Chapter 360.1: Escalating Conflict

“Third sister-in-law, what’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?” Jing Wan nonchalantly continued stabbing.

Noble Consort Su and Rui Wangfei, this pair of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, never thought that Jing Wan would actually be this daring, daring to say anything. Never mind previously hiding needles in silk, now it can be said to be directly jabbing their reverse scale. But, under normal circumstances, these words also weren’t wrong. To dare bring out to dispute, the ones to lose face would just be them. The happiest will probably be the Empress, and afterwards, they will even offend all the imperial concubines that have sons. That’s why, Noble Consort Su didn’t even dare to criticize, using filial piety to suppress Jing Wan.

Speaking of which, the biggest problem with Jing Wan’s words was just, the imperial family cannot be viewed with common reasoning. Aside from this family, the rest, even the imperial relatives, it’s mostly still the di son inheriting the family property in the end. But, for the emperors throughout history, not many were born as the empress’s di son. However, this similarly wasn’t something that can be pried apart. In the history of the dynasties, for the most part, it was always the ancestral teaching of establishing the di and establishing the eldest. Contradiction existed everywhere, just some were tacitly accepted by people that’s all.

Noble Consort Su was a good mother-in-law, never shoving people into Rui Qinwang’s rear court before. Li Hong Yuan was the foster son, so for some things, she further needed to be careful with. Sometimes, even if out of good intentions, it would still be said as ill intent by others. If not for getting ruthlessly angered by Jing Wan, she wouldn’t have used such a muddled move either, and even if using a muddled move, she also wouldn’t have directly pointed out it was for warming Li Hong Yuan’s bed. This kind of matter, everyone all knew needed to be tactful. The reason why she would be this blunt was also because she seemed to have found an outlet. If she really were to say they were just for serving the two of them, perhaps the people sent out will really just be used as ordinary servant girls. As such, how can she achieve her goal? Thus, she decided to be straightforward. Besides, Yuan’er not having children at twenty-three, and with his wife also being ‘young’, her sending people over, no one can criticize anything. They have been married for half a year, not three months.

Even so, the holes in her words were still caught by this Luo-shi, and it was even a place normal people simply didn’t dare to touch upon, directly having the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair both pushed into a pit. While the two of them were gritting their teeth in the pit, she was nevertheless happy and content at the edge of the pit. Noble Consort Su has been battling with the Empress for twenty to thirty years. In this time span, although there were losing and winning, she has still never felt this sullen before like today. The cracks on the good mother-in-law mask seemingly grew increasingly big, nearly about to crumble.

“Your Highness, wangfei presumably further likes being served by familiar people. This servant sees that there’s seven first rank servant girls by wangfei’s side, so presumably has quite a few people serving. Moreover, each and every one were all beautiful. Rather than separately sending people to wangye, why not let wangfei pick two from her own servant girls. As one’s own, presumably wangfei should be very willing. Even if giving birth to children, believe wangfei will also view as one’s own.” An old palace maid by Noble Consort Su’s side smilingly said.

“Look at me, how come just became muddled, thankfully you reminded this consort. These people were all brought into the palace today, right? Have them all called in for this consort to see. What kind of girls Yuan’er likes, this consort is the most clear about. This consort can help look over for you.” Noble Consort Su smiled affectionately, even somewhat having the stance of ‘solving the worries’ for her daughter-in-law.

Rui Wangfei also began smiling, “Indeed, this way, it can’t be better. Believe sixth sister-in-law will also be satisfied.”

In reality, promoting the first rank servant girls by one’s side to tongfangs or concubines, for the female master, was the most disgusting matter, especially servant girls groomed as one’s trusted aide, and in the future, will become one’s right hand. For the people by Jing Wan’s side, what the circumstances were like, Noble Consort Su actually had let someone roughly look into before. Moreover, looking at it now, afraid not a single one was prepared for her son. To dare go against her, as such, why would she need to be polite.

And simply without inquiring Jing Wan’s meaning, the palace maids serving at the side just directly went out, smilingly congratulating the servant girls outside, and afterwards, practically not allowing for comment, let them enter the palace hall. Today, the reason why they would all enter the palace was mainly because they needed to deliver gifts for the various imperial consorts and concubines in the palace. It wasn’t considered a lot, and moreover, there was also consumable items, so naturally it wasn’t good to go through other people’s hands, thus having the seven servant girls all brought along, unexpectedly incurring an unreasonable disaster.

For these servant girls, their etiquette naturally wasn’t bad, and although nervous inside, for the most part, it didn’t show on their face, uniformly kneeling down to bow.

Jing Wan has never been stingy towards the people by her side, and as long as it wasn’t anything against the rules, or something Li Hong Yuan specially prepared for her, she would all generously bestow down, having them raised delicate and tender, letting them dress beautifully. And since their foundation also wasn’t lacking, gracefully kneeling on the ground in a row, they even surpassed quite a few official family daughters.

Noble Consort Su took it all in, “Old six’s wife really is extraordinarily good towards the people serving by one’s side.” This way was even better.

“Consort mother overpraises. They are devoted and loyal towards this daughter-in-law, and also considerate and thoughtful. Nothing more than some materialistic things, so this daughter-in-law naturally won’t be stingy.” Even if knowing what Noble Consort Su wanted to do, Jing Wan still didn’t change face, although she was indeed a bit disgusted inside, but it was also just that, unable to affect anything.

——–This consort rather want to see how long you can remain calm. “All of you, lift your head, let this consort properly have a look.”

The seven of them, upon hearing, lifted their head, but all perceptively hung their eyes.

Rui Wangfei clicked her tongue in admiration, “Consort mother, just look, each and every one bright and beautiful, pleasing to the eyes no matter how one looks. Sixth brother, as expected, has quite the luck with women. For a long time now, the beauties by his side have never ceased before. However, these people in the end were raised by sixth sister-in-law, so it’s more than enough to see that sixth sister-in-law is also a virtuous one.”

Noble Consort Su didn’t speak, just glancing at Rui Wangfei. Rui Wangfei stabbing Jing Wan, she didn’t have any objections, but to involve her son, saying her son was lustful towards beauties, she naturally won’t be happy either. The corner of Rui Wangfei’s mouth stiffened as she averted her line of sight, not daring to look directly at Noble Consort Su.

And for the seven kneeling on the ground, upon hearing, all slightly changed in expression. Regardless whether it was from wangfei’s perspective, or wangye’s perspective, or even their own perspective, they all never thought of wanting to serve wangye on the bed. They unconsciously tightened their fist, yet didn’t dare to say anything, just worrying that they will invite disaster for their wangfei.

Noble Consort Su’s gaze swept back and forth on the seven of them. A moment later, “Just the first one on the left, and the second one on the right.”

Fu Xiao (拂晓), on the way back to the capital, already changed her name, changing into Fu Rong (拂容). Under normal circumstances, others probably will think it’s Fu Rong (芙蓉)[1]. Although not that many people knew of Fu Xiao’s identity, people that knew of Shannan Prefecture, Chuanzhou Fu, Luoxie Fang Fu Xiao’s reputation, among those officials, may not necessarily not exist. Having the same name, it was hard to avoid letting someone’s imagination roam. The other was Hei Mei. For these two to be picked, Jing Wan wasn’t surprised. Fu Rong although came from a brothel, and now a servant girl, Mei Yi nevertheless had spent a great amount of energy instructing her, instructing in the direction of a wealthy family young lady. Even now, she still appeared to have a graceful and elegant air, not to mention that stunningly beautiful face. In the land of fireworks, occasionally having such a woman appear, they would all be exceptionally popular. And Hei Mei further didn’t need to be mentioned, being unconventionally beautiful and stunning.

“Consort mother’s eyes are really good. However, previously at sixth sister-in-law’s place, simply didn’t see this beauty before. This was one brought back from Jiangnan? All say Jiangnan produced beauties, seems it really is so. Just don’t know whether it was sixth brother that took a fancy, or sixth sister-in-law being virtuous and specially sought for sixth brother?” Rui Wangfei hooked the corner of mouth into a shallow smile.

Jing Wan turned and glanced at her, vaguely smiling. She didn’t say anything at all, yet the word ‘idiot’ expressed in her eyes couldn’t be more obvious. Rui Wangfei was angered, but it wasn’t good to say anything else. If Jing Wan didn’t speak, and she were to continue, won’t she just fall to a disadvantage?

“The two of you, in the future, should further spare no effort in serving your wangye and wangfei. Old six’s wife right now is still young, so giving birth to children now, afraid will be harmful to the body, so it’s best to wait another two years. You two however should quickly give birth to children for wangye. You are both capable people by old six’s wife’s side, so in the future, after giving birth to children, your wangfei will also exceptionally value. You mustn’t let down her feelings for you two. Once this child is born, regardless whether it’s a girl or boy, this consort will all have heavy bestowments, and in the future, also can enter the palace from time to time with old six’s wife.”

[1] Fu Xiao’s name originally ‘拂晓’ means daybreak or ‘approaching dawn’. Her new name kept the first character 拂(Fu) while changing the second character to 容(Rong) meaning appearance/tolerance/containing, it’s a very flexible word that has different meaning depending on context. Her new name 拂容 doesn’t really have any meaning as a pair, but it is read the same as 芙蓉 (also Fu Rong) meaning hibiscus.

T/N: The contradictions and exception of the imperial family, and people’s tacit acceptance of these contradictions and exceptions are some of my favorite lines in this novel. Although, when it comes to succession of emperors in ancient times, tacit acceptance usually means ‘shut up if you don’t want to get executed’. Military power is always the determining factor, and it is quite convincing.