CH 70

T/N: I’m late but here’s this week’s update! 

Jiuzhu thought he would take her to some fancy music hall or a place preferred by gifted scholars and beautiful ladies1Gifted scholars and beautiful ladies [才子佳人] – I translated it literally. It is an idiom used to refer to a pair of ideal lovers. In ancient China, this type of pairing was popular as leads for romance novels. Kinda like how the domineering CEO × damsel in distress pairing was extremely popular a while back.. But to her surprise, he brought her to a bridge.

There were only a few lonesome red lanterns hanging on the bridge and pedestrians rarely passed by, making the place desolate. The lanterns floated away slowly on the surface of the river, looking much like lazy shooting stars.

“Your Highness, what do you want to show me?” Jiuzhu looked around curiously.

“Shh- They’re here.” Chen Wang pointed to the river below the bridge, where a wooden boat appeared, sailing against the current. Jiuzhu noticed that there were two people on it. Both of them were holding fishing nets.

“They are fishing during the Lantern Festival? Are there any fish in this river?” Jiuzhu looked curiously.

Then she saw the two people using the nets to scoop up the lanterns floating on the river.

Jiuzhu: “……”

“Every year, countless people release lanterns on the river, causing a lot of garbage to accumulate in the river. So the capital’s Magistrate came up with a solution. He ordered his men to secretly retrieve all the lanterns when they floated downstream,” Chen Wang didn’t tell Jiuzhu that he had also released a lantern when he was young and ignorant.

“Sincerity is the key, sincerity is the key.” Jiuzhu made a Daoist gesture with her hands. “The heavens will understand everyone’s intentions.”

And so, the two of them leaned against the bridge and watched the lanterns being fished out for a while.

Ever since he discovered that his lantern was fished out by someone, Chen Wang developed a hobby of watching everyone else’s lanterns getting fished up. Because of this, he came to this secluded place every year by himself. This led his brothers to believe that he didn’t like the hustle and bustle of the Lantern Festival.

“It’s almost zishi2Zishi [子时] – Refers to the time period of 11pm to 1am..” Chen Wang took out two red strings from his sleeve and led Jiuzhu to a tree. He handed one of the strings to her. “Here, tie this to the tree.”

Jiuzhu followed his example, stood on her tiptoes and tied the red string to a branch. “Your Highness, does tying this have any significance?”

“It symbolizes peace, good health and good luck.” Chen Wang let go and looked at the red strings they tied together. He smiled. “Let’s go, I’ll escort you back.”

Just as he finished speaking, they saw a pair of lovers standing under the tree, affectionately tying a red string.

“Husband, we tied the red string together. After this, we will never be separated.”

“Of course, you are the only one in my heart.”

Chen Wang coughed dryly. “Let’s go, these two are definitely outsiders who don’t understand the customs of the capital.”

“Oh,” Jiuzhu glanced at the couple and slowly nodded. She chose to believe his words.

But the Dragon Guards following them from a distance couldn’t suppress their laughter.

Who in the capital didn’t know that lovers tying a red string together during the Lantern Festival symbolized a long-lasting and inseparable relationship?

As easy as it was to lie now, it would be worth equal the embarrassment when the truth is revealed. 

Men ah, they are always full of confidence while lying but once their lies are exposed, they turn shifty.

Chen Wang walked slowly while holding Jiuzhu’s hand, but they eventually reached the doorstep of the Ming residence. He instructed the Dragon Guards to knock on the door and only let go of her hand when the door was opened. “Go in and get some rest.”

Jiuzhu obediently nodded. Chen Wang watched her as she lifted her skirt, and stepped onto the stairs.

“Your Highness,” Jiuzhu lifted the puppy lantern in her hand. “Thank you for the lantern. I really like it.”

Chen Wang lowered his head and looked at the lantern in his hand. “I also really like this lantern.”

Although she had walked several streets without being able to buy it, he managed to do it in her place.

Perhaps, this was exactly what people call ‘a meeting of minds3T/N: Or as we know it, telepathy. It seemed a bit too modern of a word for this novel’s setting so I used this phrase.‘.

Jiuzhu walked into the courtyard with the lantern in hand and saw her parents and elder brother sitting there. All three turned to look at her at the same time. “You’re back?”

She took a step back in surprise. “Everyone has returned?”

“Come, sit here.” Shen-shi glanced at the lantern in Jiuzhu’s hand and motioned her daughter to sit beside her.

“Did you have fun with His Highness Chen Wang?” She touched Jiuzhu’s hand, only to find it nice and warm. Her worries were settled. 

“Yes,” Jiuzhu nodded. “On the way, we met His Highness Huai Wang. He said some strange things.”

She recounted what Huai Wang had said.

“Huai Wang may seem simple-minded but none of his words can be taken at face value,” Ming Jingzhou said. “Huai Wangfei is the daughter of Assistant Minister Wu Mian of the Ministry of Works. Although Wu Mian fails to see the big picture, he does not have any major issues and can be considered a good official. When you interact with Huai Wangfei in the future, you can freely mention anything as long as it is not related to political affairs.”

“Father, are you suggesting that Huai Wang wants…” she lowered her voice, “…wants that position?”

“How many princes don’t not want it?” Ming Jingzhou analyzed the various princes and their main consorts for Jiuzhu. “The fourth prince’s downfall has benefited the eldest prince the most. Previously, the fourth prince enjoyed a good reputation while Huai Wang, as the eldest son, wasn’t as prominent as him.”

“He is saying these things to Chen Wang not because he truly wants to follow Chen Wang blindly, but because he, I’m afraid, wants to get into Empress Su’s good books,” Ming Jingzhou shook his head. “Compared to the previous generation of princes, this generation falls far behind.”

Su-shi had just been crowned empress. The eldest prince already treating Chen Wang like this made him too eager and hypocritical.

Unless Chen Wang was a fool, it was impossible for him to be deceived.

“What did Chen Wang say?”

“His Highness didn’t say anything. He took me away to have fun ah,” Jiuzhu remembered that Chen Wang had told her not to pay too much attention to the eldest prince after they left the restaurant. She couldn’t hold back a smile. “His Highness doesn’t seem too fond of Huai Wang either.”

Ming Jingzhou felt relieved. The Emperor was still young and vigorous. He was afraid Chen Wang might have developed some ideas he shouldn’t have due to Su-shi’s coronation.

“It’s getting late. Let the child go to sleep,” Shen-shi interjected. “In the next few days, there will be acquaintances coming to add dowry4T/N: This custom (添妆 / tiān zhuāng) is kinda like giving red envelopes, except that it is for the bride only. People, or more specifically, women come to add money and other gifts to the bride’s dowry before the wedding.. If she doesn’t sleep well, she won’t have any energy later.”

As the wedding day drew near, the emptiness in her heart widened. She checked and rechecked the dowry list, worried that something might be missing.

Even in her dreams, she worried about her daughter’s marriage.

She… couldn’t bear it ah.

It was already quite late by the time Chen Wang returned to the Zhangliu Palace. A eunuch helped him remove his outerwear. “Your Highness, was it lively outside the Palace?”

“Lively,” Chen Wang took off the jade guan that bound his hair. “The fireworks were splendid. It was quite enjoyable.”

As he washed his face, he remembered the lantern he brought back. “Take good care of the lantern Ben Wang brought. Don’t damage it.”

“Please don’t worry, Your Highness. Us lowly ones will be very careful.” Sensing his good mood, the little eunuch spoke up boldly. “Us servants of Zhangliu Palace are delighted at niangniang being crowned empress. We thought of our paying respects to Your Highness. What do you…”

“Who suggested this?” Chen Wang’s expression sank. He looked up at the little eunuch, his gaze as dark as the night. “Five princes reside in this Zhangliu Palace but all the servants wish to pay their respects to Ben Wang?” 

The little eunuch knelt down in fear.

“Guards, find out who started this matter,” Chen Wang sneered. “Once you find out, report it to the Department of the Palace and inform the Chief Eunuch Liu Zhongbao. Ben Wang doesn’t want to bother with these trivial matters.”

Ever since his Father Emperor ascended the throne, even if he behaved arrogantly in the harem, no one dared to criticize him. Why would he even need to specially accept the greetings of a few servants from Zhangliu Palace?

The next morning, the news of this incident reached Liu Zhongbao’s ears.

“When did someone as noble as His Highness Chen Wang care about these petty tricks of carrying favor?” Liu Zhongbao sneered. “At this point, they still can’t settle down? Each and every one of them wants to follow in the footsteps of Zheng-shi?”

“These ignorant fools don’t need to stay in the Palace any longer.” Liu Zhongbao raised his hand. “Deal with them according to the rules but don’t shed any blood. His Highness is about to get married; don’t let these worthless people dirty the Imperial Palace.”

“Liu gonggong, a palace maid from the Imperial Clothing Bureau died last night.”

“Oh?” Liu Zhongbao rubbed his temples and immediately had a little eunuch come forward to serve him.

“What was her name and whom did she serve before?”

“This palace maid was called Hong Mei. She used to be a first-ranked palace maid of Zheng-shi.”

“Hong Mei?” Liu Zhongbao now had some recollection of this palace maid. “How did she die?”

“She accidentally ingested something and howled in pain practically half a shichen before dying.”

“Bury her then. Don’t make any fuss. Hang two chi of red cloth in her room to ward off bad luck,” Liu Zhongbao sighed inexplicably. “In this harem, those who betray their masters will never have a good end. Remember, no matter which master you serve, serve them well. If the master is disgraced, the servant dies. If the master is happy, the servant laughs. If the master is sad, the servant worries. Only suffering awaits those who fail to remember this.”

“Thank you for your advice, gonggong,” the little eunuchs were frightened to the point of silence.

“Xiao Lizi, Xiao Dezi,” Liu Zhongbao pointed at two young eunuchs. “Accompany this humble one to observe how the Qilin Palace is being prepared. His Highness Chen Wang’s wedding is almost here. There must not be any slip-ups.”

Qilin Palace was for princes. Since the founding of Da Cheng, only a total of five princes have lived there. And each one of these princes was extremely favored. 

If it weren’t for the beloved Qilin child5T/N: Qilin (麒麟 / qílín), with the male referred to as ‘lin’ (麟) and the female as ‘qi’ (麒), is one of the four auspicious beasts of the Chinese culture along with the Dragon, Phoenix and Tortoise. It denotes benevolence, prosperity, bravery and righteousness. A qilin’s body is that of an ox (sometimes it is also a deer or horse) and covered with scales. Its head is kinda like a dragon. Some qilins are depicted with one horn while others with two. A qilin is said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a sage or an illustrious ruler (e.g., it is said to have appeared before Confucius’ birth and death). So, a qilin child is regarded very highly. Both this article and this one give beautiful explanations. I’ve attached pictures of both one-horned and two-horned qilin:

One-horner qilin

Two-horned qilin

, why would there be a name like ‘Qilin’?

Inside Qilin Palace, every blade of grass and tree was newly replaced, the doors and pillars were freshly painted and the best incense to drive away mosquitoes and ants was used daily.

Because Chen Wang specifically stated that there should be no incense in the chambers, fresh flowers and fruits were arranged in every room, and they were replaced with new ones every three shichen. As a result, the entire Qilin Palace was filled with the refreshing fragrance of flowers and fruits.

The red candles, red silk, red lanterns and even each one of the palace maids serving inside was carefully selected. Liu Zhongbao used a white handkerchief to check every corner meticulously and finally nodded in satisfaction. “Not bad. Everyone, put in effort. If anyone causes trouble, don’t blame this humble one for being merciless.”

“Gonggong.” a little eunuch approached Liu Zhongbao and whispered, “Gonggong, Fourth Huangzifei sent a message saying that she wishes to ask for a palace maid serving in Qianyi Pavilion.”

Liu Zhongbao flicked his horsetail whisk: “Since it’s a personal request from the Fourth Huangzifei, this old slave will naturally give her face. Send over that palace maid.”

He remembered that a senior palace maid named Bai Shao served Zheng-shi. Most likely, she was the one whom the Fourth Huangzifei wanted.

Holding a bundle in her hands, Bai Shao stood outside Zhangliu Palace. She adjusted her slightly worn-out clothes, lowered her head and walked in through the main entrance.

In the outer courtyard, the princes were each occupied with their own stuff.  Naturally, none of them paid any attention when a single palace maid came in.

“Your Highness,” a eunuch hurriedly passed by her and walked quickly toward Chen Wang. “Your Highness, the item you asked for is not available in the Department of the Palace.”

“If it’s not available, make it so now,” Chen Wang clicked his tongue. “It must be done before Ben Wang’s wedding.”

Bai Shao snapped out of her daze, realizing that Ming Xianzhu and His Highness Chen Wang’s wedding was just a few days away.

“Wait,” Chen Wang called the little eunuch back. “Deliver this to Ming Xianzhu on Ben Wang’s behalf.”

Bai Shao looked closely and discovered that the thing he was holding in his hand was… a letter?

“Your Highness, only this letter? Nothing else?”

“Why waste so many words?” Chen Wang’s eyebrows slightly furrowed. “If the Xianzhu wishes to reply, wait at the Ming residence. After she finishes writing, bring the letter back to Ben Wang.”

The servants of the Zhangliu Palace were clearly not as good as those attendants he was accustomed to.

Tsk, they really lack insight!

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One-horner qilin

Two-horned qilin