The Fourth Lady novel Chapter 43

Today's talent conference was set up at one of Bogu Hall's buildings, the Xiexiu Hall. It's said that this hall was built by a foreign princess that married over in the previous dynasty. After the princess passed away, Hongjia* Emperor was unwilling to let the scenery here wither away, thus he used the place as the stage for the talent conference.

(*TN: The emperor's posthumous title; it roughly translates to 'Very Excellent'.)

It's said that this princess loved plum blossoms very much, that's why deep within the Xiexiu Hall was a plum orchard. Every winter, it would become a aromatic sea of snow.

The so called 'aromatic sea of snow' is called such because the plum orchard spread as far as the eye can see.

Qingdai watched Qingyan staring out the window and said with a smile, "Miss, what are you thinking about?"

Qingyan gazed into the distance and shook her head, "If there could be a day where all the beautiful sceneries in the world could be obtained in hand, how great would that be."

She once thought of traversing the great lakes and mountains of the four kingdoms one day with Weisheng Junmo, but ever since she became the empress, she could no longer fulfill those dreams.

Weisheng Junyan wasn't considered a bright ruler, but towards governing the country, he still had some merits. However, because of the previous emperor dying from illness, Nanchen was gradually declining in power. It was already impossible for them to unite the four kingdoms.

And right now, she only wants to select a bright ruler to help him become the one that would command the unification of the four kingdoms. But she doesn't know if she'll have the chance to meet this bright ruler.

Weisheng Junyan, if one day, I can stand before you once again, then I will definitely pull you down from your high throne, and let you have a taste of human suffering.

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The talent conference was just a disguised form of entertainment. The ones that attended were basically all students of Bogu Hall. And they knew that every time, it was Su Qingyan that would become the laughing stock of the conference.

"Say, what do you think Su Qingyan will wear for the talent conference this time?" Du Yulin look to them and sneered, "Last year she wore a crimson dress with various gold accessories, tsk tsk tsk, it's too pitiful to even think about."

"Lin'er, you don't need to say it like that. At least, every time it's Su Qingyan that cushions the bottom for us, saves us from losing face." Cui Hanxue look to Du Yulin also sneering.

"Su Qingyan is last every time. Why bother saying it like that, anyways isn't good that there's someone to take last place for you all." Cui Hanqun look to them laughing as well.

"That's right, it's Su Qingyan that's the most embarrassed every time. To think that the Su manor would have a daughter like that; it's really just letting people laugh at them.

"You're missing the point, if Su Qingyan isn't there to pad the bottom for Su Qingyuan and Su Qingwen, then who could offset their talents!" Luo Yixin had hit the nail on its head.

In their eyes, Su Qingyan's existence was entirely for offsetting Su Qingyuan and Su Qingwen's talents.

Luo Yixin and Luo Yili didn't participate in their conversations. In their eyes, although Qingyan wasn't likable, their two families still had a sisterly relationship after all.

"Big sister, do you really think that big sister Qingyan won't become the laughing stock again this year." Luo Yili curiously asked.

"Lili, don't worry, Yan'er has become different than before." Luo Yixin look to her with a warm smile.

Previously, because Yiniang's relative was ill, Luo Yili returned with Zhao Yiniang to their old home in Taizhou. And during the time in Taizhou, Luo Yili seems to have also matured quite a bit.

"You all say big sister Yan'er has changed, but I really hope she has. After all, Su manor is quite comparable to our Luo manor. The people there are probably also like the people at our manor.

"Lili, you sure have grown quite a bit." Luo Yixin look to Luo Yili with a faint smile. "As for Yan'er's changes, you'll know once she arrives."

Luo Yili happily nodded in return.

At that moment, someone called out, "Look, the people of the Su manor has arrived."

The one leading was Ning Siyao, as she slowly entered Xiexiu Hall with Su Qingyuan. Ning Siyao wore a custom sujin* dress from head to toe. The attire beautifully showed off her slender figure. Even though she was already over thirty, because she properly maintained her beauty, she looked as if she was 25.

(*TN: A type of embroidered silk fabric)

And next to her, Su Qingyuan wore a long pink dress that trailed along the floor. She carried a gentle smile on her face as she walked towards the crowd. In an instant, she became the focal point of the entire place.

Following after them was Chai Yiyun. She was wearing a long blue dress, and although her figure was slightly inferior to Ning Siyao, the long dress made her look like a young maiden. As she walked next to Su Qingwen, it looked as if they were sisters.

Like Su Qingyuan, when Su Qingwen walked into the Hall, she became the focal point of the place, and the two of them very much enjoyed the attention.

Su Qingyan didn't walk with them. Together with Qingdai and Chishao, she went to the plum orchard. Although the plum flowers have yet to blossom in November, she could still imagine what that beautiful scenery was like.

"Today is the talent conference, are you not going to go see?"

As they walked in, an unfamiliar voice sounded. Qingyan stopped in her tracks and look towards the figure standing deep in the orchard.

"It's just games among children, why should I join in on the fun." An elderly voice sounded.

Hearing this voice, Qingyan felt it was unexpectedly familiar. It was as if she'd once known this voice.

"Grand Princess*, if you keep living in the past, I think if Xianyi* Empress knew, she would definitely be sad for you." The man's honest voice sounded, "At the time, Xianyi Empress protected you so that you could live more happily, not to let you sink into self blame."

(*TN: Title usually refers to daughters of previous emperors, thus usually sisters or aunts of the current emperor; Xianyi - posthumous title meaning virtuous.)

"Liu Shang, did you know that I treated Yan'er as if she was my own daughter."

When she heard that name, Qingyan took a step forward. She cover her mouth in shock. It seems this person wasn't a stranger, but was precisely the wife of the previous Nanchen Emperor, Chunyuan* Grand Princess who had married over from Donghe. After Qingyan married Weisheng Junyan, in order to fulfill Chunyuan Grand Princess's request, she arranged for the grand princess to return to Donghe from Nanchen.

(*TN: Her honorary title/name meaning pure or innocent)

She'd never thought that Xiexiu Hall was actually the Grand Princess's manor in the past. And next to her was Liu Shang, who just happened to be one of the Thousand Beast Pavilion's four great guardians, the Black Tortoise.

"Your Highness, if Xianyi Empress knew you were like this, she would definitely be unhappy." The man called Liu Shang reluctantly replied to her, "You promised Xianyi Empress that you would properly live out the rest of your life."

"Liu Shang, she's dead. She died full of regrets." Grand Princess look to Liu Shang and dryly spoke, "If I'd known she would end up like that, I would've rather never returned here."

Qingyan was unable to continue listening. Just when she was about to turn to leave, she accidentally knocked over a vase of scarlet lilies. Hearing this sound, that voice called out, "Who is it? Who's there?"