Yan Wan is reborn as a legitimate wife: Curing Ruyi's Douyi syndrome

After much deliberation, the Empress Dowager decided to start with Fucha Langya. As long as Fucha Langya agreed, no matter how much Hongli objected, it would be a small matter. Moreover, judging from Hongli's expression, she didn't think he wanted to oppose the princess' marriage, but was just hesitant.

Fucha Langya's attitude was crucial. Thinking of her past obedience, the Queen Mother felt that the situation was under her control. Fucha Langya had two princesses, one to marry and another to accompany her, so she would not be so resistant.

The Queen Mother summoned Fu Cha Langya to her residence.

Jinan Palace, Empress Dowager's Residence

The Queen Mother said: "I summoned you at night because I have something to give you, Fujia."

Fujia stepped forward and brought a tray with a pearl collar on it.

Fucha Langya knew that they were targeting her, so she gently refused, "As a daughter-in-law, I haven't given anything to the Empress Dowager yet, so how dare I accept anything from her?"

The Queen Mother stroked the tray, looked at the pearl necklace inside, and said with a smile, "You are the daughter-in-law I personally chose, why be so polite? This is the pearl necklace that the late Emperor gave me when I was conferred the title of Imperial Concubine. Look, these pearls are all round.

I know you're used to being frugal, but Jingse is old enough, so I'll consider this as an addition to her dowry. Fujia, show it to the Queen."

Fujia walked up to the queen, held up the tray, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty."

The Queen Mother knew that Jingqin was more liked by Hongli and Langya, so she picked on the weaker one and mentioned Jingse, hoping that the Queen would understand her meaning and agree to it.

Lian Xin was caught in a dilemma and could only go forward. Fu Cha Langya raised her hand to stop Lian Xin, and Lian Xin understood and retreated back to where she had just stood.

Langya smiled and said, "What a coincidence! Your Majesty and I are of the same mind, Suxin."

Suxin took the order and stepped forward, holding a pair of golden mandarin ducks in her hands. Suxin stood a little behind Lianxin, so the empress dowager had not noticed that she was holding something in her hands.

Langya: "I am not used to extravagance, but I have this pair of golden mandarin ducks, which were given by the late emperor on our wedding day. They are the most precious. Now that Princess Hengti is betrothed to the Khorchin tribe, I have specially presented them to you to enhance your dowry."

Su Xin held the golden mandarin duck and confronted Fu Jia. The Queen Mother put down the teacup in her hand and said, "Fu Jia, the tea is a little cold."

Fuga understood, put down the tray in his hand, took the teacup and went out.

Fucha Langya also made a gesture, and Suxin retreated with the golden mandarin duck in her hands.

The Queen Mother sneered and said, "Jingse is the daughter of the Emperor and you. She was early on given the title of Princess Hejing of the Gulun clan. Compared to other concubines, as a legitimate princess, she is much more noble. Naturally, it is most appropriate for her to marry into the Khorchin tribe."

Fucha Langya pretended to complain, "Jingse is young and doesn't know how to control her words. How can she be promised to someone else? I will keep her by my side and teach her well for a few years. When she grows up, it won't be too late for her to marry."

The Queen Mother said: "Since Jingse is still young, Jingqin is now of the right age to marry. Besides, the Khorchin tribe, which is seeking the princess' hand in marriage, is the leader of all Mongolian tribes and holds a high position."

Fucha Langya: "Doesn't this mean that we now have a younger sister, Hengti?"

The Queen Mother said: "Only Jingqin is a worthy match."

The two of them were at loggerheads, neither giving in.

Fu Cha Langya said calmly, "In terms of seniority, Hengti is the elder and Jingqin's aunt, so naturally the elder should marry first, and then the younger ones' marriages will be considered."

Emperor's Residence

Hongli stood by the window looking at the moon, not knowing what he was thinking.

Ruyi, clutching her armor, brought a bowl of soup and came forward, saying worriedly, "Your Majesty, it's getting late. Drink a sip of the calming soup and go to bed."

Ruyi brought the drink to Hongli, who didn't want to drink it. He sighed, "I am uneasy because the princess I am betrothed to has not yet been chosen."

Wang Qin rushed in and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is calling for the Empress. I heard that the two masters are at loggerheads. Aunt Fujia has sent someone to ask you to come over and mediate."

Hongli was surprised: "Are they arguing? I'll go and take a look."

When he reached the door, he thought of something, turned back, and said, "If I go, the Queen Mother and the Empress will definitely ask me to give an explanation. I can't go."

Wang Qin was speechless. Was this a combination of a son-in-law and a coward? If you didn't go, wouldn't that mean you wouldn't stop the Queen Mother and wouldn't favor the Empress?

Ruyi couldn't help herself and finally spoke sensibly, saying, "Your Majesty, it's not appropriate for the Empress Dowager and the Empress to remain deadlocked."

Hongli, feeling evasive, couldn't help but vent his anger on Fucha Langya, saying coldly, "The Queen is impetuous. The matter has not yet been concluded. I was too busy trying to avoid the Empress Dowager, but the Queen sent herself to the front. Wang Qin, go and ask the Queen to come back."

Wang Qin: Who? Me?

Wang Qin said in embarrassment: "Your Majesty, the two masters are here, how can a servant have the right to speak? Besides, the Empress Dowager summoned the Empress, it is only natural, and the Empress cannot refuse."

Ruyi couldn't bear to see her lover in such a difficult situation, so she said, "Your Majesty, how about this? You ask Wang Qin to find the imperial physician. When he goes to the Empress Dowager, he can tell her that the Empress has been traveling and is feeling unwell and needs to take medicine. This will give both of us a way out."

Hongli nodded and said, "Yes, let's do this. Let the Empress Dowager think that the Empress is ill and confused. Even if she says something wrong, the Empress Dowager won't hold it against her. Wang Qin, why don't you go quickly?"

Ruyi nodded. Jinzhong also walked in and reported, "Your Majesty, Lord Zhang Tingyu requests an audience."

Hongli asked in confusion, "Why are you here to see me so late? Ruyi, go behind the screen for a while. Jinzhong, let him in."

Ruyi walked behind the screen and eavesdropped.

Queen Mother's Residence

The Queen Mother picked up the tea that Fu Jia had just changed and lamented, "I married one daughter far away, and now I want another to marry far away. Queen, you are my daughter-in-law, and you have the heart to see your mother-in-law sad?"

Fu Cha Langya lowered her head and said, "Your son dare not." Although she said she dared not, she did not say anything else.

The Queen Mother raised an eyebrow and said, "You have two princesses. Even if Jingse marries far away, you still have Jingqin by your side to fulfill your filial duties. What would you not want?"

Fu Cha Langya said, "As the Emperor's sister-in-law, I am also worried about my younger sister Roushu. The Book of Songs says, 'Picking plum blossoms, seven in bloom. Seek my commoner, and wait for the auspicious time.' Sister Hengti has reached the time for picking plum blossoms, and her marriage should not be delayed any longer."

(The term "摽梅之期" refers to a woman's marriageable age, though some also suggest it's twenty. The author's imaginary interpretation is that Hengti is older than Jingqin, having already reached seventeen, meaning she's almost ready for marriage.)

Seeing that she couldn't play the emotional card, the Queen Mother said coldly, "It's not easy for you to be the Emperor's sister-in-law. There were so many twists and turns back then. Concubine Xian almost became the legitimate wife and the Empress.

If that were true, the one who called herself the Emperor's sister-in-law today should be Concubine Xian. If Concubine Xian were Hengti's sister-in-law, I wonder if she would be more considerate of me.

Seeing the Empress Dowager's ulterior motives revealed, Fucha Langya also said forcefully, "It's a pity that it's your son and me who sits on the throne today, not Concubine Xian. Furthermore, Concubine Xian has no children. If the Mongols seek marriage, the only one who can marry is Sister Hengti. Your Majesty doesn't need to be persuaded by your ministers."

The Queen Mother was furious, but she smiled and said, "Good, good. You are indeed the daughter-in-law I personally chose. No wonder even the Emperor praised you for your bearing like that of a queen."

Fucha Langya smiled and said, "Thank you very much for the compliment, Your Majesty."

The Queen Mother gritted her teeth and stared at the Queen.

Xia Zhang hurried in and asked for an audience, saying, "Your humble servant greets the Queen Mother and Her Majesty."

The Queen Mother glared at Xia Zhang and said sternly, "I'm talking to the Queen! How dare you intrude?"

Xia Zhang said, "Queen Dowager, please calm down. The Queen is ill and cannot stop taking medicine. She needs to go back and take it."

The Queen Mother glanced at the trembling Xia Zhang and the energetic Fu Cha Langya, who sat upright, and said meaningfully, "Queen, you have worked so hard for me. You must take good care of yourself so that you can protect your daughter in the long run."

Fucha Langya also said calmly: "My Queen Mother, I will definitely stay healthy and live with the Emperor until old age, and watch my daughter get married."

The Queen Mother sneered, "Very well, I hope you and the Emperor will grow old together!"

Then he supported Fuga and walked into the inner room angrily.

(For those who are confused by the Queen Mother and the Emperor’s actions in this passage, please see the author’s explanation.

As for this part, I changed a lot, and it is more exciting in the drama. Fucha Langya, despite her illness, fought a heated debate with the Queen Mother and was not at a disadvantage. Fans of the Empress Dowager Yi always say that Empress Fucha is petty and favors boys over girls. I can only say that it is not her heart that counts.

This segment really feels like a historical figure breaking free from the shackles of being a tool. No matter how much Yi fans say Fucha Langya favors boys over girls, Fucha Langya's actions of confronting the Queen Mother to protect her daughter are not fake. It's a pity that the scumbag Long and Fucha dragged them down.

Just a quick aside, in history, this imperial consort was the child-rearing husband of Jingse's prototype. Mr. Zhang isn't that pathetic!)

When the queen saw the empress dowager leave, she also stood up, glanced at Xia Zhang, and left.

Queen's Residence

Wang Qin told Fu Cha Langya, Jing Qin and the other two what had just happened.

After Wang Qin hurriedly left, Fucha Langya was so angry that she threw the teacup directly. She lost her usual good composure and said angrily: "What does the emperor mean by this? Jingse is not his daughter? Does the emperor think that he can get away with hiding from the queen mother?"

Fu Cha Langya confronted the Queen Mother in a tough manner in order to make her attitude clear. She did not want her daughter to get married. Escape would only make the Queen Mother think that she had given in and tacitly agreed to Jingse marrying far away. How could she allow it?

Jingse didn't want to marry far away, but she felt sorry for Fucha Langya who worked so hard for her, so she hugged Fucha Langya and refused to speak.

Yonglian felt sorry for his sister and asked, "Empress Dowager, what does my grandfather mean?"

Fucha Langya sighed, "Suxin has already asked. Fortunately, your uncle Fuheng is now among the ministers."

Su Xin returned and reported, "I have asked Master Fu Heng, and Master Ma Qi said they support the Queen's decision."

(A personal hypothesis: in history, Li Rongbao died young and didn't live to see Emperor Qianlong ascend the throne. Ma Qi also passed away in the fourth year of Emperor Qianlong's reign. But in the drama, Li Rongbao is still there. I guess it's not too much to assume that Ma Qi is still alive.

This is what I think. In the play, Ma Qi died early and the right to speak was in the hands of Li Rongbao. Generally, in ancient times, wives followed their husbands' ideas. Lady Fucha's attitude towards Langya can reflect Li Rongbao's attitude.

So later in the series, when Fucha Langya faces the Queen Mother alone, Li Rongbao's intention is to stab her in the back. Now that Ma Qi is alive and well, and he's the smart guy in the script, Fucha's attitude is to follow Ma Qi's lead.

Fu Cha Langya breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Fu Cha still supported her. Jing Qin frowned. She really hated pinning her hopes on others.

But she was a woman, and could only wait for her master's decision like a puppet, deciding her life or death. This feeling was terrible. Jingqin had been hesitating between a life of wealth and luxury or wanting to take a chance, and now she had made a decision.

Jingqin put down the teacup in her hand and said calmly, "If you really want to marry far away, it's better to let my daughter go. Jingse is still young and needs the Empress Dowager's careful guidance in many things."

Jingse said in disbelief: "Sister, the matter has not been finalized yet. It may not be me who will get married. You and Abo are about to get engaged. How can I let you go?"

Fucha Langya also retorted: "Jingqin, things haven't come to this point yet. The Fucha family supports us..."

Jingqin looked at Jingse lovingly and said, "Abo and I are about to get engaged, aren't you and Zhalanli too? It's useless, Empress Dowager, Jingse, as long as the Emperor agrees, I will still get married."

Jingqin looked at the two confused people and could only sigh. She broke down the truth and said, "Aunt Hengti is blocked by the Royal Mama. The Royal Father cannot grant Aunt Hengti a marriage without the Royal Mama's permission. Otherwise, it would be unfilial.

But Empress Dowager, the Emperor can grant marriage to this minister without your permission. The Emperor is the ruler and the father, and it is useless for us to struggle against his decision. The Empress Dowager also means the same thing.

Fucha Langya was stunned, thinking of the Queen Mother's meaningful words when they parted. The ironic words "grow old together" pierced Fucha Langya's heart.

Emperor's Residence

Zhang Tingyu said earnestly, "After much deliberation, I believe it is inappropriate for Princess Hengti to marry into the Khorchin tribe."

Hongli asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Tingyu: "Your Majesty, please think carefully. Princess Heng'er married into the most valiant and warlike Junggar tribe. If Princess Hengti married into the most wealthy and noble Borjigit tribe...

Then the two largest tribes among the Mongolian relatives would become the Queen Mother's sons-in-law. Then wouldn't the Queen Mother's power in the former court and the harem be further strengthened?"

The son-in-law scumbag Long was startled and asked, "So what you mean is..."

Zhang Tingyu: "Perhaps one of your two princesses could marry into the Khorchin tribe? Your Majesty, think about it the other way around. The court officials' opposition isn't necessarily speaking for the Empress Dowager, but also for the sake of Your Majesty's kingdom."

Hongli was silent, and Ruyi stood behind the screen, thoughtful.

On the second day, in the palace garden

Hongli was playing chess with Ruyi. Halfway through the game, he became upset and threw down his chess piece, saying, "Forget it. I admit defeat. I won't play anymore."

Ruyi also put down the chess piece to comfort Hongli.

Hongli left the chess table and sighed, "When I think about the events of the previous dynasty, my heart is troubled. Zhang Tingyu is a senior official who has always been estranged from the Empress Dowager. He is worried about me and also wants me to marry my daughter. I don't know if he is sincere in his advice."

Ruyi blinked and said, "I also heard it yesterday. If Ruhengti really marries into the Khorchin tribe, it will indeed increase the power of the Empress Dowager."

Hongli remembered that Ruyi was also the Empress Dowager's person, and he was upset and didn't want to say anything more. He said lightly: "Okay, Ruyi, you go back first. I want to be alone and quiet."

Ruyi didn't understand why the anger was directed at her, so she bowed and said aggrievedly, "Yes, I will take my leave."

After Ruyi left, she did not return to her own residence, but turned and went to the Empress Dowager's residence.