Chapter 10: Prince Chen’s Past Affairs

TL: 247reader

TLC: Tygris

Pursing her lips, Zhao Huizhi made introductions to Chu Yi. “This is the second daughter of the Minister of Personnel’s residence.”

Some of the people around them admiring the apricot blossoms had noticed the movement and looked over.

Several eyes fell on Chu Yi’s back. This was indeed Princess Consort Chen’s little sister.

Chu Yi had not attended many banquets before. Although she remembered some people who had been at the Yong’an Marquis’ Mansion for the heir’s first birthday banquet, few of them had brought their family’s young ladies with them. They had all gone to express congratulations on their own, so Chu Yi hadn’t seen many people.

And for many people, she had only seen their names on the roster, and would not recognize them even if she met them.

There were many, many girls/noble daughters in the capital, but Chu Jin and Chu Ying were well-known. Many of the crowd were waiting to see some excitement from the Duke Chu Mansion, especially since this girl was the younger sister of Princess Consort Chen. Chu Yi and Chu Jin looked a bit alike, so it would be unreasonable to call her unrecognizable.

Chu Yi could only think of one possibility: that this Miss Qin had done this on purpose to intimidate her.

Qin Shuyu nodded in understanding. “So you are Third Miss Chu.”

With a smile, Chu Yi said, “From what Miss Qin said, could it be that you have heard of me before?”

If you have heard of someone but still don’t recognize them, isn’t that just pretense?

Now, Zhao Huizhi was stunned. She hadn’t expected Qin Shuyu to ask this question. Now that she thought about it, she had been busy talking just now and had abandoned Chu Yi on the side.

She hurriedly said, “All right, all right, the capital is only so big; it’s not surprising to have heard of someone.”

Zhao Huizhi was afraid that if the conversation continued, it would lead to the eldest and second daughters of the Chu family, so she quickly tried to smooth things over.

But Chu Yi was a daughter of the Duke Chu Mansion, and she couldn’t allow Qin Shuyu to intimidate her. And Qin Shuyu wanted to win back face for her sister, so she wouldn’t listen to Zhao Huizhi’s words either.

Qin Shuyu’s eldest sister was named Qin Shuyan. She had married Prince Chen during the Mid-Autumn Festival last year.

The Emperor had granted the marriage, and it should have been a grand wedding. However, because of the romantic affair between Prince Chen and Chu Jin, Prince Chen had delayed the marriage for a long time. Many people said that Princess Consort Qin Shuyan was just a decoration, and if there was a chance in the future, Prince Chen would still marry Chu Jin.

Of course, this was all groundless. Qin Shuyan and Prince Chen lived in harmony, and Prince Chen had never mentioned Chu Jin. What’s more, after Chu Jin was locked up in the household temple, Prince Chen had never pleaded for mercy to the Emperor.

But what happened back then had always been a thorn in Qin Shuyan’s heart.

Who could unhesitatingly accept that their husband had fallen deeply in love with someone else? Besides, Chu Jin had only entered the Buddhist temple; she was still in good health. If Prince Chen ascended the throne in the future, he would surely have three harems and six courtyards, and there was no guarantee that Chu Jin wouldn’t reemerge/be released. Qin Shuyan didn’t care about others, but she cared about Chu Jin.

If that occurred, it would no longer be a trivial matter.

Qin Shuyan never told her sister to take action, but her occasional complaints made Qin Shuyu dislike the Chu family, even despise them.

Qin Shuyu’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, carrying enough for everyone around to hear clearly. “Of course I’ve heard of you. It’s thanks to you having two good sisters. Your eldest sister seduced the prince, bringing disgrace to the family, and that’s why your mother locked her up…”

Zhao Huizhi frowned and interrupted, “Shuyu! How can you say such things so casually?”

Qin Shuyu asked back, “Is what I said wrong? Sister Zhao, please point out where I’m wrong. Is it incorrect that the Chu family’s eldest daughter seduced two princes, or is it incorrect that the Duchess imprisoned Chu Jin?”

Zhao Huizhi looked embarrassed. This was a party hosted by her sister-in-law, and many people were already staring over at them…

She was about to speak when she saw Chu Yi take a step forward.

Chu Yi said, “If Second Miss Qin does not know, why ask Zhao-jiejie? I, a member of the Chu family, am here. Although I am young, I know right from wrong. I can help clear up your confusion.”

“What you just said is wrong. My Eldest Sister never seduced the two princes. She went to the temple only to pray for our elderly grandmother, and she was not locked up by Mother.”

Qin Shuyu’s laughter drifted in the wind. “Chu Yi, you say that, but who would believe you?”

Chu Yi was neither anxious nor annoyed. “To clear up all doubts, I will explain matters plainly to Miss Qin. It’s true that Eldest Sister was the most talented and beautiful woman in the capital back then, but as a lady from a noble family, she was brought up under strict discipline and disdained to do such things. Take today’s banquet, for example: it is all women, with no men. Even at those few poetry gatherings where men were present, they walked and sat separately. Under such conditions, how could there be any talk of seduction?”

Qin Shuyu wanted to reply, but before she could, Chu Yi spoke first, saying, “Does Miss Qin still think that Prince Li and His Highness Prince Chen are so obsessed with beauty that they cannot even distinguish right and wrong? I don’t know where Miss Qin heard this. Could it be that His Highness Prince Chen said it himself?”

The apricot blossoms above Chu Yi’s head swirled down from above as she spoke. The corners of her eyes were a little red, as if she felt aggrieved, or as if she was bullied by Qin Shuyu.

Qin Shuyu said, “You! How could His Highness Prince Chen say…”

Qin Shuyu still knew what could be said and what could not. It was a crime to make irresponsible remarks about a prince. After all, outside of her home, Qin Shuyu didn’t even dare to call Prince Chen her brother-in-law.

Chu Yi sniffed. “That is exactly so. So where did you hear that?”

She looked around and said, “I know everyone is wondering about the whereabouts of my Eldest and Second Sisters. Yet, they would rather believe unfounded rumors than what I, their own younger sister, have seen and heard.”

Zhao Huizhi was busy trying to coax Chu Yi. “Miss Chu, I believe you.”

At that moment, Lady Lin and Lady Ning also rushed over. Lady Ning, the host of the banquet, smiled and asked, “What are you all looking at?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd that had been watching the excitement dispersed.

Chu Yi walked quickly towards Lady Lin. “Sister-in-law!”

Lady Lin and her friend had come over after hearing a maid say that there was a commotion here. Lady Lin was worried that Chu Yi would be bullied, and, even more so, she was afraid that the Duke Chu Mansion, which already did not have a good reputation, would be caught up in the mouths of gossipers.

Stepping protectively in front of Chu Yi, Lady Lin said to Qin Shuyu, “Miss Qin, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me!”

Qin Shuyu was left with only her two close friends. They tugged at her clothes, trying to leave, not wanting to cause a fuss. She, however, didn’t want to leave.

She said, “But it’s a fact that His Highness Prince Li asked the Emperor to grant a marriage between himself and Chu Jin. How do you explain this?”

Chu Yi was hiding behind Lady Lin. “Miss Qin, just because you don’t like someone, does that mean everything they do is wrong? How could it be a sin for others to ask for your hand in marriage? A good daughter attracts suitors from a hundred families. My Eldest Sister’s talents were known throughout the capital, so it’s not surprising that someone would admire her and ask for her hand in marriage. Could it be that all men and women in this world who are engaged to be married have,as Miss Qin said, engaged in illicit behavior?” ^[1]Sī xiāng shòu shòu (私相授受) refers to under-the-table exchanges and other illicit dealings.

Seeing that Chu Yi’s eyes and nose were red, as if she had been crying, Lady Lin patted Chu Yi’s hand and said, “Miss Qin, my younger sister desired, simply and pureheartedly, to clear the names of her two elder sisters, and some of her words may have offended you. However, every word my younger sister said was true. You also do not need to bear a grudge against the young ladies of Duke Chu’s household for some other reason.”

As for the reason, it was too obvious. Everyone knew that Qin Shuyu’s elder sister was the wife of Prince Chen.

Lady Ning winked at Zhao Huizhi, then said to Qin Shuyu, “It’s getting late, Miss Qin…”

One’s words couldn’t be too extreme. In the capital, for example, the family of Duke Ying were nobility, and Qin Shuyu, whose father was the Minister of Personnel, was a member of an official’s family.

The Eldest Miss of the Qin family had become the principal wife of a prince. Lady Ning didn’t want to offend her, but she couldn’t allow Qin Shuyu to cause trouble here.

Qin Shuyu took a deep breath and said, “Madam Ning, I’m not feeling well, so I’ll take my leave first.”

Lady Ning ordered the maid beside her, “Go and see Miss Qin off.”

Qin Shuyu’s two friends ^[2]Shǒupà jiāo (手帕交), loosely translated as “handkerchief friends,” refers to bosom friends, so close they exchange handkerchiefs. didn’t know whether to leave or stay. Qin Shuyu walked quickly, and they couldn’t keep up, so they had to step aside to enjoy the flowers and scenery.

Chu Yi followed Zhao Huizhi to a courtyard. Zhao Huizhi poured her a cup of hot tea and said, “Meimei, don’t take Miss Qin’s words to heart.”

Chu Yi picked up the cup and took a sip. She naturally hadn’t taken them to heart.

She knew many people were watching the Duke Chu Mansion, and she hadn’t come out simply to admire the flowers. However, just one act wasn’t enough to change the impression her two elder sisters had left on everyone. Fortunately, though, even if today was just a drop of water in a glass, drops of water could wear away a stone.

Chu Yi had ended up with red-rimmed eyes, but that wasn’t something that had to be kept hidden. If she had really rendered Qin Shyu speechless and flushed with rage, she would have shot to fame and garnered everyone’s attention. But that wasn’t the result she wanted.

Chu Yi nodded. “I know, she didn’t mean it.”

She put the cup down and looked at Zhao Huizhi, hesitant to speak. “Zhao-jiejie, did I cause you any trouble today?”

Zhao Huizhi shook her head. “No, it’s my fault for not being a good enough host and letting you suffer a wrong.”

Chu Yi gave a bitter smile. “I was so angry just then. Now, thinking back, I don’t even know what I said back then. I think I’ve severely offended Miss Qin this time.”

Seeing her like this, Zhao Huizhi thought she was afraid of Qin Shuyu’s resentment, and even more afraid of being blamed upon returning home. So she said, “You possess a sincere heart towards your elder sisters. How could that be considered offensive? Aiya, stop thinking about it. ^[3]Āiyā (哎呀) could be translated in this context as “Oh.” It’s a sound used to express various emotions, particularly exasperation. Do you still want to go back out? The garden is spacious, and you haven’t seen everything yet.”

Chu Yi had already done everything she needed to do today, so why would she return to join the crowd? She shook her head and said, “Zhao-jiejie, I’ll just stay in the room for a while.”

IIt could be seen at a glance that Chu Yi was very young.

Zhao Huizhi said, “Then I’ll send someone to bring over a few plates of snacks. You can enjoy them slowly.”

Chu Yi smiled at the right moment. “Thank you, Zhao-jiejie. Go and entertain the guests. I have a maid here, so it’s all right.”

Zhao Huizhi nodded. “If you need anything, ask the maid to come find me.”

Every few steps, she looked back. She had thought at first that Chu Yi’s words were skillfully chosen, but now they seemed to have been heartfelt words blurted out under stressful circumstances. Miss Qin’s elder sister was already married. Why was she so hung up on the matters of the past?

Miss Qin had been too aggressive. Besides, this was a flower viewing banquet held by the Duke Ying Mansion. Wasn’t this disregarding the Duke Ying Mansion’s face?

She even used to think that Qin Shuyu had a good personality, just a little willful at most. Who knew it would be like this?

It would be better to avoid her in the future..

Soon, the maids from the Duke Ying Mansion brought several plates of snacks. Chu Yi ate one or two pieces from each plate. The snacks served to the guests seemed to be more refined than those at the Duke’s Mansion, but the taste was much the same.

On the other side, Lady Ning was still apologizing to Lady Lin. “Wanqing, it was my carelessness that caused your Third Younger Sister to suffer.”

Lady Lin shook her head and said that it was fine. “It has nothing to do with you, so don’t worry about it.”

Lady Lin knew in her heart that if anyone really had to be blamed, it should be Chu Jin and Chu Ying for the mistakes they had made. If she were to cast blame further up, it would be towards the two princes for being brainless and confused.

But no one dared to blame the royal family.

It was just a pity that Chu Yi, a thirteen-year-old girl, had to stand in front of everyone to make amends for her two sisters.

Lady Lin stayed for another half shichen. ^[4]A Shíchén (时辰) is a two-hour period, so she stayed for one more hour. Once the apricot blossom banquet was over, she took Chu Yi home.

Chu Yi was silent, and Lady Lin didn’t know what to say either. Finally, as they passed a jewelry shop, she asked the driver to stop.

Chu Yi asked, “Eldest Sister-in-law?”

Lady Lin said, “Let’s go shopping first, and then we’ll return home after a meal.”

The apricot blossom banquet had flowers to enjoy and snacks to eat, but the guests were not asked to remain for a meal. There was naturally food at the Duke’s Mansion, but Lady Lin felt that they should go back as happily as they had come out.

Chu Yi was stunned for a moment, but obediently nodded. “That sounds good.”

The pair were dressed in bright and beautiful clothes. The sharp-eyed shop assistant took them directly to the second floor.

“What do you want to look at, Madam and Miss? Who is it for?”

Lady Lin gestured with her chin towards Chu Yi and said, “Select some for my younger sister.”

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