The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort (Chapters 1- 203)

Chapter 126 : An Omen of National Calamity

Translated by : Shl

Edited by : Anks & Ely

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An unexpected guest arrived first thing in the morning at the princess' hall where Jiang Ruan resided.

Lu Zhu drew open the curtains and looked at Jiang Ruan, who had just finished freshening up after getting out of bed. "Miss, Wang Meiren has come with the clothes to be worn for the ritual performed by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau tomorrow."

The womenfolk of the palace had to participate in the rituals conducted by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and had to pay careful attention to the clothes worn. However, these were usually sent to them by the Clothing Department; this was the first time that one of the Emperor's imperial consorts had brought them over. Although this was definitely not against the established practice, this attitude seemed to be a little too enthusiastic.

Lu Zhu was clearly also thinking the same way. She said, "This servant remembers that Miss and this Wang Meiren have barely had many friendly interactions."

Jiang Ruan flung off the little blanket at her side and said, "What do you think of Wang Meiren?"

"She looks quite friendly, and speaks in a straightforward manner." Lu Zhu thought for a bit before continuing, "However, one who is unaccountably solicitous is hiding evil intentions. Miss, you had better be careful."

Jiang Ruan smiled diffidently and said, "It's good that you know."

Although Lu Zhu was quick-witted, she was naturally disposed to be benevolent and, in the end, did not really know what went on in the palace. If one considered Jiang fu to be a den of wolves, then the imperial palace would be a den of tigers. Therefore, for one such as Wang Meiren- how could a sheep exist in a tiger's den. A leisurely smile appeared on Jiang Ruan's face. It had been awhile since their last parting and she couldn't help but wonder about what kind of scene would play out at their reunion.

"Let's go and meet this Wang Meiren."

They had just reached the front of the hall when they heard a warm and cheerful voice calling out, "Hong'an Junzhu!"

Jiang Ruan looked up, and observed a lady in the prime of her youth attended to by a palace maid. The lady was twirling the gold and silver threads of her hua silk brocade jacket, and her hair was combed up into a tassel bun[1]. The effect was neither too overdone nor too plain. Her pretty face was bright and confident, and her smile was shining with sincerity. 

[1] 流苏髻 (liu su ji) – lit. tassel bun, or fringed bun. The hair is combed into a bun, leaving two (finger-wide) strands of hair to fall on the shoulders like tassels.

This appearance made it easy for people to have a favourable impression of her, as her manner seemed to be transparent, straightforward, and orderly. When the lady saw Jiang Ruan, she stood up and bowed, smiling as she said, "I definitely knew that Junzhu was a matchless natural beauty, and I initially thought that these clothes for the ritual would be too plain. However, on viewing Junzhu's graceful bearing, I have come to realise that these clothes, on Junzhu, would seem to glow with the most splendid of colours."