RATMOFANF: Chapter 8

 Character Glossary

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

· Xu Wanning (徐婉宁): The wife of Li Ling's cousin, who helps manage household affairs.

· Li Xian (李显): Xu Wanning's husband, Li Ling's cousin.

· Guo Shi (郭氏): Li Xian's mother, the mistress of the second branch.

· Kun Ge'er (坤哥儿): Xu Wanning's young son.

· Zhuang Jie'er (庄姐儿): Xu Wanning's infant daughter.

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

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Chapter 8: She Would No Longer Wrong Herself

After leaving Anxi Hall, Jingxiu did not return to the Breeze-Filled Courtyard. She had Ziyun take back the satin bestowed by the Old Madam and headed towards the West Garden herself.

The households of the eldest and second branches had not formally separated. The eldest branch resided in the East Garden, the second branch in the West Garden, separated only by a long covered corridor.

Jingxiu walked all the way to the Jade Hall Residence where Xu Wanning lived in the West Garden. The stewardess announced her, and moments later, Xu Wanning personally came out to welcome Jingxiu inside.

The two exchanged pleasantries as they entered the main room.

Xu Wanning had a son and a daughter. The eldest son, Brother Kun, had just turned three, and her little daughter, Sister Zhuang, was not yet a year old.

The wet nurse was amusing Sister Zhuang on the couch. The little child was as adorable as jade and snow. Jingxiu stood by the couch, reached out her arms, and coaxed her, "Come to your auntie, let auntie hold you."

The little one indeed crawled over to Jingxiu, grabbed her clothes, wobbled to her feet, and threw herself into Jingxiu's arms.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jingxiu picked up the child and praised, "This child is truly too adorable."

Xu Wanning said with a smile, "Her? She's just attracted to your bright clothes."

Jingxiu kissed Sister Zhuang's plump little cheek and said with a laugh, "She already knows what's beautiful at such a young age?"

Jingxiu doted on the child, holding her for a good long while. It wasn't until Sister Zhuang grew sleepy that she handed her back to the wet nurse, who took the little girl to the side room for her nap.

Xu Wanning teased, "If you like children so much, hurry up and have one yourself."

She certainly wanted to, but unfortunately, a certain someone was insisting on living separately from her.

Though Jingxiu felt somewhat awkward inside, she showed no sign of it on her face and said with a smile, "How could I have such good fortune as you, Sister-in-law? You've only been married a few years and already have both a son and a daughter."

As she spoke, Jingxiu asked, "Why haven't I seen Brother Kun?"

Xu Wanning put down her teacup, gestured with her chin towards the direction of Second Wife Lady Guo's residence, and sighed. "He was taken by my mother-in-law to the Songle Hall."

Lady Guo was Li Xian's birth mother. Although she was the mistress of the second branch, she was acerbic and demanding by nature, so the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had never been very harmonious.

In her previous life, although Jingxiu had little interaction with the various branches of the Zhenguo Duke Manor, she had still heard about the friction between them.

Xu Wanning said, "To be honest, among all the women in this manor, I envy you the most."

"Sister-in-law, you come from a renowned family and have both a son and a daughter. In what way are you not better off than me? What is there for you to envy?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Having a mother-in-law not around, how peaceful that must be," Xu Wanning said bluntly.

No matter how strained Xu Wanning's relationship with Lady Guo was, she was still her actual mother-in-law. Jingxiu couldn't very well join her in criticizing her, so she advised, "Aunt only has Elder Brother as her son. Who else would she care for if not you? She's just a bit strong-willed. Just don't take everything to heart."

Xu Wanning said resentfully, "I don't care for her affection. I actually wish she had a few more sons, so she wouldn't always be meddling with us."

"Sister-in-law, you are broad-minded. Why bother dwelling on things too much with Aunt? In the end, won't you be the one to suffer?"

These words were comforting.

No matter how strong-willed Xu Wanning was, she couldn't escape her mother-in-law's influence. No matter how free and easy she was, if her mother-in-law made trouble, her life would be difficult.

"I've been respectful enough to her, but she..." Xu Wanning choked up and couldn't continue.

Jingxiu patted her hand comfortingly. "Don't be like that. Whose family life isn't full of little troubles? Sister-in-law, you really mustn't take it to heart. Be careful not to make yourself ill with anger."

Xu Wanning sniffled and complained, "If it were about other things, I could let it go. But she's targeting Brother Kun."

"A few days ago, she summoned me and the Eldest Young Master. First, she cried profusely, saying she dreamed of Father-in-law, and that rather than living alone in this world, she might as well follow Father-in-law. Hmph! As if we are terribly unfilial to her. Everyone in the capital knows the Eldest Young Master of Zhenguo Duke Manor is famously filial. The Eldest Young Master, helpless against her tears, suggested taking Brother Kun over to keep his grandmother company and relieve her boredom."

Xu Wanning dabbed her tears with a handkerchief and said angrily, "I know her too well. She's wanted to raise Brother Kun by her side for a long time. It's just that our Eldest Young Master is foolishly filial. Without considering us, his wife and child, he just agreed."

This Lady Guo was indeed difficult to deal with.

Jingxiu comforted her, "Aunt might just send Brother Kun back after a few days. You can visit him often, and make sure the wet nurse takes good care of him."

"You've just entered the household and don't know my mother-in-law. She's cunning and finds fault with me, her daughter-in-law, everywhere. Why must she take Brother Kun? Isn't it just to make me unhappy?"

"Just this morning, I took some food Brother Kun likes to see him, but the matron by her side found all sorts of excuses to stop me, wouldn't let me in no matter what. It's not like I could force my way in, right? And our Eldest Young Master not only didn't stand up for me but told me to calm down, saying something like, 'There's nothing wrong with him being raised by my mother.'"

"If she were a reasonable person like the Old Madam, I wouldn't say anything about him being raised by her. But with a temperament like hers, what kind of person will she turn my son into?" As Xu Wanning spoke, she began to sob and cry.

With Lady Guo's temperament, Brother Kun was indeed not suited to be raised by her side.

Although the Eldest Young Master was her son and had turned out reasonably well—he had previously achieved the third highest score in the imperial examinations, and being from the Zhenguo Duke Manor, was highly valued by the Emperor, now holding the position of Minister of Revenue—his success was largely due to the personal tutelage and guidance of the late Second Old Master, and had little to do with Lady Guo herself.

Now, Lady Guo was presuming on her age, insisting on keeping her grandson by her side for upbringing. No wonder Xu Wanning was worried.

Wasn't this harming the child's future?

Jingxiu thought for a moment,then smiled slightly and said slowly, "The Eldest Young Master is still small and at a mischievous age. Second Uncle passed away early, and Second Aunt's health isn't good either. If she insists on keeping the Eldest Young Master by her side, what if the child tires her out and harms her health?"

She paused, then added meaningfully, "The Old Madam would surely be distressed."

Xu Wanning said dismissively, "The Old Madam can hardly stand her, why would she..." Halfway through, she looked up at Jingxiu. "Hmm? You mean..."

Jingxiu quickly picked up her teacup, pretending to savor the tea. "Nothing. Sister-in-law, this tea is quite good."

Xu Wanning's eyes shifted. Her tears gave way to a smile. "Look at me, I've been driven to distraction by my mother-in-law and the Eldest Young Master." She looked at Jingxiu gratefully and chided, "Luckily you understand."

Jingxiu put down her teacup. "Don't be too impatient just yet. Wait a few days before saying anything, to avoid giving people grounds for criticism."

"I know," Xu Wanning threw Jingxiu a 'rest assured, I know my limits' look.

The two shared a secret, understanding smile.

By the time Jingxiu returned to the Breeze-Filled Courtyard, it was already noon. She usually took a short nap, but unexpectedly, she slept until the afternoon.

Hearing her get up, Ziyun came in to attend to her and said, "The Young Master sent word earlier that he has social engagements tonight and won't be back for dinner."

Jingxiu acknowledged, "I see."

Ziyun asked, "Then what would the Young Lady like to eat tonight? I'll have the kitchen prepare a couple of dishes."

According to the manor's rules, the main household's dinner consisted of eight dishes: four meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and two cold appetizers.

From Ziyun's tone, since Li Ling wouldn't be back tonight, they intended to simplify things and not prepare the full set of dishes just for her alone.

Sigh! This wasn't Ziyun's fault.

Ever since marrying Li Ling, she had always prioritized him in everything. Even her personal maid had grown accustomed to it.

"For dinner, still prepare the usual set of dishes. Also, have the kitchen make two extra desserts."

She truly couldn't eat that much by herself. But the prestigious Zhenguo Duke Manor wouldn't go broke from her ordering two extra dishes.

If Li Ling wasn't coming back for dinner, she wouldn't make do and wrong herself.

"Oh, alright. This servant will go tell the kitchen right away." Having received her mistress's instructions, Ziyun assented and left the room for the kitchen.

But she couldn't help muttering to herself: Lately, the Young Lady really is different from when she first married into the Zhenguo Duke Manor. She's even more decisive than she was in her maiden days.

But, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Pondering this, Ziyun's steps unconsciously lightened.

(End of Chapter)

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