Chapter 4
Chapter 4
That rude tone provoked a reaction in the inner hall . Following Crown Prince Chengde, everyone’s expression changed .
—To begin with, this marriage was already a great grievance for the Imperial Family of Li Country . If not for the situation, the seventh prince would not have married into the Jin Family at all . Now, hearing such words again, everyone’s face turned pale .
Yan Bai’s face also turned pale for a moment, but knowing that his wife’s temperament was like this, it seemed that he no longer had the heart to reprimand her . He just glimpsed at her coldly and let her do so .
However, although Jin Bihui didn’t care, she looked at the jewelers’ joyful expressions and her lips rose to form a disdainful sneer, “Don’t be proud of yourselves —- I, Jin Bihui, am who? I should let you guys grab this great bargain?” She rolled up her sleeves, showing her honey-colored arms, and patted the box beside her . “We’re all able to tell what’s what and virtuous people don’t lie — just this hawksbill turtle shell chest is worth two hundred thousand gold, not to mention the contents inside . Is it not?”
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone present drew in a breath — Crown Prince Chengde was from a distinguished family and had seen many treasures within Li Country before the turmoil even began . Yet, he had never seen any with such an enormous value like this .
What was shocking, however, was that the jewelers didn’t even retort . The joy on their faces disappeared .
“Reporting to the Crown Princess . In fact, for these treasures, unless all of the country’s aristocrats emptied their pockets, I’m afraid no one in this world can afford to buy them…” The jewelers deliberated with one another and finally, the eldest man spoke with reluctance .
Not waiting for him to say anymore, Jin Bihui snickered and swept her eyes over the few well-known merchants in the room, “What, you know we’re waiting to use the money, so you’re thinking of demanding a lower price?” She paused, but her gaze turned cold and she said indifferently, “You don’t even think about which family’s route you use each year to transport jewels from Dashi, Bosi?[1] —Since you’re so capable, you guys can go through the desert next year!”
The woman’s fierce gaze was like a knife that stabbed the three merchants, causing them to strongly shiver . Their originally soaring lust for the unique treasures extinguished, and they glanced at each other helplessly: Yes, their business dealings, for years, resulted in their constant crossing of the sea . How could they offend the Sea King?
“Well, I, Jin Bihui, am also a straightforward person — I kill with one slash and settle deals with one breath!” Seeing that the other party’s anger had subsided, the newlywed Imperial Concubine slapped the box, startling the crowd . “I’ll take back the four beads — You’re well aware that this isn’t something you can afford, and don’t worry about losing this good fortune! The rest of the stuff, along with this hawksbill turtle shell chest, two million gold and you can have it!”
The three jewelers gathered together again and whispered . Finally, the eldest one was elected to speak . He clasped his hands and sighed, “Imperial Concubine’s price, this little one[2] also knows in his heart it is very reasonable — however, the amount we three have brought with us this time is just over a million gold . What…”
Sponsored Content
Jin Bihui stared blankly and frowned . “At any rate, you’re also a famous jewel merchant . How can you be so stingy? Forget it, forget it . This is fortunate — it’s not worth the money . When you return, purchase provisions for us and send them along the river . How about it?”
The jeweler was overjoyed to see that she was willing to be flexible . He knew that this business deal would make at least half a million gold, so he hurriedly agreed .
Jin Bihui was also straightforward . She took the four beads from the chest and then locked it . Handing the chest’s key to Chief Advisor Xu next to her, she instructed, “It’s been settled — take the three of them to the storehouse to deliver the payment!”
Chief Advisor Xu was well-versed in the classics, but within the imperial court, had he ever seen such a shrewish woman as this? A moment ago, the new Imperial Concubine, who was rebuking angrily, had already settled a deal four times the price he offered . This old political advisor was only shocked in his heart, where he had interjected .
Chief Advisor Xu took the jewelers out of the inner room . Needless to say, everyone’s expressions changed slightly . Even Crown Prince Chengde looked at this sister-in-law a bit differently .
However, Jin Bihui didn’t notice and only saw to it that the matter was completed smoothly and didn’t care about the outsiders around her . She walked to her husband’s side and smiled as she pulled Prince Xueya’s sleeve . Raising her head, she asked, “What do you think? Isn’t the wife you married competent? Half a million for provisions, and another million left for the national treasury — how about we use the extra half a million gold to build a mansion to live in, okay?”
She happily planned for the future, but Yan Bai just looked down at his wife and indifferently said, “Suit yourself . ”
Jin Bihui glared at her husband and said angrily, “You — why are you always like this?”
Prince Xueya didn’t argue any further with his wife . He only said one thing, “In any case, it’s your dowry . I have no right to handle it — not until now did you ask anyone’s opinion here . ” Then, without saying anything, he left her there . He went over and sat beside Shen Tiexin to drink tea .
She followed him over . However, the left flank’s Vice General Shen Tiexin who was seated with her evidently also didn’t have a favorable impression of her . He didn’t even look at her and just leaned over and started discussing military matters with Yan Bai in a low voice .
Jin Bihui was momentarily left to the side, and she didn’t know what to say or do . Her personality was widely known since childhood . Unrestrained and free, had she ever suffered such frustration? She felt the fury in her heart soaring higher .
When Crown Prince Chengde saw this situation, without speaking to the right flank’s Vice General Shao Guan, who was seated with him, his eyes flickered . He stood up to walk over — however, at this moment, Jin Bihui sneered and suddenly went up to them . She flicked her cuff and knocked over the cups on the table .
Sponsored Content
Clang . Tea splashed everywhere . Yan Bai and Shen Tiexin both reacted very quickly, and they immediately jumped away . The Seventh Prince’s face was already very ugly . However, before he could reprimand her, Jin Bihui was faster . She stared at him furiously and spoke, “You’re not wrong . That’s my dowry — but I used it to help you financially! And I even found buyers for you on your behalf and haggled for you — you tell me, where was I wrong? Just why are you making a face at me?”[3]
“What you’re doing right now is wrong . ” Seemingly unable to endure, Prince Xueya’s always flat tone revealed ridicule and disappointment for the first time, “Moreover, the one making a face at every turn appears to be you, Madam . ”
Jin Bihui was stumped, not expecting such sharp words from her always apathetic husband . For the first time, she fixedly scrutinized him, her own husband — the seat of the precious noble son of high status and wide sleeves[4], long clothes resembling snow, and an elegant and calm aura . His gaze was also indifferent, revealing a distant grandeur and indifference . It was as if he looked down from the clouds at her, with pity and helplessness .
As she suddenly understood something, it was as if her heart had received a severe blow . She felt suffocated and was unable to speak .
This person… this person actually dared, actually dared to look down on her! He, her husband, actually looked down on her!
Jin Bihui closed her eyes for a moment, biting down hard on the corners of her mouth . She clenched her fists so hard that she didn’t know how much effort it took to suppress the urge to punch him, and suddenly the blood drained from her healthy honey-colored skin .
“Sister-in-law, are you feeling unwell?” Crown Prince Chengde now saw that the atmosphere was not right and promptly came over to try to smooth things over . However, Jin Bihui did not even look at him and just stared at Prince Xueya, who had changed seats and was drinking tea . She sneered, “Yan Bai, what are you proud of? If you’re really so proud, there would be no need to sell yourself to our Jin Family! It’s only worth two million gold — that drop of money isn’t even enough for our Yutang Jin Family’s recreation and hobbies every year!”
She gritted her teeth and spat out word after word, feeling the satisfaction of revenge .
She was but a pirate’s daughter as she placed importance on a tooth for a tooth and blood for blood . Repaying a drop of kindness with a gushing spring . However, contempt was also repaid with even more contempt! What was she afraid of?[5]
The surrounding people, including Crown Prince Chengde, were startled and dazed for a moment — she viewed every syllable of the sentence as if it were a sharp blade, stabbing into the heart of the white-clothed noble in front of her minute by minute and watched as Prince Xueya’s face became paler by the minute .
She smiled and waited for him to jump up in anger and waited for his skills that had previously impressed her . Her hand was in her sleeve as she gripped the Water-Splitting Dagger that was no more than three inches long .
However, Jin Bihui saw his hand tighten slowly, and the water in the teacup unexpectedly boiled slightly without a cause . Yet, her husband said nothing and had no expression at all, as if he had not heard such humiliating remarks from her . He simply lowered his head and slowly drank a cup of tea . Then, he set the cup down and let out a small breath, “Good tea . ”
Sponsored Content
She was astonished .
He actually managed to endure! This exceedingly proud and conceited person could actually swallow this kind of public humiliation .
What was his reason? His reason for it again!
“Still tastes good, right? That’s Yun Qi[6] Tea—” Suddenly, through the stagnant air came a leisurely and gentle voice . Like a spring breeze, it brushed past the frozen earth, “At the beginning of spring, I went to Yun Qi Temple in the north of the city to offer incense . It was gathered in the garden behind the temple and soaked in melted snow that had accumulated on the cherry blossoms — to be granted Seventh Brother’s praise, I am truly honored . ”
Following the voice, a woman in light makeup and plain white clothes walked in . She held a tray in her hand, which carried a fresh pot of tea and snacks, and strode into the inner room . Although she hadn’t worn any jewelry, this woman shone radiantly . Each and every action and word drifted like snow in the wind . She was like God Luo’s wife[7] .
“I dare not trouble Crown Princess . ” Everyone in the room stood up hastily and responded respectfully . Even the Prince Xueya rose .
Crown Prince Chengde’s wife was the daughter of Li Country’s former senior official, Zhangsun[8] Hong . She, who was personally appointed by the late Emperor to be the wife of his eldest son . Virtuous and elegant . Gentle and sensible . She had always been praised by people of all standings .
The Crown Princess smiled slightly and wordlessly came to the front of the seat to set down the tray . She turned around and took the hand of Jin Bihui who stayed to the side . Evaluating her, she smiled gently, “Is this the sister-in-law who just came from Yang Country? What a charming person . ”
She took Jin Bihui’s hand, looked back at the Prince Xueya standing off to the side, and softly chided, “Seventh Brother, this is your mistake! Such a nice girl and you purposely made her angry, yet you still haven’t hurried to apologize!”
When Jin Bihui looked at her and saw her gentle smile and clear eyes, the fire in her heart suddenly dissipated . She even smiled and replied, “Who wants him to apologize? Big sister, you’re the beautiful one . Just like a fairy! No wonder you’re the Crown Princess . ”
The Crown Princess’s bright eyes dimmed slightly and she didn’t say anything . She just took her hand and smiled, “Big sister has prepared some gifts for you . There was nothing good as I was in a hurry — will my sister-in-law come and have a look?”
Jin Bihui’s untamed and unrestrained personality, in front of Zhangsun’s Crown Princess, was like a raging fire that had met gentle water . The last bits of spark were all gone . She was surprisingly a little bashful and bowed her head in embarrassment: “Aiya[9], I, I didn’t bring anything with me and came over — I really… really am just a brat with no manners .
TL Note: Hmm, so we’ve finally met her
Footnotes:
[1] “Bosi” could be Persia, but I have no clue where Dashi is so I’ll be keeping it as that
[2] He’s calling himself “little one” which is used by commoners when addressing superiors or servants to masters . It means “I” though
[3] A derogatory term . Usually said when one person lets their bad mood show on their face to let the other person see . The person being shown the face would then say the phrase
[4] “Wide sleeves”: should be saying how his connections are very vast . People with higher status had longer sleeves
[5] Same as “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”
[6] “Yun Qi”: “Yun” is cloud and “Qi” is to dwell or stay, so I think it’s something along the lines of “dwelling cloud”
[7] “God Luo’s wife”: very high praise saying how beautiful she is
[8] Can’t really tell if this guy’s surname is two characters or just one
[9] Meaning surprise or shock . I guess it’s like “oh my”