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Yuli Hall
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 next afternoon, Yu old madam had Yu Lingxin called to Dongli Residence again.
As soon as she entered, she just saw that Su-shi and Yu Yunxin were already present. There also weren’t too many empty pleasantries. After greeting and sitting down, Yu old madam just directly got to the point, telling Su-shi and Yu Yunxin that the eldest miss, because of seeing that her younger sister indeed genuinely loved literature, decided to have this Yu family’s recommendation name slot yielded to her.
Su-shi had just gotten severely reprimanded by her mother-in-law and husband in front of the children yesterday, so her spirit was actually somewhat dejected. When coming to Dongli Residence, she was entirely on guard, thus when hearing these words, she actually wasn’t able to immediately react.
Rather, it was Yu Yunxin that instinctively stood up, “Eldest sister…….is it true!?”
Yu Lingxin smiled, “Naturally true. You’d also seen me at the two poetry gatherings, not that interested in poetry and literature. Since you like it, then just go. In any case, we’re all one family. I’m also willing for you to be happy.”
These words actually weren’t considered that intimate, just telling the truth as it is. Su-shi and Yu Yunxin were both the short-sighted type, and they didn’t have any feelings to speak of with Yu Lingxin. But, to really say they were malicious, plotting to kill, poison, or drug for their own benefit, it was still far from that degree.
Even if Su-shi had once schemed to have her sent out of the capital, she was still mostly just pushing along the waves, being Qi-shi’s accomplice. If there wasn’t Qi-shi, this main culprit, Su-shi won’t have the idea and guts to have her sent away or killed.
Towards that matter, Yu Lingxin can’t say that she completely didn’t mind, but having gone through that many storms and hardships in the past life, she can be said to have experienced the extreme sorrows and pain of the world, and also have seen quite a variety of cruel and sinister evils. In comparison, this bit of petty schemes of Su-shi’s actually wasn’t worth making her mind too much.
Moreover, Yu Yunxin was her younger sister of the same father after all, and Yu Zhenghua, who was given birth to by Su-shi, was also her father Yu Bocheng’s only di son. Yu Lingxin didn’t have the heart of a saint, not having any plans to support and guide them. She merely just considered that if these two children really were to be too disappointing, or cry and throw tantrums all day, then the ones that will be distressed in the end will still be her father and grandmother.
In a family, although there were close and distant relationships, but when it comes to honor and disgrace, interest and benefit, they were ultimately still tightly tied together.
“That’s really………Many thanks eldest miss!” At this time, Su-shi was finally relieved, beginning to light up, repeatedly thanking Yu Lingxin, “Eldest miss being this generous, I, I don’t even know what to say. Yun’er, quickly thank your eldest sister!”
It was just a string of good words on the spot. Su-shi and Yu Yunxin’s delight naturally didn’t need to be mentioned, having Yu Lingxin praised countless times again. Yu old madam although mentioned a few words in between, such as even if entering Wenhua Academy, still need to be cautious at all times, but Su-shi and Yu Yunxin seemingly didn’t take it to heart all that much. Although they did agree, their minds were still immersed in excitement.
Yu Lingxin wasn’t that surprised either. Just, now that this matter was settled, she just wanted to get up and take her leave. And right at this time, Bai Guo ran over, “Eldest miss, Jin Duke Manor’s horse carriage has arrived.”
Yu old madam, Su-shi, and even Yu Yunxin were all somewhat surprised. Yu Lingxin and the Ming family miss although hit it off quite nicely, but how close did one have to be to need to meet everyday?
Yu Lingxin could only vaguely explain, “Yesterday, when visiting Wen’an Marquis Manor, learned that Miss Xun needs to rest for a few days for her cold, so Miss Ming asked me to help out a little with the poetry gathering’s arrangements.”
Su-shi and Yu Yunxin didn’t really think anything of it, but Yu old madam’s eyes nevertheless glistened, “The poetry gathering held in Wen’an Maruqis Manor?”
“Yes.” Yu Lingxin answered with a smile, “I also don’t know what needs to be done, probably just keeping Miss Ming company. Her personality is lively and likes to chat. I’m just an accompanying guest.”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Yu old madam nodded, also adding, “That’s also good, just be a little careful on your own. After all, the duke manor and marquis manor’s rules are both strict, not as carefree as our family. You mustn’t say or do too much, don’t let others have things to nitpick.”
Yu Lingxin naturally obediently responded on the surface, just on the inside, she could only bitterly smile. She rather want to speak less and move less, but afraid she won’t have that good fortune.
Sure enough, Ming Jinrou came to pick her up, heading to the Xun Manor together. Along the way, it was just idly chatting and laughing about trivial matters. Regarding the poetry gathering’s preparations, she didn’t mention a single word of. When the horse carriage entered Wen’an Marquis Manor’s second gate, Yu Lingxin who was full of helplessness finally interrupted her and asked, “So, regarding the poetry gathering this time, what thoughts do you have?”
“Ah? Do I need to think too?” Ming Jinrou was full of astonishment, “Yesterday, you two had talked for that long. I thought you’d already finished discussing.”
Yu Lingxin choked. Yesterday, Xun Che said after going around for another hour, they will be able to arrive at her home, but afterwards, these words ended up repeating once more, so they can be considered to have talked for an entire two hours on the horse carriage. That’s why, Ming Jinrou’s words, she really wasn’t able to retort. In fact, when slightly thinking about it, she even felt somewhat embarrassed.
While feeling helpless, she could only follow Ming Jinrou to the back manor’s Yuli Hall. That was an individual courtyard where Ming Huayue managed the account books and handled the household affairs. In the past life, Yu Lingxin similarly handled matters and looked over account books in this courtyard. As such, she was very familiar with it.
After all, when it comes to arranging the poetry gathering, aside from composing poetry and critiquing poetry at the gathering, the rest were all miscellaneous tasks, from welcoming and sending off the guests and carriages, to preparing decorations at the location of the gathering, as well as the tea and desserts, arrangement of the servant girls, and so on.
If Xun Ying’s body at this time was still fine, then discussing the matters in Xun Ying’s courtyard, afterwards having the servant girls and servant women responsible for the various matters called over to instruct was also doable. Just, since Xun Ying was still recuperating, it was better to directly go to Yuli Hall.
When the two of them entered, Ming Huayue was also in Yuli Hall talking to the servant women in charge. Ming Jinrou and Yu Lingxin greeted her, and then just headed to the west warm room to sit down and discuss. Ming Jinrou at this time naturally didn’t dare to blurt out nonsense again. Just, she truly too lazy to mull over the miscellaneous arrangements, so she had Xun Ying’s first rank servant girl Huizhu called over, letting her first recount to Yu Lingxin about the details of the last poetry gathering’s preparations, and so on.
Actually, after hearing a few words, Yu Lingxin just had a complete understanding inside, but she must pretend to be unfamiliar with Wen’an Marquis Manor, appearing to be carefully listening, letting Huizhu speak for an entire quarter of an hour before finishing.
“Sister Huijun, do you have any thoughts? Feel free to suggest.” Ming Jinrou said with a smile, “I heard that older sister is the best at handling household affairs. This time, we will be completely relying on you.”
Yu Lingxin silently rolled her eyes at Ming Jinrou. These words landing in Ming Huayue’s ears were merely just polite words, but she understood very well inside that these were actually the truth.
Just, recalling what Xun Che said previously, Yu Lingxin still worked up her spirit, slightly explaining to Ming Jinrou her rough idea. Because this was the gathering after the Yang Festival, the weather will just be even colder. It’s best for the poetry gathering to not be held entirely in the gardens, especially the tea and desserts, it’s best for them to be in a certain tall pavilion[1] with a view. However, when it comes to admiring the flowers and scenery, it always better to view outside than from the inside. In that way, for the places that the guests can move about, there will need to be two sets of seating arrangements and decorations. At the same time, also need to consider the timing of the arrangements, passing messages back and forth, and so on.”
At first, Yu Lingxin was still very careful of her wording, carrying a bit of reservation and inquiry as a prefix, such as, for example, ‘don’t know what the usual practice for the manor is….’, ‘if possible’, or ‘if you mind’, and so on. However, after talking for a good while, and just seeing Ming Jinrou nod in response, or let the servant girl write down, towards the end, Yu Lingxin just said more and more, and also became more and more accustomed. As such, she was just even more direct, “………..That’s why, at this spot, it’s best to leave two servant girls. After all, when admiring the scenery and composing poetry, one might just become distracted, taking a wrong turn. It’s fine if they go the wrong way after exiting the garden’s south gate, but if they take a wrong turn out of the west gate, it won’t be good.”
“Miss Yu really is meticulous!” Huizhu has been serving by the side as an assistant this whole time. Upon hearing, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Outside the west gate is the path to the front study, indeed can’t let the guests take a wrong turn.”
Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but become slightly alerted inside. Her familiarity towards Wen’an Marquis Manor was already to the point where she can walk with her eyes closed. At this time, she really couldn’t remember whether or not Huizhu or someone else had mentioned before that the path to Xun Che’s study was outside of the west gate. However, because too many matters about the poetry gathering had been discussed, Ming Jinrou and Huizhu actually didn’t notice this bit.
After talking for another while longer, Ming Huayue who was in the main hall outside had already finished handling her matters, thus came over to have a look. Seeing Yu Lingxin about to get up again, she hurriedly waved her hand, “No need to get up and greet again, you just focus on chatting with Jinrou. To have troubled you today.”
“Auntie, I want to eat sweet milk curd[2]. After talking for this long, I’m already hungry.” Ming Jinrou naturally was extremely close with her paternal aunt, directly just saying with a smile.
Ming Huayue smilingly tapped her forehead, “You all although sound lively, in reality, it’s all Miss Yu helping you plan, yet you’re the one getting hungry first. Fine, Bishu, tell the kitchen to send two shares of sweet milk curd and almond cake[3] over. Remember to give Miss Yu a big portion, and just give Jinrou, this lazy cat, a tiny portion!”
“Auntie!” Ming Jinrou immediately jumped up and coiled around Ming Huayue, “How can you be this bias. I was the one that dug such a skilled worker over to help Ying’er. Could it be that this service of recommendation isn’t considered contribution? I also want a big portion of sweet milk curd!”
“You’re just skilled in twisting the words and forcing logic. In terms of handling household affairs, how come you’re not this capable? You need to learn more from the other party!” Ming Huayue’s love towards this niece clearly was no different from her own daughter, affectionately stroking Ming Jinrou’s head. Afterwards, she slightly nodded towards Yu Lingxin again before smilingly leaving.
Very soon, the dessert was sent over. Yu Lingxin was more or less done talking. Ming Jinrou just nodded one by one and agreed to it all. Shortly after, she had Huizhu and the other servant girls sent out, then had the servant women in charge called over to instruct.
Once the big and small matters were all passed down, it was already two hours later. Ming Jinrou naturally needed to send Yu Lingxin back home. The two of them headed to the second gate, preparing to mount onto the horse carriage. Yu Lingxin suddenly remembered something, vigilantly gazing towards Ming Jinrou, “This time, on the way, will you be going to some Puwei Brand to buy desserts again?”
Ming Jinrou blanked, and immediately after, said with a laugh, “I rather want to go, just today, my brother and second cousin both entered the palace. Can only buy the desserts next time.”
Yu Lingxin thought for a moment, “Did the empress summon them into the palace?”
Ming Jinrou was really stunned this time, “How did you know?”
[1] Although translated as such, it’s actually referring to a very specific style of chinese architect called a xuan(轩), examples shown below.
[2] Usually made from milk, sweet fermented rice wine, crystal sugar, and almonds.
[3] Almond cake comes in a variety of forms.
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Paragraph 6 — ” These words actually weren’t considered that intimate, just telling the truth as it is. Su-shi and Yu Lingxin were both teh short-sighted type….” Do you mean Su-shi and Yu Yunxin?”
Thanks for your hard work and exceptional translation..
Thanks for pointing out, I’ve fixed it!
Thank you for the examples of xuan! Thank you for the translation!