Chapter 49 - The Third-Place Youth 'Flower Snatcher'

Jiang Chao was attired in an indigo dyed straight-cut Changpao embroidered with gold stripes which, in contrast, made his usually high-spirited look seem more steady and brought about a hint of nobility to him. Although he deliberately tried to mask it in his manner of speech and his bearing, essentially, he had the air of a person from the bureaucracy. In Jiang Ruan’s eyes, this seemed shameless and disgraceful; however, in the eyes of the Old Jiang Madame, this appearance of his was extremely pleasing. The stern expression on her face also had a trace of an affectionate smile, “After the passing of the New Year, Chao’er would then need to participate in the imperial examinations; did the teachers of Imperial Academy say anything?”

Indigo Chang pao (without the gold embroidery stripes)

An enormous smile appeared on Jiang Chao’s face, though he made an extreme effort to suppress it, as he replied, “They did not say anything.”

Jiang Quan shot Jiang Chao a quick glance as he continued, “Passing the imperial examination will not be an issue, it’s only uncertain how you would rank. Whatever the case, everything that should be put in order (bribes)[1] has already been settled.”

[1] Dǎ dian ( 打点 ) has been previously translated in other terms and meanings in past chapters. Here, it does not only refer to bribery, but it also refers to the use of money to take care of his son and lobby/to influence his son’s ranking.

As a glint flashed in her gaze, the Second Yiniang covered her lips and smiled, “That truly is great. Both of furen’s children are alike, they are capable of creating literary works. At this exam, the Second Young Master would inevitably obtain scholarly honour. As qieshen[2] sees this, he would definitely be nothing but the top scorer then.” Although the Second Yiniang did not like Xia Yan, still just for appearances while Jiang Quan was in the fu, she would always feign and put on a complete facade. Moreover, while she flattered and praised Jiang Chao, the Old Jiang Madame would also be happy. Therefore, saying such pretty words would unlikely put her at a disadvantage.

[2] Qiè shēn ( 妾身 ) refers to the deprecatory self-reference for concubine women and often means I, myself. This is phrased as such to emphasize referring back to oneself. In this case, it is Second Yiniang’s opinion in her own dismissive, deprecatory way similar to how intensive/emphatic pronouns are used in English.

As expected, the Old Jiang Madame remarked, “Silly, this sort of talk should not be carelessly spoken.” Yet, what appeared on her expression was a look without any condemnation and seemed rather joyful. Jiang Chao followed suit and smiled as Xia Yan gently pushed Jiang Quan. As every person in the room began to smile and laugh, they really seemed like a harmonious and affectionate family.

Just at this time when everyone was in an amicable and friendly mood, abruptly, a voice interjected, “What is everyone talking about, to actually laugh and smile this joyously?”

Jiang Ruan’s lips lightly curled and from outside the door, a beautiful married woman walked unhurriedly into the room. In contrast with Xia Yan and the other few yiniangs, she seemed to appear extremely youthful. Dressed in an absinthe green, thin cotton top with embroidered clouds and a goose on it, she had donned an embroidered skirt filled with butterflies flying in the mist and clouds. Combed into a topknot bun, her hair had been braided into a fancy layered pattern that seemed like numerous flowers bunched together. However, she did not accessorize it with a hairpin but merely had a branch of a light yellow plum blossom in it. With a faint smile gracing her face as she walked forth, she had a sort of misty-soft beauty. Unexpectedly, unlike the usual tenderness and suppleness of the furens of government officials, her delicate bearing did not have the slightest trace of artificiality and seemed as if it had been deeply engraved into her very bones.

Image result for chinese traditional flower hair bun

Layered top knot bun that seems like flowers (but without the accessories)

Yellow plum blossoms

The embroidered goose among clouds (similar to what may be embroidered) on the cotton top

This precisely described the Fifth Yiniang, Hong Ying[3]. Regardless of any protests or obstruction given, Jiang Quan, a person who had quite a reputation, had stubbornly bought this star courtesan[4] from the Fireworks district[5]. Initially, he had wanted to gift her to a superior, however, she had eventually become the Fifth Yiniang in the fu. Due to this, considerable harm had been brought to Jiang Quan’s reputation. At that time, there had been rumours that Xia Yan had even made some noise over this with him, but finally, the matter had remained unresolved. Still, when all was said and done, Hong Ying had caused some seedlings of discontent to sow in between Jiang Quan and Xia Yan. Now, although this gap in between them seemed negligible, it still remained a vulnerable area that could be properly exploited.

[3] T/N: ‘红缨’ Hong Ying’s name has the characters that means red and tassel, similar to how her beauty can be literally translated and described as a misty, vapoury beauty that has weighed down or hung down. Kinda like a red tassel that hangs and attracts your attention as a decorative element.

[4] T/N: ‘清倌儿’ This refers to Hong Ying’s former status as a star courtesan, who had been sold as a slave and prized for her virginity or her skills in artistry such as in the art of dancing, singing, drawing, reciting and composition poems, the chess game Go or playing the guqin. This signifies that she is a prized possession of the pleasure house and essentially, the star performer and attraction there. In addition, she must have the appearance and the figure to match her status as a courtesan or as the trump card to lure in big-time customers, the matron would have a beautiful woman, who does not have much talent and still had her chastity, to sell her first time away.

[5] T/N: ‘烟花之地’ This is a euphemism meaning the prostitution area or the red light district, also commonly known there as the fireworks district.

In her past life, by the time Jiang Ruan had returned to the fu, Hong Ying had already reached the point of being a rival to Xia Yan that could equally match up on par with her to the point that no one was able to look down on her in the fu. Nevertheless, due to Xia Yan being pregnant once more, Hong Ying had then bribed some servants to induce Xia Yan into a miscarriage. However, in the end, she was unsure of what happened but her plot had been exposed. Jiang Quan had become furious and then had Hong Ying confined to her courtyard. Yet, Hong Ying had, by her own accord, ultimately hung herself.

Now that she thought about it, although matters had come to a head, Jiang Quan still had not had Hong Ying beaten alive but merely restricted her to her courtyard. In all likelihood, he might have some genuine feelings for Hong Ying then. Thus, it seemed rather suspicious that without rhyme or reason, Hong Ying had hung herself in the firewood storage room. One could not help but suspect that this could have been Xia Yan’s doing. In her past life, Jiang Ruan did not have much contact with Hong Ying due to the degree of absolute hatred and loathing Xia Yan had for Hong Ying. Now, it remained that Jiang Ruan herself still had no clue of what sort of person Hong Ying was.

With Hong Ying’s presence, when Jiang Quan’s gaze fell upon her figure, the expression on his face slightly became gentler as he said, “We were talking about some of Chao’er’s matters.”

Xia Yan’s gaze had become slightly sluggish that it was almost undetectable, however, Jiang Ruan had caught sight of it. Innately, Xia Yan had a deeply educated air and appearance. In contrast, for a woman that had come from the Fireworks district, Hong Ying possessed the charmingness that a young lady from an official family would not have. For men, this would aptly be filled with loveliness that was extremely attractive and mesmerising. Jiang Quan was fond of talented ladies, Xia Yan had talent and Hong Ying did not lack any either; she was capable and well-educated in the four arts (zither, Go, calligraphy and painting). While not as dignified and composed as Xia Yan, with her long worldly experience from meeting numerous people in the Fireworks district, she understood and knew far better than Xia Yan what Jiang Quan liked to hear. Therefore, ever since Hong Ying had entered the Jiang fu, the reality was that Xia Yan was no longer Jiang Quan’s only intelligent and charmingly understanding beauty anymore.

Hong Ying faintly bobbed in curtsey towards Jiang Chao, “I heard that the Second Young Master will be taking the preliminary rounds of imperial examinations in a few days. Qishen prays that Second Young Master will achieve top marks in the imperial examinations and in one stroke, seize an overall triumph.”

Initially, Jiang Chao’s gaze towards Hong Ying was somewhat hazy but after hearing what she said, his brows could not help but smoothen out, “Many thanks to Fifth Yiniang for your kind words.”

Jiang Su Su then smiled as she strode over and stood beside Jiang Chao, “Why is everyone standing, why don’t we move into the hall. Mother has already had delicious food prepared for quite some time now, we were only waiting together for Father and Elder Brother to arrive.”

The Old Jiang Madame clapped her hands too, “That’s right, it is still the Second girl (JSS) that is thoughtful.”

Thus, the entire family then happily moved towards the hall. With distant eyes, Jiang Ruan swept a look around and waited until Jiang Quan had walked past her. Only then, did she lightly speak up, “Why don’t I see Third Younger Sister?”

The Second Yiniang who was standing at one side had suddenly paused in her movements as she turned around to forcefully mince out a smile, “The Third Young Miss is a little unwell today, so she is in her courtyard, resting.”

Deeply troubled, Jiang Ruan then remarked, “Surely a physician has been invited over? If it is of import, then we ought to have someone give a call, after all, today is the day that Esteemed Father has returned to the fu…”

“It’s alright,” Jiang Quan interrupted her and coldly stated, “we will just have her rest for a few more days!”

Jiang Ruan immediately became silent while the Second Yiniang viciously wrung the handkerchief in her hands. Then, she slowly followed Jiang Quan who had advanced ahead.

Jiang Ruan faintly smiled once more, without exception, everyone who had sat to have a meal together was in high spirits. However, that was merely what was shown on the surface, who knew what each and every respective person there was thinking or scheming of. After the meal, unexpectedly, Jiang Quan did not go to Yan Hua Yuan (Xia Yan’s current residence) but rather, to Hong Ying’s courtyard. Naturally, the Second Yiniang felt aggrieved and in a string of words, openly cursed Hong Ying as a vixen before she left. Yet, Xia Yan tenderly sent him off and did not seem even the least bit unhappy. That very evening in her residence, as she brought up this matter, Lian Qiao remarked, “Furen is certainly hard to deal with. The master has gone to Fifth Yiniang’s courtyard after he had just returned to the fu and she (Xia Yan) can still summon a smile.”

Bai Zhi stared at her blankly, “What nonsense are you talking about.”

“But have I said something wrong?” Lian Qiao had always had a blunt personality and was unable to conceal her dislike towards Xia Yan, “I just can’t believe that from the depths of her heart, she would truly be this delighted about it?”

Lu Zhu had crouched on the floor to stir up the coal chunks in the brazier as she lifted her head and blinked, “Of course, it was for the Second Young Master. Isn’t furen wishing for the Second Young Master to become the top-scorer in the imperial examinations; what does Miss think, would the Second Young Master be able to pass the exam this time round?”

Unlike how she usually passed her time reading some books, Jiang Ruan had been sitting in front of the table. And who knew what she had been thinking about as, ever since she had returned, she had been thoughtfully staring at the teapot the whole time. After hearing the conversation between her maidservants, she faintly laughed, “Second Brother is a human encyclopaedia. Ever since he was young, he has been unusually intelligent and has been personally guided by our esteemed father since the cusp of his childhood. Moreover, all of the grafts have been extensively and thoroughly given to those in the upper and lower echelons, there is no doubt about it. With all that, he ought to pass.”

“Then, wouldn’t that be terrible?” Lian Qiao remarked in alarm, “If the Second Young Master truly did pass the exams, then in the days ahead, those in the Yan Hua Yuan would not even give those of us here the time of the day. I’m afraid that the Old Madame would side with the Second Young Master then.”

“What is there to be afraid of, I only said that it was only natural that he ought to pass. Why, I say, the Second Young Master will certainly not be able to make the passing mark.” Jiang Ruan faintly affirmed.

In her past life, Jiang Chao had indeed passed the exam and although he was not the top scorer[6], he was still a true to honest third-place candidate, a ‘Flower Snatcher’ scholar. At that time, with the emperor personally conferring his title to him, he was immediately pleased as punch with his success and the Jiang fu’s name had gained considerable fame throughout the capital. Thus, he had also gained the favor of the prime minister’s daughter, having the completely perfect life filled with fame and a beauty by his side.

[6] Zhuàng yuán ( 状元 ) & Tàn huā ( 探花 ) – The first phrase ‘zhuàng yuán’ refers to the top scorer of the imperial examinations which is a triennial court exam, also commonly known as the metropolitan exam. These scholars that take the first place ‘top thesis author’ 状元 (zhuàng yuán), the second place ‘eyes positioned alongside’ 榜眼 (bǎng yǎn), and the third place ‘flower snatcher’ 探花 (tàn huā) named positions in the examinations are addressed as 進士及第, distinguished advanced scholars (jìn shì jí dì).

It is an important title since only the top three graduates of the national court exam could use this title. Furthermore, having a title of an imperial scholar (進士 jìn shì) or a successful graduate, means that just passing the imperial exams, it was an equivalent to the modern Doctor of Literature degree or PhD. Therefore, these top scholars’ titles and ranks embody the prestigiousness and reverence that commoners used to have for them that they would even hold parades!

However, in this new life, how could she bear to have him get what he wanted now? In this brief period of time ahead, she too would show him and give him a taste of just how someone, who was high in the clouds, could fall to the ground.