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nChapter 84 : Marquis Taining’s Residence (1)

nAfter breakfast, Yuxi went to the main courtyard, where everyone had been told to gather today.

nOn the way there, Yuxi met Yuchen. She approached her with a smile, and stated, “Third Sister, today is a beautiful day!” As a matter of fact, both of them had officially went out to socialise from the starting of this year. Before that, they only attended banquets arranged by a few relatives, and they usually attended them when they had holidays. Otherwise, they would not have been allowed to attend. Of course, even if they went out to socialise now, the two sisters were unlikely to be found in non-upper class banquets.

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nYuchen looked at Yuxi’s clothes and smiled softly, “Fourth Sister’s clothes are very unique.” How could it not be called unique! The skirt was embroidered with rose pattern, and the jewelleries on Yuxi’s body were also in rose style. She estimated that all those were the only set that had been made.

nYuxi smiled and asked, “Does Third Sister think I’m looking good?” No matter what other people said, she already felt beautiful about herself anyway.

nYuchen nodded, “Fourth Sister looks good in whatever you wear.” She said it sincerely, but to outsiders, it may not sounded sincere at all.

nThe two talked as they walked side by side, and soon, they reached the main courtyard. At this moment, the other people had all arrived, except for the two of them.

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nWhen Qiu Shi saw that everyone had arrived, she instructed, “Let’s move.” Since Han Jianye’s marriage had not yet been decided, it was natural for her to go out and socialised more. Otherwise, how would she know if a girl was good or not without knowing her first?

nThe carriages were currently waiting at the second gate, and instead of walking, everyone took sedan chairs to go there. Others were used to it, except for Qiu Yanfu. However, her self-control ability was very good, that no one could even see anything unusual about her.

nBased on Qiu Shi’s arrangements, she and Yuxi would be riding on one carriage. Her daughter-in-law, Ye Shi and Yuchen would shared another carriage, while Yuru and Yujing would be together in a carriage, and lastly, Qiu Yanfu would have a carriage for herself.

nYujing raised an objection, “Mother, I want to be in the same carriage with Cousin Fu. I don’t know if it’s okay.” After being locked up for a year and severely taught by nurturing momowet nurse¹for another four years, Yujing’s old bad habits had all been corrected. It was just that some of them had exceeded the proper limits in righting a wrongChinese idiom : over correct², and had been ruthlessly suppressed, where all her shortcomings had gone, and even her advantages were also disappeared. In the past, she was as proud as peony flowers in full bloom, but now, she was still as beautiful as before, but, now, she was only a flower vasefig. Just a pretty face³without any distinguishing quality.

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nQiu Shi felt that Yujing’s objection was meaningless, “If you want to, then you can share a carriage with her.” Although she had always hated Concubine Rong, but when she looked at Yujing, she still felt that these two mother and daughter were too extreme. When they were smart, they would be too smart. When they were stupid, they would become too stupid.

nOnce they boarded the carriages, Qiu Shi took some time to advise Yuxi, “This time, we’re going to Marquis Taining’s residence, so, you must show your best behaviour. You can’t act like a backward person, do you understand?” She had to properly raised the matter with Yuxi since this was Yuxi first time attending such a big banquet.

nYuxi was somewhat surprised, “Why, Eldest Aunt?”

nQiu Shi was a type of person who always said what she thoughtChinese idiom : frank and outspoken⁴and there weren’t many twists and turns in her spoken words. She said, “You’re eleven now and fast approaching the age of marriage. If you perform well now, you will be able to get a good marriage in the future, do you understand?“

nYuxi also wanted to settle her marriage much earlier, so that she would not have to worry anymore about the Jiang family. She nodded and said, “Well, don’t worry, Eldest Aunt, I’ll behave well.” With Duke of the State as her family pedigree, plus, her status as an legitimate daughter, the family that going to be selected for her marriage certainly would not be bad, but if she had a good reputation to offer, the candidates selection would also be much better.

nQiu Shi thought that Yuxi was the most worry-free child, much better than her ever escaping youngest son, “This is a very big banquet, so, it will surely be attended by a lot of young ladies. It would be great if you can make a few friends with those who share the same interests.”

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nYuxi nodded and said, “Okay. If I meet those with similar temperament, I will definitely make friends with them.” Making a few more close friends was the same as making a few more connections, which would be a great benefit for her in the future.

nWhen they arrived at Marquis Taining’s residence, the group first went to the main courtyard to greet Old Madam Chen and the wife of Marquis Taining. Then, Yuchen and Yuxi were taken to the residence garden.

nAutum-colour which is actually kind of moss green?

nImage Source |

nAt the entrance of the garden, a girl dressed in clothes came out and greeted the group with a smile. From the beginning of the year till now, Yuchen had been out only twice. Although she didn’t socialise much, but her reputation had already spread out.

nThrough introduction, Yuxi finally knew that the young lady in front of her was the eldest young miss of Chen family, Chen Xue.

nWhen Yuxi heard the name, she couldn’t help taking a glance at Chen Xue once more. She was not familiar with Marquis Taining’s residence, but Chen Xue’s name was like thunder had come into her earsChinese idiom : a great fame⁵. Chen Xue was Yun Qing’s fiancée, and the lady who was frightened to death because of him. Yuxi had never personally met her in her last life, so she did not expect that she would be meeting her now.

nAs the host, Chen Xue led them into the garden. Before the introduction even started, a young lady in Imperial dress came up and said with a loud voice, “I’ve always heard that the Third Miss of Duke Han of the State residence was pretty, and from what I’ve seen today, her name is also not in vainChinese idiom : a fully justified reputation⁶.”

nAs soon as this was said, all the young ladies in the garden turned took a look at Yuchen.

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nYuchen wore a light blue dress today, with finely embroidered flower petals at the corner of her skirt. Her hair was combed into feiyunscud clouds⁷bun, which was attached with an exquisite jasper hairpin, that was decorated with thin silver beaded tassels. Although she was not been rigged out in her bestChinese idiom : dress up⁸, she was still too beautiful which made people didn’t dare to look straight at her.

nChen Xue smiled and introduced, “Sister Yuchen, this is Heshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰.”

nYuchen had already used to being praised for her appearance, but the words said by Heshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰just now were definitely malicious. She did not retort her statements, but instead said with a smile, “This appearance was given by my parents. It doesn’t deserve to be praised this much by XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰.”

nHeshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰’s appearance was gorgeous. She was dressed in a floor length dark red purple colour yarn imperial dress, with her black hair slightly coiled upwards, attached with a long string of beads. Her hair was also decorated with a set of pure gold head ornaments which were chic and exquisite but not prominent in character. Her whole body showed her wealth and integrity, but what made people did not look straight at her was her imposing manner, which solely belonged to those with high rank background. Even if Yuchen stood by her side, she would not be robbed even a bit of her splendour.

nYuxi had seen many women over the years, but she had never seen such a powerful woman with such a powerful aura. Her heart was a little shocked.

nHeshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰smiled, “Sister Yuchen is truly good in talking.” After saying this, she looked at Yuxi, and asked questioningly, “Who is this girl?”

nAlthough Yuxi did not grow as beautiful as Yuchen, but she was immersed in books all year round, which tainted her with scholarliness. This made her difficult to be ignored.

nChen Xue asked with a smile, “This is Sister Yuxi, the Fourth Miss from Duke of the State residence?”

nWhen Heshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰heard Chen Xue’s introduction, she asked incredulously, “You are Han Yuxi?” She had never seen Han Yuxi before her death. She only heard people said that Han Yuxi had been changed into a timid poor person by her stepmother, and she was not only disliked by her grandmother and father, but also by her husband’s family. It was also not clear why Jiang Hongjin, the youngest scholar of the Zhou Dynasty, married such an obscure wife. However, the problem right now was, the natural and graceful girl in front of her and the girl from what she heard were like two different people.

nYuxi failed to understand the reason behind Heshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰’s reaction, but she decided to answer her carefully, “Yes, I am Han Yuxi, the Fourth Miss from Duke of the State residence. Is there something wrong with it?“ Looking at Heshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰, she seemed to have heard of her, Han Yuxi. The question was, what had made her this famous? Even a xianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰would know about her.

nHeshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰was shocked just now that she lost control of herself. She really regretted her spoken words. Rather than giving any explanation, she immediately changed the subject, as she looked at Yuru, Yujing and others nearby with a smile, and said, “Duke Han of the State residence sure is full of beauties, which can make those who see them be dazzled.”

nHeshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰’s status was special. Although the incident just now was a bit strange, it was unlikely that others would examine roots and inquire at the baseChinese idiom : to get to the bottom of sth¹¹. Even Chen Xue tried to mediate, “What Xianzhu had said was that all the young misses of Duke of the State residence are all as lovely as flowersChinese idiom : beautiful¹², making others cannot just stand by and watch.”

nHeshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰was a smooth and slick kind of person as she asked with a smile, “May I know the other three young misses?”

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nChen Xue introduced them one by one.

nYuru and Yujing had often gone out to socialize in the past two years. They knew how to behave appropriately so they made no mistakes. It was only Qiu Yanfu who had a stage fright since this was her first time to be in such a big scene.

nAll the young ladies present showed little interest in her when they heard that she was from Hebei and just merely the niece of the Third Madam of the Duke of the State residence.

nAfter the greeting, Yuchen became integrated with Heshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰. Yuxi took this opportunity to find Zhou Shiya, as the two of them were usually bored people who always stuck at the same place.

nZhou Shiya asked Yuxi in a low voice, “Yuxi, do you know Heshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰?” The words and deeds of Heshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰just now were very strange.

nYuxi shook her head and replied, “I don’t know her.” She was not on the same status as Heshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰, not to mention, she had never heard of her. Even in her previous life, she had no impression of this person at all.

nZhou Shiya no longer asked Yuxi any more question. Both of them were so familiar with each other, that she knew Yuxi wouldn’t lie to her about this matter. So, she immediately reminded Yuxi, “Heshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰is deeply loved by the Empress Dowager. It is said that the palace intends to match her with the Ninth Prince. If she is acting hostile towards you, it will not be good, so, you should be extra careful around her.“

nYuxi nodded. “I will.” She also wondered in her heart. She was not Yuchen, who was lovely enough to cause the fall of a cityChinese idiom : devastatingly beautiful¹³, nor was she a gifted woman. So, why did Heshouhe = harmonious, shou = long life⁹ XianzhuPrincess of the Fourth Rank

/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang¹⁰looked so surprised when she saw her. This was truly an insoluble problem. Thus, it was useless to think too much about it.

nJust as the two of them were talking, a servant girl came over to Chen Xue and announced, “Eldest Miss, Qingxiaqing = green grass, xia = rosy clouds¹⁴ JunzhuPrincess of the Third Rank

/ usually given to daughter of a Qingwang¹⁵is here.” Kang Wangfeiwife of a male who had been given title Wang like Qingwang, Junwang etc¹⁶was Marquis Taining’s younger sister from the same mother. So, it was normal for Qingxiaqing = green grass, xia = rosy clouds¹⁴ JunzhuPrincess of the Third Rank

/ usually given to daughter of a Qingwang¹⁵to come and paid her respects.

nThere were seventeen to eighteen maids and old women servants who followed Qingxiaqing = green grass, xia = rosy clouds¹⁴ JunzhuPrincess of the Third Rank

/ usually given to daughter of a Qingwang¹⁵. Although Yuchen was served by so many people at home, she usually only took two maids and an old woman servant when going out, unlike Qingxiaqing = green grass, xia = rosy clouds¹⁴ JunzhuPrincess of the Third Rank

/ usually given to daughter of a Qingwang¹⁵who went out in such huge ostentation and extravagance.

nFan Bingbing has a melon seed shaped or oval kind of face. For more about ancient Chinese beauty, you can read about them in .

nYuxi looked at Qingxiaqing = green grass, xia = rosy clouds¹⁴ JunzhuPrincess of the Third Rank

/ usually given to daughter of a Qingwang¹⁵, who was very beautiful, with a small and nimble melon seedoval¹⁷face, fair skin, deep red thin lips, curved eyes and brows, and watery pupils. Her looks was not particularly outstanding, but she personally had a gentle and graceful charm which were peculiar to women from region of water and lakes. In short, her appearance was amiable.

nZhou Shiya lowered her voice and said to Yuxi, “This Qingxiaqing = green grass, xia = rosy clouds¹⁴ JunzhuPrincess of the Third Rank

/ usually given to daughter of a Qingwang¹⁵is also lucky. Kang Wangking

/prince¹⁸has only one daughter. Otherwise, how can an illegitimate daughter get the title junzhuPrincess of the Third Rank

/ usually given to daughter of a Qingwang¹⁵?” Qingxiaqing = green grass, xia = rosy clouds¹⁴ JunzhuPrincess of the Third Rank

/ usually given to daughter of a Qingwang¹⁵’s biological mother was only a concubine, but Kang Wangking

/prince¹⁸had only her as his daughter, which was precious because of its rarity. In addition, she was very popular with his wangfeiwife of a male who had been given title Wang like Qingwang, Junwang etc¹⁶, so Kang Wangking

/prince¹⁸had requested the Emperor to confer her the title junzhuPrincess of the Third Rank

/ usually given to daughter of a Qingwang¹⁵.

nYuxi smiled and speculated, “This is also fate.” Being reborn was also a skill that could save someone life. So, she had no other choice but to say that Qingxiaqing = green grass, xia = rosy clouds¹⁴ JunzhuPrincess of the Third Rank

/ usually given to daughter of a Qingwang¹⁵, like herself, had also be reborn.

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