Chu wang fei, p.8
Chu Wang Fei, page 8
Catching her glance, Yun Yan’s face darkened. Her teeth biting on her lower lip, both of her hands that were pinching a handkerchief under her sleeves had firmly formed into fists……
Seeing that Yun Yan didn’t dare to speak out eventhough she was angry, Su Qing smiled coldly and continued speaking, “Moreover, even if Yun Yan is a xiaojie of the xiangfu, Liu yiniang‘s status is too low. Yun Yan also doesn’t stand out from the other upper-class young ladies in the capital, so I’m afraid that the younger generation of those noble clans won’t have interest to propose! So why not marry her to butler Zhao’s son? In the future, as family, butler Zhao will pour in even more effort when working for laoye!”
Her words sounded fair and reasonable while also presenting Su Qing as virtuous and generous, completely giving others the impression that she was the Missus in charge!
However, Su Qing‘s reasoning was not gapless……
Yun Qian Meng coldly looked at Yun Xuan Zhi who was now, just after a raging temper, calm and tranquil. Her lips curled into a bland smile and, fixing her eyes that looked as deep as a pond directly at Su Qing‘s excessively virtuous expression, she slowly said, “Su yiniang‘s words are confusing! Talking about age, Ruo Xue meimei has yet to be engaged, so when did it become san meimei‘s turn? Besides, Su yiniang‘s status in the xiangfu can’t be considered particularly noble either. So, based on your reasoning, Ruo Xue meimei who is also a shu daughter should also be married to butler Zhao’s son! Father, Meng’er is untalented, can’t understand Su yiniang‘s meaning!”
Yun Qian Meng words were like a slap in the face to Su Qing, both her and Yun Ruo Xue‘s expressions turned ugly!
Yet, Yun Ruo Xue‘s eyes hid an ominous glint. Wearing a cold smile, she retorted with an enigmatic air, “What are you saying, jiejie? Don’t forget, jiejie is now a person rejected by your fiancée! In this life, fancying the families of lords and officials can only be your own wishful thinking! Wouldn’t if be better if jiejie took Yun Yan’s place to marry butler Zhao’s son?!”
Finishing, as if taking joy in the other’s misfortune, the mother and daughter jeered at Yun Qian Meng. Mu Chun and others looked at the family’s young miss with concern, feeling detested by the malicious pair. Going so far as to joke about the most important thing in a girl’s life, if this was spread outside, it would damage the young miss’s reputation!
But Yun Qian Meng was too calm, causing Su Qing and Yun Ruo Xue‘s hearts, who were inwardly mocking her, to beat like a drum. As neither of them made any moves, Yun Qian Meng lightly opened her red lips, dully saying, “Don’t tell me, Su yiniang and er mei didn’t know that even father himself can’t make a decision regarding my marriage affairs! Furthermore, what is my identity, and what is er mei‘s identity? If the way you disrespect your di sister was known to outsiders, then no one in the capital would venture to seek er mei‘s hand in marriage!”
With her justification, even Yun Xuan Zhi who had planned to side with Yun Ruo Xue, could only inwardly glare at his blabbermouthed second daughter. He was just going to help her explain, but was unprepared for Yun Qian Meng‘s speed……
“Besides, what is father’s identity? Even a shu daughter has more more than enough status to become the legitimate wife of any number of lower-ranked officials! Father cannot, just to curry favor in the inner chamber, sacrifice the future happiness of san meimei! Look carefully at the so-called influential families in West Chu Guo, how many of them are connected by marriage? Father can’t not understand this principle, right?!” Yun Qian Meng‘s speech seemed obscure, but was in fact very alarming, momentarily awakened Yun Xuan Zhi!
Yun Xuan Zhi leaned over and sized up Yun Yan once more. He only found that his little daughter, although falling short of the dignified air of his oldest, had still become a rare elegant beauty. Besides, he only had these three daughters. If he didn’t make use of them well, then he might not be able to garner the support he needed in the future as easily!
Thinking this way, Yun Xuan Zhi‘s expression gradually turned heavy. His fierce eyes shot a penetrating glare at butler Zhao when he decided, “Butler Zhao, you shouldn’t daydream about this kind of thing! Properly take care of the yiniang and xiaojie, just manage your own tasks properly!”
Butler Zhao heard Yun Xuan Zhi utter this and knew in his heart that Yun Qian Meng‘s meddling had turned this matter into a lost cause. He could only swallow his hatred towards her and quietly answered, “Yes!”
Yun Yan and Liu yiniang couldn’t believe their ears. They didn’t think that Yun Qian Meng could repel Su Qing‘s attacks with only a few words, and easily changed Yun Xuan Zhi‘s way of thinking. Their eyes that were looking towards her momentarily filled with gratefulness……
Yet Su Qing and Yun Ruo Xue‘s expressions were very ugly. Su Qing had been in charge for so long, her words were already similar to an imperial edict within the xiangfu. She could not accept being overruled by Yun Qian Meng today; but because of Yun Xuan Zhi‘s judgement and verdict, she could only give up. Forcibly smiling to bow to Yun Xuan Zhi, she expressionlessly brought Yun Ruo Xue to return to the inner courtyard……
“Su yiniang, please wait!” Only, Yun Qian Meng pursued and didn’t let her leave, suddenly speaking to stop her exit……
Chapter 15: Taking away Su Qing's power | Chu Wang Fei
Glossary
妹妹 meimei – little sister, younger sister; can be added to names to show affection
姐姐 jiejie – elder sister, big sister; can be added to names to show respect or a close relationship
小姐 xiaojie – young miss; usually from a good family, but can be used to refer to any young girl
主子 zhuzi – the masters of the household;
姨娘 yiniang – concubine, not the legitimate wife; added to the end of the maternal name to show their (lower) status compared to the wife
奴才 nucai – slave servant
老爷 laoye, 相爷 xiangye – old master, master; the head of the house
(TL Note: Sorry, but I probably won’t be able to release more than one chapter every day this week…… 😖)
Su Qing didn’t expect that Yun Qian Meng would suddenly speak, her steps became somewhat disorderly. Calming down and fixing her expression, she turned with face full of smiles and warmly said, “Don’t know if da xiaojie needs anything?”
Su Qing had now experienced Yun Qian Meng‘s ability to quibble about the smallest matters. As a result, she paid increased attention to follow proper etiquette, not allowing Yun Qian Meng to find the slightest fault.
Yun Qian Meng saw that she was forcibly reeling in her anger, even pretending to smile. Without batting an eyelid, she asked with a mild smile, “Su yiniang and Ruo Xue meimei should still be under curfew. Why were you able to come and go as you please?”
Finishing, Yun Qian Meng quietly stood at her original spot and turned her doubtful eyes at Yun Xuan Zhi, appearing very confused!
Hearing Yun Qian Meng purposely call attention to this matter, Yun Ruo Xue‘s face flushed red and, ignoring Su Qing‘s efforts to restrain her, fiercely glared at Yun Qian Meng. Unable to suppress her voice, she howled, “Yun Qian Meng! You……”
“Ruo Xue, watch your manners!” Glancing at Yun Qian Meng‘s lips which had gradually curled into a sarcastic smile, Yun Xuan Zhi momentarily furrowed his eyebrows then immediately scolded Yun Ruo Xue sternly, frightening all the servants in the drawing room into lowering their heads one after another!
Su Qing felt that things were not looking good and noticed that Yun Qian Meng hid a slight disdain in her eyes. She secretly stuck out her right foot and ruthlessly kicked at the advancing Yun Ruo Xue‘s calves……
“Ruo Xue, how can you speak like that? Da xiaojie only said the facts, why did you get angry? Hurry up and apologize, don’t cause problems for your daddy!” Finishing, Su Qing smiled at Yun Xuan Zhi then said gently, “Laoye, Ruo Xue is still immature. Moreover the sisters are accustomed to being intimate with each other so she accidentally acted impolitely. You also don’t need to lower yourself to argue with a child!”
Her words were pretty; simultaneously pointing out that Yun Qian Meng was purposely making things difficult for Yun Xuan Zhi, while mentioning that Yun Ruo Xue‘s actions were completely unintentional!
Yun Ruo Xue who was suddenly kicked by her own mother, immediately felt the pain on her calf and regained her rationality. Seeing Yun Xuan Zhi glare at her furiously, her heart tightened as she drooped her eyebrows and answered in an acquiescent manner, “Nü’er forgot her manners, daddy and dajie please don’t take it to heart!”
Yun Qian Meng coldly watched the mother and daughter perform their play, her sharp eyes were able to notice that although Yun Ruo Xue‘s mouth was apologetic, the hands hidden under her sleeves were gripping tightly on a silk handkerchief. Her heart immediately filled with understanding as the corners of her smile raised even higher!
When Yun Xuan Zhi saw his favorite daughter apologize, his tone also softened. Seeing Yun Qian Meng calmly standing within the drawing room, he spoke with pretention, “Don’t forget your manners in the future! The lax behavior in the houyuan shouldn’t be brought out in important occasions!”
At his words, Yun Ruo Xue‘s heavily repressed anger flared up. Her face full of unwillingness, she could only glare at Yun Qian Meng who had maintained her calm from start to finish.
Yun Qian Meng received her angry gaze, then followed along his lines to say, “Father is right! However, Su yiniang and Ruo Xue as part of the xiangfu‘s zhuzi, failed to present a good example to others. If everyone else started to treat father’s words as decoration, then wouldn’t the xiangfu be a mess?”
Did Yun Qian Meng really not catch the meaning between his lines?
On the surface, he was reproaching Yun Ruo Xue, but in actual fact, he was siding with his very same second daughter! He had even indirectly acknowledged Su Qing‘s explanation!
But Yun Xuan Zhi didn’t expect his eldest daughter to keep biting without letting go. In particular, there were currently many servants in the drawing room. If all of them started to imitate their example, then the xiangfu would be hard to manage in the future. Even his own prestige would also be affected!
Thinking so, Yun Xuan Zhi heart felt some feelings of blame towards Su Qing and Yun Ruo Xue. They obviously knew that Yun Qian Meng was now different from the past, yet they still went to cause trouble for themselves. Under the presence of so many watchful eyes, even if he had it in his heart to help them, it was still impossible!”
After lowering head and shortly muttering to himself, Yun Xuan Zhi under Yun Qian Meng‘s mild smiling look, heavily announced, “Su yiniang will be confined to her quarters for half a month, Yun Ruo Xue will be similarly punished for twenty days!”
Hearing this, Su Qing and Yun Ruo Xue lifted their heads at the same time. Only, Yun Xuan Zhi didn’t have a good expression right now, his eyes full of reproach. Su Qing immediately understood that Yun Qian Meng was straining the feelings between her and Yun Xuan Zhi!
But Yun Ruo Xue at her side had already forgotten her earlier lesson and just wanted to step forward and argue with Yun Qian Meng, but was deftly pulled back by the sharp-sighted Su Qing. The hall momentarily resounded with Su Qing‘s deferential voice, “Laoye is right, nubi‘s teachings are unsatisfactory and will pay more attention in the future!”
Finishing, she wanted to pull away the unresigned Yun Ruo Xue and leave, only to see that Yun Qian Meng had something to say. She appeared somewhat conflicted as she walked to Su Qing‘s side and seeming very unwilling, said, “Father, just a few days of Su yiniang‘s confinement and the xiangfu has already become this wild. Wouldn’t it be better for father to select someone else to temporarily fill in for Su yiniang at managing the household affairs?”
Hearing Yun Qian Meng had finally revealed her purpose, Su Qing‘s leaving figure paused. She immediately turned around and expressed her disagreement, “What is da xiaojie saying?! Managing the affairs of the xiangfu is nubi‘s duty! Besides, you can’t find anyone else that is qualified for the task within the fu! We can’t place the burden on da xiaojie, after all, da xiaojie still needs to get married!”
Her words hid the meaning that Yun Qian Meng would one day, be of her husband’s family. Letting someone outside the household manage the domestic affairs of their maternal home was actually really inappropriate!
And Yun Xuan Zhi clearly understood her implied meaning and looked at Yun Qian Meng with an added layer of fierceness and suspicion!
However, Yun Qian Meng just smiled as her delicate hands gestured towards Liu yiniang by her side. She said unhurriedly, “Father must have forgotten that we still have Liu yiniang! Liu yiniang is part of the xiangfu, and also part of the zhuzi. Her status and position is equal to Su yiniang, trust that she is qualified and capable! Nü’er has grown tired of eating the dishes on the table. Father can’t possibly have the heart to, just because no one is in charge in the fu, let nü’er suffer injustice?”
While she was speaking, her fingers had changed direction. Everyone’s gaze was drawn towards the dining table, only to find that the large table only held a few meager dishes. It was likely that the lowest servants in the xiangfu dined with even more luxury than this!
Seeing that Yun Qian Meng was backing them into a corner, Su Qing‘s eyes became fierce. She instantaneously shot butler Zhao a meaningful glance……
Butler Zhao had been suppressing his stomach full of anger towards Yun Qian Meng. Noticing Su Qing‘s prompt, he immediately spoke in terror, “Laoye, it must be because the kitchen staff is too busy that they lost their heads, messing up on the meal! In all likelihood, da xiaojie‘s food must still be in the kitchen, nucai will later bring people to tie up the kitchen staff that goofed off and have them apologize to the xiaojie!”
Yun Qian Meng observed both of their interactions and then coldly said, “Butler Zhao, you can be considered a guilty party, do you think your words would be able to convince father? Let me ask you, when is the monthly allowance in the fu given out?”
Su Qing and butler Zhao had already compared their notes regarding this matter. Hearing this question, he visibly relaxed and immediately recited his prepared response, “Answering da xiaojie, the third day every month! Only, money is in short supply within the fu this month, so it has been delayed for a few days!”
Listening to his explanation, Yun Qian Meng sternly said, “Butler Zhao, quickly kneel down! If a situation has occurred concerning the financial affairs of the fu, why haven’t you quickly informed father about it? Tell me, what use is a person who deceitfully conceals information from others in the fu? Speak! Is it because you coveted the spending money of the fu?”
Having such a large accusation dropped on his head, butler Zhao trembled from head to toe and kneeled down on the floor with a resounding plop, and kowtowed non-stop towards Yun Xuan Zhi, “Laoye, please investigate clearly, nucai absolutely doesn’t dare to use the money that belongs to the fu!”
As for Su Qing, was also momentarily shocked into a blank stare by Yun Qian Meng‘s shrewd response and her ability to entrap others with their words. She only remained at her spot with a deathly white expression……
Yun Xuan Zhi‘s face was now completely ashen. Seeing the look on their faces, his heart had already started to believe Yun Qian Meng‘s words. Filled with disappointment, he decided, “Qing’er, you should just properly rest in your quarters for the next few days, the other things will be handled by Liu yiniang then!”
Hearing this, Su Qing staggered and almost fell onto the floor in a sitting position……
Chapter 16: Relatives from Fu Guo Gong Fu | Chu Wang Fei
Glossary
王府 wangfu – prince’s estate, palace; not the imperial palace
外甥女 wai shengnü – niece; sister-in-law’s daughter
舅母 jiumu – aunt; wife of mother’s brother
外祖母 wai zumu – maternal grandmother; mother’s mother
氏 shi – maiden name, clan name; used to refer to the original surname after married in
嫡 di – related to the first wife, the children born of the first wife have higher standing
丫头 yatou – usually referring to a servant girl; can also mean girl, latter usually used as a form of endearment
夫人 furen – legitimate wife; would be added to the surname of the household as a form of address; usage is similar to the English “Missus”
小姐 xiaojie – young miss; usually from a good family, but can be used to refer to any young girl
主子 zhuzi – the masters of the household;
姨娘 yiniang – concubine, not the legitimate wife; added to the end of the maternal name to show their (lower) status compared to the wife
(TL Note: Sorry about the late release, still busy…… 😖)
Perhaps Yun Xuan Zhi‘s rage was really too effective; for the next few days, every courtyard seemed to live together in harmony. With less people causing problems for one another, the xiangfu quieted down a lot……
However, these few days, Yun Qian Meng, from hearing Mu Chun‘s incessant grumbling, felt that her ears were growing calluses……
“Mu Chun, if there’s something you don’t understand, just speak up about it!” Noticing that she had been moody for a few days, Yun Qian Meng lightly patted some loose soil with her bare hands and casually started to talk.
Mu Chun quickly held out her hands and used a teacup to water the just planted seeds. But her small mouth still didn’t take a break from jabbering on and on, as she, somewhat puzzled, asked, “Xiaojie, you are born di. After furen passed away, letting you take charge of the affairs of the xiangfu is both reasonable and fair, so why did you yield to Liu yiniang?”
Mu Chun wasted her breath for half a day, only to lift her head and see Yun Qian Meng pay undivided attention to the seedling in her hands, a faint smile never leaving her lips. For a moment, Mu Chun felt somewhat deflated; her big and round eyes looked around. Seeing no outsiders, she lowered her voice to say, “Nubi heard, Hai wangfu‘s Tian junzhu had taken over half the wangfu!”
