Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Xun old madam instantly blanked. She has never really paid much attention to the matters in court, always feeling that the matters were too complicated. Any small matter can all involve seven to eight layers of connections. Just listening to it made her headache, and it also wasn’t something that a ‘chaste and quiet’ woman should question.

Although, her conduct and behavior in this lifetime also have nothing to do with being ‘chaste and quiet’, but Xun old madam would still continuously have these words hung by the mouth.

Back then, the old Wen’an Marquis didn’t really mind that much, feeling that his wife not liking to asking about the matters outside, just focusing on taking care of the home and educating the children, was also not bad. In any case, there was his mother and daughter-in-law for the marquis manor’s social dealings, so he didn’t demand anything of her.

But, at this time, Xun old madam’s ‘chaste and quiet’ nature just showed its problem, directly turning into astonishment. She did know that Cheng Yanling was Zhenbei General’s daughter, Grand Elder Princess Zhaoning’s granddaughter, having already been living as a widow for four years.

Just, Xun old madam inwardly thought that the Duanyi Xianzhu title conferred to her was his Majesty rewarding Cheng Yanling for being faithful, also encouraging her to continue observing widowhood with dignity. That’s why, when Cheng Yanling suddenly asked this, for a moment, Xun old madam was somewhat unable to come to her senses.

After a very awkward moment of silence, Xun old madam forcibly asked, “Towards ‘remarriage’, xianzhu……..doesn’t have any opinion?”

‘Pfft.’ Ming Jinrou directly spat out a mouthful of tea.

On the other side, Xun Nanheng couldn’t help but close his eyes. In the past, he’d known that his mother was short-sighted, having shallow insight. Just, on major matters, he simply didn’t listen to Xun old madam, and on trivial matters, he just let her do as she pleased. After all, she was still his own mother.

But, he also never thought that his mother could be stupid to this degree.

Ming Huayue, on the other hand, had no choice but to open her mouth. No matter how stupid Xun old madam was, she was still someone of the Xun family. Although as the son and daughter-in-law, they didn’t have the qualifications and ability to ‘discipline’ the old madam, but if by chance, they were to really offend Cheng Yanling, especially Cheng Yanling’s grandmother, Grand Elder Princess Zhaoning, whose temper was like a raging inferno, the entire Wen’an Marquis Manor will still get implicated altogether.

“Xianzhu, you don’t need to pay her any attention.” Ming Huayue lightly coughed, deciding to just be direct, “Ever since our family’s eldest miss met with mishap last year, the old madam has been continuously ill from being overly heartbroken. Right now, she’s just a bit muddled.”

Cheng Yanling’s expression remained unchanged, nonchalantly having the teacup in hand placed down, “So that’s the case, I originally thought that the old madam looked down on women that remarry. That would really be absurd. Since the men of the world can openly remarry, then women naturally can also openly remarry. That would only be fair.”

During this breather, Xun second madam already directly got up, personally changing the tea for Xun old madam, and at the same time, softly reminded a few words.

Xun old madam was first stunned, and immediately after, forcibly changed her words, “This…….I didn’t mean that, I was talking about divorce………”

Xun second madam’s hands immediately just shook, the cold tea in her hand nearly splashing out. Towards this paternal aunt plus mother-in-law of hers, she was also at her wit’s end. How come she just had a temper and brain like a bull, unable to turn around. Previously, when Xun old madam was wholeheartedly bias towards the second branch, vying for them, it was still okay, but now, when being stupid, they were actually unable to pull her back.

Is there really the need to insist on giving Miss Yu a hard time, forcing the heir to turn hostile?

Actually, Xun second madam misunderstood this time. The old madam really was still thinking about how to humiliate Yu Lingxin at this time, but her brain not working was also true, for a moment, not having the capacity to think thoroughly, just instinctively trying to mend her own words.

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

At the same time, it was also more or less because of her stubbornness, feeling that she’d already reached her current position as a titled old madam, so is entitled to get angry and say nonsense.

“What’s wrong with divorcing?” Cheng Yanling raised her brow, “Could it be that the old madam doesn’t know, Xiang Emperor’s birth mother, Yingyi Madam Lou-shi was precisely a divorced woman? Never heard anyone going to the Ying Duke Manor to criticize their family teachings and womanly virtues back then or even now.”

“Ah?” Xun old madam once again blanked. This, she really didn’t know. Xiang Emperor was the current Xuan Emperor’s great grandfather. Matters of the past from several generations ago weren’t mentioned much in the capital to begin with. Furthermore, she didn’t even pay attention to current events, so how could she’ve known that there was even this kind of anecdote.

However, what kind of status the Ying Duke Manor Lou family had, Xun old madam still knew. This time, she thoroughly lost the leeway to redeem herself, completely at a loss for words.

Xun Nanheng was increasingly unable to watch, directly speaking with a heavy voice, “The old madam’s body is still weak, so need to rest more. Don’t let the children disturb you. Che’er’s fiancee, you’ve also seen. The marriage arrangements naturally will be taken care of by his mother, you don’t need to worry.”

Once he finished speaking, he just got up, also glancing at the second master and madam, “Since second brother and younger sister-in-law are unwilling to divide the family, then just properly serve mother, and nicely reason with mother more.”

Afterwards, he just directly left. When Ming Huayue got up, she directly called over Yu Lingxin, “Child, let’s go, come to Yuzhu Hall for some light tea.” Also gazing towards Cheng Yanling, “Why don’t xianzhu come over for a sit too? Don’t mind our old madam too much. Once elderly in age, very easy to be muddled.”

“You all—–” Xun old madam’s face was embarrassed to the extreme, but unable to say anything, her entire face already turning red.

Cheng Yanling smiled, “Not really trying to bicker. Shenzhi and Yu family younger sister’s marriage, my father was also a matchmaker. Heard that according to the rules in the capital, if the two sides have some small disagreement, the matchmaker also need to come help mediate. Currently, my father has already returned to the Chen province. In the capital, there’s just me and my grandmother. If Yu family younger sister needs someone to help mediate, coming to tell me is also the same. If my position is too young, then my grandmother can also come slightly put in a word.”

Grandmother? Slightly put in a word?

These words sounded ordinary, but everyone present, including Ming Huayue, practically all inaudibly inhaled a breath.

Cheng Yanling’s grandmother, Grand Elder Princess Zhaoning was the current Xuan Emperor’s paternal aunt, and also one of the most legendary women of the imperial clan in the current dynasty. Back then, not long after she married into the Zhenbei General Manor, she just encountered North Rong waging war against them. Jingyang sunk into a state of emergency. Once the defense fails, it will just endanger Yulong Pass. The fuma^[1] led troops and fought outside the city, while Princess Zhaoning personally supervised the battle atop the city gate tower, beating the drum to boost the morale of the soldiers, vowing on her life to not retreat, willing to live or perish with Jingyang.

This kind of an illustrious and intense grand elder princess, when angered, will just directly go upon the imperial court to yell at the emperor. Under the skies, who would dare to provoke her?

Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but side-glance at Xun Che. On his handsome face, it was still the patient tranquility that she was familiar with. In his gaze towards her, it was full of heartache.

She was somewhat unable to bear his gaze, once again lowering her eyes. At the same time, her heart was warm like as if something was about to overflow.

Zhenbei General Cheng Guangling was someone he invited for her, even using Yu old madam’s maiden family, that bit of relationship, to let him be counted as the bride’s side’s matchmaker.

Just based on this bit, under the skies, who else can question their marriage? Never mind Xun old madam, even Empress Wen of the Central Palace, as well as his Majesty Xuan Emperor, didn’t dare to rashly provoke Grand Elder Princess Zhaoning either.

And Cheng Yanling ‘conveniently’ coming today was probably also his arrangement?

This big of an honor, this much energy, all just for the sake of letting her suffer a bit less gossip………..

There was that moment where she also very much wanted to marry.

Coming out from Cide Hall, Cheng Yanling still took her leave first, and Ming Jinrou also left to send her off.

Yu Lingxin at this time more or less was a bit hesitant. As the Xun family’s future daughter-in-law, before even entering the door, she just caused for her future grandmother-in-law to be this awkwardly embarrassed in front of everyone.

Although she knew that this was Xun old madam’s own fault, and the person that stepped in was also Cheng Yanling, but Xun old madam’s face did get slapped after all, so as the son, Wen’an Marquis’s face didn’t look pretty either.

Recalling Xun Nanheng’s unsightly look when leaving Cide Hall, Yu Lingxin just hesitantly wondered whether or not she should also take her leave as well.

Ming Huayue, however, directly reached out and patted her shoulder, “It’s fine, this kind of situation, afraid, will happen again in the future. Child, you also didn’t say anything. The marquis’s look isn’t directed towards you. Why don’t you still come over for tea and to chat.”

Yu Lingixn could only agree. Thus, the ones that returned to the first branch’s reception hall, Yuzhu Hall, together were just Xun Nanheng, Ming Huayue, Xun Che, Xun Ying, and Yu Lingxin.

After the five of them sat down, there was actually a moment of heaviness, because Xun Nanheng’s complexion still didn’t ease up, and Xun Che, who didn’t say a single word in Cide Hall, also didn’t open his mouth.

Xun Ying looked to her father and older brother’s complexion, also somewhat anxious, but thinking for a moment, she still gazed towards Yu Lingxin first, “Sister Huijun, you must have gotten angered earlier, right?”

“This…….” Yu Lingxin didn’t expect that Xun Ying would ask like this. Moreover, because in Yuzhu Hall, no one has spoken yet, once these words came out, even Xun Nanheng, Ming Huayue, as well as Xun Che all just gazed towards her.

After slightly hesitating, Yu Lingxin still decided to be a virtuous, kind, and outstanding future daughter-in-law. As such, she honestly nodded her head, “En, angry, I was practically angered to death earlier.”

“Huijun——” Xun Che’s expression couldn’t help but stiffen. How capable Yu Lingxin was of enduring, he was aware of the most.

“But, you know what I’m the most angry about? During the tea party today, Jinrou said you recently learned how to make an especially tasty milk curd.” Yu Lingxin already continued on her own, her expression increasingly sincere and solemn, “Ying’er, once you separately make a box of snacks for me, I will just stop being angry.”

“This child……..” Ming Huayue couldn’t help but laugh. Xun Ying also laughed. Even Xun Nanheng’s expression eased up a little too.

Even though Xun old madam got retorted by Cheng Yanling today, her insulting words towards Yu Lingxin’s parents were also truly hurtful. Seeing on behalf of seniority in the family, as well as out of etiquette, Yu Lingxin naturally can endure and say that she didn’t mind, but who didn’t know that was just courteous words.

That’s why, might as well be like this, telling half the truth, even clearly asking for ‘compensation’. It appeared as if impudent and rude, but in reality, it was just jokingly brushing over this matter, letting the whole family not leave any actual barriers inside.

“Okay, I’ll start making for older sister today!” Xun Ying immediately smilingly agreed.

“En. Child, you have suffered a grievance.” At this time, Xun Nanheng finally opened his mouth, “Later, give you a dessert shop.”

Yu Lingxin flatly agreed without even thinking, “Alright! Many thanks marquis!”

The atmosphere in Yuzhu Hall, at this time, finally thoroughly relaxed. After chatting and laughing while drinking tea for another round, Yu Lingxin just took her leave. Xun Che wanted to send her, but got stopped by his father at the door.

At this time, Yu Lingxin was still a bit embarrassed, also not daring to think too much about the previous times they met in the carriage, exactly how much of it Xun Nanheng and Ming Huayue knew. At the moment, she just obediently returned home on her own.

Recalling the incidents today, she also felt it was very interesting. Towards Qi Pei and Xun Xiang’s temperament, Xun old madam’s stubbornness and stupidity, as well as Cheng Yanling’s heroic behavior, and so on, there was all something to sigh about.

As for the Wen’an Marquis saying that he will give her a dessert shop at the end, she just treated it as a joke, randomly tossing to the back of her mind.

However, what Yu Lingxin completely didn’t expect was that a few days later, a deed really was delivered into her hands.

Pinxiang Kitchen^[2], one of the dessert shops in the capital that had the best business.

It actually became a part of her dowry given to her by her future father-in-law. Moreover, it was even personally sent over by Xun Che.

[1] Title for the husband of a princess.

[2] The original name is Pin(to sample/to taste) Xiang(fragrant) Zhai(building), but calling it Pinxiang Building sounds so awkward for a business.

T/N: Around the halfway mark of this novel, around 209 chapters in total, hopefully I can finish translating by the end of this year.