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Conveniently (2)
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 Ministry of Works’ evaluations have already finished in the seventh month. Mainly, it was also because the Ministry of Works didn’t have many people that needed to be sent to the outer regions, but the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Appointments were much more complicated. The evaluations that originally should’ve finished at the end of the sixth month forcibly dragged on to after mid-autumn of the eighth month. That’s why, Kou Xian, or rather, Qi-shi’s future path was endlessly pending this whole time.
And now, judging from Xun Che’s meaning, it should be that Kou Xian was facing these two choices, and the date at the end was just the date to leave the capital by and head to the new post after confirming the appointment to the outer regions.
If Kou Xian really goes to the Quan province, with the tall mountains and long roads, in addition to the Quan province bordering Southern Yi, there will be many matters to take care of, so the date to take up the new post will also be extended for a few days. But, if he goes to the Jiang province, that kind of rich and prosperous place, and also his hometown, then Kou Xian will have to quickly set out in three to four days.
Just so perfectly at this time, Bai Guo entered. Yu Lingxin thus had the question in her heart directly asked out loud, “This meaning, it’s wanting me to pick one?”
Bai Guo deferentially curtsied, answering very directly, “Yes.”
Although Xun Che’s quick words that day also revealed this intention, but when really holding the two slips of paper in hand, for the most part, determining Kou Xian, as well as Qi-shi’s fate from here on out, Yu Lingxin still felt that it was a bit too easy, “This kind of thing, you want me to decide like this?”
Bai Guo curtsied again, “This servant just knows that second young master asks miss to pick one to send back by the end of today. However, second young master also said, if miss feels it’s too difficult, unable to choose, then no need to force yourself. Second young master will make the decision himself.”
“Understood.” Yu Lingxin momentarily fell silent. Her various memories regarding her mother Qi-shi from both the past and present life once again surged up in her heart. Just, in this moment, she already didn’t have much resentment and grievance. Of course, there also weren’t any concerns or attachments to speak of either. What was left was just a few sighs, and also faint sympathy.
When it comes to courting trouble, among all the people she knew of in her two lifetimes added together, the only one that was capable of being on par with Qi-shi was just Xun Che’s grandmother, Xun old madam.
Aside from her, Qi-shi was completely unrivaled.
After another moment of silence, Yu Lingxin in the end still picked the Jiang province slip to give to Bai Guo, “Go give it to him. Additionally, also mention that Madam Su wants to let me take her daughter along to the poetry club meetings. She might be the Zhu family’s spy, so asking for his opinion.”
Bai Guo accepted the bamboo paper slip with both hands, bowing as she retreated out.
Once Ganlu and Gancao returned with the fabric materials, they just saw Yu Lingxin with a somewhat overly tranquil expression standing by the window staring out into the distance. The two of them looked to one another, neither daring to go disturb her, instead directly turning to go look for Bai Guo to discuss the embroidered pouches and other various matters.
Yu Lingxin heard the servant girls’ movements, but paid no mind to them. In fact, she was also unable to describe her current feelings. She wasn’t exactly sad, just feeling a bit of a release, and also a bit listless.
The next evening, Yu Bocheng brought back the news of Kou Xian getting assigned to the Jiang province, and the departure date was set on the nineteenth of the eighth month two days later. Although Yu old madam didn’t really hope for Yu Lingxin to go visit Qi-shi again, but this separation will at least be for five to six years. As such, Yu old madam considered again and again, and in the end, still had Yu Lingxin called to Dongli Residence to inform her of this matter.
Yu Lingxin still had that bit of a surprised look. Mainly, it was being surprised at how Xun Che at present was recuperating at home, yet still able to intervene in Kou Xian’s assignment like this, and moreover, be this swift.
Of course, in Yu old madam and Yu Bocheng’s eyes, it was just assuming that she was shocked over the fact that her mother, Qi-shi, will soon leave the capital in a few days. The mother and son pair glanced at one another, carefully asking, “Then, do you have any thoughts?”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Yu Lingxin slightly relaxed a breath, “On the day of departure, I want to go to the ferry dock outside the city to send her off, seeing her one last time. Other than this, there’s nothing else. These two days, just let the Kou family peacefully organize their luggage.”
“But will your mother start having ideas again?” Yu Bocheng hesitantly spoke, “Just, that day, I need to go to the imperial tombs north of the capital, absolutely unable to ask for a leave, else father would go with you.”
Yu Lingxin lightly hooked the corner of her lips, “For Sir Kou’s assignment this time, the decision took quite a while to come down, truly not easy. They won’t have the guts to produce other thoughts. Besides, I also won’t board the boat to talk, just watching from afar on the shore.”
Seeing her speak this nonchalantly, yet on the inside, clearly confident with her own thoughts, then recalling how the dilemma previously all got resolved, Yu Bocheng slightly relaxed a little.
Yu old madam also couldn’t stop her, so aside from letting Wen mama accompany her, she also let her take a few more servants along, practically preparing for a fight.
Yu Lingxin helplessly laughed, but didn’t decline. She indeed just wanted to go to the docks, watching from afar, at most letting the servant girl send some money. As such, there won’t be any mishap. However, her grandmother and father’s concern for her, she also understood.
Two days very quickly passed. Yu Lingxin let Shuangye draw out two hundred taels from her dowry’s account, preparing to have the banknotes given to Qi-shi at the docks. It can be considered her last bit of affection for her mother.
And on the morning of the nineteenth, after Yu Lingxin finished washing up and changing, she just headed to the second gate with her servant girls and servant women to ride the carriage. Just as she arrived at the second gate, she just saw Yu Zhengshan walk over with a grin on his face, “Eldest sister, I’ll go with you to the docks today.”
Yu Lingxin was very surprised, practically instinctively sweeping a glance behind Yu Zhengshan first, “How come you came back today? The academy doesn’t have lessons today? Or did you beg someone to borrow their carriage again?”
Yu Zhengshan laughed, “Eldest sister, you’re really wronging me. This time, it’s eldest uncle that called me back to accompany you.” He paused for a moment, and then scratched his head, “But, since I already came out, I just conveniently, really ‘conveniently’, invited Xun second brother.”
Before he even finished speaking, she just saw Xun Che dressed in a sky blue wide sleeve long gown climb down from the horse carriage. Walking before her, he slightly nodded, “Younger cousin, to have troubled you.”
Before Yu Lingxin could even say anything, Yu Zhengshan already took another step forward, deeply bowing to Yu Lingxin, “Eldest sister, don’t be angry. I just want to ask Xun second brother for guidance in regards to calligraphy and painting techniques. Since he finally has time lately, and I also have this day off——moreover, you said that coming to the home, he will need to meet the elders, so I figured since we’re going out of the city, we can also visit Wangchuan Pavilion in passing, sis, what do you say?”
Xun Che naturally didn’t say a single word, just standing two steps behind Yu Zhengshan, quietly staring at Yu Lingxin.
The expression on her face was very tranquil. That bit of surprise from suddenly seeing Yu Zhengshan had long vanished. She turned towards Xun Che, similarly without any ripples, just very quickly sweeping a glance at his face and arm, before turning back towards Yu Zhengshan, “Since you’ve already invited Xun-shizi, then there’s nothing to say no to.”
She paused for a moment, and then turned towards Wen mama, “Since Shan’er has already returned, then there’s no need for mama to take this trip. Taking along Ganlu and Bai Guo will be more than enough. If there’s too many people, it’ll be like going for a fight, which won’t look good for the Kou family’s face.
Wen mama was a bit hesitant, but seeing Yu Zhengshan, she indeed relaxed quite a bit. In addition to Xun-shizi, this outsider, following along, Qi-shi certainly will have even more misgivings. Moreover, Wen mama had also heard from Shuangye that back then at the Chang’de Count Manor, it was Xun-shizi passing by and resolving the dilemma for them. Qi-shi certainly will be more careful around this Xun-shizi compared to others.
In this way, the thing that the old madam and the eldest master were worried about the most probably won’t happen. Then, when sending off, leaving some more face for Madam Qi was also fine.
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