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A Thundering Move
T/N: Translated by Jen on Broken Jinsei! Please do not repost my translations! All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
“You know him, the one that because of you, entered the Hong Lu Office, Xie Ren Hui.”
Jing Wan was very much astonished, but thinking about it soon after, it seemingly made sense.
Hong Lu Office handled matters regarding foreign guests. Under normal circumstances, it was for the most part very difficult to make big contributions, but once there were foreign emissaries visiting, as well as sending emissaries to other countries, Hong Lu Office will occupy a very important position. And those that were proficient in all kinds of foreign languages were especially irreplaceable. This year’s longevity festival[1], starting from the national letters, to later receiving the emissaries from the various countries, in addition to the ‘friendly diplomatic relations’ afterwards, Xie Ren Hui not just once picked out certain people’s language traps that were set with ulterior motives, causing Qi Yuan, in this regard, from beginning to end, to maintain an invulnerable position. As such, his contributions naturally weren’t small.
After sending off the various countries’ emissaries, Le Cheng Emperor was greatly pleased. Afterwards, it wasn’t just leaping three ranks, but rather directly leaping five consecutive ranks, in addition to various other bestowments.
For the entire official circle, Xie Ren Hui at present was still not prominent, but among the people that entered officialdom at the same time as him, there wasn’t a single one that could compare to his accomplishments, including that older clan brother of his that was the top scorer in the imperial exam.
Xie Ren Hui was a shu-born, even having foreign blood in him. Even if the di mother didn’t mistreat him, in the Xie clan, he was still an invisible one. But now, although it was still far from being viewed highly by the entire clan, this branch of theirs certainly won’t continue to ignore him. Just, don’t know how they thought of wanting to make marriage ties with the Luo family.
Jing Wan had her question asked out loud.
“The specifics weren’t mentioned, and moreover, it was Xie Ren Hui’s di mother that looked for your mother. What kind of person is your mother, would you not know? Even if others have some deeper meaning, this blockhead of hers wouldn’t be able to make out either.” Luo Old Madam very bluntly said.
Zhang-shi’s face was full of shame. Although it long wasn’t her first time getting said as such by her mother-in-law, but in front of her daughter, she was still deeply embarrassed. She secretly peeked at Jing Wan, discovering that Jing Wan had her head lowered, drinking tea, like as if not hearing. Zhang-shi finally relaxed a breath. Afterwards, she just tugged her handkerchief, pretending to be a wooden log.
“If this marriage is able to work, then it’s also not bad. There also won’t be any bad ties. Grandmother and mother can just handle as you see fit.” Jing Wan slightly contemplated, and then just no longer showed interest in this matter.
Afterwards, Jing Wan bid farewell to Luo Old Madam and Zhang-shi.
A qinwang and qin-wangfei leaving, the entire manor from top to bottom naturally all needed to come out to respectfully send off.
In the horse carriage, Jing Wan mentioned this matter to Li Hong Yuan.
Li Hong Yuan stared at Jing Wan with slightly narrowed eyes, his expression difficult to guess. Facing Jing Wan’s puzzled look, he coldly sneered.
Jing Wan was baffled by this look of his.
“Heh, what else can be the reason. Xie Ren Hui, because of you, this Bo Le[2], was thus able to have today’s circumstances. As the saying goes, the favor of a drop of water paid back with a gushing spring. Moreover, this was equal to the grace of giving new life. Even if sacrificing his entire life, he’s still unable to completely pay back. When we were getting married, he’d brought people to back you, and now, wanting to make marriage ties with the Luo family, taking your shu younger sister as wife, what’s so strange about it? Don’t forget, previously because of you, your shu younger sister’s reputation was greatly affected, her marriage arrangements bearing the brunt of the force, else your mother and them wouldn’t have such a hard time picking a suitable candidate. For him to do this kind of thing, what’s so strange about it?”
Jing Wan naturally was able to make out what was wrong from his tone. Wasn’t this vinegar consumption a bit too unreasonable? However, since Jing Wan clearly knew that he was unreasonable, she naturally didn’t bother bickering with him, else this vinegar jar can turn into a vinegar tub in seconds. Any more, and it’ll be able to drown her to death.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Jing Wan lazily leaned against him, “What he’s thinking has nothing to do with me at all. As long as it won’t cause any unfavorable influences towards you and the Luo family, this kind of thing, I naturally won’t care.”
Li Hong Yuan’s expression finally eased a little.
Returning to the qinwang manor, they continued leisurely passing their days.
However, the next day, a shocking news came from the Ding Duke Manor. Even Li Hong Yuan was speechless for a very long time.
The reason being that the secluded Sun Old Madam had suddenly walked out of her own courtyard, and without allowing others to comment, just had Sun Yi Lin given out for adoption[3], the target being the former Ding Duke’s younger brother———-a person that had died prematurely before even reaching adulthood. One has to know, in the past, they’d never considered giving him a son, yet now, it was giving him a grandson. And what was even more unbelievable was that Sun Yi Jia also got given away along with Sun Yi Lin. In other words, their biological father now became their tang uncle, and as their tang uncle, his relation with Sun Yi Lin and Sun Yi Jia naturally just diluted a lot. If the Ding Duke were to ask Sun Yi Jia to do something again, it completely won’t hold ground.
This move of Sun Old Madam’s can be considered drastic, using another kind of method, one that won’t harm Sun Yi Jia as well as her child, to sever her relation with the Ding Duke Manor.
One could only use one word to describe——-impressive.
Jing Wan for a moment was somewhat dumbstruck. Sure enough, it was ‘to not move thus silent, but one move like roaring thunder of ten thousand volts’.
At the same time, Sun Old Madam also swiftly had the Ding Duke Manor divided. Those brothers of the Ding Duke, what should be given to them, she didn’t give a cent less, and afterwards, ordered them to immediately move out, the time limit three days. For every day delayed, their share will reduce by a tenth.
Sun Old Madam was absolutely a qualifying di mother, else how could the previous Ding Duke be able to leave behind that many shu born children. Never mind this, even after the previous Ding Duke passed away, she still didn’t have them divided out, letting them continue staying in the duke manor, living a life of luxury, enjoying the privileges brought about by the Ding Duke Manor.
One has to know, even if brothers, living in the Ding Duke Manor versus living outside, that was definitely two different concepts.
Suddenly making such a move, there naturally were people that were unable to accept. Afterwards, it was just getting sorted out by Sun Old Madam, losing not just one layer of skin. Probably due to Sun Old Madam taking up a buddhist lifestyle for a very long period time, her presence not very prominent, these people all forgot her innate character and personality.
In reality, Sun Old Madam not mistreating those shu sons and shu daughters, it wasn’t for the sake of her reputation, nor was it because she was really virtuous and magnanimous. It was just that she didn’t care. And because she didn’t care, that’s why, she allowed them to exist.
That’s why, at this time, she also won’t care about her reputation. Moreover, after the head of the family dies, having the shu sons divided out, this was also something that couldn’t be more normal. No one can criticize her on this matter.
The Ding Duke wanted to say something, yet as a result, before the words even came out, he just got beaten by Sun Old Madam with the cane. His children and grandchildren were all watching to the side, his dignity sweeping the floor, but facing Sun Old Madam’s gaze that was like as if containing ice, the Ding Duke could only tremble and obediently kneel. The words of objection by the mouth also got forcibly swallowed back down.
Seeing this pathetic look of his, Sun Old Madam’s complexion grew even colder. Sometimes, she would suspect whether this son and that daughter in the palace had switched genders. If this moron had half of his younger sister’s brain, the Ding Duke Manor wouldn’t be like this. And if that daughter just had half, not getting consumed by her greed for power, then the Ding Duke Manor also wouldn’t be like this today.
Speaking of having Sun Yi Lin given out for adoption, the happiest was none other than his eldest brother Sun Yi Bin. The joy in the bottom of his eyes practically wasn’t able to be suppressed. Sun Old Madam’s cane that was taller than a person once again swung over. That strength, if not for her old age, afraid would’ve been able to directly break Sun Yi Bin’s leg. “Bastard thing that’s less than an animal.”
Just a chilly few words, as if carrying the deepest malice.
The smugness in Sun Yi Bin’s eyes disappeared cleanly, his complexion deathly pale, his lips trembling, his legs going limp, also kneeling onto the ground, “Grandmother, this grandson…………”
“Shut up, this old woman doesn’t want to listen to your chattering, annoying to death.”
[1] Just another way to refer to the Emperor’s birthday
[2] Bo Le – A horse connoisseur during the Spring and Autumn Period, very talented in discovering good horses. His name is used to refer to people who have good eye for talent.
[3] 过继 (guo ji) – This is a very specific type of adoption that only happens within a family clan. There’s another word for adoption when referring to taking in an outside child–领养 (ling yang). In this particular case, it’s really just moving names around in the family record. Both cases are also different from Jing Wan’s ‘adoption’ as the Grand Elder Princess’s adopted daughter (basically daughter in name), which although is done formally, Jing Wan’s name would never be recorded into the Jiang family or as the Grand Elder Princess’s daughter. It’s more just in an honorary sense.
T/N: Sun Old Madam, I always feel is a very unique character, especially in cnovels where there aren’t a lot of variety when it comes to elderly women characters. I’m traumatized by too many malicious and evil grandmother characters.
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Zhang-shi what can be said about this mother of Jing Wan 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ I mean she see her husband changes and how he’s starting to work hard for children….then why can’t she do the same too???
Sun Old Madam 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 I bow down to her. In one swift move she solved the issue that Sun Yi Jia was worrying about.
Lol she just yeeted the two last good apples out so they’ll take seed and start anew. This way the rotten tree won’t drag them with it when it finally falls down.
Such a move. Even LHY was surprised.
I’m with you on this Jen. But then, this novel has so many unique side characters whose stories could actually be mc stories cause it’s already so outside the norm.
LJW mom being so incompetent and she being raised by such an outstanding good mother is already rare.
Tyvsm for the chapter! 😊
Fall down? I think Sun Old Madam’s started on chopping down the rotten trees herself with this move.
Also, love her perspective on her children. One’s too smart for her own good, the other’s too stupid for his own good and both not good for the family’s good.