RATMOFANF: Chapter 37

 Character Glossary

· Shen Jingxiu (沈静姝): The female protagonist, Li Ling's wife. The new matriarch of the Zhenguo Duke Manor.

· 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.

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

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

· Qingluan (青鸾): The Ninth Princess, Li Ling's cousin.

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Chapter 37: She Didn't Want to Feign Courtesy with Someone She Disliked

Upon entering Anxi Tang, the four of them paid their respects to the Old Madam and sat down.

The Old Madam got straight to the point. "A while ago, the Ninth Princess fell ill." As she spoke, tears uncontrollably fell again. Not wanting her children and grandchildren to see her sorrow, she quickly wiped them away, forced a smile, and said, "Ling'er submitted a request to the palace a few days ago. I was thinking of going to the palace to see her."

Xu Wanning, sitting below the Old Madam, handed her a cup of tea and asked, "Has there been a reply from the palace?"

The Old Madam said, "The reply came this morning. They said the day after tomorrow, two female members from our household are permitted to go."

"Two are allowed?" Xu Wanning looked at the Old Madam in surprise. "In our household, only you, Old Ancestor, hold an official title."

Li Xian picked up his teacup, took a small sip, a smile on his face. "Perhaps the authorities, considering our family's loyalty, have granted a special favor."

The Old Madam nodded slightly. She looked at Xu Wanning, then at Jingxiu. "The third young lady has never gotten along well with Qingluan. Which of you two will accompany me?"

Xu Wanning had a lively nature and wanted to go in her heart.

Although she came from a marquis household and had seen grand occasions, she had never had the opportunity to enter the inner palace, a forbidden area.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

But with Jingxiu present, she couldn't very well compete.

After all, Jingxiu was the wife of the Heir, her status was higher. Such an occasion rightfully belonged to her.

Xu Wanning pursed her lips into a smile and said, "Naturally, it's more suitable for Second Sister-in-law to accompany you, Grandmother."

The Old Madam had the same intention. She looked at Jingxiu and said, "Then Shu'er will accompany me to the palace tomorrow."

With that, the Old Madam looked towards her two grandsons.

The outer court and the inner palace were inseparable. The entry of female family members was naturally connected to the men's political affairs.

Li Ling sat upright beside Jingxiu, his face as cold and detached as usual. Li Xian set down his teacup and glanced around as if nothing were amiss.

Seeing her grandsons didn't express an opinion, the Old Madam looked back at Jingxiu and asked, "So, it's settled?"

Jingxiu smiled slightly and said slowly, "This wife has just taken over the household and is currently overwhelmed with work. Perhaps it would be better for Eldest Sister-in-law to accompany you."

Xu Wanning had thought she definitely had no chance; her mind had already moved past this matter. She was sitting there blankly, inwardly planning how to deal with the palace courtesan Li Xian had just taken, when she heard Jingxiu decline and suggest she go instead. She immediately perked up, sat up straight, and looked eagerly at the Old Madam.

Upon hearing this, Li Xian's gaze immediately snapped back, focusing intently on the Old Madam.

The Old Madam looked at Jingxiu and replied, "It's only half a day; you'll be back soon. There's nothing urgent at home."

Jingxiu instinctively glanced at Li Ling beside her.

Li Ling still showed no expression.

She looked at the Old Madam, her face still wearing a gentle smile, and replied, "I would very much like to accompany you, Grandmother. Firstly, I've never been to the inner palace in all my life and would like to see it for myself. Secondly, I am also very concerned about our royal cousin, who has suffered so many disasters."

Jingxiu paused, picked up the teapot to refill the Old Madam's cup, and continued, "It's rare for the authorities to grant this favor, allowing us to enter the palace for a family reunion. I was thinking that Cousin must want to see her closest relatives most of all. Grandmother, naturally, need not be said; you are Cousin's own maternal grandmother. She must be longing for you day and night. But I have only just entered the household and haven't even met our royal cousin."

With that, she looked at Xu Wanning. "Eldest Sister-in-law has been in the household for five or six years. Compared to me, she naturally knows Cousin better, and Cousin is closer to her."

Seeing the Old Madam seemed moved, Jingxiu continued, "Our whole family, close relatives, are together every day. Cousin is alone in the palace and has suffered such a great grievance. She must want to have a good talk with her loved ones. So, in my opinion, it's better for Eldest Sister-in-law to accompany you. Cousin is familiar with her and can speak her mind more easily. If I went, she might feel restrained by formalities and wouldn't be able to open up."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

This speech made the Old Madam nod repeatedly. She praised, "Shu'er is so considerate, truly thinking of your cousin. I, as her grandmother, was considering this matter from the perspective of our household's standing." With that, she looked at Xu Wanning and said, "Then the Eldest Branch's wife will accompany me."

Xu Wanning immediately replied in a crisp voice, "Alright! I'll go back and start preparing shortly, to accompany you to the palace the day after tomorrow."

The matter was settled.

Not having to feign courtesy with someone she disliked, Jingxiu let out a long sigh of relief.

Li Ling remained expressionless.

Li Xian set down his teacup, flicked open his paper fan, looked at Xu Wanning, and a somewhat smug expression appeared on his face.

Xu Wanning glared fiercely at him, turned her head away, then smiled and looked at the Old Madam, then at Jingxiu.

The four of them chatted with the Old Madam for a while longer about everyday matters and didn't leave until the full moon had risen in the sky. Li Ling and Jingxiu headed towards Qingfeng Yuan, while Li Xian and Xu Wanning went towards Bì Táng Jū in the West Courtyard.

Hearing she was to enter the palace, Xu Wanning felt delighted in her heart, casting aside the frustration and unhappiness of the past few days. Her steps became noticeably lighter.

Li Xian glanced at her and said, "You are just guileless, without a shred of cunning."

Li Xian was a scholar; his aesthetic preference for women leaned towards the gentle and refined type. He often found fault with Xu Wanning's blunt and straightforward nature.

Xu Wanning was already angry with him. Seeing him mock her again, she retorted irritably, "How am I guileless?"

Li Xian stopped, his face cold as he replied, "The palace granted our household the favor of allowing two female members to enter precisely because of my achievements in flood control this time. Can't you see that?"

Xu Wanning snorted coldly. "You achieved merit, but that doesn't automatically extend to me. Second Sister-in-law is the Heir's Wife. I can enter the palace because she is reasonable and yielded the opportunity to me." She paused, then retorted sarcastically, "If you really had what it takes, then get me an official title myself."

"Vulgar!" Li Xian spat out these words and strode ahead angrily.

Xu Wanning was also fuming.

The two arrived at the West Courtyard one after the other. Coincidentally, they passed by Chénxī Gé, where the palace courtesan resided. Li Xian subconsciously stopped in his tracks.

Xu Wanning caught up and sneered mockingly, "If you want to go in, then go. Why stand here foolishly?"

Li Xian glanced guiltily at his wife and replied, "I'll return to stay tonight."

How could Xu Wanning not see his thoughts? She said disdainfully, "Didn't you find me vulgar? There are surely gentle and seductive ones inside. Why must you, Eldest Master, say one thing but mean another and force yourself?"

Li Xian stretched out his arm to put it around Xu Wanning's shoulder, smiling apologetically. "It was just a joke, Wife. Why take it seriously? I'll come back to stay with you tonight."

Just as he spoke, the soft sound of a zither and a woman's gentle singing drifted out from within Chénxī Gé. Li Xian's arm around Xu Wanning slackened and dropped.

"Starting her mating calls again," Xu Wanning said, looking coldly at Li Xian. "Hurry up and go in. If you don't, she'll probably attract all the tomcats in the vicinity."

Li Xian's face darkened. He glared at Xu Wanning and said, "You were born a noble lady. Why can't you correct this vulgar habit of yours?"

Xu Wanning's phoenix eyes shot wide open. She pointed at Li Xian's nose and scolded, "No matter how vulgar I am, I'm still better than a lecher like you! You look down on me? Well, I look down on you too!" With that, she turned and walked away without looking back.

Li Xian was so angry he gnashed his teeth, but in the end, he lifted his leg and headed towards Chénxī Gé.

(End of Chapter)

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