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First-Hand Experience
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!
“No.”
Yu Lingxin wasn’t even interested in rolling her eyes. After rejecting, she directly headed in the direction of Lianyi Residence.
That servant girl’s face instantly stiffened. After blanking for a moment, she hurriedly chased after, her face full of an apologetic smile, “Eldest miss, please wait a moment. The madam is truly concerned. You going to Lianyi Residence is also walking over, slightly taking a detour to the main courtyard will only merely be a moment of your time. You have always been kind and filial———”
Seeing how this servant girl seemingly had the intention of going around her to block her path and continue persuading, in addition to the weariness, worry, and irritation built up all day from the layer upon layers of disturbances, Yu Lingxin’s expression instantly sunk, “Let your madam obediently wait! Whatever that needs to be said, I naturally will go explain to the old madam tomorrow. To be this restless and impatient, how is she anything like a madam of a large household? If unable to settle down, then just let the madam go back to recuperating, no need to worry about anything at all!”
That servant girl’s face immediately turned red, and at the same time, full of disbelief, even starting to stutter, “This…….this…..eldest miss, these words of yours are really too inappropriate. As a younger generation, how can you be like this…………”
Yu Lingxin glanced at Bai Guo. Bai Guo immediately went forward two steps, going before that servant girl, “What are you called? What rank are you in the madam’s room? Who gave you the face to speak like this in front of the eldest miss? How the eldest miss is, the old madam still hasn’t said anything yet, are you trying to rely on your master’s power to threaten?”
Facing Bai Guo, that servant girl instead had more confidence, “I’m the first rank servant girl by the madam’s side, Liuxia! You’re merely the little servant girl Bai Guo that just got bought into the manor not long ago——-”
Bai Guo coldly sneered, “Liuxia, alright, I’ve noted down. Tomorrow, I will just tell the servant woman in charge to have you kicked out! To dare block the eldest miss’s path, this is not wanting this job anymore?!”
Liuxia was even more shocked, completely not expecting that this errand that she voluntarily asked for in front of the madam would actually end up like this. She was someone that the Su family madam sent over for Su-shi after the people by Su-shi side got switched out last time. Her family were high-ranking servants in the Su family, and she was also clever and eloquent, daring and meticulous. Among the servant girls, she can also be considered top-notch, also knowing that she was coming to Su-shi’s side to be a confidant and right arm. In the past two three months, she has been able to cleverly get by everywhere.
Moreover, by the time Liuxia came to the Yu manor, Su-shi had already ended her ‘recuperation’, and Yu Lingxin was also busy with the Linglong Literature Club’s matters, frequently going out all day, completely not having any conflict with Su-shi, this stepmother.
In the past few months, every time Su-shi let someone invite her over to talk, the eldest miss would always come, thorough in etiquette, smiling first before speaking. Although never directly agreeing to anything that Madam Su and Su-shi say, she would still have sense of propriety, gentle and dignified, reasonable for all things. Even if Madam Su ran into a wall every time, she was still unable to say anything about Yu Lingxin.
As such, in Liuxia’s heart, this Yu family eldest miss, although wasn’t like previously rumored that way, able to be easily grasped like a pushover, there also wasn’t anything particularly impressive about her either.
But, in this moment, as soon as Bai Guo opened her mouth, it was just wanting to kick her out. Liuxia was both angry and worried, “You………..you’re just a second rank, yet dare to say big words like this. I’m the madam’s servant girl!”
Bai Guo went forward another step, “If you blurt out another word, I will let you leave the manor tonight! Regardless of whose servant you are, if the eldest miss wants you to leave, then you will need to leave, so shut up!”
Yu Lingxin listened to Bai Guo speak. The corner of her lips couldn’t help but slightly hook. This sure enough was the Yinxing[1] she was familiar with in the past life.
In the last lifetime, Xun Che’s side had two main servant girls in charge. Aside from this Yinxing that was well-versed in medical knowledge, the other one was Jianjia who was in charge of the account books, who later, married Chai Guangyi who handled matters outside.
These two servant girls were both very eloquent. Just, Jianjia moved around more in the inner manor, so more tactful and refine, while Yinxing had her medical skills, so her temper was more stiff. Ever since Bai Guo came to the Yu manor these last few months, she can also be considered to have restrained herself very much. Her reprimanding Liuxia like this today was probably her original temper.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Seeing Liuxia still completely red, yet finally not daring to continue speaking, Bai Guo finally let out a hmph, quickly following after Yu Lingxin, the master and servant pair returning to Lianyi Residence.
Starting from the moment she went out today, she hasn’t had a moment of peace. First going to the Zhu manor, then back to the Xun manor, between the ups and downs, Yu Lingxin was completely exhausted all around. Although in the end, prior to returning home, Xun Che and her had a very sweet alone time together, the time was still very short.
As oppose to Xun Che’s that bit of open-mindedness, after slightly contemplating, she still worried about the matter of the Xun family second branch returning to the capital. Then, as she thought of Xun Cong, Ming Huayue, and even Ming Jinrou and Ming Jincheng, after bathing, she didn’t have much energy left. With a stomach full or worries, in addition to that pile of account books on her desk, after hastily eating a little, she just directly retired for the night.
This sleep of hers was extremely deep, and perhaps because too tired, she instead didn’t have any dreams. When waking up the next day, although not the sun rising over three poles[2], it was still much later than usual.
When Shuangye and Ganlu came over to serve Yu Lingxin in washing up, they slightly mentioned that the old madam sent Shuangzhi to send over a bowl of sweet porridge and two kinds of fruits to add to eldest miss’s morning meal.
Having slept amply, Yu Lingxin felt her entire body relaxing quite a bit, her spirit also rising up again, immediately understanding, “After quickly eating a little, I will just head over to Dongli Residence. Yesterday, there was a bit of direct conflict with Ruiyang Junzhu. The old madam naturally will have worries.”
“Ruiyang Junzhu?” Because nowadays, when going out, Yu Lingxin mostly just took Bai Guo alone, Shuangye and Ganlu were both unaware of this matter. Upon hearing, they were also shocked.
Yu Lingxin casually nodded, “It’s nothing. Ganlu, find me a light and convenient outfit. I probably won’t go out today.”
Shuangye and Ganlu couldn’t help but mutually look to one another again, and then respectively comply, not saying more.
Yu Lingxin quickly ate a bit of pastries, changed clothes, and then headed to Dongli Residence. Sure enough, Su-shi was already in the old madam’s room.
Seeing how her grandmother didn’t have much impatience in her expression, Yu Lingxin figured that Shuangzhi coming over to deliver refreshments earlier, hinting for her to come quickly, it was probably related to Su-shi. After greeting, she directly sat down next to the old madam, getting right to the point as she had what happened at Cheng’en Duke Manor’s flower banquet roughly explained.
Yu old madam was still a bit worried, “Ruiyang Junzhu is ultimately favored by his Majesty, even if nothing happened at that time, but later……….”
Yu Lingxin lightly smiled, “Grandmother, there will soon be big changes in the capital. This storm, who can block? If father wants to resign from his post, that will also be pretty good. That way, I can peacefully be filial to grandmother and father at home, the matters outside having nothing to do with us. Otherwise, some matters will only be sooner or later. Just look at Su aunt-in-law coming again and again, do you still not understand?”
Su-shi’s complexion couldn’t help but slightly change, “What does eldest miss mean by this?”
Yu Lingxin casually lifted the teacup, taking a sip, “Madam is an elder, so some words, I was unwilling to say previously, but at present, for younger sister, Yun’er’s sake, it’s better for me to explain clearly to you. Your sister-in-law is from Zhu family’s side branch. Your older brother, Sir Su, is also wholeheartedly working for the Zhu family. These, however, having nothing to do with our Yu family at all. If you still think of yourself as a madam of the Yu family, thinking of younger brother and younger sister’s future as children of the Yu family, then just peacefully manage the household affairs at home. Yun’er wants to go to Wenhua Academy, the name spot, I’ve also yielded. If she wants to become friends with some high class daughters, she also has the opportunity in Linglong Literature Club.”
Pausing for a moment, she had the teacup placed down, “On the other hand, if you keep feeling that your sister-in-law’s words make sense, then in my view, it’s better for you to recuperate some more and not bother with anything at all. Regardless of what, our Yu family absolutely won’t get involved with the Cheng’en Duke Manor!”
These words although were blunt, it actually wasn’t considered that harsh.
At the end of it all, Yu Lingxin knew that Su-shi, or rather, the Su family, wasn’t trying to harm the Yu family by wanting to adhere to the Cheng’en Duke Manor together. Rather, they genuinely, deep down in their bones, felt that Noble Consort Zhu had incomparable glory and favor, and Wu Wang and Wei Wang had great potential, thus wanting to walk this noble path together.
Just, Yu Lingxin putting out this kind of attitude for the first time, directly representing the Yu family, still made Su-shi, who was an elder, feel somewhat uncomfortable. She couldn’t help but gaze towards the old madam, “Mother, the eldest miss’s words………….”
The old madam’s expression was also somewhat complicated, but after a moment of silence, she still said, “Ling’er’s words are correct. At present, eldest one isn’t frequently in the manor, so you should put more thoughts on Yun’er. As for you sister-in-law, just keep up the manners.”
Thinking for a moment, she looked to Yu Lingxin again.
This granddaughter before her will be fourteen in another two months. She has always felt that she was elegant and gentle, a good-tempered young lady. Just, previously, she was a bit too soft, so the old madam somewhat worried that she won’t be able to stand on her own when she marry, even thinking that although this was a di born eldest granddaughter, it was better to find a second son from an influential family that was of a similar family status, and not the type that needed to uphold the household. That way, she can worry less and not get bullied.
However, unknowingly, that overly gentle to the point where she was unable to stand on her own Ling girl seemingly disappeared. Yu old madam even faintly felt, this granddaughter that would occasionally speak of the matter of the court and capital, the faint composure and brilliance in her brows was actually indescribably similar to the deceased old master.
When it really comes to insight and understanding, afraid she even surpassed her father, Yu Bocheng. Thinking to here, the old madam couldn’t help but sigh, “Ling girl, how great it would be if you were a boy.”
Yu Lingxin laughed, “Isn’t there still Shan’er and Hua’er at home, just properly teach them.” As she said this, she looked towards Su-shi who had a stiff expression, “I will urge madam again, only by properly raising and educating Yun’er and Hua’er will madam have a future. Everything else, listen less, think less, just follow the old madam for all things. Additionally, that servant girl, Liuxia, if she was sent over by Su aunt-in-law, then it’s best to send her back. If madam sends back on your own, then can still leave Su aunt-in-law some more face. If I were to let the servant woman in charge do it, then afraid it won’t look pretty on Su aunt-in-law’s face. Why don’t you think it over.”
Su-shi glanced at the old madam and eldest miss again, suddenly having an unprecedented feeling of unfamiliarity and powerlessness bubble up inside. After slowly exhaling a breath, she lowered her eyes, “Understood, I will let Liuxia go back right away.”
The old madam also nodded, and then went to ask Yu Lingxin about the matters after leaving the Zhu manor yesterday. After all, she’d returned much later than Yu Yunxin.
Yu Lingxin roughly explained how they need to prepare Linglong Literature Club’s flower gathering on the day of Xun old madam’s birthday banquet together. This matter, she was helping Xun Ying prepare, so it was indeed also the truth. Just, yesterday, at the Xun manor, in regards to this matter, they’d only said at most five words.
Yu old madam, however, didn’t have any suspicions. At present, looking at this granddaughter, she was increasingly at ease. Just, lately, Yu Lingxin frequently went out, so the two of them haven’t talked in a very long time.
Sitting to the side, Su-shi’s feelings were increasingly complicated. As such, she just got up and asked to take her leave first. And after the old madam and Yu Lingxin drank another cup of tea, before deciding whether or not to leave Yu Lingxin in Dongli Residence for the afternoon meal, they just heard Shuangye come over to report, “Eldest miss, the Xun family young miss sent someone to invite you over.”
[1] Yinxing was the name Bai Guo went by in the past life.
[2] This expression in general just means that the time isn’t early anymore. The poles refer to bamboo poles, basically the sun is as tall as three bamboo poles, which is around 7-11am. People in ancient times usually wake up before the sun rises or at daybreak.
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