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Long Mist, Setting Sun
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!
When Xun Che’s words came out, Xun Ze’s complexion just became even more unnatural.
Although the Wen’an Marquis Manor still haven’t divided the family, the relationship between the two branches not being good, it can be said to be known throughout the capital. Xun Che although very rarely have any direct conflict with the second branch, the familial love between the siblings of the two branches was still very shallow. Xun Ze completely didn’t expect that Xun Che would really ask about Xun Yan’s situation in detail, even saying to go pick up.
In contrast, Xun Tan, who was three years younger, was instead a bit more composed. Seeing Xun Ze blanking, he immediately just followed-up with a forced smile, “Thank second brother for the concern, but eldest sister’s condition seemingly isn’t very serious. Prior to us setting out, maternal uncle’s side already said, if eldest sister’s condition improve, they will immediately arrange a horse carriage back to the capital for eldest sister. That’s why, it’s also possible for second brother’s people to have missed her.”
Ming Jincheng who’d been silently standing next to Xun Che, upon hearing this, just laughed, “What are you talking about, Shenzhi’s people had just set out yesterday, so how can they miss one another at this time? How many official roads are there in total from the Liu province to the capital? A horse carriage with the Jiang family’s character, right? Then, certainly will be able to meet up.”
Xun Ze at this time finally returned to his senses, forcibly responding, “It might not necessarily be the Jiang family’s character, perhaps maternal uncle will separately purchase a horse carriage for Yan’er, afterwards not returning to the Liu province.”
Xun Tan echoed in agreement, seemingly also wanting to glance back at the horse carriage behind him, but ultimately endured.
Xun Che saw clearly, the mocking smile on his lips also increasingly distinct. Xun Ze was the second branch’s eldest son, even a year older than him, and also a young successful candidate of the imperial exam, very much having some ink in his stomach. Just, this ability to adapt to sudden changes, from the looks of it, wasn’t nearly as good as the sixteen year old Xun Yan and Xun Tan.
Xun Tan although was also inferior to Xun Yan in terms of schemes, but for better or worse, was still a bit more steady.
“A young lady’s reputation is very important.” Xun Che slowly swept a glance at the two of them again before calmly speaking, “Her every word and conduct all affect the family’s social status and reputation, as well as the other siblings. At the time, if Xun Yan’s body was unwell, why didn’t one of you stay behind to escort her back? Could it be that you’re counting on the Jiang family to send back to the capital? Or is it that you feel, she, a sixteen year old young lady, traveling alone is also no harm?”
Xun Ze choked, “This, it’s not that serious……..”
“These words, I’m putting upfront.” Xun Che slightly raised his brows, his gaze sweeping over the second branch’s carriages nearby. His words were for Xun Ze and Xun Tan to hear, but it was also warning everyone, “It’s fine if Xun Yan returns home safely and cleanly, but once there’s some mishap, affecting the other sisters’ reputation and future prospects, then that’s something that can’t be made up for even if using her life.”
Never mind Xun Ze and Xun Tan turning pale at the same time, even Ming Jincheng who was standing behind Xun Che, and also Xun Cong who was a few steps away, both shook inside.
Previously, between the Xun family’s two branches, although there were some disagreements all year round, but it was also nothing more than just noisy bickers, at most involving a few hundred, or even a few thousand, taels of silver. And in the end, things will eventually settle down.
But, the chilliness reflecting in Xun Che’s tone at this time was nevertheless genuine killing intent. Xun Ze was unable to even force a smile.
As for Xun Cong, his back just tightened, seemingly somewhat sweating, unknown as to whether it was because he’d truly gotten beaten too ruthlessly by his older brother last time, or because the current Xun Che really was different from before. In the past, he although knew that his second uncle’s family relatively liked gaining small advantages, and also not that reliable in handling matters, but he never thought that his older brother would use this kind of tone to speak with the second branch.
Regardless of what others thought, Xun Cong at this time was just like last time when getting beat, believing that his older brother will really break his legs, he believed from the bottom of his heart that if his older tang sister, Xun Yan, from the second branch really caused some sort of trouble, then……….
“It’s getting late, there’s still questioning when entering the city.” Seeing Xun Ze blanking again, Ming Jincheng didn’t say anything to mediate the situation either, just shaking his head, and at the same time, opened his mouth to change the subject.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Xun Ze and Xun Tan hurriedly agreed, quickly returning to the horse carriages’ side to report a few words. The fleet of horse carriages immediately began advancing, and in less than a cup of tea’s time, just arrived at the capital’s southern gate. The capital guards’ strict questioning was still being carried out. Everyone entering and leaving all needed to register their identity and household, and all the horse carriages also needed to be investigated and searched.
For this reason, Xun old madam was very unhappy, sending someone to call over Xun Che.
Xun Che directly led the general on duty before Xun old madam’s carriage. That general was very young, yet his attitude was very firm, “Old madam, please forgive. This is strict questioning under an imperial edict, even the imperial relatives all aren’t exempted. If you don’t leave the carriage, then this humble general can only set aside one’s manners and offend. Of course, it’s also fine if you don’t want to enter the city.”
Xun Che didn’t say a single word, but Xun second master and Xun second madam, upon seeing the city guards’ armor and weapon, and that imposing attitude, could tell that the questioning this time cannot be compared to normal, not something that can be brushed over by using a few friendly words and selling a favor. As such, they hurriedly went forward to plead with and urge Xun old madam.
In the end, Xun old madam still descended the carriage. At this time, Xun Che finally leisurely added, “Grandmother, don’t worry, if Xun Yan really can return to the capital in the next few days, when time comes, we will just come out again to receive her, absolutely won’t let her get interrogated here alone.”
Hearing the firmness and distance in Xun Che’s voice, towards this grandson, Xun old madam increasingly disliked. However, at this time, it also wasn’t good to say anything. She could only shoot him a glare, and then storm off while getting supported by Xun second madam.
After an hour of careful questioning, the Xun family second branch’s carriages finally entered the city. At this time, the sky had already somewhat darkened. Seeing that there weren’t any other carriages or pedestrians on the road, the city guards just directly closed the city gate.
When that stuffy sound of the heavy city gate closing sounded, the Xun family’s carriages were merely a few feet from the city gate. Everyone all heard. Chilliness emerged on Xun Che’s lips once again. And the people of the Xun family second branch more or less all turned their head towards the city gate, a strange and unclear feeling gradually creeping up their heart.
It can’t be that the eldest miss………really won’t be able to return?”
By the time they returned to the Wen’an Marquis Manor, the evening lanterns have already been lit. Ming Huayue had long arranged the servants, food and drinks, hot water, and so on. More than ten horse carriages along with the people and luggage all entered the manor one by one. It was another round of greeting and settling down, tossing and turning for an entire two hours before everything was finally settled.
And Ming Huayue finally learned at this time that Xun Yan didn’t return together with the old madam and second branch. She naturally was very surprised, directly asking Xun second madam Jiang-shi, “Why was Yan’er unwell? Wasn’t her body quite good normally? How come suddenly this serious?”
Xun second madam had already heard Xun Ze and Xun Tan pass on Xun Che’s words on the way back. Her face at this time was very pale and awkward, “It’s just, just her stomach not feeling well. Speaking of which, it’s also not that big of a deal, but the roads are bumpy after all, so just figured that it was best to recuperate a little. It’s nothing really. We were also afraid that we won’t be able to make it in time for the old madam’s birthday banquet, so just set out first.”
Ming Huayue really didn’t think too much of it. Xun Yan’s conduct was normally very smooth and slick. Although she knew that this second branch eldest miss had a stomach full of calculations, but overall, she was still considered steady, able to look after situations, unlike the second branch’s third miss, Xun Xiang, who was short-sighted and troublesome. As such, she didn’t have that much dislike towards Xun Yan.
Asking a word at this time was also nothing more than out of obligation as a paternal aunt-in-law. Although she saw that Xun second madam’s complexion was unnatural, she also didn’t mind too much, just thinking that it was because of feeling fatigued from the trip, in addition to feeling concerned for her daughter. After casually consoling a few words, it was also just the end of it.
However, at this time, Chang’de Countess, also Yu Lingxin’s maternal aunt-in-law, that Xun family eldest lady that had married into the Qi family, Xun Chun, came over, even bringing along her daughter, Qi Pei. On one hand, it was coming over to see her mother, Xun old madam, who’d just returned to the capital, and on the other hand, it was also coming over to lend a hand for the birthday banquet two days later.
Hearing that Xun Yan didn’t return, Chang’de Countess, this paternal aunt, was even more concerned than Ming Huayue, carefully asking in detail non-stop. Xun second madam’s face was already green. In front of Ming Huayue, she didn’t want to say too much, but she also couldn’t ignore, so could only forcibly answer one by one.
Yet, Chang’de Countess genuinely cared for Xun Yan very much, becoming worried as she listened, “How is that good? What about now? Is there any news from the in-laws’ side?”
Xun second madam was practically at a loss, hating that she can’t stomp on this sister-in-law, pressing down this conversation first. She practically had the matter brushed over through clenched teeth, quickly having the conversation led onto the birthday banquet.
Chang’de Countess wasn’t really stubbornly stupid either. Seeing Xun second madam’s look, she finally sensed that there might be some problem, so just followed along the subject, turning to ask Ming Huayue, on Xun old madam’s birthday banquet, is there anything she needed help with.
Ming Huayue practically wanted to sneer upon hearing. Regarding this birthday banquet, ever since the empress issued a decree and bestowed bestowments, at least a month has passed. How come Chang’de Countess didn’t come over to help previously?
Waiting until practically the last day and a half, when everything was already prepared, she suddenly had the guts to open her mouth?
If it was in other families, the older sister-in-law would just causally and politely brush over this matter, but Ming Huayue was someone that won’t tolerate a single grain of sand in her eyes, so immediately just laughed on the spot, “Since eldest lady know that the banquet is on the day after tomorrow, then just coming over today to help, the time sure is very abundant. However, it’s best to not trouble you for now. On my side, I have the children helping out, so it’s more or less enough.”
Chang’de Countess couldn’t help but mutually share a glance with Xun second madam. Although they didn’t say anything, they didn’t appear to believe her words. Ming Huayue, as the Jin Duke Manor’s eldest di daughter, while also having been the Wen’an Marchioness for twenty years, naturally was very capable.
Just, the so called ‘children helping out’, it was just Ming Jinrou and Xun Ying who were by her side at this time?
Because the Xun family second branch had returned to the manor too late, Yu Lingxin had already took her leave and returned home before the second branch entered, agreeing to come the next day to help do the last run-through and inventory check. That’s why, they all didn’t see Yu Lingxin, so completely didn’t know that there was someone else helping out.
But, Ming Jinrou and Xun Ying not being that good with household affairs, the elders were still all well aware.
“How about I leave Pei’er behind to help out.” Chang’de Countess said with a smile, casually pointing to her daughter Qi Pei who was sitting next to her, “It’s not me boasting, but our family’s Pei’er although has only studied housekeeping and managing the accounts for just half a year, her abilities are nothing to laugh at. Older sister-in-law will just know when you see tomorrow.”
“Eldest one’s wife, it just so happens that Yan’er still hasn’t returned, so let Pei’er stay behind to help you out. She can also keep her younger sisters company.” Xun old madam also opened her mouth, “How sensible and clever Pei’er is, would you, as her maternal aunt-in-law, not know?”
Ming Huayue looked towards her mother-in-law, indifferently nodding, “If Pei’er wants to stay behind to keep Xiang’er company, it’s also fine.”
She didn’t want to answer to any praises for Qi Pei. Could it be that the old madam still hasn’t given up on matchmaking Xun Che and Qi Pei!
T/N: The Xun family brother’s ranking by age: Xun Ze (19) > Xun Che (18) > Xun Tan (16) > Xun Cong (15)
The sisters: Xun Yan (16) > Xun Ying (13) > Xun Xiang (13)
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We finally have the whole Xun family tree sorted out!