The Noble Woman’s Guide On How to Tease One’s Husband

The Noble Woman’s Guide On How to Tease One’s Husband – Chapter 124

Translated by: Oinkoink

Chapter 124 – Imperial Concubines’ Candidates

This novel is only hosted on Foxaholic, copies found elsewhere are either stolen or plagiarized.

 

Chu Xiang is almost one year old after the Spring Festival. As the temperature warmed up, his clothes had become less bulky and he was no longer satisfied with crawling. During one meal time, he unexpectedly stood up wobbly while holding onto a small table. Here, Ye Huaiyang had just mixed his porridge when she looked up and nearly died of shock that she quickly reached out to grab him, but he kept laughing happily.

Ye Huaiyang then had people set up a small area in the room especially for him to practice walking. The sides were surrounded with thickened silk cloth while the ground was paved with a piece of Persian cashmere carpet and even the four log-stake corners were all wrapped in cotton so that no matter how he stumbled, he would not get hurt.

Even like this, Qu Fang and Yue’ya still did not feel at ease that they would guard by the side every time where the three of them almost formed an iron triangle to protect him tightly. Although Ye Huaiyang felt this was a bit too much, there was only one such baby in the palace who would smile and bring joy to anyone who saw him. Hence, it was rather difficult for them not to spoil him.

After lunch today, Ye Huaiyang took him here to learn walking as usual.

“Xiang’er, come to Mother’s side.”

Ye Huaiyang was sitting two meters away and beckoning to Chu Xiang. Standing up wobbly, Chu Xiang’s chubby legs couldn’t hold up after only one step and his soft body suddenly tumbled forward, and coincidentally lunged into Ye Huaiyang’s arms. He seemed to find this quite exciting and let out a series of happy laughter.

“His little Highness really loves to laugh and is lively in nature. He really resembles Niang-niang.”

Hearing this from Yue’ya, Ye Huaiyang felt an inexplicable sense of pride and satisfaction in her heart, “It’s good to be like me. If he is like His Majesty, perhaps it will be difficult to find a wife in the future.”

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Yue’ya snorted with laughter and said, “You can still say that. Not knowing who was the one complaining about the number of wanton bees and lascivious butterflies out there who pounced on His Majesty after returning from Hu’guo Temple?”

“That’s different. They all are here for glory and wealth. If His Majesty is not His Majesty, this number will only be greatly reduced.”

Pursing her lips, Yue’ya said, “What’s the use of saying this? The Imperial Household Department has already submitted the primary spring election list of the imperial concubines’ candidates. There will only be more and more people while you just play with His little Highness all day and don’t even think about how to deal with it. Nubi is already anxious for you.”

Ye Huaiyang laughed in spite of herself, “What’s there to be worried about, hasn’t His Majesty turned it all down?”

“It was turned down but the Imperial Household Department adjusted the number of staff and sent them to the imperial study again. This time His Majesty did not reject it and even said that since the imperial examination will be held soon and there is not enough time, asking them to rush it. You didn’t see it, Lord Liu from the Imperial Household Department was grinning so hard when he heard that and wished he could insert a pair of wings to fly back to let those candidates come to report without losing any time.”

Ye Huaiyang pursed her lips for a moment and muttered, “It seemed that he must have accepted quite a lot of money from those nobility.”

“Why are you still thinking about this?” Seeing that she didn’t grasp the point, Yue’ya almost jumped up with anxiety. “The list is set out according to the standard number of people. In addition to the four consorts and nine concubines, there are still various ranks of courtiers which add up to as many as hundreds of people. It’s bothersome to choose just a fraction and you are still so unconcerned.”

“What’s there to be concerned about?” Ye Huaiyang smiled faintly. Seeing that Qu Fang was carrying the medicine bowl over, she handed Chu Xiang to her in passing, “The medicine smell is too strong. Take Xiang’er to the side hall.”

Yue’ya was about to take Chu Xiang over but who knew he grabbed Ye Huaiyang and refused to let go, and even affectionately tottering in front of her chest. His cute little look immediately amused everyone.

“Although His little Highness is overjoyed to see His Majesty, in the end, he is still closer to Niang-niang.” Qu Fang put the medicine on the side table and turned around to look at Chu Xiang amiably.

Ye Huaiyang gently nudged the tip of his nose and said, “Mother is going to drink the medicine which smells very bitter, aren’t you afraid ah?”

Instead of being scared off by her, Chu Xiang even clung to her neck with a broad smile and spat out a few unclear words, “Niang niang, scare scare.”

[T/N: 酿酿 (Niàng niàng) – these words means brewing. I guess Chu Xiang is saying Mother which is 娘, 娘 (Niáng, niáng) but his enunciations are not clear yet.]

“Mother is not afraid. Mother is not like the tiny you.”

Finding it both amusing and annoying, Ye Huaiyang has never thought she would one day be scorned by her son, but when she thought he probably didn’t want to leave thinking that she was scared, she felt deeply touched.

Who said only daughters are the caring little padded jacket? Her Xiang’er is much much better!

With this in mind, she carried the little person and walked to the side table to sit down, then swirled the bowl of decoction in front of him and smiled slyly, “Smell it, is it very bitter? Truly not scared?”

Chu Xiang puckered up his little face due to the vapor before pouncing into her chest suddenly to bury his head into her lapel.

A certain unscrupulous mother laughed out loud immediately.

“Niang-niang, you really are … “ Qu Fang looked helplessly at this mother and son, and found no way to say it out loud. She could only urged tactfully, “The medicinal decoction is still a little hot. Please be careful. Don’t scald yourself and His little Highness.”

Ye Huaiyang nodded and simply drank the medicine in one gulp then rinsed her mouth and sucked a candy. She only pulled Chu Xiang out of her arms after the taste of the medicine had disappeared before teasing him deliberately, “Speak clearly, who actually is scared? En?”

With a puckered little mouth, Chu Xiang looked full of aggrieved.

On the side, Yue’ya was so distressed looking at him that she couldn’t help but blurted out, “Niang-niang, how can you be like this!”

Ye Huaiyang covered her giggles. After that, she leaned down to kiss Chu Xiang and said, “Okay, it’s nap time. How about Mother take you to sleep in the big bed today?”

As Chu Xiang had to get up at night for milk, Chu Jinglan was afraid he would disturb Ye Huaiyang’s rest, so it was the wet nurse who brought him to sleep in the side hall but today he could sleep with Ye Huaiyang, hence he immediately called out excitedly.

“Ow!”

“It’s good, why learn to call like a wolf.” Ye Huaiyang teased him while carrying him back to the bed. Pulling the brocade quilt to cover each other, she then softly coaxed, “Be good and close your eyes. We are going to sleep.”

Chu Xiang was very obedient. With his eyelids shut, he lay still.

The two of them slept until shenshi (3pm-5pm). Yue’ya, who was keeping watch outside, had come in to check several times before going out again. She didn’t take the liberty to wake them up.

Ye Huaiyang, who usually has cold hands and feet, actually slept particularly soundly with the little stove in her arms and Chu Xiang also liked to glue to her even after he had unconsciously turned over a few times, while snoring softly from time and time.

The room was quiet and peaceful like a dream.

When Chu Jinglan returned to the hall, the mother and son were still sleeping soundly. He waved the palace maids at the door away and walked over with light footsteps. As soon as he lifted the bed curtain, he saw Chu Xiang with his butt stuck up laying and snoring on Ye Huaiyang’s chest. His drool soaked her clothes and his chubby hands were still resting on the upright lumps, which immediately caused Chu Jinglan’s face to blacken.

Stinky brat, his skin must be itchy again for not getting smacked these few days?

He carried Chu Xiang to the side without demur. Since Chu Xiang was still sound asleep, he simply had no intention of waking up but Ye Huaiyang was awakened in an instant. Realizing it was Chu Jinglan who moved him, she felt slightly at ease and turned around to cover Chu Xiang with a blanket before she said softly, “Be gentle, what if you wake him up?”

“He is so heavy, what if he presses on your waist? You should also have a limit of spoiling him!”

“He will not press on me, I’m well aware of it.” Ye Huaiyang smiled softly then conveniently hooked on his arm to sit up, “Why are you back now?”

Wrapping his arm around her waist, Chu Jinglan helped her up slowly and got out of bed, “Taking you to watch a big show.”

Ye Huaiyang looked doubtful but she did not ask what exactly they were going to do and only asked, “Can we bring the kid along?”

“No.” Keeping a straight face, Chu Jinglan refused.

“Well  … “ Ye Huaiyang smiled, then turned back to touch Chu Xiang’s rosy little face and spoke as if feeling helpless, “Well then, I’ll change my clothes and accompany you.”

After saying that she went in to change her clothes and did not ask anyone to come in to keep watch on Chu Xiang, obviously letting Chu Jinglan do it for her. Staring at the little person who looks exceedingly like him then glancing at the damp traces gradually spreading on her pillow, Chu Jinglan forcibly restrained the urge to throw him back to the side hall.

Once Ye Huaiyang was ready, both of them went to the new platform.

The imperial carriage stopped at the side of the arch bridge and Chu Jinglan helped Ye Huaiyang down. Looking up slightly, she saw brightly colored flowers at the far end of the bridge and the set-up was not small-scale, so she raised her eyebrows at him and asked, “Is it today?”

Chu Jinglan nodded then immediately led her to the high platform and slowly sat down amidst the envious and jealousy sights before accepting their reverence greetings.

“The courtiers pay respect to Your Majesty and Niang-niang.”

“All rise.” Chu Jinglan spoke out faintly then instructed Zhuo Jin, “Go ahead then.”

Once Zhuo Jin had announced loudly, the imperial concubines’ candidates automatically lined up in sequence and waited in the vacant space below. When the first group of people ascended the new platform, Ye Huaiyang raised the corner of her eyes slightly but she nevertheless didn’t utter a word.

The spring scene of red, peach and green of various types of beauties in their own ways were all there. It seemed that Lord Liu had spared no efforts.

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Six beautiful ladies went up one after another to greet them. Before they could even give their names, Chu Jinglan was seen waving his hand and their faces immediately turned pale — They were the most outstanding noble ladies of the prominent families who had tried everything to get qualified to be the first to present themselves, but he actually didn’t even fancy any of them?

When they were invited to descent by the eunuchs, there were some who were unwilling to concede. They wanted to see what kind of people could enter Chu Jinglan’s sight, but to their surprises, the following batches of people were all brushed off too, wave after wave which was faster than flipping a book. When the tenth group came down, Chu Jinglan’s voice drifted to the ears.

“The people selected by the Imperial Household Department are of this level?”

The complexions of the dozens of candidates changed upon hearing this, just like the flickering colored lights. It was so spectacular that Ye Huaiyang simply could not bear to look.

“Your Majesty, these are the most talented and attractive ladies of the prominent families. Your vision is just too picky … “

The ladies were greatly surprised. They didn’t expect Ye Huaiyang to dare speak as such to Chu Jinglan in the presence of everyone. But with careful listening, there was even a kind of flirtatious bantering feeling which made people wonder if they had misheard it. Who would have thought Chu Jinglan had no intention to reproach her at all, instead cast her a doting gaze.

“There is not even a person who can match you a little bit, so how could We pick?”

This was precisely flirtatious bantering.

Ye Huaiyang even covered her lips to smile seductively when Chu Jinglan immediately gave an order, “Pass Our decree, Liu Yan of the Imperial Household Department is ineffective and will be immediately dismissed from his post with investigation.”

Once the words waned off, all those present were shocked.

Those astute people could already grasp the situation. All along, Chu Jinglan did not have the intention to select any candidates for the imperial concubines. Putting on such a big show was simply just a warning to the various prominent families to stop them from recklessly meddling into the Emperor’s household affairs, otherwise their fates will be the same as Lord Liu.

Who said the Empress is about to fall out of favor? This is sheer blindness!

While the ladies were condemning secretly, they saw the Empress caressing her waist gently and said, “Your Majesty, Chenqie is tired.”

They obviously had just sat here no more than the time of a lighted joss-stick, while all of them had run up and down the platform in addition to bowing and saluting. They had not even said they were tired, so where actually is her tiredness?

The Emperor’s voice was so gentle that it almost cloyed others to death, “Then don’t watch anymore, We will accompany you back to rest.”

The ladies had just straightened their almost dropped jaws and were no longer whispering. Even though they were quite unwilling, they could only kneel down and send the two people away respectfully. But no one knew that the two people who gradually walked further away were also whispering.

“Indeed there is no one better looking than me.”

“Wifey is right.”