RATMOFANF: Chapter 40

Character Glossary

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

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

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

· San Guniang (三姑娘): The Third Young Lady, Li Ling's younger sister.

· Qiu Momo (秋嬷嬷): Xu Wanning's wet nurse.

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Chapter 40: Living One's Own Life Well is What Matters

As she spoke, Xu Wanning couldn't help choking up again.

Jingxiu advised, "If you feel it's not worth it, then don't get angry."

With that, she took Xu Wanning's hand and said, "I've never seen you perform a sword dance. Come on, let's go to the garden. Show me a routine."

Xu Wanning's gaze returned to the long sword beside her. She picked it up, hefting it in her hand. "Before I was married, I never mastered any of the things women are supposed to learn, like the qin, chess, calligraphy, or painting. I just loved practicing with the sword. My mother often scolded me for it, but my father always indulged me and even taught me moves from time to time."

Jingxiu said with a smile, "No wonder the moves I saw earlier were so unusual. So, you received the true teachings of Old General Xu."

Xu Wanning smiled through her tears. "Don't tease me."

Jingxiu urged, "Come on, let's go to the garden. Perform another routine for me, let me broaden my horizons."

Xu Wanning demurred, "Oh, I haven't practiced for so many years. Now that I'm married, wielding swords and spears, what kind of sight would that be?"

Jingxiu suppressed a laugh and teased, "Oh my! Weren't you just thinking about killing someone a moment ago? Now you're pretending to be a refined young lady?"

Xu Wanning came over and pushed Jingxiu playfully. "I'm this upset, and you still make fun of me."

Jingxiu pulled her towards the door. "Let's go. The sword dance is important. Why waste energy on such pointless anger?"

The two of them, pulling and tugging, left the room and bumped right into Qiu Momo, who was still worriedly guarding the door. Seeing Xu Wanning striding out holding the sword, Qiu Momo looked alarmed. She hurried over to Jingxiu, subtly pointed at Xu Wanning, and whispered, "Even you couldn't persuade her? Is the Madam really going to take a knife to that palace courtesan?"

Jingxiu said with a smile, "Don't worry, Momo. Eldest Sister-in-law won't do anything foolish over a concubine."

Qiu Momo asked, "The Madam is better now?"

Jingxiu said, "She's better, she's fine now. Don't worry, Momo."

Qiu Momo looked at Jingxiu doubtfully. "Then why is she carrying the knife?"

Jingxiu smiled and replied, "We're going to the garden to perform a sword dance."

Only then did Qiu Momo relax. Beaming, she looked at Jingxiu and said, "In this entire manor, besides the Old Madam, our Madam listens to your advice the most. Thank you so much today. If you hadn't persuaded her, I think our Madam was truly so angry she planned to stab that wretch with a knife."

Jingxiu pursed her lips into a smile and said, "Momo, what Eldest Sister-in-law is holding is called a sword, not a knife."

Qiu Momo laughed heartily. "Whether it's a knife or a sword, it's all stuff that can take a life." As she spoke, she gestured with her lips towards the departing Xu Wanning. "Second Madam, you'd better follow her quickly. My heart races just seeing the Madam holding that thing."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jingxiu assented, lifted her skirts, descended the steps, and followed Xu Wanning to the garden.

Xu Wanning truly lived up to her military family heritage. This swordplay routine was performed with impressive skill and form.

Her posture was light and graceful, her wrist turning deftly, the sword glinting sharply. Every move carried a fierce intensity. The more she performed, the more enthusiastic she became. Where the sword's light flashed, grass and leaves flew, and sparrows took flight in alarm.

By the end of the routine, Xu Wanning was drenched in sweat.

She walked towards Jingxiu with light, vigorous steps, the earlier worry and gloom gone from her face. "Haven't practiced the sword in so many years. That was really satisfying!" she said with gusto.

Jingxiu applauded with a smile, saying delightedly, "Eldest Sister-in-law, your sword technique is truly excellent. It's been an eye-opener for me!"

Xu Wanning wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief and waved her hand. "Oh, no, it's not good anymore. I've neglected it for so many years. I've almost forgotten the moves, and my strength isn't what it used to be."

Jingxiu praised, "'In former times, there was a beautiful woman, Gongsun, whose sword dance amazed all within the four quarters.' In my opinion, Eldest Sister-in-law, your sword technique is no less impressive than Gongsun's."

Xu Wanning said with a laugh, "Don't just say that to make me happy."

Jingxiu replied, "I'm not humoring you. Your sword technique is genuinely good."

While the two were talking, Ziyun found them. After greeting Xu Wanning, she said to Jingxiu, "Madam, the Heir has returned and asks you to come back."

Xu Wanning looked at Ziyun and said, "He's come looking for her after just this short separation." Then, she urged Jingxiu, "You should head back now, otherwise Second Brother will blame me."

Jingxiu replied, "He must have something important to come find me." She then said to Ziyun, "You go back first. I'll be right there."

After Ziyun left, Jingxiu took Xu Wanning's hand and asked, "Are you still upset with that palace courtesan now?"

Xu Wanning shot a glare in the direction of the courtesan's residence and said disdainfully, "I don't have time to be angry with her. Not just her, even that scoundrel Li Xian isn't worth keeping in my heart. Let the dog-man and the cat-woman do as they please. Living my own life well is what matters."

Jingxiu said with a smile, "That's the right attitude! Then I'll head back now. As long as you see things clearly, that's good. Don't bottle up your feelings anymore."

Xu Wanning assured her, "Don't worry."

She had been truly angered by Li Xian and that palace courtesan this morning, to the point where she really wished she could have cut them down with one sword stroke and ended things with both of them. But after spending this morning with Jingxiu, the full force of her anger had been unconsciously dissolved by Jingxiu.

Jingxiu was such an exceptionally good woman!

Watching Jingxiu's retreating figure, Xu Wanning sighed, her heart filled with mixed emotions: If she were as understanding and talented as Jingxiu, would Li Xian treat her better?

Back at Qingfeng Yuan, Jingxiu saw Li Ling leaning on the daybed in the outer room, reading.

His long legs were stretched out on the daybed. He held the scroll in one hand, his gaze focused intently on the text. The autumn sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting a warm glow on his face and adding a layer of warmth to his firm features.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jingxiu said, "You're back early today."

Only then did Li Ling look up. "You went to the West Courtyard?" he asked.

Jingxiu nodded, walked over to the tea table by herself, poured a cup of tea, and drank it in one go.

Li Ling stood up and walked towards her. "Why are you so thirsty? Didn't Eldest Sister-in-law serve you tea?" he asked.

He had already changed out of his official robes and was wearing a dark green brocade robe embroidered with a subtle pattern. A half-foot-wide rhinoceros horn belt cinched his strong, straight waist. Standing in front of her, the look in his eyes as he gazed down at her held a hint of indulgence.

Jingxiu smiled at him and asked, "Why are you back so early? Didn't you say the Emperor is reviewing the troops at year's end? How can you afford to be idle?"

Li Ling said, "How could I be idle? Weren't you going to Mother's place? I went to the camp early this morning to finish the urgent matters first. I'll attend to the rest after we return from Mother's."

Jingxiu said in surprise, "You're coming too?"

Li Ling said with a half-smile, "The gift Mother gave has pleased my wife so much. As her son, I should also go to thank her in person."

In her previous life, Li Ling never bantered with her like this.

Jingxiu quite liked him like this. It was better than him keeping a stern face and being overly serious all the time. At least it didn't make her feel oppressed being with him.

Jingxiu replied, "Then let's go now. We can come back early and not delay the Heir's official business."

Hearing her address him like that again, Li Ling gave her a deep look and said mildly, "Then I'll have them prepare the carriage."

Jingxiu said okay and called Ziyun to help her wash up and get ready.

She had gone to Xu Wanning's place in a rush early in the morning and hadn't had time to properly dress up. Now that she was going out, she couldn't not make herself presentable.

The groom prepared the carriage. Li Ling sat inside waiting for the time it takes an incense stick to burn before he saw his young wife walking gracefully towards him.

Her curvaceous and graceful figure was softer and more slender than a willow, making it hard to look away once seen.

Li Ling jumped down from the carriage and stood quietly by the carriage waiting for her.

Jingxiu walked up to him and said to Li Ling, "Wait a moment longer. I sent someone to fetch Third Younger Sister to see if she wants to come along."

Li Ling's expression remained unchanged, but his tone shifted. "You sent for Third Younger Sister again?"

Jingxiu nodded.

Li Ling said, "Shouldn't she be at the official school today?"

The official school (官学) was an academy funded by the royal court of Great Qi through successive dynasties, staffed by renowned great scholars of the time. Only the children of princes, marquises, generals, and ministers could attend this official school. Women from prominent families could also study at the official school, but unlike the men who had to attend daily, they only had classes three to five days a month.

Seeing Li Ling frown slightly, she explained, "Third Younger Sister should be back from the official school by this hour. Let's wait for her a little longer."

Li Ling turned and instructed the groom, "Prepare another carriage."

Jingxiu asked, "Is the Heir not riding a horse today? Third Younger Sister and I can share a carriage."

Before Li Ling could answer, San Guniang came running from afar. Seeing Jingxiu, she giggled, linked arms with her, and said, "Second Sister-in-law, have you been waiting long?"

Jingxiu smiled and said, "No, not long at all."

San Guniang stepped onto the carriage footstool and got in. Reaching out her hand to Jingxiu, she said, "Come on, Second Sister-in-law."

Jingxiu took San Guniang's hand, stepped on the footstool, and got into the carriage.

The sisters-in-law sat closely together inside the carriage. San Guniang leaned out and called to Li Ling outside, "This carriage only fits two people, Second Brother. You should ride a horse."

Li Ling lowered his eyes, his face darkening.

(End of Chapter)

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Li Ling @San Guniang: You're stealing my person again!

San Guniang (wronged): This time, it was Second Sister-in-law who invited me.

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