Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace (Arc1 Chp7 Pt3)
Chapter 7: Begging for Survival (Part 3)
Translator: Tygris
TLC: Nyamachi
English proofreader: 247Reader
Before the words dissipated, Ruyi’s heart trembled, and the teacup held in her hands tilted, almost spilling the wine within it. [Suo]xin reacted quickly, hurriedly taking over.
[Xi]Yue, sitting next to Ruyi, immediately saw what was happening. Reaching up, she fondled the pearl-inlaid gold and silk hairpin by her temple, loudly announcing, “In the end, those of the same family are connected at heart. Younger Sister Qingying has heard only one sentence, and is already distressed.”
The Empress Dowager did not acknowledge these words, only calming her mind before saying, “When was this?”
Eunuch Cheng replied, “This was in the middle of last night. The cause of death was heart palpitations. Only when the palace maid discovered that the breakfast sent in was untouched did people realize something was wrong. The palace maid who reported the news said that her body had already stiffened, but her eyes remained open wide; she died unwilling to close her eyes. [1]死不瞑目 (sǐ bù míng mù) is a phrase used that literally means, ‘to die with one’s eyes open.’ It’s used to describe when someone dies while worrying about something and is often used to describe someone who is very unwilling to accept something.
Ruyi’s hands quivered. She did not dare to move, only daring to tightly twist her silk handkerchief in a death grip, using all her strength to suppress their death-induced trembling. In the middle of last night… then that had not been long after she had left. Paternal Aunt had truly been on her last bit of strength. She herself had known [that], and so she had insisted on seeing Qingying, making sure to exhort her and entrust all matters to her.
The Dowager Consort shook her head, full of loathing. “Such a day of great joy. So inauspicious!”
The Empress Dowager remained silent for a moment. “Just take care of this in the usual manner. The Emperor has just ascended the throne. There is no need to have great fanfare over this sort of matter.” She glanced at Ruyi. “Conveniently, Ruyi is here. Your Paternal Aunt has passed. You should go to Jing’ren Place to pay your last respects.”
With the help of her chair, Ruyi hurriedly levered herself onto her feet. She forcefully compelled herself to stand steadily, suppressing the hoarseness in her throat. “This concubine only recognizes Shou’kang Palace and does not know of Jing’ren Palace. Additionally, although née Ula Nara was this concubine’s Paternal Aunt, she was also a sinner of Great Qing. This concubine cannot put private matters before the public good. Thus, in this matter of paying one’s last respects… this concubine cannot follow the order.”
The Empress Dowager gave a long sigh. “You are one who differentiates between what is public and private. Never mind, you are someone who stands beside the Emperor. It is better to not attend to these unlucky matters so soon after entering the palace.”
Langhua, having listened till then, dared to speak out. “Boldly asking Imperial Mother, why does Imperial Mother refer to Younger Sister Qingying as Ruyi?”
The Empress Dowager gave a slight smile. “This was the name granted by Ai’jia last night. Ula Nara Ruyi – in all matters, quietude is best.”
Langhua smiled. “This is Empress Dowager showing her care towards Younger Sister Ruyi.”
The Empress Dowager straightened up, solemnly stating, “Today is the first time you all have come to pay respects at Shou’kang Palace since the Emperor ascended the throne. Ai’jia has a few words to say.
“The Emperor is young, and the consorts and concubines within the palace are but you few. Whether the harem has many people or few people, Ai’jia cannot stand seeing dirty things. You all should understand what the limits are; do not commit any unethical or heartless actions.”
The crowd normally only saw the Empress Dowager’s gentle and virtuous side – only very rarely was there a warning as serious and solemn as this. Not daring to take her words lightly, they hurriedly rose to respectfully reply, “Many thanks for the Empress Dowager’s teachings. We concubines will take these words closely to heart.”
Ruyi felt that her heart was full of unspeakable fear and discomfort, but until she stepped out of Shou’kang Palace, she had to maintain a death grip on her emotions. As she lifted her head and gazed afar, the yard was blooming with early autumn chrysanthemums in various colors, blossoming beautifully, shining with a red as vibrant as that of red maple trees basked in the light of the autumnal setting sun, presenting a scene as delightful as that of the light of spring. Yet, behind these autumnal colors, as bright and beguiling as pure white silk [2]练 (liàn) is an ancient Chinese term for ‘pure white silk’., there was pale and bleak death – all that remained of Paternal Aunt’s life, which had been bloodied drip by drip.
Clearly, she had known that that would be their last meeting. But she had not thought that the final parting would be so sudden. Yet, after Paternal Aunt spent a lifetime within the deep palace, who other than herself would mourn for her? Life and death within the deep palace were but withered autumn leaves, falling from the tip of the branch into the yellowed debris below. Would this be her fate as well?
Ruyi gave an uncontrollable shudder at the thought. [Suo]xin was frightened and hurriedly held down her hands. “Little Mistress, do not let your expression show by any means.”
Ruyi tightly held onto [Suo]xin’s hand, as though able to extract some courage and fortitude from the thin and warm palm. She quietly ordered, “Head back to our palace. [Suo]xin, I want to go back to our palace.”
Yet before the words landed, they heard [Xi]yue’s voice drift over along with the maple leaves, quickly reaching their ears. “Younger Sister is so cold-hearted. Having obtained Empress Dowager’s bestowed name, you are not even willing to pay your last respects at your Paternal Aunt’s funeral. You have cleanly plucked yourself out.”
It felt as though a needle had been stabbed into Ruyi’s heart. She turned around, forcefully maintaining her smile. “It turns out that Elder Sister [Xi]yue’s heart is like this. [I] remember that back when Elder Sister married into qiandi, [Elder Sister] also went to pay respects to Paternal Aunt. Since Elder Sister has the power to make such decisions, how about Elder Sister accompany me to Jing’ren Palace to pay respects? This would also count as showing filial piety.” Upon speaking, she reached out for [Xi]yue.
How could [Xi]yue be willing to go? She swiftly retracted her hand with a cold smile. “This is Younger Sister’s blood-related Paternal Aunt. It is enough for you to mourn on your own. There is no need to pull me in. I am a daughter-in-law of the Imperial clan, not a daughter of the Ula Nara clan.”
Ruyi smiled calmly. “Exactly so. Am I not the same as Elder Sister? Having left one’s maternal clan, one is a daughter-in-law of the Imperial clan. We are here now, and, to say something inauspicious, in the future when we pass, we can only remain here. So as for other people and other matters, how are those related to us?”
[Xi]yue raised her delicate chin. “Younger Sister is discerning. [3]识趣 (shí qù) means knowing how to strike a balance, knowing how to say different things and do different things in different situations so as not to offend others, knowing how to behave in delicate situations. It is just that Younger Sister needs to remember, no matter how cleanly you have plucked yourself out, in the end, your family name is still that of the Ula Nara clan; this cannot be changed by anyone. One fears that when Empress Dowager hears this family name, she will feel upset and disgusted, and would rather it disappear.”
Ruyi did not show any weakness, calmly responding, “Since Elder Sister is so fond of guessing Empress Dowager’s thoughts, why not accompany Younger Sister once again to visit Shou’kang Palace and ask after Empress Dowager’s intentions? What do you think?”
[Xi]yue’s beautiful distant-mountain eyebrow [4]远山眉 (yuǎn shān méi) is a style of thin eyebrow make-up. This term is used to describe women’s beautiful eyebrows, and sometimes also used to refer to beautiful women. gently arched. With a cold smile, she said, “Right now, I have to go accompany Mistress Niangniang to chat. I have no time to waste words with you.” Reaching out to be supported by her maidservant’s hand, she said, “Moxin, let us leave!”
Ruyi, seeing that [Xiyue] had sufficiently departed, felt her feet wobble. The flower-pot bottom [5]花盆底 or 花盆底鞋 (huā pén dǐ xié) is the Manchu women’s version of high-heeled shoes. Generally worn only after the age of 13-14. The shoe looks like a regular cloth shoe with a wooden sole, except that there is a trapezoidal pyramid shape, similar to that of an inverted flower pot, attached to the center of the bottom of the shoe. See example: https://www.dpm.org.cn/collection/embroider/230207.html was at the center of her foot, making it somewhat hard to balance. [Suo]xin and A’Ruo hurriedly supported her to the nearby Cheng’rui Pavilion [6]澄瑞亭 (chéng ruì tíng), located in the northwest of the Imperial Garden, was constructed during the Ming Dynasty. Learn more: https://www.wonders-of-the-world.net/Forbidden-city/Description/Pavilion-of-auspicious-clarity.php to rest. Ruyi leaned against a blue-green railing, covering up the tears about to flow with her eyelashes. Taking a few breaths, she said, “[Suo]xin, do you think Paternal Aunt will blame me?”
[Suo]xin supported her at the middle of her back, gently replying, “Jing’ren Palace Niangniang must have thought of Little Mistress’s actions. To do otherwise would be to waste Jing’ren Palace Niangniang’s considerations.”
Ruyi closed her eyes for a moment, allowing all her tears to dissolve into a faint haziness at the bottom of her eyes. Peacefully, she said, “Your words match exactly with my thoughts.”
A’Ruo, standing at attention at the side and seeing that Ruyi’s every word and every sentence were only meant for [Suo]xin, unconsciously gritted her teeth, but did not dare to reveal anything on her face.
Ruyi waved her hand. “You both go serve outside. I want to be alone.”
A’Ruo and [Suo]xin hurriedly retreated, walking about ten or so steps outside the pavilion. A’Ruo, originally walking behind, suddenly moved forward to squeeze along the corridor. [Suo]xin, having not paid full attention, was almost scratched in the eye by a nearby branch. She hurriedly stilled.
“Elder Sister A’Ruo.”
A’Ruo turned her head back at the sound. “Humph, you yourself did not walk carefully enough. Do you still want to blame me?”
[Suo]xin smiled ingratiatingly. “How could that be? What I wanted to say was, in the morning there is dew, and the corridor is slippery. Elder Sister should take care to not fall.”
A’Ruo scrunched her brows. “You are clumsy. Do you think that everyone is like you?” She glared at [Suo]xin out of the corner of her eye. “Only knowing how to act obedient and seem smart in front of Little Mistress. Clearly, it was me last night who took the risk to accompany Little Mistress to Jing’ren Palace, yet Little Mistress’s every sentence was spoken towards you, as though you were the one who completed such a dangerous task.”
[Suo]xin hurriedly lowered her posture and smiled. “It is exactly because I am not as attentive as Elder Sister in serving Little Mistress that Little Mistress speaks often to me. Elder Sister, please consider this carefully. Elder Sister is a close confidante next to Little Mistress, and so whatever you think or do matches Little Mistress; there is no need for Little Mistress to say more. It is because I am dumb and stupid that Little Mistress would ask me. My understanding of a situation is likely to be how those clueless outsiders view the situation. Only then can Little Mistress be at ease.”
Only then did A’Ruo’s anger abate slightly. She raised her wrist, showing off a bracelet decorated with twisted strands of gold. “You take a look at this bracelet. This is what Little Mistress has newly rewarded me with. Even if you spend more hours serving Little Mistress, there is still a difference between those who are close and those who are not. In the end, [we] are not the same.”
[Suo]xin obligingly responded, “I understand.”
The two were guarding at the side [of the pavilion]. Suddenly, they saw Ruyi stand up in the pavilion, and they rushed over to serve.
Ruyi asked, “At this time [of the day], where would the Emperor be?”
Counting on her fingers, A’Ruo answered, “At this time, the Emperor would have already ended court for the day. It is also past the time to meet with any officials. [The Emperor] is likely to be reading in the Yang’xin Hall [7]Hall of Mental Cultivation.”
Ruyi nodded. “Go prepare some snacks. I am going to go meet the Emperor.”
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