The Rich and Powerful Chang An Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Xu Chang An was worrying about how to deal with Xiao Qing Yan's two concubines. Xiao Qing Yan at this moment had yet set right on account of Xu Chang An's responsibility, lest people would petition the emperor to accuse him of misconduct.

…..

“Your Imperial Majesty, even if he Xu Chang An is now already highly valued as Wang Fei, but of all virtues filial piety is most important. In the family the paternal grandmother is seriously ill, but he refused to see his father's dispatched servant, and never went home to visit the elderly paternal grandmother, simply become a crooked son of a man! Xu Chang An is XianWang's formal wife, and he behaves like this. XianWang is unaware that restriction on the contrary become connivance, this is a humiliation toward the Imperial House!" At this moment who was the person with vehement face that spoke unreservedly the ideal of good at filial piety righteousness, Xiao Qing Yan really did not understand. However, regardless of all, he came to his (XQY) doorstep himself. Then in that case, let's simply helped him achieved his aim.

The one who sent petition criticized XianWang and XianWang Fei was merely a fourth rank official of Ministry of Rites. Besides, this official's physiognomy was of an average person, it was still not enough to recognized this person in such big imperial court hall. The emperor had no impression of this person. If the things he said was on an ordinary household, the common people might pointed at a few sentences then dismissed, but now he wanted to petition the emperor of impeachment of the prince and related it to the Heaven Family's prestige. Even if the emperor doted on his son more, still could not muddle through his responsibility. He could only made XianWang stepped out of ranks to explain whether or not this matter was true.

“Answering imperial father, what Daren¹ just now said has some truth in it. But the matter of Xu Yongnian sending people to Wang Residence, Wang Fei did not know. It is Wang who stopped the servant, and it is also Wang who forbid Wang Fei to return home.” Xiao Qing Yan not in the least evade, even more, he put all the people who criticized down on the spot. Only left his Wang Fei alone as clean as a pin.

¹Daren = Your/His Excellency; adult; formal address of an elderly man

Everyone knew that the marriage of the first prince absolutely not what he desired. But now it seemed that the two newly married people obviously had a good relationship. Otherwise, why would His Highness XianWang defended his Wang Fei?

Suspecting that the affection between XianWang and XianWang Fei was just a twinkling of an eye, because Xiao Qing Yan admitted. Then soon afterwards, many courtiers knelt down to request decree and petition that the emperor must punished the arrogant and conceited XianWang who never care about rules of etiquette.

“Requesting His Imperial Majesty to issue a decree to punish XianWang!”

The emperor sat above on the tall and high Dragon Throne, said nothing to the courtier's request. Rather, his dark composed face fixed eyes on the face of indifferent XianWang who showed a belittling attitude.

Xiao Qing Yan did not withdrawn from the eyes of his imperial father nor evaded, but smirked toward his imperial father and then leisurely walked toward the person who reported him.

“Excuse me, what is Daren (your honorable) surname?” Xiao Qing Yan's height was tall and adding the body length of Wang's morning apparel, the whole person seemed cruel and haughty. Although the tone was ordinary, the person kneeling on the ground felt that this XianWang's whole body now exuded an overbearing aura, made him felt timid and overcautious, unconsciously buried his head down!

But recalled that His Highness XianWang at the moment, beforehand was not originally His Majesty tacitly approved as the heir of the throne and beforehand was not his master's rival, mouth unyieldingly said: "I² Chang Jinian, Registrar of Ministry of Ceremonies.”

²下官 Xiàguān = I [used by an official before his superior]

“Ministry of Ceremonies… Xu Daren is the same, ah. Chang Daren, the petition of this matter just now presumably sounded like in comply with Xu Daren. Since it's like that, so did Xu Daren said anything else to Chang Daren? Such as letting the concubine have her way insulting the legitimate son and heir, a very small Yiniang actually dared to claim to be the self-proclaimed mother of Wang's Wang Fei! Even more, let the servants have their way to use quanjiao³ on Wang's Wang Fei's body. Had such a thing been told to Chang Daren?" Xiao Qing Yan stood above this Chang Jinian all the time. This time the words fell, he turned to directly faced the front hall and went.

³拳脚 Quánjiâo = Chinese boxing; fist and feet; punching and kicking

“Er chen⁴ have a matter to report.” Kneeling straight facing the emperor; the etiquette conduct of monarch and his subjects, Xiao Qing Yan waited for the emperor's opening. Upon receiving, directly said: “Father Emperor, these small things should not be alarmed by father emperor. But since Chang Daren felt indignant on behalf of Xu Daren, then in that case, I'll simply let Chang Daren listen clearly.”

⁴儿臣 Er//chen = son// your servant [your son (in submission)]

On that day, the two imperial bodyguards brought by Xu Chang An had said clearly the matter of the day. Xiao Qing Yan had a clear understanding. Xiao Qing Yan naturally never thought that there would be a stupid person like Liu Shi in this world. Liu Shi's words and deeds, Xiao Qing Yan's heart had only one answer; he precisely of course despised the Xu family! Xu Family probably thought that he was a renounced prince, that he could be bullied at will. Therefore, regarding his formal wife, they ought to not attached importance to.

Xiao Qing Yan did not in the slightest thought it was troublesome to bring the imperial guards to give his spoken words. The whole imperial court filled with the presence of civil and military officials talking. After that Chang Daren heard it, he immediately got scared, arms and legs became weak and limp, face was ghastly pale! He knew that he was done for.

“Reporting to His Imperial Majesty, Chen has matter to petition!”

“What matter do beloved minister want to petition?” When XianWang's words fell, the emperor's face was slowly restored it's color. At this time, looking at the 'speaking one's mind' Imperial Censor of The Court of Censors, his tone also relaxed a lot.

都察院 Du cháyuàn = The Court of Censors

御史 Yùshì = Imperial censor [formal title]

“Reporting to His Imperial Majesty! Chen recently heard some rumors about the things in the family of Xu Daren, only because the rumors are too ridiculous, Chen does not believe, so no one has been sent to confirm. Now listening to the words of His Highness, Chen then knew what being heard recently was not a rumor. In this society, there is this kind of vicious wife! Requesting His Imperial Majesty to render a fair judgement to handle this vicious wife and issue a decree to investigate and deal with it accordingly. Xu Daren conniving a concubine had disregarded the law and discipline also should receive punishment, must demoted the official position to grade three by means to admonish the public people."

“Petition granted! Ministry of Ceremonies Petty Official Xu Yongnian's concubine, Liu Shi, as a concubine, not able to distinguish the superiors and inferiors of legitimate son and heir, punish by beating and reduced to a servant. Parents and children, male will not be allowed to employ, female not grant to marry into government authorities! Ministry of Ceremonies Petty Official Xu Yongnian disregarded the rules of etiquette by taking his concubine as a wife, conniving the concubine into not distinguishing between superiors and inferiors, punish by forfeiting his salary for three years and government official reduced to grade three! In place of imparting Zhen [Imperial I] decree, Ministry of Ceremonies Registrar Official Chang Jinian, listening to vile person's slanderous talk to sully the prince, government official demoted to grade one and forfeiting salary for one year! The imperial court session is adjourned!”

“Long live the emperor!”

After retreating from the imperial court, the people could not return to God for a long time. Xu Yongnian's matter was not really big nor small, but the emperor did not exempted strong punishment a little. Could it be for the sake of XianWang Fei to vent anger? The reason for XianWang Fei to vent anger… Of course for the sake of XianWang.

Most people thought that this was the emperor's compensation for XianWang. After all, XianWang was not at fault, but he gave him a male wife for no reason and broke his succession. Some are thinking, maybe the emperor was not at all detested and rejected XianWang.

Xiao Qing Yan originally intended to return to the residence, but stayed because of the emperor. Xu Chang An in Wang Residence would have never thought that his family affairs had actually stirred up the imperial court. And Liu Shi, who had bullied and humiliated him and his mother for more than a decade, her days would be without able to free herself in this life.

…..

Looking at the sour faces of the two fine women, Xu Chang An naturally knew what they were upset with. Yesterday was their big wedding celebration, but Xiao Qing Yan went to sleep at his place. He did not know what Xiao Qing Yan was thinking, he (XQY) was just precisely let him to make an enemy with them, ah.

“Do both Cefei Niangniang still have some matter? If you don't have it, please go back first. Today, Wang Fei Niangniang is unwell, cannot stay long.” Yang Momo saw that her own master was really uncomfortable, and she took the initiative to let people retreat. Lest by looking at them, her master would be more annoyed.

The two Cefei; Minister family's concubine born eldest daughter's name was Qin Xin, like her name, she had an appearance of intelligent and reasonable, her figure appearance also was pretty good. Deputy Minister family's formal wife's daughter's name was Min Yu; a bit less of sweet-tempered than Qin Xin but more spirited and bright. Her facial features were outstanding with lovely snowy skin, dazzling the eyes at first glance.

琴心 Qínxīn = with the sentiments of the lute (qin) [a cultivated mind]

闵钰 Mîn//yù = to feel compassion for// treasure

“Do the all people on Wang Fei's side have no manners like this?” Min Yu without even looking at Yang Momo when speaking, was holding a teacup in hand. After leisurely drinking a mouthful of tea, only then swept a glance at Yang Momo indifferently.

Xu Chang An all along was just observing; seeing Min Yu's speech and behavior wholly as if she was in her family's home, putting a manner of bearing a formal wife's elder young lady's arrogance to chide the family's servant. Xu Chang An really did not want to bicker with women nor want to contend for the affection of a man with them. But it did not mean that he could tolerate them not regarded him in the eyes.

Whichever people would be win an inch, want a foot, as well as not to quit while one is ahead. Today, he let alone this attitude of hers, just connived her and later in all respects he would be opposing.

“Min Cefei, I was told that the Momo of the Inner Palace has a first grade manners. When Wang Ye return, I'll request a favor to Wang Ye. Let him to go to the Inner Palace to ask for a favor(bestow); send two Inner Palace Momo to Wang Residence.” As for the discipline under who to put the Momo, he would know when the time comes.

“Momo, I am tired, you can send the two Cefei out.”

"Yes, Wang Fei."

As soon as Xu Chang An finished talking, he immediately got up and went into the inner room. The two in the outer room looking at Yang Momo's posture of seeing the visitors out, could only get up and leave.

After leaving Wang Fei main courtyard, Min Yu finally couldn't hold her own temper, mouth hatefully said: “Who did he thinks putting on airs of Wang Fei? Isn't he just a son of a fourth rank petty official, even if he is Wang Fei what about it anyway? He is destined not to give birth to a son, sooner or later in the future will be detest and reject by Wang Ye!”

“Meimei be cautious in words. Wang Fei is precisely Wang Fei, no matter what identity Wang Fei used before, now is also our master's wife.” Although Qin Xin from childhood was raised under the official wife's name, but a concubine's daughter was simply a concubine's daughter. What was the use of having a legal wife's name on her head? Even from childhood she did not depend on Dimu's prestige, she did everything by herself.

嫡母 Dímû = term of address used for their father's official wife by the children of a concubine

“What is Jiejie afraid of? Last night, Wang Ye was staying at Jiejie's place. Jiejie even came very early today, if I be Jiejie I simply would not come. In any case, there is the favor of Wang Ye. He as Wang Fei also cannot do anything to Jiejie.”

“Meimei, didn't Wang Ye stayed with you last night?”

“…” Both of them have some low temperament today, so they thought that Xiao Qing Yan went to the other person last night. Now knowing that Xiao Qing Yan actually did not go to the two people's place then whose place did he went last night?!

Knowing that Xiao Qing Yan didn't go to Qin Xin's place last night, she didn't give her face any more. She immediately pulled her face down and hurried back to her courtyard.

Qin Xin looked back at Wang Fei's courtyard seeming lost in thought, suddenly face became frightened.

“Fortunately, I have not offended Wang Fei just now.”

Chapter end

Report