Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

Yu Lingxin for a moment was so shocked that she didn’t listen too carefully to the latter half of the conversation between her father Yu Bocheng and her grandmother.

But, it was also nothing more than just talking in detail about Qi Ke. She didn’t need to listen to know. In fact, she might even know more details than her father.

On one hand, it was because in the past life, Qi Ke was the flower snatcher (3rd in imperial exam) of Tianxu year 17, achieving success at a young age, becoming the youngest imperial censor during Xuan Emperor’s reign, his official career smooth sailing, his talent and virtuous name known throughout the country, not a single one didn’t hear of him.

And on the other hand, it was because of that subtle hostile relationship between Qi Ke and Xun Che in the last lifetime.

Strictly speaking, Qi Ke wasn’t considered Xun Che’s actual ‘enemy’, because Qi Ke has never supported Changchun Palace’s Noble Consort Zhu, as well as Wu Wang and Wei Wang.

But, ever since Qi Ke entered officialdom, he has just been viewed as an upright and honest leader among the scholars of the younger generation, daring to directly speak out to one’s superior, never once fearing. And the people he accused of misconduct, from the imperial clansmen above, down to the officials of the six ministries, all cannot because of their status or background be slightly exempted.

Xun Che, in the past life, the poison had deeply penetrated into his heart, not knowing in the morning what will happen in the evening. Furthermore, he had accumulated many grudges and hatred, his ruthless means and decisiveness far surpassing an ordinary person. Although his Highness Qin Wang, and even Xuan Emperor in his later years were both able to understand a little, no one was able to stop Qi Ke’s memorandums.

Practically starting from Tianxu year 20, more than half of Qi Ke’s memorandums were all against Xun Che. Just, Qi Ke was also able to differentiate matters extremely clearly. Even though towards Xun Che scheming against Wu Wang and Wei Wang, as well as having massacred his own family’s second branch, Qi Ke endlessly pursued, but towards the new taxation policy that Xun Che raised in the end, he nevertheless very much supported.

As such, after the new emperor ascended the throne and Xun Che passed away, the taxation policy that was drafted by Xun Che was given to Qi Ke in the end. Although afterwards, during the court discussion on adding a posthumous title for Xun Che, Qi Ke still expressed his disapproval and doubt towards Xun Che’s moral character, but the revision and implementation of the tax policy that went through his hands were nevertheless according to Xun Che’s letter from his deathbed, carrying it out very thoroughly.

That’s why, towards the end, Yu Lingxin even faintly felt that although Qi Ke was the rival that accused Xun Che of misconduct the most, he nevertheless was also the one that understood Xun Che’s thoughts the most on practical matters. If not for being forced by the state of affairs, where Xun Che had no choice but to use that many extreme measures, perhaps they could’ve become close friends. They should be able to get along quite well.

While her mind was still wandering, Yu Bocheng was more or less done with praising Qi Ke’s learning and character to Yu old madam, stating in the end, “That’s why, I was thinking, when going to Jingfu Temple to offer sacrifices at the end of the month, how about let Shan’er invite Qi Ke along? When time comes, mother can personally look over that child, what do you think?” As he said this, he glanced at Yu Lingxin.

Yu old madam understood Yu Bocheng’s meaning. At Jingfu Temple, when eating the temple’s vegetarian meal, or drinking tea, they naturally will just meet, also giving Yu Lingxin the opportunity to see for herself.

If it doesn’t work out, it’ll just be considered Yu Zhengshan having invited a schoolmate along, especially given the fact that Qi Ke was also Chang’de Count Manor’s side branch, can be considered Yu Lingxin’s distantly related older cousin, so even if meeting, it won’t be considered going against etiquette.

On the contrary, if the children meet and indeed feel pretty good about the matter, then this youth who has a simple family, as well as good learning and character, perhaps really can be a better match than the Wen’an Marquis heir.

“Alright.” Yu old madam thought for a moment, and then hesitantly nodded, “We originally will be going to Jingfu Temple at the end of the month anyways. If we encounter someone, then it’s just encountering.” As she said this, she similarly looked at Yu Lingxin.

Facing her father and grandmother’s gaze, Yu Lingxin could only awkwardly lower her head.

She naturally didn’t have any intention of looking over Qi Ke. Towards Qi Ke, she also didn’t have any curiosity, because in the last lifetime, when Xun Che was still alive and after his death, she’d met Qi Ke more than once. In fact, in the past life, in the last month prior to passing away from illness, she’d even coincidentally encountered at Jingfu Temple Qi Ke, who was about to enter the cabinet to assist in politics, as well as his original wife, who didn’t have a high birth, yet he ultimately never abandoned from beginning to end.

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

Just, at this time, Yu Lingxin didn’t have any excuse to go against her father excitedly arranging some Jingfu Temple chance encounter. Going to Jingfu Temple every two months to pray and offer sacrifices for her deceased grandfather and third uncle was originally something their family did. As they approached the twelfth month, they further needed to prepared for the big rites. As the eldest branch’s eldest granddaughter, she further had to go.

As for going to meet someone in person, rather than opposing now, it was better to slightly nitpick after meeting in order to better refuse.

Holding this kind of thought, Yu Lingxin naturally didn’t oppose. This also made Yu Bocheng increasingly gratified and happy, excitedly bringing up the specific arrangements for the Jingfu Temple trip.

Yu Lingxin although was listening to the side, her thoughts had long flown out of the capital.

The weather outside was already this cold, exactly how troublesome were Xun Che’s matters outside, or perhaps, how many twists and turns were required? Will he get sick? Was there any dangers? Since he didn’t even pass back a single message, then he must really be very busy………..

Thirtieth of the eleventh month, light snow.

Not long after the morning meal, the Yu family’s horse carriage just set off towards Jingfu Temple. Yu Lingxin sat in the carriage holding a hand furnace. Along the way, she unexpectedly felt extremely bored.

Perhaps, she really missed a certain someone, to the extent that when she got on the carriage, she actually even faintly had a certain thought.

However, when lifting the curtains and seeing the inside of the carriage empty, Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but inwardly scold herself———–What was she randomly thinking about? He still hasn’t returned to the capital yet. Even if returning to the capital, he still has a lot of matters to take care of, where did he have the time to come over everyday? Xun Yan’s matter was still pending, Wen’an Marquis will also be returning to the capital soon, and how many matters were there in the palace at the end of the year?

But no matter how reasonable and fair these thoughts were, she still could clearly sense her heart fill with worry and disappointment. This feeling was even a bit familiar.

In the past life, she had watched over the enormous Wen’an Marquis Manor alone, watching over his memorial tablet, and it was also in that long twelve years, waiting day by day. Just, at the time, the only thing she could wait for was just for their adopted heir to come of age, take a wife and have children, upholding the family name. That’s why, she can also be considered to have not let down Xun Che, and not let down the Wen’an Marquis Manor.

Now, what she was waiting for was naturally different. She had even more hope, and at the same time, also had even more worries and thoughts. No matter how steady and patient she was, when thinking of a certain someone whose safety was unknown at this time, she would inevitably feel distressed.

Fortunately, they arrived at Jingfu Temple very soon, a rather good place to mediate and pray. When following her grandmother and father inside, Yu Lingxin also secretly prayed for Xun Che, finally calming down a little inside.

At precisely the si hour^[1], the sacrificial offerings and prayers were completed. The Yu family headed over to the side hall specifically set up for tea together. Yu Bocheng even glanced a few more times at Yu Lingxin, sweeping over the white jade lily flower on her head, the light green brocade cloak on her body, and then looked at her pretty little face. That stance of wanting to let his own daughter meet a handsome young man wasn’t covered up in the slightest.

Seeing her father this eager and excited, Yu Lingxin was both helpless, and also somewhat wanted to laugh. If it was some other matter, she perhaps would follow along her father’s wish, so as to avoid letting him be excited for nothing, but this matter before her………..

Just as she was thinking this, she just heard Yu Zhengshan who was walking in the front and entered the side hall first gasp in surprise, “Eh? Such coincidence?”

Yu Lingxin slanted her mouth in the back upon hearing. Yu Zhengshan’s acting skills at present really were increasingly outstanding. Qi Ke was his senior at Qingyang Academy. This so called ‘chance encounter’ was also arranged by him. This voice of ‘surprise’ really did sound a bit too sincere.

She couldn’t help but look towards her father. Yu Bocheng’s entire face was full of smiles, slightly nodding towards her. His eyes were like as if presenting a treasure, seemingly saying, ‘Look at the talented individual your father picked for you!”

However, in the next moment, before everyone of the Yu family completely stepped into the side hall, they just heard the voice inside respond to Yu Zhengshan, “Brother Shan is extremely right. This foolish older brother had just returned to the capital. This is accompanying one’s mother and younger sister out to relax a little.”

As the voice entered the ears, the expression on Yu Bocheng’s face just froze for an instant.

As for Yu Lingxin, she immediately turned her head to look in the other direction, not letting her father see the changes in her expression that she similarly can’t suppress in this moment.

At this time, Yu Zhengshan had already came out again, coming over to support Yu old madam, while also quickly giving Yu Bocheng a glance, “Grandmother, uncle, today really is quite coincidental. Xun second brother and his family also came to Jingfu Temple.”

Yu old madam’s heart slightly jumped, but on the surface, it completely didn’t show, just saying with a smile, “In that case, it really is quite a coincidence.”

Entering the side hall, they sure enough just saw Xun Che and his family already there drinking tea. Ming Huayue was sitting in the middle. At her two sides were Xun Ying and Ming Jinrou. Additionally, Xun Cong and Ming Jincheng were also accompanying them at the other side.

The two families suddenly meeting like this, the people of the Yu family were all very surprised. When mutually greeting, they all couldn’t help but somewhat size up the other party. Yu Lingxin stood behind Yu old madam, secretly sweeping a glance over, immediately having an understanding inside. This so called coincidence clearly wasn’t that coincidental!

Especially Xun Cong and Xun Ying, these two, who were the worst at pretending, the expression on their face clearly was just relaxing a breath. Moreover, they even gazed towards her at the same time, all the way until Xun Che let out a cough did they finally lower their heads a little.

And following his voice, Yu Lingxin also secretly glanced over, carefully looking over that familiar face and figure before also lowering her head. Her nose was actually a bit stuffy. She forcibly endured again and again before finally lowering her eyes and following the old madam over to greet Ming Huayue, appropriately responding a few words.

At this time, the one that was the most awkward was actually still Yu Bocheng. He originally wanted to call Qi Ke over to let the old madam and Yu Lingxin see. This kind of clean and upright young scholar that had a simply family structure was what was considered a good match. Who knew that before Qi Ke even arrived, they just directly encountered the Xun family in Jingfu Temple. Among them, there was even that Wen’an Marquis heir who was surrounded by rumors outside, his talented reputation and infamy mixing together, hard to distinguish between black and white!

Moreover, hearing the meaning in Yu old madam and Ming Huayue’s words, they actually wanted the two families to sit together and chat. Then, wouldn’t that mean that before his daughter even get to see Qi Ke, she will first be drinking tea with that Xun-shizi?

Thinking to here, Yu Bocheng somewhat awkwardly coughed, glancing at Su-shi by his side, giving her a meaningful look.

Su-shi forcibly smiled, then looked at the scene before her. Immediately after, she directly turned away, pretending to not understand Yu Bocheng’s meaning.

The Wen’an Marchioness had already this openly expressed her fondness towards the eldest miss. As the step-mother, can she just go over to suggest the two families sit separately? Placed in other people’s eyes, won’t that just be the step-mother being envious of the original wife’s di daughter’s good marriage arrangement?

She didn’t want to rush to court death!

And at this time, just as Ming Huayue and Yu old madam both ordered the servants to go arrange the tables for the two families to sit together, Qi Ke finally arrived outside.

[1] Si hour – 9-11am