Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

“Quickly come in!” Chang’de Countess immediately changed face, practically blooming with smiles. She slightly looked to Yu Lingxin, vaguely explaining, “This is this year’s autumn exam’s first place, also our manor’s clan nephew. Speaking of which, for niece-in-law, you probably also need to call him older cousin, all not outsiders.”

She paused for a moment, glancing at Xun second madam and Xun Xiang sitting on the other side, her smile growing even deeper, “His father can be considered our count’s distantly related tang brother. Back then, he was also a successful candidate of the imperial exam, just unfortunately, died prematurely in his prime. However, this boy is also really impressive on his own, ambitious in his studies and has good looks. To rank first in the autumn exam at eighteen, where else can one find someone like that!”

Yu Lingxin naturally knew who Qi Ke was, and she’d also heard Xun Che mention before that seemingly, after the autumn exam, the Chang’de Count Manor has very much used the excuse of being from the same clan to rope in Qi Ke several times, also saying how they will financially assist his widowed mother and aunt, and so on.

Xun Che and Qi Ke already didn’t get along in the last lifetime, and in this lifetime, there was even Yu Bocheng’s former consideration. Although Yu Lingxin has never even directly looked at Qi Ke before, Xun Che would still feel annoyed whenever Qi Ke was mentioned, even feeling that he and those with the Qi surname just naturally clashed.

But, what Yu Lingxin didn’t expect was the Chang’de Countess’s current behavior. Could it be that she has the intention of pulling the strings for Qi Ke and Xun Xiang?

In terms of family status, as the Chang’de Count Manor’s studious nephew of a side branch, pairing with the Wen’an Marquis Manor’s second branch young miss was still a very well-matched marriage arrangement.

But, Qi Pei will soon marry as Wu Wangfei. Then, the Chang’de Count Manor’s intentions of wanting to form this marriage, the significance within was just very interesting. It can be said as further roping in talented individuals for the entire Qi clan, but gazing a bit further ahead, it was also helping Qi Pei, this Wu Wangfei, increase the foundation behind her, becoming her advantage in being valued by Wu Wang, and also the asset in supporting Wu Wang’s fight against Qin Wang in the future.

“Sister-in-law, is it that person last time that——-” Xun Ying suddenly turned towards Yu Lingxin, softly asking half a line.

Yu Lingxin finally recalled that Xun Ying had met Qi Ke once, precisely that time before she and Xun Che got engaged, when her father Yu Bocheng wanted to arrange a meeting between Qi Ke and her, and Xun Che brought his entire family to spoil the matter.

Especially afterwards, when the younger generation went out together to admire the plum blossoms and snow, she and Xun Che went with the Ming family siblings to Wutong Courtyard, while Xun Cong and Xun Ying went with Qi Ke, Yu Yunxin, and Yu Zhengshan to admire the plum blossoms together.

In other words, that day, Xun Ying didn’t just meet Qi Ke when drinking tea in the side hall. When admiring the plum blossoms together with everyone, there was also that hour spent traveling together.

Yu Lingxin’s heart couldn’t help but suddenly jump, and while lightly nodding, she also carefully studied Xun Ying’s expression.

On that fair and elegant little face, there was three part genuine curiosity, as well as an extremely light expectation, as if rather wanting to meet Qi Ke again.

However, what made Yu Lingxin very quickly relax a breath was that Xun Ying’s look, rather than say it was the blossoming love of a young girl, it was more accurate to say that it was like a knowledge-seeking student about to meet an extremely well-learned teacher, just like back then whenever Yu Zhengshan met Xun Che, eagerly wanting to talk about poetry and painting techniques, and not really having any bashfulness from budding feelings.

On the contrary, on Xun Xiang’s side, following the casual questions and answers, as well as praises, between the Chang’de Countess and Xun second madam, her two cheeks were already faintly blushing.

And at this time, as the footsteps sounded outside, and as the servants lifted the curtains, Qi Pei’s older brother, Qi Jue, personally led in two young men. One of them was dressed in a blue cloth long gown, his mannerism very upright, precisely Qi Ke who the Chang’de Countess had praised again and again just now.

And the other one, who was dressed in a brocade gown, his face also considered somewhat handsome, was unexpectedly also someone Yu Lingxin recognized, Su aunt-in-law’s son, Su Mao.

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

When Qi Ke and Su Mao entered together, Yu Lingxin slightly frowned. She knew that Sir Su at present was no longer working for the Zhu family, instead turning to adhere to the Wen family and Qi family. She’d also heard that after Qi Pei’s father, the Chang’de Count, took over the Zhu family’s position previously in the Ministry of Appointments, he arranged a new sixth rank idle post for Sir Su. But, Su Mao was actually this familiar with Qi Ke?

Looks like previously when the Wen’an Marquis Manor and Jing Duke Manor were entirely occupied with Qin Wang and Ming Jinrou’s wedding arrangements, the Qi family also made quite a few moves.

“Greetings everyone.” Because there were truly too many people in the reception pavilion at this time, the relationships all very complicated, when greeting, they didn’t directly address one by one. Qi Ke and Su Mao respectively bowed and cupped their hands. Those of the same generation, Xun Ze, Xun Tan, Xun Cong, Xun Xiang, as well as Xun Ying who was by Yu Lingxin’s side, all got up to return the etiquette.

The elders naturally sat still without moving. Qi Pei originally was going to get up too, but seeing the already married Yu Lingxin leisurely sitting there, merely tilting her body and nodding, unknown as to what she thought of in that moment, she actually didn’t return the etiquette, once again bringing out her stance as Wu Wangfei in advance.

Qi Pei’s older brother Qi Jue had a bit of awkwardness on his face, yet it wasn’t good for him to give Qi Pei a look in front of this many people. He could only quickly let someone arrange the seats and serve the tea, brushing over this matter.

The Chang’de Countess however didn’t sense anything inappropriate, directly asking with a smile, “Have your studies been well lately, Ke boy? It’s been a few days since we last met, has your mother finished settling down over there?”

Qi Ke slightly bowed, his voice clear and steady, “Thank you countess for the concern, my mother arrived in the capital yesterday and has already settled down. My mother also asked if your manor is well, hoping that after your beloved daughter’s wedding, she can find the time to come visit.”

“Why this courteous!” Chang’de Countess smiled even more joyously, “Everyone is all relatives, all one family, why wait until after your little sister Pei’er’s wedding. In any case, during the wedding, will also need to trouble you to come over to send her off and block the door, just bring along your mother to come drink the wedding wine.”

Qi Ke once again bowed, “Countess, please forgive, my family is truly of humble origins. When my deceased father was still alive, he’d only obtained a sixth rank position as an official registrar, not enough to request a title for his wife. Since my mother has no granted title and also wholeheartedly mourning for my deceased father, in addition to your manor’s beloved daughter’s wedding being a grand ceremony with the imperial family, my mother doesn’t dare to come. The reason why she wants to visit afterwards, it’s mainly wanting to have the valuable gifts previously from your noble manor returned. After all, ‘to not accept something without work’, such material assistance, this humble one and one’s mother all don’t dare to accept.”

“This——-” Even if the Chang’de Countess was used to being smooth, she still didn’t expect that Qi Ke was actually someone that would slap a smiling face. In front of this many people from the Xun family, repeatedly calling out ‘countess’ and ‘your daughter’, completely not acknowledging as relatives, even openly saying wanting to have the gifts returned………..

“Gentleman Qi really has good character.” Seeing how the Chang’de Countess had her mouth agape and tongue-tied, frozen on the spot, Xun second madam immediately followed-up, “As expected of a talented scholar with great erudition. However, Gentleman Qi, also allow me, this elder of an indirect relative, to say something. You being this upright naturally is good, but you shouldn’t hurt a relative’s feelings and face. After all, this is an aunt wanting to help your family, how can you just refute like that?”

Qi Ke was completely unmoved on the surface, “This madam’s words are too serious. This humble one is still on the path of seeking knowledge, merely having the fortune of not failing the autumn exam. Moreover, one doesn’t know what the spring exam will be like, so don’t dare to be called a talented scholar. The countess’s kind intentions of assistance, my mother and I both are very grateful towards. Just, this humble one’s family is already used to being poor but clean. At present, the meager amount is still enough to pass the days. My mother doesn’t have the intention of accepting other people’s charity and material assistance, asking countess and this madam to understand.”

Qi Jue quickly tried to smooth things over, “Actually, these are all nothing. Virtuous brother Yuzhang’s character, I also know about. If not willing, then forget it. It’s fine, it’s fine. Let’s talk about the matters of blocking the gate and sending off Pei’er during the day of her wedding first.”

“Speaking of this matter, this one is even more embarrassed.” When Qi Ke spoke to here, he actually stood up, “The day of your manor’s grand occasion is the death anniversary of this humble one’s respected teacher, Scholar Li. This one has already agreed to go out of the city together with one’s old classmate to sweep his grave and offer sacrifices, also needing to visit Scholar Li’s widow and family, so afraid won’t be able to help out your noble manor.”

“Which Scholar Li?” Su Mao at present was also studying at Qingyang Academy together with Qi Ke and Yu Zhengshan, and towards the scholars in the academy, he was relatively familiar, so upon hearing, he just blanked.

Qi Ke calmly explained, “Not a great scholar of the academy. It’s the teacher that taught me how to read and write when I was little. In his entire life, he’d only reached the xiucai^[1] rank. However, I’m indebted to Scholar Li, so every year, I don’t dare to forget to go pay my respects.”

“This——–” Chang’de Countess’s face at this time was just somewhat unsightly. She didn’t expect that this so called talented scholar that was well-known throughout, and even highly regarded and admired by her own husband and son, was this ignorant of the ways of the world, unwilling to come on the day of the wedding no matter what. This clearly was simply not having the Chang’de Count Manor taken seriously, also not having Wu Wang and Qi Pei taken seriously.

Never mind the Wen’an Marquis Manor first branch having this attitude, Qi Ke a mere juren^[2] who still hasn’t participated in the spring exam also refused to give face like this?

“Since you go every year, then going a little later this year shouldn’t be a problem, right?” When the corner of Chang’de Countess’s eyes swept over Yu Lingxin, she already saw a bit of mockery in the latter’s eyes and smile. Thus, her complexion just became even more unsightly.

Especially since she knew that Qi Ke, as Yu Lingxin’s distantly related cousin, and as Yu Zhengshan’s senior classmate, had gone to the Yu manor to help block the door when Yu Lingxin married.

“That is his Highness Wu Wang’s wedding!” The Chang’de Countess felt even more indignant the more she thought about it, “To be able to show one’s face before his Highness Wu Wang, what kind of opportunity is that? Could it be that you don’t know how valuable it is? This is the imperial family’s wedding ceremony!”

“This one is of humble talent and shallow learning, so don’t dare to be shameful during your noble manor’s wedding.” Qi Ke’s posture was like that of a pine tree, his expression tranquil, “Offering sacrifices to one’s deceased teacher is this one’s own private matter, so don’t need to trouble countess to be concerned over.”

“Insolent!” The Chang’de Countess really couldn’t endure anymore, slapping the table, “You really think that you can just rely on your studies in your official career in the future? Without anyone supporting, without anyone guiding, even if you pass the imperial exam, what can you do? Really——”

“Paternal aunt, you being like this isn’t right.” Amidst everyone’s astonishment, Xun Ying unexpectedly opened her mouth, “Actually, for older cousin Pei’s wedding, the honor and glory doesn’t rely on who all is blocking the door and sending her off. If Gentleman Qi can come, then naturally, it’s good, but since Gentleman Qi has his own important matters, and moreover, a matter related to his revered teacher, then you shouldn’t force him and further shouldn’t look down on him.”

“Xun Ying, are you sticking your elbows outward?” Chang’de Countess’s complexion truly was unsightly to the extreme, questioning her by her full name. In any case, she has lost all face, so that stomach full of anger just randomly vented out, “Could it be that you see that———”

“See what?” Yu Lingxin similarly raised her voice and coldly looked to the Chang’de Countess, “Don’t assume that just because you’re an elder, you can just say anything you want. Try and slander Ying’er one word, and see what happens!”

[1] Xiucai is the title given to candidates who pass the county level imperial exam.

[2] Juren is the title for successful candidates of the autumn exam which is on the provincial level.

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