Chapter 587.2: The Ascension Near at Hand

The Ascension Near at Hand (2)

Sun Yi Jia was unable to make a decision, so just looked for Luo Old Madam, more or less looking for when Luo Pei Shan returned.

“Jing Bo’s wife, you should know, regardless of whether or not you’d considered using the the death pardoning gold plaque, the Ding Duke Manor isn’t something that can be saved by a death pardoning gold plaque.”

Sun Yi Jia was sitting upright, her head slightly lowered, bitterly smiling, “At the time, when grandmother had the gold plaque given to me, she’d also said this. That’s why, when she insisted on giving it to me, I also just accepted, but………..”

“You’re mainly still worried about your grandmother?” Luo Old Madam asked.

Sun Yi Jia nodded. In reality, towards the people of the Ding Duke Manor entering the prisons, Sun Yi Jia wasn’t really unconcerned. At least, towards her grandmother, she wasn’t able to disregard, but even if in prison, her grandmother will still be fine.

That’s why, when the others came looking, she was able to directly refuse.

Speaking of which, because of marrying into the Luo family, the people of the Luo family being magnanimous, she thus didn’t get affected. One has to know, even though the offense won’t reach the married daughters, but because it involved upon treason, quite a few people, for the sake of currying favor with the new emperor, divorced those women one after another. Even if not getting divorced, their days in their husband’s family in the future certainly won’t be good either.

Sun Yi Jia knew that she should be content with her situation, but the heart was made of flesh, so how could it really be as hard as stone? “Grandmother is elderly in age, unable to withstand the hardship of exile, and my father, ultimately gave birth to me…….”

“Your grandmother won’t be on the list for exile. When time comes, you can have her brought into the Luo Manor and separately arrange a place for her. As for your father, you absolutely won’t be able to save. The new emperor is unlike the others, not one to abide by the rules. Never mind one death pardoning gold plaque, even if ten or a hundred, it’ll all be useless. And bringing the death pardoning gold plaque out will instead just anger him. Even if getting forced to by the Great Ancestor’s decree, letting you exercise the death pardoning gold plaque’s right, he can still think of another way to have your father put to death. Moreover, the people that will die, afraid, will even increase, the chain of involvement magnifying, and the people affected will even include you and your children. Since you are close with third girl, your children also her niece and nephew, can she bear for you all to suffer hardships? When time comes, her pleading with the new emperor might just cause discord in their relationship. Is this what you’re willing to see?” Luo Pei Shan softly explained to her.

Luo Pei Shan’s attitude appeared to be very good, but these words precisely just clutched Sun Yi Jia’s weakness.

It’s true that he was harmonious and lenient, but his leniency towards Sun Yi Jia wasn’t because of she herself, instead because of his grandson, granddaughter, and great-grandchildren.

In some areas, he wasn’t a qualifying scholar official, but in some areas, he absolutely was. Aside from his own wife, the rest of the women that have married into the Luo family, in his heart, actually all can’t be fully considered people of the Luo family. When necessary, he also can abandon very straightforwardly.

Towards these, Luo Old Madam naturally was very well aware of. In her eyes, compared to Jing Wan, Sun Yi Jia didn’t nearly have as much weight. Speaking of which, they were still unaware of what Sun Yi Lin had done. If they knew, then Sun Yi Jia afraid won’t even have the opportunity to sit here.

“Why don’t you go back, don’t think too much. Since your father made that kind of decision, then at the very beginning, he should’ve already considered what the outcome of failing will be. Once the matter is settled, have your grandmother brought over and nicely arrange a place for her. Looking after her in her last years, it can also be considered fulfilling the filial duty for your father.” Luo Old Madam said.

When unable to satisfy both sides, this heart that was made of flesh certainly will lean to one side. How Sun Yi Jia will choose, it was clear and easy to see. Besides, since long ago, she already wasn’t that optimistic about Kang Qinwang. At that time, she’d already faintly thought of today’s outcome, so in her heart, she’d actually long made a decision. Just, she was unable to make herself sever that last thread, needing someone else to cut it for her.

Right now, her heart seemingly felt a little lighter. Sure enough, she was also selfish and self-serving. She inwardly mocked herself as she stood up, “This granddaughter-in-law will take one’s leave.”

Once Sun Yi Jia left, Luo Old Madam took a sip of tea, “Wan Wan ultimately didn’t misjudge her.”

TN: All

“If even this bit is disappointing, then she really won’t be able to tell good from bad.”

This matter just got settled like this. When people came to look for Sun Yi Jia again, she didn’t deny either, directly stating that the thing long wasn’t in her hands. At the time, she’d given it to Jin Wangfei to add to her dowry, getting taken to Jin Qinwang Manor. As such, that thing most likely was in the new emperor’s hands already.

The death pardoning gold plaque, this kind of thing, held great significance, don’t know how many people wanted it. It was impossible for Sun Yi Jia to completely hide the matter. Moreover, that thing was special, so it can’t be secretly melted down either. That’s why, the best way was to just ‘tell the truth’. No matter whose hand it was in, it all might get dug out, but in the new emperor’s hands, heheh………

Sun Yi Jia naturally got ruthlessly cursed at again, getting called brainless, a moron…….

Of course, Sun Old Madam who had the thing given to Sun Yi Jia certainly also got blamed. When it was a matter of life and death, naturally no one will have misgivings about her identity anymore. Those zhoulis, daughter-in-laws, granddaughter-in-laws, niece-in-laws, and so on that were similarly locked up in prison all started loudly cursing her. However, probably because of predicting that this kind of thing would happen, the Luo family had long made arrangements, giving Sun Old Madam her own place. As such, they could only just curse.

And these, towards Sun Old Madam, didn’t have the slightest effect. Even towards the younger generation’s bawling, she similarly was indifferent. When it comes to ruthlessness, she was also someone that could rank among the top. She was able to poison her own daughter and watch her own son go die. As the saying goes, true harm comes from those that one cares about. For people that she didn’t care about, what can they do to her?

Speaking of the Ding Duke Manor’s decline, there was no one more clear than her. If she’d really wanted to save, then she wouldn’t have shut her doors and adopted a buddhist lifestyle, ignoring all matters, and wouldn’t have given the death pardoning gold plaque to Sun Yi Jia either. That’s why, despite similarly sitting in prison, her heart was more tranquil than anyone.

The disturbance this matter caused wasn’t small, and for a time, it even stirred up a small wave. Some people were unwilling to give up, refusing to believe that Sun Yi Jia would be that stupid, having that important of a thing given away. They tried to think of every means possible to dig for it, but the Luo family right now was very different from the past. In the past, when it was just Luo Pei Shan guarding, they all didn’t dare to act rashly, let alone now.

Li Hong Yuan didn’t summon an official court session, but still called for a small meeting. The officials that should be present were all present.

He directly had the death pardoning gold plaque thrown out, landing on the ground just like that. Towards his own old man, he didn’t respect, and towards his ancestors, he similarly didn’t take seriously, also letting the court officials clearly see exactly whether or not an old worn-out plaque had any effect before him.

“Whoever wants it, feel free to take it.” Li Hong Yuan nonchalantly said.

The court officials below were as silent as cicadas in winter. Even the imperial censor all didn’t dare to say anything about him being ‘disrespectful towards the ancestors’. Speaking of which, Li Hong Yuan had plenty of shortcomings that can be nitpicked. Two days ago, there was an official that had the guts to write up a memorandum ‘advising’ him, yet immediately afterwards, just got his private affairs dug out by Li Hong Yuan, and then got lightly criticized a few words by Li Hong Yuan, letting him nearly ‘use death to apologize for his offense’ on the spot. Li Hong Yuan, in the end, didn’t remove his official hat[1], but the act of ‘killing the chicken to warn the monkey’ was also quite obvious.

After these short few days, they for the most part also understood, towards Li Hong Yuan himself, they best nitpick as little as possible, properly taking care of their own duties. And even if it’s major matters of the country, what he has directly instructed, just directly do as told, and for things he didn’t ask, it’s best to not open one’s mouth.

Truly firm and decisive, not allowing others to comment.

However, even if deciding alone, there weren’t any decisions that made one feel it was wrong.

On the second of the second month, the dragon lifts its head[2].

The new emperor ascended the throne, and the empress was conferred.

Li Hong Yuan’s ascension ceremony was in front, while Jing Wan’s coronation as empress followed behind.

The dragon and phoenix gown already got sent over. Jing Wan dragged along her relatively cumbersome body as she helped Li Hong Yuan change. Because it was special, that’s why, she wanted to personally do it. Li Hong Yuan ultimately didn’t stop her, just quietly looking down at her beautiful face. Once she fastened the last button on the collar, “Your Majesty’s appearance, truly peerless in the world.”

Li Hong Yuan lightly grasped her hand, “My wife’s beauty, stunning from past to present.”

This kind of praise, even for Jing Wan now, still couldn’t help but make her somewhat blush. However, her praise towards him, came from the heart, but it should also be something that was publicly acknowledged. As for his praise towards her, it was probably mostly just ‘a beauty in the eyes of a lover’. At special times, although embarrassed, Jing Wan still happily accepted.

Jing Wan helped Li Hong Yuan change, so this while, Li Hong Yuan also returned the favor.

Jing Wan’s eyes darted around, but she didn’t refuse.

For the imperial wives and concubines, huiyi (empress’s ceremonial gown) was the grandest and highest ranked among the ‘three pheasants[3]‘, also known as the phoenix gown.

The head ornament had twelve branches, taking up the two sides of the temple. The clothes were weaved with a deep blue fabric, decorated with long-tail pheasants.

A blue muslin as the inner garment, with a vermilion embroidered collar, silk cuffs, the bixi[4] following the lower garment’s color, purple silk as the collar, using di (long-tail pheasants) as the pattern, three ranks. The large belt following the upper garment’s color, vermilion lining, embedded on the hem, the upper with vermillion brocade, the lower with green brocade. The knot of the belt tied using blue ribbons, the leather belt black, a pair of white jade ornaments, black ribbons, a pair of large sash, three small sash, carrying three jade rings. Blue stockings and shoes, the shoes adorned with gold ornaments.

(T/N: The above line is directly quoted from 宋史 (History of Song) composed in 1345 during the Yuan dynasty. This is the most painful line to translated in this entire novel. The main problem being a lot of characters used in ancient times no longer have the same usage or meaning in modern times.)

When getting conferred, assisting in ritual sacrifices, attending court sessions and all major events, this attire is used.

The women of the imperial harem, too numerous to count, using every means possible to become the master of the central palace, how was it not for the sake of ensuring that this attire doesn’t fall into others’ hands. The rest, beautiful and charming in all kinds of ways, having endless means, fighting for their whole life, it was also nothing more than for the sake of this huiyi.

The heaven was beautiful, the afterglow casting into the hall. Jing Wan stood before the full-body glass mirror, studying the phoenix gown. Even though her protruding stomach was difficult to cover up, she still had an imposing noble air. Jing Wan couldn’t help but sigh inside.

How fortunate was she to be able to obtain the ruler’s true love, and without needing to fight with any other women, put on these clothes, becoming the mother of the country.

Today was her eighteenth birthday. It has been an entire eighteen years since she’s come to this world. According to her past life, today was the day she came of age. The man the she loved and loved her gave her the most unique birthday present——-supreme glory and equal honor!

As she sighed, her heart also filled with sweetness, and at the same time, she was also prepared to meet the responsibility. As long as his feelings were unchanging, loving with no regrets, then she will also never leave nor abandon, not fearing any challenge.

Li Hong Yuan stood behind her, reaching out, lightly caressing her cheeks, “You wearing this attire, sure enough, very pretty. Under the heavens, there’s no one more suitable than you.”

[1] The hat of court officials represents their status as officials so by removing the hat, it means to have them removed from officialdom, aka getting fired.

[2] The second of the second month is traditionally known as the Spring Dragon Festival, or ‘the day the dragon lifts its head’, also known as the Double-Second Festival. The reason it’s called ‘the day the dragon lifts its head’ is because of an old folklore. You can read about it here.

[3] 三翟 – lit. three long-tail pheasants; this refers to the three ‘pheasant garments(翟依)’ worn by the empress and other noblewomen in ancient times for ceremonial purposes and other important occasions. The three pheasant garments include, huiyi, yudi, and quedi. The name comes from the long-tail pheasants embroidered onto the clothes, usually in pairs, to symbolize the wearer’s status.

Huiyi (袆衣), one of the empress’s ceremonial gown and also the most formal one. In addition to being the empress’s ceremonial gown, it was also empress’s court gown, worn for important ceremonies and when participating in court. In the book ‘Rites of Zhou’ (周礼), it stated that the huiyi was black in color, while later in the Tang dynasty, stated in the ‘New Book of Tang’ (新唐书), the huiyi was weaved using a deep blue fabric, decorated with twelve rows of the five-colored pheasant pattern, example shown below.

Yudi (䄖翟), also one of the six formal attires for the imperial wives. For the empress, it’s second only to the huiyi, and for the crown princess and noble madams, it’s their most formal attire. In the ‘Book of Tang’, it states that the yudi was what the crown princess wore when getting conferred, and also the crown princess’s ceremonial gown for important ceremonies and participating in court.

Quedi (阙翟), what the empress wore for ordinary ceremonies and rituals. The difference between it and the huiyi was that the quedi was red in color.

[4] 蔽膝 – A piece of clothing covering the thigh and knee, shown below.

T/N: Every time the author quotes from a historical document, I die a little on the inside. People get Phds to translate and interpret those texts, I’m not qualified.

青纱中单，黼领，罗縠褾襈，蔽膝随裳色，以緅为领缘，用翟为章，三等。大带随衣色，朱里，纰其外，上以朱锦，下以绿锦，纽约用青组，革带以青衣之，白玉双佩，黑组，双大绶，小绶三，间施玉环三，青韈、舄，舄加金饰。

This line is the death of me. I’m not even sure if I translated it correctly. A few parts are my own guesswork. If anyone has an academic level translation of the ‘History of Song’ (宋史) and finds this line, please let me know how close I am to the proper translation. Ever since translating this novel, I’ve gotten very good at reading classical chinese.