Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Directly meeting face to face, Xun Che and Yu Lingxin were both somewhat surprised. Qi Pei, however, was very calm and composed.

She quietly stood under the main hall’s corridors. Her slim figure seemingly lost a bit more weight. The light green summer dress on her was very elegant and graceful, her hair styled into a refined bun on top her head, with two lustrous and translucent jade hairpins inserted in at an angle, as well as two pairs of pearl hair clips. Hanging from her ears were silver threads of tourmaline, and on her snow white wrist, there were lustrous large pearls intertwined by gold and silver. Her entire person was graceful and pretty, very much exhibiting the Qi family daughters’ outstanding beauty.

The corner of Yu Lingxin’s lips lightly hooked, side-glancing at Xun Che.

After sweeping a glance in front, Xun Che immediately just retracted his gaze, not just glancing to the side, but practically turning his whole face towards Yu Lingxin, and at the same time, reach out to support her, “Earlier, the carriage was a bit quick when leaving the city, are you feeling dizzy?”

Yu Lingxin looked to him with a smile, lightly shaking her head, but didn’t brush away his hand, instead letting him support her like that all the way to the hall .

“Maternal uncle, aunt-in-law, second cousin, second cousin-in-law.” Because of welcoming them outside, Qi Pei voluntarily called out.

Xun Nanheng and Ming Huayue were both unconcerned, nodding their head in response and continuing inward. The Chang’de Countess’s intention of pulling strings for Qi Pei and Xun Che previously, they naturally knew about. In fact, it’s not like they completely didn’t consider before.

After all, their families were well-matched in terms of social status, and Qi Pei’s character and appearance were also very outstanding. As Chang’de Count Manor’s eldest di daughter, she had a good sense of propriety, educated and well-mannered, also not like Xun Ying, unfamiliar with household affairs. Setting aside the Qi family’s style of being somewhat overly crafty, Qi Pei herself was still not bad.

But, Xun Che didn’t have the slightest interest towards Qi Pei, so this matter also just got tossed aside. Afterwards, with Yu Lingxin added into the picture, the Qi family was further no longer within their considerations.

The Chang’de Countess although tried to sound out once more by letting Qi Pei come over to accompany the old madam, but in the end, they ultimately didn’t do anything overboard, so for the Xun family first branch, this matter can be considered to have thoroughly gone by, and everyone was still relatives.

According to Great Sheng’s marriage customs for meeting the family, when paying respect to the elders the next day after the new bride enter, it was mainly meeting the mother and father-in-law, as well as the uncles, and so on. As for the husband’s paternal aunt and uncle-in-law, they weren’t considered within the usual practice. However, there were also some married daughters that visited frequently and kept a close relationship that would return to the maiden family to participate in meeting the bride on the second day. Of course, they will also give a greeting gift to the bride to express their affections. That’s why, if to say that the Chang’de Countess had brought her daughter along for the sake of easing their relationship with the first branch, then it was also reasonable.

But, when Yu Lingxin heard this calm ‘second cousin, second cousin-in-law’ from Qi Pei, she still slightly jumped inside.

At the beginning of the fifth month, prior to her hairpin ceremony, when Qi Pei came to the Yu manor, her attitude wasn’t like this. In fact, on the seventeenth of the sixth month, when sending her off as her older cousin from her maternal uncle’s family, Qi Pei’s eyes still had a bit of glint. How come, now, it was like as if thoroughly having everything tossed aside overnight?

However, regardless of what her thoughts were like, at this time, it all wasn’t considered anything major. Today’s main focus was probably still on Xun old madam.

Entering the main hall, Xun old madam and the people of the Xun family second branch were already seated. Just, the expression and attitude on everyone’s face greatly differed.

Xun second master and second madam were sitting side by side directly below the old madam, their expression both somewhat wooden, their eyes also not having any spirit. Don’t know if it’s because of thinking about the matter of getting appointed to a post outside of the capital later on, and even having their branch divided out, thus somewhat dejected, or because there was something else hanging on their mind.

Xun Ze was sitting in the seat below them. When seeing Xun Nanheng and them enter, he was the first to stand up, practically like jumping up, but his face seemingly carried a bit of shame. When bowing, he somewhat didn’t dare to lift his head.

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

Xun Xiang was still nervously dodging, carrying a bit of fear. Her seat was further in the back to begin with, so when greeting, she also shrunk towards the back, especially not daring to look at Xun Che.

As for Xun Tan who was in the very last seat, his expression was the most calm, just the corner of his forehead was a bit red, and when getting up, he clearly clenched his teeth, his movement also a bit unnatural. At a glance, one could tell that he’d gotten beaten.

Relatively speaking, the one that was the most spirited at this time was instead the old madam sitting at the very center, her complexion dark like iron, the glint in her eyes also very sharp, unexpectedly appearing very spirited.

The Chang’de Countess who was sitting on embroidered stool next to the old madam was also calm and composed, seemingly somewhat resembling Qi Pei, who was calm to the point of being somewhat cold on the outside.

When Xun Che and Yu Lingxin entered the door, they also surveyed the room, having a bit of an understanding inside. The old madam and the people of the second branch naturally sized up this pair of newlyweds too.

Xun Che was actually not that different from usual. Although his face was flushed with success, very obviously glowing and refreshed, but as his family, they were ultimately still familiar with him.

However, Yu Lingxin was just different. Previously, although she had came to the Xun manor several times, her attire and appearance were all relatively cold and plain, primarily teal color, jade color, and lilac color, amidst the light and dull colors, there was always a bit of coldness. Actually, Yu Lingxin herself also didn’t notice. This was actually her habit from living as a widow for more than ten years in the past life, thus when seeing bright colors, she would habitually avoid somewhat.

However, at present, it was the second day of her marriage. The rose red thin silk dress that was worth a hundred gold a bolt, densely embroidered with large clumps of twin lotus flowers on one stalk^[1] using gold threads, paired with the vibrant and flowing sunset cloud brocade bifu, as well as the massive ruby head ornament in her hair, made Yu Lingxin’s originally stunning and outstanding appearance increasingly bright and radiant.

The moment she entered, even Xun old madam who was full of anger, as well as the Chang’de Countess, and Xun second master and madam, who all had their own thoughts, all couldn’t help but inwardly exclaim, sure enough, a stunning beauty! No wonder Xun Che was this infatuated.

However, this thought merely lasted for a moment. When the Wen’an Marquis Xun Nanheng opened his mouth to pay his respect, Xun old madam’s anger already began leaking out, “Hmph! Coming to pay respect? I’m very well! Isn’t it precisely having enormous luck, thus didn’t get burned to death in Cide Hall!”

Regarding that fire, the so called culprit, as well as the cause and effect, the witnesses and material evidence, Xun Che had long arranged appropriately. There were no holes to be found. But, it was ultimately the explanation for the outside. For Xun old madam herself, she naturally knew whether or not she’d let her servant girl Songxiang harbor grudges.

As for who the true arsonist was, she although was able to figure out that it was Xun Che retaliating against her for scheming against Yu Lingxin, but she didn’t feel that her own schemes had any problems, still furious at her grandson for being unfilial and disobedient.

But, Xun second master and madam didn’t have that level of shamelessness. Even though they weren’t necessarily like Xun Ze, feeling ashamed because of learning about the old madam’s schemes, they were still quite fearful of the first branch’s power, hurriedly trying to smooth things over, “The old madam is still very traumatized, very traumatized. Elder brother, elder sister-in-law, please sit.”

Xun Nanheng was also someone that had a daughter, so towards Xun old madam’s schemes, from the start, he was just very angry. That’s why, when scolding Xun Che, towards him setting fire and scaring the old madam, he didn’t really blame that much. Mainly, it was still blaming him for being impulsive. Of course, Xun Nanheng’s guilt as the son, he naturally still had, just it wasn’t much.

However, at this time, that bit of guilt that wasn’t much to begin with also thoroughly went away. Enduring for a moment, he directly sat down with his wife, also glancing at Xun Che and Yu Lingxin, “Offer tea to the old madam.”

Although it was the old madam and the second branch people living in the Jade Peak Villa, the servants and guards were all arranged by Xun Nanheng and Xun Che. The things for serving the tea naturally were long prepared. Immediately, the servant girls sent over the tea and embroidered cushions. Xun Che and Yu Lingxin knelt down before Xun old madam, “Grandmother, please have some tea.”

Xun old madam rolled her eyes, “How can I afford to?”

“Mother, why be like this?” Xun Nanheng frowned, “Che’er has already married, this is showing filial respect towards you. If mother doesn’t accept, then it can’t be considered them being unfilial.”

“Right! They’re not unfilial, I’m the one that’s not compassionate!” Xun old madam angrily roared, “In any case, I’m already unkind, so not short of this moment! Just keep holding it!”

Yu Lingxin and Xun Che were both kneeling. Just, this was the new bride entering the household after all, so Yu Lingxin was offering up the teacup with both hands.

Speaking of which, deliberately not accepting like this, so as to let the new bride hold a little longer and kneel a little longer, it can also be considered a trick commonly seen in the back manor, just it was truly very low level. In ordinary upper class households, no one would use, only those low class small households would deliberately torment the daughter-in-law like this.

“Shenzhi, help your wife up.” Xun Nanheng also had an angry look. At the same time, Ming Huayue gestured towards the servants. Immediately, a servant woman just came over to take the teacup and placed it on the small table by Xun old madam’s hand.

Xun Che was expressionless, directly getting up, and at the same time, supported Yu Lingxin in standing up together.

“Since you don’t even want to give me this bit of face, why bother serving me tea!” Xun old madam grabbed the teacup and just flung it towards Yu Lingxin.

“Huijun!” At this time, the two of them had just stood up. Xun Che pulled with his left hand, and at the same time, turned his body, taking a step over, having Yu Lingxin blocked behind him. As such, after the tea cup hit his body, it tumbled onto the ground, shattering into pieces. And that warm tea further splashed all over Xun Che’s back and legs.

Just, fortunately, the tea was originally just warm and not boiling hot. Although the warm and wet feeling was uncomfortable, it wasn’t to the level of getting hurt.

But, this kind of scene was also considered extremely unsightly.

Xun Nanheng couldn’t help but slam the table and rise up, “Old madam, you’re really going overboard! Looks like these days, you haven’t been recuperating that well!” Turning his head, he looked towards the second master and madam, who were already frightened, “Old two, how are you all serving mother? Her condition being this serious, yet not inviting the imperial physician again!?”

Xun second master and madam practically wanted to cry. It’s true that the old madam doted on them and leaned towards them previously, but this didn’t mean that the old madam really will listen to them.

Especially this year, they don’t know what was wrong either. First, it was Xun Yan’s matter being unfavorable everywhere, and afterwards, they painfully lost their beloved daughter. Then, on Xun Che’s marriage, the old madam ran into a wall everywhere, even getting angered to death by Duanyi Xianzhu to her face. Afterwards, it was Cide Hall catching on fire. With this many matters, one after another, the old madam, who originally just had a stubborn temper to begin with, just stored up this much anger inside. Now, it really was not listening to anyone, so what can they do?

“Elder brother’s words are unfair.” At this time, Chang’de Countess opened her mouth, “The old madam isn’t just second younger brother’s mother. She’s also elder brother and elder sister-in-law’s mother. Since you feel that second brother’s family isn’t serving mother well, then how come you’re not personally serving and taking care of her?”

“You just need to take care of your own family matters!” Xun Nanheng directly reprimanded. His relationship with this younger sister has always been average. Although there weren’t any grudges or conflict, there also weren’t much feelings as siblings. The main reason was just that since her time in the boudoir, she has always been overly slippery and snobbish, skilled in calculating, yet her calculations were very short-sighted and shallow, proficient in seeing the wind and setting the helm. Speaking of which, with the Qi family that were like fence-sitters, she really was a very good match.

Seeing how the elders have already began arguing, Xun Che and Yu Lingxin both retreated two steps, and at the same time, let someone bring over a cotton towel to take care of the tea all over Xun Che.

As the two of them lowered their heads to tidy the clothes, they also mutually exchanged a glance. Their doubts were the same.

The Chang’de Countess’s attitude today was very interesting.

The Qi family has some new plans?

Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but glance at Qi Pei again. Qi Pei was also looking at her, especially looking at how she meticulously tidied her own husband Xun Che’s clothes. In that pair of pretty eyes, there seemingly was a bit of coldness and determination.

[1] Twin lotus flowers on one stalk has the symbolic meaning of devoted married couple.