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Qinghong Pavilion
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!
On the twenty-second of the eighth month, Jin Duke Manor’s invitation arrived as scheduled at the Yu Manor, still just for Yu Lingxin alone by name.
Yu Lingxin also asked Shuangye about the mid-autumn gift, and sure enough, that case of Hu brush was also just given to her. Towards this, Yu Yunxin was a bit dejected, but didn’t dare to actually show much dissatisfaction. After all, for her to be able to attend this poetry gathering, it was precisely relying on Yu Lingxin’s help. That’s why, not only did she not complain, Su-shi even voluntarily sent four bolts of fabric to Lianyi Residence as a gift.
As for Madam Su’s side, Yu Lingxin’s just let Shuangye go inform Su-shi, saying that this time, going to Jin Duke Manor, it’s merely just her second time attending the poetry gathering. The first time going, she’d already taken along Yu Yunxin as an extra. If she were to this quickly continue adding people, it truly isn’t good.
Su-shi immediately understood the meaning implied. What she further cared about was naturally her own daughter’s future prospects, so immediately just promised that she will go explain to her sister-in-law, Madam Su, asking the eldest miss to not worry.
Dealing with smart people was just this hassle-free. As long as she let her see clearly the stakes within, the other party will just know how to choose.
Towards Su-shi’s response, Yu Lingxin was very satisfied, even letting someone remind Yu Yunxin the overall things to be careful of in Jin Duke Manor.
On the twenty-fifth of the eighth month, just the same as last time, she and Yu Yunxin got on their respective carriages, heading to Jin Duke Manor together.
What was different from the Wen’an Marquis Manor was that the Jin Duke Manor Ming family had established themselves through military accomplishments. During Rui Emperor’s reign, they’d even once rose up to the rank of a meritorious wang. In Xiang Emperor’s reign, they even produced an empress, having limitless glory. Just, afterwards, they declined more honor, dropping in rank. By the previous emperor’s reign, they’d dropped down to a duke.
As such, compared to Wen’an Marquis Manor, Jin Duke Manor’s elegance and exquisiteness perhaps wasn’t as good, but the spacious and imposing nature of its structure surpassed the former. That’s why, the poetry club meeting held by Ming Jinrou this time was just arranged in the manor’s lakeside. The flowers and trees weren’t considered that lush and flourishing, but the lake’s reflection and water pavilion were extremely pleasant, also very much having a bit of charm.
The rules for composing the poems were more or less the same as the first time. All the young ladies present can choose the lake scenery or the flowers as they please, just don’t fill in verses, just compose poetry, the tonal patterns and rhyming schemes completely up to them. The time limit was an hour. The water pavilion and the space between the flowers and trees on the shore all have seats with good tea and desserts set up, free for everyone to play around and make plans however they want.
And the same as last time, Ming Jinrou also added a line at the end, if someone feels that they have a creative block today. Temporarily resting this time and not composing is also fine.
Yu Lingxin was just waiting for this. After following everyone to the water pavilion to roughly admire the scenery, she just looked for a seat to relaxingly drink tea, completely not having the intention of pretending to mull over verses.
Towards this, Yu Yunxin actually had a bit of a complaint. Last time, at Wen’an Marquis Manor, she was both nervous and excited, entirely focused on coming up with verses, so at the time, she actually didn’t notice that Yu Lingxin chose to not compose poetry.
Afterwards, when she realized in hindsight, they poetry gathering had already ended, so it wasn’t good for her to say anything, just thinking that perhaps she just didn’t want to write one that day. But, at this time, coming to the Jin Duke Manor, Yu Lingxin still didn’t have the intention of participating? Wasn’t this just sweeping the host’s face too much?!
Thinking to here, Yu Yunxin was also a bit worried on the inside, just fearing that Yu Lingxin’s attitude will offend Ming Jinrou and Xun Ying. Although she didn’t really dare to say anything to Yu Lingxin directly, she still can’t help but peek a few times in this direction of hers from time to time.
Yu Lingxin naturally made out the worry in Yu Yunxin’s expression and what it meant, just she was too lazy to bother. At this time, what she was further taking note of was today’s poetry gathering’s host, Ming Jinrou.
Although in this lifetime, her interactions with Ming Jinrou were temporarily very few, but in the past life, they nevertheless had many dealings with one another. Even though they can’t be said as intimate friends, she still understood her very well. That’s why, as soon as she arrived at Jin Duke Manor today, Yu Lingxin very quickly just sensed that Ming Jinrou was very absentminded.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Although forcibly holding up the etiquette and manners on the surface, even forcing herself to smile and laugh more, Yu Lingxin could still sense that Ming Jinrou definitely had something on her mind.
But, what was a bit strange was that Xun Ying’s expression instead appeared very normal, her pretty and gentle face full of smiles, still warm and easy-mannered as usual. Moreover, between the tip of her brows and the corner of her eyes, there weren’t any worries or troubles.
In fact, at a certain time, Yu Lingxin even noticed, Xun Ying seemingly also glanced at Ming Jinrou a few times, seemingly also sensing something off about her.
Ming Jinrou and Xun Ying were the same age, the two of them both very close as cousins, while also having grown up together, even closer than di-related sister. Would Ming Jinrou have something on her mind that even Xun Ying didn’t know about?
After drinking a cup of tea while carrying this tiny doubt, Yu Lingxin just got up again to slightly walk around. At this time, there were already young ladies that wanted to display their talents, beginning to put the brush to paper, writing out their poem, but the great majority of the people were still admiring the scenery and contemplating, also with a few drinking tea and endlessly chatting.
During this time, Xun Ying stayed in the water pavilion the whole time smilingly entertaining everyone, while Ming Jinrou stood alone under a tree by the shore. If someone were to go before her, she would somehow manage to deal with them, but the rest of the times, she seemingly was all somewhat lost in thought.
The young ladies that were focused on composing poetry might think that Ming Jinrou was deeply pondering over today’s poem, but when Yu Lingxin slightly passed by her side, she nevertheless discovered that the corners of her eyes were actually a bit red. As such, her suspicions inside just few even more.
After hesitating for a moment, Yu Lingxin still voluntarily went forward, “Miss Ming, just now, I spilled a bit of tea on my dress, don’t know whether or not you can lend me a place to let me tidy up?”
Ming Jinrou was a bit surprised, slightly studying Yu Lingxin’s clothes. Today, she wore a rouge colored pleated skirt made of brocade that didn’t reach the ground. Because the color was a bit deep, the patterns dense, just glancing over like this, one simply couldn’t tell whether or not there were tea stains.
Just, if able to borrow this excuse to leave the place for a moment, she was actually very willing.
“This is easy, please come with me to my courtyard.” Ming Jinrou smiled, and then informed Xun Ying, asking her to take care of this side too, before personally taking Yu Lingxin away from the lakeside pavilion, heading over to her own residence in the back manor.
Along the way, the two of them didn’t say anything. Yu Lingxin could sensed that after leaving the lakeside pavilion, Ming Jinrou seemingly relaxed a little, but that vexed feeling inside, seemingly able to cry out at anytime, grew even heavier.
They very quickly just arrived at Ming Jinrou’s Qinghong Pavilion. Ming Jinrou led Yu Lingxin into the warm room, and then ordered someone to go fetch a water basin, towel, mirror, and a newly made damask dress, letting Yu Lingxin tidy up as she pleased. Shortly after, she just returned to her own room, ordering someone to draw water for her to wash her face, redoing her makeup.
Yu Lingxin’s dress naturally didn’t get stained with any tea. Thus, she just symbolically dipped the towel in the water, pressing against the hem of her dress to go through the motions. Afterwards, she just quietly sat in the warm room.
After a while, about an entire cup of tea’s time, Ming Jinrou finally came out again, having reapplied the powder on her face, even her hair had been redone, but one can still tell, in those eyes that have always been spirited there were still some redness that still haven’t completely faded, presumably just now, she’d really cried.
However, looking at her condition, she was actually a bit better now. Yu Lingxin finally relaxed a little, casually saying with a smile, “There are many wind and rain in autumn. The famous sayings from ancient times about feeling sad in the season, sighing melancholy, are also numerous. Is Miss Ming also planning on writing a melancholic poem today?”
Ming Jinrou slightly blanked, and soon after, immediately understood. Yu Lingxin was reminding her that she can use this as an excuse to cover up her emotions. As such, she inwardly felt a bit grateful, nodding and smiling, “Yes, indeed have this intention today. Then, what kind of poem will Yu family older sister compose today?”
Yu Lingxin shook her head and smiled, “Not afraid of letting the president laugh at me, I’m still thinking of being lazy again, just admiring my younger sister and the other talented young ladies’ fine writing.”
Just as the two of them headed outwards, they just heard Ming Jincheng’s voice coming from the outside, “I remember it was placed here with Jinrou. Let’s go over for a look first. Later, if still unable to find, can just look for someone to go ask her.”
Ming Jinrou was a bit awkward, hurriedly running out, “Brother, I still have a guest here——”
But as she spoke, the courtyard gates already opened. Ming Jincheng already had a foot set through Qinghong Pavilion’s gates, and behind him, there actually even followed Xun Che, holding a folding fan in hand, in a sky blue long gown, dressed as an ordinary official.
Yu Lingxin absolutely never expected that she can even run into him like this, and even in Ming Jinrou’s courtyard, with both the Ming family siblings present. For a moment, she didn’t even know how to react, instinctively just lowering her eyes first.
At the same time, she was also a bit glad that she’d left Ganlu on the other side to take care of Yu Yunxin, and in this moment, it was Bai Guo that came with her, else to be repeatedly running into Xun Che like this, no matter how loyal and obedient Ganlu was, afraid she would also have suspicions.
Meanwhile, Ming Jinrou was naturally also a bit awkward. She understood that Yu Lingxin saying that she wanted to tidy her clothes, it was actually just making out her bad mood, accompanying her out. This kind of considerate and open-minded young lady, after coming to her courtyard for a sit, unexpectedly just encountered two outside males. What did this count as?!
Ming Jincheng turned back and glanced at Xun Che, both not saying anything, yet not leaving either, instead directly entering Ming Jinrou’s courtyard, heading towards the central room.
“Brother, second cousin, what are you doing? Can’t you see that I have a guest?” Ming Jinrou instinctively went forward, wanting to have Yu Lingxin blocked behind her back.
Ming Jincheng actually just laughed, while Xun Che walked up to Ming Jinrou, using a very low voice and saying, “Qin Wang is fine.”
These four words were very soft. Only Ming Jinrou, as well as Yu Lingxin who was a step behind her heard.
But the effect was instead like a bolt from the blue sky. Ming Jinrou entirely just froze.
Or perhaps should say, Ming Jinrou and Yu Lingxin both froze on the spot at the same time.
Practically a good moment later, they finally saw Ming Jincheng added with a laugh, “Jinrou, come here, don’t just foolishly stand there. Where’s that bottle of medicine that I gave you last time? Help me look for it, I also have something else to ask you…………..” As he said this, he also had the completely dumbstruck Ming Jinrou dragged away.
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So the one Ming sister loves is Qing Wang?
lol…the baby sister is fretting over her jiejie