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Plum Nectar II
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!
“How can that be okay!” Cuiju hurriedly waved her hand, but in the next moment, she also realized that her rejecting on instinct seemingly was too rigid, thus quickly responded with a smile, “This plum is the Puwei brand’s fermented plum. The madam figured that eldest miss would like, so specially bought for you. Besides, this servant lately has a toothache, so can’t drink anything sweet.”
“Is that so?” Yu Lingxin glanced at the first rank servant girl, Jinhuan, who was currently serving Qi-shi in taking the medicine, “Jinhuan, then you drink it. It can’t be that your teeth also hurts?”
Speaking to here, Qi-shi, Cuiju, as well as that servant girl, Jinhuan, all changed in complexion.
“Ling girl, what are you doing!” Qi-shi was a bit fretful, her usual tone seemingly also returning a little.
As for Jinhuan, she naturally took in Qi-shi and Cuiju’s look, forcibly smiling, “Replying to eldest miss, this servant, this servant’s teeth doesn’t hurt. Just, this plum nectar is extremely valuable, how is this servant worthy of drinking.”
“Not worthy? Sure enough, only I’m worthy of drinking, no?” Yu Lingxin although couldn’t make out exactly what was added into this plum nectar, but what else can it be? It was nothing more than just those few answers. Thinking back to Qi-shi’s deeply caring stance previously, appearing very reluctant to part with her, like as if putting on a play, in the beginning, she originally thought that Qi-shi was acting that way because of feeling that if force doesn’t work, then can try the soft way, pleading her to go with. However, looking at it now, this was actually just a series of interconnecting schemes.
That kind of long setup in front was all just for the sake of this inconspicuous plum nectar.
“Ling girl, what do you mean by this? Is it wrong for me to care for you? If you don’t want to drink it, then forget it. Bring it here, I’ll drink it! Could it be that I would even harm you!?” Qi-shi angrily said.
Yu Lingxin slightly hooked the corner of her mouth, “Alright.”
The atmosphere inside the room once again congealed. Jinhuan was hesitant, not knowing whether or not she should really have this bowl of plum nectar handed over to Qi-shi.
Cuiji hurriedly spoke, “Aiyoo, my madam, don’t get angry. Didn’t the imperial physician say that you need to relax. It’s all this servant’s fault, not considering that the eldest miss might not like sweet things. This servant will go change eldest miss’s drink right away, right away!”
As she said this, she just gestured Jinhuan to take that plum nectar. Yu Lingxin coldly sneered again, getting up and taking a step forward. With a shake of her wrist, the entire bowl of plum nectar just splashed onto Cuiju’s face, “Yin Cuiju, who do you think you are? To be inciting the madam all day long, stirring up trouble, even daring to do something like drugging an official family daughter! Do you know what kind of crime this is? If something like this happens again, even if you’re the Kou family’s concubine, I similarly can skin you alive!”
Yu Lingxin suddenly lashing out sternly and fiercely like this, even Qi-shi was stunned.
Cuiju was further caught off guard, her entire face both drenched and burning hot, completely dumbstruck, but the moment she returned to her senses, she immediately shut her mouth first, fearing that too much would enter her mouth if not careful.
At this time, the outside had already heard the movements inside. Wen mama, Shuangye, and Gancao were all guarding outside with their ears erected, immediately just entering, ignoring Lu mama, who tried to stop them.
Jinhuan hurriedly went over to help Cuiju wipe her face. Cuiju although wanted to loudly cry and retort, but she was also afraid of the thing in that plum nectar, not daring to open her mouth. As for Qi-shi, she was already red all over from anger, yet she also didn’t know what to say.
“Gancao, have their handkerchief snatched over!” Yu Lingxin relaxed a breath, and then suddenly instructed.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
“Yes!” Gancao was both flexible and simple-minded, immediately just going over to snatch. Cuiju and Jinhuan were both a bit dumbstruck, but when they finally understood in the next moment, Cuiju’s handkerchief that was drenched in plum nectar was already in Gancao’s hands.
At this time, Cuiju finally came to realization, her face going pale, wanting to snatch back, but it was already too late. With Gancao’s round body and physique, even if two against one with Cuiju and Jinhuan, it all wasn’t a problem, immediately just returning to Yu Lingxin’s side in a few steps.
Yu Lingxin coldly laughed, “You want to snatch back? Sure, then I will immediately have someone go report to the magistrate office, sealing off the inner and outer kitchen, and the supplies. I rather want to see what incredible thing was added in this plum nectar of yours!”
Cuiju jolted inside, and could only gaze towards Qi-shi.
Qi-shi was even more frantic inside. Wasn’t this a flawless plan? Originally, it was all discussed perfectly. As long as she, this mother, can put down her posture, using emotions to move, using reason to persuade, then Yu Lingxin will just voluntarily go with her.
And retreating a step, if she’s unwilling to go, then as long as she agrees to go to Chang province to pay respect to Qi old madam, then this matter was also half complete.
If that doesn’t work, then there was still the plum nectar. Although afterwards, Wen mama and them will be a bit difficult to brush off, but if really coming to a certain step…………
But, those layer one, layer two, layer three plan, how come all failed!
“Madam, madam!” Cuiju cried with her face covered, “This servant although is a useless one, but for better or worse, still the Kou family’s yiniang, giving birth to Teng’er for madam. This servant is really wholeheartedly considering for madam! Eldest miss being like this, this is really asking for my life………..”
“Ling’er! What are you doing!?” Qi-shi was still a bit slow to react, but she instinctively grabbed Jinhuan’s hand and climbed down from the bed, “H-how are you anything like how a young lady should be………”
Yu Lingxin walked towards the outside with a blank face, simply ignoring Qi-shi’s words. Stopping at the doorway, she turned around again, “Mother, you ultimately gave me life. The gratitude of birthing, it’s not like I don’t remember. From the past to now, everything that has happened, I will just pretend it all didn’t happen. If you still want to have dealings, still have filial piety during the holidays, then in the future, when I marry and have children, I can also let my children know that they have maternal grandmother with the surname Qi. Otherwise, this Kou family gate of yours, as a daughter of the Yu family, I really can’t afford to scale.”
After saying this, she directly walked out.
Wen mama and Shuangye were both experienced, so seeing Yu Lingxin order Gancao to snatch over the handkerchief, they just roughly guessed that there was something in the drink, their faces also turning dark like the bottom of a pot. When shielding Yu Lingxin as they walked out, their steps were both quick and heavy. All the way until they reached the second gate and climbed onto their own horse carriage did they finally relax a breath.
Especially Shuangye, because of having experienced that clash at Chang’de Count Manor, this time when thinking over again, the fright wasn’t any less than last time.
After all, in the beginning, Qi-shi spoke very politely, even somewhat sorrowful. If Yu Lingxin really were to randomly drink something problematic and pass out, then Qi-shi just needs to order someone to tell the people outside that Yu Lingxin had fallen asleep and such. It’s not like Wen mama and them can really just break into the room. Perhaps, they even need to first return to the Yu family to report to the old madam.
And in this back and forth trip, who knows what else can happen.
Yu Lingxin’s expression was actually still considered calm, just quietly gazing out the carriage window through the muslin curtains at the streets outside, attempting to have the complicated feelings inside just now all thrown aside.
Today’s matter can be considered the end of Qi-shi’s plans.
Those words she said earlier before Qi-shi’s doorway were all true. If there’s a next time, she will no longer have any dealings with the Kou family.
And Chang’de Count Manor’s Qi family, she can further not visit.
Very soon, the carriage left the little street the Kou Manor was on and turned onto a peaceful main street. From afar, she just saw a swaying signboard land on the ground. Probably, the wood was truly in a bad state. Even the sound when hitting the ground was all somewhat stuffy.
This kind of disturbance was neither big nor small. The people that heard naturally all turned to look.
However, only after a while did someone from the shop run out to pick up the signboard, and at this time, the Yu family’s horse carriage also approached. Yu Lingxin immediately just caught a glimpse of the shop’s name, her heart jumping———Linglong Pavilion. Wasn’t this the shop in her dowry?
“Zhao Liang, stop for a moment.” Without thinking too much, Yu Lingxin just called out.
The horse carriage stopped. Wen mama and Shuangye also looked over following Yu Lingxin’s gaze. Shuangye didn’t know, but Wen mama recognized the place, “Miss knows this shop?”
Yu Lingxin vaguely responded, and just suspiciously stared at the scene in front. That signboard probably was too old and also didn’t get coated with plaster before, in addition to there being a lot of rain this summer, most likely all the connecting areas have already rotted, thus falling down. But, why were the people in the shop this slow in coming out? The people passing by were already staring for quite some time before someone came out.
Moreover, this wasn’t an abandoned shrine out in the wilderness, so how can they let the signboard wear out to this degree?
Wen mama slightly hesitated for a moment before softly saying, “This shop, according to the deeds, should’ve been left for you back then by Madam Kou. However, the shopkeeper and workers in this shop are all related to the people by Madam Kou’s side. A few years ago, the old madam had asked about it before, but afterwards, it was still a bit difficult. The old madam figured Madam Kou frequently looking after it shouldn’t be a problem either.”
Yu Lingxin nodded, “Mama, grandmother’s difficulties, I understand. No worries, since we just happened to pass by today, then why don’t you accompany me for a look.”
Great Sheng’s[1] general practices these years were particularly open. Official family’s young ladies going out alone just needed to bring enough servant girls and attendants along, and it won’t be considered inappropriate. In the autumn and winter, there were those that liked wearing veils and such, but in the spring and summer, the great majority of people won’t use it.
Seeing that there weren’t that many people on the streets at this time, Wen mama thus nodded, “It’s not a problem if miss wants to see, just afraid, there won’t be anything good to see.”
“It’s ultimately my shop.” Yu Lingxin smiled, “It doesn’t matter how much my mother has interfered in it previously. Today, she’s already said, she will be leaving the capital soon. Then, it will sooner or later need to be reorganized in the future. Coming over for a look first, it’s also to avoid getting deceived by others later on when time comes.”
Hearing these words, like as if having her own ideas, Wen mama felt increasingly relieved inside. In the past, for the matters related to eldest miss, as long as it involved the Kou family and Qi family, it was all very troublesome. Even the old madam had a hard time balancing the matter. If the eldest miss can stand up on her own, then it can’t be better.
After letting Zhao Liang have the horse carriage directly driven to the that shop with the broken signboard, Wen mama and Shuangye supported Yu Lingxin down the carriage.
Prior to entering the shop, Yu Lingxin habitually glanced at the shops to the right and left again. In terms of business, she’d also thought over for a long time. This Linglong Pavilion in front was a good start.
Just as she was thinking this, Yu Lingxin’s eyes landed on a tea pavilion that was a bit farther away, immediately blanking.
[1] The name of their country.
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yeahhhh!!!!
go on!!!
drink it!!!