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A Nest Of Weirdos
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! I procrastinated on these next two chapters because they were kinda annoying to get through. Mostly really parts of the novel I don’t like. Well, more like certain types of characters really annoy me, cough white lotus bitch cough.
The emperor returning to the capital naturally was welcomed by the hundreds of officials lined up in the streets. Le Cheng Emperor was also rather generous, knowing the trip was exhausting, and just let them scatter when it was about time. At the same time, the officials that didn’t have anything urgent at hand can also leave the yamen early.
As such, when the two head elders of the Luo family returned, the two lower generations, apart from those that couldn’t come out, for instance Luo Rong Ping, who was paralyzed on the bed, and little Wang-shi, who was recuperating after childbirth, the rest all waited at the entrance. Once they saw the two elders, under Luo Rong Wen’s lead, performed the formal kowtow etiquette, deferentially welcoming the two back to the manor.
Luo Pei Shan was actually the same as always, scholarly and refined, carrying a bit of coldness, and having a bit of tranquility in his imposing manner. Majority of the times, it was all this kind of face, so it was also something they were accustomed to seeing. And Luo Old Madam similarly was wise and steady, and didn’t look upon her sons and grandchildren in tears after being separated for two months. One must know, when she’d entered the capital with Jing Wan, she’d not seen them for several years already, yet all didn’t see her reveal any stirred up emotions.
Everyone was also used to the two elders just having Jing Wan treated as a treasure, and they, all as ‘grass’. And in the Luo family right now, there really weren’t anyone that very much cared about this bit. More or less, there was that bit of care, but they all hid in their hearts and didn’t reveal it. And they also won’t do anything that they shouldn’t do. That was purely just looking for death, no excuse.
Additionally, they themselves weren’t being treated harshly by the Luo family, so there was no need, and it also wasn’t worth it. The three young misses that have already married were the best evidence. The eldest miss naturally didn’t need to be mentioned. Her position in her husband’s family was firm, and was increasingly getting flattered and cupped in the palm. The benefits that the women of the Luo family should have, she also didn’t lack. And she naturally also learned quite a few things from her own mother’s side, so how could she harbor ill thoughts.
And second miss, although was a shu daughter, yet can be considered to have married lower. But with the Head Minister of Appointments, this big tree, as her backing, in addition to not having a poor relationship with her maiden family, and Luo Pei Shan also giving her husband’s family a certain amount of support, even if in the next several years, she doesn’t give birth to a child, her back would still be straight and upright.
As for fourth miss, it was only her that caused trouble all day, bouncing up and down. The people that didn’t like her really weren’t in the minority. And now, as a contemptuous little concubine, even if residing in a wang’s manor and pregnant, no one in the Luo family knew. And even if they knew, no one would pay any attention either. Even her own mother gave up on her, and to have ended up in such a state, she herself occupied the greatest factor. Her having the worst relationship with Jing Wan was just hail on top of snow.
After entering the gates, Luo Pei Shan just waved his hands and let the crowd scatter, letting them go do whatever they should be doing.
Jing Wan’s spirit right now was a bit listless, having her elder sister-in-law, who looked better than her in spirit despite being pregnant, pushed out to deal with her mother. In any case, in that stomach was Zhang-shi’s grandchild. When they’d left, Zhang-shi still didn’t know, afterwards learning from the letters. She most likely has long been looking forward to seeing, and this while, it was the perfect time to let her look and be happy.
The Elegant Haitang Residence was already a familiar place. Even if they returned together with Jing Wan, her personal first-rank servant girls still returned a step ahead of her, and under the little servant girls’ assistance, had everything all prepared appropriately. After Jing Wan bathed and changed her clothes, and slightly eating something to pad her stomach, she just comfortably went to sleep. And after getting up, she’ll probably be fully revitalized.
The Jing Wan after getting up was indeed fully revitalized, but her mood was actually not that great. No matter who, after waking up, and seeing in one’s own territory a shy-looking, weak and feeble girl, where the slightest movement would seemingly have the other party frightened to death, would be happy. You merely just sized her up in a glance, yet she just looked like as if she was about to cry. In this world, there was probably nothing more annoying than this kind of life form.
“Younger cousin……….” Those eyes tearfully gazing at you.
Which family’s weirdo relative was this? Jing Wan sat down, looking to the servant girl serving at her side, “What happened?”
“Miss, this biao[1] miss is your maternal aunt’s family’s child. They’re entering the capital for the first time and still haven’t settled down, so temporarily staying as guests in the manor.” Qing Zhu relied.
While Jing Wan was resting, the servant girls naturally needed to have all the things that happened while they were away figured out clearly.
That so called maternal aunt, Jing Wan actually just met once in her childhood. However, she had a deep impression towards her, the main reason being……………
Jing Wan lowered her head and took a sip of tea. This older cousin, she actually never even met once before. Just don’t know if she’s really a little white flower, or a black-bellied little white flower. “It should be me going to see maternal aunt and older cousin.”
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
“No, no.” The little white flower’s face thoroughly flushed red, a look of wishing to cry, “I just, just…………..”
“Right now, my body is a bit tired, so will go later to greet maternal aunt. Why don’t older cousin go back first.” Jing Wan directly asked her to leave.
The little white flower became even more anxious, “Younger cousin………..” Seeing the indifference on Jing Wan’s face, she in the end was still quite perceptive. “Then, I’ll be returning first.” As she turned, those giant teardrops just tumbled down along the palm-sized little face.
Jing Wan carried a cold expression. For someone like her, there was just three words remaining in her heart: What the hell!
Going out like this, nine out of ten will think she got ruthlessly bullied by Jing Wan. If this isn’t having a black heart, then it was just naturally dark. For this kind of person to be likable, now that would be strange! And those that would like this kind of person, that was practically just having holes in the brain, and each one of those holes all filled with water.
Never mind Jing Wan’s expression darkening, the people by her side, not a single one didn’t have a dark expression.
Wasn’t that clearly trying to smear miss’s reputation? If this can be endure, what can’t be endured?
Jing Wan waved her hand, “This kind of person, if you slightly do a bit of something, they will just cry even harder. No need to bother with.” To really be muddled by this kind of person, that was just purely an idiot, so why should one go bicker with an idiot. “Who all came from maternal aunt’s family?”
“Just miss’s maternal aunt and maternal uncle-in-law, as well as their children, oh right, and also a younger sister-in-law of your maternal aunt’s. That one’s age is similar to this biao miss’s age.” Qing Zhu said.
To be the same age as one’s own niece, that was just hundred percent a daughter obtained at old age, just don’t know if it’s like in Ruan Fang Fei’s case, coming from a second wife, or the old oyster producing a pearl, though it wasn’t too likely to be a shu daughter. Her maternal uncle-in-law was the eldest di son, a shu-born younger sister, no matter how doted on by his father, there was still no reason for him to bring along by his side.
Jing Wan seeing Qing Zhu having a peculiar expression, “What, is something not right?”
“Miss, that younger sister-in-law of your maternal aunt’s is one that’s short-sighted. Heard that not long after coming to the Luo family, she just asked away quite a few of madam’s things. Moreover, as soon as we entered the courtyard, she just immediately went to third young master’s courtyard.”
Jing Wan coldly sneered. In the entire Luo family, the one with the most ample wealth, if not her elder sister-in-law, than who else? Seems she has long asked around about this. However, even if she’s able to easily take things away from her mother’s place, replaced with her elder sister-in-law, it won’t be that easy.
“That’s right, there’s also one more thing, Hong Lian became master’s tongfang.”
Upon hearing this, Jing Wan’s expression sharpened, directly smashing her cup. Jing Wan, from childhood, has never smashed anything before, this was her first time smashing something. It can be seen, she really was extremely angered. Hong Lian was one of the tongfang the Ding Duchess prepared for her third brother, and along with Lu Yi, they were both snatched over by her, letting her become a fire tending servant girl and clean the courtyard. And now, she was merely gone for two months, yet she actually just climbed on her father’s bed. As expected, she was still too benevolent. “Help change my clothes.”
Jing Wan changed her clothes, and meticulously dressed herself up. That’s right, she was precisely preparing to go trample someone.
Arriving at the Falling Plum Blossom Residence, while Jing Wan was still outside the doorway, the servant girl guarding the door was just about to go in to inform, but got stopped by her.
“……….Younger sister, it’s not that this older sister is criticizing you or anything, but our family’s Lian girl has always been delicate since birth, just like a doll made out of water, how can that niece of mine bear to bully her? Speaking from family seniority, Lian’er for better or worse is still her older cousin. Moreover, in the future, they’ll be living under the same roof. For her to be this, this…………” Originally, she was already wiping her tears as she spoke, but now, she just directly sobbed incoherently.
“Mother, younger cousin didn’t…………” A certain girl called Lian’er also weakly sobbed.
Jing Wan was completely apathetic towards this kind of scene. However, ‘living under the same roof’, this line, actually spun around on the tip of her tongue.
“Big sister, Lian’er was raised being cupped in the palm, and in my eyes, she’s just like my own daughter. How can she become Jing Bo’s concubine……..” Zhang-shi weakly opened her mouth, a look of feeling trouble.
“Our Lian’er is one to make the husband and family prosperous. Have to say, no matter which family she marries into, it’s all doable. This older sister was just thinking ‘don’t let one’s own fertile water flow into someone else’s field’. I also know you treat her like a daughter, that’s why I feel at ease to have her given to Jing Bo. Speaking of which, Jing Bo right now is just a baishen[2], so indeed wronging our Lian’er. Since younger sister also feels this way, how about just having Lian’er promoted to an equal wife. Although in status it’s a little low, but younger sister and Jing Bo definitely won’t mistreat her.”
Zhang-shi was made completely speechless, her throat congealing. She looked to her daughter-in-law that was quietly sitting there, feeling very much wronging her, but she really wasn’t good at facing this kind of situation. Didn’t she already order someone to go call Jing Bo? How come he still hasn’t arrived?
(T/N: Sometimes I honestly think Zhang-shi has social anxiety.)
“Little sis, how come you’re standing at the doorway and not entering?”
Jing Wan turned around. Her father and her brother were together. Her gaze faintly swept over them. “Father, third brother, I was just about to go in. You two also came at the perfect time.” It was best to have everything taken care of altogether.
Luo Rong Yan kept feeling that his own daughter’s gaze towards him was a bit terrifying. However, recalling that he slept with a servant girl from her courtyard, his old face also was somewhat red. Clearly knowing that she hated yiniangs and tongfangs the most, yet this time the matter involved her. Seemingly, no matter what kind of reaction she has, it was all not surprising at all. He subconsciously let out a fawning smile, trying to curry favor with her.
His appearance was out of the ordinary, and his bearing like the clear moonlit sky, that smile’s destructive power really wasn’t small at all.
Unfortunately, Jing Wan didn’t have any feeling at all. Right now, towards her old man, she even harbored ill will, entering a step ahead of them. Stepping into the room, she clearly saw her mother relaxing a breath, a pair of mother and daughter with bright red eyes, carrying three part bashfulness on their face, and also her elder sister-in-law calmly sitting to the side, gently stroking her stomach, and upon seeing Jing Wan entering, lifted her head in a gentle smile. Also, there was a girl whose eyes unrestrainedly glued on her.
Jing Wan just stood there, not even paying her respect, her gaze landing on a servant girl with a married woman’s hairstyle, a pair of eyes like carrying little hooks. However, this while, those eyes carried three part fear.
“Someone come, having this lowly servant dragged out and heavily beaten fifty times. If she dies, naturally it’s great, if not, then just sell her off as a criminal servant.” This was even Jing Wan’s first time issuing this kind of order that might possibly kill someone.
Hong Lian knew that when Jing Wan returned, she might punish her, but she was already her father’s person after all, so no matter what she would still need to give her own father face. But unexpectedly, she was this direct and this ruthless, “Miss, miss, have mercy…………….”
[1]Biao – Refers to cousins of a different surname
[2] Scholar who doesn’t serve in the court
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Let me breath in and out first before new white lotus come in.
So.. based on the previous comment and the translator note, I’m now wondering if a fake white lotus type is going to appear and summarily get trampled within 2 chapters. XD (although I realize it’s more likely the next 2 chapters just focus on the new characters Jen doesn’t like)
Also, when the new white lotus appears, lets all take a moment to remember the real white lotus star of this novel: Wan Wan’s mom. That lucky star. No, really, how did her kids grow up so okay. If it isn’t luck I’m not sure what to call it. Karma? Maybe karma. (she’s a very sweet lady, I just have a hard time imagining how an unprepared, actual little blank slate daughter raised by her would have fared in this world filled with schemes).
Technically, Zhang-shi is the what’s called the ‘holy mother’ type in chinese, so the saint class, which is a different typing from the white lotus. White lotus is characterize by appearing weak and trying to win sympathy, while ‘holy mother’ types are really saintly in personality but too stupid for their own good. They get points in the kindness stat. But I mean Zhang-shi herself turned out mostly fine marrying into the Luo family, even if she has a blank slate daughter, given the Luo family’s principles and good eye at picking in-laws, it’ll be an average life at most. Luo Jing Bo was a blank slate child and he turned out fine.
Don’t forget, wealthy families can hire various teachers to educate their children, so it’s not like it’s just reliant on the mother. Just like in modern times, it’s not like your personality is an exact copy and paste of your parents’. I’d like to say, don’t have too distorted of a view towards ancient chinese society based on fictional historical cnovels. Humans are humans, there are lots of schemes and bad things but there are probably just as many good and normal families like the Luo family out there. Just in fictional writing, good and normal isn’t as entertaining as schemes and backstabs, so you don’t see them as often.
Oh! I did not know the difference between the holy mother and white lotus tropes! I actually thought they were pretty similar: a pure and innocent girl who refuses to stoop to do anything that would be sinister or unjust (with it often sounding like a holy mother may additionally make things difficult on herself because of being too nice?). Just to check, if a white lotus tries to look weak to gain sympathy.. isn’t that inherently a negative trait then? A tactic to attract attention? I’m surprised, I always though the white lotus was just a really pure and sweet girl who was above it all, although fragile. The standard heroine. It would seem I haven’t read enough novels, haha. I will remember this.
(Although now I’m even more confused bc I tried to google more about this and found a forum where a white lotus is described as an innocent Disney princess who is pure and delicate and can do no wrong x_x Maybe that’s just a common take away?)
Jing Bo did turn out well. Although, I thought one of the recent chapters mentioned that Grandpa Luo actually changed his approach with his grandsons. They don’t want to disappoint him and he isn’t allowing them to squander their talent like he did with his sons.
Ah, I thought it was mentioned that several times Jing Wan has had to step in and keep Zhang-shi protected either emotionally or from simple schemes. In fact, I thought this was a duty that was more recently mentioned as getting transferred over to Sun Yi Jia. Maybe I was under the impression that Jing Wan has done more than she actually has to keep her mom happy in her oblivious state?
I do want to clarify though, when I said “this world filled with schemes” I did specifically mean this literary world right here exclusive to this novel. I generally assume these worlds have their own rules (that said, it is interesting when there is a fair bit of overlap like there seems to be in this one in terms of referencing conditions of the poor or consequences of the Yellow River Flooding.) So I really appreciate your foot notes when you point out “btw, this was a real thing!”
Please be assured that I do not assume all actual households in ancient China were murderous. These novels though… I don’t think I’ve heard of a single non scheming concubine except a few who started out as a maid of the madam of the house. So in the world of a novel I would worry about a girl who doesn’t know how to deal with them. Because she is going to have protagonist issues to deal with by the rules of the novel world.
That would still depend on the novel. This one is more grounded in reality with all the historical accuracies. Just look at the families Luo Pei Shan picked for his daughters, it’s been repeatedly mentioned that they are good families with good principles and morals.
Also, grandpa Luo only just started his new approach on his grandsons. For the older ones like Luo Jing Bo, grandpa didn’t start giving them guidance until they were 16. Which Luo Jing Bo is about 16-17 at this point in the story. The Luo family has a home-school set up in the manor for the children that’s been mentioned a few times. You can even look at Luo Jing Ming the third branch’s shu son, who’s said to have turned out well because he had good teachers despite growing up under Liu-shi and a shit father.
For Jing Wan’s mother it’s not just the problem of schemes, Zhang-shi is pretty much socially crippled, and to some degree probably has social anxiety, that she’s unable to handle a lot of things around the household properly.
I get why you may not like these chapters Jen-San but I for one am looking forward to finally understanding these new characters and why they were so bad that our local tyrant had to do a thing. Google sensei was even more incomprehensible than usual during this part so Im terribly excited for this mini arc