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Regretful Dream
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!
“What does the crown prince think?”
The Chu Emperor’s words heavily came down, nearly making Lu Zhao Ye dizzy from the impact. He almost started suspecting that he was currently in a dream, else how come the woman he will marry changed to the Shen family second branch’s first miss?
But, carefully thinking it over, Empress Shen never clearly stated that she will have Shen Lan Chi promised to him. Empress Shen always covered one hand and showed one hand when speaking, letting people vaguely guess. Furthermore, marriage was by the order of the parents.
The main wife originally should be picked by the empress, so naturally, it was selecting whoever she wanted to select.
The reason why Shen Lan Chi dared to openly be disloyal to him, mostly likely, it was because she’d long known about this matter.
The entire Shen family were all working together to scheme against him, truly those of the same stench colluding, a nest of snakes and rats. The An Duke Manor deserves death!
As for imperial father——
Lu Zhao Ye gazed towards Chu Emperor, discovering in disappointment that Chu Emperor already picked up the buddhist scriptures again, discussing with Lu Zi Xiang about the empress dowager’s scriptures, as if that scroll in his hand presented up by Lu Zi Xiang was more important than the heir apparent’s marriage.
No…….
Perhaps, in imperial father’s heart, Lu Zi Xiang is indeed more important.
Lu Zhao Ye pressed his thin lips together, a trace of ruthlessness emerging in his eyes.
On the other side, seeing Lu Zhao Ye’s stupefied appearance, Shen Lan Chi let out a soundless laugh. She was delighted inside, while also having a bit of a complicated feeling of pity. She was happy that she finally got rid of Lu Zhao Ye, this white-eyed wolf, who would burn the bridge after crossing it, but she also pitied Lu Zhao Ye, who as the esteemed crown prince, actually got kept in the dark, not knowing anything at all.
If not for Lu Zi Xiang breaking his leg and falling ill in the previous life, afraid Chu Emperor would’ve probably been the same as this life, never giving Lu Zhao Ye a straight look. The court officials have always said, if not for the fact that ‘the di eldest cannot be abolished’, if not for the An Duke Manor’s power and influence, the State of Chu sooner or later would become the second prince’s———-Looking at it now, these words weren’t false.
Shen Lan Chi although was smiling, the noble ladies around her all casted a sympathetic look towards her one after another. Even that Liu Ru Yan that she has never gotten along with all revealed a regretful look, as if she’d dropped a ten thousand tael banknote. Upon the banquet, one can even hear the noble madams and noble daughters’ low whispers.
“To actually let her older tang sister snatch away such a good marriage, really pitiful.”
“Perhaps, it’s because the crown prince has become fed up with her. This Shen second miss just carries an arrogant look normally, which man would like this kind of girl?”
“Long told her to lower herself and be more docile. Now that the second branch has climbed out on top, who knows how Shen second miss will get bullied in the future!”
Hearing the gossip, Shen Lan Chi was somewhat angry inside, her stomach full of disdain.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
These people had Lu Zhao Ye treated as a treasure, but she just had Lu Zhao Ye treated as a piece of scrap. Others think that the crown prince is a noble gentleman, like the clear moon, an immortal sage among men, but she knew that this person has dark clouds in his heart. Marrying him absolutely won’t have a good outcome.
Precisely at this time, she heard a shout come from Lu Zhao Ye’s side.
“Imperial father!” After Lu Zhao Ye shouted, he lifted his robe and directly knelt down before Chu Emperor. Amidst Empress Shen’s startled cry of “What are you doing crown prince?”, he cupped his fist and solemnly said, “This son ask imperial father to take back the order.”
Chu Emperor didn’t lift his head, questioning, “Crown prince, you’re dissatisfied with this Shen first miss?”
This one simple line just made everyone of the Shen family change in complexion. Shen Tong Ying’s complexion instantly turned deathly pale, her body also starting to sway. As for Empress Shen, she inwardly called out ‘crap’——–Chu Emperor’s words seemed to not have any deeper meaning, but in reality, it was inciting disharmony between the crown prince and the Shen family. Regardless of how the crown prince answers, her two older brothers in the Shen family inevitably will produce animosity.
It was also the crown prince’s fault for being too unperceptive. If there’s something, just wait to discuss it when they go back later. To ask Chu Emperor to take back his order in front of this many people, wasn’t this slapping the Shen family’s face and slapping her, this imperial mother’s, face?
Lu Zhao Ye naturally knew, if he were to say the words in his heart at this time, then he will inevitably produce bad blood with the Shen family second branch. But, he also knew that the Shen family second branch were merely tree moths that adhered onto Shen Xin Gu. As long as Shen Xin Gu is still willing to support him, then everything will be fine.
Only by marrying Shen Lan Chi will Shen Xin Gu become increasingly loyal towards him.
“Imperial father, this son has feelings for the Shen family second miss, Shen Lan Chi.” He hardened his head and said, disregarding everything, “This son and Shen second miss have mutual feelings for one another, asking imperial father and imperial mother to please bless.”
After saying this, he deeply bowed, just feeling all the blood in his body rushing to his head.
He has never been this impulsive before. Just, he felt that if he doesn’t act now, then Shen Lan Chi will really become someone else’s, and he won’t be able to touch her again.
He didn’t want this.
“Oh?” Chu Emperor placed down the buddhist scriptures, his voice containing a trace of amusement, saying, “Crown prince and Shen second miss have mutual feelings for one another?” After saying this, Chu Emperor extended his hand towards the people of the An Duke Manor, calmly asking, “Minister Shen, how about letting your daughter have a say, whether or not this matter will do?”
Shen Xin Gu’s complexion didn’t change and was just about to get up to respond when Shen Lan Chi who was next to him stood up on her own.
“Lan’er…….” Shen Ting Zhu quietly said, “Just let father speak, you don’t need to force yourself.”
“I have my own mind.” Shen Lan Chi calmly said to her older brother.
She slightly curtsied, her graceful appearance even more moving under the hall full of candlelights. The pearls and jade in the hall were like the stars, yet also lost their color in front of her. Unconsciously, the clamor died down, like returning to the state of a dried up well, only able to hear her neither servile nor dominating voice.
“Replying to your Majesty, there’s no such thing. This subject and his Highness the Crown Prince merely met a few times in Cien Palace. When speaking and interacting, nowhere have we ever crossed the line of what’s proper. The palace servants of Cien Palace and empress auntie can all testify. Don’t know where his Highness’s saying of ‘having mutual feelings for one another’ come from?”
These words of hers were said in an orderly manner, but Lu Zhao Ye couldn’t endure anymore.
“Shen Lan Chi, you clearly……..” He stood up and angrily said.
“Crown prince!” Without waiting for Lu Zhao Ye to finish, Chu Emperor suddenly shouted in anger, startling Lu Zhao Ye to immediately kneel down to wait for punishment, saying, “This son had lost one’s manners, asking imperial father to please forgive.”
The Chu Emperor heavily slammed the table before him, his face slightly angry, saying, “The order of the parents, how can it be treated as child’s play?! In front of the entire court, for you to turn down the marriage with Shen first miss, have you ever considered Shen first miss’s reputation?! Additionally, your imperial mother and this emperor, after careful selection, finally selected Shen first miss, this suitable candidate, yet crown prince ignored your imperial mother’s good intentions, directly stating that you want to marry someone else. Is this not having your imperial mother taken seriously?! If placed in the previous dynasty, then this is just being unfilial! Such a son that does not know etiquette and does not understand compassion, how can he be fit to be the heir apparent of a country?!”
With the word ‘filial’ pressing down, it made Lu Zhao Ye unable to speak and could only kneel down to apologize for the offense.
He clenched his teeth inside, incomparably resentful.
Although he indeed went against his parents’ orders, but how was imperial father not being deliberate? His imperial father choosing to reprimand him like this in front of the entire court, directly stating that he wasn’t fit to be the heir apparent of a country, that was just equivalent to announcing his desire to change to establishing Lu Zi Xiang as the heir apparent!
Seeing Lu Zhao Ye about to get reprimanded to death by Chu Emperor, Empress Shen stroked her chest, calming her emotions, gently urging Chu Emperor, “The crown prince is a sincere and kindhearted person, thus a bit impulsive in terms of love. People are not saints, so who can be without fault? In the future, he will properly treat Tong Ying to make up for the mistake, asking your Majesty to please forgive.”
Shortly after, Empress Shen turned towards Lu Zhao Ye again, affectionately saying, “Crown prince, you must know that what our Great Chu values the most is this ‘order of seniority’. Imperial mother picking the Shen family’s first miss to marry you is also following this principle. If Shen first miss has yet to marry, how can Shen second miss get engaged? This matter is just like the di eldest inheriting the family, the rule and order of the heaven and earth, only natural and expected.”
After saying this, the empress’s smiling face slightly turned, asking Chu Emperor, “Your Majesty, you should also urge this stubborn child, say if this wife is right.”
The Chu Emperor was just about to speak, when the empress dowager opened her mouth. She twirled the buddhist beads, slowly saying, “The empress’s words are somewhat reasonable. The grandson is also good. Today is this grieving one’s[1] birthday, so don’t go overboard.”
Chu Emperor relaxed his expression, saying in a low voice, “This son naturally knows.”
Lu Zi Xiang also urged, “Imperial brother is a honest and straightforward person. Having such sincerity is a good thing. Imperial father doesn’t need to get angry.”
“Forget it.” The Chu Emperor said, “Today is imperial mother’s good day, one must not upstage the main star.”
Although he said it as such, there was still a trace of disharmony in the hall. Turns out, Shen Tong Ying had started sobbing and quickly ran out. Her servant girls looked to one another in dismay, also running out after her.
This matter just went by like this.
The musical instruments sounded again, the strings and woodwinds producing an exquisite sound. The imperial dragon robe hung over the palace hall platform, the golden color shining upon the emperor’s crown, exuding the might of the imperial family. The court officials presented their gifts, the entire hall brightening up. Even if the empress dowager was usually tranquil without desires, having a vegetarian diet and eating simple meals, she still smiled for this hard to come by liveliness.
Just, Lu Zhao Ye was unable to smile from beginning to end, his expression tense, like having gotten frozen in place. He already couldn’t hear the sound of the musical instruments, just feeling his head swelling. When this lively day finally ended, he dispiritedly returned to the Eastern Palace. Without even washing up, he collapsed onto the bed, exhausted to the extreme, hazily falling asleep.
He had a dream.
In the dream, everything was unbelievable smooth.
Shen Lan Chi was still that younger cousin that clung to him like in the past, calling him ‘big brother Zhao Ye’. Although he was unable to see love from her eyes, at least, she still wanted to marry him.
Lu Zi Xiang fell off a cliff on the way back to the capital. After breaking a leg, he ended up with a body full of illness, and from thereon, he became half-crippled. No matter how capable and talented Lu Zi Xiang was, the Chu Emperor was unable to have the State of Chu given to Lu Zi Xiang anymore. As such, his position as the crown prince was firm and steady, unable to be shaken by anyone.
Afterwards, Lu Zi Xiang died of an accident. The Chu Emperor was also weak and sickly, unable to manage the court. The Shen family took the opportunity to have him supported onto the position of the regent, causing him to be just one step away from the throne. He believed that the time has come, the time to eliminate the An Duke Manor, this ambitious in-law family. As such, he chose the day he was marrying Shen Lan Chi to launch an attack———-
In the dream, Shen Lan Chi who was dressed in the bright red wedding gown, sitting in the bridal chamber, really was stunningly beautiful like the peach and plum blossoms, more than enough to stun the world. Such a beautiful woman, how can one not cup in the palm and nicely cherish?
But the him in the dream did an extremely hard to understand thing.
For the sake of taking revenge against Empress Shen for killing his birth mother De Consort, Lu Zhao Ye had his anger taken out on Shen Lan Chi, this young lady of the boudoir that knew nothing about the conspiracies and schemes of the palace and court. He brought before her white silk, scissors, and poisonous wine. And in the end, this extremely beautiful woman calmly and casually chose death.
Prior to dying, she even said—–
“Lu Zhao Ye, what I wanted, has always been paternal aunt’s phoenix crown. If back then, it was his Highness the second prince that became the crown prince, then I would’ve also thought of every way possible to marry him. Just, unfortunately, the second prince died early.”
Although it was a dream, Lu Zhao Ye just felt frozen to the bone, as if personally experiencing.
The dream after that was vague and ambiguous. He didn’t remember too clearly. He just remembered that he still posthumously bestowed her an empress title, having her buried in the imperial tombs. A spot was even left by her coffin. That was the place of the ruler’s eternal slumber after a hundred years.
Afterwards, the empress position was permanently left vacant, never once having an owner. Even though the pampered consorts got changed through like flowing water, no one was able to take the phoenix seal that controlled the six palaces from his hands. He wanted the historians to write that in his life, he only ever had one empress.
He clearly didn’t love her that deeply, and clearly not that unforgettable, but in the dream, he was like having gotten possessed, unable to let go. Whenever recalling that she’d already died, his heart would fill with indignation and resentment. He was determined to let her become a loving couple with him in history.
Afterwards, some other things happened, but Lu Zhao Ye woke from his dream.
When he woke up, it was currently the first night rain of autumn. The endless rain shrouded the palace hall in the dark night. The patter of the rain hitting the roof tiles was like music.
Lu Zhao Ye gazed upon the rain outside the window, letting out a long sigh.
[1] The self address of the empress dowager, because she’s suppose to be grieving for the previous emperor.
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this man is sick!!! he PERSONALLY killed her ON THE WEDDING NIGHT and then spent the rest of his life PRETENDING that he was deeply in love with her, never giving the empress position to someone else, and even insisting on being buried with her when he died!!!! but HE killed her!!!! ON! THE! WEDDING! NIGHT! WHO IS HE ACTING FOR!!!!! I have never been this speechless. originally I felt a little bad for him, bc to everyone reading SLC’s thoughts, we all knew she didn’t care about him at all. but like, he didn’t know that. so this is literally out of left field for him, and deeply humiliating at this public banquet. but I changed my mind this man is sick!!!!!! send him to a hospital!!!!