RATMOFANF: Chapter 83

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.

·Third Young Lady (三姑娘): 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 Xiang (李翔): Third son of the Li family.

·Guo Shi (郭氏): Concubine of Li Xian, mother of Li Xiang (mentioned).

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Chapter 83: Qingluan Has Always Adored You

Despite the Old Madam's best efforts as a grandmother to cheer up her precious granddaughter, the welcoming banquet ended on a sour note amidst Qingluan's incessant tears.

The moment they stepped out of Anxi Tang's door, the Third Young Lady began to grumble under her breath. "I knew she was prone to crying, but I never imagined she'd become so oblivious to occasion. We came with good intentions to welcome her, and look how she repays us—with all this weeping. What's the point?"

"If I'd known she'd be like this, I wouldn't have come..."

Seeing his sister complain non-stop, Li Ling shot her a heavy, disapproving glance. Noticing her elder brother's stern expression, the Third Young Lady finally closed her mouth with a sulky huff.

Qingluan had no living mother to protect her in the palace, and Emperor Ming had always been rather indifferent toward his youngest daughter, paying her little attention.

Li Xiang, walking beside them, sighed. "Perhaps Cousin has a difficult life in the palace. Otherwise, she wouldn't be so constantly downcast."

Hearing Li Xiang's words, Xu Wanning gave a soft snort but said nothing.

It wasn't that they were unaware of her hardships.

But whose life was completely smooth sailing?

She had gone with Li Xian to visit Lady Guo during the day and, before she could even take a sip of hot tea, had been subjected to her mother-in-law's sarcastic and oblique accusations. Lady Guo had been banished to the family temple by the Old Madam for over half a year, not even permitted to return for the New Year. She was, naturally, seething with resentment. Unable to vent this torrent of grievance on her own sons and grandson, she had unleashed it all without restraint upon Xu Wanning instead.

Walking along, Xu Wanning muttered to herself, "It's not that I don't know she has it hard. On a normal day, fine. But during the New Year festivities, all this crying is just plain unlucky."

Though his wife's words were unpleasant to hear, Li Xian could not bring himself to scowl at her again after she had endured the ordeal of visiting his mother with him that day. He stepped forward and tugged at Xu Wanning's sleeve. "Let's hurry. The children are tired."

Qingluan's display had put everyone in a foul mood. The group made their way out of Anxi Tang in gloomy silence, each heading toward their own courtyard.

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Back in their rooms, after Ziyun helped her remove her cloak and outer robe, Jingxiu sat before the bronze mirror and began taking off her jewelry. Noticing Li Ling's continued quiet gloom, she asked, "Husband, are you troubled about Qingluan?"

Hearing this, Li Ling walked over to her and sat on the stool beside her dressing table, forcing a faint smile at the corners of his mouth. "You're not angry again, are you, Madam?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Their past misunderstandings had always revolved around Qingluan, giving Li Ling something of a psychological shadow.

Jingxiu turned her head and smiled at him. "In your heart, am I really that petty?"

Seeing the clear, untroubled expression on his wife's face, Li Ling's anxious heart settled. He pinched her nose playfully and teased, "In my heart, you are the most virtuous of wives."

"Oh?" Jingxiu looked at Li Ling. "What makes for the most virtuous wife? One who can tolerate her husband holding another in his heart? Or one who can endure other women coveting her man? Is that the 'virtue' you speak of?"

Li Ling hurried to explain. "My heart holds no other woman." His expression grew tense as he looked at Jingxiu. "Do you still refuse to believe me?"

Seeing his nervous appearance, Jingxiu couldn't help but laugh. "Of course I believe you," she said with a reproachful look. "I was just saying that offhand."

Li Ling's expression softened. He gave her a chiding glance, repeating his usual refrain: "I just fear you getting angry the most."

He looked at Jingxiu and continued, "It pains me to see Cousin so unhappy."

Then, glancing at Jingxiu's face, he clarified, "My concern for her is purely that of an elder brother. Don't misunderstand again."

"I understand that," Jingxiu replied. She turned to face Li Ling directly. "Do you know why she's unhappy?"

Li Ling replied without hesitation, "As Third Brother said, she must be having a difficult time in the palace."

He sighed. "Thankfully, she'll be of marriageable age soon. Once she's wed and leaves that environment, things should improve. Though her marriage is naturally not something our Zhenguo Duke Manor can meddle in. I just hope His Majesty will show her some fatherly affection and find her a reliable match."

A straightforward man like Li Ling naturally couldn't perceive Qingluan's feelings for him.

Jingxiu gave a cold laugh. "I'm afraid Cousin doesn't wish to marry just any 'reliable match.'"

"What do you mean by that?" Li Ling asked in return.

Jingxiu answered, "The reason for her unhappiness is you."

True to form, Li Ling was even more baffled by Jingxiu's words. "Because of me?"

He pondered for a moment, then asked doubtfully, "Is she holding a grudge because our Zhenguo Duke Manor didn't stand up for her after the poisoning incident last time?"

He sighed. "Of course we were distressed she was bullied. But the current situation in the palace... Ah! Even a prominent family like ours ultimately cannot twist the arm of the supreme imperial authority."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"You're mistaken," Jingxiu said directly to Li Ling. "She's not hung up on that alone."

She looked at him. "It's because Qingluan has always adored you."

"That's why she's unhappy."

Hearing this, Li Ling looked up at Jingxiu, his face turning stern. "Don't talk nonsense. If such words spread, the consequences would be severe."

Jingxiu knew he wouldn't understand Qingluan's feelings. She stated with certainty, "She truly does have such feelings for you—"

Before Jingxiu could finish, Li Ling cut her off. "Enough!"

Not only in royal families, but even in ordinary households, an unmarried daughter harboring admiration for another man was considered scandalous and morally corrupt. If such a thing were to become public, the lightest consequence would be difficulty finding a marriage match; in families with strict rules, she might be sent to a convent—her life would be ruined.

If this was true for ordinary families, how much more so for the royal family with its stringent etiquette and propriety?

This was no joking matter.

Li Ling's face was dark, his eyes cold as he looked gravely at Jingxiu. "Don't think that because I usually indulge you, you can become increasingly reckless. This concerns a princess's reputation. How can I allow you to speak so carelessly? If such words spread, the entire Zhenguo Duke Manor would be implicated because of you."

He glared sternly. "If I hear you utter such irresponsible words again, don't blame me for disciplining you according to family rules."

Such words might intimidate Jinyan and Li Xiang, but they didn't scare her.

Jingxiu naturally understood the gravity of the matter as well. She didn't argue further with Li Ling and turned to go into the outer chamber.

Seeing his wife turn and leave, Li Ling thought she was angered by his earlier harsh tone. His heart softened slightly, but given the seriousness of the issue, he wasn't about to concede.

His little wife had always been prudent. It seemed she had been spoiled by his indulgence.

Today, he needed to have a proper talk with her.

Li Ling stood up and followed her into the outer chamber, only to find his little wife holding a scroll of calligraphy.

Seeing Li Ling's still-stern face, Jingxiu handed him the piece of writing Qingluan had sent her during the military review. "See for yourself."

Li Ling unrolled it and looked, then glanced at Jingxiu in confusion. "Why are you showing me this?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jingxiu replied, "Qingluan had someone deliver this to me on the day of the military review."

She glanced at Li Ling and added, "She wrote it herself."

Li Ling looked down at the writing again, his face still puzzled. "Why would she send you this?"

"The moon still shines on Qin's passes, the Han's frontiers remain; For those who marched ten thousand leagues, few return home again."

Li Ling, once praised by the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, certainly wasn't incapable of understanding the meaning of such a short poem.

His brow gradually furrowed.

Jingxiu looked at him. "Do you think a poem like this could sincerely be meant for me?"

Li Ling's face grew increasingly grim. Angrily, he tossed the scroll aside and said to Jingxiu, "Go and burn it."

An exalted, unmarried princess harboring feelings for a married man.

If this matter were spread by those with ill intentions, not only would Qingluan be ruined, but the entire Zhenguo Duke Manor would also be implicated.

Jingxiu naturally understood the gravity as well. She picked up the scroll, went into the inner chamber, and threw it into the fireplace.

(End of Chapter)

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