RATMOFANF: Chapter 26

 Character Glossary

· San Guniang (三姑娘): The Third Young Lady, Li Ling's younger sister. Her personal name is Jin Yan (瑾嫣).

· Grand Princess Fu Xi (福熹大长公主): Li Ling's mother.

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

· Ju Momo (菊嬷嬷): The Grand Princess's personal maid at the Deer Park.

· Liang Jin (梁进): Li Ling's personal attendant/guard.

· Ninth Princess Qingluan (九公主青鸾): Li Ling's cousin, a princess in the palace.

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

· Danzhu (丹朱): Another of Jingxiu's maids.

· Bilü (碧缕): Another of Jingxiu's maids. Young and somewhat naive.

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Chapter 26: She Wanted to Become a Highborn Matriarch Whom People Looked Up To

As soon as San Guniang heard that her elder brother had sent someone to fetch them, her previously happy little face immediately fell. Unhappily, she said, "Mother, tell Official Liang to go back first. Second Sister-in-law and I haven't had our fill of staying here yet."

The Grand Princess was naturally also reluctant to let her daughter and daughter-in-law go. While it was easier to deal with her daughter, her son and daughter-in-law were newlyweds, currently stuck together like glue. Since her son had sent someone to fetch his wife, she, as his mother, couldn't very well fight him for her.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Since Bóyuē has sent someone, you should go back with them."

San Guniang pouted coquettishly. "But I still want to stay here and keep Mother company a while longer."

She truly hadn't had enough. Spending her days here enjoying the scenery and water, with her good-tempered sister-in-law for company—how was that not better than returning to the stifling manor where rules had to be observed everywhere?

"Your royal cousin fell ill a couple of days ago. Mother is somewhat concerned. Tomorrow, this Princess will also be returning to the city."

The Grand Princess's concern for the Ninth Princess was genuine, but she was even more concerned about her son.

In the current Great Qi dynasty, although the Crown Prince had been appointed—he was the son of the successive Empress Zhen—the favored Consort Meng had never ceased her ambitions to become the future Empress Dowager.

The current imperial court and inner palace were fraught with undercurrents and hidden turmoil. The conflict between the two factions had reached an irreconcilable stage.

Although her son was always cautious and steady, when it concerned Qingluan, she feared he might not handle the situation properly and become entangled in it.

San Guniang was still unaware of the plot against Qingluan. Just hearing her mother mention Qingluan made her angry. She said irritably, "She certainly lives up to being a princess, so delicate and precious, unable to withstand the slightest hardship. For more than half the year, it's either a headache or a fever—unlike us, who are thick-skinned and rough."

Knowing her daughter disliked Qingluan, the Grand Princess tried to mediate. "Your royal cousin has been in poor health since childhood. If you don't feel sorry for her, that's one thing, but you shouldn't—"

Before the Grand Princess could finish, San Guniang impatiently interrupted, "Isn't it enough that she has Grandmother, Mother, and Second Brother doting on her? Why would she care about an insignificant person like me?"

She was the only legitimate daughter in the entire manor. In San Guniang's view, her grandmother, mother, and elder brother should all dote on her alone. Any other girl who came to share the affection that rightfully belonged to her was her enemy.

A mother knows her daughter best. The Grand Princess understood her daughter too well. The reason she disliked Qingluan was precisely because she felt Qingluan stole the family's love meant for her. "Qingluan lost her mother in childhood. Our care for her is merely fulfilling our duty as relatives. How could she compare to you?"

San Guniang said furiously, "Mother, don't try to comfort me. I think you are all extremely good to her." Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she looked at Jingxiu and retorted, "No wonder Second Brother hasn't come these past two days. It must be because of her, right?"

Hearing San Guniang's words, Jingxiu's heart twinged slightly. Her eyes darkened, but she forced out a faint smile and replied, "It's not as you say. Your Second Brother is just busy with his duties. How could he come every day?"

San Guniang looked at Jingxiu and said, "Then why did he come here diligently every single day before, early and late, unable to be driven away, but then suddenly disappeared these past few days?" Having said that, she looked at her mother angrily and continued, "I just don't understand. I am his own younger sister. He's always stern and harsh with me, never showing me a good face, yet he dotes on her. Can a cousin possibly be closer than a own sister?"

But that was the person held dear in his heart.

How could anyone else compare!

Suppressing the sourness in her heart, Jingxiu took San Guniang's hand and persuaded her, "Don't talk such childish nonsense. Since someone has come to fetch us, let's pack up and go back."

Ju Momo also stepped in with a smile to smooth things over. "Third Young Lady, please don't be angry. You have parents, brothers, and a sister-in-law—which of them doesn't cherish you like the apple of their eye? Why get angry over an outsider? Go back with the Second Madam first. After returning to the city, if you miss the Princess, you can come stay at the Princess Manor for a while."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Yes, after we go back, if you miss Mother, I'll often take you to visit her," Jingxiu said, coaxing San Guniang as she led her out.

Liang Jin was waiting outside. Seeing Jingxiu and San Guniang come out, he stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Madam, Third Young Lady, this subordinate has been ordered by the Young Master to fetch you both and return to the manor."

San Guniang, still holding a grudge, turned her head away and didn't respond.

Jingxiu replied, "Thank you for your trouble, Official Liang. Allow us to pack our things, and we will return with you."

Liang Jin didn't dare look directly at Jingxiu. Lowering his gaze, he replied, "This subordinate will wait for the Madam and the Third Young Lady outside the garden."

Jingxiu nodded and led San Guniang out of Yǎsòng Jū towards their quarters.

It was already evening when they returned to the Zhenguo Duke Manor. Jingxiu had someone see San Guniang properly back to Lányǎ Xuān before she herself returned to Qīngfēng Yuàn with Ziyun.

Danzhu and Bilü were naturally overjoyed to see them return. They cheerfully attended to their mistress, helping her wash up and change clothes, chattering nonstop.

Ziyun was more observant. Although Jingxiu was joking and laughing with the two younger maids as usual, her eyes were heavy with gloom. Ziyun asked, "Is the Young Master not in the manor?"

Danzhu replied, "He hasn't returned yet. The Young Master has been returning late these past two days."

Bilü said, "This servant noticed the Young Master seemed to be in a rather poor mood these past two days. He's been wearing a dark expression."

Although Li Ling was not one for smiles and often kept a stern face, he was also very reserved and not one to easily show his emotions.

This time, even the usually simple-minded Bilü could tell that Li Ling had been in low spirits these past two days, showing just how worried he was about Qingluan's matter.

"When the Young Lady isn't here, how could the Young Master be in a good mood?" Danzhu, who was helping Jingxiu change, chimed in.

Jingxiu said tonelessly, "You may all go now. I'm tired and wish to rest first."

The two younger maids assented and withdrew. Ziyun helped Jingxiu remove the hairpins and jewelry from her hair. She noticed the faint layer of sorrow veiling the beautiful, flower-like face in the mirror and softly advised, "Young Lady, please don't be angry. If you ruin your health, the one who suffers will be yourself."

Ziyun was only a year younger than her. The two had grown up together since childhood. Though mistress and maid, they were also confidantes.

When it came to understanding her heart, Ziyun was the person in this world who knew her thoughts best.

When Ziyun first spoke, Jingxiu had thought she would advise her not to be angry with Li Ling, to be tolerant of him. She never expected Ziyun to say something like this.

Even Ziyun could see it clearly.

The saying, "I can't see the true face of Mount Lu because I am standing on the mountain itself," described her perfectly.

She was an extremely intelligent person. With Ziyun's slight prompt, she suddenly saw the light.

Since he wasn't worthy of her entrusting her whole self to him...

Why should she trouble herself over him?

Jingxiu raised her hand and took off the hairpin at her temple. "I'll do it myself. Go to the kitchen and have them prepare a few tasty dishes for me. I'll eat before sleeping."

Ziyun looked at Jingxiu with a relieved smile, readily agreed, and went to the kitchen.

Jingxiu sat alone before the mirror, studying her reflection.

In her previous life, although Li Ling had been cold towards her, he had been fervent with her in bed. In this life, he was even more enthusiastic about their intimate relations.

It was all because of this pretty face of hers.

So be it! Since she and he were husband and wife, they were bound together for life. She would no longer hope to become the one held dear in his heart. If he could treat her well and give her the status and honor of a wife sharing her husband's glory, she would simply fulfill her duties as a wife.

She needed to live her life happily.

She wanted to be the respected wife of the Heir in this Zhenguo Duke Manor, to become a highborn matriarch whom people looked up to.

(End of Chapter)

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Jingxiu @Li Ling: Since you don't care about me, why should I care about you?

San Guniang @Li Ling: I don't care about you either.

Qingluan: Cousin, I care about you.

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