Chu Wang Fei

by Ning er

  Yun Qian Meng put together her thoughts and calmly said: “Dowry? I don’t know about such a thing. Could it be that mother’s dowry have been hidden by Su yiniang?”

  While saying that, Yun Qian Meng opened her eyes and stared puzzled at Su Qing.

  Su Qing got so angry because of Yun Qian Meng that she almost vomited blood.

  What “hidden”? What “don’t know”? If Yun Qian Meng really doesn’t know, will she use tricks to force herself (SQ) surrender the dowry? And the consequences of that word “hidden”can be guessed. Old madam will surely not let herself (SQ) go. Even if she gives the entire dowry back to Yun Qian Meng, old madam will suspect that she is still hiding some other treasure. Su Qing reminded herself again and again to be careful of Yun Qian Meng. While in battle, this little slut’s mouth can always speak some words that can put other people to death. It really makes Su Qing furious.

  But since the words have been uttered from her own mouth in front of Yun Xuan Zhi and old madam, Su Qing can’t take them back. She can only say smilingly: “Eldest miss has got it wrong! Nubi isn’t qualified to hid furen’s dowry. It’s just that these few years nubi watched over it instead of furen. And seeing that miss is still young, so I took care of it for miss. Since miss now already got the hairpin, of course, all if these should be given back to you.”

  Su Qing words just landed and old madam’s heart already got anxious. What is “give back to Yun Qian Meng’? This dowry has been brought to xiangfu by Qu Ruo Li. Now that Qu Ruo Li isn’t here anymore, this wealth of course should be attributed to xiangfu. What has it to do with Yun Qian Meng? Don’t tell me that she should marry off with this dowry? Is this Su Qing confused because of being pregnant? Normally she is smart and tough. Today it’s like she burnt her mind and actually said those untimely words! Just thinking about handing such a large dowry to others, old madam felt it’s like someone put a dagger in her heart. Really painful. She hastily wanted to open her mouth to stop it.

  “Old madam, xiangye, eldest miss, Fu Guo Gong Fu’s Hou furen has come!”

  At this time, a maids voice came from the door and blocked old madam’s words.

  “Jiumu6 has come! Father, do you want to let jiumu in? Meng er hasn’t seen jiumu in a long time,” Yun Qian Meng saw that old madam still wanted to say something so she carefully requested Yun Xuan Zhi.

  Yun Xuan Zhi looked once at Su Qing who is shaking her head lightly and thought of Fu Guo Gong Fu’s support. Carefully thinking once gain again, did he nod and commanded: “Let Hou furen come in!”

  Then he stood up and bowed to old madam: “Mother, it’s inconvenient here for son. Son will leave first!”

  Old madam also knows the importance of reputation. So she nodded to Yun Xuan Zhi and let him go.

  Seeing that Yun Xuan Zhi has left, old madam want to open her mouth again but the moment Yun Xuan Zhi set a foot outside, Ji Shu Yu put a foot inside and entered the chamber, making old madam put aside the matter and put some spirit to meet Ji Shu Yu

  “Zhixi7 have seen old madam!”

  The moment Ji Shu Yu entered the chamber, she looked once deeply at Yun Qian Meng and then she greeted old madam warmly.

  And old madam because of the identity of Houye’s8 furen is facing herself, she actually lowered her status. With her face full of smiles, she took Ji Shu Yu to sit beside her. The two people began talking eagerly.

  Yun Qian Meng saw that Ji Shu Yu has come, her heart couldn’t help but sigh in relief. The smile on her face relaxed a little.

  At this time Su Qing’s eyes no longer have the proud from just now. A deep anger is hidden under the eyes. She wished she could make a hole in Ji Shu Yu who suddenly appeared.

  “Old madam, these few years was your body well? The moment since our Lao Tai Jun knew that you’ve come back to xiangfu with Meng er, she has been looking forward to meeting you. It’s just that in a few days is Lao Tai Jun’s birthday. But she is impatient and afraid that you’re not used to Jindu’s water and soil after leaving for so many years. So she let me to come bring some yanwo9 and ginseng to you after dinner. And also let me bring two blood corals. It’s said that’s good for old people. She also let me move the warm partition of her room over. This is a tribute. There’s only ten. Empress Dowager’s heart has Lao Tai Jun and gave two to houfu.”

  Because of Ji Shu Yu’s noble identity, Su Qing didn’t dare to be rash. The entire inner chamber only heard the voice of Ji Shu Yu.

  Seeing that she explained for what she has come, the moment she entered and she came with rare gifts, it instantly blocked old madam’s mouth and let her mind wander dar away from the dowry. And the moment her words left, several maids form houfu carried the things for old madam to take a look. The supplements are from good quality and all good proportioned.

  After the old madam looked at all of that, she saw two girls carrying a miniature tree of half the height of people. Ji Shu Yu personally approached it and lifted the red satin that was covering it. It was very bright in it. The coral shone under the candlelight, making old madam and Su Qing stunned.

  Ji Shu Yu saw that the objective is achieved let the maid cover it back with the red silk cloth. She sat down beside old madam again and said smilingly: “Is old madam satisfied? Lao Tai Jun is an upright person. To those she loves, she could dig her heart and lungs. To those she doesn’t like, she would skin their skin their skins and give them cramps. But, Lao Tai Jun is the most compatible with old madam, so she let zhixi sent this over by night. Old madam, please don’t dislike them!”

  How will old madam dislike them?!

  Ji Shu Yu said it so clearly and plainly. Lao Tai Jun is thinking highly of herself (old madam). That’s why she brought such good things to xiangfu. Not to mention that this coral is a rare treasure. Others will feel deeply honored even if they glanced at it. And she herself got two herself without reason. It’ll make all the old madams in Jingdu jealous.

  Old madam eyes flashed lights. The pupils couldn’t be seen any more in the laughing eyes. She held Ji Shu Yu hands and happily said: “This is Lao Tai Jun’s mind. Originally, I felt that they are too precious and afraid to accept them, but furen said the words so clearly, this old body can only accept it with a thick face! This old body will certainly go to Lao Tai Jun’s birthday and let her have a good time. I need to also ask Hou furen to take the trouble and convey my words to Lao Tai Jun.”

  After seeing that old madam has accepted the gifts, Ji Shu Yu glanced at the chamber once. She saw Yun Qian Meng standing at silently at a side and beckoned her to come. She held Yun Qian Meng’s hand and looked at her from head to feet. After that did the hanging heart finally came down. She said smilingly: “Old madam, don’t laugh at zhixi. Zhixi took this job from Lao Tai Jun actually also has a selfish motive. After all, there isn’t a biological mother at Meng er’s side. I, as a jiumu feel really heartache, so I took this opportunity to come over.”

  Old madam listened smilingly to Ji Shu Yu. Naturally, she’ll also need to show concern as a zumu for her granddaughter. Immediately, she praised Yun Qian Meng in front of Ji Shu Yu: “Furen, this child, Meng er is really considerate and well behaved. After this old body came these past few days, everyday Meng er will come pay respect at twilight and is also caring towards a sister who just arrived. Don’t need to say furen, I, this zumu is also feeling really heartache!”

  Ji Shu Yu hearing old madam mention sister that just arrived, her eyes flashed a strange light. At the same time she looked a Yun Qian Meng with a worried look. Just that when she saw Yun Qian Meng gave her a reassuring look, did she not continue to ask. But she pretended to be surprised and asked old madam: “Old madam, zhixi will say some words that zhixi shouldn’t say. This is a yiniang’s residence. Why is our Meng er, who is a legitimate daughter, here? Besides, it’s night right now. If this get out, I’m afraid that it’ll ruin Meng er’s reputation.”

  Ji Shu Yu spoke softly but the tone is a little rough. Plus her status is high, giving people the feeling of being
oppressed.

  Old madam didn’t think that Ji Shu Yu will ask this. She felt that her old face didn’t have any light anymore. In her heart, she couldn’t help but start complaining at Yun Xuan Zhi and Su Qing.

  At this time Yun Qian Meng is aware of her zumu’s distress. Full of thoughts, she explained for her zumu: “Jiumu may not know. Originally, zumu also didn’t know and has been invited here by Su yiniang.”

  Hearing that, Ji Shu Yu’s face slightly sank. A knife like gaze shot towards Su Qing. A cold tone said: “I actually didn’t know that a yiniang’s arrogance is so great. She actually can invite old madam and eldest miss. Tomorrow, I’ll go into the palace and ask the empress dowager if yiniangs are now so big.”

  Su Qing has been prodded by Ji Shu Yu, her face suddenly turned ugly. She immediately kneeled in front of old madam and said with mercy: “Old madam, nubi didn’t have such meaning. Old madam, please look into it.”

  Old madam also didn’t want to let this matter get big in front of Ji Shu Yu. Otherwise, if it gets to His Majesty, the one who will get bad luck is Yun Xuan Zhi. So she took her smiling face and said good words to Ji Shu Yu: “Furen, don’t get angry. This old body will certainly take care of these nubis and will never let Meng er be wronged!”

  Yun Qian Meng hearing the love that old madam has for her, her eyes immediately reddened. She grabbed Ji Shu Yu hand and said: “Jiumu, Meng er hasn’t been wronged. Jiumu, don’t get angry to prevent the body form getting ill. Meng er will feel heartache then.”

  Ji Shu Yu’s hand has been grabbed by Yun Qian Meng and seeing her (YQM) pitiful state, she sighed heavily. Then did she relent: “Jiumu knows. But in the end what is the matter that lets you come here in the middle of the night?”

  Hearing Ji Shu Yu ask, Su Qing’s heart is in her throat. But because of her lowly status, she isn’t eligible to speak. She can only strain her hands and looking forward that old madam will be able to stop it.

  But old madam has been scared by Ji Shu Yu just bow. She didn’t dare to stop Yun Qian Meng from answering. She can only look distressed at Yun Qian Meng for her to open her mouth.

  Yun Qian Meng and Ji Shu Yu brought the two people’s expressions into their eyes. Both’s eyes glowed a little happy. Then the sound of Yun Qian Meng’s voice can be heard: “Jiumu, just now Su yiniang was talking about mother’s dowry! Presumably it’s to give back mother’s dowry to Meng er. That’s why she send people to invite zumu and Meng er over.”

  Ji Shu Yu hearing the reason, her expression got slightly better. But her heart still has doubts: “So you are saying that our miss dowry is in the hands of Su yiniang? What power does Su yiniang have to dominate the dowry of the official wife for so many years?”

  Su Qing hearing Ji Shu Yu questioning, her heart suddenly flicked. She argued in a small voice: “Furen has misunderstood. This is entrusted to nubi by our furen before she died. She let nubi hand it over to miss after miss get the hairpin. What nubi did today is just trying to give everything back to miss.”

  But Su Qing’s explanation hasn’t been accepted by Ji Shu Yu. She humped coldly and coldly said: “Entrusted before she died? Who are you that our miss will give you something so important? Do you think that our Fu Guo Gong Fu is dead? Or is she afraid that her own family will swallow her own miss’s things?”

  After such remark, even old madam felt that this matter is important. She broke of the idea of wanting to get the dowry for herself. At this time, old madam didn’t have the hope that Ji Shu Yu will be merciful. She let her gaze go to Yun Qian Meng and hope that she (YQM) will say some good words.

  Yun Qian Meng knew. She carefully shook Ji Shu Yu’s hand and cautious said: “Jiumu, Su yiniang after all is still father’s concubine. We should only bother with mother’s dowry. Don’t get angry over unimportant matter. Meng er will feel heartache.”

  Ji Shu Yu has been turned soft over her words. The chill on her face softened. She raised her hand and patted Yun Qian Meng’s forehead and helplessly said: “You, ah!”

  Then she turned her head and said sternly to old madam: “Old madam, this is originally a matter of xiangfu. I shouldn’t interfere as an outsider, but our Meng er doesn’t have a biological mother since birth. If I don’t see her as a biological daughter, then nobody will care for her. I’ve come today and encountered this matter. I have to interfere. As for the yiniangs who cause trouble will be left for xiangye to take care off. What does old madam think?”

  Old madam saw that Ji Shu Yu already come to this and seeing her mentioning the dowry, she immediately nodded and replied hastily: “Furen’s remark isn’t right. We are relatives. Furen helping Meng er managing the dowry is a right thing.”

  Ji Shu Yu hearing that, nodded slightly. Her gaze turned to Su Qing and she coldly said: “Su yiniang, you should hand the dowry now. I’ll let this old mama follow you. Piece for piece will she write down and bring it back to Fu Guo Gong Fu to compare to what was written previously. If nothing is missing, this matter will be over. But if one is missing, everyone better be prepared to face the consequences.”

  Su Qing has been kneeling on the ground all this time. Her stomach is already full of anger. This time hearing Ji Shu Yu’s forcing herself, a new anger entered her heart. ‘Pu chi’ sound can be heard. Blood immediately flowed form her mouth and Su Qing fainted in a blink of eye.

  “Come (people), carry Su yiniang to another room!”

  Old madam only felt that in this lifetime, she hasn’t been in shame like this in front of the relatives. Immediately, she pointed at several mama to carry Su Qing away. And Ji Shu Yu called Wang mama to let her point out the place where the dowry is hidden. She herself is following Wang mama step by step. Seeing Wang mama open a wall in the inner chamber, she commanded the maids from Fu Guo Gong Fu to bring out the things and register them.

  Old madam looking at all the dowry that has filled Feng He Yuan and still has many left to bring out, she felt pain in her heart. But because of Ji Shu Yu’s presence, she can only curse Su Qing at one side and at the other side she can only said that these things long need to get back to its owner.

  Ji Shu Yu and Yun Qian Meng hearing the words of old madam which didn’t match her heart, in the dark these two people laughed!

  Comments:

  1. 儿(er): form of endearment.

  2. 奴婢 (núbì): slave

  3. 吃醋 (chī cù): eat vinegar. It means getting jealous in Chinese.

  4. 夫人 (fūrén): madam

  5. 丫头 (Yātou): terms of endearment for a girl

  6. 舅母(jiùmu): what a niece calls the wife of her mother’s brother.

  7. 侄媳 (Zhí xí): nephew daughter in law

  8. 侯爷(hóu yé): marquise. The five orders of feudal nobility in , namely: Duke 公, Marquis 侯, Count 伯, Viscount 子, Baron.

  9. 燕窝(yànwō); edible bird nest.

  Chapter 57: Part 1: Kickoff to the Birthday | Chu Wang Fei

  Although the maids at Fu Guo Gong Fu works pretty fast, but because the dowry of Qu Ruo Li is really too large, everyone was busy for the whole night before everything was cleared out of Su Qing’s chamber.

  At midnight, old madam accompanied Ji Shu Yu and advised Yun Qian Meng to go back and rest. And Ji Shu Yu is watching over the maids that are bookkeeping and she personally saw the maid move all the object to Yun Qian Meng’s Qi Luo yuan. After that she was relieved.

  Yun Qian Meng got a headache from looking at all the things in her yard. For a second, she actually admired Su Qing. That woman to get Qu Ruo Li’s dowry actually made a secret chamber that can fill the entire dowry and many other treasures.

  Of course, Mi mama and Mu Chun are helping the maids of Fu Guo Gong Fu move some of the most valuable things into the inner chamber.

  Yun Qian Meng saw that Ji Shu Yu has been busy the whole night because of her, her heart felt guilty. She held Ji Shu Yu’s hand and said with heartache: “If jiumu isn’t dissatisfied, jiumu can rest here before going back.”

  Ji Shu
Yu saw that she really cares for her, but Lao Tai Jun is still waiting for the news. So she smiled and touched Yun Qian Meng’s slightly pale face because of staying up and said while smiling faintly: “No, I still have to go back and report to Lao Tai Jun. But you need to go back and rest well.”

  While talking, she handed the books to Yun Qian Meng and carefully said: “Carefully compare if it’s the same as previously. If one is missing, jiumu will certainly get it back for you.”

  Yun Qian Meng seeing that Ji Shu Yu until this moment is still thinking about her matters, felt somewhat moved. She took over the books with both hands. With many emotions, she said: “Pity of the two corals. The benevolence that Fu Guo gong Fu has for Meng er will be difficult for Meng er to repay it in this lifetime.”

  Ji Shu Yu seeing that when she says those words, she was really solemn, felt a little surprised. After half an incense stick did she gently embrace Yun Qian Meng who is still very young but who let people heart aches. She said: “You’re jiumu’s niece and also jiumu’s child. Moreover you’re Fu Guo Gong Fu’s child. Wouldn’t mother treat a child like this? You, this child, don’t be so distant. Be careful that jiumu won’t help you anymore in the future. Moreover, exchanging two corals for Ruo Li’s dowry is not a loss sale!”

  Yun Qian Meng stayed quietly in Ji Shu Yu’s embrace, feeling the mother’s love that she didn’t have in the two lifetimes. This soft and gentle embrace bears immeasurable power and made Yun Qian Meng’s impetuous heart quiet down.

  The maids at the side seeing that the sky was getting bright, kindly reminded Ji Shu Yu that she should go back to Fu Guo Gong Fu, otherwise Lao Tai Jun will get anxious.

  Ji Shu Yu seeing that she spent the whole night on xiangfu knows that she indeed can no longer delay. She gently released Yun Qian Meng. With worry, she said: “The next few days, you need to be careful while dealing with everyone. If you can’t hold it down anymore, you can bring Fu Guo Gong Fu and the empress dowager out!”