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To Reap What One Has Sown
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!
Jiangxia Wangfei and Lu Zhi Ning stayed in the An Duke Manor for a day, only taking their leave after the evening meal. As soon as Jiangxia Wangfei left, Shen first madam immediately sent someone to the second branch, saying that Xiao Shan Fang had offended Jiangxia Junzhu, having been rude with her words, wanting Xiao-shi to have her and that bunch of freeloading poor relatives kicked out altogether.
Jiangxia Wangfei and Lu Zhi Ning were members of the imperial family that were genuinely recorded upon the imperial family tree, so how could Xiao Shan Fang afford to offend? When Xiao Shan Fang heard, she nearly lost her entire soul. That very night, she just tearfully began packing her luggage, just waiting to get kicked out of the Chu capital the next morning.
While Xiao Shan Fang was packing, Xiao-shi came to her room, saying, “Shan Fang, if you want to stay, it’s not like there isn’t a way. Just, now that you’ve offended that Jiangxia Junzhu, the situation is dire, so must use some special means.” After saying this, she carefully said a few words to Xiao Shan Fang in a low voice.
Xiao Shan Fang wiped her tears as she nodded. At the end, she smiled through her snot and tears, saying, “Auntie really is resourceful!”
Hearing her call her ‘auntie’, Xiao Yu Zhu disdained inside, but on the surface, she didn’t show it in the slightest, just saying with a smile, “Your older cousin Ting Yuan is gentle and scholarly by nature, a honest and genuine gentleman. When you marry him in the future, you naturally will enjoy endless good fortune, and can also stay by paternal aunt’s side forever.”
Xiao Shan Fang’s face revealed a bashful look, indulging in her fantasies, her mind already imagining how she will look when she becomes the Shen family young madam.
While these two were each harboring completely different thoughts, smiling in harmony, no one knew that outside the door stood a thin and frail young girl. This young girl was dressed extremely inconspicuously, with thick bangs hanging over her forehead, practically half-covering her eyes. It was precisely the Shen family second branch’s shu daughter, Shen Ran.
She silently listened for a while in front of the door, then immediately headed to the first branch. After arriving in Fulan Courtyard, Shen Ran secretly said a few words to Shen Lan Chi, then like as if nothing had happened, went back with her head down.
Once Shen Ran left, Shen Lan Chi immediately went to see her mother, Shen first madam, having what Shen Ran said carefully passed on. When Shen first madam heard, she pulled a long face and said, “This Xiao Yu Zhu really is out of her mind, wanting to have her distantly-related niece married to Ting Yuan, even going through the trouble of ‘catching them in bed’? She thinks that the servants of our first branch don’t know any rules at all, able to randomly put a servant girl in the master’s bed?”
After saying this, Shen first madam sneered, full of contempt.
What Shen first madam said wasn’t false. Her two maids from her maiden family have both resided in the back manor for over a decade, having the first branch managed appropriately. No one dared to mess up the rules. However, the second branch was greatly different. The servant girls were practically like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea[1], using all kinds of means to climb on the master’s bed. In the past, when Shen Ting Zhu was still around, don’t know how many incidents had occurred due to jealousy.
And now, Xiao-shi wanted to have this dirty idea used on the first branch that was like an iron board, wasn’t that just laughable?
“This Xiao Yu Zhu actually dares to scheme against Yuan’er, really think I’m blind?” Shen first madam was full of disdain inside, while also slightly angered, yet on the surface, she instead said with a smile, “Isn’t she going to send that distantly-related niece of hers onto the masters’ bed? Alright, I’ll give her a hand!” After saying this, she turned to Shen Lan Chi and said, “You better watch carefully. In the future, when you marry, if among the zhoulis[2], there’s also someone like Xiao-shi who’s muddled in the head, then need to have her arrogance squashed to death.”
Shen Lan Chi went through the list in her mind, calling to mind Lu Qi Yang’s relatives——-his Majesty, the crown prince, the second prince, wangye, junzhu……Forget it, she better save her energy, else she’ll really tire herself out.
“Then, on older brother’s side……?” Shen Lan Chi asked.
“Ting Yuan has a social gathering that day, so will return late.” Shen first madam said, “As for Miss Xiao’s side, change the message and say that Yuan’er returned home early, so as to avoid her shrinking back, not daring to make the move.”
Shen Lan Chi nodded, saying alright. A while later, she pulled her mother’s sleeve and said, “If we can have that second branch divided out, perhaps we’ll be able to have much less trouble. People that are ostentatious and domineering will only weigh down the An Duke Manor’s reputation.”
When Shen first madam heard, she affectionately caressed her, saying, “A pity that at such a young age, you need to worry about this kind of troublesome matter. Mother also want to have that second branch divided out, but your father is unwilling. Even if he is willing, this An Duke Manor will also greatly change. At present, Ting Yuan still hasn’t taken a wife, and you also haven’t married, so how can mother bear?”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
After saying this, she sighed, having a melancholic look.
Shen Lan Chi found it somewhat strange. It was merely living separately from the second branch, why would it affect her and her brother’s marriage? It can’t be that once they divide the family, her father will no longer be the head of the Shen family?
Unfortunately, Shen first madam was unwilling to say more.
The mother and daughter pair both pretended that nothing had happened, their days continuing as usual. On the day of the lantern festival, Shen Ting Yuan sure enough diligently spent a whole day fixing his hair, crown, and clothes, dressing up radiantly, before finally going out with his hands behind his back.
Perhaps, the colleagues at this social gathering were particularly noble. His attire today was also somewhat different———-One must know, Shen Ting Yuan didn’t really like his job, normally just working under the head minister, purely just making a living. As such, he always wore the same few similar looking azurite blue robes in rotation, saying that they were steady-looking and fitting, never spending time and thought to dress himself up.
Going out this time, he not only picked a precious silk garment that was currently popular in the Chu capital, he even smoked it with scented incense, which was really rare.
After secretly sending Shen Ting Yuan out the door, Shen first madam said, “This child, he normally never socializes with his colleagues, only knowing to read books and draw after coming home. Now, he has suddenly become enlightened!”
Shen Lan Chi recalled Shen Ting Yuan’s slightly blushing appearance when asking about the lantern festival, a thought suddenly flashing in her mind———-It can’t be that her older brother was………using the social gathering as an excuse to go out on a date?!
As Shen Lan Chi was muttering to herself, the servant on the other side came to report, saying that Miss Xiao has already secretly snuck into the first branch.
In the southeast corner of the first branch, there was a courtyard called Cangzhu Residence. This Cangzhu Residence, the great majority of the times, was unable to receive sunlight, thus dark and gloomy. As a result, no one was willing to live here, already unused for a long time. Occasionally, someone would go in to trim the plants and trees, but aside from this, no one else would come here.
According to the report, Xiao Shan Fang had meticulously dressed herself up and secretly slipped into this Cangzhu Residence.
The day before, Xiao-shi had carefully warned her, saying that the first branch was very strict with the rules, needing to particularly careful. But, today, everything had been smooth the whole way, not running into the slightest obstacle, successfully sneaking in. Xiao Shan Fang inwardly sneered, ‘Xiao Yu Zhu must have gotten intimidated by her sister-in-law! The Shen family first branch’s rules were merely soso.’
Entering Cangzhu Residence, Xiao Shan Fang just ordered the servant girl by her side to go invite Shen Ting Yuan, saying, “Just do as I’d told you this morning, saying that Shen second miss had sprained her leg, needing her older brother to carry her back to her room. If someone asks who you are, just say you’re the servant girl in charge of sweeping in Shen second miss’s outer courtyard.”
After the servant girl Xiao-shi gave her left, Xiao Shan Fang just re-tidied her hair, closed the windows, blew out the candle, half-undressed herself, and then leaned against the couch. The surrounding was completely hazy. No one was able to see her clearly.
Very soon, Xiao Shan Fang heard the footsteps of a man come through, instantly becoming delighted. She pretended to be half-sleep, not saying a word. Hearing the door open, a tall man stepped in through the door. Seeing Xiao Shan Fang horizontally on the couch, her body half-exposed, the man instantly hesitated in his steps.
Xiao Shan Fang was afraid that he’ll back out, immediately calling out in a half-tearful tone, “Don’t go!”
Sure enough, that man stopped. Seeing this move work, she immediately pitifully said, “There’s a saying that goes, ‘the mountain has trees, the trees have branches’[3], don’t know what is the next line?”
She knew that Shen Ting Yuan liked literature, so specially learned this line, wanting to display her talent. That man fell silent for a while, then said, “Didn’t expect that you’re also one with literary talent………Fine, all these year, I’ve only taken in one concubine. If it’s you, then presumably madam won’t say anything.” After saying this, he advanced upon her.
Hearing his voice sound different, unlike Shen Ting Yuan’s, Xiao Shan Fang immediately blanked inside. Without waiting for her to react, the door suddenly got kicked open. The lanterns outside were bright. Xiao Yu Zhu led in a few mamas, loudly hollering, “Sister-in-law! I told you this Cangzhu Residence is haunted, yet you refuse to believe! Just now, I saw nephew Ting Yuan head this way, what if he gets frightened?”
“To not do something shameful, to not fear the ghost knocking on the door, what’s so scary about ghosts? Younger sister-in-law specially ran all this way to our first branch just for the sake of this ghostly affair?” Shen first madam had an unsurprised look, calmly leading in a bunch of servants.
The place suddenly got lit up by the lanterns. Xiao Yu Zhu was secretly filled with delight, turning around. But, in the next second, her smile froze on her face.
She saw on that couch, Xiao Shan Fang half-undressed, her face still red with a blush. And pressing on top of her was Shen second master, his belt already half undone.
This very scene was far different from what Xiao Yu Zhu had imagined. Shen Ting Yuan, who was suppose to be here, his whereabouts were unknown, yet her husband was here.
Seeing this situation, Shen first madam coldly sneered, “What demons and ghosts? Turns out, second brother is here.” She swept a glance at Xiao Shan Fang who was thoroughly red and nearly about to scream, slowly saying, “Isn’t this Miss Xiao? I recall younger sister-in-law adored this girl the most, better not mistreat her. Since she has followed second brother, then I, this older sister-in-law, will help you make the decision, letting her become a noble concubine, also going to serve second brother.”
After saying this, Shen first madam led along the servants and swiftly left.
Once Shen first madam left, Xiao Yu Zhu finally returned to her senses. She suddenly threw down the lantern in her hand, both angry and cursing, charging up to slap Xiao Shan Fang, “I should’ve long known that you were an ambitious one! Told you to go seduce that Shen Ting Yuan, yet you pretended to obey, instead taking the opportunity to secretly seduce my husband!”
Xiao Shan Fang covered her face, her tears streaming down, crying out, “Auntie! It really wasn’t Shan Fang! Shan Fang doesn’t know!”
Unfortunately, no matter how Xiao Shan Fang explained, Xiao Yu Zhu was all unwilling to listen. Now that Shen second master and Xiao Shan Fang got caught in the act by everyone here, their clothes loose and undone, on the same couch together in this kind of situation, no matter how open Chu’s customs were, it was still impossible to casually brush this matter under the rug. This Xiao Shan Fang inevitably will become a concubine.
It truly was lifting the rock and smashing her own foot!
Seeing Xiao-shi this angered, Shen second master was displeased, “For better or worse, she’s your distantly-related niece. To not leave any face like this, how is it proper?”
“What distantly-related niece?” Xiao Yu Zhu deeply regretted, “Merely an outsider that has already been divided out of the family several decades ago! Aside from all having the Xiao surname, there’s no relation at all!”
However, saying these words now, it was already too late.
After the people of the second branch went back, Shen first madam, feeling disgusted towards Xiao-shi’s underhanded means, immediately called over the craftsmen, wanting to build a solid wall between the first branch and second branch. It’s best if there’s just one door hung with a big lock left between them. This time, Shen first master finally didn’t oppose, tacitly agreeing to Shen first madam’s decisions.
Shen first madam although called over the craftsmen, she still wasn’t satisfied inside, secretly making up her mind: ‘For the sake of her two children, even if giving up the An Duke Manor’s glory and honor, still need to find an opportunity to divide the family with the second branch. That whole family was filled with a foul atmosphere. Who knows what else they’ll do in the future?!’
These were all later talk, temporarily setting aside for now.
Since Shen first madam has made the move, that Xiao Shan Fang’s matter certainly will get handled appropriately. Shen Lan Chi didn’t need to worry about this matter. After coaxing her mother for an hour, she finally had the time to go to the lantern festival for a look.
She had her own ulterior motive——–It’s best if she can go to that lantern festival and find out exactly what Shen Ting Yuan went to do.
In the past life, her older brother Shen Ting Yuan obeyed their parents’ orders and got engaged to a Song family young lady. This Miss Song came from a military family. Her father had a deep friendship with Zhennan Wang, having been through life and death together. The Shen family first branch letting Shen Ting Yuan get engaged to her was also due to that General Song’s outstanding reputation in the army.
At the time, his Majesty and the crown prince both very much favored and trusted the Shen family. The An Duke Manor had smooth sailing, getting blinded by the wealth and prosperity. They all never expected, or perhaps, should say, unwilling to foresee that under the Chu Emperor and Lu Zhao Ye’s deferential treatment, in reality, hid the intent to kill.
What was that Song family girl called? Shen Lan Chi didn’t remember too well. She just knew that the Song family girl was quite pretty, having a face that made one want to adore.
Marrying the Song family daughter certainly will arouse Chu Emperor’s suspicions. Truthfully speaking, Shen Lan Chi didn’t wish for her older brother to repeat the past.
……..Although that Miss Song’s appearance indeed matched her liking, her appearance very beautiful.
Sigh, this kind thing cannot think about, must not think about, and should not think about. Above the word ‘lust(色)’ was a knife(刀)[4].
If her older brother has a person he likes already, then everything will be much easier. If even she, this original ‘crown princess’, can toss aside her role, then presumably, it won’t be difficult for her older brother to get rid of a marriage arrangement.
When Shen Lan Chi went out, the lantern festival was at its peak.
The moon crawled up the tip of the willow branch. The new moon bent into a crescent. The streets were all full of people, faintly visible. The sound of laughter incessantly fell on the ears. The peddlers along the street were shouting one after another, the sweet fragrance of the steamed cakes filled the streets. The curved corners of the roof hung with a string of bright red lanterns. In the thin muslin, an entire set of characters from the storybooks were cut out. When the wind blew, they looked like a series of spinning lanterns[5].
Shen Lan Chi brought along a servant girl, squeezing through the crowd as she looked around.
As far as the eyes could see, heads connected by hair, heels connecting to heels. Under the light of the lanterns, the entire street of people were all hazy, unable to see the outlines clearly. Shen Lan Chi could only distinguish by the clothes with great difficulty, trying to look for her older brother that might appear.
As the passersby passed by one after another, the sounds of laughter passed on into her ears. As she walked, she recalled the time when she came to this lantern festival together with Lu Qi Yang in the past.
“Did you know? If you have his Majesty’s hair plucked and placed in this lantern’s core to burn, then the aura of the true dragon will bless this lantern, letting it be forever lit and never extinguishing!”
“Really?”
“Really! Why don’t you go pluck some tomorrow to see for yourself. You’re this pretty, his Majesty certainly won’t get angry.”
“Forget it, big brother crown prince will get angry. It doesn’t matter if he gets angered to death, but if I can’t become the empress, then that’ll be a very serious matter!”
In the past, when she was still an innocent child, her words were already that heartless.
Recalling her younger self, Shen Lan Chi couldn’t help but reveal a light smile.
“What are you smiling about?”
Suddenly, she heard someone by her side ask this.
Shen Lan Chi turned to look, seeing Lu Qi Yang standing at the mouth of the alleyway, holding a silly-looking rabbit lantern in his hand. That rabbit had two giant blush drawn on its face. It was even redder than peonies. The lanterns in the street all glowed with a faint yellow light, making his eyes and brows appear even more gentle and warm.
“Nothing, I was just thinking…….” Shen Lan Chi pointed at the rabbit lantern in his hand and said, “If we have his Majesty’s hair plucked and placed in this lantern’s core to burn, then the aura of the true dragon will bless this lantern, letting it be forever lit, burning to next year.”
“…..” Lu Qi Yang fell silent for while, having that rabbit lantern shoved into her hands and saying, “You came this late, yet still have the mood to mess with this young master for fun? I nearly thought that you were going to skip out, letting this young master stand in the wind for an hour for nothing.”
[1] Refers to the Eight Immortals in Daoism. The idiom comes from a classical story involving the Eight Immortals’ journey crossing the sea. It’s used as an analogy to refer to different people with varying abilities.
[2] Zhouli – Sister-in-law, but specifically refers to the wives of one’s husband’s brothers.
[3] I’m very thankful this is a rather simple line from a poem. The line stated in this chapter 山有木兮木有枝 (the mountain has trees, the trees have branches) is the first part of the last verse in the poem. The second part rhyming with this line is 心悦君兮君不知 (I have feelings for my lord, but my lord doesn’t know). The last character in these two parts 枝(zhi) and 知(zhi) are pronounced the same, thus rhyming. Of course, there’s also other patterns such as both lines being structured the same.
This line comes a folksong called ‘Song of the Yue’ (越人歌). It’s actually one of the earliest few songs about love, dating back to the Spring and Autumn period. It was gathered and recorded into record by the Han scholar Liu Xiang. It’s actually also the first translated poem in chinese history. It was translated to the Chu language (referring to the State of Chu) from the Yue language (dialect of the Yue people in the south). The story behind the poem is a rather simple story. A Chu nobleman was out boating one day and playing music on the boat. A woman from Yue was his boatman, and she has been infatuated with him for a while, but unable to express her feelings to him, so she used her own Yue dialect to put her feelings into a song. However, the Chu nobleman didn’t understand the Yue language, so intrigued at what she was singing, he ordered someone to translate her song into the Chu language, thus resulting in what we have now.
[4] The character for lust ‘色‘ can be broken down into two parts, the top part being the character knife 刀 and the bottom being 巴.
[5] See below.
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there’s something really strange about the second branch. I know this is for narrative tension and mystery. but it’s odd that neither the old man nor the current head of the family want to curb their behaviour at all, even when it is detrimental to their own well-being. it’s also strange that this didn’t seem to come up in the past life, bc SLC doesn’t seem to know what’s going on either. I just hope that whatever mystery it is, it holds up well. I really can’t imagine what the old man is thinking. like they’re obviously tossing around a little too much.