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Similar Person (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!
Shen Ran was certain that Xiao-shi will feel indignant and certainly will cause trouble for the first branch again. That’s why, she wanted to wait for the right opportunity.
Who knew that in merely a few days, the first branch just heard the news that Xiao-shi was going to have Shen Ran married to the Ma family old master. Shen first madam immediately asked the duke to step in, having Xiao-shi reprimanded, saying that even if they’ve divided the family, Shen Ran still has the Shen surname, to have a daughter of the Shen family married to that Ma family old man, truly embarrassing to death.
When Xiao-shi heard, she shook in anger.
Unfortunately, although the two families have divided, Shen Xin Shu was still unwilling to let go of the An Duke Manor’s glory and honor, thus instructing Xiao-shi that she must be filial to the duke. The duke had just recovered from his illness with great difficulty, yet he was immediately angered again, so how could Shen Xin Shu dare to go against the duke? He immediately slapped Xiao-shi, telling her to not be an embarrassment.
Xiao-shi felt wronged and could only stop her dealings with the Ma family.
When learning of this matter, Shen Ran relaxed a breath.
She knew that Shen Lan Chi and her mother couldn’t bear to see her marry the Ma family old master, thus decided to help her. She had the intention to go the first branch to thank Shen Lan Chi, but Xiao-shi simply didn’t let her go out. After patiently waiting, she finally obtained the chance to meet Shen Lan Chi——On the night before the new year, Shen Xin Shu brought along his whole family to the palace to attend a banquet.
Recently, Shen Xin Shu’s temper was gloomy and unpredictable, always randomly flying into a rage. Xiao-shi although was unwilling to bring along a shu daughter, Shen Xin Shu had already made up his mind, wanting to follow the duke’s instructions, properly finding a family for Shen Ran. Thus, Xiao-shi had no choice but to bring along Shen Ran, so as to let the madams of the various families see what Shen Ran looked like.
Before leaving, Xiao-shi endlessly warned Shen Ran in an annoyed manner.
“Don’t keep your head down, put away that petty temperament of yours, and don’t make the master lose face. This outfit of yours, just treat it as borrowed from Tong’er. If there is the slightest damage, just you wait!” Xiao-shi said, but felt that it wasn’t enough, “That first branch’s Ji Wen Xiu and her daughter sure are idle, even meddling in the affairs of a little shu daughter like you!”
Shen Ran didn’t speak, just lowering her head, but thought to herself, if not for her intentionally trying to curry favor with Shen Lan Chi all these years, how could she be here today? She would’ve long gotten married off by Xiao-shi.
As she spoke, Xiao-shi heard a voice calling out “mother”. Turns out, Shen Tong Ying came. Xiao-shi lifted her head, seeing her daughter standing before the door. Shen Tong Ying stood there in a dignified manner, her eyes and brows like a painting. There was thick powder applied on her cheeks, managing to cover up a hideous scar. Looking from a distance, she was still a stunning beauty.
Just, her expression was a bit indifferent, ultimately lacking some of her former liveliness, making Xiao-shi feel bad for her.
After Shen Tong Ying became disfigured, she had herself shut indoors for a long while, and until now, she has yet to participate in any banquets or gatherings, just locking herself in her room, waiting to marry the crown prince.
“Tong’er, you look great like this. The crown prince certainly will have tender feelings for you.” Xiao-shi held Shen Tong Ying’s hand and said, “His Highness the Crown Prince was unwilling to break off the engagement, still wholeheartedly wanting to marry you. It can be seen that he deeply loves you. In the future, you must nicely treat his Highness and stand with him as his wife.”
Shen Tong Ying recalled Lu Zhao Ye’s attitude towards her in the past, the corner of her lips forming into a sneer as she indifferently nodded her head.
The second branch family respectively got on the carriage and headed for the palace.
The end of the year was one of the most important times of the year. The palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, appearing magnificent and elegant. The court officials, titled madams, and noble young ladies all gathered in one hall. The inside of Qianfu Palace was filled with silk and powder, a palace full of green jade and shining pearls.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Shen Ran followed behind her di mother, walking quietly.
Shen Xin Shu led his wife and children before the An Duke Shen Rui and bowed to his father. Shen Rui, however, didn’t buy it, coldly sneering and saying, “Nearly did something embarrassing again, so this is coming before me to humbly apologize?”
Shen Xin Shu was irritable to begin with recently, so hearing his father scold him at this time, the blue veins on his neck tensing, instantly clenching his fist. When Xiao-shi saw, she hurriedly grabbed Shen Xin Shu’s hand, saying, “Master, this is the palace. If you start arguing with the duke, letting others see, what will we do?”
Shen Ting Kang also tightly held down his father’s hand, not letting him cause a scene.
With great difficulty, Shen Xin Shu finally calmed down.
Shen Ran stood in the back, and while no one was looking at her, her eyes nimbly swept around. She saw Shen Lan Chi sitting properly by her mother’s side, thus went up in small steps, thanking Shen Lan Chi.
“Thanking older sister Lan and first madam for helping me.”
“It’s nothing.” Shen first madam gently said, “You’re also a daughter of the Shen family. We can’t just let Xiao-shi embarrass the entire Shen family. Even if having divided the family, we more or less still need to look after one another.”
Shen Ran obediently answered “yes”.
When Shen Ran lifted her head again, she saw someone staring at Shen Lan Chi nearby.
Shen Lan Chi was very beautiful, so this kind of admiring gaze was extremely common. Just, this person’s identity wasn’t ordinary——
That young man’s face was tender. Compared with his brothers of the same age next to him, he was like a youth that had just came of age. Dressed in moon-white brocade, with a jade crown and vermillion belt, it was precisely the second son of Shenyin Wang, Lu Jing Hua.
Shanyin Wang was unable to compare with the other wangyes. He had neither a fief nor great power, like a fence-sitter, being close with the Shen family today, then traveling with the Liu family tomorrow, currying favor everywhere, actually able to get around quite well like a fish in water. Shanyin Wang’s eldest son, Lu Jing Song, held an idle position outside of the capital, while the second son, Lu Jing Hua, was the most favored by Shanyin Wang, staying in the capital and enjoying the wealth and honor, wandering around all day with Lu Qi Yang and such wastrels of noble families.
Lu Jing Hua harboring feelings for Shen Lan Chi was also understandable. Shen Lan Chi was known as the ‘pearl of the capital’. It would be strange for men to not be attracted to her.
Shen Ran sized up Lu Jing Hua, then followed her di mother to their family’s seat. When passing by the Hejian Wang family, she just happened to see that Zhennan Wang heir, Lu Qi Yang, come over to talk to Lu Jing Hua.
“Jing Hua, I’m going to introduce you to someone, having the surname Wu, a very talented person. Later, after finishing the wine, go over to the little garden…..”
Shen Ran had her eyes lowered, walking past without turning back.
The Chu Emperor entered the hall with Lu Zi Xiang and took his seat. The palace banquet very quickly began. Today, Chu Emperor was in a very good mood, continuously chatting and laughing with Noble Consort Liu. Lu Zi Xiang would also join in from time to time. Only Empress Shen was left alone to the side, putting up a dignified appearance, drinking and eating alone.
Not long after the banquet started, Chu Emperor just placed down the wine cup, saying: “Today is a great day to begin with. While everyone is all present, this emperor has a happy matter to announce, letting everyone liven up. The Ji family’s second miss is chaste and virtuous, possessing both talent and virtue, her appearance and character both excellent. This emperor has already talked with beloved Minister Ji, wanting to become in-laws with him, having Ji second miss betrothed to Xiang’er as his wife.”
When the officials heard, they all successively congratulated.
Ji Fei Xia’s face also turned red, shyly lowering her head among her sisters, just daring to use the corner of her eye to peek at others. When her eyes accidentally met with Lu Zi Xiang’s warm smiling eyes, her cheeks increasingly burned, the tip of her fingers carefully pinching the corner of her clothes.
Halfway through the banquet, based on the customs in the Chu capital, the officials successively dispersed, respectively going to drink and chat with one another. Lu Jing Hua recalled Lu Qi Yang’s instructions earlier, getting up and walking out of the hall.
A few days ago, he’d just said to brother Qi Yang that he didn’t want to be a muddleheaded idle person anymore, wanting to be like the second prince, quietly recruiting some capable and wise advisors under him. Who knew that today, Lu Qi Yang just recommended someone to him.
Don’t know what kind of talent that Wu surname young man has?
Outside the hall, the wind was strong, blowing up Lu Jing Hua’s sleeves. He walked into the little flower garden, seeing in the snow under the moon a man already waiting there. Seeing Lu Jing Hua come, that man cupped his fist to greet, saying: “This commoner, Wu Xiu Ding, greets sir.”
Wu Xiu Ding held no official post, still in his studies, so indeed should address himself as ‘commoner’.
Lu Jing Hua said with a smile, “Although I’m a ‘sir’, I’m ultimately the same as you, merely someone with no official post.” A while later, following Lu Qi Yang’s instructions, he quizzed Wu Xiu Ding on the way of governing the country. Seeing Wu Xiu Ding answering fluently, his words impressive, some words even making him, this half-idiot, unable to understand. For a time, Lu Jing Hua felt as if obtaining a treasure, extremely elated.
“Such an interesting person, brother Qi Yang is actually willing to have you given to me?” Lu Jing Hua clapped his hands and said with a smile.
He and Wu Xiu Ding chatted for a while before finally letting Wu Xiu Ding return. However, when Lu Jing Hua was about to leave, he saw a corner of an apricot dress sticking out from under the rockery behind him. He furrowed his brows and said: “Who’s there? Come out, I already see you.”
A girl slowly walked out from behind the rockery. It was Shen Ran.
Lu Jing Hua just glanced at her once and was somewhat dumbstruck——-Although the appearance of the girl before his eyes was very different from Shen Lan Chi’s, far inferior in comparison, the beauty and elegance between her eyes and brows were practically the same. If she were to turn her head to the side, just leaving half of her back-view, then she would look practically the same as that person he was infatuated with.
Lu Jing Hua’s body slightly swayed. After composing himself, he said, “I remember you. You’re the Shen family’s shu daughter, Shen Ran.”
Shen Ran blanked. She didn’t expect that he would actually know her name. She bit her lip and said, “It…..it’s precisely Ran’er.”
Lu Jing Hua turned his head, saying in a low voice, “What are you doing here?”
“I’d inadvertently intruded this place, having no intention of disturbing, and further didn’t see anything.” Shen Ran softly said.
Her speaking voice also possessed that person’s bright and sweet tone. When Lu Jing Hua heard, he couldn’t help but frown and say, “You weren’t like this in the past. Why imitate your older sister’s style? She is her, you are you, becoming someone else’s shadow, what is the point?”
Shen Ran blanked, pretending to not understand, asking: “Why does sir say this?”
Lu Jing Hua shook his head and said, “You assume that I’ve never seen you before in the past, thus dared to come trick me. I know that in front of your older sister, you’re normally timid and subservient, frail and pitiful, when have you ever been this daring before?”
Pausing for a moment, Lu Jing Hua continued, “Having the ambitions to climb higher is normal, but you shouldn’t imitate your older sister’s appearance to approach me. I indeed have some feelings towards your older sister, but if I were to accept you because of these feelings, then that would be extremely foolish.”
When Shen Ran heard, she finally put away the amorous look in her eyes, saying in a low voice, “I was presumptuous.”
“You’re a shu daughter. Even if I have the intention of marrying you, you at most can only be a concubine. How can a girl of a respectable family be willing to become a concubine?” Seeing her slightly revealing figure, just wearing thin clothes in the middle of winter, freezing to the point of shivering, Lu Jing Hua couldn’t help but feel somewhat angry at her decision, his voice also carrying a bit of sternness, “Why degrade yourself like this?!”
Although he said this, Shen Ran still kept her head down, not answering. Right when Lu Jing Hua was feeling perplexed inside, Shen Ran finally lifted her head, her eyes slightly red, her voice also trembling with a sobbing tone, saying: “What’s wrong with wanting to excel, wanting to be in a high position, so as to not get degraded by others?!”
If before she was just pretending to be weak and pitiful, then at this time, she already didn’t have the mind to keep pretending. She just felt that Lu Jing Hua had peeled back a layer of her skin, a feeling of humiliation suddenly welling up inside. In an instant, Shen Ran forgot her plans to get close to Lu Jing Hua, just turning around and hurriedly running away.
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