The Wheel Of Transmigration - Chapter 9: 01.08: Weimin Ru
Before he could think of anything else, a guard suddenly announced, “Introducing His Highness Prince Ru Xueling from the Ru Empire.”
Ru Weimin softly sighed as his brother’s tardiness. How was he planning on explaining the reason that he was late?
The emperor beside Ru Weimin narrowed his eyes for the foreign prince’s tardy but didn’t say anything. Ru Xueling ushered someone and whispered something to the guard that looked dumbstruck. The guard cleared his throat and announced, “Introducing the Left Prime Minister’s Second Daughter, Murong Jieli.”
Everyone stilled in silence once they heard the guard utter those words. Some cringed away because they were sure that she wasn’t pleasant to the eye, while others looked in the direction of the entrance with interest. Were the rumors regarding Murong Jieli true? Was she both hideous and horrendous?
And a few other people, including Ru Weimin, focused their attention on Ru Xueling. They wanted to know why he was tardy and why he was with the illegitimate daughter of the left prime minister.
Meanwhile Murong Feili pouted as she stared at her mother. “Mother…” she whined softly, “why is she here?”
The first wife of the Murong household sighed as she tried to comfort her daughter, “I’m not sure sweetie.” She smirked while holding a fan in front of her face to prevent anyone from seeing her vicious appearance, “But I highly doubt the stupid girl has anything decent to wear to such an important banquet…”
Murong Feili’s eyes glimmered with excitement, “Maybe this incident will finally get father to kick her out along with that home-wrecker of a servant.”
The first wife’s eyes darkened at the mention of the servant who seduced her husband to give her a child. The moment they are both kicked out, she will personally make sure they disappear permanently. They were both a stain to her husband’s reputation that must be disposed of… to have allowed them to live this long is already a blessing.
Both mother and daughter duo flickered their eyes to the entrance and nearly toppled once they saw someone with ethereal beauty enter with the foreign prince. Her small and dainty appearance shook the hearts of not only men, but women as well. Her averted gaze of amber left a feeble impression of a small bunny needing protection. Paired with her attire that made her look like a painting come to life, it was as if she did not belong to this world.
Meanwhile Murong Jieli has averted her eyes due to the sparkly and large amount of glittering gold and silver. The tacky decorations hurt her eyes. It was shocking that the palace was so vibrant with color despite it being evening.
Her gaze glanced around and landed on a man staring at her expressionlessly. Her thin, cherry-colored frowned. Ru Weimin didn’t seem pleased to see her here. Wouldn’t he be bubbling with excitement since he’s the male protagonist?
”’You idiot, he’s wondering why you lied to him.”’
‘Oh… well shoot. My bad.’
Xiao Fu snorted in her head, ”’you don’t sound apologetic in the least bit.”’
Ignoring her sidekick’s words, she walked forward along with Ru Xueling and bowed deeply. The old emperor’s eyes were glazed with admiration. The left prime minister truly had hidden such a precious jewel from the world and had made sure everyone assumed wrong regarding his second daughter. Such a beauty… Emperor Fan sighed softly. Alas he was too old else she would be in his harem. But he didn’t mind having her as his daughter-in-law.
“Pardon us for being late, Your Majesties.” Ru Xueling answered politely to both Emperor Fan and Emperor Ru.
Emperor Fan laughed as he kept his eyes on Murong Jieli, “It is fine! We have not started the competition yet, so you, young lady, can join along with the others.”
Why is he not angry? Murong Jieli asked Xiao Fu with confusion. Xiao Fu smirked, ”’the old man thinks you’re pretty enough to be his daughter-in-law. He was even considering his favorite son, who coincidentally, hasn’t had a wangfei or concubine… congratulations, ”’ Xiao Fu began sarcastically, ”’you’re attracting more pests than the original Murong Jieli.”’
‘What? Who else?’
Xiao Fu only laughed and stopped speaking.
Murong Jieli glanced at Ru Xueling and Ru Weimin one last time before walking over to the left prime minister’s table. Surprisingly, there was an extra chair. Her eyes wondered to the servants that quickly prepared an extra chair and nodded gratefully. She sat down next to her half-brother, Murong Jing, who was giving her curious looks. In the original plot, Murong Jing has done nothing against Murong Jieli nor nothing for her. He was just there and never bothered with his sister, Murong Feili nor his half-sister, Murong Jieli.
He was surprisingly just when he became left prime minister once their father retired.
“Li Li, your sister is so pretty! Why don’t you bring her out next time we decide to meet in a teahouse or something?” The same girl from earlier whispered again.
“Shut up!” Murong Feili clutched her hanfu so tightly until small bits of blood inconspicuously appeared. She was so angry. Why was she here to steal her glory? And how had she managed to look so beautiful? Well she wasn’t going to stand for it.
The girl and everyone else stopped and stared at Murong Feili with shock. She was usually so reserved, so why was she behaving so obnoxious at the moment? And rude as well.
“Li Li…” the girl muttered, “What’s wrong with you?”
“You, ” Murong Feili pointed at Murong Jieli with tears, “how could you steal my dress that I had planned on wearing for Prince Fan Yishin’s birthday? Do you have no shame?”
Everyone gaped at Murong Jieli for being so atrocious. They believed Murong Feili because Prince Fan Yishin’s birthday was in two weeks and because Murong Feili had always wore the latest fashions and accessories. For her to not have access to such a lovely and beautiful hanfu-dress, it was impossible. So Murong Jieli must’ve definitely stolen it! The people were shocked that such a beautiful person was so vicious and such a horrible thief.
‘What is she up to now?’ Murong Jieli thought in exasperation.
”’Apparently framing you. How lovely and lady-like, ”’ Xiao Fu sarcastically noted.
“I did no such thing.” Murong Jieli answered calmly.
“See!” Murong Feili expression and tone turned hysterical as she stared at the royals with grieving eyes, “She always acts so high and mighty! To not use honorifics when regarding her older sister, she is very disrespectful!”
‘Shit. Maybe I have been too comfortable.’
“Murong Jieli, did you steal your sister’s hanfu?” Emperor Fan calmly asked. Murong Jieli bowed her head and replied, “No, Your Majesty. This servant has sewn this hanfu by herself.”
Murong Feili burst out laughing, “Preposterous! You don’t know the basics of either the four arts or the duties of a wife!”
Emperor Fan raised his hand and silenced Murong Feili whole keeping his gaze on Murong Jieli. “If you have sewn this dress, you wouldn’t mind demonstrating your skills?”
Murong Feili was about to interrupt again with another snide comment, but her mother pinched her discreetly in warning. “Stop! She’ll be proven wrong and will be sentenced soon.”
Murong Jieli nodded and bowed her head as Emperor Fan motioned for servants to bring supplies and fabric all while sitting in the middle of the crowded banquet, every eye on her.
“Humph! Look at her bluffing her attitude…” Murong Feili whispered to her mother with disgust evident in her eyes. Her mother remained quiet and everyone watched Murong Jieli raise the first threat and needle and pause.
Snorts were heard in the crowd as the audience leaned more and more on the side of Murong Feili. It was clear that Murong Jieli didn’t know anything regarding sewing.
But Murong Jieli paid them no heed as she was currently in a dilemma of convincing Xiao Fu to work his magic. ”Please Xiao Fu! Work your magic!”
The audience was quiet as they heard Murong Jieli convince someone named Xiao Fu. Who was Xiao Fu? The god that she prayed to? Why hadn’t any of them heard of Xiao Fu before? Little Luck seemed a bit weird to name a god, even if it was Murong Jieli’s imaginary god.
Xiao Fu sighed as he heard the people’s thoughts. With a flock of his paw, he controlled Murong Jieli and began to sew away.
One hour later, Murong Jieli held a simple white and small dress with endless patterns of flowers. She continued to adorn it with gold thread that made it shimmer from a distance. Everyone gaped at how efficiently and quickly she was working.
They wondered how such a young woman was able to work so fast, faster than the royal seamstress and any other seamstress in the country. And her designs were original yet modest and seemed very comfortable.
“Impossible…” Murong Feili muttered. She opened her mouth to oppose Murong Jieli again but her mother pinched her once more.
“Very good!” Emperor Fan said gleefully. His future daughter-in-law has already managed to outdo most of the young women here and they hadn’t even begun the competition yet. “But who is Xiao Fu…”
Murong Jieli didn’t know how to answer, so Xiao Fu controlled her actions again and spoke for her, “He the god that this servant worships.”
Emperor Fan was curious, “But I have never heard of such a god…”
“When this servant went to one of the temple a few years, this servant had spoken to a few monks that guided her to a minor god of luck. He had always answered this servant prayers.” Murong Jieli explained. Or technically, Xiao Fu explained.
Meanwhile the real Murong Jieli was utterly confused. Her sidekick’s ego was slowly starting to increase without her noticing. What god, what rubbish?
Murong Jielistill controlled by Xiao Futurned around and stared at the first wife with a daring look in her eyes. She was daring the first wife to deny her words. If she did, then the entire left prime minister’s family would be implicated as the emperor passed a law that the entire family must go to a temple during festivals and holidays to pray to the gods and goddesses regarding their fortune. Unfortunately, the first wife hadn’t allowed Murong Jieli to ever go, but if she said that now, they would be known criminals in front of their emperor and the foreign emperor.
The first wife understood Murong Jieli’s message and bitterly smiled behind her fan, hence deciding to remain quiet and silently support Murong Jieli’s words.
But Murong Feili hadn’t understood the meaning and blurted out, before her mother could stop her, “She’s lying! She’s lying about everything! Your Majesty must give us justice.”
Emperor Fan frowned at her choice of words and asked, “Murong Feili, why are you disturbing this banquet? For you to use ‘must’, are you ordering this emperor to do what you want?”
Murong Feili paled as she rapidly began to shake her head, “N-No, Your Majesty. This servant does not dare.”
Before the emperor could sentence Murong Feili or utter another word, Murong Jieli spoke softly, “Your Majesty, please forgive this servant’s sister. For this servant to have arrived late, it must’ve cause this servant’s sister to feel confused hence why she spoke oddly earlier.”
Emperor Fan laughed, “Alright, I will not be angry. Now we will begin the competition. All the ladies that wish to participate, please step forward.”
Murong Jieli didn’t move and remained in the middle of the banquet as other girls joined her. Their glances alternated between jealousy and admiration. Only Murong Feili gave Murong Jieli a look of absolute hatred. In her heart, she didn’t care that the trash knew how to sew. All that mattered was that the trash was going to be utterly defeated once involved in this competition. Everyone would cheer and admire for her since she was the best of the best.
Murong Jieli didn’t stand a chance!
