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Dark Undercurrents (2)
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!
Xiao-shi’s own servant girls filled the room, yet she insisted on letting her pour tea and massage her legs, these tasks for a servant girl, what the hell?
Shen Lan Chi smiled and said, “Second madam wants to drink tea? I’ll go pour right away.”
After saying this, she just poured a full cup of tea and carried it before Xiao-shi.
Seeing her this obedient, Xiao-shi found it a bit strange. But, this was her first time gaining an advantage from the first branch, so she couldn’t help but feel somewhat complacent, reaching out to accept, while saying, “Niece is also an obedient one, much more considerate than my servant girls. If only they can be half as sensible as you, I would also…….”
As she spoke, she actually had Shen Lan Chi compared with the servant girls.
The corner of Shen Lan Chi’s mouth twitched. Without waiting for Xiao-shi to take the tea cup, she just had the entire tea cup overturned, screaming out in surprise, “Aiyaaa! Lan’er’s hands were unsteady! Second madam are you alright? Lan’er isn’t a servant girl after all, so not used to doing this kind of thing.”
Xiao-shi suddenly got doused over the head with hot tea, instantly in a sorry state. She screamed and jumped up, hurriedly using the handkerchief to wipe her face.
This Shen Lan Chi absolutely did it on purpose!
New hate and old grudges surged up her heart. Xiao-shi threw aside the handkerchief and pointed at Shen Lan Chi’s nose, loudly cursing: “You think you’re any different from a servant girl?! Your father is merely a bastard cuckoo that took over the magpie’s nest, the child of a lowly prostitute! The real eldest young master, Shen Xin Gu, long died years ago. In the past, your father was just a mere study companion, so how can he shoulder the An Duke Manor?”
Hearing this, Shen Lan Chi was immediately stunned.
Seeing her stunned, Xiao-shi was bit satisfied inside, continuing with a sneer, “The daughter of a servant, if not a servant girl, then what? My master has saved your father’s life several times. Even if for the sake of repaying this favor, having you given to me as a foot-washing servant girl, that is also justified!”
Shen Lan Chi’s eyes greatly widened, completely shaken inside.
No wonder her father was always that tolerant towards his younger brother. No wonder when mentioning this matter, her mother always said that this matter can’t be explained, else the entire family will fall apart. What Xiao-shi said perhaps is true!
“Second madam, are these words true?” Shen Lan Chi asked.
“Why would I lie to you?” Xiao-shi coldly responded, “This matter, your father and mother are both aware of it. If you don’t believe me, then go back and ask your mother, or ask that good grandfather or yours.”
Shen Lan Chi blanked for a moment, then lowered her body and said, “Thank you, second madam.”
When bowing, her eyes slightly flickered, her hand tightly clenched, seemingly coming to a certain decision.
After saying this, she took her leave. Seeing her back figure, Xiao-shi was just infuriated, so didn’t try to keep her. Just, after Shen Lan Chi left, she had the dowry gifts Shen first madam prepared all swept onto the ground, angrily cursing something.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
After Shen Lan Chi left the second branch’s place, she didn’t return home, but instead, stood in the street for a long time. A while later, she finally composed herself, turning to Bi Yu and saying, “Go look for some peddlers and carriers in the marketplace, need to be able to speak well, and normally just likes to gossip in the marketplace. The quicker the better.”
Bi Yu was a bit puzzled, but didn’t dare to ask anything, just feeling that her young miss’s complexion at this time was somewhat scary.
Shen Lan Chi watched Bi Yu leave to carry out her order, her expression instantly turning cold.
——–Her father was still unwilling to let go of this An Duke Manor’s glory and afraid will even sacrifice his life for it. If she wants to save her father’s life, then can only stake everything in one throw. Even if it isn’t real, it still needs to be treated as real.
A good while later, she finally regained her usual smile and returned home.
• • •
A few days later.
The taverns, alleyways, and such places of the west district suddenly started circulating a strange rumor, saying that the first master of the An Duke Manor is not the real first master, but merely a shu born son the old duke had during his free-spirited days outside, taking up the first master’s name, like a cuckoo occupying the magpie’s nest, stealing the An Duke Manor’s wealth. Between their words, it was full of sympathy towards Shen second master.
This rumor spread like wildfire. Very soon, even some from the east side of the city, where the powerful nobles resided, started spreading the rumor in secret.
Shen Xin Gu naturally heard the rumors too.
He knew that this news certainly must have been put out by his younger brother for the sake of regaining the An Duke Manor.
Every time thinking of this, Shen Xin Gu would always feel dejected.
He once treated this younger brother genuinely and sincerely, yet never expected that the rift between them would come to this point now. They were no longer the Shen Liang and Shen Xin Shu that once slept under the same blanket and shared the same clothes.
Inheriting the family and letting the An Duke Manor become the number one noble family in the Chu capital, this originally was just for the sake of repaying his father Shen Rui and younger brother Shen Xin Shu’s kindness. Even if dividing the family, that was also because his younger brother went overboard, so he had no other choice. Now, his younger brother really turned against him, wanting to go all out in fighting for the An Duke Manor, making Shen Xin Gu suddenly feel it was all dull and meaningless.
That night, the Eastern Palace called for another meeting, but Shen Xin Gu claimed to be ill, thus didn’t go, just repeatedly pacing around in his own courtyard. Shen first madam knew that he was worried, thus went forward to comfort him, “Master, those rumors are groundless and baseless, no need to take to heart. The duke has said that you’re the eldest di son, then you’re precisely the eldest di son.”
She loved her husband dearly, so seeing Shen first master with a melancholic look, her heart was also unable to bear.
Hearing this, Shen Xin Gu said with a sigh, “Madam, I have held you up.”
Shen first madam was confused, “What does master mean by this?”
Shen Xin Gu said, “I was originally a descendant of the lowly class, a mere illegitimate son, and shouldn’t even have any status. But, you are a daughter of the powerful Ji family. Our status is worlds apart. I originally shouldn’t have been able to marry you.”
When Shen first madam heard, she smiled and said, “How can that be? The most important thing for marriage is to be happy. If the husband one marries has fame and power, yet not the least bit caring, then that is just living in loneliness in another place. Just look among his Majesty’s imperial harem, how many women are all like this? My husband treats me extremely well, also not having any concubines. Aside from being burdened by that second branch in the past, there isn’t any place that’s unsatisfactory.”
Seeing Shen first madam this open-minded, Shen Xin Gu sighed and said, “Madam never once disdaining my birth makes me feel greatly relieved. But, I now want to do something that might make madam unhappy, so inevitably feel somewhat guilty.”
Shen first madam asked, “What does master mean by this?”
“Don’t know if madam still remembers, back then I asked madam, if one were to lose this splendor and wealth, would madam still be willing to spend this life with me?” Shen first master said.
“Naturally remember.” Shen first madam answered, “That day, I said, as long as husband and the children are by my side, even if having coarse tea and simple meals, it’s also fine. Today, I will still say this. Those fame and fortune are all meaningless, it’s still family that’s the most important.”
When Shen first master heard, his usually indifferent face, like the icy surface shattering, revealed a complicated look. He lowered his head, avoiding his wife’s gaze, his voice slightly choking up, “I’ve been cautious and diligent for several decades, merely just for the sake of repaying the Shen family for raising me and promoting me. Now that the legitimate di son is unwilling to accept my gratitude, I feel………it’s somewhat not worth it anymore.”
“Master……” Shen first madam quietly called out, also feeling helpless inside.
In front of power, for Shen Xin Gu to be like this, it’s also hard to come by.
“If I were to have this An Duke Manor handed over to second brother, would madam be unhappy?” Shen first master asked.
“………..”
To say if there were any dissatisfaction, Shen first madam certainly will have some. She wasn’t a saint, so also had some fixation towards wealth and power. Furthermore, she was a daughter of the Ji family, having grown up in luxury. But, seeing her husband’s expression, she couldn’t bear to say these things out loud.
“It’s just the An Duke Manor, so I don’t really mind.” Shen first madam thought for a moment and said, “Even if having the An Duke Manor given to second brother, based on master’s capabilities, you certainly won’t really let me live such difficult days. But, if master doesn’t know to be hard-working, and just from hereon, start to decline, then that is another matter.”
Seeing his wife this optimistic, Shen first master felt unbearable inside, saying: “I’m sorry to you and the children.”
The couple discussed for a while, deciding to go see the old An Duke tomorrow to propose to have the An Duke Manor given to Shen Xin Shu.
• • •
Shen Lan Chi went to the west district during the day. When returning home in the evening, her horse carriage got stopped in front of the east district gate.
“Lan Chi.”
She heard Lu Qi Yang’s familiar voice, so lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside. The heir was riding on horseback with a sword at his waist, holding the the reins in his hand. The curtains of the night were just about to descend. A ray of the golden red setting sun penetrated through the roof tiles of the buildings from the horizon, casting a faint layer of gold on him. The shadow under the horse’s hooves was long and slanted, extending all the way to the other side of the street.
“What is heir looking for me for?” Shen Lan Chi lowered her eyes as she asked.
“Your father’s matter…….” Lu Qi Yang deliberated over his phrasing and said, “Do you need my help to press it down?” After saying this, he looked up, his eyes as bright as the stars, like a puppy wagging its tail, coming to beg for its master’s affection.
Shen Lan Chi was bit surprised, but instantly understood what Lu Qi Yang was thinking——–He thought that this matter was done by the second branch for the sake of fighting over the family wealth. As such, he wanted to help suppress the rumors in the capital, giving her a helping hand.
Shen Lan Chi’s heart warmed a little, shaking her head and saying, “No need, this matter was done by me.”
Lu Qi Yang was shocked, but immediately after, understood her intention. Unfortunately, the current him should be ‘unaware of the future’, simply not having been reborn, so he could only pretend to be confused, saying: “Lan Lan, what is your purpose in doing this?”
Sure enough, Shen Lan Chi sighed, saying with a troubled look, “You won’t understand even if I tell you.”
Lu Qi Yang nearly laughed.
He understands, he understands.
But, he needs to pretend to not understand.
“I somewhat understand.” Lu Qi Yang said, “You’re in a hurry to marry me, so thought of a way to let your family lose its wealth and splendor. In this way, even if we get engaged, his Majesty won’t have suspicions.”
When Shen Lan Chi heard, she said, “In your eyes, I’m that shallow of a person?”
Lu Qi Yang said, “Joking, joking, Lan Lan, don’t take it seriously.” After saying this, he pulled the reins and changed the direction, saying, “I still need to go to the military camp, so can’t talk more.”
“This late yet still need to go to the military camp?” Shen Lan Chi slightly stuck out her body and said, “Heir is also very busy.”
“Indeed, very busy lately.” Lu Qi Yang turned his head and casted a glance at her, saying, “The sky in the capital will be dark soon. Once the sun sets, it’ll be extremely dangerous outside, so you better go home first.”
After saying this, he urged the horse and leisurely left.
The clacking sound of the horse hooves moved farther and farther away. Listening to the sounds of the horse hooves, Shen Lan Chi kept feeling that Lu Qi Yang had another meaning in his words, seemingly knowing something about Lu Zhao Ye’s matter. But, carefully pondering over it, he just said ‘the sky will be dark soon’. At this current time, the sky will indeed be dark soon.
This guy, was he reborn too or not?
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