RATMOFANF: Chapter 30

 Character Glossary

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

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

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

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

· Xu Momo (徐嬷嬷): Old Madam Li's personal, trusted attendant.

· Xu Wanning (徐婉宁): Li Xian's wife. From the Yongyi侯府 (Marquis Manor). Brisk, capable, straightforward.

· Guo Shi (郭氏): Li Xian's mother, mistress of the second branch. Currently in the family temple.

· Zhang Mama (张嬷嬷): A senior maid serving Xu Wanning.

· Yingchun (迎春): A maid serving Xu Wanning.

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Chapter 30: This Trap Was Set for the Zhenguo Duke Manor

Inside the lofty, resplendent hall of the Princess Manor, the Grand Princess sat in the seat of honor, with Li Ling seated below her. Mother and son were conversing.

The topic concerned Qingluan.

The Grand Princess said displeased, "This Princess has heard that these past few days, someone from the Yùshǐ Tái (Censorate) actually submitted a memorial to the Emperor, impeaching the inner court."

Seeing his mother's displeasure and knowing he couldn't hide it, Li Ling simply admitted, "This matter was indeed done by your son."

The Grand Princess let out a long sigh. "Bóyuē, you are so muddled! You are not unaware of the current situation at court. Why stir up trouble? You know full well the Emperor is most wary of military generals forming cliques with censors, yet you still—"

Li Ling rushed to defend himself. "Mother, your son has not formed any clique, nor do I wish to get involved in the struggle between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Jin. Your son was only acting to—"

The Grand Princess waved her hand. "I know you did it to protect Qingluan. But you cannot lose your sense of proportion because of that. Regarding Qingluan's matter, the inner court has delayed and delayed again, and still hasn't found any clear result. It's clearly done on the Emperor's instruction. Can't you see that?"

Li Ling began his official career at fourteen. By seventeen, he held the position of Imperial Guard Commandant. Now, at twenty-two, he was the Second Rank (正二品) Capital Garrison Commander, overseeing the defense of the capital, both inside and outside the city walls.

His attainment of such a high position did not rely on his Princess mother's connections or the prestige of the Zhenguo Duke Manor's prominent family. Without genuine talent, practical ability, and exceptional intelligence, an ordinary person could never hold such a crucial post.

Of course, he could see the situation clearly.

Li Ling said in a low voice, "Back then, our younger aunt entered the palace for the sake of the Zhenguo Duke Manor. Now my cousin is alone in the palace, being bullied. If we don't stand up for her, who can she rely on?"

The Grand Princess understood her son. Outwardly cold and stern, he was an extremely responsible and principled man. While she felt pleased and comforted to have such a son, she couldn't help but worry. Born into the imperial family, she was accustomed to the bloody storms of power struggles and naturally possessed insight beyond ordinary people.

A responsible person can achieve great things, that's true, but they are also more easily used by others.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The Grand Princess's expression softened slightly. Looking at Li Ling, she said, "Mother understands your feelings. It's just that this matter is absolutely not what you think."

She paused, then continued, "This matter appears on the surface to be an incident stirred up by the Eighth Princess due to her grudge with the Ninth Princess. In reality, hidden behind it is the struggle between the Crown Prince and the Prince of Jin."

Hearing his mother's words, Li Ling's eyes shifted slightly. This was a possibility he had considered.

The Grand Princess sighed and said slowly, "This matter is most likely the handiwork of the successive Empress Cáo. That Eighth Princess has merely fallen into her trap. If you forcefully intervene for Qingluan's sake, you will thoroughly offend the Prince of Jin. Then, even if you don't wish to align yourself with the Cáo clan and the Crown Prince, you will have no choice."

The Eighth Princess and the Prince of Jin were born of Consort Meng. The Crown Prince was the legitimate son of the successive Empress Cáo. The Prince of Jin had always cast a covetous eye on the Crown Prince's position. The conflict between the two factions had now reached a point of implacable hostility.

It's just that the Grand Princess and the Zhenguo Duke Manor had always maintained a neutral stance.

This trap was set precisely for the Zhenguo Duke Manor.

If they could secure the support of the Grand Princess and the Zhenguo Duke Manor, the Crown Prince's position would be secure!

Li Ling sighed. "Your son understands. It's just pitiable, my cousin."

Seeing her son was not being obtuse, the Grand Princess felt relieved. "Tomorrow, submit a request for an audience at the palace. Let the Old Madam go in to see her." Then, the Grand Princess asked, "I heard yesterday from the visiting Zhang Taiyi that the Old Madam was ill. How is she now?"

Li Ling replied, "Yesterday, Shū'er and I kept watch there all night. Grandmother ate something after midnight. Before I came out this morning, I went to check on her; she seemed much better than yesterday. Shū'er is there attending to her. Don't worry, Mother."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The Grand Princess nodded slightly. "Shū'er is a good one. Treat her well."

Li Ling's eyes shifted, a trace of softness appearing on his face. "If Mother likes her, I can have her come often to keep you company."

The Grand Princess replied, "Let's wait until things settle down a bit. I also have something to give her."

Li Ling asked, "Shall I take it for you, Mother?"

The Grand Princess glanced at her son. "Another day, I'll have Ju Momo deliver it. You may go attend to your duties."

—

In Ānxī Táng, the Old Madam was indeed much better today and was already able to sit up.

Jingxiu and Xu Momo were by the daybed feeding the Old Madam her medicine when Xu Wanning hurried in energetically from outside.

"Grandmother! I heard you were ill as soon as I entered the manor! How are you feeling now?"

The Old Madam smiled faintly. "It's all old ailments, nothing serious. At my age, how can one avoid the occasional headache or fever? You mustn't make a fuss."

Xu Wanning was still uneasy and looked at Jingxiu beside her. Jingxiu said, "Zhang Taiyi came again this morning to check her pulse. He said it's nothing serious, just to take two more doses of medicine and rest for a few days."

Xu Wanning let out a long sigh of relief. "Then I can rest easy." Having said that, she walked to the table, poured herself a cup of tea, and downed it in one go.

The Old Madam, seeing her impulsive manner, said with a laugh, "How did you get so thirsty?"

Xu Wanning dabbed the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief and replied sheepishly, "I came straight from the family temple early this morning. I heard you were ill as soon as I entered the manor and haven't even gone back to my own courtyard yet."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Hearing she came from the family temple, the Old Madam's face darkened.

Xu Wanning usually tried her best to avoid her mother-in-law. As soon as Jingxiu heard Xu Wanning came from the family temple, she guessed that the second aunt, Guo Shi, must have been causing trouble for her daughter-in-law again. Worried that hearing such upsetting news would aggravate the Old Madam's condition, Jingxiu quickly said, "Eldest Sister-in-law was concerned about Second Aunt and went to deliver some things to her yesterday."

Xu Wanning, hearing Jingxiu's words, understood she had misspoken. She quickly picked up the thread with a smile. "Yes, I went over yesterday morning to deliver some clothes and the foods my mother-in-law usually likes. She insisted I stay the night."

The Old Madam said tonelessly, "Even at the family temple, would she lack for food and clothing?"

Xu Momo, standing nearby, chimed in, "Food and clothing are certainly not lacking. It's just the Eldest Madam's filial piety that is rare."

Hearing Xu Momo's words, Xu Wanning's powdered face twitched slightly.

The Old Madam disliked Guo Shi and was disinclined to talk about her further. She changed the subject. "How has Dàláng (Eldest Boy Grandson) been lately?"

Xu Wanning replied with a smile, "He's doing very well. He's already started learning characters. I'll bring him for you to see another day."

The Old Madam said, smiling, "Bring Jiě'er (Eldest Grandaughter) along too, so I can see them both."

Xu Wanning assented.

Everyone chatted with the Old Madam for a while, but worried she might tire, they all withdrew, closing the door behind them to let the Old Madam rest peacefully.

Once outside Ānxī Táng, Xu Wanning couldn't help complaining to Jingxiu. "This mother-in-law of mine... it must be a debt from my past life. Even at the family temple, she won't let me be at peace. She summoned me over yesterday and then proceeded to fuss and make endless demands, so I hardly slept all night."

Jingxiu said, "Next time she tries to make you run errands, just say you have matters in the manor and can't get away."

Xu Wanning sighed with quiet resentment. "With her gone, I've finally had a few days of peace. Why would I willingly seek out trouble in front of her? It's all because of our 'filial' good Eldest Master! If I didn't go, he'd probably devour me! Hmph! He's only been back a few days, and because of his mother, he's finding fault with me everywhere."

Having such a blindly filial husband was truly trying.

Seeing the plaintive resentment on Xu Wanning's face, Jingxiu felt for her, but there was little advice she could offer. Matters between a couple were not something an outsider could easily intervene in.

Jingxiu changed the subject. "I heard the Eldest Master handled the water management inspection duty in the south very well this time, greatly pleasing the Emperor. Perhaps he will be promoted again this time."

Xu Wanning's expression softened slightly. "Who knows? It depends on the Emperor's favor."

Just as they were speaking, Yingchun, a maid from Xu Wanning's household, came towards them. Xu Wanning asked, "What brings you to find me?"

Yingchun replied, "Rewards have been bestowed from the palace. Nanny Zhang sent me to find you, Madam, to go back and check them."

Jingxiu looked at Xu Wanning with a smile. "Speak of something, and it comes."

Xu Wanning winked at her, then turned to Yingchun and asked, "If there are bestowed rewards, Nanny Zhang can just take them to the storeroom. Why specially come find me?"

Yingchun hesitated. "There is... there is... that is... Nanny Zhang doesn't know how to arrange... one of the items."

Hearing this, Xu Wanning's face fell. "What exactly was bestowed?"

Yingchun replied, "I saw several bolts of Shu brocade, some calligraphy, paintings, antiques, gold, silver, jewels, and..." Yingchun glanced at Jingxiu beside them and stammered, "And also... that... Madam, you'll know when you go back and see."

Xu Wanning was impatient by nature. Seeing her hesitate and speak haltingly, she said urgently, "Just tell me what it is right now! Why stammer? The Second Madam is not an outsider!"

Yingchun hung her head and said in a low voice, "The Emperor also bestowed a palace courtesan. Nanny Zhang doesn't know which courtyard to assign her to, which is why she sent me to find you, Madam."

(End of Chapter)

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