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Outsider
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 second madam’s complexion was even more unsightly, her gaze also very obviously dodging, “Actually, actually, no need to be that troublesome. Yan’er’s condition isn’t too serious either. My older brother’s side certainly will take care of her. Che’er has heart.”
The underlying meaning was just not responding to or agreeing to Xun Che sending people to go pick up. And Xun Xiang most likely also knew the inside story, at this time actually lowering her head to drink tea, similarly averting her eyes.
On the contrary, it was actually Qi Pei that genuinely had a bit of concern, “Actually, going to pick up is also better? At present, the weather is getting increasingly cold. If Yan’er set out on the road alone, it’ll inevitably be worrisome.”
Xun second madam dryly coughed again, “Cough cough, this actually isn’t anything important. It’s better to discuss the matters in front first. The old madam’s birthday banquet is what’s important right now.”
“How is it not important?” Ming Huayue didn’t pay attention yesterday, but at this time, she also made out the problem and couldn’t help but feel suspicious, “Although the Liu province isn’t very far from the capital, Yan’er returning to the capital alone still isn’t very safe, or is it that the Jiang family’s side will dispatch people to send her? Could it be that younger sister-in-law is considering the Jiang family’s children for Yan’er?”
“No, no, nothing of the sort, what are you talking about, where do these words come from?” Xun second madam immediately just shook her head. The Jiang family although can also be considered an influential scholarly family locally in the Liu province, but for the children of the clan that have entered officialdom, the highest ranked were just local officials around the fourth rank. A fourth rank locally was considered very high, but when placed in the capital, at the foot of the emperor, it was just mediocre.
If not for the Jiang family having saved the old Wen’an Marquis’s life back then, this marriage tie wouldn’t have been possible either. Even if afterwards the old Wen’an Marquis and Xun old madam supported her maiden family in every way possible, and the Jiang family indeed have a few studious children, they still didn’t produce any extremely outstanding individuals, so how could Xun second madam be willing to have her precious daughter Xun Yan promised to the Jiang family.
Especially when these words were said in front of this many youngsters, with even a not that familiar Yu Lingxin mixed in among them, Xun second madam was just even more unhappy. As such, she just directly retorted, “Speaking of which, it’s probably still older sister-in-law’s side that’s even more unreasonable? At present, there’s such an important banquet to prepare for at home, yet not letting the people at home help out, instead letting an outsider touch those important account books?”
Once these words came out, Xun Che’s complexion immediately just turned cold. Xun Ying and Ming Jinrou who had their heads buried the whole time balancing the accounts also both lifted their heads and gazed towards Xun second madam.
Yu Lingxin actually didn’t lift her eyes. When it comes to participating in the Xun family’s internal affairs, she knew that Xun Che has always had two intentions.
The most important one was naturally letting her have more opportunities to interact with Ming Huayue, so as to let Ming Huayue make out the benefits to her character and abilities, and in turn, pave the road for their marriage.
After all, based on the Yu family’s current status, even if there isn’t any areas to criticize, their family still isn’t capable of letting the Wen’an Marquis Manor consider for the eldest di daughter-in-law position.
At the same time, there was actually another layer to it. It was just that Xun Che really was worried about the matters at home. Regardless whether it was the arrangements for the Linglong Literature Club, or the big and small matters of Xun old madam’s birthday banquet, he all didn’t hope for any slip-ups or problems to appear.
Xun Ying and Ming Jinrou not being that good at handling miscellaneous affairs naturally don’t need to be mentioned. Ming Huayue was rather capable, but no matter how capable, she was inevitably still somewhat powerless alone. In the past life, the great majority of the Xun family’s matters although all occurred upon the imperial court, the back manor wasn’t without disturbances either. It’s not like Ming Huayue didn’t suffer any losses before.
That’s why, in Xun Che’s calculations, judging the matter as it stands, he needed Yu Lingxin to help him look after some of the businesses, as well as give a hand in these miscellaneous affairs at home. These were all places that he rather lacked in in the past life.
As for whether or not she will still be questioned, despite Xun Ying and Ming Jinrou assisting and covering up for her in every possible way, just like Xun second madam’s forceful words at this time, Yu Lingxin had long thought of already.
Just, in this world, it was very difficult for everything to be perfect. Xun Che wasn’t an actual god either. When comparing the two sides, although there were pros and cons, Yu Lingxin still chose to consider for him first.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
“What does second sister-in-law mean by this?” The moment Xun Che slightly raised his long brow, Ming Huayue’s face just turned cold first. With a ‘pah’, the brush that was originally in her hand just directly got slammed onto the table, “Speak properly, what do you mean by people at home? Which day did her Highness the Empress say that she wanted to give bestowments for the old madam’s birthday banquet? Even if there wasn’t the special honor from the palace, the old madam’s birthday banquet just isn’t anything important? You, this family member, that want to help out, only returned to the capital on the night of the eighteenth. Now you want to speak of ‘the people at home’ and ‘outsiders’ in front of the children? If you know it’s important, then how come you didn’t return earlier? How come your sons and daughters didn’t return first? If you had arrived in the capital on the first of the tenth month, just see whether or not you can help out!”
Once these angry words came out, Xun Ying, Ming Jinrou, and Yu Lingxin all immediately just stood up, respectively lowering their heads.
Qi Pei and Xun Xiang were a moment slower, but also got up along with. After all, when there’s conflict between the elders, as the younger generation, it was truly awkward for them to listen.
Xun second madam’s entire face immediately just turned red. She absolutely never expected that Ming Huayue would just get angry like this. Although she also knew that this older sister-in-law had an unyielding temperament, in the past, she still very rarely berated her with a string of questions in front of a room full of youngsters like this.
Practically blanking for a moment, Xun second madam finally responded with great difficulty, “This………these words can’t be said like this either. Those days when the old madam was in the Liu province, we also needed to closely serve by her side, unable to leave. It’s also for the sake of filial piety. Never mind that elder sister-in-law didn’t follow along to serve mother, we………..”
“Filial piety?” Ming Huayue coldly sneered, ” Since you all care for filial piety like this, then how come you didn’t have the old madam’s return trip shifted ahead five days? It’s not like the birthday banquet is being held outside of the capital. Even if everything is all set at home, the old madam still just returned home on the night of the eighteenth, just resting for one day. Tomorrow will be the big banquet. This year, there will be three princes coming over, and also six other members of the imperial family. When time comes, even if the old madam just goes through the processes, she still needs to greet the princes, right? How big of a face does our family have to be able to let the old madam receive the princes’ greetings while sitting? With this kind of tiresome matter, how come you all didn’t let the old madam return early to rest a few extra days? Delaying again and again, actually delaying until the eighteenth, what were you all doing on the road!”
These words practically can be considered inadvertently hitting the bullseye. Actually, the second branch didn’t really plan on arriving in the capital on the eighteenth. If not for the unforeseen event of the capital imposing martial law, with Xun Yan being unable to leave the city, they would’ve been able to arrive on the thirteenth.
Regarding this specific date, Xun Che although didn’t know, he still just swept a glance over with a cold look. Seeing Xun second madam getting stifled again, he just knew that his mother had inadvertently asked onto the point.
“That also couldn’t be helped……….” This line practically can be considered the truth, but next, she could only vaguely respond, “Getting held up on the road wasn’t our original intention either. If elder sister-in-law blame me, I also have no other choice. That’s why, as soon as we returned, I just……….”
“Just what?” Ming Huayue still had residual anger, “Just cause trouble as soon as you come back? You all left for three months, being free and unfettered. This big of a banquet, yet you don’t know to send some people over in advance to help out? Is it that the whole family all need to serve the old madam? Can’t have a single person missing? Then, in the future, Xun Yan and Xun Xiang both don’t need to marry, and second master, along with Xun Ze and Xun Tan, also don’t need to go out on assignments anymore, all just stay at home and revolve around the old madam! Even ‘people at home’ and ‘outsiders’? Only when the heart is in one place is that a family! If your thoughts are all floating outwards, then let’s just divide the family as soon as possible!”
Once these words came out, everyone’s complexion all changed again. Actually, ever since the old marquis passed away, the Xun family’s interior had mentioned dividing the family several times already. Just, the old madam was unwilling, threatening with her life, so in the end, it was just left unsettled.
Xun second madam also didn’t expect this. She’d merely just said something wrong, yet Ming Huayue directly just mentioned this. Yet, it just so happens that the old madam wasn’t present, so her vigor was just increasingly weak, stammering and mumbling, not knowing how to respond.
“Mother, in regards to dividing the family, it’s not something that should be said at this time.” Xun Che although was still angry, he still lightly coughed to smooth the situation, “It’s still the old madam’s birthday banquet tomorrow that’s more important. The other matters can wait until father returns at the end of the year to discuss.”
These words just made Xun second madam even more nervous, “Che boy, what do you mean by this? How is it serious to the point of dividing the family? Second aunt, just now, merely just asked a few extra words. It’s also out of good intention, merely wanting to give a hand in the old madam’s birthday banquet. If not needed, then just forget it. How can it just…….just……”
“Second aunt, rather than having the mind to think about the birthday banquet……..” Xun Che’s gaze slightly flickered, full of chilliness as he turned towards Xun second madam, “It’s better for you to write another letter to the Jiang family. At the earliest, the twenty-third, and at the latest, the twenty-fourth, my people will be able to arrive in the Liu province. If when time comes, they are unable to find the eldest miss who’s recuperating in the Jiang family residence, then the Jiang family will have to give an explanation.”
Xun second madam practically felt her mouth going bitter. How come Xun Che just kept clinging onto Xun Yan’s matter, unwilling to let go? Where Xun Yan was at currently, she naturally knew. Never mind that it was still very difficult to leave the city at this time, even if able to go in and out of the capital unimpeded, immediately taking the horse carriage and rushing to the Liu province, she still won’t be able to arrive before the twenty-fourth!
“Alright, I will go write a letter first! Elder sister-in-law, just carry on!” Xun second madam panicked the more she thought about it, immediately just getting up, also avoiding Ming Huayue, directly taking the two girls and leaving.
“Exactly what’s the matter with Xun Yan?” Seeing Xun second madam practically fleeing in a panic, Ming Huayue was increasingly suspicious, thus just gazed towards Xun Che again.
Xun Che’s face also eased a little. Thinking for a moment, he still felt it was difficult to explain clearly in a few words, “There’s probably some problem. Right now, I’m also not completely sure. Once there’s a certainty, I will tell mother. What’s important at present is still the birthday banquet. The interrogations inside and outside of the capital still haven’t ended. This big banquet of ours absolutely can’t have any mishap.”
Seeing his expression serious, not appearing to be deliberately trying to mystify, Ming Huayue just placed the matter aside for now. After discussing a few matters with him, she looked to Yu Lingxin who had buried her head again, suddenly sighing. She patted Yu Lingxin’s hand, “Child, to have let you suffered grievances.”
Yu Lingxin actually genuinely felt that Xun second madam really wasn’t able to say anything impactful. But, hearing Ming Huayue console her, her heart still warmed up, saying with a smile, “Madam, it’s actually nothing.”
“En.” Ming Huayue slightly nodded again, and shortly after, gazed towards Xun Che who was just about to go out, “Once the banquet is over, I will write a letter to your father.”
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I really want to see how this Xun Yan would get out of the city or what the second family would do next.
Thanks for the chapter, Jenπ
By the way, typo alert:
“Che boy, what do you mean by this? How is it serious to the point of *diving* the family…
Should be “dividing.”
…If when time comes, they are unable to find the eldest miss *whose* recuperating in the Jiang family residence…
Should be “who is.”
Thank you, should all be fixed now! Lemme know if u see more! π