RATMOFANF: Chapter 87

 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.

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

·Xu Mama (徐嬷嬷): The Old Madam's personal maid.

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Chapter 87: Li Ling Protects His Wife

Qingluan looked up at the Old Madam through her tears and repeated, "It was Sister-in-law. She bullied me."

Hearing this, the Old Madam was taken aback. Her granddaughter-in-law was the most reasonable and good-natured person. How could she possibly bully her granddaughter?

Before the Old Madam could inquire further, the Third Young Lady spoke up, unable to hold back.

Earlier, when Zhaolu mentioned it was because of her elder brother, she had been somewhat gleeful, thinking Second Brother had scolded Qingluan into tears.

After all, this imperial cousin was so affected that even she couldn't stand it, let alone her rule-abiding elder brother.

She deserved to be scolded.

But when she heard Qingluan actually claim that her second sister-in-law had bullied her, the Third Young Lady could no longer remain silent. Her second sister-in-law was such a wonderful person; why would she bully an honored guest like this?

Was this imperial cousin,relying on Grandmother's favor, telling outright lies to wrong an innocent person in their own home?

Without waiting for the Old Madam to get to the bottom of things, the Third Young Lady said coldly, "Cousin, you shouldn't falsely accuse my second sister-in-law. Everyone in this entire household knows she is the most humble and gentle person. Who would believe she bullied you?"

The Old Madam also chimed in. "Yes, your second sister-in-law has the best temperament. Perhaps there's some misunderstanding?"

The Old Madam stroked her granddaughter's face, saying with a kind smile, "Your second sister-in-law is new to the family. You haven't had much contact with her before and aren't familiar with each other. Some misunderstandings are inevitable; it's nothing serious. You tend to overthink things, child. If your second sister-in-law said something that upset you, she certainly didn't mean it. Don't take it to heart."

Hearing her grandmother's words, the Third Young Lady snorted and looked at Qingluan. "Cousin truly lives up to being a 'golden branch and jade leaf.' You are so delicate that even someone as considerate and polite as my second sister-in-law can offend you. People like us had better not dare speak in front of you from now on."

With that, the Third Young Lady frowned slightly. "I also don't understand. What were you doing going to Qingfeng Yuan to find my second sister-in-law first thing in the morning?"

This morning, Li Ling had questioned her in the same harsh, severe tone. Hearing the Third Young Lady say this, Qingluan couldn't help but start sobbing sadly again.

The Old Madam shot the Third Young Lady a look, signaling her to be quiet. She stroked Qingluan's back and coaxed her gently, "What exactly did your second sister-in-law do to upset you? Tell your grandmother. If she was truly in the wrong, I'll have her apologize to you."

Qingluan lifted her tear-filled eyes and whimpered, "Sister-in-law... she... she incited Cousin to scold me."

---

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

As if sensing this blatant slander from afar, Jingxiu back in Qingfeng Yuan felt her eyelids twitch incessantly.

While she was feeling uneasy, a matron from Anxi Tang arrived at her door.

Sure enough, the Old Madam had summoned her for questioning.

On her way to Anxi Tang, Jingxiu kept pondering how she should explain the morning's events if the Old Madam asked.

The truth was that Li Ling had scolded Qingluan, but Jingxiu believed that with Qingluan's stubborn nature, she would certainly not let her, the innocent party, off the hook.

The Old Madam could never dote enough on this granddaughter of hers. Having suffered such great grievance at Jingxiu's place this morning, Jingxiu wondered how the Old Madam would treat her after hearing Qingluan's version.

Jingxiu entered Anxi Tang with trepidation. Only the Old Madam and Mama Xu were in the main hall. Seeing Jingxiu enter, the Old Madam beckoned to her as usual. "Shu'er, come here."

Though uneasy inside, Jingxiu sat down beside the Old Madam as she always did and asked with a smile, "Did you summon me for something, Grandmother?"

The Old Madam replied, "Nothing major. It's just that Qingluan went to your place this morning, and I heard there was some unpleasantness."

So it was about this!

Jingxiu replied frankly, "There was some unpleasantness. Cousin left in a huff."

The Old Madam asked, puzzled, "What on earth was it about? I know this child can be a bit sensitive, but she's not one to act without considering the consequences."

Jingxiu replied truthfully, "Cousin and I were chatting in the outer room. She inadvertently brought up my family background, and my husband overheard. He misunderstood her and said a few harsh words."

She was stating the facts without shifting blame onto Li Ling. Besides, in matters like this, even if Li Ling was at fault, it was better than the fault lying with her, the daughter-in-law.

The Old Madam made an "oh" sound and sighed. "That child tends to overthink. Don't take it to heart."

Jingxiu gave a faint smile. "I certainly won't hold a grudge. I'm only afraid Cousin might resent us."

The Old Madam replied, "If there's resentment, it should be toward Ling'er. That child has a cold exterior and speaks bluntly. He must have frightened Qingluan. I'll just have Qingluan keep her distance from him from now on."

Jingxiu agreed. "That's just my husband's nature—cold on the outside, warm on the inside. I already scolded him about it this morning."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The Old Madam patted Jingxiu's hand. "With one having a cold temperament and the other being so sensitive, it's put you in a difficult position in the middle."

The Old Madam sighed. "Your cousin has only stayed with us for these few days in all her life. Please be more tolerant of her in all matters."

The Old Madam was reasonable and did not let her favoritism for Qingluan cloud her judgment of right and wrong.

Jingxiu smiled and said, "Don't worry, Grandmother. I won't argue with her."

The Old Madam nodded. "I know you're a good child. Alright, I was just at a loss because of Qingluan's fuss. The servants below didn't know the details, so I called you over to ask. Since that's the case, I'll just have Qingluan avoid Ling'er more from now on."

With that, the Old Madam looked at Jingxiu. "That's all from me. It's about time for Ling'er to return from his duties. You may go attend to your affairs."

Jingxiu stood up and was about to bow and take her leave in front of the Old Madam when Li Ling pushed the door open and stormed in.

Seeing his wife standing before his grandmother, he rushed forward in two or three strides, placing himself protectively in front of her. He bowed deeply to the Old Madam, his face stern as he declared, "The fault for this morning's matter lies entirely with your grandson. It has nothing to do with Shu'er."

He looked at the Old Madam and stated, "Cousin came over first thing in the morning and said a bunch of nonsense to Shu'er in a sarcastic, roundabout way, essentially mocking Shu'er's humble background. I couldn't stand it, so I reprimanded her a few times."

Seeing her grandson's cold, severe demeanor, the Old Madam replied, "I already know. Your cousin, she—"

"Grandmother, don't believe Cousin's words," Li Ling interrupted before the Old Madam could finish. "Cousin was disrespectful first, so I scolded her. How could it be Shu'er inciting me? Don't you trust Shu'er's character, Grandmother? Besides, if Cousin hadn't done anything wrong, no matter who incited me, I wouldn't have said anything to her."

It was the first time the Old Madam had seen her grandson so agitated, and for a moment, she didn't know how to explain to him.

Mama Xu, standing nearby, saw the situation and said with a smile, "Heir, don't be angry. How could the Old Madam not trust the Second Madam? She merely called her over to clarify matters."

She glanced at Li Ling, covering her mouth to suppress a laugh as she teased, "This old servant sees clearly that the Old Madam hasn't given your wife the slightest bit of trouble."

Hearing Mama Xu's words, Li Ling stood frozen in place. It took him a good while to come to his senses. He turned to look at his wife behind him, as if still not quite believing Mama Xu.

Jingxiu shot him a reproachful look. "I was just having a casual chat with Grandmother. You were the one who upset Cousin this morning. Go apologize yourself. Why would Grandmother give me a hard time?"

Seeing his wife say this, Li Ling finally understood properly. He scratched his head and offered an awkward smile to his grandmother. "It's all Third Sister's fault. As soon as I returned, she told me..."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"That I was giving your wife a hard time, right?" the Old Madam finished for him before he could stammer it out.

Li Ling smiled awkwardly. "Not exactly. She told me that Cousin told you Shu'er incited me to scold her. That's why I... I just..."

"Rushed over here in a fury to demand answers from me?" the Old Madam completed his sentence again, giving him a chiding glance.

The Old Madam looked at her grandson's silly expression and sighed softly. "I'm really beginning to wonder what kind of image I, your grandmother, have in your minds."

Li Ling gave his grandmother an ingratiating grin. "Grandmother is, of course, the most wise and discerning."

The Old Madam snorted. "Knowing I'm 'wise' is enough."

She gave her grandson a reproachful look. "As for 'discerning,' you can keep that for yourself. Keep it for protecting your wife."

(End of Chapter)

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