Inner Residence arc ー Chapter 12 (Part 2): Spring Banquet (First Half)
I looked around. With green slab stone paving the ground, large sturdy vermillion pillars towering aloft on the flight of stairs, and tall eaves converged at the corners, the building was splendorous and majestic, displaying an idyllic scene as if faintly discernible beautiful music was playing beside the ear. Most importantly, there were also handsome and tall imperial bodyguards standing to the side.
I was filled with joy. This is really heaven.
While I was still in a daze, Xie Zhaoke pulled me to kneel with the others before a noble woman. That noble woman asked everyone to stand up in an affable voice.
Only now did I see Empress Zhao clearly.
The Empress who had such an awful public reputation, instead had the round and benign face of a person who tries to never offend anybody. When she smiled, there was even a dimple and was unexpectedly a little similar to an aunt who was in the same work unit as my mother. Empress Zhao must have been a peerless beauty when she was young. It's just that she had gotten older and also a little plump which made it very difficult to see the shadow of her former days. Only her pair of eyes remained clear and held a piercing gaze.
Standing beside the Empress was a beautiful girl in light green female official clothes and adorned with exquisite ornaments. It was Qin Feihua. After not meeting for a few months, she looked as if she had become a little thinner. I wondered how many nights she spent crying blood to the white Chinese flowering crabapple*. This thin and pallid appearance of hers made her more beautiful just like a celestial fairy.
*T/n: Scientific name of the flower is 'Malus spectabilis'. Not sure how true it is, but when it is flooded with water and the roots start to rot, some describe it as a sickly beauty so she may somehow be making reference to this point in this context.
An image:
Her lover, Xie Zhaoying, was currently sitting below but she was looking straight ahead and she turned a blind eye to him. I then looked at Xie Zhaoying and saw that he was also lowering his head deferentially with his expression as usual. These two people were really weird.
Empress Zhao said, "It has been quite some time since the respective families have gathered together. The weather today is good and the cooks have also learnt a few Jiangnan dishes, thus I have invited all my old brothers and sisters* here to make some small conversation and to also let these children get to know each other."
*T/n: Referring to her acquaintances from the past
I smiled. Could it be that it was really a big blind date gathering?
Xie Zhaoying who was sitting beside me drank his tea quietly. I asked in low voice, "Are you still alright?"
He acted as if he didn’t hear it.
I wasn't really reassured. "Your wound has just started to form a scab. Don’t drink wine."
Empress Zhao's voice suddenly sounded again. "What? The Xie Family's Fourth Miss has also come? Where?"
As I was startled, Xie Zhaoying pushed me from behind. I staggered a few steps and was already standing right at the centre of the venue.
Everyone stared at me. I foolishly looked to my left then looked to my right. I had completely forgotten all those palace etiquettes I was taught earlier. Xie Zhaoke was trying her hardest to shoot me a glance from the side. Only when her eyeballs were about to come out from staring did the realization dawn on me and I knelt down to pay my respects to the Empress.
Empress Zhao was a diplomat as she lied brazenly, "Madam Xie really has good fortune. Both daughters are so beautiful. This Fourth Miss is simply a beautiful person, delicate and graceful, transcending that of the mortal world."
Madam Xie's face was already red. She said in a panic, "This humble daughter of mine is not smart and unworthy of Your Highness' praise."
Empress Zhao shifted her gaze and said, "What about your family's Zhaoying? I haven't seen him for many years."
Xie Zhaoying placed the tea cup down and walked over in a graceful and unhurried manner before he paid his respects to the Empress. His movements were natural and smooth like floating clouds and flowing water. It couldn’t be seen at all that he had received a heavy injury.
Empress Zhao stared at him as she smiled. "After not seeing you for a few years, you've already become this tall and handsome. I really wonder how many young ladies have cried because of you*. I still remembered that when you were still small, you were extremely naughty, always playing tricks on the palace maids and bringing some frogs and green caterpillars and whatnot to scare them."
*T/n: When a man is described to be very handsome, an expression like this may be used, signifying that many girls get heartbroken because of him
Xie Zhaoying made a wry smile. "I'm really ashamed. I have let Your Highness see a joke."
Empress Zhao continued, "I still remember, you and Ah Xuan(Āh Xuān) looked really similar. There was once when Ah Xuan got into trouble for burning the Master's* books, it was you who helped him take the blame. That time, the late Emperor even punished you to previous to copy books for quite a few days!"
*T/n: Refers to teachers and scholars
Who was Ah Xuan?
Xie Zhaoying's face was full of guilt. "When I was young, I was ignorant and caused many problems for Your Highness."
Empress Zhao had the worried look of an elder. "Later on, Ah Xuan went to Xi Yao(Xī Yáo) City. The journey is arduous and faraway while that place is remote and frigid. It has really been tough on him. He hasn't returned for so many years already so I also don’t know how he is now."
Xie Zhaoying also unexpectedly spoke with a wooden expression, "This commoner also misses Prince Yan(Yàn) quite a lot. However, ever since he had gotten married, the two of us lost contact. Alas, it must be because His Highness feels that this commoner has lived with no purpose and has nothing to do. Thus, he is no longer willing to associate with this commoner."
"Is that so?" Empress Zhao stared at Xie Zhaoying and said in a lukewarm manner, "This child Ah Xuan is indeed clever and quick-witted but his mother passed away early. His Majesty dotes on this younger brother the most. In the past, although he was quite mischievous in the past, he has great prospects now, leading armies to war and defending the northern border. If the late Emperor is watching from heaven, I wonder how gratified he would be."
Xie Zhaoying also went along and smiled thoughtlessly. Hence, everyone also followed to smile as if they were watching a situation comedy.
After that, everyone watched the song and dance performances while drinking tea and eating pastries. Besides the little palace maid who came to pour wine smiling shyly at Xie Zhaoying, all the others were very boring. After eating to my fill, I sat down in a silly manner. I really missed that little room which emitted medical scent.
Suddenly, I saw the pale-faced Second Imperial Prince who I encountered on the streets the other day dressed in light robes walking over and paying his respects to the Empress.
I asked Xie Zhaoying, "That's the second child?"
Xie Zhaoying nodded his head. "The Second Prince, Xiao Li(Xiāo Lì). You see that imperial consort sitting on the left of the Empress? That is his biological mother, Worthy Consort Li."
Worthy Consort Li had a dignified demeanour and a gentle temperament. When one looked at her, she seemed to be immensely meek and well-behaved.
I didn’t know what Xiao Li and the Empress talked about and the Empress repeatedly nodded her head and smiled. Then, she said with a loud voice, "Everyone, while the weather is still good, why don’t we take the chance to let the young people compete in a game of polo."
I opened my mouth as I turned my head towards Xie Zhaoying.
He didn’t look at me. "Close your mouth and turn your head away."
I said, "You can pretend that you have a stomachache!"
"Oh? Is there a better idea?"
I thought, "Or you maybe the sky dog will eat the moon*(lunar eclipse) all of a sudden?"
*T/n: When people did not understand the phenomenon of the lunar eclipse, this was how it was described
Xie Zhaoying's felt totally speechless. "Thank you."
I became anxious. "You can't endure this much physical strain."
"I can't withdraw!"
"You don't even want your life?" I clenched my fists tightly.
Xie Zhaoying smiled. "Don't I still have you?"
When we reached the side of the field, Han Wangsun ran over while carrying a polo stick and called out, "Ah Ying, we're a team."
Yu Zhengxun walked over while leading a large horse with black, lustrous hair. He was taciturn as usual and simply nodded his head at us.
As soon as Xie Zhaoying saw that horse, he immediately smiled. "Xuan* Qi?"
*T/n: 'Xuan' can mean black
The horse recognized him and it intimately moved closer to rub against him. This was my first time seeing a horse even taller than me so I repeatedly praised it.
Xie Zhaoying stroked its hair tenderly. "Zheng Xun, you have taken care of it really really well."
Yu Zhengxun said, "I rode him into the palace on a whim today. I didn’t think that it would be just nice for you to ride him to play in this game."
On the other side, Xiao Li who had already changed his clothes was riding a maroon horse with glossy hair. He was bending down and talking to Xie Zhaoke eagerly. After Xie Zhaoke heard it, she smiled and nodded her head. Then, she removed the silk ribbon on her hair and helped him tie it onto his waist sash.
Xie Zhaoying had also changed into a purplish red Chinese-style jacket and trousers. The neatly trimmed clothes made his body more tall and slender.
I was worried and advised him, "You don’t that much effort. Just let them win."
Xie Zhaoying reached out his hand and pinched my face. "Do you have such little confidence in your elder brother?"
I cried in pain. "I'm worried that your poison will flare up and I'll need to prick you into a hedgehog again!"
Xie Zhaoying smiled. He had rubbed my face until it was painful.
The gongs and drums sounded as banners and the banners were waved.
Xie Zhaoying released me and mounted the horse. When he swayed slightly on the back of the horse, my nails pierced into my flesh instantly.
He breathed a sigh of relief and flashed a smile full of mettle. "Younger Sister, tie your silk ribbon for Elder Brother."
I untied a green hair ribbon. Following how Xie Zhaoke did it, I very carefully tied it to his waist.
Xie Zhaoying smiled. "The first goal will be scored for you!"
After saying that, he raised his whip and urged on the horse as he left.
Translated and Edited by: HaruOngy and LalaKurouds
Editor: Luxe