Note: The names are retained in traditional Chinese characters as the RAWs I’m translating from are in traditional Chinese and it also makes it easier for me when I’m translating. The new vocabulary terms on the other hand are in simplified Chinese.Characters Shown / Mentioned in this Chapter:
葉璃 |璃兒 – Ye Li | Li er – Main Female Protagonist – first di daughter of the Ye family, but the third child in the family.
清霜 – Qing Shuang – Ye Li‘s yatou
定王 | 定國王 | 墨修堯 – Ding wang | Ding guowang | Mo Xiu Yao – Imperial Prince Ding of the highest rank
黎王 | 墨景黎 – Li wang | Mo Jing Li – Imperial Prince Li
鳳之遙 – Feng Zhi Yao – Friend(?) of Ding wang
Ye Family Members:
葉文華 | 葉尚書 | 尚書大人 | 葉老爺 – Ye Wen Hua | Ye Shangshu | Shangshu daren | Ye laoye – Ye Li‘s father who has the title or position of official in charge of presenting memorials to the emperor and official correspondence / Minister of Revenue
徐氏 – Xu shi – Ye Li‘s mother
王氏 – Wang shi – the current main wife of Ye Shangshu and current zhumu of the household
(葉夫人 – Ye furen – can refer to either Xu shi or Wang shi)
葉昭儀 (大小姐) | 葉玥 – Ye Zhao Yi (da xiaojie) | Ye Yue – Ye Li‘s eldest sister
葉瑩 |瑩兒 – Ye Ying | Ying er – 4th daughter in the family
Staff and Servants
靜兒 – Jing er – One of Ye Li‘s six new yatou
甜兒 – Tian er – One of Ye Li‘s six new yatou
清霞 | 雪燕 – Qing Xia | Xue Yan – One of Ye Li‘s six new yatou | Selected by Ye Li to be a da yatou | Used to be named Xue Yan but was changed to Qing Xia
靜文 | 含情 – Jing Wen | Han Qing – One of Ye Li‘s six new yatou | Selected by Ye Li | Used to be named Han Qing but was changed to Jing Wen
Xu Family Members:
徐御史 | 御史大人 | 二舅舅 – Xu Yushi | Yushi daren | Second jiujiu – Ye Li‘s second jiujiu who is an imperial censor in the current dynasty
徐夫人 – Xu furen – Ye Li‘s second jiumu | wife of Xu Yushi
Ding Guowang Fu Members:Staff and Servants
孫嬤嬤 – Sun momo – Steward momo
Bold - Names of people, placesItalic - Chinese terms in pinyinUnderline - Unknown
Fu Imperial Capital
Chapter 20: Hundred Flowers Event (1)
“I see, you may withdraw.”
Inside the quiet and secluded Water Pavilion that appeared somewhat lonely, a man dressed in nature-coloured (blue/green/black) clothes gazed out the window at the water of the lake outside as he indifferently spoke.
Sun momo‘s[3] face that was solemn and thus looked unkind revealed a trace of helplessness as she looked at the lonesome silhouette of the person in front of her, wanting to say something and yet hesitating to. In the end, she didn’t say anything as she sadly withdrew to go out.
“It would appear that Sun momo‘s impression of that Ye third xiaojie[4] is also not bad. One has to know that making Sun momo speak up for her isn’t at all some easy matter.” On the other side, Feng Zhi Yao who was dressed in ostentatiously gorgeous clothing lazily laughed towards the close friend before his eyes.
Mo Xiu Yao turned his head around to look at him, his eyes calm and gentle, “So what?”
“So what?!” Feng Zhi Yao sat up and glared at him, even his voice that had always been languid had raised a lot higher. “Ah Yao, Ye third xiaojie is your future wife, someone who has to spend a lifetime together with you. You really won’t go and see?”
“If she really is as good as you say, do you think that…they will let me marry her without a hitch? Don’t forget that behind her, there is still a Xu family.” Mo Xiu Yao said calmly and unruffled.
“What does that mean?” Feng Zhi Yao frowned. Was it possible that they could still make mischief?
Mo Xiu Yao lowered his eyes, calmly looking at the hand resting on the armrest of the wheelchair, “That day when Li wang[5] fu sent betrothal gifts, Xian Zhao taifei[6] had specially summoned Ye Li.”
Feng Zhi Yao curled his lip in disdain, “Mo Jing Li surely isn’t once again regretting it, is he? Even if he really did regret it then so what? Does he really think that the Ding guowang fu and Xu family are playthings that he’s allowed to toy with?”
A faint coldness flowed out from Mo Xiu Yao‘s deep and gentle eyes, “The matter of breaking off the engagement was originally Mo Jing Li first decapitating and then presenting a trophy (act first, report later). At that time…the late emperor choosing Ye Li to marry Mo Jing Li really wasn’t without reason.” When Ye Li was born, Ye Wen Hua was merely a third rank upstart; how could the late emperor select a di[7] fei[8] whose family background was of such humble origin for his own doted imperial son? Naturally, it was for Ye Li‘s waizu[9] Xu family. It was a pity within these years, the Xu family gradually withdrew from the imperial court, also letting the majority of people inside and outside the palace to forget in the end how big the Xu family’s influence was.
“Since it was like this, then why would the emperor choose Ye third xiaojie for you?”
“If Ye third xiaojie really was a woman who had no talent, no looks, and no virtue and in addition, had had her engagement broken off by someone, why wouldn’t the emperor have her chosen for me?” Mo Xiu Yao indifferently asked in reply.
Feng Zhi Yao shrugged his shoulders as though it didn’t matter. In any case, the brains of the imperial family members weren’t particularly normal. “Then in the end do you want to go take part in going to Mudan park or not? Do you want to go see your fiancée?”
Mo Xiu Yao turned back to look at the lake, taciturn and not speaking. Feng Zhi Yao took this all in and in his thoughts, inwardly nodded in clear understanding. Ever since that matter, Ah Yao had become even more and more awkward.
Ye Li somewhat had a headache as she looked at the full table in front of her. Most of the table’s entire surface was divided into two sides; each exhibited a set of clothes and its corresponding accessories. On the left was a set of clothing with blue patterns on white; clothes like snow that had light blue butterflies dancing lightly and gracefully over it; the sunlight from outside the window spilling onto it made people even more dazzled in seeing the butterflies’ wings flapping with the desire to fly. Jing er[10] and Tian er held the clothes gently and cautiously; Tian er who was the youngest said in amazement, “These butterflies unexpectedly aren’t embroidered onto it, so pretty ah.”
Qing Xia laughed and said, “This is kesi[11] , it’s very famous and valuable. Generally, kesi are all exceedingly gorgeous images. Something like these clothes of xiaojie‘s that is this kind of simple yet elegant are actually even more rarely seen. Furthermore, this silk thread appears to also be very much not ordinary.”
These clothes held in one’s hands were light as though it were nothing, but it didn’t appear to be the least bit flimsy noticeably; it was obvious it wasn’t ordinary material.
((This translation is originally found on: h t t p : / / g u q i n t r a n s l a t i o n s . w o r d p r e s s . c o m))
Qing Shuang very curiously looked at the left side and then looked at the right side once more, slanting her head to look at Ye Li, “Both of what jiu furen[12] and wangye[13] sent over look very nice, which one does xiaojie want to wear?”
Ye Li looked at this snow silkworm and blue butterfly kesi clothing that jiumu[14] sent over, then her gaze landed on the brocade box on the right side. Inside the box was a light cyan Water Cloud satin[a] that was embroidered with a low-key yet exquisite silver Chinese peony pattern. The sleeved dress showed the faint outline of a graceful, magic cloud pattern; simple as well as low-profile, but with one look, it made people able to feel an unparalleled sense of elegance and comfort.
“Let’s go with this one. Help me properly put away this one that jiumu sent over. When it’s jiujiu‘s[15] birthday next month, I’ll wear this.” Ye Li very quickly made a decision; spending some thought into the clothes and accessories was necessary, but wasting too much time was indeed not needed.
The yatou[16] promptly and carefully had the white clothing with blue butterflies put away properly, holding up the set of clothing that Ding guowang fu sent over to serve Ye Li in changing clothes.
After a short while, Ye Li walked out from behind the screen to the surprised gasps of the yatou; the light cyan colour perfectly suited Ye Li‘s quietly elegant temperament, whereas the exquisite silver threaded decorative design on it kept this simple style of clothing from becoming monotonous. A kind of luxurious that was low-profile, Ye Li lightly praised it on the inside. Even though the Ding guowang fu was already largely not as good as before, but all the presents that they’ve sent out were also extraordinary.
“This is Water Cloud satin?!” Jing Wen who had always been standing at the side and somewhat didn’t contribute shouted out in shock.
Qing Xia‘s expression was also somewhat astonished. Mandarin Duck brocade, Water Cloud satin, and Hibiscus muslin’s[b] combined name is the Three Treasures of Nanzhao; the country Nanzhao’s most precious specialty. Moreover, they all weren’t at all goods used for trading between the two countries; they were only ever presented as gifts between the two countries every year. And the Water Cloud satin as the head of the Three Treasures, it also wouldn’t surpass ten bolts every year at the palace.
Ye Li glanced at Jing Wen with a smile on her face, “You actually have good eyesight.”
Jing Wen‘s complexion slightly changed and she said with a strained smile, “Nubi[17] had also seen it once at fourth xiaojie‘s. It was Zhao Yi niangniang[18] who had bestowed it to fourth xiaojie.” She had indeed seen it before at fourth xiaojie‘s place, but it wasn’t an outfit at all but merely a strip of silk cloth and nothing more. Although Water Cloud satin was called satin, it was different from the ordinary silk fabric that was luxurious and heavy but instead was soft and elegant; if she hadn’t seen that hidden gorgeous decorative design up close, she absolutely wouldn’t have been able to tell that this was Water Cloud satin.
Last year fourth xiaojie had been bestowed a piece of Water Cloud satin by Ye Zhao Yi, but it absolutely wasn’t enough to be made into clothes; Ye Ying also hated to part with it and could only let people carefully put it away.
Ever since that day that Jing Wen had acted on her own initiative and had Wang shi[19] drawn into Qing Yi Xuan without notification, although Ye Li hadn’t at all said anything, Jing Wen had continuously been cautious for fear that third xiaojie would find an excuse to punish her. Yet she didn’t expect that this one moment of surprise would arouse Ye Li‘s attention.
Ye Li nodded her head and no longer paid attention to the somewhat nervous Jing Wen, turning around to sit in front of the mirror. Qing Xia and Qing Shuang held up the accessories that Ding guowang fu sent over, choosing the ones that were suitable for arranging her hair.
Jing Wen quietly stood at the corner, looking at the methodically arranged bustling yatou feeling somewhat awkward and yet unreconciled. Her sight landed on the casually placed box of accessories and promptly lowered her head, not daring to look at it again, yet was unaware that Ye Li who was sitting in front of the mirror had managed to see her not yet concealed expression just in time.
Qing Shuang‘s white hand deftly inserted the last jade hairpin into her hair and gave a satisfied smile, saying, “Today, xiaojie will definitely cause all the young ladies in the capital to be eclipsed (to be overshadowed).”
“What nonsense are you saying? If you let others hear these words, they might laugh to death.” Ye Li shot a glance at the fully confident Qing Shuang, softly reprimanding her.
Qing Shuang playfully blinked her eyes and smiled, saying, “In Qing Shuang‘s eyes, xiaojie is the most beautiful woman on earth ah.”
“Beautiful or not isn’t important, looking presentable would be enough.” Waiting until everything was tidied up properly, Ye Li stood up and said, “Let’s go, mustn’t be late.”
Qing Shuang and Qing Xia promptly followed from behind Ye Li. Qing Shuang still didn’t forget to lower her voice to whisper, “Don’t know if Ding wang will come join the Hundred Flowers Event or not.”
Qing Xia glanced at Ye Li walking in front and said in a lowered voice, “The Hundred Flowers Event is the gathering of the capital’s well-bred xiaojie; although every year they would also invite some prestigious people as a basis, but Ding wang seems to have never participated in it before.”
Glossary:
- Guowang (国王 – former appellation for '亲王 – qinwang' which is the highest rank of a prince, used from Han to Ming dynasty)
- Fu (府 – official residence / family residence compound / household / term for family and home put together)
- Momo (嬤嬤 – old maid / wet nurse)
- Xiaojie (小姐 – Young miss / lady)
- Wang (王 – imperial prince)
- Taifei (太妃 – imperial concubine of the previous emperor)
- Di (嫡 – legitimate / of the official wife)
- Fei (妃 – wife / female consort / concubine)
- Waizu (外祖 – referring to maternal family)
- Er (儿 – term of endearment for one’s child / child)
- Kesi (缂丝 – Chinese silk tapestry woven in a pictorial design)
- Jiu furen (舅夫人 – madam or wife of the maternal uncle)
- Wangye (王爺 – term for addressing an imperial prince)
- Jiumu (舅母 – aunt who is the wife of maternal uncle)
- Jiujiu (舅舅 – maternal uncle)
- Yatou (丫头 – young maidservant / young girl)
- Nubi (奴婢 – slave servant / term used by servants to refer to themselves)
- Niangniang (娘娘 – term meaning ‘mother’ but is used when addressing the empress, concubine, female royal, etc. by someone of lower rank)
- Shi (氏 – clan name / maiden surname)
More Infoa) “云缎 – yunduan” refers to brocade that uses a cloud pattern, although “缎 – duan” specifically means satin. Here, the words used were “水云缎 – shuiyunduan” where “水 – shui” means water. I can’t seem to find an actual reference for such a term online, so I just left it as Water Cloud satin.b) In Chinese, they are: 鸳鸯锦 – Yuanyang jin (Mandarin Duck Brocade), 水云缎 – Shui Yun duan (Water Cloud Satin / Brocade), and 芙蓉纱 – Furong sha (Hibiscus muslin).Note: The names are retained in traditional Chinese characters as the RAWs I’m translating from are in traditional Chinese and it also makes it easier for me when I’m translating. The new vocabulary terms on the other hand are in simplified Chinese.Characters Shown / Mentioned in this Chapter:
葉璃 |璃兒 – Ye Li | Li er – Main Female Protagonist – first di daughter of the Ye family, but the third child in the family.
清霜 – Qing Shuang – Ye Li‘s yatou
定王 | 定國王墨修堯 – Ding wang | Ding guowang | Mo Xiu Yao – Imperial Prince Ding of the highest rank
黎王 | 墨景黎 – Li wang | Mo Jing Li – Imperial Prince Li
Ye Family Members:
葉文華 | 葉尚書 | 尚書大人 | 葉老爺 – Ye Wen Hua | Ye Shangshu | Shangshu daren | Ye laoye – Ye Li‘s father who has the title or position of official in charge of presenting memorials to the emperor and official correspondence / Minister of Revenue
徐氏 – Xu shi – Ye Li‘s mother
王氏 – Wang shi – the current main wife of Ye Shangshu and current zhumu of the household
(葉夫人 – Ye furen – can refer to either Xu shi or Wang shi)
葉昭儀 (大小姐) | 葉玥 – Ye Zhao Yi (da xiaojie) | Ye Yue – Ye Li‘s eldest sister
葉瑩 |瑩兒 – Ye Ying | Ying er – 4th daughter in the family
葉琳 – Ye Lin – 5th daughter of the family
葉珊 – Ye Shan – 6th daughter in the family
Xu Family Members:
徐夫人 – Xu furen – Ye Li‘s second jiumu | wife of Xu Yushi
Bold - Names of people, placesItalic - Chinese terms in pinyinUnderline - Unknown
Fu Imperial Capital
Chapter 21: Hundred Flowers Event (2)
Ye Fu[1] Main Entrance
Ye Li still wasn’t able to go out the door in time when she saw Ye Ying surrounded by yatou[2] leisurely coming over, followed by Ye Lin and Ye Shan whose faces showed happy expressions. It would appear that the matter regarding the Hundred Flowers Event‘s invitation had nevertheless been resolved. Ye Li wasn’t at all familiar towards these two younger sisters, therefore normally–even though they occasionally would make her stumble (metaphor for secretly using means to frame others) for the sake of currying favour with Wang shi[3] –as long as they didn’t really provoke her, she generally also didn’t want to bother about with them. After all, she had also never taken up the responsibility of being an elder sister; naturally she also couldn’t hope for the other person to treat her with the camaraderie of being a younger sister.
Seeing Ye Li, Ye Lin and Ye Shan somewhat unwillingly stepped forward to salute her.
“Hello, third elder sister.”
Ye Li nodded her head, “Fourth younger sister, fifth younger sister, sixth younger sister.”
Ye Ying was dressed in a snow-white, wide-sleeved outer garment decorated with specks of pink cherry blossom petals. A head of fine black hair was gathered into a simple hair bun; in the middle of her hair was a golden buyao[4] of a pair of butterflies continuously flying, the refined butterflies’ wings slightly trembling realistically amidst movement.
Ye Ying was undoubtedly a young lady who would very much dress herself up. Actually, all the Ye family’s sisters’ appearances weren’t lacking, but once Ye Lin and Ye Shan who were equally dressed up in a way that wasn’t lacking had walked up in front of Ye Ying, their remarkable likeness ended up serving as a contrast. Seeing the makeup of a few specks of pink cherry blossom petals on the space between the eyebrows, it made her entire self seem to have an added bit of refined fairy-like temperament. Number one beauty in the capital–indeed the name wasn’t in vain.
At the same time that Ye Li was sizing up Ye Ying, Ye Ying was also sizing up this third elder sister that both she and muqin[5] equally didn’t like. Ye Li who had never joined any of the capital’s gatherings and furthermore normally didn’t seem to be good at dressing up at all, Ye Ying originally considered her to be beneath her notice and seeing Ye Li dressed in light cyan clothing verified this way of thinking. Although Ye Li didn’t at all wear those clothes that muqin had people send over, it didn’t at all mean that her own response would be much better.
However, after she walked closer, Ye Ying only then discovered that this dressed-up look of Ye Li‘s wasn’t at all as unremarkable as she thought it would be. The light cyan material that appeared to be plain and lacking splendor, the hidden pattern that vaguely flowed in a magnificent way under the sunlight, as well as that decorative design of the broken branch and peony embroidered from silver silk thread made the young woman before one’s eyes give people a reserved as well as graceful kind of noble flavour.
There were also those two jasper orchid flower hairpins inlaid with night pearls in the middle of her hair that were precisely this month’s newly released product from Fenghua Lou[6]. She herself had already fancied it at an earlier time, it was just that mother had continuously didn’t agree to buy it. She didn’t expect that she would actually see it on Ye Li‘s head. Seeing this kind of clothes and ornaments of Ye Li‘s that was low-key yet impressive, simple yet not losing respect, Ye Ying who was originally vaguely pleased towards her own look was itching to immediately turn around and go back to tear this set of clothes.
Recalling the matter she heard about how Ding guowang[7] fu had sent people over to give things to Ye Li two days ago, Ye Ying was even more depressed on the inside. Ever since she and Li wang[8] got engaged, Li wang had never sent her anything!
“Since everyone’s present, let’s set off. It wouldn’t be good to be late.” Ye Li withdrew her gaze and spoke to the three sisters.
Outside the door were already three parked horse-drawn carriages. The one in front was Ye Li‘s, the one after was Ye Ying‘s. And Ye Shan and Ye Lin as shu nu[9] could only share one carriage. Ye Shan who was the youngest looked at the carved red sandalwood carriage and then at the carved pear wood carriage with light muslin curtains that belonged to Ye Ying, and then once again looked at that carriage that she and Ye Lin commonly used, her little mouth curled in grievance.
Seeing Ye Ying and Ye Li who were mounting their carriages on their own, Ye Shan‘s eyes twirled (means getting an idea) and ran towards Ye Li, “Third elder sister, can Shan er[10] sit together with you?”
Ye Li who had already mounted the carriage looked back to see Ye Shan with a face of naivety and longing and indifferently nodded, “Get on then.”
Ye Shan promptly stepped on the brocade stool to mount the carriage in delight. Ye Ying who was behind them obviously also heard their words and slightly raised a corner of the muslin curtain and smiled towards Ye Lin who was still standing at the side, saying, “Since it’s like this, fifth younger sister, you come sit together with me then. Also prevent me from being very bored on my own.” Ye Lin gratefully thanked Ye Ying at once and also followed in mounting Ye Ying‘s carriage.
The carriage slowly and steadily moved in the direction of the Mudan (tree peony) park. Ye Li sat inside the carriage and looked at Ye Shan‘s face that clearly was unable to conceal being upset and only thought it was very funny on the inside. Was this look of hers due to her behaviour a moment ago and the high possibility that she had offended Ye Ying and was thus regretting it? The daughters of this era somewhat thought too much; there were still a couple of months till Ye Shan fully turned thirteen years old. Recalling how in her own past life, even when she was only twelve years old, she was already compelled to be burdened with countless books on the art of war and strategies; essentially, she was still only a little brat who didn’t understand anything. Being able to occasionally play pettily with yeye[11] or her tangxiong[12] tangjie[13] wasn’t bad; where would she be able to think up these thoughts of fighting and scheming against each other? This was also merely a kind of tactic for them to survive, so Ye Li didn’t at all think of deliberately making things difficult for this young girl who was currently upset.
“Being excessively competitive isn’t at all a good thing.” Handing the book in her hands over to Qing Shuang to be properly put away, Ye Li studied Ye Shan whose expression kept changing irregularly with interest. In the end she was still of young age, there were many times in which she would be unable to conceal her own expressions and way of thinking.
“You…what nonsense are you saying? I wasn’t at all!” Ye Shan‘s soft and immature little face flushed red, biting her lip as she glared at Ye Li.
“Sitting in my carriage and sitting in your own carriage–is there really such a big difference?” Ye Li indifferently asked.
Ye Shan ferociously glared at her, her eyes revealing her feelings of being unreconciled and resentment, yet very quickly became dispirited once more, “That’s right, even if you were to lose favour again, you are still a di[14] daughter. Even if you had your engagement broken off by Li wang, you could still marry Ding wang to be a di fei[15] . As for me, even if I were to be smarter and how much more well-liked I am by fuqin[16] and zumu[17] , I would forever be a shu nu; in the future if I don’t marry another person to be a ceshi[18] , I would be marrying a shuzi[19] to be a main wife.”
Ye Li remained silent as she looked at the embittered and indignant little guniang[20] before her eyes, only twelve years old and yet was already thinking over these things; even though it had been already so many years, she was still somewhat unused to it. Furthermore, the way this yatou talked still really wasn’t particularly good to hear. “Speaking to hurt people isn’t at all a good habit.”
“Hmph!”
((This translation is originally found on: h t t p : / / g u q i n t r a n s l a t i o n s . w o r d p r e s s . c o m))
Ye Li also felt disinclined to bother about with her. It was only until they nearly arrived at their destination did she then seem to think aloud as she said, “If there was no way to change one’s identity, rather than going to make extravagant demands of things that one is incapable of attaining, it would be better to allow one’s self to get by much better within the realm of possibility.
Ye Shan was distracted for a bit. After a while, only then did she seem to react as she glared resentfully at Ye Li and said, “Are you warning me that I shouldn’t have wishful thinking about good things?
Ye Li felt that she was being choked and after a long time, only then said, “I am saying that you are still young, you can also take your time in thinking about anything. Also, it seems we ought to get off the carriage now.”
Seeing Ye Shan displaying her face as she tried to be the first to get off the carriage, Ye Li shrugged her shoulders, finding it funny. Qing Shuang‘s pretty face was gloomy as she said, “Xiaojie[21] , why would you pay attention to sixth xiaojie? She normally has had her fair share of antagonizing you. Really doesn’t acknowledge people’s goodwill.”
Ye Li patted her hand, reaching out to raise the hanging screen of the carriage and said with a smile, “She is still a child. Every person has their own means of survival; as long as she hadn’t really endangered me, could it be that I would still get into a dispute with a child?”
Mudan (tree peony) park was the capital’s as well as the entire Da Chu‘s biggest place for viewing tree peonies; every year people from the entire country and even people of various countries would travel a long distance in order to come, only for the sake of appreciating the fragrant beauty of all the colourful tree peonies. The fourth month was the season in which the tree peonies were in full bloom, the flowery fragrance faintly diffused in the atmosphere could even be smelled from far away.
The Shangshu[22] fu these days in the capital could be said to be rapidly increasing in visibility; one daughter who was bestowed the title of “Zhao Yi[23] ” had conceived a dragon heir (child of the emperor), among two daughters one was the future Li wangfei[24] and one was the future Ding guowangfei[25]. So when the carriages had just arrived at the entrance, it attracted quite a lot of people’s attention. At the same time that the people were praising the good looks of the capital’s number one beauty, they cast even more sympathy (pity?) towards the carriage in front. That’s why when Ye Shan had come out from the carriage in that moment, it caused everyone who was feigning to accidentally stand in a circle around to watch to be momentarily distracted. When they recomposed themselves, only then did they then see a pretty and charming young woman dressed as a yatou come down from the carriage, followed by the curtain being raised as a quiet young lady whose appearance was clear and elegant came out from within.
This was the future Ding wangfei ah?
Everyone didn’t know if they were amazed or disappointed on the inside. This Ye third xiaojie clearly wasn’t at all as ugly, crude and awkward as they had imagined; the calm and graceful incomparable bearing showed that she had a very good upbringing, which caused the people to coincidentally recall this Ye third xiaojie‘s waizu[26] –that hundred-year-old large and influential Xu family whose literary gift had passed on through the generations. Looking at the fairy-like delicate and inaccessible Ye fourth xiaojie at the side, it was clear that it was third xiaojie‘s, this pretty appearance, magnanimous bearing, and dignified manner of a young woman that was even more suited to be a zhumu[27] managing a household.
It was also possible that it was due to jealousy towards Ye Ying that a trace of doubt emerged in the gaze of many of the young ladies present in their admiration of His Highness Li wang, at the same time also having an added trace of certainty in their own selves.
Inside Mudan park were indeed flowers in full bloom and colourful butterflies fluttering about, whereas the young women in the middle of their nostalgia at their age had an even more added clear fascination for these beautiful colours. In twos and threes, the young women stayed together with girlfriends that they had good relationships with, laughing shallowly as they muttered, the semblance of a group of flourishing peace and security.
When Ye Li and the others had arrived at the meeting place at the center of Mudan park, there were already a lot of people who had arrived earlier. Among the places that the young ladies encircled, there was a place to play the zither, play chess, make paintings, and recite poetry. The Gongzhu[28] fu‘s maids traveled back and forth between them, perfectly waiting upon these well-bred young ladies of noble birth.
“Ying er…”
Once Ye Ying approached, someone immediately called out to her. The several young women of the same age who greeted as they came over clearly normally had a rather good relationship with Ye Ying. The others also revealed welcoming smiles towards Ye Ying in succession.
“Ying er you finally came, ever since you and His Highness Li wang got engaged, we haven’t seen each other in so long.” A young lady in bright coloured clothing happily pulled Ye Ying, smiling as she spoke.
Ye Ying smiled, her beautiful face also affected with a trace of a blush, “Mother made me stay at home, I also missed everyone very much.”
After everyone busily gave compliments like Ye Ying, that young lady in the bright coloured clothing only then asked, “Ying er, this person….is Ye third xiaojie?”
“I am Ye Li, giving courtesy to every xiaojie.” Ye Li had a smile on her face as she spoke.
The young ladies each swapped glances, only feeling that this Ye third xiaojie wasn’t at all as unbearable as was rumoured. Not to mention, she was also the future Ding guowangfei, the Shangshu fu‘s true di daughter, as well as Xu laoxiansheng‘s[29] waisunnu[30].
Very quickly, someone expressed goodwill towards Ye Li, “Ye xiaojie, hello. I am Qin Yushi‘s[31] second daughter, Qin Zheng.”
“My name is Murong Ting, general Yang Yun‘s daughter.”
“………”
“Hmph! I wondered who it was? So it turned out to be the Ye third xiaojie who had her engagement broken off by Jing Li elder brother ah.”
Glossary:
- Fu (府 – official residence / family residence compound / household / term for family and home put together)
- Yatou (丫头 – young maidservant / young girl)
- Shi (氏 – clan name / maiden surname)
- Buyao (步摇 – dangling hair ornament)
- Muqin (母亲 – respectful or intimate way of addressing mother)
- Fenghua Lou (风华 – magnificent | 楼 – storied building)
- Guowang (国王 – former appellation for '亲王 – qinwang' which is the highest rank of a prince, used from Han to Ming dynasty)
- Wang (王 – imperial prince)
- Shu nu (庶女 – concubine’s daughter)
- Er (儿 – term of endearment for one’s child / child)
- Yeye (爷爷 – paternal grandfather)
- Tangxiong (堂兄 – paternal uncle’s son / paternal male cousin)
- Tangjie (堂姐 – paternal uncle's daughter older than one's self / paternal female elder cousin)
- Di (嫡 – legitimate / of the official wife)
- Fei (妃 – wife / female consort / concubine)
- Fuqin (父亲 – respectful or intimate way of addressing father)
- Zumu (祖母 – respectful or intimate way of addressing grandmother)
- Ceshi (側室 – sideroom / concubine)
- Shuzi (庶子 – son of a concubine / bastard)
- Guniang (姑娘 – young lady / girl)
- Xiaojie (小姐 – Young miss / lady)
- Shangshu (尚書 – title or position of official in charge of presenting memorials to the emperor and official correspondence)
- Zhao Yi (昭仪 – a type of ancient concubine title / 昭 – bright / clear | 仪 – instrument / ceremony / rites / appearance)
- Wangfei (王妃 – consort princess / wife of an imperial prince or “王 – wang“)
- Guowangfei (国王妃 – consort princess / wife of an imperial prince of the highest rank or “国王 – guowang")
- Waizu (外祖 – referring to maternal family)
- Zhumu (主母 – owner ‘mother’ / mother in charge of the household)
- Gongzhu (公主 – imperial princess)
- Laoxiansheng (老先生 – old mister / old teacher)
- Waisunnu (外孫女 – granddaughter through female descendant)
- Yushi (御史 – imperial censor)
Note: The names are retained in traditional Chinese characters as the RAWs I’m translating from are in traditional Chinese and it also makes it easier for me when I’m translating. The new vocabulary terms on the other hand are in simplified Chinese.Characters Shown / Mentioned in this Chapter:
葉璃 |璃兒 – Ye Li | Li er – Main Female Protagonist – first di daughter of the Ye family, but the third child in the family.
定王 | 定國王墨修堯 – Ding wang | Ding guowang | Mo Xiu Yao – Imperial Prince Ding of the highest rank
黎王 | 墨景黎 – Li wang | Mo Jing Li – Imperial Prince Li
Ye Family Members:
葉文華 | 葉尚書 | 尚書大人 | 葉老爺 – Ye Wen Hua | Ye Shangshu | Shangshu daren | Ye laoye – Ye Li‘s father who has the title or position of official in charge of presenting memorials to the emperor and official correspondence / Minister of Revenue
王氏 – Wang shi – the current main wife of Ye Shangshu and current zhumu of the household
(葉夫人 – Ye furen – can refer to either Xu shi or Wang shi)
葉瑩 |瑩兒 – Ye Ying | Ying er – 4th daughter in the family
葉琳 – Ye Lin – 5th daughter of the family
葉珊 – Ye Shan – 6th daughter in the family
Xu Family Members:
徐夫人 – Xu furen – Ye Li‘s second jiumu | wife of Xu Yushi
徐清澤 – Xu Qing Ze – Ye Li‘s cousin | second in the family | nineteen years old
Imperial Family Members + Subjects:
賢昭太妃 – Xian Zhao taifei – An imperial concubine of the previous emperor
昭陽長公主 / 長公主 – Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu | Chang gongzhu – Imperial Princess Zhao Yang Chang | elder sister of the emperor
容華郡主 – Rong Hua junzhu – daughter of Zhao Ren Chang gongzhu | niece of Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu
Others:
秦箏 – Qin Zheng – second daughter of Qin Yushi
慕容婷 – Murong Ting – General Yang Wei‘s daughter
Bold - Names of people, placesItalic - Chinese terms in pinyinUnderline - Unknown
Fu Imperial Capital
Chapter 22: Hundred Flowers Event (3)
“Hmph! I wondered who it was? So it turned out to be the Ye third xiaojie[1] who had her engagement broken off by Jing Li elder brother ah.”
A peaceful scenario’s atmosphere would always give off one or two discordant voices; everyone turned around to see a gorgeously made up noble young lady surrounded by others walking over.
Ye Li slightly recalled for a moment and understood the identity of the young woman before her eyes; she was the daughter of the emperor’s biaomei[2] Zhao Ren Chang gongzhu[3] , Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu‘s niece Rong Hua junzhu[4].
Although Ye Li wasn’t familiar with the well-bred young ladies of the capital, jiujiu[5] had let jiumu[6] send some information pertaining to all the prestigious and influential families in the capital over to her, and there was even a further analysis emphasizing which among the several were worth especially paying attention to; this Rong Hua junzhu happened to be precisely one of them.
“Rong Hua junzhu has an impatient temper. Ye xiaojie, be a little careful.” Someone suddenly said in a low voice from right next to Ye Li.
Ye Li lifted her head and happened to see that Qin Yushi‘s[7] daughter Qin Zheng smiling benevolently towards her. Ye Li gratefully nodded her head. Qin Zheng also answered with a smile.
“Greeting junzhu.” Everyone present promptly stepped forward to pay respects to Rong Hua junzhu.
Rong Hua junzhu gave a light humph and walked over in front of Ye Li, watching her attentively as she sized her up for quite a while and only then loftily said, “So you are Ye Li?”
Ye Li nodded her head, “Replying to junzhu, that is correct.” Not knowing why, Ye Li very keenly was able to detect the hostility this Rong Hua junzhu had towards her. Under the circumstances of having never met Rong Hua junzhu before, Ye Li was somewhat unable to understand where this junzhu‘s hostility was coming from.
“Hmph, I heard the you knew that you looked ugly and didn’t dare to come out to meet people. How is it that after getting discarded by Jing Li elder brother, you couldn’t wait to come running back out? Don’t you feel embarrassed?” Rong Hua junzhu‘s exquisitely made up face was full of disdain; the well-bred young ladies standing at the side heard these words of hers and also starting discussing in lowered voices one after the other.
A faint trace of coldness streaked across Ye Li‘s eyes, her sight unflinchingly fixed on the respected, imposing and threatening spoiled young woman. Even though Ye Li had always posed herself as having a peaceful mentality, she also had to say that this yatou[8] was really too unlikable.
“I have troubled junzhu to become worried. Ye Li had come out this long and yet I haven’t scared a single person. Perhaps it was me who had previously undervalued myself too much.” Ye Li‘s manner of speaking was gentle and yet wasn’t the least bit weak nor avoidant, “As for His Highness Li wang[9] …it is indeed Ye Li who is unworthy of him. His Majesty being able enough to select another good match for His Highness Li wang is indeed extremely wise.”
“You having self-knowledge is good!” Rong Hua junzhu also didn’t expect that Ye Li would say these kinds of word and got distracted for a bit before speaking in disdain.
Ye Ying who was at the side promptly came forward and apologized with a smile as she said, “Rong Hua, elder sister had never attended a gathering of the capital before. If she had offended you in any way, I still request that you do not cast blame.”
Ye Ying obviously wanted to act as the good younger sister helping her elder sister out of trouble in front of everybody. But it was Rong Hua junzhu who didn’t at all want to give her this face (means honour or reputation). One hand brandishing away the hand that Ye Ying reached out in wanting to pull her hand, she loathingly shot a glance at Ye Ying and said, “She is rubbish, you are even more not a good thing. Whether this junzhu will cast blame or not, is it for you to say?”
Ye Ying‘s perfect smile immediately turned rigid on her face, motionless as she also forgot to retrieve the hand that was slapped aside for awhile. “Rong Hua, you…..”
Rong Hua junzhu proudly raised her chin, loathingly looking at Ye Ying as she said, “This junzhu‘s original name is also for you to say?”
Seeing Rong Hua junzhu glaring at Ye Ying with eyes that clearly showed her angry loathing and jealousy, Ye Li‘s mind had a little bit of a basic understanding. If one were to say that Rong Hua junzhu was impolite towards her, then towards Ye Ying, it was precisely the openly and without fear kind of rejecting and humiliating the person. It could be assumed that one was unable to escape from something to do with that Highness Li wang whose name moved the capital. She slightly shook her head on the inside; although she didn’t hold much affection towards this younger sister, Ye Li also equally didn’t think highly of Li wang and Rong Hua junzhu. The marriage of close relatives wasn’t anything of good benefit ah.
Ye Ying looked as though she were wronged as she stared at Rong Hua junzhu, her cherry lips moving as though she wanted to say something. Ye Li moved first as she stepped forward to hold her hand turned back to look at Rong Hua junzhu, “I heard that the relationship between junzhu and younger sister had always been rather good. Younger sister offending junzhu just now was my, this elder sister’s, failure in teaching her, I still request junzhu to be magnanimous enough to be forgiving.”
Rong Hua junzhu raised a beautiful eyebrow, “Are you not afraid that this junzhu would penalize you? Or are you still thinking of inviting trouble by yourselves just like Ye Ying?”
Ye Li frowned and shallowly laughed, “Junzhu is generous, for sure you wouldn’t get angry over this bit of trivial matter. After going back, Ye Li would definitely report to fuqin[10] and muqin[11] . By that time, we would make a special trip to go to the Gongzhu fu[12] to beg for forgiveness from junzhu, gongzhu, and fuma[13].” So now could you not torment people?
Rong Hua junzhu stared fixedly at Ye Li for quite a while and looking pensive, said, “You are actually a bit more suitable in being seen in public compared to Ye Ying. Jing Li elder brother’s vision is still really not so good.”
Obviously able to feel that Ye Ying‘s wrist in her hand was somewhat stiff, Ye Li inwardly couldn’t help but be speechless and look to the skies: Rong Hua junzhu, would you die if you don’t incite disharmony?
((This translation is originally found on: h t t p : / / g u q i n t r a n s l a t i o n s . w o r d p r e s s . c o m))
“Junzhu had erroneously praised, His Highness Li wang‘s vision and reputation had always been for the people to commend.”
In the end, Rong Hua junzhu heavily gave a humph and brought a large group of people with her as she majestically stormed off in a huff. Everyone who was left behind had an expression of sympathy, pity, and worry; offending this particular spoiled junzhu wasn’t at all a good thing.
“Fourth elder sister, are you alright?”
Seeing Rong Hua junzhu walk far off, Ye Shan and Ye Lin only then promptly made their way over to inquire in concern. The other several daughters who had a good relationship also surrounded Ye Ying to enquire solicitously about her well-being. Even if Ye Ying had offended the Gongzhu fu and Rong Hua junzhu, don’t forget that she was still the future Li wangfei[14]. His Highness Li wang was deeply favoured by the emperor and empress dowager; Li wangfei‘s position was actually much higher when compared with Rong Hua junzhu.
“Rong Hua junzhu precisely has this kind of temper, don’t mind it.” A gentle and elegant voice said softly from beside Ye Li.
Ye Li lifted her head to see the scholarly Yushi xiaojie smiling beautifully before her eyes and calmly smiled, saying, “I’m alright. Many thanks to Qin xiaojie‘s reminder just now.”
Qin Zheng also smiled generously and said, “No need to thank me, my muqin and Xu furen[15] are close friends. Xu furen would frequently mention you. I had already wanted to meet you early on, but it’s a pity that you seldom participate in gatherings, actually was continuously unable to meet.”
Ye Li remembered that this Qin xiaojie‘s father Qin Yushi seems to be precisely her waigong[16] Qing Yun xiansheng‘s[17] school’s disciple. The most important was that Qin Zheng and her second biaoge[18] Xu Qing Ze seemed to also have this arranged marriage from before they were born kind of engagement. It was no wonder that biaoge said that second biaoge coming to the capital this time plans to dwell here; the second biaoge who was already nineteen-years-old indeed ought to get married. Thinking till here, the smile on Ye Li‘s face had the added bit of even more sincerity, “Calling me by my name is fine. Before, I wasn’t fond of going out but fortunately, I hadn’t missed out on you, this kind of good friend. But….from now on we will be even more familiar with one another, isn’t that right?”
Qin Zheng obviously understood what she was referring to and her pretty face turned slightly red as she glanced at her and said, “I’m older than you by half a year, you can call me elder sister. I’ll introduce some of my good friends for you to get acquainted with.”
As a result, Ye Li and Ye Ying were pulled apart to either side and Qin Zheng introduced Ye Li to her own good friends. Without incident, these several young ladies were all the ones who had taken the initiative to greet Ye Li before; when they discovered that Ye Li wasn’t at all as unbearable as was rumored and instead was the kind of unmarried noble daughter who had a graceful bearing and a magnanimous style of conversation, everyone also cheerfully accepted this new friend.
Sitting together with newly made friends at a spot and discussing some interesting things in the capital, Ye Li discovered that these girls weren’t at all as dull as she had originally thought. Indeed, as the unmarried noble daughters groomed with utmost care of famous and influential noble families, the majority of them would become these influential clans’ zhumu[20] managing the household in the future. Naturally they would all be intelligent women who possess both talent and capability, and not like the lovesick characters in those books where they are written to be willing to live and die for love.
“Ye xiaojie, you had better stay away from that younger sister of yours a bit.” Murong Ting clearly inherited her father’s, General Yang Wei’s, outspoken and straightforward character, aiming a glance at Ye Ying who was standing not far away and who was currently comparing notes on the art of playing the zither with other people as she spoke.
Ye Li raised her brows and said, “How could you say these words?”
Murong Ting waved her hand as she said, “Ye Ying‘s reputation right now doesn’t at all sound good. I heard that originally Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu hadn’t at all wanted to send out an invitation to her. Who knew that she somehow managed to persuade Xian Zhao taifei[19] to personally speak favourably on her behalf so that she could get an invitation. Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu conducts herself as upright and hates those people who do not abide by the rules the most. If you were to get too close with her, Chang gongzhu might even vent her anger out on you.”
Ye Li knew that Ye Ying‘s reputation right now wasn’t good, but she was still somewhat surprised that it wasn’t good to this extent. She had thought that this era wouldn’t at all be as strict towards the woman as that of previous generations of old.
“If it had been an ordinary bestowed marriage then just forget it. Even if there was someone who was jealous, it would also be hard to say anything.” Another Hua Guo Gong[21] fu‘s xiaojie‘s beautiful eyebrows knitted as she took up someone else’s remark and said, “When there still hadn’t been a decreed marriage yet, she had already had underhanded dealings with her future jiefu[22] ; this kind of sister, who could tolerate it? In the past, Rong Hua junzhu and Ye Ying‘s relationship was the best. As a result, once the marriage was decreed, Rong Hua junzhu then had a fallout with Ye Ying.”
Murong Ting said in disdain, “I heard that at the time, Li wang and Ye Ying meeting together was for the most part because of Rong Hua junzhu. Rong Hua junzhu probably felt that she had been used by Ye Ying.”
Qin Zheng‘s eyebrows creased as she said, “Alright, what are you guys doing saying these in front of Li er[23]?”
The two people only then remembered that Ye Li was precisely the most direct victim in this matter. It originally made the capital’s well-bred young ladies admire Li wangfei, but now it changed to Ding guowangfei[24] being sympathized with by everyone. They couldn’t help but remorsefully look towards Ye Li, momentarily not knowing how they ought to speak up to apologize.
Ye Li covered her lips as she laughed, saying, “It’s not even a big matter, it’s just meaningless talk. You don’t need to be this worried.”
Qin Zheng worriedly looked at her and said, “Li er…you……”
Ye Li waved her hand and said, “The emperor’s life is a tough job. Since it’s already like this, it’s only natural that I need to accept reality. Pitying and blaming myself would also be of no use, wouldn’t it? Not to mention, before Ding wang met with a mishap, he was also an exceedingly outstanding person. These years, I also hadn’t heard anything about him having a bad temper. Surely it wouldn’t be hard for us to get along with one another.”
The originally somewhat serious topic immediately lightened up a lot due to Ye Li‘s carefree attitude. The four people chatted and laughed for awhile until a maid from the Gongzhu fu came to invite every one of the xiaojie to go ahead to attend the banquet. At this, the four people stood up as companions and went. Everyone far away went after, the originally noisy garden became a lot more peaceful and only the sound of the distant yet unhurried young women’s laughter came through. Behind the fake rock mountain with towering stacks of peaks emerged a nature-coloured (blue/green/black) silhouette, a lean figure sitting upright in a wheelchair staring in the direction of which the young women distantly went in, his gentle and refreshingly cool eyes flashing a trace of profoundness…
Glossary:
- Xiaojie (小姐 – Young miss / lady)
- Biaomei (表妹 – younger female cousin via female line)
- Gongzhu (公主 – imperial princess)
- Junzhu (郡主 – a type of imperial princess lower in rank from a '公主 – gongzhu')
- Jiujiu (舅舅 – maternal uncle)
- Jiumu (舅母 – aunt who is the wife of maternal uncle)
- Yushi (御史 – imperial censor)
- Yatou (丫头 – young maidservant / young girl)
- Wang (王 – imperial prince)
- Fuqin (父亲 – respectful or intimate way of addressing father)
- Muqin (母亲 – respectful or intimate way of addressing mother)
- Fu (府 – official residence / family residence compound / household / term for family and home put together)
- Fuma (驸马 – emperor's son-in-law / consort prince / husband of an imperial princess)
- Wangfei (王妃 – consort princess / wife of an imperial prince or “王 – wang“)
- Furen (夫人 – lady or madam of the house / wife)
- Waigong (外公 – maternal grandfather)
- Xiansheng (先生 – mister / teacher)
- Biaoge (表哥 – elder male cousin via female line)
- Taifei (太妃 – imperial concubine of the previous emperor)
- Zhumu (主母 – owner ‘mother’ / mother in charge of the household)
- Gong (公 – duke)
- Jiefu (姐夫 – elder sister's husband)
- Er (儿 – term of endearment for one’s child / child)
- Guowangfei (国王妃 – consort princess / wife of an imperial prince of the highest rank or “国王 – guowang")
Note: The names are retained in traditional Chinese characters as the RAWs I’m translating from are in traditional Chinese and it also makes it easier for me when I’m translating. The new vocabulary terms on the other hand are in simplified Chinese.Characters Shown / Mentioned in this Chapter:
葉璃 |璃兒 – Ye Li | Li er – Main Female Protagonist – first di daughter of the Ye family, but the third child in the family.
定王 | 定國王墨修堯 – Ding wang | Ding guowang | Mo Xiu Yao – Imperial Prince Ding of the highest rank
黎王 | 墨景黎 – Li wang | Mo Jing Li – Imperial Prince Li
Ye Family Members:
葉文華 | 葉尚書 | 尚書大人 | 葉老爺 – Ye Wen Hua | Ye Shangshu | Shangshu daren | Ye laoye – Ye Li‘s father who has the title or position of official in charge of presenting memorials to the emperor and official correspondence / Minister of Revenue
徐氏 – Xu shi – Ye Li‘s mother
王氏 – Wang shi – the current main wife of Ye Shangshu and current zhumu of the household
(葉夫人 – Ye furen – can refer to either Xu shi or Wang shi)
葉昭儀 (大小姐) | 葉玥 – Ye Zhao Yi (da xiaojie) | Ye Yue – Ye Li‘s eldest sister
葉瑩 |瑩兒 – Ye Ying | Ying er – 4th daughter in the family
Xu Family Members:
徐夫人 – Xu furen – Ye Li‘s second jiumu | wife of Xu Yushi
Imperial Family Members + Subjects:
昭陽長公主 / 長公主 – Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu | Chang gongzhu – Imperial Princess Zhao Yang Chang | elder sister of the emperor
容華郡主 / 榮華郡主 – Rong Hua junzhu – daughter of Zhao Ren Chang gongzhu | niece of Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu
Others:
秦箏 – Qin Zheng – second daughter of Qin Yushi
慕容婷 – Murong Ting – General Yang Wei‘s daughter
華天香 – Hua Tian Xiang – young miss of the Hua Guo Gong fu
Bold - Names of people, placesItalic - Chinese terms in pinyinUnderline - Unknown
Fu Imperial Capital
Chapter 23: Hundred Flowers Event (4)
“Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu[1] has arrived!”
On the densely verdant and thick lawn of the Mudan garden, there were tables orderly arranged that were full of various kinds of delicacies and fresh fruit. The well-bred young ladies in their beautiful, brightly coloured dresses sat down in succession, chatting softly. Hearing the voice that announced Chang gongzhu‘s arrival, they all promptly and simultaneously got up to give salutations, “Greeting Chang gongzhu.”
Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu had on a simple yet elegant palace dress; although she was nearly forty, her youngish, fresh and cool complexion still looked superbly well taken care of. A beautiful pair of long and shapely eyebrows slightly perked up clearly showing that this Chang gongzhu‘s temper wasn’t at all the warm and kind type. Rong Hua junzhu[2] obediently followed from Chang gongzhu‘s side, entirely different from the bossy and domineering look seen inside the garden awhile ago. Also walking together her was an absolutely beautiful young woman dressed in brocade, her smiling appearance curiously studying all the surrounding well-bred young ladies. It’s just that from rummaging through her memories, Ye Li was still unable to guess the identity of this young woman and so she may as well not think about it anymore.
“You may dispense with curtseying, please sit.”
Everyone once again stood up to give thanks and then took their seats.
At this, Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu only then opened up and said, “Today’s distinguished meeting is precisely the small leisure gathering of the capital’s unmarried daughters, everyone need not be too restrained. Go ahead and do as you please.”
Although Chang gongzhu said it like that, the ones truly daring to do as one pleased after all still wasn’t many. Contrarily, Rong Hua junzhu who was seated at Chang gongzhu‘s side pulled at Chang gongzhu‘s arm, acting like a spoiled child. Chang gongzhu‘s fresh and cool complexion also had an added bit of gentleness, clearly showing that the childless Chang gongzhu was utterly fond of and doting towards this little niece.
“Who is that guniang[3] beside Chang gongzhu? She is truly beautiful.” The well-bred young ladies vaguely yet curiously sizing up the stunning young lady beside Chang gongzhu, muttering as they exchanged their own opinions with their close friends. There were some that even indistinctively looked at Ye Ying. The smile on Ye Ying‘s face was also somewhat strained; that young lady who was seated at the right-hand side of Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu, her identity clearly wasn’t lower than that of Rong Hua junzhu. Not only that but her appearance was far above that of Rong Hua junzhu.
Ye Ying posed as the number one beauty in the capital, but the refined and exquisite appearance of that young woman dressed in brocade was different from that of Ye Ying‘s delicate and slim look and yet was even more able of attract other people’s attention. The very first thing that a beautiful woman would pay attention to will forever be a woman who is more beautiful than her.
“Hehe, who is that guniang ah. Ye Ying‘s title of being the capital’s number one beauty, only afraid that she won’t be able to maintain it.” Murong Ting held a sleeve to cover her mouth as she laughed and spoke.
Hua Tian Xiang glanced at her and shallowly laughed, saying, “She is Zhao Yang gongzhu‘s fuma‘s[4] niece.”
“Zhao Yang gongzhu‘s fuma…isn’t that…” Qin Zheng was also somewhat astonished, hesitating for a bit and only then said, “She is that junzhu of Nanzhao?” Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu‘s fuma was the zhizi[5] sent by Nanzhao to Da Chu. It was said that in that year, Zhao Yang Chang gongzhu and fuma had a harmonious relationship, unwilling to marry anyone else. The late emperor had no choice but to have his most beloved younger sister married off to a zhizi. After fuma and gongzhu‘s marriage, they were also a harmonious married couple with deep feelings between them; who knew that it hadn’t been over three years yet when the fuma died of illness. Chang gongzhu had then established an oath in front of the late emperor that she was unwilling to remarry again, to remain faithful lifelong for fuma.
Hearing this, Ye Li also somewhat curiously looked towards Hua Tian Xiang. Hua Tian Xiang was the daughter of Hua Guo Gong[6] fu[7] ; the current empress’ niece knowing some matters that other people didn’t know wasn’t at all surprising. Hua Tian Xiang glanced above at Chang gongzhu and that remarkably beautiful young woman and shook her head, saying, “That is the current Nanzhao wang‘s[8] young daughter, who has the title of being Nanzhao‘s number one beauty–Xi Xia gongzhu.”
“I heard that Nanzhao produces beautiful women, this Xi Xia gongzhu is indeed extraordinary ah.”
Hua Tian Xiang blinked and looked at Ye Li as though wanting to say something but then hesitating. Ye Li‘s eyebrows raised as she looked at her with a smile and said, “What is it that you cannot say?”
Hua Tian Xiang smiled and said, “Even though it’s our first time meeting each other, I feel that you are a wonderful person. Telling you about it also won’t hurt, this Xi Xia gongzhu…was apparently reported to be planning on residing in our Da Chu from now on.”
“Residing?” Murong Ting also wasn’t in the mood to watch the singing and dancing, not understanding as she looked towards Hua Tian Xiang and said, “This Xi Xia gongzhu appears to be similar in age to us. If it is said that she plans to reside here, doesn’t it mean……” Doesn’t it mean that Xi Xia gongzhu plans on marrying into Da Chu? Marriage[a] between the two countries was a huge matter, why wasn’t there the least bit news about it outside?
Hua Tian Xiang lightly coughed, covering her lips to mutter, “It’s Xi Xia gongzhu who ran over to Da Chu on her own. Do you guys still remember, last year His Highness Li wang had once went to Nanzhao on a diplomatic mission…”
“You are saying—-!” Murong Ting was nearly somewhat unable to control her own voice due to her shock; Qin Zheng secretly pinched her, only then did it make her calm down. Seeing that the people from the two tables on the side couldn’t help but look over at them, she promptly pretended to appear calm and composed as she tasted a mouthful of the Hundred Flowers fruit wine[b] in front of her. Seeing that the other people’s sight was no longer directed at herself, Murong Ting only then apologetically smiled towards the other three people. Hua Tian Xiang and Qin Zheng were obviously very much aware of her character; they also didn’t mind as they smiled. Murong Ting‘s eyebrows creased and she looked at Ye Li, saying, “Although I shouldn’t say these words, I still want to say them. Rescinding your engagement with Li wang perhaps is truly not a bad thing.”
((This translation is originally found on: h t t p : / / g u q i n t r a n s l a t i o n s . w o r d p r e s s . c o m))
Ye Li had a little drink from a cup of faint fruit wine and had a smile on her face as she agreed, saying, “What you said is very right.”
“Which people do you guess will be the judges of this year’s Hundred Flowers Event?” Hua Tian Xiang asked.
Ye Li only had a general idea about the so-called Hundred Flowers Event‘s process, only treating it as a gathering for the capital’s well-bred young ladies to have social intercourse and nothing more. Indifferently shaking her head, the angry Hua Tian Xiang poked her, “It’s your first time attending the Hundred Flowers Event this year, no matter what you also need to go on stage and perform a skill, so as to avoid letting those chaps with eyes higher than the forehead (refers to having really high standards or metaphor for being arrogant) to belittle you.”
Ye Li blinked her eyes and looked towards the female dancers on stage dancing lightly and gracefully, “You say you want me to go up to sing songs and dance? It’ll frighten people, I don’t dance.” Not to mention, she also wasn’t one who had such an appetite for performing. Nowadays, there also weren’t any celebrity contestant shows ah.
Qin Zheng softly explained, “Well-bred ladies generally wouldn’t choose singing and dancing, but the four arts–zither, chess, calligraphy and painting; writing poetry and songs are also used for competing in. Every year, the top three selected people can get an extremely valuable prize.”
Prize?
“You all are also joining?”
Murong Ting felt embarrassed as she said, “Apart from me, Zheng er[9] and Tian Xiang are both very impressive. In the year before last, Zheng er won in the three categories of poetry, calligraphy and painting and got first place. Last year, Tian Xiang got first in chess and third in zither. Last year’s first place was that fourth younger sister of yours, the future Li wangfei[10]. She was first in both zither and dancing, and got fifth in composing poetry.”
Ye Li glanced at a distant table where Ye Ying was seated and who was currently talking with others and smiled, saying, “This I know. Yet I didn’t know that Zheng er and Hua xiaojie[11] were both rarely seen talented girls.”
Hua Tian Xiang waved her hand and said, “Ye furen[12] that year was the capital’s number one talented girl, this year Zheng er and I both won’t be participating. Us few will just watch you.”
Ye Li felt helpless, “I’m really not good at these.”
Qin Zheng grasped her hand and smiled, saying, “This year Ye Ying for sure will still be joining, Li er shouldn’t let yourself be defeated by her.”
Hua Tian Xiang also became exhilarated, “That’s right, Ye Li has to help me take revenge for my previous defeat. Last year I worked really hard but the result was that I was defeated by Ye Ying, so humiliating.”
Murong Ting also didn’t forget to join in the fun, impatiently looking at her, “When competing in martial arts, I actually can get first place year after year, unfortunately there’s no one to compete with me. Li er, you have to try hard ah.”
Ye Li was fooled with to the point of not knowing whether to laugh or cry by these few chaps she was newly acquainted with; she really wasn’t good at these ah. Although she had obtained muqin‘s[13] guidance since childhood and she can do all these somewhat, but when it comes to competing with those people who especially put in the time and effort and practices diligently, she just didn’t know if she could compare. Take Ye Ying‘s dancing for example, although she hadn’t seen it, it was reported that there were about five or six shifu[14] especially invited to teach Ye Ying to dance. Every single dance were all specially arranged; Ye Ying in this aspect had indeed put in painstaking effort.
As for her, ever since muqin passed away and she got back her past life’s memories, her interest towards these things had suddenly dropped completely and incessantly. Not to mention, Wang shi[15] also wouldn’t especially invite a lot of good shifu to teach her for her.
“This year, I’m afraid that even if you didn’t want to join, it also wouldn’t do.” Murong Ting was on one side eating the exquisite light refreshments on the table, and on one side speaking, “The Hundred Flowers Event‘s competition winners are entitled to choose anyone present to learn from. Believe me, if it weren’t for you not stepping outside your home these years, I only fear that the person who would be challenged the most every year would have been you.” Previously she was Li wang‘s fiancée, now she was the future Ding wangfei. In the eyes of a lot of people, Ye Li‘s life really made people jealous; only feared that they would be looking forward to have her make a fool of herself.
“Quickly eat something. If you wait until it formally starts, today you probably won’t have the chance to eat anything.” Hua Tian Xiang reminded.
Ye Li had nothing to say as she looked at the refreshments consisting of vegetable and meat dishes before her eyes, feeling that she had dawdled for more than a shichen[16] and yet this so-called Hundred Flowers Event still hadn’t started yet ah.
Glossary:
- Gongzhu (公主 – imperial princess)
- Junzhu (郡主 – a type of imperial princess lower in rank from a '公主 – gongzhu')
- Guniang (姑娘 – young lady / girl)
- Fuma (驸马 – emperor's son-in-law / consort prince / husband of an imperial princess)
- Zhizi (质子 – prince sent to be held as hostage by a neighbouring state)
- Gong (公 – duke)
- Fu (府 – official residence / family residence compound / household / term for family and home put together)
- Wang (王 – imperial prince)
- Er (儿 – term of endearment for one’s child / child)
- Wangfei (王妃 – consort princess / wife of an imperial prince or “王 – wang“)
- Xiaojie (小姐 – Young miss / lady)
- Furen (夫人 – lady or madam of the house / wife)
- Muqin (母亲 – respectful or intimate way of addressing mother)
- Shifu (師傅 – qualified worker / expert / master)
- Shi (氏 – clan name / maiden surname)
- Shichen (时辰 – two hours / one of the 12 two-hour periods of the day / time)
Thanks for the chapter
Oof. Hubby scouting wifey secretly. Hehehe
Hihi,seems like he is quite happy with what he saw :) thank you for chapter
@giginka totally agree!!!
aiya i just want them to meet already!!! and glad to see she has already friends that seems to be good to her :>
The footnotes are a mess. If you click on the link for e.g. footnote 4 then you get send to footnote 4 of chapter 20 regardless of which footnote 4 you click on.