RATMOFANF: Chapter 31

 Character Glossary

· Shen Jingxiu (沈静姝): The female protagonist, Li Ling's wife. Reborn and determined to live for herself.

· Li Ling (李陵): The Heir of Zhenguo Duke Manor. Shen Jingxiu's husband, a cold and stern general.

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

· Ziyun (紫云): Shen Jingxiu's chief personal maid, loyal and observant.

· Ju Momo (菊嬷嬷): The personal maid attending to Grand Princess Fu Xi.

· Grand Princess Fu Xi (福熹大长公主): Li Ling's mother, a powerful and revered figure living separately.

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Chapter 31: An Overnight Fortune

After the start of autumn, the summer heat dissipated, and the Old Madam's illness improved.

During this period, Jingxiu had spent most of her time serving at Anxi Hall. Seeing the Old Madam gradually regain her energy, the anxiety in her heart finally settled. 

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

That day, after accompanying the Old Madam for the evening meal at Anxi Hall, Jingxiu was persuaded by the Old Madam to return to her own quarters. Her first order of business upon returning to Qingfeng Yuan was to have Ziyun prepare water for a bath.

Having been busy caring for the Old Madam for several days in a row, she hadn't had a proper bath in a long time.

After her comfortable bath, seeing it was still early, she went out with a few young maids. A while ago, they had transplanted several autumn peonies from the greenhouse. Recently, Ziyun had been chattering about how the small peonies had already formed buds and must be in full bloom by now.

What woman doesn't love flowers?

Jingxiu had planted many flowers and plants in the backyard with her maids and often tended to them in her leisure time. Lately, due to the Old Madam's illness, she hadn't been able to visit them for a long time.

She had just stepped out when she saw the messenger matron leading Ju Momo, the personal maid from the Grand Princess's household, walking towards her.

Jingxiu quickly went forward to meet them, smiling as she asked, "When did you arrive, Momo?"

Having just bathed, Jingxiu's dark, smooth hair was loosely tied up with a single jade hairpin. She wore a moon-white, soft gauze dress printed with orchids, its delicate fabric drifting like mist, with a slender waist tied with a Xiangfei-pink sash.

Graceful and delicate, she resembled a lotus flower just emerged from the water.

Even Ju Momo, who was well-acquainted with the world, couldn't help but marvel.

Beaming, she said to Jingxiu, "This old servant has come on the Princess's orders to visit the Old Madam and, incidentally, to deliver a gift to you, Madam."

Jingxiu replied, "Grandmother is already well. Please tell Mother upon your return that she need not worry."

Ju Momo said, "This old servant has just come from Anxi Hall. I had a cup of tea with the Old Madam and saw that she is indeed much better."

Jingxiu made a gesture of invitation. "Please, Momo, come inside and sit."

As Ju Momo followed Jingxiu into the main hall, Li Ling happened to return. He was somewhat surprised to see Ju Momo and asked, "Momo, has Mother sent you with instructions?"

Ju Momo smiled and said, "The Princess has a gift for Madam."

Earlier outside, Ju Momo had mentioned that her mother-in-law was sending her a gift, but Jingxiu hadn't paid it much mind. Since marrying into the Zhenguo Duke Manor, the Old Madam had frequently rewarded her with various jewels and silks. As the Grand Princess didn't reside in the main manor and they hadn't interacted much, she had never bestowed any gifts upon Jingxiu before. It wasn't unusual for her to specifically send Ju Momo today to present a few items.

After all, in noble families, and even among commoners, when a daughter-in-law enters the household, the mother-in-law typically gives some treasured items.

Ju Momo took a few deed documents from the box she carried and presented them to Jingxiu. "Last time when you, Madam, visited the Lù Yuán, the Princess noticed your fondness for the garden. She has since ordered the Supervisory Office to transfer the ownership of the estate to your name."

What? Her mother-in-law was giving her the Lù Yuán?

This shocked not only Jingxiu but also Li Ling.

His noble mother, the Princess, possessed wealth that could rival a nation, with countless mountain villas and gardens under her name. However, the Lù Yuán was her favorite, the place where she resided for a significant part of each year.

Ju Momo continued, "Not just the garden, but also the two thousand mu of farmland and one thousand mu of forest land adjacent to the estate have been transferred to your name. Here are the property deeds for the garden and the land. Please keep them safe, Madam."

Jingxiu hesitated, almost afraid to reach out and accept them. Anxiously, she said, "Mother's gift is far too generous. How could I possibly accept it?"

Ju Momo simply took Jingxiu's hand, placed the deeds into it, and said with a smile, "You are the Princess's own daughter-in-law by marriage. There is nothing you cannot accept. If you decline, the Princess will be displeased. Please accept them with peace of mind."

 (read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Ju Momo looked at Jingxiu, then at Li Ling. "The Princess said that if you find the leisure, you should go stay at the garden for a few days to relax."

Even with Ju Momo's words to this effect, Jingxiu still hesitated, looking uncertainly toward Li Ling, who stood nearby.

Li Ling said, "Since Mother is giving it, you should accept it."

With that, he took the deeds from Jingxiu's hands, placed them back into the box, and called for Ziyun, instructing, "Put these away for your mistress."

Ziyun promptly agreed, happily taking the box and departing.

Jingxiu said to Ju Momo, "In that case, I will accept them. Another day, I will personally go to thank Mother."

Ju Momo smiled. "There's no hurry. There will be plenty of time ahead. This old servant shall take her leave now."

Even after Ju Momo had left Qingfeng Yuan and disappeared from sight, Jingxiu still found it hard to believe. That luxurious imperial garden now belonged to her?

And over a thousand mu of farmland and forest land!

Her father was only a fourth-rank official in a low-profit ministry.Her maternal family could barely be considered well-off. Her dowry was naturally incomparable to those of noble ladies from ministerial or marquis households. Not to mention others, even Xu Wanning, who came from a marquis household, had a dowry at least ten times larger than hers.

Now, her mother-in-law had suddenly bestowed such a grand gift upon her.

Among the noble ladies in the entire capital, she was likely now among the wealthiest.

This was the legendary overnight fortune!!!

Wealth! Who doesn't love it?

Jingxiu,resting her chin on her hand, sat in a chair in a daze for a long while before her emotions gradually settled. She softly smacked her lips, poured herself a cup of tea and drank it, before the reality truly sank in.

She was now a person of substantial means.

She called out to the outer room, "Ziyun, come here for a moment."

Ziyun entered and asked, "What instructions do you have, Miss?"

Jingxiu said, "Bring the deed documents that Ju Momo brought earlier."

Ziyun assented and brought the box containing the deeds.

Jingxiu opened the box and first took out the garden deed: a bright red cover with a brilliant yellow lining, clearly inscribed with her name and stamped with the imperial supervisory seal below.

After examining it carefully, she set the garden deed aside and picked up the land deed. This deed was more substantial than the garden deed, detailing the acreage and locations of the paddy fields, dry fields, and forest land.

After reviewing the deeds, Jingxiu then opened the account books for the farmland estate and the forest estate. The previous year, the farmland estate had generated nearly six thousand taels of silver from various sources, and the forest estate over four thousand taels.

Suppressing her inner joy, Jingxiu meticulously examined each item and every page.

As twilight deepened, a bright candle illuminated her view.

Jingxiu looked up; it was Li Ling who had lit the candle on the desk for her.

"Thank you," she said hastily, then immediately returned to carefully examining the estate accounts.

Li Ling sat opposite her. The series of expressions and actions of his young wife after her sudden windfall were entirely captured in his eyes.

This young wife usually maintained a dignified and composed demeanor in front of others, but after all, she was only seventeen, still a young woman not entirely free of childishness. Suddenly receiving such a grand gift, she unconsciously revealed a naive, innocent demeanor.

So adorable!

Li Ling's eyebrows relaxed as he watched his young wife's captivated little expression, a smile gradually curling at the corners of his mouth.

Jingxiu finally noticed the intense gaze from across from her. She looked up, her eyes still dazed and bewildered by the sudden fortune, and looked at Li Ling with a puzzled expression.

Li Ling could no longer hold back and let out a soft, amused snort, laughing openly.

Jingxiu finally realized: he had been sitting there, laughing at her all along.

She then became aware of her own unbecoming behavior and felt both embarrassed and annoyed. The dazed, almond-shaped eyes that had been confused by the sudden wealth immediately sparkled with sharp light. Glaring at Li Ling with a darkened face, she demanded, "What are you laughing at?"

Now, Li Ling didn't restrain himself any longer. He laughed heartily, slapping his knee and bending over with laughter, rocking back and forth, even laughing until tears welled in his eyes.

Seeing him mock her like this, Jingxiu, furious, stood up and began hitting him with the deed documents in her hand, grumbling resentfully, "I'll teach you to laugh at me! Let's see you laugh at me again!"

Li Ling struggled to contain his laughter. He caught her delicate hand and said, "Be careful now. If you damage these deeds, the garden won't be yours anymore."

Jingxiu struggled but couldn't free her hand. In her frustration, she lifted her foot to kick him, her face flushed red as she exclaimed, "You're still laughing at me! Still laughing! Let's see you dare laugh again!"

Li Ling continued to laugh uncontrollably. Finally, he simply scooped up his flustered, struggling young wife into his arms and strode purposefully towards the bed.

(End of Chapter)

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(SPOILER ALERT)

Recently, we have received many messages from readers. Here, we will briefly address a few of the frequently asked questions:

1. Did Li Ling love Jingxiu in their previous life?

   Answer: Yes! He always loved the female protagonist, deeply. In their previous life, his coldness towards her was because Jingxiu, feeling indebted to him, became overly compliant and lost her sense of self. Li Ling, being a straightforward and unromantic man, neglected his wife's feelings.

2. What are Li Ling's true feelings towards Qingluan?

   Answer: Li Ling does have a sense of responsibility and care for Qingluan, but there are reasons for this. Everyone will see this revealed gradually as the story progresses.

3. The Duke of Zhenguo (Li Ling's father) betrayed the Grand Princess. Does this mean he lacks moral character?

   Answer: The situation between the Duke and the Grand Princess is also based on a misunderstanding. They have been estranged due to this misunderstanding. Later, the misunderstanding will be cleared up. The Duke's character is not flawed; an explanation will be provided for everyone.

4. Why does Jingxiu seem to lack backbone, falling for Li Ling again so easily in this life?

   Answer: In their previous life, even though Li Ling was cold to her, she never stopped loving him. Moreover, in this life, with Li Ling's changed attitude, it's natural for her to develop feelings for him again. 

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