Chapter 4: Then let her keep waiting (2/2)
“Hmph, since she wants to come in so much, then we’ll let her in! I’d like to see how long she can stay!” Grand Concubine Yi wouldn’t attract any attention. No matter what sorts of things happened inside the Duke of Qin’s residence, none of it would ever get out. Murong Wanru could only nod in acceptance, but a glint of self-satisfaction shone in her eyes.
She had long hoped for Han Yunxi to enter the gates. Grand Concubine Yi had a mind to pair Murong Wanru with the Duke of Qin. Unfortunately, her birth status was petty and low so she had no chances of being his wife, only a secondary concubine. The one thing she feared was someone powerful and influential stealing away the position of head wife.
This Han Yunxi with her ruined looks was just a tool used by the emperor to humiliate the Duke of Qin. Both he and mufei would only hate and spurn her, giving her no chance to turn her prospects around. If the proper wife selected by the empress dowager could die, then the position would be left open. This was Murong Wanru’s most ideal ending.
Murong Wanru was in a good mood as she held GrandConcubine Yi’s hand and carefully accompanied her back.
“Aye, if the empress dowager could pair you with Feiye, then my life’s wish would be fulfilled,” Grand Concubine Yi lightly patted Murong Wanru’s hand, filled with regrets.
“Mufei, Wanru only wants to serve at your side for the rest of my life,” Murong Wanru hastily declared.
“You can still serve me for the rest of my life if you’re my daughter-in-law. When you have nothing else to do, go visit the Duke of Qin in his study, understood?” Grand Concubine Yi smiled.
Murong Wanru’s face almost turned red as she lowered her head. It was a sight that anyone could love, and made Grand Concubine Yi like her all the better.
“Mufei, the duke should return tonight, right? Otherwise, who’ll kick the sedan chair door[3] tomorrow?” Murong Wanru asked again.
“It’s better if there’s no one to kick it. She can keep on waiting inside.” Grand Concubine Yi’s tone sounded like she was discussing the weather.
-o-
[1] mufei (母妃) －literally “mother concubine,” a respectful way to refer to a mother-in-law who was a concubine of the emperor.
[2] Murong Wanru (慕容宛如) －Murong is a two-character surname, Mu can mean “admire, yearn for”, Rong is “hold,” “tolerate/permit”, “facial expression.” Wan is “winding, tortuous”, Ru is “like, as if”, “surpass/exceed”. Wanru together also means “just like.”
[3] kick the sedan chair door (踢轿门) －tijiaomen, in ancient China the groom traditionally kicked the bride’s sedan chair door before accepting her inside. This was meant to make sure that the husband wouldn’t be henpecked and the wife wouldn’t fight back in the future. Chinese weddings are ridiculously complicated things, I recommend you read up on them, it’s fun~ Han Yunxi’s progress so far has been highly irregular.