RATMOFANF: Chapter 73

 Glossary

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

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

·Xu Wanning (徐婉宁): Li Xian's wife.

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

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

·Zhuang Jie (庄姐): Daughter of Li Xian and Xu Wanning.

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

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

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

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

·Qingluan (青鸾): Ninth Princess, Li Ling's cousin.

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Chapter 73: Qingluan's Purpose in Coming Is for Li Ling, Isn't It?

Because they had stayed up late for the New Year's Eve vigil, everyone got up late on the first day of the new year. By the time Jingxiu and Li Ling were ready, the winter sun was already high in the sky. The young couple walked side by side towards Anxi Tang to pay their New Year respects to the Old Madam. Halfway there, they happened to run into Li Xian and his wife with Kun Ge and Zhuang Jie.

Kun Ge and Zhuang Jie cheerfully offered New Year greetings to their Second Uncle and Second Aunt. Jingxiu took out the red envelopes she had prepared in advance and gave them to the children. Finding the two-year-old Zhuang Jie utterly adorable, she bent down to pick her up. Laughing and chatting with Xu Wanning, she followed behind Li Ling and Li Xian as they walked towards Anxi Tang.

Upon entering Anxi Tang, only the Duke of Zhenguo had arrived. Everyone paid their New Year respects to the Old Madam and the Duke, then took their seats. After a while, the Third Young Lady and Third Master Li Xiang also arrived at Anxi Tang one after the other. The whole family chatted and laughed around the Old Madam until noon before dispersing, yet Fourth Master Li Yu never showed up.

The Duke of Zhenguo felt embarrassed. As he was leaving, he said to Li Xiang, "You go check on Fourth Brother later."

After everyone left, Li Xian and Li Ling naturally had other social engagements to attend to. The Third Young Lady had made plans to go out with friends. Only Jingxiu and Xu Wanning, with the children Kun Ge and Zhuang Jie, walked back towards the inner courtyards.

Xu Wanning asked, "Do you have other matters this afternoon?"

Jingxiu said, "We have the family banquet tonight. Starting tomorrow, we'll be busy arranging the customary New Year gift exchanges with the various households."

Xu Wanning sighed. "Ah! Then we probably won't have any leisure until after the first month is over." She looked at Jingxiu. "Since we have some free time this afternoon, come to my place for tea."

Jingxiu agreed.

As the two were walking and chatting, Li Xiang caught up from behind.

They stopped and looked at the Third Master, who had changed considerably. Xu Wanning teased, "Third Brother is different now that he's joined the army. You look more like an adult and more manly."

Li Xiang scratched his head, smiling. "Eldest Sister-in-law, don't tease me. I'm just a duck forced onto the perch."

Xu Wanning asked with a smile, "So, how is it? It must be quite tiring in your Second Brother's army, right?"

Li Xiang glanced at Jingxiu and didn't answer, merely throwing Xu Wanning a look that said, "What do you think?"

Xu Wanning covered her mouth and chuckled, looking at Jingxiu. "When you go back, talk to Second Brother. Tell him not to be so strict with Third Brother. Look how scared he is—seeing Second Brother is like a mouse seeing a cat."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Before Jingxiu could agree, Li Xiang waved his hands. "No, no, no, Second Sister-in-law, you must absolutely not say that to Second Brother. Otherwise, he'll definitely think I was complaining about him in front of you." He scratched his head, smiling awkwardly. "He'll lecture me again."

Xu Wanning laughed and comforted him. "Your Second Brother is strict with you for your own good."

Li Xiang agreed. "I know." Then, glancing at Jingxiu, he said in a low voice, "Second Sister-in-law, I need to ask you about something."

Xu Wanning looked at Jingxiu with a smile. "You're just so popular. Everyone seeks you out one after another." With that, she took Zhuang Jie back into her arms. "I'll head back first, then. Come to my place this afternoon, alright?"

After Xu Wanning left, Jingxiu asked Li Xiang, "Is Third Brother looking for me about Jiao Xing's matter?"

Li Xiang, who hadn't known how to bring it up, blushed furiously when Jingxiu mentioned it directly. Not daring to look at her, he hung his head and stammered, "I... I wonder how she is now?"

It was rare that he still remembered the maid. He wasn't a heartless person.

Jingxiu told him, "I settled her on a manor estate, assigned her a separate courtyard. To outsiders, she's just said to be a distant relative of a household steward. She lacks nothing in food, drink, or clothing, and naturally, no one gives her a hard time or treats her harshly. You can rest assured."

Li Xiang looked up, casting Jingxiu a grateful glance, and said in a low voice, "Second Sister-in-law, could you tell me where she is? Could you allow me to go see her?"

According to the Zhenguo Duke Manor family rules, sons were not permitted to take concubines before marriage. Strictly speaking, Jiao Xing had broken the rules and should have been expelled from the household. The current arrangement was already Jingxiu showing exceptional leniency.

She replied to Li Xiang, "Third Brother naturally understands our family rules better than I do. I cannot permit you to go see her."

Hearing this, the Third Master's eyes dimmed.

Jingxiu comforted him, "But you can be at ease. Since I promised to help you take care of her, I will certainly keep my word."

She paused, then continued, "After you get married in the future, if you still remember her, and if your wife can also tolerate her, you can then bring her back openly and honorably. But if by then you no longer think of her, I will find a suitable match and arrange a marriage for her."

Li Xiang said urgently, "I naturally won't forget her."

Jingxiu smiled. "If Third Brother can truly be like that, it won't have been in vain for that girl to have been with you. Then you should follow your Second Brother and work hard to advance in the army. Strive to make something of yourself as soon as possible. By then, you'll naturally be able to make your own decisions about everything, won't you?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

These words were far more tangible and heartfelt to Li Xiang than the constant nagging from his father and brother all day long.

Li Xiang bowed deeply to Jingxiu. "In that case, I'll entrust her to your care for now, Sister-in-law. Please trouble yourself to convey to Jiao Xing that I, Li Xiang, will never betray her in this lifetime. Tell her to wait for me."

Jingxiu nodded in agreement. "Don't worry. I'll pass on your words to her."

In the afternoon, Jingxiu went to Xu Wanning's Baitang Ju. Before they could finish their first cup of tea, a messenger matron from Anxi Tang came to report that the Old Madam wanted them to go over to discuss something.

The two of them went back to Anxi Tang together.

As soon as they entered, the Old Madam greeted them cheerfully. "Come here quickly, you two. I have some happy news to tell you."

Before the two could even sit down properly, the Old Madam couldn't wait to say, "Someone came from the palace just now. They said His Majesty, in his grace, is allowing Qingluan to come stay here for a while in a few days."

Hearing the Old Madam's words, Jingxiu's heart sank. Before she could even react, Xu Wanning asked urgently, "Our imperial cousin is coming to our home? This... this isn't according to protocol, is it?"

The rules of the inner palace were naturally strict. According to etiquette, an unmarried princess was not allowed to leave the palace. Last time, for the Old Madam's birthday, it was only because the Emperor showed exceptional grace that Qingluan was allowed to come congratulate her grandmother. Unfortunately, she couldn't make it due to illness.

This time, saying she would come to stay for a while was even more irregular.

The Old Madam saw the confusion on her two granddaughters-in-law's faces and said with a smile, "Isn't Qingluan turning sixteen in March? She requested permission from His Majesty and the Empress to stay with her maternal family for a few days as part of her coming-of-age ceremony. It's rare for the child to have such filial devotion, so His Majesty and the Empress agreed."

Xu Wanning replied, "Oh, so that's how it is."

Her tone, however, held no particular warmth.

The Old Madam, caught up in her excitement, naturally didn't pay attention to her eldest granddaughter-in-law's mood. She continued, "The messenger said His Majesty allowed Qingluan to come on the tenth. A princess's stay is a major event, so I'm entrusting all the arrangements for this to the two of you."

While the Old Madam was enthusiastically making arrangements, the Third Young Lady was also summoned. She had just entered and asked, "I just left Grandmother's place at noon. I had just finished getting ready to go out when the messenger called me back."

Seeing her two sisters-in-law were also there, she asked curiously, "Grandmother, why have you called us here? What's the important matter?"

The Old Madam said with a smile, "I was just telling your two sisters-in-law. On the tenth, your imperial cousin is coming—"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Before the Old Madam could finish, the Third Young Lady's apricot eyes widened in anger, her face turning cold. "What is she coming here for?"

The Old Madam then patiently explained everything to her granddaughter again. Finally, she repeatedly cautioned her youngest granddaughter, "Grandmother knows you two don't get along, but your imperial cousin is a guest. It's rare for her to come stay like this. You must yield to her in everything."

The Third Young Lady snorted coldly. "She's older than me. She should be the one yielding to me."

The Old Madam chided, "This child, the older you get, the less sensible you become." Then, looking at her two granddaughters-in-law, she instructed, "As for Qingluan's accommodations, the two of you go back and make proper arrangements. She's been to the manor a few times before and is somewhat familiar with it. Select a few suitable courtyards and have someone draw sketches. I'll find a way to send them into the palace tomorrow and let Qingluan choose for herself."

The Old Madam sighed. "She's never stayed by my side all these years she's grown up. It's so rare to have this one chance. We must make sure she stays comfortably."

Jingxiu and Xu Wanning naturally had no reason not to agree. After listening to the Old Madam's repeated instructions for a while longer, the three were finally allowed to leave.

Ever since hearing Qingluan was coming, the Third Young Lady's face had remained sullen. As soon as they left Anxi Tang, she couldn't help but complain, "It's New Year's, a rare time for our whole family to be together. What is she coming to make a fuss for?" Then, addressing her two sisters-in-law, she said, "When you arrange her lodgings, make sure it's far from my Lanya Xuan. I can't stand her crying and sniveling over every little thing."

Hearing the Third Young Lady say this, the straightforward Xu Wanning also couldn't help adding, "During the first month of the new year, let's hope she doesn't cry here. It's rather inauspicious."

Jingxiu stood silently to the side, listening to their complaints. Naturally, she was the one who least liked the idea of Qingluan coming. But what she was thinking at that moment was: What was Qingluan's real purpose in suddenly coming here? Was it truly to enjoy a few days of family happiness with her maternal relatives?

That was probably not the case.

Her real purpose was Li Ling, wasn't it?

(End of Chapter)

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Author's Note: Second day after the story is listed for paid reading, still posting a big batch of updates. Posting one chapter first, the rest will be posted together in the afternoon. Thank you everyone for your support!

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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