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Protective of One’s Own
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!
Once these words came out, everyone in the surrounding all followed the sound and gazed over in astonishment, seeing a woman dressed in a sapphire blue brocade gown holding the tea cup with a cold smile, probably around forty years of age. Looking at the jade and gold hairpins in her hair, she did seem to have a bit of wealth, her eyes and brows even having a bit of faint resemblance to Yu Lingxin’s.
Turns out, it was the Qi family’s di born second lady, also Yu Lingxin’s birth mother Qi-shi’s older sister, who had married into the Fuyuan General Manor, the Deng family.
This Madam Deng has been at odds with Qi-shi since their boudoir days. Although there were some differences between the di and shu, but Qi-shi was just too beautiful, thus had always been particularly adored and loved by the old madam. Moreover, Qi-shi’s temper was also violent and direct, so even if she was the di daughter, Madam Deng still got angered and suffered losses for many years.
What further made Madam Deng find Yu Lingxin unpleasant was precisely the children’s marriage arrangements. Madam Deng’s own daughter was even a year older than Qi Pei, her appearance and temperament also relatively outstanding. A few years ago, when Qi Pei was still being aloof, unwilling to reveal her intentions towards Xun Che, Madam Deng had once considered wanting to form marriage ties with the Wen’an Marquis Manor.
But, aside from the big battle in Chang province in Tianxu year 10, there weren’t any other battles. The Fuyuan General Manor’s weight in the imperial court these years was merely average, further not having much friendship with the Xun family. Miss Deng although was not bad, she still wasn’t outstanding to the point where she surpassed Qi Pei. Although Madam Deng herself might feel that her own daughter’s beauty and talent was peerless in the world, but Ming Huayue and Xun Che both didn’t take a fancy to her, so Madam Deng’s idea very quickly got rejected.
Originally, if Xun Che had chosen another high class daughter, or even a daughter of the imperial clan, it would’ve been forgotten about, but in the end, the one he chose to marry in a high profile was actually Qi-shi’s daughter with her previous husband, Yu Lingxin. Madam Deng’s new grudges and old anger all overlapped together at once.
Yu Lingxin did know that Madam Deng was on bad terms with Qi-shi, but they normally didn’t have any dealings. As for the Deng family being interested in Xun Che once, she was completely unaware.
Upon hearing, she couldn’t help but slightly blank. Just as she was about to speak, she just heard Ming Huayue by her side already have the teacup in hand placed down, “Is Madam Deng talking about our family’s child?”
Towards Ming Huayue, Madam Deng also didn’t have any good feelings. Especially when thinking of how the Wen’an Marquis Manor rejected her precious daughter, yet took in the daughter Qi-shi left behind prior to divorcing, she just further felt that Ming Huayue was blind, so just retorted on the spot, “The new bride serving the mother-in-law, it is only rightfully so. What, your own family’s rules a complete mess, yet can’t even let others say?”
Ming Huayue coldly sneered, “Then, really some great etiquette you have, returning to the maiden home to celebrate your older sister-in-law’s birthday, and nitpicking your older sister-in-law’s niece-in-law. To already be making sarcastic remarks about other people’s family, yet still have the nerve to talk about rules?”
“Speaking of causing trouble at one’s older sister-in-law’s birthday banquet, Ling girl, your mother should be the first, right?” Madam Deng was still a bit timid towards Ming Huayue, so just turned her face and continued to look towards Yu Lingxin. After all, she was Yu Lingxin’s second maternal aunt, still having seniority in terms of family hierarchy, “Last year, the matter with your mother and your family’s horse carriage, tsk, tsk, that really was quite a disturbance. People all say, mother and daughter resemble one another. Your family’s horse carriage this year, better look after it well.”
Yu Lingxin originally didn’t want to argue with Madam Deng too much. On one hand, they were relatives, and secondly, she indeed didn’t like arguing and bickering with people. But, in this moment, more than half the people in the reception pavilion have already gathered their eyes over, and she already wasn’t that declining Yu family’s eldest miss from last year. At this time, if she were to continuously back down, then it will also damage Xun Che and the Wen’an Marquis Manor’s face.
“Mother and daughter resembling one another, sisters connected by the heart, at the end of the day, it’s all just the sentiments one should have as family. If there’s some misunderstanding, help mediate; if there’s some difficulty, mutually support one another.” The corner of Yu Lingxin’s lips also slightly hooked, her tone smooth and calm, clearly responding, “Inciting a quarrel in front of everyone to this degree of yours, it can also be considered very rare, really can’t be said to have any sentiments as relatives. How your manor likes tormenting the daughter-in-law, we also didn’t say anything. My mother being compassionate and kind, loving me dearly, you also can’t stand seeing, do you hope for your own daughter to suffer after marrying? Even if you hope for this, our family doesn’t.”
Madam Deng although had heard of Qi-shi and Yu Lingxin’s dispute last year, but in her impressions, Yu Lingxin was still that gentle little girl like a soft bun. And now, as a new bride that has just married, she should further be shy. How could she have predicted that there would be words like this.
Moreover, Yu Lingxin’s way of speaking was completely different from her mother’s irritable and violent temper, and Ming Huayue’s tough and unyielding nature. Her voice was very clear and bright, and when speaking, she completely didn’t have any anger, just that peacefully and calmly saying it line by line, unconsciously making one take in her words.
In fact, at this time, Madam Deng has already sensed those originally just spectating gazes reveal a bit of contempt towards her.
“How can you speak to an elder like this!” Madam Deng has actually never been good at arguing with people. When she was young, she could only use her di-born status to speak, and now, she naturally just put on the airs of an elder.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
“Did our family’s child say something?” Ming Huayue coldly laughed, “Stop using this seniority in the family to forcibly back yourself. The face as an elder also needs to be earned on one’s own. Madam Deng, even if you want to show off your might in front of our Xun family’s child, still need to look at your own manor’s weight!”
After saying this, she directly turned to instruct the servant girl by her side, “Bishu, go to the front and tell the marquis and the heir to ask General Deng, do they want to tear faces with our Xun family? How come they just started nitpicking our young madam? I can’t believe it. Whether our family’s child knows the rules or not, I, as the mother, don’t even have a say in it!?”
Seeing how Bishu accepted the order and was just about to head out, the Chang’de Countess and Madam Deng both quickly stood up. No one thought that merely a sarcastic comment would escalate to this degree in an instant. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law having a good relationship was actually common, but Ming Huayue being protective of her own to this degree, everyone was also shocked.
For better or worse, it was Chang’de Countess’s birthday. There naturally were people that wanted to smooth things over and mediate, and also those that went to pull Yu Lingxin and urge Ming Huayue, naturally just saying to consider for the birthday star’s face.
Yu Lingxin actually didn’t have any intention of letting things escalate this far, thus turning around to stop Bishu, “Wait a moment.” She then turned towards Ming Huayue, “Mother, don’t pass word to the front. This bit of trivial matter, not worth letting father and the heir be bothered over. There are plenty of muddled words, no need to disturb our family’s mood.”
Ming Huayue was too lazy to even look at Madam Deng again. She pressed Yu Lingxin’s hand, “Alright, just forget it. It’s your paternal aunt’s birthday after all. Child, you and Ying’er just go on to the back. Later, Jinrou should also arrive.”
At this time, everyone further urged while attempting to pull them apart. Madam Deng was angry, but didn’t say anything more.
Yu Lingxin smilingly left the reception pavilion with Xun Ying. At this time, everyone finally gradually calmed down. Towards this new wife of the Xun family, they also gained a new understanding.
And on Yu Lingxin’s side, she simply didn’t have this second maternal aunt’s words taken all that seriously. While heading over with Xun Ying, they started chatting about the recent matters in the poetry society. The Wenhua Academy, after going through last year’s silence, still continued to recruit children of official families this year, already set to hold a poetry gathering after the autumn exam[1] around the first the of the ninth month. The current saying was inviting renowned scholars and talented ladies from all over and such. For Xun Ying who genuinely loved poetry, she was somewhat tempted.
Yu Lingxin was mainly worried about Xun Ying entering the palace, as well as visiting other families. As for going out to play, she actually felt that it was fine, even feeling that Xun Ying’s temperament was too quiet, so moving about more was also good. That’s why, towards this poetry gathering, she very much approved of.
As the two of them chatted and laughed, they just arrived at Qi Pei’s courtyard, Shaoyao Residence.
At this time, the young ladies’ tea party in the back had already begun for quite some time, especially given that Yu Lingxin and Xun Ying had gotten held up a little when coming out. When they arrived at Shaoyao Residence, the chatter and laughter inside were already very lively. Among the cheerful sounds, they enthusiastically discussed about poetry, clothing, accessories, and such common topics of the boudoir, especially the glowing and vibrant qingyun brocade on Qi Pei today, and the lustrous and bright gemstone head ornament in her hair.
And circling around Qi Pei’s side, aside from the ones that have always been close with Qi Pei, like Xun Xiang and Miss Deng, these relatives and old friends, there were also the fair and dainty Wen clan daughters. When chatting, they seemingly appeared to be very close too.
Just, when everyone saw Yu Lingxin and Xun Ying enter the door, the atmosphere slightly froze for an instant. Shortly after, they finally began to welcome and greet.
“Second cousin-in-law also came over.” Qi Pei smiled. Her stature, compared with girls of the same age, was also considered a bit taller, and the collar of today’s dress was also slightly lower, making her neck appear particularly slender. That’s why, when she got up and haughtily nodded her head, she appeared as if having a bit of grandeur.
However, what was rather unfortunate was that Yu Lingxin had also grown a bit taller in this half year, especially given that her hair bun after marrying was much taller than an unmarried young girl’s hair bun. Qi Pei although had straightened her waist and back, lifting her head high, Yu Lingxin was still able to easily meet her eyes on the same level, completely not sensing herself getting ‘looked down on’, “I accompanied Ying’er over for a sit. You all continue chatting.”
Wen Ruoqiong and Wen Ruoyao can be considered to have been acquainted with Yu Lingxin relatively early. Although not having any emotional involvement with the Xun family, they’d nevertheless suffered a loss before at the Linglong Literature Club. When seeing Xun Ying, although there was a bit of affection, but in front of Yu Lingxin, they similarly felt complicated.
Probably, this was just the enemy’s enemy is a friend. Similarly carrying either open or discreet dissatisfaction towards Yu Lingxin, Qi Pei and the Wen family sisters very quickly just became even more close and intimate.
At the same time, someone also came to look for Xun Ying to talk. Yu Lingxin just accompanied by her side, perfect for her to observe the dealings between Qi Pei and the Wen family young ladies, also somewhat producing suspicions inside.
For them to be this close, it probably can be considered confirming what Xun Che had said previously. Empress Wen has the intention of roping in the Qi family. After all, after Xun Yan’s case resolved, the Zhu family although retained a count title, their situation was ultimately much worse than before. Once the Zhu family retire from their positions in the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Appointments, the ones to replace them will very likely be the Wen family and Qi family.
If this really is the case, perhaps Empress Wen will change her mind. Then, the candidate for Qin Wang’s main consort……….
Just as she was contemplating, she just heard Ming Jinrou’s crisp laughter come from outside Shaoyao Residence, “Sister Cheng, you saying it like this, my brother really deserved it!”
Once these words entered the ears, everyone naturally all gazed outwards. The Wen family young ladies’ complexion once again became peculiar. Even Qi Pei had slightly raised her brow.
In the next moment, they sure enough saw Ming Jinrou dressed in a blue dress and Duanyi Xianzhu Cheng Yanling enter while chatting.
Just, what was that tiny bit awkward was that Qi Pei and Ming Jinrou’s outfit currently, the style was actually seventy to eighty percent similar. And the qingyun brocade used was further the exact same.
This was just very surprising. If placed in usual gatherings, it was still a bit better, merely just young ladies of the same generation coincidentally making a similarly outfit. If on good terms, then they can just joke about it, if not, then it was just changing whenever possible.
But, at present, it was just three days from reporting the names for the imperial selection.
Qi Pei and Ming Jinrou’s participation in the selection were already tacitly known.
And this glistening qingyun brocade that was worth a thousand gold a foot was a tribute article from the imperial palace.
[1] Referring to a part of the imperial exam, specifically the triennial provincial exam.
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awkwaaard
oh dear… this madam is absolutely setting herself up to be pitted….