Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

“Nothing?” Yu Lingxin already returned to sitting across from Xun Che, her face blank without any expression, “Every time, only when it hurts the most would even the back of your ear and neck all start to sweat. Exactly how did you get these wounds?”

Seeing the serious look on her face, Xun Che instead felt even sweeter inside, the burning passion in his heart also increasingly intense. After composing himself, he softly spoke, “This time, my movements in the six ministries were a bit big. My father returned to the capital yesterday, and after asking about it, he just got a bit angry. It’s nothing.”

Yu Lingxin finally relaxed a little. Xun Che’s father, Xun Nanheng, has led troops for many years, his temper a bit more stern than civil officials. Moreover, Wen’an Marquis Manor actually has always taken the path of a lone subject loyal to the ruler. Back then, Xun Che becoming the eldest prince Qin Wang’s study companion, it was the outcome of the empress’s multiple requests, and not the Xun family voluntarily wanting to adhere to a prince.

For the Wen’an Marquis, Xun Nanheng, Xun Che right now was just a seventeen to eighteen year old youngster that had just been conferred as the heir, not even having marriage arrangements yet, so certainly muddled in the head, full of young vigor, his heart higher than the heavens. To rashly stir up the six ministries like this, it might very likely cause the neutral image that the Xun family has worked hard to maintain for many years to change, so for him to get angry and reproach him, it was also expected.

“Then why did you say it was acting out a play? You’re already in this much pain, yet still just a play? Not even applying medicine?” Yu Lingxin still carried a stern expression, “Did nothing really happen in the palace?”

Xun Che listened to her string of questions, yet his thoughts were somewhat distracted. Ever since his rebirth, because of planning the important matters, he has been very busy, but similarly every day, when returning to his room, he all felt that there was something missing.

He naturally understood, if he wants to continue their marriage from the past life, then he must prepare step by step, little by little, first having the dangers outside settled before he can pave the path at home. This matter absolutely can’t be rushed.

But, in a blink of an eye, almost two months have passed. Xun Che discovered that he still wasn’t able to get used to not having her by his side.

Every day when returning to his room, he would recall her figure sitting before the window. When eating, he would also recall the dishes she frequently made. Even every time when waking up, he would also think of her incomparably beautiful face, as well as her gentle and caring eyes.

At this time, sitting in this narrow six-feet wide horse carriage, Yu Lingxin at most was just a step away from him. Her familiar breath was this fragrant and sweet, and also this close, where did he still have the mind to respond to those trifling matters.

Yu Lingxin waited and waited, still not seeing Xun Che respond, yet his line of sight endlessly lingered on her. The two of them were ultimately husband and wife for three years. Even though because of Xun Che’s condition at the time, they were unable to be too intimate, but Yu Lingxin also knew that it was truly having the intention but powerless to do so.

At this time, seeing Xun Che’s gaze slightly shift downward a few times, would she still not understand what thoughts slid through this guy’s mind? Her face instantly just heated up, also somewhat vexed that she was trapped in the horse carriage, unable to immediately flee, “Xun Che, say something, what are you randomly thinking about!?”

Xun Che completely didn’t feel embarrassed. His own wife, looking at and thinking about, that was the most natural thing in the world. Whether it’s the past life or this life, he has always repeatedly endured and restrained himself. He was the most sullen person in the world.

What’s wrong with getting made out, they were husband and wife. It goes without saying that she was the one that understood him the most in this world.

“Naturally thinking of you.” Xun Che was still fixedly staring at her, his gaze soft, the smile on his lips light, but the sincerity didn’t need to be doubted.

Yu Lingxin’s heart was a mess under his stare, very quickly lowering her eyes, her voice also subconsciously lowering, “Not allowed to keep saying this kind of nonsense, I’m asking you about the important matters.”

“How is this not important? You’re my legally wedded wife, having gone through the six rites, having bowed to the heaven and earth.” Xun Che watched her two cheeks fill with a light blush. That itch that was running circles in his heart, he could no longer endure, clenching his teeth and getting up, voluntarily moving to Yu Lingxin’s side, thoroughly letting her be unable to retreat in the carriage, and at the same time, reached out to hold her hand.

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

His movement wasn’t quick, yet the degree wasn’t small. Yu Lingxin naturally knew what he was doing, just although her heart was violently beating, she didn’t really want to push him away.

Once Xun Che’s slender and warm hand held onto hers, that feeling was unexpectedly familiar, making her somewhat strangely miss.

After all, that marriage in the past life although was the last bit of warmth at the end of Xun Che’s life, but at the same time, it was also the only remaining light left in her life.

Returning to the capital at eighteen, the plum flower’s season has already passed, having no hope for marriage. Her birth mother that was by her side was still violent and short-tempered, while her father already got banished thousand miles away. Her dowry was practically squeezed dry, the Yu family having thoroughly fallen to ruins.

Realistically speaking, the Yu Lingxin at the time, even if not becoming a concubine, it was at most just marrying low as a second wife of a widower, truly not having any future prospects to speak of.

Of course, marrying Xun Che, who at the time didn’t have long to live, serving by the sickbed for three years, and afterwards, live as a widow for the rest of her life, in others’ eyes, it similarly wasn’t a good marriage or good future. But, Yu Lingxin knew, exactly what kind of a person she married, as well as exactly how much she rejoiced over this.

“Father, at first, indeed criticized me.” With the warm fragrant jade in hand, Xun Che finally had that tiny bit of satisfaction, finally answering her previous question. “However, I explained the stakes within to my father. His Majesty is lenient and kind, yet his ears are soft, easily getting swayed. Her Highness the Empress has declined in power over time, while the Zhu clan is domineering. The path of a pure subject is just a dead end.”

Yu Lingxin naturally knew how many tragic pasts were contained in these words of his. She also couldn’t help but lightly sigh, her other hand lightly resting on the back of his hand.

Xun Che hooked his lips, “Father although didn’t fully listen to everything, he still tacitly accepted half. The punishment is also half-real and half-fake. The injuries on the arms are actually the most frightening. Because I need to enter the palace later, if I were to apply medicine, I won’t be able to act out this play. Most importantly, if it were to fail this time, then perhaps I will need to endure another beating.”

“Then better act well today.” Yu Lingxin blurted out.

Xun Che laughed again, softly asking, “This worried about me?”

Yu Lingxin pursed her lips, instinctively wanting to deny. However, looking down at their interlocked hands, she felt that it would be a bit pretentious. As such, she just openly rolled her eyes at Xun Che, “Else what? You coming over like this for me to see, isn’t it just intentionally wanting to make me heartache?”

Xun Che couldn’t help but smile even more happily, “The one that knows me is my wife.”

“Tsk.”

As Yu Lingxin clicked her tongue, the horse carriage already turned onto the main street that the Yu family’s front gate was on.

Xun Che knew that it was more or less about time. No matter how reluctant to part, they both have matters to attend to later, so truly can’t hold up anymore. As such, during this last bit of time, he quickly instructed Yu Lingxin a few words.

Although there wasn’t a single explanation, all just various instructions and information on big and small matters, but Yu Lingxin still understood them all immediately, and at the same time, also told him to be careful and take care of himself, before finally descending the carriage at the second gate.

Ganlu hurriedly came over to support her, secretly peaking at her complexion again. Seeing how that bit of irritation and anger on Yu Lingxin’s face previously seemingly already all dispelled, her pretty face recovering its usual gentle smile, even having a bit of relief, she finally relaxed.

On the way back, Ganlu was actually quite anxious. Others perhaps didn’t detect the disturbance in Yu Lingxin’s mood in the latter half of the Wen’an Marquis Manor poetry gathering today, but she, this personal servant girl, nevertheless sensed it somewhat. Just, her miss lately increasingly liked thinking to herself alone, so she also didn’t dare to disturb her.

Fortunately, at this time, the rain has passed and the clouds have parted, so Ganlu also just relaxed.

Just, after returning to Lianyi Residence, Wen mama just happened to come over, continuing to guide Shuangye and Gancao in organizing the account books. Hearing that the eldest miss’s horse carriage broke down again at Wen’an Marquis Manor, her face instantly just darkened.

Last time, at Chang’de Count Manor, the horse carriage having problems, it was just the madam Su-shi making moves to somewhat help push along the waves, but this time, even if Yu Lingxin’s horse carriage wasn’t separately looked after, just seeing how Yu Lingxin went out with the madam Su-shi’s own daughter, Yu Yunxin, there was no reason for Su-shi to make a move. What would she be after?

Then, the only one they can blame was naturally just the servant boy in charge of looking after the horse carriage, Zhao Liang.

Yu Lingxin naturally was somewhat apologetic. The incident last time, it was her stepmother Su-shi’s handiwork. Going against her, how can Zhao Liang guard against? As for this time, with Xun Che making the move, never mind Zhao Liang, how many people in the world can guard against Xun Che’s schemes?

But, these words, she was truly unable to say. Even if Wen mama hear Yu Lingxin express that she didn’t mind, she still would just think that the eldest miss had a good temper, not bearing to punish the servants. After asking Ganlu a few words, she just directly went to report to the old madam.

Yu Lingxin was helpless, knowing that Zhao Liang will most likely lose this job. She could only let Ganlu secretly prepare five taels of silver, privately compensating Zhao Liang later.

Sure enough, the next day, Wen’an Marquis Manor politely had the fixed horse carriage sent back. Zhao Liang also lost his job in shame, from being in charge of the horse carriage, to getting sent to take care of the plants and flowers in the manor.

The servant woman in charge diligently picked a few people, first letting Wen mama look over and filter through before having the name list sent before Yu Lingxin.

Yu Lingxin swept a glance and immediately made out the main focus——–Bai Chuan. Wasn’t that Bai Guo’s older brother, the guard that followed Chai Guangyi around in handling tasks.

Just, calculating their age, Bai Chuan was just two to three years older than Bai Guo, currently just fifteen to sixteen, having yet to formally work as a guard, so sending him over wasn’t that conspicuous.

This time, she also wasn’t that surprised, seemingly casually picking Bai Chuan, letting Ganlu reward the servant woman, and then secretly deliver money to the innocent Zhao Liang.

Two days later, the news regarding Xun Che’s injury spread throughout the capital. Just, it wasn’t that the Wen’an Marquis Manor’s family affair was that worth spreading, but rather, the palace had leaked out a news. This practically can be considered the start of the major changes in the entire structure of the court during Xuan Emperor’s reign.

T/N: The servant woman in charge, if not for trying to fit the historical setting, I really want to just translate as HR lady.