The Beloved Imperial Consort

Chapter 108

Already in House of Rong, she had heard about these plays. Because of this, she had thrown quite a big fit. She strictly forbade the womenfolk in the household from listening to this kind of play ever again. She did not expect that she would bump into them by a chance in the sixth prince’s residence. How can she tolerate it? 

Everyone was baffled by her words. He Lian Min Min feigned a distress. She spoke up to dissolve the situation. 

“Old dowager, this 《Song of West Wing》and 《Return of Hua Rong》are all the latest plays in Shengjing. Womenfolk is very fond of them.” 

She has specially arranged them for old dowager, to teach Mu’shi a lesson today. No matter how well his Highness protected her, as long as her reputation was damaged, it would be all to no avail. Father actually wanted He Lian Wei Rui to enter the residence and assist her. It absolutely mustn’t happen! Since she was unable to openly triumph Mu’shi whom his Highness sided with, there were naturally alternative ways to embarrass her with the help of others. As long as Mu Xi Yao gets unseated and won’t posses a threat to her, even if He Lian Wei Rui wanted to enter the residence, it would be impossible. 

“What an impudence! It’s clearly a blight to benevolence and filial piety!” The old matriarch was so enraged she kept beating the crouch against the ground.  

When Mu Xi Yao heard her words, she immediately understood that things will get meddlesome today. 

She took a look at He Lian Min Min who was sitting there mannerly and watching the fires burning across the river7. Mu Xi Yao sighed inwardly. This woman didn’t want to be her mistress of the house and instead insisted on having a match with her. Zhong Zheng Lin has established his residence today. It’s not enough that she won’t protect the dignity of the prince’s household, she even goes as far as to stir trouble and incite conflicts. 

Zhong Zheng Lin was someone who valued greatly his good name. How could he let her run amok and spoil his reputation? Mu Xi Yao was afraid that after today, He Lian Min Min will receive her punishment. 

He Lian Min Min, this woman, worried her greatly. As a mistress, her fate was closely bound with the prince’s household. Battle for the throne hasn’t started yet and she was already a hindrance to Zhong Zheng Lin? If it was a life or death juncture, would it mean that before Zhong Zheng Han could take any action, He Lian principal consort would have already sent all the hundreds of lives of prince’s household under enemy’s knife? 

Mu Xi Yao’s head ached deeply. Although this woman was not as vicious as to take her life right now, but she would constantly come up with such not-quite-hurting-nor-tickling8 schemes against her. Could it be that Zhong Zheng Lin had to confine her? But, wouldn’t it be a joke? 

In the previous lifetime, He Lian Min Min could, at least, weight up matters carefully. How come her mind was muddle-headed to this extent now? 

Mu Xi Yao didn’t know that her pushiness put a great pressure on He Lian Min Min, making her unable to take a breath. Moreover, there was sir He Lian who had chided her severely and warned her that if she makes no progress he would let Wei Rui enter the residence and help her solidify her favor. Under such circumstances, He Lian Min Min had lost all of her calmness and has, thus, come up with such a foolish move. 

The noble ladies were unaware of animosity going on in this matter. They only thought that the old dowager was being too serious. The opera was for entertainment. There was no need for consideration for all the aspects. If even the decorum they abided by was put on the stage, all the fun would be spoilt. 

The old dowager believed that she was in right hence she firmly prohibited the play from continuing. Everyone was flabbergasted. 

“Cefei, how about you tell us whether this old one is in right?” Having the upper hand, the old dowager of Rong House showed no mercy. She caught the biggest root of all trouble here and ruthlessly called Mu Xi Yao’s name to criticize her.

*****

[1] Hour of Chen is 7-9 Am

[2] East pearl are pearl from North-East of China 

[3] Auspicious ritual belongs to one of five ancient rituals of Western Zhou. It is a ceremony that is conducted during events like banquet, wedding or festival or when an Emperor ascends to the throne, an Empress dowager takes regency, Emperor celebrates his birthday, a crown prince is appointed, Emperor goes on hunting, etc.

[4] Strike water right and left is a Chinese idiom that means to have everything going one’s way; to benefit from both sides

[5] Principal graduate or “Zhuangyuan” was a top scorer of ancient palace examination 

[6] Noxious wind is a Chinese idiom that means malignant social trends 

[7] To watch the fires burning across the river is a Chinese idiom that means to delay entering the fray until all others have been exhausted by fighting amongst themselves

[8] Not quite hurting not tickling sth is a Chinese idiom that means not getting to any matter of substance; scratching the surface; superficial;