Chapter 39 (1/2)
This chapter has been brought to you by me, Adnana and Vivie.
亲王 qinw.a.n.g: first-rank prince
府 fu: compound or estate; junw.a.n.g fu: prince's estate/compound
郡主 junzhu: t.i.tle given to a daughter of a qinw.a.n.g (first-rank prince), or to a female of the Imperial Family by the Emperor's decree
郡王 junw.a.n.g: second-rank prince; also referred to as junw.a.n.g ye, i.e. ”His [Your] Royal Highness”
郡王妃 junw.a.n.g fei: the official wife of a junw.a.n.g
嫡 di: child born of the official wife, not of a concubine
氏 s.h.i.+: clan/maiden name
夫人 furen: mistress or madam/lady, referring to the legitimate wife
翁主 wengzhu: t.i.tle given to a daughter of an imperial princess
王妃 w.a.n.g fei: princess consort; the official wife of a (qin)w.a.n.g or prince
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Qinw.a.n.g
The name of An Country Duke Fu did not sound as nice as the Princess Shun Yi Fu, but in reality, it was much more n.o.ble than Princess Shun Yi who did not hold any true power. Qi Long Emperor's decree seemed slightly akin to pressing the ox to the water to drink. The An Country Duke Fu did not intend to meddle in the affairs of the Imperial Family, but they knew something about how Min Huai Junzhu was in love with Xian Junw.a.n.g. Now that Xian Junw.a.n.g had married such a beautiful Xian Junw.a.n.g Fei and did not want this junzhu, the Emperor was having their di eldest grandson take her. What did they think that the An Country Duke Fu was, trash-pickers?
The common saying was that those who were matchmakers should do matches that would end in long-lasting marriages of love, and not hate. Qi Long Emperor's decree was undoubtedly pus.h.i.+ng a thorn into An Country Duke's heart. His di eldest grandson was the one he was most satisfied with. He had originally wanted to get a learned and virtuous wife for his grandson, but then his grandson had been abruptly decreed a marriage.
Yet no matter how unhappy they were, the decree had been proclaimed. They could only show happiness as they went to the palace to state their gratefulness, and then go to Princess Shun Yi Fu to present the betrothal gifts on the day that the Imperial Astronomy Office calculated. However, while there was a lot in the betrothal gifts, there wasn't much sincerity in the end.
The families close to the An Country Duke Fu knew about how badly they felt. They would express sympathy in private, but in public, all of them would just give their congratulations with a smile. The An Country Duke had to swallow this bitter fruit as though it was sweet and fragrant.
On this day, Lu s.h.i.+ came to Xian Junw.a.n.g Fu to visit Hua Xi Wan. She made sure that her daughter did not have any scar on her forehead before she sighed in relief. She then cursed the Fang Clan inside before she said in a low voice, ”The marriage decree for Min Huai Junzhu and the di eldest grandson of the An Country Duke Fu has come down too fast. I went to the An Country Duke Fu a few days ago. Their betrothal gifts might appear good, but there isn't much effort put in. Who knows what that person intends.”
Knowing that Mother was speaking of the Empress, Hua Xi Wan said with a thin smile, ”Who knows, I only remember that this junzhu who was unmarried came to the bridal chamber on the day of my marriage.”
Lu s.h.i.+ had a strong personality, but that did not mean that she lacked intelligence. Hua Xi Wan's words caused her brow to furrow. ”So that is what she thinks? What I wonder is, if the people in the An Country Duke Fu know.”
”Some time ago, Princess Rui He invited us to the estate in the suburbs to play. When we were playing games, An Country Duke Fu's old Furen and the di granddaughter were both present.” Hua Xi Wan's tone carried slight regret. ”At that time, I did not pay attention and accidentally engaged in some slightly intimate actions with Junw.a.n.g Ye. Min Huai Junzhu's expression was slightly ugly. I just don't know if the An Country Duke's old Furen saw. If she did, after asking around…” Hua Xi Wan sighed and said worriedly, ”Then it would not be good. This is all my fault.”
”How can you be blamed for this matter? You and Son-in-law are newly married and it is understandable for you to be slightly close.” Lu s.h.i.+ smiled and raised a teacup for a drink. ”Everyone has their own fate. What is the use in worrying about such things—it tires your mind.”
”Mother is right in lecturing me,” Hua Xi Wan responded. Then she looked at the fragrant laurel flowers in the vase. ”We have already entered autumn and it will be Mid-Autumn soon. It is unfilial that Daughter cannot admire the moon together with Father and Mother.”
”We know your intentions.” Lu s.h.i.+ patted her daughter's hand and forced a smile. She said, ”You are a junw.a.n.g fei now, you have started your own family—how can it be like when you were little? I only hope your days will get even better. That is most filial of you.”
Hua Xi Wan's heart was sore and soft. She put her head on Lu s.h.i.+'s shoulder. ”With you all present, I'm forever a child.”
Lu s.h.i.+ sighed and reached out to pat Hua Xi Wan's shoulder. She knew her own child. This girl seemed to be uncaring of all matters, but in reality, she thought the most of familial love. However, she had too few people in her heart, so not many knew.
It wasn't even noon when Yan Jin Qiu came back in from the outside. When he saw Lu s.h.i.+, he first gave a proper bow of a junior and inquired about the health of Lu s.h.i.+ and the family. After he learned that everything was fine, he smiled and said, ”My worries are rested knowing you are all fine. Xi Wan misses you usually. If Mother-in-law does not have many matters during the day, please come and visit. We do not have many people in the fu. Sometimes, I have official matters outside. It really is boring for Xi Wan to stay by herself in the fu.”
Lu s.h.i.+ smiled warmly and said, ”It is the good fortune of our daughter that Junw.a.n.g Ye loves Junw.a.n.g Fei. But it would be too picky to say that in this enormous junw.a.n.g fu, no one is keeping her company. Junw.a.n.g, you cannot spoil her so.”
”Mother-in-law, you cannot say this.” Yan Jin Qiu glanced and smiled at Hua Xi Wan, his eyes warm. ”There are many people in the fu but they are all servants—how can they compare to Mother-in-law? Also, Xi Wan is not picky. It is just my own selfish desire to have her live more at ease.”
Hearing this, Lu s.h.i.+'s smile grew. She glanced at her daughter who had a faint smile all this time, gave a few polite words and then changed the topic.
At the noon meal, Yan Jin Qiu accompanied Hua Xi Wan and Lu s.h.i.+ to eat. After talking for a while after the meal, he stood and went to the study to give mother and daughter time to talk.