#liu taitai my love

[jeweliury]

Liu Yu - Wedding Dress 刘太太

I don't feel like explaining myself here other than I have a very strange, very niche obsession. Enjoy~

[royalnovels-blog]

EET Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-one: Illusion As expected, when Yan Jin Qiu and Hua Xi Wan just walked in through the door, a servant came to report that the second taitai of Hua Fu had been waiting for almost four hours at the fu. “I know.” Hua Xi Wan did not wait for Yan Jin Qiu to speak and said, “Jin Qiu is busy. I will go see to Second Aunt.” It would be much easier if only she came out about this matter. If Yan Jin Qiu was pulled in, it would not be so easy to rid themselves of this matter. Yan Jin Qiu who usually did not bear to leave Hua Xi Wan at this time did not hesitate. He nodded and led Mu Tong and the others to another yard. This was akin to saying he gave Hua Xi Wan the full power to decide how to deal with this matter. “I am going to the study. If there is anything, send someone to tell me.” It was almost as though Yan Jin Qiu said, don’t be afraid—even if there is a problem, he will take care of it. Hua Xi Wan nodded, then she had the servant go to Zhang shi and invite her to the side hall to wait. She would go to the inner rooms to change her attire before meeting the guest. “Junwang Fei, has Second Taitai come now for the matter of Master Zhang’s death?” Zi Shan picked out a gold butterfly hairpin to secure Hua Xi Wan’s hair. “Second Taitai has always thought herself to come from a scholarly family and looks down on our taitai for coming from a prestigious martial family. Why is she coming to beg us now?” “A person in the world cannot avoid encountering matters that would force them to bend down. So usually, do not look down at other people based on their identity. That is why the old people say that it will be thirty years in the west, thirty years in the east.” Hua Xi Wan did not criticize Zi Shan’s words for being ugly. Her second aunt’s usual conduct wasn’t something that was good to see. She only learned the high attitudes of the scholars, but did not have their talent or their style. What was there to be proud of? After putting on her earrings, Hua Xi Wan rubbed the blood jade pendant and said nonchalantly, “Let’s go.” She really was not a generous person. She had seen how Zhang shi had treated and slighted her mother in all these years. Such a “relative”—if she would repay a slight with a boon, that would be strange. 堂妹 tang mei: father’s brother’s (younger) daughter In the side hall of the front hall of the junwang fu, Zhang shi looked at the decorations in the hall. Her hand trembled as she held the teacup. Her high posture had disappeared. When Hua Yi Liu saw her state, she held her mother’s hand and said, “Mother, do not panic. Tang Mei will quickly come.” “Yi Liu, you have to talk with Junwang Fei. She has always been good to you girls. If you speak, she will give more consideration.” Zhang shi knew very well that Hua Xi Wan had seen her conduct in treating her dasao these years. Even though the girl was not one to speak a lot, it could be seen from the other’s cold attitude towards her that she remembered these things. Hua Yi Liu felt slightly bitter. Mother had come out with her today probably so she could beg her tang mei. Listening to her mother’s words, she felt slightly discomforted. They were all daughters of the Hua Family. Because her maternal family was the Zhang Family, there had been many who came to offer marriage. On the other hand, Hua Xi Wan, the di daughter of the marquis fu, had been disliked by the scholarly families because of the rumors and because her maternal family was a martial family. So no one had ever asked for her. She had felt that the rumors outside were exaggerating, but she had felt good in a deep part inside. Otherwise, at the Hundred Flowers Festival last year when Min Huai Junzhu had asked her about Hua Xi Wan, she would not have purposefully misled Min Huai Junzhu to believe the outside rumos. She remembered the regret she had felt when she returned home. She had also felt discomforted at having such thoughts. It was only a few months later when the Emperor decreed marriage for Hua Xi Wan that she put down the regret she felt. At least, Tang Mei was not living poorly due to the rumors outside, and was able to marry Xian Junwang, someone many females liked. This was a matter that countless girls yearned for and could not obtain. Originally, she had been happy, but when she saw her proud mother bowing and scraping in order to beg Hua Xi Wan to do something, and pulling her down as well, the happiness inside changed into mixed feelings and caused her pain. Just as Hua Yi Liu was dazing, the sound of the servant girls voicing greetings passed through. She raised her head and saw several beautiful servant girls ushering Hua Xi Wan in. She seemed to be the center of attention and extremely noble. Zhang shi saw Hua Xi Wan enter and stood up from the chair after tensing for a moment. Before she could curtsey, Bai Xia supported her. 堂姐 tang jie: father’s brother’s (older) daughter “Second Aunt, Tang Jie.” Hua Xi Wan smiled at the two and indicated for the servant girls to support them to their seats. “I went to Princess Rui He’s estate today and did not know of your arrival. I made you wait for a long time.” “No, it is us who came without an invitation. That has nothing to do with Junwang Fei,” Zhang shi said, and forced a smile. “I heard my mother mention what happened today. It has shocked Junwang Fei.” “This is a great criminal matter—no one wants it to occur. Second Aunt, please restrain your grief and accept fate,” Hua Xi Wan said. “How is Official Zhang and Zhang Furen?” 太医 taiyi: imperial physician. It is an official position. Zhang shi used her handkerchief to wipe her red eyes. Her voice was slightly hoarse but did not tremble. “My mother has fallen ill immediately after returning to the fu. The taiyi who was requested came and said it was an illness of the heart. My brother is the only son of the family, and my parents love him greatly. Now that they have encountered this matter, the two old people are unable to accept it. I have come today to ask Junwang Fei to say a few words for my paternal family to Junwang Ye. We are not asking for anything else, just that my brother’s killer is found.” “We are one family—we should not say such courteous things. I heard that the Emperor has already sent out a decree for Sheng Junwang to help the Judicial Office carry out the investigation. Our family’s junwang is not in charge of this matter, but it is fine for him to help ask a few things,” Hua Xi Wan said with a slight crease of the bow. “Sheng Junwang is usually just and fair. I believe he will get to the bottom of this matter.” Zhang shi knew that the Emperor had sent a decree for Sheng Junwang to take charge of this matter. It would not be very good for Xian Junwang to pay too much attention. But their Zhang Clan had never been close to the members of the Imperial Family, and Sheng Junwang had a cold personality, so they had no one to come to for help. They could only turn and go to Xian Junwang. She had originally wanted to ask Hua Xi Wan to agree to help them learn the process of the investigation, but she knew that even if Hua Xi Wan agreed, Xian Junwang would not do this, and could not do this. So after wavering for a while, she could only voice her gratefulness a few times. “The day is dark. Second Aunt, Tang Mei, stay and have a meal.” Hua Xi Wan looked at the sky outside. “This crude house does not have many rare items, but there are seasonal fruits and vegetables.” Zhang shi wanted to agree immediately, but she understood if she really did this, regardless of whether Xian Junwang helped or not, he would have a low opinion of them. “We should not refuse Junwang Fei’s good intentions,” Zhang shi said with a smile on her pale face, “but our fu has already prepared food for us. We will not disturb Junwang Fei and Junwang Ye.” “Since that is the case, I will not force Second Aunt and Tang Jie to stay.” Hua Xi Wan used Bai Xia’s hand as help to stand up. “The day is late. I will not send you off.” “Junwang Fei, please stay.” Zhang shi stood as well. She curtsied towards Hua Xi Wan. “I will trouble you for this matter.” Hua Xi Wan returned half a curtsey and sent Zhang shi and Hua Yi Liu out of the side hall. She stopped and watched as the two walked off before she said coolly, “Return to the main yard.” On the carriage after leaving the junwang fu, Zhang shi finally showed a grimace. Hua Xi Wan’s attitude had been polite, and she had said beautiful words, but in reality, she had not agreed to anything. But Zhang shi could not find a reason to speak again, and she did not have the face to continue. In the beginning, she had looked down on Dasao’s birth, and now she was begging the other’s daughter—this was a joke. Hua Xi Wan really had a great upbringing to not have left her outside the door. She would not be able to do such a thing. 舅舅 jiujiu: mother’s brother “Mother, Xi Wan has agreed to help. Do not worry,” Hua Yi Liu comforted her in a warm voice. “It is hard to accept Jiujiu’s death, but you need to take care of your body. Zhang shi patted her hand and looked at her uncomprehending eyes. She could not openly say that while Hua Xi Wan’s words were good to hear on the surface, in reality, they were of no help at all. In the end, she only sighed. In the past, she had felt that while her daughter’s beauty was not as good as Hua Xi Wan’s, and her talents not as good as Hua Chu Yu’s, she was at least a warm and considerate person. Now when she compared her daughter to Hua Xi Wan, she found that she had raised her daughter to be too naïve. She didn’t know what to do when her daughter married. In the main yard, after Hua Xi Wan and Yan Jin Qiu used the evening meal, they sat at the stone table outside to admire the moon as they chatted. Hua Xi Wan did not like how uncomfortable it was to sit on the stone bench, so she had Bai Xia add a soft cushion. She propped her chin up on one hand as she looked at the clean moon. She lazily listened and did not speak. “In my childhood, I fought with my younger shu brother and almost fell into the pool in the fu.” Yan Jin Qiu poured a cup of tea for himself. After blowing, he took a light sip. “After Father-Wang passed, and the shu brother and I split our households, I had them fill up the pool.” In other fu, while the shu sons did not quail in front of the di sons, it was almost that. It really was interesting that the di and shu sons of Xian Wang Fu had managed to fight. As though he knew what Hua Xi Wan was thinking, Yan Jin Qiu idly rubbed the teacup in his hand. “My mother passed away early, and I was raised at Imperial Grandmother’s place, so I am not close to my sister. After I returned to the fu, because I was the only di son, the servants liked to flatter me. This caused my shubrother and my sister to feel discontent, and after a while, there was a ruckus.” “And then?” Hua Xi Wan looked at the smile hanging on Yan Jin Qiu’s lips and asked, “Did Father-in-law know this?” “He did not attend to the matters of the inner compound, but he knew of this matter.” When he mentioned Xian Wang, Yan Jin Qiu’s tone was very calm. “Later, my shu brother and my sister were scolded. Father-Wang also started to dislike the shu brother’s birth mother. In order to prevent a state where di and shu are mixed up, Father-Wang started to distance himself from the shu brother. Before death, he only said to give the shu brother one-tenth of the property.” This matter seemed easy to say, as though it had nothing to do with Yan Jin Qiu, but Hua Xi Wan looked at this man who was smiling warmly and felt an indescribable wave of cold. Previous          Main menu          Next Click to Post

[royalnovels-blog]

EET Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven: The Omnipresent Rumors Ever since she saw Hua Xi Wan, Hua Yi Liu was slightly inattentive. She looked at her mother who was looking meaningfully at her. She hesitated and then forced a smile. She said, “Something has happened to my maternal grandfather’s family recently. Seeing you live well, I have something to be happy about.” Hearing this, Hua Xi Wan’s hand which held her teacup stilled. Then she smiled and said, “My days in the junwang fu are very good. Eldest Sister, you do not need to worry.” She slowly took a sip of tea and the smile on her face did not change. “That’s good.” Not having received the proper response, Hua Yi Liu’s smile became even more awkward. She turned and coincidentally found that Hua Chu Yu was looking at her. She felt her face flush. She was angered that Hua Xi Wan was not receptive and disliked Hua Chu Yu’s gaze that seemed to be omniscient. She was angry for a long while, and only when Zhang shi started to speak did she recover. “Junwang Fei, these words should not be said today, but I really do not have any other resource.” Zhang shi saw that Hua Xi Wan did not understand what was implied, and since her daughter had a thin face, she couldn’t resist speaking directly. “My parents only got this one son when they were close to middle age. Even though they have spoiled this idiotic brother in the past, they did not raise him to be a wastrel, and he is extremely hard-working. A few days ago, this idiot brother disappeared. My parents have searched through all of Jing but have not found him. Even the government was notified, but there has still not been any news. I heard that His Highness Xian Junwang has many friends. Please help say a few words for us in front of His Highness Xian Junwang, and have him help my Zhang Family.” “Nonsense!” the old taitai shouted. “Xian Junwang is not part of the government offices. Where would he go to help you search? Shut up now!” This Zhang shi was really dislikeable. She did not use her brains before she spoke. What was “Xian Junwang has many friends”? Did she imply that Xian Junwang was allying with some people in Jing? Zhang shi also realized that her words were not appropriate, but after the old taitai shouted at her, she was unable to let it go. Her expression changed and she stared pitifully at Hua Xi Wan, saying, “Junwang Fei, this subject-wife has misspoken. Please forgive me.” “Second Aunt, what are you saying. We are one family—there is no forgiveness to be spoken of.” Hua Xi Wan put down the teacup. Looking at the weather outside, she stood. “The time is not early. I should be returning to the junwang fu.” Zhang shi saw Hua Xi Wan had no intentions of helping and said urgently, “Third Niece…” “Second Sister-in-law, if you have some secrets to share, you can remain and tell us sisters. The time is late. If Junwang Fei stays too long here and is late to return to the junwang fu,that would not be good.” Lu shi walked in front of Zhang shi and smiled insincerely as she gripped Zhang shi’s wrist. “Don’t you think so, Second Sister-in-law?” Zhang shi’s expression was white as Lu shi held her wrist in a painful grip. She was unwilling, but she did not dare to oppose Lu shi. She could only close her mouth with an ugly expression. Seeing the other was wise enough to stop speaking, Lu shi turned and looked reluctantly at Hua Xi Wan a few times. She smiled and went forward to neaten Hua Xi Wan’s clothes, saying, “Live well, do not neglect yourself.” “Daughter knows, don’t worry.” Hua Xi Wan clasped Lu shi’s hand, then stepped back and made a deep curtsey to Lu shi before turning and leaving with Bai Xia and the other servant girls. She knew that Lu shi and the other women would follow her to see her off, but she did not want to turn her head and see Lu shi’s eyes filled with yearning. Lu shi and the group sent Hua Xi Wan off to the Door of Drooping Flowers and then stopped. Xian Junwang was standing right outside the Door of Drooping Flowers. Hua Xi Wan couldn’t resist turning her head to look at Lu shi, smiling at her mother before picking up the corner of her dress and walking out through the Door of Drooping Flowers. Hearing the steps coming from behind him, Yan Jin Qiu—who had been standing with his back towards the Door of Drooping Flowers—turned around. Seeing Hua Xi Wan walk over, he walked forward a few steps. After raising his folded hands towards the Door of Drooping Flowers in a bow, he held Hua Xi Wan’s hand and said with a bowed head, “If you miss your family in the future, I will accompany you to visit them.” “Many thanks.” Hua Xi Wan turned and smiled brightly at Yan Jin Qiu before allowing him to help her into the soft sedan. As the curtain was let down, the smile on her face gradually disappeared. “Rise!” As Mu Tong gave the order, the sedan moved away from the Door of Drooping Flowers. Lu shi only stopped watching when it had disappeared. She turned and looked at Zhang shi, saying with a cold smile, “If Second Sister-in-law has matters at home, return early. I will not keep you.” Zhang shi saw Lu shi’s disrespect and was instantly enraged. “Sister-in-law is the mother-in-law of the junwang and is very busy. Insignificant people like me will not bother you any longer!” Turning to Hua Yi Liu, she said, “What are you standing here for, to irritate people?” Finishing, she turned and strode away angrily. Hua Yi Liu bowed towards the elders present and then followed hurriedly with her head down. In Hua Chu Yu’s eyes, this conduct looked as though she was fleeing in panic. On the way home, Yao shi was in a good mood and said to Hua Chu Yu, “Chu Yu, you have to remember, women do not have to be beautiful, but they cannot be without any edges. Men would tire of the most beautiful woman who is timid and turn to find other women in search of stimulation.” Hua Chu Yu knew that Mother was talking about Hua Yi Liu. She nodded silently. Picking up a corner of the window curtain, she thought absent-mindedly, if a woman’s personality was to attract the attention of a man, then would it still be her personality? For some reason, she suddenly thought of Hua Xi Wan that seemed indolent at any time and felt slight admiration. If she could be as casual as Hua Xi Wan, did the favor of a man matter? Many young masters from prestigious families and noble misses were exceptionally attentive for news about Xian Junwang and his wife, especially the females that were unable to reconcile themselves to the marriage. So when they learned that Xian Junwang had accompanied Xian Junwang Fei to visit her paternal family and only left at five, the news quickly spread through Jing and surprised many people. Xian Junwang accompanying Xian Junwang Fei to her paternal home would be called respectful and generous, but if he stayed with her until five in the afternoon before leaving, that wasn’t something that could be explained by generosity. Was it that… Xian Junwang and Junwang Fei were in love? The noble misses in Jing could not believe this, and even those young masters of the prestigious families did not believe that Xian Junwang was in love with a woman without beauty. The conclusion they reached after thinking it over repeatedly was that Xian Junwang was one of those kind people encountered once in a hundred years, and that Yi’an Marquis Fu had found a good son-in-law. Hua shi definitely had committed countless acts of goodness in her past life in order to be married to such an outstanding and good man like Xian Junwang in this life. Hua Xi Wan that was rumored to have done countless acts of goodness in her last life didn’t have any interest in these rumors on the outside. There were no concubines in the junwang fu and the servants were orderly, so as the junwang fei, other than admiring the scenery, reading and sleeping, she had nothing to do. Fortunately, she had a lazy and inactive personality. In the last fortnight, she had read almost twelve legends and stories, tasted many of the trademark dishes from the chefs, and had extremely easy-going days. She didn’t have any interest in going out to play. So when Mu Tong came and told her that there would be a banquet held at the Imperial Palace in two days, she was too lazy to even lift her eyes. After Mu Tong explained the importance of the palace banquet, she moved her attention away from the book. “The Imperial One’s banquet?” “Yes, the Emperor ordered that, since it is not a jubilee, there is no need to have a large celebration. There will only be family banquets held in Zhaoyang Hall for the people of the Imperial House to come together to celebrate.” Mu Tong saw that Junwang Fei’s expression was calm and that she did not seem very interested in the palace banquet, so he added, “Junwang Ye has said that the birthday present has been prepared two months ago, so Junwang Fei does not need to prepare anything.” Hearing this, Hua Xi Wan nodded and put down the book in her hand. She ate a piece of pear off Hong Ying’s hands, her chin propped on one of her hands as she said, “Tell Wang Ye that I know.” Mu Tong saw Junwang Fei pick up the book she had thrown to the side, so he bowed and retreated. When he left the main yard, he released a breath. For some reason, every time he spoke in front of Junwang Fei, he felt he needed to be very careful, probably because… he had seen Junwang Fei’s valiance as she flipped that wood chair? “Since these people are not willing to speak, then there is no need for them to speak.” Yan Jin Qiu threw the slightly wrinkled confessions to the ground. Wiping his hands with a handkerchief, he said, “There are only those few that want me dead. I have no interest in knowing who is the mastermind. Do not be quick when you send them off, otherwise they will not understand that death is better than life.” “Yes.” The person kneeling on the ground picked up the confessions on the ground. After a moment of hesitation, he said, “These people are related to the Zhang Family. Yi’an Marquis’ younger brother’s wife comes from the Zhang Family. This subordinate is worried that Yi’an Marquis Fu is connected to this matter.” “What do you think Hua He Sheng is?” Yan Jin Qiu smirked coldly. “That old fox will not dabble in a matter like this. Most likely the Zhang Family is ignorant as well.” This Master Zhang was a good dog of the Crown Prince. His master didn’t dare to act, and the dog already came to bite. The person kneeling on the ground didn’t dare to make a sound and buried his head lower. “Junwang Ye.” Mu Tong’s voice sounded from outside the door, and then he entered after a few moments. He did not look at the person kneeling on the ground. “This one has told Junwang Fei about the palace banquet.” “Oh?” Yan Jin Qiu threw the handkerchief on the desk. With a raised brow, he asked, “What did Junwang Fei say?” “Junwang Fei said that she knows.” After Mu Tong said this, his neck shifted awkwardly. “En.” Yan Jin Qiu looked at the sky, “What is Junwang Fei reading now?” “This one does not know what Junwang Fei is reading, but at the time, Junwang Fei was holding a book in her hand.” Mu Tong had originally thought that Junwang Fei would take over the management of the household after marrying in. But in this fortnight, he hadn’t seen her have any interest in the fu or even establish her authority in front of the servants. Mu Tong did not understand her course of action. What mistress of the house was not interested in being in charge of the inner compound? “Since Junwang Fei likes reading these things, get the people in the bookstores to gather more of the books Junwang Fei likes to read,” Yan Jin Qiu said with a calm expression. “Do not have Junwang Fei lack for books that are to her taste.” “This one will remember.” Mu Tong retreated. Going out the door, he carefully closed it. Previous          Main menu          Next Click to Post