RVW – Chapter 37

Ah Nan’s gloomy mood was soon set aside. She was not someone who would seek trouble on her own, but rather easily get over something. Since things have become a foregone conclusion, it’s better to look forward. It was also this optimistic personality that allowed her to quickly integrate into this era where women were extremely restricted.

After the meal, Ah Nan ate the Heyi cake that her Imperial Chancellor father had been praising endlessly. Looking at the thing simmering on the stove, Ah Nan had only one thought: What a pit¹Means deceiving., Father. Isn’t this hawthorn slice ma, what could be praised about it? When Chu Baning personally handed her a slice of Heyi cake, the sour and sweet taste instantly reduced the greasiness in her stomach, making her feel refreshed.

Ah Nan suddenly realized, It turns out that having a beloved person personally give her something to eat makes it more delicious ah~

After the meal, the sun had already moved to the west. Chu Baning and Ah Nan sat in front of the window of the Yunshangju’s second floor side room, enjoying the scenery downstairs, the atmosphere comfortable and leisurely.

Until Chu Baning suddenly asked, “Why did you go to Bai Ma temple today?”

Ah Nan was startled, thinking that he wanted to turn over the account, hurriedly and cautiously said, “Hehe, it’s rare for my sisters to come to the capital. They had wanted to stroll around the capital and be guided at first, so they went to our Mansion to find Chen qie. But Chen qie often stayed in the Mansion and seldom went out and thus was unfamiliar with the capital. Later, Chen qie had said having been to Bai Ma temple. Sisters also wanted to go to the Bai Ma Temple to offer incense and pray, so we went together. Unexpectedly, we coincidentally came across Wang ye at Bai Ma temple. Fortunately, Wang ye was there at that time, otherwise Chen qie really didn’t know what to do……” Finally, Ah Nan smiled shyly, an honest naivety on her face.

Chu Baning nodded, patting her head in consolation, but then he said nothing, making Ah Nan depressed. In fact, she also wanted to know how he could be Bai Ma temple, and also how he so timely became a hero saving the beauty. Such a scene could easily win people’s hearts. Ah Nan estimated that towards her family’s Wang ye, Lu Feiting had definitely fallen in love at first sight, bid farewell with affection, and refused marriages²非君不嫁 means that a woman had recognized a man as her lifelong partner and will not marry if it wasn’t with that one specific guy. at third sight. As for Lu Fei’an and Lu Feiya, both of them seem to have a very good impression of her family’s Wang ye…… Ah Nan sighed, It really doesn’t feel good having her own man being coveted by a group of women who want to be mistresses!

——At this moment, this lady seemed to have forgotten about her own Wang ye still having the fate of “killing wife and losing son”, so there was no need to worry so much~~

Seeing the sky had gone almost dark, the two of them left the restaurant and leisurely rode the carriage back to the Su Wang Mansion.

Arriving at the Imperial Mansion, Chu Banning had just gotten off the carriage when he saw the Housekeeper Qin approaching anxiously. After paying his respects, he said, “Wang ye, Wang fei, there are people from the palace. Eunuch Luo from Chonghua Palace said the Empress Dowager had announced for you to enter the palace. Eunuch Luo has been waiting for the whole afternoon…”

Chu Baning’s expression remained unchanged, as if he was not surprised by this matter at all. Only Ah Nan was a little nervous, suspecting that the reason for the messenger from the palace coming here was related to her injuring AnYang Wang Shi Zi, immediately feeling someone anxious. And because of her birth circumstances, the Empress Dowager has already disliked her, adding to her having injured AnYang Wang Shi Zi’s matter, would the Empress Dowager put her in her place?

“Why hurry this thing so much?” Chu Baning led Ah Nan into the Mansion, asking as he walked, his voice very light.

Ah Nan looked at him in worship. Wang ye, you actually is also an expert at feigning ignorance, Wow~~ Asking a question knowing the answer~~

At this moment, Eunuch Luo from Chonghua Palace, who came to pass on the Empress Dowager’s order, had already arrived. After kneeling down in courtesy, he smiled and said, “Wang ye, this afternoon AnYang Tai fei entered the palace, saying that she wants to seek Wang fei for a little chat. The Empress Dowager Niang niang specially ordered this slave³杂家 (literally translates to ‘miscelanous/mixed family’, Za jia) is how eunuchs refer to themselves. to come and invite you and Wang fei to enter the palace.” Eunuch Luo’s speech was clever. Originally, AnYang Tai fei only requested for Su Wang fei to enter the palace alone, but he privately received the Empress Dowager’s instructions to invite Su Wang along into the palace.

After listening, Chu Baning also didn’t dawdle. He went back to the room with Ah Nan to change into formal attire and got into the palace’s carriage. His calm unhurried demeanor finally calmed Ah Nan down.

As the carriage approached the palace gate, Chu Baning held Ah Nand’s hand and said in a low voice, “Don’t worry, you have me.”

With such a simple and plain sentence, Ah Nan’s heart turned into a gentle spring water, she responded softly. At that moment, her heart was filled with this man.

The sun has already set, the brilliant afterglow of the sunset on the horizon envelops the entire imperial city in a glow, giving this solemn and dignified imperial city a dreamy color.

After arriving at the Chonghua Palace, the two of them found that the people in Chonghua palace were not only the Empress Dowager and AnYang Tai fei, but also Emperor Chongde. These three people’s attitudes seem a bit like the three court review⁴三堂会审 or three court (joint) review refers to three departments reviewing the same case at the same time, at the same location (together). In ancient times, the departments were the Imperial Censorate (in charge of supervision), Ministry of Justice (in charge of military affairs), and Dali temple (reviewing the criminal and prison cases). Today the three court review includes the court, prosecutors, and public security. P.s. the Dali temple is not actually temple, it’s just that in feudal china there is a department called 九卿 (nine heads of central government) and their residences are called temple (寺), making Ah Nan nervous.

Ah Nan stealthily looked around, knowing that the middle-aged woman sitting below the Empress Dowager, dressed in gorgeous deeply colored clothes, and head full of gold ornaments reflecting golden light was the AnYang Tai fei.

Ah Nan and Chu Baning both went and paid their respects to the people sitting there. She also respectfully called AnYang  Tai fei “Xian Mu Fei” along with Chu Baning. During the reign of the late emperor, AnYang Tai fei had been demoted to hold the title Xian fei⁵贤妃 or Virtuous consort. It is based on Tang dynasty’s four consorts: 贵，淑，德，贤妃. Their position is indeed one rank lower than the previous 皇贵妃, but among these four consorts, 贵妃 actually still ranks higher, one of the four consorts. Until today, when the princes saw her, they all called her “Xian Mu Fei“.

After everyone permitted them to rise, the Empress Dowager immediately let Ah Nan step forward with a compassionate smile, pulling at her hand and asked her about her well-being, making Ah Nan feel overwhelmed from the enthusiasm and a bit baffled. It seems that since the five palace maids bestowed by the Empress Dowager were impolitely returned to the palace by Chu Baning, the Empress Dowager has never given her such a kind smile again. Every time she saw her, she mostly has that indifferent and dull expression, looking as if she was very dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law of hers (indeed very dissatisfied).

This seems abnormal, there must be something fishy!

Ah Nan felt a little apprehensive, but outwardly she still looked shy and bashful. She also responded to the Empress Dowager’s chat with a silly and shy smile. For a moment, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were in a warm and harmonious atmosphere, making the observer Emperor Chongde’s lips twitch.

As for AnYang Tai fei, when she saw Chu Baning coming along, she knew that her trip today was fruitless. She couldn’t help but get angry and resentful towards the Empress Dowager who had not only invited the Emperor, but also made Su Wang come to handle things. Wasn’t it intentional to make her trip be fruitless, specifically to annoy her!

The Empress Dowager pulled Ah Nan over smilingly and said to AnYang Tai fei, “Jiejie, you don’t know that Ai jia’s daughter-in-law is filial and considerate ah. A few days ago, when she paid her respects, knowing Ai jia has a bad appetite, she would rather starve herself to warmly coax Ai jia to eat a little more. Ai jia was really happy to have met such a satisfactory daughter-in-law…..”

Ah Nan: =___= ! Is this really referring to her? Obviously it was the Empress and several consorts who had coaxed her to eat more, she was just buying soy sauce⁶Actually means to not care about something or minding their own business. Like NPC in someone’s life who got excluded and ignored.….

Both Chu Baning and Emperor Chongde were indifferent⁷目不斜视 means that one is fully concentrated and don’t care about their surroundings., not expressing any opinions.

AnYang Tai fei was inwardly angry, superficially agreeing with her with a smile, and said, “Hehe, Su Wang fei is as round as pearls and smooth as jade, with a golden voice and pleasant as a jade, with just a glance we could tell she is indeed blessed.”

AnYang Tai fei is now full of anger, thinking, these two little lives sure have great arrogance, making her wait all afternoon here, it was clearly on purpose!! But now Emperor Chongde has been called over by the Empress Dowager, this vicious woman, making her unable to directly vent her anger. She didn’t want to cause a disaster for her son, AnYang Wang. It was because the Empress Dowager knew it that she came to anger her.

Ah Nan doubted once again: Is she really the one they are talking about?

Not to mention Ah Nan’s doubt, even Emperor Chongde felt that his mother and AnYang Tai fei were exaggerating too much. Only Chu Baning remained calm and composed.

The two of them were faking sincerity for a while. When Ah Nan suspects that the one they talked about was definitely not her, they finally put an end to this innutritious⁸Means useless, no significance praise. The Empress Dowager coughed and amiably said, “Su Wang fei, today Ai jia called you over to ask you about some things. Don’t worry, if it’s not your fault, Ai jia will definitely give you justice.” After saying those touching words, she asked, “I heard you went to Bai Ma temple today and came across AnYang Wang Shi Zi, is it correct?”

Ah Nan nodded docilely, thinking ‘it’s finally here.’ She noticed a sharp gaze prickling on her back, causing her goosebumps to break out. Ah Nan looked terrified, blinking her eyes timidly and lowered her head, the handkerchief in her hand was twisted.

“What happened at that time, can you tell Ai jia? It’s also better for AnYang Tai fei to understand the truth of this affair, so as to not misunderstand you.” The Empress Dowager patted her and smiled in appeasement.

Ah Nan glanced at the Empress Dowager and then turned to look at Chu Baning. Seeing him nod, she then began to speak in a small voice.

After Ah Nan explained what happened, the AnYang Tai fei suddenly asked in distrust, “Why was Su Wang at the Bai Ma Temple today?” Could it be that he specifically went to harm her grandson? AnYang Wang fei conspired a theory.

“This son will be on a long journey in a few days, so he naturally went to bid farewell to Great Master Kong,” Chu Baning smoothly replied.

AnYang Tai fei hmph-ed and said to the Empress Dowager, “It seems like this Meimei’s daughter-in-law was not only blessed but also very powerful. Su Wang fei, do you know that you almost made Xiaotian unable to take care of himself⁹She indeed said Xiaotian was almost unable to take care of himself for his daily activities, basically a cripple. She is exaggerating., but is this not a problem?”

Ah Nan shook her head and looked at her timidly, whispering, “Xian Mu Fei, this daughter-in-law was scared at the time and thought he was a lecher, only feeling that my strength has increased at that time and…… However, this daughter-in-law really didn’t know that the lecher is AnYang Wang Shi Zi.”

Can you be this savage because you said you were terrified?!! AnYang Tai fei roared in her heart, listen and see what kind of speech is this? AnYang Tai fei discovered that this daughter-in-law of the Empress Dowager is someone really capable of being aggrieved¹⁰Here she is referring that Ah Nan is good at expressing how distressing her situation is, and it is uncertain whether she was exaggerating/pretending or not, truly not likeable.

The Empress Dowager seeing it, quickly said, “Xian Jiejie, you scared her. Moreover, Su Wang fei was reasonably defending herself, she didn’t know he was AnYang Wang Shi Zi then.”

“Scared? Ben gong sees that her courage is really big, still dared to harm Ben gong’s Xiao’er.” AnYang Tai fei looked at Empress Dowager and said sarcastically.

The Empress Dowager, seeing her unyielding attitude, knew that she would definitely demand an explanation from them. Though she was also really gloomy, thinking that Ah Nan looked small and delicate yet she actually dared to directly kick a man’s family jewels to the point of injury, then could her usual clever and adorable appearance be fake? But No matter how dissatisfied she thinks of this daughter-in-law, with the enemy present she still had to protect her no matter what. Suppressing AnYang Tai fei to death was also a wonderful thing.

“Xian Mu Fei, please quell your anger! The fault on this matter is not on Su Wang fei” Emperor Chongde continued, “You also know of Xiaotian’s character…”

“Even if Xiao’er was the one being impolite at first, she also shouldn’t have dealt such a heavy blow. If words were to get out, wouldn’t Xiao’er’s reputation be tarnished? Would the imperial family’s reputation also be tarnished?” AnYang Tai fei coldly sneered, “However, Su Wang fei, Ben gong’s grandson has indeed been injured by you, Ben gong also doesn’t want to punish you or anything, can you apologize to Ben gong’s grandson?”

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager almost raised her eyebrows in anger¹¹柳眉倒竖 or willow-leaf brows rose/raising eyebrows in anger is an expression showing how angry someone is, because your eyebrows usually rose when you become so angry staring at someone that your eyes bulged, like ‘how dare you’! Making her daughter-in-law apologize to a younger generation? Even apologizing to a dandy Shi Zi who deceives men and bullies women? Dream on!

Ah Nan was a bit surprised hearing it, it could be that simple? However, Ah Nan seemed to underestimate the meaning and implication behind the word “apologize,” and how could she, an honorable Wang fei, apologize to a Shi Zi, especially if that Shi Zi came from a younger generation than her. 

At this moment, Chu Baning spoke out, “Xian Mu Fei, this matter is inappropriate!”

Chu Baning looked towards AnYang Tai fei, his eyes deep as ink. Being looked at by those eyes, AnYang Tai dei felt her heart give a shiver. Inwardly thinking, could Su Wang not even give her any face?

As soon as the Empress Dowager saw her youngest son’s extremely solemn appearance, she knew that he would soon stab someone’s lungs and felt really happy. Usually at times like this, she only felt all kinds of frustration and aggrieved. Now she felt that as long as the one getting stabbed isn’t her, moreover the one who got stabbed was even her arch-enemy, it could make her really excited ah~~ Even Emperor Chongde felt a flash of impulse to cover his face, hoping for his younger brother to be able to talk and not speak so bluntly, give the elders a little face. Only Ah Nan looked foolishly at her own Wang ye fu jun, looking silly and bashful.

“Xian Mu Fei, not to mention that Shaoqi is Shi Zi’s elder. But even if she isn’t, in the light of today events, Shi Zi dared to speak so insolently to her and wanted¹²The want here 欲 can also mean lust or greed to touch her disrespectfully, it was still a crime of disrespecting elders, obscenities and insult of elders, depravity and other serious crimes, guilty of crimes deserving to die a ten thousand deaths.” Chu Baning’s expression became more solemn as she spoke, coldly saying, “Xian Mu Fei, Xiaotian is the AnYang Wang Shi Zi, not some wealthy idle person, the title of AnYang Wang would be passed down to him in the future. Xiaotian is already twenty years old, how could he bear the title with this virtue of walking chicken and dogs¹³Means he still hang out with scoundrel friends and deceiving men and bullying women¹⁴Means to act tyrannically or lawlessly in the future? Xian Mu Fei papering her grandson is admittedly human nature, but there ought to be a consideration of the reputation of the imperial family and also Xiaotian’s own reputation, lest our Chu Imperial Clan’s face were all lost by him! Letting the future generations stab at AnYang Wang’s backbone by saying his education was lacking.”

“……..”

AnYang Tai fei’s expression quickly changed, so angry she couldn’t even speak.

She has lived more than half of her lifespan, when has anyone ever pointed at her nose and preached her like this? Moreover, what kind of moral character does her grandson have for him, a younger generation, to scold? However, Chu Baning’s personality was just like this. Even the late emperor was stabbed by him like this yet couldn’t explode¹⁵As in he was angry but couldn’t scold Chu Baning because his speech was indeed reasonable, just too rude and blunt for people’s ego (especially elders, their words ‘could never be wrong’). In the end, he could only make a ridiculous decree, saying that as long as the seventeenth prince’s words were reasonable, no one should make it difficult for him. This decree is still circulating among palace concubines until today, and is considered one of the supporting evidence of the absurdity of the later period of the late emperor’s reign. However, even though the late emperor had passed away for ten years, she still dared not go against this decree.

The Empress Dowager and Emperor Chongde lowered their eyes and fixed their gaze on the cup in their hands, laughing secretly in their hearts, thinking, Ba Ning ah, your speech is practically a direct jab at AnYang Tai fei’s lungs. It’s really not giving people the slightest bit of face, this is too unacceptable ah!

Ah Nan also lowered her head, looking at her own toes, appearing exactly of repentance.

“Xian Mu Fei, please forgive this son for speaking bluntly. Xiaotian’s character should be restricted a little. This son believes you must have also hoped that in a hundred years¹⁶Not actually 100 years, just saying like in the future, Xiaotian would be able to smoothly succeed the AnYang Wang Mansion¹⁷Might be a bit late to say this but in ancient china, the residence of the official may also be used to call their ‘institution.’ Just like here the Mansion can be interpreted as the rank/title, or Dali temple’s whose name ‘temple’ was because the official’s residences is called ‘寺’ or temple., rather than letting the Anyang Wang’s Mansion decline and make him have no face to see you in a hundred years.”

Chu Baning’s words were sincere and genuine, dispelling half of AnYang Tai fei’s anger, exhaling softly in her heart. Sure enough, she knew today’s result would be like this. The Empress Dowager is a stupid person, in the end how could she birth those two sons whose characters were so different? Is it the bad bamboo who could produce good bamboo shoots? Or her own failure, possibly that she did not teach her son properly to be an outstanding person who could assume an Emperor’s heavy responsibilities.

AnYang Tai fei certainly knows of her son’s virtue, but this is her only grandson. Who could she spoil if it’s not him? Maybe it’s her who is getting old, heart no longer as firm and resolute as before, to the point of spoiling her grandson into such an appearance.

Stop stop stop! She had already suffered a loss today, let’s think about how to strike back later.

“Su Wang’s advice, Ben gong has taken it to heart.” AnYang Tai fei once again resumed that calm and tranquil demeanor, looking at the pleased Empress Dowager, a hint of gloom slipped into her heart. Hmph, just wait and see! Although Chu Baning’s words had extinguished the idea of making Su Wang fei apologize, that didn’t mean that she would let go of the person who hurt her grandson like this.

AnYang Tai fei cast a deep look at Ah Nan who was drooping her head, her face showing a warm and kindly smile, and said, “Alright, it’s getting late, Ben gong also has to go back. Your Majesty, it’s been cold lately, although affairs of the nation are many and busy, it’s also important to take care of the health of the dragon body¹⁸Emperor’s body are usually referred as dragon body.”

Emperor Chongde replied respectfully, “Thank Xian Mu Fei for her concern.”

After speaking up a little, AnYang Tai fei stood up and asked to be excused, then left Chonghua Palace.

As soon as AnYang Tai fei left a distance away, the Empress Dowager’s face immediately became cold and scolded Ah Nan, “Su Wang fei, how could you, as a woman, do such… immoral things?”

The Empress Dowager’s words are really too heavy, unexpectedly even calling Ah Nan’s action as immoral. Such words coming from a woman, was indeed a grave condemnation.

Ah Nan looked at her, both hands twisting a handkerchief, saying aggrievedly, “Mu hou, didn’t you just say that Chen qie was reasonably defending herself?”

The Empress Dowager’s was suffocated, a mouthful of breath stuck in her chest, making her feel extremely unbearable. She only said that at that time because AnYang Tai fei was present. How could she possibly lose her face in front of her former enemy? Could this daughter-in-law be specially married in to anger her?

Chu Baning frowned slightly, clearly disagreeing with the Empress Dowager questioning Ah Nan.

Emperor Chongde, seeing his family’s solemn-like-an-old-person younger brother frowning, quickly said, “*Cough*, Mu hou, it’s getting late, shouldn’t we let them leave the palace first? Ba Ning will have to go on a long journey in two days.” It’s better to let them leave first lest the Empress Dowager was angered again by her youngest son that her chest hurt.

The Empress Dowager, hearing it, once again had reasons to complain, “Your Majesty, Tongcheng is an uncivilized territory, why let Su Wang go there? And he had to stay until New Year before returning, isn’t this letting Ai jia be anxious and afraid? If something happened out there, how could Ai jia be well…”

Emperor Chongde kindly comforted the Empress Dowager who had complained again. After finally pacifying the Empress Dowager, Chu Baning and Ah Nan both step forward and knelt down. The Empress Dowager waved her hand weakly. Now she already didn’t want to see this daughter-in-law who always suffocated her that her chest hurt. Hurry and leave ba!

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Translator’s note:

It would have been wonderful if they repeated Chu Xiaotian’s speech. I really wanted to see what the AnYang Tai fei would say, what a pity!