Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Su-shi actually didn’t understand too well why Yu Lingxin repeatedly rejected the Zhu family private school, but this invitation before them was clearly a good opportunity. After all, the Xun family and the Yu family’s indirect relation was very indirect. Aside from the old madam’s maiden family having marriage ties, it was just being considered relatives through the Chang’de Count Manor’s Qi family. That’s why, only sending Yu Lingxin an invitation and not sending Yu Yunxin one was very normal.

Now that Yu Lingxin was willing to voluntarily bring along Yu Yunxin, Su-shi naturally couldn’t ask for more, swiftly thinking for a moment before smilingly turning towards her sister-in-law, “About this, since Miss Xun’s invitation is set on the tenth, then these next few days, afraid, will need to prepare some more. How about, after mid-autumn, I let Yun’er go look for Wei’er?”

Madam Su’s brows and eyes were very sharp, naturally knowing that it was impossible for Su-shi to reject this opportunity. Although unhappy inside, it wasn’t good for her to have too cold of an expression either. Just, having come all this way today, her mouth and tongue dry from painstakingly persuading three times, yet not a single time succeeded, her enthusiasm just somewhat waned, “Forget it, I just have this kind of good opportunity, wanting to share with younger sister-in-law and the in-law family. Since unable to be appreciated, then just forget it.”

Su-shi hurriedly said a bunch of good words, also bringing out some precious tea leaves to give to her older sister-in-law before finally smoothing things over.

Yu Lingxin just smilingly spectated, letting Ganlu have Xun Ying’s invitation put away. Afterwards, she bid farewell to Madam Su, whose complexion had recovered a little, and then just returned to her own Lianyi Residence.

Ganlu was actually a bit displeased, “Miss Xun’s invitation is for miss, you, so why bring along the second miss? The madam also won’t be going, and if by chance something were to happen, the blame will be big.”

Yu Lingxin however didn’t mind too much, “If I don’t take along the second miss, then she certainly will go to the Zhu Manor. In that way, I’d rather take her along with me. Besides, it’s not anywhere else. The Wen’an Marquis Manor won’t have any problems.”

Ganlu couldn’t help but blink. The eldest miss seemingly has never been to the Wen’an Marquis Manor before, so how come she was this certain? However, seeing that Yu Lingxin was seemingly in a very carefree mood, she didn’t continue questioning.

In the following few days, the Yu family was increasingly harmonious from top to bottom.

Previously, when the old madam delivered word to Su-shi, saying that Yu Lingxin had asked to end her ‘recuperation’ early, Su-shi actually just believed half of it. But, this time, Yu Lingxin voluntarily offering to take Yu Yunxin to the Xun Manor, Su-shi was actually genuinely happy. Even Yu Yunxin’s gloominess and resentment previously all dispersed quite a bit.

And on the other side, Yu old madam had what Yu Lingxin mentioned in regards to the Zhu family told to Yu Bocheng. Yu Bocheng was also half-shocked and half-suspicious. Previously, when Ministry of Works’ evaluation had yet to come down, Yu Lingxin had delivered soup to the study to talk to him. At the time, Yu Bocheng had also faintly sensed his daughter’s keenness towards the current state of affairs, yet he didn’t expect that it would be this thorough.

Although based on Yu Bocheng’s own views, he wasn’t like Yu Lingxin, completely pessimistic towards Noble Consort Zhu’s clan, but under the old madam’s persuasion, he agreed to temporarily refrain from having dealings with the Zhu family. Even after mid-autumn, at most, it was letting Yu Yunxin visit her Su family cousins, but won’t really let her go to the Zhu family private school to study.

As for the Yu family’s recommendation name slot for Wenhua Academy, it naturally will be left for Yu Lingxin.

Just, Yu old madam and Yu Bocheng’s conversation, Yu Lingxin as well as Su-shi and her daughter all weren’t aware of yet, and at the same time, also somewhat unable to attend to.

Never mind Yu Yunxin meticulously preparing for the poetry gathering, even Yu Lingxin was particularly careful with her clothes and accessories. When it came time to head out on the tenth of the eighth month, the two sisters met at the horse carriage place, both able to sense the other party’s nervousness, which caused them to instead laugh, also slightly having a bit of closeness as sisters.

The current Marquis Xun although was a military general, the Wen’an Marquis Manor nevertheless started off as literary officials. That’s why, just like the usual distribution of residences in the capital, the Wen’an Marquis Manor and the Yu Manor were both in the east district, not too far apart. By horse carriage, it was just a two-quarter of an hour trip.

Climbing down from the horse carriage, it was the Wen’an Marquis Manor’s second gate. Yu Yunxin was increasingly nervous inside, hurriedly going over to closely follow behind Yu Lingxin.

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

Yu Lingxin’s own emotions actually also stirred up for a moment. After all, this was the place she’d lived for an entire fifteen years in the last lifetime. Just, this feeling of being separated by a lifetime came quickly, but also dissipated even more quickly, tossing aside in a flash.

Along the way, they followed the welcoming servant girl, passing through the winding corridors and paved pathways, taking two more turns before finally arriving in Wen’an Maruqis Manor’s largest garden, Liufang Courtyard.

In the courtyard, there were more than ten osmanthus trees, golden osmanthus, silver osmanthus, orange osmanthus, all overflowing with fragrance, splendid like clouds. And on the west side where osmanthus trees weren’t grown, a three-tier shelf was already put up in the winding corridor area, displaying more than ten pots of renowned chrysanthemums.

On the east side of the courtyard, there was the long narrow tables set up for writing poetry and painting, four each on the left and right. The north and south side were seats for drinking tea and eating desserts. All the tables and chairs were decorated with a light gold brocade densely embroidered with willow leaves. The tea sets and cups on the table were all a warm jade color porcelain, truly having luxury and elegance completely integrated as one.

When Yu Lingxin and Yu Yunxin arrived, about less than half the guests had came already. In the courtyard, there were already quite a few young and beautiful, elegantly dressed young girls walking together in twos and threes, either drinking tea and admiring flowers, or composing poetry and chatting, playing around on their own first.

And today’s host, Xun Ying, was currently next to a nearby silver osmanthus tree talking to someone. She was dressed in a light green damask long dress with narrow sleeves, paired with tassels sewn with pearls. The two pair of jade hairpins in her hair were lustrous like they were about to drip with water, increasingly setting off her delicate features, slender and elegant, sweet-tempered and gentle.

In a glance, she just saw the Yu family sisters arrive. Xun Ying very quickly nodded to the person next to her, personally coming over to welcome. Her fair and gentle face was filled with a friendly smile, “Yu family’s older sister.” Then, looking to Yu Yunxin to the side, “This must be your manor’s second miss. Sure enough, sisters resemble one another, both this pretty.”

“Miss Xun must be teasing.” Yu Lingxin said with a smile, “When it comes to looks, it’s still my younger sister that’s prettier.”

“Older sister is too modest.” Xun Ying also smiled, and between the greetings, she also asked how old Yu Yunxin was this year, whether or not she knew how to compose poetry and so on. As she spoke, she personally accompanied the sisters all the way to a place to drink tea, slightly explaining a few words about the following arrangements later. Just as she finished, more guests arrived. Xun Ying temporarily excused herself, hurriedly going over to greet.

At this time, Yu Yunxin finally relaxed a little. After looking around at the surrounding, she couldn’t help but softly say with a sigh, “Xun family’s second miss really is very friendly.”

Yu Lingxin smiled, just lowering her head to drink tea. Actually, towards composing poetry and such, she really wasn’t that interested in. Coming to the Xun Manor today, it was mainly just avoiding the Zhu family. These noble young ladies here that showed up one after another, the great majority, she all recognized in the past life. Just, at this very moment, there wasn’t any need to chat with them.

After sitting for a while, Yu Yunxin just somewhat wanted to go look at flowers, as well as the poems that others wrote. Yu Lingxin thought for a moment, but still got up to go with her. Although Yu Yunxin wasn’t an easily flustered and impulsive type, she was still small after all. As such, she didn’t dare to let Yu Yunxin go around alone.

A light breeze brushed by. The aroma of chrysanthemums and osmanthus was increasingly intoxicating. Yu Yunxin got attracted by those famous jade plate chrysanthemums and red-gold lion chrysanthemums^[1], staring very intently. Yu Lingxin stood by her side. After glancing a few times at the flowers, she couldn’t help but go look at the people to the side.

At this time, she just faintly heard from the nearby winding corridor, two young girls dressed in brocade looking in the direction of the osmanthus trees on the other side, softly chatting and laughing, “……….Right, seems to be her, the one discussing marriage with the Wen’an Marquis heir.”

[1] These are names of famous and valuable chrysanthemums, pictured below.