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Smile
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!
“Ganlu, you stay here and serve the eldest young master.” Yu Lingxin calmly instructed, and then took Bai Guo with her, heading in the direction of the right pavilion first.
Wangchuan Pavilion’s left, center, and right pavilions all had differences. The left pavilion was spacious and bright, two sides facing the water, the most suitable for admiring the scenery.
The center pavilion was relatively close to the left pavilion, occupying a rather large space. To say say it was a pavilion was mainly because it just had the frameworks and no walls. Other than that, it was all just supported by tall pillars, but the space inside can hold at least more than ten people to compose poetry, paint paintings, or even hold a banquet and drink tea.
Right pavilion, however, was slightly farther away from the center pavilion. Although able to see when looking over, but sound shouldn’t be able to be pass over to the center pavilion, let alone the left pavilion that was meters away. Between the left and right pavilion, one for the most part can only see whether or not there was someone present on the other side.
Yu Lingxin entered the pavilion first. Bai Guo supported her to sit down, and then immediately retreated out of the pavilion. As for Xun Che’s personal attendant Chen Qiao, he’d already brought out the prepared teapot and cups from the horse carriage, handing it over to Bai Guo.
That’s why, when Xun Che also followed over, similarly sitting down inside the pavilion, two cups of green tea were already prepared, sending before the two of them.
Yu Lingxin didn’t lift her eyes, also knowing that being prepared this thoroughly and meticulously, Xun Che certainly must have already predicted the various matters today.
But her heart at this time was still sour and heavy, very uncomfortable, so she didn’t have any spare energy to think about Xun Che. After casually accepting the teacup, she just lowered her eyes and didn’t speak.
Xun Che also didn’t say anything. In fact, he didn’t even drink the tea, just quietly gazing at her through the green tea’s spiraling steam, patiently waiting.
After a long while, to the point where Yu Lingxin could already sense that the tea in hand had somewhat cooled, she finally slowly opened her mouth, “Actually, I know, on my mother’s matter, I’ve already performed all my filial duties. What can’t be agreed to, I didn’t yield, but what can be done, I’ve all done. Speaking of which, I perhaps can’t be considered sorry to her. Just, seeing her this haggard and withered at present, I still feel……….”
Pausing for a moment, she slightly adjusted her emotions and breathing, before continuing, “Actually, my mother’s life really hasn’t been too smooth for her. Qi old madam although loved her for a few years, but the old madam’s entire life was all overly smooth. She doesn’t really know how to actually raise and educate a good young lady. Afterwards, her difficulties at every step, under half was just due to luck, while over half was because of her not knowing how to handle, actually having the path walked more and more narrow.”
Xun Che nodded in response, his gaze towards her increasingly full of heartache.
No matter how at fault Qi-shi was, she was still Yu Lingxin’s birth mother. What she was the most sad about probably wasn’t how to resolve those schemes and conflict, but rather, why other mothers can be loving and caring towards their children, yet her mother was this heartless and ruthless.
When it comes to those schemes and traps, actually, even if he didn’t do anything, she probably can all resolve herself. However, when it comes to motherly love, she practically can be said to have never received before, but this bit of regret, there was no solution for. Moreover, because of this bit of deficiency, Yu Lingxin will more easily produce faint hope and attachment towards Qi-shi.
She was just this easily softhearted. He knew this.
Xun Che even once worried whether or not this kind of softheartedness will let her continue being at a disadvantage in this life. But, seeing the current Yu Lingxin, although still gentle and kind, she’d already, because of the hardships in the past and current life, gained an extremely firm determination and courage, and won’t yield on important principles in the slightest. This bit, aside from the pleasant surprise, also let him be somewhat at ease.
Falling into silence again, and seeing that Yu Lingxin seemingly didn’t have any intention of continuing to say more, Xun Che finally warmly spoke, “This matter, no matter who, all would feel greatly distressed. At present, you’ve already done very well, indeed no need to think too much. Kou Xian’s assignment this time having this many twist and turns, and now finally settled on the Jiang province once more, the Kou family certainly will think that it was the Chang’de Count Manor that helped, so presumably will have bit of gratitude.”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Yu Lingxin nodded, “Hope so.”
Seeing her expression still gloomy, Xun Che relaxed his tone even more, speaking even more gently, “Even if the Kou family doesn’t know to be grateful, in another year or two, the matters in the capital will eventually pass on over. By then, the Kou family will know to be careful.”
Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but look towards him, actually immediately understanding Xun Che’s meaning.
He was saying, a year or two from now, if she still marries into Wen’an Marquis Manor as the heir’s wife, Qi-shi, as her mother, will have an extremely powerful son-in-law. When time comes, even if Qi-shi isn’t in the capital, as long as the Wen’an Marquis heir’s name is there, then it will be impossible for the Kou family to be completely indifferent, and they will need to be a bit more respectful towards Qi-shi.
If normally, she would’ve long clicked her tongue.
However, the complicated feelings and gloominess in Yu Lingxin’s heart at this time still haven’t completely dispersed, so she somewhat didn’t want to respond to Xun Che’s half-teasing words, just silently lowering her eyes again, instead asking, “Speaking of which, if the day before yesterday, I didn’t make a choice, will you let the Kou family get sent to the Quan province?”
Xun Che immediately shook his head, “No, if Kou Xian goes to the Quan province, then his family very likely won’t accompany along. Regardless whether it’s using some excuse to delay for a year or so, or directly decide to not go, staying in the capital will just give you more trouble. In comparison, it would be better to just send them back to the Jiang province. As long as the assignment is dragged out, not letting the Kou family return to the capital again, then many troubles will be saved.”
The corner of Yu Lingxin’s lips lightly hooked, but this smile, one was unable to tell whether it was sour or bitter. Actually, she’d also considered this bit. However, since it was brought up, she still asked, “Since you feel that the Jiang province is better, then why give me two choices? What if I really pick the Quan province?”
“Then just let him go.” Xun Che answered very bluntly, “Just, will need to think of another way to force the entire Kou family to all go along with. It’ll just be spending a bit more effort, but certainly need to have the Kou family from top to bottom all sent out of the capital, thoroughly cutting off cleanly. However, I know you won’t.”
Yu Lingxin knew that what he excelled at the most was manipulating people. In this aspect, she truly didn’t need to put on a front in front of him, just lightly nodding her head, “Actually, you didn’t need to come today. I have an understanding inside, and won’t let anyone from the Kou family scheme against me.”
A cold smile emerged on Xun Che’s lips, “I know, I also won’t let them have the opportunity to do anything.” After saying this, he called Bai Guo over to change the tea, also instructing, “Go tell Young Master Shan, if the ink is too heavy, the grade will drop. If his hand isn’t steady, then starting over is also fine, just set it up according to my draft just now.”
Bai Guo hurriedly went to carry out the order. Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but twitch her mouth. At present, this bit of trick of Xun Che’s, using on Yu Zhengshan, can also be considered using the butcher’s knife to kill a chicken.
Sure enough, a moment later, Bai Guo returned to report, saying that Yu Zhengshan frustratedly had the first draft rolled up, wanting to start a new draft, asking shizi to accompany the eldest miss a little longer.
Xun Che smiled, “Then I have no choice but to oblige.”
Bai Guo lowered her head and retreated out once more. Yu Lingxin, at this time, however, figured out the faint chilliness contained in Xun Che’s cold smile just now, “The meaning in your words just now, you still have other arrangements?”
Xun Che slightly adjusted his posture, propping his cheek up with his left hand against the stone table, while his right hand held the teacup up for a sip, his tone increasingly nonchalant, “I let Jincheng tightly watch over all the official waterways and roads within fifty li. If I really wasn’t able to make it today, and the Kou family also produced the desire to court death, then their carriage, boat, and people absolutely won’t be able to move pass Wei Pavilion.”
Yu Lingxin’s feelings were even more clear. The more Xun Che was like this, seemingly nonchalant, the heavier the chilliness and even killing intent inside. She hurriedly shook her head, “Not likely to go that far, Sir Kou for better or worse was on a high ranking candidate of the imperial exam. Previously when my mother messed around using back manor excuses, he can pretend to not know. But, at present, if she really were to do something in front of his eyes, then he won’t dare to ignore.”
Xun Che faintly snorted, “I don’t care what kind of titles or thoughts he has, as long as they dare to do, then I certainly will let Kou Xian be stripped of his position and kicked out of the capital within a month. And the Kou family descendants, in this lifetime, don’t even think about entering officialdom.”
This kind of Xun Che that carried a ruthless air, it was Yu Lingxin’s first time seeing since her rebirth, but in the last lifetime, she nevertheless couldn’t be more familiar. Just, at that time, when occasionally hearing the ruthlessness and callousness in Xun Che’s words, the great majority was because of the battles in court.
But this time, it was for her sake.
Yu Lingxin, for a moment, felt a variety of mixed feelings inside, her emotions churning. It was like as if between the heavy grievances and exhaustion, a spoonful of dense honey got stirred in. At first, it didn’t feel sweet, but after slightly pondering, it was just somewhat unbearable.
She endured and endured, having that bit of warmth that was seemingly about to rush up her eyes forcibly pressed back down, instead asking Xun Che, “Since you’ve arranged this thoroughly, then you don’t need to actually come. Mainly, it’s that the entire capital all heard that you’re recuperating at home, even receiving the imperial palace’s permission. Yet, at this time, you instead left the city with me. If someone were to see and recognize you, won’t that affect your matters?”
Xun Che’s lips hooked into a smile, placing down the teacup, his body slightly leaning forward. His gaze towards Yu Lingxin was further full of tenderness and deep feelings, his voice also becoming much deeper, “You really don’t know why I personally came over today?”
Without waiting for Yu Lingxin to respond, he just continued, “I was naturally hoping that if by chance, just by chance, someone in the Kou family really have big guts, daring to forcibly drag you onto the boat, and afterwards, amidst the struggling, you just happened to slip and fall into the water, then I can immediately throw myself in to save you. As long as I have you carried out of the water in broad daylight under numerous eyes, then our marriage arrangements can immediately be settled.”
In the first half, Yu Lingxin was still seriously listening to him, but afterwards, hearing Xun Che’s tone increasingly deliberate and exaggerated, she finally couldn’t help but laugh, clicking her tongue, “Nonsense, how can it be like this.”
After an entire day, finally seeing her face blossom with its first genuine smile at this time, that tense nerve in Xun Che’s heart also finally relaxed along with, deeply comprehending that although the method in the classical story of King You of Zhou[1] using the fire beacons to mess with the feudal vassals was a bit stupid, but King You of Zhou’s feelings, right now, he could understand completely.
What blue mountains, green trees, and waters reflecting the skies, what grand view of the bustling capital, for him, it all can’t compare with a smile from the person before his eyes.
[1] King You of Zhou was the ruler during the late Western Zhou dynasty. For the sake of winning Bao Si’s (his second queen) smile, he would light the fire beacons, used to signal an attack, which caused his vassals to gather in a panic. This greatly amused Bao Si making her laugh, which made him very happy, and as such, he would often light the fire beacons to amuse her. The vassals eventually stopped coming, and it also led to the eventual downfall of Western Zhou.
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First time I was able to understand context on my own thanks to your efforts for Tyrannical Wang! I remember that same story of the emperor being referenced there.