RATMOFANF: Chapter 32

 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.

· Xu Wanning (徐婉宁): Li Xian's wife. Brisk, capable, straightforward, and friendly towards Jingxiu.

· Guo Shi (郭氏): Li Xian's mother, mistress of the second branch. Acerbic and difficult.

· Li Xian (李显): Li Ling's cousin, the eldest grandson. A high-ranking official.

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Chapter 32: Any Future Rewards Will Also Go to You

Ever since returning from Lù Yuán a while ago, Jingxiu had not been intimate with Li Ling. Whenever he approached her wanting to do that, she could not help but recall the experience on the boat that day.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Coinciding with this period of her serving the Old Madam, she was unwilling in her heart and used exhaustion as an excuse to avoid it.

Li Ling, understanding her diligent care for his grandmother day and night, had restrained himself and not touched her.

Today, it was clearly unavoidable.

Perhaps because she was in a good mood today, although she did not feel the same pleasure as before, she was not as averse to him and managed to feigned compliance through it patiently.

Afterwards, Li Ling held her close and murmured in her ear in a low voice, "Is it because we haven't practiced in a while? Why does your mind seem elsewhere?"

Jingxiu remained silent. After a long silence, she slowly moved out of his embrace and lay quietly back on her own pillow.

Li Ling thought she was tired from her recent busyness. "Tomorrow, I'll have them prepare a bowl of bird's nest for you daily to nourish you," he said, reaching out to gently pinch her cheek. "Look how thin you've become."

Jingxiu remained silent. After a long while, she murmured, "Do you think it was improper for me to accept that garden just like that?"

Was she still preoccupied with the matter of the garden?

Li Ling said casually, "What's improper about it? Since it was Mother's intention, you should accept it. If you didn't, Mother would be displeased."

True, a mother-in-law giving a gift to her daughter-in-law was normal, only her mother-in-law was too wealthy, and the gift was too grand.

It made her feel somewhat overwhelmed.

Li Ling also thought of this and comforted her, "Mother has plenty of gardens under her name. Don't have any reservations, just accept it with peace of mind."

Hearing Li Ling's words, Jingxiu's slightly uneasy heart finally settled. She turned over and wrapped her arms around Li Ling's waist.

Li Ling naturally appreciated this.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

At his age, full of vigor, and newly married, having abstained for so many days, now with warmth and fragrance in his arms, he naturally could not get enough.

Just as Li Ling was about to press down upon her again, the young woman resting against his chest said softly, "Mother treats me so well."

So, her clinging to him wasn't for his sake.

Li Ling's heart instantly cooled.

He twitched the corner of his mouth, remained silent for a moment, then patted her hand and said, "Every time I achieve merit, the Emperor bestows rewards. Before marriage, they all went to the household. From now on, any further rewards, I will give them all to you."

How much could that possibly be? It couldn't compare to the garden and over a thousand mu of fertile land his mother had gifted.

Now that she possessed such substantial wealth, she couldn't be bothered to care about ordinary things.

"It's already autumn now. Soon, those dry fields and paddy fields should be harvested. I need to find time to go check on the estate," Jingxiu murmured to herself,一her mind wholly fixed on those assets. She released Li Ling and lay back on her pillow.

Lying on her back, she spoke as if to herself, "Looking at the account books, last year's harvest was quite good. This year, the rainfall has been favorable, so the harvest should be even better than last year's."

Li Ling could no longer contain himself. Propping himself up on one elbow, he pinched her ear, clenching his teeth secretly, and chided, "Look at how easily pleased you are."

Jingxiu's mind was full of the garden. Impatiently, she moved Li Ling's hand away and simply turned over, giving him her back.

The next day, just after finishing breakfast, the messenger matron from Anxi Tang came to relay the Old Madam's message, summoning Jingxiu to come over.

The Old Madam, considerate of her children and grandchildren's efforts, did not require them to come pay their respects daily, except on the first and fifteenth of the month.

Jingxiu agreed and promptly prepared to go. The Old Madam had just recovered, and she had originally planned to visit her anyway.

After leaving Qingfeng Yuan and walking a short distance, she spotted Xu Wanning approaching from the direction of the West Courtyard. Jingxiu guessed she was also going to see the Old Madam, so she stopped and waited for her to go together.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

As Xu Wanning reached her, she spoke first, "I was just thinking of looking for you. What a coincidence, meeting you here like this."

Jingxiu replied, "Eldest Sister-in-law, are you also going to Grandmother's place?"

Xu Wanning nodded. Walking shoulder to shoulder with Jingxiu, she asked, "Did Grandmother specifically send someone to summon you just now?"

Jingxiu said yes and asked casually, "Why? Did Grandmother send someone to your place too?"

Xu Wanning nodded and quietly leaned closer to Jingxiu's ear. "Guess why Grandmother specifically called us over?"

If there wasn't a matter, the Old Madam wouldn't have specifically sent for them. Jingxiu hesitated and said, "Could it be regarding Second Aunt's affair?"

Xu Wanning made a dismissive sound, pursed her lips, and said, "For her? Grandmother wouldn't bother expending that effort."

Mentioning Guo Shi, Jingxiu asked with concern, "She hasn't summoned you to the family temple again recently, has she?"

"That dear mother-in-law of mine, sent away by Grandmother to that godforsaken place where birds don't even crap, is currently in a state where she has anger but no outlet. How could she not 'think of' me?" Xu Wanning gritted her teeth and continued, "She's sent for me several times these past few days. I refused every time."

Jingxiu asked, "Did Eldest Brother say anything to you about it?"

Xu Wanning sneered, "How would he have the face to say anything to me." With that, she gestured with her lips towards the west and said, "The Emperor just bestowed a beauty. I'm providing for her well with good food and drink. He's been quite merry these past few days."

"Hmph! If he dares to make a fuss with me about his mother again, don't blame me for being intolerant!"

Jingxiu then remembered the matter of the Emperor bestowing a palace courtesan upon Li Xian as a reward that day.

Jingxiu advised, "It's good that you don't have to endure the harassment in front of Second Aunt. Let's find some time to go out shopping together another day."

Xu Wanning said with a smile, "I'm afraid you'll be too busy. Where will you find the time to accompany me then?"

Seeing the puzzled look in Jingxiu's eyes, Xu Wanning raised her willow-leaf eyebrows mysteriously and said, "I suspect that Grandmother's summons this time is to discuss handing the household management over to you."

Jingxiu truly hadn't expected this. She said in surprise, "That can't be right. I've only just entered the household three months ago."

Xu Wanning smiled and said, "As long as Grandmother favors you, that's enough. What does the length of time since entering the household have to do with it? Hmph! Some people have been married into the household for most of their lives, with grandchildren running all over the place, and still don't gain the Old Madam's trust."

Anyone with ears could tell she was referring to Guo Shi.

Jingxiu said, "Don't say that. It wouldn't be good if someone heard."

"Alright, let's not talk about her. Mentioning her makes me angry." With that, she looked at Jingxiu and continued, "I bet you."

Jingxiu said with a smile, "Bet what?"

Xu Wanning replied, "If the reason Grandmother summoned us isn't about handing the household management to you, then tomorrow I'll treat you to a drink at Fuyun Tavern. If it is, then you come to my place and keep me company drinking tea to dispel my boredom."

Jingxiu laughed, "So either way, it's you treating. This is a sure-profit business for me. You're at a disadvantage."

Xu Wanning laughed heartily, "Ah, isn't that right!" With that, she linked arms with Jingxiu and said, "I have good tea at my place. Come over tomorrow."

Li Xian had just taken a beautiful concubine. No matter how magnanimous Xu Wanning was, she was still a woman. It was inevitable that she felt stifled in her heart. Inviting Jingxiu over was also a way to share what was on her mind.

Jingxiu said readily, "In that case, I'll gladly accept your invitation. If Grandmother doesn't have any tasks for me, I'll go to your place tomorrow to sample your tea."

(End of Chapter)

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