Jal’s comments: Only once a week updates because it takes me a good 8 hours or so to translate a single chapter (the struggle is real), and that’s on top of trying to write my thesis… Hopefully when I get faster, I can up the release frequency. Thank you all for your support!
Chapter 4 - You are the most beautiful
Bai Xi smiled and took the initiative to pull on Bai Yu Jie"s arm. In a tone that sounded spoiled, she said, "How can Xi"r1 not recognise eldest brother? Just now, Xi"r just felt that eldest brother was even more dashing. Xi"r was not thinking and was merely captivated." She would never have spoken or acted like that around her brother from modern times, since he wouldn"t have been as gentle and kind as Bai Yu Jie, nor as doting.
"Oh?"
"Does eldest brother think that Xi"r did not remember eldest brother, or does eldest brother want to take advantage of this opportunity to cast away Xi"r since Xi"r is eldest brother"s ugly younger sister? Ai, Xi’r knows. Xi’r is ugly," Bai Xi said in an aggrieved tone as she bowed her head. The hand holding Bai Yu Jie"s arm also fell, adding to her extremely saddened appearance.
"Nonsense. Why would eldest brother not want Xi"r? In fact, Xi"r is the most beautiful in eldest brother"s heart." His Xi"r was the most beautiful. All other women could not compare.
"Eldest brother does not need to placate Xi"r. About Xi"r"s appearance, Xi"r knows." Why was it that she was certain that her eldest brother knew of her true appearance? Was it a misconception? If not, was it possible that her eldest brother was particularly insightful?
"Fool2, eldest brother has never deceived you. Eldest brother has already said that Xi"r is the most beautiful woman in the world." Bai Yu Jie gently patted Bai Xi"s hair and her uncertainties disappeared.
"Mm, Xi"r knows that eldest brother is the best." Bai Xi laughed and once again pulled on Bai Yu Jie"s arm, acting spoiled. "Eldest brother, can you tell Xi"r about all the strange things that happened to you on the road?" The heavens were really kind to her. Not only did she become 10 years younger, now she had an older brother who spoiled her. She was really lucky.
"What weird things on the road? If you do not dislike boring stories, eldest brother can tell you all about the affairs at the border." Since he received the news of the attempted a.s.sa.s.sination on her before entering the town, he immediately returned at top speed to the residence just to see whether or not she was okay. Their father had to prevent him from returning home first since he had to report to the imperial palace before doing so. Therefore, he had not returned to the residence until now.
It was good to see that his sister was safe and sound, able to talk and laugh. She was even able to make fun of Mu Qiu. The worries in his heart dissipated.
"It"s not too bad."
The beautiful woman who was off to the side watched the two of them standing next to each other while stamping her feet. Just now, their interaction made her burst with rage. If such a thing continued, she was not sure if she could control the anger in her heart. She glared furiously at Bai Xi, who was holding on to Bai Yu Jie"s arm with jade-like hands3. That ugly woman being the most beautiful woman in the world… What a joke. Jie was merely placating that ugly woman, nothing more. Right, just placating.
"Young miss, the Bai second young miss has really lost all sense of shame. Even if Bai young master is her brother, she should not brazenly hold on to Bai young master"s arm like this. It"s really ugly."
Xia Xue glared at the servant who had spoken out of turn, effectively shutting the servant up. She knew that Bai Yu Jie doted on that ugly woman. The entire capital also knew this. But, one could not say such a thing here.
[To Mo Xuan Yuan]
En route to Mo Xuan Yuan, Bai Xi and Bai Yu Jie were talking and laughing. Xia Xue followed behind them, doing her best to maintain the composure of a well-mannered lady. Bai Xi did not pay much attention to the woman behind them since her brother"s stories of the border were far more interesting. The topic of military training in ancient times roused her interest.
A moment later, they entered Mo Xuan Yuan. A mock angry but indulgent voice came from ahead from the courtyard. "Xi girl4, this old fellow5 did not go to see you, so you must also not have come to Mo Xuan Yuan to look for grandfather. You are so heartless."
"Is this not Xi’r coming to see you?" From her first impression, she liked this grandfather. He was like her grandfather from her previous life, a typical cheeky fellow.
"If it weren"t for your eldest brother, this old fellow would definitely have no faith in you coming to visit me," Bai Chong Yuan snorted. This girl had yet to arrive at the courtyard, but he heard her laughter and Bai Yu Jie"s voice. He knew wherever that boy was, there was sure to be this girl as well.
When she heard the jealousy in his voice6, Bai Xi walked over to Bai Chong Yuan and sat down next to him, laughing. "That"s good. In the future, Xi’r will come visit you. But when that happens, you had better not be displeased."
Bai Chong Yuan was slightly taken aback. This girl was laughing and smiling? He was bewildered. Ever since he could remember, that sort of thing had never caused Bai Xi to smile.
He coughed. "Girl, are you addled?" Bai Chong Yuan asked after a long pause.
"Does grandfather really wish that Xi’r has become addled?"
"Not addled is good," Bai Chong Yuan declared with a laugh.
Xia Xue, who was following closely behind, paid her respects to everyone. She looked like the perfect lady from a good family, her demeanour naturally graceful.
"Xue"r, the older you grow, the more obvious it becomes. I have previously said that Xue"r is a beauty, but she will become an even more beautiful woman in the future. Now, it seems to be true. It seems you have also become more sensible. If the Bai household"s second young lady had half of your temperament, it would save us a lot of grief," a well-dressed lady said with a smile on her face.
"Xue"r thanks madam Bai for the compliment. Xue"r feels that Xi younger sister has an adorably willful personality. When Xi younger sister gets older, she will surely ease madam Bai"s worries," Xia Xue replied, recovering her poise of a typical well-bred young lady. She was confident that she could win over madam Bai.
"Let"s hope so." Zhang Shu Yi smiled slightly. She didn"t care what the little s.l.u.t did. She only wanted her to cause her less trouble.
"Hey, old fellow, just now were you boasting about Xi’r coming to visit you?" Bai Xi whispered as her arm b.u.mped against Bai Chong Yuan"s arm. Although her voice was quiet, it was loud enough for everyone to hear what she said.
"Mm? Girl, you think that I was boasting about you coming to visit?" Bai Chong Yuan looked at her. The two of them smiled craftily.
The more they continued, the more they would attract everyone"s attention.
"There is no need to boast so unexpectedly about your granddaughter, old fellow. Why can"t you let it go? You should be keeping a straight face and maintaining a strict countenance. This isn"t like you."
Just as Bai Xi had finished talking, Zhang Shu Yi said scathingly, "Xi"r how can you say things like that and not show respect to your elders? You should not be so rude to your elders." She just remembered that this little s.l.u.t had not paid her respect by greeting her in acknowledgement, and did not even so much as glance over at her. She was not even deeming her worthy of a glance! A s.l.u.t is a s.l.u.t. She will never help this little s.l.u.t.
"Eh?" Bai Xi put on an innocent face, which contrasted with Zhang Shu Yi"s indignant expression that was not in the least bit hidden. She looked over at Bai Jin Hang with tears in her eyes. "Dad, did daughter say anything wrong?"
Bai Jin Hang had yet to open his mouth when Bai Chong Yuan cut in. "You didn"t, you didn"t. This old fellow loves to listen to you call me old fellow. This means we are close!"
"Xi"r, since your grandfather has said as such, you can call him whatever you like." Bai Jin Hang was completely on Bai Xi"s side. This offended Zhang Shu Yi, who was inwardly stamping her feet and whose resentment for Bai Xi had now deepened somewhat.
"Grandfather and dad are so loving. Even if Xi"r dies, it is worthwhile." She, as a subst.i.tute for the real Bai Xi, would keep on living well.
Bai Chong Yuan and Bai Jin Hang"s expressions changed, the latter"s expression turning completely solemn. "Do not say such a thing. Xi"r should live well."
Bai Xi smiled slightly. She didn"t pay attention to the two people"s uneasy expressions. They became unexpectedly serious because they were afraid of a second a.s.sa.s.sination attempt occurring.
"But, returning to the main topic, Xue older sister, do you really believe that Xi’r is willfully cute? You do not need to say something that goes against your beliefs to ingratiate yourself to some people. You should know that saying such things can cause serious consequences, ah."
1. Bai Xi refers to herself in the third person to act cute.↩
2. (傻瓜) – Bai Yu Jie calls Bai Xi a "stupid melon". Chinese like to use foods in their insults. For example, stupid (笨蛋) is literally stupid/foolish egg.↩
3. jade-like hands - hands that are slender and white. They viewed whiter skin as more beautiful.↩
4. Girl – ya tou (丫頭) - usually used to address servants, but in this context, her grandfather uses it as an affectionate way of calling Bai Xi.↩
5. Old fellow – lao tou (老頭) - literal translation is "old head", which is a self-deprecating way of her grandfather addressing himself.↩
6. Bai Xi literally says "someone was eating vinegar", which means that someone is jealous. For those of you who read enough Chinese novels, this phrase would be quite well known, but for those who are unfamiliar: one of the many stories about this phrase involved Prime Minister Fang Xuan Ling, who was bestowed several concubines by Emperor Tai Zong of Tang in order to solidify ties with Fang. The Fang Xuan Ling didn"t want to accept the concubines because his wife was ferocious. The emperor then summoned Fang Xuan Ling"s wife to court and told her to take the concubines home, or she would be forced to drink a bottle of "very poisonous liquid". Fang"s wife refused to take the concubines home and said she would rather die than share her husband, and so she drank the bottle, only to find out that it was actually vinegar. The emperor gave up in trying to convince them, and now the phrase "drinking vinegar" is linked to feelings of jealousy.↩
Bai Chong Yuan (白崇遠) - her (paternal) grandfather. Chong Yuan means Sublime and Profound.
Zhang Shu Yi (張淑儀) - the Zhang is a Chinese last name. Shu Yi means virtuous appearance.
Bai Jin Hang (白錦航) - Jin Hang means Bright Ship.