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Inappropriate Thoughts
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!
When these words were passed over, Yu Lingxin was still a bit worried, both fearing that Qi Ke might be unwilling to come, while also fearing that this matter might cause unnecessary trouble. Actually, it’s not like she’d never considered before that perhaps they should confirm with Qi Ke, exactly what his intentions were.
But, this matter truly was a bit sensitive, involving Xun Ying’s reputation as a young lady, and it might also very likely concern Qi Ke’s life and death, so truly different from ordinary matters. Even for Xun Che, it was also very troubling.
Now that they were going to meet with Qi Ke at the Yu manor, it actually wasn’t completely without any risks. But, seeing the changes in the state of affairs, as well as Xun Ying’s behavior lately, it can’t be dragged on any longer.
In reality, the arranged meeting this time was much more successful than she’d thought. The Yu family’s friends and relatives that came although were much more than before, it still wasn’t to the level of those grand banquets held by noble households. During the greetings, aside from the Su family that was zealously trying to fawn over the whole time, there weren’t any other families that were particularly troublesome.
And for the sake of celebrating Yu old madam’s birthday, at the same time, also for the sake of covering up the meeting this time, Xun Che even specially invited the famously renowned acting troupe, Sanqingchun, to put up a stage and sing plays, tell stories and perform tricks, and so on.
Under the cover of the lively hubbub of musical instruments and cheery laughter, Xun Che and Yu Lingxin went to Yu Zhengshan’s study together, meeting with Qi Ke alone for the first time. Xun Cong and Yu Zhengshan, at first, was still thinking of chatting together, but after getting swept a glance by Xun Che, the two of them immediately retreated out of the study, changing to guarding outside instead.
Inside the study, Qi Ke was still that noble and handsome look, his posture upright, dressed in a blue-green long gown, his appearance and attire seemingly not that different from before. But, for Yu Lingxin, this kind of housewife, just causally glancing, she could tell that this fabric material was no longer the Songjiang cotton that ordinary scholars could afford to use, but instead the Yulin weave that was worth no less than a hundred gold.
“Gentleman Qi, sure enough, is now different from the past.” Xun Che also noticed the changes to Qi Ke’s clothing. The anger and irritation that has been suppressed inside for a long time already was also somewhat restlessly stirring, so as soon as he opened his mouth, it was just a line of mockery.
“Xun-shizi must be teasing.” Qi Ke slightly bowed, the expression on his face appeared to still be composed, yet his gaze quickly swept over Yu Lingxin, and then turned away immediately after, “Lately, also heard that shizi has been steadily rising up, successful in one’s pursuits, the whole family in peace. Don’t know, coming to look for this humble one, is it having some advice to give?”
“Advice, not really, just coming to ask you, towards your own funeral arrangements, what plans do you have?” Xun Che directly just put out the harshest words, the expression on his handsome face already extremely dark.
However, facing these harsh words that can actually be considered half a threat and half a warning, Qi Ke didn’t hesitate or fear in the slightest. In fact, he also wasn’t that surprised, instead somewhat understandingly responded, “A person’s lifetime, merely like a plant’s autumn, what can be done to the greatest extent, very few. The matters while alive, one doesn’t even dare to rashly say that everything will go smoothly according to one’s wish, so why the need to make more plans for the matters after death. However, if shizi and young madam doesn’t like this one being friends with your manor’s youngsters, this one will avoid in the future.”
Yu Lingxin’s heart slightly chilled while listening. Qi Ke’s response carried a kind of faint modesty, the seasoned tone of those that mingled in officialdom. Presumably, in the past half year, he must have really interacted with the two princes a lot, truly completely different from that pure and upright Qi Ke of the past life.
However, from Qi Ke’s words, she also caught something else that made her worry even more, and that was just his disregard for his own life and death. If Qi Ke really has no feelings towards Xun Ying, casting himself under Wu Wang just for the sake of riches and honor, quickly rising up the social ladder, then there was absolutely no reason for him to not cherish his life and not fear death.
Xun Che’s complexion was also increasingly unsightly, especially when recalling Xun Ying’s look and tears. The worry and anger in his heart was practically madly bouncing around. He had to force himself to endure again and again before he could calmly ask again, “Since Gentleman Qi believes oneself to be this smart, could it be that you really don’t know why we came to see you today?”
Qi Ke originally was still thinking of enduringly replying, but when he saw that Yu Lingxin’s gaze was actually full of unconcealed concern and pity, just like an older sister worryingly looking at the younger siblings, his heart suddenly turned sour, his throat also choking. He had to clench his teeth before he could continue putting on a calm look, giving out an answer that even he himself increasingly didn’t believe in, “Presumably, Sir Yu and Xun-shizi both don’t like this one having dealings with Zhengshan anymore. This one has already said, in the future, one will avoid.”
“Gentleman Qi, words like this, there’s no need to continue saying.” Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but open her mouth.
However, Xun Che was even more direct than her, “Speak directly, Qi Ke, what thoughts do you have towards my younger sister?”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Even though Qi Ke also more or less guessed this beforehand, in fact, it’s not like he completely didn’t think of the confrontation regarding this matter, but when really getting asked this directly by Xun Che, the young gifted scholar that was renowned throughout the capital ultimately still froze in place, and even if using all his strength, it was merely just letting his face not turn red. However, it was ultimately unable to cover up that unnaturalness all over.
Having no choice but to fall silent again and again, Qi Ke was finally able to calmly respond, “Your younger sister has some talent, and among the young ladies, still pretty good, but it’s still best for her to not go out too much. This is precisely this humble one’s thoughts.”
“Qi Ke, I’m asking you, do you like Ying’er?” Xun Che’s anger was already about to breakthrough the ceiling. Even though he knew that more than half of it was just wanting to take his anger out on Qi Ke, so not really considered that fair, but as soon as he thought of how Xun Ying wholeheartedly admired Qi Ke, liking him, as if entranced, yet this bastard that was full of himself was instead putting his own life at risk, and might get crushed to smithereens at any time, Xun Che just hated that he can’t have Qi Ke violently beaten up, just like back then when sorting out Xun Cong.
As for Yu Lingxin, she already sensed the fluctuation in Xun Che’s mood, hurriedly reaching out to stroke his shoulder, “Shenzhi….”
This time, the blush on Qi Ke’s face thoroughly couldn’t be suppressed anymore. He really didn’t expect that Xun Che would actually ask this directly, “This……this…..” But, after his lips trembled for a moment, he still clenched his teeth and shook his head in the end, “Towards your younger sister, this one doesn’t have any inappropriate thoughts.”
At this point now, Xun Che could no longer endure anymore, getting up and fanning a slap over, “Qi Ke, do you know what you’re saying and what you’re doing? If you like Ying’er, then just f*cking tell me clearly today! Regardless of what you’d heard of before, or what you are worried about, the path in front might not necessarily be the way you think it is!”
“Shenzhi!” Even Yu Lingxin didn’t expect that Xun Che would really be angered to the point of getting physical. She hurriedly got up to go pull him, and at the same time, also opened her mouth towards Qi Ke, who’d gotten hit to the point of stumbling, “Gentleman Qi, since we’re meeting like this today, still hope that you can speak candidly. If you really like Ying’er, no matter what, just properly explain with us. Our family doesn’t really insist on looking at family status. Even if you’d already missed the spring exam this time, there’s still next time. But, if you insist on believing yourself to be infallible, or it’s really just our family’s young lady’s one-sided feelings, then we also have nothing else to say. My husband has made an offense today. Later, Zhengshan will invite a doctor for you and send you back to your residence.”
Qi Ke’s cheek rapidly swell. However, the other side that didn’t get hit also similarly turned red. Facing Yu Lingxin’s clear-cut way of speaking, he was increasingly unable to speak, practically blanking there for a moment before lifting his head again to look towards Xun Che and Yu Lingxin, “This one is of humble status, not daring to have the delusion of scaling the skies, just hoping that your younger sister can be safe and sound all her life, without worries and troubles. Anything else, one actually doesn’t dare………..”
Yu Lingxin was actually a bit relieved——–At least, Xun Ying’s feelings weren’t really one-sided.
She was just about to speak, yet on Xun Che’s side, he’d already pushed away her hand, yelling in a low voice, “Xun Cong! Come in!”
Outside, Xun Cong was originally talking with Yu Zhengshan. Suddenly hearing a slap from the inside, he was already greatly alarmed, to then hear his older brother this angrily call him by his full name, his entire back and skull immediately went numb, but he also didn’t dare to delay for a moment, hurriedly going in, “Elder brother.”
Xun Che deeply inhaled a few breaths, before finally pointing at Qi Ke with a dark expression, “Hit him.”
“Ah?” Xun Cong couldn’t help but blank, even thinking that he’d heard wrong, “Elder brother, you’re saying——-”
“I’m telling you to hit him.” Xun Che coldly glanced at Xun Cong, having his younger brother scared to the point of shivering again, “Hit in the face.”
At this time, Yu Lingxin actually came to realization. Qi Ke meeting with Xun Che, although had all kinds of arrangements and covering up in every way, it still might not necessarily be kept a complete secret. Once Wu Wang produces suspicion towards Qi Ke, the consequences were unthinkable. And this was also one of the main reasons why Xun Che didn’t want to directly come in contact with Qi Ke previously.
That’s why, the best way was to voluntarily let Wu Wang know that Qi Ke had met with Xun Che. Just, the outcome of this meeting was precisely the injury on Qi Ke’s face. In other words, it can also be considered ‘injuring oneself to convince the enemy’.
Seeing how Xun Cong was still hesitating, the anger that Xun Che had just pressed down shot up again, “Let you hit him in the face, did you not hear!?”
This time, Xun Cong really didn’t dare to question anymore. Swinging a punch over, Qi Ke’s face just started turning blue and red.
Qi Ke stumbled again, and after steadying himself and lifting his head to look at Xun Che again, he also didn’t know what else to say.
Xun Che just coldly stated, “Wu Wang appear to be lenient, but in reality, cunning. Changchun Palace is even more ruthless, their thoughts hard to fathom. Since you insist on walking on the edge of the blade, whether or not you can escape unscathed in the future will just depend on your luck. The injury on your face, go explain yourself. You can say that I was displeased with you being close with the Yu family children, or say that I was taking my anger out on you because of the third prince, either way is fine. But, in the future, stay away from Zhengshan. Playing with fire, you will burn yourself.” After saying this, he didn’t wait for Qi Ke’s response, directly turning and leaving with Yu Lingxin and Xun Cong.
Xun Cong was actually a bit embarrassed. He wasn’t too used to suddenly hitting someone like this. Just, he was truly too scared of his older brother. Not daring to stay any longer, he could only cup his hand as an apology and somewhat guiltily left.
As for Yu Lingxin, before going out the door, she glanced at Qi Ke again, “Be careful on your own.”
Shortly after, she also followed after Xun Che’s footsteps, her feelings inside complicated.
The couples’ feelings inside were connected, and there was no need to say more about this matter, just slightly strolling around a little in the Yu family’s garden. Mainly, it was letting Xun Che adjust his emotions just now that were bordering violent rage. Afterwards, they returned to the main hall where the family banquet was held, sitting for another hour before bidding farewell to the old madam and Yu Bocheng, and scaling the carriage to return to the manor.
The carriage had traveled along for less than a cup of tea’s time. Xun Che who’d fallen silent again for a while reached out to have Yu Lingxin taken into his arms, kissing her hair, “Huijun, some things probably need to be shifted ahead of time.”
T/N There’s a slight detail that gets lost in translation, which is Xun Cong using formal speech when talking to Xun Che. He doesn’t even use formal speech with his parents but when responding to Xun Che, he will always use formal speech, although it did start after Xun Che had beaten him. Xun Tan actually also uses formal speech too with Xun Che. Meanwhile, Xun Ying uses casual speech with Xun Che and addresses him more intimately than Xun Cong. And iirc, Yu Zhengshan also uses casual speech with Xun Che.
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XC and I are on the same page, very much wishing I could reach into the book and hand him a big stick. I think both the protagonists and myself probably forgot that in the past life QK was a grown man when he did all those sensible and rational things. he’s not that now, far from it. is he still an older teen now? an older teen who has his first crush and found out that his first crush is the object that a lustful prince with a ton of power covets and wants to scheme against. tbh I think QK is acting quite rationally. other people might have considered regicide. still in need of a beating though! I don’t know why he thinks he knows better! he hasn’t even passed his exams yet!