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Making Wonton at Night
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!
“What grievances did your daughter suffer? I will help you take care of it!”
Hong Yue Niang nearly hung herself to death under the memorial arch in front of the imperial palace. Fortunately, Shen Lan Chi made it in time.
“You’re…….you’re from the Shen family?” Hong Yue Niang narrowed her eyes and looked at that slender girl in front, murmuring, “If you’re really from the Shen family, then you further won’t help my pitiful Chun Xi receive justice………”
After saying this, Hong Yue Niang continued to hang herself.
Just, as soon as her hand touched the white silk, Lu Qi Yang reached out and yanked her, having her pulled down from the white silk.
This Hong Yue Niang was thin and petite, so Lu Qi Yang grabbed her effortlessly.
“If you really hang yourself to death here, then it’ll really be an enormous loss. The two of us just need to have that blood letter on your chest burned, and by tomorrow morning, no one will know why you died, just assuming that you were depressed, thus hung yourself to death here.” Lu Qi Yang kicked aside the wicker basket on the ground, saying with a frown, “Life is short to begin with, so if possible, cherish it.”
Unknown as to why, there was a sense of regret in his voice.
Hong Yue Niang listened to Lu Qi Yang’s words, tightly clutching the square cloth sewn before her chest, saying with a hoarse voice, “Dying won’t do, living won’t do, exactly what does the heavens want me to do?”
Shen Lan Chi calmed her heavy breathing, slowly saying, “I although am from the An Duke Manor, I still know that to harm another’s life, one deserves to be punished by death. Even if it’s for the sake of the An Duke Manor, I should still have this kind of evil relative ruthlessly rooted out. Furthermore, I’m not someone that’s devoid of conscience, so how can I sit and watch my older tang brother harm another person’s life?!”
Shen Lan Chi said it so resolutely, Hong Yue Niang unconsciously believed it a little.
Hong Yue Niang wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes. But, as soon as she was about to open her mouth, she just heard a growl come from her stomach and immediately was somewhat embarrassed. Turns out, Hong Yue Niang had ran around all day, blocking the horse carriage and also looking for the scholar. She already hasn’t eaten for an entire day.
Lu Qi Yang slightly nodded his head and said, “Auntie, I’ll take you to go eat something to fill your stomach. Once you have the strength, you can then tell us about Chun Xi’s matter in detail.”
• • •
Three streets from the Vermillion Bird Gate was a wonton stall. On this street, all the shops were closed; only this wonton stall still had its lantern lit, lonely and shining bright. The owner wasn’t present. Placed on the table was a stack of rolled wonton skin, the water in the pot boiling, making a gudu gudu sound.
The three of them sat before the table for a while, but still didn’t see the owner return. Lu Qi Yang shook his head and said, “Most likely went to look for Zhang Hai Sheng to play mahjong.” After saying this, he got up and walked before the wood cooking table where the wontons were made.
He half-rolled up his sleeves, picking up the prepared wonton skin with one hand, while using the other hand to pick up a small lump of ground meat and ginger filling with the chopstick and placing it inside. His fingers skillfully pinched and just had the wonton wrapped into the shape of a small official hat.
“You, you, you, you sit down!” Shen Lan Chi was greatly shocked, “What will we do when the owner returns later? To casually touch someone else’s things………”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
“No worries, I’m familiar with him.” Lu Qi Yang had the wontons thrown into the pot, appearing to be taking it very seriously. In merely a short while, the little wontons emerged from the bottom of the pot and very quickly got scooped into a large plain bowl by Lu Qi Yang.
“Auntie, eat.” Lu Qi Yang had the hot bowl of wonton pushed before Hong Yue Niang, while also shoving a pair of chopsticks into her hand. He was smiling, slightly revealing a small section of his straight teeth, even appearing a bit silly, “Thin skin and abundant meat filling, cheating neither old nor young.”
Hong Yue Niang picked up the chopsticks and fell into a daze for a while, before finally picking up the wonton. When picking up the wonton, she first picked off the scallions on top. Once she finished, she murmured, “I’m so stupid, Chun Xi is no longer here. No one will complain to me that the scallions on the wonton aren’t good anymore.”
She shoved an entire wonton into her mouth. Perhaps having gotten scalded, a string of tears rolled down again. Shen Lan Chi felt bad watching, handing her a handkerchief and saying, “Auntie, eat first. Filling your stomach is the most important thing right now.”
As she spoke, a few guards from the Patrol Bureau passed by this place. They were all very drunk, the lantern in their hand swaying the whole way. Seeing the three of them in front of the wonton stall, they loudly laughed and said, “Slacking off here again? Even bringing your old mother out to eat wonton! Careful I tell your boss, hahahaha………”
Shen Lan Chi was wearing the patrol guard’s armor, not daring to move an inch, doing her best to enlarge her shoulders, just fearing that these people will tell that she’s a girl. Right when she was feeling endlessly nervous, an arm climbed onto her shoulder. Turns out, it was Lu Qi Yang holding her with one arm, putting on a look like they were good brothers.
While Shen Lan Chi couldn’t move, Lu Qi Yang used his finger to caress her cheek.
“Your hand really is restless.” She shot Lu Qi Yang a glance and softly whispered, “If you touch me now, then in the future, I’ll want to touch you back.”
“Shh…….” Lu Qi Yang put his finger to his lips and made a face, a look of ‘what can you do about me’.
Finally, those patrol guards joyfully left laughing heartily. Hong Yue Niang also finished eating that bowl of wonton, using Shen Lan Chi’s handkerchief to wipe her tears. Afterwards, she started talking about the matter between her daughter Chun Xi and the Shen family second branch.
After thoroughly chatting with Hong Yue Niang, Shen Lan Chi promised that she will definitely help Hong Yue Niang seek justice, letting Hong Yue Niang come to the An Duke Manor again the next day.
Human life is extremely valuable. Shen Ting Zhu has committed many evil deeds, so there must be retribution.
After having Hong Yue Niang sent home, Shen Lan Chi also returned to the An Duke Manor. Prior to returning, she didn’t forget to thank Lu Qi Yang for his help.
“This set of clothes, I’ll let someone return to you tomorrow.” Shen Lan Chi tugged the patrol guard armor on her, the armor plates on the arm clanging, “I didn’t expect that you’d be this thorough, even specially borrowing this set of clothes.”
If not for this set of clothes, then it will be very troublesome if they were to get caught by the patrol guards.
“What ‘borrow’? I directly took it.” Lu Qi Yang said, “Don’t say tomorrow, just strip now and give it to me. The sooner I secretly return it, the better, so as to avoid getting discovered by Zhang Hai Sheng. Quickly strip!”
The words ‘quickly strip’ were said with great force.
“Isn’t it just taking off the armor? Why are you saying it like taking something else off……” She grumbled, but still had the armor on her taken off. Afterwards, she carefully said to Lu Qi Yang, “Remember to wipe the mud from the bottom of your shoes. The east district doesn’t have the green mud from the Vermillion Bird Gate. Where you went tonight, your mother can tell by just looking at the bottom of your shoes.”
Lu Qi Yang blanked for a moment, feeling somewhat amused inside as he said, “You’re sure more meticulous than me. How many naughty things did you do behind your parents’ back all these years?”
“What naughty things I’ve done before, shouldn’t you be clear?” After Shen Lan Chi said this, she just fell silent. The usually easy-going her was actually a bit bashful for once. A while later, she squeezed out from her lips, “Thank…..thanks, you originally didn’t need to help me……..”
She has always been aloof and proud, also liking to messing with people. When has she ever revealed this kind of expression before? This awkward appearance actually made her have a bit of the bashfulness of a young girl, appearing even more charming.
Lu Qi Yang blanked for a moment, immediately turning around and saying, “Ah, right, when you go back, remember to look in the mirror.”
After saying this, Lu Qi Yang just went back. He left in a hurry. The light coming from the eaves of the Zhennan Wang Manor illuminated the faint smear of red on his ears.
Shen Lan Chi was completely confused. Once she returned home, she looked at herself in the mirror and discovered the reason——-
On her cheeks was a smear of white flour.
“Lu…..Lu Qi Yang…..you……”
• • •
The next morning, the dawn light gradually brightened.
Shen first madam got up and rubbed her sleepy eyes, instructing Hong Que to serve the morning meal.
A wave of clamor came from the second branch’s side. Shen first madam was slightly puzzled, asking, “This early in the morning, how come the second branch’s side is this lively?”
Hong Que had long inquired, setting the table as she said, “Replying to madam, heard that those relatives from the second madam’s maiden family came to visit. The second madam came to deliver a message, saying that after the afternoon meal, she will bring them over to pay respect to madam and master.”
Shen first madam was shocked, nearly dropping the chopsticks in her hand. Shen Xin Gu who was next to her also didn’t have a good look.
—–Pay respect? Pay what respect? It’s not like they were from the Shen family, so why come over to pay respect to her?
Since the first branch was unwilling to help, Xiao-shi directly had those poor relatives called over, so as to act first and inform later. Presumably, she has made up her mind, thinking that since the guests have already come, their first branch certainly won’t be able to disregard their face and chase them out.
Instantly, Shen first madam lost her appetite. She placed aside the chopsticks in her hand, and coldly scoffed, “Xiao Yu Zhu thinks that I won’t be able to disregard my face? Today, I’m not going to receive those poor relatives of hers! Just say that my body isn’t too well today, so won’t see anyone.”
After saying this, she even specially casted Shen first master a glance. Just, Shen first master remained silent, continuing to eat on his own, seemingly not opposing her decision.
Shen first madam thought for a moment, inwardly thinking to herself, ‘Of course, her husband although loves his younger brother, that’s still being partial towards someone of the Shen family. Xiao Yu Zhu’s relatives naturally won’t be able to receive a good face from her husband.’
Hong Que responded to her order and went to handle.
As soon as Hong Que went out, Shen Lan Chi just led in Hong Yue Niang.
Hong Yue Niang was just a peasant woman. She has never seen anything as grand as the An Duke Manor before, her eyes getting dazzled by those agate, gold, and jade. A good while later, she finally returned to her senses, greeting the angry-looking noble madam before her.
“Lan’er, who’s this woman?” Shen first madam asked in confusion.
“Father, mother, older tang brother Ting Zhu views human life like weed, having beaten to death several servant girls under him. The bodies are all buried in the second branch’s garden. This matter, are you going to handle?” Shen Lan Chi directly got to the point.
Upon hearing, Shen first madam slightly inhaled a breath.
“What…..what did you say?” Shen first madam was in disbelief, “Say it again?”
“Shen Ting Zhu has harmed another’s life, and not just one.” Shen Lan Chi said in seriousness, “Mother, don’t assume I’m saying nonsense. The witness is right here.”
Upon hearing, Shen first madam’s head started buzzing and could only look to Shen first master for help.
If this matter is true, then that really is an enormous matter. No matter how capable their An Duke Manor is, they still can’t shoulder the crime of ‘disregarding human life’.
Shen first master slowly placed down the chopsticks, saying in a heavy voice, “What happened? Explain it in detail.”
Hong Yue Niang had finally obtained this opportunity with great difficulty, sorrowfully recounting her daughter’s death.
After listening to Hong Yue Niang carefully explain the cause and affect, Shen first madam had a complicated look. The servants of the second branch have always gotten replaced frequently, recruiting new people into the manor every half month. As such, Shen first madam has never noticed which servants were missing from the second branch. Hearing about it now, she felt greatly alarmed.
Seeing Hong Yue Niang’s tears fall non-stop, her voice nearly hoarse from crying, Shen first madam had an ashamed look on her face, feeling extremely bad inside.
“Aunt Hong, why don’t you sit down and have a cup of tea. I’m also an ordinary woman that had personally raised my daughter this big, so naturally can understand your pain inside.” Shen first madam held Hong Yue Niang’s rough hands, consoling, “Yesterday, I didn’t stop the carriage, because I thought you were someone that wanted to extort money. Today, I’ve truly come to regret not carefully listening to you explain. If you want justice, our master will certainly give it to you.”
Shen first master had his two hands placed on his knees, tightly clenching into a fist, a solemn look fixed on his face.
Shen Lan Chi secretly glanced at her father, feeling somewhat uneasy inside, fearing that her father will be like the past again, letting the second branch get away.
A while later, Shen first master solemnly said, “This matter cannot be overlooked. I originally thought that Ting Zhu was just unruly and undisciplined, but who knew that his nature was actually this malicious. If to continue letting Ting Zhu be like this, then that would be my fault as the head of the Shen family.” He paused for a moment, sighing and saying, “We absolutely mustn’t ‘strike the grass to startle the snake’. Tonight, I’ll send someone to find where that Chun Xi is buried.”
• • •
After noon, Xiao-shi led seven to eight relatives over to the first branch’s side with a haughty look. The great majority of the people following behind her were strong young men, dressed all over in brand new clothes, very festive looking. At a glance, one might even think that they came to the An Duke Manor to celebrate the new year.
They were originally the Huaixi Xiao clan’s side branch. Hearing that this branch of the Xiao family was well-off in the capital, they thus wanted to come and reap some in benefits. But, the people of the Xiao family in the capital all had their eyes higher than their heads, looking down on the poor relatives from their old home, not even letting them enter the front door, just saying that the two families have already split twenty to thirty years ago, so why bother coming to claim connections, every word all full of mockery.
Having no other choice, they could only come and try their luck with Xiao Yu Zhu who’d married into the An Duke Manor. Unexpectedly, this Xiao Yu Zhu was very generous, immediately agreeing, giving money, and providing food and lodging, even promising to give them an official post to sit in.
As long as they compliment that Xiao Yu Zhu a few words, having her praised into the skies, then this Xiao Yu Zhu will just glow with delight and agree to anything.
The people of the Xiao family followed Xiao Yu Zhu through the middle gate, reaching the first branch’s Baorong Courtyard. Seeing inside Baorong Courtyard the verdant banana trees and jade rockery, and also seeing a middle-aged woman wearing a navy blue outer garment[1] standing at the gate, with a hairpin carved in the style of a calyx holding a pearl in her hair, the people of the Xiao family thought that this was the first branch’s matriarch, Ji-shi Wen Xiu, thus went forward to greet.
Xiao Yu Zhu’s face turned pale, hurriedly saying, “Get up, get up! You’re bowing to the wrong person!”
That woman’s face wrinkled from smiling, saying, “Everyone, no need to be this courteous. This old servant is the one in charge of the various affairs by the madam’s side, Li mama. Hearing that second madam will bring people to the first branch, our madam let this old servant come receive everyone and offer a cup of tea.”
Upon hearing, the people of the Xiao family had a strange look.
Xiao Yu Zhu had specially led them over to talk about the matter of getting an official post for them, as well as the food and lodging, but Shen first madam refused to even see them, only sending a mama out to receive the guest. To be this half-hearted, how can the matter be accomplished?
Xiao Yu Zhu was also a bit anxious. She valued her face, having already made a promise to these poor relatives behind her. If their matter can’t be accomplished at this time, then won’t she lose face in front of these poor relatives?
“Li mama, what is sister-in-law busy with? The guests have already arrived, can’t sister-in-law make time to come see them?” Xiao Yu Zhu anxiously said.
“Second madam, our madam has said, these people of the Xiao family are second madam’s guests, not our first branch’s.” Li madam smilingly said, “After drinking this cup of tea, we ask that everyone return to the second branch.”
When Xiao Yu Zhu heard, she was immediately angered, shouting, “Sister-in-law is being too rude! The guests are already here, yet want them to go back after drinking a cup of tea?”
When Li mama heard, she was somewhat unhappy, saying, “Sigh, second madam, although this old servant doesn’t have much knowledge, this old servant still knows that one must send a message before coming. Even her Highness the Empress in the palace also need to properly write a letter when she wants to see our madam. To come uninvited, what kind of etiquette is that? This bit of reasoning, even this old servant is all very clear about, it can’t be that second madam is unclear?”
Li mama’s words were like saying that Xiao Yu Zhu was even more ignorant than a mere servant. Xiao Yu Zhu’s face turned red and pale. She could only turn around and say to those poor relatives, “First go back to my place for a sit.”
After leaving Baorong Courtyard, a man called Xiao Min just impatiently said, “Sister Yu Zhu, back then you’d promised that you’d definitely let us have a place to stay in the Chu capital, you can’t go back on your word now.”
“I know!” Xiao Yu Zhu said in irritation, “When have I, Xiao Yu Zhu, ever lied before?! In the enormous Xiao family, only I, Xiao Yu Zhu, am the most kind-hearted!”
When Xiao Min and his tang brothers heard, they hurriedly fawned over, “Indeed, sister Yu Zhu is the most kind. Else, how come in the enormous Xiao family, only sister Yu Zhu married the best? If I have to say, this An Duke Manor isn’t worthy of sister Yu Zhu’s talent!”
Hearing these praises, Xiao Yu Zhu instantly rose to the clouds, feeling elated inside again.
She had these poor relatives arranged in her own courtyard, and then happily returned to her room.
• • •
At night, in a corner unknown to Xiao Yu Zhu, a few servant boys took turns shoveling dirt out from the garden plot.
After a while, one of them said, “Found, found it……..quickly go get the first master…….”
[1] In chinese, it’s called a beizi which is the red jacket-like attire below.
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