Fei Pin Ying Qiang Volume 1 Chapter 10

This chapter is sponsored by Mich.e.l.le O., J. L., Jaeson O., and M.S. Thank you so much!

Following her marriage, Qi Danxia made a trip to visit Qi Niqun. Her dear sister was still wracking her brain to prepare a gift for the empress' birthday celebration. If the gift wasn't grand enough, people might look down on their estate. If the gift was too grand, people might accuse them of flaunting, creating an unpleasant atmosphere. 

Although Prince Jing had two sons, none were of his legitimate line. This fueled compet.i.tion between Qi Niqun and Princess Consort Jing. It's a pity that the empress treated both daughter-in-laws the same, whether their husbands were of the legitimate line or not. Qi Niqun stood at a loss at what to do. 

The third prince, Prince Qing, was recently bestowed a marriage with Marquis Beichang's legitimate daughter. The previous generation of Marquis Beichang had his military seized. The current marquis was the Deputy Head of Zhongzheng Temple, in charge of managing the miscellaneous affairs of the n.o.bility. He worked under the current emperor's uncle, Prince Li. Although the Zhongzheng Temple was similar to the Ministry of Rites in role, it wasn't as powerful as the latter. The Deputy Head of Zhongzheng Temple was merely a mid-tier third-rank official. The future third princess consort's ident.i.ty could not compare to that of Qi Niqun.

Previously, Qi Niqun had come across the future Princess Consort Qing. Her temperament was akin to a hot chili pepper, brash and quick to anger. Marrying into the imperial family might not be to her benefit.

Qi Danxia and the eldest son of the Minister of Revenue, Cheng Lingjun, matched well. Although she was not of the legitimate line, in Count Ziyang's estate her birth mother was second to only the countess in position. Not only that, her maternal grandfather was good friends with Cheng Wenjie, the Minister of Revenue. Qi Danxia's appearance was similar to her birth mother's, a pretty face paired with a curvaceous body. And Cheng Lingjun was a person of the pen. A romantic. After marriage, the couple would maintain a good relationship. For this reason, Qi Danxia had worn a smile the entire day.

As she waited for her sister to arrive in the meeting area, Qi Danxia caught sight of Qi Niqun carrying a toddler into the room. "This little girl, Sweet Yan, is well behaved. She never gives me trouble. I also hope to have such an obedient daughter in the future."

"If eldest sister says this, the child in your belly will be mad."

A smile blossomed on Qi Niqun's lips. "Maybe it is a girl."　　

"Eldest sister is a blessed person. The other day my mother-in-law said if I had half your fortune, our estate would be satisfied."

It was clear to Qi Niqun that those were merely words of courtesy. However, she still felt happy.　　

After a sip of tea, Qi Danxia asked, "What's going on outside?"

The smile on Qi Niqun's face slightly dimmed. "You did not come at a good time. Our third brother is currently moving out of this residence."

Qi Danxia glanced out the window, her smile never faltering. "It slipped my mind that third brother had lived here as well. It's been a while since I've last seen him. Has he been well?"

Qi Niqun glanced at Liubai. The maidservant left the chamber and called for someone to summon Qi Yunruo.　　

A heatwave had suddenly struck earlier. However, it wasn't time to use ice yet. Qi Yunruo wore thin clothes, body coated in sweat. The moment he had arrived at the parlour, he did not recognize Qi Danxia. In fact, he thought it was another estate's concubine. The only thing contradicting his a.s.sumption was her bright red garments. That's when Qi Yunruo realized it was his younger sister, Qi Danxia.　　

Qi Danxia was younger than Qi Yunruo  by a couple months. However, by appearance alone, she seemed older. Her hair was arranged in a Moutan Peony bun. She wore a hairpin showcasing two b.u.t.terflies playing among a white jade flower, attached by a golden chain. Three smaller flowers sprouted from the side. It looked prettier and flashier than what Qi Niqun wore. Qi Yunruo could not think of what to say upon seeing it.

Disgust flashed in Qi Danxia's eyes, but in a blink of an eye only a gentle smile remained. She beckoned him over. Revealed a pair of white jade bracelets as her sleeve fell from the action. "It's been a while, third brother." 

Qi Yunruo thought for a moment before saying, "Younger sister seems well. Younger sister looks healthier than usual."　　

Covering her smile, Qi Danxia turned to Qi Niqun. "After staying with eldest sister for so long, third elder brother has improved in temperament. I envy you two. You're able to live in the same estate and help each other."

Qi Niqun said, "We are blood-related siblings, so naturally we are close."　　

"It turns out third elder brother has been staying here all this time.” Her words were tinged with curiosity. “So why are you suddenly moving out?" 

"His Highness is compa.s.sionate, afraid that the princess consort would feel cramped in such a small s.p.a.ce," said Qi Yunruo.　　

Not a word left Qi Niqun's lips. She agreed with his a.n.a.lysis.　　

For a while, Qi Danxia also keep quiet. The less she had to converse with Qi Yunruo, the better. Even so, that did not mitigate her curiosity in how Qi Yunruo and Qi Niqun lived together in one courtyard. She found the nature of their relationship interesting. If it were her, and there was a person in her house like Qi Ruxue, someone who looked adorable but was in control of their emotions so that it wouldn't show on their face when they harmed someone,  she'd rather puke to death. Laughing in her heart, she thought that perhaps Qi Yunruo wasn't on the same level as Qi Ruxue.　

Like mother, like son.　　

When Count Ziyang had first brought Concubine Liu into his household, he also became interested in the most beautiful courtesan from Zhiya House, Shui Linglong. Later, he redeemed the courtesan, bought a residence unaffiliated with the count estate, and let her live there. This affected Concubine Liu to a great extent. She could not get a wick of sleep, every night spent in tears. She was furious to the point where she wanted to eat Shui Linglong's flesh and drink Shui Linglong's blood. After that, Concubine Liu paid someone to record how this Shui Linglong looked like. To learn how to be like her and to dress like her. And once she copied that woman, Count Ziyang came back to Concubine Liu. 

Luckily for her, Shui Linglong pa.s.sed away and Count Ziyang did not treat the son of that woman well. This was Concubine Liu's greatest insult in her life. Never could she forget that she had to stoop to copying a lowly courtesan's behavior!　　

When Qi Yunruo first entered the count estate, Concubine Liu already used her own ability to receive Count Ziyang's favor. Both she and the countess joined hands to refuse Qi Yunruo's entry into the genealogy book. Their influence was great. 

However, Concubine Liu's suffering did not end there. Because of Count Ziyang's relations with Shui Linglong, Concubine Liu harmed her body from stress. Once she gave birth to Qi Danxia, she could no longer give birth to another child. Her hopes of birthing a son were dashed. If there was any consolation, Count Ziyang had felt regretful toward Concubine Liu, and started to treat Qi Yunruo poorly.

For this reason, since young Qi Danxia knew that that person wasn't her brother. He was the cheap sp.a.w.n of a s.l.u.t who caused her mother suffering. And he brought down the prestige of the household. Many people knew that the estate had a young master whose birth mother was of very humble origins. Qi Danxia was afraid it would affect her. She hated him. Truly hated him from the bottom of her heart. Qi Danxia repeated this to herself like a mantra. She herself was more n.o.ble than that person. Although she wasn't of the legitimate line, Count Ziyang still doted on her.  　　

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Yet it seemed like Qi Yunruo was living well. Qi Danxia's heart was lit ablaze. She wished that the other women in the estate would tear him apart, that the prince would torture him to death, that Qi Niqun would bring forth his downfall.　　　

He wasn't allowed to live well. Otherwise, it wouldn't be fair to her mother's suffering.

As a newlywed, Qi Danxia had come to the estate in bright red. Thinking about her marriage slightly soothed her heart, her mind settling into a more indifferent state. In the end, a man was a man. Even if he were favored, he could not provide a child, so what could he do in the future?

After watching the time, Qi Niqun called for people to prepare the noon meal. Meanwhile, Qi Danxia had already replaced her previous expression with a soft smile.

She turned to Qi Niqun. "Then younger sister will be bothering eldest sister for a meal. Third brother, let's join together."　

"I'm not coming. I still have things to do."

Qi Danxia didn't keep him. She waited for him to leave before saying, "Where does third brother live now?"

"A courtyard with a small two-story building and a view overlooking the lake.”

A smile danced on Qi Danxia's lips. "Seems like His Highness is fond of third brother."

Seeing the corners of Qi Niqun's lips tilt upward, Qi Danxia continued. "But it's not something that can be seen in the open. In ancient times, there was Mizi Xia. But once his looks faded, his lover Duke Ling turned against him. There's also Dong Xian, who committed suicide with his wife after the death of his lover Emperor Ai. And then there was the important Han Zigao, who was sentenced to death after his lover, Emperor Chen, pa.s.sed away."

Qi Danxia purposely chose the most miserable examples. All three men had been extremely favored, and even threw their main wives aside. Yet they had all met their downfall.

Qi Niqun stared at her, cold as ice. Qi Danxia smiled but did not speak.

Qi Yunruo's new residence, Lakeside View House, wasn't a courtyard by itself. On one side was a wall and the other side a lake. The house was small, with seven to eight rooms available. Above the main chamber was a second floor where one could feed the fish in the lake. The amount of servants had increased from prior, with Liusu as a first-rank personal servant girl, as well as Lulan, who was sent by the internal affairs department of the estate. There were now four second-rank servant girls, and four additional third-rank servant girls, making a total of six third-rank servant girls. Little Qing, Qi Yunruo's page boy, had also been brought over. In the past, Eunuch Gso had a.s.signed him to the forecourt, to learn with some reading partners of children of officials. There he learned how to read and how to attend to the master. He learned how to brew tea, grind ink, clean brushes, and organize the study.  

Lulan and Li Chen's personal maidservant Luxuan were similar. They both came with him from the imperial palace and had clean family backgrounds. Their upbringing was good. Furthermore, Qi Yunruo also had a management eunuch a.s.signed to him, called Yuzhi. He appeared quick-witted and intelligent.

Qi Yunruo's new residence came with a small storage room. It housed many gifts sent by Ji Huan and Li Chen. Thinking that he wouldn't be around next year, Ji Huan had sent all the things he couldn't use in time to Qi Yunruo. It brought Qi Yunruo much joy. He looked and played with every item, personally storing them away. 

Once Lulan arrived at Lakeside View House, she realized her new master wasn't close with her colleague Liusu. Just a moment, and she understood why. Instead of Liusu, she had the highest position of all the servant girls in the residence. She worked her best for Qi Yunruo, thought and planned out things far in advance for him.

Lulan mostly managed things inside residence, whereas the eunuch Yuzhi focused on the affairs outside. The duo was so diligent in their management duties, that when the elegant Ji Huan came to pay a visit, he praised, "This place has been furnished well."

Qi Yunruo smiled. "It's because the servants work so hard. I really like the vase brother Ji sent me. In a little while, I will pluck a few Chinese Herbaceous Peonies and place them in there."

Ji Huan smiled. "It's good that you like it."

Ji Huan ate lunch with Qi Yunruo before leaving. Once he returned to Beautiful Forest, he saw a little eunuch waiting outside the courtyard. Ji Huan frowned, before entering the house. The little eunuch followed him.　　

Yueya Er said, "Little Fuzi has been waiting for a while."　　

Ji Huan grunted his acknowledgement.

After Little Fuzi greeted Ji Huan, he said, "Our master has not seen your honored self for a long time and misses your honored self dearly. This slave was to invite your honored self to a noon meal on behalf of our master. However, your honored self was absent."

Once again, Ji Huan grunted.

Little Fuzi saw that his expression was poor. His heart trembled and his eyes widened a fraction. "Did your honored self go to see Young Master Qi? Our master does not know yet what to gift Young Master Qi for moving to a new place."　　　

Ji Huan slowly said, "Speak. What does she want?"

"…Master wants to speak to your honored self personally."

Ji Huan would visit Ji Ru when it was still bright outside. He would not stay for long. First, it was to avoid her, since the s.e.xes should be separated even between siblings. Second, it was because they were not close.

"Head back first. I'll go after taking a nap."

Little Fuzi's face showed his unwillingness. But Ji Huan had already returned to his inner chamber. Little Fuzi forced a smile and laughed as he approached Yueya Er. "Good sister, do you feel bad for me? When does your master usually wake up from his nap? So that this slave can inform my master."

Yueya Er shot him a glance. "Master had drank wine recently. I don't know when he will wake up."

But Little Fuzi would not give up. He bitterly said, "Then how long does my master have to wait?"

Yueya Er's next words were cold enough to freeze. "It's not my master that is in a rush to see Consort Ji."

Because of his wandering thoughts, Ji Huan tossed and turned in bed. Shortly after, he got up and had Yueya Er help him into a fresh set of clothes. She followed him out.

Ji Huan knew well what his sister Ji Ru wanted. Currently, the princess consort was pregnant and Consort Wei was favored. And then there was the appearance of Qi Yunruo. She was no longer able to keep calm.　　

Upon arriving at Autumn Frost Courtyard, Ji Huan went straight inside Ji Ru's house. Found her sitting atop her bed, gaze unfocused. Once she noticed him, her face lit up into a cold smile. "Elder brother, aren't you an important person? Even when I want to see you, I have to jump through so many hoops." 

Ji Huan didn't care for her words. He sat down with an air of indifference. "Whatever you want to ask, ask it now."

Consort Ji took a deep breath. "What's going on with that Qi Yunruo?"

"What do you mean?"

Consort Ji slapped the table hard, her red painted nails flashing bright. "We are blood-related siblings. Yet elder brother would rather help an outsider."　　

Frigid was Ji Huan's voice. "Qi Yunruo has nothing to do with you."

Consort Ji sneered. "We're not as shameless as Count Ziyang's estate to send a man! Isn't this too excessive for for him to send a son? With the prestige of that family from several generations, they actually gift-wrap their son to their son-in-law. They don't care about face at all." 

Ji Huna smiled. "You think you want face? That you're magnanimous? It's just that one does it secretly and the other does it in the open."　　

"The way elder brother puts this, it almost sounds like you're saying we forced you to come here."

"You didn't, huh? Five years ago, who told father that I was too young to take the imperial exams? Why was it that my birth mother died two years before I could take the exams?"　　

Consort Ji did not speak. She glared viciously at him.

Ji Huan snorted. "Little Qi isn't like you. You don't have to worry. Just keep watching those who can give birth."

Consort Ji glanced at the little house to her left. Her son was sleeping inside. She said, "Sweet Jing is His Highness' eldest son. Even if you don't want to help me, you should help that child."

"Eldest son? Is Prince Jing not the eldest son? Am I not the eldest son? Being the eldest son doesn't mean anything."

Consort Ji's expression grew progressively worse. She had conspired with her mother to place Ji Huan in the prince estate to control Ji Huan. To use him. To destroy his ambitions, ego, anything that would make him his own person and not dependant on them. However, Ji Huan wasn't someone that easy to break. He received the prince's trust. She had hoped that before he left the estate, he would transfer that trust to her. To help her gain more of the prince's favor. But in reality, the person Ji Huan had sworn to help was Qi Yunruo.

Whether male or female, with the addition of another person, what she could retain of Li Chen's affection, a limited resource, had shrunk.

Okay so to make things clear, “sweet Jing” and “Prince Jing” are two different people. The characters are different. Sweet Jing is Consort Ji's son whereas Prince Jing is the first prince of the empire.

At first glance, it may seem like yunruo's mom was the courtesan Shui Linglong… but I think it may be a red herring. For one, his birth mom probably wasn't a courtesan at all. (SPOILER WARNING

Yunruo finds out later on his mother had a huge dowry that the count estate stole)

I have a theory that when Count Ziyang first brought Concubine Liu into his household (we can't say marry because one does not “marry” a concubine), he was seeing two different women outside. Shui Linglong from the brothel and yunruo's birth mother. But because Count Ziyang never made things clear to the rest of his household, they all thought yunruo was born from a courtesan.

The moral of today's chapter is that all women are evil… jk. But seriously, just when you think Qi Niqun was a b.i.t.c.h, the next sister is even worse. I just wana smack them all in the face!

The regular chapter will be out Sat.u.r.day, August 24, 2019 at 12 pm EST.

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