Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Yu Lingxin shook her head, “Can’t really be considered knowing, just guessed.” As she said this, she supported herself onto the horse carriage with Bai Guo’s help.

After following up onto the carriage, Ming Jinrou was just even more suspicious, “Sister Huijun, the empress’s words were delivered this morning. Even if second cousin has the ability to report, it still shouldn’t reach you this quickly. Exactly how did you guess it?”

The corner of Yu Lingxin’s mouth couldn’t help but slightly hook. Actually, in the past, she never felt that she was good at guessing other people’s thoughts and the state of the imperial court, but on one hand, in the past life, as the Wen’an Marchioness, regardless whether she was willing or not, since as the Xun family’s wife, she inevitably will hear and see many things.

Additionally, in the ten plus years living as a widow after the three years she spent with Xun Che, she also looked over many of the collected books that Xun Che left behind that contained his handwritten notes in her free time. When flipping through page by page to kill time, she didn’t feel anything, but in reality, unknowingly and unconsciously, her views towards people and affairs already increasingly approached Xun Che’s.

As such, at this time, Ming Jinrou even faintly felt that this silently smiling expression of Yu Lingxin’s seemingly all somewhat resembled Xun Che.

“His Highness Qin Wang got reproached on the fourteenth of the eighth month.” Yu Lingxin counted the days, “Today is the sixth of the ninth month. At the time, when your second cousin had requested a decree from his Majesty, he said that he will need to be on leave for half a month, unable to enter the palace. At present, it has already been over twenty days, yet he didn’t go back to Jingning Palace to serve his Highness Qin Wang. As such, for the empress to question, it is also normal.”

These words although sounded somewhat reasonable, Ming Jinrou nevertheless still felt that it seemingly wasn’t just this. Just as she was about to ask again, she suddenly changed her mind, voluntarily coiling around Yu Lingxin’s arm, saying with a smile, “Older sister, how about you go to my place and wait for my older brother and them to come back to ask about the matters in the palace?”

Yu Lingxin slightly frowned, immediately just feeling that this should be a certain someone’s scheme again, “He told you to say this? I’m not going.”

Ming Jinrou however laughed, “Second cousin didn’t say, although I feel he certainly would be happily willing to see you go. But this isn’t important. Mainly, it’s because I can tell that older sister is very clear about the matters in the palace, so probably also want to know exactly what the empress said today, right? Additionally, it’s just that our manor actually doesn’t have that many people, and Ying’er, at present, is still sick. With just me alone, I just feel very lonely.”

Ming Jinrou’s last words were actually the truth. Her grandfather, the old Jin Duke, didn’t an abundant of sons, just having one di and one shu son. The di eldest son, Ming Yunji was precisely Ming Jincheng and Ming Jinrou’s father. As for the shu born second master, more than ten years ago, he just got assigned to the Yu province as an official, only returning to the capital once every two three years, both for reporting his work and also to visit his family.

Ming Jincheng and Ming Jinrou’s mother, Lou-shi, had passed away of illness three years ago. Afterwards, Ming Yunji, under sorrow and grief, no longer remarried. Even his original concubines and tongfangs, he was also no longer close to. In an entire year, more than half of the year was spent traveling around outside.

In the enormous Jin Duke Manor, the only ones that normally resided inside were actually just the retired old Jin Duke and Jin Duchess, as well as Ming Jincheng and Ming Jinrou. That’s why, for the lively Ming Jinrou that liked playing, frequently going to the Xun Manor was really because she was somewhat lonely.

“Do you normally not go chat with the elders in the manor?” Yu Lingxin somewhat hesitated for a moment.

Ming Jinrou’s eyes immediately lit up, “The household affairs in the manor are currently being looked after by my grandmother. My grandfather’s body isn’t too well. Although I go everyday to pay respect to them, it also just sitting for a quarter of an hour. That’s why, normally, when not together with Ying’er, I’m just very lonely.”

These words were still considered earnest. Just, Ming Jinrou was usually overly lively and cheerful. At this time, although her big eyes were vigorously blinking, it was still very hard for Yu Lingxin to sense distinct ‘pitifulness’.

However, recalling what she knew of Ming Jinrou’s life in the past life, she nevertheless somewhat softened.

If not for the fact that the Ming family’s direct descendants in the capital were truly too few, in the past life, Ming Jinrou wouldn’t have needed to discard her own future and even her clean reputation, breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boat, to lower herself to serve Wei Wang.

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

“Then, do you also not visit your maternal family’s cousins?” Yu Lingxin thought for a moment. If she didn’t remember wrong, Ming Jinrou’s deceased mother should be the daughter of the Ying Duke Manor’s Lou family. The Ming family and the Lou family have also been on good terms for generations.

Ming Jinrou shook her head, “It’s not that we don’t visit one another. My mother is my maternal family’s youngest daughter, and she also gave birth to me late. My youngest older female cousin of the Lou family is also the same age as my older brother, having long married. Because of the age gap, they although love me, it’s also just treating me as a little girl, not having any opportunity to play together. That’s why, I’m the closest with Ying’er.”

When she finished, she secretly glanced at Yu Lingxin’s expression. Sure enough, it had softened a little more. Ming Jinrou immediately pulled Yu Lingxin’s arm, swaying, “Sister Huijun, just come and keep me company. When my older brother and them come back, if you really don’t want to talk to second cousin, I will immediately arrange a carriage to send you back home, how about it?”

This can be considered ‘openly and legitimately’ inviting for once. Yu Lingxin once again hesitated. On one hand, she somewhat felt sorry for Ming Jinrou, while on the other hand, she really was somewhat worried about Xun Che’s matters in the palace.

In the last lifetime, the first and last few instances where Xun Che got poisoned or attacked by assassins, if not happening in the palace, then it was just near the palace gates. After all, that was where his power and influence were the weakest. Whether it’s Noble Consort Zhu, or Empress Wen, scheming against him there will all be a hundred times easier than the outside.

As the saying goes, to hear the songs and know the mood. Seeing that her expression was increasingly relaxed, Ming Jinrou hurriedly instructed the servants, “Directly return to the manor. We will send Miss Yu back home a little later.”

Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but shake her head, but still smilingly went along.

This time, coming to Qinghong Pavilion again, it was much more leisurely and casual compared to the last two times. Ming Jinrou led Yu Lingxin to her own little study to drink tea and chat. Upon entering, Yu Lingxin just saw a double-edged sword with cloud patterns^[1] hung on the wall. Next to it, there was even a vermillion gold bow. Both appeared to be used for women, their size a bit smaller than normal, concise and heroic. From the sword handle, one can make out the wear and tear, clearly frequently used to practice, and not just a decoration.

The other side of the study had a guqin^[2] displayed, and on the antique display shelf^[3] next to it, there were a few other wind instruments. Just looking at the quality and workmanship, one can tell that it was all works of renowned masters. On the bookshelf, there naturally weren’t any books of female virtue and female teachings, these so called books of the lady’s chamber, just a neat and tidy three rows of books, one row of guqin compositions, one row of fist and sword instruction books. Only the last row had a bit of history books and poetry books. But, the poetry books were also mostly about powerful armies and vast lands, very rarely having melancholic and romantic works.

“Jinrou, your place really is like the room of a chivalrous swordswoman.” After touring the place with Ming Jinrou, they finally sat down to drink tea. Yu Lingxin still clicked her tongue in admiration.

Ming Jinrou laughed, “The young ladies of the Ming family all practice martial arts. This really isn’t considered anything. However, my father, mother, and older brother all love me, so even if my family doesn’t practice martial arts, as long as I like these, they will also let me be.” She paused for a moment, her body suddenly leaning forward, lowering her voice and asking Yu Lingxin, “Sister Huijun, I’ve actually always wanted to ask you, why do you like second cousin?”

Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but laugh. However, there weren’t any awkwardness either. After all, close sisters of the boudoir secretly discussing this kind of topic was also normal. Especially given that the Jin Duke Manor’s members were simple, and the Ming family siblings’ control over their own courtyard should also be very strict. One can tell just by looking at how Xun Che practically didn’t have any misgivings when talking in Qinghong Pavilion previously. As such, Ming Jinrou naturally just spoke as she pleased.

Just, although at ease, Yu Lingxin still wasn’t willing to just confess like this, casually smiling, “This……you tell me first how you started liking his Highness Qin Wang, then I will tell you.”

Unexpectedly, Ming Jinrou was rather straightforward about it, “Qin Wang, I’ve known him since I was little. He’s especially smart, but also particularly stupid. In any case, he’s just……..just quite cute.”

Setting aside Ming Jinrou’s saying of ‘cute’ that was full of a young girl’s romantic feelings, Yu Lingxin was actually really quite curious, “What do you mean Qin Wang is both smart, and……and not smart’?” Towards this future heir apparent, and even future emperor, Yu Lingxin still didn’t dare to rashly say the word ‘stupid’.

“Just like how he actually learns things especially quick.” When speaking of Qin Wang’s matters, Ming Jinrou completely didn’t stop to think, “In the beginning, my brother and second cousin went together to be Qin Wang’s study companion. I’d seen them in class before. Qin Wang, in literature, is just a tiny bit worse than second cousin, but also just worse than second cousin. Whether it’s the other princes, or my brother, or the other study companions and whatnot, they are all unable to catch up to him. In terms of martial arts, he’s practically unrivaled, because he’s able to learn quick, and also hardworking.”

Yu Lingxin nodded. This indeed matched the impression Qin Wang gave her, “Then, the ‘not smart’ part, where does this come from?”

Ming Jinrou slightly lowered her eyes, “He’s especially honest. Exactly why the empress is supporting him and educating him, everyone is all well aware inside, but he is genuinely filial and deferential towards the empress. His Highness Qin Wang is actually very hardworking already, but which son his Majesty likes, it’s not completely dependent on their classwork. After all, those two from Changchun Palace are both sweet and skillful with their mouth. Sometimes, when things aren’t smooth, the empress will just feel that it’s still because Qin Wang isn’t trying hard enough. He although is an imperial prince, but the beatings he’s received since childhood should be much more than what my older brother and second cousin has received added together. But, even like this, he’s still straightforward and honest. One time, my brother said that if the empress were to one day really let him go hang himself, he might not even bat an eye.”

Yu Lingxin somewhat didn’t believe this. The imperial family was the most heartless. Growing up in that kind of environment, how can he have this kind of temperament? Perhaps it’s just knowing how to disguise himself, putting on an act for self-preservation.

Ming Jinrou lifted her eyes and glanced at Yu Lingxin, her lips actually having a bit of bitterness, “I know older sister doesn’t believe, but this is the truth. The empress’s own son, the fourth prince Zhao Wang, when he was seven, once encountered great danger at the imperial hunting grounds. At the time, if not for Qin Wang risking his life to save him, there won’t be a Zhao Wang now, and many things will also settle down. At the time, Qin Wang didn’t need to go harm Zhao Wang. He just needed to watch. But, he won’t do that. He would rather die himself than to be sorry to someone else. I feel, being an imperial prince like him really was stupid to death, having holes in his head.”

Yu Lingxin although had some doubts, it nevertheless wasn’t really necessary to ask Ming Jinrou in detail. Instead, she just softly laughed, “Since that’s the case, how did you fall for this kind of person?”

Ming Jinrou pressed her lips into a smile, her pretty little face also dyeing with a light blush, “I also don’t know, maybe because he’s handsome.”

Yu Lingxin once again laughed in spite of herself. This was actually an undeniable truth. Qin Wang’s handsome appearance, no one in the imperial clan can rival. Although his birth mother’s status was low and had passed away early, but looking at Qin Wang’s appearance, everyone can roughly imagine how stunning and exceptional of a beauty she was.

“Alright, older sister, it’s your turn.” Ming Jinrou lightly coughed, “I already said that much, so now, you should tell me, how you fell for second cousin.”

Yu Lingxin nearly forgot there was still this matter, letting out an awkward dry laugh, “This, Jinrou, when will your older brother and them return?”

Ming Jinrou’s little face sunk, “I’ve always felt that older sister is gentle and kind, a good person. This is wanting to tear down the bridge after crossing it? Tricking me to confess my secrets, yet not going to tell the truth yourself?”

Yu Lingxin let out a laugh, “I asked you this because I’m not familiar with his Highness Qin Wang. But, what kind of a person is your second cousin, Jinrou, aren’t you more clear than me? His matters, you also know much more than me, so what is there for me to say?”

Ming Jinrou blanked, seemingly feeling that this did somewhat make sense, but thinking again, she was still unwilling to accept, “This, I naturally know what kind of a person second cousin is, but you must have some reason as to why you fell for him, right?”

“Do you think he’s good?” Yu Lingxin picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Ming Jinrou could only randomly answer, “Quite good.”

Yu Lingxin smilingly responded, “This is just it.”

“What’s this? Older sister, you’re messing with me!” Ming Jinrou was increasingly unconvinced, but she also increasingly felt that Yu Lingxin’s crafty smile made her even more like Xun Che.

Yu Lingxin had the teacup placed down, “You also said, he’s quite good. That is just the reason.”

Ming Jinrou practically puffed up, “There’s plenty of good people in the world, and there’s also those that are better than him, but it’s not like you will fall for all of them, right?”

Yu Lingxin finally lightly pursed her lips, revealing her true feelings, “In my eyes, there’s no one better than him.”

Just as these words dropped, “Cough, cough.” A familiar dry cough came from outside the window.

[1] You can see the cloud patterns on the sword guard and handle. These examples are Han dynasty swords.

[2] 7-string long zither

[3] Also known as a bogu(博古) shelf, the name literally translates to ‘a lot of antiques shelf’. It comes in many forms, and mostly used to display decorations and antiques.