The Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir

(T/N: The birthday grab (zhuazhou) is a tradition where parents place a variety of items in front of their child on his or her first birthday, and the child will grab one of the items. Whatever the child chooses is said to determine his or her future inclination and proficiencies.)

After Wen Wan was once again called Mistress Wen, she seemed to very quickly walk out from the shadow of Yun-er’s death. Her face was like a beautiful blooming peach flower.

There was also a faint smile on Liu Hanyun’s face from her promotion to a secondary wife. And, once Qi Siling had regained control over the household accounts, she also wore slightly more lavish clothing. The only person that was feeling dissatisfied was Nie Chenyu.

Nie Chenyu, who had been quite favored lately, was still only a concubine and had to sit next to Mu Shuiqing. Nie Chenyu’s face was livid today, but given Nie Clan’s current state, she didn’t have the means to demand a promotion in her status. She hadn’t been able to get pregnant either, so she could only sit in a desolate corner with Mu Shuiqing and watch.

For some reason, Xia-shi had come to the birthday celebration wearing a red gown. Holding Haohao, she was smiling quite happily. But, as soon as Xia-shi entered the main hall, Ji Man’s lips twitched.

During ancient time banquets, only the main wife was allowed to wear red, even a secondary wife or side consort could only wear hues of light pink. But, Xia-shi had casually entered the room wearing bright red.

The room full of people stopped talking, but Xia-shi didn’t notice. With a bright grin, she brought Haohao over to the marquis and said, ”Haohao has been very well-fed today. He’ll definitely grab something good later!”

Marquis Moyu looked at her from top to bottom. With a fake smile, he asked, ”Who gave you the clothes that you’re wearing right now?”

”My clothes?” Xia-shi lowered her head to look. Smiling, she said, ”I made these clothes myself. They said we’re going to celebrate Haohao’s first birthday today, so I should wear slightly more colorful clothing. Out of all the fabrics they sent over, this one looked the best, so I used this one. My lord, what do you think?”

Ning Yuxuan lightly smiled. He stretched his hands out and took Haohao, then he turned his head to the side and said to Nie Sangyu, ”Take her to have her clothes changed.”

Ji Man nodded and stood up to lead Xia-shi to Feiwan Courtyard.

Translator Ramblings: Isn’t there a possibility that Xia-shi tried to kill or harm Nie Sangyu, and she just wasn’t very good at hiding the evidence? Or, it’s neither of them, and someone else tried to frame Xia-shi? It’s consistent with Ji Man’s character to side with whomever she thinks is the underdog.

Earlier in the story, there’s no doubt that when Liu Hanyun helps out Nie Sangyu/Ji Man, she doesn’t want anything in return. In contrast, Ji Man has always viewed Liu Hanyun as a tool that could be useful to her, so it’s possible that she’s projecting her motivation onto Liu Hanyun. Or, maybe, Liu Hanyun really has changed.