Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

“What…….what are you saying!” Among the daughters of the imperial clan, Ruiyang Junzhu can also be considered eloquent and clever, but at this time, she was ultimately still young, and has also been extremely doted on since childhood by the emperor and noble consort, as well as her parents. When it comes to fawning and acting spoiled, or even speaking down from above by relying on status, among the noble daughters, no one can compare with her.

But when it really comes to open disputes and debates, Ruiyang Junzhu didn’t really have any actual experience. All this time, if not getting fawned on by others, then it was just her acting cute and spoiled in front of her elders, as well as with her older brothers and sisters, very rarely having the opportunity to debate anything.

Moreover, Yu Lingxin’s words sounded calm and collected, but in reality, dug a deep pit inside, directly pointing at the core of the entire flower banquet. If Ruiyang Junzhu really were to directly agree to the saying of ranking by official post and status, then the Zhu family sisters’ following friendly words for the sake of winning people over all don’t need to be said anymore. Never mind the daughters of civil and military officials without noble titles feeling that they were being looked down on, even the Wen’an Marquis Manor, Weiyuan General Manor, these families whose rank was just slightly lower than the Cheng’en Duke Manor all won’t feel comfortable inside.

The Zhu family sisters hurriedly rushed over to help mediate at this time, “Miss Yu really must be joking. The flower banquet naturally is for the sake of letting everyone get along. One can sit wherever one wants, just need to be able to chat happily, where is there the saying of dividing by rank.”

These words although had the situation smoothed over a little, Ruiyang Junzhu’s face nevertheless wasn’t pretty, and immediately just shot a glare at Zhu second miss on the spot. Zhu second miss naturally knew that these words for the most part were directly going against Ruiyang Junzhu’s words earlier, her expression also somewhat awkward. But, she had no choice but to say it like this, forcibly letting out an apologetic smile. However, the smile on her pretty face was already very stiff.

Zhu third miss was actually pretty close with Ruiyang Junzhu normally, so as she came over, she also coiled around Ruiyang Junzhu’s arm, hurriedly giving her a meaningful look, her eyes filled with appeasement and pleading.

However, Ming Jinrou was like as if this wasn’t enough, directly saying with a laugh, “Yo, Zhu second miss’s words really are clear and easy to understand, just unfortunately junzhu helped stand out for nothing, hahahaha.”

This time, Zhu third miss’s pacifying gesture just now can be considered wasted. When has Ruiyang Junzhu suffered this kind of treatment before in front of this many people? As such, she just became increasingly furious. Just, she didn’t forget that her original target was Yu Lingxin. Circling a glance over, “Standing out for others in vain like this isn’t really considered anything. All in all, just a frank and outspoken temper, so it’s hard to avoid getting taken advantage of normally.”

Seeing Zhu second miss’s face becoming increasingly red, Ruiyang Junzhu finally gazed towards Yu Lingxin again, “However, I rather want to ask, the seating order perhaps don’t need to be emphasized on, but when it comes to the offense of contradicting a junzhu, is there also no emphasis on rank and status?”

When the word ‘offense’ came out, it practically caused a ripple of commotion. The atmosphere in the reception hall became peculiar again. Yu Yunxin’s little face thoroughly turned pale. In this moment, she instinctively just clutched onto Yu Lingxin’s sleeve tightly.

Suppose that the Yu Lingxin in this moment was really just an ordinary young lady of the boudoir, then with this big hat getting pinned down on her, her complexion certainly will change. Ruiyang Junzhu, as Youjiang Wang’s beloved daughter, and also greatly favored by Xuan Emperor and Noble Consort Zhu, her esteemed status was known by everyone in the capital.

Just, unfortunately, during Yu Lingxin’s youth in the past life, although she never directly faced the bloody storm that is the battle of the throne of Xuan Emperor’s reign, but after becoming the Wen’an Marchioness, she nevertheless gained enough experience and knowledge. Upon hearing, she just smiled, “Don’t know whether the ‘offense’ junzhu speaks of is from Zongjing Bureau’s^[1] regulations, or your esteemed manor’s rule?”

The arrogant look originally on Ruiyang Junzhu’s face froze again. The so called saying of ‘offense’ was merely just threatening words. As Youjiang Wang’s beloved daughter, Noble Consort Zhu’s niece, she has always walked sideways through the palace normally. Where would anyone actually dare to offend her?

As for those that were at odds with her, like Ming Jinrou, this kind of young lady of a duke manor for instance, she also can’t rashly pin an offense.

As for the regulations in the Zongjing Bureau in regards to offending someone of a higher status among the imperial clan, Ruiyang Junzhu actually wasn’t really that clear. But, slightly thinking it over, one will just know, Yu Lingxin’s words just now although had a hidden meaning, there nevertheless wasn’t a single offensive word, so obviously unable to forcibly pin her with the crime of disrespecting the imperial clan. Xuan Emperor although doted on her, it nevertheless wasn’t to the point of being able to disregard the regulations in the Zongjing Bureau.

“What do you think?” Ruiyang Junzhu increasingly felt that Yu Lingxin was hard to deal with. Conceding was naturally impossible, but to force her way and get angry, she didn’t have much confidence, so she could only put on a contemptuous look, “Today, seeing on behalf of third younger sister’s birthday, temporarily won’t argue with you! If there’s a next time, hmph!” After saying this, she angrily rolled her eyes at Yu Lingxin, flinging her sleeve and turning to leave.

“Junzhu, please wait.” Yu Lingxin’s heart jumped. She didn’t want to let Ruiyang Junzhu go out at this time. Perhaps, because of this conflict, Ruiyang Junzhu will end up putting on a sullen and pitiful look like raindrops on a pear blossom, and if Xun Cong has already arrived…………

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

“What?” Ruiyang Junzhu coldly snorted upon hearing. Turning around, her dainty face was full of anger, “Miss Yu still has something to say?”

At this time, practically everyone’s attention was all on Yu Lingxin. Never mind Yu Yunxin, the Zhu family young ladies, and the Wen family young ladies, even Ming Jinrou and Xun Ying all didn’t understand why Yu Lingxin would once again call out to stop Ruiyang Junzhu. Speaking of which, Ruiyang Junzhu’s attitude just now was already clearly just fierce on the outside but weak on the inside, speechless to respond. And for Yu Lingxin, it practically can be considered a complete victory.

“Not really considered having more to say.” Yu Lingxin completely didn’t pay attention to the others’ gaze. Right now, she just wants to do everything she can to keep Ruiyang Junzhu in the reception hall, stalling for as long as she can. “Just thinking that it’s ultimately Zhu third miss’s birthday, if my words just now made junzhu, as well as the two Zhu family young ladies, upset anywhere, it’s still my inconsideration. Where my manners are lacking, I’m willing to apologize to junzhu, asking junzhu to not angrily leave the banquet.” As she said this, she took half a step forward and slightly bent her knees, curtsying.

Yu Lingxin’s figure was tall and slender, her voice clear and crisp. This entire line was still spoken like how she spoke before, every word firm. Moreover, her current seat was also situated at the center of the reception hall, with the inside and outside of the reception hall in absolute silence. As such, her speech and conduct was just fully taken in clearly by all the guests present.

This can also be considered handing Ruiyang Junzhu half a ladder. Although Yu Lingxin’s tone and expression all didn’t have any signs of flattery or currying favor, it was still considered very magnanimous and sincere. Her movement of going forward and curtsying was further like the moving clouds and flowing waters, elegant and precise, not half-hearted in the slightest.

“Since Miss Yu has offered an apology, junzhu don’t be angry anymore.” The two Zhu family young ladies both relaxed a breath at the same time. As the host of this banquet, regardless of why Ruiyang Junzhu would storm off angrily, the ones that will have no face in the end will actually still be them. Just, after the exchange just now, no one dared to go up directly and ask Ruiyang Junzhu to swallow her anger and stay. At this time, seeing Yu Lingxin make amends and curtsying, they hurriedly went over to support Ruiyang Junzhu on the right and left, “Everyone is all sisters. Today, it’s coming to play. Her Highness the Noble Consort still have bestowments to share with us later. Junzhu is magnanimous, so it’s best to not bicker with the Yu family young lady.”

“Hmph! Fang’er, today, it’s just seeing on your behalf!” Ruiyang Junzhu finally felt that her face came back a little, tapping Zhu third miss’s forehead, “Who let it be your birthday today.” Afterwards, she rolled her eyes at Yu Lingxin again, “Forget it, won’t bicker with someone of this kind of status.”

These words made Ming Jinrou angry again, but seeing how Yu Lingxin completely didn’t mind, her lips even carrying a strangely familiar smile, a certain thought faintly slid across her mind, recalling those two extremely short exchanges between Xun Che and Yu Lingxin prior to the banquet. Although she completely didn’t understand exactly what kind of information those two exchanged, but she suddenly felt that the situation before her eyes perhaps was related?

After all, based on Yu Lingxin’s temperament, her exchanges with Ruiyang Junzhu just now were actually a bit too voluntary, still somewhat different from usual.

Seeing Ruiyang Junzhu’s complexion improve a little, the Zhu family sisters hurriedly said a few more words for the occasion. The inside and outside of the reception hall finally became lively again. After Yu Lingxin sat back down, her expression was further like normal, as if everything just now all didn’t happen.

Yu Yunxin was entirely in a frightened state, not knowing whether or not she should sit closer to her older sister again. Last time, at the Jin Duke Manor, getting into an argument with the Wen family sisters on the spot, she had already lost her soul.

This time, Yu Lingxin actually dared to directly retort the most renowned among the noble daughters of the capital, Ruiyang Junzhu, who was Noble Consort Zhu’s niece, someone that was ten times more favored than Empress Wen. Even though Yu Lingxin had apologized, and the Zhu family young ladies had also smoothed the situation over, Yu Yunxin’s heart still raced violently nonstop, no longer having the excitement of attending an upper class banquet.

But the others’ gaze, either openly or secretly, towards Yu Lingxin were just greatly different. No wonder this Yu family eldest miss can become this close with the Jin Duke Manor and Wen’an Marquis Manor’s young ladies. Regardless whether it’s the composure in her speech and etiquette, or the propriety in her response and conduct, there were all outstanding areas.

Especially this curtsy at the end, although it appeared as if it was Yu Lingxin lowering her head, but in reality, the feeling it gave others was that this Yu eldest miss further had a broad mind and good cultivation, considering for the host family’s face, rather like coaxing a little girl. This further made others have a bit more admiration.

All in all, the atmosphere of the banquet can be considered to have turned around. The exquisite tea and pastries, the in season fresh fruits, and so on were all sent to the respective tables like flowing water. The chatter between the guests also gradually warmed up again.

However, this kind of harmonious scene merely just maintained for a moment.

Just as the Zhu family sisters saw that the guests have all arrived, happily chatting and laughing, and were just about to take out Noble Consort Zhu’s bestowments to show everyone, faint sounds of confusion and chaos suddenly came from the outside. At the same time, a servant woman hastily rushed over with two servant girls. The urgency in her steps as she passed through the garden and entered the reception hall practically wasn’t like the etiquette that one should have coming from the Cheng’en Duke Manor.

Seeing this, the Zhu family young ladies were also startled. When that servant woman finally came close to report, the two of them further changed in complexion at the same time, “What? Search the manor?”

[1] This bureau is completely made up by the author, but from the context, it’s probably in charge of the affairs of the imperial clansmen.