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Unable to Rest Day and Night
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!
As if afraid the side consorts might not understand, or the servant girls weren’t certain enough of the meaning, the two mamas, practically like reciting a textbook, further warned the pale-faced Side Consort Deng and Liangyuan Wen at the same time, “Wangye likes the art of war, governing the manor like governing the army. That’s why, wangye’s every word, asking you all to keep in mind at all times. The guards in our manor, half were selected back from the Chen province army, and at least need to have killed more than ten enemies in order to be able to become a guard in the manor. Do you understand?”
“Un…understood.” Side Consort Deng ultimately was a daughter of a military household. Although her own father and brothers also haven’t gone onto the battlefield in a very long time, but for better or worse, during the holidays, when their family gathered, she would inevitably hear the elders mention their past experiences on the battlefield, so on the surface, she was still able to hold up.
However, on Wen Ruoyao’s side, even her legs went soft. The Yiyang Marquis Manor have been civil officials and meritorious nobles for many generations. Tracing upwards for a few generations, they did have cabinet ministers and chancellors, their name spreading throughout the country, but in these last three generations, their only contribution was just forming marriage ties with the imperial family.
However, Wen Ruoyao’s brain was still a tiny bit better than her frail older sister, Wen Ruoqiong. Although realizing that the guards of Qin Wang Manor practically had the words ‘kill without blinking’ written on their forehead, but amidst the alarm, she still managed to grasp onto the other layer of meaning in this warning, “Then……then, wangye’s meaning is that as long as I don’t leave this courtyard these three days, I’ll be fine?”
The mama assigned to Wen Ruoyao had the surname Shi, her facial features extremely serious, but her manners were very deferential, immediately curtsying and responding on the spot, “This is natural. You are a liangyuan bestowed to wangye by an imperial decree, and also her Highness the Empress’s niece. Wangye has said, there’s the imperial favor above, and the rites and etiquette below. As long as you adhere strictly to your duties as a liangyuan and act according to the rules of the manor, obeying the order and abiding by etiquette, then your share and dignity as a liangyuan of the manor certainly won’t be lacking.”
Wen Ruoyao exhaled a long breath, wiping the cold sweat that filled her forehead, “That’s good, many thanks to wangye, and will be troubling mama.” After saying this, she also let someone give a reward. Just, the accompanying servant girl’s hands and feet were also cold, tremblingly giving the red envelope, before quickly supporting Wen Ruoyao into the courtyard to settle down.
In short, during Qin Wang’s wedding on the fifteenth of the ninth month, Qin Wang Manor from top to bottom all can be considered to be filled with merriment and harmony. Deng Zizhi and Wen Ruoyao settled in without a sound. And the stage and grand banquet that was set up in the front hall for marrying Ming Jinrou was bustling with excitement and joy, the liveliness lasting all the way until the sky turned completely dark. At this time, the stage finally started playing the last few concluding segments of the celebration music, and the guests also successively started taking their leave.
Yu Lingxin at this time was already somewhat tired. It was ultimately the third day of her period, so no matter how careful in looking after her body, not tiring herself, for the sake of Ming Jinrou’s wedding today, she still arrived at the Ming manor early in the morning to attend the ritual. And in Qin Wang Manor, although seeing how the various arrangements were very strict, but thinking of how prior to putting on the veil Ming Jinrou was still entirely a solemn and resolute look, then recalling Empress Wen who was certainly full of hatred in the palace, as well as the currently hibernating Li Consort, and her two sons, Wu Wang and Wei Wang, she ultimately still had her heart suspended, just fearing that there might be a sudden unforeseen change at some unknown time.
Fortunately, as time passed little by little, this wedding celebration peacefully concluded. Yu Lingxin finally relaxed, and at the same time, also felt that her own lower back was still somewhat sore. And at this time, Xun Che came over to pick her up, “Huijun, has today been tiring?”
Xun Ying first pressed her lips into a smile, “Since second brother has come, then I’ll just go first.”
However, Yu Lingxin immediately had her pulled back, “Ying’er, came with us to the second gate together. Right now, there’s many guests going out, and some have consumed wine. It’s best to not run into them.”
Xun Ying shook her head, “It’s fine, it’s merely a short way. Ultimately still in Qin Wang Manor, so what can happen?”
Xun Che originally had helped Qin Wang block quite a few toasts earlier. His face although wasn’t red, but in reality, he was already somewhat drunk and tired. However, hearing the latter half of Xun Ying’s words, his eyes suddenly widened a little, also reaching out to grab Xun Ying, “Listen to your sister-in-law!”
Xun Ying was startled, “Second brother, are you okay?”
“Shenzhi.” Yu Lingxin hurriedly went to press Xun Che’s hand first, “Don’t scare your little sister. Let’s go back home together.” She turned her head and looked around. A few steps away, Ming Jincheng seemingly was saying something to Cheng Yanling. Xun Cong was actually nearby, so she waved her hand, letting Xun Cong come over to support Xun Che, “Xun Cong, your older brother is probably a bit drunk, so support him a little.”
Xun Che glanced at Xun Cong, indeed revealing a bit of intoxication and blurriness. However, aside from confusion, there was also a bit of sharpness, making Xun Cong’s heart jump, his back instinctively stiffening, practically forcing himself to go forward, “Brother, sister-in-law let me support you.”
“Shenzhi.” Yu Lingxin softly called out again, “Today is his Highness and Jinrou’s big day. The younger siblings have also stayed with us all day, all perfectly fine. It’s time to go home.”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Xun Che clenched his teeth, finally having the past affairs churning in his heart amidst the drunkenness forcibly pressed down. He knew the hidden meaning in Yu Lingxin’s every word. The present was unlike the past. Everything was developing in a good direction. Xun Cong was still here; Xun Ying was still here. They were all still safely by their side.
“En. Go home.” Xun Che nodded, also not pushing away Xun Cong who was still on guard and nervous. And Xun Ying, due to worry, naturally tightly followed after Yu Lingxin. While mutually supporting one another, randomly chatting along the way, they headed home together.
As for how many people among this borderless clamor were watching them from behind, and carrying what kind of attitude and calculations, at least, in this moment, Xun Che and Yu Lingxin had no intention of looking into, or perhaps, should say that there was no need to look into.
Very soon, they arrived back at the Wen’an Marquis Manor. Xun Cong and Xun Ying both accompanied their older brother and sister-in-law back to Qingyu Pavilion. Afterwards, Yu Lingxin said a few words to them and respectively sent them back to their rooms to rest. As for Xun Che, the moment Yu Lingxin returned to their room, he just directly came over to hug her.
Ganlu and the others originally were preparing the hangover soup and calming tea according to Yu Lingxin’s instructions, still busily going around, having yet to help Yu Lingxin change clothes and take down the head ornaments, when they saw Xun Che act as such. Each and every one of them immediately turned red, successively putting down the things and retreating out.
Yu Lingxin didn’t really mind. She directly turned around, also going to hold Xun Che, letting her husband bury his head on her shoulder, vaguely mumbling to himself. Even if his strength in holding her when drunk was a bit heavy, Yu Lingxin stilly patiently and gently stroked his back again and again, quietly comforting him.
A while later, Xun Che finally let go, but in the next moment, he went forward a step to kiss her. Yu Lingxin’s back was already against the wardrobe. She didn’t want to retreat anymore, so directly embraced Xun Che’s waist, deeply responding to this long kiss, and at the same time, shifted her feet, practically half pushing him onto the bed.
Carrying slight intoxication and ever growing love, the kiss between them grew increasingly passionate. But, once Xun Che’s hand began to slide into Yu Lingxin’s clothes, she still pulled back to stop him, “Shenzhi, I’m not convenient today…….”
Xun Che at this time finally became a bit more clearheaded. Gasping for breath as he forcibly composed himself and pulling back his hand. At the same time, he once again had her taken into his arms, “En, I was rash……”
“It’s fine. I know you’re tired inside, yet unable to say anything. The current state of affairs coming to this point now, appear as if increasingly advantageous to his Highness, but in reality, every step is all walking on knives. How many days you haven’t slept well, others might not know, but how can I not know? Just, on major matters, I indeed can’t help you with anything………..”
Xun Che deeply gazed into her eyes, “Huijun, you being by my side like this is more important than anything. Furthermore, who says what you’re helping with isn’t major? With you here, regardless whether it’s mother’s, Ying’er’s, or Jinrou’s side, I’m all able to be much more at ease and steady. What do the conflicts in court count as, the people at home are what’s important to me.”
“These are all what I should do. They are also my family.” Yu Lingxin lightly smiled, also reaching out to caress Xun Che’s face. He has actually lost a bit of weight these days. Just, while heartaching, she also didn’t want to say anymore overly emotional words. Yu Lingxin hooked her lips into a smile, “Speaking of Jinrou, don’t know what her bridal night tonight will be like?”
Xun Che sneered, “We’ve already practically helped matchmake onto the bed. The later matters will just depend on his Highness’s own abilities. I’m not going to worry over it. We will probably be able to know on the bride’s first return to the maiden home in three days.”
He paused for a moment, lowering his head to look at Yu Lingxin again and letting out a sigh, “Sigh, tonight, regardless of how his Highness’s first night will be, I won’t be able to do anything here, so let me have another kiss.”
“Hey……wuuuu——” Just as Yu Lingxin wanted to retort and change the topic, Xun Che already lowered his head, going down for another kiss. She although was somewhat between laughter and tears, she still further heartached for Xun Che.
He really was too tired, having too much pressure in his heart. Even if at present, the state of affairs appear as if it’s gradually developing towards the direction he has planned, the empress and Li Consort were both still far from thoroughly falling from power. Xun Che and Qin Wang were calculating. The Wen family and Zhu family were also plotting and preparing at all times. In the past life, it wasn’t until after Tianxu year 16 did the situation appear more intense. At present, it was actually already not far……….
On the sixteenth of the ninth month, the newly-wedded Qin Wang couple entered the palace to have an audience with Xuan Emperor and Empress Wen. Afterwards, in the palace’s Jinghua Hall, they bowed towards the memorial tablets of the previous emperors and empresses. From here, Zongjing Bureau formally made the documents. Qin Wangfei Ming Jinrou’s rites for meeting the family thus concluded.
On the seventeenth of the ninth month, it was the first return to the maiden home. Towards this day, aside from the Jin Duke Manor Ming family, Yiyang Marquis Wen family, and Fuyuan General Manor Deng family, these official maiden families of Qin Wang’s wife and concubines, feeling very nervous and awaiting, the friends and relatives of these three families, as well as those that were enthusiastic about gossip, were also extremely nervous.
After all, on the day of the wedding ceremony, Qin Wang’s attitude towards the main consort Ming Jinrou and the two side consorts were practically day and night. At the time, someone had already pondered, what will the side consorts’ treatment be like for the first return to the maiden home?
As well as, for the first two days of marriage, how the solemn and stiff Qin Wang will enjoy the pleasures of being surrounded by beauties.
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