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No Turning Back After Releasing the Arrow
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!
Setting aside how the four left behind in Qingyu Pavilion awkwardly looked to one another, all with different thoughts, Ming Huayue and Xun Che’s pace towards the main courtyard was all very quick. Especially Ming Huayue, at this time, slightly recalling Xun Cong’s injuries and what she saw just now, her anger once again rose up inside, moving even quicker.
The servant girls by her side were all Ming Huayue’s confidante of many years, each and every one all sensing that there will certainly be a big matter today. Once the madam and the heir entered the door, they immediately just retreated out without needing to be instructed.
‘Thud!’
The moment Ming Huayue turned around, lifting her hand and preparing to scold, Xun Che had already swiftly lifted his gown and knelt onto the ground, “Mother, I was wrong.”
With him being this self-aware, the words, ‘you bastard kneel!’, that have yet to escape her mouth just got stuck in Ming Huayue’s throat. Pausing for a moment, she finally coldly snorted, “Now you know to be perceptive.”
“Mother, today I was too irritable.” Xun Che lowered his head and bowed, sincere and deferential, “I certainly will change from now on, asking mother to forgive me this time.”
Ming Huayue coldly glanced at him, “And?”
Xun Che continued, “I angrily reproached Cong’er today because he became friends with the children of the Zhu family and Pan family, yet don’t know the dangers within, even skipping class, sneaking into the Zhu manor in disguise, and messing around with those friends. Firstly, I reproached him for only wanting to play and neglecting his studies, and secondly, it’s blaming him for not thinking, not careful in making friends. But, from now on, I will properly teach him, so mother doesn’t need to worry too much.”
“The Zhu family and Pan family’s children?” Ming Huayue couldn’t help but repeat. Just as she was about to carefully contemplate, she suddenly felt something amiss, her complexion increasingly unsightly, “Your younger brother’s matter, we’ll discuss later. The reason I called you over now, you really don’t know why? Then, I will immediately let Bishu go have that rattan whip brought over. Rather want to see who else will heartache for you!”
Xun Che smiled, peeking at his mother while kneeling, “The one that will heartache for me the most is naturally mother. The strike landing on my body, the pain landing in your heart, I know.”
However, Ming Huayue didn’t fall for this, slapping the table by her hand, “Still daring to be flippant? Quickly tell the truth, exactly what’s up with you and that Yu family young lady?!”
Xun Che directly lifted his head, gazing straight at his mother, his handsome face completely composed, “The Yu family miss and I? It’s exactly as what mother sees.”
The anger on Ming Huayue’s face overflowed, “Then it’s really having a love affair?! Xun Che, you really are daring!”
“Where does this come from?” Xun Che completely didn’t have the slightest look of alarm or guiltiness, his gaze towards his mother still crystal clear, “Why does mother feel we have a love affair?”
Ming Huayue angrily said, “Just you two’s attitude earlier when talking, you think I can’t make out or can’t see clearly? Think I’m blind or stupid?!”
Xun Che however hooked the corner of his mouth, smiling even deeper, “Miss Yu couldn’t bear seeing me overly reprimand Cong’er, and seeing how Ying’er was timid and Jinrou frightened, she thus went forward to urge and retort this son a few words. Mother feels this is just having a love affair?”
Ming Huayue wanted to scold him again, but quickly recalling that scene just now, she nevertheless choked up again. Regardless whether it was the words or the mannerism, the two of them indeed just openly argued. In between, there wasn’t a single word of sweet talk.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Setting aside her intuition at the time, if one must insist on picking out some problem, then it was probably just that Yu Lingxin’s half-urging and half-scolding words towards Xun Che were very smooth and natural, flowing out in one breath, not having the slightest hesitation. That scene actually faintly felt somewhat familiar.
But, Ming Huayue ultimately wasn’t that easy to trick. Thinking again, she coldly sneered, “Stop trying to casually muddle through. What about afterwards when I hit you? Miss Yu’s expression, think I didn’t see?”
“Mother, you’re a hero in headdress that has been on the battlefield before, how can you compare with others.” Xun Che helplessly laughed, “Miss Yu is still a young girl, just a bit older than Ying’er and Jinrou, most likely just softhearted. Since she can’t bear seeing me beat Cong’er, then naturally can’t bear seeing you beat me. At the time, if it was Ying’er standing there, perhaps would’ve gotten frightened into tears again.”
Ming Huayue was once again speechless to respond, but she also can’t just let go like this either. As such, she just followed along, “Turns out, it’s like this, then according to your explanation, you two don’t have any relationship at all. That’s also good. A few days ago, your father even wrote back saying that the old madam was pressing to look for a wife for your older tang brother. Then, how about proposing to this Miss Yu for Ze boy.”
Although clearly aware that his mother was deliberately trying to test him, a trace of killing intent still slid across Xun Che’s mind. Shortly after, he forcibly pressed down his emotions, indifferently saying, “Xun Ze isn’t a good match.”
Ming Huayue carefully studied his expression, pretending to be contemptuous, “What’s so great about that Yu family miss? How is Ze boy not a good match? Your older tang brother is also a legitimate second class jinshi[1], our Wen’an Marquis Manor’s second branch’s eldest di son. The Yu family old head minister has long passed away. The current Yu eldest master is just a what, fourth or fifth rank official? How I see it, Ze boy is even marrying down.”
Looking at the exaggerated look of disdain in the corner of his mother’s eyes, Xun Che actually found it a bit funny, inwardly thinking, no wonder Xun Cong’s acting skills were that bad, probably just resembling mother. Just, the two of them going in circles like this also wasn’t good. He slightly pondered for a moment, finally saying, “Mother, why be like this? You’re clearly aware that is a talented candidate for an eldest daughter-in-law, really want to push to the second branch?”
“Finally telling truth? Still dare to say that you don’t have private dealings?” Ming Huayue shouted.
Having been kneeling all this time, Xun Che’s knees were also somewhat sore. After slightly adjusting his posture, he finally calmly replied, “This son is talking about moral character. Based on Miss Yu’s conduct and character, mother carefully think about it, is Xun Ze worthy? If you really feel, it’s suitable, then feel free to be the matchmaker. I naturally don’t dare to stop you. Just, if you really have made up your mind, wanting to pass over on such a good daughter-in-law, then don’t regret it in the future.”
Seeing Xun Che’s attitude still this open and magnanimous, Ming Huayue was increasingly puzzled inside, and at the same time, also a bit exhausted from guessing around in circles like this. She couldn’t help but let out a sigh, “First get up, sit down and talk.”
Pausing for a moment, Ming Huayue gazed towards Xun Che again who slowly got up and deferentially sat down next to her, her tone thoroughly softening, “Che’er, do you have feelings or not with that Miss Yu? You are my eldest son, also our marquis manor’s heir. You know mother usually trust you and feel reassured towards you, but you should further know that your marriage isn’t child’s play. To still not have anyone decided yet, it’s also for the sake of being cautious. Right now, not allowed to smooth talk and mess around again, tell mother the truth.”
Xun Che deliberated for a moment, similarly seriously gazing towards his mother, “Miss Yu is normally often with Jinrou and Ying’er, and lately, also have spent quite a bit of time in front of you. What her moral character and conduct is like, presumably, mother also have a judgement inside. Since you’re asking for this son’s true thoughts inside, this son will just directly say it. In my eyes, Miss Yu is steady and virtuous, good at managing the household affairs, while also protective of the younger siblings like an eldest sister——–” Speaking to here, Xun Che also paused for a moment, finally saying, “That’s why, this son indeed hope to have such a virtuous wife.”
Ming Huayue’s gaze slightly flickered. For a moment, she didn’t immediately say anything.
Xun Che’s mind rapidly spun. Once the arrow was released, there’s no going back. Since those words just now have come out, then whether or not it can convince mother just depended on this moment. His lips once again slightly curled, his body relaxing as he leaned back, his tone even a bit casual, “Of course, if you find any place not good or not appropriate about Miss Yu, then this matter can be temporarily set aside. Just, regardless of whether this matter succeeds or not, words that will damage her reputation, this son doesn’t dare to acknowledge.”
Ming Huayue silently muttered to herself for a while before suddenly asking, “Speaking of which, you two haven’t really met that many times either, right?”
Xun Che smiled, “To see a leopard through a narrow tube, one can see a spot[2]. This son believes that one’s ability in looking at people is not bad. Hearing about those two poetry gatherings, and also hearing the younger sisters’ words, one more or less have an understanding.” After saying this, he suddenly put on a serious look of contemplation, furrowing his brows, softly asking his mother, “Mother, is there really some place inappropriate about this Miss Yu? If there is, then why don’t mother tell me directly, so that I can also give up on the idea of settling down.”
When listening to the first part, Ming Huayue was actually already starting to recall her every encounter with Yu Lingxin or what she has heard, thinking about her conduct, attitude, and moral character when handling matters, and so on. Although carrying a bit of ill-feelings and intention to nitpick, but no matter how she thought about it, she was still unable to think of any problems.
In terms of appearance, Yu Lingxin was probably top-notch among those young ladies of the boudoir that she usually has dealings with. It was just that she dressed relatively plainly and simple, so didn’t appear that eye-catching. However, if really looking at the facial features and complexion, the ones that can compare with her were truly very few.
What was particularly rare was that Yu Lingxin’s conduct was very easy-mannered and proper. Even if in this moment, Ming Huayue still suspected that she and Xun Che had some dealings in private, it still wasn’t good to have Yu Lingxin usual conduct forcibly said as ‘frivolous like a vixen’ and such.
As for being protective of the younger siblings, from her previous dealings with Xun Ying and Ming Jinrou, and even today’s Xun Cong, one can also clearly see this.
But to just completely get convinced by Xun Che like this?
Ming Huayue somewhat had the impulse to continue refuting, but seeing the faint emotions subconsciously leaking from his brows, and then recalling how he was usually capable and astute, she ultimately just slanted her mouth, vaguely saying, “There’s nothing too inappropriate, cough cough, I’ll keep observing.”
At this time, Xun Che was unable to contain the smile on his lips, getting up and deeply bowing, “Many thanks mother.”
Right as Ming Huayue and Xun Che’s conversation in the main courtyard finally can be considered to have come to a vague conclusion, Ming Jincheng, who has been sitting in Qingyu Pavilion the whole time, already finished drinking an entire four cups of tea, having that copy of Xun Cong’s tracks recorded by Xun Ying repeatedly looked over twice, truly somewhat unable to continue sitting anymore.
Thus, he sent someone to Xun Ying’s side to ask Ming Jinrou and them whether or not they have finished talking, and whether it’s time to return home or not. Who knew that just as the servant headed out to Xun Ying’s side, he just saw Xun Che return to Qingyu Pavilion first. He couldn’t help but exclaim, “How come you just came over? On paternal aunt’s side, there’s not a problem anymore?”
Xun Che slowly exhaled a breath, “More or less so. I had Cong’er’s disgraceful matters roughly mentioned. Afterwards, told mother that I needed to come over to discuss countermeasures with you.”
“Using me as an excuse again.” Ming Jincheng facepalmed, “Ever since you got together with that Yu family miss, Jinrou and I just don’t have anything else to do. Just those friends of Cong’er’s, isn’t it just needing to block them, what else is there to discuss? Really can’t believe you have no shame using this as an excuse. So, you plan on sending her back?”
Xun Che answered quite frankly, “This situation becoming like this today, with mother suddenly coming over, she certainly must have been frightened. If I don’t send her, how can I be at ease.”
Ming Jincheng was quite impressed with him, “But I heard, at Cheng’en Duke Manor, without even needing Jinrou’s help, Miss Yu just had Ruiyang retorted into a corner. Earlier, she even had you retorted to point of speechlessness, you’re even scared of her being frightened?”
“She will also worry for me.” Xun Che let out a laugh, looking at Ming Jincheng like looking at an idiot, “Once you encounter one that you have an affinity with, you naturally will understand.”
“Tsk.” Ming Jincheng also clicked his tongue.
At this time, Ming Jinrou and Yu Lingxin also just happened to return to Qingyu Pavilion. Time-wise, it was indeed time to set out and take their leave.
The moment Yu Lingxin entered, she just saw that Xun Che was also present, her expression instantly freezing for a moment. Although she didn’t continue going forward, her gaze nevertheless swiftly swept over his face and body.
Xun Che went forward a step, softly saying, “Don’t worry, mother didn’t beat me.”
To the side, Ming Jincheng and Ming Jinrou mutually shared a glance, “Fine, fine, let’s go! We’ll trade carriages with you!”
[1] Successful candidate in the highest imperial civil service exam
[2] This idiom is used to express how one can still learn a thing or two by only seeing a portion of a whole.
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lolol xun che going round and round with his mother just to not taint huayue’s impression of her future daughter in law, lingxin, is so funny to me