Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Practically the moment Yu Lingxin turned her head, that familiar impression slid across her mind like sparks on flint——-She’d seen that lucky grass and auspicious cloud pattern before in the past life!

That absolutely isn’t something that Qin Wang should use!

It’s precisely that seemingly ordinary auspicious design that led to the last purging of the court during Xuan Emperor’s reign in the beginning of Tianxu year 22 of the past life. The fourth prince, Zhao Wang, given birth to by Empress Wen, got convicted, getting stripped of his nobility, having no leeway to turn the tables. From Jingrui Palace to the Palace Affairs Department, the disaster even reaching the Zongjing Bureau^[1] and Ministry of Rites, this matter implicated more than several hundred people. Aside from the bloodbath, it also gave Xun Che who was on the sickbed another infamous reputation as a treacherous official.

Yu Lingxin at the time was already the Wen’an Marchioness. Although she didn’t participate in this matter, she still heard the whole story, also clearly remembering that decorative pattern. It belonged to Xuan Emperor’s older brother, the deceased Renshun Crown Prince who’d died in his prime.

Renshun Crown Prince was Xuan Emperor’s elder brother, having became the heir apparent at twelve, entering court and assisting in politics at thirteen, his filial and virtuous name known throughout the world. Just, unfortunately, two years after marrying, Renshun Crown Prince died of an illness. Afterwards, the throne ended up on Xuan Emperor who was the younger di son of the central palace.

Back then, when Renshun Crown Prince was still alive, towards Xuan Emperor, this younger brother, he loved very much, and for the sake of showing the modesty and affection as close brothers, Renshun Crown Prince’s ceremonial weaponry back then didn’t use the dragon pattern according to the previous dynasty’s custom, instead selecting the lucky grass of the junwang’s standard and adding on the auspicious clouds. The vermillion umbrella’s color was also just a bit darker than the qinwang and junwang’s color.

Renshun Crown Prince’s meaning back then was that although he was the heir apparent, towards his imperial brothers, he still viewed as his blood-related kin, and not insisting on emphasizing the difference between subject and ruler. Although the Ministry of Rites and Zongjing Bureau once had some objections, the previous emperor in the end still allowed it, even greatly praising Renshun Crown Prince’s intentions.

Thinking to here, Yu Lingxin was increasingly scared to the point of losing her soul. When bowing one’s head to greet in the rain, who would raise their heads to go look at the decorative patterns atop the umbrella? But, regardless of how this old umbrella of Renshun Crown Prince appeared here, one absolutely can’t let his Highness Qin Wang continue heading to the front reception hall with it. By that time, it won’t just be the few that came to welcome at this time that will see this vermillion umbrella.

Once the imperial clansmen, high nobles, and important ministers of the court all see with their own eyes, even if the Xun family, who’d organized the banquet, temporarily won’t be blamed, Qin Wang still won’t be able to escape from the offense of overstepping his place!

She immediately gazed towards Xun Che———However, he was actually too far away to help!

Xun Che, as the Wen’an Marquis’s heir, when his father isn’t present, his status surpassed that of his uncle’s. At this time, he was standing in the very front together with his mother Ming Huayue, practically more than ten feet from her and Ming Jinrou’s current position.

And in between them, there was also the people of the second branch, people of the Chang’de Count Manor, as well as the other relatives of the Xun family standing in a crowd. It was simply impossible for her to push aside everyone at this time to go talk to Xun Che.

But, this matter can’t be delayed either! In the rain, everyone will just naturally hasten their footsteps. The longer Qin Wang held this umbrella, the closer he will be to eternal damnation!

These various thoughts of hers merely just last for a moment. Shortly after, she just hardened her heart and turned to the only one that can move by her side, Ming Jinrou, quickly whispering a few words in her ear.

Ming Jinrou immediately changed in complexion, her entire body jolting, “This………..”

Yu Lingxin’s entire body was practically shaking too, but in her alarmed expression, there was also certainty, “Really, I’m certain of it!”

Ming Jinrou clenched her teeth, “Alright!”

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

In the next moment, she just directly lifted her head and strode forward, quickly rushing to the middle of the pathway, directly blocking Qin Wang’s path in the rain, “Your Highness Qin Wang, this subject has something to ask!”

This time, everyone all blanked. Behind Qin Wang, the second prince Wu Wang had just set foot through the door, his other foot still outside. Xun Che and the others had also just spoke in unison ‘respectfully welcoming your Highness Wu Wang’, yet immediately after, there was just this kind of unexpected change?

Qin Wang naturally halted in his steps, his extremely handsome face slightly stunned. And everyone present naturally all turned their heads and looked over at the same time.

This situation was practically unimaginable. Including the three princes, the great majority of the people were practically dumbstruck, but Ming Huayue and Ming Jincheng’s first reaction was to instead gaze towards Xun Che. What was the meaning of this?

However, Xun Che at this time had already mutually shared a glance with Yu Lingxin, and following her look, he also saw that lucky grass and auspicious cloud pattern that was drenched by the rain and also slightly faded and unclear because of being old and aged, his complexion also changing.

At this time, they just heard Qin Wang’s gentle voice politely responding, “Miss Jinrou has something to ask here and now?”

“Yes!” Ming Jinrou already had an excuse prepared, though she didn’t expect that it would be used at this time. However, it was hard to get off riding a tiger midway and could only continue forward, forcing herself to bring out her usual unyielding attitude, “This subject wants to ask your Highness, all these years, you’ve always displayed yourself as being benevolent, filial, and magnanimous to the people of the world, so why treat my older cousin that harshly? My older cousin has served your Highness for many years, even if there isn’t any meritorious feat, there should still be hard work. On the surface, your Highness say he’s a brother and friend, yet behind the back, you have him degraded like a servant, not having any respect. Since that’s the case, why still pretentiously come to the banquet today!”

The attendant accompanying Qin Wang today was a sixth rank eunuch of Zhaoyang Hall, someone specifically sent over by Empress Wen to accompany Qin Wang, demanding today’s Qin Wang to put on a modest and benevolent stance in the Xun manor, so that he can reconcile as friends with Xun Che again.

But, who would’ve thought that the moment Qin Wang entered the Xun manor against the wind and rain, he would just get directly blocked by Xun Che’s bold and brazen younger cousin, Ming Jinrou.

That attendant instinctively wanted to reprimand, but recalling the empress’s intentions, he still endured, slightly easing his tone, “Miss Ming is too rude. His Highness’s sincerity in coming against the rain, presumably Xun-shizi can understand. Miss Ming is still young, so doesn’t understand. His Highness won’t argue with you. Please step down!”

At this time, the wind and rain grew increasingly heavy, and the people of the Xun family and Chang’de Count Manor have already lost their souls, endlessly panicking inside. No matter how Qin Wang has lost favor in front of Xuan Emperor, he is still the eldest prince personally raised by the empress. Ming Jinrou’s offensiveness at this time, that was more than enough to be considered disrespectful. The Xun family letting an imperial prince get blocked and insulted upon entering certainly will get implicated.

Everyone successively gazed towards Ming Huayue. Ming Huayue was also worried inside. She did know of the real relationship and plans between Xun Che and Qin Wang, but she absolutely didn’t expect that Ming Jinrou would suddenly make such a move. She hurriedly ordered Ming Jincheng and the servant girls by her side to go pull Ming Jinrou.

Xun Che, however, stopped Ming Jincheng at this time, similarly giving him a look. Shortly after, he directly knelt down on the spot, “Your Highness, please forgive.”

As soon as he knelt down, everyone who were originally just bowing naturally all just rushed to kneel down along with to beg for forgiveness.

Although, there were two servant girls that hurriedly went over to pull Ming Jinrou, but Ming Jinrou who was skilled in martial arts easily just had them pushed away, instead going a step forward, continuing to question in a loud voice, “Sure enough, it’s like this. Your Highness precisely came here to put on airs! What friendship, what personally coming to congratulate with goodwill? Isn’t it still using your junwang status to pressure with power? In this world, which friend is made kneeling? If you want to talk about authority and power, we will just greet kneeling, deferentially receiving your imperial family’s procession!”

Qin Wang’s complexion at this time also turned cold, directly reprimanding, “Practically absurd! If not for today’s heavy rain, how could this prince enter the manor carrying the ceremonial vermillion umbrella? Jinrou, don’t be too outrageous!”

“Your Highness!” At this time, Xun Che finally spoke with a clear voice. Although kneeling, his voice was nevertheless clear and stern, as if carrying anger, “Jinrou is young, but has a pure and innocent heart, her words sincere. If your Highness truly has the intention of bestowing favor today, viewing this subject as a friend, then asking your Highness to please take down the ceremonial weaponry, switching to an ordinary umbrella to enter the manor with.”

The eunuch from Zhaoyang Hall and the others of the Xun family all changed in complexion again. Never mind Ming Jinrou being young and ignorant, even Xun Che dared to directly contradict Qin Wang like this too, asking to take down the ceremonial weaponry? Wasn’t that dishonoring Qin Wang to his face?

This…………exactly how did Qin Wang disgrace Xun Che previously? Looks like between the two of them, there really is no leeway to ease the relationship……..

“Xun Shenzhi, don’t be too absurd!” Qin Wang’s voice also sounded angry. Everyone increasingly trembled out of fear. And at this time, the second prince Wu Wang, who can practically be considered standing on the doorstep, as well as the third prince Wei Wang, who directly just got blocked outside the door, were rather awkward.

Who would’ve thought that despite coming to congratulate and bestow honor against the wind and rain, things would actually end up like this at the door.

Just, exactly what this matter signified, it was very worth pondering.

Wu Wang and Wei Wang even shared a glance, but shortly after, just patiently stood outside the door watching, not having the intention to go forward and urge.

On Xun Che’s side, his attitude was rather calm, not revealing any intention of backing down in face of Qin Wang’s anger. No matter how nervous and frenetic the people of the second branch and Chang’de Count Manor were by his side, he still clearly opened his mouth, “Your Highness coming to one’s humble home is this subject’s entire family’s honor. But, this subject is also extremely scared, fearing that one once again offend your Highness. If your Highness is coming to bestow favor upon this subject’s humble home as an esteemed junwang, then asking your Highness to advance with the complete junwang procession, the ceremonial fans and banners entering altogether, so as to avoid this subject from being careless in receiving, the entire family suffering an offense.”

He paused and then continued, “If not, then this subject sure enough is blessed by the heavens, for your Highness to be willing to treat one as a friend. This subject’s manor also has simple umbrellas, willing to respectfully present to your Highness, so asking your Highness to please put away this lucky grass and auspicious clouds vermillion umbrella, taking down the ceremonial weaponry!”

Each and every word coming out of his mouth was like metal and stone clashing.

“You——” Qin Wang went forward another half step, appearing to be greatly angered.

For a moment, although there were several dozen people either standing or kneeling near the Xun manor main entrance, the atmosphere was instead like as if completely congealing. While everyone was shocked by Xun Che’s attitude, they were also waiting for Qin Wang’s response.

But, those that were clever already figured out, regardless of how Qin Wang responds at this time, just looking at Xun Che and Ming Jinrou’s attitude, one will just know that the empress’s painstaking plan to let Qin Wang and Xun Che, or rather the entire Wen’an Marquis Manor, be on good terms again afraid will fall through.

“Cough, cough, it’s this prince that was thoughtless.” A few breaths later, Qin Wang finally dryly coughed twice, his complexion easing. He directly walked out from under the vermillion umbrella, going forward to support Xun Che up, “This trip today, it’s naturally for the sake of reconciling as friends with Shenzhi, you. Everything else is nothing more than empty formalities.”

Immediately after, he waved his hand, “Take down the vermillion umbrella.”

Everyone all relaxed a breath. Qin Wang yielding can finally let the situation be able to go by. Regardless of how reckless Xun Che and Ming Jinrou were in this matter, or how much they offended Qin Wang, as well as Empress Wen, those were all later talk. At present, it was better to get through this first.

The breath that Yu Lingxin relaxed naturally was deeper than others. She quickly went over with Xun Ying to help Ming Jinrou who was thoroughly drenched at this time.

In the back, Wu Wang and Wei Wang, when entering, also voluntarily switched umbrellas. The others of the Xun family that have finally calmed down hurriedly went to welcome and lead the way, another round of tossing and turning, the scene chaotic. Moreover, everyone all had different thoughts inside.

When Qin Wang finally headed forward under the ordinary oil-paper umbrella, he still turned and swept a glance at Ming Jinrou.

[1] As mentioned before, this bureau is made up by the author. From the context, I’m assuming it’s the bureau in charge of the imperial clan’s affairs.