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Fluttering Jewel Butterfly
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!
Seeing Lu Qi Yang and the Lu family descendants by his side, Lu Zhao Ye no longer wanted to stay here.
Lu Qi Yang usually just likes to play around, getting together with the other tang brothers, wandering about the streets all day, riding horses and cock fighting, a renowned wastrel of the Lu clan. Even at a palace banquet like this, his mouth was also just full of how beautiful those women were, a look of having no ambitions at all.
To be of different aspirations, they were unable to be friends.
“Imperial mother, this son has something to say to Zi Xiang, so won’t stay for long.” Lu Zhao Ye said to Empress Shen.
Without waiting for Empress Shen to respond, Lu Zhao Ye just left on his own.
Watching his figure gradually recede into the distance, Empress Shen revealed a helpless look, shaking her head and saying to Shen Lan Chi, “Lan Chi, it’s rare for the palace to be this lively. Paternal aunt won’t restrict you, so why don’t you go play for a while.”
Shen Lan Chi complied in response.
As soon as she withdrew from Empress Shen’s side, Lu Qi Yang immediately appeared before her again.
Seeing Lu Qi Yang, Shen Lan Chi just mumbled to herself: ‘This guy still owe her half a life.’
When Lu Zi Xiang was returning to the capital, Lu Qi Yang, unknown as to whether it was because he had nothing to do, or had a sudden whim, also got on Lu Zi Xiang’s carriage. If not for her arriving in time, afraid he would’ve fallen off the cliff with the second prince, breaking his arms and legs.
The wastrel heir revealed a smile, like as if showing off, saying, “Didn’t you say that you didn’t want to marry the crown prince? What do you think of my helping hand today?”
“Helping hand?” Shen Lan Chi was somewhat confused, “What did you help me with?”
“Look, the crown prince said that you only look good when you dress up, so I say that you look good even if you don’t dress up. How conceited and prideful is the crown prince? Getting contradicted on this kind of matter, perhaps he won’t want to marry you anymore.” Lu Qi Yang said it so logically, as if it really was the case.
Shen Lan Chi helplessly laughed.
Lu Qi Yang really was having some weird and crooked ideas.
Just as she was about to say something, she noticed that her mother, Shen first madam, who was nearby, had an extremely unpleasant look, vigorously signaling her with her eyes, as if very much not wanting her to talk more with Lu Qi Yang. Shen Lan Chi hooked her lips into a smile, saying to Lu Qi Yang, “Heir, my mother dislikes me talking too much with you, so I’ll be going.”
After saying this, she turned and left, her slender and graceful figure like a flower in the wind.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
“Hey, Miss Shen.” Lu Qi Yang still wanted to say something, but Shen Lan Chi ignored him. He could only reveal an embarrassed look, shrugging his shoulders as if helpless.
The Lu family descendants by Lu Qi Yang’s side all started laughing, randomly consoling.
“Forget it, forget it, where are there not flowers under the sun?”
“She’s the future crown princess. It’s normal for her to not take fancy to Brother Qi Yang.”
“To tell her she’s ugly to her face every day, even if childhood friends, you’d still get disliked.”
These words simply weren’t considered consoling, more like taunting. Lu Qi Yang inwardly sighed, blurting out, “What do you all know?”, then turned to leave.
But, as soon as he turned around, he just bumped into a delicate and frail girl.
Seeing that the person before her was the heir of Zhennan Wang Manor, that girl’s face slightly turned red, saying, “Greetings heir.”
Zhennan Wang Manor held heavy military power in hand, possessing great wealth, also just having Lu Qi Yang, this one child. As such, Lu Qi Yang’s status was naturally extremely noble. Even if he normally liked playing around, in the eyes of these noble young ladies’, that was merely just some harmless little shortcomings.
Furthermore, he was extremely good-looking. When smiling, his eyes had a trace of frivolousness that would always make others blush.
Seeing this bashful look on the girl, Lu Qi Yang’s wastrel friends suddenly got worked up, immediately starting to egg him on, saying things like, “This miss really is a beauty”, “Not inferior to Shen second miss”, “Bumping into here is also a kind of fate”.
The teasing words caused that girl to blush even more.
Lu Qi Yang straightened his clothes and crown, carefully staring at the girl in front. Getting stared at by him, that girl was embarrassed to the point of being unable to lift her head for a long time, like a little deer.
Lu Qi Yang’s eyes swept over the top of her head and hair, landing on her hairpin. The hairpin was carefully carved with silver chrysanthemum petals, the thin stalks of stamen vivid and lifelike, the craftsmanship extremely exquisite.
“Miss, your hairpin is somewhat crooked.” A while later, Lu Qi Yang nodded.
Afterwards, he had the hairpin pulled out from the girl’s hair.
The young girl’s ears turned red, subconsciously lowering her head even lower, so as to let the Zhennan Wang heir have this hairpin put back for her.
Just, she waited left and right, yet still didn’t see the heir insert the hairpin for her.
Lifting her head for a look, she instead saw that hairpin appear on the head of a palace maid.
“This hairpin suits you.” Not only so, Lu Qi Yang even said in seriousness to that palace maid, “This young master will make the decision to have this hairpin bestowed to you.”
“…….Heir…..” The hairpin’s original owner’s lips trembled in anger, her eyes immediately turning red.
Choking with tears, she turned and ran off.
Seeing that young lady run far, those wastrel friends all let out a sound of pity.
“Such a fine young lady just got angered away by you like this. Brother Qi Yang, isn’t this going too far?” One of them said, carrying a hint of pity in his tone.
“Going too far?” Lu Qi Yang flicked the dust from his cuff, his tone carrying a bit of seriousness, “Someone like me can’t afford to hold up such a good young lady, letting them stay farther away from me, isn’t it better?”
Hearing his seemingly serious, yet also seemingly joking words, those descendants of the Lu family all started laughing.
However, on the other side of the imperial garden, it was instead a different kind of scenery.
“You didn’t talk a bit more with his Highness the Crown Prince?” Shen first madam sat at the banquet table, calmly asking her daughter.
“Whenever his Highness sees me, it’s like seeing a tiger, just leaving before I can even say much.” Shen Lan Chi played with her red fingernail, saying in a lazy tone, “Is mother really that determined, wanting your daughter to marry this kind of person?”
“Stop saying nonsense, what do you mean ‘this kind of person’? Be careful getting overheard by others.” Shen first madam poked Shen Lan Chi’s forehead, “If this matter can succeed, then it’s the good fortune you cultivated from your past life. Take a look around, see how many girls here are eyeing that crown princess position?”
Upon hearing this, Shen Lan Chi lifted her eyes and looked around, indeed seeing quite a few familiar faces at the banquet. The one that caught her attention the most was a girl sitting next to Shen Tong Ying. That girl was dressed in moon white, her body as if having no bones, her skin snow-white, her appearance like an elegant immortal fairy. A few newly budding flower buds on the branches heavily hung down, sweeping over her black crow-like hair.
This girl had the surname Ruan, name Bi Qiu.
In the past life, prior to marrying Shen Lan Chi, Lu Zhao Ye, against all the rumors and gossips in court, took in a side consort. That woman that Lu Zhao Ye insisted on taking in despite angering the Shen family was precisely this Ruan Bi Qiu.
Although in this matter, there were some unspeakable reasons, but Lu Zhao Ye ultimately did make the Shen family lose face, even making Shen first madam be angered for quite some time.
Just, this Side Consort Ruan’s fate wasn’t too good. In just half a year after marrying the crown prince, she suddenly died of an illness.
A beauty with a short life, making Shen Lan Chi endlessly pity.
Seeing Ruan Bi Qiu again now, Shen Lan Chi suddenly discovered that this Ruan-shi really did have skin like ice and bones like jade. This kind of beauty marrying Lu Zhao Ye truly was a pity. Even being with her, Shen Lan Chi, it would still be better than withering in the crown prince manor.
Shen Lan Chi was sitting a bit far away, so unable to hear what Ruan Bi Qiu was saying, just seeing her occasionally lowering her head and whispering with Shen Tong Ying, the white pearls in her hair slightly swaying, as if like the stars, causing Shen Lan Chi to glance over from time to time.
“That damn girl really is so scheming, knowing that Liu Ru Yan will cause trouble, so wanted to let me be that target!” Shen Tong Ying furrowed her pretty brows, angrily saying to Ruan Bi Qiu in a low voice, “If I were to lose face at this banquet, then won’t I be unable to marry the crown prince even more?”
Ruan Bi Qiu’s fair hand slightly moved, using the handkerchief that was embroidered with spring orchids to press against the corner of her lips, calmly saying, “Why unduly humble yourself? You and your younger tang sister aren’t that different to begin with. If in the future, she finds a good place to go, smoothly and steadily marrying, then this marriage arrangement naturally will land on your head.”
Hearing Ruan Bi Qiu’s voice that was tranquil like water, Shen Tong Ying calmed down. She swept a glance at Shen Lan Chi’s side profile from a distance, lowering her voice and saying, “That matter you said, I’ve accepted. Helping that damn girl look for a good family to marry is also a token of my love as the older sister.”
As she said this, Shen Tong Ying called over her servant girl, Hong Xiu, whispering into her ear. Hong Xiu nodded, taking a cup of wine that was in front of Shen Tong Ying, and headed to Shen Lan Chi’s side.
Ruan Bi Qiu pressed the embroidered handkerchief against the corner of her lips, slightly hooking it.
“Second miss.” Hong Xiu walked before Shen Lan Chi, bowing to Shen Lan Chi, saying with a smile, “Eldest miss said this fruit wine tastes extremely good, wanting second miss to also have a taste. As such, specially ordered this servant to have this wine brought over.”
“Oh?” Shen Lan Chi raised her brow, gazing towards that cup of wine.
Long when Shen Tong Ying and Ruan Bi Qiu were secretly whispering, she already guessed what these two wanted to do. After all, in the past life, during this palace banquet for the second prince, the exact same thing had happened——-
The wine Hong Xiu brought over dirtied her clothes. She worried that this sorry state of hers will get seen by Lu Zhao Ye, so hurriedly went to change clothes. When changing in the side hall, the Second Prince Lu Zi Xiang mistakenly entered the side door that was normally never used, just happening to run into her in her disheveled state.
And don’t know which servant girl ran their mouth, the rumors and gossips immediately spread throughout the entire palace, to the extent that even Lu Zhao Ye deeply believed that she had some affair with Lu Zi Xiang.
The poor Lu Zi Xiang of the past life had broken his leg, so when running into her changing clothes, his right leg was still bandaged. The unlucky him was still using one leg, jumping and hopping as he entered the side hall.
Don’t know what Lu Zi Xiang was after?
In the past life, she just assumed that it was an accident. But, looking at it now, this wasn’t the case. Afraid, this was a trap that Shen Tong Ying and Ruan Bi Qiu specially set up for her, so as to let her obediently surrender the crown princess position.
Wasn’t it just a ‘crown princess’ title?
In this lifetime, she, Shen Lan Chi, really didn’t want to be this crown princess anymore.
Thinking like this, Shen Lan Chi picked up the wine cup. Her hand lightly swayed, and that wine cup just dropped, the liquid spilling all over. She revealed an astonished look, saying to Hong Xiu, “How careless of me, afraid will have to let down older sister Tong’s good intentions.”
The matter was exceptionally smooth. Hong Xiu was a bit delighted inside, but on the surface, still said in a fluster, “Second miss, please forgive! Second miss, please forgive! This servant didn’t mean to………”
Seeing the situation, Shen first madam frowned, “Really careless, quickly go change.”
“Yes, this daughter will go right away.” Shen Lan Chi smilingly said, “Hong Xiu, get up, this isn’t your fault.”
The palace maids went to go fetch the spare clothes. Shen Lan Chi headed towards the side hall for changing.
As she walked, she instructed the two servant girls by her side, “Bi Yu, you go guard the side door, don’t let anyone in. Lu Zhu, you go have the heir of Zhennan Wang Manor invited over, the quicker the better.”
The two servant girls listened, both extremely confused.
“Miss, this side hall’s side door isn’t used, no need to guard………”
“Inviting the heir over afraid isn’t too appropriate. If the madam were to start blaming…….”
Shen Lan Chi shot a glare at her servant girls, saying, “Are you two the master, or am I the master? Quickly go.”
The two servant girls shivered, immediately going to do as told.
Shen Lan Chi naturally had a plan inside.
If her rumors and gossips really can make Lu Zhao Ye annoyed inside, thereby giving up on the idea to marry her, then she will also be glad to see it happen. Just, the target of the rumors and gossips must be picked by her.
Rather than having involvement with Lu Zi Xiang, it was better to let Lu Qi Yang pick up the advantage.
As for her reputation……….
Reputation, what did that count as?
Is it something that can let her live a little longer under poisoned wine, or can it let her father and brother that were taken into prison be spared from getting beheaded?
Shen Lan Chi has waited in the side hall for quite a while, yet still didn’t see the palace maid that went to fetch the clothes come back.
This was natural.
Since Ruan Bi Qiu has made a move, she won’t leave behind any loose ends. She certainly will let her pitifully wait here alone in her inner garments, so as to let Lu Zi Xiang smoothly run into her undressed.
But this time, Shen Lan Chi wasn’t the least bit worried, even leisurely letting the palace maid serve a cup of tea.
“Miss, there’s trouble.” Lu Zhu hastily returned holding the hem of her dress, running to her side and softly saying, “This servant couldn’t find the heir in the imperial gardens, afraid unable to invite the heir over.”
“This……..” Shen Lan Chi frowned and said, “Forget it, it’s also fine if he doesn’t come. Sit down and have a cup of tea. Don’t know where that palace maid that’s delivering the clothes went?”
She picked up the teacup, shallowly taking a sip. The tea was good tea, the taste rich and mellow. The tea stalk floated on the surface, slowly drifting, casting a green shadow on the thin and clear porcelain cup wall.
At this time, a creaking sound suddenly sounded from the lattice windows of the side hall.
The windows were half open, revealing half a skull.
Shen Lan Chi glimpse over and immediately just recognized who that head belonged to.
“Lu Qi Yang?” She was somewhat dumbstruck, the teacup slightly tilting, nearly causing the tea to spill out, “You…..you…….you’re peeking at me changing?!”
No wonder they couldn’t find this guy anywhere. Turns out, he’d long been hiding under the window sill, waiting to watch her change!
As soon as she said these words, that little heir just immediately jumped up, his two hands propping against the window sill, his handsome face slightly angry, “Stop saying nonsense! What’s so good about you changing clothes? This young master doesn’t even want to see!”
Shen Lan Chi lifted her eyes, leisurely taking a sip of tea, saying, “Then, what are you doing here?”
“……” Lu Qi Yang fell silent for a while, revealing a dry flower from the cracks of his fingers, his voice somewhat unhappy, “Lost drinking, so those brothers of mine let me think of a way to put this flower in your hair.”
Shen Lan Chi swept a glance at that wilted flower and had an understanding inside.
Lu Qi Yang has lost in drinking and betting don’t know how many times already. Sometimes, when he gets drunk, or lose a bet, he would even do some shocking things———For instance, when he was sixteen, while drunk, he forcibly plucked a few strands of the emperor’s hair.
His Majesty had very little hair to begin with, and those few strands were further raised like his precious baby, yet unexpectedly, got four five strands pulled out by Lu Qi Yang all at once.
How outrageous!
Fortunately, his Majesty didn’t get angry at him.
The Zhennan Wang Manor held heavy military power, and perhaps, it was precisely because Lu Qi Yang wasn’t accomplished, liking to play around and having no ambitions, his Majesty would thus feel incomparably at ease towards the Zhennan Wang family.
“Alright, granted.” Shen Lan Chi had the teacup placed aside and walked to the windows, “This flower is not bad, so I will accept it.”
Towards that wilted flower, she just started saying nonsense, “You need to remember, you now owe me another favor.”
“Thanks, thanks, this little one thanks Boss Lan.” Lu Qi Yang hooked his lips, revealing a somewhat shameless smile, “This little one will put it on Boss Lan right away.”
Lu Qi Yang twirled the flower in hand, his fingers extending towards her hair. When his hand was about to reach her hair, he bent his fingertips, having that blue-gilded hundred butterfly hairpin in her hair pulled out.
The hairpin was exquisite. The blue butterfly at the tip of the hairpin had its wings spread, ready to fly. Landing between the man’s slender porcelain-white fingers, it was very pleasing to the eyes.
“What?” Shen Lan Chi smiled, “Want to take my hairpin to bestow to some servant girl? Or sell to pay off your gambling debts? This hairpin of mine isn’t worth much, afraid won’t be able to exchange for much money.”
“What nonsense are you saying?” Lu Qi Yang spun that hairpin between his fingers, having the wilted flower placed between the wings of that sapphire blue butterfly on the hairpin, before he had the hairpin slowly inserted back into her ink-black hair.
“It’s just that this Miss Shen’s hairpin is a bit crooked, that’s all.”
Lu Qi Yang said.
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