RATMOFANF: Chapter 81

Glossary

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

·Li Ling (李陵): The male protagonist, Shen Jingxiu's husband.

·Qingluan (青鸾): The Ninth Princess.

·Old Madam Li (李老夫人): The matriarch of the Li family.

·Steward Fu (福总管): The steward of Qingfeng Yuan.

·Third Young Lady (三姑娘, Li Jinyan): The third daughter of the Li family.

·Li Xian (李显): Eldest son of the Li family.

·Xu Wanning (徐婉宁): Wife of Li Xian.

·Li Yu (李玉): The Fourth Master of the Li family (mentioned).

·Duke of Zhenguo (镇国公): The head of the Li family (mentioned).

·Liang Jin (梁瑾): Li Ling's subordinate (mentioned).

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

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

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Chapter 81: Why Are You So Petty

In Qingfeng Yuan, the matron arrived to inform them about the evening welcoming banquet for the Ninth Princess. Jingxiu was leaning on the daybed reading the travelogue Liu Yunzhi had sent her. She acknowledged the message and asked, "Regarding tonight's banquet, does Grandmother have any other instructions?"

The matron replied, "Nothing specific. The Old Madam only said for the Second Madam to use her discretion and invite some musicians and storytellers that you young people enjoy, to liven up the banquet."

Jingxiu nodded in agreement, and the matron bowed before withdrawing.

Most wealthy, aristocratic families kept their own troupe of entertainers for amusement. The Zhenguo Duke Manor, however, had never adopted this tradition, fearing it would lead the younger generation to indulgence and hinder their ambitions. Whenever distinguished guests visited and entertainment was needed, they would hire from outside.

The western district of Chang'an was full of establishments that kept such entertainers. As long as one was willing to spend the silver, there was no worry about hiring skilled performers.

After the matron left, Jingxiu summoned Steward Fu and instructed him, "Send two attendants to the western district to hire a few entertainers. Don't be afraid to spend; their skills must be excellent."

After Steward Fu left to carry out the order, Jingxiu stretched languidly and buried her head in the book again.

She was thoroughly engrossed when the book was suddenly snatched from her hands. Jingxiu looked up blankly to see Li Ling.

She had been so absorbed that she hadn't noticed when he returned. Jingxiu glanced at the water clock. "You're back quite early today."

Li Ling glanced at the book in his hand, recognizing it as Liu Yunzhi's travelogue again. He looked at his little wife and remarked, "When you first took over managing the household a while back, you were like a person possessed. Handling every big and small matter, managing the accounts, busy day and night without rest. Now you seem quite idle."

Back then, wasn't she under the misunderstanding that Li Ling carried someone else in his heart, worrying about her position being unstable? Now that the truth had long been revealed and her position as the mistress was secure, there was naturally no need to micromanage everything and be that workaholic.

Jingxiu reached out to snatch the book back. "I just started reading. Don't disturb me."

Li Ling dodged her hand and snorted. "It seems to me you've been slacking off ever since you got this book."

He weighed the book in his hand, glanced at the three characters "Liu Yunzhi" on the cover, and said disdainfully, "It's clear this book is a bad influence."

With that, he casually tossed the book away.

Next to the daybed was a small table. He had meant to throw the book onto the table, but perhaps the book had a spirit of its own, knowing Li Ling had never looked kindly upon it. It flew straight towards the gilt beast-shaped incense burner behind the table.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The book landed squarely on the beast. The burner was lit with incense powder. Moments later, faint, flickering sparks began to lick inside the burner.

Jingxiu was stunned by this sudden series of actions. By the time she reacted and got up, the faint smell of something burning was already wafting from the incense burner.

"What are you doing?" Jingxiu shot Li Ling a glare and rushed over to rescue the book.

But Li Ling held her back. In that short moment, wisps of white smoke began to rise from the book on the burner.

Jingxiu struggled against Li Ling's strong grip and snapped at him, "Why are you just standing there? Go get it down before it's ruined!"

Li Ling watched the book on the burner, seized the right moment, stepped forward, and pinched the book with two fingers to lift it off, dropping it to the floor as it was hot.

Jingxiu hurried over, using a handkerchief to pick up the book.

Fortunately, it wasn't burned, but as it had landed cover-down on the burner, the front was now stained a yellowish-brown from the smoke, looking quite a sorry sight.

Her almond eyes flashed with annoyance. She stepped forward and pummeled Li Ling's chest. "Did you do that on purpose?"

Li Ling defended himself. "How could I have done it on purpose? I meant to throw it onto the table."

He took the book from Jingxiu's hands. The characters "Liu Yunzhi" on the cover were now so smoked they were unrecognizable. Li Ling couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

Furious, Jingxiu lifted her delicate foot and kicked him. "You did it on purpose! How can you be like this? So petty and unreasonable."

Li Ling quickly moved to wrap his arm around his little wife's waist, coaxing her. "I really didn't mean to. Why would I deliberately throw a perfectly good book onto a burner?"

He spoke with such earnestness, yet a mischievous smile lurked in the corners of his eyes.

Jingxiu broke free from him, shot him a fierce glare, and turned to leave.

Li Ling reached out and caught her hand, pulling her into his embrace. He placed the book back in her hands. "Here, you can read it now. I promise I won't stop you again."

Jingxiu gave him another sharp, reproachful look, took the book, and turned to go into the inner chamber.

After changing her clothes, she walked out and cast a look at Li Ling, who was sitting comfortably in a chair still trying to suppress his mischievous grin. "What are you still sitting there for? Grandmother has invited us to the banquet tonight. Go change your clothes."

Suppressing his small feeling of triumph, Li Ling asked, "It's not the first or the fifteenth of the month. What's the banquet for?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jingxiu lifted her gaze to look at him. "Didn't Qingluan arrive yesterday without a welcoming banquet? Grandmother is making up for it today."

Li Ling made an "oh" sound and stood up to change. Jingxiu stepped in front of him, looking at him meaningfully. "You need to be careful at the banquet."

Li Ling looked down at his little wife, clearly not understanding her meaning.

Jingxiu gave him a warning look. "Don't forget what you promised me. Talk to her as little as possible."

Li Ling finally understood and nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry, Madam. I remember."

Satisfied with his good attitude, Jingxiu gave him a pleased smile. Li Ling took the opportunity to lean down and kiss her lips, repeating, "I won't speak to her, that's all."

Jingxiu wrapped her arms around his neck and said coquettishly, "And at the banquet, you're not allowed to look at her either."

Li Ling nodded. "My wife is so beautiful, I can never get enough of looking at you. Why would I look at anyone else?"

It was rare to hear such sweet talk from Li Ling. Jingxiu rewarded him with a kiss in return—a light, fleeting brush of her lips against his. But Li Ling's kiss that followed was substantial and deep. He wrapped his arms around her soft waist, his kiss growing more fervent until he finally scooped her up into his arms and strode purposefully toward the inner chamber.

Jingxiu's change of clothes had been for nothing.

After their amorous interlude, when they drew back the bed curtains, the moon was already hanging over the willow branches. They hurriedly got up to dress and tidy themselves.

By the time they rushed to the banquet hall in Anxi Tang, everyone had arrived—even the habitually late Third Young Lady. Only Fourth Master Li Yu was missing.

Taking off her cloak, Jingxiu subtly adjusted her inner gown, afraid that in their haste someone might notice telltale signs of their recent activities.

Li Ling, however, was the picture of composure. Without changing expression, he offered an apology to everyone present. "There was much to attend to at the camp today. I returned late."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Third Young Lady beside him asked curiously, "When I returned from outside this afternoon, I saw Lord Liang just leaving. Didn't he come back with you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ling lifted his gaze to glance at his sister. He couldn't be bothered to explain and simply led Jingxiu to their seats.

Since entertainment had been arranged, the tables were not set in a circle but as individual. The Old Madam sat at the head. Qingluan and the Third Young Lady shared her table, sitting to her left and right respectively. Li Xian and Xu Wanning sat at a table with their two children, located to the Old Madam's lower left. The Duke of Zhenguo, feeling unwell, had not come. Li Ling and Jingxiu shared a table to the Old Madam's lower right. The Third Master sat alone at the table below Li Ling.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

After Li Ling and Jingxiu took their seats, an attendant reported, "Fourth Master sent word early this morning saying he has matters to attend to today and won't be joining."

The Old Madam gave a faint nod. Then, smiling at everyone, she said, "Qingluan was rather tired yesterday, so I didn't call you all over. Let's take advantage of today to gather properly. In the blink of an eye, it's been five or six years since Qingluan last visited the manor. Whenever I go to the palace to see her, she's always talking about you all..."

As she spoke, she turned to look at her granddaughter. "Your brothers and sisters all think of you. Do you think of them when you're in the palace, too?"

The Old Madam finished her chattering and noticed her granddaughter was staring blankly, showing little reaction. She tugged gently on Qingluan's sleeve and asked with a kind smile, "Silly child, what are you thinking about?"

Only when her grandmother called her did Qingluan snap out of her reverie. She hurriedly shifted her gaze away from Li Ling and turned to look at the Old Madam with a confused expression. "Grandmother, what did you just say?"

(End of Chapter)

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