Chapter 7: Begging for Survival (Part 2)

Translator: Tygris
TLC: Nyamachi
English proofreader: 247Reader

Qingying raised the corners of her lips, feeling only hollowness in her heart. At this time, seeming generous was not the right move, and neither was seeming hospitable. Left and right were both fraught with difficulties ^[1]Left and right here just refers to her two options. Overall the phrase has a similar meaning to ‘trapped between a rock and a hard place’.. Eventually, she revealed a few points of childishness. “Empress Dowager, this concubine understands the Emperor’s difficulties. The Imperial Harem is not the same as qiandi. But the Emperor should personally come to inform this concubine. Requesting the Empress Dowager to come comfort this concubine, though it is the Emperor placing importance upon this concubine, makes it seem like this concubine is an excessively unreasonable person.”

Only now did the Empress Dowager laugh out loud, her sound as warm as the spring breeze. “In the end, you are still merely eighteen. If you were too virtuous, you would not seem like a real person.” The Empress Dowager’s gaze sharply swept over. “Your Paternal Aunt, who ended up a dishonorable wife, is someone who was overly virtuous.”

Qingying’s body shuddered, terrified.

The Empress Dowager continued, “You young couple are of one heart. It is very good that you are willing to be understanding.

“At qiandi, the Emperor consistently favored you, and your other Paternal Aunt was the late Emperor’s Empress Xiao’jing. Naturally, Ai’jia and the Emperor will not let you be wronged.”

Qingying could not tell if she was about to cry or if she was brimming with respect and awe. She gazed at the Empress Dowager, sincerely saying, “With these words from Empress Dowager, this concubine could not be said to have been wronged.” 

Qingying performed a wanfu bow. “This concubine still has one matter to request of Empress Dowager. Qingying’s name was given during this concubine’s early years. This concubine feels… that this name is not very appropriate.”

The Empress Dowager slightly narrowed her eyes. “Not very appropriate?”

Qingying was somewhat distressed. “Yes. Cherry blossoms (Ying-flowers) are mostly pink. Yet this concubine is Qingying (verdant and pink), which is inappropriate.” ^[2]Not 100% sure what she is referring to, but per this Color in Chinese Culture article, the color 青/verdant was used to represent Heaven. Qingying carefully observed the Empress Dowager’s expression and gathered her courage. “Additionally… this concubine is indeed a daughter of the Ula Nara clan, but even more so, [this concubine] is the daughter-in-law of the Aisin-Gioro clan. Begging the Empress Dowager to bestow a name, so that this concubine might  be cut off from former experiences and move towards future blessings.”

The Empress Dowager contemplated. “You feel this way?”

Qingying earnestly gazed at the Empress Dowager. “If Empress Dowager is willing to bestow a blessing…”

The Empress Dowager placed her chin in her hand, pondering, “What is your deepest desire?”

Qingying was surprised, and uncontrollably blurted out, “Deep affection and entwined hearts.” The moment the words landed, her face burned. The Empress Dowager froze slightly, softening somewhat. It was unclear whether it was joy or sorrow displayed upon her beautiful, jade-like face. After a long pause, she lightly said, “Ruyi [如懿], how about that?”

“Ruyi? [如意] ^[3]如意 means ‘as one wishes’ / ‘per one’s wishes’. Qingying carefully savored these words, feeling that they were wonderful at the tip of her tongue, like rows upon rows of blooming and flowering trees, truly representing a lifetime of peace and quiet. “Is this Ruyi as in ‘All as one wishes’ [Shi shi Ru Yi]?”

Seeing that Qingying was asking earnestly, the Empress Dowager smiled. “Ruyi [如意] is too commonplace. Ai’jia has chosen Yi as in Yide [懿德], meaning perfect and peaceful. The Book of Latter Han states ‘Lin Lü had virtuous character [懿德] and would not associate with [anyone] improper.’

“It is the most wonderful and fulfilling experience on this earth for one’s shadow to form a pair. In this life, a moment of excitement cannot be compared to a peaceful life, and only when there is peace, can one live well.”

Qingying liked it. “Many thanks to Empress Dowager.” She gave a slight sigh. “It is just that this concubine does not understand. Yi [懿] is very good, but why Ruyi [如懿]?”

The Empress Dowager’s thoughts nestled in her furrowed brows seemed as if they condensed for a long time, reminiscent of the thin cloud screen swirling above the glazed tiles on the Golden Summit. ^[4]金顶 (jīndǐng) refers to the main peak of Mount Emei. It is also a common name for the Buddist Huazang Temple built on the summit. It was built in the Ming Dynasty in 1377. It is known for its four wonders, one being the sea of clouds. With a few traces of lamentation in her voice, she said, “You are still young and do not understand that perfection is too rare. Therefore, ‘Towards Virtuosity’ [如懿] is already very good.”

Qingying’s heart shook, feeling a sudden enlightenment. “What Empress Dowager means is that perfection is hard to achieve, and sometimes settling for a close second is satisfactory enough.” She bowed deeply. “This concubine will firmly keep Empress Dowager’s teachings in mind.”

The Empress Dowager slightly nodded; her expression contained a few wisps of a smile. “Now then, the night is late. You should quickly go back and rest. Today is the day the new Emperor will ascend the throne. You have mourned for the late Emperor these past days, and it is indeed time to calm your emotions and prepare for the new Emperor’s and all of you [concubine’s] great joyful [matter].”

Qingying rose and retreated. The Empress Dowager, seeing that Qingying left supporting herself with a maidservant’s arm, finally revealed a victorious smile. 

Fu gugu draped a plain brocade robe over the Empress Dowager’s shoulders, quietly speaking, “In this matter of moving palaces, Empress Dowager only needs to send word to the Empress. Little Mistress [Xi]yue, currently cherished by the Emperor, can also speak [to the Emperor]. Little Mistress Qingying… no, Little Mistress Ruyi is not suitable to speak out on these matters.”

The Empress Dowager raised her scroll, musing, “Do you truly believe that she is not clever enough? In the past, her background was of great renown, and she was spoiled and arrogant, not knowing how to restrain herself. But since née Ula Nara was confined, has the fickleness of the world not been enough to grind and polish her? Based on her going to visit née Ula Nara and still dauntlessly coming to report to Ai’jia, one can see that this is a girl ^[5]丫头 (yātou) A way to refer to a girl or servant girl. It can be used deprecatingly but can also be used as a term of endearment. with her own thoughts.”

Fu gugu hesitantly said, “Empress Dowager is saying that she clearly understands that there are many people and many eyes within the Imperial Palace, so she quickly came to admit her crimes to Empress Dowager in case in the future news of her visit to Jing’ren Palace leaks out and leads to trouble?”

The Empress Dowager said, “In the Imperial Palace, who is more concerned and mindful of née Ula Nara than Ai’jia? As long as Ai’jia does not make a move, others will just let it be. Additionally, she has completely removed herself from blame. She did not beg Ai’jia to grant her a name and show her intention of being only the daughter-in-law of the Aisin-Gioro clan only to relieve Ai’jia’s anger. Even more so, it was to garner a path of survival for herself.”

Fu gugu sighed. “Over the past years, née Ula Nara humiliated Empress Dowager so. Can that anger be relieved just like this?”

“It is irrelevant if this anger can be relieved or not. What she desires is stability. The Imperial Palace has the Empress and Gao Xiyue, the new favorite, in power. Her days will not be easy. If Ai’jia does not let up a bit, then she will truly find it difficult to take a single step ^[6]举步维艰 (jǔ bù wéi jiān) is a Chinese idiom meaning even taking one step forward is incredibly challenging. It’s used to describe the difficulty of moving, the difficulty of work, or the difficulty of life.. Because of this, she will do everything possible to bring up the topic of moving palaces in front of the Emperor and will do everything in her power to complete the task well, without a single error. Comparatively, the Empress would consider her position and her children; Gao Xiyue has favor and beauty. There is nothing that they desire from Ai’jia. Naturally, they will not wholeheartedly [work for Ai’jia].”

Fu gugu was enlightened. “So that is why Empress Dowager is willing to tolerate Little Mistress Ruyi.”

The Empress Dowager lifted her brows and smiled, calmly saying, “Whether or not she can be tolerated, will depend on her own abilities.”

The following daybreak promised sunny weather. Née Fucha brought an assembly of consorts and concubines to pay their respects at Shou’kang Palace. Although the rankings had not yet been determined, there would surely be no objections to née Fucha becoming the Empress. The assembly ordered themselves by the ranks they had held in qiandi and filed in.

The Empress Dowager, seeing that the day was bright and clear, was also in a rather good mood. She allowed the various Dowager Consorts to sit alongside her and discuss family matters to whittle the time away. Seeing the group of people entering, an unbidden smile rose on her face. “In the past, we were the consorts and concubines, hurrying to pay respects to the Empress Dowager and Dowager Consorts. In the blink of an eye, we have become the Empress Dowager and Dowager Consorts, watching the younger generation enter, every one of them as tender as a bud.”

[Xi]yue had a sweet tongue and was the first to sound a laugh. “Empress Dowager herself is the most gorgeous peony. ^[7]Another name for the peony is the “king of flowers”. In general, peonies represent wealth, honor, and prosperity. During the Tang Dynasty, peonies were considered the National Flower. How are we – young, inexperienced, and hardly suitable to be seen – comparable?”

A Dowager Consort could not help but laugh. “In the past, when paying respects, [Xi]yue was the most gentle and quiet. Now, she has also become lively.”

[Xi]yue smiled and gave a quick wanfu bow ^[8]The salute performed by Han women in the olden days. Performed by clasping fists loosely with both hands, moving the clasped hands slightly up and down at the lower right side of the chest, and lowering the head and bending the knees slightly at the same time. “In the past, one stayed within the Prince’s Residence, rarely going out and rarely having the opportunity to gain experience. Naturally, one would be a silent gourd. Now, in front of the Empress Dowager, receiving the Empress Dowager’s teachings, can one still be as taciturn?”

The Dowager Consort smiled and nodded. “I spoke but one sentence, yet [Xi]yue responded so cleverly. Indeed, Empress Dowager guides people well.”

The Empress Dowager gave a slight nod. “Enough, everyone may sit.”

Everyone sat down according to their ranks. Just as they were showing their concern by asking after the Empress Dowager’s health, the personal eunuch who served at the Empress Dowager’s side, Eunuch Cheng, entered. Standing far away at the foot of the steps, he stood motionless, arms hanging down. 

The Empress Dowager raised her brows, asking. “What is the matter?”

Eunuch Cheng moved forward, performing a qianer bow. ^[9]Greeting etiquette usually performed by men, consisting of bending the left knee forward, bending the right leg backward, leaning the upper body slightly forward, and dropping the right fist to the floor. This greeting is considered a midpoint between bowing and kneeling. “Replying to Empress Dowager Niangniang’s words, Jing’ren Palace Niangniang has departed.”

Translator’s Notes

AHHH im so sorry this post is sooooo late TT______________TT

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