Chapter 2 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM
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 2:
Cold Shoulder
"That Qing Ge'er is just somewhat similar to the heir, but his character is obviously not upright. The Old Madam really shouldn't have chosen him. Now with this kind of child, Madam will have a less peaceful future. Madam, how did you know about the callus on Qing Ge'er's right hand from writing?"
She certainly knew!
Qing Ge'er grew up in the countryside, although he studied and learned to write with a teacher, his foundation was somewhat shaky. If things continued like this until the imperial examination, how could he present a decent piece of calligraphy?
Feeling anxious, she kept a close eye on the child from the moment he entered the mansion, personally correcting his every move. Not only did she notice the callus on his right middle finger, but she also knew how he held the pen, how he started and finished strokes. Ironically, this attention became one of the reasons he resented her.
What's amusing is that he never mentioned it, even though the graceful style everyone praised, the palace-style calligraphy, was taught by her day and night.
Lin Yunwan lowered her eyes and casually said, "I didn't really know; it was just a casual remark."
So that's how it is. Tao Ye didn't inquire any further.
Lin Yunwan sat in front of the bronze mirror, assessing herself.
In her previous life, she had been bedridden, looking withered, and all the color of her face was long gone. She had almost forgotten what she looked like.
Now, comparing her current self to her appearance to before her death in the past life, it was indeed a world of difference.
Ping Ye walked over with a smile and said, "Madam's beauty was already famous within the women's chambers. In the seven years since you came to the Marquis' residence, it hasn't diminished in the slightest. Madam, don't worry. When the Eldest Son returns to the Marquis's residence, within half a year..."
Lin Yunwan couldn't help but laugh, "Within half a year, then what?"
She still remembered the first words spoken by Little Marquis Lu Zhenliu on their wedding night, "Marrying you was not my intention," followed by seven years of neglect. It chilled her heart, extinguishing any hope of marital bliss and raising children. Otherwise, in her past life, she wouldn't have agreed to adopt someone else's son at such a young age.
© 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.
Ping Ye picked up an ivory comb, not continuing the conversation.
"Help me remove the hairpin, I want to take a nap."
Lin Yunwan was very indifferent.
"Madam, are you feeling tired again?"
After marrying into the Marquis' residence, she gradually took control of household affairs. Although the Old Madam managed the overall situation from behind, all the daily trivial matters were handled by her. Lately, it had been strange. She often returned to the Chen Si Tang[1] and wanted to sleep. However, seeing Lin Yunwan looking very tired, Ping Ye felt a deep sense of pity and helped her rest.
Lin Yunwan closed her eyes and lay down on the bed, gradually falling asleep.
In the twenty years when she managed the household in her previous life, she woke up earlier than the rooster and went to sleep later than the dogs. In the last period of her life, she couldn't sleep through the night due to illness. Coming back to life, she really wanted to take a good rest.
~
Five days later, Lu Zhenliu smoothly returned to the capital, and the Marquis' residence sent people to the pier in advance to welcome him.
Returning from the meeting hall to her courtyard, Lin Yunwan was ready to change into different clothes to greet her husband.
Ping Ye quickly picked out a water-red silk-lined jacket and a golden embroidered brocade skirt for Lin Yunwan.
After all, it was to meet her husband, and the lady should wear something festive.
However, Lin Yunwan chose a set of simple and dignified clothing. In her past life, at this time when her husband returned home, she was indeed very happy because of her innocence, always holding a faint expectation of marital harmony... Fortunately, all that was from the previous life.
Ping Ye sighed secretly but also felt fortunate that the Madam had woke up early, which might be a good thing.
The master and servants went together to Yu Shou Tang[2].
It had been many years since Lu Zhenliu returned home, and he finally came back to the mansion. Yu Shou Hall was filled with crying and hugging.
When Lin Yunwan entered, she saw a tall and imposing figure of a man. Due to the hasty return, he was still wearing black armor with a pair of black boots adorned with cloud patterns. Having spent five years in the military camp, he had shed some of the habits of an aristocrat, gaining a bit more of the sternness of a military officer. She had to admit that, judging by appearances, Lu Zhenliu is indeed an attractive figure.
"Greetings to Old Madam and to the Heir," said a woman with a gentle and distant voice, but it was also pleasant and captivating.
Lu Zhenliu supported the almost fainting Old Madam while raising his head to take a glance, surprised to the point of speechlessness. The remembered Lin Yunwan was beautiful but quiet and plain.
Now, the facial features remained unchanged, and she was even more plain in her dressing than before. However, she seemed more beautiful, with fair skin, well-defined eyebrows and eyes, and rosy lips. Originally, her extremely charming appearance might easily give people a frivolous impression, but due to her graceful demeanor, she appeared dignified and noble.
She had changed so much compared to a few years ago.
© 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.
Lu Zhenliu regained his senses, nodded slightly towards Lin Yunwan in response. Thinking about the other woman who deeply loved him, who was waiting for him to bring her into the Mansion from outside, his gaze quickly became cold.
Lin Yunwan greeted and didn't look at him again.
© 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 Marquis, Lu Zhenliu's father, had lost a leg on the battlefield, survived miraculously, but had suffered two strokes in a row, leaving him with unclear consciousness. Currently, he sat in a wheelchair, unable to speak coherently, with saliva soaking his clothes.
Her Mother-in-law, Madam Wei, was always a spineless person, crying heavily, she was almost out of breath.
Lin Yunwan calmly directed people to clean the Marquis' face and helped Madam Wei and the Old Madam to stand up. The maidservants also conscientiously performed their duties.
In the blink of an eye, the atmosphere in the main hall became solemn and orderly, as befitting a family of high status.
Five years ago, the Marquis' mansion didn't have such order, but yet, all the people in the mansion seemed accustomed to it! For a moment, Lu Zhenliu was somewhat off balance in this atmosphere, and he couldn't help but look at Lin Yunwan again.
She already had the demeanor of the lady of the house, her eyes were charming and majestic, quite captivating.
He never knew... that his legal wife could be so dazzlingly beautiful.
Lin Yunwan's mother-in-law sat on the couch, wiped away her tears, and joyfully said, "It's getting late, let's get everything ready for the meal."
The whole family had lunch in the Yu Shou Hall, and there was no sound at all, very disciplined.
Lu Zhenliu ate absentmindedly, and he knew that, on the surface, Lin Yunwan hadn't looked at him once.
"Mother-in-law, Old Madam, I'll take my leave first." After the meal, Lin Yunwan didn't stay for long and was about to leave.
Both Old Madam and Madam Wei knew that she was shouldering the various affairs of the mansion alone. Even on such a joyous day, she couldn't escape these duties, so they didn't try to keep her.
"You can go."
The Old Madam even sent Madam Wei away.
Huh? Even she, the birth mother, had to leave?
Although Madam Wei was eager to get closer to her son, her eyes were still red. But when the Old Madam spoke, she had no choice but to leave first.
The grandmother and grandson closed the door to talk.
"Thank you, grandmother, for bringing Qing Ge'er back to the mansion." Lu Zhenliu dropped to his knees to bow to the Old Madam.
The Old Madam helped Lu Zhenliu up, sighed helplessly, and said, "The bloodline of the Lu family should not flow outside. However, the matter of the heir should be reported first, and you made me help you deceive the heavens and record him under Lin Yunwan's name. It was done inappropriately."
Lu Zhenliu refused to get up, bowed his head, and said, "Grandmother, this grandson has one more thing to ask."
"What is it?" The Old Madam had a bad feeling in her heart.
"The grandson wants to bring Qing Ge'er's mother back to the mansion."
The Old Madam's face changed drastically, immediately saying, "No! The Lu family absolutely does not allow the entry of such a lowly woman who engages in improper relations without any matchmaker!"
© 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.
•••
[1] Chui Si Tang: Hanging Silk Pavillion
[2] Yu Shou Tang: Longevity Hall
Comments
Post a Comment
What did you think of this chapter?