RATMOFANF: Chapter 24

 Character Glossary

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

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

· Ziyun (紫云): Shen Jingxiu's personal maidservant.

· Chuán Pó (船婆): The boatwoman.

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Chapter 24: From Now On, She Still Had to Rely on Herself

Seizing this moment, Jingxiu saw clearly that it was the Chuán Pó yet again.

This old woman's repeated visits clearly meant no good.

Jingxiu's mind raced, thinking of how to handle the situation.

The old woman glanced at the untouched soup bowl placed to the side and asked hesitantly, "Madam, you... why haven't you drunk this jiāng chá (ginger tea)?"

She had picked the lock and crept in, presumably counting on Jingxiu being fast asleep. Seeing her guilty expression now made it clear the soup had been tampered with.

She wanted to drug her!

What did she want to do to her?

Jingxiu steadied her nerves but didn't expose her immediately,opting for a stalling tactic instead. "Grandmother, why aren't you asleep yet?"

The old woman stammered, "I... I was concerned about you, Madam. Worried you wouldn't sleep well here alone."

As she spoke, her eyes roved over Jingxiu's body.

Jingxiu didn't reply. She deliberately stepped around the woman and got off the daybed, her eyes quickly scanning the room for something to defend herself with.

The old woman seemed to sense Jingxiu's wariness. She shadowed Jingxiu closely.

Then, catching Jingxiu off guard, she grabbed her in a tight embrace. Startled, Jingxiu shouted, "What are you doing?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Holding her tightly, the old woman said, "Don't be afraid, Madam. This old servant isn't a bad person, I truly mean you no harm."

Struggling, Jingxiu demanded, "Let me go! What is the meaning of this?"

The old woman sniffed at Jingxiu like a bitch, muttering, "Little Madam, you are just too beautiful. Please, let this old servant just touch you."

Jingxiu nearly vomited from disgust.

Finally understanding the Chuán Pó's intentions, she felt both humiliated and furious. "You wretched woman! How dare you be so insolent!" she said sternly.

The old woman, used to manual labor, was surprisingly strong. However Jingxiu struggled, she couldn't break free. Jingxiu watched in horror as the woman's wrinkled, coarse hands reached to slip inside her clothes.

In her desperation, Jingxiu spotted the dagger Li Ling had used to clean the fish earlier, hanging on the clothes rack. He had left it behind in his haste.

While struggling with the old woman, Jingxiu strained to reach the dagger. She pulled out the sharp blade and pointed it directly at the woman's face. "If you dare lay another hand on me, I will kill you!"

Seeing the weapon, the old woman was finally frightened into submission. Seeing Jingxiu gripping the dagger and staring fixedly at her, her almond eyes full of fury, the woman immediately dropped to her knees, pleading, "Spare me, Madam! This old servant was just captivated by your beauty, I never intended to hurt you! I beg you, spare me!"

Holding the dagger in one hand, Jingxiu used her free hand to untie a cloth cord fastening the bed curtains. Fighting her disgust, she firmly bound the old woman's hands.

Seeing this, the old woman realized Jingxiu was sparing her life and finally relaxed, muttering, "Thank you for your great mercy, Madam. This old servant is willing to serve you like an ox or a horse to repay you."

Then, she looked eagerly at Jingxiu and begged, "Madam, please let me stay by your side to serve you! As long as I can stay with you, I'll do anything you ask!"

Jingxiu could no longer tolerate the old woman. She picked up a rag from the table and stuffed it into the woman's mouth, saying angrily, "You think I'd want you to serve me? I find you filthy!"

With that, she turned and strode out of the cabin.

She didn't want to stay there a moment longer.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

A faint fish-belly grey was emerging on the horizon where water met sky. The rain had gradually lessened. A cool wind swept across the lake, hitting Jingxiu and making her shiver.

She walked to the bow, picked up the punt pole, and tried to pole the boat away from there.

At first, the boat slid erratically in the water, refusing to obey.

Jingxiu poled strenuously while trying to figure out the technique, expending great effort before she finally got the boat to respond.

The morning wind was sharp and cold, mingling with the rain and soaking Jingxiu's clothes. She paid it no mind, focusing all her strength on poling the boat back.

Memories of her time with Li Ling flashed uncontrollably through her mind.

It felt like a dream.

In just over a month, he had made her fall in love with him again, only to disappoint her once more.

She should never have lost herself in his tenderness.

In this bleak wind and cold rain, she had sobered up once again.

From now on, she still had to rely on herself!

By the time the sun showed its first sliver, Jingxiu had finally poled the boat back to the shore. Her clothes were long soaked through with rain and sweat. The moment she stopped moving, a piercing cold set in.

Shivering, Jingxiu took off her shoes, stepped into the icy water, and waded ashore, making her way back to her residence in a utterly bedraggled state.

The moment Ziyun saw Jingxiu, she cried out in shock, "What happened to you? What's wrong?"

Jingxiu didn't answer, heading straight to the inner room to remove her thoroughly drenched clothes.

Her face was frozen pale as paper. Not a shred of warmth remained in her body; she was numb with cold.

Ziyun stopped asking questions and hurriedly filled the bathtub with hot water, helping Jingxiu into it.

Jingxiu soaked in the hot water for a long time before she began to thaw out. Noting Ziyun's worried expression and her reluctance to pry, Jingxiu said, "I'm fine. I was just caught in the rain on my way back this morning."

Ziyun didn't believe that for a second.

Her young mistress had gone out happily with the young master yesterday. To return in such a state after one night...

It most likely had everything to do with the young master!

Ziyun fell silent, her expression extremely grim.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Knowing Ziyun wouldn't be easily fooled, Jingxiu explained further, "Something happened at the palace yesterday. The Young Master returned to the city. The rain was too heavy in the middle of the night, so I didn't come back. I forgot my umbrella on my way back this morning and got caught in the rain." She looked at Ziyun reassuringly. "I'm alright. Don't worry."

Ziyun's eyes reddened. "As long as you're alright, Miss," she said, forcing the words out.

After changing into dry sleeping robes, Ziyun helped Jingxiu into bed and had the kitchen prepare ginger tea for her to drink.

Seeing color finally return to Jingxiu's pale cheeks, Ziyun felt slightly relieved. "Don't think about anything, Miss. Just get some proper sleep."

Jingxiu nodded. After the ordeal of the night, she was frightened, exhausted, and weary. Nestled in the warm bedding, she sank into a deep sleep.

She woke around noon feeling her throat tight. When Ziyun felt her forehead, it was slightly warm.

She was clearly ill.

Ziyun wanted to fetch a doctor, but Jingxiu stopped her.

The garden estate naturally had physicians on hand, but Jingxiu didn't want to alert others. She had already attracted gossip for marrying into the Zhenguo Duke Manor after losing her reputation. If this incident got out, how could she possibly go on living?

No matter how resilient she was, she couldn't withstand endless gossip.

This Chuán Pó will be dealt with eventually. Let's leave this vile woman for Li Ling to handle, to vent his wife's anger.

(End of Chapter)

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