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Say It Directly
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!
The biting cold northern wind whistled past outside the window. The young couple inside Qingyu Pavilion continued chatting for a while as they held one another before going to see their son together. Regardless whether it’s the cold weather brought about by the changing of seasons, or the tense state of affairs of the imperial court like an arrow on the bow string, it all didn’t give this small courtyard the slightest trace of chilliness.
But, outside Qingyu Pavilion, or perhaps should say, outside of the Wen’an Marquis Manor, the atmosphere was just greatly different.
Especially the Chang’de Count Manor.
They originally thought that by letting Shi mama follow Qi-shi to the Wen’an Marquis Manor to see Yu Lingxin, the excuse on the surface just being to mediate and persuade for the relatives——–Of course, the true purpose was to also show that the Chang’de Count Manor currently has control of Qi-shi and Kou Yuluo, according to Qi-shi’s own saying, Yu Lingxin’s relationship with Kou Yuluo was very good.
(T/N: This sentence is translated as is, in chinese, it’s also an incomplete sentence, so there’s only so much I can do about it.)
In the Chang’de Count couple’s eyes, the most likely case wasn’t Qi-shi encountering some unforeseen change in the Xun manor, but rather, Qi-shi simply not being able to enter the door, unable to meet with Yu Lingxin, or perhaps slightly sit for a while and then get kicked out by Yu Lingxin. Exactly what kind of temper this third lady has, and what she had done to her own daughter, Yu Lingxin, prior to leaving the capital in Tianxu year 13, the Chang’de Count Manor from top to bottom were all still very well-aware inside.
However, the carriage that had headed out before noon still hadn’t returned by the afternoon. At first, the Chang’de Count didn’t pay any mind to it, just thinking that Yu Lingxin sure enough was just a softhearted and kind young woman, sure enough soft towards her own mother, especially now that Yu Lingxin also has her own child, perhaps letting Qi-shi see her grandson, also keeping her for a meal, chatting about their time apart, thus would be particularly late.
Moreover, these days, never mind the Chang’de Count, even the Chang’de Countess, this kind of person who usually wasn’t considered very sensitive towards politics, was all paying attention to the movements outside at all times. The Wei Wang Manor’s fire practically extinguished the entire household, and Xuan Emperor also, under great shock and sorrow, suddenly fell ill, already unable to attend court meetings for three days. Right now, the disputes inside the Inner Cabinet and Central Secretariat have already begun. Between the imperial consorts, heir apparent, imperial princes, imperial clansmen, and nobles, the arguments have also started becoming increasingly intense, having all kinds of viewpoints and doubts, opposing one another with equal harshness. The problem of where to stand that every family clan once faced previously was further forced before them.
Exactly who to support?
Support the crown prince in overseeing the country, letting Wu Wang head to the fief as soon as possible?
Or support the stance that Wei Wang Manor’s fire was truly suspicious, so the heir apparent should also aptly lay low to avoid suspicion, thoroughly investigating the capital first as priority?
For the Chang’de Count Manor, they appeared as if not having any leeway to choose. After all, they were Wu Wangfei’s maiden family. But, in reality, this wasn’t completely the case. After all, the Chang’de Countess was a daughter of the Xun clan, and the Chang’de Count was also Yu Lingxin’s maternal uncle. If they can really reconnect with the Xun family, perhaps they can still plead with the crown prince’s faction.
Even if not begging to obtain honor and glory after the skies change, at least don’t get implicated too miserably by Wu Wang’s faction.
Just, the specific way to reconnect with the Xun family, because Qi Pei had previously participated in the scheme against Xun Ying during the mid-autumn palace banquet, using the Chang’de Countess, this Xun clan daughter, to go bring up their relationship as relatives, for the most part, was already completely impossible. Back then, when Xun Nanheng invited the clan elders as witness, cleanly dividing the family and cutting ties with the second branch, he actually had also cut ties with the Chang’de Count Manor, borrowing the excuse of distributing the personal assets in advance for Xun old madam, who currently was already paralyzed in bed, clearly stating that since Xun Qi has married into the Chang’de Count Manor as a Qi family wife, then in the future, they’re just two different families. Once the old madam pass away, they will no longer have dealings anymore.
This is also why the Chang’de Count couple would start from Qi-shi and Yu Lingxin. Regardless whether it’s using a bait to ask for a favor, or threatening with coercion, it was ultimately a possible path.
All in all, by the evening, when the Chang’de Count couple were about to take their evening meal, they finally heard in astonishment that Qi-shi still hasn’t returned from the Xun manor, finally sensing something not right. They immediately sent someone to the Xun family to ask, but the carriage and attendants that their family sent over were nowhere to be seen, just receiving a reply from the Wen’an Marquis Manor, saying that Yu Lingxin has kept her mother to stay for the night to have a private talk.
This explanation was actually reasonable. If they were really an intimate pair of mother and daughter, not having seen one another in two years, and when parting last time, the daughter was still a young girl, yet in the blink of an eye, when meeting again, already married with their own child, then for the mother and daughter pair to have a lot to say, even needing to stay overnight, it truly was very understandable.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
But, the premise to all of this was ‘genuinely’, ‘intimate’, ‘mother and daughter’.
Towards this, never mind the Chang’de Count couple not believing, even Qi-shi herself probably also never thought of before.
But, this saying, regardless of where, it was all that impenetrable. The people of the Qi family could only return with the message. But, this night, the Chang’de Count couple just weren’t able to sleep very well. The disputes and circumstances in court were already very vexing. This unforeseen event of Qi-shi’s added another layer of unexpectedness.
And by the morning of the next day, when the Chang’de Count couple were drinking tea with one another and discussing this matter, they just heard someone report, saying that the Wen’an Marquis Manor heir’s madam has come. The Chang’de Countess unexpectedly shuddered out of instinct. Even the Chang’de Count’s hand that was holding the teacup also shook. But, after carefully asking, they discovered that only Yu Lingxin came over alone. Xun Che didn’t accompany along, and Ming Huayue also wasn’t present. The couple both slightly relaxed a breath, with the Chang’de Countess going out to meet.
“Countess, I won’t go in circles.” The greetings and pleasantries truly were simplified to the extreme. Yu Lingxin’s first words just made the smile on the Chang’de Countess’s face completely stiffen, because it wasn’t calling her paternal aunt, nor maternal aunt-in-law, “Today, I’ve come over to pick up Yuluo, troubling you to let someone have her brought over.”
The Chang’de Countess was further stupefied. Although she knew that their family plan to use Qi-shi and Kou Yuluo to befriend Yu Lingxin, thereby connecting with the Xun family, but they still want to talk feelings right now when the state of affairs is still unclear, then use coercion when really at a critical juncture. How could it be this kind of reaction? If Yu Lingxin had gotten along extremely well with Qi-shi, wanting to take her younger sister over to bond and chat too, then Yu Lingxin should’ve called her maternal aunt-in-law.
If they didn’t get along well, then how come Qi-shi still hasn’t returned? Moreover, Yu Lingxin’s attitude in asking for the person was truly very unyielding.
“Look at these words, aren’t you being too impatient. Serve the tea.” The Chang’de Countess although was increasingly confused inside, on the surface, she still forcibly endured, responding with a smile. “First drink some tea. Is your mother still at your manor? Is it preparing to stay for a few more days?”
Yu Lingxin actually sat quite steadily, just the tea in her hand, she merely touched with her lips for appearances and then placed down, simply not having the intention of drinking. That trace of smile on her face was also completely cold, “Madam Kou’s body isn’t that well. Our manor has already invited the imperial physician, treating Madam Kou, also needing her to recuperate for a few more days. Madam Kou is worried about Yuluo, so I came over to pick up.”
The cold indifference in her tone, as well as the repeated ‘Madam Kou’, made the Chang’de Countess directly frown. At the same time, the misgivings inside were also increasingly heavy. Even if temporarily unable to figure out Yu Lingxin’s true thoughts, the ominous feeling was still increasingly deep. As such, she could only continue to smile and laugh, “This really is unfortunate. Little Yuluo had followed your mother into the capital, getting worn out by the trip, also falling ill. Since your mother is recuperating on your side, then it’s just the perfect opportunity to let you carry out your filial duties. It’s better for Yuluo to stay in our manor for us to take care of, going over once she has recovered, so as to avoid the two of them infecting one another.”
“Is that so?” Yu Lingxin casually had the teacup placed down. Although she was used to her movements being gentle, the light sound of the porcelain hitting the red sandalwood surface still made the Chang’de Countess jump inside again. “Your manor sure have quite the good interest and good heart, having the leisure and carefree mood to go look after the Kou family’s young lady. This is having finished preparing all the luggage for Wu Wangfei’s trip to the southwest? Currently, Wu Wangfei is about five months pregnant? If setting out after shangyuan (fifteenth of the first month), this journey won’t be easy.”
These words were like a sharp blade, directly stabbing into the Chang’de Countess’s chest. For the Chang’de Count, wanting to unite with the Xun family now, the main goal was still to preserve the Chang’de Count Manor. Qi Pei, this daughter, has already married after all. If by chance, they were to have no choice but to become hostile with Wu Wang, it’s not like they can’t abandon.
But, for the Chang’de Countess, this mother, she further wanted to preserve her daughter. Wu Wangfei, this title, all wasn’t important anymore. How could she bear letting Qi Pei follow Wu Wang across thousands of miles to the Quan province, especially given Qi Pei’s pregnancy right now. If according to Xuan Emperor’s decree previously, then that was really needing her to set out while eight months pregnant. Even if taking along imperial physicians and medicinal ingredients, but what if she gives birth along the way, how will her confinement period after childbirth be handled? And further don’t need to mention if something were to happen. Thinking to here, the Chang’de Countess’s eyes immediately just reddened.
But, seeing Yu Lingxin calm and composed, her eyes carrying distinct chilliness, the Chang’de Countess had no choice but to endure the pain like getting cut by a knife. Taking a moment to recover, she finally managed to say, “This…….his Majesty’s heavenly grace is vast and mighty, also, also, presumably, everything will all have the blessings above sheltering and taking pity.” Pausing again, a thought suddenly flashed across her mind. When gazing towards Yu Lingxin again, her eyes all couldn’t help but widen more———
Yu Lingxin wasn’t just deliberately mentioning this to jab at her. Yu Lingxin’s attitude in this moment clearly was just like Xun Che’s usual style. This was a threat!
And Yu Lingxin, at this time, also slightly hooked her lips, giving the Chang’de Countess direct confirmation, “Countess, at this time now, saying these roundabout words, I feel you’re also wasting too much time. The matter of the second prince’s departure for the fief, it was a decree personally issued by his Majesty, but outside of this decree, the remaining conditions still have a lot of leeway. What you’re thinking inside, what your manor is plotting, stop assuming that others are all unable to figure out. The losses your noble manor has suffered in the past two years, is it still not enough? Seeing on this last bit of sentiment as blood relatives, I’ll just say one last time, please have Kou Yuluo given to me. No matter what, you will need to hand her over today. If not, then I will report to the Capital Magistrate Office and Judicial Court, having the person searched out. If really reaching that step, you can think about the Cheng’en Duke Manor, and can also think about the General Qii Manor, see whether or not your noble manor has the ability to confront our family in court.”
“You………” Even though, in the past, they’d directly clashed before in various settings, the Chang’de Countess at this time still once again got shocked by Yu Lingxin, pointing at her, yet don’t know where to start refuting from, especially hearing Yu Lingxin mention the court case of Xun Yan’s death back then, then to Cheng Yanling’s case with the Qii family. The Chang’de Countess really was unable to not be lacking in confidence.
However, Yu Lingxin’s expression didn’t change, “Countess caring for your beloved daughter is only human nature, it’s not like we don’t understand. But, countess, in this lifetime of yours, only your own daughter is a daughter, while other people’s daughters are just weed. Your beloved daughter scheming against Ying’er during mid-autumn, you and your esteemed husband now holding Yuluo hostage, these are also other people’s daughters, having someone that cares for them. But, the principles, I don’t want to lecture. People each have their own ambitions. Today, as long as Yuluo can safely leave with me, then at least, no matter what becomes of your noble manor in the future, your beloved daughter’s and beloved son’s children are ultimately innocent. Letting the bloodline continue onto the future generations, perhaps there’s hope for the future. But if Yuluo has the slightest mishap———”
Speaking to here, that last bit of mocking smile on her face also completely faded, just leaving behind complete coldness and determination, “Your noble manor perhaps won’t have a third generation.”
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