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Only to Be Expected
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!
With all of them in one place, there was inevitably a moment of awkwardness.
After all, violently beating Xun Cong, the mother and son pair having a heart-to-heart talk, and so on all just happened a day ago on the sixth of the tenth month. And right now, merely the seventh of the tenth month’s morning, Yu Lingxin just came to Wen’an Marquis Manor again.
In front of Ming Huayue’s presence, no matter how easy-going and carefree Xun Che was, he still had no choice but the restrain himself. When entering, he mutually shared a glance with Yu Lingxin, and then immediately lowered his eyes, obediently going before his mother.
Yuli Hall’s warm room was the place specially set up by Ming Huayue to look over account books and manage the household affairs. That’s why, there wasn’t a heatable bed set up here. Instead, near the window as well as the gable, there was respectively a set of table and chairs displayed. Whether it’s drinking tea and chatting, or multiple people organizing the account books, there was all enough space. Originally, Xun Ying and Yu Lingxin were sitting before the long narrow table by the window. At this time, they naturally both got up, having the table yielded to Ming Huayue.
As for Xun Che, after walking to the center of the room, he naturally just stopped. That’s why, it was very awkward. When Ming Huayue finally sat down, Xun Che, Yu Lingxin, and Xun Ying stood in a row before her. Moreover, it was the tall and slender Yu Lingxin that just happened to be in the middle. This deferential and harmonious appearance was just like as if they were already a family.
When this thought emerged in Ming Huayue’s mind, even she herself was all somewhat surprised, hurriedly letting out a dry cough, “To have troubled Miss Yu, have a seat.”
Yu Lingxin knew that as the guest, she still needed to sit first, so she immediately just complied, slightly bending her knees to curtsy before retreating two steps to sit down.
At this time, Ming Huayue picked up the those slips of paper that Yu Lingxin was writing just now to carefully look over. Xun Ying went forward a step and stood next to her, her face somewhat nervous, “Mother, I saw that sister Huijun understood more clearly, so……..so asked her to help me write………..”
“Hmph.” Ming Huayue angrily snorted, not directly answering Xun Ying. However, when she carefully looked over Yu Lingxin’s beautiful Zhao script, as well as the brief and clear-cut notes on the little slips and booklets, very seasoned and proper in handling things, her gaze increasingly glistened, also shooting a glare at Xun Che.
Xun Che had already taken a few steps forward following Xun Ying, also clearly making out Yu Lingxin’s handwriting, not covering up the smile on his lips.
Ming Huayue immediately saw with a glance, angrily saying with a heavy look, “You’re still able to have a leisurely mood at this time? Still able to smile? Do you know how many matters there are in the manor that need to be taken care of? And how many are because of you? Do you know how heavy Cong’er’s injuries are, and even at this time?! As the older brother, do you not have the slightest compassion?!”
This sudden anger had Xun Ying startled again, hurriedly reaching out to pull Ming Huayue’s sleeve, “Mother, this………..it’s best to not reprimand second brother like this……….there’s still a guest…….”
Ming Huayue swung her sleeve and scolded, “He’s unable to bear getting scolded in front of someone? Then, when he beat your fourth brother in front of others, your fourth brother is just able to bear?”
Xun Che originally was still listening with his head lowered, but hearing this line, he still couldn’t help but grumble, “If not in front of others, his legs would’ve been broken by now.”
“You bastard!” Ming Huayue really was angry at this time, “Do you know what you’re saying? You want to break your younger brother’s legs? Xun Che, exactly how capable do you think you are? How big do you think you are? Have you really become too full of yourself?!”
Actually, as soon as the words came out, Xun Che just knew that he’d misspoke. Sure enough, his mother just became even more angry. He could only slightly bow his body, lowering his head and hanging his arms as he let his mother scold.
At this time, the servant girl just happened to come deliver tea. But, while in the central room, hearing Ming Huayue’s scolding voice come from the warm room, they didn’t dare to enter.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
As for Xun Ying, after getting brushed aside by her mother, and seeing her mother become even more angry, she also didn’t dare to go block again.
But, to just watch Xun Che get scolded in front of Yu Lingxin, this guest, like this, it seemingly wasn’t too appropriate either. Xun Ying instinctively gazed towards Yu Lingxin again, her eyes completely asking for help.
Yu Lingxin was half-sitting to the side, very much helpless. Regardless of what kind of tacit acceptance Xun Che received in front of Ming Huayue, the them at this time were still without any relationship or status. For her, who came as a guest, sitting in Yuli Hall assisting in managing Wen’an Marquis Manor’s household affairs was already very much overstepping her authority. Could it be that right now, even the conflict between Ming Huayue and Xun Che as mother and son, she also needed to regulate and mediate?
However, just as she was irresolutely muttering to herself like this, Ming Huayue was already increasingly angry. From Xun Cong getting injured and falling ill this time, to Xun Ying getting tired out and catching a cold last time, she was still scolding Xun Che, “…………….You have eight hundred little thoughts and schemes in your head, yet in the end, the ones that get affected are just your younger brother and younger sister. Ying’er being bad at managing things, it’s not like you didn’t know, yet you insist on letting her run that so called literature club. It hasn’t even been that long since she recovered from that cold, yet nearing the end of the year, still need to get tossed around. What kind of strategies and tactics are you coming up with? Just know to drag your younger brother and younger sister around!”
Xun Ying was increasingly anxious, but seeing her mother like this, she also didn’t dare to say anything. Xun Che just accepted the lecture with his head lowered, not attempting to explain himself.
And through the window, Yu Lingxin could faintly see that the servant women outside were also somewhat anxiously waiting to come report. Those that were impatient were already sticking their head out.
Yu Lingxin had no choice but to give Xun Ying a meaningful look.
Xun Ying although saw, she nevertheless didn’t understand in the moment, her elegant face completely at a loss.
Yu Lingxin practically wanted to facepalm. However, she was still sitting in front of Ming Huayue, so no matter what, she still needed to restrain her movements. She could only once again ‘look’ outwards at the servant girl holding the tea outside with all her might, practically just short of yelling, ‘Bring the tea!’
Xun Ying finally understood this time, going around and personally taking the tea tray from the servant girl’s hands. Just as she was about to carry it before her mother, Xun Che reached out to block, directly taking a cup from the tray. At the same time, he lifted his gown and bent his knees, having the teacup offered up to Ming Huayue as he kneeled, “Mother, have a sip of tea before continuing to scold. This son not being considerate in one’s conduct is all this son’s fault. Your every word, this son has all taken to heart. Please don’t harm your body.”
Ming Huayue humphed again, first sweeping a glance at Yu Lingxin who had her head awkwardly lowered, before reaching out to accept the tea in Xun Che’s hands, “Forget it, get up and talk.”
Xun Ying greatly relaxed breath, hurriedly retreating to Yu Lingxin’s side and sitting down. As for Xun Che, he went and sat down across from Ming Huayue, and began mentioning the palace’s arrangements in regards to Xun old madam’s birthday banquet this time, as well as the arrangements in regards to the second branch’s return to the capital.
Yu Lingxin and Xun Ying sat at the other long narrow table. The previous account book was still in Ming Huayue’s hand, so at this time, they could only sit and listen to Xun Che and Ming Huayue talk.
After talking for a quarter of an hour, the servant women outside successively came in to report. One of them was put in charge of the gardens. After reporting back to Ming Huayue, she turned towards Xun Ying, “Regarding miss’s poetry gathering in the flower garden, does miss have any other instructions?”
Xun Ying thought for a moment, still getting up to go fetch the booklets and lists in front of Ming Huayue before she could state one by one what Yu Lingxin had mentioned earlier. It was also rather clear and easy to understand. When she finished, she gazed towards Yu Lingxin again, “Sister Huijun, is there anything else?”
Yu Lingxin contemplated, reservedly mentioning a few words. Actually, she wanted to instruct even more, but considering that they were in front of Ming Huayue, still having misgivings about her status as a guest, she just slightly said a little, doing her best to restrain herself.
Even so, Ming Huayue’s gaze towards Yu Lingxin was still very complicated. Once the servant women were sent out, she had a list that Xun Che had just brought over handed to Xun Ying, “This list, you two each transcribe a copy. Later, go check whether or not these have all been prepared, and whether there are any problems.”
Xun Ying took the list. She and Yu Lingxin respectively began lifting the brush to transcribe a copy.
Xun Che brought another densely packed list over, explaining to Ming Huayue, “This is the overall guest list. Earlier, I’d already discussed with Jincheng once. Because, at present, father isn’t in the capital, and maternal uncle is also away, the guests on this side need to be particularly looked after.” Because that list was very long, Xun Che took another sip of tea, getting up and going before Ming Huayue to explain, casually having the teacup placed on Xun Ying’s table.
Because he’d spoke a bit too quickly, he unexpectedly choked on that sip of tea a little and just began coughing after a few words. At this time, Xun Che retreated half a step, extending his hand towards Xun Ying’s side.
Xun Ying naturally had the teacup picked up, wanting to hand to Xun Che.
However, practically at the same time, Yu Lingxin had the brush in hand slightly dipped in the ink, also handing it over.
Xun Che took the brush and smoothed his breathing, continuing to go before Ming Huayue, slightly making a few marks on that list, indicating the most important guests and also the ones that needed to be paid attention to the most.
Ming Huayue was somewhat distracted as she listened. Just now, when Xun Che lightly coughed and extended his hand towards Xun Ying and Yu Lingxin, he didn’t say a single word. Never mind Xun Ying, even she, this mother, also thought that he wanted to take another sip of tea to soothe his throat. However, Yu Lingxin surprisingly knew that he wanted the brush?
How can this be not having any love affair?
But, other people’s secret love affair seemingly wasn’t like this either.
How was this anything like the flirty exchanges and flaming passion between unmarried men and women?
The two of them had their eyes lowered, both docile and proper. But, to just know what the other party wanted without even lifting their eyes, this……….
Seeing Ming Huayue glance towards Yu Lingxin’s direction from time to time, Xun Che lightly coughed, “Mother, see if there’s still any problems on this list.”
Ming Huayue finally retracted her eyes, turning back towards Xun Che, “Hmph, you’d already calculated everything, so what problems can there be?”
Xun Che couldn’t help but smile, “I’m mother’s eldest son, so naturally need to help mother share the burdens. Looking at it now, is this way not good? The big and small matters, mother can worry about a lot less. Even when it comes to teaching Ying’er, it’s also the same.”
Hearing herself getting mentioned, Xun Ying just lifted her head and glanced at her mother and older brother, but she didn’t understand too well, so just lowered her head again to continue writing.
As for Yu Lingxin, she was too embarrassed to lift her head, but on the inside, there was already a tsunami.
The daughters of the Jin Duke Manor sure enough were all frank and outspoken. Ming Huayue just this directly took jabs and discussed about her with Xun Che like this? She was just sitting a few feet away, helping their family make lists for their household affairs!
Ming Huayue had the other lists handwritten by Yu Lingxin earlier looked over again, directly having another account book handed over, “Then, the guest arrangements on this side, also let Ying’er and Miss Yu looked over again.”
The brush in Yu Lingxin’s hand finally paused, slightly carrying a bit of rigidness as she lifted her head and looked over. Ming Huayue had calm look, Xun Ying was full of trust, and Xun Che carried a smile on his lips. The three of them all had a crystal clear look in their eyes, directly staring at her.
Yu Lingxin felt for the first time, they were indeed one family!
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not them trying their best to hide their ‘love affair’ but still getting themselves exposed bc of their tacit understanding
Come to think of it didn’t Yu Lingxin learn calligraphy from Xun Che. There are probably noticable similarities.
Yep!
Thanks for the chapter, Jen💖
🤔By the way, typo alerts:
…as he let his *mouther* scold ← should be “mother”
…he didn’t say a single *words* ← should be “word”
Thank you for pointing out! I’ve fixed them.
I really like how weird their relationship must look to outsiders. this tacit understanding is really too strange. nice to see that the future mother-in-law is coming around though!
Their little interactions are probably my favorite thing about this novel. Tbh, Ming Huayue never really had any complaints towards Yu Lingxin, at most she just pissed at her son for being so calculative towards her. After all, in the past life, Ming Huayue was the one that picked Yu Lingxin for her son.