RATMOFANF: Chapter 71

 Glossary

·Old Madam Li (老夫人): The matriarch of the Zhenguo Duke Manor.

·Duke of Zhenguo (镇国公): Li Ling's father.

·Li Xian (李显): Li Ling's elder brother.

·Xu Wanning (徐婉宁): Li Xian's wife.

·Kun Ge (坤哥儿): Son of Li Xian and Xu Wanning.

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

·Li Ling (李陵): The male protagonist, heir of Zhenguo Duke Manor.

·Li Yu (李玉): Li Ling's half-brother, the Fourth Master.

·Shen Jingxiu (沈静姝): The female protagonist, wife of Li Ling.

·Li Xiang (李翔): The Third Master, Li Ling's younger brother.

·Jiao Xing (娇杏): A dismissed maidservant formerly involved with Li Xiang.

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Chapter 71: A Year of Continuous Celebrations for the Zhenguo Duke Manor

With verdant cypress and red peppers, everything felt renewed. This year, the Zhenguo Duke Manor was blessed with continuous celebrations: the twenty-two-year-old heir married, the thirty-year-old eldest master was nominated for the Grand Secretariat, the sixteen-year-old third master joined the army, and the seventeen-year-old heir's wife was granted a noble title.

Since it was the New Year's Eve reunion dinner, the entire family naturally gathered around one large table.

Maids with hair coiled like clouds and adorned with red plum blossoms filed in, placing one exquisite dish after another until the vast round table was gradually covered.

The Old Madam sat at the head of the table. The Duke of Zhenguo sat to her left, and Li Xian sat to her right.

Li Xian glanced at the empty seat beside Jingxiu and asked, "Why hasn't Second Brother returned yet?"

Jingxiu smiled and replied, "He already sent word earlier. He'll be back any moment."

The Third Young Lady teased playfully, "So diligent even on New Year's Eve."

Young Kun Ge, sitting by Xu Wanning's side, was too young to understand his aunt's teasing and thought she was speaking ill of his second uncle. Pouting, he said, "Don't say that about Second Uncle, Auntie. If Second Uncle weren't diligent, how could he lead such a mighty army?"

Xu Wanning chuckled, patting her son's head. "Ever since watching the military review a few days ago, your second uncle has become your hero."

Hearing his mother's words, Kun Ge grinned. "When I grow up, I want to be just like Second Uncle—a majestic general commanding thousands of troops."

Hearing her great-grandson say such words, the Old Madam's face bloomed into a smile. "Hmm! Good! That's an ambitious thought!"

Li Xian's expression, however, remained indifferent. His son was clever and naturally suited for scholarly pursuits, yet he seemed entirely led astray by Xu Wanning, this crude woman who favored swords and martial arts.

Seizing a moment when Xu Wanning was engrossed in laughing and chatting with everyone, Li Xian shot her a dissatisfied glare.

"Second Brother and Third Brother are back," announced the Third Young Lady, who was seated near the door and had spotted Li Ling's figure from afar.

As soon as the words fell, Li Ling and Li Xiang entered the banquet hall one after the other. They stood at the entrance, removed their heavy cloaks, and handed them to the attending matrons.

"It's snowing outside, and quite heavily," Li Xiang said, brushing the snow off himself.

It had been over half a year since Li Xiang was pulled into the army by Li Ling and had not returned home. Seeing her youngest grandson suddenly, the Old Madam eagerly said, "Xiang'er, come quickly to your grandmother."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Li Xiang walked over to his grandmother with a smile. The Old Madam pulled him close, looking him over left and right.

He was tanner and thinner but looked sturdier than before and had shot up a great deal in height.

The Old Madam had initially worried her little grandson couldn't endure hardship and would be worn out. Seeing him like this, she felt relieved and patted his shoulder, smiling. "You've grown stronger. Well, how is it? Can you manage in the army?"

Li Xiang instinctively glanced at his elder brother Li Ling. Of course, he dared not complain. He just smiled and replied, "It's manageable. I've adapted now."

The Duke of Zhenguo looked at his youngest son and said earnestly, "No one joins the army without enduring hardship. The more hardship you endure now, the safer you'll be on the battlefield in the future."

His elder brother had already told him this countless times. Li Xiang nodded. "I understand, Father."

"I must study military skills diligently," he added.

When he said this last sentence, he stole a glance at Li Ling, as if specifically saying it for his elder brother to hear.

Li Ling, however, seemed not to hear, not even lifting an eyelid. He sat down beside Jingxiu, his face still cool and stern, but his large hand hidden under the table quietly grasped his young wife's slender hand.

Seeing that Li Ling and Li Xiang had also returned, the Old Madam instructed the announcing matron, "Go check on Fourth Master. Tell him to come quickly. We're only waiting for him."

The Third Young Lady secretly glanced at Jingxiu. Usually, in such situations, she couldn't help but complain about Li Yu. Today, however, she forcibly held back.

The announcing matron had just agreed and pushed the door to leave when she immediately turned back, beaming at everyone. "Fourth Master is here."

With that, Fourth Master Li Yu entered. The matron took the cloak he removed and said smilingly, "Fourth Master, please take your seat quickly. We've been waiting for you."

Even on New Year's, Li Yu still wore moon-white brocade robes. The only difference was an added band of crimson piping along the hem and cuffs.

He walked to the table, offered his greetings only to the Old Madam as usual, and then took his seat indifferently.

Everyone was accustomed to his habitual aloofness, and no one paid it any mind.

Seeing everyone present, the Old Madam said with a smile, "Let the banquet begin."

Four or five maids stepped forward with wine pots to pour drinks. In an instant, the large banquet hall was filled with the rich, mellow aroma of fine wine.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Everyone first raised their cups together to toast the Old Madam. Then, the family happily ate, drank, chatted, and laughed together.

The Old Madam had naturally learned about the eunuch's visit to the manor the moment it happened. She had initially thought it would be an edict promoting Li Ling, given his recent meritorious service, for which the Emperor would naturally grant rewards. She hadn't expected it to be her granddaughter-in-law receiving a noble title.

The Old Madam was somewhat surprised but not disappointed because of it. The current Zhenguo Duke Manor was already at the peak of prosperity and influence.

Her daughter-in-law was a grand princess, her eldest grandson was selected for the Grand Secretariat, and her legitimate grandson held a crucial post like the City Patrol Office. Although she was a woman, she wasn't completely unaware of court affairs nowadays.

During this sensitive period of the succession struggle, a family like theirs still needed to maintain appropriate discretion. Her granddaughter Qingluan's poisoning incident had served as a warning. What the Grand Princess clearly saw, someone as perceptive as the Old Madam naturally could also discern.

Therefore, the Old Madam secretly felt relieved that Li Ling's merit had resulted not in his own promotion but in the conferment of a title upon his wife.

The Old Madam raised her wine cup, deliberately creating a little suspense first. "Today is actually a double celebration."

Those who had been in the manor all day naturally knew about the imperial edict announced at noon—such a significant event naturally caused a stir within the household. However, those like Li Xian and Li Ling, who had just returned from duty outside, were unaware.

Li Xian couldn't resist asking, "Oh? What other joyous event occurred today? Grandmother, please tell us quickly."

The Old Madam smiled slightly. "You gentlemen who were outside probably don't know yet. At noon today, an edict arrived from the palace."

She looked at Jingxiu, sitting quietly nearby, and continued, "Our heir's wife has been granted the title of Lady of the Third Rank."

Li Ling instinctively looked at his wife beside him. His face remained stern, but his eyes held a hint of a smile.

Li Xiang, sitting beside Li Ling, also looked at this new sister-in-law he had only met a few times upon hearing this. Seeing his second brother sitting intimately with his wife, he couldn't help but think of his own little sweetheart—that maidservant Jiao Xing who had been driven away.

He wondered how she was doing now.

He gazed eagerly at this new sister-in-law, impatient to ask her about his sweetheart's situation. Finally, seeing her glance his way, he quickly made a face, giving her a "I have something to ask you later" look.

Hearing the news, Li Xian also cast a faint glance at Jingxiu, his eyes filled with disappointment and confusion. He had thought it would be the edict confirming his entry into the Grand Secretariat. On second thought, the nomination from the Grand Secretariat had only happened recently; news couldn't possibly arrive this quickly. Ah! I was too impatient, he thought.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Calming his anxious mind, he couldn't help but feel puzzled. Logically, Second Brother, having just gained attention, should have received a promotion. How did the imperial favor instead land on his wife? This new bride had just entered the household; in terms of seniority, she wasn't qualified for such a title at all. Could it be that Second Brother requested this from the Emperor?

Turning this over in his mind, Li Xian shot Li Ling a heavy look that said, "How utterly lacking in ambition."

Just as he was here criticizing Li Ling for doing something as foolish as forsaking career advancement to please his wife, Xu Wanning beside him cast a cold, resentful glance his way that clearly said, "Look at how other men treat their wives."

(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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