Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Seeing Chen Qiao leave with Xun Che’s letter, Ming Jincheng also sent his personal guard to pass on his order. Shortly after, he gazed towards Xun Che again, “Shenzhi, exactly what do you intend to do? To actually want to dispatch guards to catch Xun Yan, this is not wanting to leave the slightest sentiments at all?”

Xun Che took a sip of tea, “Sentiments and whatnot have actually long been gone. Leaving or not, it’s merely just seeing on my father’s behalf. In his heart, he has always felt somewhat guilty towards the old madam. This bit, I understand. But, since Xun Yan already dare to return to the capital alone, while also colluding with Ruiuang and the Zhu family, then that’s just her bringing about her own end, what sentiments and face should I leave them?”

Ming Jincheng brows furrowed even tighter, “This matter, exactly how much certainty do you have? In the end, isn’t it that no one has actually seen Xun Yan appear in person before? The so called evidence is just your wife smelling the scent of lilac on Ruiyang. What if that is just lilac fragrant powder Ruiyang obtained from elsewhere? It’s not like the Liu province is the only place in the world that produces that so called flower powder.”

Xun Che indifferently snorted, “Why don’t you have everything that happened that day thought over again. Jinrou and Ruiyang have always been at odds with one another. Ruiyang, someone that prideful and arrogant, has never gained any advantages over Jinrou before. Afterwards, when Huijun and I were riding Jinrou’s horse carriage back to the Yu manor, we nevertheless got blocked. Clearly, Ruiyang was really looking for Jinrou. What did she originally want to say to Jinrou? Start another fight in the streets?”

“She actually can try.” Ming Jincheng sneered, “In the Zhu manor, Jinrou would still have some misgivings, because ultimately visiting as a guest. Overturning someone’s flower pavilion would make her appear mannerless. But, if Ruiyang were to dare look for trouble in the streets, Jinrou not tearing apart her carriage on the spot can be considered to be looking after Youjiang Wang Manor’s face.”

Xun Che lightly tapped against the tabletop, “So, what do you think Ruiyang originally wanted to say to Jinrou?”

Getting asked like this by him, Ming Jincheng’s look also became somewhat serious. He has always put very little thought into these inner manor affairs between the womenfolk, especially the petty arguments between little girls, but following Xun Che’s train of thought, he also became puzzled, “Indeed, what was Ruiyang looking for Jinrou for? At the time, it was on the way back to the Yu manor. Could it be that she wanted to give your wife trouble? But, that also shouldn’t be the case, she was going straight for Jinrou.”

Xun Che casually picked up a sheep-fat jade paperweight to caress in hand, a trace of mockery emerging on his lips, “If my guess is correct, at the time, Ruiyang went to make peace with Jinrou. Just, she instead got compelled to say ‘shu is inferior to the di’ by Huijun. This pretext for gossip was truly too serious, so the matter of making peace also got tossed aside first.”

“Why would Ruiyang Junzhu voluntarily look for Jinrou to reconcile?” Ming Jincheng repeatedly shook his head, “Based on that temper of hers, to not directly run to the palace to complain was already not bad, to even voluntarily——”

Speaking to here, Ming Jincheng paused on his own first. Regarding the exchange between Yu Lingxin and Ruiyang that day, Xun Che had already roughly recounted to him once before. Just, he still hadn’t carefully pondered over it yet, instead going to mobilize the capital’s guards first according to Xun Che’s plan. At this time, recalling how there was someone in the carriage repeatedly coughing to warn Ruiyang, he immediately just understood exactly where Xun Che’s speculation came from.

Xun Che waited for him to ponder for a moment before continuing, “In terms of intelligence, to be able to ride in the same carriage, while also able to persuade Ruiyang, it’s probably just Xun Yan. Noble Consort Zhu and the Cheng’en Duke Manor had spent that much effort putting out such a flower banquet, yet first, there was the argument during the banquet, and afterwards, there was also the manor search, ending up in such a mess, how could Noble Consort Zhu be willing to accept this outcome? Towards the outside, looking into this matter was one thing, but internally, they have no choice but to try to pacify. Whether it’s Ruiyang, or the Zhu family young ladies, they all need to emphasize their innocence or find ways to make up for it in front of Changchun Palace.”

He paused for a moment. Once Ming Jincheng nodded, Xun Che coldly sneered, “Of course, if to say that at the time, it was an experienced palace maid bestowed down by Noble Consort Zhu in the carriage, it’s not completely impossible either. Just, if really the case, then should’ve been able to be seen during the flower banquet, and there wouldn’t have been that argument with Huijun either. And the last case is just the second branch’s letter. Exactly what are they delaying for? Isn’t it precisely because Xun Yan can’t go out?”

“Alright.” Ming Jincheng thoroughly put down that bit of doubt. But, another question just emerged in his mind, “Then, what are you blocking Xun Yan for? She is ultimately your family’s second branch’s eldest di daughter, the pearl of your family’s old madam’s eye. If you really do something to her, would your old madam not fight with you to the death?”

Xun Che coldly laughed, “The first matter, I precisely want to see exactly what kind of methods she has. The old madam’s birthday banquet is on the twentieth. On the nineteenth, there will be people coming from the palace first. As long as the second branch still want to show their faces at this birthday banquet, then they must arrive in the capital on the eighteenth. If Xun Yan is unable to leave the capital and join up with them, then she will be unable to legitimately and justifiably return.”

“Then, what if she succeeds in sneaking out?” Ming Jincheng leaned back on the back of the chair, “Didn’t she precisely soundlessly sneak in back then?”

Xun Che smiled, “Then, will have to ask you, to not even be able to catch her, this post of yours in the capital’s army is also taken up in vain. Besides, retreating a thousand steps, if she really can to find some ‘magical ladder’ to send her out of the city, then we can just follow its tracks and investigate, perhaps can even have someone dragged down. Moreover, it can also make my father thoroughly give up on the second branch. That way, I also won’t have any misgivings later on.”

“Then, what if they just go all out, admitting that she’s precisely close with Ruiyang, thus returning to the capital early?” Ming Jincheng furrowed his brows again, “That isn’t some serious offense either.”

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

Xun Che calmly spoke, “If she really does this, then it won’t be good for me to have her forcibly blocked outside. Just, based on Xun Yan’s high view of herself, since she dared to return to the capital alone, then she certainly will believe that she can go out without being discovered. I predict that she won’t admit to being mannerless, leaving material for gossip. Besides, being on good terms with Ruiyang is also her pride. If Xun Yan doesn’t have the intention to hide, then she would’ve long said so already, why have her entire branch’s return trip delayed again and again?”

Ming Jincheng’s heart suddenly jumped, “Could it be that her return to the capital wasn’t just for seeing Ruiyang?”

Xun Che’s eyes were filled with chilliness, “This is for sure. Just, some details, at present, I’m still not a hundred percent sure of yet. For the time being, just wait and see, we’ll know soon enough. At present, just need to see on the eighteenth, exactly what kind of excuse the second branch will give that day. If they say that Xun Yan is already in the capital, then I will even praise her for being resolute. Else—–”

He paused for a moment, suddenly hooking his lips. Just, that faint smile made Ming Jincheng’s back turn cold, “Just don’t think about returning.”

Ming Jincheng this time really was shocked. He and Xun Che were like actual brothers, so naturally knew that the Xun family first branch and second branch didn’t get along, including Xun Che’s paternal aunt that had married into the Chang’de Count Manor as Madam Qi’s subtle position, and so on. But, towards Xun Yan, this younger tang sister of the second branch, Xun Che really has already produced killing intent?

However, he didn’t continue asking, because Xun Che had already gotten up, slowly walking to the window, standing with his hands behind his back.

Based on their understanding of one another as brothers, Ming Jincheng knew that Xun Che has already made up his mind.

The following days just passed even quicker. In Wen’an Marquis Manor, there was an endless stream of horse carriages. The preparations, transport, and inventory check of the various goods for the birthday banquet on the twentieth were tedious and endless like running water. Ming Jincheng and Ming Jinrou just directly stayed over at the Xun manor. Yu Lingxin also once again reported to her grandmother that in the following days, she will be going over everyday for half a day to help Ming Huayue and Xun Ying.

During this period, even though Xun Che and Yu Lingxin met in the manor from time to time, they naturally didn’t have any energy to make flirting glances. Usually, when meeting, it was just reporting the matters in hand in a few words before respectively carrying on with their own matters.

On the eighteenth of the tenth month, after the afternoon meal, Xun Che and Ming Jincheng took the somewhat nervous Xun Cong out of the city to go receive the second branch.

When going out, Xun Che was unexpectedly somewhat dragging his feet for once, actually making Ming Huayue a bit impatient, “Since you already said that you’ll be going out to receive, then just head out early. If by chance they arrive first, then later, it’ll be our fault again.”

Xun Che just smiled, “Mother, don’t worry, we certainly won’t be late. You all just need to be at ease and take care of your own matters at home. The time in which the second branch will enter the city certainly will be very close to the city gate’s closing time.”

“How are you this certain?” Ming Huayue although wasn’t that concerned about the second branch’s schedule, but towards Xun Che’s confident attitude, she was a bit curious.

Xun Che however didn’t explain more with his mother, just revealing his usual smile, and then casually patted Xun Cong’s shoulder, “The machinations of the heavens cannot be revealed. Mother, just rest assured. We will be heading out first.”

Getting patted by his brother, Xun Cong just quivered, but also didn’t dare to say anything, quickly bowing and following him out.

Ming Huayue stared at her son’s departing figure and couldn’t help but let out a hmph. This is just what’s not good about that brat having a good brain, always liking to be mysterious. Suddenly having a thought, she turned towards Yu Lingxin, “Huijun, do you know what he means?”

Yu Lingxin naturally knew, but how can she really answer these words? At the same time, while inwardly cursing Xun Che, she could only awkwardly smile on the outside, “This, maybe because the schedule has changed too many times, probably due to the trip not being smooth.”

Ming Huayue slanted her mouth, feeling that this also wasn’t the truth, but in the end, she also didn’t care that much, especially given this time. She just shook her head and went to look for the servant woman in charge to talk.

On the other side, after Xun Che and them went out of the city, they just stopped at Wangchuan Pavilion to drink tea. At first, Ming Jincheng still felt that Xun Che letting someone bring a tea furnace^[1] and desserts was truly excessive, yet unexpectedly, they really just waited here for an entire four hours. All the way until the sunset clouds can be seen on the horizon did the second branch’s horse carriages finally appear on the official road entering the capital.

Chai Guangyi, as well as Ming Jincheng’s attendant, had all gotten sent out half a li^[2] to wait on them. At this time, someone sped the horse back to report, “Second young master, the old madam and second master’s carriages have arrived!”

Ming Jincheng was a bit impatient, getting up first.

Xun Cong had sat drinking tea and chatting with his two older brothers for an entire afternoon, so had actually relaxed a little. Just, at this time, he still instinctively followed Xun Che’s movements, extremely cautious.

Xun Che was still sitting. All the way until he saw the second branch’s carriages appear before his eyes did he finally calmly dust his own gown and slowly left his seat.

The servants immediately came to collect the tea set and other items inside Wangchuan Pavilion. Xun Cong and Ming Jincheng also both walked out to welcome. No one noticed on Xun Che’s handsome face behind them, cold killing intent flashing by once more.

Another moment later, the second branch’s carriages just arrived before them. After the servants passed on their word, the carriages all stopped. The second branch’s two sons, Xun Ze and Xun Tan, climbed down first, coming over to greet.

Xun Che finally went forward. As tang brothers of the same generation, they briefly chatted a few words about the trip. Xun Ze was very polite, while Xun Tan was very cautious. In the two brothers’ words back and forth, it was just some the of excuses mentioned in the letters previously, such as the old madam feeling fatigued by the trip, the horse carriage having some small problems, and so on.

That bit of smile on Xun Che’s lips was dull from beginning to end, making one’s back grow cold. Although the corner of his lip was indeed raised a little, but in that tranquil expression, there was nevertheless a kind of aloof and cold indifference faintly contained within.

Once Xun Ze had all the excuses explained twice, Xun Tan’s gaze also began to flicker, finally having the excuse in regards to Xun Yan repeated again.

“So, because her body is unwell, Xun Yan needs to stay a few more days in the Liu province, then return to the capital alone?”

Hearing Xun Che’s tone being this cold, even addressing by her full name, calling out Xun Yan’s name like an outsider, Xun Ze’s heart tightened again and couldn’t help but glance back in the direction of his family’s carriages before hesitantly nodding, “This…………indeed wasn’t expected. Yan’er, prior to leaving, was a bit unwell. The doctor said that afraid she can’t rush to set out, so……….”

Xun Che suddenly smiled, “What a coincidence, yesterday, I’d just sent someone to the Liu province to handle something. Then, how about picking up the eldest miss while they are there?”

[1] See below, basically used to boil tea and keep tea warm.

[2] 1 li = ~500m