"My Lord is a Stone"《我家君王是石头》Chapter 54

If it was usually Zhao Jin Yu would definitely have felt she had been too rushed, but at this moment she had been holding back a bellyful of anger, but with such a reproach by the madam, her anger came rushing out, she said, “Grandmother, I’ve always been a child who didn’t follow the rules, do you only know now?”

“You brat!” The madam was so angry she almost jumped up.

Zhao Jin Yu was someone who could be persuade by reason but not be coerced, seeing the madam was unyielding, her unwillingness to accept defeat came rushing forwards, she said, “It seems that, it’s true young master Bai San has a concubine, since it is so, why would you make me marry him? 

Isn’t that pushing me into a pit of fire?” Each of Zhao Jin Yu’s questions seemed stricter than the last, making the madam’s expression seem unsightly immediately.

The madam said, “You dare to question me like this…, you child is really…, that young master Bai San does have a concubine, but that’s only a concubine nothing more, his family has promised before you go over they’ll deal with it, what is there to be afraid of?”

“A concubine? Can just be rid of as you wish?” Zhao Jin Yu’s heart gradually sunk, she said, 

“Grandmother, when you first married grandfather you asked him to only have you grandmother alone, how is it when it comes to me a concubine doesn’t matter?”

The madam almost fell to the ground in anger, beratingly she said, “What are you saying?” The madam’s finger was shaking as she pointed to her when she spoke up to here, turning her head she said to nanny Li, “Could it be I wasted my time and effort to bring her back? I wanted to give her a good marriage, marrying her off grandly, yet in return I get such a cruel and unscrupulous response?”

Nanny Li rushed to soothe the madam, saying, “Madam, eldest young lady is still young, it’s common for her to not understand, just teach her slowly.”

“She’s still young,” The madam said, “When I was her age I had already married the eldest old master.”

Nanny Li was stumped, sweat came pouring out.

Zhao Jin Yu stood straight, a haughtiness and coldness filled her eyes unwilling to give up, like her grandmother in front of her had changed into a stranger she disregarded, and that behaviour infuriated the madam’s temper even more, when has she ever received such contempt? Shaking with rage she shouted, “Lock this disobedient child in the ancestral hall to kneel, if she doesn’t admit her wrong she can’t come out!”

Nanny Li’s mind was shocked, with a glance she could tell this eldest young lady was stubborn, the more unyielding the madam was the more resistant she was, the madam and the eldest young lady did not have any close relationship, it was all based on the fact they were related by blood, if this carried on that little bit of connection would be wasted.

She hurried over, saying to Zhao Jin Yu, “Eldest young lady, hurry up and admit you were wrong, she cherishes you the most, so long as you apologise, she will not punish you.”

Zhao Jin Yu bit her lip, a good while later did she spit out, asking, “I only want to know, why didn’t you tell me the truth about my marriage? Could it be you wanted to keep me in the dark like an idiot?”

The madam had hoped Zhao Jin Yu would say something sweet, who knew she would again say such impudent thing, she said, “Parents are the matchmakers in marriage, this is right and proper, you’ve studied before, do you not understand even this point?”

Zhao Jin Yu’s heart gradually sunk, she only felt her entire body lacked strength, only helplessness and disappointment remained, she really was stupid…, over these days grandmother had loved her, gone along with her, almost pampering her to the heavens, making her almost be unsure of the reality, no matter how much grandmother loved her, in her grandmother’s eyes she was only a granddaughter who needed to heed her orders, even the liberty of marriage was up to her.

Truthfully grandmother couldn’t be blamed, grandmother was someone who had been taught the traditional way of thinking, could she still go and discuss with her grandmother the importance of deciding marriage herself? An arm could not beat a leg, even though she was thinking this the love gathered little by little in her heart however disappeared. Zhao Jin Yu calmly said, “I only wish for grandmother to put herself in my shoes nothing more.”

The madam was suddenly a little panicky seeing the calm Zhao Jin Yu.

Zhao Jin Yu turned to say to nanny Li, “Old maid, where is the ancestral hall?”

Nanny Li breathed in a mouthful of cold air, turning her head she looked at the ashen madam, stuttering she said, “Eldest young lady, there is no open fire in the ancestral hall, and now it’s the coldest of the winter, the cold wind is blowing, the floors are as cold as ice, if you really go and kneel, I’m afraid your legs will become useless.” Nanny Li’s last few words were for the madam’s benefit, “Eldest young lady, hurry up and listen to this old maid’s words, quickly apologise to the madam.”

“If they become useless they become useless. Grandmother only wants an obedient granddaughter that’s all, who cares if I lack a leg? That young master Bai San clearly only agreed on this marriage based on grandmother’s good relationship with the Bai family madam, since it is so, even if I’m lame, blind, their family won’t back out based on their friendship with grandmother.” Zhao Jin Yu again said, “Grandmother even thinks having a concubine is an unimportant and common thing, then if I marry with a lame leg, whether I live a good life or not is irrelevant? Heaven and earth, what is more important than grandmother’s respect?” Zhao Jin Yu said these words unusually calmly, however it was more heart piercing than her previous anger.

The madam almost jumped up, yelling, “Such an unworthy granddaughter, even if she kneels to death in the ancestral hall, I would just pretend I don’t have such a granddaughter! Quickly take her to the ancestral hall to kneel!”

Nanny Li nearly in tears, said, “Madam.”

“What? Even you want to disobey me?” The madam said with a calm face.

When Zhao Rui Zhi had arrived after receiving the message the madam was already lying on her bed stricken with anger, the smell of medicine wafted in the room, nanny Li was so worried her hair was quickly turning white, pulling at Zhao Rui Zhi’s hand unwilling to let go, she said, “Lady Rui Zhi, you’re finally here, the madam and the eldest young lady had an argument, she’s made herself sick from anger, she’s just gotten better over these few days…, how can this be good?” Immediately with an eager expression she said, “Lady Rui Zhi, I know you’ve always been sensible, know how to make the madam happy, you mustn’t fail, urge the madam, this old maid thanks you on behalf of the madam.” Having spoken she lowered herself in plea.

How could Zhao Rui Zhi really allow nanny Li to lower herself, she hurriedly helped her up saying, “Nanny Li, you are an elder by the madam’s side, even the eldest old master respect you deeply to call you old maid, again how could I accept your plea? Besides, isn’t it right for me to show filial piety to grandmother as a granddaughter? Don’t be so formal with me.” Immediately she again anxiously asked, “She’s seen the doctor? What did he say?”

Nanny Li seeing Zhao Rui Zhi adapting to the situation like this, compared with that stubborn, rebellious Zhao Jin Yu she was much better, she exclaimed on the inside, wasn’t it better if Zhao Rui Zhi was actually of Zhao family blood? Obviously this thought passed in an instance, very quickly it was squashed down by nanny Li, if Zhao Rui Zhi was of Zhao family blood, would she still be so modest and prudent, would she still endure being wronged?

Zhao Rui Zhi had gotten used to serving the madam, very quickly she methodically arranged everything, then she carried the medicine over, she walked to her bedside, looking at the madam with her eyes closed, she softly said, “Grandmother, drink medicine?”

The madam only pretended not to hear, turning her face to the other side.

Zhao Rui Zhi also did not take offense, with increasing patience she said, “Grandmother, older sister has just returned from outside, that’s why she doesn’t understand the rules, inevitably she’ll offend grandmother, but her heart is towards grandmother, I heard previously older sister wanted to personally sew a handkerchief for grandmother.” Zhao Rui Zhi said up to here seeing the madam move a little, a hundred feelings in her heart, both jealousy and bitterness…, jealous that even though Zhao Jin Yu caused such a disaster she could still be dearly loved by the madam, bitter that she felt that she had put in so much effort, yet could not surpass the two words blood related, of course she did not dare to say such words, pushing it down in her heart, it wasn’t prominent at all on her face, she continued to softly urge saying, “That ancestral hall is so cold, now she has almost kneeled for two hours? How bad would it be if her knees really become bad from kneeling.”

The madam opened her eyes, coldly saying, “She said she doesn’t care.”

“Older sister is young and does not know things, how can grandmother lower herself to older sister’s level?” Zhao Rui Zhi smiled helplessly, “How can grandmother also get angry like a child?”

The madam hearing these words was very satisfied in her heart, however her anger was not placated, she said, “She contradicted me in front of so many people, not thinking about how I usually treat her?” The madam’s eyes reddened when she spoke to here, she said, “I truly treated her like she would break if she was held in my hands, afraid she would melt if placed in my mouth, loving her like a treasure, how could she say such words? It simply pierced my heart!”

“Grandmother, older sister has grown up outside and does not understand grandmother’s frame of mind that’s all.” Zhao Rui Zhi kindly said, “What’s more, when you look serious grandmother, let alone me, even grandfather would be scared, older sister has never seen it before, her character is also stubborn, naturally she couldn’t help retaliate, honestly she is your flesh and blood, there is no overnight grudge, who doesn’t want the best for the other?”

The madam was completely moved hearing this, holding Zhao Rui Zhi’s hand she said, “You really are sensible, if only Qing Luan had half of your sensibility.”

Zhao Rui Zhi bashfully smiled, saying, “This is all because of grandmother’s years of guidance, and is my blessing.” Immediately she again said in concern, “Grandmother, hurry and get someone to call older sister over.”

The madam’s heart after all cherished Zhao Jin Yu, only she couldn’t find a way to step down, hearing these words, she lightly hmphed, considered as having agreed, nanny Li’s heart was frantic, constantly waiting for these words, she hastily said, “This servant will go bring the eldest young lady here to apologise to the madam.”

Who would have imagined nanny Li was gone for an hour, and when she came back she was by herself, she awkwardly said, “Eldest young lady said that she…”

The madam’s heart dropped, yelling, “What did she say?”

“She said she has not done wrong.” Nanny Li sullenly said.

The madam almost couldn’t breathe, pushing away Zhao Rui Zhi who was supporting her she yelled, 

“Let her kneel! If she dies blame me! I spoiled her, she doesn’t understand the rules, I need to make her learn what the rules of the Zhao family are this time, the first rule is to not to go against your parents and elders.”

“Grandmother…” Zhao Rui Zhi stood up with great difficulty, yelling in panic.

“Don’t intercede on her behalf, I’m determined on my decision!” The madam yelled her eyes filled with rage.

In fact after nanny Li went back Zhao Jin Yu regretted it, the ancestral hall was really cold, the floors were also like ice, in a mere moment she lost feelings in her knees from the cold.

She also didn’t know where this courageous spirit of hers came from, she actually said to nanny Li she had done nothing wrong?

“Are you an idiot?” The emperor said angrily.

Zhao Jin Yu stubbornly pulled a long face, saying, “I know I’m an idiot, it would actually be fine if I admit I was wrong, but I don’t want to, grandmother was fully aware that young master Bai San has a concubine but still want me to marry him, I’m not saying what she did was wrong, there’s a lot of parents in this world who thinks like that, but she’s different from others, she understands what it means to be a pair for life, yet in contrast she demands I indulge in my future husband, tell me is that fair?”

The emperor bellowed, “We are not talking about that, there’s no one here, why are you still kneeling? Do you really plan to kneel to the end?”

Zhao Jin Yu, “…”

The emperor continued saying, “Quickly get up, there’s a cushion on that chair, sit over there.” The emperor said both distressed and helpless, “I’ve never seen you this stupid, not knowing how to cherish yourself.”

Zhao Jin Yu, “…”

Zhao Jin Yu had thought of carrying on stubbornly but in the end she again heard the emperor say, “If you really become handicapped, how will you walk in the future? Certainly you will never be again to wear your favourite hibiscus coloured eighteen layered skirt embroidered with hundreds of flowers.”

Besides, these words were more effective than others, Zhao Jin Yu had once again become a girl who loved beauty, her innate character had not changed, hearing these words she hurried to stand, only because she had kneeled for so long the blood did not reach, her legs were numb, staggering she nearly fell to the floor, with great difficulty she placed her hands on the floor to get up.

The emperor simply hated that he was in the stone’s body right now unable to hold her in his arms, after a while could he then restrain the feeling of failure, seeing Zhao Jin Yu obediently sit on the chair with the cushion on top, he said, “You should rub your knees with medicinal lotion.”

Only then did Zhao Jin Yu feel the pain, just now she relied on her anger, now that the anger had dissipated he felt he was indeed a little stupid.

The emperor saw Zhao Jin Yu wanted to cry from the pain, he was unbearably distressed, sternly he said, “Go call for your maid, say you have fainted.”

Zhao Jin Yu, “But I haven’t fainted.”

“Can’t you pretend to faint?”

Zhao Jin Yu, “…”

“You really want to cripple yourself? Quickly, don’t say nonsense!”

Zhao Jin Yu thought about it and if it did happen, if she crippled her legs, wouldn’t she be the one to suffer? Yelling to the outside, “Zhen Zhu, Zhen Zhu!”

“Eldest young lady!” Zhen Zhu did not dare to carelessly enter the ancestral hall, so she had constantly stood in the distance, at this moment hearing Zhao Jin Yu’s voice she hastened to push open the doors and enter, she saw Zhao Jin Yu’s deathly pale face, she said, “I’m feeling faint, get someone to bring a litter over to carry me back.”

Zhen Zhu, “…”

Zhen Zhu stared blankly, but very soon she understood Zhao Jin Yu’s meaning, she said, “This servant understands.” After she took off her own outer clothing draping it over Zhao Jin Yu’s body, saying, “Young lady this is this servant’s clothes, wear it for the moment, I will go find someone.” Having spoken she swiftly left.

Zhen Zhu actually understood very much, Zhao Jin Yu was the only granddaughter of the madam, and had been found after so many years of searching with great difficulty, she couldn’t help love her, how would she truly want to punish her? It would be good if nothing happened to Zhao Jin Yu, if something really happened to her from kneeling, when the madam’s anger disappears she would punish them, saying they did not serve Zhao Jin Yu with all their heart, when that time comes they would not have a good ending.

The clothe was very thick, nevertheless it still couldn’t keep out the cold, Zhao Jin Yu shivered with cold.

The emperor was both distressed, and angry, he said, “Really don’t know how you think, what’s so good about that boy from the Bai family? Not wanting the number one handsome man of the great Zhou the emperor, you insist on marrying that trash.” Even at such a time the emperor did not forget to praise himself.

Zhao Jin Yu forced a helpless smile, “The problem is I’m unworthy of the emperor.”

“When will you learn of social climbing? I told you I know the emperor…, he likes your type.” The emperor tritely said again, his lips were chaffed from saying the same words over and over, grudgingly Zhao Jin Yu did not believe it.

“If the emperor really like me….” Zhao Jin Yu touched her numb knees, her face deathly pale she said, “If it’s truly like that, rather than marrying young master Bai, it would be better for me to enter the palace, in any case I’m still marrying, I still have to live relying on someone, several women serving a man, at least the one I’m yielding to is the supreme person of the great Zhou, this could be considered an achievement.”

“Precisely for that reason, entering the palace is such a rare honour?” The emperor snorted.

“I don’t need the emperor to like me, so long as I have a place in the palace, I can allow adoptive father to live the rest of his life well, allow me to live my life peacefully, that’s enough.”

“Why stop at that?” The emperor saw Zhao Jin Yu was finally starting to understand properly, he hurried to encourage more, “Maybe the emperor not only just like you, rather he has you in his heart?” The emperor’s gaze unconsciously contained some tenderness.

Being stared at by the stone’s warm gaze, Zhao Jin Yu was rather embarrassed, and felt a little shy, she said, “Don’t look at me like that.”

The emperor seeing Zhao Jin Yu acting like a young girl unusually, was over the moon, incomparably delighted, his voice was increasingly soft, he said, “Why?”

Zhao Jin Yu just said, “Anyway just don’t look at me like that.”

The emperor couldn’t help laugh, saying in a good mood, “Fine.” The usually tyrannical emperor suddenly seemed like a very obedient toothless tiger.

The female servants hearing Zhao Jin Yu had fainted went over, turning pale with fright, they hurried to bring a litter over, carrying the “fainted” Zhao Jin Yu back to her room.

The eldest old master who had rushed back from outside hearing of what happened, he didn’t even bother to change his clothes before hurrying over.