The silence drags on and makes Qiu Yu Luo’s humiliation seemed even more pitiful. Feeling bad for Qiu Yu Luo, 7th Prince looks questioningly towards Ning Yi but he just says nonchalantly “What an impertinent woman! Who is she calling foul smelling? I have long heard some women in the Capital would jokingly call the men from the grassland as barbarians but she dares to ridicule Prince Helian publically? If Father hears of this he would surely be angered immediately.”
Alarmed, 7th Prince quickly realizes that as the one who is partially responsible for the palace feast he can’t ignore this and quickly gives his wife a look. Catching 7th Prince’s meaning right away, 7th Prince’s wife quickly waves Zhi Wei over.
Knowing full well that the 7th Princess is going to fawn all over her in order to show how much the royal families respect Prince Helian, a resigned Zhi Wei walks over obediently. Eagerly grabbing hold of Zhi Wei’s hand, 7th Princess compliments Zhi Wei’s hair then her clothes. After complimenting Zhi Wei’s clothes, 7th Princess moved onto her hands…omitting her face the whole time.
The poster child of meekness, Zhi Wei listens patiently while silently daring the 7th Princess to compliment her face. Go ahead! I dare you to compliment my face. If you can do it then you will earn my complete admiration!
Before Zhi Wei could finish her thoughts, she hears 7th Princess says next “…your complexion is sure nice. Although not exactly white the yellow is quite even.”
Zhi Wei couldn’t suppress a shudder.
A mouthful of wine come spewing out of 7th Prince.
Ning Yi who was sitting right at the next table starts to cough.
After blinking speechlessly for a few moments, Zhi Wei exercised all her discipline to replied calmly “Not as evenly white as you.”
It was 7th Princess’ turn to suppress a shudder.
The wine kettle was knocked over on 7th Prince’s table.
Ning Yi’s fit of cough became worse.
Finding his voice after a bit, 7th Prince laughs “Such an interesting person.”
7th Princess pats Zhi Wei’s hand and says “I really like you, why don’t you come to sit by me.”
Zhi Wei was about to politely refuse but Ning Yi suddenly interjects “7th brother’s table is already plenty crowded how would you be able to fit one more person? Why not come sit over at my table instead, there is an empty seat anyway.”
Everyone who has been eavesdropping, including Qiu Yu Luo could hardly believe their own ears. Her face drained of color, a dejected Qiu Yu Luo drops into her chair.
All the women stare at Zhi Wei in disbelief and confusion, unable to understand how the ugly and crazy woman not only captured Prince Helian’s heart but has even caught the attention of Prince Chu who despite his reputation of being a lover of women is actually extremely picky. To add insults to injury, this woman dares to look annoyed after hearing Prince Chu’s invitation!
Zhi Wei’s facial expression is indeed not great at the moment as she glares at Ning Yi, wondering silently how he can get himself to say such shameless words.
“How can you manage to say such shameless words…” For a second there, Zhi Wei thought she had accidentally said out loud what she was thinking until she turns around to find Helian. Pulling Zhi Wei over, Helian grins and continues “This is my fiancée so how could she sit at your table? After dallying around with half of the women in the Captial, you are eyeing my woman as well? If you have that time then you should deal with those delicate girls first.” Pointing his chin towards Qiu Yu Luo’s direction, Helian laughs and pulls Zhi Wei away.
Knowing that even the Emperor has to treat Helian politely, all the princes just laugh at Helian’s words and tease Ning Yi. Responding to his brother’s teasing only with a slight smile, Ning Yi’s gaze meets Helian’s.
Walking right next to Helian, Zhi Wei suddenly feel like there are sparks of fire in the air.
As per tradition of the feast in the past, after opening the various princes’ gifts it will be the chance for all the single girls to show off their talents- this was a sort of an unwritten rules in the palace…in the past, most of the princes’ wives were chosen out of these “talent shows.”
Neither Ning Yi and Ning Ji (the Emperor’s youngest son) are married yet, so today was a sort of matching making feast as well.
Suddenly realizing that fact, Zhi Wei finally figures out why so many single girls have dressed up and gathered at this feast. Abruptly reminded of her days as a servant at the brothel, Zhi Wei instantly saw a resemblance between the preening girls and the brothel ladies waiting in their tiny room for their customers…don’t those two princes sitting up there look like wealthy and generous brothel patrons? The two groups of girls are obviously drastically different in status but the excited glint in their eyes are the same.
Amused by the images in her head, Zhi Wei couldn’t help it but let out a grin.
Her smile was discreet but it still caught Ning Yi’s attention right away. Casting a quick glance over at Zhi Wei’s direction, Ning Yi frowns. What’s up with this woman? She is this happy even though she knows full well this party is like a matching making feast? Ning Yi’s mood suddenly turns sour.
Despite her mother’s warning to leave Zhi Wei alone, Qiu Yu Luo is still determined to teach Zhi Wei a lesson. Conspiring with Miss Hua (the one who was the first to demand a change of seat by claiming that our heroine stinks), Qiu Yu Luo and Miss Hua decide that the best way to embarrass Zhi Wei publically is to force her to participate in the talent show. Qiu Yu Luo sees Zhi Wei as a poor relative who has lived more like a maid in Qiu Manor so she figures there is no way Zhi Wei would have any talents that could win over all the noble girls.
Madam Qiu, our heroine’s uncle’s wife/Qiu Yu Luo’s mother knows Zhi Wei’s double identity because Zhi Wei came right out and told her. Zhi Wei is not worried about Madam Qiu exposing her secret because of couple reasons 1. If the Emperor found out Zhi Wei and Wei Zhi is the same person then not only would our heroine be in trouble, but her uncle, as part of her family would also be in trouble. 2. Zhi Wei had used her influence to switch Madam Qiu’s son into another post…one that is under our heroine’s control. Madam Qiu understood that as a warning that even if Zhi Wei couldn’t hurt her uncle directly, she could easily do something to her cousin. 3. Madam Qiu is truly intimidated by Zhi Wei’s ability and how she has climbed to such a position of influence in such a short time.
After all the princes have given their gifts, the Emperor signals the “talent show” can officially begin and suggests that each of his sons should add a prize to the pot for the winner. All the princes gave their token prize but of course what everyone was most interested in is what Ning Yi will put in. To the joy of all the single girls there, Ning Yi puts a special jade pendant into the pot as his prize. (Each of the princes has a special jade pendant that is meant for his wife.
Many ladies little heart begin to pound like crazy.
Prince Chu might leave broken hearts all over the Captial but he seems to have little interest in bringing women into his own house. There might be constant rumors of which brothel Prince Chu frequents and which brothel lady he has spent generously on that day but it is very rare to see Prince Chu marrying concubines or wives. In fact, up until this day, in Prince Chu’s house there are only two or three concubines and they were all given by the Emperor and his brothers.
According to the rumors, Prince Chu used to have more concubines but somehow one or two would die every so often. Nowadays, the remaining few concubines have become experts at laying low, making certain their presence is all but forgotten.
Many people had wondered if Ning Yi had lost his pendant but they will finally get to see it after all.
“Yi Er (a term of endearment for Ning Yi) sure are feeling generous today.” Intrigued, the Emperor looks over the preening girls with speculation in his eyes. Based on what he knows of this particular son, if there wasn’t someone he is interested in, he would not have pulled out his pendant. Of course, every girl was considered a possible candidate… except Zhi Wei. As someone who is already “engaged”, ugly and crazy, no one thought this “matchmaking” feast has anything to do with her.
All text copyright @ www.Ninja-Reflection.com
Mahnnnnnn I am dying for next week’s update! Thanks so much for this! Really wish there was a full translation, I would pay coin. Currently learning Chinese, and my love for the language keeps growing and I’ve been consistent, but my desire to read this book is now an added motivation to keep me even more focused and more consistent 😂
I also cannot wait for the next translation .
Gaggrrrr now I have to wait another week to find out the details of the talent competition. Ninja, you have a special gift of stopping at a critical juncture. Great work with the translation
Your as good as the show in leaving us on a cliffhanger😱😱😂😂👌👌👌looking forward to next Monday😍😍😍
Can’t wait until next Monday!!
🤩
Wow, you certainly left us hanging, can’t wait for next week. The novel gives much more detail. Wow, what a lot of interaction. The seven princes had a wife? In the drama, if this is him, his mother was trying to find him a wife.
Ning Qi the 7th prince had a wife in the drama too. When he first came back from the border area and went to meet his mother, he introduced her to his wife and she also was there a few more times though for short scenes.
Ninq Qi you are right did have a wife in the drama, but he was not responsible for putting on the feast. It was Nang Chen, the fifth prince, I could be wrong?
ooohhh, it’s gonna be good next week!
Ahhhh!! 😲 what happened next!! I am so~o curious! Thank you for all the hard work. Just tell me one thing, the events that follow, are they very/moderately/slightly different from the dramavers?
Late to the game this week due to vacation but I’m glad I only have a few hrs to wait before the next post. I love the Ning Yi from the drama but I’m thinking that I much prefer this one from the novel. He seems to be a bit more mischievous and a lot bolder in matters of the heart.
Many thanks!