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Chapter 143: The Family
“So.” Zhong Zheng Ming put away the marching map, smoothed the folds of his cuffs, and seemed to ask casually, “Who offended cefei this time?”
Zhong Zheng Lin raised his eyebrows, “Fifth brother is so sure that the troublesome person is Mu-shi in the mansion?”
Zhong Zheng Ming smiled casually, “Are there other people in your mansion who are more likely to cause trouble?”
Zhong Zheng Lin heard him make sense and smiled playfully, “What does the fifth brother think of the fourth sister?”
Regarding the fourth princess’ search for  Mu Xi Yao, the two Royal Highnesses only smiled.
***
In the He Lian’s mansion in Shengjing, because Mu Xi Yao had drawn the Emperor’s Swallow fortune-telling stick at Anguo Temple, everyone’s face was ugly.
Facing his eldest daughter, Lord He Lian felt a little guilty for the first time. “Min Min, the family’s decision on this matter cannot be changed, and you don’t need to bother. Instead of trying to prevent Wei Rui from entering the mansion, it is better to think about how to work together to subdue Mu-shi.”
He Lian Min Min first looked at her grandfather and then at her father, they both had a resolute look, and in this instant her heart felt like it was submerged in an ice cellar. So this was the “strong support” promised by the closest people when she married? So far, in addition to money, the family had given her a momo for health care, and a half-sister whom she was absolutely unwilling to accept
“Because of that illusory sign, the family plans to let He Lian Wei Rui take this daughter’s place instead?" He Lian Min Min couldn’t believe that it was such a ridiculous reason that drove her to a desperate situation.
“Min Min, what the family needs is a road to the sky. The only reason for her to enter the mansion is to deal with Mu-shi and help you keep the position that the He Lian family should have. Why do you need to think about it? If she is favored, and has an heir, you will also record it in your name. This is both beneficial and harmless to you.” The old master of the He Lian House gently wiped the white jade snuff bottle [1] in his hand, soothing the eldest granddaughter who was obviously agitated.
[1] Snuff bottles were used during the Qing Dynasty to contain powdered tobacco. Smoking tobacco was illegal during the Qing Dynasty, but the use of snuff was allowed because the Chinese considered snuff to be a remedy for common illnesses such as colds, headaches and stomach disorders. // In this video, it talks about how snuff was brought to China through missionaries who sent it to the Emperor as a tribute, and how snuff was used for the high-class members of Chinese society for refreshment.
Having said that, it was clear that there was no room for a change of plans. He Lian Min Min was extremely disappointed in her heart, but she didn’t dare to show half of it on her face.
“Grandfather, Min Min understands.” The woman’s head was lowered, and the bangs on her forehead blocked the emotion in her eyes.
“Remember, put the He Lian family first in everything, and don’t ruin the big things because of selfishness. Your mother is still a second-rank court-ordered wife of the He Lian family.”
He Lian Min Min clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves and her heart was strongly unwilling, instantly she felt pain in her chest and abdomen from the burning anger.
“Mistress.” Feng Momo looked at He Lian Min Min’s bloodless face with distress. When the Master of the mansion spoke, as a servant, she was not qualified to inquire at all, but when she saw Mistress leave the study looking reluctant to leave, she was really worried.
“Momo, go to see my mother later, don’t make her worry.”
Grandfather threatened her with her mother to force her to allow He Lian Wei Rui to enter the door. If her mother knew about this, how sad she would be.
“You don’t have to cover up. After so many years, does mother still not know what is going on with the He Lian family?” Madam He Lian looked at her daughter who was pretending to be smiling, and sneered, her eyes freezing cold. “Your grandfather must be forcing you to submit, am I right or not?”
He Lian Min Min put away her disguise, her numb face was particularly sad.
“Mother, it’s your daughter’s poor ability which has affected you.” If she could live up to expectations and have a son, she wouldn’t be in such an embarrassing situation now.
“Daughter, what are you talking about? Although there’s such a big family in this mansion, only you and I are connected by blood, your father, don’t even mention him.” Madam He Lian was already heartbroken by He Lian Zhang. That husband was cold-faced and cold-hearted, everything else was trivial, only the He Lian family was in his eyes. These days have long been just muddling through, and there was nothing new to mention.
“Min Min, the He Lian family will not give up on this matter. But there may be a turnaround.”
“What my mother means is, find a way to get the imperial concubines to bring He Lian Wei Rui into the eighth prince’s mansion? But father will definitely mediate and make things change.”
“It’s not difficult for He Lian Wei Rui to be chosen. How your grandfather and father will behave in private, mother can’t guess. But if they want to send her to the Sixth Prince’s Mansion, they will definitely take action in these few days, and you will be too late by then. But if you move quickly
 she will have to enter the roster and then it will be in the hands of the imperial concubines to chose her, and everything will be over.”
He Lian Min Min's face became ugly. This was to forcibly stuff people in the backyard without the nod of His Highness?
“You don't need to be so flustered. But don’t forget, there is a very powerful woman in the mansion of the sixth prince. Would she be willing to let He Lian Wei Rui enter the door?” Madam He Lian had to admit that Mu-shi’s current attitude was very important to He Lian Min Min’s future.
“Mu-shi?” He Lian Min Min never thought that the “variable” in her mother’s mind actually meant Mu Xi Yao! “How could she be involved for no reason? This daughter and her have never been on good terms, how could Mu-shi miss this great opportunity?” He Lian Min Min recalled hearing about the Tang sisters before, and felt this matter was even more absurd.
At the beginning, Mu-shi personally carried little Tang-shi to the door, and sat and watched the Tang sisters fight fiercely. In the end, both sides suffered, and she reaped a bargain in vain [2]. If it weren't for that battle that destroyed too many women, how could there be so many places [3] in the backyard of His Highness Sixth Highness for these women to enter the door?
[2] Sentence was: èź©ć„čç™œç™œæ‹Łäș†äŸżćźœ. So äŸżćźœ is ‘small gains’ and 癜癜 means ‘to no purpose; for nothing; of no avail’. It means, no action was paid and the rewards were gained in vain. A bargain.
[3] In some novels we are told that princes/wangye can have as many concubines as they like (like in Tyrannical Wang’s Beloved Wife) but in this novel, apparently they can only have a certain number. So, if they fill these places, Min Min’s sister will not have room to enter ZZL’s backyard.
“But you are wrong. Today is different from the past. The two of them won the Phoenix lottery at the same time, and there is no room for two tigers in one mountain [4]. How could Mu-shi allow He Lian Wei Rui to threaten her status?”
[4] ć±±äžćźčäșŒè™Ž shān bĂčrĂłng Ăšr hǔ - (Proverb). Two strong people are incompatible and cannot coexist in the same place.
He Lian Min Min hadn’t really paid full attention before. Her mind was all about stopping He Lian Wei Rui from entering the door. Now that her mother mentioned the matter of Mu Xi Yao’s sign her heart tensed up.
It was true that there were wolves in front and tigers behind [5], and neither Mu-shi and He Lian Wei Rui were easy to deal with.
[5] ć‰æœ‰ç‹ŒćŽæœ‰è™Ž qiĂĄn yǒu lĂĄng hĂČu yǒu hǔ - From Feng Wei Min “Qingjiang Introduction: Style Provincial Enlightenment” song: “Knowing that the road to fireworks is bitter, there is no way to go and no way to come. The fierce tiger crawls his heart, and the hungry wolf digs his belly. I am now afraid of wolves and tigers.” A metaphor for being timid and fearful, having too many concerns/a dilemma/between a rock and a hard place.
“But mother, Mu-shi’s sign is also the Emperor’s Swallow sign. He Lian Wei Rui’s methods have always been sinister, maybe it’s better to put the two of them together
”
“Confused!” Madam He Lian was shocked, not expecting that He Lian Min Min was already so flustered that she lost her mind.
“If He Lian Wei Rui enters the manor, of course, she would never die with Mu-shi as you wish. Have you ever thought that the biggest obstacle for the two of them is you, the sixth princess who occupies the main seat of the family? If the two of them work together to deal with you first, pull you off your horse [6], and then fight for your seat, what will you do? Do you think that with He Lian Wei’s resolute nature, you can stay out of the way and watch her fight to death and die, and then pick up something cheap?”
[6] äž‹é©Źæ„ xiĂ  mǎlĂĄi - (idiom) pull someone down, unseat those in power.
He Lian Min Min was drenched in cold sweat behind her back, her face pale with fright.
If mother can think of this level, could it be that grandfather and Lord He Lian can’t think of it?
“Mother, grandfather and father
” They clearly knew He Lian Wei Rui’s character and knew that Mu-shi’s ability was not small. Putting these two people together, how could they not think of her situation? Even when they knew that she would not end well, they still agreed to He Lian Wei Rui’s request and made her an abandoned child.
Madam He Lian was not content with the news and knew that her daughter was in desperate condition. Looking at the strong resentment in her eyes now, don’t know if she was too badly hurt by the people closest to her, or if she already has jealousy [7].
[7] ć«‰æš jĂ­hĂšn - to hate out of jealousy / to resent.
“Min Min, be strong, don’t hurt your body.” She hugged He Lian Min Min’s shoulders, her voice hoarse.
“Mother, Min Min would rather not have such a family background.” He Lian Min Min’s eyes were red, and she leaned on Madam He Lian arms as she wept softly.
How long has it been? It seems that after the age of eight, she has never taken a break.
Before, thinking that grandfather and father were strict, she redoubled her efforts to get their approval and He Lian Wei Rui was also constantly pressing her down. She reminded herself all the time: keep the pride of the first daughter and don’t shame mother. But now, all her efforts were insignificant in the eyes of her grandfather and father. The phrase “family is the most important” which made her persist for the past ten years became a joke.
“Min Min, after this, think more about yourself. Hurry up and give birth to a di son for His Royal Highness. It is important to have a foothold in the royal family. The He Lian family is not worth your concern.” Madam He Lian stroked her hair gently, as every mother does, she only wished for her daughter to be safe and well. Prosperity and wealth are just the icing on the cake.
He Lian Min Min vented, and then quietly let the momo beside Madam He Lian to serve her to wash and change clothes.
“Mother, Min Min knows what to do. You take care of yourself and don’t let daughter worry.” He Lian Min Min looked at the bronze mirror [8], looking at the woman in the mirror with her hair on the temples meticulously, she had no hesitation in her eyes.
[8] According to Kimpei Takeuchi 1991's article, Bronze mirrors have been around since prehistoric times in China and have two sides: the back where there’s a knob —which shows the Dynasty time—, and the front of the mirror which is made concave to show the entire face of the person. They’re usually round because this shape symbolizes perfection and bliss. Apparently they are not blurry at all. In the Ming dynasty, they’re replaced by glass mirrors. There’s another interesting article here about it.
The He Lian family was so heartless and indifferent, she no longer expected to be helped. From then on, she was only He Lian Min Min, and in the Prince’s Mansion, even if she only relied on herself, she had to live a good life. The seat of the main room, she will not let go. If He Lian Wei Rui wants to enter the mansion, she can try.
***
In Danruo courtyard, Mu Xi Yao was lying leisurely on the rocking chair staring at the little bun drawing as she drew a painting of her son.
Cheng Qing was dressed in a cat-boy short-sleeved suit, which was very flattering. Mu Xi Yao did not forget to “draw the finishing touch” behind her son’s little butt, adding a little fluffy tail.
Seeing that the little master’s image was ruined by cefei, Wei Zhen simply held back his resistance and couldn’t bear to look directly. If His Highness knew that his son was still swaggering around in this costume, he might be so angry that he would flick his sleeves.
“Mother, Hong Guoguo. [9]” Cheng Qing’s chubby paw grabbed the picture in his hands and raised it high to ask Mu Xi Yao for a reward.
[9]  Little bun is a baby so he doesn’t speak well. Without meaning to, he’s saying çșąæžœæžœ hĂłngguǒ guǒ (red fruit: naked) which is a slang word used for c-netizens. It is rumored that this internet term was generated because some big forums blocked words such as “naked”, netizens encountered things that were obviously not H but were blocked, so they ridiculed it through alternative interpretations. Another example: When someone says a very fake word, or a conspiracy that can be seen at a glance, they can say: “This is a conspiracy of Hong Guoguo!” (From Baidu).
Mu Xi Yao had black lines [10] on her face. Hong Guoguo? Such non-mainstream vocabulary, when did she teach this little bun?
[10] 黑çșż hēi xiĂ n. Originating from Japanese anime characters on whose faces artists draw sweat drops and black lines as a metaphor for anxiety, depression and anger, this term was used first by anime fans and now by many Chinese netizens to mean “unhappy” and “sullen.” (Why does Xiao Lin have a black line on his face, who offended him? XiǎolĂ­n zěnme yÄ«liǎn hēixiĂ n, shuĂ­ dĂ©zuĂŹ tā le?).
Baidu says: Comic expression techniques. It is usually used to express the state of mind of a character when he is depressed or when he is hit. / Speechless, helpless. Sometimes it means surprise and helplessness.
Seeing her son’s expectant eyes, she felt it was really not good to discourage the children’s enthusiasm for learning. Mu Xi Yao had no discipline and she praised him vigorously. “Cheng Qing is so smart. When Daddy comes back, Mother will ask Daddy to hold you high and play “fly” with Cheng Qing.”
Wei Zhen heard Mistress Yao being lazy to repay the debt and using his Royal Highness again, any reward was “waiting for Daddy to come back”. This trick was very useful to coax the little master.
Mu Xi Yao caught a glimpse of Wei Zhen’s bad demonstration of rolling his eyes to the sky, and immediately retaliated.
“Wei Wei likes to eat red fruits the most, and Cheng Qing should give it to Wei Wei.”
When Cheng Qing listened to her mother’s rare issue of an assignment, he turned over and sat up, standing steadily with a pair of short legs, he looked around to find Wei Zhen, and when he caught his eyes, he excitedly rushed towards Wei Zhen with the picture.
Lord Wei stiffened his face, thanking the little master for his kindness, and his hands holding the pieces of paper were trembling slightly.
When did he like to eat this kind of girlish stuff? A grown man liking red fruit? After saying this, how could he still be sitting firmly, won’t he be laughed at by his colleagues? Was it really okay for cefei to teach the little master like this without a bottom line?
Wei Zhen was melancholy looking at Mistress Yao who was smiling brightly, and the little master in his arms also cheered, really missing the clean days around His Highness. No matter how cold the Sixth Highness was, he was much easier to serve than Mistress Yao who was too trickery!
***
Relationship Diagram  (by Sith Kazar)
â–Č Footnotes
[1] Snuff bottles were used during the Qing Dynasty to contain powdered tobacco. Smoking tobacco was illegal during the Qing Dynasty, but the use of snuff was allowed because the Chinese considered snuff to be a remedy for common illnesses such as colds, headaches and stomach disorders. // In this video, it talks about how snuff was brought to China through missionaries who sent it to the Emperor as a tribute, and how snuff was used for the high-class members of Chinese society for refreshment.
The Snuff Bottle was introduced to China during the Kangxi reign (1662–1722) and immediately caught the imagination of the Qing court. These prized bottles were made by the Imperial Workshop and given as gifts or rewards.
Snuff is powdered preparation of tobacco used by inhalation or by dipping—that is, rubbing on the teeth and gums. Manufacture involves grinding the tobacco and subjecting it to repeated fermentations. Snuffs may be scented with attar of roses, lavender, cloves, jasmine, etc. snuff.
[2] Sentence was: èź©ć„čç™œç™œæ‹Łäș†äŸżćźœ. So äŸżćźœ is ‘small gains’ and 癜癜 means ‘to no purpose; for nothing; of no avail’. It means, no action was paid and the rewards were gained in vain.
[3] In some novels we are told that princes/wangye can have as many concubines as they like (like in Tyrannical Wang’s Beloved Wife) but in this novel, apparently they can only have a certain number. So, if they fill these places, Min Min’s sister will not have room to enter the backyard.
[4] ć±±äžćźčäșŒè™Ž shān bĂčrĂłng Ăšr hǔ - (Proverb). Two strong people are incompatible and cannot coexist in the same place.
[5] ć‰æœ‰ç‹ŒćŽæœ‰è™Ž qiĂĄn yǒu lĂĄng hĂČu yǒu hǔ - From Feng Wei Min “Qingjiang Introduction: Style Provincial Enlightenment” song: “Knowing that the road to fireworks is bitter, there is no way to go and no way to come. The fierce tiger crawls his heart, and the hungry wolf digs his belly. I am now afraid of wolves and tigers.” A metaphor for being timid and fearful, having too many concerns/a dilemma/between a rack and a hard place.
[6] äž‹é©Źæ„ xiĂ  mǎlĂĄi - (idiom) pull someone down, unseat those in power.
[7] ć«‰æš jĂ­hĂšn - to hate out of jealousy / to resent.
[8] According to Kimpei Takeuchi 1991's article, Bronze mirrors have been around since prehistoric times in China and have two sides: the back where there’s a knob —which shows the Dynasty time—, and the front of the mirror which is made concave to show the entire face of the person. They’re usually round because this shape symbolizes perfection and bliss. Apparently they are not blurry at all. In the Ming dynasty, they’re replaced by glass mirrors. There’s another interesting article here about it.
[9]  Little bun is a baby so he doesn’t speak well. Without meaning to, he’s saying çșąæžœæžœ hĂłngguǒ guǒ (red fruit: naked) which is a slang word used for c-netizens. It is rumored that this internet term was generated because some big forums blocked words such as “naked”, netizens encountered things that were obviously not H but were blocked, so they ridiculed it through alternative interpretations. Another example: When someone says a very fake word, or a conspiracy that can be seen at a glance, they can say: “This is a conspiracy of Hong Guoguo!” (From Baidu).
[10] 黑çșż hēi xiĂ n. Originating from Japanese anime characters on whose faces artists draw sweat drops and black lines as a metaphor for anxiety, depression and anger, this term was used first by anime fans and now by many Chinese netizens to mean “unhappy” and “sullen.” (Why does Xiao Lin have a black line on his face, who offended him? XiǎolĂ­n zěnme yÄ«liǎn hēixiĂ n, shuĂ­ dĂ©zuĂŹ tā le?).
Baidu says: Comic expression techniques. It is usually used to express the state of mind of a character when he is depressed or when he is hit. / Speechless, helpless. Sometimes it means surprise and helplessness.