CH 132.2

Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine Ch 132 Pt. 2

Translated by gingercat

Edited by gingercat

Yaoniang, who remained seated inside, heard what was happening outside. She thought to herself that the conflict between Consort Qing and Side Consort Han was certainly not small. No wonder Jin Wang had said those words to her before coming here.

As she was thinking, Consort Qing came in from outside. “I can’t let sister-in-law simply sit here to accompany me. Many ladies have arrived and are waiting at Chengxiang Pavilion. Let’s go and take a look.”

Yaoniang nodded.

This Chengxiang Pavilion was located in the back garden of Qing Wang Manor. Facing a lake, the scenery was very pleasing to the eyes.

It resembled a water pavilion, but it was much larger than a normal water pavilion. It was divided into several individual gazebos, all connected by verandas. There was one main parlour facing the lake, while the others all faced the garden.

Jin Wang Manor also had such a place. If it weren’t for the difference in the scenery, Yaoniang would’ve suspected they were back at Jin Wang Manor.

When Consort Qing and Yaoniang arrived, there were already many people at Chengxiang Pavilion. Shadows of clothes flitted about and the scent of perfume lingered in the air. These ladies were either in small groups of twos or threes or in larger groups of three to five. Scattered throughout the pavilion, they chatted and laughed with those they knew.

And in the main parlour, there were many noble ladies sitting together, with extravagant makeup and dresses that didn’t lose out to each other. With Side Consort Han accompanying them, one could tell that this woman had a smooth and slick personality. As everyone laughed and chatted with each other, the atmosphere was lively and joyous.

A maid was standing next to Side Consort Han, holding a child in her hands. The child was dressed in red with a golden lock on his neck, looking very cute.

As soon as Consort Qing arrived, Side Consort Han stood up and said with a tone of relief, “Older sister, you finally came. Younger sister was waiting for you.”

These words carried a tone of ambiguity. Although they seemed normal, they carried hidden meanings behind them.

Since Consort Qing didn’t make an appearance until now, Side Consort Han had stepped forward to entertain the women who were here to congratulate them. Technically, there wasn’t anything inappropriate about this. After all, side consorts were also recorded on the imperial jade slip and it was likely that there was no one else here with a higher rank than her. But a side consort was still a side consort. It wasn’t like there was no Consort Qing, so how could it be her turn to act as the hostess?

Yet even though there was clearly a Consort Qing, she didn’t make an appearance. This was something worth taking note of. The people sitting here were all women who lived in the backyard for many years. Many households had the same situation. The legal wife and the concubine shared an eternal conflict, one that was unlikely to ever be resolved until the day they die.

Some people sympathized with Consort Qing and not a few who disdained Side Consort Han. But none of this would affect their superficial harmony. It wasn’t their family’s matter, and they were only here for a meal. Who would be bothered to meddle in this kind of matter? Naturally, if there was a play, they’d be happy to watch. If there wasn’t, they’d simply idle around. This was how it has always been.

For those who were bystanders, this was naturally easy to do. But for the party involved, it was not so easy to have such an open mind. Long before she came in, Consort Qing had already seen how complacent Side Consort Han was, even though she was quite the distance away. 

She lifted the corners of her mouth into a smile and said to Side Consort Han, “This is the first time for little fifth sister-in-law to visit. His Highness ordered this consort to entertain her well. This is why we arrived late.” After that, she turned towards the noblewomen. With the air of the mistress of the household, she said, “It is this consort’s honour for you all to grace this humble household with your presence.”

“Your Highness is too courteous”

“It is my honour to be able to attend this joyful event.”

After all the polite greetings, Side Consort Han announced it was time for the second young master’s Zhua Zhou. This was the highlight of the celebration. Following word of mouth, the entire parlour was soon filled with people both inside and outside. With a giant smile on their faces, everyone’s gaze was on the little boy dressed in red, seated at the center on top of the table.

The table was covered with all sorts of things used for Zhua Zhou. There was a jade pendant, a copy of each of the four books and five classics, the Four Treasures of the Study, an abacus, and an account book. There were also miniature bows and swords, and some palace flowers. Rouge, food, and some children’s toys were also present but they were all placed towards the corners and were only there to make up for the number.

Yaoniang couldn’t help but touch Xiaobao’s head. When it was Xiaobao’s turn to Zhua Zhou, Jin Wang had also wanted to make it a big deal. Unfortunately, it was almost Emperor Hongjing’s fiftieth birthday celebration. They were still on the road, so the family of three only ate a bowl of longevity noodles. Seeing such a lively scene today, she couldn’t help feeling a little guilty in her heart. But then she thought that her Xiaobao was so smart, he would definitely become someone remarkable in the future. This Zhua Zhou was only a superstition to add to the joyful atmosphere. There was no guarantee that it would come true.

Just as it was about to start, Side Consort Han suddenly spoke.

With a gloating smile on her face, she took out a seal and placed it on the table. “For the sake of this event, His Highness specially lent me his golden seal to be included as well.”

This rectangular-shaped golden seal had a dragon head, the body of a turtle, and a dragon tail. At first glance, one could see that it did not seem like an ordinary object.

And indeed, it was not an ordinary object. When a prince is appointed with his title, he would receive a golden book and a golden treasure. This golden treasure referred to the golden seal, which represents the status and majesty of the prince. It’s just that the gold seal is too large and heavy, which made it unsuitable for daily use. This is why a smaller version of the golden seal, with the same material, style, and printing surface, is created for regular use.

It was clear that Side Consort Han was holding the golden seal that was the symbol of Qing Wang and used by him on a daily basis.

To give one’s golden seal to a side consort, even if it was only temporarily, was rare enough. And for the seal to appear at this kind of occasion– people couldn’t help having subtle feelings in their hearts.

To use this for Zhua Zhou… If the second young master really chose it, where would that put the first young master?

After all, this golden seal was a symbol of Qing Wang’s power. Although Zhua Zhou was said to be an exciting and joyful event, it also represented the adults’ expectations for the child. Could it be that Qing Wang didn’t like the eldest young master, and had high hopes for the second young master instead?

Those present could all understand this. Their eyes couldn’t help but fall on Consort Qing’s face. Although it was only a quick glance, the meaning behind it couldn’t be easily brushed off.

Consort Qing clenched her hands under her sleeves tightly. Although she wore a smile on her face, her face was frighteningly pale. Her lips trembled and it was obvious her demeanour affected Yan Ge’er next to her.

Yan Ge’er bit his lower lip and tugged on the corner of his mother’s clothes. Zhuzhu still had her ignorant eyes wide open, gazing with admiration at the second young master who was like a moon surrounded by stars.

Yaoniang felt a little uncomfortable in her heart. She couldn’t help holding the hand of Consort Qing.

Zhua Zhou started soon. Even without anyone to guide him, the second young master grabbed the golden seal to no one’s surprise.

The child was only one-year-old. How could any normal child at this time be so sensible to grab that? It was obvious someone had deliberately taught him. Yaoniang finally understood why Side Consort Han had insisted on inviting Consort Qing over. This was clearly a demonstration of power.

After a period of silence, someone began to congratulate Side Consort Han. With one, naturally, there will be another, then another.

Under the cacophony of congratulations, Consort Qing turned and left. No one seemed to notice.

Then Yaoniang, Yan Ge’er, Zhu Zhu, Xiaobao, and the maids left as well.

…

Consort Qing walked too fast, Yaoniang could not keep up.

She walked for a while before realizing that she seemed to be lost. Not only did she not see Consort Qing, she even lost track of Yan Ge’er and Xiaobao. She could only try to retrace her steps and ask a maid to lead her to the right place.

Seeing Chengxiang Pavilion from a distance, she quickened her pace but was suddenly stopped by someone.

It was a young and beautiful woman.

The woman looked at Yaoniang and said, “Do you know who I am?” 

Yaoniang didn’t know her, so she shook her head honestly.

The woman sneered. “Indeed. How can someone from your background know who I am? I’m here to tell you that you are not worthy of him. You are not worthy of standing next to him.”

Although Yaoniang didn’t know where this crazy woman came from, it did not prevent her from realizing that the ‘him’ in this context referred to Jin Wang.

To say something like this, this woman must have seen the scene of her and Jin Wang entering Qing Wang Manor earlier.

From what she was aware, Jin Wang was too busy to raise a mistress outside. Besides her, Side Consort Xu and Side Consort Liu were the only ones in the entire Jin Wang Manor. As for those two, she hasn’t seen either of them in a long time.

Since that was so, who’s this person with her nose pointed to the sky?

She looked at the woman with a hint of pity in her eyes. “Miss, if you’re sick, go home and see a doctor. If you don’t get treated in time and end up with permanent brain damage, it would be too late for regrets.”

Wang Defang wasn’t a fool. How could she not realize that the other party was scolding herself? Indignant and furious, she asked, “You’re scolding me?”

“I’m saying it for your own good!”

“What backing do you have to dare to utter such words before me?”

“I don’t have any special background!”

Yaoniang couldn’t help feeling a sense of irritation inside. The loneliness of Consort Qing and the demonstration of power from Side Consort Han made her realize that for certain people, she was a thorn in the side they couldn’t wait to get rid of. 

There was no doubt that she sympathized with Consort Qing in her heart, and hated Side Consort Han. But she happened to be a woman in the same position as Side Consort Han. She was also a concubine with no status in front of the legal wife. While she did feel disgusted by what Side Consort Han had done, there were bound to be others who were disgusted by her.

The only difference was that she never had any desire to fight for anything. Or perhaps she does, but only hides it better. Although she acted like she had nothing to do with the mundane world, she was very clear about how cold Jin Wang treated the consort. But she never once tried to interfere. Jin Wang always called her dumb, but she wasn’t dumb at all. She only acted muddleheaded, because she wished to hold on to him and not let go.

She wasn’t even willing to concede to the consort, let alone the two side consorts in the manor. Who was this person to block her way and show off her might?

With these complicated thoughts swirling around her mind, Yaoniang, who had always been direct, said, “Miss, I already said you’re sick, why won’t you admit it? Don’t you know who I am? I am the side consort of His Highness Jin Wang recorded in the imperial family’s genealogy and appointed by His Majesty himself! You’re only a titleless little girl. Not only did you not greet this consort, but you even dared act presumptuously! Is this how noble families raise their daughters these days?!” 

“You – ” Wang Defang was so angry that smoke seemed to be coming from her ears. “What a sharp tongue!”

“Miss, thank you for your praise. His Highness always calls my mouth clumsy and worries that I’m too easily bullied by others. I’m truly not worthy of your compliment.” With that said, Yaoniang walked around her before continuing on her way. Irritation bubbled up inside her and she was in no mood to continue chatting with this crazy woman.

“You’re only a plaything who relies on your beauty to serve men!”

Yaoniang stopped. She turned around and looked at Wang Defang.

With a cold grin on her face, her present look really didn’t suit her young and lively appearance. Her sneer only made her look gorgeous and lethal.

“Miss, don’t you know that these words can’t be casually spoken? However, since you’ve said it, it’s true that this consort has beauty. But you?”

As she spoke, she looked Wang Defang up and down with a disdainful gaze.

Wang Defang could no longer hold herself back. She screamed, “You actually said I’m not as good-looking as you? Are you blind? I’m one of the four beauties of the capital!”

“This consort has breasts, what do you have? Take a good look at yourself. You’re so flat, one wouldn’t even be able to tell your front from your back. His Highness isn’t interested in wooden planks. Are you sure your title as one of the four beauties in the capital isn’t self-appointed?”

Wang Defang was utterly stunned by Yaoniang’s shameless remarks. Apart from looking at the towering mounds of the other party, she had no other reaction.

Taking advantage of this moment, Yaoniang hurried away. To think she was so frustrated that she even said such shameful words. How embarrassing. 

After walking forward for a while, she heard a voice coming from behind. “Just you wait! Soon, I’ll be Consort Jin!”

Yaoniang’s steps paused before she continued on her way.