Rebirth of the Treacherous Official’s Madam

“Xun Che!” Just as Xun Che’s foot was about to step out of the reception hall’s doorstep, Xun Nanheng called out with a cold face.

This shout although had the suspicion of forcibly reclaiming some face, but when the Wen’an Marquis who has led troops for twenty years really change face, how could that imposing might be child’s play?

In an instant, everyone in the hall was all startled, freezing in place, not daring to move. Their faces that were originally secretly laughing also thoroughly congealed, awkwardly lowering their heads with a bit of fear.

Xun Che’s expression appear as if there was no change, stopping in his steps and turning around like the moving clouds and flowing water, immediately just lifting his gown and dropping on his knees with a thud, “Father, I was wrong.”

To this quickly kneel down and acknowledge his mistake, it was practically the exact same as that time when first mentioning Yu Lingxin in front of Ming Huayue.

Ming Huayue couldn’t help but let out a sneer. This little bastard, now you know to give your father face?

However, just like how Xun Nanheng forcibly turned cold at this time, this reaction of Xun Che’s was still effective. With his head slightly lowered, his back perfectly straight, his kneeling posture was fully of reverence.

As for Xun Ying and Xun Cong, as well as Ming Jinrou and Yu Lingxin, these children naturally all lowered their heads and held their breath, finally letting stern atmosphere that Xun Nanheng was previously brewing for a while with his fierce look return to the reception hall.

“Hmph!” Xun Nanheng looked around at all of them again, the corner of his eye catching glimpse of Xun Ying standing very close to Yu Lingxin, even instinctively pulling Yu Lingxin’s sleeve when suddenly stopping.

She would actually go tug that Yu family young miss when frightened?

Xun Nanheng once again furrowed his brows. Xun Ying has been quiet and shy ever since she was little. It was only after interacting with Ming Jinrou more did she slightly talk a bit more. Prior to ten, she was all very reserved. Whenever she was scared, or have something on her mind, she would all purse her lips and tug the sleeve of someone close to her. If the relationship wasn’t close enough, then even if standing right next to her, she still won’t touch.

Looking at it in this way, Xun Ying’s relationship with this Miss Yu really was very good.

Sweeping another glance at his eldest son who finally put on a sincere and modest attitude, Xun Nanheng finally shook his head, “Fine, fine, why don’t you all go out.”

“Yes.” Xun Che was well aware inside that this matter was already set, but in front of his younger siblings and Yu Lingxin, he still needed to leave enough face for his father. He once again bowed on the spot before getting up with his head lowered, retreating two steps out the door before turning around.

Xun Ying and the others also followed out, finally relaxing a breath. As they closed the door, they mutually looked to one another, and then quietly headed towards Xun Che’s study together.

The Wen’an Marquis’s ‘imposing audience’ this time can be considered to have come to an end, if Ming Huayue’s temper wasn’t that pressing.

Because just as everyone walked a few steps, passing by east side window, Ming Huayue’s cold sneer just clearly sounded from the reception hall, “…………Is it that being with someone else might actually be even better?”

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

As well as, a tone that was completely different from that imposing manner earlier, “Madam——”

Everyone was practically about to break into laughter, but for the sake of avoiding disaster, they respectively held their breath at once, quickly slipping away.

Because they can be considered to have been officially acknowledged in front of Xun Nanheng this time, after coming out from the reception hall, they were too lazy to even cover up like before. Xun Che directly just walked side by side with Yu Lingxin, heading to Qingyu Pavilion’s study to talk.

However, their one month separation this time was unlike before. Although when going up the steps and entering the door, Xun Che held Yu Lingxin’s hand, he wasn’t overly intimate like before. It was probably considering that the marriage arrangement will soon be settled, so no need to be impatient, especially since they still have other things that needed to be discussed.

For instance, Yu Bocheng’s thoughts.

Yu Lingxin was still somewhat conflicted, “On my father’s side, he seems to have a lot of misgivings, especially with the current lawsuit in the Judicial Court. The entire capital is all discussing about it, yet it isn’t good for me to say too much to him.”

“Father-in-law’s side won’t be any trouble.” Xun Che smiled as he took out a box of newly obtained tea leaves, personally brewing, “Don’t worry too much. The Cheng’en Duke Manor’s case, at the very least, will last until the third month. Just let them discuss however they want outside. Actually, what I want is precisely this kind of discussion. As for father-in-law’s side, I’ll go discuss with my maternal uncle in these next two days, going to visit and propose marriage around the fifteenth.”

“The Jin Duke heir has returned to the capital? Wasn’t it said that he can only return after the new year?” Yu Lingxin recalled that Ming Huayue just has two brothers. The shu-born one has been assigned to a post outside of the capital for many years, not having much dealings. The di-born one was just Ming Jincheng and Ming Jinrou’s father, the heir that has yet to inherit the noble title, Ming Yunji, who has already been out traveling for more than half a year.

Xun Che’s smile carried a bit of a sigh, “I wrote a letter to my maternal uncle. He has been carefreely loitering around outside for long enough. It’s time to return to the capital to worry a little about the important matters. Jincheng and the Wen family’s marriage arrangement, only he can decline, only then will Jincheng have more leeway in the future. Of course, also inviting him back in passing to be a matchmaker for our marriage arrangement, just in passing. After all, he has a bit of friendship with father-in-law back in the day.”

Yu Lingxin couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him. At present, the words that she didn’t believe the most from Xun Che was precisely the words ‘in passing’. Where did he have that many convenient ‘in passing’, every idea all containing eight hundred different uses?

However, she indeed knew that back then, when her grandfather, old Head Minister Yu, was still alive, he had a bit of friendship with the old Jin Duke. It wasn’t considered too deep, mainly just liking to play chess together. And the Jin Duke heir, Ming Yunji, in those years, also had some friendship with her father Yu Bocheng through chess.

To say how close the relationship was, it really wasn’t considered anything, but this bit of relationship was still more than enough to be a matchmaker. Furthermore, based on the Jin Duke Manor’s current status, compared with the Yu family’s, the solemnness was more than enough.

“Just this?” Yu Lingxin was a bit hesitant, “Then, what if my father disagrees? He really does dislike you somewhat.”

At this time, Xun Che had already finished brewing the first cup of tea, personally handing it to Yu Lingxin, “Have a taste, it’s the white tea that maternal uncle just brought back. Regarding father-in-law’s thoughts, it’s just like my father’s, nothing more than just feeling that it’s best for them to make the decision on their own on all things. If my guess is correct, what father-in-law dislikes about me the most is probably just the gap in status between our two families, making him feel uneasy inside. In the future, if by chance you were to get bullied, your maiden family will be powerless to help.”

Yu Lingxin lowered her head, taking a sip of the tea. Sure enough, it was very fragrant. At the same time, she also followed along Xun Che’s words, thinking for a moment, “Probably so.”

“As the saying goes, to marry into a higher status family, to take a wife from a lower status family. The gap in status is very common.” Xun Che returned to his seat, also pouring himself a cup, “That can’t be considered anything unsolvable. Besides, father-in-law is lenient and easy-going. Although the matters in front appear to be a lot, but after explaining, he will just understand. It won’t get in the way of anything.”

Yu Lingxin once again slanted her mouth, but didn’t say anything either. After all, she was able to make out Xun Che’s meaning. What ‘lenient and easy-going’, it was all just pleasant sounding words. After going through that many storms in the previous life, and looking over numerous writings and notes left behind by Xun Che, even if unable to completely guess Xun Che’s thoughts, she currently was still able to guess most of it.

Actually, to put it bluntly, it was just that Yu Bocheng’s personality was somewhat indecisive, his ears soft, his sight also not that far. Moreover, his senses towards the overall state of affairs wasn’t that good, so easy to dupe. As long as they invite someone of high status, who was also eloquent, like the Jin Duke heir, over to persuade, then the matter will more or less be set.

“Just do as you see fit.” Yu Lingxin carefully pondered for a moment. She seemingly really was unable to retort anything on her father’s behalf. In the last lifetime, the Yu family collapsing together with the Zhu family wasn’t because Yu Bocheng really had the desire climb up onto the high clouds, thus taking a gamble. In the end, it was still because of Su-shi’s endless pillow talk, and the Su family’s continuous urging. As such, he also just followed along.

If her father was destined to just be someone this easily swayed, then it’s better to just let Xun Che dupe him.

“Right, I actually still want to ask………..” Yu Lingxin took another two sips before having the teacup placed down, also somewhat hesitating with her wording.

Xun Che lifted his eyes and saw her expression, immediately just understanding her meaning. Slightly lowering his eyes again, he got up and walked to the window on the other side, gazing out into the distance, “Regarding Xun Yan’s death?”

“En.” Yu Lingxin although knew Xun Che’s overall plan, but the specific details in regards to how Xun Yan died of poison, she nevertheless didn’t ask. When this matter was being endlessly discussed outside these days, there were many sayings in regards to this matter. As such, she was just a bit curious. Just, when asking, she was also a bit hesitant.

Because she knew, Xun Che actually didn’t want to taint his hands with the Xun family’s blood again in this lifetime.

Xun Che slowly exhaled a breath, “Actually, when still in the carriage, she didn’t completely die.”

“What?” This wasn’t within Yu Lingxin’s expectations, because previously, when Xun Che explained with her, it was mostly focused on how to relentlessly pursue the Zhu family once this matter gets sent to the Judicial Court, as well as after it gets brought up upon the imperial court, uncover the Zhu family’s wealth outlet and human connections through this small opening. She never considered that there would even be this kind of twist.

“A charcoal furnace, hand furnace, and a hot water container were placed inside Xun Yan’s carriage. Each item all have scented spices inside. Those spices although don’t smell very strong, it nevertheless will make one feel agitated and must drink water. The tea prepared in the carriage was personally concocted by Imperial Physician Chi. In the first two hours after drinking, the entire body will become rigid, the breath weakening, appearing just like having died.” Xun Che’s voice was very cold, slowly explaining, “At the time, the second madam wasn’t able to climb onto the carriage to check. Imperial Physician Chi was the one that went to examine. If he says she has stopped breathing, then it’s just that. The second madam started crying, just taking the carriage along with the person to the Judicial Court. By that time, all the spices will have burned up, and what needs to be dispersed will have also finished dispersing. The tea was then taken care of by little Chi.”

“Then……then during the autopsy………..” Yu Lingxin was extremely shocked and also couldn’t help but get up.

“I wouldn’t go as far as to be that ruthless.” Xun Che didn’t turn around, but still bitterly laughed, “When Xun Yan got sent to the Judicial Court, her mind should’ve still been conscious, but the drug in that tea, if unable to take the antidote within a hour, then after four hours, she will undoubtedly die. That’s why, prior to the autopsy that night, she should’ve already thoroughly died.”

“Then, will the Ministry of Justice and Judicial Court suspect that there’s something abnormal about her poisoning?” Yu Lingxin slightly calmed down, but still had doubts.

Xun Che turned around, directly facing Yu Lingxin. His tranquil gaze carried a bit of weariness, and also a bit of firmness, “That drug is extremely unique, and very rare, appearing like the symptoms of slow-acting poison, just the Ministry of Justice and Judicial Court are unable to be certain either. Since unable to be certain, they will just say that it’s ‘suspected to be’, and this line is more than enough for me. After all, what I’m pursuing isn’t how the Zhu family killed Xun Yan, but rather how they colluded.”

He paused for a moment, and then continued, “To retreat a step, even if they are able to determine that Xun Yan got poisoned in the carriage, I can still say that Xun Yan couldn’t bear the humiliation suffered under the Zhu family, thus committing suicide in the carriage. That way, I can still go after the Zhu family. In the worst case scenario, even if they can prove that I poisoned Xun Yan to death, I still can drag down the Zhu family, because they must explain upon the court exactly what happened in the past two months.”

“Shenzhi.” In this moment, Yu Lingxin was like as if seeing the Xun Che of the past life again, exhausting his thoughts for the sake of his family’s grudge, and for the sake of Qin Wang’s throne, only resting upon death.

She strangely felt full of grief inside, reaching out to hug him.

Xun Che conveniently had her taken into his arms, burying his head into her shoulder, “It’s nothing. As long as you know that I’m this kind of person and still willing to be with me, then all of this isn’t considered anything at all.”

“Idiot.”