“To say this matter was done by Kang Qinwang isn’t considered wrong. After all, when old three met with mishap, he was surrounded by the people of Kang Qinwang’s faction. Even if it wasn’t him, all the evidence will all still point to him. Then, whether he did it or not, there was actually no difference, and whether or not it was an accident was also no difference. In the end, the Luo family is just a chess piece to those people.” Luo Pei Shan rather helplessly said.
Actually, on this matter, Luo Pei Shan also had another guess. Ever since a certain living Enma got mixed in, he always felt that everywhere had his shadow, practically just like a ghost, lingering everywhere. Many things have become smooth, yet sometimes, he felt even more exhausted mentally and physically. If it continues on like this, he’s worried that he’ll lose ten years off his life.
And this kind of worry, he even had nowhere to vent, because as the only person that he can say everything to, his old wife has long extended her elbows outward. Who let their dear granddaughter be the treasure of her heart. And since that living Enma can protect the treasure of her heart, then he was a good one.
Thinking of it like this, Luo Pei Shan unconsciously glanced at his old wife, who was drinking tea with her eyes lowered, seemingly as if she simply didn’t hear their conversation. Then again, on matters like this, she has always just listened and never spoke.
“Huan Yiniang, what are you doing here?”
From behind came Liu-shi’s voice.
Luo Pei Shan and them looked to one another. Since they dared to talk about this matter here, then they naturally weren’t afraid of being heard by the third branch’s womenfolk. Or perhaps, Luo Pei Shan even had a bit of deliberateness mixed in. Regarding Luo Jing Ying’s matter, she was Liu-shi’s daughter after all, so how to arrange her matters, as the mother, it was impossible for her to not know at all. This was the perfect opportunity to let her understand some things more clearly, letting her know that right now, she only has the Luo family to rely on. If she continues to be restless all day, continuously thinking of some nonsense, and stirring up trouble, then don’t blame the Luo family for not being able to tolerate her. Just, why did a Huan Yiniang appear? This was the third branch’s main building, so how come there was still a Huan Yiniang present at this time?
“Just come out.” Luo Old Madam faintly spoke.
Unknown to all was that inside the room, Liu-shi was currently sinisterly staring at Huan Yiniang, coldly sneering. After hearing something you shouldn’t hear, you just want to slip away? One still needs to see whether she agrees or not. This slut relied on that dead thing’s favor, repeatedly wanting to climb on her head. And what’s more hateful was that she actually dared to extend her hands towards her son. Right now, that dead thing can’t get up, and moreover, catching such a good opportunity, if one doesn’t take revenge now, then when will one wait to?
Huan Yiniang’s eyes were covered in haze. Liu-shi had called her out to draw water. She also knew that right now, during this critical moment, she can’t go against her. She can only wait until third master wakes up, and as long as third master opens his mouth and say that he can’t separate from her, needing her to serve him, then she’ll be able to preserve herself. And once she gives birth to her child, regardless whether it’s a boy or girl, she’ll all be able to think of a way to settle down and get on with her pursuit. With the third branch’s eldest son as an example, she won’t stupidly end herself, and letting the old master open his mouth to look after a little should also be possible. If it’s a girl, then one can only blame that they don’t have the fate to be mother and daughter. Since she painstakingly gave birth to her, then letting her use her life to repay her was also rightfully so.
She originally thought that Liu-shi merely wanted to use this opportunity to torment her, so she appeared very obedient. Unexpectedly, there was such a big trap waiting for her. She’d long known she was difficult to deal with, yet unexpectedly still underestimated her. Liu-shi just now also didn’t leave. Perhaps she only knew that the old master came, and since she(Huan) didn’t know, she(Liu-shi) was able to set the trap. Whether it succeeded or not all didn’t matter, but clearly, not only did it succeed, it was even fatal.
Hearing Luo Old Madam’s summoning, they tidied their clothes and came out one after the other.
Because there were a few men present, if not a father-in-law, then it was just brother-in-laws, she slightly lowered her head, her line of sight glued to the floor.
She orderly bowed and greeted them.
“What was said earlier, you both heard? Do you have anything you want to say?” Luo Pei Shan said, getting right to the point.
Although Liu-shi didn’t hear as much as Huan Yiniang, Luo Pei Shan’s last few words were more or less enough. Because of Luo Jing Ying’s matter, she actually already sobered up quite a bit. Futilely attempting to restore her maiden family, that was practically just a pipe dream. Her mother had died early, and her father has also passed away already. Right now, it was her elder brother in charge of the Liu family, but that was just a worthless good-for-nothing. Although he held a Count title, he idled about all day, wasting away one’s time. There weren’t much family assets to begin with, so naturally, it was wasted away even faster. And from time to time, he would even run to her place to ‘strike the autumn wind’[1]. Even if the imperial benevolence was vast and mighty, promoting him and reinstating his nobility, would he be able to shoulder it? Would it make the Luo family have a higher view of her? Would her position in the Luo family rise because of this?
The answer was actually very clear, it won’t.
The Luo family was a family with a scholarly reputation, valuing etiquette. Her father-in-law and mother-in-law both weren’t haughty people that only cared about status. When you’re destitute, they won’t throw stones at you, and when you’re flourishing, they won’t covetously seek anything from you either. She should’ve long saw clearly this reality, but……………she was just unwilling to resign. But, at this time now, even if she was unresigned, what can she do? Everything was just extravagant hopes, and if she really were to dare do something again, letting the Luo family spurn her and divorce her, then she’ll really be left with no way to survive. She once threatened Luo Rong Ping that she was going to strike the Deng Wen Drums[2], heh, she wasn’t tired of living yet.
Liu-shi directly kneeled down, “Father, mother, in the past, it was this daughter-in-law that was insensible, giving you all quite a bit of trouble. In the future, this daughter-in-law will properly live out one’s days, and properly educate the children, so as to not bring down the Luo family’s reputation.”
This was really having things figured out? Looks like, for people, it really was ‘only in despair, would one truly understand to reflect upon oneself’. However, Liu-shi’s words through and through seemingly all didn’t have anything to do with her husband. It can be seen, even until now, she still harbored resentment in her heart. In reality, standing in Liu-shi’s perspective, for her to resent was also something rightfully so. “Regardless whether you really think this, or just saying out of convenience, old three’s wife, this is the last chance.” Luo Old Madam said.
Liu-shi’s body slightly trembled, having a bit of rejoice inside.
As for Huan Yiniang, she also hurriedly knelt down, declaring, “Old master, old madam, this lowly concubine is willing to take care of third master for a lifetime. And if third master were to………..asking old madam to wait until this lowly concubine gives birth to the child, afterwards, this lowly concubine is willing to accompany third master to the grave.”
If it was Luo Rong Ping hearing these words, he would most likely be very moved, and perhaps would even embrace her, acting out a ‘parting in death’ kind of touching scene, with tears falling like rain, earnestly pouring out their feeling. Unfortunately, these men that were present all weren’t as tender towards the fairer sex as Luo Rong Ping. Moreover, their brother’s concubine had nothing to do with them at all. They all wouldn’t even give an extra glance. Plus, that was your man, for you to do that, wasn’t that supposed to be expected?
And for Luo Old Madam, Huan Yiniang’s little tricks simply wasn’t worth watching. She meaningfully glanced at her, then glanced at the docile Liu-shi, “Old three’s wife, she’s your third branch’s person, and you’re the third branch’s main wife, so this matter naturally needs to be taken care of by you. Just, some things, just let it rot in the stomach. If said out loud, it’s not beneficial for anyone.”
“Yes, this daughter-in-law understands.” Liu-shi deferentially responded.
“Since that’s the case, tonight, you two take good care of old three. If there’s anything, immediately inform us.” Luo Pei Shan instructed one final time before getting up and leaving.
Luo Old Madam closely followed behind him, and afterwards, it was the other three masters.
Liu-shi stood up, glancing at Huan Yiniang who was still properly kneeling upright, “Someone come……….”
The servant girl guarding outside immediately entered, “Madam.”
“Send someone to Huan Yiniang’s courtyard and have a few of her daily change of clothes brought over. Huan Yiniang has personally asked to serve third master day and night. From now on, Huan Yiniang will be living in the main building’s rear row room[3].” This slut, for the sake of preserving herself, what kind of decision she would make, for the most part, were all within her expectation. Liu-shi naturally will help fulfill her wish.
Serving someone has never been an easy job, especially someone who just a moment ago was perfectly fine, yet in the next moment, became paralyzed. Their temperament will certainly have great changes. This kind of person will probably torment others in order to prove that they still existed and was still a cut above others. Who else can be more fitting than Huan Yiniang for this great task.
Liu-shi slightly bent down, patting Huan Yiniang’s shoulder, “Since master likes you that much, and similarly trusts you very much, then in the future, you definitely need to properly serve him, so as to not betray his deep affections towards you.”
“Madam don’t worry, this lowly concubine will definitely serve master well.” Huan Yiniang said. One seemingly couldn’t hear any anomaly from her tone.
Liu-shi nodded, “That’s good.” Liu-shi was actually quite looking forwards to it. She rather wants to see how long this slut can endure. She won’t let anyone give her assistance. Eating, drinking, pooping, peeing, everything in everything all need for this slut to take care of on her own. Moreover, Luo Rong Ping in the end was still the Head Minister of Appointment Manor’s third master. Even if paralyzed, Liu-shi can’t possibly mistreat him either. That’s why, if he has any discomfort, then it must be because this slut wasn’t diligent in serving, heheh………….
Huan Yiniang, hearing Liu-shi’s laughter, couldn’t help but tremble from the bottom of her heart. A bothersome concubine, without a man to rely on, really can only be freely tormented by the main wife, with no way of resisting. Don’t say something like she previously had that many people by her side that were loyal to her and did things for her. Those people were the best at ‘seeing the wind and setting the helm’[4]. Moreover, she was the kind of yiniang that belonged to the lower rankings[5]. To put it bluntly, she was just the male master and main wife’s possession. Right now, the male master was gone, so she was just firmly controlled in the main wife’s hands. Didn’t one hear Liu-shi say to just pack her a few sets of clothes? In other words, everything else, all no longer belonged to her.
“Since you were able to approach my son under my eyelids, and bribe the people by his side, I felt that you were quite capable at first. Anyways, I was originally waiting for you to do something foolish, but in reality, you really weren’t that capable. Scheming against the manor’s third miss and then framing me for it, you have always wanted to do this, right? Just, unfortunately, you can’t even approach that girl. In this rear court, it’s possible for me to scheme against anyone, all except two people, I won’t directly get involved with. One is the old madam, and the other is precisely our third miss. Touching a single hair on third miss, that is even more serious than directly scratching the old madam. In this entire manor, only that stupid daughter of mine would keep insisting on picking fights with her. Already told her many times before, don’t directly face her, but for better or worse, she was still a young miss of the manor, so the old madam just disciplined her. If you or I were to try, the old madam will certainly skin us alive.”
The more Liu-shi spoke, the more she felt it made sense. Before, she was just aware that she can’t directly act against Luo Jing Wan, yet never before was she this clearly aware. For her daughter to have ended up this way today, she also needed to bear a very large portion of the blame. Once one began to sober up, one thoroughly became clear-headed. But right now, she can barely care for herself, let alone worry about her daughter.
Liu-shi’s heart both ridiculed and mocked.
[1] This phrase refers to someone using their relationship or connection with you to ask for money or other valuables. For example, your family asking you for money because you’re family.
[2] I thought I had footnotes for this, but this was explained in chapter 83 so I don’t have footnotes to copy paste from. Instead, I’ll just copy paste the paragraph that explained it:
[3] See image below, the highlighted area is the rear row room, the second image is a top down view. As you can see, it’s the row of rooms behind the main room, and it’s where the female servants live.
[4] See the wind and set the helm – to act pragmatically; being flexible and doing whatever is favorable for them.
[5] So 贱籍 translates to ‘lowly registry’, it’s referring to the lower class of people, like slaves or prostitutes, although for slaves, it usually uses its own specific term which is 奴籍 (slave registry).
T/N: This line was so funny I couldn’t help myself, so in author oopsie news, this line 刘氏微微的弯腰，拍了拍浣姨娘的娘 actually says ‘Liu-shi slightly bent down, patting Huan Yiniang’s mother’. It’s not that funny out of context, but when I’m translating, lines like these really make me go wtf.
I’m curious if people are interested in more typo news, because there’s a lot in this novel, and there are a few that are really funny, like there are ones that are so bad that it changes the sentence’s meaning completely. For example, in this same chapter, this line 她之前身边那么多人消肿她 – ‘she previously had that many people by her side reducing her swelling’. 消肿(xiao zhong) – to reduce swelling -> 效忠(xiao zhong) – to be loyal to. And for fun I threw this line into google translate and got ‘So many people around her had swelling her’
