Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

She swept a glance at Cuiju in this moment. She was dressed in a half-new not old aqua blue soft satin garment, her hair loosely coiled into a duoma^[1] bun, only having two silver hairpins by her temples, entirely appearing like a honest and docile concubine that wholeheartedly served the main wife.

This was precisely where Cuiju was intelligent. Regardless of how many schemes she had in her stomach, on the surface, she was always obedient and well-behaved, making one unable to find the slightest fault. Especially after Qi-shi remarried into the Kou family, and aside from Kou Yuluo, this one daughter, no longer gave birth to any other children, Cuiju, amongst a room full of tongfangs and concubines, became the first to give birth to a shu son, Kou Teng. Moreover, everyday, she rushed to teach her son how to nicely curry favor with the di mother, letting Kou Teng, since childhood, know how to speak honeyed words while carrying a sword in the belly, having the surface appearance disguised airtight. That’s why, when Kou Teng turned eight, they already formally opened the Kou family’s ancestral hall, recording him under Qi-shi’s name as the di son.

Year after year, even Qi-shi’s servant girls and mamas from her maiden family all needed to move aside, while Cuiju, this concubine that came from an acting troupe, instead became the most capable person by Qi-shi’s side.

If sixty percent of the schemes and ideas for Qi-shi came from Lu mama, then the remaining forty percent were all Cuiju’s, but usually, it was also this forty percent that was even more impressive.

Qi-shi’s behavior and speech today, that bit of half-poetic half-colloquial antithesis and rhyme subconsciously leaking from her words, presumably was just Cuiju’s handiwork.

Thinking to here, Yu Lingxin slightly turned and glanced at Wen mama, “Since that’s the case, why don’t mama go sit under the corridor and have some tea. I will chat a little with my mother.”

Qi-shi blanked, and shortly after, smiled, “Ling’er, you’re really considerate. Lu mama, go prepare some tea and desserts for Wen mama, and lead her to the flower pavilion in the front gardens for a sit.”

Wen mama got up and slightly curtsied, “Madam Kou is too polite. This old servant doesn’t dare to be this self-important. It’s best to just wait in the courtyard for miss.”

“How can that be okay. At present, it’s still very hot, and the smell of medicine is also heavy in the courtyard. How about old sister come sit in the side wing?” With that said, Lu mama just led Wen mama and the others out. Cuiju also retreated out of the room.

“Mother, if you have anything private to say, then just say it.” For a moment, the entire room quieted down. Yu Lingxin voluntarily sat by Qi-shi’s bed, and carefully gazed towards Qi-shi.

Her appearance actually very much resembled her mother’s. At this moment, looking at Qi-shi’s haggard and sickly appearance, one can still make out her extremely beautiful features. Just, sitting closer, one can clearly see the fine lines between her brows and by the corners of her mouth, as well as the faint dark circles under her eyes.

Qi-shi also gazed towards Yu Lingxin. The young girl before her appeared even more elegant and pretty than her. In her features, there was also a bit of a bright and imposing air that she seemingly didn’t have before, for a moment, actually appearing somewhat unfamiliar.

However, this kind of daze also just lasted for split second. In the next moment, Qi-shi still saw that pair of smooth jade earrings by Yu Lingxin’s ear and the glistening emerald hairpin in her hair. She lightly coughed, before softly speaking, “Ling’er, mother truly feels a bit sorry to you. Back then, when divorcing with your father, regardless of whose fault it was, it was ultimately hard on you. Ever since you were little, you didn’t have mother by your side, and now, mother will be leaving the capital. Every time thinking about how I won’t be able to see you anymore in the future, my heart feels just like getting stabbed with a knife.”

“Throughout history, officials from the capital getting appointed to a post outside of the capital have always been a three years appointment.” From Qi-shi’s voice, Yu Lingxin seemingly really heard a bit of sincerity, yet on the inside, she increasingly didn’t believe. However, she also wanted to know exactly what Qi-shi was planning, thus vaguely consoled, “If Sir Kou can make some political achievements in Jiang province, then in the future, he can still return to the capital again.”

Actually, these words really weren’t false. Kou Xian, this person, although came from a relatively low family background, he was still a very successful candidate in the imperial civil service exam, having some abilities in government affairs. In the past life, at his post in the Jiang province, he’d performed very well. In addition to the unrest in the capital, before he even finished his second term, he already got re-transferred back to the capital, filling in the vacancy in the Ministry of Works.

“For officials at the foot of the emperor, how is it that easy to get called back.” Qi-shi slightly lowered her eyes. “Besides, even if coming back in another three to six years, you will also be marrying. The opportunity for the two of us to talk like this will be a lot less, no?”

Yu Lingxin could only softly respond, similarly lowering her eyes slightly, not even too willing to pretend to be emotionally moved on the surface.

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

In the last lifetime, after she got taken to the Jiang province by Qi-shi, where was there good days between them. If not for the matter of returning to the capital, then it was just arguing over her dowry, big and small quarrels, not having many peaceful days. Afterwards, due to the political unrest in the capital, Yu Bocheng also didn’t wish for Yu Lingxin to return to the capital.

Qi-shi also always liked using the excuse that she was the eldest daughter to have the household affairs thrown to her to handle, completely disregarding how awkward and difficult it was for her as a Yu family daughter in the Kou family.

This kind of ‘mother-daughter time together’, it really was better to not mention.

On Qi-shi’s side, seeing Yu Lingxin also quiet with her head lowered, she continued saying a few more soft words that were roughly the same meaning, constantly saying how she can’t bear to part with her.

A good while later, although she didn’t see Yu Lingxin moved to the point of tears, or say something like, ‘if only I can go with mother’ and such, Qi-shi was already almost out of soft words to say. As such, she finally revealed a bit of her other intentions, “Recently, these days, I’ve been particularly restless in my sleep. Aside from thinking of you constantly, it was just frequently dreaming of the old madam.”

Yu Lingxin lifted her eyes and gazed towards Qi-shi, “You mean Qi old madam?”

Qi-shi nodded, her eyes unexpectedly having a bit of genuine sorrow, “Ling’er, as you know, my status as the Chang’de Count Manor di-daughter, it was merely just having my name recorded under the old madam’s. In the end, I ultimately came from a concubine. In the entire manor, the only one that genuinely loved me was just the old madam.”

Yu Lingxin nodded. This, she indeed knew. Qi-shi was the Qi family’s shu-born third daughter. Her birth mother was originally Qi old madam’s first rank servant girl, very much liked by Qi old madam. Afterwards, Qi old madam made the decision to have her promoted up as the old marquis’s concubine, thus giving birth to Qi-shi. Qi-shi was just like her birth mother, extremely beautiful, and as such, she was just raised by the old madam’s side.

Qi old madam was originally the daughter of a military general. When she was young, she seemingly had even followed her father and brothers onto the battlefield before, her temper extremely fiery. Qi-shi’s temper perhaps was also learned from that old madam. Just, unfortunately, Qi-shi didn’t have Qi old madam’s abilities and fate.

“When you were little, the old madam had also held you before.” Qi-shi continued. “Even your dowry also has the old madam’s private savings inside. That’s why, mother was thinking, this time, going to Jiang province, we will be passing by Chang province midway. We can take the opportunity to visit the Qi family’s ancestral tombs and ancestral shrine to pay respect to the old madam. Do you want to come with mother?”

This last line was said quite nonchalantly, as if it was something that couldn’t be more common, just like as if saying, ‘Do you want some tea?’

However, Yu Lingxin immediately understood. This line was the actual goal that everything in front was setting up for. In an instant, that last bit of sympathy and pity she had towards Qi-shi became just like a glass cup getting struck with a small hammer. Although light, it nevertheless instantly shattered all over the ground.

And during this moment, Qi-shi also continuously said a few more words. The rough meaning was just how she couldn’t bear to part with Yu Lingxin as a mother, and how she missed the already deceased Qi old madam, also promising that this time, after going to the Chang province to pay respect to Qi old madam, she will definitely safely send her back to the capital and so on.

Yu Lingxin listened to her words one by one, yet on the inside, she was already as clear as snow. In the end, she just shook her head, “Paying respect to the deceased, what matters is the heart not the action. Later, I will visit Jingfu Temple with grandmother to light a lantern and pray for Qi old madam. Chang province is too far. As a young lady still in the boudoir, it’s better to not go. Mother best take care of yourself.”

Upon hearing, Qi-shi actually didn’t show any dissatisfaction, just saying, “What you’re saying naturally is also reasonable. Just, when I’d dreamt of the old madam, she actually very much misses you too. Chang province is merely just a two to three days trip from the capital, so not considered too far. But, if you’re really unwilling, mother won’t force you. However, filial piety ultimately is important. Even if not seeing on mother’s behalf, you should also think of the old madam……….”

It was another round of rambling. Yu Lingxin just listened, but unwilling to change her mind. Unexpectedly, Qi-shi didn’t become irritated, continuously and repeatedly saying roughly the same things, again and again, speaking for nearly an hour. Yu Lingxin all felt her mouth dry and parched from listening.

And at this time, movement sounds came from the doorway. Cuiju brought along a servant girl to come deliver Qi-shi’s medicine, while also bringing a new cup of tea for Yu Lingxin.

“Eldest miss, the madam, these days, can’t drink tea because of the medicine, so has been drinking fruit nectar. Try this plum nectar, it’s best against the summer heat.” The servant girl served Qi-shi in taking the medicine, while Cuiju had the drink sent before Yu Lingxin.

Yu Lingxin took it into her hands and slightly sniffed, coldly laughing inside.

When it comes to adding something to the food and drink, it was usually always adding it in strongly scented liquids, so as to cover up the drug’s scent. Those rumored odorless and colorless drugs in the storybooks actually were all just myths, let alone for people like Qi-shi and Cuiju, how much money and how many channels can they have?

This plum nectar, although said to be a fruit nectar, the scent was very sweet, and the color was also deep like soup. If something were to be added to it, then it naturally would be much easier to cover up compared to clear tea.

“Cui-yiniang^[2] must have also worked hard these days, right?” Yu Lingxin had that fruit nectar brought up to her lips, and at the same time, paid attention to Qi-shi and Cuiju’s expression. Sure enough, she could make out their nervousness. As such, she placed it down again, “With my mother sick, the inside and outside matters really must have troubled you.”

Cuiju hurriedly smiled in response, “Eldest miss is too serious. Serving the madam is only natural, how can one dare to call it trouble.”

“My mother’s personality is straightforward, not having as much thoughts as others.” Seeing this smile on Cuiju, Yu Lingxin increasingly recalled this person’s numerous means in inciting someone in the past life. Her voice instantly turned a bit cold, “Cui-yiniang probably didn’t worry and stress over matters any less on normal days.”

“L-look at what y-you’re saying. Helping the madam share the burdens, that is only natural.” Cuiju increasingly couldn’t grasp Yu Lingxin’s change in expression at this time, and could only vaguely respond.

“Come, this bowl of plum nectar, will just give to Cui-yiniang to quench your thirst.” Yu Lingxin had that porcelain bowl pushed forward, her bright eyes already having a slight glint of sharpness.

[1] This was a very popular hair style back in the Tang dynasty, the name literally translates to ‘falling horse’ hairstyle.

[2] Yiniang – An address for concubines.