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Hundred Flower Banquet
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!
Speaking of that Lu family third miss that will soon become engaged to Qin Wang, Yu Lingxin’s expression was actually still a bit curious.
When they’d met last time, she’d also asked Xun Che, exactly how Qin Wang felt towards Lu-shi in the past life. However, the answer that the intelligent and farsighted Xun-shizi gave her was actually: ‘Don’t know.’
According to Xun Che’s explanation, Qin Wang was an extremely single-minded person, wholeheartedly devoted to governmental affairs, at most just having some hobbies in martial arts and music to pass the time. Towards romance, perhaps because he’d seen too much conflict in the inner palace, or perhaps because he’d long known that his own marriage will inevitably be political, that’s why, in this aspect, Qin Wang didn’t have too many thoughts.
However, Qin Wang extremely revered the sages and valued principles, while also clean-living and honest. That’s why, in the past life, since Lu-shi was his officially wedded main wife, Qin Wang naturally just greatly respected and cherished her. Seemingly, between the two of them, there has never been any disputes or conflict, very much treating each other like honored guests. But, to say that they were loving and affectionate, this seemingly wasn’t the case. At least, Xun Che, this close and trusted minister, wasn’t able to sense it.
This kind of answer just made Yu Lingxin produce a bit of curiosity towards the Lu family miss. Just, when facing Ming Jinrou’s current mood, she could only softly stroke the side of Ming Jinrou’s head, “Don’t think too much. Some things, just take step by step.”
Ming Jinrou also wasn’t the type to be melancholic, nodding her head and just having this topic tossed aside, and then just started talking with Yu Lingxin about the various rumors regarding the Zhu family and Ruiyang Junzhu. After idly chatting like this for about two cups of tea’s time, they just arrived at Cheng’en Duke Manor.
The Zhu family’s hundred flower banquet although was just a birthday banquet for the younger generation, but in reality, the invited families, even if not over a hundred, there were still several dozen. When the Jin Duke Manor, Wen’an Marquis Manor, And Yu family horse carriage arrived, on the main street outside of Cheng’en Duke Manor, there was already an endless stream of horse carriages, the line very long. Several dozen servants dressed uniformly in blue stood outside tending to the guests’ horse carriages.
Cheng’en Duke Manor’s interior and exterior decorations were luxurious and exquisite, also sparing no effort to manifest Noble Consort Zhu’s peerless prestige at present. In terms of grandeur, it truly was announcing their great fame and power. A birthday banquet for a young lady of the boudoir can practically crush other families’ birthday banquets for their elders and other important celebrations.
Ming Jinrou was actually happy to go in a little later, just idly chatting with Yu Lingxin in the carriage. By the time everyone finally entered the second gate and descended the carriage, it was already half an hour later.
As usual, it was still Ming Jinrou that climbed down from the carriage first, and because they were at Cheng’en Duke Manor, she for once didn’t directly jump down from the carriage, instead waiting for the servant girl outside to place down the footstool. Afterwards, she turned around, waiting to support Yu Lingxin.
When Yu Lingxin descended the carriage, she was somewhat surprised that Ming Jincheng and Xun Che still haven’t headed to the front to go participate in the young masters’ banquet, instead staying next to the horse carriage, waiting for them.
Very naturally, Yu Lingxin’s eyes just gazed towards Xun Che in the next moment, and Xun Che was also looking at her. After the two of them shared a glance, Xun Che just headed towards them with Ming Jincheng.
“Jinrou, Ying’er, you two pay a bit more attention.” Ming Jincheng’s strides were wide, seemingly like as if just instructing them as usual, and in a few steps, just passed Xun Che, directly going ahead of him, also perfunctorily saying a few words to the Wen family sisters.
As for Xun Che, when passing by Yu Lingxin’s side, he softly whispered, “Your guess was right.” After saying this, he just naturally continued forward, catching up to Ming Jincheng.
These words truly were said both lightly and quickly. Even Ming Jinrou who was a step away also didn’t hear clearly, just knowing that Xun Che seemingly said something to Yu Lingxin before leaving, and Yu Lingxin immediately just frowned.
“Sister Huijun?” Ming Jinrou went forward and coiled around her arm. Yu Lingxin very quickly returned to her usual smile, “Let’s go.”
Ming Jinrou naturally knew that right now wasn’t a suitable time to say something, so also just nodded her head.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Everyone slowly headed inside together.
Yu Yunxin also climbed down the carriage at this time. This was even her first time coming to the Cheng’en Duke Manor, and just encountered an occasion even more grand than the poetry gathering previously at the Jin Duke Manor and Wen’an Marquis Manor. Her hand that was propped against the servant girl’s was all somewhat nervously sweating. Seeing Yu Lingxin in front, she actually very much felt a sense of comfort. Just, with Ming Jinrou that naturally and affectionately coiling around her, Yu Yunxin could only silently follow behind her.
Yu Lingxin didn’t forget that aside from Xun Ying, there was also Yu Yunxin, this younger sister. After taking a few steps, she just turned back and swept a glance. Seeing Yu Yunxin following along, she just relaxed.
Very soon, they passed through two moon gates. The voices were increasingly clamorous. Aside from the numerous servant girls and servant women that were leading the guests over, Madam Su and her daughter, Su Hanwei, were also waiting near the pathway that led to the flower garden.
By this time, Ming Jincheng and Xun Che had long parted ways and headed to the front courtyard. On the girls’ side, it was Xun Ying accompanying the Wen family sisters in the front, while Ming Jinrou was with Yu Lingxin behind them. Yu Yunxin was half step behind, but also following along.
Xun Ying and them naturally didn’t recognize Madam Su at all. Although seeing at a glance a pair of brightly dressed mother and daughter standing there, probably waiting for someone, they still didn’t pay them any mind. It was still Yu Lingxin that smiled at them after seeing, but she didn’t have any intention of stopping either, just nodding her head and continuing on her way with Ming Jinrou.
Madam Su, in the moment, just felt very awkward. She originally thought that since the Yu family sisters have never been to the Cheng’en Duke Manor before, they certainly will be nervous and scared, not knowing what to do. Even if Yu Lingxin had helped out the Ming family and Xun family in handling the poetry club before, but so what? This kind of big occasion, how many people have seen before?
She, as the aunt-in-law, and Su Hanwei, were this familiar with the duke manor, so should come over to take care of them, also appearing to have a bit more sensibility as a relative.
However, this situation before them……………
At this time, Yu Yunxin who was in the back finally called out ‘aunt-in-law’, also stopping in her steps.
The smile on Madam Su’s face was a bit unnatural, “Yun’er——–”
Before even able to say the intimate words prepared in advance, such as ‘let Wei’er bring you along, and later when seeing the Zhu family young ladies and other noble personages need to be careful’ and so on, they just saw Yu Lingxin, who was two steps away, because of noticing Yu Yunxin stopping, similarly stop and turn around.
As soon as Yu Lingxin stood still, Ming Jinrou, Xun Ying, and also Empress Wen’s two nieces, Wen Ruoyao and Wen Ruoqiong, all stopped one after another. Everyone all turned around and looked over. Although no one said anything, their expressions were all somewhat similar, the rough meaning: ‘Why did we stop? Who is this?’
Even if Madam Su flaunted herself as being clever, in this moment, she still strangely felt a bit awkward, the corresponding words increasingly unable to come out.
“This is Yun’er’s maternal aunt-in-law, a lady of the duke manor’s side branch.” Yu Lingxin smiled, casually explaining to Ming Jinrou. Afterwards, she looked towards Yu Yunxin, “Yun’er, do you want to follow us, or go with Wei’er?”
At this time, the Wen family young ladies directly turned away. As the empress’s niece, even Noble Consort Zhu, they all didn’t take seriously, let alone the Zhu family’s side branch.
And Yu Yunxin, after a brief moment of hesitation, made what probably can be considered the most correct and also most important decision of her life, “Eldest sister, it’s still better for me to go with you.”
Yu Lingxin smilingly waved her hand, “Then, let’s go.”
She can’t be considered to have that much feelings towards Yu Yunxin, but for the sake of letting the old madam and her father worry less in the future, Yu Lingxin was still willing to help out this younger sister, of course, the premise being that on important major principles, Yu Yunxin was sensible herself.
Yu Yunxin somewhat didn’t dare to look at Madam Su and Su Hanwei’s complexion at this time, hurriedly saying, “I’ll be going first.” And then, quickly rushed to Yu Lingxin’s side in a few steps.
As for exactly how awkward Madam Su and Su Hanwei were, temporarily set aside for now. Very soon, everyone arrived at the so called flower banquet’s main hall. Because the amount of people invited were over several dozen, and Cheng’en Duke Manor’s back manor also can’t compare with the imperial palace, not having a large enough hall that can fit all the seats, they could only have half the seats set in the reception hall and half in the courtyard.
Towards the Wen family sisters, Ming Jinrou, and Xun Ying, this kind of guests, today’s birthday star, the Zhu family’s third miss, Zhu Yishuang, still personally came out to welcome and greet. Just, seeing Yu Lingxin and Yu Yunxin together with them, her dainty face still revealed a bit of surprise.
Regarding the Yu family’s eldest miss being close with the Xun family and Ming family, frequently visiting one another, it was actually quite well known throughout the capital lately. Mainly, it was still because of the Linglong Literature Club. Although it appear to just be a recreational club for the young ladies to play around in, but previously, there was the Zhu family’s private school, and afterwards, there was also the Wenhua Academy, for the more perceptive court officials and nobles, they naturally can tell that the Xun family and Ming family that have always supported the empress were challenging the Zhu family.
But the Zhu family third miss clearly still didn’t expect that the Yu family sisters were really this close with Ming Jinrou and them. As she smilingly greeted, she couldn’t help but somewhat worry about the seating arrangement, thus looking to her older sister next to her, the Zhu second miss.
Because when making the arrangements previously, Madam Su and Su Hanwei, who were enthusiastically helping greet guests, both mentioned that they will take care of the Yu family sisters. When time comes, the two Yu family young ladies will directly sit with Su Hanwei, arranging in the secondary seating in the courtyard.
“Ming younger sister and Xun younger sister, really long time no see.” At this time, Zhu second miss spoke with a smile, “Originally wanted to nicely catch up with you two, but lately have been very busy. Later, in the pavilion, we can sit down and chat. The Qiu family older sister, and the Qi family younger sister are also both waiting. Also, heard that these two Yu family young ladies are both very talented? What a coincidence, on this side, Wei’er and Miss Liu all like discussing literature and poetry. When drinking tea, can also chat to one’s content.”
These words for the occasion both flattered while also dividing them, having the seating arrangement brought out. It can also be considered very smooth.
The Wen family sisters and Yu Yunxin all didn’t feel anything of it, but Ming Jinrou didn’t take this, her arm around Yu Lingxin’s still not letting go, directly saying with a smile, “Whether it’s catching up on old times, or discussing poetry, I all want to sit together with Yu older sister. If there isn’t her seat in the pavilion, then I can also sit with her outside.” As she said this, she also glanced at Xun Ying, “What about you Ying’er?”
Xun Ying smiled gently, her tone also more polite, “If it’s not too troublesome, then I also want to sit together with the Yu family older sister.”
Yu Lingxin just smiled from beginning to end. Sure enough, regardless whether it was younger cousin or younger sister, as long as they were related to Xun Che, then all very hard to deal with.
Thinking to here, she faintly began to worry a little.
Just now, at the second gate, she saw that sharp glint that flashed through Xun Che’s eyes. This flower banquet today, afraid it will be very hard to not have trouble.
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Su shi can be a tad bit muddled head but she’s not completely brain dead. So seems like her daughter Yu Yunxin isn’t like those typical spoiled missy. So I think if she stay beside Yu Lingxin more and learn from her then she won’t be too bad.
Honestly, Su-shi not nearly as bad as Yu Lingxin’s own mother. 😔