RATMOFANF: Chapter 95

 Glossary

·Qingluan (青鸾): The Ninth Princess.

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

·Shen Jingxiu (沈静姝): The Female Lead.

·Old Madam Li (老夫人): Li Ling's grandmother.

·Xu Mama (徐嬷嬷): Old Madam Li's servant.

·Grand Princess Fu Xi (福熹公主): Li Ling's mother.

·Qingfeng Yuan (清风苑): Li Ling and Shen Jingxiu's residence.

·Suzhou brocade (苏绣): A type of high-quality embroidered silk fabric.

·Lingxiao (凌霄): Li Ling's attendant.

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Chapter 95: Li Ling Explicitly Rejects Qingluan

"How can that be?" Before the Old Madam could reply, Qingluan could no longer contain herself and stood up.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Qingluan noticed everyone's gaze in the room was fixed on her. She realized her reaction had been too intense. She gave an awkward laugh, trying to recover, "What I mean is, with the weather so bitterly cold, how can Cousin-in-law go out to endure such hardships with Cousin?"

She looked at the Old Madam. "Grandmother, this absolutely must not be allowed. Don't you agree?"

She couldn't stop her cousin from going on his official trip, but Qingluan was unwilling for Jingxiu to go with him. Her twisted psyche, fueled by unrequited love, simply couldn't bear to see her cousin together with that woman.

But how could such a matter possibly be up to her?

Li Ling paid absolutely no attention to her words. He continued, pressing the Old Madam, "I wonder if you'll need to travel far in the coming days, Grandmother? If not, I was hoping Jingxiu could use your carriage. It's spacious and has a stove installed inside, so it would be much warmer."

The Old Madam smiled. "In such cold weather, I have no desire to go out. Since you've decided to take Jingxiu with you, then use that carriage."

She then let out a slight sigh. "That carriage was a gift from your mother to me."

Although the Grand Princess and the Duke of Zhenguo had become bitter enemies, she had always remained deeply respectful towards the Old Madam, who, in turn, had always held her princess daughter-in-law in her thoughts.

Mentioning this carriage gifted by her princess daughter-in-law reminded the Old Madam once more of Fu Xi's goodness. She looked at her grandson and granddaughter-in-law and instructed, "I know you both went to visit your mother at the Princess Manor after the New Year. But since you're about to embark on a long journey now, find some time to go see her again."

As she spoke, she shot a glance at Xu Mama beside her. Xu Mama understood, turned, and went into the inner chamber. Moments later, she returned with two bolts of Suzhou brocade, presenting them to Li Ling and Jingxiu.

The Old Madam pointed at the two bolts of silk. "These were sent over by your maternal uncle before the New Year. Genuine, top-quality Suzhou brocade. He sent five bolts in total. Your sister-in-law, Jingxiu, and Third Young Lady each received one. These two were specially set aside by me for your mother."

The Old Madam paused, took a sip of tea, and continued, "Your mother lacks for nothing, but she loved fabric like this when she was young. When you go to see her in the next couple of days, take these to her."

Li Ling gave a slight nod. Jingxiu looked at the Old Madam and agreed with a smile, "Once my husband finds some free time in the next two days, we will go visit Mother and convey your thoughtful gift as well."

Meanwhile, Qingluan's heart felt as if stuffed with cotton, utterly stifled and miserable.

Watching her cousin about to leave with that Shen woman, seeing their apparent affection, was more painful than being pricked by needles. Seeing that her grandmother hadn't allotted any of the fabric to her also chilled her heart. Although she was a princess and enjoyed the finest food and clothing, and such Suzhou brocade was not beyond her reach, the distribution of these five bolts from her grandmother made one thing clear.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Her grandmother, ultimately, still saw her as an outsider.

The thought that her own dear grandmother treated Jingxiu more intimately than her in this matter brought fresh tears of self-pity welling up.

But what could she do, no matter how heartbroken and aggrieved she was? She had cried so much that everyone was now used to it.

Perhaps the Old Madam's eyes were failing, or perhaps she was so focused on her grandson and granddaughter-in-law's impending journey that she chattered on incessantly with advice for the road, completely failing to notice her granddaughter shedding tears again beside her.

Jingxiu, however, had noticed that Qingluan's face had turned deathly pale the moment Li Ling proposed taking her along, and she had started crying again when the Old Madam mentioned the fabric.

But what did that have to do with her?

Li Ling truly hadn't noticed his cousin's emotional state because, from beginning to end, he hadn't looked at her once.

Perhaps because Li Ling remained wary of Qingluan, after stating his purpose, he sat for less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea before rising with Jingxiu to take their leave.

Just as they stood up to walk out, a tearful call came from where Qingluan sat: "Cousin—"

Li Ling ultimately did not look back, walking straight out. Jingxiu glanced back at Qingluan, then turned, linking arms with Li Ling as they left.

Back at Qingfeng Yuan, Li Ling escorted Jingxiu to the main hall, then turned and went to his north study. With the journey imminent, he needed to hurry and settle all the unfinished business from the City Patrol Office to set his mind at ease.

Li Ling was buried in work at his desk when he heard the door creak open. He looked up to see it was Qingluan.

Now, the mere sight of this cousin filled him with uncontrollable irritation.

Especially now, in the dead of night, and she had come alone. Such indiscreet behavior made him think even less of her.

Li Ling closed the documents on his desk and spoke in a cold, commanding tone, "It's so late. Return to your own quarters."

At this point, he truly couldn't be bothered with placating words for this cousin who lacked all sense of propriety.

Without even waiting for Qingluan to speak, he called out towards the door, "Lingxiao! Lingxiao!"

Hearing the call, Lingxiao hurried in with a water pitcher. Entering the study and seeing Qingluan there, he glanced at Li Ling's livid face and his heart sank. He quickly replied, "This servant just went to the kitchen to fetch hot water."

His master's study was not a place for just anyone to enter. Apart from the mistress, his master never allowed other women inside. Even for daily cleaning, only Lingxiao was responsible; not even the cleaning maids were permitted to come near.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Who would have thought that in the time it took him to fetch hot water, someone would slip in—a woman, no less, and a princess with a special status at that.

Li Ling glared at Lingxiao and reprimanded him coldly, "Failing to keep proper watch, wandering off wherever you please—it seems you've grown tired of this position."

Lingxiao was a servant gifted to Li Ling by the Grand Princess. Although Li Ling wasn't known for a gentle temper, he rarely scolded Lingxiao out of respect for his mother.

Seeing his master's grim expression, Lingxiao hastily replied, "This servant failed in his duty! This servant deserves death!"

Qingluan, seeing Li Ling's manner of striking the master to reprimand the servant, understood perfectly well that this was directed at her.

But right now, she couldn't concern herself with that. If she didn't speak her mind now, she might never get another chance.

"Cousin, I just need to say a few words, then I'll leave," Qingluan said, knowing full well that her cousin had called Lingxiao in so he could next order him to escort her back.

Li Ling, forcing down his anger, replied with a cold face, "Say what you need to tomorrow."

Sure enough, the next command followed: "Lingxiao, escort Her Highness back."

Just as Lingxiao was about to step forward, Qingluan became frantic and began to cry. She choked back sobs as she addressed Li Ling, "Does Cousin detest me so much now? You won't even allow me to say a single word?"

Li Ling was truly weary of her weeping and wailing. With a flick of his sleeve, he turned his back to her, his tone still icy. "It's late today. Say what you must tomorrow."

But Qingluan refused to leave. She took two or three quick steps forward, standing behind Li Ling. "I know Cousin finds me a burden. But I am all alone in that palace that eats people alive. Besides you, who else can I rely on?"

As she spoke, she started crying again, her voice choked. "You all think that because I'm a princess, enjoying every luxury, I should be content. But how could any of you understand my suffering? I have no birth mother to protect me, Father Emperor doesn't like me either, and even respected servants in the palace dare to look down on me."

"I would rather have been born the daughter of an ordinary family, with parents to dote on me above and brothers and sisters to rely on below."

She cried with heartbreaking sorrow. "I truly hate my mother. She herself was forced into the palace and lived an unfortunate life—fine. But why did she have to give birth to me, leaving me all alone to suffer in the palace?"

Hearing Qingluan mention his aunt, Li Ling sighed inwardly. He turned around and waved his hand at Lingxiao, signaling for him to withdraw.

With only the two of them left in the study, Qingluan stood before Li Ling, weeping inconsolably with shuddering sobs.

(End of Chapter)

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