Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

The bridal escort departed from Qin Wang Manor north of the capital. Three hundred armored soldiers cleared the way, the entourage draped in red silk, decorated for the festive occasion. Qin Wang was dressed in bright red groom’s attire embroidered in gold, riding on top of the tall white horse, traveling along in the middle.

The young Chief Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Xun Che, as Qin Wang’s old study companion, also accompanied by the side on horseback. Qian Wang heir, Li Duke heir, Zhongwu General, and such all accompanied the bridal escort. The banners and ceremonial music along the way, as well as the ceremonial parasols and weaponry, all were extremely illustrious and glorious. Although still according to the standards of a junwang, it has already reached the peak of the junwang standards since the founding of Great Sheng.

Even though all of the patterns^[1] all didn’t dare to exceed the standards in the slightest, the places that can be outlined in gold and embellished, no efforts were spared.

Especially because of the incident with Renshun Crown Prince’s vermillion umbrella previously, Qin Wang specially asked for a decree, requesting the people of the Zongjing Bureau and Ministry of Rites to inspect and examine the ceremonial regulations during the entire preparation process. Even if just a wine cup or a bowl, it’s still necessary for two or more people to sign off on it. For the most part, that attitude was just once any problem in regards to the ceremonial regulations occurs, the Zongjing Bureau, Shangwu Bureau, and Ministry of Rites from top to bottom will all get dragged down together.

Previously, the Shangwu Bureau had already lost a vice director. Afterwards, the storeroom keeper, registrar, and such people, in the follow-up investigation into Renshun Crown Prince’s vermillion umbrella, successively implicated approximately a hundred people. There were four that had lost their lives, and more than a dozen got beaten with the rod and exiled. That’s why, when it came to the ceremonial rites for Qin Wang’s wedding this time, never mind that even Xuan Emperor had specially bestowed honor and repeatedly warned because of needing to pacify the Ming family and such meritorious nobles, even if there wasn’t this, the Shangwu Bureau and Zongjing Bureau still didn’t dare to be lax in the slightest.

For the people at the bottom, no one in charge of looking after the storerooms, or in charge of transporting the materials, for the sake of money, dared to really have their own head, or even their entire family’s lives, all gambled away on these ceremonial objects again.

And for those people in the upper levels of the Ministry of Rites, Zongjing Bureau, and Shangwu Bureau, they also made out that Qin Wang appeared as if honest and obedient, and the empress was also indeed not too astute, but Changchun Palace’s schemes up until now have only resulted in the empress becoming bedridden with illness, and Li Consort weakening in power. His Highness Qin Wang although had gotten confined, reprimanded, ordered to forfeit his salary, and even beaten by the rod in the inner court a few times on the surface, but in terms of position and even imperial favor, his roots didn’t shake at all.

Especially after going through that chaotic imperial selection banquet, unknowingly, Qin Wang, who originally had the lowest birth, ended up with the wangfei with the highest birth, and further because of the empress’s inappropriate way of handling things afterwards, he received Xuan Emperor’s pity and bestowments. It can be said that the direction of the wind of the Tianxu era really was very difficult to grasp.

Carrying these various thoughts, the arrangements and plans inside and outside of Qin Wang Manor, as well as the rites in receiving the bride, all received everyone’s full cooperation, with everything appropriate and steady, while also having glory and honor.

As for the wedding preparations on the Jin Duke Manor’s side, originally, Ming Huayue and Yu Lingxin had already helped put most of everything in order. By the thirteenth of the ninth month, when Yu Lingxin suddenly fell ill, Grand Elder Princess Zhaoning immediately sent people to take over. The Ying Duchess also came over to help out, having everything handled flawlessly.

Moreover, with the people of the Grand Elder Princess Manor and Ying Duke Manor going in and out, the already festively decorated Jin Duke Manor appeared even more lively and illustrious.

In comparison, the Yiyang Marquis Manor’s Wen family and the Fuyuan General Manor’s Deng family who similarly will marry off their respective daughter on the fifteenth of the ninth month was just a lot more quiet. What was even more awkward was that the Wen family’s and Deng family’s residence were both not too far from the Jin Duke Manor. That’s why, under the contrast of the Ming family’s grandeur and clamor, the Wen family and Deng family were practically filled with a dead atmosphere.

Because on the day that Xuan Emperor issued a decree to reprimand Empress Wen, ordering her to quietly recuperate, Qin Wang had another audience with the emperor again to secretly report something. As for what was specifically said that day, aside from Xuan Emperor and Qin Wang, this pair of father and son, as well as the Chief Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Xun Che, who was on duty and serving in the imperial study that day, no one knew.

But the aftermath that it brought about was just, on the afternoon of the fourteenth, the eunuch that served before the emperor leading the people of the Shangwu Bureau and Zongjing Bureau, and arriving one after another at the Yiyang Marquis Manor and Fuyuan General Manor, warning the Wen family and Deng family that the wedding on the fifteenth of the ninth month was Qin Wang and the main consort’s wedding.

The two side consorts entering the manor are just entering to serve, so not considered a formal marriage. The two maiden families can hang lanterns and decorate with banners, but not allowed to use bright red. The prince’s manor will give eight thousand taels of silver as the betrothal gift, asking the two families’ dowry to not exceed this amount.

Qin Wang and Wangfei’s wedding’s auspicious time is in the afternoon, if the side consorts’ parents want to view the ceremony, Qin Wang and Wangfei have also allowed it, but the time for receiving the side consorts is after nightfall, and there won’t be ceremonial music clearing the way. Qin Wang also won’t personally come to escort, and there also won’t be the rites for bowing to the heaven and earth. When time comes, the chief secretary of Qin Wang Manor will bring the sedan chair over to receive them.

Because this was on the same day as the main consort’s wedding, there also won’t be a separate banquet arranged for them. But, his Highness is benevolent, also caring for the side consorts’ dignity, so in the future, will separately arrange banquets to compensate the two side consorts. The side consorts are also allowed to return home to visit their parents for the bride’s first return on the third day and for the moon worshipping rites^[2]. As a result of these various things, they ask the two side consorts’ family to carefully bear things in mind.

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

On Wen Ruoyao’s side, because of having gotten demoted to a liangyuan, also learning that the empress’s illness in the palace was practically a pretense that turned into reality, towards the honors on the surface, already didn’t care anymore. All her ambitions have turned into determination to fight for favor and grasp Qin Wang’s heart after entering the manor, so she accepted the decree rather calmly.

On the Deng family’s side, however, it was just endlessly awkward, because a few days ago, when the empress got reprimanded, the collateral damage the Deng family received wasn’t very serious, and Deng Zizhi’s position as the side consort also didn’t get affected, so Madam Deng was even secretly delighted inside. Although in the palace, Qin Wang appeared as if heavily valuing etiquette, but Ming Jinrou was nevertheless cold and indifferent, completely not having the attitude of wanting to curry favor with Qin Wang.

At the time, she was just thinking, this kind of Qin Wangfei that was just empty with a pretty face and a good birth, what use was there? What men didn’t need to be coaxed and obeyed in ordered grasp tightly? In fact, when the Ming family asked to retract the marriage upon the imperial court, half-coercing Xuan Emperor into appeasing them, Madam Deng further felt that Qin Wang certainly won’t like Ming Jinrou from the bottom of his heart.

After all, Li Consort was still present, and Li Consort’s two sons were also still present. Now that the Ming family has accused Empress Wen of misconduct, the one that will be pleased is Li Consort. Qin Wang’s future prospects certainly will be affected. Then, if Ming Jinrou isn’t favored, and Wen Ruoyao has also gotten demoted, then won’t Qin Wang Manor precisely belong to her own daughter!

Just, unfortunately, before even halfway into this beautiful dream, she just got splashed with a basin of cold water by this warning decree from the palace. Then, the next day, hearing the Jin Duke Manor nearby bustling with noise and excitement, and seeing her daughter dressed in a pink wedding dress, Madam Deng was no longer able to keep smiling.

However, these ups and downs of the side consorts and their maiden family actually weren’t within the Ming family and Xun family’s considerations all that much. In the hour prior to the bridal escort procession arriving before the Jin Duke Manor, the boudoir of Ming Jinrou, who has already changed and finished grooming, was filled with a particularly……….solemn and sorrowful atmosphere.

Yu Lingxin actually didn’t want to phrase it this way. She has already repeatedly asked Xun Che several times. The resolute and decisive answer she received on Xun Che’s side was that Qin Wang has expressed his feelings to Ming Jinrou several times already.

But, how come looking at Ming Jinrou, who was dressed all over in brocade and jade, her look bright and charming, she was unable to make out the slightest bashfulness and cheerfulness of a new bride. In fact, there wasn’t even any expectations, instead full of martial resolution, like as if what she was wearing wasn’t the crimson red wedding gown but rather armor, and going on the bridal palanquin was just like going on the battlefield.

Especially given the fact that in the boudoir, Ming Huayue, Cheng Yanling, and also the two maternal aunts from the Lou family, all had a calm and solemn look. Although they’d also said to properly live out the days after marrying and so on, the look in their eyes clearly was feeling that Ming Jinrou marrying into Qin Wang Manor was just like enter the den of a tiger. That’s why, while sending her off as her maiden family, they also expressed their strong support for her. That attitude was probably just: ‘Jinrou, don’t worry and just go, if Qin Wang and the side consorts upset you, we will support you in leveling Qin Wang Manor at any time!’

Thinking back and forth, the only conclusion that Yu Lingxin could come up with was probably just that Qin Wang truly didn’t know how to speak. That’s why, don’t know exactly what he said to Ming Jinrou. He himself perhaps felt that he’d expressed his feelings, but for Ming Jinrou, Ming Yunji, and the Ming family’s relatives, they all felt that this was still just a political marriage filled with conspiracies and dangers.

Although it can’t be said that this marriage didn’t have political objectives, but……but seemingly, there was still something not right?

However, this problem, Yu Lingxin has already asked Ming Jinrou in private twice, yet she wasn’t able to get anything definitive. If she were to ask too much, perhaps this girl will feel even sadder inside. As such, Yu Lingxin could only temporary press down and not mention. At this time, after sitting for another while, it was just the auspicious time. The firecrackers and the ceremonial music outside sounded at the same time.

Ming Huayue put on the veil for Ming Jinrou and then retreated out with all the friends and relatives. Yu Lingxin also continued to carry her doubts as she followed her mother-in-law to the front hall to see the bustling excitement.

The door-blocking poetry matches and martial arts contest slightly carried out. Xun Che as Qin Wang’s study companion competed in two rounds of poetry with the Lou family’s young master. Qin Wang also personally exchanged a few moves with Ming Jincheng, before everyone excitedly entered the door. It can also be considered a hall full of jubilation. Afterwards, Qin Wang personally went to Qinghong Pavilion to lead Ming Jinrou out the door with the red silk, and then went to the main hall to bid farewell to her grandparents and father.

According to the usual marriage customs for the imperial princes and members of the imperial clan, for the rite of kowtowing to the bride’s parents in farewell when taking the bride, the just need to bow standing. After all, Qin Wang was an imperial prince, his status was placed there. For the elders of the Ming family to not bow to him, it was already considering on behalf of the marriage relations.

But, when Qin Wang personally led Ming Jinrou to the main hall, Qin Wang signaled the guard by his side, Han Zhao. Han Zhao and another attendant unexpectedly went forward with an embroidered cushion. Qin Wang extended his hand to take Ming Jinrou’s hand, “Jinrou, let’s bid the elders farewell.”

The spectating guests practically all slightly inhaled a breath of cold air. This wasn’t considered overstepping the etiquette. After all, the Ministry of Rites and Zongjing Bureau also didn’t have any rules saying that a prince wasn’t allowed to kowtow to his father-in-law and his wife’s elders, or perhaps, should say that this matter has never caused controversy and discussion, because the great majority of the times, simply no prince has ever thought of kneeling to anyone outside of the ancestors in the ancestral shrine, and the emperor and empress.

With the red brocade veil covering the face, no one saw what Ming Jinrou’s expression was like at this time, but for Qin Wang who was holding her hand, he was nevertheless able to sense Ming Jinrou’s hand stiffening for a moment, her shoulders also slightly trembling. And at this time, Qin Wang has already bent his knees. Ming Jinrou just followed along his movements, kneeling down together.

[1] In feudal era, there’s rules on what kind of patterns one can have on one’s clothes depending on one’s rank and status. For example, other than the emperor, no one is allowed to use the dragon pattern on their clothes.

[2] I’m assuming the author is referring to the moon worshiping rites during the autumn equinox, which is one the important rites in the autumn for worshipping the moon goddess. Although it’s mostly women participating in the worshipping ritual, I’m not sure if there’s the custom of letting the married daughters return to the maiden home for this. The moon worshipping rites usually takes place with the mid-autumn festival.

There’s actually another very similar term to what the author used called 对月礼 (the author used 对月之礼), but it makes no sense in the context, unless the author didn’t do enough research and misunderstood the meaning of this term. 对月礼 can be translated literally as ‘rites facing the moon’ or ‘double month gift’, and in the actual usage of the term it’s actually the latter. This refers to the gifts the groom sends one month prior to the wedding in sets of doubles, or in even numbers. Overall this is just one of the different types of ways the groom’s family can send the betrothal gifts.