Volume 1 Chapter 67-68
Chapter 67: Consort Xian’s Secret Feelings
“This consort, Yu Funing, greets Prince.” The sweet-sounding voice was as pleasing to the ear as the singing of a yellow oriole. Upon hearing this greeting, Ye Junqing looked up and found that a woman dressed in a ornate outfit was standing in front of him with a clever-looking palace maid behind her.
This woman’s features were exquisite, with brows that arched like perfect brushstrokes, eyelashes that were soft as silk, a delicate and gracefully curved figure, and a natural grace that was not overly exaggerated. Her features were lovely and charming. There were not a lot of ornaments in her hair, but every single one that was there was a treasure. For one, that night pearl at her waist was very rare.
Yu Funing was the eldest daughter of Yu Qing, the Director of Board of Rites. Her appearance was dignified and she had a very cautious personality. Her red phoenix eyes seemed to understand everything and from time to time emitted bright light. Due to the fact that Yu Qing was learned and virtuous, and hence accumulated wealth through lawful means, Yu Funing was the wealthiest consort in the Inner Palace. As the proverbs say, money will make the Devil turn millstones. There was not a single event in the Inner Palace that could escape Yu Funing’s eye. She had no less informants than An Bingshan.
“Consort Xian niang niang is being too polite. Please rise.” According to the palace rules, with the exception of the Empress, all the other consorts and concubines in the Inner Palace must give a formal greeting upon seeing a prince. All the consorts and concubines apart from Yao Mowan were still pretty respectful – this was what Ye Junqing was thinking.
“Funing was only aware that Prince’s hands were used to holding swords and blades. Today’s the first that Funing learned Prince also liked cats this much.” Yu Funing calmly swept a glance over Fluffy who was in Ye Junqing’s arms.
“People change. In reality, a person might not like the things they are used to holding. Playing with a cat from time to time is not bad.” If the previous remarks had come from anyone else, Ye Junqing would have taken them to be mocking words. However, he could hear heartache and sincere pity in Yu Funing’s tone so he knew that she had good intentions.
“That is true. It’s rare to have complete freedom in life, so it’s fine as long as Prince likes it. However, does Prince truly like it? Though the days are easy, they aren’t comfortable, are they?” Ripples appeared in her clear eyes as she looked up towards Ye Junqing. Beneath the sunlight, Ye Junqing who was dressed in azure garments seemed like a wind spirit. However, his soul had left with that woman. Was it worth it? Yu Funing really wanted to ask.
“Opinions differ. Junqing still has to bring Fluffy back and so will leave now.” Ye Junqing was surprised to see the sorrow and pity in Yu Funing’s eyes. He had only encountered Consort Xian a handful of times before so no such deep friendship existed between them.
“This consort respectfully sees off Prince!” said Yu Funing as she folded her hands together at the waist and curtsied.
Qian Xi, who was behind Yu Funing, only walked up to help her master up after Ye Junqing had gotten far away.
“Niang niang, why did you say those hurtful things? The Esteemed Prince has probably been angered,” said Qian Xi as she gently smoothed out Yu Funing’s wrinkled skirt.
“This consort couldn’t bear seeing him so decadent…” Fu Yuning gazed after Ye Junqing’s leaving figure, her eyes slightly misty with emotion.
“Niang niang… why hurt yourself this way? You know your current status. Even if…”
“If he had been willing to show half a trace of interest, I’m willing to abandon all of this and leave with him. I’ll never forget that brief encounter on Changan Street. At that moment I knew, even if ten thousand years passed, there’d never be another person in my heart. However, though the falling flowers yearn for love, the river water flows on heartlessly. His heart had already been stolen by Yao Moxin. However, what I can’t accept is that Yao Moxin has already died, yet she still won’t return his heart to him!” Yu Funing’s eyes were glistening and her voice trembled a little.
“Shh! Niang niang, you can’t make irresponsible remarks! The walls have ears!” Qian Xi immediately grabbed Fu Yuning and glanced around worriedly.
“What I’m even more angry about is the fact that right after Yao Moxin left, a Yao Mowan showed up!” It was very rare for Yu Funing to be this stirred up. She clenched her delicate hands into fists so hard that her palms hurt.
“What need is there for niang niang to bicker with a fool? How could Yao Mowan be mentioned on equal terms with Yao Moxin?” Qian Xi only relaxed upon seeing that there was no one around.
“A fool? You also believe that Yao Mowan is a fool? Don’t forget, as of now, that fool is the only one that stands above us in this Inner Palace!” Yu Funing retrieved the deep emotions in her eyes and those emotions were gradually replaced by a cold glimmer.
“But everyone knows that Yao Moxin has a dumb younger sister. How could this news be false?” Qian Xi knitted her brows and looked towards Yu Funing in confusion.
“Humph! The fact that Yao Moxin died from a difficult childbirth is also something that everyone knows! But…” Before she could finish speaking, Qian Xi stopped her.
“Niang niang!” Qian Xi once again looked around worriedly.
“Things that everyone knows aren’t necessarily true. I’m certain that not only is Yao Mowan not a fool, she’s an extremely shrewd person. She’s currently acting as a swine in order to eat the tiger, and she has been successful thus far. She has His Majesty firmly within her grasp and wasn’t even affected when Yao Suluan lost favor. This fool isn’t simple!” Yu Funing couldn’t help but hold a grudge against Yao Mowan due to the fact that Yao Mowan had the opportunity to see Ye Junqing every day.
“Niang niang, you couldn’t be planning to become enemies with her, right? There’s no need for us to do so!” said Qian Xi worriedly when she sensed the chill Yu Funing emitted.
“Indeed, it’s not worth it for me to spend time on Yao Mowan, but I can’t bear to watch Ye Junqing ruin himself like this for Yao Moxin. She’s not worth that!” After declaring that, Yu Funing started stroding towards Nine Winding Song Corridors without any further words. Qian Xi followed. Qian Xi knew the only thing that her master couldn’t remain calm about was matters involving the Esteemed Prince. That was her Achilles heel.
Yao Mowan only walked out once Yu Funing’s figure had disappeared from sight. The color of her deep pupils could compare to the night.
“Niang niang, why does it seem like there were other meanings within Consort Xian’s words? It seems… It seems like Eldest Miss’s true cause of death was different?” Ting Yue knitted her brows as she looked towards Yao Mowan.
“Let’s go back. I’m worried about Fluffy.” Yao Mowan’s expression didn’t change but when she turned around, she took a moment to glance in the direction Yu Funing had left in. Ye Hongyi had already killed everyone that knew about that incident and even set fire to the Cold Palace, so how did Yu Funing find out about it?
However, this wasn’t important. Yao Mowan had never thought about trying to clear her name because there was no meaning in doing so. What she wanted was compensation in blood!
As for the feelings Yu Funing had for Ye Junqing, perhaps this was a good opportunity. Yu Residence, along with the three large families of the surnames Wang, Xie, and Huan, were known as the four great pillars of the dynasty for good reason. Yu Qing, as the Director of Board of Rites, would often manage special ceremonies, offer of sacrifices, state banquets, imperial examinations, and other activities with foreign nations. During those times, he would often gain some additional funds by carefully managing the budget. Due to this, Yu Qing held the key to the state treasury. The consequences of becoming enemies with Yu Qing was hard to imagine.
When Ting Yue saw that her master had no intention of minding what Yu Funing said earlier, she immediately stopped herself from thinking about it any further.
When Yao Mowan got back to Guan Osprey Palace, it was right in time to see Ye Junqing carefully putting Fluffy on the chaise lounge.
“What is Prince doing?” Ye Junqing started and abruptly turned around upon hearing this clear voice to find that Yao Mowan was looking at him with a puzzled expression.
“Oh… Fluffy’s asleep so quiet down a little.” Ye Junqing hesitated a little before deciding not to tell Yao Mowan about what he saw today. Based on Yao Mowan’s an-eye-for-an-eye personality, she might do something outrageous if she found out what Yao Suluan had tried to do to Fluffy.
“When did Prince start to treat Fluffy so well? Could it be that you did something you feel guilty about?” Yao Mowan lifted her brows at Ye Junqing as she walked towards the chaise lounge and glanced over Fluffy lightly.
“Nonsense! How could this prince feel guilty towards a cat!? This prince is tired and will be leaving!” When Ye Junqing saw that Yao Mowan was walking over, he immediately left with large strides like a gust of wind.
“Niang niang, the Esteemed Prince seems to be really scared of you!” remarked Ting Yue.
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Credits: Translated by Chiyomira
[Chiyomira’s Corner]
To all the readers who were looking forward to reading this chapter before last week, sorry for the late response. I was very busy and it didn’t occur to me to check MBC until today. Sorry for the inconvenience, and the best way to reach me is actually emailing me at or discord. Enjoy the following chps~
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Chapter 68: Little Young Master Isn’t the Prime Minister’s Son
“Is he?” Yao Mowan didn’t seem to think so as she gazed thoughtfully in the direction Ye Junqing had left in.
“It’s clear as day!” Ting Yue nodded firmly.
“Let’s go take a look at Fluffy.” A day has come for Ye Junqing when he was scared of someone? This was something that she had never witnessed before. Upon hearing this, Ting Yue walked to Fluffy and discovered that Fluffy was sleeping very heavily. No matter how she called, Fluffy showed no indication of stirring.
“What’s going on? Niang niang, hurry, something seems to be off with Fluffy!” said Ting Yue worriedly. When Yao Mowan heard, she walked over and examined Fluffy. It seemed Fluffy had been given some sort of anesthesia. Had it been Ye Junqing? That’s impossible! Ye Junqing would never use lowly and despicable methods like this.
“Yin Xue!” Yao Mowan immediately called out Yin Xue. A black figure instantly appeared beside Yao Mowan with only a slight stirring of wind.
“Where did the Esteemed Prince go earlier?” asked Yao Mowan with a serious expression.
“Replying Master, the Esteemed Prince saw Ming Yu carry Fluffy away and followed after her. When he saw that Yao Suluan was about to cut Fluffy’s stomach open in Pure Flowers Palace, he rushed in and stopped her just in time, then brought Fluffy back.” Yin Xue had been following Yao Mowan’s instructions, which were, regardless of whether it was day or night, to protect Ye Junqing from the shadows whenever he left Guan Osprey Palace. This was also Yan Nansheng’s original intentions in giving Yin Xue to Yao Mowan.
“Cut open her stomach? Consort Li is so cruel!” exclaimed Ting Yue as she looked at Fluffy with sympathetic heartache.
“Yao Suluan… Yin Xue, think of some way to investigate Ming Yu’s background. This consort wants to know why exactly she decided to serve An Bingshan!” Yao Mowan lowered her gaze to look towards Fluffy, then a chill appeared in her eyes. Usually, when a cat caught a mouse it wouldn’t kill it with one bite but keep playing with the mouse until it was at its last breath before delivering the final attack. Yao Suluan was clearly still very lively and far from being at her last breath!
“Understood!” Yin Xue indicated that she had received the order and withdrew. Right at this moment, Liu Xing ran in.
“Niang niang, this servant has found out that little Young Master is the illegitimate child of Third Madam and Zhou Chengwu. He isn’t the lord’s son!” Liu Xing reported between pants.
“The evidence is conclusive?” That day when Yao Yu mentioned the uncle that gave them snow honey, Yao Mowan had noticed unnatural nervousness on Su Muzi’s face. Her suspicions had been further raised when Su Muzi reflexively yanked at Yao Yu.
“Replying niang niang, the evidence is conclusive. Little Young Master is actually three months older than the lord was told. This servant has found the midwife that helped deliver little Young Master and she said that the little Young Master was not the result of a premature birth and was a full-term infant. Not only that, this servant secretly took a bit of little Young Master and Zhou Chengwu’s blood to perform a blood drop test and the blood merged!” reported Liu Xing.
The practice of dripping blood to identify relatives, or 滴血认亲. One from the father, and one from the son in a bowl of water, and see if they conglomerated in the center. Not reliable.
“Why would that midterm deceive Father?” asked Yao Mowan.
“Because that midwife was Zhou Chengwu’s distant relative and had received a lot of benefits from Zhou Chengwu. She had only been willing to tell this servant after this servant gave her more benefits than he had,” replied Liu Xing.
“Hah, Su Muzi sure has a lot of guts to dare to have an affair under a prime minister’s nose. If it weren’t for the fact that Father was blinded due to his desire for a son, he probably would have already noticed the clues. That’s why it’s said that everyone has a weak point, don’t you agree?” Yao Mowan smiled lightly as her gaze landed on Liu Xing.
“Niang niang, should we tell the lord about this?” Liu Xing nervously looked towards Yao Mowan with a hopeful gaze.
“Of course I must let Father know. He cares so much about having a male heir, so how could I keep such an important matter from him!?” Yao Mowan responded as if this was a matter of course. However, the deep mirth in her eyes made it impossible for people to figure out what exactly she was thinking.
“But if the lord finds out… Third Madam and little Young Master will definitely meet terrible ends. And… The lord would be disappointed…” Liu Xing lowered his eyes. This was the first time he questioned a decision Yao Mowan made.
“This consort still recalls the time when this consort ran back to Bright Virtuous Pavilion from Fragrant Harmony Courtyard. At that time, Mother had already died and Father was scolding Dou Xianglan. He said, ‘Did you think I wasn’t aware of how you usually tormented Mo Li? You even went so far as to add slow-acting poison in her food that weakened her health. All of this I could tolerate, but you actually poisoned her to death! Although you are the legal wife, you are petty, vicious, and narrow-minded! This husband can no longer tolerate you!” Yao Mowan didn’t respond to Liu Xing’s question and quietly started talking about what happened that day.
Yao Mowan actually memorize what he said that day word for word, but my translation now is different because I looked back, and realized that my translation from back then was really… urgh. Will aim to fix them… one day.
Liu Xing didn’t interrupt Yao Mowan’s reminiscence and knelt there silently. Then, Yao Mowan continued, “If back then Father had truly punished Dou Xianglan according to law, then he would have remained the father that Yao Mowan respected the most. However, once he found out that Eldest Sister had passed away, he had very warmly helped Dou Xianglan up from the ground. To curry favor with her, he even ordered someone to throw Mother’s corpse in +the Disorder Burial Mound! His action in that instant had severed all ties between us! Liu Xing, you’re a servant of the Yao Residence so it’s understandable for you to be loyal towards Yao Zhenting. However, you must make a choice between Yao Zhenting and this consort. Ting Yue must do so as well. From now on, Yao Mowan has nothing to do with the Yao Residence. If you cannot agree with this, you can leave at any time.” Yao Mowan’s expression was serious and her deep pupils seemed to contain vast dark skies that glittered with light.
“Liu Xing is not a servant of Yao Residence. Liu Xing is Master’s servant and will follow Master until his death!” vowed Liu Xing resolutely, his eyes wet with tears.
“Second Madam was the one who had saved this servant’s life, so this servant is loyal only to Second Madam and Miss. This servant is willing to face blades and seas of flames at Miss’s command without a single word of complaint!” Ting Yue knelt down next to Yao Mowan as she declared with conviction.
Yao Mowan sighed softly as she gazed at the two who had given her such definite replies. It was inevitable that they would have to cross this bridge so it was also good to bring it up now in order to prevent them from being distracted later by misgivings.
“Alright, both of you should get up. In regards to Su Muzi and Yao Yu, this consort naturally has ways to protect them so you two don’t need to worry about them.” Yao Mowan walked up and helped Ting Yue and Liu Xing up as she said this gently.
When it was dinnertime, the first thing Ye Junqing did after he got back to Guan Osprey Palace was peek at the chaise lounge. When he saw that Fluffy was lying there lazily, he sighed in relief.
“Prince, the meal has already been prepared and niang niang has been waiting to eat with you.” When Ting Yue saw Ye Junqing hesitating at the palace entrance, she immediately called out to him.
Once Ye Junqing sat down at the table, Ting Yue tactfully withdrew. Yao Mowan, who was standing at the side of the jade table, slowly lifted the wine pot and walked to Ye Junqing’s side, then poured a cup of the exquisite wine for him.
“You… you didn’t poison this wine, right?” Ye Junqing lifted his eyebrows. This was the first time Yao Mowan had acted this friendly since he had arrived in Guan Osprey Palace. There was a phrase that went, there was definitely a catch in abnormal situations, and Yao Mowan’s current behavior was very abnormal!
“Would Mowan be that kind-hearted?” Then, Yao Mowan poured herself a cup.
“Kind-hearted?” Ye Junqing was thrown off balance. Yao Mowan’s line of thought was always quite different from his. If poisoning him was to be regarded as a kind-hearted act, he didn’t dare to imagine what she would do if she wanted to torment him!
“Of course! It would be terrible if Mowan ended up helping Prince reunite with Eldest Sister. Mowan has gotten used to always being mean and can’t do something as nice as fulfilling someone’s wish.” Originally Yao Mowan had a pile of grateful words prepared to thank Ye Junqing for saving Fluffy, but Ye Junqing had destroyed the initially good atmosphere. Hence the two exchanging verbal jabs.
“Can’t you be less harsh when you speak? Don’t you know that people who are sincere will be repaid in kind?” Ye Junqing was extremely speechless but he still lifted the wine cup.
“Sincere? I know not of it! In the past, Mowan only knew to lie to herself and be deceived by others. As of now… well, now Mowan has learned to deceive others as well! So Prince’s request is also too harsh,” said Yao Mowan with a shrug before lifting her wine cup and looking towards Ye Junqing.
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Credits: Translated by Chiyomira
[Chiyomira’s Corner]
Enjoy~