This chapter was translated for only. And only for those people who don’t mind reading unprofessional translation that was being translated FREELY at the translator’s and editor’s own free times.
Chapter 142
Beautiful Flowers (Part 1)
Early Morning
The first sunshine during a spring morning was warm and soft, the Xiang Rui palace was directly facing the east so the sunshine was directly shining inside the bedroom. One who was sitting inside the bedroom, could feel the unlimited spring sunshine. The scenery outside the palace could also be seen plainly.
Murong Shu Qing breathed deeply, the fragrance from the new plants could be smelled instantly, (she felt) that the southern part of the country still suited her better, as the new green scenery always made her feel amazing and refreshing. Within a month, the flowers from the pear trees that filled the courtyard, should open up, until all of the trees were filled with the white flower buds, and would made people’s heart to move (looking) at the beautiful scenery!
“Shu Qing, what do you usually do when you are at home?” In front of the low table inside the bedroom, Murong Shu Qing and Gu Qian Yun were sitting opposite each other, and on the low table, there was a pot of the new tea. A few strands of sunshine were penetrating the muslin (curtain), the white jade teapot that was on the table showed an extraordinary splendid light on its body.
Reading books! Murong Shu Qing’s eyes were also looking at the sunshine that was shining the gorgeous teapot, so she softly laughed an answer in her heart. But her mouth still did not say anything, and could only smile lightly and answered: “Reading books, sometimes I practice calligraphy for a while.” Actually she did not really lie, when she first arrived at the Murong’s family, she was basically looking at the account books every day, and holding meetings with the shopkeepers. Later on, once she had Feng Yi, Tan Rui, and Xing Hun also grew up gradually, she would take care of them less and less.
Gu Qian Yun satisfyingly nodded her head, and smilingly said: “Aijia heard that you wrote a rhyming couplet at Prime Minister Qi’s birthday feast, and received positive evaluations from the civil and military officials.” These few years, this old person always heard from Chu Yun, this girl said that Shu Qing did not have any talent at all. She always felt strange at that time, although Yue-er died early, it would be unlikely that her daughter would be incapable like that. Now, it seemed that it was because of Chu Yun’s jealousy that she spoke without thinking.
At that time, if it was not because of the situation that forced her (to do it), she would not want to put herself in the limelight. Luckily now, the repeated rumor became a fact, this actually became a precious talent for her. Murong Shu Qing was not willing to say too much about this, so she faintly answered: “I think everyone only gave Maternal grandfather some respects, they only praised with good intention and encouragement.”
The fragrance from the teapot already drifted out faintly, so it could be regarded that the tea leaves already unfolded out completely. If one did not drink it now, and they kept bubbling down, the taste would be slightly tart, and the color of the tea would not be bright anymore. Then it would be a waste of this first-rate pot of long dan xin tea.
Lightly raising her hand to take and pour down the tea, (the tea) soaked in the white jade cup, after a moment, the cup was picked up. After the tea (leaves) were completely out, she poured the boiling water. She grasped the teapot by using a circular type skill lightly and shook the pot to make the leaves and hot water to mix up even more, her movement was soft and relaxed. Finally, Murong Shu Qing took the teapot softly and poured each cup for the Empress Dowager and herself, and pushed one cup in front of Gu Qian Yun.
The light yellow tea that was inside the white jade cup, faintly revealed a light new green, the tea fragrant was not strong at all, it was refined and delightful. Gu Qian Yun caressed the teacup (to feel) that the temperature was just perfect.
Through out this one life, she had seen many women, just inside the harem, which (women) did not have graceful bearings and exquisite minds. But looking at this woman in front of her who was sitting quietly, with the corner of her mouth that would always perked up softly, Gu Qian Yun conceded that she was a good quality woman, and this did not have anything to do with her appearance. No wonder that Xuanyuan Yi wished that he could marry her immediately, and even the Emperor son also….. But, whether this was a good fortune or a misfortune after all, it was still unknown.
Once the tea entered one’s mouth, it had a sweet taste, and the sweetness seeped into one’s heart. Gu Qian Yun looked at her skilled movement, and smilingly asked: “Shu Qing can still make tea?” She had seen many young ladies who could drink tea, but the one who could make tea, she actually only saw very little. She could even say it more, the one who could make it so beautifully like this, she had not seen it too often.
Murong Shu Qing softly drank a mouthful, and then generously answered: “I usually drink tea often, so I naturally understand a little.” With regard to making tea, Lu Yi was still a lot better, she (MSQ) only taught her (LY) some (knowledge), but she (LY) could study it on her own. Now when she made the tea, sometimes it was too much that she did not like it, and sometimes it was too little that she also did not like it, it was rare that it was just perfect.
The two people were immersed in the sweet fragrance of the tea, when Qiu Rong reported from outside the screen with a low voice: “Empress Dowager, The Empress, Imperial concubine Shu (warm & virtuous), Imperial concubine De (virtuous, good, kind), Imperial concubine Leng (cold), Imperial concubine Rong (lotus), Imperial concubine Dong (winter), Imperial concubine Liu (willow), Concubine Hui (intelligent), Concubine Yan (countenance), Concubine Wu (dance), Concubine Xin (happy), Concubine Li (dark), are outside waiting to pay respects to you.”
What a pity that this was a good pot of tea, but Murong Shu Qing softly got up, it was inappropriate for her to keep sitting in this kind of situation. So retreating to the side of the palace maid’s position, Murong Shu Qing was just standing there. Gu Qian Yun also seemed to have some intentions, so she waved her hand and said impatiently: “Announce it.”
Not too long, behind Qiu Rong, there were a group of women who were following her, right, a group of women! Even though, strictly speaking, Xuan Tian Cheng had been a monarch for almost ten years, so these more than ten of concubines, were already quite lacking. Apart from when he was still the Crown prince, and he already had the Empress, Imperial concubine De and Imperial concubine Dong, after he became the Emperor, he only accepted less than ten Imperial concubines. Moreover, the Imperial selection was changed from every three years to every five years, so it could be seen clearly that he was a person who did not indulge in women’s charms. But these more than a dozen women, and added those with each of the palace maids who entered the palace at the same time, this was still a considerably spectacular matter.
Murong Shu Qing stepped back one step unconsciously, this room was filled with brocade dresses, pearls and gold ornaments, they made her feel dazzled. It could be said that these beautiful women were very thin as if they were on clouds, even the palace maids who were by their sides, were all very delicates and exquisites. But even if she wanted to give more attention to those flowers, she could not really look at their appearances clearly. Not wanting to abuse her eyes, Murong Shu Qing lightly lowered her head, and was quietly standing behind Qiu Rong.
After the concubines were standing based on their ranks properly, except for the Empress and the three Imperial concubines (all the Fei ranks), the other Imperial concubines (Pin ranks), concubines (lower than Pin rank), and all of the palace maids kneeled on the ground, and they orderly said: “Pay respects to the Empress Dowager, and wish that the Empress Dowager is in good health.”
The Empress Dowager slightly nodded her head, and said: “You may raise! Allow to sit.”
“Thank you, Empress Dowager.” Everyone answered orderly again, afterwards, every one of them was sitting properly. Everything seemed like a practice that they had been practicing countless of times.
Even though Murong Shu Qing was always lowering her head, but she could still see faintly all of their movements. She was somewhat laughing in her heart, everyone seemed to admire these n.o.ble women, but their lives were actually confined in a pile of beautiful cage and customs.
“Is today the first day or the fifteenth day of the month?”
A gentle woman’s voice answered softly: “Answering Empress Dowager, today is the first day of the second month.”
It was a very pleasant voice, hearing her voice made people feel happy. Looking from their sitting positions, it looked like she should not be the Empress, it would be one of the three (Fei) Imperial concubines.
The Empress Dowager seemed to suddenly recall something, and smilingly said: “En, first day of the month, then, Hao-er’s birthday will come quickly.”
Following the Empress Dowager’s words, all of the women must naturally echo one another, and another extremely sweet voice continued to say: “Yes ah, Empress Dowager, we come here wanting to discuss this with you, this is Prince Hao’s first birthday, so how do we want to celebrate it?”
Gu Qian Yun satisfyingly nodded her head, and joyfully asked: “Yes, we should celebrate it nicely. What kind of opinion does the Empress have ah?!”
That gentle voice could be heard again: “Empress Dowager, this woman subject thinks, even though our military is triumphant against Cang Yue, but the state treasury has been burdened heavily, so this birthday does not need to be too extravagance.”
So as it turned out, it was the Empress, she was surely a virtuous, warm and kind, if there was this kind of Empress who controlled the harem, Xuan Tian Cheng should not need to be worried. She had always heard that the current Prime Minister’s daughter was an outstanding woman, virtuous, and skilled.
Today, it seemed that the rumor was actually the truth.
Murong Shu Qing suddenly wanted to see how beautiful this Empress was, so she lightly lifted her head up. The person who was sitting at the front, with a dark red peony cheong sam dress on her whole body, must be the Empress. Her appearance did not look overly beautiful within this colorful harem, but her whole body was gentle and elegant, it really suited with her n.o.ble ident.i.ty.
Soon after, a somewhat clear voice came through from behind her: “What the Empress said, was reasonable, but this is Prince Hao’s first birthday, so how can it be too skimpy either?”
Murong Shu Qing slightly narrowed her eyes, she could see clearly the appearance from the person who just spoke the words. Her face was mellow and full, her smile seemed to be particularly cordial, a big pair of eyes that looked like a cat, she was very attractive. Her rank should be a (Pin) rank’s Imperial concubine, who generally did not speak too much. Looking at her age that was slightly older than the other women, Murong Shu Qing guessed that she should be Imperial concubine Rong who had been following Xuan Tian Cheng for a long time. Because her family background was not high, and also because she only gave birth to two daughters, she could finally be bestowed as a (Pin) Imperial concubine.
The Empress Dowager was muttering to herself for a moment, the most difficult thing to do within this harem, was how to keep the balance. At that time, when Shu (Fei) Imperial concubine gave birth to the first Prince, everybody celebrated together, and the occasion was great. Now, Hao-er was born from the Empress (the country"s possible future Crown Prince), so even though the Empress suggested not to celebrate it too extravagantly, but what should be done, also needed to be done based on the position ah!
Gu Qian Yun lightly lifted her hand up, so all of the people who were originally discussing it in a whisper, stopped talking. So Gu Qian Yun kindly looked at the Empress, and smilingly said: “What the Empress said, was reasonable, but what Imperial concubine Rong said, was also correct. No matter what, this birthday will still be done, and also it has to be lively, but it does not need to be too extravagant at all!”
The Empress Dowager’s words had just left, and everyone answered orderly again: “Yes!”
Murong Shu Qing lazily lowered her head, and was not interested to continue looking again. In fact, everybody knew that this so-called discussion, the final result would be like this. The ranks that were lowered than a Pin (rank), would not speak and could only echo one another, whoever could say the words, would never offend the Empress. Since they defeated Cang Yue now, even if they lost to Cang Yue, no one would dare to say that they should not celebrate the Prince’s first birthday, so everything was merely a formality.
Murong Shu Qing was thinking how long this regular paying respect custom would continue on, they should probably not stay until lunch time?! If it was like this, her legs would suffer.
Just when Murong Shu Qing was absent-mindedly thinking, the Empress Dowager smiling voice echoed by her ear: “Shu Qing, come over to meet with all of the palace’s Imperial concubines.”
Murong Shu Qing did not have any reaction for a while, Qiu Rong was obviously more alert than her, so hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, she immediately retreated two steps back. So Murong Shu Qing could not escape now and appeared in front of everyone.
Sian’s notes:
The rankings for the Imperial concubines, Shu, De & Leng’s ranks are Fei, which is the highest rank for the concubine. Below Fei is a Pin rank, which is Rong, Dong & Liu. Then below Pin is a Zhao Yi rank, which is Hui & Yan. Below Zhao Yi is a Jie Yu rank, which is Wu & Xin. Below Jie Yu is a Meiren rank, which is Li. ?? I wonder which rank will XTC give to MSQ if she’s willing to be one of his concubines??? ??? Maybe Gui Fei, which I believe is the highest rank for a concubine, which is just below the Empress. But MSQ has to bore a son in order to get this Gui Fei status. Technically below a Pin rank isn’t an Imperial concubine, but I have no idea how to translate Zhao Yi (bright apparatus), Jie Yu (pretty) or Meiren (beauty) within the context so I’m just going to call them concubine without the Imperial word. ?? Btw, I get a headache looking at those 12 concubine names ??? and XTC dares to try to add MSQ into his harem. I’ll kick his bottom first before he can succeed!!!
On another note though, one can see that XTC isn"t a sc.u.mbag Emperor who only cares about having beautiful women as his concubines. For an Emperor who has been on the throne for more than 10 years, and having only 12 concubines (including his Empress) is very very very (enough very??) rare indeed. But he"s still the Emperor D-bag in my humble opinion. Lol… I love that term.