Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Practically at the same time while Xun Che was indulging in his thoughts, Yu Lingxin finally sat onto the Yu family’s horse carriage that Zhao Liang brought over, safely returning to the Yu Manor.

Along the way, Shuangye and Ganlu were both full of sighs, more or less mixed with the feeling of receiving a new lease on life, as well as the feeling of having broadened their horizons.

Even if not knowing Qi-shi’s true schemes, just looking at her current behavior, Qi-shi can also be considered a ‘legendary woman’, really daring to do, daring to say, daring to yell, daring to cry, and moreover, even very bravely persist to the end.

First setting aside the other various arguments and headaches in the daytime, by the time Xun Che appeared, the situation was actually already half-resolved. Then, when it was discovered that the Kou family’s horse carriage’s axle broke, reasonably speaking, Qi-shi should no longer have any reason to insist on letting Yu Lingxin travel together with her.

However, right after Xun Che and Ming Jincheng left, after Qi-shi finally finished crying to Zhu-shi for a good while, facing Zhu-shi’s offer of lending a carriage to send them off, she actually was still able to once again insist on letting Yu Lingxin go with her.

At that time, Yu Lingxin was already laughing from anger, directly asking Qi-shi in front of Zhu-shi, “If mother really misses me, then the words that can be said on the horse carriage along the way, just now, in the time you spent bellowing your grievances, it would’ve been more than enough to say three times.”

Qi-shi’s response, however, was even more incredible: “This child, how come you just don’t understand mother’s heart! Mother merely misses you, hoping to spend more time with you, even better if you can stay over for a few days!”

These words although sound as if very reasonable, but when yelling out like yelling at soldiers, to want to gain pity, this, in terms of performance, ultimately lost out.

Qi-shi crying out in that hostile tone, in addition to the two handprints on Lu mama’s swollen cheeks, as well as Yu Lingxin’s apathetic expression, it was awkward and rigid to the point where even Zhu-shi was dumbstruck for a good while, having a very hard time finding the words to smooth out the situation.

Fortunately, at this time, Zhao Liang, who was drenched in sweat, finally arrived with a working carriage. For Chang’de Count Manor’s eldest young madam, Zhu-shi, that look of finally being relieved from a burden was actually even more obvious than Yu Lingxin’s.

After slightly lamenting, Shuangye and Ganlu both looked towards Yu Lingxin, “Eldest miss, should this matter be reported to the old madam?”

Ever since leaving Chang’de Count Manor, Yu Lingxin had just been very quiet, seemingly a bit distracted, and for a moment, didn’t respond.

Shuangye thought for a moment, feeling that perhaps the eldest miss had gotten frightened, thus softly said: “Once we return home, miss can first go back to rest. This servant will go tell the old madam. Rest assured miss, today’s matter will certainly be reported back in its entirety to the old madam, won’t let miss be wronged in vain.”

Yu Lingxin indeed was a bit distracted, just it wasn’t because she’d been frightened. Hearing Shuangye’s words, she finally had her thoughts pulled back to the problems in front. After slightly pondering, she just shook her head, “I will personally go talk to the old madam. After all, it’s having gone to maternal uncle’s home for a visit, and how the relatives are, I also need to roughly explain to the old madam. Madam Kou’s behavior is indeed a bit reckless and impulsive, just she ultimately didn’t do anything. Saying too much to the old madam will just let her be angry for nothing. I will deliberate over this matter on my own.”

“Yes.” Shuangye nodded in response, yet on the inside, she somewhat pitied the eldest miss. On the outside, eldest miss appeared rather firm, but on the inside, she was still soft. Today, at the Chang’de Count Manor, Qi-shi’s actions really appeared just like a kidnapping, afraid it wasn’t just being ‘reckless and impulsive’.

But, the eldest miss perhaps still wants to defend her own mother a little. That is also understandable.

Thinking to here, Shuangye then asked: “Then, regarding our horse carriage——–”

TN: All translations outside of are stolen and reposted without permission!

Yu Lingxin lowered her eyes, lightly laughing, “Didn’t the Qi family eldest young madam already say, it was their manor not being attentive enough, causing the horse carriages to all breakdown one by one. Perhaps, it’s not our manor’s fault. After all, the madam has always been very careful. Think about it, after Zhao Liang returned to report, didn’t he precisely bring back another horse carriage?”

Pausing for a moment, she continued, “However, with Zhao Liang urgently running back and forth, presumably the old madam already knows. The horse carriage’s matter does need to be mentioned, but other guesses and speculations, no need to mention for now.”

“But, miss.” Ganlu couldn’t help but speak, “The Qi family’s eldest young madam was just saying that out of courtesy. How careless must the host family be for the carriages to all break?”

Shuangye however followed along that train of thought and thought of even more.

Su-shi was the madam in charge of the household. Today, Yu Lingxin although had a very frightening experience at the Chang’de Count Manor, but she ultimately safely returned home in the end. Even if there is actual evidence showing that the horse carriage had problems already when leaving the Yu Manor, but what can that further prove?

Even Madam Kou can all firmly insist that wanting to take Yu Lingxin with her was just because of missing her daughter, so as long as Su-shi says, “The eldest miss has always disliked me, this step-mother. I also hope that the eldest miss can be happy, letting the mother and daughter reunite sob, sob, sob.”

These words, Su-shi doesn’t even need to fully say, just needing to reveal that meaning. That way, Su-shi herself will just appear as a highly principled and kindhearted step-mother, while Yu Lingxin will just be both unfilial and undisciplined, getting denounced on both sides.

Weighing the pros and cons on both sides, the horse carriage’s matter, it was naturally better to not mention.

Thinking to here, Shuangye’s gaze towards Yu Lingxin just carried a bit of caution and respect, and at the same time, turned towards Ganlu, simply explaining a few words, “This matter, no one can say for sure exactly how the problem occurred. If eldest miss really were to complain to the old madam, the madam certainly will feel wronged. In addition to Madam Kou’s involvement, it’ll still be miss that won’t look good.”

Ganlu was just a little younger, but her head was still clear. Hearing these words and then contemplating a little, she also just understood, “Sister Shuangye is right. However, how come that Madam Kou’s horse carriage suddenly broke down too?”

This line also had Shuangye stumped. She pondered over and over, feeling that it was impossible for the Chang’de Count Manor to actually touch Qi-shi’s horse carriage, and it further shouldn’t be those other relatives either. After all, if wanting to plot against someone, it was usually plotting for an accident to occur midway after getting on the carriage, and not letting the horse carriage directly breakdown in someone else’s home.

“This, perhaps the Kou family’s interior isn’t that peaceful.” Shuangye although said this, she herself also felt it wasn’t appropriate, hurriedly changing her words, “It’s possible that it was just the heaven’s will. Madam Kou is that capable, so most likely won’t let others scheme against her at home. Perhaps, it was just the heaven’s will, not letting eldest miss go together with Madam Kou today, else how can the axle break? That’s why, it’s still miss having good fortune, able to naturally resolve anything.”

Yu Lingxin was amused, nodding her head, “You are very much right. I’m, sure enough, one with good fortune.” After saying this, she turned her head to gaze out the carriage window. That feeling that she was unable to grasp once again bubbled up in her heart.

Xun Che suddenly walking out from behind the shadow wall today actually was very strange.

Others perhaps would feel that this young heir that just turned eighteen was cultured and refined, kind and helpful, just passing by and seeing a quarrel, thus asking a few words, just happening to coincidently resolve the situation, but she wasn’t others. She knew that Xun Che wasn’t someone that would do this kind of thing.

In the past life, Xun Che was the same as this life, obtaining the title as heir at sixteen, while also the eldest imperial prince, Qin Wang’s study companion, having long entered the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Appointments. But, he didn’t truly become renowned throughout the court, getting heavily valued by Xuan Emperor, until two years later in Tianxu year 15.

Xun Che at the time had just turned twenty, but had already obtained Xuan Emperor’s trust, getting promoted up as the High Secretary of the Central Secretariat^[1], serving before the emperor.

The then Prime Minister, the Ying Duke Lou Xiangguo once commented as such upon the imperial court: ‘This boy is wise like a demon.’

This line further emphasized Wen’an Marquis Manor’s importance level in the following battle of the throne, and afterwards, the Wen’an Marquis Manor falling to ruins, the jade mountains toppling, it was also more or less due to these words.

After all, Xun Che has been friends with the eldest imperial prince Qin Wang since childhood, their relationship close. Since the second imperial prince Wu Wang and third imperial prince Wei Wang can’t win him over, then it was the easiest to just directly destroy.

These things, some, Yu Lingxin had heard from rumors, while some, she’d personally witnessed. There were even some that she’d heard pits and pieces of from Xun Che in the last three months before he died of illness in the past life.

For someone like him, how could it just be coincidentally passing by, coincidentally helping out?

Furthermore, breaking the carriage’s axle without leaving behind any traces, this can only be done by Xun Che’s accompanying guard under his secret orders. This was practically one of his most typical methods, pulling the carpet out from under.

Just, with that said, Xun Che doing all this, what could be the purpose?

Could it be that…….she somewhat didn’t dare to continue contemplating.

After a while, the horse carriage steadily stopped. Yu Lingxin slightly composed her mind, directly heading to Dongli Residence.

Yu old madam was already somewhat anxious from waiting. Mainly, it was because Yu Lingxin had gotten held up too long at the Chang’de Count Manor. Moreover, she’d also heard about the matter of Zhao Liang coming back to retrieve another carriage. Upon seeing Yu Lingxin, she hurriedly called her over to sit by her side, “How come you just got held up for this long? The matter of the horse carriage breaking down, grandmother has heard, already ordered someone to cut half a month of salary from the person in charge of the carriage. Did you get frightened?”

Yu Lingxin leaned against the old madam’s shoulder, increasingly indulging in her grandmother’s affection, not wanting to speak for a good while.

The old madam asked a few more times before she finally had the overall incident briefly explained, also including the matter of Qi-shi’s horse carriage also having problems. Just, she didn’t mention Xun Che, but she still very vaguely added, “Actually, it isn’t anything. Madam Kou’s temper, you are also aware of. In any case, her carriage also just happened to have broken. As such, Madam Kou was just a bit willful. However, afterwards, Zhao Liang had the new carriage brought over, and thus there was nothing else. I also didn’t get frightened, so grandmother doesn’t need to worry.”

“Just this simple?” The old madam didn’t believe, “Based on your mother’s temper, she’s someone who refuses to listen to persuasion the most. Who else was present at the time? How were you able to convince your mother?”

Yu Lingxin shook her head, “Nothing else. Afterwards, Chang’de Count Manor’s eldest cousin-in-law came over to console, separately arranging another carriage for Madam Kou.”

Yu old madam thought for a moment, still having doubts, but seeing that Yu Lingxin was clearly already tired, the makeup on her face already somewhat coming off, she quickly called Shuangye and Ganlu to take her back to rest. It wasn’t until the next day when she finally called Shuangye over again to ask about the details of the incident.

Shuangye although didn’t receive any special instructions from Yu Lingxin, but from the conversation in the horse carriage on the way back, she also roughly understood Yu Lingxin’s attitude. At present, she just reported back to Yu old madam one by one according to what she heard and saw.

After hearing, Yu old madam also momentarily fell silent. Her face seemingly having a flicker of anger, but she very quickly calmed down, instructing Shuangzhi to deliver a message to the servant woman in charge. In the future, separately allocate a horse carriage for Yu Lingxin, and everyday, regardless of whether she went out or not, it all needs to be carefully inspected.

When Yu Lingxin heard, she just knew that the old madam actually understood.

For her to not say, it was mainly because she didn’t want to put the old madam in a difficult situation. To put it bluntly, conflicts inside the manor, every family all had, especially when the original wife was gone and the current madam was the second wife, or perhaps like the Yu family, where it was divorcing and remarrying. That bit of disagreement or even schemes between the step-mother and step-children, it couldn’t be more common.

Su-shi at present certainly had some schemes towards her, just these schemes weren’t necessarily to some enormous level.

Yu Lingxin recalled her past life. The her at the time really was very weak and easily scared on the inside since childhood. After all, her birth mother wasn’t at her side, and her step-mother Su-shi was both related to the old madam’s maiden family, while also in a loving relationship with her father, in addition to having a daughter and a son.

Yu old madam although loved her, but she also loved her second younger sister, Yu Yunxin, as well as her younger brother, Yu Zhenghua, both born from Su-shi.

In terms of basic necessities, Su-shi really has never mistreated her before. Just, on the matter of Qi-shi scheming to take her away from the capital, Yu Lingxin indeed suspect that Su-shi was cooperating from within, pushing along the waves.

But, even if pointing out, what can come of it? According to Great Sheng’s law and etiquette, if the step-mother were to plot to kill the di daughter given birth to by the original wife, then that was just a crime. But, Qi-shi as the birth mother wanting to kidnap her, it wasn’t really considered an offense, and Su-shi, secretly assisting from within, further can’t be considered some great crime.

Of course, her grandmother and father most likely won’t tolerate it, just what can not tolerating do? Could it be to divorce Su-shi, and then switch to another madam? Then, won’t this new madam be facing two sets of step-children? And who can guarantee that the new madam won’t have other thoughts?

As the saying goes, ‘even an honest and upright official will have difficulty resolving a family dispute’. If Su-shi really had some vicious thoughts, wanting to kill her, then in a life and death situation, there weren’t that many misgivings.

But, at present, this bit of means of Su-shi’s really wasn’t anything serious. Even if exposing, it was also quite troubling, unable to punish lightly nor heavily, difficult to handle.

Yu Lingxin knew that the old madam genuinely cared for her, wanting to back her. Since that’s the case, then why let the old madam stress on both sides. In that way, one might as well pretend to not know. If the old madam has the intention to investigate, she naturally will be able to figure out. As for how she will handle afterwards, that will just depend on the elders’ own considerations.

In the past life and this life, grandmother had all considered a lot for her. She should also love grandmother a bit more.

All in all, this absurd farce that played out in Chang’de Count Manor just this soundlessly ended. Yu Lingxin felt that she has already given her mother, Qi-shi, enough refusal and warning. This matter perhaps can come to an end.

In another few days, once the news for Qi-shi’s husband, Kou Xian’s assignment outside of the capital come out, Qi-shi will have to start preparing for the move to Kou Xian’s new post.

When time comes, with the tall mountains and vast waters in between, the sky high and land far, they can only hope for one another to be well.

Time passed by the day. In a blink of an eye, it already came to the end of the sixth month. The documents for the assignments outside of the capital that originally should be issued from the Ministry of Appointments still have yet to come out. However, at this time, Yu Lingxin heard another news: Qi-shi had fallen ill.

[1] Based on my best understanding of this position, you can think of it as a super secretary to the emperor. The position in modern times would be equivalent to something like a head secretary or chief advisor.