Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Ming Yunji’s hand stopped in midair. At the same time, he immediately looked to Xun Che, “This was also arranged by you?”

Xun Che bowed with his head lowered, “Not really, but for Qin Wang to come today, I indeed had known.”

Ming Yunji coldly sneered, “Very good, it wasn’t arranged by you, you didn’t kill Bo Ren^[1]! I understand very well!”

“Father!” Ming Jincheng very much couldn’t bear his father blaming Xun Che like this, calling out again.

“Invite his Highness in.” However, Ming Yunji didn’t continue the deadlock, instead waving his hand and letting the servant deliver the word. Shortly after, he glanced at Ming Jinrou again, “Why don’t you return to your room first.”

How could Ming Jinrou be willing, “At this time now, what point is there for me to avoid? Could it be that whether I enter the imperial selection or not, it’s just a matter of personal romance?”

Ming Yunji angrily swung aside Ming Jincheng who was in front, returning to his own seat and sitting down, “You all really have all grown up, each having bigger ideas than the last! Also you!” He pointed to Ming Jincheng, “You get up too, see how I sort you out later, you little bastard! Is this just how you’re acting as the older brother?!”

Ming Jincheng could only get up and return to his seat, helplessly glancing at Ming Jinrou and Xun Che, thinking to himself that perhaps at the end of the month, he won’t be able to go to the hunting grounds again…….

A moment later, Qin Wang was invited in by the steward. Everyone respectively got up to greet him.

Qin Wang was originally holding a case, his face also carrying a smile. However, upon seeing that there was actually this many people in Ming Yunji’s study, he was a bit surprised. After lifting his hand to excuse everyone, and seeing everyone’s expression, his smile just retracted a little more, “This prince suddenly visiting the manor today, it is somewhat presumptuous. Just, earlier, one had just obtained three books of ancient qi records from the past dynasty, and knowing that shizi(heir) is deeply versed in the way of qi, one thus wanted to consult shizi a little.”

“Your Highness is truly too polite, this subject is slow-witted and crude, can’t be considered that proficient in the way of qi.” Ming Yunji although was forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart, his words were still very stiff.

Qi Wang awkwardly let out a dry cough, and then gazed towards Xun Che.

Xun Che didn’t look back at Qin Wang, instead just lowering his eyes.

But, based on the rapport between the two of them, this can also be considered a hint.

However, at this time, Ming Yunji didn’t want to go in circles anymore, also dryly coughing, clearing his throat as he directly faced Qin Wang, “Your Highness, it’s better for this subject to just say it directly, this subject’s temperament is straightforward and upright, my daughter is also lacking in talent and beauty, not adequate enough to serve the imperial family. What you said to my son the other day made this subject and this subject’s family all very terrified, not daring to agree, so asking your Highness to please select another match!”

“Father, you saying it like this, isn’t it being too hard on his Highness?” Ming Jincheng at this time had no choice but to stand out, “You clearly know that some things weren’t his Highness’s own idea……..”

“Of course I know!” Ming Yunji still phrased his wording a little when facing Qin Wang, but towards his own son, he didn’t have the slightest misgiving, “Precisely because of this, Jinrou further can’t enter the palace! If his Highness really has some feelings, then it’s another matter. But, at present, his Highness doesn’t have any feelings towards Jinrou. It’s merely just the empress that wants to form an alliance and win us over, thus using the wangfei position to bestow honor. Our family’s influence is light, unable to shoulder such honor!”

TN: All translations outside of are stolen and reposted without permission!

He paused for a moment and turned towards Qin Wang again. Deeply inhaling a breath, he lifted his gown and bent his knees, kneeling onto the ground.

Everyone present, aside from Qin Wang, were all Ming Yunji’s younger generation. In this moment, seeing him kneeling, they also immediately knelt down along with, instantly kneeling all over the ground.

“This subject was irritable and rude, having offended your Highness, truly deserving of death.” Ming Yunji gazed towards Qin Wang on his knees, his gaze still incomparable resolute, “But, also asking your Highness to take pity on us. This subject’s wife has already passed away, just leaving behind a son and a daughter. The one that this subject’s wife worried about the most in life was just this little daughter of ours. This subject is incompetent, not asking for my daughter to add glory or gain honor for the family clan, just asking for her to be safe and sound for the rest of her life. Your Highness…..”

Qin Wang waved his hand, “Shizi no need to say more.” At the same time, he leaned over to go help him up, “Your compassionate feelings as a father, this prince understands. The battle in the palace is intense, the circumstances dangerous. You not willing to let your beloved daughter be involved in it, it is truly understandable.” The expression on his face although appeared calm, his words were nevertheless much slower than usual, clearly feeling very difficult yet serious as he phrased his words.

Pausing a little here, seemingly determined, “The matters in the palace, this prince naturally will do one’s best to mediate. Asking….asking shizi to find a good match for your beloved daughter. If able to accomplish as quickly as possible, then it’ll be for the best. If for the time being, there isn’t a good candidate——” Qin Wang clenched his teeth again, “I will personally go before the empress to mediate, please rest assured shizi.”

“How is your Highness going to mediate and resolve? Could it be to directly have a falling out with the empress?” After getting up along with everyone, Ming Jinrou couldn’t help but go forward a step, “Father, you want me to be safe and sound, I also want to, but my wellbeing, could it be that it’s not tied to the entire family’s honor and disgrace, advancing and retreating together? At present, in this current state of affairs, how can his Highness still——-”

“Shut up!” Ming Yunji was greatly angered. He had been arguing with Ming Jinrou for several days already, unable to persuade his daughter no matter what, and at the same time, on the matter of how to turn down the imperial selection, he indeed headached very much.

Reasonably speaking from the current state of affairs, he naturally knew that Ming Jinrou was actually the most suitable candidate for Qin Wangfei at this time. On one hand, she can temporarily stabilize Qin Wang’s relationship with the central palace, and in addition, also reinforce the tie between the Jin Duke Manor and the empress’s faction. After all, when it comes to Xuan Emperor’s four princes, the Ming family and the Xun family were the same; they can only support Qin Wang. And once Qin Wang ascends the throne, Jin Duke Manor naturally will have limitless glory.

But, he really wasn’t willing, unwilling to see his daughter marry into the imperial family, and in the future, watch her husband fill the imperial harem, even needing to be virtuous and benevolent, being cautious with every step. Furthermore, Qin Wang’s path to the throne was already countlessly difficult and dangerous in itself. If not careful, Qin Wangfei might just get framed or even assassinated by the enemy.

And what Ming Yunji couldn’t tolerate the most was that under the circumstances where Qin Wang didn’t have any romantic feelings for Ming Jinrou, Ming Jinrou actually secretly fell in love with Qin Wang on her own!

At this time, this girl even spoke for Qin Wang to his face, even wanting to express that she can enter the palace and participate in the imperial selection?

“You get out of here!” Ming Yunji really was angered to the point of madness, cutting off with a shout, lifting his hand for a slap!

“Shizi!” Qin Wang’s martial arts was actually a tiny bit better than Ming Jincheng’s. As soon as he saw Ming Yunji’s complexion change, he immediately rushed forward, lifting his hand to block Ming Yunji, “Please don’t be like this!”

Towards Qin Wang as a person, Ming Yunji actually didn’t have any complaints, but towards his own children, he truly was disappointed to the extreme. After getting blocked by Qin Wang, his anger still didn’t extinguish, just restraining himself as he retreated half a step, “Your Highness, this is this subject’s domestic affair.”

“Yes.” Qin Wang’s eyes once again dimmed, lowering his head, also clearing his throat. Shortly after, he clenched his teeth and turned around, directly facing Ming Jinrou with a solemn and firm look, “Ming fourth miss, this prince feels you might have some misunderstanding towards this prince’s thoughts. Regarding the imperial selection, as well as what one mentioned to your older brother, being interested in miss, it’s mainly the empress’s wish, for the sake of your father and your grandfather the old duke’s support. It’s not because this prince has some other feelings towards you.”

His words were said very slowly, also very seriously. Ming Jinrou’s complexion turned pale little by little, her eyes also rapidly reddening.

Yu Lingxin practically inhaled a breath of cold air out of instinct, and at the same time, sensed Xun Che by her side pressing her hand.

However, Qin Wang wasn’t done speaking. He glanced again at Ming Yunji and Ming Jincheng, and then continued, “In the past, towards you, this prince just had a bit of sentiments like that towards a distantly related younger cousin. Looking at it now, these sentiments aren’t necessary anymore, asking you to not indulge in your own wishful thinking, also don’t randomly think too much, and further don’t be impulsive because of this. Otherwise, your esteemed father and brother, perhaps out of concern, will just produce misunderstanding and prejudice towards this prince. This will truly be detrimental towards this prince’s great cause. Please don’t cause trouble for this prince anymore. It’s better for you to listen to your father, properly find someone else, and get married.”

Once he finished his last words, the entire study thoroughly fell into silence. Ming Jinrou’s eyes were already thoroughly red, tears streaming down her face. Just, her eyes still stubbornly fixed on Qin Wang, looking straight at him.

Qin Wang’s expression was very calm and serious. Although every word was like a blade stabbing towards Ming Jinrou, his face nevertheless didn’t have any mocking or contemptuous look. But, the hurtfulness of that solemn and serious attitude wasn’t small in any way.

“Jinrou!” Yu Lingxin was ultimately softhearted and couldn’t bear, softly calling out, wanting to go forward to support Ming Jinrou.

Although unknown as to exactly how much truth there was in Qin Wang’s words, it nevertheless sounded very candid, already clearly stating his political needs, as well as his desire for Ming Yunji to not hate him because of his daughter, and when supporting him, have misgivings.

Ming Jinrou however suddenly laughed, laughing with a face full of tears as she retreated half a step, “I indeed had indulged in my own desires, but I’m not stupid! In the current state of affairs, our family can’t form marriage ties with your Highness? Your Highness’s intention of clearing up the relationship, it’s merely just wanting my father and my brother to not hate you, and you’ve probably succeeded in doing so. You indeed don’t have any intention of harming me, nor want to use me to grasp my family. You really are a noble and magnanimous good prince!”

“Jinrou!” Ming Jincheng also called out, going forward to support his younger sister, “I’ll send you back to your room, don’t say anymore.”

Ming Jinrou turned her hand and wiped away the tears on her face. At the same time, she also pushed aside Ming Jincheng, coldly sneering towards her father and Qin Wang, “But, I also want to ask, if not choosing me, then is there some other good candidate? The Lou family won’t have a daughter entering the selection. The Zhenguo General’s daughter is already engaged, and in a few days, will head to the Chang province to complete the marriage. So, is your Highness going to select Wen Ruoqiong, or the fence-sitting Qi family? Else, it’s just the Nie family’s or Yan family’s side branch? If to end up with a muddled and braindead Qin Wangfei, once trouble really arises in the palace, dragging you down, won’t everyone just suffer together?”

Xun Che and Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but share a glance, the past events of the previous life also bubbling up in their mind at the same time. They couldn’t help but lightly sigh. Among the Ming family, the one that was the most clear about the state of affairs, sure enough, was still Ming Jinrou.

Seeing everyone once again fall silent and become speechless, all of Ming Jinrou’s sorrows, grievances, embarrassment, and heartbreak could no longer be suppressed. Clenching her teeth, “However, don’t worry, your Highness, your golden words of wisdom today, I’ve all taken to heart! In this lifetime, I absolutely won’t cause trouble for you anymore!” Shortly after, she ran out the door crying.

“Jinrou!” Ming Jincheng was ultimately worried about his younger sister, and looking at this situation, he was unable to say anything, so just cupped his hand towards his father and Qin Wang, “Why don’t you sit down first, I’ll go have a look.” After saying this, he also chased out after her.

But, at this time, what was there to sit for?

Especially given Ming Jinrou’s words, it can be considered thoroughly laying out everything transparently. When Ming Yunji and Qin Wang looked to one another, they just felt even more embarrassed. Just, for this kind of big matter, it ultimately wasn’t good to say anything more in the moment. It was better for everyone to think it over on their own.

Seeing the situation like this, Xun Che just got up, “Maternal uncle, we will also be taking our leave. This kind of big matter, why don’t you think it over again. If there’s anything you want to ask or say, or want to reproach, you can order someone to look for me at any time.”

Qin Wang also cupped his hands, “Shizi, just now………I’d offended your esteemed daughter, hoping that you can nicely console her, don’t let her be too sad. This matter isn’t worth it. Her words, shizi also doesn’t need to take to heart. On the palace’s side, I will go mediate.” When he finished, he similarly bowed slightly, retreating out of Ming Yunji’s study together with Xun Che and Yu Lingxin.

The three of them headed out together. Along the way, they all didn’t have anything to say. All the way until the second gate, when they were about to climb onto their respective carriages, Qin Wang suddenly asked Xun Che, “Shenzhi, will she hate me?”

[1] This is referencing a very well known phrase, ‘I didn’t mean to kill Bo Ren but Bo Ren died because of me’. In this context, it just means indirect cause. Luckily, I had written about it in the other novel I translated so I can just copy that footnote over.

The story behind the proverb comes from ‘History of the Jin Dynasty: Biography 39’, meaning ‘although I resent Bo Ren, I never wanted to kill him, but because of my resentment, it caused Bo Ren to be killed; Bo Ren’s death is indirectly related to me’.

Bo Ren is the courtesy name of Zhou Yi, a high official of the Jin dynasty. During the Jin dynasty, a powerful general named Wang Dun raised an army and revolted, becoming a rebellious warlord. His younger brother Wang Dao, who was a civil official, was thus implicated because of him, along with their entire clan. For the sake of pleading for mercy, Wang Dao led along the Wang clan’s younger generation, and knelt outside the palace, waiting for the Emperor to issue an order. At this time, Zhou Yi (aka Bo Ren) entered the palace. Wang Dao begged Zhou Yi to say a few good words for him in front of the Emperor, telling him that the entire Wang clan’s hundreds of lives all depended on him. Zhou Yi ignored him and pretended not to hear, but in front of the Emperor, Zhou Yi did plea for Wang Dao, and the Emperor accepted his suggestion. Zhou Yi then stayed and drank with the Emperor, and when he left, Wang Dao was still kneeling outside. However, Zhou Yi continued to ignore him, but when Zhou Yi returned home, he hurriedly wrote a memorandum, earnestly pleading to the Emperor on Wang Dao’s behalf.

However, Wang Dao didn’t know that Zhou Yi had saved him, instead very much resented him. Afterwards, when Wang Dun seized control of the court, Zhou Yi was eventually killed by him. It wasn’t until when Wang Dao was looking through the documents did he find what Zhou Yi had wrote for him. Thus, this proverb came to be. I cut out a lot of details but this is roughly the story behind it.