RATMOFANF: Chapter 33

 Character Glossary

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

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

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

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

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

· Uncle Fu (福叔): A senior steward of the manor.

· Uncle Xiang (祥叔): A senior steward of the manor.

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Chapter 33: The Foundation of the World Lies in the State; The Foundation of the State Lies in the Family; The Foundation of the Family Lies in the Self

The two of them chatted all the way to Anxi Tang, and sure enough, they saw the courtyard crowded with many stewards from the manor itself, as well as from various estates and shops.

Xu Wanning threw Jingxiu a look that said, "See, I guessed right, didn't I?"

Jingxiu truly hadn't expected the Old Madam to hand over the household management to her so quickly. Let alone a top-tier noble family like the Zhenguo Duke Manor in the capital, even in ordinary wealthy families, a new bride typically had to wait a full year after entering the household before being qualified to manage the internal affairs. Some, if lacking capability, had to wait even longer.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

And she had only been in the household for three months; the time was still short.

The crowd in the courtyard watched as the two radiant young mistresses walked in. One by one, they lowered their brows and averted their eyes, respectfully greeting the two.

The two women walked towards the main hall, slightly nodding their heads towards the crowd as they passed, and entered the main room one after the other.

Inside, the Old Madam sat in the seat of honor. She had now recovered from her illness. Today, she was wearing a lotus-blue formal robe with vermilion edging. Her graying hair was meticulously combed into a Ruyi bun, adorned with a large phoenix hairpin of pure gold at the center and dark, lustrous jade beads at her temples.

She appeared truly vigorous, dignified, and authoritative.

The chief stewards of the manor, Uncle Fu and Uncle Xiang, sat below the Old Madam. Upon seeing Jingxiu and Xu Wanning enter, they stood up to pay their respects.

These two were esteemed stewards within the manor. Neither of the young women dared to act arrogantly and promptly returned the courtesy.

"Sit down. I called you here today because I have something to discuss," the Old Madam addressed her two granddaughters-in-law.

They assented and sat down near the Old Madam.

The Old Madam got straight to the point. "The Second Branch's wife has been frequently dreaming of the deceased Second Master lately. She has gone to the temple to copy scriptures for him."

No matter how unworthy Guo Shi was, she was still the birth mother of the Eldest Young Master, Li Xian. Although the Old Madam despised her, for the sake of her eldest grandson, she had to save some face for her publicly.

With that, the Old Madam looked at Jingxiu, then turned to the two chief stewards. "My health has been declining recently, and my energy is inevitably lacking. Although the Second Mistress has not been in the household long, circumstances call for flexibility. I plan to hand over the management of all household affairs to her."

Since she had married into the Zhenguo Duke Manor and become the wife of the Heir, managing the household affairs was an inevitable duty sooner or later.

Her own background was lowly. Taking on the responsibilities of the matriarch early would allow her to establish a firm footing within this powerful family sooner. Furthermore, she was inherently capable. The stepmother in her maternal family was originally just a personal maid serving her birth mother; her origins were humble. Therefore, Jingxiu had been managing all internal and external affairs, hosting and receiving guests, from a young age. Taking over the household management now, Jingxiu felt confident in her heart.

That the Old Madam was entrusting the authority of managing the household to her so early was also a sign of her high regard. Jingxiu naturally had no reason to refuse.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Only, for appearance's sake, she still had to show some modesty.

Jingxiu stood up, made a slight bow towards the Old Madam, and said slowly, "Your granddaughter-in-law thanks Grandmother for your favor. However, I am young and fear I may fail to live up to your trust."

The Old Madam said, "What does being young matter? Who hasn't been young? Besides, you have the Eldest Branch's wife and the two uncles to assist you."

Before Jingxiu could respond, Xu Wanning eagerly interjected, "Grandmother, rest assured, I will spare no effort in supporting my sister-in-law."

For Xu Wanning, the Old Madam handing the household management authority to Jingxiu made her even happier than Jingxiu, the future authority holder herself.

Previously, all household affairs were managed by her mother-in-law, Guo Shi. Guo Shi was an extremely selfish and greedy person. Over the years, she had frequently lined her own pockets. Now that the manor had a proper wife for the Heir, it was time for her to relinquish power.

Xu Wanning had been suppressed by Guo Shi since entering the household, and resentment had built up deeply within her. The thought of Guo Shi being stripped of her power...

It was immensely satisfying for Xu Wanning!

The Old Madam said with a smile, "You are a good child. With you here, Grandmother is naturally assured."

Uncle Xiang and Uncle Fu also chimed in, "You have toiled for most of your life, Old Madam. Now that you have such capable granddaughters-in-law, it's time to enjoy some peace and happiness. Rest assured, we will do our utmost to assist the Heir's Wife in managing all affairs properly."

The Old Madam smiled contentedly and signaled Xu Momo with her eyes. Xu Momo turned and went into the inner room. Moments later, she brought out an exquisite wooden box and handed it to the Old Madam.

The Old Madam opened the box, took out a pure gold tally from inside, rubbed it in her hand a few times, and called Jingxiu forward. "This is the command tally of the Zhenguo Duke Manor, passed down through the matriarchs of the clan. I once passed it to Fu Xi. When Fu Xi returned to the Princess's residence, she returned it to me. Today, I pass it on to you."

Jingxiu said respectfully, "Your granddaughter-in-law will certainly spare no effort and will not disappoint you, Grandmother."

The Old Madam said solemnly, "Safeguard the ancestral legacy; bring glory and continue the family line. The clan matriarch is the pillar of stability within this manor." She looked at Jingxiu with hopeful eyes and said slowly, "How to cultivate yourself, the way is on this tally. You must ponder it yourself as you gain experience."

Jingxiu received the tally and focused her gaze on it. The front of the gilded tally was inscribed:

"The foundation of the world lies in the state; the foundation of the state lies in the family; the foundation of the family lies in the self."

The back was inscribed with: "Gentleness, Kindness, Respectfulness, Thriftiness, and Deference."

Holding the tally in her hands, she knelt on both knees, kowtowed solemnly to the Old Madam, and said, "Safeguard the ancestral legacy; bring glory and continue the family line. This wife will certainly not disgrace the mission."

The Old Madam helped Jingxiu to her feet. "From now on, the Zhenguo Duke Manor relies on you and Bo Yue."

Uncle Xiang stepped forward and addressed the Old Madam, "The stewards from all departments are waiting outside. Does the Old Madam wish to address them?"

The Old Madam nodded. "I summoned them today precisely so they could all meet our new mistress." With that, she looked at Jingxiu. "Come with Grandmother."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Everything had been arranged outside. A raised platform covered with a large red felt rug was set up under the corridor. The stewards from all departments had already assembled, standing respectfully below the platform, waiting.

The Old Madam, holding Jingxiu's hand, slowly ascended the steps. She addressed the dense crowd below, who were listening with rapt attention: "The Zhenguo Duke Manor has over five hundred members. You are all responsible for various affairs within the manor, all understanding and capable individuals."

The people below said respectfully, "We thank the Old Madam for your grace."

The Old Madam continued, "Now the Heir has married and has his Lady. I have grown old. Today, I hand over the management of the household to the Second Mistress. From now on, you must follow the directives of the Second Mistress and perform your duties well."

The people below immediately knelt in a dense mass, proclaiming towards Jingxiu on the high platform: "We will certainly devote ourselves to our duties and pledge our allegiance to the Heir's Wife."

The autumn sun was bright, the sky clear for miles. The brilliant sunlight shone upon the young woman on the high platform. Her peerlessly beautiful face bore a radiance of composure and confidence.

(End of Chapter)

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(SPOILER ALERT)

Yesterday, we received many more messages from readers. Here are some further replies:

1. Jingxiu suffered such a great grievance at Lù Yuán. Is she just going to swallow it quietly and let it pass?

   Answer: This matter isn't over yet. It will be resolved soon, helping the female protagonist vent her anger. I wouldn't let our little protagonist suffer in vain.

2. Some readers say the female protagonist should torture/abuse the male protagonist.

   Answer: Dear readers, this isn't a revenge story where we torture scum, and the male protagonist isn't a scumbag. In their previous life, it was also because the female protagonist was overly compliant everywhere, which caused this iron-willed, straightforward man to overlook her feelings. In this life, the female protagonist has rediscovered herself and will gradually tame this straightforward man. For a staunch, straightforward patriarch like the male protagonist, physical punishment can't affect him; he'd sleep it off without a care. The female protagonist taming him is primarily on a spiritual level, a "slowly boiling a frog" approach. Rest assured, this dark horse Li Ling will eventually be tamed by the female protagonist. The moment the female protagonist slightly frowns, he will find food tasteless and suffer heartache. This kind of "torture" is the correct way for our female protagonist to manage her husband. Observant readers will notice that the current male protagonist isn't as straightforward as he was at the beginning. Changing a straightforward man isn't the work of a single day!

   Confident women can own a splendid life! This is the main theme of this work.

   We hope we can all become confident women and own splendid lives.

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