RATMOFANF: Chapter 79

 Glossary

·Shen Jingxiu: The female protagonist, wife of Li Ling.

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

·Ziyun: Shen Jingxiu's maidservant.

·Old Madam Li: The matriarch of the Zhenguo Duke Manor.

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

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

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Chapter 79: Cousin Has Clearly Fallen into the Tender Trap of the Shen Girl

Although Ziyun hadn't seen the true face behind the veiled hat yesterday when she greeted the procession with her mistress at the main gate, her careful observation allowed her to recognize the figure and bearing of the visitor instantly. The person who had just arrived was none other than the Ninth Princess from the palace.

She hurried forward and bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, Ninth Princess."

Qingluan asked mildly, "Are my cousin and his wife here?"

Ziyun kept her head slightly lowered. "The Heir left for his duties early this morning. The Mistress has just risen and is inside freshening up."

Although Ziyun's words were tactful, their intent was to politely decline the visit. Her mistress wasn't properly ready and was in no state to receive a guest, especially this unexpected one.

Unexpectedly, Qingluan said, "I came specifically to visit my cousin's wife. Since she is here, please lead the way."

She was determined to enter.

Naturally, Ziyun dared not be impolite. She quickly stepped forward with small, quick steps and said respectfully, "Please come in, Your Highness."

Ziyun walked slightly ahead to guide the way, her eyes discreetly observing this Ninth Princess who had once caused her mistress so much distress.

Her figure was slender and delicate, her walk as graceful as a willow swaying. Her features were as lovely as a painting but seemed veiled in endless melancholy. She looked utterly pitiful and delicate, without even a trace of the imposing presence a princess should have.

Jingxiu had just finished dressing neatly. Seeing Ziyun usher Qingluan into the room, she was inwardly surprised but didn't show it on her face. She wore a faint smile as she stepped forward to make small talk. "I hope our imperial cousin is well."

Qingluan returned the greeting slowly. "Having just arrived at the manor, I heard I've caused you much trouble. I felt quite apologetic, so I came specifically to visit today."

Although her words were perfectly polite, Jingxiu saw through them clearly. This was hardly a visit to express gratitude. As for why she had eagerly come to her quarters early on her second morning in the manor, probably only Qingluan herself knew best.

Jingxiu replied courteously, "Please don't stand on ceremony, cousin. Grandmother has been longing day and night for your arrival."

In truth, throughout the entire manor, probably only the Old Madam genuinely longed for this delicate princess.

The two exchanged pleasantries and sat down. Ziyun served fragrant tea to Qingluan, then turned to Jingxiu. "Mistress, you haven't had breakfast yet. Drinking tea on an empty stomach can harm it. The Heir specifically instructed me before he left this morning to prepare bird's nest porridge for you. Would you like some?"

Jingxiu replied, "I'm not hungry yet. Keep it warm for now."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qingluan had come with a purpose. From the moment she entered Qingfeng Yuan and met Ziyun, and now from these exchanges, she had gleaned much of the information she wanted to know.

The woman opposite her had risen late today.

Her cousin had specifically instructed a servant to prepare nourishing porridge for her.

A heavy feeling settled in Qingluan's heart. While making idle small talk with Jingxiu, her slender eyes secretly appraised her surroundings.

This Shen girl—Qingluan had been stunned by her beauty at first sight yesterday. Although she lived deep within the inner palace, she had always made efforts to inquire about this Shen girl. She knew she was a beauty, but she considered herself not lacking either, so she had harbored an unspoken sliver of hope in her heart.

After seeing the portrait Sihua had sketched that day, her confidence had already wavered. Until she saw the real Shen girl yesterday, her heart had sunk to the depths.

This woman was so beautiful it made her heart ache.

Qingluan had lain awake all last night. Her personal palace maid had comforted her, saying, "What does beauty matter? The Li family heir doesn't care for feminine charms."

She could only console her own heart, which had been shattered by the Shen woman's beauty, clutching that sliver of hope and eagerly coming early in the morning to investigate further.

However, it seemed she might have been wrong again.

A faint hint of languor still lingered in the eyes and brows of the woman opposite her. Having just risen, she was still wearing simple, casual clothes. At the collar of her garment, one could faintly see a distinctive mark. Even the air in this room was filled with a lingering, intimate scent that hadn't yet dissipated.

And there was that nourishing porridge her cousin had specifically instructed the maid about, as mentioned by the servant.

She was a young woman now. Although inexperienced in matters between men and women, she understood.

Her beloved, virtuous cousin, who supposedly didn't care for beauty, had clearly fallen deep into the tender trap of this Shen girl.

Soon, stewardesses from the front courtyard came one after another to report matters to Jingxiu.

Qingluan said with an awkward smile, "Cousin's wife must be busy. I won't disturb you any further."

Naturally, Jingxiu had no desire to engage in hypocritical socializing with her. She said politely, "The manor has many affairs during the New Year period. I will visit you after I finish my tasks."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qingluan offered a slight curtsey, lowered her eyes, and left dejectedly.

After seeing her off, Jingxiu let out a long sigh of relief. With a woman's unique intuition, Jingxiu could clearly sense that this imperial cousin was deeply and unrequitedly in love with Li Ling.

Making her give up her feelings would likely not be the work of a single day.

Dejected and lost in thought, Qingluan was just about to step through the gate of Zizhu Ge, where she was staying, when a messenger matron from Anxi Tang hurried over. She bowed respectfully to Qingluan and said, "Your Highness, the Old Madam requests your presence."

Having just experienced that blow, Qingluan naturally wasn't in the mood. She replied mildly, "I will visit Grandmother this evening."

The messenger matron smiled and said, "The Third Master and the Third Young Lady are at the Old Madam's place. They wish to pay their respects to you."

The Third Young Lady was one thing, but Li Xiang was an unrelated male, so it naturally wouldn't be proper for him to visit her accommodations. Qingluan replied, "In that case, I shall accompany you, Matron."

When Qingluan arrived at Anxi Tang, she saw as expected Third Master Li Xiang and the Third Young Lady, Jinyan, chatting and laughing around the Old Madam. Seeing Qingluan enter, Li Xiang stood up and bowed. "Greetings, Imperial Cousin."

The Third Young Lady did not stand up. She merely followed Li Xiang's lead and said to Qingluan with a smile, "Greetings, Imperial Cousin."

Qingluan was innately sensitive. How could she not see that although the Third Young Lady wore a smile on her face, it did not reach her eyes?

She returned the greeting politely, but her heart felt desolate. In this manor now, aside from Grandmother, who truly cared for her?

The Old Madam's face bloomed into a smile upon seeing her granddaughter. "Come quickly to your grandmother."

Qingluan walked slowly to sit beside the Old Madam. The Old Madam turned her head and instructed Nanny Xu, "Fetch a hand warmer. This child Qingluan has been afraid of the cold since she was little."

Seeing her grandmother being so attentive to her cousin, the Third Young Lady could no longer maintain her smile.

Nanny Xu glanced at the Third Young Lady's expression and asked with a smile, "Third Young Lady, should this old servant fetch a hand warmer for you as well?"

The Third Young Lady replied with a cold laugh, "Matron, please don't fetch any hand warmer for me. The underfloor heating in this room is burning so fiercely I feel uncomfortably hot all over. Besides, I'm used to being rough and don't care for such things."

Hearing the Third Young Lady's speech full of veiled sarcasm, Nanny Xu was at a loss for how to respond. Qingluan gave a bitter smile, turned to Nanny Xu, and said, "Matron, please don't trouble yourself. I'm not cold either."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The Old Madam tried to defuse the situation, speaking to her grandson and granddaughter. "You two haven't seen your imperial cousin for several years either, have you?"

The Third Young Lady picked up her teacup, burying herself in drinking her tea, and did not respond.

Li Xiang smiled and replied, "Indeed. It must be three or four years now."

Qingluan smiled in agreement. "The last time I saw Cousin, you were still a half-grown child who would cry and make a scene if things didn't go your way."

Li Xiang smiled awkwardly. "Wasn't our last meeting three or four years ago, at Mother's birthday celebration at the Princess Manor? That day, Second Brother climbed the tree to pick fruit for us. That Eighth Princess of yours was so overbearing, grabbing all the big fruits for herself and leaving none for us two. I cried my eyes out over it back then."

Hearing this, Qingluan covered her mouth with her handkerchief and laughed. The Old Madam also laughed heartily, looking at her grandson, then at her granddaughter. "Now it's better. You've all grown up, one by one."

(End of Chapter)

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