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It was quiet in the huge palace hall, with only Li Chengjing’s voice filling the silence.
Empress Dowager Yang intended to attack Cheng Yujin, but Li Chengjing took all the responsibilities on himself. With Li Chengjing’s attitude, Empress Dowager Yang would not be able to continue attacking Cheng Yujin. Displeased, Empress Dowager Yang lifted her eyelids and said: “Crown Prince seems determined to protect Crown Princess. But since she has entered the imperial family, it is imperative that she understand the rules and duties expected from her status. Especially because the Crown Princess is the future Empress. Sooner or later, the Empress’ burden will be handed over to her. If the Crown Princess doesn’t set a good example, how can she stand above the rest of the women in the world?”
Empress Dowager Yang specifically mentioned Cheng Yujin, so she could no longer sit silently and had to stand up. Next to Cheng Yujin, Li Chengjing also stood up with her.
Cheng Yujin narrowed her eyes and showed a humble expression: “Empress Dowager is correct, and this granddaughter-in-law is thanking you for your guidance. However, His Majesty the Emperor is currently at his prime and still accompanied by Her Majesty the Empress. This granddaughter-in-law is still inexperienced and needs much guidance from Her Majesty. For Empress Dowager to say such a thing, this granddaughter-in-law cannot help but feel scared.”
Empress Dowager Yang certainly spared no effort to plant cracks in their relationship with the Emperor. Now, in front of the whole resident of the inner palace, with the Emperor himself present, Empress Dowager Yang dared to say that “The Crown Princess is the future Empress,” which was vicious beyond anything.
Cheng Yujin’s statement immediately made clear her position. Although Empress Dowager Yang was disappointed, she couldn’t keep pushing on. It was enough to use some light verbal attacks, but she must not lower herself by doing too much. This time she did not succeed, but there would always be opportunities in the future.
Empress Dowager Yang paused for a while, then she suddenly changed the tone of her voice and said again, “It has been half a year since the Crown Princess entered the palace. The Eastern Palace has been empty for the past half-year, and there is not even a single person to serve the Crown Prince. Although these words are offensive, This Dowager is the Crown Prince’s grandmother after all. This Dowager feels sorry for the Crown Prince and is willing to be a wicked person here. Crown Princess, This Dowager knows that you don’t like to hear these words, but you are the example of all the women in the world, and jealousy is a big taboo for women. According to the protocols, the Crown Prince can have three ranks of titled concubines after marriage, but now it has been half a year, yet he has not a single one. If this matter spread out, how can the imperial family maintain its duty as an example for the subjects? Crown Princess, don’t you think so?”
Cheng Yujin lowered her head. She had expected this situation long ago, but she didn’t expect that Empress Dowager Yang would use this occasion to launch an open attack.
Taking a concubine was a hurdle that any wife must pass through. For high-ranking families, concubines were as common as luxurious dresses and jewelry. Cheng Yujin saw from a young age how her father, uncles, and cousins took concubines one after another. For a woman born in a high-ranking family, managing her husband’s concubines were just a part of house management skill.
Cheng Yujin didn’t have any particular sentiments towards concubines before. In her eyes, there was almost no difference between concubines and household property. As long as the heir of the next generation was in her hands, where her husband spent his night was not of her concern. If the concubines gave birth to children, she might take them under her name to raise, and if not, it was no problem to let the concubines live in the inner yard and provide them for the rest of their lives. Anyway, it was not her money, so Cheng Yujin didn’t care.
Cheng Yujin also found some women to be incomprehensible. There were several girls whom she knew who were fine prior to marriage, but later allowed themselves to be miserable because of their jealousy towards their husband’s concubines. Why the fuss? It was just adding another object to the house. If the husband liked to play with them, just let him do as he liked. As a wife, the only thing they should do was to pay attention so that the object never became so big that it surpassed them.
Every time Cheng Yujin saw Qingfu Junzhu throw things in a fit of anger because of Cheng Yuanxian’s new concubine, she secretly shook her head. As for those who were heartbroken because their husband took concubines and made themselves look haggard, gloomy, and ugly, they were even more stupid in her eyes. However, it was also true that concubines were the cause of many unpleasant problems. Because of that, when Cheng Yujin was faced with the choice between the excellent Lin Qingyuan and the gentle and affectionate cousin brother Xu Zhixian, she did not hesitate to choose the former despite the narrow gap in their overall score.
Cheng Yujin thought that she was calm enough. Rationally speaking, she understood that it was just a matter of time for the Crown Prince to finally begin taking concubines. Rather than waiting for someone else to raise the subject, it was better if she took the initiative first so as to manage the candidates within the scope that she could control. Emotionally however, she disliked it. When Cheng Yujin thought that the Ciqing Palace she took care of would welcome another group of women, when she imagined Li Chengjing saying the same words he had told her to another woman, she felt uncomfortable.
Cheng Yujin pinched herself quietly, trying to use the pain to sober her mind. It was not easy for her to come this far, and she couldn’t ruin years of hard work for a momentary emotion.
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Translator’s Note:
Forgot to publish this fifth chapter 😅. Better late than never, I think…
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My, my, my! Crown Princess, are you feeling that worldly fire burns through you at the thought of another woman in Li Chengjing’s embrace? My goodness! Been waiting a long time for this! Go, evil grandma! Go, build an even solid foundation between the jade-like couple!
I support this, wholeheartedly for the plot though I greatly dislike concubines. Maaann, for the sake of plot.. we must drink vinegar. Yikes.
Thanks for the chapter! And yes, better late than never^^
Uhhh what about the crown prince’s thoughts? Did anyone ask him if he wanted to stuffed with comcubines?? HAHAHAH
Many thanks
Thank you for updating!!!!
Cheng Yujin will handle the situation either way, but if the Crown Prince wants a genuine relationship with her, he’d better put his brain to work climbing out of this new pit. By the way, did the emperor go mute during this scene?
Thank you for the chapter!
If the Crown Prince, let’s her defend herself on this matter, he is truly a scumbag. It has been obvious since day one when she was hunting for a marriage partner, she did not want to be married to a man who has concubines.
This Crown Prince drag her into this mess due to his own personal greed of wanting to possess her. So he should not let her have to should this nonsense about his concubines.
Ummm she preferred no concubine but she is not against them as you can see in her stupid reasoning
Stupid? I think her reasoning and her general attitude towards concubines and husbands is the only way a woman could have lived remotely well in that era, where husbands expect their wives to be “virtuous” as a matter of course. Men really got every advantage at the expense of women. The way she evaluated marriage prospects was realistic and smart as hell for that era, but she happened to get incredibly lucky with finding a man who actually loves her. She didn’t even think that was possible, never having seen it herself, and now she’s slowly (but surely!) learning about it, and therefore slowly (but surely) changing. I love her so much and I love seeing her long hardened heart soften because of a man who truly deserves her
No wonder poor girl is cynical about men and their supposed affection. She’s seen it all and planned to deal with it rationally, a reason for maintaining her emotional distance with ger husband… but feelings can’t be stopped when you’re intimate and treated well it’s expected to get greedy
Thanks for the chapter
If he accepts even one concubine, I’ll go into that book and punch him.
Then you’ll get death sentence!????????????
This is why I dislike her ahe dont understand the feeling so it’s not fair to judge the wives stupid?? You didn’t get such education I understand but dont step on ppl who know the feelings she only take her own opinions in regard calling everyone else stupid
I love the FL. Only a woman like her can live well in a world that so thoroughly oppresses women. Only by having that attitude towards men, concubines, and husbands who take concubines can a woman live well. I admire her, I respect her, and if I were living in those times, I can only hope I’d be like her.
“Cheng Yujin didn’t have any particular sentiments towards concubines before.” I want to book a flight to China and propose marriage to this author who gives me my hearts desires. Like to see Yujin subtly change like this, without her even recognizing it, is so so satisfying. To see her being softened by a love who is worthy for her, and have true affection, is lovely. Men in those times would get annoyed at their wives for blocking concubines from coming in, but only a wife who doesn’t care about her husband can be “virtuous.” Yujin has always been the model of virtue specifically because she’s never cared, but now she DOES. The fact that she’s digging her palms and is discontent – I bet the prince would be so happy if he knew (except he wouldn’t want her to hurt herself LOL)