The rumours that Yuchen and Yuxi were evil spirits were soon suppressed by the Duke of the State Residence together with Marquis Pingqing Residence.

Just as Yuxi thought that the matter was finally over, she didn’t expect that Song Guifei Noble Consort, the favoured concubine of the Six Palaces, summoned Yuchen together with Yuxi to the Imperial Palace by an Imperial Edict.

Yuxi felt that there must be something wrong with her ears. “What did you say? Song Guifei Noble Consort wishes to see me and San Jie san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie, so she summoned us to enter the Imperial Palace tomorrow?” What kind of wind had whipped this Song Guifei Noble Consort for her to wish to properly meet with them?

In Yuchen’s mind it was only a matter of time before she entered the palace, so she wasn’t surprised, scared, or nervous. When she noticed Yuxi’s appearance looked like this, she even laughed. “Yes! Tomorrow you and I will go to the Imperial Palace together! Don’t read your book tonight. Go to bed early.”

Yuxi nodded as she said, “Okay!” After a pause, she asked, “San Jie san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie, shouldn’t we make any preparations?” She was still a little nervous by the way.

Yuchen smiled and shook her head, “No need. Just get up early tomorrow.” She and Yuxi’s rules and etiquette were taught by Momo wet nurse Gui and Momo wet nurse Quan, so there would be no problems for them in this aspect.

Yuxi looked at the calm Yuchen and felt how lame she had been.

After sending Yuchen off, Yuxi went into her study again. She was holding a book in her hand, but she was unable to read it. In her last life, not to mention the Imperial Palace, even the Prince’s Official Residence she had never stepped her foot into. She never thought that she would be able to go to the Imperial Palace in her present life.

The news of Song Guifei Noble Consort’s Imperial Edict regarding Yuchen and Yuxi’s visit to the Imperial Palace quickly spread inside the State Residence. Among the young misses of the residence, Yuru was the calmest, as she knew that the Imperial Palace was not a place she could easily go. Since she was not envious of this, and she had the time, it would be better for her to make a pair of shoes for her Mother.

While on the other hand, the most annoyed one in the residence was Wu Shi. “Didn’t they say the two were evil spirits outside? So why did Guifei Noble Consort Niangniang addressing or referring to an empress or an imperial concubine still want to officially summon them to the Imperial Palace?” At first, Wu Shi was relieved to hear the rumours about Yuchen and Yuxi outside, but she didn’t expect such a big twist.

Although Yurong felt uncomfortable with the news in her heart, nevertheless she had to disagree with Wu Shi’s words, “Mom, people outside can spread the news but you can’t. If Dad hears about this, he will definitely become angry with you again.”

When Wu Shi thought of the last time Han Jingyan had hit her, her face instantly remembered the burning pain. She couldn’t help but say, “From Hebei to the capital, I never have a comfortable day.” In many cases, the stepmother was the one who would tenaciously suppress her stepdaughter. However, in her case, it was the opposite. It was really her eight lifetimes fig. a long time of bad luck to meet such two stepdaughters.

Yurong agreed with this, as they used to live a free and easy Chinese idiom : carefree

/ leisurely life in Hebei. But when they came back to the capital, they had to bind their hands and feet Chinese idiom : be over-cautious whenever they did anything. “Mom, please be patient.” They had no other choice but to endure.

Wu Shi touched Yurong’s face and said, “Mother is fine, but you’ve been wronged.” Only Third Miss and Fourth Miss were known from the residence, but her Yurong’s presence had turned a little transparent and forgotten by others.

Yurong smiled, “Mom, I’m not in a hurry. There’s still plenty of time for me anyway.” She was only ten years old this year, so she still had plenty of time.

Soon after, the Old Lady asked her maid to call Yuxi over. She was mainly talking to her and Yuchen about some things to pay attention to when they went to the Imperial Palace.

After saying that, the Old Lady saw that Yuchen looked quite calm, while Yuxi was looking a little nervous. She smiled and comforted, “Don’t be nervous. When you go to the Imperial Palace, as long as you abide by the rules, you will be fine.” She remembered the first time she entered the Imperial Palace, she was quite nervous too back then!

Dinner was then served in the Main Courtyard.

It was just getting dark when Yuxi returned to Taoran House. Zisu urged her to have a bath and then went straight to bed. “Miss, you’re going to the Imperial Palace tomorrow, so you should go to bed early today.”

Yuxi looked at Zisu and said, “It’s not even half passed xushi 7-9 pm, how can I sleep?”

Zisu was a little frustrated, “Can’t a day go by without you reading a book?” She had never seen anyone so fond of reading, as if they would feel uncomfortable without doing it for a day.

Yuxi chuckled as she said, “I can’t immediately fall asleep even if I lay in bed. Instead of lying in bed and thinking about it, I rather spend the time reading a book.” After saying those words, she went back into her study and closed the door.

As the study door closed, Zisu could only stomp her foot. It wasn’t until two quarters to haishi 9-11pm that she called Yuxi to bed.

Yuxi thought that she would not be able to sleep, but she didn’t expect that she would fall asleep shortly after she climbed into her bed. She did not even need to use her medical books.

The next morning, Yuxi got up early to freshen up and put on her makeup. It took most of an hour to get it done. As Yuxi looked at the person in the mirror, she smiled softly and asked, “Is this still me?” The person in the mirror was a radiant one. This noob translation was translated by a noob translator きつね. Please read this chapter at xin-shou.blogspot.com.

Zisu complained, “Miss is merely too lazy on ordinary days.” Yuxi usually didn’t like to put on makeup. The most makeup she ever applied on her face was either some pearl powder or cucumber. She never had the need to put on rouge or lipstick during the day. Thus she presented herself confidently to the Emperor, without makeup Chinese idiom : to show one’s natural features, without makeup all day long.

Yuxi touched her smooth and delicate skin and said, “I’m only twelve years old this year. What’s the point of wearing rouge and powder every day? Too much of that stuff is bad for your skin.” Twelve years old was the age of youth, and one was just as beautiful without using any rouge.

Zisu muttered, “No matter what I said, the reason is always on Miss’ side.”

After tidying herself up neatly, Yuxi went to the Main Courtyard for breakfast. Once she entered the room, she saw Yuchen and gave her a smile. Even when Yuxi was dressed gloriously and beautifully, just by standing next to Yuchen, it was enough to turn her into a foil.

The breakfast was very rich, but since they would be going to the Imperial Palace, they couldn’t drink soup or goat’s milk, for fear that they wanted to go to the toilet when they got there. After they had enough eating and drinking, they went to the palace in one carriage.

Yuchen looked at the unusually calm Yuxi, then she smiled and asked, “Doesn’t Si Meimei si=fourth, meimei=younger sister feel nervous?” Although Yuchen was looking calm on the outside, she was still a little nervous inside.

Yuxi shrugged her shoulders and stated, “Guifei Noble Consort Niangniang addressing or referring to an empress or an imperial concubine is not a man-eating demon. She also has two eyes, one nose and two ears, so why should I be nervous?” Yuxi was not nervous, because she really thought she was just a foil. So, Song Guifei Noble Consort’s attention obviously would not be on her.

Yuchen smilingly said, “You can’t be so blunt. When you arrive at the palace, don’t open your mouth if no one asks you. If you are asked by Guifei Noble Consort, you should think about it once through until you feel that you are able to give a proper answer.” Yuchen felt that Yuxi’s usual performance was good, but when it came to critical moments, she would always like to drop the chain fig. screw up. It didn’t matter much if it happened at home, but if this happened at the Imperial Palace, it would end disastrously.

Yuxi said with a roguish look on her face, “I’ll just follow San Jiejie san=third, jiejie=elder sister anyway.”

At the gate of the palace, four people got off the carriage and took the palace sedan chair. About a quarter of an hour later, they got off the sedan chair and started walking.

Yuxi kept her head down and walked without looking around, just like a peaceful looking white rabbit. In the inner courtyard of the Imperial Palace, only those who were senseless would spend time looking around!

They had been walking for a little over half an hour. Instead of feeling sore on her legs, Yuxi felt that sweating on such a hot day could ruin her makeup and when the time comes, she would look unsightly just like a hua mao flower cat. T

/N : Hey, a hua mao or known as a tabby cat is cute, okay! Who said they’re unsightly?! (ꐦ°᷄д°᷅)

Just as Yuxi was worried about this, she heard the palace maid who led the way said, “Momo wet nurse Si, the two young misses from the Han family are here.”

Yuxi raised her head and took a glance at Momo wet nurse Si, who was looking very kind. Then, Momo wet nurse Si smiled and said to the two of them, “The two young misses, please come in with me.”

It had been widely rumored outside that the Liuli coloured glaze Palace where Song Guifei Noble Consort resided was magnificent, but it was a pity that Yuxi had been lowering her head all the time and she did not dare to look at the legendary palace.

After walking for a while, Momo wet nurse Si said, “The two young misses, please wait here for a moment. I’ll report your arrival to Guifei Noble Consort Niangniang addressing or referring to an empress or an imperial concubine.”

Gold Bricks

“On the floors of Chinese palaces, tiles that have been trodden on by millions are called jinzhuan, literally “gold bricks.” They’re not gold but clay. However, the cost is astronomical — around one tael of silver in ancient China and 26,000 yuan (US$4,050) for just one piece today.” – Zhu Ying, Shine

Image Credit | Zhu Ying (The gold that lies beneath your feet, June 23rd, 2018)

Yuxi lowered her head and looked at her feet. She used to hear that the place where the Emperor and the Empress dwelled was paved with golden bricks. Now that she knew what the golden bricks were, she felt that the floors were paved with the highest grade of white jade.

Yuchen saw that Yuxi hadn’t dared to look up ever since they entered the Imperial Palace. Thus, she went to her side to nudge her as she whispered, “Don’t be afraid, it’s all right.” She thought that Yuxi was really not afraid of anything, but it turned out that she was just pretending to be strong. This girl really liked to drop the chain fig. screw up when in a critical moment.

Momo wet nurse Si came out and said to the two of them, “Guifei Noble Consort Niangniang addressing or referring to an empress or an imperial concubine allows the two young misses to enter!”

As soon as the two of them entered the palace, they right away smelled a whiff of a sweet and smooth fragrance. After they moved forward a few paces, they knelt on the white jade floor and kowtow. Then they heard a pleasant voice say, “Raise your heads.”

Yuxi looked up only after she heard these words. She had long heard about Song Gui’s beauty, and she was really taken aback when she saw the real person. Yuchen was also very beautiful, but Yuchen’s beauty was raw and flawlessly pure. While Song Guifei Noble Consort’s beauty was enchanting, charming, and could summon one’s spirit Chinese idiom : captivating.

This noob translation was translated by a noob translator きつね. Please read this chapter at xin-shou.blogspot.com.

After a quick glance, Yuxi quickly lowered her head, acting both cautious and reserved, very much in line with her current status. However, it was clear that she was indeed thinking too much of it, as at this point Song Guifei Noble Consort’s attention was all on Yuchen.

Song Guifei Noble Consort had seen many beauties, who were either demure, lovely, delicate or sweet, but she was still amazed when she saw Yuchen, “What a beauty.”

When Yuchen heard this compliment, she softly said, “Niangniang addressing or referring to an empress or an imperial concubine has wrongly praised. On appearance, chen nu chen=I, your servant (used in addressing the sovereign), nu=female and Guifei Noble Consort Niangniang addressing or referring to an empress or an imperial concubine are like the light of firefly and the bright moon.” There was a saying that how could a light from a firefly compete in brightness with the bright moon.

When Yuxi, who had her head down, heard these words, her teeth became somewhat sour. She didn’t know that Yuchen, who always set herself high above the masses Chinese idiom : hold oneself aloft, would be this flattering. One really couldn’t judge a person by appearance, just as one couldn’t measure the sea with a dou a traditional unit of volume, equal to 10 sheng (市升),and equivalent to 10 litres or 17.60 pints or 2.2 gallons measure.

Song Guifei Noble Consort chuckled at Yuchen’s praise, and it was clear that she very much enjoyed the praise. “Come, come to bengong I, usually used by an Empress’s side.”

Yuchen sat next to Song Guifei Noble Consort, while Yuxi did not receive this treatment as she continued to kneel on the ground. Fortunately, today was already the beginning of the eight lunar month. If it was winter, Yuxi estimated that she would want to cry.

Song Guifei Noble Consort spoke affectionately with Yuchen. Yuchen didn’t say much, but whatever she said was always on point, which led Song Guifei Noble Consort to praise her some more.

Just when Yuchen and Concubine Song were chatting happily together, while Yuxi was kneeling on the ground and eventually forgotten by them, a person walked in from outside.

Yuxi, who was still kneeling on the ground, didn’t dare to look up. She only saw a pair of embroidered shoes, which were decorated by pearls, among which there was a thumb-sized one in the middle on each of the shoes. One had no need to guess. There was no other person who could run wild in Liuli coloured glaze Palace except Song Guifei Noble Consort’s own daughter, Qinxin Gongzhu Princess. As far as Yuxi knew, Qinxin Gongzhu Princess was the same age as her, which made her also twelve years old this year.

When Qinxin Gongzhu Princess saw Yuchen, she was somewhat surprised that she asked, “Mu Fei mu=mother, fei=consort, from which alleys did you get such a beautiful jiejie elder sister

/female ah?” As long as one heard these words, one would know that Qinxin Gongzhu Princess had been well protected by Song Guifei Noble Consort. Otherwise, she would not have been this guileless.

Song Guifei Noble Consort smiled and introduced, “This is the Third Miss of the Han family.” By the time she wanted to introduce Yuxi, she realised that she was so focused on talking with Yuchen that she forgot that Yuxi was still kneeling on the floor. She immediately smiled and allowed Yuxi to rise to her feet.

Yuxi bowed very respectfully again and said, “Thank you, Niangniang addressing or referring to an empress or an imperial concubine.”

Song Guifei Noble Consort complimented, “She is also a lovely girl.”

ps (the Author) : (*^__^*) hee hee……, does everyone like the pure and likeable Yuchen or the bewitching and charming Song Guifei Noble Consort?

Translator : I choose Yuxi. (˵¯͒〰¯͒˵)