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Winter Hunting in the Outskirts (1)
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!
Liu Chang has followed Liu Yu for nearly ten years, so naturally understood his young master’s meaning.
Having the Ji family won over wasn’t easy to begin with. If not for the second prince sacrificing a prince’s consort position, this Ji family perhaps would still be wavering. If the second prince has interest in that Shen Lan Chi, then it will inevitably provoke the Ji family. For the sake of letting the Ji family be increasingly loyal, that Shen Lan Chi will need to stay far away from the second prince.
If one has to blame, then can only blame the second prince for becoming muddled over love, insisting on showing his affections to that Shen family young miss at this time. If he were to wait until after he ascends the throne in the future, what kind of women can’t he get?
Liu Chang followed his young master and the second prince out of the Ji manor. A whole day had passed. After returning to the Liu manor, Liu Chang asked Liu Yu, “Young master, the matter of his Highness going to look for the Shen family young miss, should we inform her Highness the Noble Consort?”
Liu Yu pondered for a moment and said, “Go ahead. Ever since Song Yan Li got punished, her Highness has been keeping a close eye. It’s impossible to keep this matter hidden, so it’s better to directly tell her.”
In the past, when the second prince went to find Shen Lan Chi, the one following by his side had always been Song Yan Li. Song Yan Li was soft, helping Lu Zi Xiang hide from Noble Consort Liu. After Noble Consort found out, she was greatly angered. However, she couldn’t bear punishing her own son, so had all her anger taken out on Song Yan Li.
Liu Chang responded with a ‘yes’, then went to prepared the horse carriage, leaving the Liu manor.
On the way, Liu Chang pondered over his young master’s instructions of wanting to let this Shen Lan Chi ‘marry as far away as possible’. He couldn’t help but feel somewhat of a headache inside. Thinking back and forth, he finally had an idea, also arriving at the imperial palace.
Liu Chang entered Guangxin Palace, greeting Noble Consort Liu and briefly recounting Lu Zi Xiang’s itinerary today.
Noble Consort Liu was originally holding a little hand furnace, sitting dignified and upright. However, hearing that Lu Zi Xiang met with Shen Lan Chi again, her charming face instantly changed, her teeth tightly clenching, furiously saying, “This Shen Lan Chi truly is persistent!”
Seeing the situation, Noble Consort Liu’s trusted confidant Luo mama said, “That Shen Lan Chi is born beautiful. His Highness is still young, so for him to have thoughts, it’s also normal. Why not prepare a few sensible girls from respectable families for his Highness? In this way, his Highness will be distracted, so naturally won’t chase after that Shen family brat.”
Noble Consort Liu thoughtfully nodded and said, “This method is feasible. Just, that Ji Fei Xia has yet to marry in, so can’t let the future prince’s consort be embarrassed. These girls absolutely can’t have any status, at most, can only be servant girls.”
“Your Highness is thoughtful.” Luo mama said.
Liu Chang chatted a little with the noble consort before leaving the palace. After Liu Chang left, Noble Consort Liu’s pretty brows erected, angrily saying, “This won’t do, letting that damn Shen family girl off too easily. Even that political marriage, she was all able to avoid, I refuse to believe that she can be this lucky every time!”
Hearing this, Luo mama leaned down. Noble Consort Liu whispered to her for a while. Afterwards, a smug smile bloomed by her ear.
“In this way, Xiang’er will also give up on the thought!”
• • •
A few days later, a noble guest came to the An Duke Manor. It was Shen first madam’s older sister who’d married afar to Jiangxia, Jiangxia Wangfei.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
The new year had just began. It was truly very normal for married sisters to visit one another, nothing to make a big deal out of. But, this time, Jiangxia Wangfei wasn’t as eloquent and talkative as before. Someone who was usually straightforward and outspoken, now sitting upon the pearwood chair, appeared to be somewhat hesitant.
Inside Baorong Courtyard, Shen first madam ordered the servant girl to serve the tea.
Jiangxia Wangfei clutched her handkerchief, pretending to study the snow scenery outside the window, while also secretly sizing up Shen first madam’s complexion from time to time. Seeing this, Shen first madam felt curious, asking, “Your Highness, what’s wrong?”
When Jiangxia Wangfei heard, she stammeringly said, “Younger sister, I do have a trouble on my mind, don’t know if you’re willing to help?”
“We’re sisters, what’s there to be courteous about?” Shen first madam said with a smile, “With you having married afar to Jiangxia, we barely get to see one another in year. The times I am able to help you is already very few to begin with, so how can I dare to not help? Say it, what’s the matter?”
Jiangxia Wangfei cleared her throat and said, “Don’t know if your family’s Lan’er has found a family she likes?”
“Not yet.” Shen first madam calmly answered, “I still don’t plan on letting her marry.”
“She’s already seventeen. This old of a young lady can already marry as a wife.” Jiangxia Wangfei said, “That son of mine, although his learning isn’t good, he’s nevertheless good with equestrian archery. It’s not me boasting, his appearance is very handsome. You’ve also seen him before in the past. At present, he has also come of age. I’m currently worrying about where to find a suitable daughter-in-law. He and Lan’er are cousins to begin with, so isn’t that even better?”
After Jiangxia Wangfei said this, she felt somewhat nervous, fearing that Shen first madam will make out her guilty conscience.
Jiangxia Wangfei’s eldest son was called Lu Chang Si. When Lu Chang Si was in Jiangxia, there were already many people coming to the door to discuss marriage. Just, Jiangxia Wangfei was born in the capital, so somewhat looked down on these young ladies of Jiangxia, always thinking of finding a noble daughter from the capital for her son.
This time, following her husband back to the capital, Jiangxia Wangfei not only came to celebrate the new year, she further came to find a daughter-in-law. Originally, Shen Lan Chi wasn’t within her scope of consideration. Just, something happened this morning that made her change her mind, wanting to ask for a daughter of the Shen family’s hand in marriage for her son.
When Shen first madam heard, she immediately understood her older sister’s intentions. Jiangxia Wang wanted to become in-laws with her.
Jiangxia Wang had a fief, thus Lu Chang Si spent fourteen years of his life in the capital as a hostage, only returning to Jiangxia six years ago. Because of this, Shen first madam had seen this heir before. Lu Chang Si, in terms of appearance and birth, was indeed not bad, only not that good at studying. Unfortunately, her daughter already has someone she likes. Shen first madam at present was just waiting for her eldest son, Shen Ting Yuan, to get married, then openly scale the gates to discuss marriage.
“Truth be told, your Highness, my family greatly values etiquette. If the elder brother doesn’t marry, there’s no way for the younger sisters below to marry first.” Shen first madam slowly said, “I rather want to become closer with you, but it’s still not time for Lan’er to discuss marriage yet. I don’t dare to break the rules either. I see that junzhu also hasn’t decided on a family yet, how about considering Yuan’er for a moment?”
When Jiangxia Wangfei heard, she was somewhat anxious.
If the Shen family is unwilling to have their daughter married over, then won’t she be unable to accomplish what she promised that person?
“Younger sister, you better think carefully!” Jiangxia Wangfei patiently persuaded, “Our older brother had niece Fei Xia promised to the second prince. In the future, which side our maiden family will stand, it’s still hard to say. I’m a bit more close with older brother. If you form marriage ties with me, then older brother naturally will also consider your situation more. We’re all married daughters. For me to be considerate of you, is it not good?”
When Shen first madam heard, she slightly blanked.
Jiangxia Wangfei really was impatient, actually bluntly having such words that can’t be said openly brought out.
But, Shen first madam knew, what Jiangxia Wangfei said was true. The Ji family has formed marriage ties with the second prince, so afraid the Ji family will also board the second prince’s boat. Right now, it was precisely the crucial moment to have the Ji family pulled back to her side. If she were to offend Jiangxia Wangfei, this older sister, then won’t she become even more estranged with the Ji family?
Deliberating for a moment, Shen first madam said, “Older sister, this matter of marriage can’t be too hasty. Allow me to contemplate for a while, nicely discuss with our master.”
“That is natural.” Jiangxia Wangfei slightly relaxed a breath and said with a smile, “Younger sister, once his Majesty finishes the sacrificial rites on Ling Mountain according to custom, I will be returning to Jiangxia with my husband. There’s not much time, you better nicely think it over.”
After sending away Jiangxia Wangfei, Shen first madam hurriedly had Shen Lan Chi called over.
Hearing her mother explain this matter, Shen Lan Chi was slightly shocked. Shortly after, she composed her mind and said, “Mother, it’s not like this matter doesn’t have any leeway to be turned around. This daughter will go look for older cousin Zhi Ning tomorrow to get some information.”
• • •
The next day.
The snow in the capital has yet to melt. The mountains and fields in the outskirts were also covered in a shallow layer of white.
Jiangxia Junzhu Lu Zhi Ning wore a light red riding outfit, pulling the horse by the reins as she stood in a patch of snow. She was cute and charming to begin with, and wearing this red attire, she was like a lotus in the snow, dazzling and eye-catching.
She was originally just someone that can’t stay idle, the most lively and energetic. Shen Lan Chi invited her to the outskirts to hunt, and she just agreed without a second word.
Lu Zhi Ning exhaled a breath of white air and rubbed her hands. After waiting for some time, Shen Lan Chi’s horse carriage finally arrived. Seeing Shen Lan Chi also properly wearing riding clothes, Lu Zhi Ning said, “How come you invited me to come hunting today? You clearly dislike this the most. In the past, you couldn’t even shoot a single arrow out!”
“It’s rare for you to return to the capital. When you leave, I won’t be able to see such a beautiful older cousin anymore. That’s why, I wanted to invite you out to play.” Shen Lan Chi said with a laugh, “How come you still remember that bit of embarrassing matter from when I was little? My strength was small, so unable to shoot out arrows, which also can’t be helped.”
She wasn’t really blaming Lu Zhi Ning. After all, Lu Zhi Ning stayed very little in the capital, her interactions with her also very few. The things she can remember were just that bit, so just picking those embarrassing matters to remember, it was also normal.
The two of them brought along servant girls and servant boys, heading towards the mountains covered in a light blanket of snow.
Lu Zhi Ning led the horse along, saying as she walked, “I wonder if there are little rabbits and little deers in this mountain?”
However, Shen Lan Chi didn’t answer, just saying in a seemingly casual manner, “Junzhu last time praised that Ruan family young master as elegant and handsome in front of Princess Yong Chun. Very soon, junzhu will be leaving the capital. Junzhu isn’t going to seize the opportunity?”
Shen Lan Chi was referring to what Lu Zhi Ning said previously when the four of them were practicing dance by Princess Yong Chun’s side.
Lu Zhi Ning raised her little face, carefully pondering for a moment. Recalling that she’d indeed said something like this before, she mumbled, “I was just randomly saying. Didn’t I already tell you all? My mother wants me to marry in Jiangxia. Furthermore, I don’t want to marry this early either.”
When saying this line, her face was slightly red.
Shen Lan Chi glanced over and said, “Junzhu, this is having someone in your heart?”
Lu Zhi Ning hurriedly shook her head and said, “No, don’t randomly say nonsense.”
“Then, did you know, your mother, Jiangxia Wangfei, came to my manor yesterday to propose marriage——” Shen Lan Chi deliberately drew out her words.
Lu Zhi Ning blanked, standing in the snow in a daze. A while later, she let go of the reins and stuffily asked, “Is it for me, or for my older brother?”
“For your older brother.” Shen Lan Chi said.
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