RATMOFANF: Chapter 92

 Glossary

·Old Madam Li (老夫人): The matriarch of the Zhenguo Duke Manor.

·Third Young Lady (三姑娘): Li Ling's younger sister, Li Jinyan.

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

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

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

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

·Danzhu (丹朱): Shen Jingxiu's maidservant.

·Ziyun (紫云): Shen Jingxiu's maidservant.

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Chapter 92: Qingluan Says to Jingxiu, "Why Don't You Just Die?"

Though not as bustling as Chang'an Street, Zhenguo Duke Manor on this auspicious day was also decorated with lanterns and streamers, the festive atmosphere of the Lantern Festival present everywhere.

Inside Anxi Tang, Third Master Li Xiang, Third Young Lady, and Qingluan were keeping the Old Madam company to celebrate the festival.

Qingluan carried a bowl of colorful sweet rice balls to the Old Madam and said sweetly, "Grandmother, I made these sweet rice balls myself today. Please try one."

In the days since her granddaughter had arrived, this was the first time the Old Madam had seen her with a smile. Seeing her granddaughter happy naturally pleased the Old Madam most. She patted Qingluan's hand and said, "Your body is delicate and precious. Why trouble yourself with such tasks?"

Though her words chided her granddaughter, the elderly woman's face and eyes were filled with deep affection and mirth.

Qingluan scooped up a sweet rice ball and fed it to the Old Madam, saying sweetly, "I can't usually be by your side to fulfill my filial duties. Taking advantage of the festival is just a small token of my heart."

The Old Madam ate the sweet rice ball fed to her by her granddaughter, the sweetness reaching all the way to her heart. Her eyes crinkled with joy. "Grandmother knows life isn't easy for you in that palace either. How could I possibly blame you? If you are well, that is the greatest filial piety to this old woman."

Third Young Lady glanced at the harmonious pair of grandmother and granddaughter, her brows slightly furrowed. She asked, "After the first month is over, Cousin will have to return to the palace, won't she? The palace rules are strict. If she stays out too long, will His Majesty and Her Majesty agree?"

Qingluan replied, "It's fine. Since Father Emperor allowed me to come to Grandmother's home, he won't blame me for staying a few more days."

She hadn't won Li Ling over yet; how could Qingluan be willing to return?

As she spoke, she nestled against the Old Madam's side and sighed wistfully. "I wish I could stay by Grandmother's side forever."

Third Young Lady had been chewing on a sweet rice ball. Hearing Qingluan's words, she nearly choked. She coughed, swallowed the food, and stared blankly at Qingluan.

Stay here? Forever?

She blinked, trying hard to grasp the meaning of those words, her gaze involuntarily shifting to Li Xiang beside her.

Li Xiang had naturally also sensed something odd in Qingluan's statement. He looked up and met his sister's strange stare. He shot Third Young Lady a glare and muttered, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Third Young Lady then instinctively shifted her gaze to Qingluan, her face showing astonishment.

Only then did Qingluan realize her slip. She wasn't afraid of Li Xiang and Third Young Lady misunderstanding, only worried her grandmother might misconstrue her meaning.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

She quickly asked the Old Madam, as if casually, "Cousin's Wife has been married for almost a year now, hasn't she? I haven't heard of any news, though."

It was rather improper for an unmarried young woman to bring this up. Moreover, how could the Old Madam not understand her granddaughter's true thoughts?

A heavy feeling settled in the Old Madam's heart. She sighed softly and replied evasively, "They haven't been married a full year yet. Your cousin's wife is still very young. There's no hurry about such matters. Besides, the couple is affectionate. There's no worry about them not having many children and much happiness."

Hearing this, Third Young Lady looked at Qingluan with a half-smile. "Indeed, Cousin. Even I, his own sister, am not anxious to become an aunt. Are you, Cousin, that eager to become a cousin-aunt?"

Hearing Third Young Lady's words, Qingluan's face darkened. She glanced at Third Young Lady and said mildly, "Why would I be anxious to become some irrelevant cousin-aunt? I was merely asking casually."

The Old Madam waved her hand. "Alright, it's getting late. You should all head back after you're finished. Especially you, Third Brother. Aren't you returning to the camp with your Second Brother the day after tomorrow?"

Li Xiang replied, "Yes, Grandmother. I leave the day after tomorrow. I'll take my leave now; I still have many things to pack."

With that, Li Xiang stood, took his leave, and Third Young Lady followed him out.

Qingluan had been hinting throughout the conversation, but she couldn't tell if the Old Madam truly understood her thoughts. Seeing the Old Madam looked tired and not inclined to let her stay longer, she felt it unwise to press further today and could only leave Anxi Tang with a sense of frustration.

Stepping out of the warm room, the cold winter wind hit her face. Qingluan couldn't help shivering. She walked slowly to the gate of Zizhu Ge, where she was staying, but did not hurry inside.

It was only a few steps from Qingfeng Yuan. Gazing at the brightly lit main hall of Qingfeng Yuan, she couldn't help feeling desolate again.

It seemed Cousin had already returned from viewing the lanterns with that woman. Remembering her grandmother's words, "the couple is affectionate," her heart twisted painfully.

She wondered what they were doing in there at this moment.

Lost in these thoughts, her feet carried her once more toward Qingfeng Yuan.

As she reached the entrance of Qingfeng Yuan, she happened to run into Danzhu returning from outside. Without waiting for Danzhu to pay her respects, Qingluan asked directly, "Have my cousin and cousin's wife returned?"

Danzhu shot her a covert glare. She replied, "The Heir and Madam have returned. Just now, General Chen came to discuss matters with the Heir. The Heir has gone to the North Study. The Madam is freshening up and preparing to sleep."

One was away; the other was going to bed.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Anyone with the slightest sense would know to take the hint and leave. Unexpectedly, this Ninth Princess didn't play by the usual rules. Hearing Danzhu's words, she showed no intention of leaving. Instead, she lifted her skirts and walked straight into the courtyard.

After a few steps, perhaps sensing it was unreasonable to enter so late at night, Qingluan turned and instructed Zhaolu, who was following behind. "Go fetch a bowl of the sweet rice balls I made."

Zhaolu advised in a low voice, "Princess, it's so late now. Let's come back tomorrow."

But Qingluan was now possessed by an obsession and wouldn't listen to advice. She only said sharply, "Just do as I say and go fetch it."

In the main hall, Jingxiu had just finished her bath, assisted by Ziyun. She had just stepped out of the bathing chamber in her night robe when she saw Danzhu leading Qingluan into the inner room with a dark expression.

Jingxiu forced a smile and asked, "It's so late, Cousin. Is there something you need?"

Before Qingluan could speak, Danzhu beside her said with pointed sarcasm, "So late at night, and the Princess doesn't find it too late, insisting on coming in to see the Madam." She covertly glanced at Qingluan. "Fortunately, the Madam hasn't retired yet. If the Princess has business, please speak quickly."

Having been cut off and embarrassed by Danzhu like this, Qingluan stammered, unsure how to begin.

Ziyun sighed inwardly. She signaled Danzhu with her eyes. "Go check why the Heir hasn't returned yet."

Danzhu left the room with a sullen face. Qingluan placed a bowl of sweet rice balls she was holding on the table and said to Jingxiu, "I made these myself. I hope Cousin's Wife won't find them unworthy."

In the middle of the night, just to deliver this?

Jingxiu forced a smile. "Cousin is very thoughtful. But my husband and I just ate outside, and I'm still quite full. I can't eat these now."

Hearing this, Qingluan picked up the bowl and walked step by step toward Jingxiu, startling Ziyun, who quickly stepped forward to shield Jingxiu. She frowned and asked, "What are you doing, Princess?"

Qingluan used a spoon to scoop out a sweet rice ball and held it out. She said softly, "I just want Cousin's Wife to taste my handiwork."

Jingxiu gently pushed Ziyun aside, took the bowl from Qingluan's hand, and placed it to one side. She said mildly, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Cousin. But I really can't eat any more today. I'll try it tomorrow. It's late now. Let me have someone escort you back to rest."

Looking at the woman before her, so calm and collected, the hatred Qingluan had been suppressing surged forth again like floodwaters from a broken dam.

She stared straight at Jingxiu, a strange smile on her face. "Cousin's Wife, are you afraid I poisoned these?"

Jingxiu's expression remained unchanged. "I'm not afraid. And you wouldn't dare."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qingluan said hatefully, "I am a princess. What wouldn't I dare?"

Her cold gaze fixed on Jingxiu. "Do you think you can cling to Cousin forever just by relying on your looks?"

"Cousin was supposed to be mine. It's you—shamelessly, even at the cost of your reputation—who entangled yourself with him. Do you think Cousin will be fooled by you forever? He will see your true face sooner or later."

Jingxiu looked calmly at the pitiful woman before her.

Before, she had never had contact with Qingluan. Even in her past life, she had only seen her briefly that one time at the Old Madam's birthday banquet.

Now, she felt her previous fears and the misunderstandings with Li Ling over this woman were utterly worthless.

Though a princess by status, her spirit was wretched and obsessive. A woman with no dignity like this—not someone like Li Ling, but any man—would find it impossible to like.

Jingxiu looked at Qingluan and said calmly, "Even if I weren't here, Li Ling would not like you."

"Because you are not worthy!"

Hearing Jingxiu say this, Qingluan's thin shoulders shook violently again. She glared at Jingxiu with fierce hatred. "If you weren't here, Cousin would naturally care for me. It's all your fault."

"You siren, why don't you just die?"

Just as Qingluan was working herself into a hysterical rage, Danzhu's voice called from the outer room. "Madam, the Heir has returned."

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(End of Chapter)

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