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Xun Shenzhi
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!
“Huijun, do you really feel I’m that good? Exactly what I have done in the past, others don’t know, but you know.”
Thinking along these words, Yu Lingxin was somewhat startled inside.
Actually, in the last lifetime, she didn’t have the opportunity to meet anyone from the Xun family second branch. In Tianxu year 13, although they’d returned to the capital, and in Tianxu year 14, Xun family’s second master, Xun Nanan, even filled into the Ministry of Works becoming her father’s colleague, but in Tianxu year 18, when she returned to the capital, the Xun family second branch from top to bottom, including the second madam, all of the second master’s concubines, tongfangs, and such, down to all the di born and shu born children, all had already died to Xun Che’s hands.
For Xun Che, this matter also became the stain that was completely unable to wash way both in life and death.
Even if several years after Qin Wang ascended the throne, when wanting to add a posthumous honor for Xun Che, it all led to several days of court debate. And among Xun Che’s various crimes, the most difficult to dispute was just that he’d once killed his own second uncle and tang brothers, and also poisoned to death his second aunt and tang sisters, and lastly, even forced his own grandmother, Xun old madam, to death.
Whenever those gentlemen of righteousness and benevolence that held the principles of filial piety and fraternal duty up high outside discussed this matter, they practically hated that they can’t have the already deceased for several years Xun Che dug out again to whip his corpse and grind his bones to dust.
As for how the Xun family second branch secretly colluded with the second prince, Wu Wang, and third prince, Wei Wang, and from there, drove the Xun family first branch to ruins, no one cared. Yet, it just so happens that during the battle of the throne back then, there were also quite a few inside secrets and scandals of the imperial family involved as well, so even the new emperor wasn’t able to explain too much.
Recalling the words she heard back then, even the current Yu Lingxin would still feel her blood boiling somewhat. And Xun Che will be facing the Xun family second branch’s eventual return to the capital, so presumably, his mood won’t be too good either.
After all, the Xun family second branch’s various evil deeds still have yet to occur at this time. Xun Che can’t just let them succeed in harming his family, and then carry out the punishment afterwards. And it also wasn’t good to slaughter the entire second branch before the other party have yet to commit any crimes. Otherwise, whether it’s filial piety, or the imperial law, it all won’t be tolerated.
“Shenzhi.” She hesitantly organized her words, her right hand also voluntarily placing onto the back of Xun Che’s hand, lightly pressing, “Those things still haven’t happened yet, everything can still be turned around. You have always been optimistic, so what are you thinking of these for?”
Xun Che slightly turned his wrist, having her two hands enclosed in his own palm, momentarily falling silent again before finally having those past tragedies that similarly bubbled up in his heart pressed back down again, “At the time, I didn’t know how much longer I can last, so I had to take action immediately. Just, two years later, I would occasionally think, actually, Xun Ze, Xun Tan, and also Xun Xiang, perhaps their crimes didn’t amount to death.”
He paused for a moment, sighing again, “But, thinking about it now, I actually don’t have that much regret in eliminating the roots back then. Perhaps, I’m just this kind of person. No many how many virtuous books I’ve read, I’m ultimately still unable to have a benevolent heart like Qin Wang.”
After saying these words, he slightly let go of Yu Lingxin’s hand, turning his face to look out the carriage’s left window.
Yu Lingxin also momentarily fell silent. These words, she really didn’t know how to respond. In the last lifetime, Xun Che had experienced that kind of bitter tragedy and great change. Even if towards enemies, he was a bit ruthless and relentless, she also didn’t feel there was anything wrong.
But, Xun Che’s meaning at this time actually had a deeper layer.
A few moments of silence later, Xun Che still didn’t turn back or say anything. Seeing him like this, Yu Lingxin instead felt even more unbearable inside. She secretly bit her lip, voluntarily coiling around Xun Che’s arm, “Shenzhi.”
Xun Che finally turned back around and gazed towards her, directly embracing her shoulder.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Right at this time, the horse carriage took a left turn. That bit of tilt caused Yu Lingxin to just completely get taken into Xun Che’s arms along the force.
In that moment, the two of them actually both had a very brief moment of nervousness. In the three years as husband and wife in the past life, and three months reuniting again in this life, all added together, the two of them all never had this kind of close contact before.
But in the next moment, it was like as if everything was just that natural.
Leaning in the crook of his arms, Yu Lingxin wasn’t as embarrassed as she thought she would be. She even produced a kind of happiness and sweetness that she didn’t have before, also strangely feeling very much at ease.
“Huijun.” Xun Che’s voice sounded as if it was still carrying a bit of downcast in the tranquility. He lowered his head, gazing towards her in his arms, “The question earlier, you still haven’t answered me.”
Yu Lingxin also tilted her head, completely facing Xun Che, the distance between their eyes that close, one another’s breath all within millimeters. Every bit of affection in the other person’s face and eyes all can be seen this clearly.
Very naturally, Yu Lingxin’s soft right hand just propped against Xun Che’s left wrist.
She deeply stared into Xun Che’s eyes, falling silent again. Her right hand also lightly caressed Xun Che’s arm.
Xun Che subconsciously lightened his breathing, waiting for her answer.
“Hui—–tsss…..”
Before he was even able to call out ‘Huijun’, Xun Che just first inhaled a cold breath from the sudden pinching pain on his lower arm, his handsome brows also twisted from being caught off guard.
Yu Lingxin at this time finally opened her mouth, “Xun Shenzhi, you really think I can’t tell that you’re trying to trick me?”
Xun Che soundlessly relaxed his breathing. The pain on his lower arm from getting pinched still haven’t completely dispersed, but the expression of the person before him, he rather saw clearly, especially given that Yu Lingxin’s right hand was still on his lower arm. He instinctively felt that this girl probably will pinch him again at any time. His face promptly adding a somewhat fawning smile, “Dear wife, it hurts.”
“Really?” Seeing this punchable look of his, Yu Lingxin practically wanted to firmly pinch him again. However, Xun Che unexpectedly had his left hand voluntarily offered up, carefully looking at her, a look of clearly very scared of the pain, yet also letting her freely punished as she pleased, really making her both wanting to laugh and wanting to be angry. But, in the end, she still wasn’t able to pinch a second time, just reaching out to slap him, grumbling, “What words can’t you properly say to my face, must you treat me like an idiot, baiting me for fun, is it?”
Xun Che laughed, “How am I deceiving you? Those matters, I originally was just very vexed over. If not talking with you, who else can I talk to? Besides, it’s merely just wanting to hear a few good words from you.”
“You might be vexed, but vexed to this degree? Even insisting on making me say it again?” Yu Lingxin snorted. Actually, she knew, today, in Jin Duke Manor, Xun Che may have appeared to be somewhat relaxed, but he indeed had things on his mind. Towards the Ming family’s matters, the Xun family’s matters, Qin Wang’s matters, he appeared calm and easy-going on the surface, but in reality, he was very stubborn, wanting to be involved in everything, especially given the experiences from the last lifetime. In this life, Xun Che certainly will exhaust his thoughts for these close friends and family.
Those laments in regards to the second branch’s past in the beginning after climbing onto the carriage were also true.
Just, when she coiled around his arm and then saw him turn his face around, in that moment, Yu Lingxin immediately just knew that Xun Che’s mood had already improved. Afterwards, pretending to be gloomy and asking again, it was just an act.
Xun Che smiled, “With this many old and new matters overlapping together, I naturally will be very vexed. If unable to get consoled by you, I won’t even be able to continue enduring. And you also won’t lose anything by saying a few more good words.”
Yu Lingxin rolled her eyes at him, “What can’t you just properly say? As long as it’s something that you mention to me directly, when have I ever refuted you?”
“Really?” Xun Che laughed in spite of himself, “Then let me kiss you, alright?”
Yu Lingxin’s face instantly heated up, immediately turning away, “You, you, what nonsense are you saying.”
Xun Che increasingly laughed nonstop, “Right after putting out the big words in front, you immediately just regretted? I’m rather willing to mention directly, but you’re unwilling go along with me.”
Yu Lingxin’s face increasingly burned in anger, clearly feeling that it was all Xun Che’s fault, yet for a moment, she didn’t know how to retort, just clenching her teeth. In the end, she could only angrily say, “I don’t care, you’re being shameless, so it’s just you’re fault!”
Xun Che smilingly embraced her again, “Alright, alright, alright, the one twisting the words and forcing logic is me, all my fault, whatever you say is right. How about letting you pinch a few more times to quell your anger?”
Yu Lingxin was sitting this close to him, so how could she avoid. After lightly struggling twice, she still ended up back in Xun Che’s arms.
She angrily pressed against his arm again, “Really? Then I’ll leave you a purple mark today.”
With the fragrant soft jade in his arms, where would Xun Che care, “Do as you please my wife. In the end, it’ll still be you that will heartache. Here, even the other arm is fine.”
‘Che.’ Yu Lingxin lightly clicked her tongue, but in the end, she still couldn’t bear, even if it was her pinching. When seeing Xun Che inhale a breath of cold air, she still instinctively jolted inside along with.
How can this guy be this hateful, and even this difficult to deal with!
The horse carriage slowly traveled along. After slightly resisting a little to no avail, in the end, she just obediently nestled in Xun Che’s arms.
The two of them idly talked. The matters in the palace, the matters at home, normal everyday life, the plans for the poetry club, these various matters all just mixed together, a word here and there. However, relying on that indescribable rapport, just slightly pointing out was enough for them to mutually understand the other party’s meaning.
Unconsciously, the horse carriage just reached the east side of Huakang street where the Yu Manor was located. Xun Che at this time had the other thing that has been lingering in his heart for don’t know how long finally said out loud, “My father set out for the Chen province again yesterday, probably returning during the new year. On my side, I will speed up the preparations. At the earliest in the second month, and at the latest on your birthday in the fourth month, our matter should be able to be settled.”
Regarding this matter, Yu Lingxin naturally wasn’t surprised in the slightest. Especially when she was being completely held by Xun Che at this time, what’s there still to be embarrassed about. As such, she just lightly nodded her head, “You can decide.”
Xun Che fell silent, continuing, “Before this, regardless of what rumors there are, all don’t take to heart. I have my own plans inside.”
“Are you talking about the Wen family miss?” Yu Lingxin actually wasn’t worried, just she immediately understood his meaning. “The empress has the intention of bestowing you a marriage?”
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Theyβre really cute. Itβs like they just picked up where they left off in their previous lives or something. Everything is just so natural.
i love loooove how they always communicate with each other. even though there are some things that xun che can’t say directly sometimes, but he’ll never fail to assure and give hints to lingxin. lingxin is also smart that’s why even without him saying it straighforwardly, she’ll always understand his hints. they have a great tacit understading.
the old married couple vibes is truly too adorable π