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Plum Blossom Banquet (1)
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!
On the third of the eleventh month, the capital received its first snowfall. The fluttering snowflakes weren’t big, but it was extremely dense. At the same time, it wasn’t considered too cold, the perfect weather for admiring the snow and plum blossoms.
As such, during this time, suddenly seeing Ming Jinrou coming over to visit, inviting her to the Wen’an Marquis Manor together to participate in some plum blossom admiring banquet, Yu Lingxin didn’t feel too surprised either.
After all, Xun old madam’s birthday banquet can be said to have ended quite disastrously, having both heavy wind and rain, while also repeatedly having unforeseen changes. Although in the end, after Xun Che entered the palace under imperial orders, there was a good outcome, but at the banquet at the time, it was ominous like as if having been sentenced. All in all, Xun old madam’s birthday was spent extremely disappointedly.
That’s why, after ten some days, finding a good weather, arranging another small banquet at home, slightly inviting the close friends and relatives, it can also be somewhat considered making it up for the old madam, which was rather normal.
Just, after following over to the Xun manor, Yu Lingxin heard that the plum blossom banquet this time was entirely organized by the second branch. Even the money, they all didn’t use too much of the household funds. Yu Lingxin faintly felt that there was something fishy.
Ming Huayue however was very nonchalant. Moreover, she was happy over the fact that it was the second branch handling the banquet this time. That way, she won’t need to stress herself out, just telling Ming Jincheng and Ming Jinrou, “Just let them be, what kind of trouble can they cause? All in all, the marquis is currently away. If they act up or step out of bounds, then I won’t leave them any face either. Anyways, tell me about the duke manor’s situation, have the Wen family young ladies been taken care of?”
Ming Jincheng has always deeply respected this paternal aunt. Even if sitting together having a family talk, he would also sit properly upright. Upon hearing her words, he slightly bowed, “Yes, at the end of the tenth month, Yiyang Marchioness finally arrived. At present, she has already taken the two young ladies back to the Wen family’s residence in the capital. Additionally, I received father’s letter yesterday, stating that he should be able to return to the capital at the end of the year. In regards to the empress’s intentions, when time comes, I will discuss again with father.”
Ming Huayue nodded, “Later, when your father returns, I will also talk with him. How can he just thoroughly toss aside the matters at home like this. Although forming marriage ties with the Wen family is doable, but a young lady’s moral character is the most important. It’s still better to find a capable one. You’re also a heir of a noble household. This kind of matter, you also need to be attentive yourself.” As she said this, she naturally glanced at Yu Lingxin, her gaze full of satisfaction and gratification.
Ming Jincheng couldn’t help but dryly cough twice, helplessly turning his head. His marriage arrangement with Wen Ruoqiong was just a political marriage to begin with, so he was fine with it either way. However, ever since Xun Che and the Yu family young miss started having that bit of involvement, step by step walking towards marriage, aside from helping Xun Che, he already didn’t know how many times he has heard others telling him to find a capable and virtuous wife.
Never mind previously, when it was just Jinrou and Xun Che saying it, how come now even paternal aunt was also saying this!
Fortunately, after Ming Huayue nagged a few more words, the servants finally came to deliver word, saying that the banquet preparations were complete, inviting everyone to the reception pavilion to enjoy the banquet. Ming Jincheng was like as if being relieved from a burden, quickly getting up, deferentially asking Ming Huayue to lead Xun Ying, Ming Jinrou, and Yu Lingxin over to the banquet.
After entering the reception pavilion, they just saw four tables orderly set up, the guests neither too many nor too few. For the most part, aside from the people of the Xun family and Chang’de Count Manor, there were just a few distant relatives and two three people that were relatively close family friends of the second branch. The drinks and dishes were also considered delicate. Especially in this kind of snowy weather, pairing with some warm sweet wine, there was still a bit of charm.
Yu Lingxin sat together with Xun Ying and Ming Jinrou. However, when conversing, she was inevitably a bit distracted. On one hand, in this kind of snowy weather, she was just particularly worried about Xun Che who was out, and on the other hand, it was just that she really didn’t believe that the Xun family second branch would just, for the sake of idle pleasure, arrange this little plum blossom banquet.
And in reality, she sure enough wasn’t disappointed. The second round of wine had just been served, when a servant woman hastily ran in. It really was running all the way to Xun second master and Xun second madam, “Master, madam, the eldest miss has met with mishap!”
Everyone in the hall all changed in complexion. Only Yu Lingxin’s heart sunk upon hearing this. Shortly after, she swiftly looked around at everyone’s reaction.
The Xun second branch couple naturally repeatedly questioned, while Xun Ze, Xun Tan, as well as Xun Xiang all got up, just hearing that servant woman continue with a sobbing tone, “The eldest miss got harmed on the way back to the capital! The horse carriage overturned and fell into the river, and now, don’t know whether dead or alive!”
“What? The horse carriage overturned?” Xun Ze’s temper was even more pressing than Xun second master and Xun second madam, practically grabbing that servant woman, “When, when did this happen? How is the eldest miss right now? Who tried to harm her?”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
That servant woman tremblingly turned towards Ming Huayue’s table, “Apparently……..apparently, it was the heir’s attendants that collided with the eldest miss’s carriage……….”
As the discussion, clamor, and confusion rapidly escalated in the hall, Ming Huayue and the others naturally got up too. Everyone’s faces were all greatly stunned. Ming Huayue also didn’t expect that there would be this kind of unforeseen change.
Before she could ask that servant woman for more details, Xun second madam had already charged before Ming Huayue, reaching out to tug her, “Sister-in-law! This……what is the meaning of this!? Even if the heir looks down on this branch of ours, he still can’t harm our Yan’er!”
Ming Jinrou and Xun Ying, as well as their servant girls, hurriedly went forward to stop her. And at the same time, Yu Lingxin already got up, quickly walking to Ming Jincheng and Xun Cong’s side, lowering her voice, “Right now, is it possible to seal off the entire marquis manor?”
Ming Jincheng and Xun Cong originally were also greatly shocked, wanting to go forward to break apart the fight and continue questioning. Suddenly hearing Yu Lingxin’s words, they were both startled. However, Ming Jincheng ultimately had more experience. Furrowing his brows, he quickly responded, “If we must seal off, then it’s still possible. Shenzhi had instructed, just……….”
Yu Lingxin immediately nodded, “Seal off the manor at once!”
Ming Jincheng couldn’t help but glance at Xun Cong to the side, and then swept a glance at the womenfolk that have already started crying and quarreling in this brief moment. He hardened his heart, “Alright!” Afterwards, he quickly headed outwards.
Xun Cong at this time was even more confused, looking to Yu Lingxin, also not knowing whether he should follow after Ming Jincheng, or go over to help his younger sisters break apart the fight.
“Fourth young master, please step aside for a moment.” Yu Lingxin saw that the hosts and guests in the reception hall have already gotten up one after another. Some went to console the old madam, while some went to pull apart Ming Huayue and Xun second madam. Meanwhile, another half circled around Xun Ze’s side, carefully questioning that servant woman that delivered the message, how the eldest miss, Xun Yan, encountered trouble, and so on.
Yu Lingxin directly pulled Xun Cong back a step, softly saying a few words.
Xun Cong listened one by one. When looking towards Yu Lingxin again, his gaze was increasingly amazed, also having a bit more respect. He immediately cupped his hands on the spot, quietly saying, “Many thanks for sister-in-law’s guidance.”
T/N: For better visualization, I added examples of reception pavilions used for banquets below. Usually, it’s separated into two areas, inside the building and the outside courtyard/garden, depending on amount of guests. These buildings usually have wide doors that can be fully opened to connect the two areas. The inside of the building will be referred to as the hall, while the entire area as a whole will be called the reception pavilion.
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Thanks for the chapter and the visual examples, Jen💖 The pics in particular made imagining the setting much easier.
So instead of being caught not being where she’s supposed to be, they decided it would be better for them to say that the heir of the marquis title decided to kill his cousin for no reason??? love it. perfectly reasonable escalation.
Given the amount of braincells they have, this is already very big brain for them.
frame heir -> heir loses position -> second branch win