Chapter 301: 301
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And indeed, he did have such a given name, Kuian Jian.
However, the Empress was guilt-ridden about the extermination of her family and didn't want to take the last remaining piece of Rong Jian's parents away so allowed him to keep that surname and gave him permission to use either surname as he wished. The Emperor, also upset about what had happened and feeling like he owed both the Empress and this nephew of his, also gave his explicit permission, mirroring the Empress's words. And feeling the need to express his filial piety and to perhaps lure out the perpetrators, Rong Jian had always introduced himself with his initial surname. So up until now, the given name of Kuian Jian was really just a formality to appease some stubborn old geezers.
As for below the Empress, it was usually the females of the royal family that sat below her seat, including consorts and concubines, but there were no other females in this Royal family except her so her side was basically empty. Shen Tianyu was the only one sitting on that side, as the newly engaged Wangfei of Rong Jian and future member of the royal family. However, there were three empty tables between her and the Empress, as she sat directly across from Rong Jian, showing her position in the family. The tables ahead of her were empty save for porcelain dishes that represented the food made since no one was sitting there. Some of the more conservative officials had wanted a full feast to be placed on them, with food and all, but that would be a waste of food and seeing what the food presented, the future brides of the Crown Prince and other two Wangye, the servants wouldn't dare eat it after it was taken away. The Empress compromised with this method to reduce unnecessary food waste. Being a General before an Empress, she knew how hard it was for some to get their hands on food, even soldiers, whilst the Capital threw out carriages of food after lavish feasts.
Anyways, Shen Tianyu's seat was supposed to be right next to the three steps of stairs, just like Rong Jian...
"Daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, come here, come here." The Empress beckoned to her as she was about to sit down in her seat. A question flashed through her eyes as she got up and walked up to the Empress, bowing to her below the platform.
"Is something the matter, Empress?"
"Come, sit closer to this Empress[1]." Kuian Xiaoli gestured to the empty table seat right below her.
"Empress, I'm afraid that isn't very appropriate." Shen Tianyu tilted her head at her.
The Empress turned to the Emperor sitting next to her who had just settled in. "Your Majesty, what do you think about me having our daughter-in-law as a conversational companion for this banquet?"
"Mn. We[2] agree." The Emperor, Kuian Guoliang gave his permission. The Empress turned back to Shen Tianyu with a childishly smug look on her face.
Shen Tianyu could only give a helpless smile as she sat down in the seat intended for the Crown Prince Consort[3], the personal servants of the Empress bringing the food that had been placed in her Zhu Wangfei seat over and switching out the empty plates.
The officials stationed below them started to complain as soon as she sat down but a silent glare from the Emperor made them shut their mouths. What his Empress wants, his Empress gets. The other princes also weren't adverse to this arrangement.
"Younger sister-in-law, there's no need to feel uncomfortable. Since imperial father has given his permission, no one would dare to pry you off that seat." The Crown Prince gave her a reassuring smile.
"That's right, mother has always been bored at the social events, only able to fight with words against those noble ladies and official's wives, never having a female companion. Take this as an opportunity to get to know mother better and entertain her." Qiao Wangye's bangs fluttered from the wind caused by his gentle fan
"Mother is just excited to finally have another female member in our household, since we men can't understand her womanly senses and tendencies. I hope you take care of her form now on, too." Jun Wangye nodded at her.
Rong Jian, the quiet man he is, just gave her a reassuring nod before he turned away again, causing his older brothers to shift their attention back to teasing him.
"They're right. I hope we can have more girl talks in the future." The Empress brought her hand together with a teenage smile.
Before Shen Tianyu could reply, the Emperor got up from his seat with his wine goblet in hand. Everyone in the hall immediately turned silent and got up on their feet, including the royal family. When he raised his goblet, everyone else reached for theirs and held them up also.
"On this fateful day, my son, Jian'er has found his love and Yue Lao has allowed their strings to tangle together. Let us celebrate this fortunate night in congratulations to them, my son and daughter-in-law." The Emperor made quick work with his short speech and downed his wine.
His close ministers who were already used to this straightforwardness and short words gave a little smirk as they followed in finishing their cups. Everyone held their wine cups upside down to show they had finished all the liquid in their cups. The Emperor nodded in seeming satisfaction before he told everyone to enjoy the banquet and sit back down in his seat.
Naturally, Shen Tianyu and the four princes also finished their wine and sat back down.
"So, daughter-in-law, did you have any lovers before Ah-Jian?" The Empress, with the expression of a young girl looking for gossip, immediately started chatting with Shen Tianyu.
"No, Empress, I didn't. Zhu Wangye is my first lover." Shen Tianyu replied formally. 'Well, in this life anyways. Though he is the first person I have ever been engaged with.'
"Is that so? Ah-Jian is indeed fortunate!" The Empress giggled.
[1] In actuality, there is no written records of the use of pronouns such as "Bengong" ("I, mistress of [this] Palace") or "Chenqie" ("Your subject \u0026 concubine) which are often used in media. Empress, consorts, and concubines all used "I", the normal I used in everyday speech. However, it feels weird to me for the Emrpess to use the average "I", considering her status and position, especially in Xiaoli's case so I made the liberty of using a female equivalent to something akin to the royal "We", used by Emperors
[2] "Zhen" used only by the Emperor, it's translated as the royal "we", so I'm using "We", sorry if it gets confusing.
[3] "Crown Princess" might be more convenient to read but is inaccurate. The "Crown Prince" and "Crown Princess" titles are only given to the royal couple's direct children, son for the former and daughter for the latter. Consort is the title given to their respective partners and to prevent confusion in cases where there is a Crown Prince AND a Crown Princess.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
And indeed, he did have such a given name, Kuian Jian.
However, the Empress was guilt-ridden about the extermination of her family and didn't want to take the last remaining piece of Rong Jian's parents away so allowed him to keep that surname and gave him permission to use either surname as he wished. The Emperor, also upset about what had happened and feeling like he owed both the Empress and this nephew of his, also gave his explicit permission, mirroring the Empress's words. And feeling the need to express his filial piety and to perhaps lure out the perpetrators, Rong Jian had always introduced himself with his initial surname. So up until now, the given name of Kuian Jian was really just a formality to appease some stubborn old geezers.
As for below the Empress, it was usually the females of the royal family that sat below her seat, including consorts and concubines, but there were no other females in this Royal family except her so her side was basically empty. Shen Tianyu was the only one sitting on that side, as the newly engaged Wangfei of Rong Jian and future member of the royal family. However, there were three empty tables between her and the Empress, as she sat directly across from Rong Jian, showing her position in the family. The tables ahead of her were empty save for porcelain dishes that represented the food made since no one was sitting there. Some of the more conservative officials had wanted a full feast to be placed on them, with food and all, but that would be a waste of food and seeing what the food presented, the future brides of the Crown Prince and other two Wangye, the servants wouldn't dare eat it after it was taken away. The Empress compromised with this method to reduce unnecessary food waste. Being a General before an Empress, she knew how hard it was for some to get their hands on food, even soldiers, whilst the Capital threw out carriages of food after lavish feasts.
Anyways, Shen Tianyu's seat was supposed to be right next to the three steps of stairs, just like Rong Jian...
"Daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, come here, come here." The Empress beckoned to her as she was about to sit down in her seat. A question flashed through her eyes as she got up and walked up to the Empress, bowing to her below the platform.
"Is something the matter, Empress?"
"Come, sit closer to this Empress[1]." Kuian Xiaoli gestured to the empty table seat right below her.
"Empress, I'm afraid that isn't very appropriate." Shen Tianyu tilted her head at her.
The Empress turned to the Emperor sitting next to her who had just settled in. "Your Majesty, what do you think about me having our daughter-in-law as a conversational companion for this banquet?"
"Mn. We[2] agree." The Emperor, Kuian Guoliang gave his permission. The Empress turned back to Shen Tianyu with a childishly smug look on her face.
Shen Tianyu could only give a helpless smile as she sat down in the seat intended for the Crown Prince Consort[3], the personal servants of the Empress bringing the food that had been placed in her Zhu Wangfei seat over and switching out the empty plates.
The officials stationed below them started to complain as soon as she sat down but a silent glare from the Emperor made them shut their mouths. What his Empress wants, his Empress gets. The other princes also weren't adverse to this arrangement.
"Younger sister-in-law, there's no need to feel uncomfortable. Since imperial father has given his permission, no one would dare to pry you off that seat." The Crown Prince gave her a reassuring smile.
"That's right, mother has always been bored at the social events, only able to fight with words against those noble ladies and official's wives, never having a female companion. Take this as an opportunity to get to know mother better and entertain her." Qiao Wangye's bangs fluttered from the wind caused by his gentle fan
"Mother is just excited to finally have another female member in our household, since we men can't understand her womanly senses and tendencies. I hope you take care of her form now on, too." Jun Wangye nodded at her.
Rong Jian, the quiet man he is, just gave her a reassuring nod before he turned away again, causing his older brothers to shift their attention back to teasing him.
"They're right. I hope we can have more girl talks in the future." The Empress brought her hand together with a teenage smile.
Before Shen Tianyu could reply, the Emperor got up from his seat with his wine goblet in hand. Everyone in the hall immediately turned silent and got up on their feet, including the royal family. When he raised his goblet, everyone else reached for theirs and held them up also.
"On this fateful day, my son, Jian'er has found his love and Yue Lao has allowed their strings to tangle together. Let us celebrate this fortunate night in congratulations to them, my son and daughter-in-law." The Emperor made quick work with his short speech and downed his wine.
His close ministers who were already used to this straightforwardness and short words gave a little smirk as they followed in finishing their cups. Everyone held their wine cups upside down to show they had finished all the liquid in their cups. The Emperor nodded in seeming satisfaction before he told everyone to enjoy the banquet and sit back down in his seat.
Naturally, Shen Tianyu and the four princes also finished their wine and sat back down.
"So, daughter-in-law, did you have any lovers before Ah-Jian?" The Empress, with the expression of a young girl looking for gossip, immediately started chatting with Shen Tianyu.
"No, Empress, I didn't. Zhu Wangye is my first lover." Shen Tianyu replied formally. 'Well, in this life anyways. Though he is the first person I have ever been engaged with.'
"Is that so? Ah-Jian is indeed fortunate!" The Empress giggled.
[1] In actuality, there is no written records of the use of pronouns such as "Bengong" ("I, mistress of [this] Palace") or "Chenqie" ("Your subject \u0026 concubine) which are often used in media. Empress, consorts, and concubines all used "I", the normal I used in everyday speech. However, it feels weird to me for the Emrpess to use the average "I", considering her status and position, especially in Xiaoli's case so I made the liberty of using a female equivalent to something akin to the royal "We", used by Emperors
[2] "Zhen" used only by the Emperor, it's translated as the royal "we", so I'm using "We", sorry if it gets confusing.
[3] "Crown Princess" might be more convenient to read but is inaccurate. The "Crown Prince" and "Crown Princess" titles are only given to the royal couple's direct children, son for the former and daughter for the latter. Consort is the title given to their respective partners and to prevent confusion in cases where there is a Crown Prince AND a Crown Princess.
And indeed, he did have such a given name, Kuian Jian.However, the Empress was guilt-ridden about the extermination of her family and didn't want to take the last remaining piece of Rong Jian's parents away so allowed him to keep that surname and gave him permission to use either surname as he wished. The Emperor, also upset about what had happened and feeling like he owed both the Empress and this nephew of his, also gave his explicit permission, mirroring the Empress's words. And feeling the need to express his filial piety and to perhaps lure out the perpetrators, Rong Jian had always introduced himself with his initial surname. So up until now, the given name of Kuian Jian was really just a formality to appease some stubborn old geezers.As for below the Empress, it was usually the females of the royal family that sat below her seat, including consorts and concubines, but there were no other females in this Royal family except her so her side was basically empty. Shen Tianyu was the only one sitting on that side, as the newly engaged Wangfei of Rong Jian and future member of the royal family. However, there were three empty tables between her and the Empress, as she sat directly across from Rong Jian, showing her position in the family. The tables ahead of her were empty save for porcelain dishes that represented the food made since no one was sitting there. Some of the more conservative officials had wanted a full feast to be placed on them, with food and all, but that would be a waste of food and seeing what the food presented, the future brides of the Crown Prince and other two Wangye, the servants wouldn't dare eat it after it was taken away. The Empress compromised with this method to reduce unnecessary food waste. Being a General before an Empress, she knew how hard it was for some to get their hands on food, even soldiers, whilst the Capital threw out carriages of food after lavish feasts.Anyways, Shen Tianyu's seat was supposed to be right next to the three steps of stairs, just like Rong Jian..."Daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, come here, come here." The Empress beckoned to her as she was about to sit down in her seat. A question flashed through her eyes as she got up and walked up to the Empress, bowing to her below the platform."Is something the matter, Empress?""Come, sit closer to this Empress1." Kuian Xiaoli gestured to the empty table seat right below her."Empress, I'm afraid that isn't very appropriate." Shen Tianyu tilted her head at her.The Empress turned to the Emperor sitting next to her who had just settled in. "Your Majesty, what do you think about me having our daughter-in-law as a conversational companion for this banquet?""Mn. We2 agree." The Emperor, Kuian Guoliang gave his permission. The Empress turned back to Shen Tianyu with a childishly smug look on her face.Shen Tianyu could only give a helpless smile as she sat down in the seat intended for the Crown Prince Consort3, the personal servants of the Empress bringing the food that had been placed in her Zhu Wangfei seat over and switching out the empty plates.The officials stationed below them started to complain as soon as she sat down but a silent glare from the Emperor made them shut their mouths. What his Empress wants, his Empress gets. The other princes also weren't adverse to this arrangement."Younger sister-in-law, there's no need to feel uncomfortable. Since imperial father has given his permission, no one would dare to pry you off that seat." The Crown Prince gave her a reassuring smile."That's right, mother has always been bored at the social events, only able to fight with words against those noble ladies and official's wives, never having a female companion. Take this as an opportunity to get to know mother better and entertain her." Qiao Wangye's bangs fluttered from the wind caused by his gentle fan"Mother is just excited to finally have another female member in our household, since we men can't understand her womanly senses and tendencies. I hope you take care of her form now on, too." Jun Wangye nodded at her.Rong Jian, the quiet man he is, just gave her a reassuring nod before he turned away again, causing his older brothers to shift their attention back to teasing him."They're right. I hope we can have more girl talks in the future." The Empress brought her hand together with a teenage smile.Before Shen Tianyu could reply, the Emperor got up from his seat with his wine goblet in hand. Everyone in the hall immediately turned silent and got up on their feet, including the royal family. When he raised his goblet, everyone else reached for theirs and held them up also."On this fateful day, my son, Jian'er has found his love and Yue Lao has allowed their strings to tangle together. Let us celebrate this fortunate night in congratulations to them, my son and daughter-in-law." The Emperor made quick work with his short speech and downed his wine.His close ministers who were already used to this straightforwardness and short words gave a little smirk as they followed in finishing their cups. Everyone held their wine cups upside down to show they had finished all the liquid in their cups. The Emperor nodded in seeming satisfaction before he told everyone to enjoy the banquet and sit back down in his seat.Naturally, Shen Tianyu and the four princes also finished their wine and sat back down."So, daughter-in-law, did you have any lovers before Ah-Jian?" The Empress, with the expression of a young girl looking for gossip, immediately started chatting with Shen Tianyu."No, Empress, I didn't. Zhu Wangye is my first lover." Shen Tianyu replied formally. 'Well, in this life anyways. Though he is the first person I have ever been engaged with.'"Is that so? Ah-Jian is indeed fortunate!" The Empress giggled.1 In actuality, there is no written records of the use of pronouns such as "Bengong" "I, mistress of this Palace" or "Chenqie" "Your subject \u0026 concubine which are often used in media. Empress, consorts, and concubines all used "I", the normal I used in everyday speech. However, it feels weird to me for the Emrpess to use the average "I", considering her status and position, especially in Xiaoli's case so I made the liberty of using a female equivalent to something akin to the royal "We", used by Emperors2 "Zhen" used only by the Emperor, it's translated as the royal "we", so I'm using "We", sorry if it gets confusing.3 "Crown Princess" might be more convenient to read but is inaccurate. The "Crown Prince" and "Crown Princess" titles are only given to the royal couple's direct children, son for the former and daughter for the latter. Consort is the title given to their respective partners and to prevent confusion in cases where there is a Crown Prince AND a Crown Princess.
