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Xun Family Matters
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!
“Xun family young miss?” Yu Lingxin furrowed her brows, “Did Xun second miss send an invitation, or has the Xun family miss already arrive?”
How could it be Xun Ying?
If it was Xun Che looking for her for something, then it should still be Ming Jinrou coming over. Moreover, reasonably speaking, he shouldn’t look for her again at this time. The twentieth of the tenth month was Xun old madam’s birthday. According to the letters previously, on the fifteenth of tenth month in a few days, the Xun family second branch will most likely arrive in the capital. Whether it’s the Xun family from top to bottom, or Xun Che himself, they all had many matters they needed to prepare.
Especially because of Ruiyang Junzhu blocking them in the streets yesterday, they also discovered that Xun Yan might have already returned to the capital in advance. Was Xun Che not busy at this time? What was he looking for her for?
Shuangye replied, “It’s Miss Huizhu that serve by Xun second miss’s side that came to invite you. There isn’t an invitation.”
Yu Lingxin was even more surprised, while Yu old madam already opened her mouth, “Since the Xun family miss is looking for you, then just go. Just be careful when out.”
Yu Lingxin got up and curtsied, and then followed Shuangye out the door, very quickly arriving at Lianyi Residence and seeing Huizhu. After asking a few words, she finally learned that it was sure enough Xun Ying inviting her over.
Because Xun Cong had a high fever last night, Ming Huayue right now was very worried.
And on the second branch’s side, they also just happened to send someone to deliver a letter, stating some detailed rules and preparations in regards to returning to the capital and so on. Meanwhile, on the imperial palace and Ministry of Rites’ side, some of the bestowments and honors for Xun old madam’s birthday banquet have also come down. With these matters overlapping together, Xun Ying was just somewhat flustered, wanting to invite Yu Lingxin over to help out.
Yu Lingxin was quite helpless as she listened, asking Huizhu, whether or not they’d gone to invite Ming Jinrou. Huizhu also had a dejected look, “Truth be told, this servant had just came from the Jin Duke Manor. Our miss originally intended to go invite Miss Ming first, and then let Miss Ming come over to pick you up. However, after going to Jin Duke Manor, this servant just heard that the Wen family young lady caught a cold last night, and this morning, also started having a fever. That’s why, Miss Ming is unable to walk away. At least, she’s unable to leave today.”
Yu Lingxin waved her hand, “Forget it, let me go change clothes and then go over with you.”
Huizhu hurriedly thanked her a thousand times as she retreated out the door to wait outside. When Ganlu and Bai Guo came over to serve Yu Lingxin in changing, they couldn’t help but say, “Miss previously even said that you probably won’t go out today. This is going to be out all day again?”
Yu Lingxin smiled, “It’d be great if it’s just one day. From the sound of it, probably still need to go over a few more days. You just properly look after the home with Shuangye. I will just take Bai Guo along.”
Arriving at the Xun manor, Yu Lingxin discovered that it was sure enough just as she’d expected. Xun Ying was already eagerly waiting at the second gate for her, and as soon as she saw her, her tears practically came out, “Sister Huijun, you’ve come!”
Yu Lingxin was startled, “What’s wrong? Did the imperial physician say something?”
“No.” Xun Ying’s eyes were a bit red, coiling around Yu Lingxin’s arm as they walked inward, “It’s just that my mother is particularly worried, but I’m unable to help her much, and my older brother isn’t home, so I’m a bit distressed inside.”
Yu Lingxin patted her hand, roughly understanding Xun Ying’s meaning. Actually, for families like the Wen’an Marquis Manor, there were usual practices and seasoned old servants for all things. At present, although there was Xun old madam’s birthday banquet and the second branch’s return to the capital overlapping together, it still wasn’t likely for there to not be any order.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
However, Ming Huayue’s personality was similar to Ming Jinrou’s, but also much more unyielding and resolute than Ming Jinrou. Yu Lingxin, in the past life, spent a total of eight years together with her mother-in-law, deeply aware of Ming Huayue’s temperament. She treated other warmheartedly and sincerely, very candid and magnanimous, but at the same time, she also had some shortcomings. For instance, when concerned or anxious, it was inevitable for her to be a bit irritable, and her words naturally won’t be too roundabout and reserved either, especially towards her own children, occasionally also saying a few heavy words.
Yu Lingxin gently consoled Xun Ying a few words, and then directly followed her to Xun Cong’s courtyard. Ming Huayue was currently still keeping watch over there, her eyes similarly red, feeling both angry and upset. Hearing that Xun Ying had invited Yu Lingxin over, she finally went to the warm room to talk, not restraining her expression all that much.
In fact, the moment she saw Yu Lingxin, she just thought of Xun Che who had went out early in the morning, thus not having the opportunity to scold again. As such, Ming Huayue’s complexion was just even more unsightly, “Miss Yu has come, have a seat.”
Xun Ying was increasingly nervous, her gaze towards Yu Lingxin carrying a bit of an apology.
Yu Lingxin, however, completely didn’t mind. This kind of Ming Huayue, she was all too familiar with. In the past life, Xun Che struggled on the sickbed for three years before passing away. As Xun Che’s wife, she’d seen Ming Huayue, this caring mother’s heartbroken appearance way too much.
Therefore, at this time, when once again seeing Ming Huayue troubled over Xun Cong’s condition, although she didn’t heartache as much as she’d with Xun Che, she still couldn’t bear, slightly bowing once more on the spot before sitting down, “Madam, how’s the fourth young master? What did the imperial physician say? Is it serious?”
Ming Huayue turned her head, restraining her anger, “He has taken the medicine, just those injuries on his back are too heavy, so when lying on his back, it will inevitably get pressed against, but if lying on his stomach, he will feel suffocated. Right now, whether it’s lying on his back or his stomach, it’s all very uncomfortable. Moreover, he’d also gotten frightened. The imperial physician said, he’s beset with complications internally and externally. Che’re really———”
These complaints towards Xun Che, Yu Lingxin naturally didn’t dare to follow-up. She could only fall silent for a moment before asking a few words about Xun Cong’s prescription, diet, and so on.
Ming Huayue explained one by one, also slightly calming down a little. Afterwards, glancing at Xun Ying to the side, she helplessly sighed, “It’s I that had this girl coddled too much normally, thus she would just become nervous whenever encountering something. But, since she has invited you over, why don’t you help her out.”
Yu Lingxin got up and slightly bowed, “Yes, please rest assured madam.” After saying this, she directly left the warm room with Xun Ying, heading over to Yuli Hall.
“Sister Huijun, can you help me look over the matters at home again?” Xun Ying softly said on the way over, “Previously, my mother and older brother although had told me to learn, and you’d also came over to help me those days, but it was ultimately just following past cases. But, this year’s is particularly complicated, because during my grandmother’s birthday banquet, the princes from the palace seemingly will all come over. This although is an enormous honor, but our manor is also……….”
Yu Lingxin nodded, “No worries, let’s go over for a look.” She actually had already heard Xun Ying explain before. Xun old madam’s birthday banquet this time indeed will somewhat exceed the standard norm. Mainly, it’s because Xun Che had pretended to have a falling out with Qin Wang previously. On Empress Wen’s side, she naturally still hoped for Qin Wang to be able to reconcile with the Xun family again. That’s why, she would bestow such honor for Xun old madam’s birthday.
Generally speaking, this kind of family banquet of a subject’s family, for the members of the imperial family to show up, it was already considered very glorious. However, the empress’s intention is to let Qin Wang personally go over to congratulate, just saying to go as Xun Che’s good friend. In other words, it was just humbling himself to go rope in and express goodwill. Xun Che naturally will just push the boat along the current. Originally, when pretending to have a falling out with Qin Wang, he’d already predicted that the empress will certainly force Qin Wang to rope in the Xun family again. The two of them weren’t really at odds with one another to begin with, so it was just borrowing the empress’s move to meet and discuss things.
Just, this big act of having a fall out was believed by everyone, so Noble Consort Zhu, the second prince, Wu Wang, and the third prince, Wei Wang, naturally won’t stay still either. Regardless of whether it’s really wanting to use this opportunity to rope in the Xun family, or just wanting to put on the appearance of being virtuous and benevolent in front of his Majesty Xuan Emperor, after hearing that Qin Wang will go to the Xun manor to congratulate, Wu Wang and Wei Wang both expressed that they will also go.
That’s why, this birthday banquet of Xun old madam’s will have three princes showing up to congratulate her. This kind of grandeur only the elders of the imperial clan were able to have. In terms of glory as a subject, it truly was extremely honorable. Just, the preparation work and miscellaneous affairs will naturally be incomparably complicated too.
From the day they learned that the three princes will all attend the banquet, Wen’an Marquis Manor, from top to bottom, already started becoming busy like flowing water. And at present, as the date approached day by day, all the purchased things needed to enter the storehouse one by one in advance, and the personnels, banquet seats, horse carriages, and such things that needed to be taken care of were just even more trifling and diverse.
Yet, at this time, Xun Cong fell ill, even from having gotten beaten by Xun Che, while Xun Ying was also not good at managing these things, so Ming Huayue naturally will feel vexed.
Arriving in Yuli Hall, the servant women in charge in the Wen’an Marquis Manor were already waiting there. Seeing Xun Ying and Yu Lingxin come over, aside from greeting, they all mutually looked to one another, all somewhat having a bit of disappointment.
Yu Lingxin was able clearly make out their expressions. These people, she practically all recognized, all capable servants of the Xun family, loyal and competent. The ones here at this time were probably all waiting to report to Ming Huayue. That’s why, hearing their footsteps, yet not seeing Ming Huayue, they would thus have this kind of expression.
Seeing Yu Lingxin paying attention to those servant women, after entering the warm room and sitting down, Xun Ying just started explaining to her one by one what these people were in charge of, and at the same time, somewhat embarrassed, “Actually, for the teacups, dishes, and tableware, mother originally let me help look over, but I don’t understand this booklet too well…………”
Yu Lingxin casually stroked Xun Ying’s back. Looking over account books and managing the household, this kind of thing, indeed wasn’t something that everyone can do well. Xun Ying was still young after all, and Xun old madam’s birthday banquet at present also had the princes and imperial clansmen attending, so indeed particularly complicated. As such, it was normal for Xun Ying to feel uncertain inside.
Even for her, in the past life, only after managing the household for many years did she truly become skilled at dealing with these banquet arrangements.
“No worries, since you asked me to come help, I certainly won’t hold back.” Yu Lingxin smiled, “First, have the matters currently in your hands sorted out. The other booklets and account books that the madam let you look over have it all brought over too.”
Towards Yu Lingxin’s management abilities, Xun Ying naturally was full of confidence. While repeatedly thanking her, she quickly let Huizhu go get the account books and other items, directly carrying four to five books over.
Yu Lingxin roughly flipped through them and just had an understanding inside. At this time, she also no longer restrained herself. After asking Huizhu for the brush and ink, she just began flipping through as she explained to Xun Ying one by one.
At first, she was still a bit courteous, and at the same time, also a bit more attentive, explaining the usual practice, and what differences there were during different situations. After explaining two portions, Yu Lingxin discovered that Xun Ying was already somewhat unable to remember, so just directly explained, according to the situation before them, as well as according to the Xun family’s current circumstance, how to organize the matters, how to prepare, and so on.
Very soon, she was almost done organizing the matters in Xun Ying’s hands. As Yu Lingxin wrote along and spoke along, she inadvertently lifted her head, just happening to see, unknown as to when, Ming Huayue had already arrived with Bishu, unexpectedly standing by the doorway outside the warm room.
“Mother.” Xun Ying was also completely focused just now, so didn’t notice. Thus, at this time, she got up and called out.
Yu Lingxin was still holding the brush in hand, still having a few words she haven’t finished writing, very much feeling awkward, also hurriedly getting up and calling out, “Madam.”
However, Ming Huayue’s expression was even more complicated than hers, nodding her head as she entered. And another moment later, Xun Che unexpectedly followed in too.
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