Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage: Chapter 21

February 27, 2017 By in CNovel, Translation Tags: , 59 Comments

Chapter 21: Dressmaking

Regardless of what kind of turmoil that rose in the capital, or whatever undercurrent that was forming, from the surface there would always be singing and dancing… The annual Chrysanthemum banquet was approaching and since Guang Wen Tang’s academy examinations was very close to the Chrysanthemum banquet, both event were done together.

Unlike previous years, with this, the academy examination had become a big event as all the noble families would attend the banquet.

Early in the morning, Old Shen Furen sent her maid, Xi-er, to the West courtyard saying that she had invited the tailor for the Chrysanthemum banquet clothes and also invited Shen Miao to take a pick.

Shen Miao nodded her head in agreement.

In previous academy examinations, Shen Miao would wear normally as she usually end up at the bottom so others would laugh if she were to wear something prominent. Now with the combination of the academy examinations and the Chrysanthemum banquet, it would not be logical not to make new clothes.

During the Chrysanthemum banquet, many officials and their furens would be there, mostly to look for their future daughters-in-law. So for families with daughters, would not only attend but also to dress up to portray their beauty. Even though Old Shen Furen did not like the First household, she still have to do it on surface. Moreover for Old Shen Furen, who would only look out for her own interest, would definitely use Shen Miao’s marriage to exchange for power and may even sell her off.

Bai Lu appeared to be somewhat happy as she accompanied Shen Miao towards Rong Jing Tang, “Did not expect that the Chrysanthemum banquet would be here so soon. Young Lady like the Chrysanthemum banquet and at that time, there would be opportunities to enjoy the flowers.”

Shen Miao like the Chrysanthemum banquet but not because of enjoying the viewing of the flowers. Whenever there is such a banquet, she would be the faintly discernible and would be isolated and that was of course fuelled by Shen Yue and Shen Qing. She was also stupid and dull and would not dressed appropriately so she would be laughed at without even knowing.

She loved the Chrysanthemum banquet but it was because of Fu Xiu Yi.

At the Chrysanthemum banquet a year ago, Fu Xiu Yi was also present. At that day she was also being laughed at and alone. The Chrysanthemum gardens were filled with beautiful purples and brilliant reds thus everyone when to look for the reddest and brightest while she walked to a corner where she saw a pot of white Chrysanthemum.

The white Chrysanthemum was most likely used during funerals and would naturally not a joyous thing moreover this Chrysanthemum blossomed quite miserably. Some of the petals were withered and one would not know if it was the rain or wind that did it, as it stood alone in a corner without any one’s attention.

Most likely fellow suffers empathised with each other, Shen Miao felt that she herself and that chrysanthemum were exactly the same. Just one person all alone, where no one would see. Just as her heart was lamenting, she saw a formal dressed male walking to the front of that chrysanthemum.

He reached out to the spray of blossom and gently stroke the petals. The person by his side asked, “Ninth Younger Brother, this flower is just miserable, what is there nice to look at?”

The male smiled, “Pity that it is delicate without anything to depend on.”

It was this sentence ‘pity that it is delicate without anything to depend on’ that made Shen Miao have a favourable impression of that man. When that male turn over, she was even more captivated by this handsome appearance.

Afterwards Shen Miao learned from the women that that was His Majesty’s Ninth Prince, Fu Xiu Yi.

Perhaps there was no reason to why one would to admire another during their youth. Fu Xiu Yi’s words was clearly about the chrysanthemum but she felt that it was empathizing her. She thought that if she were to marry such a gentle person, he would also feel tenderness towards her just like he did to that lonely flower.

Unfortunately, it was all her wishful thinking. Fu Xiu Yi feel tender towards frail flower, feel tender to the entire world, feel tender towards Mei Furen but would never feel tenderness towards her. As for her who gave her everything, from him it was just what a wife’s ‘responsibilities’ was. Those days of mutual respect between spouses were all an act of toleration from Fu Xiu Yi.

He did not really pity that Chrysanthemum but only made a casual remark which she then took it for real.

“Young Lady?” Unwittingly she was lost in thought and did not realise that she had reach the doors of Rong Jing Tang. Bai Lu quickly called out as a reminded and Shen Miao then followed Xi-er to step inside.

Shen Yuan Bo was not present today and Old Shen Furen was wearing a green and white long embroidered robe. She was already seventy years of age and should not be wearing such a fresh green in colour and with that straight and serious face, she look just like a female ghost. But she herself completely did not realise it.

Shen Yue and Shen Qing stood beside their mothers. There was two more Shu daughters in the Second household but Ren Wan Yun was too strong and overbearing so for such a banquet, she did not allow the Shu daughters to go to steal the limelight. As for the Third household, Shen Wan only have a Tongfang other than Chen Rou Qiu so there was no need to mention of any Shu sons or daughters.

So in this way, only the Di daughters of each household received the invitation for the Chrysanthemum banquet.

After Shen Miao greeted Old Shen Furen, Ren Wan Yun looked at Shen Miao and smiled, “Little Five is here. Quickly select the clothing materials. Li Liang will then take the measurements later.”

Shen Qing giggled, “Second Younger Sister and me had made our selection and now waiting for you to pick.”

It was obvious that it was Xi-er who came late but it seemed that it was her fault to make the entire crowd in Rong Jing Tang wait. Shen Miao could not be bothered to argue with her and walked to the couch where the clothing materials were place.

Li Liang was a thirty plus middle aged female. Shen residence would purchase all the new clothe from her shop. When she was young she learned some embroidery techniques from the female officials who served in the Palace so her clothes were extremely good.

There were about five or six blots of clothes that were spread in front. One Begonia and one misty pink colour were already placed at a side, obviously chosen by others. Needless to say it was Shen Qing’s and Shen Yue’s.

The previous lifetime’s scene flashed vividly in her eyes. That day during the Chrysanthemum banquet, Shen Qing wore a Begonia coloured dress and looked warm and magnanimous which make her more beautiful than the flowers. Shen Yue wore a pink with white embroidered pear flower which made her look delicate and feminine. And she wore a light yellow dress and Old Shen Furen’s golden neckless and jewellery, looking like a joke that she did not know about.

And that light yellow fabric was the one that the Shenshens and older sisters abet her to pick.

Shen Yue smiled, “Fifth Younger Sister’s skin is fair thus is compatible to pick this shade of light yellow for clothes. It would look lively and lovely on you.”

Shen Qing repeatedly nodded, “That’s correct, seeing the rest of the materials, it seems that the light yellow complement Fifth Younger Sister more.”

Chen Rou Xiu had a smile on her lips as she kept quiet. There was also a trace of ridicule in Ren Wan Yun’s eyes.

Shen Miao did not know how to choose clothes.

Shen Furen was not at the residence all year round. When the mother is not around, the child would inevitably have lots of disadvantages. The other people in the Shen residence all have ulterior motives and how would they teach this young girl how to mix and match sincerely? Thus in the long run, Shen Miao could only follow Shen Qing and Shen Que and pick what they say were nice.

For example, that light yellow material was indeed complement to her skin but it looks too cheap and somewhat childish. Coupled with those golden jewellery, she look like some daughter of a landlord.

Gu Yu and rest of them persuaded her to throw away those jewelleries but she was subconsciously stubborn and rushed to be humiliated.

This was indeed hilarious.

59 responses

  9. The chapter ended on an awkward note. Oh, well. Gotta wait for the next one.

    It’s sad how she sees herself in hindsight. She was made fun of and mocked without her being aware. How bitter she feels about that. It’s sad we don’t all have resets like her. Well, she’ll look just perfect this time around.

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  14. You know, yellow would be an amazing color if one knows how to match it properly. And I’m sure our little empress can carry herself well and will definitely be able to pull it off. Not sure about ancient clothing, but for modern, Ive seen some who can wear it way better than floral shades.

    It would be amazing if she could pick that yellow and be able to mix and match well, allowing her to look heavenly, complimented by the surroundings, wouldn’t that deal a heavier blow on her malicious relatives? It’s like they chose something bad for her and unexpectedly fired back. She’d stand out than the rest who chose the obvious shades that people would fancy, making them common, yet SM picks a shade no one likes cause it looks inferior, but then ends up being able to show it off the best and showing it off beautifully.

    —

    And that a**h*le of a prince can just go and eat sh*t!!! I wanna trip him so he’d fall flat on his face to the ground!!!

    —

    Is XJX coming? He will right? Cuz he’s suspicious and curious of her, he’d go to stalk- I mean scout. Right?

    Lol. I’m excited for more interactions, can’t help but imagine how they progress. 😆😆😆

    —

    THANKS FOR THE UPDATE!!!

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    • I have also seen many females that wore yellow really nicely with different vibes. I think the tone of yellow was the more tacky shade and maybe there are even tacky patterns on the cloth.
      —–
      You are being too kind to that a**. I would have plucked all the decaying chrysanthemum and stuff it up his throat until he poop chrysanthemum… XP
      ——
      Thanks for supporting!!! XJX needs to gather information. Of course he will be there 🙂

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  16. Well … well.. well… the challenge of skills is up in the banquet, don’t worry Empress Shen will carry herself dignified in there.

    Actually Empress Shen will speed up the events unknowingly as she had intervened earlier and all this will snowball down one by one with slight hindside mirror. What does SM sees in the ex anyway???

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    • Most likely SM thought if her ex could be so tender and thoughtful to a flower how can he not be tender to his love? Through her own naive nature she thought he would understand her and probably even feel they are the same people. The author did wrote that her ex was handsome. You’re not supposed to put up guards against your own family so I can understand why she never knew how evil her family were.

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  21. Hi! How are you? Thank you for the update! It’s so nice to have something pleasant on Monday morning!

    Anyway, I’m really disappointed with the Old Shen Furen. It’s really sad seeing that she’s just encouraging the family to lay discord among the different households. I mean even though she’s already an elderly figure in the main estate (where her obligations have lessen), she still has a responsibility to equally treat every member. It’s really concerning that she only sees them as something that she could get interests to.

    Now that prince is someone we could definitely described as two-faced. Ahhh, at last we can see how pretentious he is! It’s really heartbreaking when Shen Miao would reminisce her innocent days where she foolishly believed that this prince would also care for her the same as he would care about the flower. But I love how sublime the author was, as you can see the ninth prince just said compassionate words towards the plant but does not take action to do it. His all surface! Behind that handsome facade is an ugly heart.

    These women are scheming again. No worries, Empress Shen Miao will magnimously give ten folds back whatever they graciously offered to her. She won’t even be frugal about it! Hahaha!

    Thanks again! And have a nice dayyy!

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    • Thanks for supporting! A chapter on Mon to chase the blues away 😛

      I find that Old Shen Furen is so small minded and she wants the respect of being the elderly but not doing anything fit for an senior member of the family…Grrr… I hate her…

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  22. Thank you so much for the chapter !! ^.^

    Ahhh the banquet is coming, and the examinations too !! So excited for her to show off her skills or at least show her rebirth hehe ! I want her to get allies and help protect her family ^.^

    Also……this chapter made me sad, to see her reminiscing on those bitter memories and how foolish and naive she was, which wasn’t her fault, because she was so sheltered and tricked from a young age >.< She's going to completely stomp on those traitors and that awful ex-husband of hers!!!

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  26. Di = legitimate?
    Shu = illegitimate?
    If so, then why not translate them? None of your readers will know what Shu and Di mean. They just lead to total and completely unnecessary confusion.

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  27. Pingback: Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage – Chapter 21 – Dramas On My Mind

  28. A pale yellow for a flower viewing banquet sounds great IMO.

    I can’t comprehend why her mother would leave her there, it’s no less like being raised like an orphan even if they come back once a year to show their face.
    I understand why her father’s at the front fighting as a general, but as his wife, mind at least take care properly of your child that’s open and vulnerable to exploitations?
    How reassured can she be to leave it to a stranger (that Momo), especially with her growing sillier by the year in her past life, it was obvious she lacked guidance and parenting.
    Even if her aunts and uncles treated her daughter well, would it exceed the care for their own? Plus they have their own backyards to deal with (the Yi Niangs+Shu kids).
    It must suck to have parents and relatives but you don’t feel close to neither of them and can only try-hard to fit in with the sisters that you couldn’t ‘measure up’ to.
    NGL; I’m triggered by her mom’s choices.

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  29. I have re-read the story sooo many times and i still think Shen Miao parents aren’t good as parent for Shen Miao in the past 😩
    she suffer so much in the past life because of them

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