Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Yu Zhengshan was long impatient from sitting, his reaction practically even greater than Yu Lingxin’s, nearly jumping up, “I’ll go welcome brother-in-law!”

Su aunt-in-law immediately teased, “Aiyoyo, as expected of young newly-weds, really unable to separate even for a moment, already rushing over to come pick up!”

Even Yu Bocheng nodded his head with an even deeper smile, feeling that Ming Yunji, this old friend, didn’t really screw him over. This son-in-law was still pretty good!

As for the others, while joking and smiling along, their expressions were also not the same. Su-shi naturally just echoed Su aunt-in-law’s words, but her gaze ultimately flickered somewhat, probably still thinking of something inside.

Su Mao was just somewhat awkward, as if every one of Su aunt-in-law’s eager words landing on him was all like getting pricked by needles, feeling increasingly unbearable in his seat.

As for Su Hanwei and Yu Yunxin, they naturally gazed towards Yu Lingxin. In the young girls’ eyes and heart, it was full of envy, and at the same time, also mixed with a subtle bit of unfamiliarity, like as if every time not seeing for a period of time, this elder sister was just different again from before, increasingly different from that fair and gentle, kind and timid Yu family eldest miss from last year, or an even earlier memory.

Yu Lingxin, who was currently sitting next to Yu old madam, was dressed in a ruby color yun brocade short-coat top^[1] with overlapping collars and circular embroidery of the good fortune pattern. Underneath was a lotus color heavy satin long dress embroidered with branches of peony. As she moved, the brocade slightly rippled and glistened, truly like as if light shining on water. The preciousness of the so called renowned embroidery and renowned brocade easily can be seen from it.

Yu Lingxin’s ornaments and accessories at present have also changed from the cold and clean jade color previously. At her waist was a red coral jinbu. The red rubies in her hair and the pink pearls by her ear were all plump and lustrous, making her already pretty face increasingly bright and charming by contrast, practically indistinguishable.

This, compared with the previously always dressed in lilac or light green, quiet young girl that would speak unclearly, how were they still the same person!

Yu Yunxin glanced at her eldest sister again, then faintly turned away. Su Hanwei, on the other hand, just stared at her even more closely, her gaze already starting to turn towards the clothing and accessories on Yu Lingxin. Although her movements were still considered reserved, the envy faintly contained in her eyes was nevertheless increasingly burning.

And at this time, they just heard Yu Zhengshan already happily leading Xun Che in before the hall. Yu Lingxin immediately got up to go meet him, “Shenzhi.”

Xun Che picked up his pace and went forward, very naturally holding Yu Lingxin’s hand and going in to greet Yu old madam and Yu Bocheng, “Greetings old madam, father-in-law.”

Today’s Xun Che didn’t wear his usual sky blue long gown, instead wearing a newly-made official gown of a marquis heir with crane patterns woven with gold and silver threads. The moon white brocade’s quality wasn’t as magnificent as the heavy satin on Yu Lingxin, but it appeared more steady and noble.

In addition to Xun Che’s appearance being extremely handsome to begin with, when entering the reception pavilion together with Yu Lingxin hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder, everyone practically all felt everything before their eyes suddenly light up. Just, Yu old madam and Yu Bocheng were filled with joy, while the people of the Su family all had varying expressions. However, Su aunt-in-law at this time also displayed a bit more tactfulness. After everyone finished greeting, she didn’t say anymore fawning words as an enthusiastic in-law in front of Xun Che, instead smiling with her mouth shut, sitting in a dignified manner to the side.

Yu Zhengshan immediately just gained some more admiration towards Xun Che———Brother-in-law is too incredible, able to calm the scene without saying anything!

Xun Che naturally didn’t mind. Even the Chang’de Count, he didn’t take seriously, let alone the Su family that merely jumped around between the Zhu family, Qi family, and Wen family. Seeing on behalf of the Yu family’s face, cupping his hand to greet was already the limit.

As for whether or not this was because in these last few months by Xuan Emperor’s side, he has gradually participated in more and more military and governmental affairs, thus no longer covering up his imposing air from the past life that capsized the mountains and rivers, and stirred up storms, Xun Che didn’t pay attention himself.

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

And Yu Lingxin further never paid attention. She only knows, what he was like after returning home, that really was nothing at all like the sickliness and ruthlessness of the past life, and the seemingly gentle and refined appearance of this life!

However, the two of them may not have sensed it, but the others nevertheless did.

After Yu old madam asked a few words about the Xun family elders, and whether Xun Che himself was well lately, it was naturally just Yu Bocheng’s turn to speak.

And Yu Bocheng was just the same as before. On governmental affairs and matters of learning, he truly had nothing to advise this son-in-law, so could only ask out of courtesy, “Is everything still well lately in terms official business?”

“Still well.” Xun Che slightly bowed, responding with a smile, “Has father-in-law ever thought of moving up a step in the Ministry of Works?”

Yu Bocheng blanked, “Ah? This………” His back actually unconsciously tighten. Yu Bocheng slightly adjusted his shoulders, suddenly regretting that he didn’t call Xun Che to the study to talk today. Because this son-in-law of his was truly too outstanding in learning and in his official career, as an honest old father-in-law, Yu Bocheng wasn’t the slightest bit interested in facing Xun Che alone and forcibly give pointers. That’s why, every time seeing him, it was also just randomly asking a little out of courtesy when drinking tea.

But, the meaning in Xun Che’s words in this moment seemingly was like as if there was some hidden meaning contained within. Especially, unknown as to why, when facing such a young Xun Che, Yu Bocheng unexpectedly had a kind of faint cautiousness, just like when facing the Wen’an Marquis or Marshal Yan.

Xun Che chuckled again, “This son-in-law just randomly mentioned. Father-in-law doesn’t need to mind too much. Just earlier, my mother received a message from our family’s old madam, thus wanting to take Huijun to the Jade Peak Villa, so this son-in-law just came over to pick up Huijun to go over together. This son-in-law will come over again another day to pay respect to grandmother and father-in-law. When time comes, if father-in-law has some thoughts, this son-in-law will deferentially listen to your teachings then.”

“Ah……okay.” Seeing Xun Che’s smile, Yu Bocheng nearly was about to blurt out, ‘one doesn’t dare, one doesn’t dare’. However, he immediately came to realization again that this youngster before him wasn’t his superior, but rather his son-in-law!

As for Yu old madam, she naturally made out that something was amiss, “Did something happen at home for you all to rush over?”

Xun Che still appeared calm and easy-going, “Shouldn’t be anything serious. Originally, the message from Jade Peak Villa’s side was just letting Huijun go over to talk, but mother figured that since the autumn weather is good, let me go over together too. Don’t worry grandmother.”

Yu old madam nodded her head. With Ming Huayue and Xun Che both present, even if entering the palace, it also won’t be anything major, let alone just meeting Xun old madam.

Yu Lingxin was actually a bit curious, but she didn’t have any intentions of saying anything in front of Su-shi and Su aunt-in-law, so just urged her grandmother, father, and Yu Zhengshan to take care of themselves and then took her leave with Xun Che.

In the carriage, without needing for her to ask, Xun Che just started explaining, “It might be for the second branch’s marriage arrangements. The specifics, I still haven’t asked in detail, but the most important matter should be that Marshal Yan’s niece wants to cancel her engagement with Xun Ze.

“This……..is actually pretty good?” In the past life, when Yu Lingxin returned to the capital, even Xun Ze was only a memorial tablet left in the Xun family’s ancestral shrine. That Yan clan daughter that had suffered greatly under Xun old madam in life, her memorial tablet was even a year and a half earlier than Xun Ze’s, so Yu Lingxin naturally never met her before. That’s why, hearing these words, her first reaction was practically clapping her hands and cheering, but thinking it over again, it also felt a bit peculiar, “But, mentioning at this time, what does it mean? Did you know beforehand?”

Xun Che shook his head, “Didn’t know. The marriage arrangement with the Yan family was arranged a few years ago. Originally, the wedding should’ve been held last year, but at the end of the year, that girl’s maternal grandfather had passed away. Although the outer granddaughter doesn’t need to observe mourning, the Yan family still wished to wait another year. That’s why, the wedding date just continuously dragged out. I didn’t interfere in it. Actually, in the past life, Xun Ze’s relationship with Yan-shi was still pretty good. I originally was thinking of seeking a post in the Liu province for second uncle. Xun Ze can stay in the capital, or switch to another place, filling in as a school inspector somewhere. If it’s living separately, they should be fine.”

“Originally? Then now?” Yu Lingxin immediately made out the key points in this matter, quickly running it over in her mind, “Earlier, the old madam told me, Sir Su might be working for the Qi family or Wen family in the future. If the Chang’de Count really replaces the Zhu family’s position originally in the Ministry of Appointments, then Qi Pei, this Wu Wangfei, really won’t just be an empty title. Could it be that the Qi family has the intention of interfering in second uncle’s assignment?”

Xun Che reached out to embrace Yu Lingxin’s waist, his other hand lightly tapping her nose, “To raise one and infer three, this child^[2] has potential.”

“Peh.” Yu Lingxin lightly spat at him, “Who’s a child?”

“Haha, right, you’re not a child,” Xun Che buried his head between her neck, snuggling against her before lifting his head again and saying with a laugh, “You’re the child’s future mother.”

“Saying nonsense again.” Yu Lingxin also leaned into his arms, her body somewhat sore, “Previously, didn’t Imperial Physician Chi say, it’s not good for women to give birth too early? It’s still better to wait a little.”

“I also feel it’s not good.” Xun Che smiled, deeply staring at Yu Lingxin, “That’s why, I’m not the least bit impatient. If you have one too soon, how troublesome will it be.”

Yu Lingxin blinked, finally realizing what he was afraid of it getting in the way of, her face heating up, “Xun-shizi, Chief Secretary Xun, don’t you have several important matters to worry over right now? What’s all in that head of yours!?”

Xun Che still wanted to say something, but looking at distance traveled through the carriage window, he still slightly collected himself a little, once again returning to the business at hand, “Alright, let’s talk about the important matters outside first. The Chang’de Count, this person, his abilities are actually still pretty decent, his conduct also slippery. And precisely because he’s too slippery, seeing how the situation between the princes is still unclear, he has never really competed to stand out. But, now, Qi Pei is about to become the official Wu Wangfei. The Qi family afraid will change route and fight for a chance. Then, connecting back to the Jade Peak Villa’s side, there will certainly be trouble. In the past life, second uncle afterwards just filled in a post in the Ministry of Works. Now, if the Qi family wants to help him, then it will also be starting from the Ministry of Works. The Yan family’s marriage arrangement with the Xun family originally was for the sake of forming ties with our Xun family, but now, the meaning is just different.”

Yu Lingxin understand. As the Qi family stand out, from the endlessly wavering neutral position in the past to voluntarily participating in the battles in court, there certainly won’t be any opportunities to repair the relationship with the first branch that supports Qin Wang. In that way, they will definitely go for the second branch. In other words, the Xun family two branches having a falling out afraid was near at hand.

[1] The first image is the closet type of dress to what the author describes, it’s a very common attire for women of the Sui dynasty. Second image is for showing circular embroidery. The rest are other examples of long dress, but the top isn’t very accurate.

[2] Although 孺子(ru zi) does translate to child, this phrase 孺子可教, which literally translates to ‘this child is worth teaching’, is more so used in the context of a teacher praising a young student. 孺子 is actually a very literary term for child, often used in classical writing. It’s a rather common saying.

T/N: Xun Ze’s marriage is another one of those minor inconsistencies where the author ends up contradicting with what was mentioned in the early chapters. In chapter 61, when Xun Che was indirectly trying to tell his mother that he wanted to marry YLX, his mother mentions how Xun Ze was still looking for a wife too. But now, according to this chapter, Xun Ze has been engaged for a few years already. And in chapter 109, it mentioned that his engagement was with the Nie family, and now it’s the Yan family.