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The State of Affairs as Such
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!
“Yuzhang’s words are not right.” Wu Wang hurriedly tried to smooth things over with a smile, “Miss Xun’s talent is well-known throughout the capital, who doesn’t know? And Chief Secretary Xun’s learning, this prince also admires.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Wang immediately followed-up, “Precisely so. Where does Miss Xun need to study under some great scholar, who doesn’t praise the Linglong Literature Club’s poetry works? Moreover, just looking at Miss Xun’s evaluations just now, one can tell that every words is meaningful and profound, her learning incredibly good. Gentleman Qi although has talent, it’s still best to not be too strict.” He paused for a moment, once again taking a step forward, actually wanting to have the folding fan in his hand handed to Xun Ying, “On this fan, there is the verses this prince filled in during one’s free time, why don’t Miss Xun also have a look?”
Xun Ying didn’t lift her eyes to look at Wei Wang, instead retreating half a step, turning to look at Wen Ruoqiong, “Just now, I’d already said a lot, yet still haven’t heard Wei Wangfei’s insights. His Highness’s verses, it’s better to ask Wei Wangfei to assess.”
Wen Ruoqiong’s eyes actually somewhat turned red at this time. What her entire eyes could see was just Wei Wang’s gaze and expression, how eager it was towards Xun Ying. Forcing herself to endure again and again, she finally gloomily glanced at Wei Wang’s fan, “Wangye’s talent and learning naturally is extremely good, his phrasing creative, all very outstanding………”
The corner of her eyes swept towards Xun Ying again, recalling Wei Wang these days, pretending to be cultured, repeatedly reciting nothing more than just ‘a peerless beauty secluded away in the empty valley’, and such. Then, recalling the liangyuans’ and songstresses’ attire and appearance in the manor, her heart was practically like cut apart by knives and burned by fire, extremely difficult to bear. Halfway through her words, she was just unable to withstand anymore.
Fortunately, Qi Pei came over to smooth things out. Just, when speaking, she also clearly revealed Wu Wang Manor’s and even the Chang’de Count Manor’s current stance, “Sigh, Ying’er, don’t just blindly decline. His Highness is asking for you to assess. For you to just throw to Wei Wangfei, what does that count as? What his Highness wants to hear is ‘your’ appreciation. Ying’er, are you just not going to give his Highness Wei Wang face like this?”
Once these words came out, Yu Lingxin immediately was as clear as snow inside. Sure enough, the Wu Wang Manor and Qi family were set on stirring up the waters. Ming Jinrou also frowned, but just as the two of them were about to open their mouth, they heard a crisp ‘pah’ sound.
Everyone instinctively turned towards the other side of the long table where Qi Ke was standing, just seeing Qi Ke have a high quality jade bone folding fan thrown onto the desk, his handsome face already throughly dark, “Today, your Highnesses wanted this one to invite the students of Maolin Academy and Qingyang Academy over, saying to make friends through literature. This one didn’t dare to decline. Everyone that was invited are all young and talented scholars that have intensively studied the classics, their writing exquisite. However, your Highness’s thoughts are nevertheless unrelated to our literary works, instead wanting to drag in this young girl who has never once formally entered an academy before. Since your Highness Wei Wang just wants to ask a woman that has never even studied the four books and five classics before to evaluate, then what use is there asking for us to be here? This one will take one’s leave!”
Once he finished speaking, he just cupped his hands, preparing to leave.
Wu Wang immediately went to stop him, “Yuzhang, please wait! Yuzhang, you’re truly being too serious. This prince naturally wants to make friends through literature. Just, aren’t you looking down on the Xun family young miss a bit too much? The Linglong Literature Club is still very well-known. Third brother also doesn’t have any other meaning.”
“Forgive this one for speaking bluntly, but those flowery with no substance works of rouge and powder are merely padded out writing with fancy phrases of the boudoir, truly a disgrace to the classics, how can it be considered talent!” Qi Ke unexpectedly didn’t stand down in the slightest, the contempt on his face also even more distinct.
“Such high airs, such great talent!” Ming Jinrou coldly sneered, “Merely just the top scorer of the autumn exam, still having yet to take the spring exam, yet there’s no one in this world you can take seriously anymore? Did the Linglong Literature Club block your fame, or obstruct your future prospects, for you, this talented scholar, to endlessly slander like this?! Gentleman Qi, why don’t you explain clearly, how come Chief Secretary Xun is just unable to enter your eyes?!
Ming Jinrou’s temper was valiant, her status also high, so for her to suddenly get angry like this, even Wu Wang was all startled inside. Just as he was about to say something to smooth things over, he just heard the other one that no one dared to rashly offend at this time, Yu Lingxin, also open her mouth, “Forget it, the great talented scholar perhaps doesn’t want to speak too much with us women. What is there to say, Ying’er, let’s go back.”
Xun Ying just now also gazed towards Qi Ke together with everyone. Even if afterwards, Qi Ke said those words about the Linglong Literature Club and about women, her gaze never once shifted away, just that calmly staring at him.
But, at this time, the scene itself was already very awkward. Xun Ying also didn’t say a single more word and just obediently turned towards Yu Lingxin, directly leaving with her sister-in-law and the other.
Qi Pei symbolically led along the servants to send them off, naturally saying a few words about how Qi Ke was a bookworm, his temperament upright and stiff, hoping everyone don’t mind, and so on.
The entire way back to their own carriages, Ming Jinrou and Yu Lingxin all carried a cold look, expressing towards the servants that Wu Wang Manor sent out, ‘Qi Ke, this kind of talented scholar, should just straightforwardly ram against a pillar. We don’t want to say anything more.’
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
However, once the people of Wu Wang Manor left, the moment Yu Lingxin and Xun Ying, Ming Jinrou and Cheng Yanling, respectively got on their own carriages, Ming Jinrou and Yu Lingxin still quickly exchanged a glance, both lightly shaking their heads. There was both helplessness, and also a regretful sigh.
And on this trip back to the manor, Xun Ying’s words were even fewer than on the way here. The two of them have always had a close relationship, having been good friends since before marrying. Previously, because of considering for some of Xun Che’s methods and plans, Yu Lingxin didn’t completely tell Xun Ying everything. But, Xun Ying has always had Yu Lingxin treated like an older sister, able to talk about anything with her.
But, at this moment, as Yu Lingxin irresolutely muttered to herself, she was actually also somewhat hesitant, not knowing how to console Xun Ying who was currently holding her knees and calmly gazing out the carriage window.
If just going along the matters on the surface, letting Xun Ying not mind those words from Qi Ke that were practically deliberately belittling the Linglong Literature Club and the Xun family, and even women, although seemingly reasonable and logical, but between the two of them as sister-in-laws, it was ultimately lacking in sincerity.
But, if really going along Xun Ying’s true thoughts, Yu Lingxin actually was also very conflicted. Although Xun Che and Qin Wang both feel that Qi Ke siding with Wu Wang wasn’t really for the sake of rising up in his official career, but so far, this guess didn’t have any opportunity to be verified.
And Qi Ke’s various reactions today, judging it from the surface, it was all like hostility towards Xun Ying and even Xun Che. Yu Lingxin couldn’t really vouch for Qi Ke like this, saying that his words didn’t come from the heart.
Thus, after repeated hesitation, in the end, she could only reach out to stroke Xun Ying’s head, “Ying’er, if you’re upset inside, it’s also good to cry it out.”
Xun Ying fell silent for a while, before slowly lowering her head, “Sister-in-law, I’m unable to cry.”
Her voice was still that gentle and soft, but Yu Lingxin’s heart nevertheless ached upon hearing, increasingly feeling that even the inside of her mouth was bitter. After momentarily falling silent, Yu Lingxin in the end could only softly say, “Currently, there’s a storm gathering, great chaos about to arise. Ying’er, don’t think too much. It’s best to quietly wait a little. Perhaps, in the future, as things change with the passing of time, certain people and matters will just be different.”
Xun Ying also didn’t say anything more, lightly leaning against Yu Lingxin’s shoulder just like normally.
Yu Lingxin patted her hand, also not saying anything.
The state of affairs was as such, and exactly to what degree the following battle will progress to, actually even Xun Che was unsure. And whether or not Qi Ke, who now appears to be following Wu Wang, will have the leeway to escaped unscathed in the future, he was also unable to guarantee.
Carrying such thoughts and emotions, the entire trip back was just somewhat heavy, to the extent that when they arrived back at the manor, Ganlu and the others that came to receive them were all very startled, “Young madam, second miss, while out today………….”
Yu Lingxin lightly waved her hand, “It’s nothing, we’re all quite fine, just a bit tired.”
After saying this, she gazed towards Xun Ying again, “Ying’er, why don’t you go rest first. If there’s anything, come tell me at any time, understand?”
Xun Ying nodded, but still went forward to coil around Yu Lingxin’s arm, “It’s best if I send sister-in-law back first. Older brother has been very busy lately, so I need to look after sister-in-law for him.”
“For you to have such thoughts, it’s already enough, go back and rest.” Just as they finished speaking, they saw on the other side that Xun Che’s carriage had also arrived. Chen Qiao lifted the carriage curtains. Xun Che who was still dressed in his official gown slowly climbed down, coming over and patting Xun Ying’s head, “I obtained a few more scrolls of ancient texts today, and also a calligraphy book from the previous dynasty. I’ve already let someone send to your little study, go see if you like or not.”
“Naturally will like, many thanks second brother.” Xun Ying smiled, and then headed back to her place with her own servant girls.
This kind of smile and tone was like as if not having any distracting thoughts, a reaction that couldn’t be more common. Just, seeing Xun Ying’s slightly taller and increasingly elegant figure disappear into the distance, Xun Che and Yu Lingxin mutually shared a glance, both slightly sighing.
The two of them returned to Qingyu Pavilion hand in hand. Xun Che still first confirmed whether or not Yu Lingxin was worn out or angered, and whether or not there was some unexpected situation, before finally listening to her have what happened at Jingfu Temple recounted one by one.
When Yu Lingxin was recounting, she was very much sighing, but Xun Che was nevertheless very calm. In fact, at the end, he even slightly relaxed a little, “This is also good. Presumably, as long as he keeps up this stance, Wu Wang will also trust him a bit more. Just watch, at the earliest tomorrow, and at the latest in three days, the condemnations in speech and writing against your husband, I, will certainly arise again.”
“What does Changchun Palace want to do? Could it be that slandering you can even have the northwest matter resolved? Have the Chen province military authority exchanged back?” Yu Lingxin although knew that this was Changchun Palace’s most common method, but just thinking about how the outside will start criticizing Xun Che again, she still was unhappy.
Seeing her face, Xun Che actually smile, taking Yu Lingxin’s hand and kissing by his lips, “Probably, Changchun Palace sees that I’ve been too busy these days, afraid that you will forget about me, so made some sound to help me.”
“What nonsense are you saying?” Probably because it’s been awhile since she has heard him say something this shameless, Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but smilingly scold him. Just as she had her hand pulled back, she just heard Chen Qiao dryly cough outside, and immediately after, report in a low voice, “Shizi, the desserts from the west district have arrived.”
Xun Che immediately furrowed his brow. Yu Lingxin was also a bit concerned. This secret code, she knew about. What Chen Qiao meant was that Xun Tan had secretly sent someone over to pass on a message, presumably wanting to meet in secret.
Could it be that the old madam and the second branch wanted to coordinate with the rumors outside, wanting to cause some trouble again?
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see, when the dumb goose said something hurtful towards his object of affection “for her own good”, I threatened to beat him with a stick. it just seems fair to also threaten QK at this moment. it is THE most annoying trope I’ve ever seen. I let it slide more in ancient stories bc how dare ancient people sit down and be blunt and honest about romance (how scandalous) but to deliberately belittle her achievements, her work, her hobbies…. let me whack him a little!!!
His situation is kinda understandable, since he’s literally trying to say the opposite of what Wei Wang is saying. Ironic isn’t it.