RATMOFANF: Chapter 93

 Glossary

·Qingluan (青鸾): The Ninth Princess.

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

·Li Ling (李陵): The Male Lead, Shen Jingxiu's husband.

·Shen Jingxiu (沈静姝): The Female Lead.

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Chapter 93: Qingluan Puts on an Act of Obedience Before Li Ling

Qingluan was in the midst of her hysterical tantrum when Danzhu's voice sounded from the outer room: "Madam, the Young Master has returned."

Hearing of Li Ling's return, Qingluan hastily wiped her tears. She turned and went to the outer room to meet him, switching to a picture of obedience with a sweet smile. "Cousin, you're back."

To an uninformed observer, one might think she was the mistress of this household.

Jingxiu slowly followed from the inner chamber and stood to the side, casting a calm, indifferent glance at the drama queen.

Li Ling, however, did not even look at Qingluan. He turned his head and instructed Danzhu: "Escort Her Highness back to her quarters."

Before Danzhu could step forward, Qingluan quickly closed the distance to Li Ling, smiling up at him. "I made some sweet rice balls today when I had some free time, specifically for you and Cousin-in-law to try."

Seeing Li Ling's face remain cold and aloof, Qingluan was not annoyed. She said obediently, "It's getting late. I won't disturb you and Cousin-in-law any longer. I shall take my leave now."

Danzhu promptly stepped forward, her face impassive, and said to Qingluan, "Your Highness, this servant will see you out."

Before leaving, Qingluan turned her head back towards Jingxiu, all smiles, and said, "It's too late today. I will come find you tomorrow for a chat, Cousin-in-law."

After Danzhu led Qingluan out, Li Ling, while taking off his cloak himself, asked Jingxiu, "Was she spouting nonsense at you again just now?"

Seeing his face still dark with anger at Qingluan, Jingxiu teased him with a smile, "You've gained the ability of foresight now, how impressive."

Li Ling hung his cloak on the clothing rack and replied, "Danzhu told me when she came to find me. I had just come from Grandmother's place. As soon as I heard Qingluan had come to bother you again, I rushed back."

Jingxiu stepped forward to help him out of his brocade robe and asked pointedly, "Were you worried about me?"

Li Ling looked down at his little wife, and his expression unconsciously softened. "Lately, that child Qingluan seems possessed, acting so extreme." He tapped the tip of her nose. "You, on the other hand, encounter such a thing and act as if nothing's wrong, even managing to laugh carelessly."

Jingxiu pouted. "How could I not be afraid? She even said she wanted me dead earlier."

Li Ling's face darkened again. "She truly said that?"

Jingxiu nodded and recounted Qingluan's strange behavior and everything she had said to her, detail by detail, for Li Ling.

The more Li Ling listened, the uglier his expression became. "Has this Qingluan gone mad?" he said coldly. He stroked his wife's head tenderly. "You've suffered wrongs again. Were you terribly frightened by her just now?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jingxiu looked up at Li Ling and shook her head. "I'm not afraid." As she spoke, she wrapped her arms around her husband's waist. "I know you will protect me. With you here, I fear nothing."

No matter how vexing the situation, his little wife's gentle words could always soothe Li Ling's agitated heart.

Li Ling bent down, scooped his little wife up into his arms, and carried her to the bed. He carefully tucked the quilt around her and said gently, "Wait for me a moment. Let me wash up first."

With that, he turned and went to the bathing chamber.

After washing up, Li Ling extinguished the bright candle, lifted the quilt, and got into bed. A refreshing, heart-soothing warmth and fragrance wafted over him as his little wife held him tight.

Li Ling lay flat on his pillow, stroking her smooth back. "When I went to Grandmother's earlier, I originally intended to discuss with her sending Qingluan back to the palace in the next few days."

He sighed deeply. "But Grandmother told me Qingluan wishes to stay here a while longer. It's rare for her to leave the palace like this. I know Grandmother is ultimately reluctant to part with her. It's difficult to go against the old lady's wishes."

Jingxiu replied, "If she wants to stay, let her stay. She can't really hinder us much."

Li Ling said, "In a few days, I must leave on my journey. Leaving you alone at home to deal with her... I cannot bear the thought." He glanced down at his wife. "In her current deranged state, I fear she might do something extreme to you."

Li Ling patted his wife and suggested, "Since Qingluan refuses to leave, perhaps... before I depart, I could send you back to your parental home? That would set my mind at ease."

Nestled in Li Ling's warm embrace, Jingxiu's eyes lit up upon hearing this. She had been wholeheartedly wanting to accompany him on his journey. Seeing Li Ling's firm refusal to take her, she had already given up the idea. She never expected such a turn of events.

Suppressing the secret delight in her heart, Jingxiu replied, "If she stays one day, I hide at my parental home for a day. If she stays ten days, I hide for ten. If she insists on staying for months, am I to be made unable to return to my own home?"

As she spoke, she wriggled out of Li Ling's arms and looked at her husband. "Besides, if I hide away simply because she is here, what will Grandmother think of me? How will everyone in the household view me, the mistress? Those unaware of the truth might think me difficult, unable to tolerate the princess staying for a brief visit."

After listening to his wife's reasoning, Li Ling sighed. "That is also true. Then I shall go speak with Grandmother again tomorrow. I'll insist on sending her back to the palace before I leave."

Jingxiu countered, "How can that be? If you do that, Grandmother will be heartbroken again. If Grandmother asks why you are so insistent on sending Qingluan back, how will you answer?"

"Would you tell her all the details in full? This matter is of great importance. If Grandmother knew, how could she avoid becoming anxious and upset? Her health has just improved recently; how could she withstand this?"

Though harboring personal motives, Jingxiu also genuinely cared for the Old Madam, who had always treated her kindly. Otherwise, that day when the Old Madam questioned her, despite her inner fury towards Qingluan, she wouldn't have refrained from revealing even half a word of the truth.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

It was simply because she didn't want the Old Madam to worry over this matter.

Li Ling replied, "This matter is indeed of great importance. Grandmother absolutely must not know."

He sighed. "Then what should we do?"

Jingxiu looked at him and replied, "At this point, the best solution is for my husband to take me along on his journey."

Li Ling glanced at his clever little wife. "You still haven't given up on that idea?"

He refused, "The mountains are high and the road is long. How could that work? Besides, this is official business—"

Before he could finish, his little wife's fragrant lips covered his, silencing all the words yet to leave his mouth. Then, her soft, boneless form wrapped around him like a silk ribbon.

Li Ling's breathing grew heavier and heavier.

The tender embrace was indeed the most intoxicating of places.

Just as Li Ling was lost, utterly absorbed in this supreme earthly pleasure, the little person beneath him gazed at him with misty, seductive eyes and asked shyly yet pointedly, "For the trip to the Southern Commandery... will you take me or not?"

The fire burning in Li Ling's body was at its peak. Hearing this, his movements involuntarily stalled. Seeing this, his little wife's slender arms wrapped around his neck as she whispered a soft plea in his ear, "Good husband, I beg you, please take me with you."

Li Ling, eyes blazing red, stared down at his little wife beneath him and nodded dumbly.

(End of Chapter)

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