Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace (Arc1 Chp14 Pt1)
Chapter 14: Wind and Waves (Part 1)
Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader
Ruyi accompanied Ruiji all the way from the Imperial Garden back to Yong’he Palace. Since the heavy snow had only just ceased, many palace attendants were sweeping the paths. Upon seeing the two walking together, they hastily knelt to offer greetings. Yet Ruiji’s face, injured from the beating, was particularly conspicuous. Even as the attendants lowered their heads in salute, they could not help but steal glances, exchanging looks of astonishment and curiosity among themselves. Ruiji appeared wholly indifferent to this. She neither used her broad hood to conceal the injuries nor rebuked the attendants for their seemingly discourteous behavior. She merely walked at leisure, as though entirely unaware of the gazes and whispers surrounding her.
Upon returning to Yong’he Palace, the maidservants hurried forward to receive Ruyi and Ruiji, taking from them their hoods and cloaks, and replacing the hand-warmers with fresh ones. When they saw Ruiji’s swollen cheeks, though their expressions betrayed shock and astonishment, none dared to ask about it. It seemed that the rules at Ruiji’s place were exceedingly strict: if she herself did not speak, no one else was permitted to ask a single question.
Ruyi cast her gaze in all four directions, and only then noticed that more servants attended in the newly adorned and spacious Yong’he Palace than served Huang Qiyun, a Noble Lady. Moreover, the charcoal used within the hall was hongluo charcoal, [1]红箩炭 (hóng luó tàn) was a high-quality type of charcoal used in the Imperial Palace in the past. Supposedly it burns hotly and with minimal ash residue, and burning this type of charcoal means that you do not need to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning. This type of tribute charcoal was discovered during the Ming Dynasty. The making of this charcoal was a long complicated process. This type of charcoal now no longer exists due to the lack of high-quality trees needed to make it. Source. which should have been above the allowances of a Second Class Attendant. It filled the chamber with spring-like warmth.
A’Ruo, serving at Ruyi’s side, could not help but show a trace of surprise. Ruyi noticed at once and said, “A’Ruo, go and ask whether they have any ointment to reduce swelling. If not, quickly send someone to fetch it from the Imperial Medical Bureau.”
A’Ruo acknowledged the order and departed. Just then, a young eunuch came in from outside to report that the Imperial Household Department had sent over a newly made plaque to be hung up in the main hall. Ruiji nodded and said, “Let them bring it in.”
The steward [2]执事 (zhíshì) literally means ‘to hold office’ or ‘to perform duties’. They are those entrusted with formal responsibilities. eunuch from the Imperial Household Department, who was responsible for these types of tasks, respectfully and reverently carried the plaque inside. Upon the plaque, in large characters gilded with gold lacquer, were inscribed four characters: Yi Zhao Shu Shen (仪昭淑慎). [3]仪 (yí) – ceremonial/ritual. 昭 (zhāo) – clear/obvious. 淑 (shū) – beautiful. 慎 (shèn) – prudent.
Ruyi immediately recognized it, saying with a smile, “Second Class Attendant Mei, this is the Emperor’s personal handwriting.”
The steward eunuch also smiled. “That is exactly the case. Consort Xian Niangniang has a good eye.”
Ruiji softly read the four characters out loud, then said, “I do recognize each of these characters individually, but when placed together, I do not understand their meaning. Consort Xian, if you know, please enlighten me.”
Ruyi gave a slight smile. “The Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial [4]See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette_and_Ceremonial states, ‘Be respectful in deportment, purity and prudence are the essence of virtue.’ The meaning of this phrase is that women should be gentle and prudent in order to maintain virtue.”
Ruiji gave a soft, derisive laugh that was tinged with a few traces of contempt. “Then, Consort Xian, do you think I am worthy of these four characters?”
Ruyi remained calm and composed. [5]从容自若 (cóng róng zì ruò) refers to being composed and at ease even in tense situations. “The Emperor bestowed this plaque upon Yong’he Palace. Naturally, since the Emperor has permitted you to reside in Yong’he Palace, he believes that you are worthy of these four characters.”
Ruiji’s gaze traced over the plaque, her lips curving into a faint and chilly smile. “Many people who see it will surely feel that I am unworthy. But whether or not I am worthy, this belongs to me all the same.”
The steward eunuch, intent upon completing his task, hastened to seek Ruiji’s instructions. “May Little Mistress Mei state her thoughts. Should this be hung up immediately?”
Ruiji nodded. “Such an honor naturally is not meant to be hidden away. Hang it up at once.”
The steward eunuch responded loudly in affirmation, then led several young eunuchs in ochre-colored clothes to begin the work. The steward eunuch had an expression full of fawning intent. “Consort Xian Niangniang, Second Class Attendant Mei, the sounds of hammering in the plaque will be quite loud, and this servant fears that you may be uncomfortable. Might the two Little Mistresses deign to move your jade steps [6]玉步 (yù bù) is a way to refer positively to a noblewoman’s gait or walk. Jade in Ancient China is the best of the best, so this is a compliment/flattery by comparing their steps to jade. to the warm room on the side to rest for a bit? We servants will have this finished up at once.”
Ruiji said, “Hearing noises such as these always vexes me. Consort Xian, why not come with me to the warm room to sit for a bit?”
Originally, Ruyi had not wanted to stay here for long, but, after a moment of thought, still went in with her.
The inner chamber of the warm room was quite quiet. Ruyi, seeing that the attending palace servants had not followed them in, suggested, “The swelling and injuries on your face are quite severe. Have the servants boil an egg and massage it for you.” [7]There is a folk remedy that to make a bruise heal faster, you can take a freshly boiled egg and roll it over the bruise until the egg cools. The idea is that the warmth will improve circulation and help the bruise heal faster. NOTE: This is a folk remedy. Heat on a fresh bruise may actually cause more internal bleeding.
Ruiji gave a faint laugh. “I understand these servants’ capabilities better than they do themselves. Niangniang may rest assured.”
Upon hearing these words, Ruyi furrowed her brows slightly. “You are in high favor. But listening to your words, you seem to be very mindful of your origins.”
Ruiji raised her nail guards and lightly scraped them against the boxwood side table, sneering. “How could I not be? From the first time I served in the Emperor’s bedchamber and was created a Second Class Attendant, each and every one of them stared at me as though they were black-eyed chickens. [8]乌眼鸡 (wū yǎn jī) is a way of describing people who aggressively hate each other. At every chance, they would use my origins to make fun of me, wishing to eat me alive if they could.”
Ruyi sat up straight. “One’s birth is not something one can choose. The more you resent it, the happier others will be.”
Ruiji’s dark and chilly eyes swept lightly across her face. “So, being born of the Ula Nara Clan is also akin to a wound [9]痛处 (tòng chù) means weakness, sore spot, or sensitivity. for Consort Xian Niangniang.”
Ruyi had not expected her words to be so sharp. She gathered together a gentle and serene smile. “If bengong does not treat this as a wound, then others will not cause bengong to feel pain.” Her gaze shifted. “But you, on the other hand, have been categorized by others as one of mine, and suffered much grievance because of it. Actually, bengong would also like to know—how was it that you, beginning with a single night’s favor, managed to rise so quickly and smoothly?”
Ruiji’s nail guards scraped against the side table with a sharp screech, her expression unsightly. “Others all think that since this concubine comes from the Ula Nara fu [10]府 (fǔ) means mansion or official residence. Here, it is used as a metonym for the Ula Nara clan. More generally, this is a common way to refer to other clans as well. For example, “the White House” is often used to refer to the US President., this concubine only received the Emperor’s favor due to Consort Xian Niangniang’s influence. Now it seems that Niangniang suspects that I was backed by someone else as well,” Second Class Attendant Mei spoke coldly. “If this concubine had the ability to be directed by someone, that would be a blessing. This life is owed only to fate, not to human action. I originally thought that Niangniang had a dignified, noble character, and thus spoke more with Niangniang. Since matters are like this, this concubine will rest now. Do as you please.”
Before her words could dissipate, a young maidservant entered. “Little Mistress, Suxin gugu, who closely serves Empress Niangniang, is waiting outside.”
Ruiji coldly asked. “What is she here for?”
The young palace maid responded, “Replying to Little Mistress, she said she is sending over medicine from the Imperial Medical Bureau.”
Ruiji nodded. “Then just let her in.”
Ruyi stood up and was just about to leave when Ruiji spoke again. “My words just now may have been offensive. But may Consort Xian take a look for me—lest something else has been sent, and I cannot tell the difference.”
Ruyi thought that, after all, it was the Empress who had instructed herself to accompany her back. Now that Suxin had come, if she herself were not here, it might only stir up more trouble. As such, she sat down once again.
