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Double-Edge Sword
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!
According to recent news, Wu Wangfei nowadays was already not the same as back when they’d met at the foot of the mountain of the poetry gathering.
Yu Lingxin recalled for a moment. In her impression, the Qi Pei they met at the time still had a bit of delight and smugness from her new marriage, also unsurprisingly having the haughtiness of being in a high position. She probably felt that the refined and elegant Wu Wang wasn’t necessarily a bad match, in addition to this extremely esteemed wangfei status, so even when greeting and speaking, she all carried a kind of ‘bestowing honor from above’ attitude.
But, a month and a half later, today, even if Yu Lingxin very rarely went out, she still heard about how Wu Wang Manor’s domestic affairs were now cooperatively handled by Side Consort Tan, for the sake of helping the main consort ‘share the burdens’. And the one most favored by Wu Wang, frequently staying over and pampering, was actually Li-shi, who’d once went to Chang’de Count Manor prior to the wedding to fawn over Qi Pei in every possible way.
Towards this, some say that this was part of Qi Pei’s plan, first promoting up Li-shi to contend against Tan-shi. Of course, some also feel that Qi Pei was incompetent. In such a short time after entering the manor, Li-shi already stood out from the mass; therefore, it can be seen that this wangfei position of Qi Pei’s that was only obtained through falling into the water may not necessarily be stable.
And this kind of situation, if to retreat a step, can be said as the result of Wu Wang embracing five beauties, splendidly entertaining, but if to move a step forward, thinking a little further, then this kind of situation was also somewhat similar to the current state of the imperial harem.
Looking at it from this angle, Wu Wang sure enough really was among the numerous princes the most like Xuan Emperor, also including the aspect of having a messy back manor.
For the womenfolk of the capital that love gossip, they were actually very happy, but how the cabinet ministers and the high officials of the Central Secretariat view this matter, one will have to wait to know.
As for why this kind of rumor would spread this quickly, facing Xun Ying’s curiosity and inquiry, Yu Lingxin hesitated for a moment, but still didn’t tell Xun Ying how many arrangements and follow-up plans her black-hearted and far-sighted second brother left behind in the capital before heading to the Chen province, just simply explaining to the little bookworm, “Because his Highness Wu Wang has too many wives. When there’s too many wives, there will just be problems, and the people outside naturally will also gossip. That’s why, those with many wives aren’t good people.”
Xun Ying blanked, but shortly after, pouted her lips, “Sister-in-law, you’re messing with me again. How can his Highness Wu Wang’s back manor be the same as ordinary families’. I looked at the new year gift list you instructed Bai Guo to prepare. In the future, are we going to interact with older sister Pei less?”
Yu Lingxin suddenly felt strangely moved, practically wanting to write to Xun Che even more than when she’d just learned that she was pregnant———-Ying’er has finally start to understand!
However, she still very quickly forced herself to calm down. It was probably because of the pregnancy that cause her to get worked up so easily. Deeply inhaling a breath, she pressed down her own emotions, “It can also be said like that. Recently, the second prince’s manor has been too peaceful. According to Jinrou’s explanation, Wu Wangfei, probably because of not being liked by Wu Wang, frequently enters the palace to be filial to Li Consort. But, Li Consort right now is currently being ‘modest’, so naturally needs to express that the empress is the second prince’s di-mother. That’s why, Wu Wangfei also visits Zhaoyang Hall quite often. And now, she also wants to come to our manor to visit the old madam, this maternal family elder. She’s probably set on wanting to re-obtain a purely filial and virtuous reputation. Just———”
Yu Lingxin paused for a moment, saying something like this to Xun Ying for the first time, “Just, we need to prevent ‘older sister Pei’ from using our family, or perhaps, use you to display her loyalty to the second prince.”
Xun Ying’s little face that has always been gentle and quiet finally also revealed a trace of seriousness. She fell silent for a moment, and then nodded her head, “I understand. Sister-in-law, you also need to be particularly careful too. You still have my little nephew in your stomach too.”
Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but stroke Xun Ying’s head. If possible, she also hoped to be like Xun Che, protecting the little bookworm for life, letting her just be purely happy, never needing to understand these filthy and dirty things, as well as the demons and monsters in people’s hearts.
Just, unfortunately, everyone all didn’t have this fate.
Of course, at this time, there were many people sighing at fate. The ones with complicated feelings weren’t just them. There was also Wu Wangfei, Qi Pei, who will be coming to visit Xun old madam in a few day.
And on this day, Qin Wang Manor’s side also just happened to summon an imperial physician, saying that Ming Jinrou was unwell, so Ming Huayue went over to visit. In the Wen’an Marquis Manor, only Yu Lingxin and Xun Ying came out to receive Qi Pei.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Qi Pei this time was actually very polite. Whether it was the haughtiness from before, or the pompous attitude previously, it was all as if it’d gotten tossed beyond the clouds. The Qi family’s fence-sitting tradition finally got inherited by her somewhat. Although one could still make out some stiffness and unnaturalness, but her attitude ultimately was different. Even her tone when greeting has also become much more modest and easy-going.
Xun Ying still found it somewhat unbearable seeing her like this. As for Yu Lingxin, although she was also somewhat sighing inside, her eyes nevertheless mostly lingered on the servant behind Qi Pei, “So, wangfei wishes to give the old madam a servant woman?”
Qi Pei nodded, “Ever since getting frightened by the fire in the sixth month, the old madam just hasn’t been sleeping too well. Now that she has gotten frightened again, presumably, the condition will inevitably become more serious. I’m truly very worried. Although our wangye bestowed a few rare ginseng, all excellent for supplementing the vital energy, but as the elderly age, just relying on supplements, afraid, isn’t enough. However, it just so happens that her Highness the Empress is benevolent, appointing this Li mama over, an expert in massage and physical therapy, also knowledgable in medicinal cuisine, perfect for helping the old madam nurse her health.”
“Turns out, this is a noble personage bestowed by her Highness the Empress, then we really must have been rude.” Yu Lingxin’s eyes slightly flickered, also glancing at Xun Ying before immediately ordering, “Someone come, arrange a seat for Li mama.”
“This old servant doesn’t dare. One absolutely doesn’t dare to have a seat before wangfei and young madam.” That Li mama was actually rather submissive, quickly bowing and responding, “This old servant is just here to serve Xun old madam.”
“Hope that second cousin-in-law don’t turn down.” Qi Pei followed-up, “Li mama has served in the palace for many years, her skills in massage, even the empress praises very much. It’s truly because of pitying the old madam, thus had her bestowed down, also giving honor to the marquis manor.”
Yu Lingxin smiled but didn’t speak, just calmly gazing towards Qi Pei.
Saying it as helping to take care of the old madam and whatnot, but in reality, on one hand, it was just wanting to give Xun old madam backing. Having someone bestowed by the empress, in the future, even if the Wen’an Marquis and Xun Che come back, whenever some conflict arises, Xun old madam will just be even more unyielding.
On the other hand, it’s just planting a spy in the Xun manor. With such a mama present, in the future, if anything happens in the Xun manor, it will inevitably pass on to Qi Pei, or perhaps, to Wu Wang Manor and the two palaces behind Qi Pei.
Moreover, Qi Pei was giving under the excuse of filial piety. Never mind Yu Lingxin not being able to refuse, even Xun Nanheng and Ming Huayue all don’t have any reason to block Qi Pei, this outer granddaughter, from giving someone to take care of Xun old madam.
That’s why, in Qi Pei’s mind, this can probably be considered an ingenious and airtight move. But, facing this kind of smile from Yu Lingxin, she strangely felt somewhat uneasy, as if all her presumptions in the other party’s eyes were nothing at all.
Qi Pei couldn’t help but faintly feel somewhat fretful, just it was forcibly pressed down on the surface, “So, second cousin-in-law’s thoughts are………”
“What thoughts can there be?” Yu Lingxin just smiled, her following words actually becoming increasingly slow, “Naturally, it’s thanking Wu Wangfei for the generous bestowment. Later, I will arrange a place for mama to stay right away. From now on, our family’s old madam’s health and safety will all be relying on Wu Wangfei’s blessing. If the old madam recovers, then it really is thanks to wangfei’s benevolence, if———”
Li mama suddenly lifted her head and glanced at Yu Lingxin, her heart also violently shivering all of a sudden.
Qi Pei similarly sensed an enormous ominous air. Unknown as to why, a blurry thought flashed across her mind. For the time being, she was unable to figure out, but still instinctively asked, “If what?”
“If really as such,” Yu Lingxin also glanced at Li mama before turning back towards Qi Pei, saying word by word extremely clearly, “then really thank heavens.”
This can also be considered useless words. However, in Qi Pei and Li mama’s ears, it was further like a kind of threat. Qi Pei was increasingly uneasy, suddenly feeling that her previous calculations may not necessary succeed. But, at this time, she can’t just pull back this entire plan in the last moment, so she could only awkwardly laugh, exchanging a few more pleasantries for the occasion. And after paying a visit to Xun old madam, she just took her leave.
At night, Ming Huayue returned. After listening to this matter, she also coldly sneered. Knowing that Yu Lingxin had already arranged a place for Li mama in the second branch, she just nodded her head and told Yu Lingxin to not worry, directly adding four more servant girls for Li mama, ensuring that this noble personage from the palace will always have eyes on her at all times. And aside from Cide Hall, she was not allowed to go anywhere else, further not allowing her to go near any kitchen or drinking water location outside of Cide Hall.
The next day, Qin Wang Manor also sent people over, saying that Qin Wangfei also heard that Xun old madam hasn’t been sleeping well lately, and the extremely filial Wen’an Marchioness and young madam also haven’t been sleeping peacefully, thus sent twenty guards over to help protect the manor, so as to let everyone all be at ease.
Seeing Ming Huayue and Ming Jinrou’s simple and brute force method of response, Yu Lingxin just laughed. Actually, she wasn’t really worried.
Right now, the only thing on her mind was just Xun Che who was far away in the Chen province.
As for everything in the capital, even if Xun Che isn’t here, he still left behind enough manpower, enough to the point where Yu Lingxin is able to handle things according to his style.
For instance, this current situation before them.
Using the empress as an excuse, in the name of filial piety from Wu Wangfei, they think that they can just stir up trouble in the Wen’an Marquis Manor?
Could it be that Xun Yan’s death really didn’t warn them of anything?
Indeed, regardless whether it was wanting to have direct conflict, secretly plant poison, or pass on information, this Li mama was all a sharp blade.
But, the problem was, this sharp blade was double-edged.
If Li mama comes over to serve Xun old madam for a few days, and Xun old madam suddenly just dies for some unknown reason, then whether it’s Wu Wangfei, Zhaoyang Hall, or even Wu Wang and Li Consort, just wait to be recorded in the history books like the Anshun Count Manor. Great Sheng’s judicial records can also be renewed once more!
Just, this ultimately was a last resort. At present, if able to temporarily settle down under Ming Huayue and Ming Jinrou’s double security, it’s not like she needs to make this matter big.
Especially since the little guy in her stomach seemingly has already started becoming somewhat worked up.
Starting from the eleventh of the twelfth month, Yu Lingxin’s nausea and dizziness once again worsened. Little Imperial Physician Chi changed the prescription twice before finally reducing the symptoms a little for her. However, she was still unwell for a few days in a row.
At the same time, the debates in court regarding the Chen province were also becoming increasingly intense. For slightly better news, Cheng Yanling’s father, the Zhenbei General, Cheng Guangling, his injuries have now mostly recovered. The toxins from the poison previously have already been expelled. The Chen Province Army has also thoroughly settled down.
But, the even worse news was that now, it’s already confirmed that someone in the Chen Province Army had once colluded with the enemy, secretly reselling medicinal ingredients, and even weapons and military formation layouts to North Rong. Just, the great majority of the related personnels that have been tracked down were already dead. As for specifically who this inside traitor was, there still weren’t any substantial conclusion.
The debates in court have already become intense to the point quarreling, and as the disadvantageous remarks towards the Cheng family increased more and more, Xun Che, as the main investigator, also began receiving all kinds of doubts and even accusations.
Towards these, Yu Lingxin although read the imperial bulletin everyday, also listening to the information that Bai Guo and the others passed back, but unknown as to why, her heart was still tranquil. She always felt that Xun Che can resolve everything.
Just, when the moon rose on the sixteenth of the twelfth month, hanging round and bright in the sky, as she stared out into the night sky alone, her heart nevertheless filled with loneliness.
“Shenzhi, are you also thinking of me at this time?” She was a bit lost in thought, softly whispering to herself.
“Yes.”
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Hubby is back!
Hubby is back!!!!
i keep having to remind myself that Qi Pei isn’t even 18 yet.. the reason why her plans look so juvenile is because she is. also lmao, like father like son, Wu Wang just likes a whole host of messy things happening to enrich the local gossip scene. also, hypothetically, what if the old lady died of natural causes. like I know she won’t, but isnt she super old? why are they hinging their nail staying in the manor on an old lady’s ability to not die? I’m not smart enough for this, thank god Xun Che is back.