RATMOFANF: Chapter 38

 REBIRTH AS THE MATRIARCH OF A NOBLE FAMILY

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.

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

· Ziyun (紫云): Shen Jingxiu's chief personal maid.

Chapter 38: Don't Drag Me Down

After returning to Qingfeng Yuan and changing her clothes, Jingxiu took the account books to the outer room.

Li Ling asked, "It's so late. Are you still going to look at them?"

Jingxiu placed the account books on the small table by the daybed in the outer room and replied, "I'll look at them a while longer."

Li Ling approached, with a hint of placation in his tone, and advised, "It's dark at night, you'll strain your eyes. Look at them tomorrow."

Jingxiu, her eyes fixed on the account books, replied without looking up, "It's fine. I'll have Ziyun bring another lamp shortly."

Li Ling spoke again, "These matters aren't urgent. You've just taken over the household; take it slowly. Why must you..."

Li Ling was usually a man of few words, but these past few days he had become unusually long-winded.

Jingxiu looked up and interrupted him impatiently, "Heir, please go to sleep first. This wife is busy. Don't disturb me here."

Seeing Li Ling still hadn't moved, Jingxiu couldn't resist adding, "The day after tomorrow, Grandmother and Eldest Sister-in-law are going to the palace, aren't they? If you have anything you need delivered, why not have them take it for you? Better than you brooding over it all day long."

Her tone was calm, but to Li Ling's ears, it carried a strange, sharp edge.

Li Ling did not respond to that. He only replied mildly, "Then I'll go to sleep first."

Jingxiu glanced at his retreating back, snorted coldly, withdrew her gaze, and focused on the account books again.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The household accounts were previously managed by Second Aunt, Guo Shi. On the surface, these accounts were flawless, but upon careful scrutiny, one could discern the tricks within.

For example, among the annual non-fixed expenditures, there was a large sum listed for incense and temple offerings. The silver spent on this each year amounted to over two thousand taels. Although the accounts clearly recorded detailed items like donations for incense or Buddhist services, it still shouldn't cost that much.

Among the women in the household, only Guo Shi was devout in her Buddhist practices. It was evident that a large portion of this money had ended up in her own pockets.

Another example was the food expenses for the various household branches. Take their own Qingfeng Yuan, for instance. The accounts recorded a monthly allowance of two hundred taels.

Not to mention there were only two masters, Li Ling and herself, in their courtyard. Even if all the servant women and menservants ate according to the masters' standard, it wouldn't cost that much.

There were many more such falsified accounts. Jingxiu copied down all the problematic entries as she read through them.

Guo Shi had managed the household for years. Although the Old Madam hadn't completely relinquished control, Jingxiu could tell from the accounts alone that Guo Shi had embezzled no less than ten thousand taels over the years.

Furthermore, Guo Shi had many confidants placed in all the lucrative positions within the household.

Just take the food allowances for the various branches. If the purchasing stewards of the manor weren't in collusion with Guo Shi, how could the expenses and the accounts match up?

With Guo Shi's temperament, having her authority abruptly stripped by the Old Madam would inevitably make her bear a grudge. Having managed the household for years and accumulated many loyal followers, if she worked against Jingxiu behind her back, Jingxiu would naturally suffer.

This was what worried Jingxiu the most.

Jingxiu poured a cup of tea, took small sips, and sank into her own thoughts.

When the enemy attacks, we defend; when water comes, we build a dam.

She just needed to be mentally prepared for Guo Shi's open and covert attacks. Jingxiu pondered to herself, gradually suppressing the worry in her heart, and then returned to seriously studying the account books.

She was concentrating deeply when suddenly it went dark before her eyes; the candle on the desk had been snuffed out.

Jingxiu looked up.

It was Li Ling again!

"What time is it already? Go to sleep," he said to Jingxiu in a commanding tone.

"I'm not sleepy yet. I need to read a bit more." As she spoke, Jingxiu picked up the fire striker and relit the candle.

Li Ling stood on the floor, staring fixedly at his stubborn young wife, his face full of helplessness.

Seeing he wasn't leaving, Jingxiu pouted and said impatiently, "You go to sleep. Stop bothering me. I still need to—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Li Ling scooped her up by the waist from the daybed.

Jingxiu struggled and cried out, "What are you doing?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Li Ling said with a cold face, "Go to sleep! Look at your eyes, they're all red like a rabbit's."

Jingxiu broke free and muttered, "You're the rabbit." Then, she glared at Li Ling with her bloodshot almond-shaped eyes and said displeased, "I've just taken over the household; there's so much to do. Why can't you be considerate?"

His young wife was pouting, her face full of displeasure, as if he had hindered her from passing the imperial exams and becoming a zhuangyuan, ruining her bright future.

Li Ling looked at her and said patiently, "It's very late already."

Jingxiu acted as if she hadn't heard, turned around, and headed back towards the pile of account books. But before she could sit down properly, Li Ling hauled her up again.

"I can't manage you, is that it?" Li Ling said with a dark face.

This time, he didn't carry her in his arms; he tucked her under his arm.

He was tall and sturdy. Picking up her slender frame was as easy as carrying a rabbit.

With nothing to hold onto front or back, this position was extremely uncomfortable. Jingxiu struggled hard, waving her arms and legs, shouting, "Li Ling, what are you doing? Li Ling, let me go!"

She struggled so much that one of her shoes flew off far away, but she still couldn't break free from his grasp.

Li Ling tossed her onto the brocade quilt of the bed, reached out and pulled off her other shoe, throwing it on the floor. He scolded his young wife, who was sunk into the blankets, "Be good and sleep. From now on, you are not allowed to stay up late."

Jingxiu raised her head defiantly, initially wanting to argue with him, but in the dim light, seeing Li Ling's cold face, she swallowed her unspoken words.

She huffily pulled open the quilt, burrowed into the bed, and muttered, "All you know how to do is drag me down."

Seeing she was finally willing to listen, Li Ling also lifted his leg onto the bed, got under the covers, and lay down on his back.

Just as he was about to close his eyes, the young wife beside him suddenly turned over. Her rabbit-like round eyes glared at him and said, "If I can't manage this household well, I'll blame it all on you. It's you who dragged me down."

Li Ling turned his head and replied, "Managing a household is a long-term task. No one told you to work so recklessly."

Jingxiu argued, "How is this reckless? I'm just starting out; there's naturally a lot to learn and do. Being busy is normal."

Li Ling didn't want to argue with her. He turned his head away, closed his eyes, and only said, "Anyway, you are not allowed to stay up late anymore."

Jingxiu retorted coldly, "None of your business!"

Li Ling opened his eyes, turned his head again towards her, and said, "If you remain this disobedient, I'll ask Grandmother to take back your authority to manage the household."

Jingxiu sneered, "Grandmother has already ordered me to manage the household. She wouldn't take it back just because of your unreasonable behavior."

Li Ling said, "I have my ways."

"Ha!" Jingxiu snorted coldly and turned away.

Seeing she still refused to yield, Li Ling propped himself up on one elbow, leaned close to her ear, and said slowly, "I'll tell Grandmother that we are preparing for pregnancy, and your health is too weak for such toil. What do you think Grandmother will do?"

The Old Madam naturally prioritized heirs above all else!

Jingxiu's heart instantly sank halfway. Her forcefulness immediately weakened. She looked at Li Ling and said, with a lack of confidence, "You wouldn't dare—"

Li Ling lay back down and mimicked her snort. "If you still don't listen, just try me."

Jingxiu looked at Li Ling.

This guy really didn't seem to be joking.

She fell silent.

Seeing Li Ling said no more, Jingxiu tucked the quilt tighter around him and said to him gently, "It's really late. Go to sleep quickly, Husband—"

(End of Chapter)

----

Jingxiu: Li Ling, by dragging me down like this, you're hindering my promising future, you know?

Li Ling: Treat me with true sincerity, and you'll naturally have a promising future.

Jingxiu: Ha!

← prev next →