Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

“Cough, why don’t you have some tea and rest for a moment first.” Looking at the Yu Lingxin before her and that table full of account books and paper, Ming Huayue was also a bit embarrassed, lightly coughing.

Yu Lingxin slightly bowed and responded, “Yes.” Afterwards, she had the brush placed down, also having the booklets and paper in hand slightly tidied before closing up.

At this time, it was also time to change the tea. When Ming Huayue beckoned Bishu, she also said to Yu Lingxin, “En, you also come over to this side for tea.”

Yu Lingxin was a bit nervous, but she also didn’t dare to delay, getting up and changing seats.

Very soon, Bishu had the new tea brought up. Ming Huayue casually had the cup lid propped against the edge of the tea boat^[1], dryly coughing again as she gazed towards Yu Lingxin, “How are things at home? Currently in the capital, it’s just your first branch, this one branch?”

Yu Lingxin slightly bowed from her seat, “Yes, my second uncle holds a post in Zhang province’s Bureau of Water Transport, having gotten appointed outside of the capital the year before last. My fourth uncle was transferred by the Ministry of War to the Chen province five years ago, under General Yan’s tent.”

Ming Huayue nodded, not asking anymore. Actually, even this question was also just symbolically asking. The Yu family, in the recent ten years, although had a lot less dealings with the Xun family, but back then, when the old Head Minister Yu and the old Wen’an Marquis were still alive, the relationship was still pretty good.

Another layer of relationship was just her sister-in-law, also Xun Che’s paternal aunt, Xun old madam’s di eldest daughter, Xun Qi, had precisely married into Chang’de Count Manor as the Countess. In other words, Yu Lingxin’s maternal aunt-in-law. That’s why, towards the Yu family’s situation, Ming Huayue was actually still very aware. In fact, on the matter of Yu Bocheng and Qi-shi’s divorce many years ago, the Xun family more or less had also participated a little in the initial mediation and became a witness for the matters afterwards.

Ming Huayue was also a straightforward type. Overly polite exchanges were also tiring for her. After asking a few words about Yu old madam’s body and so on, this topic just came to an end, instead switching to asking about Yu Lingxin’s daily life.

Yu Lingxin slightly lowered her eyes, also very helpless as she answered. Ming Huayue at this time was already completely the attitude of looking her over. These questions about her home and everyday life that were being asked were all what would be asked under normal circumstances, so she naturally knew how to answer.

Just, what was peculiar was that ever since the Linglong Literature Club started, in a month, afraid more than half of the month, she’d spent going between the Jin Duke Manor and Wen’an Marquis Manor. And further don’t need to mention, starting from the ninth month, she just got dragged over by Xun Ying to look at account books with her. Yu Lingxin quickly counted inside. From the ninth month to now, afraid the number of times she’d seen Ming Huayue was even more than the times she’d seen her own grandmother.

After Yu Lingxin vaguely answered a few words, Ming Huayue also felt that it was seemingly the same as not asking, so just changed the topic once again, “En, your courtesy name is Huijun? Then, does your family’s elders call you Huijun or your name?”

Hearing Ming Huayue mention this courtesy name that was originally given by Xun Che, Yu Lingxin was still somewhat embarrassed and could only use the excuse she used for her family to respond, “This was merely a pen name I came up with myself for the poetry club and not bestowed by an elder. That’s why, my family still call me by my name. Just, in front of madam, asking madam to do as one pleases.”

“The meaning of this name actually suits you very much.” Ming Huayue nodded. After all, after letting Yu Lingxin handle this many things, to still call her Miss Yu, it was truly not suitable. But, calling her by her name was seemingly also a bit too intimate, so having such a courtesy name to address her was also not bad.

Speaking of names, Ming Huayue couldn’t help but also ask a few words about her ranking in the family clan, her brothers and sisters, and so on, more or less also touching upon the Yu family, Qi family, and Su family’s relations.

Yu Lingxin completely didn’t mind. The Xun family and Qi family were in-laws. The relations in between, whether she said or not, Ming Huayue was all incomparably clear about. Regardless whether her parents’ actions back then were appropriate or not, and how their temperament were, the current her could only calmly face it all. As such, she just calmly and briefly answered on the spot, not dodging in any way.

Hearing her having such attitude, Ming Huayue further couldn’t help admiring and pitying her a bit more inside. The messy matters in the family, every family all had. Never mind the Jin Duke Manor and Wen’an Marquis Manor each having their respective troubles, just look at the imperial family and the various wang manors, who didn’t have some muddled elder, or some disgraceful and insensible peer or younger generation? Life is just full of this kind of bumps, nothing more than just how each choose to deal with it.

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

“You also don’t have it easy, yet actually this sensible.” Ming Huayue paused for a moment, and then continued with a nod, “Speaking of which, with you coming and going this many times, and also working this hard, as an elder, I still haven’t given you a proper greeting gift. This is rather inconsiderate on my part.” She lowered her head and looked at cornelian bracelet on her wrist currently, “This color is a little too heavy for you to wear. Bishu, go bring that Tianshui Jade set over.”

Yu Lingxin’s face slightly heated up as she lowered her head.

That Tianshui Jade set………in the last lifetime, when she’d gotten engaged to Xun Che, Ming Huayue had given to her before.

Bishu’s movements were very quick. Not long after, she just came back with a brocade case in hand. That was a set of four-piece jade accessories made up of a string of beads, a pair of earrings, one hairpin, and one ruiyi jinbu. The jadeite was deep green and plump, the color lustrous and glistening. Even if just taking out a single item, it’s also of top-quality, and the four pieces placed together, the price was worth more than just a thousand gold.

Even if Yu Lingxin knew Xun Che had already partly received permission from Ming Huayue, and her performance today probably also let Ming Huayue feel satisfied, at this time, her heart still couldn’t help but madly beat, instinctively getting up, “Madam, this is too………I merely just helped Ying’er with some trivial matters, this……….”

Ming Huayue smiled, “Take it, those disappointing few of mine will be troubling you lots in the future.”

Yu Lingxin’s face increasingly heated up, bowing once again. As she accepted the gift with both hands, she softly responded, “Yes.”

Twilight gradually shrouded the surroundings, the early evening lantern lighting up.

After being busy outside for half a day, when returning to the manor again, the first thing Xun Che did was ask Chen Qiao about the horse carriage arrangements, learning that the Yu family’s carriage still haven’t gone back yet, so Yu Lingxin at this time should still be in the manor.

Calculating the time, the evening meal probably had already passed, because Ming Huayue usually ate pretty early. But, for Yu Lingxin to still be here, based on her temper and the current level of workload for the birthday banquet, even if needing to temporarily stay over, it can only be on the nineteenth, the day before the birthday banquet. Then, for her to stay until now, it was probably just waiting for him.

Moreover, given the circumstances, mother presumably won’t give her a hard time either. Although able to make out that there was some feelings between them, but considering how she has worked hard for the birthday banquet, it should still be acceptable.

Xun Che then recalled Ming Huayue and Yu Lingxin’s relationship in the past life, further feeling that they should still be able to get along well. Huijun was that smart and lovable. Perhaps, at this time, they were already happily chatting and laughing.

Thinking to here, Xun Che just inevitably became more impatient. After hastily changing his clothes, he just directly headed over to his mother’s main courtyard.

Sure enough, after notifying and entering the main hall, he just saw Ming Huayue and Yu Lingxin sitting in the host and guest seat respectively. Placed on the small table to the side was lotus heart longjing tea. This was the tea his mother usually drank after a meal.

And on Yu Lingxin’s snow white left wrist, there was suddenly an extra string of deep green lustrous jadeite beads. Xun Che immediately just made out at a glance that it was a piece from the Tianshui Jade set, inevitably becoming even happier inside. When bowing towards Ming Huayue, his voice penetrated with joy, “Mother.”

“En. You’re back.” Ming Huayue’s lips lightly hooked, yet her voice nevertheless contained a bit of cold sternness.

How sharp was Xun Che? He immediately just lifted his eyes and gazed towards his mother and Yu Lingxin.

Ming Huayue’s face was calm and tranquil, not having the slightest good look. As for Yu Lingxin, she had her head deeply lowered, bits and pieces of her hair slightly hanging from her temples. Sweeping a glance over, he was unable to clearly see her expression.

“Is there some change with Cong’er’s injuries?” Xun Che couldn’t help but ask in doubt.

“No.” Ming Huayue indifferently responded, “Actually, there’s a happy matter. Seeing how Huijun is intelligent and clever, also knowing propriety, understanding when to advance or retreat, hitting it off very well with me, so just gave her a greeting gift, taking her as an adopted daughter.”

Xun Che’s mind violently shook, his face instantly turning pale, instinctively turning towards Yu Lingxin.

Yu Lingxin still had her head lowered, seemingly not even daring to give him a glance. In fact, in this moment, she even slightly turned her face in the opposite direction.

Even if he has always posed himself as being matchless in wit, at this time, his entire body was still like as if falling into an icy river, not even able to speak.

Ming Huayue coldly sneered again, “What’s wrong? Did you become dumbstruck from joy? Having such a capable younger sister now, are you happy? Come, Ling’er, go greet your older brother.”

Yu Lingxin still had her head firmly lowered, not daring to look at Xun Che. Her entire body was all faintly shaking, forcibly restraining her emotions, not daring to reveal it. Slowly getting up, she curtsied towards Ming Huayue, softly responding, “Yes.”

That voice seemingly already had a bit of tears. Immediately after, she slowly turned towards Xun Che, bending her knees as she curtsied, “Greeting—–”

“Wait!” Xun Che deeply shouted, turning his body to avoid, not willing to accept Yu Lingxin’s curtsy. At the same time, he lifted his gown and bent his knees, violently kneeling onto the ground with a thud, “Mother! You———”

This kneel of his was both quick and heavy. Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but glance back at Ming Huayue, unable to cover up the shock and worry in her eyes——Madam, have we gone too far?

Ming Huayue was also startled, but she was able to maintain her appearance, not changing her expression, still continuing to coldly snort, “What’s wrong? Do you have something to say? Could it be that towards this new younger sister, you’re dissatisfied? Didn’t you say that the Yu family young miss was intelligent and capable, having the heart of an elder sister, even able to share my burdens? Now that I have this intelligent and capable adopted daughter, everything is all perfect. You also didn’t waste your energy.”

“Mother!” Xun Che, at this time, has already calmed down, suddenly becoming stern, “This is no small matter! You clearly know I——–”

“You what?” Ming Huayue nonchalantly waved her hand, also turning away to not directly face Xun Che anymore, “Ling’er, urge your older brother a little.”

“What older brother!” Xun Che anxiously cried out, and at the same time, moved forward two steps with his knees, “Mother, are you asking for this son’s life!?”

Ming Huayue side glanced at him, coldly sneering, “Finally telling the truth?”

Xun Che was practically about to crush his molars as he gritted his teeth. For a moment, more than ten different kinds of explanations flashed through his mind, his spine both tense and cold. On his pale face, his eyes were already reddening, “Mother, I………..”

“Cough, cough.” Yu Lingxin truly was scared, thus let out two coughs from behind.

“Alright, alright.” This appearance, even Ming Huayue was a bit scared, hurriedly waving her hand, “I don’t want to listen to you say those nonsense. Huijun——-” As she said this, she glanced at Yu Lingxin, unexpectedly turning away again. This while, she was somewhat unable to maintain her expression.

Yu Lingxin practically lost her soul. How could she have expected that Ming Huayue would just have the conclusion of this play tossed over to her. She instinctively retreated a step.

When Xun Che, who was still kneeling on the ground, turned towards her in disbelief, she forcibly squeezed out a smile that was even more unsightly than crying, “Cough, cough, about that, shizi, I………I will be going first……..”

“Stop right there!”

[1] Tea boat – It’s this small tray where the tea pot sits, originating around the Northern Dynasty (420~589), and because it originally took the shape of a boat, it was thus named as such. It’s used to prevent getting water on the table as well as to keep the pot warm when filled with hot water. In later versions, it evolved into two layers with the top layer having a drain to catch excess water.

T/N: If you’re curious what brocade cases look like. They come in different sizes. The inside and outside are all covered and padded in brocade.