Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Ever since the founding of Great Sheng, all the regulations of the imperial selection indicated by the Ministry of Rites and Zongjing Bureau were all aimed at the selection for filling the imperial harem. Because the selected candidates, aside from having the opportunity to become an imperial consort, also have the possibility of filling in as a palace maid or female official, the most important factor was just having a clean and reliable birth, and strictly abiding by the rules.

However, the selection process for selecting consorts for the princes was just greatly different. Firstly, all the candidates needed to be born from families of the fourth rank and higher. Even the odds of using a substitute, or falsely reporting, was all very low, especially for the official daughters of the capital, practically all recognizing or having seen one another before. And on the other hand, the imperial consorts in the imperial harem, for the most part, aside from serving the emperor, and giving birth to children for the imperial family, didn’t have any other duties. That’s why, good looks and a healthy body were the most important.

But, a prince’s main consort was different. Setting aside the battle for the throne, this major matter that was unable to be placed on the table and explicitly stated, the main consort’s duties in the manor were just like the great majority of the main wives of noble families, taking care of the manor’s domestic affairs, dealing with the imperial relatives and noble families outside, bearing and raising children, managing the household, and so on.

That’s why, this selection process, rather than say it was drafting candidates, it was more like the princes’ birth mother, or even the emperor, looking over daughter-in-laws. Although the primary selection also required verifying their identity, inspecting the candidates’ basic appearance and figure, their conduct and etiquette, and so on, but the following selection procedures, practically every dynasty had some differences.

On one hand, it was looking at how many princes in total they needed to select for, and on the other hand, it was just seeing what kind of emphasis and thoughts the imperial consort that was presiding over the selection at the time had.

For Xuan Emperor, the imperial selection this time can be considered very strategic and ingenious. Of course, shortly after, it also brought about many unexpected outcomes.

On the thirtieth of the sixth month, the directory for all the candidates was reported up. The unmarried daughters of officials of the fourth rank and higher outside of the capital, the great majority, have also reached the capital. And for the official daughters in the capital, they’d reported up their name, age, parents, status, and so on. On the fifth of the seventh month, all the candidates went to Jingze Garden that the Zongjing Bureau specifically prepared for the imperial selection to check in. They were not allowed to bring servant girls and attendants, and can only bring a few clothes and accessories. All of their belongings all needed to go through the Zongjing Bureau’s inspection before placing in the trunks that had their respective names.

The names of the official daughters reported up this time originally had more than three hundred people, but among them, a little less than half already had an engagement. This lesser half, when reporting up, also needed to have their marriage contract and matchmaker’s name, as well as the engagement date, reported up altogether, so as to prove that it wasn’t deliberately trying to avoid the selection. After the Zongjing Bureau finish examining, they will have the great majority of them directly removed from the list.

That’s why, on the fifth of the seventh month, only a hundred and sixty-five of the official daughters arrived at Jingze Garden. After going through three days of primary selection, according to the stature and physique, upright features, clear and distinct articulation, literacy and knowledge, conduct and bearing, and such requirements, another forty percent were eliminated.

By the tenth of the seventh month, when this batch of candidates that had gone through the primary selection were sent into the palace to conduct the second round of selection, where Empress Wen and Li Consort, along with the other imperial consorts of the imperial harem, will review and look over, there were only less than a hundred people left.

This time, each person will all answer a question or two from the empress or other imperial consorts, and from there, eliminate another half of the official daughters, just leaving behind around forty people for the final selection and marriage bestowment.

So far, at this point, all the young ladies that were either directly or indirectly related to the Xun family and Ming family were all still among the candidates. Ming Jinrou and Qi Pei naturally didn’t need to be mentioned. Wen Ruoqiong and Wen Ruoyao, these two sisters, as well as that daughter of Madam Deng, Deng Zizhi, whose mother had directly argued with Ming Huayue and Yu Lingxin at the Chang’de Count Manor, were also present.

In terms of appearance and family background, these young ladies still being the selection was actually within expectations. And the entire imperial selection progressing to this point now, it was also still within the normal bounds, not having any problems appear.

However, right before the next selection process started, Xuan Emperor suddenly gave the central palace an oral decree, asking Empress Wen to ‘absolutely, with the heart of a compassionate mother, be neither leaning nor partial, when selecting a virtuous wife for the princes, so as to inherit the ancestral shrine.’

If the emperor and empress really were loving, then this line was actually just words for the occasion, not having any actual meaning. But, ever since Changchun Palace’s Li Consort kowtowed and acknowledged her mistakes towards the empress, personally asking to be demoted, and from there, regain the emperor’s heart, the situation in the inner palace once again became peculiar.

On the surface, it appeared as if the imperial consorts were harmonious, having a clear and distinct notion of rank, but in reality, Empress Wen just got tied above the fire. For every bit of tenderness Xuan Emperor had towards Li Consort, he would ask for just as much ‘virtuousness and magnanimity’ from Empress Wen at the same time.

Thus, under this kind of pressure, Empress Wen just chose a method once used in the previous dynasty, issuing a decree to hold a palace banquet, and at the same time, also issued a decree to invite the titled madams of high officials and nobles into the palace, using this banquet as the final selection.

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

Speaking of which, this was actually very reasonable. Generally, for upper class families, when it comes to looking over a daughter-in-law, it was usually when the two families visited one another, or when there was some celebration or banquet, secretly observing that young lady’s conduct and speech, how she treats others, whether or not she was magnanimous and proper, whether or not she was dignified and courteous, and such.

And if there’s some small unforeseen event or conflict at the banquet, then it was actually even better. That way, they will be able to see whether or not that young lady is easily flustered and alarmed when encountering matters, as well as how she will respond on the spot, what she will say after the fact, and so on.

In the previous dynasties, where there weren’t any formal imperial selections, there were once cases of the imperial consorts inviting a few womenfolk of noble families or official families that they fancied into the palace for a banquet. And after observing and questioning through the banquet, they just settled on the consort candidates for the princes afterwards.

That’s why, this method of Empress Wen’s had precedence to follow by. Although a bit troublesome, it was also very considerate.

Towards this, Xuan Emperor was very satisfied, personally gracing Zhaoyang Hall with his presence for once, holding the empress’s hand, both praising and commending, expressing that for Empress Wen to be willing to be this attentive in selecting consorts for the three princes, it’s no wonder she’s the mother of the country, the model of a virtuous wife and kind mother. For a moment, the emperor and empress were in harmony, the harmonious radiance of Great Sheng’s imperial family practically reaching its peak in the Tianxu era.

However, this carefully planned palace banquet very quickly became another kind of example in the Tianxu era.

Actually, strictly speaking, the first half of the banquet was still very wonderful. In the afternoon of the seventh month, where there was favorable wind, the stifling summer heat had already dissipated a little, and the early autumn sunlight and cool breeze was still far from having any chilliness. The Yujing Eastern Garden by the thousand carp lakeside was currently flourishing with beautiful sceneries, filled with the fragrance of orchids, the fragrant flowers glistening.

The official daughters that were prepared for the final selection sat six at a table, filling a total of eight tables. As for the titled madams that were fortunate enough to enter the palace and attend this banquet, there actually weren’t too many, only the titled madams of families that didn’t send someone for the imperial selection were able to participate. For the Wen’an Marquis Manor, because Xun Ying wasn’t able to participate, Ming Huayue and Yu Lingxin just had the fortune of entering the palace to witness this banquet. Together with the other titled madams, they sat ten at a table, arranging four tables on the other side.

In the direct center was naturally Empress Wen, Li Consort, Imperial Concubine Nie, and the other consorts that had deep qualifications but didn’t have any imperial favor, as well as the three princes, dividing up into a total of four tables.

This kind of spectacle wasn’t considered small, especially given that aside from the imperial consorts, there were also the titled madams of the imperial clan, as well as the three princes present. For those official young ladies that weren’t usually in the capital, with just a bit of nervousness, one could just tell that they were uneasy. As for Ming Jinrou, Qi Pei, as well as the Zhu second miss and Zhu third miss that the Zhu family sent in for the imperial selection, who were all used to seeing big occasions, they were much more composed.

Moreover, at this banquet, aside from the arranged singing and dancing, they also gave these official young ladies an opportunity, deciding on their own whether or not they wanted to show off their talents in front of everyone.

Thus, midway into the banquet, there really were official young ladies from the Yu province and Jiang province that came out to play the zither, present a dance, and so on. Just, although the imperial consorts and titled madams all smilingly watched, even praising a few words, but on the inside, they nevertheless shook their heads.

Actually, this opportunity was completely just a trap. If it was for selecting imperial concubines for the emperor’s harem, then displaying oneself was fine, because regardless whether it was the noble consort or imperial concubine, aside from the empress, all were just concubines. Since a concubine, then singing and dancing to please the ruler was only natural, the more the better.

But, when it comes to selecting a main consort for the princes, it was just different. Which family’s wangfei would perform in public? These young ladies, even if getting selected, it will probably only be as the side consort, or even honored concubine^[1].

During this process, the titled madams’ thoughts also varied. Although for all the ones present, their family didn’t have a directly related daughter in the imperial selection, but the marriage ties in the capital were complicated and entangled. It was completely impossible to have no relations at all. There were always some cousins or distantly related relative in the selection. For example, for Yu Lingxin, she was actually related to three of the people present.

Ming Jinrou was both her good friend, and also her mother-in-law’s niece. Qi Pei was her own mother’s niece, and even that not very familiar Deng family young miss, Deng Zizhi, based on the Qi family’s ties, Yu Lingxin also needed to call her older cousin.

Of course, the only one that Yu Lingxin actually cared about was just Ming Jinrou alone. Although she knew that based on Ming Jinrou’s personality, it was impossible for her to be stupid at this time and go perform something, but seeing Qin Wang dressed in a sky-blue patterned gown embroidered in gold sitting to the side, and Ming Jinrou’s seat was also just a few steps away from Qin Wang’s, the two of them crossing eyes several times during the banquet, it still made Yu Lingxin be on the edge for quite a while.

Ming Huayue clearly was also worried. Especially since she herself practiced martial arts, so her vision was very good. Every time seeing Ming Jinrou slightly move, she would all uncontrollably become nervous, just fearing that this stubborn yet soft-hearted stupid girl would do something.

This mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair were full of worries inside, so didn’t pay that much attention to anything else. However, fortunately, all the way until the official young ladies’ performances all finished, once again calling up the originally prepared singers and dancers, and Ming Jinrou never once got up, Ming Huayue and Yu Lingxin finally relaxed a breath at the same time.

And at this time, a wave of rushed chaotic footsteps suddenly sounded. Everyone naturally looked over in the direction of the disturbance, and thus, very shockingly and unexpectedly saw a few eunuchs currently chasing two huge bulky golden pheasants. And aside from the golden pheasants flapping their wings, there was also a fat white cat dressed in brocade clothes in front madly rushing towards the banquet in Yujing Eastern Garden!

While everyone was shocked, there were immediately some titled madams and imperial consorts that instinctively looked to Empress Wen. Actually, for this kind of banquet, where it was looking over potential daughter-in-laws, creating a small disturbance or a bit of chaos can be considered a tacitly understood trick. If a cat or a dog were to run in, one can indeed observe the young ladies’ level of composure, ability to adapt, and so on.

But, this golden pheasant was Xuan Emperor’s beloved pet. When Cihui Empress Dowager was still alive, she just especially loved rainbow-feathered golden pheasants, and Xuan Emperor has also been continuously raising all this time. These two, although weren’t the ones Cihui Empress Dowager raised back then, but they especially resembled the two that the empress dowager loved the most. That’s why, because of reminiscing his deceased mother, Xuan Emperor just particularly loved these two golden pheasants. It can be said that in the entire inner palace, everyone, from top to bottom, all highly regarded these two golden pheasants. No one dared to look down on them in the slightest.

Letting these two golden pheasants that were like treasured ancestors rush into the banquet?

Wasn’t this test too big?

As for that fat white cat in front, it was the pet raised by De Consort, who was the oldest in seniority in the palace. It was sleek and smooth, and also very bulky. On it was the little brocade clothes personally made by De Consort when bored.

What kind of approach was this?

While everyone was still confused, Empress Wen had already changed in complexion, hurriedly calling someone to quickly catch the cat and birds, controlling the scene.

Could it be that this wasn’t arranged by the empress?

The three princes naturally all got up. The eunuchs and palace maids also hurriedly rushed over in this direction. And at this time, the young ladies that were waiting for the selection already fell into a panic.

Because the eunuchs that were chasing the pheasants actually didn’t dare to recklessly pounce or grab at the pheasants, still attempting to just block them, and that cat and the pheasants were all like as if mad, randomly running all over the place, a few breaths later, they just charged towards the young ladies!

At this time, they just heard a ‘huala’ sound, followed by chaotic screams. That fat white cat had jumped onto one of the long narrow tables, and on that table, there was originally a fragrant wine hotpot that had just been served. Stewing in the little clay pot was rare delicacies, and under the pot, there was an extremely small lamp stove. This was a recent favorite dish of the empress’s.

Exactly how nutritional this dish was, no one knew. However, after that cat pounced at the little pot and lamp stove, it just got yellow wine^[2] all over itself, and probably because the tassels on its brocade clothes were too flammable, amidst the chaos, it actually quickly caught on fire!

[1] The term is actually liangyuan(良媛) which literally just means respectable beauty. It’s just one of those titles for a prince’s concubine of a higher status.

[2] A type of mulled rice wine.

T/N: In this chapter the author actually wrote Deng Zizhi as Madam Deng’s niece, but two chapters later, she will suddenly become Deng Madam’s daughter, so in order to keep things consistent, I went through the remainder of the novel to make sure, and it mostly mentions Deng Zizhi as her daughter. It’s also why when describing her in this chapter, the author didn’t consider her as YLX’s mother’s niece.

Actually, looking back on the earlier sentence, the author was already very confused. The direct translation of the original text should be, ‘…Madam Deng’s niece, Deng Zizhi, whose mother, Madam Deng, got into a fight with Ming Huayue and Yu Lingxin……’ So yes, Madam Deng was considered both her mother and aunt in the same sentence. Situation like this is very annoying to translate. But also a very common inconsistency problem throughout the novel.

Also, pictures of the golden pheasant. Their colors actually vary quite a lot.