The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort (Chapters 1- 203)

Chapter 99 : Empress Dowager Yi De

Translated by : Mazu

Edited by : Anks & Ely

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Yu Ping hall was already packed with furens and young misses; almost all of them were the relatives of high-ranking officials and nobility. Since there were many nobilities, everyone gracefully exchanged greetings in low voices as they couldn't appear to be either too prudish or too presumptuous.

The Empress sat on the high seat in the middle, while to her right, the four imperial consorts took their respective places according to their ranks. She was looking at the furens and young misses below with a smile, occasionally exchanging pleasantries, and looking very cordial.

The little eunuch tasked with announcing orders called out loudly, "Minister Jiang fu's furen has arrived—"

Everyone's sight turned towards the door in unison.

Jiang Quan, the Defense Minister, had been in the limelight in the capital recently. The reason was none other than Eldest Young Master Jiang, who had just recently returned to the capital. He was now the fastest to be promoted in the Great Jin dynasty as well as the youngest Deputy General. Besides, he had also performed many meritorious deeds as soon as he returned. Based on hearsay, His Majesty liked him very much, thus, one might assume that this giant among men would have a bright future and an unobstructed path to officialdom. The furens in attendance had heard their husbands occasionally speak of him. There were many young misses present who were of marriageable age and some of them wanted to get married into the Jiang family. So now that they heard Minister Jiang's family had arrived, they would naturally cast their eyes on them.

Xia Yan and several others in her company actually thought that those furens were looking at her. She walked firmly with her back even straighter and her smile gentle and dignified.

The crowd watched in silence. Xia Yan and Jiang Su Su both looked gentle and graceful. Jiang Li, though vivacious, looked slightly frivolous. Jiang Dan had a delicate and timid appearance, but it was out of place in this big scene. Then there was Jiang Ruan, who was behind Xia Yan, and walked steadily with a smile on her lips. With a bright and charming smile, her every move showed the noble elegance of someone who naturally belonged to the imperial palace.

Seeing this, everyone remembered that Xia Yan was not Jiang Xin Zhi's biological mother after all, but Jiang Ruan and Jiang Xin Zhi were real siblings. If Jiang Xin Zhi was promoted and gained wealth in the future, Jiang Ruan would follow suit, since a rising tide lifted the boats[1]. They also saw that Jiang Ruan had proper manners -knowing how to advance or retreat in front of superiors- and didn't reveal any nervousness even while facing such a big event as this palace banquet for the first time. She was nothing like a person who had been brought up in a rural mountain village. Some of the furens also started having other ideas. They were thinking about going home and settling on this Eldest Jiang Miss as early as possible.

[1]水涨船高 (shuǐzhǎng-chuángāo) – (idiom) when the river rises, the boat floats high; fig. to change with the overall trend / to develop according to the situation.

Xia Yan and the others came forward to salute the Empress and the nobility. Though the Empress was already over 40[1], she was healthy and didn't look aged. She'd sat in a high position for many years, but had no air of lofty aloofness about her. She was not favoured and only received the Emperor's respect as her son was the Crown Prince. Therefore, at first glance, she looked no different from an ordinary official's furen. The Empress smiled as she commanded Xia Yan and others to get up, looking very sincere and kind.

[2] T/N: This is based on the idiom 不惑之年 "can discern truth and are confident." Usually those of 40 years old.

Imperial Consort Xian was a bit younger. She appeared charming and naive with a kind of artless innocence. Thus, it was no wonder that she had given birth to a mediocre son like Fourth Prince, Xuan Lang. Imperial Consort De was older. She sat in a dignified manner, worthy of the title, "virtuous". In the royal courts, Fifth Prince, Xuan Hua, was reputed to be a very reliable man, loyal and filial, as well as brave and resolute. At the very least, a virtuous man.