Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace (Arc1 Chp9 Pt3)
Chapter 9: Status [Section Two] (Part 3)
Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader
[Xi]yue suddenly turned her head around and stared at Ruyi. “Consort Xian has not spoken a single word. Is it that you do not agree with the Empress’s words? Or is it that you hold a different position?”
Ruyi raised her eyelashes, slowly responding, “As the saying goes, teaching by example is the most important thing. Empress Niangniang is leading by example. Naturally, we should simply listen to her and follow her lead. Further discussion is unnecessary.”
Hailan also hurriedly sounded a “Yes,” in agreement, adding, “This concubine dares not say more because this concubine is worried about being stupid and saying something wrong. So [this concubine] will carefully follow the Empress’s example and dare not say more.”
Ruyi smiled slightly. “The Empress’s meaning is the Emperor’s meaning — is that not the case? Just by being sure to carefully listen and learn, we will have obtained countless benefits.”
[Xi]yue airily laughed. She covered her lips and said, “From these words, Younger Sister Consort Xian seems to mind that the Emperor spent last night at Chang’chun Palace. They seem to be somewhat sour.” [1]To be jealous in Chinese is to ‘eat vinegar’, so someone giving off ‘a stench of jealousy’ is often described as being ‘sour’.
Ruyi gave a faint smile. “In my words just now, those with harmonious hearts will naturally hear that the Emperor and Empress are of one heart; those with sourness in their hearts will also naturally hear sourness.”
[Xi]yue’s elegant eyebrow twitched in seeming resentment.
Langhua smiled cheerfully. “That is enough. Last night was just the Emperor considering Bengong’s face. The remaining days are long. You all should put your heart into preparations. The Emperor will naturally visit you all one by one.”
The consorts and concubines replied in agreement. Ruyi raised the red lotus bracelet of jade beads and golden silk on her wrist, saying, “Although this bracelet was bestowed by Empress Niangniang when this concubine first entered qiandi, now that the harem emphasizes simplicity, this concubine no longer dares to keep wearing it. Begging Empress Niangniang’s permission.”
When she said this, [Xi]yue also hurriedly stood up.
The Empress’s expression chilled slightly, like withered grass covered with frost in the cold autumn mist. Yet, the autumn sun was bright, and soon the frost evaporated without a trace. The Empress still had on that flawless smile. “Since this was bestowed by Bengong in the past, then it is not a problem. Additionally, one of you two is a Noble Consort and the other is Consort Xian. You cannot be mistreated.”
The two sounded in agreement, and then all retreated.
Outside, the autumn colors were as bright and beautiful as a painting. Luyun and Hailan exited with Ruyi, all three silent. Jin Yuyan and Noble Lady Yi were walking ahead, still having some complaints. “Aiya, [2]Sound of distress/pity. from now on we can no longer wear these Jiangnan soft satins. I feel that though Empress Niangniang’s embroidered qipao looks good, it lacks a certain fluttering style. Ai…”
Noble Lady Yi gave a faint smile. “With Noble Lady Jia’s beauty, you look good in anything you wear. No matter what, you have always put effort into dressing up. The Emperor will surely take note.”
Yuyan gave a soft sigh, then said, “Noble Lady Yi has been by the Empress’s side for a long time, and naturally understands the Empress’s thoughts. With an exemplar such as Empress Niangniang, how dare I not follow along?”
Laughing as they spoke, the two walked further ahead.
Ruyi patted Luyun’s hand comfortingly. “No need to think too much of today’s matters. The Empress just values the ancestral rules. She was not purposefully targeting you.”
Luyun’s brows anxiously furrowed. “How can I fail to understand the Empress’s meaning? The Eldest Prince’s birth mother was of the same clan as the Empress. Though the Eldest Prince’s birth mother has passed away, her status remains high and noble. The Second Prince, birthed by the Empress, is the unsurpassable noble legitimate son. I am the only one whose identity, while not embarrassing, cannot be considered impressive. My father is but a bithesi. [3]笔帖式 (bǐ tiē shì) refers to the low-level clerical officials in the Qing Dynasty. Such officials are responsible for the documents and archives of ministries and government offices and their main duties were to translate documents from Manchurian to Chinese. The word 笔帖式 is phonetically translated from ‘ᠪᡳᡨ᠌ᡥᡝᠰᡳ’ (bithesi) in the Manchu language to Chinese. The word itself means the ‘people who handle documents and papers’. If not for my luck in birthing the Third Prince, how could the Emperor have granted me the position of a Concubine? I am aware that my background is not noble, and have always taken care to be respectful and obedient. But the Empress is still wary…”
She wanted to continue, but tears were already welling up in her eyes. Hailan hurriedly used a handkerchief to cover Luyun’s mouth, quietly saying, “Dear Elder Sister, you are indeed respectful and obedient to the Empress, but possess a pure and simple temperament, saying whatever comes to mind. We are outside, in public. It would be troublesome if others hear.”
Luyun was shocked speechless, and quickly took over the handkerchief, hastily wiping away the tear tracks. Their surroundings were tranquil, with no one to be seen in any direction. Even the personal maid servants were only following far behind.
Ruyi gave Hailan an appreciative glance, and softly said, “That is enough. If there are any matters to speak of, we shall do so when we reach my palace. Nowadays, it is best to not have any slips of the tongue.”
Luyun nodded repeatedly. As they spoke, the three headed towards the Imperial Garden. [4]See: https://www.chineseattractions.com/Imperial-Garden/The-Imperial-Garden.html
The peak of autumn had just arrived. The various and colorful chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden were blooming exceptionally beautifully, in shades of purples and reds, reminiscent of the splendor and prosperity of spring. With such beautiful scenery ahead, the group of three’s recent low spirits were somewhat alleviated. Walking around the slanting willow and the rockery, Ruyi saw Yuyan and Noble Lady Yi sitting and chatting in the pavilion in front, so she, Luyun, and Hailan opted to watch the redfish [5]Uncertain, possibly redfin snapper? leaping to and fro in the pond to amuse themselves.
Yuyan and Noble Lady Yi had their backs to the other three and did not notice their arrival, as focused as they were on their own lively conversation.
Yuyan smiled. “Elder Sister was created Consort Xian. I feel that the ‘Xian’ character that the Emperor chose is very fitting.”
Noble Lady Yi pinched her handkerchief with a smile. “Quickly, Younger Sister, speak, and let us gain some insights into what the Emperor thinks.”
Yuyan plucked a white-jade fu-decorated gold hairpin from her hairdo, and dipped it in some tea, before writing a big ‘娴’ (‘Xian’) character on the rock table. Laughingly, she spoke, “The character ‘闲’ [6]Also pronounced xián, but with the meaning of idleness/being unoccupied/having nothing to do. with the radical ‘女’. [7]Meaning woman/female. After the Emperor ascended the throne, he most often visited Empress Niangniang’s and Noble Consort Hui’s palaces. Consort Xian Niangniang has not seen the Emperor for many days. Is this not an idle woman with nothing to do and nothing to look forward to?”
Noble Lady Yi covered her laughter with her handkerchief. It was the clever and quick-witted servant next to Noble Lady Yi who, seeing Ruyi standing nearby, quickly spoke, “Noble Lady is tired. Why do we not return early to the palace to rest?”
With such an abrupt sentence, even Yuyan noticed that something was wrong. She turned her head to see Ruyi and her group.
Yuyan was not fearful. She even looked at Ruyi with contempt, delicately saying, “This concubine was merely discussing linguistics, only speaking of what is there. May Consort Xian not be angered.”
Noble Lady Yi glanced at Ruyi out of the corner of her eye. “How can Consort Xian be angry? If she is angered, would that not mean that Noble Lady Jia speaks correctly? Impossible.”
Ruyi’s heart was filled with indignation as she listened to their taunts, but she forcefully suppressed the feeling.
