Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

“Su aunt-in-law is too polite.” Yu Lingxin glanced at the pearl hair ornament in the case, the pearls perfectly round, glitteringly radiant, the price probably no less than a hundred gold.

“This is also making up for your birthday present previously. At the time, aunt-in-law just happened to not be in the capital. It’s not just for the poetry gathering.” Madam Su enthusiastically smiled. These words were also said very smoothly, just like as if she really was her actual aunt-in-law that was close with her.

Yu Lingxin smiled, having the brocade case closed up, turning her head and instructing Ganlu, “Go let Gancao have that string of coral beads from yesterday brought over.” She then glanced at Su Hanwei who was sitting by Madam Su’s side. Although similarly a little over twelve like Yu Yunxin, Su Hanwei’s figure was even taller, her appearance also a bit more sharper. Just, that pair of big eyes was the same as her mother’s, appearing very spirited.

Yu Lingxin continued with a smile, “Bestowed by an elder, one cannot decline. Since aunt-in-law is this generous, then many thanks. Speaking of which, it’s also been a while since I last saw Su younger cousin, a string of beads is not worth anything, giving to younger cousin to play with.” As she said this, she took a sip of tea, but didn’t immediately respond in regards to the poetry gathering.

Through the poetry gathering last time, the name of the poetry club was temporarily set as Linglong Poetry Club in the end. Although a bit delicate, it was also extremely easy to remember, and quite suitable for the young ladies of the boudoir. As such, it very quickly began spreading through the noble young ladies’ circle in the capital.

Xun Ying and Ming Jinrou separately became the president and vice president of the club, with the Wen’an Marquis Manor and Jin Duke Manor taking turns hosting the meetings, each session separately sending invitation. And at the end of the tenth month, everyone will all go together to attend the Wenhua Academy poetry gathering in plum forest garden north of the capital.

Under this kind of arrangement, whether it’s the ones that genuinely like poetry and literature, or the ones that just liked the liveliness, or even the ones that just want to become acquainted with the Xun family and Ming family miss, all were extremely delighted.

The Zhu family daughters in the Zhu family private school were still fine, but for outsiders like Su Hanwei, and particularly the slightly lower status official family young ladies, wanting to seek another high path was also inevitable.

Just…..

Yu Lingxin took another sip of tea, having that bit of mockery by her lips covered up. Madam Su was a daughter of the Zhu family’s side branch after all. Right now, although appearing as if wanting to find another high branch, but in reality, she inevitably will still lean towards the Zhu family on the inside. Su Hanwei wanting to attend the Linglong Poetry Club meetings, it might also be to scout out information for the Zhu family.

At the same time, Madam Su also glanced a few times at Yu Lingxin between sips of tea, her feeling inside very strange. When meeting last time, she didn’t feel anything, but this time, she finally somewhat understood what her sister-in-law Su-shi meant when she said that the eldest miss was different from before.

Appearing as if still just politely smiling without a word, her movements and etiquette also refined and proper, but between her leisurely spoken words, that feeling was nevertheless not like an ordinary young girl, either naive or bashful, instead having a kind of hard to describe dignified and noble air.

This kind of mannerism, not even those young ladies of Cheng’en Duke Manor can compare with, rather a bit like Cheng’en Duke heir’s madam’s character. But, that heir’s madam was Chu Duke’s eldest di daughter, marrying into the Cheng’en Duke Manor as the heir’s wife eight years ago, and at present, have already managed the household for five to six years, so how could the Yu Lingxin before her eyes resemble her?

Just as the two sides were mutually sizing up one another, Gancao had the coral beads brought over. After entering and greeting, under Yu Lingxin’s instructions, she had the case handed to Su Hanwei with both hands.

Su Hanwei’s eyes instantly lit up, while Madam Su’s heart slightly sunk. This string has twelve beads, the size not considered too big, but the color and luster were extremely bright and vivid. In terms of value, afraid it even exceeded those pearl hair ornaments somewhat.

“This is too valuable.” Madam Su faintly glanced at her own daughter, and under Su Hanwei’s somewhat unwilling gaze, had the case pushed back, “Ling’er better leave for oneself to wear.”

“If younger cousin doesn’t accept, then how can I dare take aunt-in-law’s pearl ornaments?” Yu Lingxin casually had the teacup placed down, her smile increasingly bright, “Linglong Poetry Club’s invitation, I indeed received, but if I were to take Su younger cousin along, I ultimately need to ask the host’s opinion. If feasible, I naturally will send someone to let aunt-in-law know. However, I don’t dare to accept anything because of this. If the host is unwilling———”

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

She paused for a moment, smilingly glancing at her stepmother Su-shi and Yu Yunxin, who both haven’t said anything this whole time, “Then, I also don’t dare to force it. If Ming fourth miss were to be angered, afraid even my invitation won’t be safe. For someone like me who doesn’t like poetry, it’s rather nothing, but to hold up Yun’er, it’s nevertheless not worth it. Am I right, madam?”

Hearing that this might even affect Yu Yunxin, Su-shi immediately apologetically smiled in support, “Eldest miss is extremely right. For poetry gatherings and such, it ultimately needs to be at the host’s convenience.”

Madam Su’s smile stiffened. Although her gaze was somewhat flickering, her mouth was nevertheless willing to follow along, “That is only natural, absolutely can’t let the eldest miss be troubled.” Just, holding the case of the coral beads in hand, for a moment, she felt somewhat awkward. It wasn’t good to accept, but it also wasn’t good to decline.

However, Yu Lingxin already didn’t have any intention of continuing, directly getting up, “Since that’s the case, I will go write a reply to Ming fourth miss right away. If there’s good news, I will inform madam. I’ll be going back first then.” After saying this, she slightly curtsied, and then directly left with her servant girl.

Returning to Lianyi Residence, Yu Lingxin was just about to call Bai Guo over for questioning, but upon entering, she instead first saw a flat gift box placed on the table. Next to the gift box, there was even an invitation. On the decorated letter paper was Linglong Poetry Club’s characters. Calling over Shuangye, she learned that it was sent over by the Xun family this morning, saying that it was Linglong Poetry Club’s mid-autumn gift for all the sisters of the club.

“Their thoughts quite meticulous.” Yu Lingxin weighed it in hand, immediately knowing that it was a case of Hu brushes^[1] inside, rather very fitting of the poetry club.

Just, when sweeping a glance at the invitation again, she instead slightly furrowed her brows again———-This calligraphy was too familiar looking, yet not Xun Ying’s handwriting.

“Tell Bai Guo to bring in some threads.” Yu Lingxin thought for a moment, and then instructed Ganlu, “Additionally, take Gancao to go look for a few pieces of exquisite fabric material. Later, I’ll let Bai Guo make a few fragrance pouches to give as a return gift for Miss Xun and Miss Ming.”

Because lately Shuangye and Gancao spent the great majority of their time organizing the account books and storehouse, serving by Yu Lingxin’s side, it was still just Ganlu alone. As such, she just took the opportunity to promote Bai Guo to the second rank, also making it more convenient for her to enter and speak to her.

Although the other servant girls in the courtyard that had even more seniority were somewhat unhappy, but Shuangye and Ganlu both felt that this was the eldest miss promoting someone that she personally picked. In addition to Bai Guo being diligent and clever, it was actually quite appropriate.

Watching Ganlu and Gancao both go out under her orders, Yu Lingxin finally opened that gift box. Sure enough, it was an entire set of six Hu brushes, nothing out of the ordinary. Just, after slightly pressing a few times, she discovered, sandwiched between the stiff board under the brushes and the back of the case, two separate slips of paper. It was the bamboo leaf letter paper that Xun Che frequently used.

Written on one sheet: Low sixth rank, Quan province, Kaiyang prefecture scribe, fifteenth of the ninth month.

And on the other sheet: High seventh rank, Jiang province, salt and iron recorder, twentieth of the eighth month.

Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but blank, but in the next moment, immediately understood. This was the matter that Xun Che mentioned to her on the horse carriage last time——regarding Kou Xian’s assignment outside of the capital.

[1] Hubi – It’s actually short for Huzhou ink brush, referring to brushes produced in Huzhou.