Chapter 28 FCADW? IRTBTMOFMM
FlamingoBees
Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)
Favoring Concubines and Destroying Wives? I Refuse to be the Mistress of this Marquis' Mansion
Chapter 28:
Kowtow
"This is your Uncle Yi."
Lin Yunwan pulled her younger brother, Lin Yunyi, in front of Lu Chang Gong.
Lu Chang Gong saluted and shouted, "Uncle."
Lin Yunyi had no younger siblings, suddenly becoming an uncle, feeling a bit awkward. He lightly nodded and said, "Chang Gong, get up."
Lu Chang Gong didn't feel it inappropriate and stood up straight.
Lady Guo and Madam Lin laughed. Lin Yunwan also covered her smile with a handkerchief and said to Lin Yunyi, "You're really putting on airs."
Lin Yunyi raised an eyebrow and said, "Of course, I am an uncle."
Like a handsome rooster, he walked up the stone steps with pride.
Lin Yunwan smiled and told Lu Chang Gong, "Your uncle is easygoing, just has the typical temperament of a scholar. Don't be afraid of him."
Lu Chang Gong smiled, "Mother, I know."
Madam Lin said, "Alright, don't delay any longer, go up."
The group went up the mountain.
© translations belonging to flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.
The journey wasn't far. After passing the graveyard, there was a famous Chixiang Temple further up. It was said that the Buddha here was very efficacious. Although the location was remote and quiet, it still had a thriving incense.
They had originally planned to eat a vegetarian meal on the mountain. Lin Yunwan had already sent an invitation to the temple, and the abbot had prepared to welcome the guests.
Lin Yunyi was energetic, tall, and walked quickly. However, he wouldn't go too far, just a few steps ahead of Lin Yunwan and the others, occasionally looking back.
"Yunwan, why didn't you bring the other child from your family?"
Lady Guo expressed concern for Lin Yunwan.
As they were family, Lin Yunwan had nothing to hide. She said, "Recently, the mansion has invited Teacher Zhang Feng'an to be Qing Ge'er's tutor. Teacher Zhang has always been strict, and since he didn't grant a day off today, and considering Qing Ge'er's temperament, I didn't bring him."
Everyone could tell it was just an excuse.
Offering condolences to deceased elders, how could a teacher not agree? Lady Guo casually said, "It's more important for Qing Ge'er's studies."
They stopped discussing the matters of the Lu family and turned to inquire about Chang Gong's studies.
"Where has Young Master reached in 'Bamboo Branches'?"
Lu Chang Gong replied, "I've reached the fourth section."
Lady Guo calculated the time since Lin Yunwan took the scriptures from her, smiling and saying, "So fast?"
Lin Yunwan couldn't help but praise him, "He's very diligent. Everything he learns, he grasps immediately, and I don't have to worry much."
Lady Guo glanced at Lu Chang Gong and nodded.
Hearing this, Lin Yunyi quickly stopped and waited for them to catch up. He asked, "What are you praising him for?"
Lin Yunwan said, "We're praising him for being so young, unlike you, who acts like a monkey returning home when you climb the mountain."
Everyone laughed, and Lin Yunyi protested, "Sister, you can't say that about me. I'm still very steady outside." It was just that when with family, he couldn't help but be a bit more unrestrained.
Madam Lin laughed, "Why do I smell sourness[1]?"
Laughter filled the air again.
Lin Yunyi rubbed his nose. Why not? Wasn't he allowed to feel a bit jealous of his own sister? Lu Chang Gong pursed his lips and shyly comforted Lin Yunyi, "Uncle, I'm young, so Mother takes care of me more. When I grow up, I'll take care of Uncle too."
Lin Yunyi laughed, "We're just joking. Can't I banter with my own nephew?"
Madam Lin smiled, and tears welled up in her eyes, cloudy and a bit painful. It was a problem that occurred after losing her eyesight.
"Mother, let me wipe it with a handkerchief first."
© translations belonging to flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.
Wiping with a dry handkerchief didn't bring much relief. Lin Yunwan asked the maids behind if they had water, and everyone shook their heads. Since the worship was done, they were planning to rest at the temple, so they hadn't brought many things. Lin Yunwan and her brother blamed themselves for neglecting even such a small thing.
Madam Lin said, "It's okay; we can wipe it at the temple later."
After walking for a while, Lu Chang Gong quietly told Lin Yunwan, "Mother, I dropped something. I'll go back and pick it up."
Lin Yunwan nodded and sent a maid to accompany him.
Lu Chang Gong hurriedly ran back in three or four steps.
As they approached Lord Lin's tomb, memories of the past filled everyone's minds, and no one felt like talking. Lin Yunyi was the first to reach the tomb. Looking at the clean gravestone, he remarked, "Oh, someone has already been here." There was even a bouquet of flowers placed.
It wasn't surprising; before becoming the Grand Tutor, Lord Lin had many students, and there were other Lin family members' graves nearby.
Lin Yunwan said, "It could be Father's student or someone from the family."
Madam Lin stood in front of her late husband's grave and couldn't help but cry for a while. Lin Yunwan, although also feeling sad, managed to comfort her mother first, considering that her mother's eyes would be uncomfortable if filled with tears.
Madam Lin soon said, "I'm fine now."
Her husband had passed away for several years, and like her children, she had gradually grown accustomed to it. She wasn't overwhelmed with grief, just teary-eyed.
"Mother."
Lu Chang Gong, who knows when he arrived, had a water flask in his hand. His forehead was covered in sweat, and he seemed a bit out of breath.
Lin Yunwan looked at him in surprise.
Lu Chang Gong said, "Mother, could you... let me wipe it for Madam...?" He also knew how to read the situation. Along the way, Madam Lin hadn't acknowledged him, so he didn't dare to call her grandmother recklessly.
Lin Yunwan smiled and took the water flask. Wetting the handkerchief, she wiped Madam Lin's eyes.
Mrs. Lin held the damp handkerchief and felt moved, saying, "Since you're here, bow to your grandfather."
Lin Yunwan teased, "What are you standing silly for when your grandmother is talking to you?"
Lu Chang Gong snapped back to reality, hastily knelt and kowtowed before Grand Tutor Lin's grave. Lin Yunyi helped him up.
It didn't take long before everyone prepared to leave.
Lady Guo said, "I won't go to the Chixiang Temple. I don't believe in these things, and going there might offend the monks. Even if I don't worship gods and Buddhas, I still respect living people." She had always been like this, with her own set of principles, silently abiding by them.
Madam Lin didn't insist on her staying.
Lin Yunwan also nodded and said, "Alright." She became even more puzzled; how could Lady Guo have an accident in a Buddhist place?
She walked a few steps with her to send her off and mentioned, "If I have time, I would like to visit your mansion and seek advice on some matters related to fragrance blending."
Lady Guo readily agreed.
The sense of smell was crucial in fragrance blending, and Lin Yunwan had some natural talent. She was eager to have a good apprentice. After the agreement, she descended from the mountain.
After seeing off Lady Guo, Lin Yunwan turned around and saw Lu Chang Gong and Lin Yunyi having a serious conversation. Mostly, it was Lin Yunyi speaking while Lu Chang Gong listened. After all, Lu Chang Gong's knowledge was still limited, and he couldn't say much in front of Lin Yunyi.
Watching her adopted son and younger brother, her desire to learn fragrance blending grew stronger.
In her previous life, she had spent her entire energy dealing with the wolves in the Marquis of Wu Ding's mansion. This time, she would take good care of her own dowry. No matter how much it was, it would be a help to her natal family in the future, allowing her mother and brother to live more comfortably.
Thinking about the future, Lin Yunwan felt very good. She smiled and said, "Let's go, let's enter the temple."
The two young men immediately obediently followed.
© translations belonging to flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.
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