Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

These words were truly too serious, Xun Che immediately bent his body, “This son doesn’t dare, this son didn’t mean this.”

“Marquis——-” Ming Huayue couldn’t help but go forward half a step. The anger on her face had actually faded, her eyes slightly having a bit of reluctance.

Xun Nanheng glanced at his wife, also sweeping a glance at Yu Lingxin to the side who was full of nervousness. Slowly relaxing a breath, he gazed towards Xun Che again who had his head lowered while kneeling on the ground, “Let me ask you, back then, Scholar Yan giving you the courtesy name ‘Shenzhi’, what was the meaning?”

“Teacher wanted me to carefully think over and act cautiously for all things. Mustn’t——” Pausing for a moment, Xun Che still answered, “Mustn’t rely on one’s talent to neglect one’s studies, mustn’t underestimate the enemy and be arrogant.”

“Chief Secretary Xun, so you still remember?” Xun Nanheng once again coldly snorted, even calling out his official post as the Chief Secretary of the Central Secretariat, “After Xun Yan’s case, even Changchun Palace, as well as Wu Wang and Wei Wang all learned to keep low, patiently enduring, planning first before acting. Now that you’re pleased with both your official career and marriage, your arrogance has just gone through the roof, hasn’t it? Prime Minister Lou once praised you as wise and intelligent, so you really just assume yourself to be perfect and flawless?!”

As he spoke, he pulled out a written confession from his sleeves, directly throwing on Xun Che’s face, “The various dangers and risks related to Qin Wang and the imperial court previously, we’ll just set aside for now, and just talk about the current matter before us. Cide Hall catching on fire, just using a servant girl to take the blame, at present, it appears as if logical, but in the future, if it gets brought up again at a critical time, accusing you of having the suspicions of being unfilial, then you won’t be able to defend yourself!”

“The loose ends, this son will continue handling.” Xun Che although produced a bit of shame, he still was somewhat unconvinced inside. After softly responding, he bit his lip and lifted his head again, directly looking at his father, “But, this son also want to ask you, if this kind of thing were to happen to you and mother, how will you handle it?”

“Your father once broke the Jiang family maternal uncles’ legs in front of the old madam.” Before Xun Nanheng opened his mouth, Ming Huayue just answered first, indifferently glancing at her son, “Back then, prior to marrying, the old madam’s own older sister once wanted to have her daughter married to your father. Even if at the time, we were already engaged, she still wanted to have that Miss Jiang^[1] given to your father as a noble concubine, also having used similar methods before. Just, she didn’t have the guts to use them on me, instead wanting to drug your father. At the same time, she also spread some gossip outside, saying that our Ming family’s daughters were uncouth, unfilial, having bad upbringing, and so on.”

Xun Che couldn’t help but share a glance with Yu Lingxin. This matter, the two of them had never heard of before, immediately just blanking a little on the spot.

Ming Huayue slightly hooked the corner of her mouth, fully of mockery, “That’s why, your father just had the Jiang family maternal uncles’ legs all snapped in half. The official evaluation of all the Jiang family descendants in the capital that year were all below average, all getting sent back to their ancestral home. Lastly, prior to driving away that Miss Jiang, your father also put down the words, as long as the Jiang family dares to have ideas about shoving people into the first branch, then he will just let the Jiang clan’s path in officialdom be thoroughly severed, and don’t even dare think about entering the capital for life. However, these things were all slowly arranged in the three months after our wedding.”

Slightly pondering for a moment, she gazed towards Xun Nanheng again, “Seemingly, it was just that second maternal uncle that got his legs broken that day, right? When did the remaining three get beaten?”

“When introducing you to the relatives that day, broke their family’s eldest one and number four’s legs.” Xun Nanheng casually responded, “Jiang number three’s legs he broke on his own, not broken by me.”

(T/N: The wording is a bit confusing because, given their age, both one’s wife’s brothers and one’s mother’s brothers are all addressed as ‘舅爷’ jiuye, which just maternal uncle. But from the context, it’s most likely referring to Xun Nanheng’s male cousins in the Jiang family. Jiuye is basically a formal address for all the male relatives from the maternal side of the family, as well as for the male in-law relatives. In this case, it’s kinda both, since the Jiang family is both Xun Nanheng’s maternal family, as well as the Xun family’s in-law through the second madam.)

Ming Huayue nodded, “Right, old three, before even getting beaten, he just became crippled on his own. That’s why, you had his which hand dislocated again?”

“Both hands.” Bringing up the past, Xun Nanheng sighed again. When looking at Xun Che, he was increasingly full of contempt, “Stupid brat, even if you want to protect your wife, still need to use your brain. Once the wedding ceremony is over, can you not do whatever you want? Setting fire at this time now, even if you can have the witnesses and evidence all taken care of cleanly, protecting yourself from getting accused, can you guarantee that no one will talk about your wife? How important a girl’s reputation is, do you not know?!”

This time, Xun Che didn’t dare to continue looking directly at his father, somewhat awkwardly averting his eyes, “This………..how come never heard you two mention before?”

“What is there to say?” Ming Huayue scoffed, “Could it be that this is very glorious? In any case, after getting sorted out that time, the others of the Jiang family just thoroughly settled down. The old madam also restrained herself quite a bit. Besides, back then, your father, after having the people of the Jiang family beaten up like that, also suffered a beating according to the family rules and punished to kneel in the ancestral hall. However, seemingly, after coming out from the ancestral hall, he also had the Jiang family’s son-in-laws all beaten up too, right?”

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

Hearing his own wife mention past events almost to the degree of uncovering his old secrets, Xun Nanheng dryly coughed twice, solemnly saying, “Those are all in the past, let’s talk about the matters in front first!”

“Yes.” Xun Che, at this time, obediently lowered his head.

“Back then, when you said that you wanted to actively participate in the battle for the throne, the reason I didn’t agree was precisely because, despite having a bit of intelligence, your temperament is too frivolous.” Xun Nanheng spoke with a serious look, “But, you still insisted on doing so. On governmental affairs, you also have your own insight, so I didn’t necessarily stop you either. But, since you want to accomplish the impossible, then you will just need to endure what can’t be endured. At present, just this bit of disgraceful means of the old madam’s, you can just be rash to this degree? Then, in the future, if your wife were to get chastised by Changchun Palace, or even Zhaoyang Hall, when entering the palace for the holidays? You also won’t be able to wait or endure for a moment, just setting fire and revolting that day? If really the case, then it’s better for you to not marry, so as to avoid when you’re courting death, drag down Huijun together with you!”

“Alright, enough for now.” Seeing how Xun Nanheng started getting angry again towards the latter half, Ming Huayue hurriedly went forward to urge, “He should know that he was wrong. This time, he was impulsive, but incidentally, he also let Ying’er be exempted from the imperial selection, so can be considered ‘wrong methods but with good results’.”

“He can even have a good outcome from doing something wrong?” Xun Nanheng coldly sneered, “Afraid, even now, he’s still just thinking about how to quickly deal with Cide Hall. For a muddled old man like me, my words are all just some pedantic nonsense!”

“Father!” Xun Che clenched his teeth and called out. Immediately after, he lifted his hand and ruthlessly slapped himself twice, saying with his head lowered, “I was shameful and muddled, restless and impatient, being impulsive. This son really was wrong, please don’t be angry anymore.”

“Oh you.” Ming Huayue also couldn’t help but poke Xun Che’s forehead, “Really the exact same as your father back then.”

“Madam, what are you……” Xun Nanheng’s originally dark complexion instantly just produced a bit of helplessness, “How is this the same?”

“How is it not the same?” Ming Huayue slanted her mouth, “Back then, when you were going against the old madam, didn’t you also get beaten by your father several times too.”

Xun Nanheng’s face was increasingly unable to be maintained, “Madam! Is there really the need to mention these at this time? Besides, I wasn’t that impulsive. Those were all carefully planned before doing!”

Ming Huayue sneered, “Only when you’re scheming against the people outside, it’s not that noticeable. In front of your father, didn’t you similarly get beaten? Back then, when you were punished to kneel, I even secretly………”

‘Cough, cough!’ This time, Xun Nanheng really was helpless, “Madam, alright, I won’t bicker with this stupid brat anymore, let’s go.”

“Go where?” Ming Huayue blanked.

Xun Nanheng sighed, “Going to clean up the mess after this bastard. Since the fire has already been set, this matter can’t be turned around anymore. The case record, just let him take care of cleanly himself. As for the old madam, it’s better to not leave her in the manor anymore, directly send her to the estate that has a hot spring in the north of the capital to go recuperate. Also, let second brother’s family all go over to serve. In any case, he doesn’t have an assignment either. In the seventh month, when there’s a vacancy for posts outside of the capital, I will ask for him to be appointed to the Liu province. When time comes, if the old madam has recovered, she can go with him. If not, she can continue recuperating at the estate. There’s mountains and waters, so good for resting.”

When he finished, he shot a glare at Xun Che again, “This way, can it be considered giving you justice?”

“Father.” Xun Che was increasingly embarrassed inside, but clenching his teeth, he still continued, “This son has never doubted your justice. I know, the old madam is your own mother after all. If something really were to happen, I would rather be the sinner myself, then to let you be put in a difficult position.”

When these words came out, the inside of Yuzhu Hall stood still for an instant. Xun Nanheng fell silent for a moment, then suddenly went forward, reaching out to stroke Xun Che’s head. Because Xun Che was kneeling on the ground the whole time, this height was just like that of a five year old child, and Xun Nanheng’s action was also like having him treated as a small child again, “Stupid brat, you being well yourself, that is true filial piety.” After saying this, he turned around and held Ming Huayue’s hand, heading outwards in large strides.

Ming Huayue was somewhat caught off-guard and could only quickly give Yu Lingxin an eye signal before leaving with her own husband.

Watching the Wen’an Marquis couple go out, Yu Lingxin, who’d endured for a long time, hurriedly went forward to support Xun Che, “Shenzhi, are you still okay?”

Xun Che this time had really kneeled for quite a long time. With Yu Lingxin’s help, he forcibly managed to get up, his knees hurting like a getting stabbed by needles. After staggering, he pushed off against the ground again before clenching his teeth and slowly stand up, “I-I’m fine.” Seeing Yu Lingxin’s red eyes, he reached out to hold her shoulder, “Did you get scared?”

“Nothing to be scared of, what haven’t I seen before?” Seeing the red print on his face and traces of blood on his arm, she was practically about to heartache to death, “How about going back to Qingyu Pavilion first to apply the medicine? Should I let Chen Qiao come over to support you?”

“I’m fine, just give it a moment.” Xun Che at this time had already relaxed inside. That bit of minor injury on his body, he was rather unconcerned, “Just you supporting me is enough, don’t want Chen Qiao.”

Seeing that he still had the mood to speak like this, Yu Lingxin was practically speechless. However, he was indeed still young, so after slowly walking ten some steps, Xun Che’s knees just gradually loosened up again. Just, he didn’t let go of Yu Lingxin’s hand, still letting her support him to Qingyu Pavilion, also pestering her to apply the medicine and bandage for him.

How can this time now compare with before, Yu Lingxin simply didn’t need him to say more and just started setting to the task. Although she knew that this actually wasn’t considered too serious, also knowing that Xun Nanheng’s words were all reasonable, but when applying the medicine for Xun Che, her brows were still locked tight, softly grumbling as she applied, “Can’t you just talk properly with the marquis, why anger him to the point of using the whip?”

“I also have anger in my heart.” Xun Che slightly furrowed his brow following Yu Lingxin’s movement. Shortly after, he sighed again, “I naturally know that even if Xun Tan didn’t come to inform, you still won’t fall for it. But, just thinking about, even if just having one ten-thousandth of a chance, I’m just unable to endure. How difficult has it been for us to be able to come this far now.” He paused for a moment, shaking his head again, “If not for fearing the need to observe mourning, I even thought of……..”

“Shenzhi.” Yu Lingxin softly interrupted him, “Our wedding is just around the corner, I want to ask you of something.”

Xun Che looked towards Yu Lingxin in astonishment. In the past life and this life, these two lifetimes added together, she has never asked anything of him before. He couldn’t help but tense up, “What’s wrong? Just tell me, I definitely will do it for you.”

Yu Lingxin had his sleeve put back in place, also going to hold his hand, “I know you are never the impulsive type. Even if not as experienced and calculative as the marquis, still not an impetuous and reckless person. At the end of the day, it’s still because when it comes to my matters, it’s easy for you to be anxious. But, Shenzhi, do you know what I’m truly afraid of the most?”

Falling silent for a moment, and without waiting for Xun Che’s reply, Yu Lingxin’s eyes just slightly heated up again, “I’m the most scared of you leaving me behind again. Regardless whether it’s anger or hardships, or some temporary disaster or humiliation, actually all aren’t important. In the last lifetime, I’d all been able to endure, but everything else, I can all endure again, only you…….if you were to……..”

Speaking to here, she just lowered her head, enduring again and again, before gazing towards Xun Che again, “If there’s some unforeseen change again, I won’t observe widowhood again for you. I will definitely go with you. That’s why, please think of me, and think of our future, please don’t be impulsive again, I’m begging you, alright?”

“Silly girl.” Xun Che’s nose also unconsciously turned sour. Extending his hand, he attempted to wipe away Yu Lingxin’s tears at the corner of her eyes, “If not for thinking of you, in the last lifetime, how could I have lasted three years? I promise you, in the future, I won’t be impulsive like this again, absolutely won’t.”

He also clenched his teeth, resisting the impulse to shed tears. After dryly coughing, he changed the topic, “Right, since you just happened to come today, I also have something to give you.” As he said this, he took out a flat square brocade case, handing it to Yu Lingxin.

Yu Lingxin could tell at a glance that it was a case used for storing deeds, “This is?”

Xun Che hooked the corner of his mouth, “These days, that many people have added to your dowry, as your older cousin, how can I fall behind, right, younger cousin Ling?”

Yu Lingxin finally recalled at this time, when the two of them first reunited, that shameless ‘younger cousin’ address of his. At the same time pressing her lips into a smile, she also swept him a glance, “Then, many thanks, second brother.”

[1]To be honest this mistake on the author’s part, I’m not sure if originally they wanted it to be the old madam’s older brother’s daughter, thus having the Jiang surname, because if it’s the old madam’s older sister’s daughter, then it’s impossible for her to have the Jiang surname, because she would follow her father’s surname. I just translate what the author wrote.