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Open Spear, Hidden Arrow
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!
“Shan’er is still having dealings with Gentleman Qi lately?” Hearing her father mentioning Qi Ke, Yu Lingxin first jumped inside, and then shortly after, also furrowed her brows. However, glancing to the side at Xun Che, his face was instead completely calm without ripples, “Their relationship as classmates must be good. Gentleman Qi nowadays is skillful in handling matters, yet doesn’t forget old friends.”
These words were said rather calmly, as if completely not minding. Just, landing in Yu Lingxin and Yu Bocheng’s ears, the meaning was nevertheless completely different.
Yu Bocheng was somewhat embarrassed. Towards this young, talented, and courteous son-in-law of his, his feelings have always been very complicated. When mentioning with others, it was naturally very much having radiance on the face. Even when mentioning with his family, he was also very satisfied.
Just, every time when meeting face to face, Yu Bocheng still kept feeling that there was some place not that right. No matter how polite and modest Xun Che was, it was still very difficult for Yu Bocheng to like this son-in-law. On one hand, he still felt annoyed letting this stinky brat marry his daughter this early, while on the other hand, he also had a kind of hard to express restraining fear, just like facing a young and modest supervisor. In fact, it can be said as faintly fearing.
“Actually, I’d also talked with Shan’er twice. Gentleman Qi truly has been walking too close with the second prince these days. If there’s nothing important, it’s still better for our family to not have too much dealings with Gentleman Qi.” Yu Bocheng looked to Yu Lingxin again, his expression somewhat hesitant, “However……..Shan’er ultimately resides in the academy, and Gentleman Qi is also a distinguished pupil that came from Qingyang Academy. If they want to discuss poetry and history in the academy, it’s not too good for me to block either.”
“Father-in-law over-worries.” Xun Che voluntarily followed-up, “Brother Shan is smart, his thoughts clear. He should be able to grasp the level of propriety for his behavior and conduct. Even if there really is something, this son-in-law will also assist and look after. Father-in-law doesn’t need to worry.”
Yu Bocheng really did seem concerned, sighing again, and also taking the opportunity to talk about the recent rumors outside related to Qi Ke.
Among these, there were indeed a few that Yu Lingxin didn’t hear about before, but overall, there weren’t anything too surprising. Going back and forth, it was nothing more than just the fact that there were many gossips regarding Qi Ke among the scholars. Mainly, it was feeling that he wasn’t as studious and hardworking in his studies as before. On one hand, it was constantly having dealings with Wu Wang and Wei Wang, and on the other hand, he also frequently traveled between the various academies, befriending students all over, to the extent that those scholars that once were honored to be friends with Gentleman Qi, now, all weren’t too willing to have dealings with Qi Ke anymore.
The former pure and noble scholar has now unexpectedly became a prince’s aide. As Yu Bocheng spoke, there was naturally also regret and pity.
“Presumably, Gentleman Qi also has his own thoughts. The high aspirations of a gifted scholar, others are unable to predict.” Having listened to this much, Xun Che still slightly furrowed his brows in the end, the mockery and dissatisfaction in his voice also not concealing in the slightest.
Yu Bocheng immediately sensed it. Just, what he suddenly thought of was instead how he once wanted to have Yu Lingxin married to Qi Ke back then, and not let his daughter have too much dealings with the Xun family, so increasingly felt somewhat embarrassed, “This can’t be considered some high aspirations either…….”
“Father.” Yu Lingxin naturally knew where Xun Che’s moodiness came from, so immediately inserted a word and changed the topic, “How’s Yun’er lately? Previously, didn’t the madam seem to have the intention of discussing marriage with the Su family? Is Yun’er still having dealings with the Su family’s Mao boy?”
Yu Bocheng shook his head, “Actually, no. Nowadays, Yun’er is also wholeheartedly focusing on her studies, and from the looks of it, also a lot more steady than before. She has grown up.”
Actually, this was something that really didn’t need to be asked. Ever since Yu Lingxin got pregnant, Yu old madam would send people over to check on her practically every other day. Yu Lingxin, aside from personally returning to her maiden home, would also frequently let Ganlu and Shuangye go back to deliver things to the old madam, so towards Yu Yunxin’s current situation, she actually understood very well.
Just as Yu Bocheng said, Yu Yunxin has indeed grown up quite a bit in this past half year. Not just growing a bit taller, her behavior and conduct was also a lot more sensible. Not only no longer having any infatuations towards Su Mao, she even urged her own mother to not interact with the Su family too much.
Just, Su Hanwei ultimately was together with Yu Yunxin in the Wenhua Academy, so they inevitably will have dealings on the surface. Moreover, recently, the Su family old madam’s body wasn’t too good. The Yu family can’t just block Su-shi from returning to her maiden family to visit her own mother.
Following along this topic, Yu Bocheng also mentioned a few words about the matters at home, drinking two cups of tea. Finally, after giving his outer grandson, An’er, a generous greeting gift, as well as repeatedly reminding Yu Lingxin to carefully take care of herself, he said his goodbyes and returned home.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
After sending away Yu Bocheng, Xun Che and Yu Lingxin shared a glance. Afterwards, after playing with An’er a little, they finally returned to the study together to talk, their feelings also somewhat peculiar.
To put it bluntly, whether it’d be forming marriage ties, or sending a concubine, servant girl, or even shoving over a mama, and such, these were all still considered an ‘open spear’. It can be said as open and direct. Whether it’d be sowing discord, or prying information, it was all easy to guard against.
But, like the Su family, this kind of dealings with relatives, or Qi Ke, this kind of relationship as classmates, they were all ‘hidden arrows’, seeping in from below. Whether it’d be due to feelings or reason, it all wasn’t easy to reject, not knowing when they will just stab from behind, thus even harder to predict than the former.
“Shenzhi, say, what exactly is Qi Ke thinking?” Yu Lingxin also couldn’t help but sigh. Ever since she started waiting to give birth behind shut doors, to now, resting during her one-month period after childbirth, for the matters at home, it has all been Xun Ying helping Ming Huayue handle. Of course, she would also come over to see her everyday, the two of them happily chatting for a while.
On the surface, everything seemed to be warm and harmonious, incomparable smooth, but every time when mentioning poetry club, literary essays, and such, or just the occasional silence and momentary daze, Yu Lingxin could all tell that the little bookworm really was a big girl now.
She didn’t say anything, but what was hidden in that heart nevertheless grew increasingly deep.
Xun Che lowered his eyes and fell silent for a moment before calmly opening his mouth, “I’m also uncertain. Looking at it from the surface, Qi Ke indeed is set on being the second prince’s aide. And now, he has indeed obtained the second prince and third prince’s trust. Heard that for some letters, there’s even Qi Ke helping with the draft. If he really wants to walk this high path………”
He paused for a moment, not finishing his words.
Yu Lingxin, however, understood his meaning. At present, in the capital, it appears as if the most intense conflict was the court discussions regarding the establishment of the heir apparent, but regardless whether it’s establishing the virtuous or establishing the di, Qin Wang, Wu Wang, or Zhao Wang, even if settling on the heir apparent, it absolutely didn’t signify the end of the conflict in Xuan Emperor’s court.
Rather, should say, it was precisely the exact opposite. The day the heir apparent is decided, probably will be the true start of the bloody storms.
In the past life, Li Consort never lost her noble consort status. The Cheng’en Duke Manor’s power and influence also didn’t decline this early, even plotting quite a few assassinations and poisonings. In fact, they were even prepared to launch a revolt.
Just, because of Xun Ying’s tragic death, as well as the Xun family’s following changes, Xun Che’s counterattack while struggling on the deathbed at the time was near madness, counter-killing and purging several officials that adhered to the Zhu family and supported Wu Wang. Among them, included the Left General of the City Guards, Pan Jin, which can be considered putting an end to Li Consort faction’s plans of revolting relatively early.
But, in this life, Xun Che actually has the intention of pressuring the state of affairs, even hoping that Li Consort and them can launch the revolt that they weren’t able to launch in the past life. This way, they can take the opportunity to have them thoroughly eliminated by the roots, forever putting an end to future trouble.
If really reaching that step, aside from the Chang’de Count Manor having no way of surviving, Qi Ke as Wu Wang’s aide, afraid will also get crushed along with.
“Ying’er’s temperament has been this way since childhood, gentle, docile, and easy-going.” Xun Che suddenly got up, walking to the window-side, gazing into the distance with his hands behind his back, his voice also extremely low and heavy, “For the great majority of things, Ying’er all won’t argue over, but if she really has her mind set on something, or someone, it’ll truly be…………”
Yu Lingxin also shook her head, “Actually, they’ve only met a few times in total, so how can she be this determined? Do you think we’re thinking too much? Perhaps, Ying’er isn’t that love with Qi Ke?”
Xun Che fell silent, turning around to face Yu Lingxin again, “A few days ago, in the few days right before you went into labor, Madam Lou came over to chat with mother, also voluntarily mentioning Ying’er’s marriage arrangement. It wasn’t for the sake of matchmaking, but just warning our family. The empress’s meaning during Duanyang, Wei Wang’s movements these days, every single one all aren’t a good sign. It’s easy to dodge an open spear, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. It’s better to quickly let Ying’er get engaged, best if she can marry outside of the capital. However, Ying’er ended up hearing in the end. At the time, when Madam Lou was present, she didn’t say anything, but once Madam Lou left, this girl told mother that she didn’t want to marry, just waning to stay at home forever, together with mother, together with us, guarding by her own little library………..”
Yu Lingxin didn’t know there was this matter, so upon hearing, she was also shocked, “This silly girl, she really said this to mother?”
Xun Che nodded his head, “Mother originally just doted on her, also unable to bear letting her marry early. Additionally, mother also knows that she has always loved books to death, and there’s been many changes at home, so saying something silly in the moment is also normal, thus didn’t ask too deeply. But, when I went to see her afterwards………….” He paused for a moment, his eyes unexpectedly turning a bit red, also exhaling a breath before continuing, “Huijun, in the past, it’s not like I’ve never seen her shed tears before, but seeing her cry that day, my heart just…………”
“Shenzhi.” Just hearing like this, Yu Lingxin all felt very sad inside, immediately getting up and going over, voluntarily reaching out and hugging Xun Che, “Let’s go ask clearly. Perhaps, there’s still a chance. Since Qi Ke is still in contact with Zhengshan, perhaps he has the intention of leaving a thread to pass on news in advance. If he doesn’t really want to adhere to the second prince, becoming the subject that follows the dragon[1], then let’s think of a way. We ultimately need to be certain.”
Xun Che also tightly embraced his wife, burying his head between her neck. After adjusting his emotions for a moment, he finally lifted his head again, “Looking at it now, perhaps can only be like this. See if there’s an opportunity in the next few days.”
Yu Lingxin also nodded. Regarding this matter that they have been concerned over for a very long time, there truly wasn’t too much that can be discussed. And which step will be taken in the future, she wasn’t completely certain either. What they can do now was probably just find an opportunity to get in touch with Qi Ke first and sound out his intentions.
And this opportunity to sound out actually came rather quickly. On the sixteenth of the seventh month, Yu Lingxin finished her one-month recuperation period after childbirth, and in another five days, it will be Yu old madam’s birthday. In the past years, it has always been celebrated very simply, mainly because Yu old madam was just the type that didn’t like lively crowds by nature. Moreover, the Yu family also had very few relatives in the capital, so every year, it all wasn’t celebrated grandly.
But, now, following the Yu family’s marriage tie with the Xun family, Yu Bocheng’s official career steadily and slowly ascending, as well as Yu Zhengshan previously becoming a young juren[2], the Yu family’s dealings with the friends and relatives still increased quite a bit, so this year, there is also the intention of holding a bit bigger celebration.
They might as well take advantage of this opportunity. Xun Che can pass on a word to Yu Zhengshan in advance, letting him make arrangements. On the day of Yu old madam’s birthday, he wants to meet with Qi Ke alone.
[1] This is a saying for officials and ministers that follow and help their master onto the throne.
[2] Candidate that has passed the autumn exam.
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