The Beloved Imperial Consort - Chapter 134

Chapter 134: Cross-examination

“Sir Wei is the eldest di [1] grandson of the fourth branch of the House of Wei?” Mu Xi Yao was extremely shocked by Wei Zhen’s roots.

[1] 嫡 di: refers to the legitimate/first wife, the original spouse of a man. In the context of children, di means legitimate, a child born from the official wife. Di children have higher standing than shu (庶) children (born of a concubine) and are generally the rightful heirs of the family, if male. (Dreams of Jianghu).

The House of Wei was the most prosperous among the three Duke Houses. The An House was already in decay, and the Rong House was supported by the Duke alone. The three branches of Wei’s stood on the legs like a tripod. [2] Meanwhile, the fourth branch was not from the official wife [3], but they were still powerful.

[2] 三足鼎立 Stand on three legs like a tripod—tripartite confrontation; triangular balance of power; three-cornered confrontation.    

[3] Meaning, the Master of the fourth branch was concubine-born, not a di heir, but a shu son.

According to Zhao Momo, only in Wei Zhen’s father’s generation, there were two officials on the royal cabinet, so it was correct to say that the House of Wei was considered of high lineage.

“Then why hasn’t he been engaged so far?” Even without his mother around, there were still his father and grandfather. Even if both of them neglected him, could it be that their House could let go of such a good chess piece for a marriage alliance?

Without Sir Wei in front of him, Zhao Momo was much more carefree in her response. The main reason still was the curious nature of her Mistress who loved to question the root of all things. Zhao Momo answered her in detail.

“Although Sir Wei’s father’s reputation is good now, in the past he did some ridiculous things. At that time, the most popular gossip in the capital was that he spoiled the concubine and destroyed the wife. Sir Wei’s mother was angered to death by the beloved concubine, so father and son turned against each other. For many years, Sir Wei has never taken the initiative to return home. His father too has many sons and needed his eldest son, who was rebellious since childhood. Like this, many things were delayed”.

“It was said that mostly, he was not engaged because there would not be a bridegroom in the ceremony. His family could agree to the marriage, but if he didn’t show up, wasn’t this not giving face, offending the other party’s family? This old slave heard that every year, they would send him a letter to urge his return during the Chinese New Year, but in all likelihood, Sir Wei never answered their letters. Even if they want to go look for him, he belongs to the Royal Military Camp, if he says he’s busy, who are others to say he isn’t?”

Zhao Momo spoke of all this while sighing, but Mu Xi Yao listened to her with great interest.

Sir Wei’s being rebellious when a teenager, this kind of temper really matched her appetite. Mu Xi Yao decided that for such an assertive and steadfast subordinate, she should take more care in the future and give the other party some family warmth.

As for Sir Wei’s father who spoiled the concubine and destroyed the wife, Mu Xi Yao expressed her contempt for him.

“What does Zhao Momo think, could this match be done?” It was reasonable to say that Wei Zhen’s origins were too high and in contrast with her two first-ranked maidservants, very obviously unsuitable. But his situation was special, and Mu Xi Yao didn’t want him to keep delaying the matter, then became an old bachelor who could be pocketed by anyone. It was best if she first grasped this pie for her own people.

In this type of business, Mu Xi Yao’s experience was still too shallow, and she believed it best to listen to the opinions of the elders.

Zhao Momo thought of it, feeling uncertain. “If his sixth Highness opened his honorable mouth, the matter of identity could be disregarded and this may be done”. 

What? Now their identities were not enough for the House of Wei to look at them? Mu Xi Yao signaled that she was not sure of this point.

“For officials, marriage suitability depends on “stability”. Which of them is not seeking long-term interests? For them to agree to this marriage, they must see the benefits. For this to happen, Mistress must be visibly valued by his Highness, then those around you would be worthy, as they would be more likely to be promoted to higher positions”.

“Still, this old slave is worried that because you and Princess Consort are standing on opposite sides, the House of Wei would be reluctant to choose their faction so early on, offending the He Lian family.”

Mu Xi Yao’s eyes shone, her thoughts spinning wildly.

Matchmaking her maidservants turned out to be so troublesome, that it could even involve the matter of choosing factions. Mu Xi Yao was not happy to hear this. Fortunately, the House of Wei belonged to Zong Zheng Lin, so this was at least internal trifles and not a matter of dealing with outsiders. Even if they were dissatisfied with something, as they had already decided which Prince to support, then they would not go so far as to change their alliance to Zong Zheng Lin. This was not so troublesome after all. [4]

[4] It just means that even if the House of Wei is dissatisfied with her marriage arrangements (wed her maidservant with their di heir), they would not make that much trouble, because they belong to the same political party, which is Zong Zheng Lin’s faction. 

Then, the things she couldn’t do on her own, she would wait for the boss’ return to deal with. The first thing she needed to do was to make the people involved nod, after all, it involved both parties’ consent, right? This matter didn’t need to be rushed. It would be a good idea to let Wei Zhen come to Danruo Courtyard more often, in order to let them communicate and know the other part. This was the priority now. 

Privately, Mu Xi Yao considered herself as Wei Zhen’s elders, and thus she decided to accept this marriage offer for him. Then, she only needed to talk it out with her maidservants and chose the bride.

When Hui Lan and Mo Lan were summoned by Mu Xi Yao they thought that their Mistress had something important to order, so they put down the work in hand, and hurried to her side to receive orders.

“The other day I was thinking about your life-long events [5]. There was an accident in the middle of it and it was until now that I could ask your opinion.” Mu Xi Yao slightly explained that as their Mistress she too minded this kind of matters and that she did not intend to decide on their marriages without listening to them.

[5] 大事 Dàshì. Major major social event (wedding or funeral). In this context means their marriage. 

“Both of you should be seventeen or eighteen years old. Women at this age should already be married and have some children. As your Mistress, I’m very optimistic about his Highness’ personal attendant, Sir Wei. Do you find him passable?”

One could tell that Mu Xi Yao was really not gifted in matchmaking, what kind of question was this, how could two boudoir girls answer this kind of question?

Zhao Momo sighed while mediating. If she let this situation continue, then these two girls would never find a ‘suitable’ one for the rest of their lives.

“What Mistress means is that you’re of age, and instead of marrying someone who one doesn’t where one came from, it’s best to choose a good man from his Highness’ side. Sir Wei is young and promising, he is also very self-disciplined in private, and he has never done anything undignified. His character is mature, down-to-earth, and does not have the impetuosity of young people. He is consistently reliable and he’s easy to get along with, he should be suitable to lead a good life.[5]”

[5] 过日子 Harmonious, peaceful marriage life. She’s implying Wei Zhen is husband material.

The pair of orchids [6] listened feeling flustered and blushing to their ears. Mistress’ words now almost made them embarrassed to death.

[6] By pair of orchids they mean Hui Lan and Mo Lan since the Lan in their name means orchis (from H°Lifestyle translation). I usually just replace it with maidservants, but in this instance it looks cuter to let it be like this.

Mu Xi Yao saw them squirming for half a day, seemingly without any intention of speaking, and she wrinkled her eyebrows, pondering…

“If you feel like he’s not suitable, then there’s also bodyguard Ye Kai, and the commander of the guards, Yan Cheng Zou, although Sir Yan is a bit older, they shouldn’t be bad people”. Mu Xi Yao named several of the most useful people under Zong Zheng Lin’s command one by one, without any politeness. “If you don’t like them, don’t worry, there’s more people under his Highness’s command. Your Mistress’ will pay attention, I’m sure one of them must suit your taste”. 

Zhao Momo watched all of this go down, feeling helpless. When has a Mistress ever given their maidservants a right to speak! Maidservants have always done whatever the Mistress said, but why in their Mistress’ hands this matter became like this, even pickier than noble ladies, actually expecting a love match!

In fact, the concept of marrying for love was too deeply ingrained in Mu Xi Yao’s mind, even though she knew it was unfitting to the current time she lived in, she still couldn’t change it. Moving her finger and letting her maidservants be married off so casually if they suffered later on and ended up divorced, then wouldn’t she just die of guilt?

“Mistress, this slave will listen to you. Whoever Mistress points out must be good. Mo Lan only asks to be an aunt[7] servant and follow you for the rest of my life.”

[7] 姑姑 Gugu. In this case, it refers to a married woman, from the mother’s side. As she’s no longer going to be a maiden, her address changes. 

When Mo Lan saw how her Mistress intended to oversee their matters so carefully, she built up her courage to express her attitude.

“Hui Lan too”. Half a year younger than Mo Lan, Hui Lan was even more thin-skinned. [8]

[8] 脸皮子更薄, “the skin was thinner”. This means that she is sensitive to criticism or hints; easily upset or affected. Opposite to shameless, feeling easily embarrassed.

Ah! This was a lifetime’s blessing being offered, yet the other party wasn’t aware of it! Mu Xi Yao deeply lamented.

If someone had asked her a question like that, she would have fought for herself to the end. Now such a good benefit was in front of them, but the two of them did not to boldly seek a good husband. Although the women of Great Wei were raised a bit more open-minded, they psychologically still followed the old rules of being reserved and dignified.

“The two of you are young so there’s no need to hurry. Find more opportunities to look around and see who’s suitable. If your heart is willing, do not miss it. Your Mistress doesn’t want you to wrong yourselves, just because of that little bit of shyness. It’s not worth it.”

Mu Xi Yao didn’t think being reserved was a good trait. Her bluntness made Zhao Momo as well as her two maidservants completely speechless.

Cefei’s courage was nourished too well by His Royal Highness. Following the rules, that was only natural. In the hearts of all her three servants, all of Mu Xi Yao’s unreasonable extravagance was brought up by his sixth Highness’ ungoverned spoiling.

***

▲ Footnotes 

[1] 嫡 di: refers to the legitimate/first wife, the original spouse of a man. In the context of children, di means legitimate, a child born from the official wife. Di children have higher standing than shu (庶) children (born of a concubine) and are generally the rightful heirs of the family if male. (Dreams of Jianghu).

[2] 三足鼎立 Stand on three legs like a tripod—tripartite confrontation; triangular balance of power; three-cornered confrontation.

[3] Meaning, the Master of the fourth branch was concubine-born, not a di heir, but a shu son.

[4] It just means that even if the House of Wei is dissatisfied with her marriage arrangements (wed her maidservant with their di heir), they would not make that much trouble, because they belong to the same political party, which is Zong Zheng Lin’s faction. 

[5] 大事 Dàshì. Major major social event (wedding or funeral). In this context means their marriage. 

[6] By pair of orchids they mean Hui Lan and Mo Lan since the Lan in their name means orchis (from H°Lifestyle translation). I usually just replace it with maidservants, but in this instance it looks cuter to let it be like this.

[7] 姑姑 Gugu. In this case, it refers to a married woman, from the mother’s side. As she’s no longer going to be a maiden, her address changes. 

[8] 脸皮子更薄, “the skin was thinner”. This means that she is sensitive to criticism or hints; easily upset or affected. Opposite to shameless, feeling easily embarrassed.