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Qi Ke
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!
When Yu Zhengshan went out, his smile was all somewhat unnatural, and his apologetic smile when leading Qi Ke in was just even more awkward.
After all, at a glance, half of the side hall was filled with the Yu family, Xun family, and Ming family, which can practically be considered two and a half families. Just the elders, there were already four, and as for the peers of the same generation, including both male and female, there was nearly ten people. When Qi Ke entered the door, he just announced his full name. Afterwards, introducing and greeting one another just used up an entire half a cup of tea’s time.
Compared to Yu Zhengshan’s slight awkwardness, Qi Ke was actually very calm. Starting from the moment he entered, to finishing his greetings and sitting down, his sense of propriety was all very courteous and thorough, completely not because of suddenly seeing this many people just reveal a strange look.
Especially considering that at present, there were also a total of four young girls in the prime of their youth. Aside from Yu Lingxin, there was also Yu Yunxin, Ming Jinrou, and Xun Ying. Their temperament and appearance were all different, like the orchid in the spring and the chrysanthemum in the autumn, each prevailing in their respective fields.
Admiring a pretty girl based on appearance was human nature, either soundlessly stealing a glance, or adverting one’s eyes and turning red, all normal reactions of a young man. But, Qi Ke did neither. When greeting, he strictly adhered to etiquette, his conduct very natural and relaxed, neither awkward and shy, nor offensive and frivolous. His upright mannerism gave the elders all a very good impression.
Among the peers, the gazes towards Qi Ke either openly or secretly naturally weren’t few either. Regardless whether it was Yu Yunxin, or Ming Jinrou and Xun Ying, even including Xun Cong, everyone was all curious as to what kind of talented individual this Gentleman Qi, who didn’t come from a very high birth, was like, and how come in Yu Bocheng’s heart, he just became the good son-in-law candidate that surpassed the Wen’an Marquis heir.
As compared to the younger ones, Ming Jincheng and Xun Che’s gaze towards Qi Ke were much more natural. After all, they were of similar age and status, so when chatting, it was also even more natural. In fact, when Yu Bocheng politely asked a few words about Qi Ke’s studies, they were even able to add in a few words.
Among the people present, the only one that didn’t carefully look over Qi Ke was just Yu Lingxin.
From the moment she entered and saw Xun Che, all her attention just completely concentrated on Xun Che. When greeting and taking her seat, exchanging pleasantries and responding to the others, she was all just following along.
In this very moment, Yu Lingxin’s eyes were just filled with Xun Che who was sitting upright and still next to Ming Jincheng, with a smile on his lips, politely and modestly chatting with Yu Bocheng, Yu Zhengshan, and Qi Ke.
He seemed to have lost a bit of weight.
From the end of the tenth month to now, they hadn’t met for more than a month. She already didn’t know how many times she has dreamt of Xun Che. His voice and smiling face from the past life and this life piled together, dense to the point of letting her heart become a mess.
The rumors and gossips outside, the big and small matters at home, she appeared as if able to calmly deal with all very well, asking what needs to be asked, not saying what shouldn’t be said, and the shops’ account books, the miscellaneous matters at home, all didn’t have the slightest mistake.
But, Yu Lingxin knew, in other people’s eyes, she’d quietly and leisurely relaxed for a whole month, but in reality, for every matter, she all needed to contemplate over two three times before opening her mouth, because she didn’t know when she will become distracted, thinking of that certain someone that didn’t pass back a single message.
So, when really seeing him at this time, she didn’t want to look at anyone else.
Exactly how much pride Qi Ke had as a scholar, and how handsome and upright he was, what did it have anything to do with her?
She carefully looked at Xun Che’s hair bun. His hair crown was worn properly upright, but the hair by his temples were somewhat tightly pressed against the scalp. He must have just returned to the capital. Even if having the time to change clothes, he may not necessarily have the time to bathe.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
On his elegant face, there was even a tiny bit of light red. His two cheeks, aside from being a bit thinner than before, was also a bit dry, don’t know how much cold wind he has endured outside these days. But, didn’t he have a horse carriage when going in and out? In what way would he endure the cold like this?
The embroidered pouch at his waist was still the bamboo leaves one that she made last time. Actually, when she made it at the time, it was also a bit rushed, the braids not tied too tightly. Sure enough, after using for this many days, there was just a bit of wear and tear. Based on his usual style, don’t know whether it was because he was truly too busy that he didn’t pay attention, or because that was the first item she’d made for him in this lifetime, thus reluctant to change.
Yu Lingxin took another sip of tea, her lowered gaze sweeping over Xun Che’s boots. This guy was still wearing lightweight boots, really not scared of the cold. Previously, the imperial physicians had told him many times, he’d relied too much on his youth when young, not being mindful, thus when meeting with mishap afterwards, the problems just particularly showed. In the future, she must look after him tightly. Even if just changing to a pair of mid-thick boots, it’d still be better than this.
“Ling’er, don’t you also like the Zhao style calligraphy and paintings?” Just as Yu Lingxin was thinking about Xun Che’s medical records in the past, she suddenly heard herself getting directly called on by her father. After momentarily being startled inside, she forcibly composed herself, putting on a calm look, slowly having the tea cup placed down.
And at this time, practically everyone’s gaze all gathered over, at the top from Yu old madam and Ming Huayue, down to Xun Ying, Xun Cong, and Ming Jinrou. Everyone was all looking at her, waiting for her to respond to these words.
Because Yu Bocheng had just highly praised Qi Ke’s skill in calligraphy and painting, especially his painting skills in the Zhao style as practically exquisite and peerless, his praises and compliments made Yu Zhengshan all can’t help but glance a few more times at his own paternal uncle. Immediately after, he unconsciously swept a glance in Ming Jincheng and Xun Che’s direction.
And in the next moment, Yu Bocheng just directly picked Yu Lingxin to ask.
“Zhao style——–” Yu Lingxin blankly glanced around at everyone, and when her gaze swept past Qi Ke, it was like as if completely not seeing someone there. In the end, her gaze paused for a moment on Xun Che, and then turned towards Xun Ying, “The Zhao style even have paintings?”
“En——-”
For a very long time after, when everyone once again recall this trip to Jingfu Temple on the thirtieth of the eleventh month, they will all praise between laughter that this line truly was the vital finishing touch.
Just, in this moment, the side hall was still awkwardly filled with an extremely light, yet also rather clear dry cough and stifled groan.
Yu Bocheng practically couldn’t catch his breath, Ming Jinrou nearly broke down in laughter, Yu Yunxin facepalmed, Yu Zhengshan turned his face away, Ming Huayue openly displayed heartfelt gratification, while Xun Che and Qi Ke were both unmoved by the eight winds, seemingly completely not hearing anything strange.
After a few awkward breaths, it was still Xun Ying that softly responded, “Yes, the Zhao style’s semi-cursive script and regular script are both brilliant and exquisite, also passing on to the painting techniques, emphasizing realism, the use of colors exquisite. Among the famous masters in the Zhao style, Zhao Zhenjie and Du Shu’s works are the most studied by the later generations.”
“So it’s like this.” Yu Lingxin nodded with a smile, lowering her head again, pretending to not see her father’s change in complexion.
And at this time, everyone just heard Qi Ke follow-up, “Although the previous dynasty all used Zhao and Du, these two masters, as the Zhao style painting technique’s representatives, but what this one studied actually further lean towards Yan Zhimin and Xiao Ran’s works, also carrying a bit of freehandedness, so don’t dare to claim that one is proficient in the Zhao style.”
“Yan Zhimin’s composition although tend to be freehanded, the color usage is still the Zhao style.” Xun Che lightly let out a cough, also voluntarily responding, taking the advantage to have the following conversation thoroughly kept on the topic of calligraphy and painting.
However, among the people present, if it’s just superficially discussing about calligraphy and painting, then everyone can still slightly say a little, but if to really talk about the essences of calligraphy and painting in depth, then Yu Zhengshan and Xun Cong both needed to move aside. Even Yu Bocheng’s learning and understanding may not necessarily be able to keep up with Qi Ke and Xun Che either. On the contrary, it was actually Xun Ying that was able to say more.
Thus, after a cup of tea, Ming Huayue opened her mouth, “Today’s scenery in Jingfu Temple is very good. In this kind of light snow, it’s also not very cold. Do you all want to go to the back for a walk?”
“Want!” Ming Jinrou already didn’t want to listen to some Zhao style color usage, Liu style composition, and such discussions about calligraphy and painting. Although she didn’t jump up, it was also more or less that feeling, also gazing towards Yu Lingxin, “Why don’t older sister come with us for a stroll?”
Yu Lingxin smiled and looked at Yu Yunxin and Yu Zhengshan, also gazing towards her grandmother and father. Although she didn’t say anything, the meaning was still very clear.
Having drank this many cups of tea, while smilingly listening to the children talk, Yu old madam was long clear like a mirror inside, also glancing at Yu Bocheng. Shortly after, she also nodded with a smile, “It’s rare to come out like this, so you little monkeys don’t want to just sit, right? Then, just all go. Shan’er, carefully look after your older sister and younger sister.”
Yu Bocheng was actually a bit hesitant, but since the old madam had already opened her mouth, it wasn’t suitable for him to obstruct. Moreover, thinking it over again, a bunch of people sitting together and talking wasn’t necessarily good either, might as well let the children go out for a walk. As such, he also nodded.
Thus, it was just like an ordinary big family out on a trip, the elders staying in the side hall to drink tea, while all the youngsters put on their cloaks and went out the side hall for a stroll.
And at this time, Yu Lingxin just increasingly understood why this many people of the Wen’an Marquis Manor came.
Going around to the back merely just took a cup of tea’s time. Ten some people practically separated into twos. Xun Ying voluntarily went to look for Yu Yunxin to talk about poetry, softly and slowly chatting as they slowly walked, very quickly just falling behind at the very end. Yu Zhengshan, who was originally chatting with Qi Ke, had no choice but to slow down to accompany them. Xun Cong pondered for a moment and also joined them.
Ming Jinrou was still the same as before, directly coiling around Yu Lingxin, her strides even a bit wider than usual, directly walking to the very front. Ming Jincheng and Xun Che were chatting side by side, following behind the two of them.
When drinking tea, or near the side hall, it still wasn’t obvious, but by the time they reached the quiet courtyards in the back, they just directly split up. Xun Ying led Yu Yunxin to go see that famous sea of red plum blossoms in Jingfu Temple. Ming Jinrou and Yu Lingxin instead just strolled around and around, all the way until they strolled to the Songbai Courtyard again.
At this time, Yu Yunxin, Yu Zhengshan, and Qi Ke had already gotten taken in the opposite direction by Xun Ying and Xun Cong, and at present, the surroundings were peaceful and quiet, not having anyone around. Ming Jinrou directly let go and turned around, “Second cousin, you really owe us a very very big favor this time!”
Xun Che smiled, “Your cousin-in-law will remember.” As he said this, he walked forward, taking Yu Lingxin’s hand, heading to the back courtyard. Ming Jincheng and Ming Jinrou helplessly stayed in the front outside the building, mutually looking at one another. Although the two siblings didn’t open their mouth, their thoughts were nevertheless the same, ‘If this ancestor still doesn’t get married, we will be exhausted to death!’
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I hope, Yu Bocheng takes the hint after this, and stop forcing Ling’er though it is obvious that she genuinely appreciates her fathers attempts at finding a good husband, she ultimately does feel that he is butting in where it isn’t needed…
just in case it wasn’t clear how bad these two are into each other, behold! this chapter… tysm for your translations; a silent reader who dares to comment because of how cute these two are.
Ahaha I’m glad these two cuties brought you out from lurking