Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace (Arc1 Chp9 Pt4)
Chapter 9: Status [Section Two] (Part 4)
Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader
Hailan could no longer hold back. She gathered her courage and retorted, “Though we are all sisters from qiandi, [you] cannot be so disrespectful in front of Consort Xian.”
Yuyan slightly squinted both eyes, waved her hand in a beckoning gesture, and said, “First Class Attendant Hai, come over and speak.”
Yuyan’s position was higher than Hailan’s. Seeing Yuyan summoning her, though she was hesitant, she still did not dare to stay still. When Hailan walked close, Yuyan reached out to grasp and lift Hailan’s chin. Taking a closer look, she said, “An embroidery room servant. Now that you have become a First Class Attendant, your voice has risen as well.”
Hailan’s face flushed in distress, but she was unable to speak. Jin Yuyan was amused. Her glass bead embedded, silver nail guards sent a faint light glancing across Hailan’s visage. Hailan only felt that her entire body was covered in goosebumps. Tremblingly, she asked, “Noble Lady Jia, what do you want to do?”
Yuyan smilingly approached her. “I want to…”
Before she could finish her words, Yuyan’s hand was pulled away by Ruyi in a single motion.
Ruyi smiled coldly, placing Hailan protectively behind herself. “What sort of ability does it take to use the position of a Noble Lady to threaten a First Class Attendant? In front of Bengong, you can only engage in verbal quibbling. When you greet Bengong, do you not still have to bend your knee in a curtsey, and pay your regards respectfully?”
Luyun advised from the side, “Noble Lady Jia, if you wanted to joke around with First Class Attendant Hai, then you might as well retract that thought. She has always been timid, and cannot be played around with like that.”
Yuyan gave a light snort, disdainfully saying, “What sort of identity does Hailan have that I would be willing to joke around with her?”
Ruyi took a glance at her, then slowly said, “A person’s position dictates what they should do. If you feel that Noble Consort Hui, being ranked higher than Bengong, has the natural right to criticize Bengong, then you should also understand your obligation to accept Bengong making life difficult for you.”
The corner of Yuyan’s lips rose, not betraying a slightest hint of weakness. “Though your position of Consort is high above mine, you are the descendant of the Ula Nara clan, and I am a member of the Joseon Imperial clan. Based on my background, I am naturally much more noble than you. Though, for now, my title is below that of yours, do you believe that you may simply sit tight on the position of Consort, and I will never have a breakthrough?” [1]出头之日 (chū tóu zhī rì) refers to the day of one’s success after suffering in a difficult, wronged, or oppressive situation.
Ruyi gave a slight smile. “You yourself acknowledge that you are a member of the Joseon Imperial clan, but why do you not consider that, no matter how great Joseon is, it is but a vassal country of my Great Qing? A small country of few people – even the monarch needs to lower his head and refer to himself as ‘this subject’, not to mention merely a daughter of the Imperial clan. If you truly want to discuss background and nobility with Bengong, then you should carefully control yourself and speak and act in a manner consistent with your identity. Only then can the people be sincerely respectful of you and submit to you, and only that can demonstrate one’s true nobility.”
Before Ruyi’s words dissipated, behind them came a graceful sound. “Bengong was wondering who it was. With such a sharp-tongued and unforgiving manner, it can only be Consort Xian.”
Ruyi slightly bent her body in greeting and looked towards her with cold eyes. “In the past at qiandi, Noble Consort was always gentle and obedient, nothing like the appearance of today.”
Noble Consort Hui glanced at Ruyi, full of disdain. “Differing times means differing situations. Back then, your position was above mine, so I naturally could not be lacking in respect towards you. Yet, now, Bengong is a Noble Consort, while you are just a Consort. The difference in superiority and inferiority is that of the difference in the heavens and the earth. You naturally need to be beneath me at every moment and in every matter. If you do not understand even such a small matter, then you no longer need to stay within this Imperial harem.”
Ruyi remained silent without speaking. The Noble Consort’s thinly traced willow-shaped eyebrows rose in flight. “What? Are you not convinced?”
Ruyi’s smile was faint. “All requirements of etiquette have been met. Does the Noble Consort also desire to control the people’s hearts? If so, then that cannot be accomplished by suppressing people with power, but rather by winning them over with virtue.” She once again gave a wanfu bow. [2]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. “Noble Consort Niangniang’s position ranks above mine; I will not lack in respect. But may Noble Consort understand that your nobility should come from respect, not intimidation.”
Ruyi finished speaking and straightforwardly left. Concubine Chun and Hailan took a quick look at each other, and promptly hurried to catch up.
Yuyan, seeing that Noble Consort Hui had been rendered speechless by rage, immediately smiled and said, “Noble Consort Niangniang, do not listen to her tricky words. As it is clear that her future days will be difficult, Niangniang does not need to waste words on her. Consort Xian ranks below you: in the future, there is no need for concern that you cannot ‘take care’ of her.”
Noble Consort Hui’s eyebrows slightly loosened. She smiled at Yuyan. “With Noble Lady Jia on the same line of thought as Bengong, what is there for Bengong to be concerned about?”
