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When the Evening Lanterns Are First Lit
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!
“Xun Yan? That’s…….” Yu Lingxin followed along his words, her complexion also not too pretty.
Xun Che first called out to Chen Qiao, instructing a few words. Afterwards, he fell silent again. A moment of silence later, he finally nodded his head, “En, precisely her, my second uncle’s eldest di daughter, her ambitions higher than the skies, and also very capable. Strictly speaking, in terms of having keen insight, as well as efficiency and decisive in handling matters, she’s even stronger than Jinrou. Jincheng in the early years may not necessarily be able to compare with her.” Speaking to here, he paused for a moment and turned to face the carriage window.
In the last lifetime, by the time Yu Lingxin arrived in the capital, the Xun family second branch had already all gotten personally killed off by Xun Che, with only Xun old madam still paralyzed on the bed from a stroke, lasting for a year before passing away. That’s why, she for the most part never directly encountered anyone from the Xun family second branch before, and her knowledge of their deeds and conduct was also just a rough idea.
In short, it was just that Xun old madam’s temperament was selfish and eccentric, extremely willful and bias. In terms of temper, it was somewhat similar to Qi-shi’s, just unlike Qi-shi, she wasn’t that avaricious, yet at the same time, in terms of stubbornness, she actually somewhat surpassed Qi-shi.
Xun old madam had a total of two sons and one daughter. Her eldest son, Xun Nanheng, is the current Wen’an Marquis, Xun Che’s father. Her second son, Xun Nanan, has yet to divide out, his entire family all taking up idle posts, adhering to his older brother. Xun old madam’s di daughter, Xun Qi, had married into Chang’de Count Manor, precisely Yu Lingxin’s maternal aunt-in-law.
Back then, Xun old madam and the old marquis’s relationship although was pretty good, the old marquis’s mother was nevertheless Ningyi Xianzhu[1] who came from the imperial clan, and towards Xun old madam, this daughter-in-law, she very much disliked. That’s why, Xun Che’s father, Xun Nanheng, practically got raised by Ningyi Xianzhu’s side since birth, very rarely spending time with Xun old madam and also not too close with her.
This complicated family issue of the previous generation coming to the present has increasingly pushed Xun old madam’s bias, to the point where she was practically unscrupulous at all times in all places, wanting to fight for resources and power, and even the noble title for her second son’s family that have been raised by her side.
And Xun Che’s father, Xun Nanheng, was actually in a very difficult position in between them. In terms of feelings and reason, it all wasn’t good for him to be too heartless towards his own mother Xun old madam.
Just, he never thought, or perhaps should say, even Xun old madam and Xun second master, Xun Nanan, may not have ever thought that the second branch’s children would have that big of ambitions, courting death that thoroughly.
“Shenzhi.” Yu Lingxin thought of the rumors in regard to how the people of the second branch died one by one in the past life and couldn’t help but feel somewhat nervous inside, voluntarily snuggling in Xun Che’s arms, “Do you have any specific plans?”
Xun Che just felt that the girl in his arms was like a small kitten, delicate and cute. His originally heavy mood also somewhat relaxed a little, slightly tightening his arm that was holding her, “I know my father’s wish, always hoping that we can peacefully get along with my grandmother and second uncle’s family. Back then, when my father got forcibly taken away by my great-grandmother to raise, my grandmother at the time was also once very heartbroken for two years. That’s why, my father inevitably feels somewhat remorseful inside.”
Yu Lingxin also couldn’t help but sigh. As the saying goes, even an honest and upright official will have difficulties resolving a family dispute. It was precisely this meaning.
Ningyi Xianzhu back then looked down on her daughter-in-law that came from the Liu province, who wasn’t familiar with the capital, so just forcibly took away her eldest grandson that will inherit the noble title to raise and educate on her own. This can be said to be out of good intentions, and moreover, she indeed had the current Wen’an Marquis, Xun Nanheng, raised into someone that was outstanding in all aspects, skilled in both literature and military tactics.
But, this matter also made Xun old madam who had became a mother for the first time back then deeply hurt and heartbroken, and from there, planted the root of today’s disharmony in the family and even source of interior conflict.
“I was originally thinking,” Xun Che slowly exhaled a breath, “in the last lifetime, they’d done that kind of thing, but I’d also let them pay the price in blood, so it can be considered even. This time, after the new year, once I find some time, I will properly discuss with my father and seek for an appointment far away from the capital for the second branch, letting them distance themselves from these matters in the capital. It can also be considered leaving them a living path. Else, afraid, my father won’t be able to bear it in his heart.”
Towards this bit, there was no one that understood more than Yu Lingxin. The so called blood-related kin and familial love truly were the most difficult to cut from one’s life. The reason why her attitude towards her stepmother, Su-shi, as well as her younger sister, Yu Yunxin, was relatively lenient, on one hand, it’s because the true cause of her tragedies in the past life was still on her birth mother, Qi-shi, and on the other hand, it was seeing on behalf of her father’s feelings towards Su-shi, as well as Yu Yunxin and Yu Zhenghua, these two biological children of his.
The situation that Xun Che was currently facing was also like this. Xun old madam and the Xun family second branch, for Xun Che, were just relatives separated by a layer of relation, but for his father, Xun Nanheng, they were nevertheless his own mother and brother.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Never mind in the last lifetime where the situation was dire, in this life, if able to not take this step, then Xun Che probably don’t want to let the entire Xun family be once again washed in blood either. Reputation and whatnot, Xun Che all didn’t care for, but to make his father sad, it nevertheless wasn’t something he wished for as a son.
“Just,” Xun Che suddenly softly let out a laugh, “if at this time, Xun Yan is already in Ruiyang’s carriage, then afraid, this living path, I may not necessarily be able to leave for them, heh.”
Although he was smiling, the bitterness and loneliness contained within nevertheless made Yu Lingxin heartache. She also didn’t know why she heartached that much for Xun Che, but from these two lines, she can still understand his feelings.
Regardless of whether it was the past life or this life, Xun Che always want to have the entire Wen’an Marquis Manor, his parents, his younger brother and sister, as well as the Ming family cousins, and Qin Wang who was in the palace, everyone’s future and happiness all carried on his shoulders.
His ending and infamy, he didn’t care about. Exhausting his thoughts and energy, he was also used to.
Exactly how arrogant of an idiot was he, why did he just think that he alone can shoulder everything?
“Shenzhi.” Unknowingly, Yu Lingxin actually felt her nose go sour for some reason, and also somewhat worried. She couldn’t help but go caress his face, “You need to be steady. For all things, discuss with the marquis, madam, Ming young master and them more, alright? Some things of the past still haven’t occurred yet, and also won’t reoccur. You absolutely mustn’t be that irritable again like towards the fourth young master today. And also think more of your family. Everyone similarly wish for you to be safe and sound.”
She paused for a moment, her voice lowering some more, “And also, also me. I also can’t turn back anymore and can only wait for you.”
Xun Che gazed towards Yu Lingxin, his expression becoming gentle again. He knew that Yu Lingxin normally won’t voluntarily say this kind of thing. She really was worried.
“Huijun, in the twelfth month, you will be celebrating your fourteenth birthday, right?” Xun Che’s lips slightly perked up. He gently caressed her shoulder, “After the new year, let’s quickly have our marriage arrangements settled down. Without you by my side, I’m really afraid that I will want to kill someone at all times.”
Yu Lingxin was increasingly alarmed as she listened. However, on the surface, she just lightly clicked her tongue, “Tsk, saying nonsense again. So, you wanting to marry me, it’s just for the sake of blocking your desire to kill? Then, me marrying you, it’s just for preserving those people’s lives?”
Xun Che also laughed, “Of course not, you marrying me, it has to be because you don’t want to marry anyone but me.”
“Says who?” Yu Lingxin slanted her mouth, “There are that many good people in the world, who says I don’t want to marry anyone but you. There are plenty of people I can marry.”
“A certain someone had said so just now, saying that you can’t turn back anymore, no?” Staring at the Yu Lingxin before him, Xun Che increasingly relaxed inside. Regardless of what kind of changes there will be in this lifetime, at least, she was by his side.
Yu Lingxin was slightly stifled, but seeing him like this, she still didn’t want to admit defeat, “What I meant just now was that I still have your businesses in my hands. I still need to have those shops and whatnot handed over to you, so naturally waiting on you. I never said ‘I won’t marry anyone but you’.”
“Really?” Xun Che suddenly exert strength in his arms, singlehandedly having Yu Lingxin pulled further into his embrace. The two of them were practically fully glued together, “Then, who else can you marry? Let me have a hear, I’ll help you analyze.”
“You’re really……..” Yu Lingxin right now was also used to getting held by him. Suddenly getting pulled closer like this, although momentarily startled inside, it was mostly still endless joy.
The Xun Che before her, exactly what was different from what she knew of him previously? How come in this moment, she felt that this person was even cuter?
Especially after he had the sorrow and troubles in his eyes and between his brows tossed aside, now, just like a child, still asking, “Why don’t you say, who else do you dare to marry!?”
Yu Lingxin finally couldn’t hold back anymore, laughing out loud, also hugging him back, and at the same time, clearly gave Xun Che an answer, “Just marry you, just like you alone, alright?”
Her voice was also like coaxing a child. Xun Che couldn’t endure anymore, lowering his head and directly kissing her.
On this incomparably long sixth of the tenth month, finally, amidst Xun Che’s heartfelt satisfaction, the early evening lanterns were lit.
An hour later, while in a sweet mood carrying a bit of complications, Yu Lingxin finally set foot through her family gate. And not at all that unexpectedly, as soon as she entered the second gate, she just saw three to four servant girls in the gardens pacing back and forth, actually all waiting for her.
“Eldest miss, you’ve finally returned!”
Seeing the servant girls all come forward at the same time, Yu Lingxin just furrowed her brows, quickly sweeping a glance from left to right and directly instructing, “Shuangzhi, you go and reply to the old madam that I’m really a bit tired today. During the Zhu family banquet, nothing major happened. I have an understanding inside. If second miss had gotten frightened, just take some time to meditate. Tomorrow, I will go to Dongli Residence to explain to the old madam in detail as soon as I wake up. There’s nothing to worry about, just asking the old madam to rest with ease and take care of herself.”
Afterwards, she waved her hand towards Ganlu, “Go prepare hot water, I want to take a bath. Additionally, let the little kitchen prepare some soup and desserts, just needs to be light. I’m really tired today.”
Shuangzhi from Dongli Residence was actually still a bit hesitant, but seeing that Yu Lingxin’s tone was very firm and decisive, after hesitating for a moment, she still just bowed and went. Ganlu naturally also listened to her orders, immediately bowing and going to handle her matters. As for the last servant girl dressed in a light red bijia[2], she was a bit unfamiliar. Yu Lingxin recognized that she was from her stepmother, Su-shi’s place, but for a moment, unable to remember her name. However, this servant girl unexpectedly once again step forward, “Eldest miss, this servant knows that you’re tired, but the madam is truly worried. Can you be troubled to take a trip to the main courtyard?”
[1] 县主 – Xianzhu, this title is usually given to daughters of a junwang. Speaking of which, the titles, junzhu (canton owner) and xianzhu (county owner), are named as such because often times, particularly in wealthy dynasties, these titles came with feudal land, and a lot of times, their title was usually the name of the land they owned. For example, Ningyi Xianzhu’s feudal land might just be called Ningyi County. Of course, there are also times where these titles are just empty titles.
[2] See below. It’s pretty much a vest.
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congrats congrats to xun che and yu lingxin having their first kiss in two lifetimes!! lol
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!! They finally kissed😚.
these types of people who are willing to destroy their own family for personal development and ambition…
scary…