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Praying to the Gods (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!
The engagement process emphasized the matching of the eight characters and the words of the parents.
Zhennan Wangfei and Shen first madam had long agreed on the marriage by mouth, the eight birthdate characters and such items were already prepared, the preparations detailed and thorough. Zhennan Wangfei had the two youngsters called before her and carefully asked their thoughts. The marriage arrangement was just set like this.
She originally didn’t want to make it a big deal, but it couldn’t be helped that Madam Ji, Liang-shi, truly had a big mouth. In a few days, she just had this matter spread everywhere.
——–The heir of the Zhennan Wang Manor got engaged with the former An Duke Manor’s young miss!
Very soon, the entire capital all heard of this news.
This pair truly was very unexpected.
That Zhennan Wang Manor’s heir was now a popular person in front of the second prince. Reportedly, he’d shot down the deposed crown prince before Guangshu Gate with three arrows, gaining a great achievement. In the future, he will certainly rise step by step, his future prospects limitless.
However, this Shen family young miss, her family had gotten convicted because of the crown prince, getting reduced to commoners. At present, she was just considered a fallen noble young lady whose family had fell into decline. Between her and the heir, their positions have reversed———-In the past, Shen Lan Chi was the most beautiful noble young lady of the capital, while Lu Qi Yang was an idle noble young master. Who wasn’t worthy of who, it was obvious at a glance.
Now that the heir has changed from being a wastrel, having great future prospects, he originally should marry a noble daughter of an illustrious household. But now, he was engaged to a fallen noble young lady, so how could it not make people curious as to the reason?
Over teatime and after dinner, all kinds of discussions came up. Some say that the heir was still deeply in love, and as soon as he saw Miss Shen meet with misfortune, he immediately extended a helping hand, thus making Miss Shen give her heart to him. Others say that Miss Shen had rejected becoming the crown princess back then because of the heir, just the heir was extremely fickle, continuously linger among flowers. There were also some that say that the two of them were merely under the orders of their parents, having no choice but to get engaged. After some time, the young heir surely will go indulge himself in pleasure again……….
Everyone all had their own opinions, having no definitive conclusion.
The Shen family was no longer the illustrious family it was back then. Shen Xin Shu’s branch was already considered obliterated, while Shen Xin Gu handed over more than half of his family’s wealth, dismissed the servants, and moved to a residence in the south district with his wife and father.
Shen Lan Chi had secretly gone to have a look. That residence although was small, it had everything they needed, clean and orderly. Shen first madam made use of her dowry and still had a few of her servants from her maiden family by her side, so the days won’t be too difficult.
Compared to the second branch who have all died, they were already much more fortunate.
Just, it was unfortunate for Shen Ting Yuan———-He was now even further away from Liu Ru Yan.
Shen Lan Chi had secretly asked Shen Ting Yuan once. Shen Ting Yuan just bitterly smiled and shook his head, saying that he didn’t even have where they will move to this time told to Liu Ru Yan. Their servants in the past have all been dismissed, so even if Liu Ru Yan wants to look for him, she won’t be able to find him. If a bit luckier, then it’ll probably be considered cutting all ties.
Pausing for a moment, Shen Ting Yuan sighed again, saying that this was perhaps the best for Liu third miss.
The spring of Yongjia year 3 gradually went by.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
The dust has already settled on the deposed crown prince’s palace coup. Lu Zi Xiang got conferred as the crown prince and very quickly married the Ji family’s second daughter, Ji Fei Xia, as his wife. Reportedly, the day Ji Fei Xia married, the red dowry stretched down the streets, filling the streets with gold, full of riches and honor. The Ji family overflowed with joy, actually opening their family treasuries and financially supporting quite a few poor people, saying that they wanted to help the crown princess accumulate good fortune.
Shen Lan Chi just heard Lu Qi Yang talk about it and didn’t see it for herself. The reason was simple. She’d overslept during her afternoon nap. When she woke up, it was already dinnertime. The crown prince’s wedding procession had long returned to the palace, so even if she wanted to see, she wasn’t able to. Thus, she just obediently went to eat with her future mother-in-law.
Besides, Shen Lan Chi didn’t really want to go see Ji Fei Xia.
Ji Fei Xia was already clearly aware that Lu Zi Xiang wasn’t a good person, yet still married him. Either she got persuaded by Lu Zi Xiang, or the Ji family forced her to marry. Regardless of which possibility, Shen Lan Chi always felt that it wasn’t quite right, feeling that Ji Fei Xia was somewhat pitiful.
Reportedly, after the crown prince and crown princess’s wedding, their relationship was very loving. Lu Zi Xiang personally drawing the brows for his beloved wife and helping her put on her shoe had gotten seen by the palace servants, then passing on to the marketplaces, becoming a beautiful story. The people even having the saying of ‘the embroidered shoe fitting in the hand’ to imply a husband’s attentiveness.
Outsiders were unable to see into Lu Zi Xiang’s mind, just saying that this Ji family young miss must have accumulated blessings in her previous life, having been born into an influential family, getting spoiled by her parents and older brothers growing up, and then marrying the current crown prince. Moreover, this crown prince was even devoted her, treating her extremely well. The women of Chu, from top to bottom, for a time, were all extremely envious.
Not long after the crown princess married in, the Chu Emperor, just like in the past life, suddenly fell ill. Chu from top to bottom was all given to the Crown Prince Lu Zi Xiang to supervise.
Inside the palace.
Before Qianfu Hall, Empress Shen slowly approached with a few palace maids.
She was graceful and elegantly dressed. The wide sleeves quietly hung down, the tail of her gown behind her winding and trailing. On her well-maintained face, there was no look of distress nor was she in a sorry state.
The eunuch before Qianfu Hall saw her and was very shocked, hurriedly going forward to block her, saying, “Your Highness, his Majesty is currently resting, unable to see people. Moreover….moreover, your Highness, it’s….it’s better for you to return to Cien Palace first.”
After the deposed crown prince’s incident, Empress Shen also got implicated. His Majesty, considering on behalf of their many years of relationship as husband and wife, didn’t remove her phoenix crown, yet ordered to have her confined in Cien Palace, not allowed to step a foot out. The palace servants in the palace had not seen Empress Shen for nearly half a month.
Seeing the eunuch block her, Empress Shen’s expression didn’t change, calmly saying, “This empress has come under his Majesty’s orders.”
After saying this, the mama by Empress Shen’s side handed over a handwritten scroll. The eunuch opened it for a look, and sure enough, he saw his Majesty’s handwriting in red and the dragon seal of the ruler on there. He recalled the Crown Prince Lu Zi Xiang’s advice previously and made away, saying with a flattering smile, “To have offended your Highness, asking your Highness to please forgive.”
Empress Shen slightly nodded, her eyes not turning, directly looking into Qianfu Palace.
As soon as she stepped into the hall, she just smelled the bitter medicinal scent. Even if lighting the fine incense, it was still unable to cover it. Empress Shen ordered the surrounding palace servants to withdraw and slowly walked before the Chu Emperor’s sickbed, bowing and saying, “This wife has come to serve your Majesty.”
Behind the bed curtains, the Chu Emperor heard and suddenly woke up. He opened his cloudy eyes and said with difficulty, “Em…empress? Without this emperor’s order, you dare to step out of Cien Palace without permission?”
“It’s naturally coming to serve by your Majesty’s sickbed.” Shen Empress was calm and composed. She heard a series of coughs from inside the bed curtains, a trace of a smile appearing in her eyes, saying, “Your Majesty’s illness came suddenly, so presumably, it’s extremely uncomfortable. It would be better to be relieved from it.”
After saying this, Empress Shen slightly raised her hand, ordering Liu mama behind her to bring over a small jade bowl. She took that jade bowl and lifted the bed curtains, carrying it before the Chu Emperor, slowly saying, “Your Majesty, take the medicine.”
The Chu Emperor wasn’t stupid, naturally knowing that Empress Shen wasn’t really coming to serve by the sickbed.
Now that he has suddenly fallen ill, everything was given to the Crown Prince Lu Zi Xiang to handle. The same goes for this Qianfu Palace’s security. Don’t know what was wrong with Xiang’er, to actually let Shen Xin Yi step into this Qianfu Palace!
“Empress!” The Chu Emperor struggled to get up, shouting in a rage, “This emperor, considering our many years of relationship as husband and wife, letting you still firmly sit as the master of the six palace, is already exceptionally merciful. Yet, now, you actually dare to be insubordinate, truly deserving of death!”
His body had been invaded by illness, so appeared a bit frail. After saying a few words, he just waned.
Empress Shen smiled and said, “My elder brothers are no longer here; the crown prince got deposed; even if this wife still has the empress title, it is nothing at all. Afraid, in a few days, that little Liu consort will take my place. Since this wife already has nothing now, what else is there to be scared of? So it’s better to take a gamble. Perhaps, there will still be a trace of hope.”
“Take, take a gamble……….?” The Chu Emperor was greatly shocked.
“The imperial decree for pardoning Lu Zhao Ye and passing the throne to the former crown prince, this wife has already let someone draft.” Empress Shen’s eyes penetrated with coldness, ruthlessly saying, “The crown prince originally didn’t have any major faults, merely having gotten forced into a corner by you and Lu Zi Xiang, having no choice but to rebel. If he were to become the emperor, how could he be worse than Lu Zi Xiang?”
Seeing the empress putting hope in the former crown prince, Lu Zhao Ye, the Chu Emperor also turned cold. He violently coughed and said, “Empress……you, you think…..Lu Zhao Ye is firmly grasped in your palm? That child long knew….it was you that killed Cai Zhi. Even if Xiang’er loses to him, oh empress, you still won’t be able to escape from this fate.”
After saying this, the Chu Emperor sneered.
What the Chu Emperor said directly stabbed Empress Shen’s sore spot. The person she hated the most in this life was precisely that De Consort, Ying Cai Zhi. When Ying Cai Zhi was alive, she had stolen her favor, and after death, still want to divide away her child.
Lu Zhao Ye originally could have been used by her, Shen Xin Yi, but unknown as to why, that Lu Zhao Ye actually learned of his birth mother De Consort’s matter, becoming estranged with her!
“Your Majesty doesn’t need to think too much, just be on your way!” Empress Shen raised her fine brow, having the jade bowl forced before the Chu Emperor, smugly saying, “Your Majesty, do you know what is in this bowl? Miaojiang’s poison, colorless and odorless. Even if letting all the Hua Tuo[2] and Bian Que[2] of Chu come examine, they still won’t discover the slightest trace, just saying that it’s death by deteriorating health. This wife just has two doses on hand. One is right before your Majesty, and the other, why don’t your Majesty guess where it was used?”
When the Chu Emperor heard, he was greatly shocked and furiously said, “Sh-Shen Xin Yi! You!”
Seeing the Chu Emperor shaking with anger, Empress Shen was increasingly pleased. After laughing for a while, she softly said, “I precisely used this bowl of medicine to send sister De Consort on her way. Who let older sister be solely favored for so long, causing the sister in the harem be full of resentment?”
The Chu Emperor’s complexion was deathly pale, one hand shakingly pointing at Empress Shen, saying: “You’re……you’re so malicious….then, back then, saying that Zhao Ye had a cursed fate was also you……”
Back then, after Lu Zhao Ye was born, the imperial astrologist came to have an audience with the emperor. In their words, they directly stated that Lu Zhao Ye who’d just been born was ‘the bane of heaven’, carrying bad luck in his fate, destined to kill his parents, causing Great Chu to fall into chaos.
The Chu Emperor painfully lost his true love and took his anger out on this child that was the ‘bane of heaven’. It just so happened that Shen Xin Yi wanted to raise the child, so the Chu Emperor allowed it. For many years, the Shen family held great power. Because of the Shen family’s power, the Chu Emperor maintained a surface relationship with Shen Xin Yi. But, in secret, he endlessly incited discord between the mother and son pair, letting Lu Zhao Ye learn of the truth behind his birth mother’s death.
Looking at it now, the start of everything was nothing more than Shen Xin Ye’s conspiracy.
Shen Xin Yi slowly pushed aside the Chu Emperor’s finger, saying: “Your Majesty, in this palace city, there’s no one that’s clean.” After saying this, her almond eyes widened, ordering the mamas to hold down the Chu Emperor, then have the medicine poured into the Chu Emperor’s mouth.
The Chu Emperor was originally just frail, so certainly won’t be able to win against these people. But, he was filled with anger, temporary gaining enormous strength, having the mamas all tossed aside. Even that medicine bowl got overturned onto the ground.
Seeing the medicine bowl knocked over, anger rose from Shen Xin Yi’s heart, picking up the jade pillow and brocade quilt, and ruthlessly smothering the Chu Emperor.
The more the Chu Emperor struggled, the more ruthless Shen Xin Yi pressed down, having his nose and mouth tightly covered. As she smothered, Shen Xin Yi muttered, “Your Majesty, I’m sending you to go see older sister De Consort, you should thank this wife. If to say who was clean in this palace, then it was probably just De Consort. When you see her, you better nicely cherish…….”
Very soon, under the pillow and quilt, there was no more sound.
Shen Xin Yi heavily breathed a few breaths, slowly removing the cover, seeing the Chu Emperor’s green and purple complexion, his two eyes glaring open. She had the intention to close his eyes, but after three attempts, she was unable to close them no matter what.
[1] Hua Tuo was a legendary doctor of the Eastern Han dynasty (c. 145-208), having invented the now lost mafei powder, which was essentially the earliest form of anesthetic in ancient china, as well as many other advancements in medicine. He was eventually executed by Cao Cao, a warlord that rose to power at the end of the Han dynasty and a very prominent figure during the Three Kingdoms period. The story was that Cao Cao had an awful headache that couldn’t be cured by medication, thus Hua Tuo, as his personal physician, suggested a surgery that involved splitting the head open. Cao Cao perceived this as an assassination attempted, ordering Hua Tuo to be interrogated and later executed. This was a decision that Cao Cao later came to regret after his favorite young son fell ill and later died of illness.
[2] Bian Que (407-310BC) was the nickname of Qin Yue Ren, a skilled physician from the Warring State period. Bian Que was allegedly the name of the earliest known physician from the Huangdi era, one of the five legendary emperors from early history. A lot of the history from that era is mixed with mythology.
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