Chu Wang Fei chapter 61 Chicken won’t always lose to rice

From now on Emperor Yu Qian is Yu Qian Di.

Everyone followed Chu wang and Qu Ling Ao. They didn’t use a sedan and entered Lao Tai Jun’s Rui Lin yuan. Just when Qu Ling Ao was about to guide Chu wang inside, Chu wang suddenly slowed his pace. The straight back just now, was now a little bend. And while he was walking, he coughed a few times. With a slightly weak voice, he slowly said to Qu Ling Ao: “I’m already old and useless. After walking a few steps, I’m already panting like this. Really not as good as you youngsters, ah.”

Qu Ling Ao felt that it was funny seeing Chu wang like this. But on the surface, he was still treating him respectfully. He followed Chu wang’s words and said: “Wangye is old, but healthy and strong. In the past, wangye and our ancestors fought alongside each other. Your name is spread far and wide. We, the younger ones also admire wangye extremely. Without wangye fighting in bloody wars, where will the younger generation have a stable life?”

Chu wang saw that Qu Ling Ao was speaking so sincere and pleasing to the ears, he nodded in satisfaction. But he didn’t change his weak expression and coughed a few times. Then he pointed at the yard and said: “Let’s enter quickly. Don’t let the emperor and Lao Tai Jun wait too long.”

Qu Ling Ao immediately nodded and personally escorted Chu wang inside. Although the rest of the people had entered the yard, but because they haven’t been summoned yet to enter the main hall, they stayed outside.

Chu wang’s cough has long entered the main room. The people inside were waiting for his arrival. Yu Qian Di also already ordered people to prepare a soft seat.

“This old subject…cough, cough…this old subject greets the emperor…cough, cough…”

The moment, he entered the main room, Chu wang hastily bowed to Yu Qian Di. It was just that his cough was worse than just now. A sentence needed to be said several times before it was finished. Within the sentence the gasps were very heavy, like he couldn’t breathe.

Yu Qian Di saw that Chu wang was quivering and wanted to bow to him, immediately came down from his seat and personally helped Chu wang straighten up. He sincerely said: “Chu wang doesn’t need to be like this. When the emperor father was still alive, he permitted you to not do the bow ceremony. How can you bow to zhen? Moreover, seeing Chu wang coughing like this now, is there any discomfort with the body? Do you need for zhen to call the imperial physician for you?”

• 朕 (zhèn): I, used by the emperor.

Chu wang has been held by Yu Qian Di and couldn’t bow. But the bow ceremony between a higher one and a lower one was indispensable. So, he shook his head and continued to kneel down and finished the bow ceremony. Then, he let Qu Ling Ao help him stand up. Full of emotions, he said: “Thank…emperor for your care. This old subject…this old subject is getting old…in the past I was injured in the war…although it’s spring now…but the air is still chill….all these illnesses came with the winter…they are already old troubles…shouldn’t have bothered the emperor for remembering them.”

While talking, Chu wang began to cough again. He lifted his trembling left hand and took a silk gray handkerchief from his right sleeve. He looked somewhat sorry at the crowd, covered his mouth and began to cough severely.

“Is wangye really alright? Aijia still thinks that we should send someone to get the imperial physician to check the pulse. With that bengong and the emperor can also rest assured. After all, Chu wang made major contributions to Xi Chu. How can we let a hero have an illness and not cure it?”

• 哀家 (Āi jiā): I, used by the empress dowager
• 本宫(běn gōng): I, used by the females from the imperial family

The empress dowager saw that Chu wang coughed till his face was red, she said that with a worried voice.

Forget it if she didn’t say. Once, she spoke, Chu wang stood up from the soft seat. With trembling hands and shaking white beard, he said: “This old subject thanks the empress dowager for your kindness…it’s just…they are some normal illnesses…they don’t matter…don’t need to trouble the imperial physician.”

While talking, Chu wang looked at Gu Lao Tai Jun whose birthday it was today. He said congratulating: “Old little sister, ah…we haven’t seen each other for quite a while…today is your good day…I, this old big brother has come to ask for a cup of wine…asking little sister to not take offense, ah.”

How could Lao Tai Jun take offense? Although at this birthday, she saw some people whom she didn’t like, but Chen Lao Tai Jun and Chu wang’s appearance made Gu Lao Tai Jun extremely happy. Thinking about how Fu Guo Gong Fu fought together with the previous emperor to establish this country and also had a sort of friendship with Chu wang, but after that matter happened, Chu wang no longer bothered with the political affairs and concentrated on being an idle wangye. He closed all his doors and didn’t receive guests, which made him alienate from the other great families in Jingdu. Today, he came to celebrate her birthday. Lao Tai Jun naturally felt very joyful. Seeing that Chu wang was being bothered by old illness, Lao Tai Jun also felt a bit sad. Remembering all the brothers and sister with whom she went through thick and thin were now gradually becoming fewer and fewer, how can she not feel emotional?

“Old big brother, ah. Today, even with such a body, you came to celebrate with little sister. I couldn’t be happier. We didn’t see each other for so many years. You actually still remember little sister’s birthday. You really do care about the past feelings and friendship. But you still have to pay attention to your own body. Don’t be brave and delay the healing time, ah!”

Lao Tai Jun got emotional for a moment. Just listening to her voice, the concern for Chu wang was real.

Jiang Lao Tai Jun who was also present also nodded and advised: “What Lao Tai Jun said is right. Wangye should let the imperial physician check your pulse. You’re our Xi Chu’s hero, ah. With you here, those ambitious foreigners will feel fear and it can also let our emperor sit back and relax a bit.”

Jiang Lao Tai Jun’s words were really justified. Pointing out Chu wang’s contributions to Xi Chu, but also letting Chu wang understand that the emperor was at ease with him and also at the same time reminding Chu wang that he must not have a second heart.

But her words only got Chu wang to cough more severely. At this moment, his right hand was covering his chest. He looked like he was really in pain.

Qu Ling Ao seeing that, immediately took the tea from the maid and personally delivered it to Chu wang. The other hand was stroking Chu wang’s back to let him breathe more comfortably.

Chu wang drank a few gulps with difficulty. He waved at Qu Ling Ao to let him stop and to let him walk away. He took a breath before saying: “Emperor also saw, this broken body of this old subject, even if I want to serve the country, I’m afraid that I don’t have that chance anymore. I also don’t know how many suns I’ll still be able to see. But this matter really lets me be a ridicule in front of emperor and empress dowager.”

Yu Qian Di saw that he was so humble, immediately called eunuch Liu. He said: “Go take out that two wild ginsengs from Zhang Bai Mountain that the tribute has send last from the warehouse and send them to Chu wangfu to let Chu wang nurse his body.

• Wangfu: residence of a wangye

When Chu wang heard that, his face immediately showed that he was moved. He didn’t care that the emperor and empress dowager were trying to stop him, he stood up and bowed.

The empress dowager saw that Chu wang was so punctilious and also saw that his cough really was not light, so she changed the subject and also to let him rest for a moment. She looked at Qu Ling Ao and asked: “Second brother, didn’t we ask you to bring Meng er in? Has she arrived?”

Qu Ling Ao was so focused on serving Chu wang, that he inadvertently neglected Yun Qian Meng for a moment. At this time, the empress dowager asked, so he smiled: “Chen wang, prime minister Chu and Yun Qian Meng are all waiting outside. Emperor, empress dowager, should they be summoned together?”

Yu Qian Di looked at the empress dowager once. The empress dowager smiled faintly at him. He said: “Let them all come in. Today is a family feast. There aren’t that many rules and also let the people be more relaxed. Don’t put the etiquettes of normal day so high.”

Qu Ling Ao heard the emperor saying that, he respectfully bowed and went out. Not long after, the few people followed him inside.

Although, Yu Qian Di say that they should relax a bit, but who would really dare to relax a bit? What if this was seen by a person with schemes? In the future if someone made something out of it, wouldn’t that be self-defeating?

The few people approached and respectfully bowed. Then, they stood next to their family according to their status.

Chen wang went to Ling Lao Tai Jun’s side. Naturally, Yun Qian Meng has been pulled by Gu Lao Tai Jun to her side to sit down. Yun Xuan Zhi stood alone at one side. Chu Fei Yang went to stand next to Chu wang.

Yu Qian Di saw that Chu Fei Yang arrived, he inevitable nagged: “Beloved official Chu, you should take good care of Chu wang. Zhen saw Chu wang’s body like that, really let zhen not be at ease.”

Chu Fei Yang looked down at Chu wang who was coughing nonstop. A trace of frustration flashed in those half-lowered eyes. He reached out his large hand and patted Chu wang’s back with great strength. He said with concern: “Today, grandfather must’ve caught the cold. If the body is really not well, in the future it’s better to not leave Chu wangfu.”

Originally, Chu wang’s face was already red. At this moment being patted so hard by Chu Fei Yang,  one would be afraid that blood would come out of that old face.

Seeing that his own grandchild wanted to make it difficult for him, he immediately raised his head to look at Chu Fei Yang. From the corner where no one could see, he glared at Chu Fei Yang, but his mouth was full of appreciation: “This grandson doesn’t need to worry about grandfather’s body. You should just lessen the burden for the emperor and serve him loyally. That will be grandfather’s blessing. As for grandfather, the person is already old; the bones are of course not as good as in the past. Breathing in fresh air is the way to longevity, ah.”

The words just left, Chu Nan Shan only felt that the strength on his back increased. The pat almost made his entire body flew forward. In his heart, he was cursing Chu Fei Yang for not knowing how to respect the old.

Qu Ling Ao who was at a side, saw all of this. Although, he felt it was funny how this pair of grandfather and grandchild got along with each other, but he also didn’t have the heart to let Chu Nan Shan being bullied by Chu Fei Yang. So, he went forward and said softly: “Let the maid serve wangye. Prime minister Chu, please sit down.”

Chu Fei Yang also looked with satisfaction at Chu wang who at this time was coughing so much that he couldn’t speak. He retrieved his hand and sat on a seat next to Chu Nan Shan.

Until this moment, did the empress dowager had the space to ask Yun Qian Meng: “What happened in the front yard just now? I heard eunuch Qu report that a lady from an official family has fallen into water and that minister of justice suspects that you did it. He even has witness and evidence. Meng er, bengong saw you growing up, of course bengong believes you. But if you really did it, then bengong will not tolerate it. If someone wronged you, bengong and emperor will help you.”

When Yun Qian Meng heard the empress dowager mentioning this, immediately got up and went in the middle of the room. She knelt in front of the people who were sitting in the highest seats. With a voice full of grievances but stubborn, she said: “Emperor, empress dowager, please see clearly. This daughter subject has analyzed the whole matter for that sir Su just now, but that sir Su and madam Su has wronged this daughter subject. What’s more, they let that daughter of the vice minister of justice insult this daughter subject’s mother! Empress dowager, emperor, this daughter subject has been wronged and can’t swallow this matter. Not to mention that my own mother has been insulted in public. Asking empress dowager and emperor to deal with this matter fairly and give this daughter subject and my mother an answer.

While speaking, Yun Qian Meng knocked her head three times on the floor at the empress dowager and Yu Qian Di.

When the people in the room heard those words from Yun Qian Meng, they all looked at her. At this moment, her eyes were red. They contained tears that were stubbornly refusing to fall down. They circled in her eyes. At this time, her lips trembled. It was visible how great of injustice she has received, making the people watching feel bad.

After Gu Lao Tai Jun and Qu Ling Ao heard Yun Qian Meng’s report, their expressions turned colder. The two people looked coldly at Yun Xuan Zhi.

“Miss Yun should forgive and forget. Just now in the front yard, that sir Su also clarified that it has been entirely a misunderstanding. Why is Miss Yun aggressively forcing people?”

At this time, Jiang Mu Chen, who has been silent, opened his mouth to speak up for Su Yuan. At the same time that he spoke, he looked at Chu Fei Yang, who was sitting opposite of him. That pair of cold eyes was full of provocations.

Chu Fei Yang received the declaration of war from the other party, but didn’t rush to go at war. Instead, he put all his focus on Yun Qian Meng. The smiling eyes were full of expectations.

At this time, Hai Tian who was also inside the main room saw Jiang Mu Chen making things difficult for Yun Qian Meng. She frowned without being seen. Then, seeing that Chu Fei Yang was looking at Yun Qian Meng, she felt worse in her heart. That pair of eyes shot fires like swords at Yun Qian Meng. Really scary.

Yun Qian Meng naturally felt the different kind of gazes on her, waiting for her to make a fool out of herself. Also, Chen wang who was blindly forcing her was making her furious. She felt more injustice for the deceased Yun Qian Meng.

The tears in her eyes faded instantly. Her eyes looked coldly at Chen wang’s cold eyes. With a really cold voice, she said: “Wangye was also present just now. Didn’t wangye see the Su couple forcing this daughter subject with every step? Wangye also knows that this little girl is cowardly and timid. I will certainly not take the initiative to start something. But this is this daughter subject’s bottom line. They shouldn’t joke with this daughter subject’s family. Mother died after giving birth to this daughter subject. Do you know how honorable mother is in this daughter subject’s heart? Without mother exchanging a life for a life, where would there be the chance for this daughter subject to survive? If today, mother is still alive, this daughter subject will certainly have a mother to protect this daughter subject. Why would I then be injured by words? Why would I suffer the abuse and ridicule from people? How can this daughter subject tolerate others humiliating my already deceased mother in public? Even if I need to give up my life, this daughter subject will not let mother’s reputation suffer. Wangye has always been mighty in Xi Chu, why is it that you are so unfair on this matter?”

Those words of Yun Qian Meng were really daring. Moreover, today, Han Guo Gong Fu’s Lin Lao Tai Jun was also present. She was actually pointing at Chen wang’s nose and questioning him, making that Lin Lao Tai Jun’s eyes turn darker. Her expression was as dark as it could be. That pair of eyes glared at Yun Qian Meng with strength, but Yun Qian Meng wasn’t afraid. Even if she got into a mess because of her words, others would only say that she was eager to protect her mother. Who would blame this child who since she was a baby didn’t have a mother but still had her mother in her heart?

While talking like that, everything was Chen wang’s fault. Even that Rong clan’s Chen Lao Tai Jun couldn’t help but say: “Pity this child’s filial piety. Unfortunately, Qu family’s second Miss didn’t see Miss Yun grow up, otherwise, she would certainly be very happy.”

Chen Lao Tai Jun was an extremely intelligent person. She was very clear about what to say, what not to say and when to say what.

At this time, she said those words. It immediately made the empress dowager, Gu Lao Tai Jun, Qu Ling Ao and Yun Xuan Zhi’s expressions change colors.

One needed to know, that her words just now, when mentioning Qu Ruo Li, she used ‘Qu family’s second Miss’s and not ‘madam Yun’.

It was obvious that she was reminding everyone present that today the one who got insulted was a descendant of Qu family and not Yun family’s daughter-in-law. Those people were standing on Fu Guo Gong Fu and they actually dared to be so arrogant. They simply didn’t put the empress dowager in their eyes. It could be regarded as disrespectful and it was blatantly going against Yu Qian Di who has always shown filial piety. It was a provocation to the power of the emperor. If these unruly people didn’t get punished, presumably , in the future these people would seek refuge with outsiders and commit treason.

Of course, these words were a bit too serious, but the imperial family has always taken the power of the emperor really serious. Naturally they couldn’t tolerate people who were brazenly challenging the emperor’s power.

Not surprisingly, when Chen Lao Tai Jun’s words fell down, the rest of the people’s eyes in the room looked at the people who were sitting in the highest seats.

Yu Qian Di looked at the empress dowager with a bad expression and said while smiling faintly: “Empress mother, Miss Yun is sad because of this matter. You also can’t afford to harm your body, otherwise, it would be zhen’s fault.”

When the empress dowager saw that Yu Qian Di was so filial, her expression slightly eased up. She patted Yun Qian Di’s hand and said slightly emotional: “Emperor, your biological mother, consort Ruan of kindness also died because of childbirth. It’s similar to Meng er’s. How can empress mother not be sad? However, empress mother is naturally very pleased that you and all the people showed filial piety to empress mother. Actually, I don’t know that the daughter of the vice minister of justice who grew up with both parents would be so vicious. At such a young age, she actually was being like that towards another. Such a misconduct woman. If she is not properly punished, in the future won’t all the Misses from the good families and from the commoners, one learning from the other? By then, where will Xi Chu still has the face to claim to be a nation with etiquettes? Doesn’t this mean to let those barbarians laugh at us?”

The empress dowager’s voice was light while speaking with a trace of anger. The dignity exuding from her body made even Yu Qian Di turn solemn. He swept his gaze coldly over Yun Xuan Zhi once. Then he said in a high voice: “Summon the minister of justice, the vice minister of justice and Miss Xing!”

After those words fell, the people knew that these three would have bad luck.

The eunuch who was standing outside heard Yu Qian Di’s voice, quickly turned to go bring the edict over to those three.

Yun Xuan Zhi who has been glared once by Yu Qian Di, he who originally wanted to say some good words for Su Yuan disappeared. He was thinking how he should protect himself, to not get dragged into this matter. Thinking like that, Yun Xuan Zhi couldn’t help but look at Yun Qian Meng, blaming her for making a fuss out of nothing.

Qu Ruo Li has already passed away for so many years, what did it matter if someone said some thing? Making a fuss out of nothing, magnifying little things. Especially making the empress dowager and Yu Qian Di angry. He was afraid that this matter wouldn’t be settled.

Yun Xuan Zhi was full of anger but without a place to vent. That pair of eyes full of anger glared at Yun Qian Meng to remind her to not force people so aggressively in the future.

At this time, Yun Qian Meng also set her sights on him. That pair of stubborn eyes contained tears that refused to fall. It also revealed the disappointment in him and it also seemed to accuse him of being heartless. It made Yun Xuan Zhi’s heart tremble and he didn’t dare to look face to face at Yun Qian Meng.

The inner room was temporarily quiet. It was so quiet that even if a needle fell down, it could be heard. Moreover, everyone had a calm expression, making the quietness in the room feel a bit strange.

A short moment later, from the door came the eunuch who went to summon the three people. Yu Qian Di’s eyes turned serious. He said with a cold voice: “Let them come in. Could it be that zhen personally needs to go invite them?”

That rhetorical question explained to all the people how the mood of the emperor was now. It also made people understand that the relation between the empress dowager and the emperor was deep and to let those who look down at Fu Guo Gong Fu to open their eyes and look lest their dog eyes suddenly turn blind one day and bark disorderly.

Shortly after, the three respectfully walked into the room. Seeing everyone’s solemn expression and also seeing Yun Qian Meng kneeling in front of Yu Qian Di and the empress dowager, the three people’s hearts were calling ‘this is bad’. They feared that Yun Qian Meng really went to report and blamed them.

Su Yuan’s heart suddenly became bottomless. He immediately knelt down with the two others next to Yun Qian Meng and bowed to Yu Qian Di.

“Minister of justice, did you wrong Miss Yun today?”

Yu Qian Di saw that those people arrived, he immediately questioned.

It was just that Yu Qian Di didn’t ask course of the matter, but directly asked this one sentence. It seemed that in Yu Qian Di’s heart, he had long determined that Su Yuan wronged Yun Qian Meng.

Su Yuan has been an official for so long, how could he not hear the meaning behind Yu Qian Di’s words? Although, his heart was trembling, but he knocked his head respectfully in front of Yu Qian Di. The whole body was on the ground. His voice was full of pain: “Emperor, it is this subject who was careless for a moment and wronged Miss Yun! However, asking emperor to commemorate that this subject is showing deep affection towards my children and forgive this subject this one time.”

Hearing that, Yun Qian Meng sneered in her heart. Really a good sentence ‘showing affection towards my children’. This Su Yuan was really cunning. He put every fault on this insignificant sentence and melted the charge against him about wronging an official’s daughter. But how could she let him do so?

Yun Qian Meng followed and knocked her head once on the floor at Yu Qian Di. Then she straightened up, looked at Su Yuan and coldly said: “Just now sir Su put a really big official authority and wanted to take this daughter subject in front of all those madams and Misses to the prison to question. But at this time, sir Su is now admitting that you were careless? Such contrast, how can sir Su let people be convinced about your character?”

When Yun Qian Meng opened her mouth, she put the seriousness of the matter at the front and also didn’t tolerate Su Yuan searching for more excuses to shed off his sin.

“Miss Yun is yet saying that you aren’t aggressively forcing people. Sir Su apparently admitted is mistake, but Miss Yun seems to be grabbing this matter without letting go.”

At this time, Jiang Mu Chen opened his mouth. His eyes absent-mindedly glanced at Chu Fei Yang. Then, he looked at Yu Qian Di and finished speaking those words.

“Cough, cough…cough, cough…”

At this time, Chu wang began coughing again.

Chu Fei Yang saw that and reached out his hand again to pat his back for him. Chu wang dodged without being seen. Then a little sentimental, he said: “Emperor, empress dowager, a child without mother is really pitiful, ah. Our Fei Yang also didn’t have a mother from an early age. His father is also busy with work. Pity this child to be raised around this old man and until now he hasn’t even gotten married. In the future, after this old man has passed, with what face should I go see Chu family’s ancestors, ah?”

Nobody thought that Chu wang would open his mouth at this moment. Those common words also didn’t feel right. At this moment, they felt that it was interesting. Each person sat back and watched how this case will be settled.

Because Chu wang has opened his mouth, Chu Fei Yang frowned. In his heart, he was scolding his grandfather for always putting the matter about him not being married yet in the open. If he really felt that wangfu was lifeless, why should he always look at his grandson? It would be better for him to put down his heart and to make plans for himself.

Chu wang seemed to have felt Chu Fei Yang’s mind. That pair of hands full of calluses pressed on Chu Fei Yang’s hand at this time. He looked at Chu Fei Yang with eyes full of affection. He wanted to open his mouth to speak but he began to cough endlessly.

But, Chu wang’s words were the same as Chen Lao Tai Jun’s words. They made everyone’s heart ripple slightly. Especially, in the hearts of Qu family. They already determined that it was Su Yuan who was bullying Yun Qian Meng for not having a mother. So, he was blatantly bullying a girl! But among the crowd the one with the worst expression was Hai Tian.

Not mentioning that Chu Fei Yang didn’t even look at her, seeing Chu wang’s attitude at this moment, she could guess that Chu family was giving Yun Qian Meng special treatment. This special treatment was like a knife in Hai Tian’s heart. It was like she was on fire at this moment. That pair of calm eyes couldn’t help but get the color of blood. While looking at Yun Qian Meng, they had more hatred. It appeared, today, she has been used by Yun Qian Meng. Perhaps, that time at Fu Gui Tang has also been planned in advance by Yun Qian Meng. Knowing that today was Lao Tai Jun’s birthday, Yun Qian Meng created the coincidence in Fu Gui Tang. Then, let herself in front of all the watchful eyes thank her. And all of this has been in order to attract Chu Fei Yang’s attention. And now seeing the affection that Chu wang was showing Yun Qian Meng, she was afraid that all of this has been a conspiracy. She was afraid that the breaking off of the engagement has also been planned ahead to climb onto such a big tree as Chu Fei Yang. Or was this all the empress dowager and Yu Qian Di’s wish? After all, to form a relation with the pair of mother and son, consort Yuan of morality and Chen wang who don’t get along with the empress dowager, it would be better to form an alliance with Chu wang who has military power. Yun Qian Meng’s marriage has been bestowed by the previous emperor. To let the other party break off the engagement, first they would spread Yun Qian Meng’s cowardly character to the outside to let Chen wang get the idea to break off the engagement. Then, male side broke off the engagement, Yu Qian Di wouldn’t have a choice but to agree. In the future, if someone takes this matter and make a big fuss out of it, all the fingers will be pointing at Jiang Mu Chen. This will not even move Yu Qian Di’s throne for a bit. Then, they let Yun Qian Meng grab Chu Fei Yang’s heart and expand the empress dowager’s power. This step by step careful calculation, even Hai Tian, who has always been good at scheming couldn’t help but applaud.

But the man who Yun Qian Meng has set her eyes on was the one that she, Hai Tian wanted. She wouldn’t let other women rob the man who she had set her eyes on.

Hai Tian rose from her seat and bowed towards Yu Qian Di and the others. Then, she slowly said: “Emperor, this daughter subject has some words, don’t know if I should say them or not.”

When Yu Qian Di saw her, his expression changed slightly. He nodded and said: “Speak.”

Hai Tian received approval. That pair of beautiful eyes looked at Yun Qian Meng. She said lightly: “According to this daughter subject, the harem is now in the process of selecting consorts and the minister of justice’s daughter’s name has also been handed over. Now this thing happened, Miss Su can’t enter the palace anymore and Miss Yun, who instigated all of this, cannot be said that she doesn’t have any fault. This daughter subject is dumb and doesn’t know how to settle this case. Asking the emperor to settle this case.”

After Hai Tian’s remark, Su Yuan’s whole body crooked. It was just that pair of eyes stared at Yun Qian Meng with great anger. He wished that he could kill her now. Their Su family has endured under Yun Xuan Zhi for so many years and finally they’ve cultivated a daughter with talent and beauty. But today, because of the quarrel between the Misses, Yun Qian Meng made Yue er suffer such injustice and let the effort of so many years of their Su family be wasted. How could this hatred not let Su Yuan grit his teeth?

Yun Qian Meng turned to look at Hai Tian. This Hai Tian junzhu was exquisite and dignified, but she was so vicious. Saying a few words that were not related to this case, but that easily provoked Su Yuan and let him have a deeper hatred for her. Moreover, she crashed with a woman who was about to enter the palace, she feared that she also will be punished.

• Junzhu: (eldest) daughter of a wangye by the main wife.

“What? Since when has Hai wangfu begun to intervene with the matters of the harem? Can it be that the empress isn’t doing her duty well?”

At this time, Chen Lao Tai Jun opened her mouth. The ridicule of those words was very thick, making the smile of Hai Tian’s face tremble a bit. That pair of proud eyes looked down, letting those long and thick eyelashes block the light that was emitting from those eyes.

Of course, the empress also tasted those words. In particular, when seeing that not only were the looks of Hai Tian unparalleled, but she was also swift and decisive in Hai wangfu. She began to feel a bit wary of this Hai Tian. She smiled gently, looked at Yu Qian Di and said: “Emperor, today is Lao Tai Jun’s good day. We can’t let her be unhappy, ah. This empress wife looking at this case feel that Miss Yun is indeed wronged. Emperor, reward those who needs to be rewarded and punish those who needs to be punished. Don’t let there be rumors.”

The empress’ words weren’t light nor heavy, but they felt like a thorn in Hai Tian’s throat, making her unable to go up or down. For a time, it made Hai Tian get really angry. Her hands couldn’t help but tighten. With a body full of cold aura, she sat down without speaking any longer.

Yu Qian Di also didn’t want to waste much time on this matter, so he nodded at the empress. His eyes shot sharply at the people kneeling down below and said with a heavy voice: “The vice minister of justice is lax in discipline resulting in your daughter accusing Miss Yun wrongly. Originally this should be punished heavily, but today is Lao Tai Jun’s good day. Zhen will deal with it leniently. You will be punished with six months of salary and at the same time punishing Miss Xing to copy <Nu Jie> hundred times. As for the minister of justice, you as a minister didn’t give an example. You didn’t find out the truth and wronged people. Punished with a year of salary and withdraw Su family’s Miss’s name from entering the palace. In this lifetime, she can’t take part in the selection.”

• Nu Jie is a book about how women should act and behave

After those words, Xing Jin Die saw that her daddy’s face turned dark and Su Yuan’s face was full of regret. If he had known that this would make his daughter unable to enter the palace, he wouldn’t have deliberately sought out Yun Qian Meng to vent the anger for his daughter and Su Qing. However, who would’ve known that the people present are so vicious? They even would bring out the matter of Yue er participating in the selection and ruin their Su family’s years of hard work. Compared to being punished with a year of salary, that Su Qian Yue could no longer become an imperial consort made Su Yuan feel more pain. But, the three people who have been punished could only hide the pain in their heart. After respectfully saying their thanks, they went out of the inner room.

Only Yun Qian Meng was left kneeling. The empress saw that she (YQM) was so pitiful; she personally went down to help her up. She took her (YQM) hand, turned and said to Yu Qian Di: “Emperor, this Miss Yun is elder by more than ten years than our little princess. But comparing, our little princess’s fortune is bigger. She has the protection of each master in the palace and she also had the empress dowager and the emperor’s blessing. Asking the emperor to see that Miss Yun is so pitiful and be lenient.”

While talking, the empress couldn’t help but glance at Hai Tian to let Hai Tian understand that she has overstepped her bounds and also to warn her to not do things that she shouldn’t do and to not speak words that she shouldn’t spoke.

Hai Tian naturally received the empress’ warning. Seeing that the empress was so courteous with Yun Qian Meng, she got angrier. But in front of the emperor, she couldn’t forget her manner. So, she could only endure. It was just that the hostility lingered on those eyebrows.

Lao Tai Jun saw that the empress who was never nosy and always generous, spoke for Yun Qian Meng, her hanging heart finally fell down. The eyes that looked at Yun Qian Meng revealed a hint of affection.

Originally, the emperor didn’t want to punish Yun Qian Meng, but after Hai Tian’s words, under the circumstances he couldn’t be too biased. This time seeing that the empress personally went down, he also smiled at Yun Qian Meng: “Presumably, Miss Yun didn’t have the time to celebrate with Lao Tai Jun yet. If Miss Yun’s gift will let all of us feel joy, then let’s take it as you’ve atoned.”

Yun Qian Meng raised her head slightly and looked at Yu Qian Di. Although, this emperor was young, but the domineering aura made people be afraid. Remembering the time when she daringly broke off the engagement in the hall; that time she had just come through another place, didn’t understand the situation and did such a daring thing. For a time, Yun Qian Meng felt a layer of cold sweat on her back. She immediately bowed and replied: “This daughter subject, obeys.”

Until this time, did the hearts of the Qu family really went down.

Chu wang glanced once at Chen Lao Tai Jun at this time. He saw that she was also looking at him. Both’s eyes exchanged current in the air, but it also lets people wonder what the meaning was.

“Since the emperor said that, Meng er go down and prepare.”

The empress dowager saw that some people didn’t want to miss the slightest chance to go against Qu family, so she let Yun Qian Meng temporarily go away to avoid letting her be used by someone as target.

Yun Qian Meng understood. She bowed towards the crowd and withdrew from the inner room.

The moment she stepped outside of Rui Lin yuan, she was being hugged by someone. A surge of natural aroma came from behind. Yun Qian Meng smiled and said softly: “Cousin sister, you’re beginning to make fun of Meng er again.”

Even though, Yun Qian Meng guessed who she was, Qu Fei Qing was still elated. She held Yun Qian Meng’s hand and walked slowly. The smile in her eyes became more real.

“Just now, I heard everything from the outside. That minister of justice deserves it. He still dares to send such a daughter into the palace. I am afraid that she won’t even survive for three days.”

While saying, that beautiful nose of Qu Fei Qing frowned. It made her truly lovely.

Yun Qian Meng saw her childlike personality, her mood also lifted. She pulled Qu Fei Qing closer and said with caution: “Today is maternal grandmother’s birthday, there are many guests. Cousin sister needs to be cautious. Don’t be like Meng er and let someone find something at fault with you. The emperor gave face to maternal grandmother and the empress dowager and didn’t punish Meng er. But if cousin sister makes a mistake now, how can the emperor still shield us?”

When Qu Fei Qing heard that, she embarrassingly bit at her tongue. Then, she raised her handkerchief and held it in front of her mouth. She looked around and cautiously said: “Meng er is thoughtful. But, is there something between you and that Hai Tian junzhu? Why is she always so against you? I just heard the eunuch who is serving inside, speak about this matter. I was so scared that I sweated a lot.”

When Yun Qian Meng heard that, she didn’t want the well-behaved Qu Fei Qing to be scared by these schemings. She smiled indifferently and said: “Junzhu didn’t say anything wrong. It was my negligence. In the future, cousin sister shouldn’t mention this matter in front of people no matter what. The more you know, the more you should pretend not to know to avoid bringing calamity to yourself.”

Qu Fei Qing saw that her situation was far better than Yun Qian Meng’s but she (YQM) still turned to care about her, her heart suddenly felt warm. She pulled Yun Qian Meng and ran to that Ting Yu Xuan……

But when passing the nine corridors, they saw that the full of white hair Rong Yun He was sitting on a wooden bench beside the promenade. Although, not a word has been said, but his head full of white hair under the sunlight made Yun Qian Meng and Qu Fei Qing see him at first glance. At this time, Rong Yun He also saw the two. Inevitable, the two people approached.

“Prime minister’s Yun Qian Meng greets young master Rong.”

“Fu Guo Gong Fu’s Qu Fei Qing greets young master Rong.”

Rong Yun He didn’t say anything.  However, when that pair of eyes saw that Yun Qian Meng was standing well before him, he relaxed a bit. Then, he nodded. He didn’t wait for the two to the leave but left first.

“What a weirdo.”

Qu Fei Qing looked at Rong Yun He’s back and muttered. Yun Qian Meng only laughed lightly in silence. After a long time did she say some words: “Some people have the face of Guan Yu, but are a beast inside. Although some people are born with regret, but have a good heart. Cousin sister, don’t judge people by their appearance. Just now in maternal grandmother’s room, Rong family’s Chen Lao Tai Jun said many things to help Meng er.”

• Guan Yu is a general under Liu Bei of the Han dynasty. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guan_Yu

When Qu Fei Qing heard that, she showed surprise. Immediately, she grabbed Yun Qian Meng and asked in detail for what happened just now: “Is it really so? But I heard that this Lao Tai Jun of Rong family really antisocial. This young master Rong has been brought up by Lao Tai Jun since young. His personality is like that Lao Tai Jun. Just now, he also treated us with silence.”

Yun Qian Meng saw that she was so curious; she tapped her (QFQ) head. She calmly said: “An antisocial personality is good to not see people. Those who smile the whole day are the ones who are really scary. Cousin sister, in the future you really shouldn’t be deceived by a person’s appearance, otherwise, the one who will suffer is still cousin sister yourself.

Qu Fei Qin saw her saying each sentence reasonably; she put them in her heart. She cautiously nodded. The two walked to Tin Yu Xuan.

After the two people left, a slender figure came out from the rocks in the garden. It stared in daze at the figure in purple for a long time. That head full of white hair was shining like snow under the sun.

But the moment Qu Fei Qing and Yun Qian Meng left the promenade, a few people came. One was dressed flamboyantly, dressed in gold and silver. They walked towards the two. The voice sounded really greasy: “Aren’t this niece (zhinu) and niece (waishengnu)? Our family really hasn’t seen each other in a long time.

• 侄女 (zhínǚ): niece, brother’s daughter
• 外甥女 (wàishēngnǚ): niece, sister’s daughter