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Lotus Heart Tea
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!
“This marriage arrangement was already agreed upon last year. I long knew about it.” Ming Jinrou lowered her eyes again, falling silent. When she lifted her eyes and looked towards Yu Lingxin again, the expression on her face had already lightened up, “Actually, the Lu family third miss is a very nice person, both virtuous and gentle. The first time I heard about their marriage arrangement, I even felt that it was quite good. His Highness Qin Wang hasn’t had it easy. To be able to marry Zhenguo General Manor’s young lady, it’s very fitting.”
She paused for a moment. Seeing that there was actually a bit of gentleness and pity in Yu Lingxin’s eyes, her heart instantly turned sour, quickly turning her head and forcibly smiling, “Speaking of which, older sister might laugh at me. It was in the beginning of this year, when I’d gone hunting together with my older brother and Qin Wang at the hunting grounds, and afterwards just………..However, this really isn’t anything. In a few days, when Qin Wang gets married, I will probably just recover. After all, my family’s elders also don’t like this kind of matter………….”
Yu Lingxin slowly exhaled a breath, for a moment, actually not knowing how to console.
Qin Wang was six years older than Ming Jinrou, his situation in the palace also extremely complicated. Just slightly thinking about it, she just knew that this matter certainly will be very difficult. Even if the empress had considered Ming Jinrou as a candidate for Qin Wangfei, the Jin Duke Manor may not necessarily agree.
On one hand, it was because Noble Consort Zhu has had incomparable imperial favor, having been illustrious and renowned for many years. Below her, she also has two sons. Once Noble Consort Zhu’s son ascends the throne, Qin Wang afraid won’t have a good end. On the other hand, even if Noble Consort Zhu doesn’t succeed, the empress still has her own son. When time comes, having a falling out and turning on one another was also unavoidable.
And in reality, this actually had already happened once in the past life.
In the past life, amidst that kind of intense battle, Qin Wang’s original wangfei passed away from illness very early on, unknown as to whether it was really just the heaven’s not blessing, having a short life, or having encountered Noble Consort Zhu faction’s, or even possibly Empress Wen’s, secret schemes. That’s why, for the Jin Duke Manor who has always been stable and steady, they probably don’t have any intention of having their daughter married into the palace.
Just, the matters of the world usually were beyond one’s expectations.
At this time, the Ming family elders, because of caring for Ming Jinrou, wasn’t willing for her to marry Qin Wang, but in two to three years, as the storm rage, the Ming family and Xun family will repeatedly suffer heavy losses around the same time. With Xun Ying dying tragically in the palace as the start, Xun Che’s younger brother Xun Cong will fall from a horse and break his leg; Xun Che will get heavily poisoned; Ming Jincheng will get attacked by assassins, receiving a slash on his face; Wen’an Marquis, Xun Nanheng will get attacked in the army; Ming Jinrou’s father, Jin Duke’s heir, Ming Yunji, right after inheriting the noble title, will get wrongly accused of a crime and taken into interrogation, and afterwards, die in the imperial prisons under heavy torture…………….
After that series of unforeseen changes, Ming Jinrou chose to marry into the palace, taking all of Jin Duke Manor’s wealth and power, and marrying the lustful and frivolous third prince, Wei Wang, who at the same time, was also the main culprit behind Xun Ying’s death.
For a time, many curses and condemnation all gathered on Ming Jinrou.
Afterwards, by the time Xun Che, who was struggling on the deathbed, finally killed off the entire Zhu clan in retaliation, and then ruthlessly extinguished the entire Yiyang Marquis Manor Wen family, all the curses and condemnation in the world turned onto Xun Che. Ming Jinrou’s name also gradually stopped being mention by others.
These various matters of the past, the great majority, Yu Lingxin all didn’t witness, because by the time she returned to the capital, the dust had already settled. But, even if never personally experiencing, just occasionally hearing Xun Che as well as others mention, it was already enough to make her endlessly alarmed.
At this time, looking again at the still young and wonderful Ming Jinrou before her, Yu Lingxin although felt complicated, it was mostly still rejoicing.
After all, at this time, they can all start over again. Those various tragedies of the Xun and Ming family have all yet to happen. Xun Che won’t let the past reoccur. In fact, Qin Wang suddenly getting reproached by the emperor this time, and deliberately spreading rumors about his temperament being violent and ruthless, perhaps it will also affect his marriage arrangements with the Lu family.
Thinking to here, Xun Che’s slyly smiling face just subconsciously appeared before her eyes once more. Yu Lingxin lightly let out a dry cough, reaching out to pat Ming Jinrou’s hand, “Jinrou, right now, don’t randomly think too much. The matters of the world are hard to predict. At present, it may appear as if the mountains and rivers have dried up, but afterwards, it may not necessarily just be without hope. If you’re truly feeling unwell inside, you can come look for me at anytime.”
Ming Jinrou nodded, suddenly smiling again, “Sister Huijun, you’re really not coming with us to go boating? Just thinking about you not coming, I just feel unhappy inside.”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Yu Lingxin also smiled, knowing that Ming Jinrou was just openminded to begin with. Just now, what she said to her can be considered venting out her feelings. At this time, her smile was bright again, making one feel relieved.
However, Yu Lingxin still shook her head, “The boating trip this time, I really won’t be going. If you have something to say, just come look for me alone.”
Ming Jinrou had no choice and could only start talking about the poetry gathering, as well as the things the empress bestowed down this time, and so on. After drinking two more cups of tea, she just took her leave.
Yu Lingxin had Ming Jinrou sent out. When returning to her place again, along the way, she could sense that the servants’ mannerism were all greatly different from before. Aside from Bai Guo, this little spy, forever a clever and quiet look, even Shuangye and Ganlu all penetrated with a bit of faint excitement.
The servant woman that Su-shi had sent over earlier to help receive the gifts was even more friendly, deferentially replying, also voluntarily adding, “Additionally, the madam also want to tell the eldest miss, Madam Su’s visit today doesn’t have any other meaning. Mainly, it’s just that the second miss is still young and not sensible, having been frightened yesterday. The madam was also momentarily at a loss. Madam Su is a warmhearted person, liking to help others, just a bit careless with her words, so hoping that eldest miss is magnanimous, and don’t take to heart.”
Yu Lingxin smiled, casually saying, “These words were probably said by Madam Su, right?”
Su-shi’s strong points was just that she was still considered steady on normal occassions. Just, when facing big matters, it was just out of the question. When it comes to her ability to adapt to changes, she was still very lacking compared to her sister-in-law, Madam Su.
The servant woman immediately froze, completely not expecting that the young eldest miss’s insight was this sharp. She could only continue to laugh along, “Madam Su and madam’s words are all the same. The two of them are both considering for the eldest miss and second miss, as well as our manor. Since eldest miss is this perceptive and intelligent, then certainly won’t take offense.”
Hearing these words of flattery that sounded awkward and out of place, yet also having a bit of flexibility in dealing with the situation, Yu Lingxin just smilingly waved her hand, “No matter, regardless whether it was said by the madam or Madam Su, you just need to go back and reply, I don’t have anything to mind about it, just asking the madam to listen to the old madam more in the future, no need to worry for nothing.”
That servant woman naturally repeatedly agreed, before quickly bowing and leaving, returning to the main courtyard to report back to Su-shi.
Yu Lingxin finally returned to her room to carefully look over the specifics of the gift list, immediately understanding where everyone’s surprise, excitement, and deferential attitude came from.
There were four bolts of palace satin, four bolts of palace muslin, a case of muslin palace flowers[1], four cases of palace-made rouge, two kesi round fan[2], four embroidered brocade pouches, four pairs of flower hairpins, four strings of pearls, two sets of jinbu[3], twelve handkerchiefs, as well as spices, fragrance powder, tea leaves, food, and all kinds of small objects.
These things were all placed in brocade boxes one by one, so wasn’t it precisely two full carriages. Especially the words ‘palace-made’, further like a golden label, even Ganlu and Gancao’s eyes were somewhat glowing.
Yu Lingxin just shook her head. These palace-made things should be bestowed by the empress. According to Ming Jinrou’s explanation, this was just half, so the things the empress bestowed to Ming Jinrou and Xun Ying weren’t considered little. Sure enough, she was very sincerely cleaning up after the Wen family sisters.
But, the rest, the flower hairpins, pearls and whatnot, on the gift list, it seemingly was written very simply. After opening for a look, she just knew that it was a certain someone’s handiwork. The gemstones were bright and vibrant, the pearls smooth and perfectly round. Randomly opening a case, it was just lustrous and dazzling, the great majority even made into ling (water lily) flower designs. How was this just ‘some small gift from the Jin Duke Manor and Wen’an Marquis Manor’.
She roughly calculated, the value already over a thousand gold. This scale of his really was too big.
However, Yu Lingxin had to admit, she was still that tiny bit happy.
She didn’t lack money. Just, she knew that him making a scene like this, it was for the sake of backing her in the Yu family, fearing that she will be bullied.
At the same time, while Yu Lingxin was lightly smiling, looking at the water lily hairpins in Lianyi Residence, in Wen’an Marquis Manor’s Qingyu Pavilion, the Ming family siblings were looking at Xun Che before them, also secretly laughing.
Who let this guy just like putting on a calm and composed nonchalant look since childhood, and when speaking and handling matters, always hiding the head while showing the tail, pretending to be profound, like as if all the people and all the matters of the world were all in his grasp.
This time, finally got stifled, huh?
Sending over an entire carriage full of personally picked gifts, yet the other party just gave two words: “Not going.”
Ming Jincheng looked to Xun Che who was standing by the window with his hands behind his back, seemingly deeply pondering over some important matter. Ming Jincheng was increasingly amused, using his elbow to poke Ming Jinrou, “Hey, your second cousin-in-law really said that she won’t go? You didn’t try to urge her?”
Ming Jinrou also laughed, “Honestly, I really did try to urge, using all my strength, saying everything that can be said, even saying that if uncomfortable on the boat, we can return early and such. I also laughed along, also acted cute, also begged, trying everything that can be said and done. Unfortunately, they just don’t want to go. Her original words, I also brought back just now. Second cousin, you can’t blame me on this.”
Xun Che lightly coughed, but before he could even say anything, Ming Jincheng just clicked his tongue, “How could your second cousin blame you. It’s just him not predicting correctly this time, ahahaha.”
Xun Che momentarily fell silent again, before leisurely turning around, “Jincheng, the empress’s generous hand in bestowing things down this time, also directly reprimanding Wen Ruoyao, giving Jinrou and Ying’er enough face, that is still wanting to fully protect your marriage arrangements with Wen Ruoqiong. Exactly what plans do you have?”
Once these words were said, Ming Jincheng’s smile was just a bit awkward. Although previously, he didn’t really like Wen Ruoqiong, he wasn’t against the marriage either. As the Jin Duke Manor’s first branch’s eldest son, he was very clear as to exactly what kind of responsibility he had towards the family clan’s future.
Just, he indeed didn’t expect that the Wen family sisters’ brains can be bad to this degree.
In the coming storm of deceit and schemes, the most difficult to deal with were neither enemies nor despicable people, but rather, idiots.
Because whether it’s the enemy or a despicable person, as long as they have a motive, there will always be traces to follow. But, an idiot was just different. The stupider they were, the harder it was to predict what kind of idiotic thing they will do.
They might genuinely and wholeheartedly believe that they were doing a good thing, and afterwards, have the other party screwed over to eternal damnation.
It’s not that Ming Jincheng was unwilling to have a political marriage with the Wen family, but among the Wen family’s di descendants at this time, there weren’t any other young ladies. The empress also wasn’t willing to let go either, really making one headache.
Seeing that Ming Jincheng was unable to laugh anymore, Xun Che finally felt a bit satisfied, “This matter, let me think it over. Why don’t you two go back first. Since the pleasure boat has already been booked, then just accompany the younger sisters to go relax.”
Ming Jincheng shot a glare at Xun Che, but there was also no other choice. When it comes to the bow and horseback riding, he believed that he can beat two Xun Che with one hand, but when it comes to brains, Xun Che alone can just match ten or more of him. Towards this, Ming Jincheng still acknowledged.
At this time, he could only leave with Jinrou first.
And that bit of nonchalant on Xun Che’s face also shedded away subsequently, calling to Chen Qiao with a slightly heavy face, “Go pass on a message to Bai Guo, I have a present to send.”
Thus, when the bent waning moon just rose above the head, a paper package just appeared on the table in Lianyi Residence.
Yu Lingxin furrowed her brows as soon as she saw. She recognized that the writing on the paper package was Xun Che’s. Holding it up and pinching, she just heard a rustling sound. It was actually a pouch of tea leaves?
During the day, among that entire carriage of gifts, wasn’t there already two cases of the tea leaves that she liked? How come Xun Che let Bai Guo send some tea again?
Opening it up in confusion, she just saw an entire pouch full of fresh and tender dark green lotus heart tea[4] followed by a slightly bitter fresh scent hitting her face.
She thought for a moment, and then laughed.
Wasn’t it just not going boating, was he really that bitter inside?
[1] Basically flower accessories made from fabric. It’s a type of traditional chinese handcraft. It’s better to just see the image below than hear me describe it.
[2] Silk tapestry woven with a pictorial design and made into a round fan.
[3] It’s an accessory made from stringing together a jade pendant that’s hung at the waist to help hold down the dress.
[4] This tea is known to be extremely bitter.
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Xun che be like: I’m really really really bitter!
Thank you vey much! I really love this story, where the couple is powerful and smart. If there are novels like this could you recommend me? 🙂
idk if you had read these novels, but i recommend rebirth of the malicious empress of military lineage, rebirth of ill fated consort, and the grand princess (i haven’t read this one but based on the synopsis, similar to this novel, both MC and ML were on rebirth too). all these novels have smart couple you might want to try reading.