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Translation Notes

This is my first time translating anything like this, so please forgive any grammar mistakes, typos or translation errors that may occur. I have tried my best and am still learning. ^^" For those who don't know, there is more than one version to this novel. I am translating from the Taiwanese version of the book, as it is the version I own in hardcopy. Others who are working on the other chapters are using the revised version online. Besides the usage of traditional Chinese, there should not be any difference between my hardcopy and the revised version of the novel online. I've also utilized some of Hoju's translations for the beginning portion of this chapter. So thank you Hoju! You are awesome! Reading the footnotes is also highly recommended. Hoju and I have tried to explain some of the terms and historical context to our best efforts. I know some are kind of long, but I've added interesting information that I thought you all may want to know (though some may be pretty useless info as well.....XD) Hopefully you will learn more about the Qing Dynasty and some of its customs. I know I did. So enjoy!Chapter 1
It is now the height of summer, and the green color in front of me feels downcast, unlike the fresh green of early spring that signified that the good days were just beginning and made everything feel bright and cheerful. It could be because I know the season's splendour has already reached its peak and what lies ahead is only a steady deterioration.
This feeling of melancholy is the same as how I feel now. It's already the tenth day since I've been here in ancient times, but I still feel as if it is all just a dream. I feel like I am only waiting to awake up in modern times and am not really in the forty-third year of Kangxi's reign1. I'm still that twenty five year old, single, white collar professional, Zhang Xiao and not this thirteen year old Manchurian girl, Maertai Ruoxi. Ten days ago, after I got off work, I did not pay attention to the traffic as I crossed the road. By the time I heard the crowd's screams, it was too late. I felt myself flying towards the sky, yet I could see the physical half of my body still dangling from the truck. In the midst of terror and intense pain, I lost consciousness, and when I awoke again, I was already on the bed of this body's previous owner.
According to the servant girls, I had fallen down the stairs to the loft and was unconscious for a full day and night. As for this "condition" where I lost all my memories upon awakening, the doctor said this was due to excessive shock and with careful nurturing I would slowly recover.
After walking only a short while, sweat can already be seen on my forehead. Next to me, jie-jie's2maidservant, Qiaohui, whom jie-jie had brought with her from home when she married, urges me, "Second Miss, let's go back. Even though it is past noon, the heat from the ground at this time is the most harmful. Your body still hasn't fully recovered yet."
I answer her acquiescently, "Alright. Jie-jie should be done reciting her Buddhist scriptures by now anyway."
My name is now Maertai Ruoxi and this older sister I acquired is Maertai Ruolan, the second wife3 of a rather well-known figure in Qing history: Prince Lian4, also known as the Eighth-prince5, Yunsi. Currently however, the Eighth-prince still has not been bestowed the title of 'Prince' and is only a 'Duo'luo'bei'le'6. Furthermore, he has not yet forced to change his name to avoid taboo against Emperor Yongzheng's name, so he should still be called Yinsi7.
If one puts it nicely, jie-jie's nature can be said to be gentle and virtuous, and if put not so nicely, she is weak and unwillingly to strive for anything. In an entire day, she spends at least half of it doing nothing but recite Buddhist scriptures. I suspect she is not very favoured. At least, in the ten days that I have been here, I have never heard of the Eighth-prince coming to see her. However, based on these ten days, I can also tell she is very caring towards her younger sister. From food and drink to clothing, nothing is too big or small for her to think about, for fear that I would be uncomfortable. I sigh silently. If I am unable to go back, then in this place and age, she is the only person I can depend on, but as I think about Eighth-prince's fate in the future, I feel that this support is not that reliable. However, that is still many years in the future, and I cannot worry about it for now.
Sure enough, when I return to the house, jie-jie is already there and is sitting by the table eating some refreshments. As she sees me entering the house, she says in a light scolding tone, "You didn't even think about the heat beating down on your head."
I walk forward and sit down beside her. With a smile, I answer, "I'm not that delicate. Besides, after going out for a little stroll, my body actually feels less heavy than it did a few days ago."
Examining me carefully, she says, "Your complexion does look a little better. But right now, the heat is the deadliest. Don't go outside again at this hour."
I answer her offhandedly, "I understand."
Dongyun comes in carrying a washbowl and while half-kneeling, she waits upon me as I wash my hands. I laugh secretly and think to myself, "Understanding is one thing but whether I actually follow it will be left up to next time." Qiaohui brings a towel over and helps me dry my hands. She then picks some amber-coloured ointment for me to apply over them. Its smell is fragrant and sweet, but I do not know what it is made out of. After cleaning my hands, as I am preparing to decide which of the sweets to eat, a strange feeling comes over me. I look up, seeing jie-jie has been watching me, my heart suddenly skips a beat. As I return her gaze with a questioning look, she suddenly broke into a mild laughter, "You were always so lively and naughty that you never listened to father's words. Now that you took a fall, it actually changed you for the better. You are actually much calmer and well-mannered now."
Feeling relief, I look down at the sweets again, asking smilingly, "Does jie-jie wishes me to continue to be a troublemaker?"
Jie-jie picks up a piece of my favourite dessert, the hibiscus cake, and passes it to me, "There's only half a year left until the preparative concubine selection event8. It is for the better that you are becoming more mannerly and proper. How can you afford to keep staying wild and mischievous?"
Suddenly, I choke on the piece of the hibiscus cake in my mouth. I cough loudly as jie-jie quickly passes some water to me. While Qiaohui busily pats my back, Dongyun hurries to get a handkerchief. Seeing me recover only after gulping down a couple mouthfuls of water, jie-jie laughs, "Just as I was saying you were becoming more proper, you do this. No need to wolf down your food. There's no one here to steal your cake away!"
I wipe my lips thinking to myself, what am I going to do? Tell her that "I am not your younger sister Ruoxi"? No, definitely not! A thousand thoughts run through my mind, but I can't come up with a single good plan. I can only console myself; there is still half a year's time left, isn't there?
I pretend as if nothing has happened and asks her, "Last time, I heard jie-jie say that father is stationed in the Northwest, and I had only arrived here three months ago. Was it because of the preparative concubine selection event that father has sent me here?"
"Yes! Father said mother had passed away early, and you don't listen to a word second-mother9 says. The stricter they are with you, the more unruly you get. Thinking that you at least still listen to me somewhat, they decided to sent you here early so I can teach you some proper etiquette."_________________________________________

In these past few days, from the moment I finish breakfast, I would immediately go out for a stroll. After dinner, I would go for a stroll again. This is the only plan I had come up with to work out my body. Though it is a simple plan, it seems to be working quite well. Unlike the first few days after gaining consciousness, when I had felt feeble and weak, more and more do I feel that this body is like my own.
I have also managed to induce Qiaohui to show me the loft where the real Ruoxi fell from. As I was standing there, several times I had the urge to jump, hoping in a blink's time I would return to the present. Nevertheless, I did not, for I was more afraid that not only will I not return to modern times, but gain a permanent disability instead. Besides, deep in my heart, I had secretly understood that the probability of the latter happening is much higher. The horrific scene I had seen after losing consciousness from the car accident was not an illusion. As for how or why my spirit came to into this ancient person's body, I have no idea. Since I'm already here, I can only make the most of it.
Qiaohui is accompanying me as we take a stroll in a large circle. By the end of our stroll, both of us are slightly tired. Behind the rockery, there happens to be a fairly flat rock. Qiaohui lays down a\handkerchief on it for me to sit on and I drag her to sit beside me. The sun has just set, so the rock is still warm. A breeze passes over my face, bringing a slight cooling sensation. It feels very pleasant. I tilt my head slightly to view the sky above me. The sky is darkening and though it still retains its crystal clarity, its blue colour is starting to turn black. The clearness of the sky gives the impression that it is much closer to the ground than it actually is; as if I only need to stretch out my hand to be able to touch it. This is definitely a sky of an earlier time because in modern Beijing, the only time I had seen a sky similar to this was when I had stood on top of Lingshan Mountain10. Conjuring up memories of my parents, I feel a painful sadness in my heart. I am not saddened by my own death, but it pains me to know that my parents have to endure the agony of having to mourn the death of their child. It is fortunate that I have a brother. He has always been the pillar in my parent's life andknowing he is still around with them, I am slightly comforted.
Just as I am wallowing in my own sorrow, I hear Qiaohui say, "Second Miss, you have definitely changed."
Due to often hearing the same words from jie-jie in these past few days, my inclination to become uncomfortable after hearing them has given away to indifference. I continue to gaze towards the sky asking, "How have I changed?"
"There's no way you could have stayed so calm and quiet before. In the past, you have always liked to talk nonstop and would have never been able to stay still in one place. Old Master had always said you were like an unbridled wild mare. Before your fall, you'd always urge Mistress to recite the Buddhist scriptures less, and wear brighter coloured clothes. We were so pleased that there was finally someone here to talk some sense into her, but now you don't even mention any of it anymore."
I glance sideways towards Qiaohui, but she quickly avoids my gaze as her eyes meet mine.
Thinking for a moment, I say to her, "Jie-jie is in a good state right now."
With her head cast downwards, Qiaohui replies with a quivering voice, "A good state? It's already been five years. Others who had come after her all have children now."
I don't know how to explain it to her. To tell her that Eighth-prince's future fate is a tragic one? That the more emotionally attached one becomes now, the more pain one would have to suffer in the future? I draw in a breath replying, "Distancing herself from such things may actually be a good thing for her. Jie-jie is currently mentally at peace and content, I don't see why that's a bad thing."
Qiaohui looks up at me, trying to discern if I am speaking from the heart. Finally, she looks to one side and says, "But those people in the household –"
I cut her off, "Just look up towards the sky and take in its beauty. You will forget all about those unhappy thoughts."
Thrown off by my words, she hesitantly looks up at the sky and then at me, wanting to say something. Seeing that I am still staring up at the sky, unmoving, she eventually swallows her words and joins me.
A sudden laughter broke the silence, and from the side of the rockery emerges two figures. The shorter and chubbier one in front laughs to the other behind him, "This little girl is interesting. Only a thirteen, fourteen year old girl and already she displays a maturity that does not match her age. She speaks as if she has already experienced much in life and is worldly wise!"
Seeing them, Qiaohui immediately stands and curtsies to them, "Ninth-prince, Tenth-prince ji'xiang11!"
Since I have been here, I have not yet seen any outsiders. Therefore, I found myself standing there dumbfounded. It is only after seeing Qiaohui's ceremonial greeting that I finally managed to react, remembering that in this time period, hierarchy still exists and propriety matters. Luckily, I have previously watched many ancient historical dramas and hurriedly mimic Qiaohui's example. As a result of his words, my heart pounds like a drum. I keep forgetting that my age now is thirteen and not twenty-five.
Looking at me up and down with one hand on his chin, the smiling teenaged boy in front did not answer our greeting. Observing quietly, I decide that this one ought to be the Tenth-prince and the one on the side of his rear, the one with a particularly straight physique, must be the Ninth-prince.
Flatly, Ninth-prince says to us, "rise."
Both Qiaohui and I rose. On one hand I keep thinking to myself: of all of Kangxi's famous sons, the first ones I meet are surprisingly not the "Virtuous Prince" Eighth, but instead, the legendary venomous snake Ninth and blockhead Tenth. On the other hand, I keep going back to what I had said to Qiaohui, trying to figure out if I had said anything inappropriate. Eventually, I conclude that it did not seem like I had said anything that was disrespectful, so letting them overhear my words should not be a concern.
Laughing, Tenth-prince asks, "You are from the Maertai Family?"
'Yes!" I reply.
Just as he was about to say more, Ninth-prince prompts, "Let's go, Eighth brother is still waiting!"
Smacking his head, Tenth-prince hurryingly strides past us, exclaiming, "You're right, I was so busy watching the fun that I had forgotten about why we're here. Let's go go go!"After they passed us by, I finally lift up my head to look at their backs. Recalling the manner the Tenth-prince had just conducted himself, I sigh secretly. The history books have not been lying, he is a bit of an oaf. Unable to contain myself, I begin to giggle at the thought. Just as my grin spreads across my face, it is unexpectedly greeted by Tenth-prince's turning head. With my laugh suddenly frozen in place, my anxiety rises. I don't know what kind of punishment is given to someone who laughs at a prince. To my surprise, he makes a funny face at me instead, prompting me to burst into a fit of laughter. Giving me a final grin, he turns away and begins to chase after the Ninth-prince.
As we return to the house, Qiaohui does not say a word. I am uncertain if she is a bit shaken by what has just transpired, or is unhappy with my behaviour. I remain silent as well, still surreptitiously discerning what just happened. If my pitiful historical knowledge is to be trusted, then the Tenth prince is sure to have an honest and forthright personality. He will not hold anything back and tell the Eighth-prince about what just happened. As to how the Eighth-prince will react, I have absolutely no idea. If one is to take his title as the "Virtuous Prince" as an actuality, then he most likely would not be a narrow-minded person. However, just to be safe, I should still inform jie-jie about what has occurred. Just as I finish making up my mind, I noticed we have almost arrived at the house. Slowing my steps, I tell Qiaohui, "Of course I will always wish the best for jie-jie. Don't you worry!" Not waiting for her reaction, I hurry into the house.
Jie-jie is lying sideways in bed, while a young servant girl is kneeling on the floor massaging her legs. Signalling the servants to stay silent, I sit down on a chair right across from jie-jie. Jie-jie can definitely be called a beauty: with her sharp chin, and a face one cannot help but love to cherish. Her skin is also especially lovely, so white and smooth. Under the light her skin looks even more luminous and translucent, like an exquisite jade. If she exists in modern times, her suitors would unquestionably be numerous enough to form a company12, if not an entire army. Jie-jie opens her eyes. Seeing me watching her, she lets the servant girl help her up. After leaning comfortably on the cushions, she smiles, "You are really much calmer now, to not even say a word when you return. Just what is so mesmerizing about my face?"
I smile back, saying "If Jie-jie is not mesmerizing, then there must not be many attractive people left in this world."
One of the maids brings some water to jie-jie. I watch her take a few sips, before handing the cup back to the maid. Afterwards, she half closes her eyes again.
I casually tell her, "Just earlier, I met the Ninth-prince and the Tenth-prince in the gardens."
Jie-jie waits for me to continue, and noticing that I do not, she opens her eyes. Taking a quick glance at me, she instructs the maids around the room, "All of you, go prepare a bath for the young miss.13"
As all of the maidservants leave the room, I stand up to sit next to her and begin to repeat all that has happened earlier. Jie-jie does not speak after hearing me out. Instead, she only stares blankly at a glass screen, decorated with majestic steeds running on a plain, which stands on one end of the room. After a long while, she sighs, "Mei-mei14, you really have grown! You are no longer like a thirteen year old girl, but more like one who took a fall and suddenly matured ten years." I thought to myself, "it is truth. Ruoxi has taken a fall and 'matured'."
At that moment, a maid comes in reporting, "The hot water and bath is ready now." Jie-jie gives me a nudge, "You can now go to take a bath."
I keep looking at her, not budging from the spot.
She looks at me as well, her eyes somewhat sad and pitiful. She says to me, "You have grown. You know how to be considerate to your jie-jie now and I am very happy about this. But while you are here with me, I want you to live your days without too much worries. As long as you don't do anything that is too out of bounds, no matter how much you want to laugh and be playful, it's up to you." She straightens the stray hairs by my ears then gently continues, "in the future.......in the future... when you are in the Palace, even if you want to......you won't be able to anymore."
Faintly understanding the meaning behind her words, my mood dampens instantly. I softly reply her with an "ok", and then follow the maids for the bath._______________________________________
After that day, even though I kept thinking that I didn't say anything that over bounds my station; I was still concerned. However, after seeing that three days have passed and nothing has happened, my heart was gradually calmed. Nevertheless, I keep warning myself that I must be more cautious in the future. Jie-jie is not well favoured and I must not add more trouble for her.
After my afternoon nap, I go to give jie-jie the customary greeting. Noticing all the maidservants around her looking gleeful, and jie-jie looking apathetic, I cannot help but ask, "What is going on?"
Jie-jie does not respond, but only gives me a faint smile which disappears even before it fully materializes. Qiaohui happily answers, "Master's servant has just come to deliver a message. He says Master is coming over for dinner tonight." Not knowing what to say at that moment, I could only just silently sit there. After perceiving my silence and probably assuming that I am nervous, she smiles at me, "It is nothing too important to worry about." She then turns to Dongyun instructing her, "Go and make sure the young miss is dressed up properly. Although it is only a casual dinner tonight, this is the first time she is meeting the Master. We cannot afford to have her looking improper for the occasion."
I did not know anything about ancient hair styling, make up or clothing, so I let the servant girls attend to me and do all the work. I only have to be an obedient wooden puppet. Internally, however, my mind was not still for a single moment. Reflecting that in all of the Qing dynasty dramas I have watched, this Eighth Prince has always been Yongzheng's archrival. A person, whom Yongzheng views as a formidable opponent and hates so much that he cannot even rest or eat in peace, is most certainly no ordinary individual. Secretly, I am actually looking forward to tonight's meeting. It is as if I am finally going to meet a beloved idol face to face, and at a private meeting no less.
After all the dressing up has ceased, I finally realise how much women in ancient times had to suffer. From head to toe, there is nowhere on me that is not tightly bound to the skin by clothing. I am pretty much wrapped up like a rice dumpling. Regrettably, it also happens to be the middle of summer, making it extremely uncomfortable. I keep fidgeting in my chair, but the Eighth-prince refuses to show up, even when the appointed dinner time has already passed. The enthusiasm I had in the beginning begins to wane, and I become increasingly restless. I get up to snatch a fan from a maidservant's hands, and begin to fan myself furiously. Jie-jie furrows her brows, "It isn't that hot is it?"
As I am fanning myself, I assert, "If he still doesn't come, I am going to back to change my clothes. This is really tormenting!" Barely finishing, I see the curtain lift upwards and three figures enter in a single file. The man in front is twenty-two to twenty-three years old, with a thin and tall build. He is wearing moon-white15 robes with an emerald coloured belt tied around his waist and a jade ornament of the same colour hanging from it. His face is like carved jade and his eyes as bright asthe stars. I compliment him secretly: This Eighth-prince is a bit effeminate, but is undeniably a handsome man.
Seeing me, he looks to be partially stunned, exhibiting a faint astonishment in his eyes. However, his expression instantly returns to normal. Holding a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, he moves his gaze towards my sister. At this moment, all the servants in the room are half bent, curtsying. It is only then when I realise this that I manage to respond. Following their example, I also quickly bend down to curtsy. Ai, it seems to me I have not yet gotten used to all this bowing and curtsying business.
He smile, and lifts jie-jie up, and says, "You may all rise!" He then tells jie-jie, "We were delayed by some things. I still have matters to discuss with Ninth brother and Tenth brother later, so we decided to come together. Because it was a last minute decision, we did not have time to notify you."
Jie-jie smiles back, "Not to worry, it's not a matter of too much inconvenience."
After Eighth-prince, Ninth-prince and Tenth-prince all settles down, the maids begin to attend to their face and hand washing. Jie-jie leaves to instruct the eunuchs outside to send food over. I stay standing, thinking, "Oh Jie-jie, how can you forget about me?" Ninth-prince remains expressionless as before and Tenth-prince still retains his ruffian demeanour. Ever since he came in, he would every now and then take a glance at me. Eighth-prince is still smiling out of the corner of his mouth, though looking a bit tired, as he has his eyes half closed, resting.
When Jie-jie returns, she informs us, "We may begin dinner now." Opening his eyes, Eighth-prince nods. He looks at me and smiles, "this must be Ruoxi right? I heard you were unwell in these past several days. Are you feeling a little better now?"
"I have pretty much fully recovered," I reply.
Eighth-prince then says smilingly, "Your body has just recovered; you should stop standing. Sit down."
I take a glance at jie-jie, seeing that she has no response, I sit down.
During dinner, Eighth-prince would from time to time laughingly say a few words to jie-jie, while Ninth-prince would eat in silence. Perhaps it is because we were sitting diagonally across from each other, the Tenth-prince would, while eating, smile at me at the same time. He looks like he has quite the appetite. As it is, I barely have any desire to eat due to the hot weather, but with his constant staring, it made it harder for me to swallow anything. I wonder to myself, if I was like a "lovely appetizer" to him.
Surreptitiously looking around, and noticing that no one was paying attention, I immediately glower right back at him. Happily eating and watching at me at the same time, he is caught off guard by my sudden glare. Flabbergasted, he even forgot to take out his chopsticks from his mouth and they lay dangling there. I stare at him for a few seconds, finding his dumb expression amusing; I giggle lightly then look down to eat my rice. As I look down, I inadvertently discover jie-jie, Eighth prince and Ninth-prince are all watching me. My heart skips a beat. Not daring to look up, I quickly eat two mouthfuls of rice only to choke on them. Stooping over while holding on to the edge of thetable, I cough with my head lowered, as I wave to jie-jie to tell her I'm alright. Tenth-prince is laughing loudly but I didn't dare to look up at him. Rinsing my mouth as if nothing has happened, I continue on with dinner, although I can feel my cheeks burning furiously.
Finally managing to sit through the dinner, Eighth-prince stayed for a bit before leaving with Ninthprince and Tenth-prince. An old maidservant asks by the door, "Should we leave the door unlocked for Master's return?"
Eighth-prince coolly replies, "There's no need."
When they left, I immediately jumped up happily, shouting at Qiaohui to quickly assist me in changing my clothes. Jie-jie smiles while helping to fan me. "Why are you so afraid of the heat? We are all fine with it."
I laugh loudly and do not say a word. I think to myself, "Of course you are all fine, all of you are used to being all wrapped up like rice dumplings from a young age, but I've been used to spending the summer wearing slip dresses."
Since Eighth and the others have left, jie-jie and I have been quite cheerful, but this cheery mood obviously did not extend to the maidservants. I pondered for a moment before understanding why.
However, seeing that jie-jie didn't seem to care, I did not give it any further thought.

Footnotes1. 1704 AD.
2. elder sister
3 Orig. 侧福晋'ce fujin'. 'Fujin' is the Manchurian word for wife or madam. 'Ce' means 'side.' 'Ce fujin' is 'the wife whodwells in the side room'. In comparison to regular concubines, being a 'Ce fujin' is still a highly regarded position in the household as both 嫡福晋 'di fujin' (First wife) and 'ce fujin' are officialised by the Ministry of Rites, and their names are added to the royal book. You also can have more than one 'ce fujin'.
4 Original word used: 亲王'Qin Wang.' The 'Prince' (Qin Wang) here is not the same as being called a prince by birthright, but rather, it could be translated as "Prince of the first rank" or "Prince of the blood." It is a peerage title granted to maledescendants in the royal family, and is the highest rank in the Qing peerage system. The first 4 ranks are usually given solely to direct male descendants of the Emperor, though exceptions are found. There are a total of 12 ranks for the imperial line. Because it's an official title, I will be using Prince here with an upper case P.
5 Original word used: 阿哥'A'Ge'. In the Qing royal family, a young prince who has not yet been bestowed any title is known as A'Ge. Most of the time, the princes are not referred to by their actual first name (not even by the Emperor himself) but rather, their number then the word A'Ge. So as the 8th son, Yinsi is known as the Eighth A'Ge. I will continue to use the word prince (with a lower case p) here rather than A'Ge for easier reading.
6 多罗贝勒 'duo'luo'bei'le', often shortened to 'Bei'le', is a peerage title that can be bestowed to those within the royalfamily. It is the third rank in the Qing peerage system for the imperial line.
7 All of Kangxi's sons had the word 'Yin' in it. Yongzheng's brothers all had to change this word to 'Yun' in their names to avoid taboo when Yongzheng became Emperor.
8 Orig. 选秀女 'xuan xiu nu', literally means to choose ('xuan') an elegant female (xiu nu). Xiu Nu is basically a title given to preparative concubines to the Emperor. An event to choose these future concubines is held every 3 years. All Manchurians under the banner system have to send their unmarried daughters to this event when they are of age. Girls who are not chosen are usually arranged to marry men in the Imperial family, notable noblemen or sons of high ranking officials.
9 Refers to their father's second concubine.
10 Lingshan is the highest mountain in Beijing.
11吉祥 'ji'xiang' is a standard greeting one of lower status uses to greet people with higher status in court. The word literally mean auspicious and can be translated as, 'I wish good fortunes, prosperity and happiness to you".
12 Not company as in business company but company as in a unit of an army. A company usually is comprised of 3-5 platoons of men.
13 Orig. word: "Ge-Ge" (格). A Manchurian word for young mistress, or lady. It is a title you would call an unmarried noblewoman (or before they are bestowed an official title by the Emperor) above a certain rank. It does not mean princess like it is often used in Chinese dramas and novels. Before they are given titles, daughters of the Emperors are referred to as "gong zhu" (公主), as the Manchurians have adopted certain Ming customs after they established control over China. Therefore, as a noblewoman, Ruoxi is considered a "Ge'Ge".
14 Younger sister
15 Orig. 月白色'yue bai se', literally moon white colour. The colour "moon white" is not what people usually assume as avery bright, and pure white color. The ancient Chinese actually viewed the moon as being white with a blue tint. Thus 'yue bai se' is really a colour that is a very pale blue.ead online under the cut.

Characters Introduced So Far(In Alphabetical Order)Dong Yun: One of Ruolan's maids.Eighth-prince (Aisin-Gioro Yinsi): The eighth son of Emperor Kangxi. Also known as the Eighth Bei'le. Ruolan is his Ce'fujin (Second Wife). Is often seen smiling out of the corners of his mouth as well as conducting himself with a calm and gentle disposition.Kangxi: Current Emperor of China.Ninth-prince (Aisin-Gioro Yintang): The ninth son of Emperor Kangxi. Currently not given a peerage title. Seems to have a more taciturn personality. Nicknamed "the venomous snake" by Ruoxi.Qiao Hui: One of Ruolan's maids. Qiao Hui used to serve Ruolan even before Ruolan's marriage. When Ruolan married, Qiaohui accompanied Ruolan to Eighth-prince's household. Seems to be concerned for her mistress especially regarding Ruolan and Eighth's relationship.Ruolan, Maertai: Ruoxi's older sister. The two are especially close as they are born from the same mother. She is also the Ce'fujin (Second Wife) of the Eighth-prince. Mild and gentle in nature, Ruolan likes to spend a better part of her days reciting Buddhist scriptures.Ruoxi, Maertai (Zhang Xiao): Protagonist of the story. Originally a modern day, white collar professional named Zheng Xiao. Under certain unexplainable, supernatural occurrence, Zhang Xiao's spirit travelled through time upon her death and took over a young Manchurian girl's body. Now stuck in ancient times, Ruoxi must navigate through an entirely foreign environment armed only with the little historical knowledge she remembers.Tenth-prince (Aisin-Gioro Yin'e): The tenth son of Emperor Kangxi. Currently not given a peerage title. A bit of a simpleton. Likes to tease and bicker with Ruoxi. Nicknamed "the blockhead" by Ruoxi.
Glossary of Terms(In Alphabetical Order)Bei'le: Shortened from Duo'luo Bei'le. A peerage title that can be bestowed to those within the royal family. It is the third rank in the Qing peerage system for the imperial line.Ce'fujin: A title. Meaning second wife or 'side' wife in Manchurian.Di'fujin: A title. Meaning first wife or main wife in Manchurian.Ge'ge: A Manchurian word for young mistress, or lady. It is a title you would call an unmarried noblewoman (or before they are bestowed an official title by the Emperor) above a certain rank.Jie-jie: Older sister in Chinese.
Chapter 2 (Part 7)I thought I would have needed to bribe or threaten her; perhaps even set up a feast at Hong Gate to coax the truth out. I didn't think I would only have to insinuate a few meaningful words before Qiaohui came forward with everything. Although she insisted it was because she saw that my personality was no longer rash and wild as before and telling me should not cause problems; I can tell that her true purpose in telling me was so I could help persuade jie-jie from staying as she is."Before she married, Mistress was very close to a soldier under Old Master's command. This person taught Mistress all of her riding skills. Although he was Han, his horseback riding skill was exceptional and his skills were well known within the army. But afterwards, Mistress married the Eighth Bei'le. At first, even though Mistress didn't smile very often, the marriage was quite normal.She even got pregnant after three months. No one expected that shortly afterwards, news would come from back north to tell of the soldier's death. Mistress fainted when she heard the news. She held on for a few days but soon succumbed to sickness and lost the child. Mistress finally recovered but her body remained frail. From then on, she would recite Buddhist scriptures daily and began to treat everyone around her with indifference. Although Di'fujin came into the household two years after Mistress, she is now with a child, and yet Mistress is still....."I angrily ask Qiaohui, "Didn't jie-jie try to reason with father?"Qiaohui smiled forcefully, answering, "Of course she did. Mistress kneeled outside Old Master's study for three days and three nights, but Old Master had told her to not even dream about it. She had already been promised to the Eighth-prince and if she continued to go on about these wishful nonsenses then the entire family wouldn't have to live anymore.""Does the Eighth Bei'le know about any of this?" I ask her.Qiaohui says confidently, "He doesn't! Old Master dealt with the situation very secretly. Only Old Master, Mistress and I know of this."I however, remembered the Eighth-prince's expression when he first found out that I didn't know how to ride a horse. Somehow, I am afraid that father and Qiaohui have been wrong about the Eighth-prince's ignorance of the situation.That night went by quickly. In my dreams, I dreamt about the rolling plains, the western wind and horses, wild and unrestrained. By the time I got up in the morning, jie-jie was already at the prayer hall reciting her scriptures. As I looked at the small prayer hall and thought about the vast and wide world in my dream, I fell into a bout of melancholy. Randomly picking up a Song Dynasty poetry book, I head towards the gardens for a stroll.A pavilion sits on top of a small, compact hill, with three sides facing a forest of green bamboo. On the remaining side the pavilion is attached to a long walkway that meanders down the hill. I follow the walkway and enter the pavilion. With my back towards the walkway, I sit facing the bamboo. With one hand propping my head up, and the other one holding the poetry book, I flip to a random page and begin reciting —Returning to Chang Gate, ten thousand things are differentCame together, why not return together?The Chinese parasol tree after frost, half deadWhite headed mandarin duck loses its pair, flies in solitudeGrass on the plains, dew begins to dryOld house, new grave, I wonder in between.....Before I could finish the poem, I found that I was already completely lost in thought since the words of the poem reminded me of jie-jie's situation.Suddenly, the book in my hands was snatched from me. A happy voice cried out, "What are you looking at? What's so engrossing that you didn't even notice someone's here?"In shock, I jump out of my stone seat to see the Tenth-prince looking at me. Thinking he had just succeeded in starling me, he looks very pleased with himself. But when he notices that I had held some tears in my eyes, looking glum and somewhat alarmed, his cheerful grin became awkwardly frozen in place. The Ninth-prince and another handsome teenager of about fourteen to fifteen years of age were standing beside the Tenth Prince. Both of them also appeared to look surprised as well.I curtsy to them while re-adjusting my facial expression. By the time I had lifted my head up, my face had returned to its normal state. The Tenth-prince is still standing there looking dumbfounded. The Ninth-prince however, has already recollected his stunned expression and says to me, "This is the Fourteenth-prince."The Fourteenth-prince! The only general among all of Kangxi's many sons. A figure I've wanted to meet for a long time. It is unfortunate that I am meeting him for the first time under such an awkward circumstance and am unable to be completely excited about it. I could only quietly give him another ceremonial greeting.Everyone remained silent for a while. Seeing that the Tenth-prince has slightly returned to his usual self, I ask, "Why is the Tenth-prince here?""We were on our way to see Eighth brother but we happened to see you sitting here from a distance.We thought to come over here to see what you are doing." He stopped for a moment, and takes a quick look at me before continuing, "Did someone upset you?"I smile lightly, "My sister is the Ce'fujin of this household. Who dares to upset me?"He takes the rolled up book in his hands and taps the stone table a few times. Just when he is about to say something the Ninth-prince injects, "Let's go. Eighth brother is probably waiting anxiously for us".The Tenth-prince takes a long glance at me before putting down the book on the table and sullenly walks past me. The Ninth-prince turns and follows him down the long walkway. The Fourteenth-prince however grins happily at me, walks to the table and takes a quick glance at the book sitting on top. Rather abruptly he asks, "How old are you?"Puzzled, I reply, "I'm thirteen."He smiles and gives me a nod before also turning around to leave.I wait for a while until they have gone a fair distance before picking up the book on the table and heading back towards the house.Although I feel saddened in my heart, I still have to take things one day at a time.The last few days have been hectic and stressful for jie-jie. The Eighth Bei'le had told her not to be too nervous about it, but there are after all at least a dozen princes coming, including the Crown Prince. How can anyone not get anxious? Not being able to really help her out, I was actually quite free. Feeling vexed, I didn't feel like going anywhere and instead wanted to spend my days holing up in the house thinking about random nonsense. I would first sigh about jie-jie, and then contemplate about my own situation. What kind of road awaits me when I go to the Preparative Concubine Event? Even though I know the direction of history, my own life is controlled in someone else's hands. I had no control over my own destiny at all.Dongyun brings in a bowl of snow fungus soup, smiling. "When you were sick you'd try to get out of the house all the time. No one could stop or dissuade you. And now that you are all better, you stay in bed all day."I pick up the soup to drink while getting up and sit by the table. Wasn't there a saying that says to drown your sorrow in food?Dongyun watches me drink the soup while continuing, "Tomorrow night is the Tenth-prince's birthday. Did the young miss prepare a present?"I stop suddenly. How could I have forgotten to prepare one? I began to ponder hard, "What should I give him?"I thought on this for better part of the day but couldn't come up with any good ideas. Perceiving that I was distressed over the matter, jie-jie chuckles at me. "I've already helped prepared a gift for you.""How could that count?" I thought to myself. The Tenth-prince is the first friend I have made here. No matter how precious those gold and jewelries jie-jie has prepared are, it wouldn't have really come from me.However, distressed or not, it's a good thing I have something to worry about. At least I am no longer that vexed anymore. In fact, I am beginning to look forward to tomorrow's banquet. Thinking about all the famous historical figures that will be gathering in one place makes it sound just like an all-star line up!
鸿门宴 (hong men yan) – Literally means The Hong Gate Banquet/Feast. It is a very famous historical incident that is now widely used as the idiom, "The Feast at Hong Gate". The story originates from around 206 BC during the fall of the Qin Dynasty. A simplified version of the story goes: Two rivals, Liu Bang (future creator of the Han Dynasty) and Xiang Yu were both attacking the Qin army separately. Although Liu's army was only approx. 1/3 of Xiang's army, Liu was the first to enter the Qin capital. Xiang had felt that glory should have been his and Liu had stolen it away from him. Also hearing a rumor that Liu is planning to declare himself King, Xiang intended to destroy Liu with his mightier army. Knowing it was a battle he would most likely lose, Liu persuaded Xiang's uncle to help persuade Xiang not to attack. Instead, Xiang decided he would host a banquet at Hong Gate in which Liu decided to go to in order to pay his respects to Xiang. However, the banquet was hiding a murderous intent. Xiang's advisor, Fan Zeng, who had perceived Liu as a future threat wanted Xiang to kill Liu during the feast. Therefore, the idiom now refers to a situation where behind an outwardly cheerful and nice façade lies a hidden trap or a devious intent. It can also describe a person's actions being a veiled attack on another. Han meaning Han Chinese. There were still racial and ethnic divides, even though the Manchus, who ruled over China during this time, adopted heavily from Chinese culture after they took the throne. The Han Chinese was usually seen as less able when it comes to horseback riding. Royal marriages were usually matched or approved by the Emperor himself. To defy them can mean death to the family. First of all, let me apologize for my pitiful attempt in translating the poem. >.< Sadly I didn't even manage to capture 1/100th of its original beauty. =X Poetry is really not my forte.The lines are from the Song Dynasty poem, 半死桐 (Ban Si Tong) written by the poet He Zhu. The poem is a very touching poem in which the poet tries to convey his sadness and nostalgia for his deceased wife. The first line talks about his return to the city of Suzhou (Chang Gate is the name of western gate of the city) and how everything feels different and wrong now that his wife is gone. He then laments about how during the last time they were here, they came to the city together, but now they can no longer return as a pair again. The third line describes the appearance of the autumn frost and how pitiful and sad a Chinese parasol tree looks like covered with it on its withered leaves and bare branches. The poet is likening himself to a Chinese parasol tree in such a state; looking and feeling as if he is half dead. In the fourth line, He Zhu is saying he is like a mandarin duck which has lost its mate and can only wonder in solitude. (In Chinese culture, mandarin ducks are a symbol of marital affection and devotion. This is because the Chinese believes that they form a couple for life. This is somewhat true; as this species of duck is one where the males would reunite with the female they mated with; even after the eggs have hatched.) The white head is telling readers that the poet is already past 50 and old, thereby further emphasizing his desolate situation. The fifth line is alluding to his wife's recent death – thus "the dew that has only begun to dry". It also invokes an image of a grave, as wild grasses with drying dew are what you would usually see on a grave mound. The last line talks about how he wanders between their old residence and her new grave. He is unable to abandon one for the other and thus lingers between both.

Like Ruoxi, I think the poem is very fitting to describe Ruolan's situation. Like the poet, she is also unable to let go of her lover who has passed away.
Chapter 3 (Parts 1-2)The next day, I got up very early and instructed Dongyun to dress me up beautifully. It wasn't because I was trying to compete with the other girls for attention, but rather I thought it would be fun.Clothing, jewelries and other accessories; I looked at them all one by one and rejected them one after another until the bed, the table and even the floor was covered with them. Dongyun and I had toiled from early in the morning until the afternoon before my "full body beautifying project" has finally been completed. Dongyun kept blinking at me, looking as if she is about to go crazy. The make-up tools here, compared to my huge bag of make-up tools back home, are quite simple in comparison. With Dongyun's skillful hands and my relentless and hard efforts to explain to her the look I was going for, I finally manage to get the result I wanted with the tools available. After some serious efforts the result is surprisingly good. The fact that this Maertai Ruoxi is not bad looking to begin with helps too.When Qiaohui saw me, she stared blankly for a while before sighing, "Second Miss has really transformed into a lady."With a gentle and implicit grace, I bashfully bow my head and gave her a shy smile. Qiaohui cries, "My gosh! Young Mistress, is it really you?"I lift my head up again, and winked at her a few times, grinning. "What do you think?"Qiaohui laughs, "Now you are!"As the sun slowly sinks in the West, the eunuch that jie-jie sent to retrieve us arrives, right as I finished preparing everything. With the eunuch leading the way, and two maidservants accompanying me, I walk all along the way with a soft and beautiful gait.It is already the beginning of autumn so although the mornings are still a bit on the hot side, the evenings are mild and comfortable. Jie-jie had picked an open space right next to the lake to hold the banquet and a stage has been set up right on top of the water. Several shrubs of sweet-osmanthus bloomed by the lake. Every time when a gentle breeze blew from the direction of the lake, a faintly discernible fragrance would float in the air.When I arrive, I see jie-jie sitting on the upper gallery of a building next to the lake. She seems to be looking over the show itinerary. Upon seeing me, she also looked amazed. She did not say a word, but only looked at me up and down before finally giving a smilingly sigh. "You are more beautiful than the people in paintings!"I smile at her. "Now is jie-jie actually complimenting me, or complimenting yourself? After all we are about sixty percent alike in looks!"Jie-jie laughingly scolds, "Now you are just being loquacious.""Have they arrived yet?" I inquire."A servant has already informed me that Bei'le, the Ninth-prince and company will be coming together. They should be arriving soon." She had scarcely finished her words before we saw a group of people walking towards us. Jie-jie quickly stands up, walking out of the warm room to wait for them. I also follow her out of the room, stopping to stand right behind her. Jie-jie looks ahead and says to me, "The two princes with them are the Eleventh-prince and the Twelfth-prince".As she tells me this, they finish arriving. Jie-jie steps forward to give her greetings and I follow right after. After we straighten ourselves, I see the Eighth Bei'le, the Ninth-prince and the Tenth-prince all looking a bit stunned. In contrast, the Eleventh-prince and the Twelfth-prince, whom I have never met before, react normally besides giving me a few extra glances.After walking inside, everyone picks a seat and sits down. Only I remain standing next to jie-jie. The Eighth-prince smiles at me. "Tonight we are only planning to have fun. There is no need for so much propriety. You may sit." It was only after that did I sit down next to my sister.The Eleventh-prince says, "Last time when we drank, Thirteenth brother ran away. We must not let him get away this time!"The Tenth-prince excitedly adds, "He's the one I'm waiting for!"Laughing, the Eighth-prince says, "There's no way you can best that "Death-challenging Thirteenth" in drinking".Everyone started laughing. I think to myself, "It looks like currently, due to the stability of the Crown Prince's position, there isn't much friction between the princes yet. Thus, their relationships still seem to be quite amiable".Jie-jie smiles while listening to the conversation. When she sees a young eunuch sticking his head in the room from outside, she quickly gets up and says to the Eighth Bei'le, "The women have arrived. I'll go settle them in". The Eighth Bei'le nods at her.Taking me, jie-jie leads me out of the room. I do not know what they are saying but I can hear the Tenth-prince's loud chatter and then an entire room full of laughter erupting behind me. Listening to it, I sigh silently. If I had a choice, I would rather I didn't know anything about their future and ignorantly laugh with them.There are two buildings, one situated in the north and the other in the south. The southern one is meant for the princes to take respite in and the northern one is for the women. Jie-jie still has many guests to entertain as hostess, so she lets Qiaohui accompany me to the northern side to relax until the show begins. As I enter the room, I notice two attractive fourteen to fifteen year old girls conversing cheerfully. They both look up when they hear us coming in. Seeing me, the girl wearing lake-green, palace-styled clothing looks at me in astonishment while checking me up and down. She then purses her lips together and gives me an unfriendly glare.Qiaohui walks up and gives her a ceremonial greeting but the girl ignores Qiaohui and continues on with her conversation. The girl next to her, however, looks at Qiaohui apologetically and says, "There's no need".I think to myself, "Where did this animosity come from?" Walking up to the second floor, I found a seat next to a window to sit in. I turn to ask Qiaohui, "What just happened?"Looking wronged, she answers softly, "She has a grudge against Second Miss, but the one taking the enmity is me". Seeing my lost expression, and understanding it to be my amnesia sickness, she explains, "Her name is Guoluoluo Mingyu but everyone calls her Mingyu Ge'ge. She is the sister of Di'fujin".Thinking for a moment, I finally somewhat comprehend. Since the old Ruoxi tended to act rashly without any restraint, she most likely had thought her own sister was not well favoured and sought trouble with the one who she thought was her sister's rival's sibling. Unfortunately, her opponent's mother is a He'shuo Princess — Emperor Shunzhi's brother, Prince An Yuele'sdaughter and Kangxi's first cousin. Mingyu's father is the Mingshang E'fu and her sister is the Eighth-prince's Di'fujin. With such a background, how could Ruoxi ever hope to seek any undue advantage?"Qiaohui continues beside my ear, "When young miss fell from the stairs, only she was at the scene of the accident. She had said young mistress slipped and fell. Secretly however, we all agree that there's no way she didn't take any part in your accident."I give out a helpless sigh, not really certain of what to say about this. If it wasn't for this girl, perhaps I would have really died. But I am still undecided if dying is better or coming back to life in a borrowed body is better. I suppose being able to come back to life one way or another is always good thing.I instruct Qiaohui to bring some refreshments for me. As I sit there eating, I am also observing outside quietly from the window. It is then did I notice a bunch of eunuchs and servants clustered around three figures, leading them towards the southern building.Among the three is the handsome Fourteenth-prince. Walking next to him is a prince around the same height, wearing sapphire-blue robes. He is also very striking but when compared to the Fourteenth-prince, this prince carries himself in a slightly more uninhibited manner. I assume that this is the "Death-challenging Thirteenth" they were joking about earlier. Walking in front of the Thirteenth-prince and the Fourteenth-prince is a man wearing a long, dark-blue robe. His face is slightly on the pale side and carries an impassive expression. Observing that he is actually allowed to walk in front of not just the Fourteenth-prince, but also the Thirteenth-prince, I am puzzled to guess the man's identity. Suddenly, it hit me. Who else but besides the famous Fourth-prince? I immediately jump up in excitement. Using all my energy, I push my head out the window in order to take a better look at the future Emperor Yongzheng.The Eighth-prince emerges from the building to greet them. He first gives the Fourth-prince a formal greeting before moving to the side to let the Fourth-prince through. The Fourteenth-prince, who is trailing behind them all, suddenly stops and looks up towards me. Following his gaze, the Thirteenth-prince also looks at my direction, only to see a girl with half of her body sticking out of a window and her hands clasped around the frame. I quickly pull my body back into the room, straighten myself and then smile stupidly at them. It is quite an awkward situation after all, being caught peeping.
Both of them remained emotionless, but keeps watching me from afar. Standing by the window, I bend my body so I'd appear to be doing a curtsy to them. The Fourteenth-prince's lips curls into a smile. He says a few words to the Thirteenth-prince, most likely informing him of who I am. Right after, the Thirteenth-prince also gives me a smile, before turning around with the Fourteenth-prince, and proceed to walk into the buildin

暖阁 - a room partitioned from a bigger one, made to keep the heat in the house. Usually a small heater or furnace can be set up in the warm room as well. 和硕公主, He Shuo Gong Zhu. A title that can only be given to a daughter of an Emperor. The title He Shuo Gong Zhu is specifically given to princesses that are birthed by concubines. The daughters of the Empress are given the title, He Lun Gong Zhu (固伦公主). To differentiate the different He'shuo Princesses that may exist, each one is also usually given an individual name along with the title. Not all princesses are necessary given the title of He Shuo Gong Zhu or He Lun Gong Zhu. Much like the peerage titles of Bei'le and Qin'wang (Prince), it has to be given out personally by the Emperor. To be given such a title, usually means the princess is well favoured by the Emperor. Emperor Kangxi's father. Reigned from 1644 – 1661 The "Prince An" is his title, Yue'le is his name. 明尚额驸, Mingshang E'fu. E'fu is a title given to the husbands of royal princesses. Because Mingyu's mother is a He'shuo Princess, her husband would be given the title of He'shuo E'fu (和硕额驸). To differentiate the different He'shuo E'fus that may exist, each one is usually given an individual name that would be attached to their titles. In this case, the name is Mingshang making Mingyu's father the He'shuo Mingshang E'fu (和硕明尚额驸).Posted by Plushie at