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Duke’s Birthday
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 it was Shen second madam Xiao-shi arranging this birthday banquet for the An Duke, the bills going through the public funds, needless for Xiao-shi to fish out her own money, then it goes without saying that this birthday banquet naturally will be held grandly, so as to show off the An Duke Manor’s wealth and prestige.
This kind of squandering naturally wasn’t good, but Shen Lan Chi didn’t try to dissuade. It’s not that she didn’t want to dissuade. It was just that Xiao-shi’s mind was as narrow as the tip of a needle, unable to tolerate anyone from the first branch saying anything against her. If Shen first madam were to go persuade, then Xiao-shi will just mess around even more vigorously, hating that she can’t anger Shen first madam to the point of falling ill, so as to take over the household affairs.
Therefore, towards this matter, rather than advising, it was better to not advise.
Only the old An Duke Shen Rui, seeing this grand display of the second branch, would still show a look of contempt. He said to Shen Lan Chi, “Lan girl, do you understand what ‘the full moon will wane, the water overflows when full’ mean?”
“Vaguely understand.” Shan Lan Chi answered before Shen Rui.
“I see that you’ve gotten a lot smarter lately. In the future, you will certainly be able to jump out of this full moon pond.” Shen Rui said with a smile, “No need to worry about what I, this old man, is thinking. As the saying goes, ‘wealth and honor are up to fate, life and death depend on the heavens’. The fate of this manor have long been determined by the heavens, so I won’t foolishly meddle. It’s also useless to meddle.”
Shen Lan Chi laughed and echoed in agreement inside.
Her top priority at present was still to quickly get rid of Lu Zhao Ye, this white-eyed wolf, so don’t have the time to bother with the second branch’s messy affairs.
Xiao-shi, having taken over this job, was busy inside and out, actually having the proud appearance of a matriarch in charge of the household, just like as if she was precisely the female master of the An Duke Manor. Even her two sons were both quite spirited, lavishly spending the money in the public funds. This money spent although wasn’t from the first branch’s private account, it still was more than enough to make Shen first madam heartache.
The An Duke Manor although was very wealthy, it still can’t be excessively squandered like this. As such, Shen first madam’s dissatisfaction towards the second branch rose again. And because Shen Xin Gu always shielded the second branch, she also had a bit of dissatisfaction towards her own husband.
On the day of the An Duke’s birthday, the Shen family’s gates naturally were bustling with noise and excitement, with people coming and going on horseback. On road in front of their doors, there was a long line of carriages. The noble personages from the various families came in a continuous stream, their gold clothes and jade belts dazzling the eyes.
Shen Lan Chi was receiving the guests at the front door with her mother, Shen first madam. Very soon, she saw the Ruan family’s horse carriage arrive. This Ruan family, she’d specially asked Shen first madam to invite, so naturally need to nicely receive.
“Miss Ruan came? Lan Chi has been expecting you for so long.” Shen Lan Chi immediately went up to welcome, saying to Ruan Bi Qiu who’d just descended the carriage, “You and I are close like sisters to begin with, so why not come to my place for a sit and have some tea? That way, you and I can also talk a little. Later, when the banquet starts, Lan Chi will have to go entertain the guests.”
Ruan Bi Qiu lifted the corner of her dress, nearly getting stunned by the line ‘you and I are close like sisters to begin with’. Before even standing still, she just sensed her mother pushing her back behind her, wanting to let her get along more with the An Duke Manor’s di daughter, Shen Lan Chi.
“Coming right away.” Ruan Bi Qiu reveal a smile that was as soft as the pale moon, “Thanking Shen second miss for the hospitality.”
Shen Lan Chi led Ruan Bi Qiu through the winding corridors, stopping beside the edge of the pond. After standing still, she carefully sized up Ruan Bi Qiu first. Seeing her wearing a simple and clean light purple dress, her figure like the slender willow in the wind, while also like that immortal fairy of paradise in the paintings, truly beautiful to the extreme, Shen Lan Chi couldn’t help but sigh, “Miss Ruan being this beautiful, it is only natural to marry a superior man.”
Ruan Bi Qiu didn’t bat an eye, calmly asking, “What does Shen second miss mean by this?”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
“Miss Ruan, you don’t need to say those roundabout words with me. I know you have feelings for Lu Zhao Ye. It just so happens that I’m also willing to help fulfill your wish.” Shen Lan Chi hooked her lips into a smile, reaching out to twirl a lock of Ruan Bi Qiu’s jet-black hair, “Just, don’t know, whether or not Miss Ruan is willing to grasp this opportunity?”
Ruan Bi Qiu’s eyelash slightly trembled, her voice as tranquil as running water, “Shen second miss worries too much. Bi Qiu is aware that one’s family background is humble, so don’t dare to think of his Highness the Crown Prince. Although one doesn’t know why Shen second miss is saying this, Bi Qiu has never thought of marrying the crown prince. Shen second miss can rest assured.”
As expected of Ruan Bi Qiu, not revealing anything on the surface in the slightest. If not for Shen Lan Chi having lived for two lifetimes, she would’ve also gotten tricked by this calm and indifferent look of hers.
The past life’s Ruan Bi Qiu, as well as the entire Ruan family, all racked their brains and did everything they could to climb upwards, not letting go of any opportunity. Shen Lan Chi still remember, in the late autumn of Yongjia year 2, the Ruan family was investigating a case of roaming bandits in the capital under imperial orders. Because this case involved many people, the Ruan family actually got ruthlessly retaliated by the roaming bandits, to the extent that Ruan Bi Qiu’s father suffered heavily injuries, and the other male members of the family either got killed or injured.
This matter originally had nothing to do with the imperial family, but the Ruan family unexpectedly had this violent crime forced onto Hejian Wang who was similarly supervising this case, directly stating that Hejian Wang had injured them after getting drunk.
The Ruan family were of humble origins, also holding a post in the Judicial Court, so they were rather popular among the people. Once this matter occurred, the people were in an uproar, forcing his Majesty to have no choice but to personally compensate the Ruan family, agreeing to the Ruan family’s request, promoting Ruan Bi Qiu’s father and brothers, also letting Ruan Bi Qiu marry into the Eastern Palace, becoming the crown prince’s side consort, so as to appease the people in this way, settling the unrest.
Shen Lan Chi originally didn’t know of this matter either, just thinking that Hejian Wang had accidentally injured them. Just, one time, when Lu Zhao Ye was drunk, he unintentionally revealed the truth to Shen Lan Chi, also saying that he was unwilling to marry that Ruan Bi Qiu, but he didn’t dare to defy imperial orders, so could only take in that woman first. However, whether these words were true or not, no one knew.
Because of this matter, Shen first madam was angered to death, directly wanting Shen Lan Chi to change this marriage arrangement. According to Great Chu’s customs, unless the main wife was the second wife[1], or the main wife’s status was extremely low, the husband’s side cannot take in a concubine prior to the main wife marrying in. Lu Zhao Ye obeyed the imperial orders and took in Side Consort Ruan, just like a spineless coward, not once resisting in the slightest. Then, that was just like ruthlessly slapping the Shen family in the face, also having the future crown princess, Shen Lan Chi, humiliated.
That originally was Shen Lan Chi’s best opportunity to escape from this marriage, but she indifferently gave it up————In the past life, she said to Shen first madam, “As long as I’m able to become the empress, how many concubines brother Zhao Ye takes in ahead of me, this daughter is too lazy to care about. Aren’t men all like this?”
Shen first madam heartached to the extreme, but she couldn’t win against Shen Lan Chi who still wanted to marry, so could only continue preparing for the wedding.
Shen Lan Chi pulled out from her past life memories, her eyes slightly turning, her gazing landing on Ruan Bi Qiu’s face.
She saw that Ruan Bi Qiu’s cheeks were fair like snow jade and couldn’t help but land her index finger on her cheek, lightly scraping all of sudden, saying, “Miss Ruan better think carefully. Rather than being friends with older sister Tong, it’s better to be friends with Lan Chi. At least, I still adore your youthful appearance, genuinely hoping that Miss Ruan can live as one pleases from the bottom of my heart.”
Shen Lan Chi’s finger was soft and slender, yet the words from her mouth were like a lecher wandering the streets, making Ruan Bi Qiu subconsciously knit her brows.
“What does Ruan second miss want me to do?” She finally loosened up.
“Today, the crown prince certainly will come to the An Duke Manor and will also walk about these corridors.” Shen Lan Chi retracted her finger, having the jade pendant she got from the palace previously handed to Ruan Bi Qiu, “This is the crown prince’s personal belonging. Although he doesn’t wear frequently, it’s still one of his favorite. How to use, that will depend on you yourself. I just have one request, keep it hidden, don’t cause a disturbance during my grandfather’s birthday banquet.”
Probably because Shen Lan Chi was smiling too much, Ruan Bi Qiu became wary, saying, “How do I know that this jade pendant was for sure lost by the crown prince?”
“Believe or to not believe, you can just ponder over on your own.” The smile on Shen Lan Chi’s lips deepened even more, “If you don’t believe, then just have this jade pendant tossed into the pond and just pretend that I never came to see you.”
After saying this, she turned and left.
This was just a gamble in itself, seeing whether or not Ruan Bi Qiu dared to gamble.
“Shen second miss!” Ruan Bi Qiu shouted at her from behind, “Can Bi Qiu ask ‘why’?”
“Why?” Shen Lan Chi answered, “Naturally because Miss Ruan is beautiful and moving, making me pity upon seeing, causing me to fall in love at first sight. Just hate that I, Shen Lan Chi, am not a man, unable to gift you the phoenix crown and red bridal gown after becoming the top scorer in the imperial exam. As such, can only let you marry high, so as to enjoy endless wealth and honor.”
Ruan Bi Qiu blanked on the spot, but Shen Lan Chi had already walked away.
When Shen Lan Chi returned to Shen first madam’s side, Shen first madam was still receiving the guests. The An Duke Manor was a first class influential noble in the Chu capital. The guests that came naturally were all powerful and noble. Aside from the upper class aristocrats, there was also the Lu family descendants. Those junzhus and wangyes that were usually high and mighty also prepared generous gifts, coming to congratulate.
Shen Lan Chi slightly stood on her toes, searching for something. Like as if reading her mind, Shen first madam said, “Zhennan Wang Manor’s heir has arrived already, but he came together with wangye, so don’t even think about it. How imposing is the Zhennan Wang? Absolutely won’t allow you to cause trouble.”
“He came with his father?” Shen Lan Chi blanked, “Really hard to come by.”
When Zhennan Wang was young, he’d fought on the battlefield, a genuine military man, his temper also extremely violent. He has always believed in the saying of ‘a filial son comes from under the club’. Because Lu Qi Yang wasn’t diligent, Zhennan Wang didn’t beat him any less. As such, the relationship between this pair of father and son wasn’t that good. Lu Qi Yang frequently ran all over just to avoid his own father’s beating.
Didn’t expect that this time, Lu Qi Yang actually obediently came with his father.
Her gaze carefully search around, finally catching sight of Lu Qi Yang. He was following behind the tall Zhennan Wang, talking to Huaiyang Wang with him. Perhaps because the person in front was an elder, he shedded away his usual ruffian attitude, actually having a bit of a nobleman’s stance.
Detecting Shen Lan Chi’s gaze, the corner of his eye turned, but he very quickly turned his head away, no longer looking at her. His movements actually somewhat appeared to be shrinking back.
Shen Lan Chi slightly clicked her tongue inside.
Did Lu Qi Yang really need to avoid her like this? Even dragging his own father out to block?
Wasn’t it just because that night she stayed in the palace, the two of them were both hot-headed in the moment, slightly doing a bit of something extra———
“What if I say, I want to marry you?”
“Lan Lan, don’t be like this. I can’t take this kind of joke. I’ll take it seriously.”
“…….”
At the time, the night was dark, the cicadas in Cien Palace softly crying. The woman by the window stuck out her body, leaning in the man’s arms. She used her cheek to lightly snuggle against his chest, closing her eyes in satisfaction.
“Then, why don’t you take it seriously.” Her voice was extremely light, as if muttering in her sleep, “Just afraid that you won’t take it seriously.”
“……….”
The young heir’s body stiffened, not daring to move like a rock, only able to hear the lake water getting brushed by the night wind, passing over the sound of ripples. A while later, he extended his two arms, tightly holding the woman in his arms, as if recovering a precious treasure, wanting to have her kneaded into his own body.
“I don’t care whether you are trying to mess with me, or just want to use me to block your marriage with Lu Zhao Ye……….I’m going to take it seriously.”
[1] This refers to both the second wife of a widower as well as the second wife of a divorced man.
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