Chapter 70 Renaming
"Your Majesty, Consort Qing requests an audience."
Since the female members' ranks were not yet determined, Ruyi still addressed them by their original identities.
Why is she here?
Feng Ruozhao was somewhat surprised. Although she disliked Qingying, she was still her son's concubine. "Let her in."
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Qingying slowly approached and bowed to Feng Ruozhao in greeting.
Upon hearing her self-reference, Feng Ruozhao's brow twitched. This change in address was too quick; wasn't it a sign of overconfidence? It wasn't wrong, but wasn't it a bit too confident that she could reach the rank of concubine or higher?
As far as she knew, Hongli didn't like Qingying. Without children or favor, where did he get his confidence?
Looking at Qingying kneeling before her with her back straight, Feng Ruozhao's eyelids twitched. Well, this Qingying Consort has always had a mysterious self-confidence.
"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Qingying stood up, looked up at the Empress Dowager, and said respectfully, "It is truly my fault for disturbing Your Majesty's rest."
Feng Ruozhao was startled. Why was he being so respectful? What wicked scheme was he plotting? He asked in a deep voice, "You must have something to say since you're here. Just say it."
Qingying took a deep breath, her face filled with an inexplicable confidence and certainty, and with a somewhat righteous air of compromise, she said earnestly, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to ask of you."
Feng Ruozhao listened quietly, and then almost lost control of her expression.
"The name Qingying was given to me when I was young. I feel that this name is not appropriate for the times, and I would like to ask the Empress Dowager to bestow a new name upon me."
Feng Ruozhao was shocked and asked incredulously, "What did you say? How is it inappropriate?"
Qingying felt somewhat embarrassed and awkward, and explained, "Cherry blossoms are mostly pink, but my name is Qingying, so it's inappropriate."
Judging from Feng Ruozhao's expression, she felt that she might be shocked by her determination, and continued, "Moreover, I am not only a daughter of the Ulanara clan, but also a daughter-in-law of the Aisin Gioro clan. Therefore, I humbly request that Your Majesty bestow upon me a name, so that I may sever ties with the past and pray for new blessings."
The intention to seek refuge is quite obvious, isn't it? The Empress Dowager must be very touched, right?
Feng Ruozhao was not just afraid to move, she was utterly terrified! Looking at Qingying's calm and expectant face, she was speechless. "You still know you're a daughter of the Ulanara clan? Your parents are alive, and your aunt, the Empress Dowager, is here too. What are you doing here changing your name?! And you even let her do it!"
No way, no way, does Qingying think that just because she helped change her name, she'll protect her from now on? She can't be having such a ridiculous daydream, can she?
Feng Ruozhao stared intently at Qingying, realizing that she truly thought so, and couldn't help but chuckle. She asked one last time, "You really think that way? You won't regret it?"
Qingying's face was full of sincerity and unwavering, "Yes, Your Majesty, I have no regrets. Please bestow a name upon me."
"Alright, alright, you're not afraid of embarrassing Ulanara, so what does she, the Holy Mother Empress Dowager, have to fear? She can even watch Yixiu make a fool of herself." Feng Ruozhao then gave a "kind" smile and asked, "What do you most look forward to?"
Qingying was taken aback. Even though she knew in her heart that Hongli had no feelings for her, she still blurted out subconsciously, "Deep affection and loyalty, our hearts are pledged to each other."
Feng Ruozhao paused. Sure enough, it was still Qingying.
A thought crossed her mind, and she asked softly, "How about calling her Ruyi?"
"Ruyi?" Qingying thought for a moment. "Does it mean that everything goes smoothly?"
No, Ruyi is a fake Ruyi. Besides, the real Ruyi is her maid, hehe. It's not Qingying's fault for not remembering.
"Tong Jinshi Ru Furen" means that Tong Jinshi is not a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), but someone who resembles a Jinshi; Ru Furen is not a Furen (a woman who resembles a Furen).
Although Qingying was unwilling to believe it was a one-sided affection, Feng Ruozhao ultimately didn't want Hongli to suffer. The name itself implied that Hongli didn't treat Qingying as his wife at all, and that it was all Qingying's one-sided, false fantasy.
Of course, you can't say it like that.
Feng Ruozhao tried to explain, "I chose the character 'Yi' from 'Yide,' which means virtuous conduct." But wasn't that ironic?
Of course, Qingying couldn't tell. She bowed slightly to express her gratitude and asked curiously, "But I don't understand, Yi is fine, why is it Ruyi?"
Feng Ruozhao frowned slightly and said with feigned emotion, "You are still too young to understand. Perfect and beautiful things are too rare and hard to come by in this world. So Ruyi is already very good."
Qingying nodded thoughtfully, "Your Majesty means that in the pursuit of perfection, one may miss the beauty around us. Sometimes, we should lower our expectations and be content with what we have."
Feng Ruozhao nodded. "Well said. That's your understanding. Don't blame me."
Qingying then expressed her gratitude and kowtowed deeply: "Thank you for bestowing this name upon me, Empress Dowager. From now on, there will be no more Qingying in this world, only Ruyi. I will remember your teachings, Empress Dowager."
"Go."
Feng Ruozhao saw Qingying off—no, Ruyi—with a thoughtful and wistful expression.
After Ruyi and her servants left Cining Palace, Feng Ruozhao jumped up with an extremely excited smile on her face and waved to Ruyi, "Ruyi... no, you shouldn't be called that name anymore. Change your name to... Qiongying, which means that beautiful jade shines brightly."
"Yes, Qiongying thanks the Empress Dowager."
Originally, Ruyi, now Qiongying, accepted with a smile. She had already been surprised when the Empress Dowager bestowed the name, and didn't think there was anything wrong with the Empress Dowager's behavior.
After all these years, Consort Qing still doesn't even remember the names of the palace maids around the Empress. It's really disrespectful, so she should swallow this bitter pill herself.
"Qiongying, quick, bring me paper and pen! I need to write a letter to Yixiu!"
Feng Ruozhao was overjoyed. Haha, now that she was the Empress Dowager, she was on equal footing with Yixiu, and could finally openly mock her. Before, she could only watch Nian Shilan laugh at Yixiu and then at her; she had to repay that resentment to Yixiu, since Yixiu was Ruyi's aunt.
...
Living alone in the Yuanmingyuan Garden, Yixiu felt an unprecedented peace. Now she had no regrets, and could spend the rest of her time leisurely and carefree, without any more worries.
"Your Majesty, a letter from Cining Palace."
"Cining Palace?" Yixiu was somewhat surprised. "Why would you write me a letter out of the blue? Are we that close?"
Confused and unsuspecting, Yixiu opened the letter, and the lines of text flashed before her eyes like a nightmare from the past.
Looking at the last part of the letter, Feng Ruozhao's handwriting was visibly trembling with excitement: "Your niece Qingying will henceforth be called Ruyi, haha..."
Yi Xiu's hands trembled uncontrollably, his face darkened, and he gritted his teeth: "Qing Ying!"
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