Feng Xing: Chapter 107
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Translation: marchmallow
Since she had joined the imperial household, she was bound to encounter this kind of incident sooner or later.
The tree might prefer calm but the wind would not abate. Ordinary masters would wage war amongst themselves over family property, let alone masters of such a vast land.
Feng Sheng had long prepared for it in her heart, and the discomfort that initially washed over her lasted only for a moment. The Central Palace had an old grudge against her, and after marrying Prince Wei, the Chen family, even the Empress and the First Prince, had done their utmost to beset her with trouble in every conceivable way. There was a definite effect for every cause. No one was to blame.
Prince Wei was originally worried that anxiety would plague her heart. After all, palace struggles of such nature was novel to her. But facts had proven that Feng Sheng was stronger than he had imagined.
When evening came, Prince Wei and Feng Sheng talked about a myriad of things that transpired in his childhood, how he strove to survive in the deep palace, and why he lost himself delving into Buddhist doctrines in his early years despite possessing the identity of an imperial prince.
That night, the two were the closest they had ever been. Fortunately, they would no longer face such matters by themselves in the time to come.
*
Following that day’s events, the Chen family announced that Old Madam Chen had succumbed to delirium and, to conclude, they ventured to the palace to apologize to the Imperial Noble Consort.
This matter did not merit a response from the Jianping Emperor, but its impact was very far-reaching.
Empress Chen was ill. Severely ill.
Feng Sheng had surmised she was feigning illness, but only after stopping for a visit did she discover that it was not a mere lie.
On the surface, Empress Chen was still the empress, but all who were cognizant of the inside story were perfectly aware that this time, her days of glory were coming to a close. However, in the end, her identity was immutable. She was still the Mother of the Nation. With their Empress Mother ill in bed, as daughters-in-law, the princess consorts were bound by duty to serve the sick even if it was purely for the sake of appearances.
Except for the bed-ridden First Princess Consort, all who should come arrived. Empress Chen’s condition was sometimes good, sometimes bad. On better days, she would be awake; otherwise, she would be in stupor, remaining unconscious for an indefinite period of time.
Seeing that her condition stayed the same when autumn came, the people in the palace deduced that the Empress would not make it.
Just then, something happened. The First Princess Consort, who had long been harrowed by malady, perished.
If truth be told, this came as no surprise. The First Princess Consort had always been frail, and after the death of her child, she had never left her sickbed. She had dragged on for so long, but her days were numbered. All knew that such a day would befall her in the course of time.
For funeral rites such as this, families from other manors had to show up regardless of the degree of their willingness. After all, she was their eldest sister-in-law. After assisting the First Prince in completing the funeral arrangements, news came from the palace that Empress Chen, who had been unconscious for many days, had woken up.
Perhaps fate had willed that Empress Chen’s predestined lifespan had yet to conclude, or perhaps her concern for the First Prince overpowered whatever malaise took over her body that she survive the winter. Ushered in spring, Empress Chen pulled through once more.
The Jianping Emperor had handed over the palace authority to the Imperial Noble Consort after the incident broke out. This time, even with Empress Chen’s recovery, the Jianping Emperor still did not send word for the Imperial Noble Consort to relinquish the authority.
In the New Year, Empress Chen made her first public appearance after a long absence. Her seat was still next to the Jianping Emperor’s, but at some point, the Imperial Noble Consort’s position at the lower left had moved up by a lot. Although it was not level with the dragon throne, it was relatively closer to the Jianping Emperor.
From a distance, it did not appear as though Empress Chen was poised next to the Jianping Emperor, but rather, it seemed more like the Jianping Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort had cast her on the sideline.
She was still garbed in noble and dignified robes, but she was now much older. People in the palace were skilled in maintaining their appearance. She was a few years younger than the Jianping Emperor, but after her illness, she looked like she was older by a decade.
Compared to the Imperial Noble Consort at the side whose countenance was reminiscent of a delicate flower, she seemed like she was at least thirty years her senior. Noticing this, even Feng Sheng could not help but sigh with lament.
*
Empress Chen was made of sterner stuff than expected. Despite having lost the palace authority, people still acknowledged her majesty as the empress both in front of her and behind her back.
After the new year, Kunning Palace repeatedly summoned women for an audience. Later, Feng Sheng found out that she was trying to select a princess consort for the First Prince.
A manor must not be without a mistress for even a day. The First Prince’s Manor was already tumultuous enough, and with no mistress in charge, no one knew just how much more chaotic it could get. Through this matter, Feng Sheng also learned that the First Prince had fallen prey to alcoholism and squandered his days in perpetual intoxication. This might have been the reason why Empress Chen hastened to marry in a princess consort.
But the Central Palace was now in such a situation. Looking for a princess consort was bound to be a challenge. If her status was too low, Empress Chen would be unwilling. If too high, it was her family who would be unwilling. Which noble miss from a high-ranking family would want to marry a prince with no title? Empress Chen already lowered her standards from high-standing noble maidens to daughters from families of capital officials not lower than fifth-rank.
Even so, none were suitable. In a fit of rage, she once again lowered the requirements to families of capital officials seventh-rank or higher.
The reason why Feng Sheng knew so much about this was that she heard it from the Imperial Noble Consort.
*
“So, Imperial Father chose the daughter of a fifth-rank military official for the First Prince?” Feng Sheng inquired.
Princess Consort Liang nodded her head. She was a little over four months pregnant. With ruddy cheeks and an excellent complexion, one could tell at a glance that she was nurtured well.
“I’ve seen this woman before. How do I say it? I fear that it will not be a good match.”
Princess Consort Liang’s expression was rather peculiar. Feng Sheng could not resist asking her about the specifics.
It turned out that this woman surnamed Sun was already turning twenty-two this year, which, in current times, already branded her as an old maiden. As for why she had not yet married all the while, her character was largely responsible for this. Perhaps because she hailed from a general’s family, this woman was bold and vigorous in nature with martial arts skills that surpassed an average man’s. Rumor had it that her family had her betrothed several times, but she had disdained all her matches for falling short of the capability to defeat her.
Among those who got entangled with her, she had nearly crippled one of them. As such, her reputation in the capital plummeted, and her marriage was dragged on again and again up until present.
However, for reasons unknown, the Jianping Emperor selected her to be the First Princess Consort. It stood to reason that with such a background, she ought not to have entered the Jianping Emperor’s eyes.
“Perhaps someone had put in a good word for her.”
“Let me just say that, despite her age, she is actually quite apt. You might not know, but the two liangdi1 at Eldest Brother’s manor are not good crops, and several of his concubines stir trouble all day long. If he marries someone domineering, she would be able to suppress them. Supposing they find someone docile and feeble, I fear that it will not be long before she’s gnawed on to an extent where not even crumbs of her bones will remain.”
The circumstances of the First Prince’s Manor was an open secret to most people. As early as when the First Prince was still the crown prince, there were already some signs. The Jianping Emperor had often reproached the Crown Prince for the disorder in his rear court. According to law, the crown prince was entitled to take in more concubines than other first-rank princes. There were dozens of titled ones in his manor, not to mention untitled ones.
The Crown Prince had not wasted his own rights in the slightest and filled up those titled positions one after another, adding in a lot of untitled concubines and bed servants.
It was not as terrible when he was still the crown prince, as the budget allotted for his daily expenditures was expected to be among the highest. Later on, when the crown prince was abolished and fell into dire straits, these women became headache inducers.
In brief, the First Prince’s rear court was in utter disarray. It had been tolerable when the First Princess Consort was still in good health, but since she had fallen ill, it was rendered frenzied beyond hope. His brothers and sisters-in-law would joke about it amongst themselves, but they naturally would not let word leak outside their circle.
“I wonder what she looks like to warrant such a praise from you,” Feng Sheng kidded.
“Her father is my father’s subordinate. I have met her once. How unfortunate it must be to be matched with him.” This ‘him’ naturally referred to the First Prince.
Feng Sheng quietly mulled over it. It truly was a pity. It would have been fine if it was someone else, but it just had to be the First Prince.
One might well ask, even if the woman was an unsullied old maiden, who would be willing to marry a man ten years older than herself, one who had a slew of concubines and concubine-born children in his manor?
From others’ point of view, it might seem that this Miss Sun climbed high, but this was precisely an instance of ‘a person drinking water knows best whether it is hot or cold’.2
“This is a marriage bestowed by Imperial Father. We cannot say anything and can only watch.”
“Right.”
After chatting with Feng Sheng for a while, Princess Consort Liang prepared to return home.
Among a multitude of princess consorts, she had frequent contact with Feng Sheng the most. Firstly, Prince Liang and Prince Wei both ‘had no lofty aspirations’. Secondly, they had a predestined affinity the first time their eyes met in the year they were introduced.
This was Princess Consort Liang’s second pregnancy. Her first child was a daughter, so she was eager to have a son. She became particularly cautious since she had gotten pregnant, seldom leaving home and taking strolls, but on this day, she felt it too stuffy in the manor and deliberately sought Feng Sheng to exchange stories.
“I won’t see you off. Have the carriage go slower on your way back.”
“No need for Third Sister-in-law see me off. I will go back by myself.”
After Princess Consort Liang left, Feng Sheng stared at her departing back and could not help but shake her head.
When Prince Wei strode in, Feng Sheng roughly picked out some of the words Princess Consort Liang had shared and told him.
In reality, who was truly pure and aimless? Empress Chen completely falling out of favor was equal to the First Prince losing the chance to recover. Without the greatest threat, everyone below had gotten restless. Prince Wei seemed to be idle at home, but in truth, he was not particularly at peace. Whether openly or furtively, many wanted to probe his intentions, but after realizing that Prince Wei was a tough nut to crack, it was inevitable for some to instead aim for Feng Sheng.
“Is Imperial Father satisfied with Miss Sun?”
Prince Wei nodded. “Consort Mother mentioned that one with too soft a temper is no good for fear that she will not last long, so Imperial Father decided to choose one from a general’s family.”
Feng Sheng laughed in spite of herself and shook her head, but she said nothing more.
*
Empress Chen was anxious to have the marriage fulfilled, so the propitious day came very soon.
Since the First Prince’s Manor had no mistress, the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites handled the wedding ceremony.
On that day, everyone who was supposed to go had gone. After all, it was a marriage conferred by the Jianping Emperor. As one of his brothers, Prince Wei naturally could not escape responsibility.
When they arrived at the place, Prince Wei stayed in the front court, while Feng Sheng headed to the area where female guests were entertained. Princess Consort Wu and Princess Consort Zhao were both there. Feng Sheng had never been a talkative person, so she simply sat down after performing social niceties.
Princess Consort Liang blinked at her. Feng Sheng understood tacitly and smiled. It was a private exchange between the two, but Princess Consort An unexpectedly noticed it.
“Look how these two greet each other. Those who don’t know would think they’re blood sisters.”
Feng Sheng naturally knew that it was an attempt to trouble her. She replied smilingly, “Why does Seventh Sister-in-law look so sour? Isn’t it a good thing to have a close sister? Who doesn’t have one?”
Hearing this, everyone turned to study at Princess Consort An’s complexion. Sure enough, it turned alternately green and white.
If one would take Feng Sheng’s words literally, they contained not even a modicum of error, but in actuality, it was an indirect attack to Princess Consort An. Everyone present was aware that the first Princess Consort Wei and Princess Consort An had been sisters. Feng Sheng’s words insinuated that Princess Consort An was a spiteful person who would stab people with words when she had nothing better to do.
“What is Third Sister-in-law saying? People who don’t belong together don’t get to live together.3 We’re all sisters-in-law, so we’re naturally as close as blood sisters. Just that, you younger sisters also know that Empress Mother instructed me to help manage today’s affairs. There are still so many madams from different manors sitting outside. Please lend a hand when you can. We must not let others witness a joke,” Princess Consort Wu exhorted.
Her words were indisputable, and there was no room for others to circumvent. They assented one after another and did as they were bid.
Just before dusk arrived, amidst the deafening roar of firecrackers, someone came to report the arrival of the marriage sedan.4 Other people paused in their tracks, but Princess Consort Wu and other princess consorts were required to attend the ceremony.
Feng Sheng followed behind Princess Consort Wu and strolled with Princess Consort Liang towards the wedding hall. Many came to enjoy watching the bustling scene. The farther they walked outside, the more crowded it grew. Feng Sheng was afraid Princess Consort Liang would stagger, so she took her by the arm to assist her.
A commotion suddenly broke out before they could reach the wedding hall.
“What’s going on here?” Princess Consort Wu asked.
She ordered someone to check what was happening. A while later, he returned to report, and everyone present learned about what had taken place.
It turned out that a mishap had occurred prior to this. The First Prince had not personally appeared to pick up the bride and instead sent a bridal party on his stead. But with a status such as his, even if the woman was discontent, she could not dare utter a word, so the matter was temporarily covered up. However, when the marriage sedan reached the main gate, there was still no sign of the First Prince. Those from the Ministry of Rites had no other choice. They originally intended to substitute him with a random prince who had not yet married, but unfortunately, this ploy was disrupted from within.
The person who upset their scheme was none other than the First Princess Consort, Sun-shi.
Sun-shi was already dissatisfied with this marriage. For the sake of her family’s stability, she could only be obliged to marry. But who would have thought that when the time came to pick up bride, the bridegroom would not arrive? Furthermore, when the marriage sedan reached the gate, he was still nowhere to be found. She was the princess consort engaged through three letters and six etiquettes5 inside a sedan chair with eight carriers, not some concubine entering through a side door in a puny sedan chair. The First Prince’s behavior was obviously to look down on her, so she was extremely incensed.
Sun-shi stayed in the sedan chair and declared that if the First Prince did not personally appear today, she would not take even a single step out.
1 良娣 (liáng dì): lit. excellent sister-in-law; Related Lady of Excellence, a designation of a category of concubines of the Crown Prince, subordinate only to the principal wife, the Princess Consort
2 如人饮水,冷暖自知了: the person who drinks it knows best whether the water is hot or cold (Zen proverb); self-awareness comes from within; to know best by personal experience
3 不是一家人不进一家门: lit. people who don’t belong together, don’t get to live together (idiom); marriages are predestined; people marry because they share common traits
4 花轿: marriage sedan where the bride is carried from her home to the wedding hall
5 To marry a main wife, the proposal is finalized through a formal letter of betrothal which is the first of the three letters. This letter is supposed to outline the couple’s intentions to marry and set out their vows. This letter is then followed by the gift letter which basically documents the details of the gifts expected. The final letter is the wedding letter which formally welcomes the bride into the groom’s family. The term “six etiquettes” refers to proposing, birthday matching, betrothal gifts, wedding gifts, choosing the wedding date, and the ceremony itself. (Source 1, 2)
A main wife is carried inside a marriage sedan with eight carriers and will pass through the main gate/entrance, as opposed to a concubine who will enter the manor through a side door.
