Chapter 14: Confrontation

TL: 247reader

TLC: Tygris

TL Note: Hey, y’all! So, the health concerns are… improving, but not as fast as I’d hoped. But here’s another chapter, finally, and I’ll keep posting the best that I can as things get better. Sorry for the wait, and hope everyone enjoys!

To begin with, Chu Yi hadn’t held out much hope, having only visited on Duke Chu’s orders. So much time had passed, and Lady Yan must have said the same things many times before.

The corners of Chu Jin’s lips curled. “Our Second Younger Sister may not understand, but I know that you and I are both daughters of the Duke’s Mansion.”

This time, Chu Jin saw Chu Yi off, standing three steps behind the door. Since she was the daughter of the Duke’s Mansion, she should do something for her family.

In truth, at the beginning it really had been merely a show for outsiders to see, with only elderly maids on watch. But after she had run away a few times, more and more maids came, and a wall was built around the courtyard. In the end, it had become necessary to lock the gates.

She understood the reasons. Because of her, her third younger sister was looked down upon whenever she went out. She couldn’t let Chu Yi face all this alone because of her.

Chu Yi was only thirteen years old.

Chu Jin smiled and said, “You’re right. My current situation is the result of Prince Chen carefully analysing the state of affairs. Back then, it wasn’t that there was no way out of this situation. Prince Li and Prince Chen were already feuding with each other. If he had gone to plead for mercy and explained matters to the Emperor, there might have been a way to salvage things… Forget it. There’s no point in talking like this now.”

Chu Jin’s gaze was full of indifference.

Chu Yi nodded and said nothing more. Chu Jin had found clarity. Naturally, that was for the best.

Back at Yixia Pavilion, she asked Liuxia to find the invitation for the flower viewing banquet, and “Find that amber-colored dress and hang it up with fumigating incense. I want to wear it in two days.”

She didn’t want to touch Chu Jin’s jewelry right now. Those items could remind Prince Chen of their past love and, at a critical moment, could be used to save a life. If Prince Chen wasn’t around and Qin Shuyan, reminded of her hatred towards Chu Jin, were to feel the same towards her, then that would be counterproductive.

Anyone could wear amber. Chu Yi thought maliciously that since the Qin family had made her unhappy, she ought to make the Qin family unhappy too.

She just didn’t know whether she would go with Lady Lin or alone, or maybe even have Chu Xin tagging along. She ought to know by the 27th.

Elsewhere, Concubine Zhao headed to Chu Xin’s courtyard.

The names of the courtyards where the girls of the Duke’s Mansion lived all contained their maiden names alongside the names of the four seasons, Jinqiu, Yingchun, and Yixia. Chu Xin’s had originally followed the same naming pattern, but it didn’t sound very nice, so she changed it to Xinya Pavilion. ^[1]Chu Xin’s courtyard would have presumably been originally named Xindong (欣冬), for winter, but she’s changed the second character to Yǎ (雅), meaning elegance.

Chu Xin had just been about to visit Concubine Zhao to ask what she and her di mother had talked about when Concubine Zhao unexpectedly arrived.

Chu Xin asked, “Concubine-mother, what did Mother say?”

Concubine Zhao said, “She talked about your second elder brother’s marriage and also gave you a veiled warning to stop constantly causing trouble for your third elder sister.”

Chu Xin immediately became unhappy. Frowning, she said, “I’m causing trouble for Chu Yi? Do I want to cause trouble for her? I just feel upset seeing her acting so pretentiously, like a villain who has gotten their way! Why does Concubine-mother always say bad things about me? What’s so good about Chu Yi? It’s as if Concubine-mother wishes that she were your daughter.”

Concubine Zhao knew very well that it would be impossible to explain things to Chu Xin. Even if she laid out the truth in front of her, she wouldn’t listen.

“I’m doing this for your own good. Do you really think going out to a banquet is a good thing? When Third Miss goes out, there is so much petty gossip awaiting her outside.”

Chu Xin said, “If she can do it, I can do it too!”

Concubine Zhao felt a headache coming on. “Madam gave a warning today, and the Third Miss will even be helping your second elder brother with his marriage. If you consider your elder brother even a little, you would know not to provoke your third elder sister at this time. You are sisters from the same family. If you were to get closer to your third elder sister, she would definitely remember your kindness in the future. Why do you have to squabble over who is superior?”

Chu Xin was too much like Concubine Zhao had been when she was young. She had fought with Lady Yan, with Concubine Xu, with the others, but in the end, all they had left to fight for were their children’s futures.

Both Lady Yan, and herself.

In the past, she had hoped that the Eldest Young Master wouldn’t surpass her own son, but now she only hoped that he would excel in his studies, pass the imperial examinations, and become a high-ranking official. It would be best if any of the Misses could be an empress – this would also help her own children rise in status.

They were family members, sharing the same surname, so what was there to fight about?

However, it was obviously impossible for Chu Xin to grasp this truth. It had taken Concubine Zhao more than ten years to reach her current understanding.

Chu Xin was wondering why she was not the great, talented one who Chu Yi instead had to curry favor with.

She could also attend banquets and bring honor to the Duke’s Mansion, so why must Chu Yi be the only one? Was it just because she was one year older?

Seeing her expression, Concubine Zhao knew that she hadn’t understood. “Just remember this: if you delay your elder brother’s marriage, I’ll make you suffer. No matter how many times I tell you, you still don’t learn your lesson.”

Chu Xin felt wronged. For her brother’s sake. It was about her brother, again and again. What about her? Her mother had never considered her at all.

Chu Xin’s face remained stiff as a board, her expression blank.

Concubine Zhao yanked her arm and said, “I’m talking to you!”

Reluctantly, Chu Xin said,  “I heard you…”

Concubine Zhao sighed softly. “Ai, I’m doing this for your own good. If you displease your mother, ^[2]Concubine Zhao uses nǐ mǔqīn (你母亲), your mother, to indicate Lady Yan, who is Chu Xin’s di, or legal, mother. you won’t end up comfortable either. Thinking of your eldest and second sisters, I don’t want you to end up like that.”

If Chu Xin were to make a mistake, Lady Yan would be even stricter.

Elsewhere, Chu Yi took out the invitation for the flower-viewing banquet hosted by Princess Consort Chen and looked it over.

The flower viewing banquet would be held in Prince Chen’s Mansion, to enjoy the flowers in the mansion’s garden. It was set to be in the morning. She didn’t know who Princess Consort Chen had invited, but before the apricot blossom banquet, the Princess’s younger sister would certainly have been on the list of attendees.

Qin Shuyu had lost face at the apricot blossom banquet, so it wasn’t clear if she would go this time.

Those who would be attending the flower viewing banquet hadn’t necessarily been at the apricot blossom banquet, so it was possible that they would still bring up the previous incidents. It would be considered tasteless for Princess Consort Chen to mention her eldest sister. Therefore, if she wanted to embarrass the young lady from the Duke’s Mansion, she would most likely ask after someone else. Chu Yi had more than one elder sister.

It was true that Chu Ying hadn’t attended banquets. Over the past two years, she had rarely shown her face in public. Even if she had suffered from illness, there still would have been times when she felt well. What if an imperial physician were asked to go diagnose her illness…?

Then she hoped Princess Consort Chen really did have the ability to invite one over.

In the second month, the grass was green and the birds were singing. A few days ago, the tender grass had only been half a finger high, but in just five or six days, it had doubled in size. When the wind blew, the grass swayed in the breeze.

On this day, Chu Yi went to the main courtyard to pay her respects as usual. After coming back, she tidied up a little, then went to the Eldest Young Master’s courtyard to find Lady Lin.

Lady Lin saw that today, Chu Yi wore an amber dress, with the butterfly hairpin she had just bought that day on her head. She looked much livelier than the last time they’d gone out, and for a moment, Lady Lin was stunned.

But soon, Lady Lin came back to her senses and gave a smiling compliment. “Third Younger Sister, you look so bright and elegant in this outfit. It looks wonderful.”

The last time Chu Yi had worn this dress, Lady Lin had also praised her. What Chu Yi didn’t know at the time was that Chu Jin had often worn this color. Chu Xin’s personality was somewhat similar to Chu Jin’s, and their favorite colors were similar. Now, when Lady Lin looked at her, she was probably also thinking of Chu Jin.

Chu Yi lowered her head and said, “I’m still not quite used to it. But as for Princess Consort Chen’s banquet, we need to be cautious.”

The two sisters-in-law walked out together. The carriage stopped at the stable and they went out directly through the side door.

Lady Lin nodded. “A color like this is well-suited for formal occasions. It’s a good thing you sisters are good-looking, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to wear this color.”

The other sisters that Lady Lin referred to probably did not include Chu Xin.

Chu Yi said softly, “Eldest Sister used to wear this color often.”

For a moment, Lady Lin’s expression faltered. She said, “You sisters look alike, and at first glance, it’s certainly startling. But it’s only two or three points of resemblance, so you’re unlikely to be mistaken for each other. I really think you’re beautiful, but as far as Jin-meimei goes, Fourth Younger Sister resembles her more.”

Chu Xin dressed similarly, looked similarly, and had a similar personality.

Chu Yi nodded. Since Lady Yan hadn’t spoken of taking Chu Xin with her this time, she hadn’t asked either.

Thinking about it, sometimes being too similar wasn’t a good thing. Chu Yi said, “Fourth Younger Sister has been close to Eldest Sister since childhood, so it’s all right if they resemble each other a little.”

Lady Lin smiled, and the sisters-in-law said nothing else. They quickly arrived at the stable and boarded the carriage. Horse hooves sounded briskly as they drove towards Prince Chen’s Mansion.

Prince Chen’s Mansion was the residence in which Prince Chen had lived since leaving the palace. After he had received his princely title, it had been renovated, giving it its present appearance. The residences of the imperial family and the royal relatives were much grander than ordinary mansions.

Two large stone lions stood at the entrance, ^[3]Gate-guarding lion statues, sometimes called “fu dogs” in English, have historically been a major status symbol, standing in front of palaces, official buildings, and wealthy mansions. each holding a pearl in its mouth, and numerous guards stood on watch. Looking up, they saw the three characters “Chen Wangfu” ^[4]陈王府, Prince Chen’s Mansion written on a plaque, which looked dignified and imposing.

This was also Lady Lin’s first time visiting such a place, and she was nervous. She glanced at Chu Yi, who was standing half a step behind her obediently, and then straightened her back.

When they arrived at the gates, a maid handed the invitation over. A steward looked it over before bringing the two of them in. After they had walked a dozen steps, another maid escorted them, and after several twists and turns, they finally arrived in the residence’s garden.

The weather was pleasant today, making the scenery of the Prince Chen Mansion’s garden even better than it might have been otherwise.

There were large clusters of flowers, many of which Chu Yi couldn’t name. Thanks to the talents of the gardeners, as she looked around, she seemed to be surrounded by a sea of flowers.

Chu Yi spotted Princess Chen at first glance. She had met Qin Shuyu previously, and the two sisters were somewhat similar in looks.

Among the noble ladies in the capital, the sisters’ looks could merely be considered pretty, but Princess Chen’s clothes were gorgeous, and not just in terms of vibrant colors. Chu Yi could see even from a distance that the embroidered threads on her garments sparkled.

Qin Shuyan had a floral decoration on her forehead, ^[5]A Huādiàn(花钿) is a flower ornament in the center of the forehead, rising to popularity during the Tang dynasty. At first, they were painted, but later could be made of gold leaf or even, particularly during the Song dynasty, pearls. a phoenix hairpin in the center of her bun, golden hairpins dangling on both sides, ^[6]Bùyáo (步摇) are dangling hairpins with beads or other hangings designed to sway and clink together with the wearer’s walk. and ruby ​​earrings hanging from her ears, which swayed slightly when she moved.

Everyone around her turned towards her; she was like the moon surrounded by stars.

Lady Lin saw this as well, and took Chu Yi over to pay her respects. Princess Chen’s hand had been resting on a flower, but when she saw the two people approaching, she held it in front of her belly.

“Another guest has arrived. I’ll go take a look first. Please do as you please.”

These people had come for Princess Chen, and they also wanted to help their husbands in seeking a position with Prince Chen. They naturally flattered her, saying, “This is nothing to worry about. Let’s go over and see. She looks to be the Eldest Lady of the Duke Chu Mansion.”

Duke Chu had not yet requested to confer an Heir’s title, and Chu Yuancheng planned to take the imperial examination in the autumn six months from now, so Lady Lin had not received any imperial recognition.

The one walking in front was Lady Lin, and the one behind looked familiar. Thinking about the rumors over the past month, they thought that she must be the Third Miss of the Duke’s Mansion.

Everyone looked over. Some of them had seen Chu Jin before, and they were stunned when they saw her.

Suddenly coming to their senses, they glanced back at Princess Chen’s expression, which remained unchanged.

Lady Lin approached alongside Chu Yi and gave a bow. “This common woman greets the Princess. May Your Highness be blessed.”

Chu Yi bowed, following suit. “This commoner’s daughter greets the Princess. May Your Highness be blessed.”

Qin Shuyan paused. Leaning over, she helped Lady Lin up. “Third Younger Sister, quickly rise. No need to be so polite. Some days ago, my ignorant younger sister offended you, and I apologize to you here and now. I have asked my father to confine her. She is not allowed to come out until she understands her mistakes.”

Lady Lin wore a polite smile on her face. This statement was directed at Chu Yi, and it was inappropriate for her to answer.

Chu Yi raised her head and smiled at Qin Shuyan. “Ignorance is not a crime, and I also didn’t take it to heart. With so many rumors flying, it’s inevitable for there to be misunderstandings. My teacher also says that it’s not shameful to ask questions. Second Miss Qin asked, and I didn’t mind answering.”

Chu Yi then lowered her head again. “Thank you, Princess, for remembering these matters. It’s only that it’s been such a long time. There’s no need to punish the Second Miss anymore.”

If there were any true intention of disciplining Qin Shuyu, then she  would never have said those words, and Princess Chen would not have had to save face in front of so many people.

But one shouldn’t hit a smiling face. Chu Yi couldn’t afford to offend her, so she could only play along.

Qin Shuyan smiled and said, “I wish I had a younger sister as sensible as you.”

Qin Shuyan wore a graceful smile. Now that she was Princess Consort, outsiders could only bow to greet her when they saw her. It would have made no difference even if the person standing here today was Chu Jin.

She remembered that Chu Jin often wore bright colors like this. When Chu Yi had bowed to her just now, she’d had the illusion that it was Chu Jin saluting her.

Sisters, sisters. Having an elder sister like Chu Jin would only bring shame. Her younger sister was merely a little ignorant, but that was all right.

It stood to reason that Chu Yi should say that she felt close to the Princess, and even call her Elder Sister. However, she had two elder sisters already; she wasn’t facing a shortage.

Qin Shuyan was much more intelligent than her younger sister.

Chu Yi thought for a bit, and then said with a smile, “I didn’t expect that there would come a time when my elder sisters were envied by others, too.”

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