RATMOFANF: Chapter 14

 Character Glossary

· Shen Jingxiu / Lady Shen (沈静姝/沈氏): The female protagonist, Li Ling's wife.

· Li Ling (李陵): The Heir of the Zhenguo Duke Manor.

· Third Young Lady, Jin Yan (三姑娘瑾嫣): Li Ling's younger sister.

· Old Madam Li (李老夫人): Li Ling's grandmother, the matriarch.

· Xu Wanning (徐婉宁): The wife of Li Ling's cousin.

· Li Xian (李显): Xu Wanning's husband, currently away on business.

· Fourth Master / Si Ye (四爷): The illegitimate son of the Duke, Li Ling's half-brother.

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Chapter 14: Propriety and Principle Cannot Be Abandoned

Jingxiu and the Third Young Lady returned to the Zhenguo Duke Manor. As soon as they alighted from the carriage, a reporting matron from Anxi Hall hurried over and said to the two of them with a smile, "By the Old Madam's order, the Second Lady and the Third Young Lady are to go directly to Anxi Hall for the evening meal."

Before Jingxiu could respond, the Third Young Lady said, "Second Sister-in-law and I are tired from a whole day of shopping. Go back and tell Grandmother we won't be going today."

The matron smiled and said, "The Old Madam said it's been a while since she gathered the younger generations for a lively gathering. Taking advantage of the Heir's day off today and the Fourth Master's return from his travels, she has summoned all the grandchildren from both branches for a get-together. If the Third Young Lady is tired, perhaps you could first go back to wash up and rest a while. This old servant will report back to the Old Madam. The Third Young Lady can come later."

The Third Young Lady replied, "Fine then. I'll go back first and come later." Then, she looked at Jingxiu. "Second Sister-in-law, you must be tired too. Go back and rest for a while before coming over."

Jingxiu asked the matron, "Has the Heir returned?"

"Replying to the Heir's Lady, the Heir returned in the afternoon and is currently with the Old Madam."

"Have the others arrived?" Jingxiu asked further.

"Replying to the Heir's Lady, only the Fourth Master has not yet arrived."

Jingxiu said, "I am not tired. I will go with you now, Matron." As she spoke, she instructed the maids, including Ziyun, "You all, accompany the Third Young Lady and take the items purchased today to her quarters first."

The maids assented, went to the carriage to retrieve the items, and followed the Third Young Lady towards her residence, the Lanyā Xuān.

When Jingxiu arrived at Anxi Hall with the matron, sure enough, aside from the Fourth Master and the Third Young Lady, all the grandchildren from both branches were present. The whole family was chatting and laughing around the Old Madam.

Jingxiu curtsied and greeted the Old Madam. The Old Madam beckoned for her to sit down and asked the reporting matron, "Why didn't Third Girl come together?"

The matron replied, "Replying to the Old Madam, the Third Young Lady is somewhat tired from today's excursion. She has gone back to wash up and rest for a while and will come over shortly."

Only then did the Old Madam remember that Jingxiu and the Third Young Lady had gone out to order clothes today. She turned to Jingxiu and said, "Xiu'er, you've been out with Third Girl for most of the day, you must be tired too. Why didn't you go back and rest for a while before coming? Today, I only called you younger generations; there's no need to stand on ceremony."

Jingxiu smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. Third Sister is young and can't handle the strain as well. But since I have become someone's wife, how can I easily claim to be tired? Grandmother is simply too partial towards me."

The Fourth Master and the Third Young Lady were, after all, the Old Madam's own legitimate grandchildren. Occasional indulgence was naturally harmless. However, no matter how lenient the Old Madam was, she herself was a daughter-in-law, and a new one at that. She could not relax her adherence to etiquette.

To secure a firm footing within this noble household, propriety and principle could not be abandoned.

The Old Madam nodded subtly in her heart, her approval of this granddaughter-in-law growing.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The Eldest Young Master, Li Xian, was away on business in another locality. Xu Wanning sat directly below the Old Madam. She was naturally straightforward, but today she was even more lively. Her witty remarks, pouring out like beans from a bamboo tube, repeatedly delighted the Old Madam.

Her difficult mother-in-law had been sent to the family temple, and her young son was back by her side. A double blessing.

Xu Wanning was so overjoyed she was practically ready to beat gongs and drums.

When it was time for the meal, the Third Young Lady and the Fourth Master had still not arrived. The Old Madam instructed everyone to go to the banquet hall first and wait for the two of them.

Everyone had just taken their seats in the banquet hall when the Third Young Lady rushed in. Without waiting for the Old Madam to speak, she said cheerfully, "See? Better to arrive at the right moment than to arrive early. Even though I'm late, I've arrived just as the feast is starting."

The Old Madam said with a smile, "You silly girl, so you know you're late?" As she spoke, she patted the chair beside her and said dotingly, "Come sit here quickly."

Instead of sitting next to her grandmother as usual, the Third Young Lady called out to Xu Wanning, "Eldest Sister-in-law, let's swap seats!"

The Old Madam chided, "Your Eldest Sister-in-law is already seated. What's this about swapping seats for no reason? Be good, come here quickly."

The Third Young Lady pouted and said coquettishly, "I want to sit next to Second Sister-in-law!"

Xu Wanning said breezily, "I thought there was some treasure inlaid on this chair of mine, making you fight for it. So it's for your Second Sister-in-law. Fine then, I'll yield it to you." With that, Xu Wanning stood up and left her seat.

Ever since she received the news this morning that her mother-in-law had been sent to the family temple, she had been overjoyed and couldn't wait to go to Qingfeng Yuan to share the good news with Jingxiu, her "strategist." Who would have thought Jingxiu wasn't in! Now that she had finally caught her, even if she couldn't talk about this great news openly in front of everyone, she could at least whisper a few words in Jingxiu's ear, make a victory gesture under the table, or exchange a knowing look.

Now that the Third Young Lady had intercepted her chance, Xu Wanning felt a little disappointed. As she stood up, she shot Jingxiu a look that said, "I have something to tell you later."

Jingxiu subtly returned a look that said, "I already know."

Xu Wanning's expression showed surprise, asking, "How did you know?"

Jingxiu motioned with her chin, signaling they would talk about it later. Only then did Xu Wanning reluctantly leave.

Everyone was seated, and all the dishes had been served, yet there was still no sign of the Fourth Master.

The Third Young Lady couldn't hold back anymore. "Why hasn't Fourth Brother arrived yet? Has someone been sent to hurry him along?"

The reporting matron replied, "He has already been summoned. The Fourth Master said he will arrive shortly."

The Third Young Lady said irritably, "Why does he put on such airs, making everyone wait for him alone?"

This Fourth Master was born from the Duke's mistress. The fallout between the Duke and the Grand Princess back then was precisely over this mistress and her son.

It was said that this mistress was the daughter of one of the Duke's subordinates. This subordinate had followed the Duke for many years and later died in battle, taking a sword for the old Duke. He left behind only this orphaned daughter, entrusted to the Duke's care. The Duke kept this woman hidden outside, behind the Grand Princess's back, and she bore him a son—this Fourth Master.

Years later, the Grand Princess accidentally learned of the existence of this mother and son. How could the proud Fu Xi swallow such humiliation? She found the pair. It was said that upon seeing the woman, without a word, she had her killed on the spot.

By the time the Duke rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, the woman was beyond saving. She only begged the Duke to take good care of their child before passing away.

After this incident, the Duke and the Grand Princess had a complete falling-out.

Although they did not divorce, the once-loving couple became enemies.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The Grand Princess moved back to her Princess Manor and rarely returned to the main manor.

The Duke brought this illegitimate son back to the manor, gave him status, and he became the Fourth Master of the Zhenguo Duke Manor.

With these past grievances from the previous generation, the young Third Young Lady naturally did not think much of this Fourth Brother. Every time she saw him, her expression was unpleasant.

Seeing the Third Young Lady complain, the Old Madam comforted, "Your Fourth Brother just returned from his travels. He must have many matters to attend to. Let's wait for him a little longer."

The Third Young Lady pouted and retorted, "Why does Grandmother always defend him?"

The Old Madam replied, "Grandmother has always been fair to all of you. But you are, after all, siblings. You should be harmonious. How can you hold a grudge over such a small matter?"

The Third Young Lady made a sound of disdain and muttered unconvinced, "Who is siblings with this child of a mistress? He doesn't deserve it."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present immediately fell silent. The atmosphere instantly turned cold. The Old Madam let out a long sigh and muttered to herself in a low voice, "What a fateful retribution!"

Li Ling spoke up, his voice cold. "Jin'er, don't talk nonsense. Where did you, at such a young age, learn such sharp and harsh words?"

The Third Young Lady, always the most spoiled by the Old Madam, though usually quite fearful of this stern elder brother, felt emboldened with her grandmother present. She said indignantly, "He's merely a born of a mistress son. Is he more noble than us, the legitimate descendants? That we have to wait here eagerly for him?"

"Hold your tongue!" Li Ling snapped in a low voice.

The Third Young Lady glanced at her brother's stern gaze. Although she didn't want to back down in front of everyone, she was truly somewhat intimidated. She muttered, "What did I say that was wrong?"

Jingxiu was sitting right between the two. Seeing the siblings at such odds, she tugged gently at the Third Young Lady's sleeve and advised, "Good sister, please don't say such things. The family has finally gathered together. Why must we quarrel?" She leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "If this continues, Grandmother will be sad."

Hearing Jingxiu's words, the Third Young Lady glanced at the Old Madam and then reluctantly fell silent.

(End of Chapter)

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Third Young Lady @Everyone: Second Brother is too fierce. Second Sister-in-law is better.

Jingxiu @Third Young Lady: You have good judgment. Second Sister-in-law has many good qualities. You'll discover them as we spend more time together.

Li Ling @Jingxiu: First Grandmother, now my sister. All my relatives are being won over by you.

Jingxiu @Li Ling: Look for the reason within yourself.

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