Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

The first to become bustling with noise was Changchun Palace. In the wake of Empress Wen getting reprimanded and ‘becoming bedridden’ previously, the management of the six palaces appear as if it was jointly controlled by Imperial Concubine Nie, Xian Consort, and Li Consort, but as time dragged out a little, the seemingly gentle and quiet Imperial Concubine Nie ultimately wasn’t as favored by Xuan Emperor as Li Consort.

Especially considering how Li Consort encountered assassins last time, getting injured that seriously, although Empress Wen also rammed against the pillar to use death to prove her innocence, causing the assassination matter to end unsettled, but the two shallow scars on Li Consort’s forehead and lower jaw still led to Xuan Emperor pitying very much.

In addition to Li Consort previously putting on the appearance of lowering her head and yielding to the empress, giving a deferential and submissive attitude, matched with the empress’s inappropriate behavior during Qin Wang’s marriage arrangements, going around in a circle, the entire inner harem’s state of affairs for the most part returned to the starting point again where Zhu-shi was strong, the central palace weak.

The only thing that differed from before was that the situation between the princes was no longer the same as before, where it leaned towards Changchun Palace because of the son relying on the mother’s noble status. Instead, amidst Empress Wen’s incompetence, the Zhu family’s lack of moral character, and the chaotic situation of Wu Wang’s and Wei Wang’s marriage arrangement, Qin Wang, who had a loving and harmonious relationship with his newly-wedded wangfei, gradually stood out.

Actually, in terms of learning and martial arts, Qin Wang has always surpassed his brothers below. Just, his temperament was overly straightforward and deferential. Previously, before marrying, even if going every day to pay respect to Xuan Emperor, it was also nothing more than just bowing and deferentially asking if his Majesty is well. The exchange between the father and son was even more dull than facing the cabinet ministers. However, now, with the lively and cheerful Ming Jinrou, every time the couple entered the palace to pay their respects, they were all able to happily chat for half an hour. Even if the great majority of the times, Qin Wang still didn’t speak much, just listening to Ming Jinrou talk, but in Xuan Emperor’s eyes, it was ultimately different.

Just, in the tenth month of Tianxu year 14, the ones that were able to immediately realize this bit weren’t many. The great majority of the people’s attention was still on Wu Wang’s wedding ceremony that will be held soon.

Regardless of whether it was how Wu Wang will arrange those five liangyuans of his who all weren’t of low birth, or whether or not Wu Wangfei Qi Pei’s wedding standards can be on the level or even surpass that of Qin Wangfei’s, whenever it was mentioned, it would all lead to countless discussions.

From the inner palace above, down to the court officials below, even the ordinary commoners in the streets and alleyways were all carrying their respective standpoint as they discussed and observed, watching how those maiden families of Wu Wang’s liangyuans tried every way possible to pass on a name plate to enter the palace to send presents and plea to Li Consort, hoping to obtain some more dignity and honor for their own daughter.

After all, the way Qin Wang took in the side consort and liangyuan practically gave all of the liangyuans’ maiden family a heavy blow. Precisely because Wu Wang Manor and Wei Wang Manor will have many beauties, and although afterwards, after going through several debates in court, Xuan Emperor in the end issued another decree stating that after these liangyuans enter to serve, those with an outstanding moral character will later be selected to confer into a side consort, and not based on giving birth to a son. But, who didn’t know that in the battle between the wife and concubines of the imperial harem and back manor, having superior moral character was all just empty talk?

If really ranking by moral character, how could Li Consort be the most favored of the imperial harem for twenty years?

However, these were all later talk. At present, what the parents of those liangyuans cared about the most was if their daughter wants to be favored in front of Wu Wang or Wei Wang, aside from natural good looks and beauty, as well as an unshakable within a short period of time family background, all that was left was just how to dress up oneself, and bribe the people above and below.

Whether it’s dressing up oneself, or winning over people, both required money. When Qin Wang Manor’s secretary went to fetch the bride, they directly asked that the side consort’s dowry from the maiden family not exceed the limitation of Qin Wang Manor’s betrothal gift. Moreover, after entering the manor, everything will all have an allotted share. That was practically just asking the side consort and liangyuan to all dress according to their rank and status.

Never mind Qin Wang Manor having fewer people, Wu Wang Manor had five liangyuans entering all at once. Everyone all wanted to stand out, so they must put more effort into their dowry. That’s why, after begging with Li Consort, the Chang’de Count Manor that was in the middle of preparing Qi Pei’s marriage arrangements also became a hotspot.

Of the five liangyuans, three have already made up their minds to fawn over the future Wu Wangfei in advance. Among them, the Li family young lady even personally scaled the gates, directly kneeling down and kowtowing to Qi Pei upon their first meeting, expressing that after entering the manor, she will definitely faithfully follow wangfei without question and so on. The remaining two families, the Sun family and Tan family, although on the surface showed contempt towards this Miss Li’s bootlicking behavior, they nevertheless added quite a bit more to their respective presents for the Qi family.

All in all, prior to marrying, Qi Pei for the most part already began experiencing the glory and superiority of being an esteemed wangfei.

Towards this bit, Yu Lingxin, who was practically forced to spectate, was pretty much between laughter and tears.

Starting from the dowry preparation, Qi Pei has just repeatedly sent invitation after invitation, inviting Yu Lingxin and Xun Ying over. Of course, she also called Xun Xiang, Xun Ze, and Xun Tan over from the Jade Peak Villa to help out.

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

Qi Pei’s mother was Wen’an Marquis Manor’s eldest lady after all. In terms of blood relations, Xun Ying and Xun Xiang were considered direct cousins through the paternal line with Qi Pei, which was actually considered a much closer relationship than with Ming Jinrou.

Yu Lingxin was also considered Qi Pei’s younger cousin, but Qi Pei calling her over like this, clearly it wasn’t considering their relationship as relatives through the Qi family, but rather carrying a strange sense of anger, wanting to let Yu Lingxin, and even Xun Che, see her glory and grandeur.

How could Xun Che be willing to go to the Chang’de Count Manor. Even though he and Qi Pei didn’t have any relationship at all, but that ‘second brother’ from Qi Pei back then, even now, was still a topic endlessly brought up between Yu Lingxin and him. Yu Lingxin, when occasionally feeling mischievous, was also willing to call him this, but most of the times, when mentioning Qi Pei, it still made the back of Xun Che’s neck tighten, making him be careful with his every word.

Yu Lingxin actually didn’t mind coming over for a look. Mainly, it was accompanying Xun Ying, while also taking note of Jade Peak Villa’s current movements in passing.

Ever since Qi Pei received this marriage decree for the position of Wu Wangfei, the Jade Peak Villa was just in the state of ‘rising up along her tides’. Xun old madam and the second branch family all happily walked closer and closer with the Chang’de Count Manor. If not for the fact that Qi Pei’s older brother Qi Jue’s main wife, although was currently bedridden, but nevertheless still hanging on, afraid they would’ve tried to shove Xun Xiang over to be the second wife.

Towards the old madam and the second branch’s movements, the Wen Marquis couple couldn’t really block. After all, this was just the usual dealings between relatives. Back then, prior to Xun Che’s wedding, under the excuse of letting the old madam recuperate in peace, forcibly having the second branch along with the old madam packed and shipped to the Jade Peak Villa was already a bit too forceful, so at this time, it further wasn’t good to leave behind more pretext for gossip. Who knows whether or not once Qi Pei marries Wu Wang, the Qi family, under the condition of selling out the first branch, will just thoroughly wear the same pants as the Zhu family.

Xun Che’s idea was actually also letting them be. In the last lifetime, the reason why he ignored the second branch was mainly because he felt that the second branch won’t be able to cause any big waves, thus his momentary underestimation of Xun Yan brought about irreversible consequences.

But, in this lifetime, Xun Yan was already dead. And towards the second branch, Xun Che was between extinguishing and not extinguishing. If the second branch is really willing to peacefully live out their days, and although the old madam will probably still cause trouble from time to time, but seeing on his father’s behalf, Xun Che was still willing to endure.

Conversely, if the second branch wants to tie themselves to the Zhu family together with the Qi family, then whether it’d be for Xun Che, or the Wen’an Marquis Xun Nanheng, it was all an easy decision.

Such kinds of thoughts, Yu Lingxin was probably even more clear of than Ming Huayue. That’s why, when visiting the Qi family, and running into the second branch here, between the smiles and greetings, there really wasn’t the least bit of intention to obstruct. For the most part, she just tightly stuck with Xun Ying the entire time. Afterwards, carrying a relaxed and appropriate smile, she watched the Chang’de Countess and Qi Pei pull along Xun Xiang and Xun second madam in showing off in front of her what bestowments and presents she received, as well as how noble and grand Wu Wang Manor was, and so on.

However, Xun Ying was ultimately softhearted. After listening to Qi Pei and the Chang’de Countess brag with their faces glowing for a few days, she finally couldn’t help but ask, “But, older sister Pei, are you not worried that his Highness will have that many concubines by his side in the future?”

The smile on Qi Pei’s face undoubtedly froze, “The rules of the imperial family have always been this way. Since the beginning of time, how many emperors and nobles don’t have concubines. As the main consort, one still need to have the capacity to tolerate others in order to be worthy of the position. It’s not like everyone is like that one in Qin Wang Manor.”

“But, our dynasty’s Yuan Emperor and Xiang Emperor all didn’t have consorts and concubines.” Xun Ying thought for a moment and seriously answered, “During Jing Emperor’s reign, although there were two side consorts, but it seems that Jing Emperor only favored Empress Yan for his whole life. Additionally, the Ying Duke Manor also doesn’t allow concubines, and also Qian Wang Manor………”

“Cough, cough.” Seeing how Qi Pei’s face was about to turn green, Yu Lingxin quickly let out a dry cough, interrupting the little bookworm by her side and softly saying, “Each family have their respective ways. His Highness having a few more liangyuans serving by the side, in the future, they will also be older sister Pei’s right arm, so don’t say anymore nonsense.”

“I wouldn’t dare answer to this ‘older sister Pei’.” Qi Pei coldly scoffed. That breath of anger from getting retorted by Xun Ying just got vented out towards Yu Lingxin, “You are the Wen’an Marquis heir’s madam. I have to call you second cousin-in-law.”

Yu Lingxin was fundamentally too lazy to bother with Qi Pei. Upon hearing, she just smiled, “You are right. I’m indeed Xun Che’s wife, so calling me second cousin-in-law or Madam Xun is all fine.”

Qi Pei thoroughly choked on that breath this time. Probably due to getting fawned over by Xun Xiang and Li-shi for several days in a row, and also not having directly talked with Yu Lingxin for a good while, she completely didn’t expect that the other party would actually have this kind of attitude.

The Chang’de Countess at this time hurriedly tried to smooth over the situation for her daughter, also letting out a passive-aggressive laugh, “Aiyoo, isn’t this ‘Madam Xun’ said a bit too early, young madam is more than enough. Could it be that you forgot there’s still the elders above?”

Yu Lingxin lightly adjusted her own sitting posture, gently smiling, “When it comes to addresses, in the end, it still depends on what position you are standing in. If in terms of relatives, then cousin-in-law, younger cousin, or even my name, you as the elder naturally can call however you want. Just……….”

She lifted her eyes and looked around at everyone in the reception pavilion, especially when the corner of her eyes swept over Xun Ze and Xun Tan who sat a bit farther away, the smile by her lips held a bit more complication, “If from an outsider’s perspective, as fellow subjects of the imperial court, calling my husband Chief Secretary Xun, or calling me Madam Xun, it’s not like it’s something I can’t answer to. All addresses merely depend on where you all stand.”

When it comes to having hidden meaning in one’s words, hiding a needle in brocade, for the Chang’de Countess, who has followed the wind and set the helm for several decades, she has always felt that she was an expert. However, at this time, hearing these words from her young niece-in-law, her heart actually strangely tightened. In fact, in a moment of daze, she actually felt that Yu Lingxin’s expression in this moment really resembled Xun Che to the extreme.

Clearly it was that warm of a smile, like the spring wind and rain, yet strangely hidden in this gentleness was a sharp killing intent.

Fortunately, at this time, a servant came over to report from the outside, interrupting the slight awkwardness in this moment, “Madam, Young Master Ke has arrived.”