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Peerless Bookworm
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!
Although in the past, she’d also often heard that at various poetry gatherings, festive banquets, and such occasions, it was easy to find people in some rockwork cavity, or secluded side hall, daringly having a rendezvous, or even engaging in illicit activity, but she ultimately never really personally witnessed before in the past life.
And in this life, the only scene she’d personally witnessed was just that large-scale incident at the imperial selection banquet where everyone collectively fell into the water. Although it also matched with the common tradition of ‘a marriage fate brought about by skin to skin contact’, but the cause and effect was still a bit different.
Hearing that faint and muffled sound in this very moment, Yu Lingxin’s first reaction was still shock——-is it real? This was the Wenhua Academy’s poetry gathering after all, exactly what kind of person would be this impatient, insisting on doing something like this here? Or could it be that because of some reason, it must be here?
Suddenly, the old events of the past life surfaced in mind. Yu Lingxin thought of Xun Ying, her entire body freezing in place for a moment. When turning around to look at Bai Guo, her complexion was all somewhat pale, startling Bai Guo. However, Bai Guo’s eyes were sharp, immediately supporting Yu Lingxin, and at the same time, also softly whispering, “Young madam, might be the Tan family.”
Yu Lingxin looked over along her line of sight in astonishment. Sure enough, she saw a figure dressed in green looking around near the meditation room, don’t know whether they were on the lookout, or waiting for someone.
At this time, she finally had that suddenly suspended heart placed back down again, recalling that Xun Che had mentioned prior to leaving the capital his arrangements regarding Wu Wang and Wei Wang. As she continued towards the east garden with Bai Guo, she softly asked, “Is it Wu Wang Manor’s Liangyuan Tan?”
Bai Guo responded extremely quietly, “Yes, ever since the imperial selection banquet, the heir has been passing information and giving directions to the Tan family and You family, reminding these two families’ young lady that they must tightly hold onto wangye’s heart, else when the beauty withers, one’s future prospects will be uncertain. Regarding the poetry gathering’s arrangements and Jingfu Temple’s layout, we have also long passed on to these two families.
Yu Lingxin nodded. Back then, when Empress Wen’s two nieces, Wen Ruoqiong and Wen Ruoyao, had just entered the capital and resided in Jin Duke Manor, Xun Che had already used this method before. Just, at the time, it was letting someone incite the Wen family sisters into picking a fight with Ming Jinrou. And the Wen family sisters really did just listen and did as told.
Ming Jincheng although appeared to bicker with and get angry at Ming Jinrou every other day, the vibe between them completely different from Xun Che and Xun Ying, but in reality, because the Ming family madam passed away early, Ming Jincheng was the same as his father, Ming Yunji, loving Ming Jinrou to the bone. So long as the Wen family sisters dare to pick on Ming Jinrou, never mind the fact that Ming Jincheng actually still has Cheng Yanling in his heart, even without Cheng Yanling, Wen Ruoqiong still won’t be able to marry into the Jin Duke Manor.
Then, back to the matter of Wu Wang Manor’s liangyuans in front, Xun Che’s goal of starting a fire under a bridge was also very obvious. Since he needs to leave the capital for a period of time, he naturally need to find something to do for some of the people in the capital, so as to avoid some people, when having nothing to do, give the Xun family and Yu Lingxin trouble.
Thinking to here, Yu Lingxin slightly calmed down a little. But, for every moment Xun Ying was out of sight, that breath inside was unable to completely relax. Thus, after slightly asking Bai Guo a few more words, she turned into the east garden that was discussing about music.
As soon as she set foot through the moon gate, she just saw Qi Pei saying something to Xun Xiang, shock and anger overlapping as she quickly walked, practically the complete opposite of that graceful and pleased appearance when they met previously at the foot of the mountain.
Yu Lingxin originally also had a bit of sympathy. After all, it has just been a few days into her new marriage, yet a concubine in the manor just caused trouble outside like this. Qi Pei, this main consort, truly didn’t have it easy.
However, just as they brushed past her side, Yu Lingxin vaguely heard Xun Xiang seemingly mention ‘Wei Wang’ to Qi Pei. Yu Lingxin immediately became nervous again. Moreover, because she didn’t hear clearly, Yu Lingxin was just even more worried. Afterwards, she also picked up her pace as she looked for Xun Ying.
The east garden was even bigger than the west garden. The teacher that was currently discussing music at this time was precisely the Great Scholar Yan that was invited over from Wenyuan Academy. That’s why the people gathered were even more. Yu Lingxin entered the courtyard and slightly looked around before seeing Qin Wang and Ming Jinrou standing together in one place listening to Great Scholar Yan’s discussion. The couple were standing side by side, practically leaning together head to head whispering something. The expression on Qin Wang’s handsome face was gentle, while Ming Jinoru carried a smile on her lips, her eyes full of craftiness.
This kind of scene, Yu Lingxin was the most willing to see normally.
But, Xun Ying at this time wasn’t by Ming Jinrou’s side!
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
In this moment, Yu Lingxin practically felt like getting struck by lightning, numbness exploding all over, starting from the back her head all the way to her lower back, her entire body stiff and ice-cold.
She practically shuddered for an instant before going forward in large strides, “Jinrou, where’s Ying’er!”
Ming Jinrou was also startled, quickly supporting Yu Lingxin, “Sister Huijun, what’s wrong? Ying’er’s fine, completely fine, isn’t she just over there——” She turned her hand and pointed. Sure enough, on the other side, a few steps away, there were six to seven people currently circled around a guqin[1] tuning it and discussing. Xun Ying was standing among them. By her side, there was also Xun Cong , Xun Tan, and Qi Ke.
Yu Lingxin’s heart that has been suspended for half a day finally thoroughly landed at this time. At the same time letting out a long sigh of relief, she was actually also somewhat dizzy, the scene before her eyes flashing black, her body uncontrollably swaying.
Ming Jinrou and Bai Guo were even more startled, quickly supporting Yu Lingxin to sit down. And at this time, Xun Ying also just happened to lift her head, seeing her own sister-in-law’s pale complexion. At once, she just tossed everything else aside, hurriedly pushing aside the people next to her and rushing to Yu Lingxin’s side, “Sister-in-law, what’s wrong?”
Yu Lingxin shook her head, “Nothing, probably walked a bit too quickly just now.”
Ming Jinrou was also very worried, “Sister Huijun, earlier, I’d already felt that your complexion was a bit pale, and now, you seem even weaker, not even as rosy as the little bookworm. Why don’t you go back to rest first?”
“But, Ying’er——” Earlier, Yu Lingxin had given her own hand furnace to Yu Yunxin, so at this time, she indeed increasingly felt her hands cold and back sore, but seeing how happy Xun Ying was just now, even can be said as to be glowing with spirit, she still somewhat hesitated.
Xun Ying, however, immediately nodded, “Jinrou is right. Sister-in-law, let’s go home now. I’ll go back with you to rest. It is quite cold outside.”
Yu Lingxin was just about to respond, when she heard the footsteps in the direction of the bamboo forest becoming chaotic, even having some people dressed as the attendants of a prince’s manor running over from the outside.
Ming Jinrou immediately shared a glance with Qin Wang, and immediately after, signaled Yu Lingxin with her eyes, “Sister Huijun, quickly take the little bookworm back home. We’ll go have a look on that side, and then come see you in another two days.”
Her bright and charming brows were lightly lifted, both excited and crafty. Yu Lingxin immediately just knew that this perhaps was Ming Jinrou following along Xun Che’s previous arrangements and developing some kind of idea. However, she indeed didn’t want Xun Ying involved in these. As such, following her advice, she directly left Jingfu Temple with her family and climbed onto the carriage to return to the manor.
Along the way, Xun Ying was very concerned about Yu Lingxin’s body, so wasn’t really that reluctant to leave the poetry gathering. While feeling moved, the words that Yu Lingxin originally wanted to find an opportunity to ask Xun Ying increasingly had a hard time coming out. Thinking again, she still had the various doubts regarding Qi Ke temporarily pressed down, instead switching to talk about Wu Wang and Wei Wang’s current circumstances.
After all, Xun Che and his father, the Wen’an Marquis, both weren’t in the capital, unknown as to when they can return. Towards the new year, there were many important festivals and big celebrations, having numerous banquets and gatherings, so it was important to be careful for all things.
Xun Ying was actually very obedient, very seriously listening. However, when Yu Lingxin brought up Wu Wang’s attempt to rope in people this time, she nevertheless laughed, “But I heard that Wu Wang’s literary talent isn’t that good. When discussing literary works, he also tends to be more boastful, so probably unable to win over any actual gentlemen and gifted scholars?”
Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but side glance at Xun Ying, “Heard this? Heard from who? Could it be from Gentleman Qi earlier?”
Xun Ying nodded, unexpectedly responding very honestly, “Yeah, he said that his Highness Qin Wang is too bombastic, appearing to be amiable and friendly, having respect for the wise, but in reality, towards the actual principles of literature, and way of a nobleman, he doesn’t really have any actual insights.”
Towards this attitude of Qi Ke’s, Yu Lingxin actually wasn’t surprised. In the past life, Qi Ke had also achieved success at a young age. The noble families and imperial clansmen that wanted to rope him in were also quite a few, but he never once agreed. However, the plum forest poetry gathering ultimately was a public gathering, people coming and going. Could it be that Qi Ke just this openly criticized Wu Wang? Wouldn’t that be too impetuous and arrogant?
“So Gentleman Qi’s original words were these?” Yu Lingxin asked again, and at the same time, observed that when mentioning Qi Ke, Xun Ying’s expression although was very spirited, she nevertheless didn’t have any bashfulness. Yu Lingxin really didn’t know whether or not she should be glad that her younger sister-in-law was a ‘genuinely peerless bookworm’.
Xun Ying shook her head, “Not really, he said it very simply, but I feel that this was precisely his meaning.”
Yu Lingxin suddenly had an even greater bad premonition———afraid Xun Che really will be angered to death this time.
Very soon, they arrived back at the Wen’an Marquis Manor. Yu Lingxin although drank a cup of warm tea in the carriage, feeling a bit more comfortable, but unknown as to why, when descending the carriage, she once again felt dizzy. Moreover, compared to that time at the poetry gathering, it was even more severe. When Xun Ying was supporting her, her entire body just fell forward. If not for Bai Guo reacting quickly, perhaps she would’ve fallen onto the ground.
This time, Xun Ying really was frightened, originally saying to go to Yuli Hall first to pay respect to Ming Huayue, but now directly overlooking, insisting on letting Yu Lingxin quickly go back to Qingyu Pavilion to rest. Yu Lingxin although wasn’t that weak and sickly, but also knew that she wasn’t as strong and healthy as Ming Jinrou, who practiced martial arts, especially after marrying into the Wen’an Marquis Manor. Although indeed in a very intimate and loving relationship with Xun Che, but managing the household affairs and even paying attention to political situation, it was actually a lot more taxing for her than in the past life.
Thinking it over, she also didn’t persist, letting Bai Guo and Ganlu take her back to rest first. And after changing and washing up, Ming Huayue just came over together with Xun Ying to check on her, “Child, did you get tired out today? Ying’er said you weren’t feeling well, so I let someone go invite Imperial Physician Chi.”
Yu Lingxin blanked, “Mother, I’m fine. Later, I’ll let Bai Guo have a look, probably just a bit of a cold. When coming back, we were also in a hurry. Probably don’t need to trouble Imperial Physician Chi?”
“Last time, Imperial Physician Chi said that you have weak blood.” Ming Huayue reached out to stroke her hair, “Moreover, isn’t your period late again this month? It’s better to let him have a look. At present, Che’er is in the Chen province, still don’t know whether or not he can return before the new year. You must properly take care of yourself, else he will also be worried outside.”
Yu Lingxin saw that Ming Huayue’s gaze was full of concern, her expression just like before when worrying over Xun Ying’s illness and Xun Cong’s injuries. She just knew that her mother-in-law really had her treated as a daughter, strangely feeling sour inside. Clenching her teeth, she lightly nodded, “Alright, all listen to mother.”
Ming Huayue touched Yu Lingxin’s forehead again, “Good child, I feel you also have somewhat of a fever, first drink a bowl of ginger soup and rest a little. Can get up later when the imperial physician arrive.”
Yu Lingxin didn’t feel that hot herself, instead her hands and feet were all somewhat cold, but she also knew that it wasn’t good, so agreed and let someone go boil a bowl of ginger soup. After saying a few words about the overall situation at the poetry gathering with Ming Huayue and Xun Ying, she drank the ginger soup and went to rest.
However, what she didn’t expect that after going to sleep, she really just started burning up in the evening, her sore waist also becoming even more serious. In between, she vaguely heard the servant girls report that the imperial physician has come, thus got up to let Imperial Physician Chi check her pulse. As for what kind of prescription was prescribed, she also didn’t ask, truly too dizzy, her head aching. Knowing that Ming Huayue and Xun Ying were both talking with the imperial physician, she just took the medicine and heavily fell asleep again.
[1] A long seven-stringed zither
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A little heads up Jen, the next chapter button is still linked to the teaser site 😅
Thank you! Fixed it!
a baby in the middle of all this mess???? the father better come back quickly what kind of situation is this!!!
Baby???
😏