Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Ming Jinrou, however, completely didn’t lift her head. The weather in the last third of the tenth month was already very cold. When she held her breath and charged out, she was unable to think of anything else, between the deadlocks back and forth, only she alone got completely drenched by the rain.

Once that breath loosened, Yu Lingxin rushed over with Xun Ying to support her, immediately sensing that Ming Jinrou’s legs were completely weak, seemingly as if having lost all her strength. Unknown as to whether it was because it was truly uncomfortable in the freezing wind and rain, or because the ups and downs inside were too intense, all in all, when Qin Wang slightly side-glanced over, Ming Jinrou had already lowered her head, completely not meeting Qin Wang’s eyes.

Ming Jincheng’s complexion was ashen. After sharing a glance with Xun Che, he strode forward in large steps, directly having his younger sister picked up horizontally, quickly sending to the back manor to change and tidy up.

Ming Huayue’s expression was also extremely complicated. Just now, Ming Jinrou suddenly acting up out of nowhere, outsiders perhaps just felt that the daughters of the Jin Duke Manor were always this unyielding and forceful, completely undisciplined and out of control, but she knew that this move of Ming Jinrou’s absolutely wasn’t out of impulse.

Especially given the fact that at the time, Ming Jinrou was standing together with Yu Lingxin. This matter certainly rested with Xun Che or Yu Lingxin. Ignoring Qin Wang and Xun Che’s words in front, all the way until Xun Che quickly blurted out the words ‘lucky grass and auspicious clouds’ in his last line did Ming Huayue’s complexion genuinely become thoroughly grave. When heading towards the reception pavilion, she couldn’t help but glance a few more times at Yu Lingxin.

Yu Lingxin had no choice but to directly lower her head, following behind the crowd as they headed inward, not immediately glancing back at Ming Huayue.

Mainly, it was because, regarding the hidden mechanism of this matter, it was truly very difficult for her to explain how she knew. Just like back then, she also had no way of answering Ming Jinrou, how she’d predicted that Xun Cong would suddenly appear at the Zhu manor.

Because the problem with that lucky grass and auspicious cloud design, in reality, at this time in the capital, the people that knew weren’t many. Among the younger generation, never mind recognizing, even the ones that heard of the story behind this design were very few. If not for knowing how Xun Che took down Zhao Wang in the past life, Yu Lingxin at this time absolutely wouldn’t have made out the problem.

Renshun Crown Prince was the previous emperor’s eldest di son, an entire nine years older than Xuan Emperor. That lucky grass and auspicious cloud vermillion umbrella was just used in the three years between when Renshun Crown Prince was established as the heir apparent at twelve years old to when he came of age at fifteen. After Renshun Crown Prince came of age, selecting a consort, getting engaged, the Ministry of Rites just requested to remake the dragon pattern ceremonial weaponry, and at the same time, prepare the crown princess’s luan^[1] pattern ceremonial weaponry.

That’s why, after that batch of twelve lucky grass and auspicious cloud vermillion umbrellas entered the storage, it was never formally used again. When Renshun Crown Prince was fifteen, Xuan Emperor was merely just six years old. And Empress Wen at the time was even younger, still living carefreely in the Yiyang Marquis Manor in the Ji province. By the time she grew up and entered the capital to participate in the selection becoming Xuan Wangfei, Renshun Crown Prince had already passed away for several years.

And back then, when Xuan Emperor got formally established as the heir apparent, the ceremonial standards that he used was the system established after Renshun Crown Prince’s wedding. That’s why, towards Renshun Crown Prince’s ceremonial weaponry and ceremonial robes in the early years, Empress Wen all wasn’t familiar with. Otherwise, in the past life, Xun Che wouldn’t have been able to make a move on this matter, thoroughly having Empress Wen’s actual son, Zhao Wang, pushed towards oblivion.

Additionally, ever since Xun Che and Qin Wang put on the current appearance of having a fall out, towards Qin Wang’s Jingning Palace, Empress Wen has restricted in every way possible, the strictness level even surpassing Zhao Wang’s Jingtai Palace. Today was also the day where Empress Wen had the intention of solemnly bestowing honor and expressing goodwill. Every gift that Qin Wang brought, as well as the carriage and ceremonial weaponry, certainly will all be organized and examined by the people of Zhaoyang Hall.

Thinking to here, Yu Lingxin increasingly felt her back growing cold. Changchun Palace’s move this time truly was both quick and fierce, one vermillion umbrella, powerful enough to destroy an army of a thousand.

(T/N: Changchun Palace is Noble Consort Zhu’s palace.)

Regardless of whether Qin Wang’s vermillion umbrella of a junwang got switched out by someone in the palace or on the way to the Wen’an Marquis Manor, it was actually all very difficult to detect. Qin Wang was the eldest, so his carriage resided in the front. In addition to the heavy rain, no one will suddenly lift their head to check the top of the vermillion umbrella for no reason, or when walking halfway in the rain, turn back and check with the other princes’ ceremonial weaponry, and see exactly how different that vermillion color was.

As long as Qin Wang unknowingly takes this umbrella to the Xun manor’s main hall, going before the elders of the imperial clan present, or the on duty old veterans of the Zongjing Bureau, there will ultimately be a few that will recognize it. When time comes, regardless of whether it gets pointed out on the spot or not, once an accusation of misconduct gets submitted up the next day, everyone present will all be a witness. And Qin Wang, as well as Zhaoyang Hall, from top to bottom, all won’t be able to escape from the blame.

Although misusing a vermillion umbrella wasn’t enough to completely compare with the trap Xun Che set for Zhao Wang in the past life, but the effect that Noble Consort Zhu wanted to achieve was probably just letting Qin Wang, who’d already lost imperial favor, heavily fall again. And on this matter’s arrangement, Empress Wen, who similarly can’t escape from the responsibility, certainly will further be unable to climb up again.

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

Xun Che at this time directly pointing out to Qin Wang the severity of this matter, and Qin Wang replacing the umbrella, it was already a step too late, merely just mending the pen after the sheep are lost. Strictly speaking, from the moment that vermillion umbrella was held up to descending the carriage and entering the manor, in these ten some steps, it was already considered having been ‘misused’. Even if there wasn’t a hall full of several hundred guests witnessing, there were still several people of the Xun family present. Moreover, Noble Consort Zhu, as the true driving force behind this matter, her two sons were currently still standing in the back. Pretending to not know and forcibly covering up was absolutely impossible.

Ming Jinrou causing such a scene can’t even be considered helping Qin Wang rein in the horse at the edge of the cliff. At most, it can be considered throwing down a rope after he fell off the cliff. Whether or not Qin Wang can catch it and climb back up, it will just depend on Xun Che and Qin Wang’s ability to adapt to change.

Carrying this worry, Yu Lingxin didn’t even care all that much about Ming Huayue’s gaze towards her. In any case, she very quickly adjusted her emotions and quickly walked a few steps to Ming Huayue’s side, swiftly mentioning if Ming Jinrou needs rest, then how should some of the original arrangements during the banquet be changed.

Ming Huayue actually wasn’t certain that Yu Lingxin can really make out that design from over forty years ago. After all, even she herself had never personally seen it before, just having heard the elders at home say in passing when mentioning Renshun Crown Prince. At this time, seeing Yu Lingxin very quickly become composed like usual, and what she mentioned were all important, every point practical, Ming Huayue just nodded in response, turning to focus on handling the banquet matters.

Although the guests currently in the banquet hall weren’t able to immediately hear of the disturbance in the front, they still had waited for a bit too long. Between the idle chatters, there was some faint restless clamor.

However, fortunately, the three princes have finally all arrived. After a round of greetings and taking their respective seats, the tea and desserts were served to every table. This birthday banquet of Xun old madam’s finally began.

And the Linglong Literature Club’s gathering that was originally planned to be held together on this day of the birthday banquet, because of the unexpected heavy rain, thus unable to admire the flowers and scenery, just got temporarily cancelled. The young ladies of each family directly followed their elders to the banquet, while Xun Ying and Yu Lingxin focused on going around with Ming Huayue. Especially considering Ming Jinrou’s sudden absence, the two of them further worked up their spirits, not daring to slack in the slightest.

At this time, even the people of the Xun family second branch were all well-behaved. Even when seeing Yu Lingxin going around supporting, they also didn’t nitpick or find it unpleasant. It was truly just that after going through that conflict earlier, they were still very much frightened. Even their little thoughts of wanting to be in the limelight, wanting to nitpick, and so on all got tossed aside.

Xun second madam and Chang’de Countess even voluntarily took their own daughters to help entertain the guests, being very cooperative. Perhaps because the increasingly concentrated gloomy rain outside once again deepened the faint uneasiness in everyone’s heart, although everyone was working hard to laugh and chat, their faces full of jubilation, they still more or less felt that it was difficult for today’s birthday banquet to be completely smooth.

Very soon, not long after the second round of wine was served, everyone just heard a violent slap sound from the main banquet table. The hundred plus guests were all dead silent amidst the shock. And don’t know how many people’s heart sunk at the same time———–Sure enough, another incident has occurred!

“Xun Shenzhi, you really are insolent!” With Qin Wang’s angry roar, his foundation as a military general just displayed itself. Inside and outside of the hall, not a single one didn’t hear.

This time, the unforeseen change practically came out of nowhere. Just a moment ago, Xun Che had gone before Qin Wang to toast wine. In their conversation, there seemingly weren’t anything unusual either.

Although due to the chatter and liveliness of the reception hall, others weren’t able to hear too clearly what they’d said, but at least, when Xun Che came over, his face carried a polite and deferential look, and Qin Wang’s face was also very gentle. Who would’ve thought that in the next moment, Qin Wang would suddenly just change face, even giving Xun Che a slap across the face in front of everyone?

Even Wu Wang and Wei Wang who were at the same table both blanked, similarly not expecting that the rumors regarding this elder brother’s true temperament being violent were actually true. Regardless of what Xun Che said, how was it worth getting physical during his grandmother’s birthday banquet?

However, the people of the Xun family second branch and Chang’de Count Manor were nevertheless not that surprised. Xun Che, this bastard that was full of himself, had just humiliated Qin Wang like that outside, forcing the eldest prince to take down his ceremonial weaponry. That was simply just not giving Qin Wang face, also disregarding the empress’s face, so didn’t the other party precisely just directly slap the face!

The force of this slap was quite heavy. Xun Che’s entire body all slanted, practically stumbling half a step. Afterwards, he forcibly composed himself and turned around, “Your Highness———”

“This prince really gave you too much face!” Qin Wang angrily rebuked again, and immediately after, just slapped the table and stormed off, directly heading outwards!

In this moment, Wu Wang and Wei Wang were even more dumbstruck. They instinctively wanted to go forward to block a little. However, the accompanying eunuch sent by Zhaoyang Hall similarly went forward to urge at the same time, also completely not knowing what happened. While greatly alarmed, he could only repeatedly urge, “Your Highness, your Highness, please quell your anger!”

However, Qin Wang just had that eunuch kicked over, angrily reprimanding, “Look at the good job you’ve done!”

Shortly after, he flung his sleeve and stormed off.

This sudden incident practically had no heads or tails. It can even be said that before the guests in the reception hall even realized what happened, Qin Wang had already angrily left. Zhaoyang Hall’s eunuch naturally could only strugglingly crawl up and chase out. Wu Wang and Wei Wang mutually shared a glance, yet it wasn’t good for them to follow out and could only awkwardly return to their seats.

At this time, everyone’s line of sight naturally all gathered on Xun Che, yet this young heir whose cheek had rapidly swelled up also didn’t have any intention of explaining, just cupping his hands with an extremely unsightly complexion, “Please excuse the rudeness, asking everyone to continue the banquet. I will first excuse myself for a moment.” After saying this, he just awkwardly left the reception hall.

Xun second master, Xun Nanan, could only get up to entertain the guests at this time. While smoothing over the situation in complete confusion, he also couldn’t help but casually add a few words, saying that his nephew was ultimately still young, so his words might not be proper and so on. Amidst the astonishment, the guests also could only just listen and smile, forcing oneself to pretend to have not seen that disturbance just now, and at the same time, inwardly sigh, this year’s tenth month probably wasn’t suited for arranging banquets? The Zhu family’s flower banquet in front was like that, and now the Xun family’s birthday banquet was also like this.

However, an hour later, some people just sensed that something was wrong.

Because the Vice Director of the Shangwu Bureau^[2] actually came to visit the Wen’an Marquis Manor at this time.

The excuse was:

There was a mistake with his Highness Qin Wang’s ceremonial weaponry today, thus specially coming to change.

[1] Luan is a mythical bird related to the phoenix.

[2] 尚务司 – Another bureau made up by the author. Tbh the name doesn’t gave much context, but I’m assuming they deal with the items used by the imperial family.