang’s and Qin Wang’s bridal escort process can practically be said to be the exact same, the atmosphere on Qi Pei’s side was nevertheless a bit weaker than Ming Jinrou’s.
And what was even more interesting was that behind Qi Pei’s bridal palanquin were the four liangyuans that will enter the manor together. Although no one dared to use bright red, but the various styles of light and dark pink were practically used to the extreme. In addition to the refine embroidery and exquisite decorations, for a moment, seeing the delicate silhouettes and beautiful silk, the guests all couldn’t help but inwardly exclaim that the second prince had good luck with beauties.
As for the young Wu Wangfei, Qi Pei, suddenly putting out this kind of benevolent and magnanimous stance, exactly whether it was really being modest and open-minded, or merely forcing oneself to smile, the opinions just differed.
In any case, for Yu Lingxin and Xun Ying who were sitting at the wedding banquet, their feelings were all very complicated. Because Qi Pei, who was currently sitting upright with a head full of pearl and jade, receiving the liangyuans’ formal greeting, although still carried a dignified and noble smile on her face, but from the spirit in her eyes, one can still tell that she was forcibly enduring.
After all, she was also merely a sixteen year old young girl. Previously, in the boudoir, she has always had smooth sailing. Although her father, the Chang’de Count, wasn’t considered some important individual with heavy power in court, but her family has been wealthy and noble for generations.
If not for the imperial selection, the Chang’de Count couple originally didn’t plan on letting Qi Pei marry into the imperial family, instead just wanting to look for her a husband of a well-matched status. Even if not that affectionate and loving, there can still be respect and harmony, passing her days in luxury.
But, now, Qi Pei’s husband’s status was indeed unexpectedly high, just this back manor was also unexpectedly abundant. Furthermore, there was also the churning state of affairs, as well as the tangled and complicated relationships of the imperial court and imperial harem.
Previously, Qi Pei was very ignorant of the state of affairs, to the extent that she wholeheartedly thought that she has flown up a tall branch becoming a phoenix, thus extremely proud and arrogant, but this pride and arrogance ultimately still somewhat drained the energy.
At present, she probably has understood a little. After going through that kind of ‘discussion’ that day, and although Qi Pei didn’t endure too many words directly, but from the presents that the Chang’de Count personally picked out and sent to the Xun family afterwards, as well as the from the changes in the Qi family’s conduct and attitude afterwards, the Chang’de Count should’ve finally, in these last few days prior to his daughter’s wedding, imparted her with teachings other than the feminine virtues.
That’s why, Qi Pei at present should be in this transformation process, but exactly how much of her previous thoughts did she still have, as well as what will become of her afterwards, it really was unpredictable.
“Sister-in-law.” Xun Ying tugged the corner of Yu Lingxin’s sleeve, “I now feel that older sister Pei is actually quite pitiful.”
Yu Lingxin nodded, also patting her hand, “Sometimes, it can’t be helped. Everyone has a different path.”
“Right.” Xun Ying lightly sighed, seemingly thinking of something, but in the next moment, suddenly lifted her head again and asked, “Speaking of which, how come older sister Cheng didn’t come today?”
< Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter >
really ridiculous… I appreciate the story blatantly saying that teaching girls and young women nothing but the traditional virtues will result in them being quite empty-headed. the difference between the wen’an marquis manor and the Chang’de count manor is huge. I do feel bad for Qi Pei though, she is literally only 16. I absolutely could not do this if I were her. it would be easier to break my own leg, okay?