Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Very soon, the paperwork was finished. Zhaoyang Hall’s female official and palace maid also came out to receive the three families’ womenfolk. This extremely short conversation that was also as clear-cut as the divide between the Jing and Wei rivers came to an end.

And on the way to Zhaoyang Hall, everyone pretty much all didn’t speak. Mainly, it was because Ming Jinrou, Ming Huayue, and Yu Lingxin, who were walking in front, all didn’t chat with the female official of Zhaoyang Hall, so for the Wen family and Deng family mother and daughter pair in the back, it wasn’t too good for them to be too enthusiastic.

But, in the palace, no act was done without a meaning. Not saying anything was also equivalent to saying something. Not declaring one’s position was already a stance. Just now, at the palace gates, the simple few words between them already clearly showed what kind of attitude the future Qin Wangfei had towards the two side consorts. And the Wen family and Deng family’s attitude was also subtly displayed at the same time.

To summarize in the simplest way, it was just that his Highness Qin Wang’s three consorts, one main two side, probably never had the intention of addressing one another as sisters to begin with, not even having the intention of pretending to be harmonious and intimate on the surface. Afraid, they can’t even wait until the wedding day before starting to vie for favor and dominance.

Once they entered Zhaoyang Hall, after everyone bowed towards Empress Wen, who was dressed in the phoenix gown, residing above in the phoenix seat, and everyone took their seats, the Wen family and Deng family’s subtle attitude previously was just even more distinct and obvious.

For the most part, right after Empress Wen asked Ming Jinrou, Wen Ruoyao, Deng Zizhi if they were well lately, and how the preparations for the marriage were, these common greetings, Yiyang Marchioness just extremely naturally followed-up with a smile, praising the empress’s compassion and care, as well as if everything was still well for the empress lately, and so on. Although there was the deferential attitude between a ruler and the subject, but it was also full of the intimacy between sister-in-laws.

Empress Wen warmly smiled, “All good, especially the soothing fragrance pouch Ruoyao made last time, that neither light nor heavy scent really considerate. This empress originally even wanted to shamelessly ask Ruoyao for a few more, but considering that this girl will certainly be busy preparing for the marriage, it wasn’t good for one to open one’s mouth.”

Wen Ruoyao hurriedly raised from her seat, “Paternal aunt is truly being too serious. No matter how busy one is with other matters, one still can’t forget the fragrance pouch for paternal aunt. Actually, I already made nine, and originally wanted to finish a whole set of ten before giving to paternal aunt, thus didn’t bring before you. It’s still because my hands were slow, hoping paternal aunt don’t blame.”

Ming Jinrou’s lips carried a smile as she shared a glance with Yu Lingxin. Shortly after, she had her line of sight turned towards the Deng family mother and daughter. The Wen family ultimately had the natural advantage of being related to the empress. Regardless of whether the position was of a side consort or a concubine, calling out paternal aunt in front of the empress, one can’t say that her address was wrong.

If so, how could the Deng family not say anything?

After all, the three of them will marry into Qin Wang Manor on the same day. Ming Jinrou held the main consort position, and Wen Ruoyao had relations with the empress. If Deng Zizhi were to have nothing to rely on, then that was just waiting to fall behind the others.

“Your filial heart, this empress knows.” Empress Wen lightly smiled towards Wen Ruoyao. Afterwards, she turned towards the others, “In the future, in Qin Wang Manor, you need to deferentially and carefully serve those above, be gentle and generous to those below, and properly get along with everyone peacefully.”

Wen Ruoyao hurriedly bowed in agreement, even appearing to be very moved, “Paternal aunt’s teachings, Ruoyao certainly will keep in mind at all times. Paternal aunt, please rest assured.”

This attitude was already cordial and moved to the point where it was somewhat exaggerated. Yu Lingxin although couldn’t help but roll her eyes three times in a row inside, on the surface, she still didn’t show anything. Ming Jinrou and Ming Huayue both couldn’t stand it anymore, practically glancing at one another at the same time, and then gazed towards the Deng family mother and daughter together. That look was just short of directly asking, ‘So, what about your family? Not going to express anything?’

The Deng family mother and daughter felt increasingly awkward under the stare. The flattering words that were originally prepared for the empress nearly got stuck in their throats. For the most part, it was just forcibly composing themselves before thinking of how to follow-up, so that they can express their loyalties towards the empress.

Actually, Zhaoyang Hall’s attitude so far was also very clear. The fourth prince Zhao Wang was still young. Currently, the empress can only use Qin Wang to contend against Wu Wang and Wei Wang first. That’s why, on the choice of the main consort, even the empress’s own niece, Wen Ruoyao, all need to step aside, picking Jin Duke Manor’s Ming Jinrou.

But, clearly, towards the Jin Duke Manor’s alliance, the empress only wanted to offer the Qin Wangfei’s position, wanting the alliance, yet also wanting to balance the power, not wanting to really let the Ming family and Xun family be close with Qin Wang, not having the slightest animosity. That’s why, at the same time conferring Ming Jinrou, she also specially bestowed honor to the two side consorts.

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

Deng Zizhi, in terms of beauty, was even a bit weaker than Wen Ruoyao, so further can’t compare with the bright and easy-mannered Ming Jinrou. That’s why, at this time, if she wants to pave a bit more path for her future, then currying favor with the empress was practically the only hope.

After all, the Ming clan daughters’ arrogance and easily jealous nature can also be considered relatively well-known in the capital. The Wen’an Marquis, that kind of powerful general and high official that has led troops for twenty years, under his own family’s lioness Ming Huayue’s might, reportedly, ever since getting engaged, never even had a single tongfang servant girl. And the Ming family’s young ladies of the previous generations, even including the shu-born ones, the great majority, after marrying, also have peaceful residences, their husbands all not having concubines, so very rarely having ‘the wife and concubines living in harmony’.

That’s why, for Deng Zizhi, and even Wen Ruoyao, from the moment they knew that they will marry into Qin Wang Manor together with Ming Jinrou, they for the most part, already gave up on the possibility of building a good relationship with this future wangfei, instead turning to curry favor with Empress Wen.

Of course, this kind of situation was precisely what Empress Wen wanted to see.

That’s why, afterwards, when Madam Deng finally found a suitable opportunity to speak, she just began praising Empress Wen’s presence as the mother of the country, her virtuousness and capabilities, and when voluntarily offering up some calming eight gem ruyi scepter^[1], Empress Wen’s amiable smile and warm words of care pairing with the Deng family mother and daughter shedding tears of gratitude, the entire Zhaoyang Hall’s atmosphere was practically harmonious and peaceful like the calm seas.

Ming Jinrou was just like an outsider sitting to the side, holding the teacup in hand, carrying an extremely distinct smile on her lips, watching the Deng family mother and daughter, as well as the Wen family mother and daughter, revolve around the empress like that. The expression on her face didn’t have the slightest ripple, further not having the intention of joining them.

Finally, after finishing two cups of tea, seeing how the Wen family and Deng family were already about to run out of things to say to continue flattering, Empress Wen finally entered today’s so called main topic, letting the female official bring the head ornaments as well as the palace brocade and palace satin out, bestowing to Ming Jinrou and the other two girls to add to their dowry.

Once the bestowments came out, Ming Huayue’s complexion immediately just became unsightly. Even Yu Lingxin was somewhat unable to maintain herself. Wen Ruoyao and Deng Zizhi however happily thanked for the honor.

Every person received a set of head ornaments, a case of palace silk flowers, two bolts of qingyun brocade, four bolts of cotton rose satin. As the future Qin Wangfei, the only thing that Ming Jinrou had more of than the two side consorts was just a separately added kesi circular fan^[2], and two cases of spice. Additionally, the brocade and satin amount was also doubled.

But, the brocade and satin material were all the same. In other words, aside from the ceremonial wedding gown and the palace gown following the rank and the regulations stipulated by the ancestors, where one can make out the differences, the clothing material for the casual attires, everyone all had the exact same in hand.

“Thanking your Highness for the generous bestowment.” Ming Jinrou got up to bow. Facing the smug look that Wen Ruoyao and Deng Zizhi casted over, she also didn’t take seriously. Her bright and pretty face was still filled with a faint mocking smile. However, when turning around, her gaze inadvertently swept outwards, ultimately stiffening for a moment.

Yu Lingxin was watching Ming Jinrou the whole time. Seeing her blank for a moment, she instinctively followed her line of sight, also turning her head outwards. At the same time, the eunuch in the outer room already loudly began reporting, “His Highness Qin Wang seeks an audience!”

Everyone in Zhaoyang Hall all blanked. Wen Ruoyao and Deng Zizhi’s face both revealed an obvious happy look, even instinctively reaching out to fix the hairpins in their hair and tidying their clothes. Meanwhile, a trace of surprise flashed across Empress Wen’s eyes, but immediately afterwards, she just gently smiled, “This child, to actually be this impatient.” At the same time, she nodded her head, summoning Qin Wang into the hall.

A line of ‘being this impatient’ just made Wen Ruoyao and Deng Zizhi both somewhat blush, their hearts also madly beating. Only Ming Jinrou, after a moment of stiffness, just turned her face, forcibly maintaining the hook on the corner of her lips, yet it can’t be considered a smile.

At this time, Qin Wang, dressed in a navy blue official gown embroidered with golden circular patterns, entered Zhaoyang Hall in large strides. His figure was sturdy and tall to begin with, his appearance also extremely handsome. The navy blue official gown was luxurious yet noble. Thus, amongst a hall of beautiful pearls and jade, his masculinity was extremely distinct.

Qin Wang went before Empress Wen to bow and greet. Wen Ruoyao had already seen Qin Wang several times in the palace before, so still a bit more composed. As for Deng Zizhi, her pretty face already filled with red clouds on her cheeks.

Ming Jinrou instead had her eyes lowered, her two hands crossed before her, appearing extremely quiet.

“Yuchen, how come you came over at this time?” After letting him rise, the empress warmly asked, carrying a bit of tease in her smile, “Could it be that you’re afraid of them getting bullied?”

“Paternal aunt……..” Wen Ruoyao’s face at this time also turned red, softly letting out a complaint, and then slightly turned her head and body, perfectly having her most delicate side turned towards Qin Wang, having a young girl’s bashfulness and beauty displayed to the fullest extent.

Qin Wang indeed swept a glance at Wen Ruoyao following her voice, and shortly after, also glanced at Deng Zizhi. Afterwards, just as the two young ladies’ hearts were madly beating, he opened his mouth, “Your Highness, imperial father heard that Jinrou had entered the palace today, so has ordered Jinrou to come to the imperial gardens to talk, having the intention of giving bestowments for her dowry. This subject has come over to pass on his oral decree.”

Zhaoyang hall fell silent for a moment, and then fell silent again.

Afterwards, Empress Wen finally continued with an amiable smile, “Is that so? His Majesty sure has the mood today, wanting to add to the children’s dowry. That is also good, you girls sure have the fortune.”

Qin Wang once again bowed, “His Majesty just ordered for Jinrou alone to go over. This subject thought that this matter of adding to the dowry is giving this subject’s wife honor. The concubines entering the manor naturally will have the proper share according to the imperial family’s rules, so actually, don’t need to have other dowries.”

The concubine…….entering the manor………..

Yu Lingxin nearly choked on her breath. After calming herself, she finally lifted her head slowly to look at Wen Ruoyao and Deng Zizhi’s face. The light blush that was originally on their pretty faces previously, in these few breaths, already went from red to white. The smile on their faces was still maintained, just their eyes were practically about to shed tears, pretty much stiffening on the spot.

Empress Wen was slightly displeased, “How is the side consort a concubine. Besides, even if it’s his Majesty’s decree, is there not the chief eunuch that serves before the emperor? How come you, an esteemed junwang, just came over on your own?”

Qin Wang deferentially answered, “Since the beginning of time, the family precepts by the sages all state the distinction between wife and concubine. Just like how Changchun Palace, no matter how favored and pampered, in front of your Highness, she is still just a concubine. This subject has followed the ancestors’ teachings since childhood, so doesn’t dare blur the etiquettes. Imperial father just now had ordered the chief eunuch to pass on the decree, but this subject worried that the chief eunuch may not be able to explain clearly. If Wen-shi and Deng-shi were to mishear and overstep their place, coming over together and getting punished, it will damage the two families’ dignity. Besides, imperial father is currently in the eastern garden, so a bit far. This subject is also worried about Jinrou, thus asked to come over to pass on the decree, so that one can take her.”

[1] See picture below.

[2] Kesi is chinese silk tapestry woven into a pictorial design.

T/N: The empress is just as short-sighted as the rest of her family.