Chapter 13: Ruiji [Section Two] (Part 2)

Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader

A’Ruo put on a cloud-white goose-feathered cloak decorated with pale green branches for Ruyi, pulled up the furred-lined hood, and prepared the hand furnace; then they left with A’Ruo supporting Ruyi’s hand. Ruyi, looking at the world of silvery ice and snow, said, “No need to call for the sedan. With such beautiful scenery, let us return slowly through the Imperial Garden.” ^[1]See: https://www.chineseattractions.com/Imperial-Garden/The-Imperial-Garden.html

A’Ruo smiled. “That would be nice. Having not come out for so many days, it has been suffocating.”

The two were just about to take a step when they suddenly heard a call from behind. “May Consort Xian stay a moment.” Ruyi turned her head back and saw Second Class Attendant Mei moving forward, holding the hand of a young palace maid. Smilingly, [Second Class Attendant Mei] said, “Consort Xian has elegant interests. This concubine was just about to go to the Imperial Garden and enjoy the snowy scenery. Would Niangniang be willing to go together?”

Ruyi smiled, “Since Younger Sister is willing, then it would be better to go as a pair than to go alone.”

The two slowly strolled forward. Although the sun after the snow did not contain much warmth, when complemented by the reflection upon the snow, it seemed much brighter. The many-days-worth of accumulated snow cast a dazzling white light on the Imperial Garden, creating the feeling of walking through sparkling glazed glass. Occasionally, the snow collected on a branch would drop down onto the earth with a soft rustling sound, further accentuating the silence of the surroundings, as if not of the mortal world. At this time, the accumulated snow had newly settled, and here and there were wintersweets ^[2]Chimonanthus praecox – Wikipedia in full bloom. The wintersweets were a pale, powdery yellow, the same color as beeswax, and glowed in golden splendor. Alongside the freshly fallen snow amongst the plum branches, when breathing in, one appreciated the fresh and intoxicating fragrance that penetrated deep into the bones.

Before she realized, Ruyi had taken a deep breath. 

Second Class Attendant Mei noticed and smiled. “Consort Xian enjoys plum blossoms?” ^[3]In Chinese, wintersweet is also a type of 梅 (méi), or plum.

Ruyi reached out and grasped a branch of flowers, reminiscent of frozen honey, and sniffed. Intoxicatedly, she said, “Yes, especially the green plum blossom, ^[4]绿梅 (lǜ méi) blossoms are a special type of Prunus mume – Wikipedia blossoms that have pale green or greenish-white petals with a delicate or translucent appearance. See these pictures from Baidu. which is pure, elegant, and delightful, and no ordinary thing.”

Second Class Attendant Mei replied, “Niangniang has seen green plum blossoms before?”

Ruyi nodded. “When I was young, I went to Suzhou with my father. At that time, I saw them twice. They are truly the peak of beauty in the mortal realm.”

Second Class Attendant Mei made a faint noise of derision, three points of chilliness appearing at the corner of her mouth. “Because this concubine was proficient at playing yueqin, ^[5]See: Yueqin – Wikipedia [this concubine] was bought from Suzhou as well. It was only later on, by a twist of fate, that [this concubine] was sent into the palace.”

Ruyi asked in surprise, “One hears that Second Class Attendant Mei came from the Nanfu ^[6]南府 (nán fǔ) was an institution in charge of managing palace opera performances during the middle and late Qing Dynasty and was affiliated with the Imperial Household Department. Duties included teaching young eunuchs and various artists to perform for people in the palace. During the Qianlong period, the number of civilian artists increased, and they were customarily referred to as Nanfu students. pipa department. Should you not have played the pipa?”

Second Class Attendant Mei fixed her dim gaze [upon Ruyi], a dark gray shade of grief and sadness flowing through her eyes. “This concubine used to specialize upon the yueqin, but when [this concubine] entered Nanfu, the instructors said that the late Emperor preferred the pipa, and had [this concubine] switch over.” Her lonely sigh scattered into the chilly wind, “Is it not the same everywhere? What one likes, what one loves, are all decided by others. One cannot decide even the slightest bit oneself.”

Ruyi, hearing her sad life story, questioned probingly, “With these words, are you blaming Ula Nara fu ^[7]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. for sending you into Nanfu that year?”

Second Class Attendant Mei gave a cold smile. “Sending this concubine in is the same as sending someone else in. What blame is there? If this concubine were not sent into Nanfu, then this concubine would at most be a musician within the fu, floating about like duckweed. How can [this concubine] be compared to Consort Xian niangniang, as noble as gold and as precious as jade, ^[8]金尊玉贵 (jīn zūn yù guì) is used to describe someone or something’s noble status or high value. whose favorite flowers are even the distinctive ^[9]骨格清奇 (gǔ gé qīng qí), literally meaning ‘a pure and exceptional bone structure’, refers to something of an extraordinary or refined constitution/character, emphasizing its uniqueness, elegance, and natural nobility. and rare green plum blossoms. In comparison, this concubine is but willow catkins in the wind, with the fate of a cattail or willow.

“It is just a shame that the green plum blossom is too rare. Anything that is too unique will not last long in this world. Consort Xian, what do you think?”

Ruyi raised her head upon hearing this voice, and saw Noble Consort Hui with her people standing not far away under a pair of wintersweet trees. She smiled at her with two branches of wintersweet in her arms. 

Upon seeing her, she, along with Second Class Attendant Mei, curtsied in greeting. “Paying respects to Noble Consort.”

Noble Consort Hui ordered, “You may rise,” and smiled. “The wind flowed very smoothly, and carried the sound of Consort Xian and Second Class Attendant Mei’s conversation, with the unexpected sound of Second Class Attendant Mei lamenting her tragic past.” She glanced at Second Class Attendant Mei with a smile. “The proverb ‘a scholar who has been away for three days should be looked upon with new eyes’ ^[10]士别三日当刮目相看 (shì bié sān rì dāng guā mù xiāng kàn) means that people can improve or change in a short amount of time, and so after each separation, no matter how short, you should reassess them with fresh eyes rather than using preconceived notions. describes Second Class Attendant Mei perfectly.”

Second Class Attendant Mei lowered her head slightly. “Upon meeting again, Noble Consort niangniang is majestic and splendid, and her demeanor remains as charming as ever.”

Noble Consort Hui examined her with a close eye, before finally resting her eyes on those slender, scallion-like finger tips. “Very talented in speech indeed. Nanfu should have selected you as a singer. It is a pity that you were only assigned to play the pipa.

“It seems that I have not yet asked Younger Sister for her name?”

Second Class Attendant Mei did not believe that she did not already know, but still replied, “This concubine’s surname is Bai, and first name is Ruiji.” ^[11]The characters for Ruiji / 蕊姬 have the following meanings: 蕊 (ruǐ): Refers to the flower stamen or bud; 姬 (jī): An olden term to compliment a beautiful woman or used to refer to a concubine.

Noble Consort Hui’s lip curled in a sweet smile, but her eyes shone with a frigidity that was no different from that of the surrounding ice and snow. “Indeed, this is a good name—one that sounds exactly like that of someone who was born to entertain.” ^[12]The character 姬 (jī) in the Classic of Poetry – Wikipedia, Book of Han – Wikipedia, and Shiji – Wikipedia was used either as a compliment for beautiful women or as a term for a concubine, and was usually used to refer to high-ranking women. But at the latest, by the time Taiping Guangji – Wikipedia was compiled during the Song Dynasty (i.e., before the Qing Dynasty, which this story is set in), the term was used to refer to female singers/entertainers, including for male entertainment.

Second Class Attendant Mei felt a twitch between her brows, but showed no ripple of emotion across her face. “It was fate. If [this concubine] could provide the Emperor with a moment of pleasure, then that would be an unsurpassable blessing for this concubine.”

Noble Consort Hui’s smile suddenly faded, and she said coldly, “Do not think that just because you have been created a Second Class Attendant, your favor will last for long. With your pipa skills, the Emperor can only listen to it as a joke in his spare time, treating it as but the chirping of a swallow. Do you really think that you have become a singing ^[13]清啼 (qīng tí) is used to describe a bird’s call that is clear and pure. phoenix?”

Second Class Attendant Mei showed no signs of either inferiority or arrogance, and simply gave a faint smile and leisurely gazed towards the sky. “This concubine is self-aware and understands that this one’s pipa skills cannot be compared to that of Noble Consort Niangniang. [This concubine’s] beauty and appearance also cannot be compared to that of Noble Consort Niangniang. But has Niangniang ever considered why the Emperor would rather listen to this concubine’s humble and insignificant efforts than Niangniang’s consummate pipa skills?”

Noble Consort Hui’s visage turned cold, but before she was able to respond, Second Class Attendant Mei’s gaze seemed to coincidentally graze over her face before it landed on a nearby, fully blooming wintersweet tree. “Time, unforgiving as ever, spares not a single soul!”

Noble Consort Hui’s expression changed dramatically: her originally fair face blanched until it became as white as that of the collected snow on the tender branches. She staggered slightly, and the palace maids around her hurriedly moved to support her.

Ruyi noticed that the situation was not right, and immediately scolded, “Presumptuous! How dare you speak nonsense in the presence of Noble Consort and Bengong, wantonly offending your superiors?!”

Second Class Attendant Mei showed no signs of fear. Her laughter, landing in the snowy clearing, sounded as clear and crisp as that of a tinkling wind chime under the eaves. “Consort Xian Niangniang, no need to worry. ^[14]吃心 (chī xīn) here means to have an intense emotional reaction/pain or to be tormented emotionally. Niangniang is only two years older than this concubine. ^[15]TL Note: In Chapter 1.12, while the Empress and Noble Consort Hui were chatting, the Empress mentioned that Ruyi was 19 years old and that both the Empress and Noble Consort Hui were 25. How could the years be unkind to Niangniang? The person this concubine is talking about naturally understands in their heart!”

Ruyi had originally acted out of good intentions, thinking that they had both come from the auspices of the Ula Nara clan, and had wanted to help her smooth over the situation. Who knew that Ruiji would not appreciate her efforts, and would aim her remarks even more insistently at Noble Consort Hui, relentlessly and unforgivingly? ^[16]不依不饶 (bù yī bù ráo) meaning unyielding and refusing to back down or to let go. Even Ruyi, as an outsider, felt that it was impossible to recover from this situation. 

Noble Consort Hui had just managed to stand up steadily when she heard these words. Her face flushed red: clearly, she had been angered to an indescribable extent. Her eyes, as fierce as sharp swords, seemed to want to puncture two bloody holes in Second Class Attendant Mei’s young and tender face. A moment later, two words burst out from her mouth, “Slap her!” ^[17]掌嘴 (zhǎng zuǐ), literally translating to ‘slap the mouth’, refers to a punishment in which a person is slapped across the face, around the area of cheeks and lips. In palace dramas/historical fiction, this was often meant to humiliate/discipline someone for speaking out of turn/being disrespectful. 

Those words were forceful and resonant, not permitting the slightest rebuttal. 

The Chief Eunuch by Noble Consort Hui’s side, Shuncheng, rushed forward to grip Second Class Attendant Mei’s shoulder and was about to press her down. But Second Class Attendant Mei originated from Nanfu and possessed a body as soft and slender as that of a water snake. With a simple twist, she freed herself. Shuncheng was quick with his hands and feet, and this time, no longer showing the slightest bit of mercy, he brutally kicked her behind her knees. Second Class Attendant Mei gasped in pain and dropped to her knees on the snow-covered ground. 

Shuncheng was about to land a palm strike upon Second Class Attendant Mei’s face, but she refused to accept such humiliation and reprimanded, “I am a concubine personally conferred by the Emperor. How dare a slave like you humiliate me?”

Shuncheng hesitated for a moment, but his hand pressing down on Second Class Attendant Mei’s shoulder did not relax in the slightest. 

Ruyi, seeing that the situation was not good, hurriedly pleaded [for her]. “Noble Consort Niangniang, Ruiji just became a Second Class Attendant not long ago, and still does not fully understand all the proper rules and etiquette of the palace. May Noble Consort show mercy and spare her this one time.”

Noble Consort Hui smiled coldly, not acknowledging Ruyi at all, only focusing on Second Class Attendant Mei. “You yourself have just climbed up from a pile of slaves and are already looking down upon another for being a slave and unfit to touch you?

“You are a concubine personally conferred by the Emperor. Bengong is a Noble Consort personally conferred by the Emperor! With such a world of difference, ^[18]云泥之别 (yún ní zhī bié) means ‘the difference between clouds and mud’ and is used to describe the immense disparity between their statuses. that you dare to offend Bengong means that you deserve to be punished!

“Shuncheng, by Bengong’s order, harshly slap her mouth!”

The moment these words landed, a fierce strike landed upon Second Class Attendant Mei’s snow-white and tender cheek. It was clear that Shuncheng had put all his strength into the strike. Second Class Attendant Mei’s left cheek immediately swelled up, and a scarlet blood mark oozed from the corner of her mouth.

She was still unafraid, looking up and saying, “Let us not mention other people using the word ‘slave’, but Noble Consort Niangniang also came up from the ranks of baoyi slaves. How are you any different from this concubine? Who can be considered more noble than the other?”

Ever since Noble Consort Hui had her banner raised and became née Gao’jia, she hated when people brought up her Han Bannerman baoyi origins. Based on her origins, she was a head shorter than Ruyi. ^[19]矮了一截 (ǎi le yī jié) literally means ‘shorter by a segment’ but is used to describe someone/something that is clearly inferior or lacking. Here, it is talking about status. Not to mention, at this time, [this matter had been mentioned] directly in front of Ruyi. Her anger increased in intensity, so much so that she was trembling all over.

Pointing her finger at Second Class Attendant Mei, she ordered thunderously, “Shuncheng, since she cares not for life or death, then you also need not spare the slightest bit of mercy. By Bengong’s order, strike her—strike her until she learns to behave!”

Upon this order, Shuncheng put forth twelve points of effort ^[20]120%, and struck down another two times. Ruyi turned her face away, not having the heart to watch. But the smack smack sounds loudly and clearly entered her ears; she could not avoid them even if she had wanted to.

Suddenly, a sharp sound entered their ears: “Stop.”

Upon hearing the word, everyone turned around, only to see a long procession of people. At the front were four holding gilded phoenix-headed incense burners. The closely attending eunuchs held pheasant-feather fans and curved-handled five-colored Nine-Phoenix umbrellas, which were of an exceptionally eye-catching blaze of vivid color against the snowy-white background. Zhao Yitai, who served next to the Empress, walked forward and announced, “Empress Niangniang has arrived!”

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