RATMOFANF: Chapter 91

 Glossary

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

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

·Liu Yunzhi (柳韵之): The scholar from Jiangnan.

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Chapter 91: Three Years Ago on the Lantern Festival, I Met a Beauty

Jingxiu led Li Ling up into the Fortune Tavern. This tavern was the tallest building on Chang'an Street. Sitting upstairs and leaning against the railing, the entire panorama of the brilliantly lit streets stretched out before them.

They settled into the best-positioned private booth. An attentive server promptly brought the menu.

Jingxiu took the menu and ordered a few specialty dishes, two bowls of sweet rice balls, and a small pot of wine.

A short time later, the food and wine arrived, steaming hot. Jingxiu picked up her chopsticks, tasted a bite, and praised, "The flavor is excellent."

Seeing Li Ling sitting across from her still in a sulk, Jingxiu placed a morsel in his bowl. "What's the matter? Is it really just over a lost bet for a meal that you're being such a poor sport?"

Hearing this, Li Ling took the stack of riddle slips from his sleeve and said disdainfully, "These fancy trinkets are just for people with nothing better to do. Do you think I care about them?"

He had been so enthusiastic while guessing riddles with her just moments ago, but now his mood had turned in an instant.

Jingxiu asked, puzzled, "What's wrong with you? Who upset you now?"

Li Ling picked up the wine pot, poured a cup for Jingxiu, then one for himself. He snorted coldly, "Who else but that fellow surnamed Liu?"

Jingxiu glanced at her husband. "Master Liu didn't do anything to you. Why must you always have a problem with him?"

Li Ling looked up sharply and retorted coldly, "Didn't he just do something?" Seeing his wife's startled expression, Li Ling worried his sharp tone had frightened her. Suppressing his anger, he softened his voice and continued, "Can't you see how... attentive he is toward you?"

Li Ling was getting jealous over Liu Yunzhi again.

Looking at her childishly sulking husband, Jingxiu couldn't help but laugh. "Why are you so petty? Where has Master Liu been attentive to me? We've only met a few times by chance. You're imagining things."

Li Ling replied with a cold face, "Regardless, you are not to see him again from now on."

This was truly being unreasonable.

Jingxiu replied, "When have I ever sought him out? It's always been accidental meetings."

Li Ling countered, "Wasn't that time he came to the manor him seeking you out?"

"If he dares to come to our door again, I'll have him driven out." Then he warned his wife, "Especially while I'm away. If he has the nerve to come looking for you, you are not to let him in, and you are absolutely not to see him."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jingxiu's eyes sparkled. "I can't promise you that. I can't just stay inside all day, can I? Like today, we just happened to run into him while walking."

She looked at Li Ling sideways and continued, "Besides, if, as you suggest, Master Liu comes to pay a visit, I couldn't just turn him away for no reason. Even if I wanted to, he is the respected teacher of Third Sister. Third Sister wouldn't allow it."

Jingxiu said to Li Ling with a smile, "So, I truly can't guarantee that I won't see Master Liu while you're away."

Li Ling was furious, his face flushed red. His brows drew together sharply as he glared at Jingxiu. "You wouldn't dare!"

Seeing Li Ling was genuinely angry, Jingxiu slowly rose and moved to sit beside him. With a sly look, she said, "Husband, if you truly don't want me to see Master Liu, it's not entirely without a solution."

Li Ling asked, "What solution?"

Jingxiu replied, "That would be for you to take me with you to the southern commandery. That way, I naturally wouldn't run into people you dislike."

Hearing this, Li Ling looked sideways at his sly young wife. "You still haven't given up on that idea?"

Jingxiu tugged on Li Ling's sleeve, pleading coquettishly. "Just take me with you, alright?"

Li Ling stuck to his original line. "No. I said you cannot come, so you cannot come." Seeing his young wife's dejected expression, he pulled her into his arms. "I've explained the reasons to you countless times. Stop being unreasonable."

Jingxiu pouted, saying petulantly, "If you're gone for so long, aren't you really afraid I might be swayed by some other charming scholar?"

Li Ling chided the wife in his arms, "You dare bring him up again?"

"If you dare to see him again, I'll have him driven out of Chang'an City."

Just then, a server knocked on the door. He entered the private room holding the grand prize from the lantern festival—the crystal lotus flower lantern. He said with a smile, "Esteemed guests, a gentleman surnamed Liu was just here. He asked me to give this lotus lantern to Madam Shen."

He looked at Jingxiu. "You are Madam Shen, correct?"

Jingxiu looked surprised. "I am indeed Shen-shi," she said, pointing at the lantern in the server's hands. "This lantern..."

Before she could finish, the server said cheerfully, "This is the top prize of the Lantern Festival every year. One must solve ninety-nine riddles to win it. Last year, the best guesser only solved a little over sixty, so last year's champion title went unclaimed, and this lantern wasn't awarded."

The server looked at the lantern in his hands with admiration and continued, "This year is wonderful. The famous Jiangnan talent, Liu Yunzhi, came to the capital and won it." He presented the lantern to Jingxiu. "Master Liu then gifted it to you, Madam. This lotus lantern symbolizes peace and safety. It seems you were destined to have it."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jingxiu gave an awkward smile and said to the server, "Thank you for your trouble."

Li Ling sat in his chair without a word, his face frighteningly cold. He seemed genuinely furious.

Looking at Li Ling, Jingxiu stammered, "I'll have someone return this lantern to Master Liu tomorrow. I won't keep it."

Li Ling stood up, saying coldly, "He truly is an arrogant, frivolous man who doesn't know his place."

With that, he took the lantern and walked to the window.

Jingxiu guessed this fellow intended to throw it down. The lantern, worthy of being the top prize, was exquisitely crafted, beautiful and delicate. She liked it very much.

Seeing it about to be mercilessly destroyed by Li Ling was a true pity. But glancing at Li Ling's icy expression, she felt a bit intimidated and didn't dare stop him.

Liu Yunzhi had indeed been overly attentive. Someone as proud as Li Ling would never tolerate it. She truly worried that if she stopped him from discarding the lantern, Liu Yunzhi might really be driven out of the capital by the City Patrol Office the next day.

Li Ling held the lantern as he walked to the window. Leaning on the railing and looking down, he spotted Liu Yunzhi amidst the bustling crowd on the street below, just walking out of the Fortune Tavern.

What a coincidence!

Without a second thought, Li Ling hurled the crystal lantern straight down at him.

True to his skill as a general who could hit a target from a hundred paces, the crystal lotus lantern brushed right past the tip of Liu Yunzhi's nose and landed squarely at his feet with a sharp "crack," shattering to pieces.

The lantern was made of solid crystal and had considerable weight. Had it been just a fraction off, it would have left Liu Yunzhi bleeding on the spot; if not killed, he would have been seriously injured.

Li Ling only wanted to teach him a lesson.

Liu Yunzhi broke out in a cold sweat from the sudden shock. He looked up in alarm and met the furious gaze of the man leaning over the railing high above.

When Li Ling returned to his seat, his expression had softened. He glanced at his young wife across from him, then looked out at the pairs of young men and women strolling together along Chang'an Street. Under the dazzling lights, those coupled figures always stirred something in the heart.

Li Ling said musingly, "The Lantern Festival is truly a wonderful occasion."

He looked at his wife, a slight smile on his face. "Three years ago, also on the Lantern Festival, I met an extraordinarily beautiful young woman right here on Chang'an Street."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jingxiu put down her jade chopsticks and looked steadily at her husband, shooting him a glare. "I never knew you had such a past."

She stared at him and demanded, "Just how beautiful was this woman that you still remember her so clearly to this day?"

Li Ling replied, "Let's just say she was a peerless beauty."

(End of Chapter)

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