RATMOFANF: Chapter 74

 Glossary

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

·Xu Wanning (徐婉宁): Li Xian's wife.

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

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

·Liu Yunzhi (柳韵之): The scholar from Jiangnan, also known as Master Liu.

·Zhongshun Houfu (忠顺侯府): The Loyal and Obedient Marquis Manor.

·Jianjun Wangfu (简郡王府): The Jianjun Prince Manor.

·Fushu (福叔): Steward Fu.

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Chapter 74: I Look Down on Such Frivolous People the Most

Although they disliked this unexpected guest, since Jingxiu and Xu Wanning had received the Old Madam's orders, they could only set about the arrangements diligently.

The two went to the administrative hall. Regarding Qingluan's accommodations, they discussed and selected three options together. One was Yongxiang Yuan, right next to Anxi Tang. Another was Xilan Ge, where the eldest young lady of the main branch had lived before her marriage. The third was Yongju Tang, which was near the waterside pavilion with excellent scenery, specifically used to entertain distinguished guests.

Once they had decided, they summoned the manor's painter and had him sketch the locations and general layouts of these three courtyards.

By the time this matter was settled, it was already late afternoon. Xu Wanning stretched languidly. "I didn't sleep well yesterday. I need to go back for a nap." With that, she bid Jingxiu farewell and returned to Baitang Ju.

As the mistress of the household, Jingxiu naturally couldn't relax as easily as Xu Wanning. She stayed in the administrative hall managing various affairs until dusk began to fall before finishing up.

She was just about to get up and return when the stewardess from the Third Young Lady's courtyard hurried in to report: "Reporting to the Mistress, the Third Young Lady went to play with the young lady from the Zhongshun Houfu at noon and hasn't returned yet." The matron looked anxious. "It's almost dark now. Please send someone to look for her quickly, Mistress."

Jingxiu asked, "Did she definitely say she was going to the Zhongshun Houfu?"

The matron replied, "Yes."

Jingxiu called to the steward. "Prepare a carriage from the stables. I'll take some people to fetch her right away."

Jingxiu, accompanied by Ziyun and Danzhu, left the manor in a carriage and headed straight for the Zhongshun Houfu.

Halfway there, they encountered the Third Young Lady's carriage stopped by the roadside. Jingxiu ordered her carriage to stop and got out with Ziyun's help.

Seeing it was her sister-in-law, the Third Young Lady inside the carriage pushed the door open and called out, "Second Sister-in-law, what are you doing here?"

Jingxiu said, "It's almost dark, and you hadn't returned. I was worried."

The Third Young Lady jumped out of the carriage and stepped forward. "I was on my way back a while ago. As I passed this place, I saw Master Liu fighting with someone." As she spoke, she pulled Jingxiu to the front of the carriage and pointed at the unconscious man lying inside. "Master Liu was knocked out. He hasn't woken up yet."

Jingxiu stepped forward and recognized the man as Liu Yunzhi, whom she had seen that day at the official academy.

He was unconscious, with injuries on his face and at the corner of his mouth. "How did he end up in a fight?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The Third Young Lady replied, "Some servants from the Jianjun Wangfu were bullying people on the street, throwing their weight around. Master Liu couldn't stand it and went to reason with them. When that didn't work, a fight broke out. The Jianjun Wangfu servants outnumbered him and beat him up like this. Those lackeys are truly despicable. After knocking him out, they just dumped him by the roadside. Luckily, I passed by. I just had the coachman carry him into the carriage."

She looked at Jingxiu. "Second Sister-in-law, I think Master Liu is quite badly injured. Let's take him back to the manor."

Saving someone was a virtuous and charitable deed. However, the Third Young Lady was now a young lady of marriageable age, and Liu Yunzhi was a famous great talent about whom rumors swirled even without cause. Jingxiu did not want her sister-in-law's reputation to suffer.

She replied, "He's still unconscious. There's a medical clinic nearby. Let's take him there to see a physician first."

With that, Jingxiu pulled the Third Young Lady out of the carriage, ordered the coachman to turn around and head for the clinic first, while she, the Third Young Lady, and Ziyun followed behind in the carriage they had come in.

At the clinic, the two coachmen carried the unconscious man inside. The physician examined him and came out to report to Jingxiu and the Third Young Lady. "This gentleman is unconscious due to a heavy blow to the head—"

Before the physician could finish, the Third Young Lady asked urgently, "Is it serious? He's a great talent. If his head is injured, will it affect his ability to compose poetry in the future?"

The physician said with a smile, "It's not serious. He'll be fine after resting for a few days." As he spoke, he gestured toward the inner room. "Just now, I applied acupuncture needles for him. He has regained consciousness now. Please go in and see him, Madam, Young Lady."

Hearing this, the Third Young Lady eagerly walked inside. Jingxiu also followed slowly.

Seeing Liu Yunzhi was awake, the Third Young Lady said delightedly, "Master Liu, how are you feeling now?"

Although Liu Yunzhi had regained consciousness, his mind was still hazy and confused. Forcing his eyes to focus, he recognized the young girl before him as his student from the official academy. He said with a smile, "Jinyan, was it you who saved me? Thank—"

Before he could utter the second "you," he saw a woman in red clothes gracefully walk in. Even though his mind was still fuzzy, he instantly recognized her as the woman he had seen that day at Cai Lun's place.

That woman whose demeanor and aura were like a goddess, whom he could never forget after seeing just once.

He, who was always eloquent, was so startled he momentarily didn't know how to speak.

Jingxiu stepped forward and said, "Please rest assured, Master. The physician says you are not seriously injured." As she spoke, she walked over and took Jinyan's hand. Smiling politely at Liu Yunzhi, she said, "The valuable items on your person were taken by those villains while you were unconscious. I have left sufficient silver with the physician. Please just rest and recuperate here with peace of mind. The physician here will take good care of you."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

With that, she turned slowly and led Jinyan away.

This encounter with her was again but a fleeting moment. Her graceful figure vanished from sight in an instant. Liu Yunzhi still felt as if in a dream, yet a sudden thrill stirred in his heart.

How could there be such a wondrous woman in this world?

His untamed, passionate heart was agitated restlessly for the first time because of a woman.

After this incident, by the time they returned to the Zhenguo Duke Manor, it was completely dark. Jingxiu ordered someone to escort the Third Young Lady safely back to Lanya Xuan, while she returned to Qingfeng Yuan with Ziyun.

Li Ling had already returned. Seeing Jingxiu, he asked, "As soon as I got back, I heard you went looking for Jinyan. I was just about to go out to find you both."

Seeing the concern on his face, Jingxiu replied, "I've already sent someone to take Third Sister back."

Li Ling said with a stern face, "Jinyan is becoming more and more undisciplined. She's grown up now. We can't allow her to go out casually anymore."

Jingxiu defended the Third Young Lady. "She went to the Zhongshun Houfu to play with their young ladies. She's the only unmarried young lady in the manor; it's inevitable she feels lonely."

Li Ling said displeased, "She can go play, but she must have some sense of day and night. What time is it now?"

Jingxiu said, "She was on her way back earlier, but something happened on the road." Then, she told Li Ling about the Third Young Lady rescuing Liu Yunzhi on the road.

Hearing this, Li Ling asked, "That Jiangnan talent Liu Yunzhi is now a teacher at the official academy?"

Jingxiu replied, "Yes."

Li Ling said indifferently, "Have Jinyan stay away from that sort of person from now on."

Jingxiu replied, "Master Liu is an immensely learned great scholar. How can you say that about him, Husband?"

Li Ling said disdainfully, "What great scholar? He just relies on some talent, carelessly writing a few poems to gain fame." As he spoke, he poured a cup of tea and handed it to Jingxiu to drink, continuing himself. "I look down on such frivolous people who seek fame and reputation the most."

Just as the two were talking here, the steward came in, holding a few pages of painted scrolls. He reported to Jingxiu, "Reporting to the Mistress, the painter has finished depicting those courtyards. Please have a look."

Jingxiu took the scrolls, unrolled them, glanced at them, and replied, "They are well drawn. Send them to the palace tomorrow."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Li Ling asked casually, "Why send these to the palace?"

Jingxiu turned her head, looked at him, and replied, "Qingluan is coming to stay at the manor for a few days soon. Didn't you know?"

(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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