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Xun
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 fifth of the eighth month just happened to be Yu Bocheng’s day off. Yu Lingxin was on her way to Dongli Residence to pay her respect to the old madam when she saw the servant woman in charge, Yu Fu’s wife, leading Su-shi’s older sister-in-law, Madam Su, in the door.
Since they met in the courtyard, she might as well go greet, “Greetings Su aunt-in-law.”
This Madam Su was Su-shi’s older brother Su Yuan’s second wife, her age just a year older than Su-shi, her appearance extremely pretty, having a pair of phoenix eyes that were very spirited.
When she saw Yu Lingxin, her eyes first lit up, having Yu Lingxin swept up and down, finally exclaiming, “The eldest miss has really grown beautifully!”
In the past life, Yu Lingxin already didn’t like this Su aunt-in-law, always feeling that when she was looking at people, although speaking in a friendly way, her gaze was always like as if looking at an object, measuring up and down, just like appraising goods. Even towards Su-shi and Yu Yunxin, she wasn’t necessarily any better.
At this time, with a slight turn of her thoughts, she just recalled that Madam Su’s surname was Zhu, that is Noble Consort Zhu’s maiden family, Cheng’en Duke Manor’s side branch. As such, when looking at Madam Su again, there was an extra layer of guard inside, “You’re too polite.”
As they spoke, they headed into the main hall. Yu old madam was still the same as usual, sitting upon the heated brick bed. Su-shi and Yu Yunxin were already present too. Just, Su-shi’s attire was not as bright and colorful as usual, instead wearing a somewhat dull lotus root colored long gown, and her docile look appeared increasingly soft and gentle. And Yu Yunxin also sat closely by her own mother’s side, no longer going over to cling to the old madam.
Madam Su naturally needed to greet Yu old madam first. After exchanging a round of greetings and sitting down, she finally turned to Yu Yunxin and said with a smile, “Just now in the courtyard, when encountering the eldest miss, just said that the eldest miss was now increasingly beautiful, now looking at Yun’er, also a little beauty, really a pair of beautiful sisters. It’s still the in-law family old madam that knows how to raise granddaughters!”
These words of flattery truly were said extremely intimately. Although everyone present from the Yu family were all a bit awkward on the inside, but for the occasion, it was still pleasant to hear, especially for Yu old madam.
Even if at this time, towards Su-shi and the Su family, she all didn’t have that much good feelings, Yu Yunxin was still her granddaughter. Hearing Madam Su compliment like this, she was also happy, “Madam is too polite. We haven’t seen in a long time, is the manor still well? How come you didn’t bring Wei’er over today?”
Su Hanwei was Madam Su’s daughter, the same age as Yu Yunxin. Normally, as cousins, their relationship was also very good. Madam Su hurriedly responded with a laugh, “Thanks to old madam, our manor is all quite well. Originally was going to bring Wei’er along today, but the timing truly was very unfortunate. In the private school, there just happened to arrive a Scholar Yan(颜), just staying for half a day, holding one lecture before leaving. That Wei’er of mine lately has also been completely enthralled, loving verse and poetry to death, insisting on going, and thus just begged me, saying to apologize to the old madam and her paternal aunt, and that she will come over another day to pay respect to the old madam.”
Yu Yunxin who originally didn’t have any spirit immediately sat upright. Even her voice all became somewhat excited, “Is maternal aunt-in-law talking about Wenyuan Academy’s Scholar Yan(言)?”
Madam Su hurriedly waved her hand, “No, no, how can we invite Wenyuan Academy’s Great Scholar Yan. This scholar is Yan Xieyan, also an extremely well-learned scholar.”
Yu Yunxin was very disappointed, once again returning to her mother’s side.
Yu Lingxin soundlessly swept a glance at Madam Su and Su-shi. The former’s eyes were still on Yu old madam, clearly still having more to say, while Su-shi was quietly sitting there, seemingly just listening to her maiden family’s sister-in-law speak, a very gentle and agreeable look, but clearly not having any look of surprise.
Yu Lingxin immediately understood. Madam Su’s visit was probably for the sake of having the Zhu clan private school that Su-shi previously mentioned at the end of the sixth month mentioned again. After all, if Yu Yunxin just study alone at home, neither inviting a teacher, nor attending a private school, then her hopes of entering Wenhua Academy were too minute.
Sure enough, after saying a few more words that seemingly revolved around Su Hanwei and Yu Yunxin, Madam Su just seemingly casually asked Yu old madam, “Old madam, from the looks of things, Yun’er is more or less the same as my Wei’er. How about letting Yun’er study together with our family’s Wei’er at the private school. Isn’t there the Wenhua Academy poetry gathering at the end of the year? With Yun’er being this smart, perhaps she can win a first place back for you!”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
If these words were said a month ago, Yu old madam perhaps would just agree on the matter. Normally, the people at home all know that when it comes to being sensible, well-mannered, and good at housekeeping, Yu Lingxin was more like an eldest di daughter. But, when speaking of verses, poetry, and such it was still Yu Yunxin that further liked and further excelled at it.
However, today ultimately wasn’t the same as the past. Exactly what Wenhua Academy meant for the young ladies of families like the Yu family and Su family, Yu old madam was still very clear. At present, she just smiled, “There are this many talented young ladies in the capital, our family’s children may not necessarily have that kind of great talent in poetry and literature.”
Madam Su however was a clever one, immediately understanding the meaning in the old madam’s ‘our family’s children’, “Your words are too modest. The old master was that talented of a scholar. When it comes to passing on the scholarly reputation, won’t the eldest miss and Yun’er win others by a mile! Old madam, the Cheng’en Duke Manor’s private school truly is extremely good. Even if the eldest miss and Yun’er aren’t seeking to win first place at the poetry gathering, getting acquainted with some more sisters is also good.”
Yu Lingxin lightly coughed, not responding to her words, but her gaze towards the old madam nevertheless revealed clear hesitation.
Towards this matter, Yu old madam was actually neither for nor against. Just, with Madam Su being this enthusiastic, directly refuting wasn’t too good either. After all, lately in the capital, everyone was all looking for teachers to help their children review poetry. Yu old madam can’t say that she was completely indifferent, but that look of Yu Lingxin’s also made her feel somewhat strange, so at present, she just vaguely said with a smile, “In-law family is right.”
These words just stopped here. Madam Su waited for another moment, but after seeing Yu old madam no longer asking about the private school, instead starting to talk about the matters at home, she just knew that she was unwilling to agree on the spot, feeling somewhat disappointed inside. Then, looking again at Yu Lingxin who didn’t say anything this whole time, she no longer mentioned the matter again, just going along the old madam’s words, continuing to chat, thinking that later, when talking to Su-shi alone, she can nicely try to persuade again.
Very soon, they finished two cups of tea. Yu old madam let Madam Su go to Su-shi’s place to have their private talk.
Yu Lingxin naturally continued staying by her grandmother’s side. Once there was just the two of them left in the room, she finally opened her mouth, “Grandmother, I won’t go to the Zhu family’s private school.”
This attitude truly was overly sharp. Yu old madam was increasingly puzzled, “What’s wrong? You still don’t like your madam’s family?”
Yu Lingxin shook her head, “Not only will I not be going, Yun’er also can’t go. Noble Consort Zhu’s maiden family, we best not come in contact with.”
Yu old madam at first thought that Yu Lingxin was still displeased about Su-shi having schemed against her, which was also understandable, but after hearing the latter half, she still was greatly astonished. Yu old madam’s maiden family, the Xie family, was Chen province’s large family clan. Moreover, she’d also been a Head Minister Madam for several decades. Although after the old master passed away, she no longer had the intention of questioning many things, but her past knowledge ultimately was still there.
Yu Lingxin mentioning ‘Noble Consort Zhu’ and not ‘Cheng’en Duke Manor’, the meaning in this was greatly different.
Yu old madam couldn’t help but look at this granddaughter of hers once more. On Yu Lingxin’s young and dainty face, her eyes were crystal clear, her gaze full of certainty, clearly very aware of what she was saying at this time, “Madam Su is the Zhu family side branch’s daughter. When the Su family’s old master decided on this marriage, presumably, he has already acknowledged his Highness Wu Wang. But, our family isn’t the same. At present, the matter of the private school appears to be small, but if something really were to come up, then it will be difficult to pull oneself out.”
These words made Yu old madam even more shocked, practically blanking for a moment before skeptically grasping Yu Lingxin’s hand, “Ling girl, these words, who told you?”
Yu Lingxin although was fully aware that this line was merely the old madam’s normal doubt, but a certain someone’s figure still flashed through her mind. She dryly coughed, slightly lowering her voice a little, “Grandmother, these reasonings, there’s no need for anyone to say. His Majesty’s four sons are gradually growing up. Her Highness the Empress just has the fourth prince this one di son, who’s also weak and sickly. Additionally, his Majesty favors Noble Consort Zhu far more than the Empress. At present, the imperial princes, although still haven’t married, but it will also be in these next two years. What kind of unforeseen changes there will be in the future, who can accurately predict?” She paused for a moment before continuing, “The Zhu family, absolutely can’t get involved with them.”
Yu old madam doubtfully continued, “But, judging from your meaning, you actually feel that the Zhu family certainly won’t be well?”
Yu Lingxin thought for a moment. Actually, these words weren’t wrong.
In the last lifetime, the Zhu family can be considered to have seized the first opportunity. If at the time, they’d actually succeeded in poisoning Xun Che or the eldest prince, Qin Wang, to death, then the world afterwards will just belong to the second prince, Wu Wang, and the Zhu family.
Just, unfortunately, the poison wine for Qin Wang got blocked by Xun Che, and Xun Che that had gotten poisoned twice, unexpectedly, didn’t thoroughly die, instead dragging along his half-ruined body and having the Zhu family pushed to eternal damnation.
That was even under the circumstances where the Zhu family had the upper hand. In this lifetime, would Xun Che still let their family rise up again?
Just, these words, she was unable to say. Yu Lingxin just simply explained, “Well or not, I don’t have any thoughts. Just, if the Zhu family wants to use this private school to rope in our family, then we absolutely cannot agree. Father’s post although isn’t an important ministry, but grandfather’s reputation is still there, grandfather’s old friends and students are also still present. There’s ultimately no harm in being careful.”
Yu old madam this time didn’t speak for a long time, falling silent for a good while before finally speaking, “En, your words are reasonable. Grandmother understands. Why don’t you go back first. On your father’s side, grandmother will go talk to him.”
Receiving this line, Yu Lingxin was finally at ease, knowing that her grandmother will probably think it over, but the overall argument was ultimately conveyed. As such, she immediately just got up, curtsying before heading back to Lianyi Residence.
As soon as she entered, she just saw a flower envelope sprinkled in gold dust on her dressing table. The bold Zhao script on the envelop was just one word:
Xun.
[荀]
T/N: Flower letter and flower envelope is just fancy letter paper.
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Greetings Jen-sama and comrades-in-reading,. Hava safe and fun holidays!!
Happy holidays! 🎉