Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Old Madam Zheng took the tea cup and gently skimmed off the foam with the lid. “But you had once been married after all, so we will not give you any betrothal gifts, but your dowry is indispensable.
“The dowry must be based on the standard for a Duke’s daughter. After all, Bo’er was a fourth-rank prefect in Shu.
“And you have also lost your virginity, so you’ll have to abide by the Virtues of Women after marrying him.”
Qiao Ruoyi said weakly, “His Majesty has annulled the so-called the Virtues of Women. Now it’s normal for women to divorce and remarry.”
Old Madam Zheng snapped, “Shut up! I’m talking to your sister! What makes you think you, a concubine-born girl, can interrupt us?
“Your mother is too good-tempered, but I will not allow a concubine-born daughter to enjoy the same status as a biological daughter.”
Qiao Ruoyi replied. “Okay.”
Old Madam Zheng ran the Buddha beads through her fingers and said, “Where were we? Yes, you must abide by the Virtues of Women. After you marry Bo’er, you can’t leave the house, can’t see any strange man, and can’t talk with any man except your husband.
“Also, I don’t know if you can still give birth to children. If you don’t give birth to a child within a year, you’ll have to recognize the eldest son of Bo’er as your own son!”
Qiao Jinniang couldn’t believe that this mean old woman was her maternal grandmother!
But somehow she felt that Qiao Ruoshui’s bearing was very similar to this old woman’s.
So it seemed that she was indeed her maternal grandmother.
The Duchess couldn’t listen anymore. “Mother, don’t daydream. Jinniang would rather marry His Royal Highness as the lowest-rank concubine than marry Zheng Bo.”
Old Madam Zheng laughed. “Her? Marry His Royal Highness?”
Qiao Jinniang lowered her head. “Mother, I don’t want to marry Cousin Zheng, nor will I marry His Royal Highness.”
Old Madam Zheng said, “Phew, don’t you feel ashamed to say this? I know you’re jealous of your sister, but just because your sister can become the concubine of Prince Mediocre doesn’t mean you can marry into the East Palace…”
Qiao Jinniang said coldly, “I have never been jealous of anyone.
“Mother, I’m not feeling well, so I will take my leave so as not to infect Old Madam Zheng.”
Old Madam Zheng slapped the table again and roared, “I am your grandmother! How did you call me?! Where are your manners? Our country values filial piety. How dare you be so unfilial to me?”
The Duchess said, “Mother, Jinniang is suffering from a cold. She just doesn’t want to infect you. Don’t be angry. Jinniang, go back first.”
Hearing the Duchess’s words, Qiao Jinniang saluted and left.
Qiao Ruoyi followed her and said, “Sister, it seems that Grandmother won’t give up. What are you going to do?”
Qiao Jinniang said, “Then I’m afraid she’ll be disappointed.”
Old Madam Zheng was only her maternal grandmother. Her paternal grandmother was still alive, so she didn’t need to abide by the marriage contract Old Madam Zheng made.
Back in the Jin Garden, autumn rain fell again.
Qiao Jinniang lay on the couch and listened to the sound of autumn rain outside.
She picked up a novel sent by Lu Chen today and began to read it.
It was getting dark, so Qiao Jinniang could only read by the candlelight.
As she read, her face was getting redder and redder…
What that jerk sent turned out to be a book full of porn poems that had been banned in the market.
There were even erotic paintings in this book. Hearing the footsteps of the maids, Qiao Jinniang hurriedly closed the book.
“You can leave now.”
Nuomi looked at Jinniang who looked very nervous and said, “Miss, you can’t read so late into the night. You’re still ill. It’s not good for your eyes to stay up all night reading.”
Qiao Jinniang said, “I know what I’m doing. You can leave now.”
After all the maids left, Qiao Jinniang surreptitiously took out the book with her heart beating like a drum.
…
It was already dark.
Lu Chen returned from the Imperial Examination Place Hall to the Hall of Diligent Governance and said to the Emperor,
“Father, during the Imperial Examination, there are some examinees who have diarrhea. After the imperial doctor investigated, he said that the food sent by Prince Mediocre was not clean.”
Emperor Huilin who was processing memorials paused. “Alas, why is he so stupid?
“Knowing that this Imperial Examination was held for you, his undisguised dirty trick will only damage his reputation among civil officials.”
Lu Chen said, “Prince Mediocre’s original intention was to win over these examinees by giving him food in the examination venue.
“It’s a pity that the restaurant he ordered food from was not doing well, so they used rotten meat and vegetables in the food.”
Emperor Huilin: “…”
Lu Chen continued. “There are still two days left, but many promising examinees from Qingming Academy are suffering from serious diarrhea, which will definitely affect their grades.”
Emperor Huilin said, “They’re really unlucky. There will be another imperial examination in the spring of next year. Just be it so. There is no need to re-hold this Imperial Examination.”
“Yes, Father.”
When Lu Chen went back to the East Palace, Junior Duke Rong hurriedly came up to him and said, “Seventh Brother, didn’t you ask me to buy some novels for girls to read?
“My servant didn’t know the books were bought for you, so all he bought were erotic books that had been banned in the market. Are the books still here?
“Come on, show them to me. Each book cost me 10 taels of silver! They’re already not for sale in the market.”
Lu Chen: “…”
Junior Duke Rong said, “Seventh Brother, you can’t hide them! Those are some good stuffs. I heard that the paintings in the books are very realistic.
“The men in the paintings were modeled after the most famous gigolo in Chang’an, Mr. Qinghe…”
Lu Chen glared at Junior Duke Rong. “How many of these books are still for sale in Chang’an? Find them all.”
Junior Duke Rong didn’t know what was going on and blankly blinked at Lu Chen.
“Oh, Seventh Brother, I didn’t expect you to be this kind of a person.”
Lu Chen immediately said, “Burn them all!”
Junior Duke Rong touched his nose. This was typical of his seventh brother!
He still remembered before Lu Chen went missing, he didn’t know about anything about sex. Back then he and Lin Mo always laughed at him for this…
Even the imperial maid who was arranged to teach him about sex was mistaken as an assassin and thrown out by him.
Even with a child, he still hadn’t made much progress in this aspect.
…
Jinniang didn’t recover from her illness until the day the result of the Imperial Examination was released.
On this day, Old Madam Zheng and Mrs. Zheng came to the Duke Mansion again, and Old Madam Qiao called Qiao Jinniang over.
When she went in, she saw Old Madam Qiao looking very angry.
Old Madam Zheng said, “Mrs. Qiao, it’s for the sake of our kinship that we are willing to accept Jinniang. Besides, Consort Qiao has issued an oral decree.”
Qiao Jinniang was puzzled, and Qiao Ruoyi whispered in her ear,
“According to the law, a prince’s concubine can give an oral decree. Qiao Ruoshui has sent you an oral decree, ordering you to marry Cousin Zheng Bo.”
Qiao Ruoshui’s mammy who came to issue the oral decree said arrogantly, “Her Highness hereby issued an order that Second Miss shall marry the son of the Zheng Family, Zheng Bo. If you reject, it’ll be taken as insulting Prince Mediocre!”
