RATMOFANF: Chapter 15

 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.

· Fourth Master, Li Yu (四爷李玉): The illegitimate son of the Duke, Li Ling's half-brother.

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

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

· Guo Shi (郭氏): Xu Wanning's mother-in-law, recently punished.

· Meizi (梅子): The Third Young Lady's chief maid.

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Chapter 15: Could It Be They Haven't Spent Enough Time Together?

A matron announced from outside, "The Fourth Master has arrived."

The Third Young Lady's earlier outburst had stirred up the Old Madam's sorrowful memories again. She said indifferently, "Let him in."

The crystal bead curtain rustled slightly as a young man stepped inside.

He was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, tall and slender. This was the Fourth Master, Li Yu.

Fourth Master Li Yu was different from Li Ling's heroic and noble bearing, and also different from Third Master Li Xiang's jade-like handsomeness. He carried a strong scholarly air, with a faint trace of melancholy hidden between his brows.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The Third Young Lady, having just been scolded by Li Ling, naturally didn't dare to show a sour face to this half-brother she disliked during the banquet. Although the others were also not close to him, there was no need to make things difficult for him. With Xu Wanning, the cheerful eldest sister-in-law, making conversation and keeping things lively, this family meal concluded quite satisfactorily.

By the time the family banquet ended, the moon was already hanging over the willow tips. Everyone dispersed in small groups.

Jingxiu followed Li Ling back towards Qingfeng Yuan.

Halfway there, the chief maid Meizi, from the Third Young Lady's household, caught up with them. She reported to Jingxiu, "The Third Young Lady asked this servant to inform the Second Lady that the Old Madam has agreed for you to accompany the Third Young Lady to Lù Yuán. The Third Young Lady asks you to go back and pack, saying you will leave tomorrow around noon."

It seemed the Third Young Lady had brought this up with the Old Madam after everyone had dispersed. A granddaughter wanting to stay with her mother for a few days—the Old Madam naturally had no reason to refuse.

Jingxiu replied, "Alright. Go back and tell Third Girl that I will accompany her tomorrow."

After Meizi left, Li Ling looked at Jingxiu and asked, "What's this about? Why do you want to go to Lù Yuán all of a sudden?"

Jingxiu briefly explained to Li Ling about taking the Third Young Lady out to order clothes today and encountering the Grand Princess.

Li Ling said nothing more. The two walked back to Qingfeng Yuan in silence.

Upon returning to her room, Jingxiu went straight into the inner chamber. After washing up and coming out, she saw Li Ling sitting in a chair, staring intently at her.

When he looked at her like that, it meant he had something to say.

Jingxiu asked, "Does the Heir have something to say to this wife?"

Li Ling asked, "Do you know about Second Aunt being punished by Grandmother and sent to the family temple?"

Li Ling wouldn't casually chat with her about domestic trivialities. Him suddenly asking about Guo Shi definitely had a reason. Jingxiu nodded and asked, "Why does the Heir ask about this?"

Sure enough, Li Ling got straight to the point. "It was you who suggested the idea to Eldest Sister-in-law, wasn't it?"

Jingxiu pretended to be confused. "What idea? Second Aunt was sent to the family temple by Grandmother. What does it have to do with Eldest Sister-in-law?" She glanced at Li Ling and added coldly, "And even less to do with this wife."

Li Ling replied, "The silent communication between you and Eldest Sister-in-law during the banquet today, did you think you could hide it from me? With Eldest Sister-in-law's temperament, how could she have come up with such an idea?"

That Second Aunt Guo Shi, presuming on her age and status as a mother-in-law, oppressed her daughter-in-law and seized her child. It was truly infuriating.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

It was true that she had suggested the idea, but this punishment was exactly what Guo Shi deserved.

Since he had seen through it, Jingxiu stopped pretending. She simply replied, "Whatever the Heir says, must be so."

Seeing her displeased expression, Li Ling stood up and walked over to her. He explained, "I'm not blaming you. Second Aunt's actions are indeed sometimes extreme. But she is, after all, an elder. We, as the younger generation, should be more understanding towards her."

She was an elder, that was true. But in all matters, there should still be a concept of "reason," shouldn't there?

Jingxiu thought to herself: For Li Ling to say such a thing shows that, like Li Xian, he is foolishly filial.

Thankfully she had a mother-in-law like the Grand Princess, who disdained finding self-worth by making things difficult for her daughter-in-law. If she had encountered a difficult one like Guo Shi, Li Ling would certainly be like Li Xian, neither understanding her nor standing up for her. Her life would probably be even harder than Xu Wanning's.

"Husband, you are right." Jingxiu didn't wish to discuss this topic further with Li Ling. After tossing out this perfunctory reply, she went to bed by herself, preparing to sleep.

Seeing Jingxiu's attitude, Li Ling felt somewhat displeased. But after their previous argument over attending the ceremony at General Zhou's manor, he had realized that his new bride had a mind of her own. Although he was annoyed by Jingxiu's perfunctory and dismissive attitude towards him, he found himself somewhat helpless against her.

He just couldn't understand. Ever since Grandmother's birthday banquet, this new wife had been treating him differently.

She seemed to hold great dissatisfaction towards him, being both guarded and distant.

Having spent most of the day shopping with the Third Young Lady, Jingxiu was truly tired. She was just about to drift into a drowsy sleep when Li Ling finished washing up and got into bed, disturbing her slumber. She decided to wait until he had settled down before trying to sleep again, but after Li Ling got into bed, he didn't lie down for a long time.

Jingxiu turned over and saw Li Ling sitting upright with his legs crossed beside her. She asked in surprise, "Why isn't the Heir sleeping?"

Li Ling didn't speak. He reached out and pulled her up.

The space on the bed was limited. Facing each other, Li Ling's intense breath brushed against Jingxiu's face, making her itch slightly and feel somewhat embarrassed.

Jingxiu looked at Li Ling in confusion and asked, "Does the Heir still have something to say to this wife?"

Li Ling reached out and gently tucked the stray hairs at Jingxiu's forehead behind her ear.

This small action seemed extremely unusual to Jingxiu. She even instinctively leaned back slightly to avoid it.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Li Ling spoke, "You've been married into the manor for over a month now. During this time, I've been busy with official duties and haven't had much time for you. I was wondering if you are accustomed to everything here in the manor?"

In her previous life, after five years with him, he had never said such words to her. It was as if, by marrying him, she was supposed to abide by all his standards and duties. Everything she did for him, everything she endured, was taken for granted.

Hearing him say such words so suddenly, Jingxiu's heart was stirred. After a moment of silence, she finally replied in a low voice, "Everyone has been very good to this wife. There is nothing this wife is unaccustomed to."

Yes, she was educated and understood propriety, cautious and steady in her actions. Since entering the manor, she had handled relationships with everyone, high and low, with ease.

Grandmother liked her. Eldest Sister-in-law treated her as a confidante. His younger sister loved to cling to her. Even that usually aloof princess mother seemed to think highly of her.

She really shouldn't have anything she was unaccustomed to.

Then why was she so distant towards him?

Could it be that they hadn't spent enough time together?

"If you have any difficulties,you can tell me," Li Ling said to her, his voice carrying a gentleness she had never heard before.

The bright moon hung high in the sky. Its clear and bright light passed through the gauze bed curtains and fell upon the handsome face of the man before her, casting a soft halo over his resolute features.

In her previous life, she had had many difficulties. If he had spoken to her then as he did now, telling her she could confide in him, that he was willing to help her...

Would she still have become disillusioned with him?

Jingxiu's eyes felt slightly sore. Suppressing the tears that threatened to fall, she forced a smile and replied, "This wife has no difficulties, and nothing she needs to tell the Heir." With that, she turned on her side, presenting her back to him, and lay down.

A moment later, Li Ling also lay down. Jingxiu instinctively moved further inside, leaving a space, neither too far nor too close, between them.

Jingxiu calmed her thoughts. After a good while, sleepiness washed over her again. Just as she closed her eyes to sleep, she felt Li Ling move close to her side. He pressed against her, turned on his side, wrapped an arm around her waist, and asked in a low voice, "I forgot to ask you earlier. How many days do you plan to stay at Lù Yuán with Third Girl?"

Jingxiu replied vaguely, "We'll see. It depends on Mother-in-law's wishes."

Li Ling seemed to want to say more, but Jingxiu said, "Let's sleep. I'm tired."

(End of Chapter)

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Li Ling: This Heir truly cannot figure it out. Why exactly are you so dismissive and indifferent towards me?

Jingxiu: You should think about it more.

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Translator's Note: The location "鹿园" is translated as "Lù Yuán" (Deer Park). This was the summer retreat of the Grand Princess mentioned in the previous chapter.

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