Chapter 148: Marriage talks are so suffocating (2/2)

“Mufei, chenqie heard that unmarried girls who get rewarded at the Plum Blossom Meet can get famous enough to attract a crowd of matchmakers to trample their doorways flat. Are the rumors really so exaggerated?” Han Yunxi asked seriously.

Grand Concubine Yi smiled. “It may be so, but there’s a hint of truth to this, too.”

If a girl could win a stunning bout at the Plum Blossom Meet, she’d have earned the admiration of countless young men and their marriage proposals. As a result, this sacred gathering was the dream goal of many a girl in the capital city.

“Is that so. Then I should accompany Wanru. She’s reached marriageable age by now,” Han Yunxi said with a smile.

These words made Murong Wanru’s heart thump! This slut Han Yunxi wants to marry her off? It wasn’t her business who she married!

“Wanru, you have to perform well. Mufei, you should tell Steward Xia to bulk up our doorway by a few more layers,” Han Yunxi teased.

A complicated look flitted past Grand Concubine Yi’s eyes, but she said nothing.

Instead, Han Yunxi kept speaking. “Mufei, could it be that you’ve already thought of a match for Wanru?”

Grand Concubine Yi immediately shook her head. “There’s no such thing, don’t spread such rumors around.”

“Mufei, Wanru’s not young anymore. If she’s not anxious, shouldn’t you be anxious for her sake?” Han Yunxi asked again.

Murong Wanru felt like her lungs were about to explode as she listened on one side. Neither mufei nor her were in a rush, so why was this slut in such a hurry? What was it to her?!

But Grand Concubine Yi only said mildly, “Of course I’m anxious. But you can’t rush such matters. Something that lasts for a lifetime requires slow and careful consideration.”

Murong Wanru’s heart seemed to stop at these words. How could mufei say such things? She was an adopted daughter, not the Duke of Qin’s little sister by flesh and blood. Hadn’t mufei said repeatedly in the past that she’d make a match between her and the Duke of Qin? Mufei once said that as long as the Duke of Qin agreed, she’d instantly make her his concubine. This way, she could stay by her side forever.

Was mufei changing her mind?

All her years of hard work was so that she could stay by the Duke of Qin’s side. She couldn’t be an official wife because of her birth background, but she didn’t mind being a concubine. Mufei should understand her heart best, so how could she act like this?

“Indeed, it has to be slowly and carefully considered. If mufei has anyone in mind, don’t hide it like a secret. Chenqie could help you think it over as well,” Han Yunxi was very earnest.

Grand Concubine Yi nodded without saying a word. But this simple action was enough to break Murong Wanru’s heart. Filled with feeling, she hastily grabbed Grand Concubine Yi’s hand.

“Mufei, daughter won’t marry! She won’t! Daughter wants to stay at home and serve you for the rest of my life!”

She was clearly dropping a hint to Grand Concubine Yi. Marrying the Duke of Qin meant she could stay home and serve her for life as well.

But Grand Concubine Yi hadn’t even spoken before Han Yunxi said, “What a silly girl, how can mufei keep you for the rest of her life? You’ll be ruining both her and yourself! You’re not little anymore. If you don’t marry, what will the people outside say about you? Or about mufei?”

Murong Wanru looked at Han Yunxi, eyes filled with hidden bitterness. Immediately, her voice turned into a sob. “Sister-in-law, do you dislike Wanru? You want to chase Wanru out?”

“This is mufei’s house, what are you talking about? Sister-in-law is doing this for your own good,” Han Yunxi explained clearly. How could she be ignorant of Murong Wanru’s feelings toward the Duke of Qin?

“Mufei, I…” Murong Wanru wanted to continued, but Grand Concubine Yi waved a hand to cut her off.

“All right, all right, it’s more important to focus on the Plum Blossom Meet first.”

She looked at Han Yunxi and said, “Yunxi, prepare three sets of acceptable clothing worthy of public scrutiny. You’ll wear one on the day of the gathering and save the other two just in case. Use these three days to figure out the circumstances of the Plum Blosson Meet with Wanru. Remember that you’re Qin Wangfei and Princess Changping’s senior. Don’t lose face for me.”

Han Yunxi studied Grand Concubine Yi carefully. She knew there was no avoiding this meet, but it was rare for the imperial concubine to remind her of precautions without admonishments or rude remarks.

All right. Just by Grand Concubine Yi’s manner today, she’d go. Forget about some Plum Blossom Meet, she wouldn’t be afraid even if this was the Hong Gate Banquet[2]!

“Yes, chenqie understands,” Han Yunxi replied seriously.

Murong Wanru’s heart was terrified. She couldn’t accept the things she’d witnessed no matter how she tried. The very same night, she went to understand the situation from Gui mama and a few servant girls.

What a Han Yunxi. It’s only been a few days, but you managed to get rid of all hostility towards you from mufei. If you stay around any longer, how am I, Murong Wanru, supposed to keep my foothold in the Duke of Qin’s estate?

The next day, Murong Wanru immediately arranged to secretly meet Princess Changping!

-o-

[1] Plum Blossom Meet (梅花宴) – meihuayan, an exclusive gathering held by Princess Changping every three years to enjoy the plum blossoms while chatting and drinking together. First mentioned in chapter 88.

[2] Hong Gate Banquet (鸿门宴) – a historical reference to a feast held by Xiang Yu (项羽) for his rival Liu Bang (刘邦) in order to try and take his life.