RATMOFANF: Chapter 7

 Character Glossary

· Li Ling (李陵): The Heir of the Zhenguo Duke Manor.

· Shen Jingxiu / Lady Shen (沈静姝/沈氏): The female protagonist, Li Ling's wife.

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

· Danzhu (丹朱): Another of Jingxiu's maids.

· Bilü (碧缕): Another of Jingxiu's maids.

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

· Third Young Lady, Jin Yan (三姑娘瑾嫣): Li Ling's younger sister.

· Nanny Sun (孙嬷嬷): Old Madam Li's personal attendant.

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Chapter 7: Living Apart

Seeing that she had made Li Ling bleed, the resentment in Jingxiu's heart dissipated. She took a comfortable, warm bath.

Ziyun, who had heard their argument from the outer room, tentatively suggested, "This servant noticed the Young Master didn't look too good when he left just now. Should the Young Lady go out and look for him?"

It was the height of summer. Even though the sun was down, it was still stiflingly hot and humid outside. She had just bathed and had no desire to go out.

"He'll come back when he's finished his stroll. Is there any of the earlier watermelon left? Cut a few more pieces; I'll have some to quench my thirst."

Ziyun had no choice but to fetch the chilled watermelon.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The ice-cold watermelon was refreshing. Jingxiu happily ate two pieces, instantly feeling comfortable all over.

After eating the watermelon, Jingxiu leaned on the couch and picked up a book to browse idly.

She had hurt Li Ling, albeit unintentionally. Seeing that he was genuinely angry, she did feel a little guilty.

However, she wouldn't indulge him like in her previous life. She wouldn't go out to look for him. But since he had left in a huff because of her, she couldn't act as if nothing had happened either.

At the very least, she had to make a show of waiting for him to return.

But she waited and waited, yet Li Ling did not return.

Ziyun was the first to lose composure. She couldn't help but worry for her mistress. If she fell out with the Young Master so soon after entering the household, and if she consequently lost the Heir's favor, wouldn't it be her Young Lady who suffered?

Ziyun called Danzhu and Bilü and asked, "Where did you see the Young Master go just now?"

"It seemed he went to the North Study," Bilü replied.

Ziyun looked at Jingxiu and advised, "In this servant's opinion, Young Lady should still go to the study to look for the Young Master. If you give him a way out, he naturally won't hold it against you anymore."

Jingxiu glanced at the water clock. Since he hadn't returned by this hour, it seemed he didn't plan to come back.

They were still newlyweds. For him to neglect her like this clearly showed he didn't care if the household staff laughed at her, the new bride, for failing to please her husband.

In that case, she had nothing to hold back for.

Jingxiu put down the book in her hand, pointed to the bedding on the bed, and said, "Later, go and take the Young Master's bedding to the study. It's so late and he hasn't returned; he probably has urgent official business to attend to. If he comes back late, he'll disturb my sleep. Let him sleep in the study tonight."

Upon hearing Jingxiu's words, the young maids were stunned.

"Young Lady, how can that be?" Seeing that her young lady was digging in her heels against the Young Master, Ziyun grew anxious.

Jingxiu's almond eyes narrowed with displeasure. "Just do as I say. If the Young Master asks, relay my exact words to him."

Their Young Lady, though she appeared gentle, had a stubborn temper. Seeing Jingxiu's stern expression, Ziyu didn't dare to persuade her further. She called the two younger maids and asked, "Which of you will deliver it?"

Ziyun was genuinely apprehensive of the Young Master; she didn't dare to risk his displeasure.

"The cicadas on the trees outside are terribly loud, disturbing the Young Lady's sleep. I'll go catch them," Danzhu said, then scurried out in a flash.

Before Bilü could react, Ziyun had already deftly bundled the bedding and handed it to her. "Then you go."

"Me? I..."

You're all afraid of the Young Master, but am I not? I'm still so young!

Bilü didn't want to go.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Weren't they supposed to be capable aides to a capable leader? Why did her trusted maids seem increasingly useless?

"Go on.Just say it's my idea. Would he really make things difficult for a little maid like you?" Seeing Bilü hesitate and not move, Jingxiu, though annoyed, felt she had to encourage her.

After dawdling for a good while, Bilü reluctantly carried the bedding out of the room and headed towards the North Study.

Ziyun fanned Jingxiu, her heart still unsettled. If her Young Lady pulled a stunt like this, and the proud Young Master decided never to return, what would they do?

A little later, Bilü returned, her mouth pouted. Ziyun called her over and asked, "When you took the bedding to the study just now, did the Young Master say anything?"

Bilü, still upset about the earlier task, replied with a wooden face, "The Young Master didn't say anything, but he didn't look happy. Sister, really, making me do such a thing... I was scared to death just now."

Ziyun told her to go to bed first, then turned and couldn't help but advise Jingxiu again, "Young Lady, having a couple of arguments with the Young Master is one thing, but why must you drive him out? The Young Master must be offended. Why don't I accompany you to invite him back?"

"If he wanted to return, he would have done so already. If he doesn't want to, what's the point of me inviting him back?"

Ziyun wanted to persuade her further, but Jingxiu turned away. "I'm tired. All of you, go to sleep."

The next day, after breakfast, Jingxiu took Ziyun to the front courtyard to pay respects to the Old Madam. Before they even reached Anxi Hall, they spotted a tall figure standing under a tree in the distance.

He seemed to be waiting for someone.

Ziyun, sharp-eyed, quickly leaned close to Jingxiu's ear and whispered, "The Young Master must be waiting for you. It's rare for him to set aside his pride and indirectly seek reconciliation. Please know when to stop and don't continue this quarrel."

It wasn't that she wanted to quarrel with him relentlessly; she just didn't want to repeat the mistakes of her past life. If Li Ling respected her, she would naturally give him face.

At the very least, in front of others, she would play the part of his virtuous wife.

Jingxiu walked forward slowly, gave a slight bow to Li Ling, and asked with a smile, "You're up early, Heir. Why not go inside?"

She was wearing a light lotus-pink gauze dress today. Such a fresh, tender color made her skin appear even whiter and smoother, like fine jade.

The young woman stood gracefully before him, her bright face showing not a trace of displeasure.

Li Ling, however, had not slept well last night. This new bride of his had actually used such a tactful method to shut him out. He had been too annoyed to sleep. When he finally grew drowsy in the latter half of the night, he was plagued by mosquitoes. The inner room of the study had a bed but no mosquito net. The mosquitoes had buzzed around him all night as if celebrating a festival.

He had dark circles under his eyes now.

But she looked radiant, her complexion seemingly even better than usual.

Li Ling replied with a cold face, "I arrived early. I was afraid Grandmother might not be up yet, so I'm waiting outside for a while."

So she had been presumptuous; he wasn't specifically waiting for her!

"Oh,the sun is getting strong. This wife is afraid of the heat, so I'll go in first to wait for Grandmother." With that, Jingxiu left Li Ling behind and walked slowly towards Anxi Hall.

Seeing his wife leave just like that, Li Ling also strode forward on his long legs, following her into Anxi Hall at a distance.

Old Madam Li hadn't been feeling well since the start of the hot season. She had only started feeling better recently after taking some tonic medicine.

Li Ling and Jingxiu bowed and paid their respects to the Old Madam.

Since falling ill, the Old Madam had focused on quiet recuperation and had exempted the younger generations from their morning greetings. Today, seeing her legitimate grandson and granddaughter-in-law being the first to come, she felt very comforted.

The two sat down next to the Old Madam.

Old Madam Li studied her grandson and noticed several mosquito bite marks on his face. Her heart ached for him as she asked, "Is there no mosquito net in your room? How did you get bitten like this?"

Then she noticed her granddaughter-in-law's skin was perfectly clear.

How could the mosquitoes ignore such delicate, tender skin and偏偏 (piānpiān - instead) go for the rough and thick-skinned one?

Seeing her grandson's poor complexion too.

The Old Madam could guess eighty to ninety percent of what had happened.

His grandmother was meticulous and shrewd. Li Ling knew he couldn't hide it, so he could only gloss it over, saying, "I had a lot of official business yesterday, Grandson was busy in the study until late. I was afraid of disturbing my new wife upon returning, so I made do in the study for the night."

Regarding the young couple's affairs, Old Madam Li saw through it but didn't want to point it out. So, she seized the moment to advise, "No matter how busy you are, you must take care of your health. How can you sleep properly in the study? Go back to your room early tonight and get a proper night's sleep."

This was the Old Madam's instruction.

For him to return to his room.

An elder's words must be obeyed!

Just as Li Ling was about to assent, Jingxiu, sitting beside him, addressed the Old Madam respectfully, "My husband indeed has much official business these days. This wife has been neglectful in her care. In a moment, I will have someone go to the study to hang a mosquito net. That way, if my husband is tired or sleepy, he can rest there peacefully for a while..."

Li Ling: "..."

Was she planning to shut him out completely now?

Calling him"husband" so affectionately in front of others. Her words sounded so considerate, playing the part of the virtuous wife perfectly.

Seeing her granddaughter-in-law's virtue and goodness, the Old Madam naturally had no reason not to be pleased. She said with a smile, "The mutual respect and love between you husband and wife is the best filial piety this old woman could ask for."

With that, she turned to her personal attendant, Nanny Sun, and said, "In the inner room's cabinet, there's a bolt of high-quality 'Green Water' snow satin. I think the color suits Shu'er well. Bring it for Shu'er to take back and make some clothes."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

A short while later, Nanny Sun brought the satin and presented it to Jingxiu.

Jingxiu hurriedly stood up to receive it and thanked the Old Madam.

"Grandmother, I've come to see you!" While Jingxiu was chatting with the Old Madam, the Third Young Lady, Jin Yan, ran in from outside.

Seeing her youngest granddaughter, the Old Madam pulled her into her embrace, though she chided her, "You're so big now, yet you're still bouncing around without any sense of propriety. Why don't you greet your elder brother and sister-in-law?"

The Third Young Lady wriggled out of the Old Madam's embrace and said crisply, "Yan'er greets Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law."

She noticed the bolt of snow satin on the tea table next to Jingxiu. Her large, dark eyes rolled, and she turned to the Old Madam, asking, "Grandmother, didn't you say the other day you would award this snow satin to me for clothes? Why have you changed your mind and given it to Second Sister-in-law?"

"Grandmother is being biased" the Third Young Lady pouted.

"Grandmother has another bolt of red in my room. That one is for you."

"I don't want the red one. I like this green one." Children always think others' possessions are better, and the Third Young Lady was no exception.

"A child like you has no business wearing snow satin," Li Ling, who had been sitting silently nearby, said with a stern face.

The Third Young Lady had been spoiled growing up. Although she usually feared this cold elder brother, here in her grandmother's presence, with someone to back her up, her courage naturally grew.

"Second Brother doesn't love his little sister anymore now that he has a wife! First, you fought me for the coral bracelet, and now you're snatching the satin. Grandmother, look at him, how infuriating!" As she spoke, the young girl seemed on the verge of tears from grievance.

Jingxiu felt somewhat awkward. It wasn't that she was unwilling to give the satin to her sister-in-law. But the Old Madam had just awarded it to her; if she casually passed it on, it would seem somewhat disrespectful to the old lady's kindness.

"Don't be upset, Jin'er. We can split this bolt of satin, half for each of us..." Jingxiu said with a smile.

The Third Young Lady still pouted. In the manor, the best things had always been given to her first. Why should she have to share with this new sister-in-law?

She was unwilling to accept.

But glancing at her elder brother's stern face as he sat beside Jingxiu, the Third Young Lady didn't dare to throw a tantrum at her new sister-in-law.

"There's a tailor shop on West River Road that makes dresses with very novel styles. Another day, I'll take you there. We can have their tailor make us some new-style dresses, alright?"

Hearing about going out of the manor and getting new-style dresses, the Third Young Lady's interest was piqued.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she walked up to Jingxiu. "Is Second Sister-in-law telling the truth?"

Her birth mother, the Princess, wasn't in the manor, and Old Madam Li seldom went out. Although she lacked for nothing in terms of fine clothes and food, she rarely had the chance to go out and have fun.

Jingxiu nodded.

Children naturally love to play and enjoy excitement. Hearing that Jingxiu would take her out of the manor, she forgot her displeasure completely. She beamed at Jingxiu and said, "Sister-in-law is the best!"

After leaving Anxi Hall, Li Ling was heading to his office, and Jingxiu was returning to the Breeze-Filled Courtyard. Before parting ways with Li Ling, she stood at the courtyard gate and said to him with a smile, "Husband, your work is taxing. Return home early tonight."

She was all smiles, still playing the part of the virtuous wife.

But the words "Return home early tonight" held no genuine sentiment.

Li Ling wasn't stupid; couldn't he tell? These words were for the servants outside Anxi Hall, not for him.

His face remained stern. He merely nodded slightly at her, then turned and strode out the gate.

(End of Chapter)

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Li Ling: Wife, do you know what you remind me of?

Jingxiu: ???

Li Ling: A drama queen.

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