Blame the Villain – Chapter 216

Villainous Emperor (16)

When Song Xuyi arrived at the selection venue, she discovered that there were more applicants than she had imagined. Among the beauties of all types – plump and slim, Song Xuyi’s current appearance, which was more cute than elegant, wasn’t striking enough.

The person in charge of the selection was still Song Xuyi’s old acquaintance – Fu Sheng, the High Priest of the Yinyue Sect.

Now that the Yinyue Sect had become the state religion of Jiang Kingdom, Fu Sheng has supreme authority, inferior only to the ruler. With someone of his status in charge of the selection, no wonder rumors spread that this was to select concubines for Jiang Ruoyu, causing people to rush forward eagerly like ducks to sign up.

Fu Sheng sat casually at the back of the queue, with Yinyue Sect matrons also conducting selections in front of him. The women lined up in a long queue, and only those who passed the matrons’ selection could proceed to Fu Sheng’s selection stage.

This kind of public selection method was mostly for commoner women. Noble ladies like the female lead Lin Zhu naturally didn’t need to appear in public (traditionally considered inappropriate for high-born ladies); their families had already submitted their portraits to Fu Sheng’s desk.

Song Xuyi pondered that this might all be a power play between Lin Zhu and her father, Grand Chancellor Lin. After all, Lin Zhu had already privately pledged herself to the male lead, Jiang Bai. Grand Chancellor Lin probably disapproved of this marriage, just like in the original plot outline, so he submitted her portrait without prior consultation (先斬後奏 – idiom meaning “to act first and report later”) and made it known throughout the city, completely cutting off Lin Zhu’s retreat path to force her into the palace.

But these were just Song Xuyi’s speculations.

Unlike noble ladies who maintained strict etiquette, the commoner women were more relaxed, and as they waited in line, the two women in front of Song Xuyi started whispering to each other.

“Sister Wang, do you think Her Majesty… really likes women?” A girl in pink clothing quietly nudged the waist of the woman in blue in front of her, and with a blushing face, softly continued: “Her Majesty is so beautiful! I’m not saying I want to be with Her Majesty like that, I just want to earn the blessing money, but… seeing such a beauty every day would surely make anyone happy…”

Song Xuyi couldn’t help but smile upon hearing this, unexpectedly encountering an ancient-era ‘face dog’ (顏狗 – modern Chinese internet slang for someone who is extremely attracted to beautiful faces). She even felt somewhat inferior: although she too was part of the ‘appearance association’ (外貌協會 – slang for people who prioritize physical appearance), at least she wouldn’t try to enter the palace just for Jiang Ruoyu’s beautiful face like this girl. Didn’t she know that the more beautiful something is, the more dangerous it can be?

“You used to say I was the most beautiful in the world,” the woman in blue turned around with a snorting laugh. Although trying hard to keep her tone calm, her eyes were mixed with anger: “With your ‘seeing something different, thinking of moving’ nature (見異思遷 – idiom meaning easily attracted to new things), entering the palace, that man-eating place, will only lead to trouble. Better focus on earning money without other thoughts, and come home with me after the blessing ceremony…”

“I’m not that useless!” The girl in pink made a face and hugged the blue-clothed woman’s arm, acting coquettishly: “I’m not afraid of others harming me. I know Sister Wang will protect me. In this world, Sister Wang treats me the best…”

“Don’t act cute with me, that trick won’t work!” The woman in blue held her head high with a cold smile, though her ears secretly turned red…

Song Xuyi watched all this, unconsciously breaking into an ‘auntie smile’ (姨母笑 – modern internet slang for the knowing smile adults make when seeing young love). Sometimes outsiders see things more clearly than those involved – these two clearly had feelings for each other but just hadn’t acknowledged it yet.

But immediately, Song Xuyi wiped the smile from her face: she felt she should maintain a proper stance! After all, she was on Jiang Ruoyu’s side, and although she didn’t know whether the rumors about Jiang Ruoyu liking women were true or false, but… if these women were indeed potential concubines being selected by the Yinyue Sect under the guise of blessing, seeing that Jiang Ruoyu might soon be wearing a bit of green (帶綠 – reference to being cheated on), she shouldn’t be laughing at a time like this…

Song Xuyi’s thoughts wandered aimlessly, and soon it was the turn of the two people in front of her.

The woman in blue was cold and beautiful like a plum blossom (冷豔如梅 – a classical Chinese compliment comparing a woman’s beauty to winter plum blossoms, suggesting elegant and proud beauty), while the girl in pink was charmingly innocent. Both had their own unique beauty. The matron asked them a few casual questions before letting them proceed to Fu Sheng’s stage at the back.

When it came to Song Xuyi’s turn, compared to the two beauties before her, her current face, though cute with its baby fat, appeared rather ordinary upon careful inspection. The matron gave Song Xuyi one glance before lowering her head, asking questions perfunctorily.

“What is your name?”

“Liu… Liu Yi.” Song Xuyi had previously told her real name to Jiang Ruoyu, so naturally she didn’t dare reveal it now.

“What are your talents?”

“…Medical skills.” After careful thought, Song Xuyi realized that compared to the daughters of nobles in this era who were taught the Four Arts (琴棋書畫 – traditional Chinese accomplishments including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting) from childhood, she seemed to lack appealing qualities. But a moment later, Song Xuyi mentally scolded herself: she must have been misled by the rumors! She was here to find Jiang Ruoyu, not to become her wife…

Her answer clearly didn’t satisfy the matron, who frowned, obviously wanting to send Song Xuyi home. Song Xuyi prepared herself for rejection, but before the matron could speak, a gentle voice came from behind—

“Matron Huang, the one in front of you, yes, the young lady in white, could you come over for a chat?”

Song Xuyi raised her eyebrows, taking a moment to realize Fu Sheng was calling for her, and stepped forward to stand before him.

Eight years had passed, yet Fu Sheng still appeared refined and elegant. Although he now held great power, somehow, Fu Sheng didn’t display the vigorous demeanor Song Xuyi had imagined. Instead, his whole person seemed to carry a kind of weariness.

“I just heard you say you’re skilled in medicine?” Fu Sheng’s eyes held their usual warmth as he observed Song Xuyi. After hearing her affirmative response, Fu Sheng pondered for a moment, then looked at her: “Stay for now. If your medical skills prove adequate, I’ll arrange a position for you in a couple of days.”

Song Xuyi’s first thought was that Fu Sheng had recognized her, but upon closer inspection, his manner clearly suggested otherwise.

Song Xuyi considered that while getting close to the Yinyue Sect might carry some risks, it would also provide an opportunity to learn inside information unknown to the outside world. After thinking it through, Song Xuyi graciously expressed her thanks, not refusing this opportunity that had delivered itself to her doorstep.

After the selection ended, Song Xuyi went with the other selected girls to the inn arranged by the Yinyue Sect.

For the next few days, Song Xuyi would study etiquette with the other girls, and then they would enter the palace together a few days later.

Unexpectedly, Fu Sheng showed great interest in Song Xuyi. To test her medical skills, Fu Sheng brought in an ailing woman from a nearby medical clinic. After Song Xuyi’s diagnosis and prescription, only when her prescription was approved by the clinic’s senior physician did Fu Sheng smilingly send her back to her room.

While other girls learned etiquette, Song Xuyi was clearly taught much more. Fu Sheng invited a famous storyteller to teach her the art of storytelling, brought in skilled performers to teach her basic tricks, and even had a hairdressing woman teach her hair styling…

Song Xuyi was puzzled but, following the principle that “more skills won’t weigh you down” (技多不壓身 – Chinese saying meaning it’s always good to learn more skills), she diligently learned everything Fu Sheng required.

Fu Sheng’s attitude clearly indicated that Song Xuyi wasn’t among the 81girls selected to enter the palace. Perhaps due to the rumors, most of the selected girls were guarded with each other, but they appeared very friendly towards Song Xuyi, whom they saw as non-threatening.

Song Xuyi got along well with these girls over the next few days and heard many ‘small path news’ (小道消息 – rumors or insider information). Since they were entering the palace to pray for Jiang Ruoyu’s blessings, naturally, Jiang Ruoyu was the main topic of discussion among these girls.

Some girls were only interested in the generous compensation promised by the Yinyue Sect, while most others believed the rumors about filling Jiang Ruoyu’s imperial harem and were attracted by her status and beauty.

“Liu Yi, you don’t know, but on the day the new Emperor ascended to the throne, standing on the city wall performing the ceremony, she was so beautiful she seemed otherworldly, like a heavenly maiden descending from the Nine Heavens. That day many were mesmerized, and it’s said that numerous young masters from noble families were fighting desperately to enter the palace. On selection day, there were even men disguised as women trying to sneak into the selection queue…”

Song Xuyi recalled her fleeting glimpse of Jiang Ruoyu that night and had to admit that Jiang Ruoyu had what it took to completely captivate people.

It seemed like in just an instant, that little bean sprout who only reached her thigh had transformed into this great beauty who drove both men and women crazy with attraction.

Listening to these girls’ admiration for Jiang Ruoyu, and thinking about how she had nurtured Jiang Ruoyu all along, Song Xuyi developed a very strange feeling: it was as if she were an undercover mother among potential daughters-in-law, thinking this girl looked pretty, that girl seemed virtuous, another one clever… looking at each one and thinking about introducing them to Jiang Ruoyu after she escaped danger.

This was probably an unavoidable frustration for any emperor. Song Xuyi even had the urge to tell Jiang Ruoyu to keep all these girls, then remembered that when Jiang Ruoyu was young, she hadn’t had the chance to instill the concept of ‘one life, one world, one partner’ love, and now Jiang Ruoyu might have actually become a ‘flirtatious pig’s trotter’ (花心的大豬蹄子 – modern slang for someone who plays with others’ hearts)…

Time quickly passed as Song Xuyi spent her days learning skills and nights recovering her divine power, and soon the day to enter the palace arrived.

Song Xuyi hadn’t expected Fu Sheng would introduce her to Jiang Ruoyu’s birth mother.

Due to the conflicts of the past few years, many parts of the palace had become vacant. After instructing the other sect members to lead the remaining people to the palace maids’ quarters, Fu Sheng personally led Song Xuyi deeper into the palace.

He stopped in front of Empress Dowager Dong Rou’s chambers, and despite being the all-powerful High Priest, he showed unusual courtesy to the palace maids at the Empress Dowager’s quarters—

“How has the Empress Dowager’s health been these days?”

“Fairly well.”

“Then could you help announce my presence?”

Fu Sheng waited outside the palace hall, his eyes showing obvious anxiety. The palace maid turned and entered the hall, and soon came out again, shaking her head apologetically at Fu Sheng.

“High Priest, the Empress Dowager still refuses to see you.”

Fu Sheng’s expression showed traces of disappointment, but he seemed prepared for the rejection and didn’t persist. He introduced Song Xuyi to the palace maid: “This child knows medicine and has learned storytelling and tricks. When the Empress Dowager’s leg condition acts up, she can keep the Empress Dowager company…”

The palace maid politely thanked Fu Sheng, but after he left, she led Song Xuyi to the back courtyard and didn’t come looking for her for several days afterward.

Song Xuyi felt Fu Sheng’s attitude toward Dong Rou was somewhat strange. Though she wanted to find Jiang Ruoyu to check on the situation, as someone presented by Fu Sheng, Song Xuyi was under close surveillance in the Empress Dowager’s palace and couldn’t go anywhere, only able to stay in the back courtyard.

The unexpected change came several days later.

Dong Rou had spent many years in the Cold Palace, and although she was later released because of Song Xuyi, those years had left her with chronic ailments. Dong Rou’s health had been poor all these years, especially during weather changes, when her legs would hurt so badly she could barely walk, and numerous imperial physicians had been unable to help.

On this day of heavy rain, there was a commotion in the front hall. Dong Rou’s leg condition had flared up more severely than ever before. Song Xuyi, thinking of Dong Rou’s gentle but firm character, was about to secretly channel divine power to her, when unexpectedly, Fu Sheng rushed into the Empress Dowager’s palace and directly ordered the palace maids to call for Song Xuyi…

By the time Song Xuyi reached Dong Rou’s doorway, the heavy rain had stopped. She paused at the door, unsure whether to enter—

There was an argument inside.

Dong Rou lived up to her name (柔 means “gentle”), originally being an extremely gentle yet resilient woman, but now her harsh scolding of Fu Sheng could be heard from the room: “Fu Sheng, get out! You think I don’t know about your cruel and ambitious schemes? The Dong Kingdom is already gone! Yet you still want to harm my child and me!”

“Give me back my pure and sensible daughter—”

Fu Sheng’s voice had also lost its usual calmness: “Rou’er, I truly didn’t know she was your daughter at that time… Yes, I did plan to make her a vessel for Yin Shen, after all, she carries your royal bloodline. Once she became emperor, it would mean the revival of our Dong Kingdom, but before I could…”

“Trust me, everything was just a ‘yin error, yang mistake’ (陰差陽錯 – idiom meaning an unintentional mistake or coincidence)!”

……

At this point, Song Xuyi understood everything:

In the original plot summary, Jiang Ruoyu’s immense power probably came from Fu Sheng eventually finding her and having her inherit Yin Shen. The Yinyue Sect was just a front in Fu Sheng’s mind; what he truly wanted all along was to restore the Dong Kingdom.

Fu Sheng had his eyes on Jiang Ruoyu early on, but he hadn’t expected her to go to Guozhou ahead of time and become possessed by the deity, disrupting his plans…

“Heard enough?”

While Song Xuyi was lost in thought, a mocking laugh suddenly came from behind. Song Xuyi startled and instinctively turned around to see Jiang Ruoyu standing on the roof.

Jiang Ruoyu stood on the rooftop wearing dark clothes (玄色 – traditional term for deep black with a hint of red), her figure almost merging with the darkness unless closely observed. However, her face was the most brilliant pearl in the night, her extraordinary beauty that surpasses generations completely undimmed by the darkness.

Jiang Ruoyu’s lips curved upward in what seemed to be a smile, but her eyes held no mirth.

“Have you decided how you want to die?”

Jiang Ruoyu spoke in a casual, floating manner, her tone as calm as if discussing today’s weather: “Little eavesdropping mouse?”

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The author has something to say:

Jiang Ruoyu: About the dramatic situation (抓馬 – internet slang for dramatic/complicated events) where my mom’s old lover sent my secret crush to my mother…

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LP: Re-translated on December 19, 2024

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