RATMOFANF: Chapter 67

Glossary

· Shen Jingxiu: The female protagonist, Li Ling's wife.

· Li Ling: The Heir of Zhenguo Duke Manor, Commander of the Capital Patrol Office.

· Xu Wanning: Li Xian's wife, Jingxiu's sister-in-law.

· Li Xian: Li Ling's elder brother.

· Old Madam: The matriarch of the Li family.

· Duke of Zhenguo: Li Ling's father.

· Grand Princess Fu Xi: Li Ling's mother, separated from the Duke.

· Zhou Yi: A military general, old friend of the Duke, and former love interest of the Duke's deceased younger sister.

· Qingluan / Ninth Princess: Li Ling's cousin, the daughter of the Duke's deceased younger sister.

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Chapter 67: Go Home and Wait for Me

Mentioning Qingluan, Xu Wanning chatted casually with Jingxiu: "I really don't understand this imperial cousin. A princess, so noble and esteemed, yet she has such a frail and melancholy constitution. Every time I see her, she's sorrowful and mournful. I don't know where a young girl like her gets all those sorrows."

Jingxiu asked, "How was she really when you and Grandmother entered the palace last time?"

Xu Wanning replied, "Still as weak as if a gust of wind could blow her over. She held onto Grandmother, crying and sniveling, her tears falling endlessly. I can't stand that; it's irritating."

As she spoke, she took a sip of tea and complained with a sigh, "I was originally thinking that since I finally got to enter the palace, I could at least have a female official show me around to broaden my horizons. Who knew that once I entered her Weeping Waves Palace, I just listened to her cry the whole time. Didn't get to go anywhere." Xu Wanning sighed wistfully. "Ah! What a pity. Wasted that rare opportunity."

Hearing Xu Wanning's words, Li Xian couldn't help but let out a low, almost inaudible snort beside her.

Xu Wanning was like a fighting rooster; even Li Xian's faint, barely audible scoff didn't escape her sharp ears.

She turned her head, glared at Li Xian, and said irritably in a suppressed voice, "What are you snorting about? Think I'm useless? Hah, you're the one with prospects. Hah, if you really had any backbone, you'd earn me a titled honorific too. Then I could be like Grandmother, able to submit a name plaque and have arrangements made to stroll into the palace whenever I want."

Li Xian, rendered livid by her retort, couldn't make a scene in front of everyone. He angrily flicked his sleeve, stood up, and left his seat in a furious huff.

Seeing she had defeated him, Xu Wanning let out a long breath.

The Old Madam, whom Xu Wanning envied, was exceptionally happy today. Her legitimate grandson was commanding a vast army before the Emperor, the focus of all attention—what an honor. Furthermore, hearing from the female official earlier that her precious granddaughter was doing well lately brought comfort to her constantly worried heart.

The Duke of Zhenguo, who was often bedridden and seldom went out, had made an exception to come today for his son's moment of glory.

He was tall and had been imposing in his youth, but years of illness had left his face weathered, no longer possessing its former brilliance.

Leaning against a soft pillow beside the Old Madam, he felt comforted seeing his mother so happy today.

He knew deeply that his mother's life, though seemingly glorious, had been filled with endless suffering. Two daughters died tragically in the palace one after another, a second son died young... Out of four children, only he, the eldest son, remained, and he was constantly ill.

All these years, he had forced himself to hold on, firstly for his mother, and secondly for his wife.

He didn't want his mother to endure the heartbreak of outliving her children again, and he hoped that in his lifetime, he might still have a chance to reconcile with his wife.

The Duke's heart was heavy with sorrow. He lifted his head and gazed into the distance at his wife on the high platform—Grand Princess Fu Xi, seated beside Emperor Ming.

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He couldn't remember how many years it had been since he last saw her. Since that incident, she had refused to see him. Even when he stood outside her door braving bitter winds and cold rains, enduring frost and snow, trying every means to explain, she had not softened in the slightest.

She was just that resolute, giving him not half a chance.

The Duke sat rigidly, his somber gaze fixed on the indistinct figure of his wife, partially obscured by layers of yellow drapes and canopies on the high platform. The bitterness in his heart surged up again like a violent tide, churning fiercely.

Just as he was lost in his sorrows, his old friend and comrade-in-arms, Zhou Yi, came over.

He greeted the Old Madam warmly and respectfully, then sat down beside the Duke.

"Seeing Ling Ge'er so accomplished, you should be comforted," Zhou Yi began.

The Duke collected his thoughts, coughed twice despite himself, and replied with a smile, "I'm ashamed to say it, but Ling Ge'er's achievements have little to do with me, his father. It's all the credit of you, his uncle."

Hearing this, the Old Madam also turned to look at Zhou Yi and added, "Isn't that right? Before Ling Ge'er was even grown, our eldest was already retired due to illness. Wasn't it you who took Ling Ge'er to battle for the first time?"

Zhou Yi smiled and replied, "You flatter me, Aunt. Ling Ge'er had to have the talent and the drive to achieve this. I dare not claim credit."

Having sat for most of the day, the Duke's body was finding it hard to bear, and he couldn't suppress occasional coughs.

Zhou Yi patted his back and said, "Ah! Time waits for no one. In the blink of an eye, we've all grown old."

Seeing the gray hair appearing at Zhou Yi's temples, the Old Madam couldn't help but feel sad again.

The Zhenguo Duke Manor and the General Zhou residence had been close friends for generations. Back then, the young, gentle, and upright General Zhou Yi and her A'Tian had grown up together. Zhou Yi had been deeply devoted to her daughter. The image of the young general stubbornly kneeling before their manor gates upon learning of A'Tian's entry into the palace still lingered in her mind, unforgettable.

If she had desperately stopped her husband back then, preventing her younger daughter from entering the palace and letting this pair of lovers be together... Given Zhou Yi's character, he would surely have protected her daughter well for a lifetime. Her lively, bright younger daughter would not have met such a tragic end.

As Zhou Yi chatted with the Duke, he seemed to ask the Old Madam casually, "I heard from my wife that you entered the palace a while ago, Aunt?"

The Old Madam certainly understood he was inquiring about Qingluan. It showed that even after all these years since her A'Tian passed, the man who had loved her so deeply still hadn't found peace.

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The Old Madam, overwhelmed with mixed emotions, forced a smile and replied, "I went to see the Ninth Princess."

Zhou Yi looked at the Old Madam eagerly, wanting to ask but hesitating.

The Old Madam continued, "The Ninth Princess is alright. It's just that after this illness, her body is inevitably weaker. Fortunately, a female official came here earlier and said she has been much better lately."

Hearing this, Zhou Yi breathed a slight sigh of relief.

The Old Madam also let out a long sigh, thinking to herself: If she had let him and A'Tian be together back then, that young pair would probably have a house full of children and grandchildren by now.

Dusk gathered, swallows and sparrows returned to their nests. The clear sound of horns rang out, marking the end of Great Qi's triennial military review.

The sky-full of yellow sand outside Chang'an suddenly receded, and the bright yellow imperial procession on the high platform slowly moved back towards the imperial city.

Bathed in the setting sun and flowing clouds, Li Ling, clad in his gleaming, bright armor, strode towards his family.

He walked briskly up to the Old Madam, his father, and Zhou Yi, clasped his hands, and said gently, "Grandmother, Father, Uncle Zhou."

The Old Madam nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. Zhou Yi reached out and patted his shoulder, remarking emotionally, "Great Qi has a worthy successor!"

The Duke coughed twice and said to his son, "You still have to enter the palace for an audience with His Majesty. Go attend to your duties." As his son turned to leave, he added in a low voice, "Your mother is also in the palace. Go see her."

Li Ling nodded. Before turning to leave, he walked up to Jingxiu. His face was still the stern, cold one from when he commanded the army below the walls, but the look he gave her held tenderness.

The golden helmet on his head reflected the setting sun with a dazzling brilliance. Jingxiu stood before him, neither too close nor too far, and said calmly, "Go attend to your matters."

He looked at her and replied, "Go home and wait for me."

With that, he turned, strode down the city tower, mounted his steed, and headed towards the imperial city.

(End of Chapter)

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Translator's Note: check out my other work— My Younger Sister Insisted On A Marriage Exchange Wanting To Make Me The Wife Of A Marquis and The Marquis’s Beloved is a Black-Hearted Lotus (⁠*⁠＾⁠3⁠＾⁠)⁠/⁠～⁠♡

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