Luo Jing Bo wanted to go up and knock on her head. It was already at this point, and she still wasn’t taking it seriously?
Luo Rong Yan sometimes was also very helpless towards this daughter.
“Father and big brother are thinking too much. Grandfather didn’t have any other intentions for giving away that pot of ink orchid.” Jing Wan very confidently spoke, “It’s probably just because when I was in Qi’an Fu, I did very well, and also because I like flowers, that’s all.”
“How do you know?” Luo Jing Bo asked back.
Jing Wan hooked the corner of her lips, “Because I believe in grandfather’s moral character, and further believes his wisdom and farsightedness. For grandfather to be able to have this level of position today, most of it was dependent on himself. In the earlier years, he originally could have climbed up even higher even faster. If it was like that, nowadays, perhaps he wouldn’t just be a Head Minister of the Ministry of Rites. But he didn’t. All three paternal aunts[1] married in the capital. What kind of people they married, father and big brother should know better than me, right? Those were all the son-in-laws that grandfather personally picked. Right now, the state of affairs aren’t clear, how could grandfather just rashly pick a side? And with his wisdom, he wouldn’t be easily coerced by someone else either. Furthermore, if I were them, I wouldn’t choose to drag grandfather down into the water. After all, what grandfather is in control of is the Ministry of Rites. All kinds of sacrificial rituals, celebrations, birthdays, and even funerals, all follow a single word, ‘rites’. As long as it’s ‘perfectly legitimate’ at the very end, the involvement with the others aren’t big. Grandfather isn’t someone who doesn’t know to be flexible. In addition, second great-uncle has the noble and grace of a scholar. His influence amongst the scholars is tremendous. If angered, that is ‘to rather be broken jade, than to be pottery and preserve’[2]. Even if they become the final victor and sit atop that high position, they would get condemned in speech and writing, unable to live a peaceful life. And how many Emperors are there that didn’t cherish their feathers[3] and not want to leave their name for all eternity? Can’t go as far as to kill off all the scholars in the world, right?”
Speaking to here, Jing Wan suddenly felt, that grandfather of hers perhaps wasn’t thinking of advancing, but had deliberately won over this Head Minister of Rites position. Because this position wasn’t considered eye-catching, yet wouldn’t casually be stepped on by others either. In the current situation, there was nothing more wonderful.
Hearing Jing Wan explain it as such, it seemed it was indeed like so. The two’s gaze towards Jing Wan changed once again. Lastly, Luo Jing Bo rather complicatedly said, “If grandfather were to hear your words, he would probably be very happy, and would further feel how unfortunate it was that you weren’t born male.”
“There’s nothing to feel unfortunate about. Towards my own status as a daughter, this younger sister is very satisfied with. If father is still worried, why don’t you go probe first uncle’s intentions tomorrow? As the Luo family’s next head, he should be more concerned about this matter than you. If grandfather really has this kind of intention, regardless of who he hides it from, he wouldn’t hide it from first uncle.”
Luo Rong Yan nodded his head. However, he wouldn’t go look for his eldest brother. Instead, he would directly and frankly go ask his father, and not go in circles.
“Father, the time is not early anymore, this daughter will return first.” After Luo Rong Yan gave permission, Jing Wan lead her caretaker mama and Qing Zhu, with a small servant girl holding a lantern, back to her own small courtyard—-Elegant Haitang[4] Residence.
After strolling a few circles to aid in digestion, that pot of ink orchid was sent over.
Jing Wan thought that this orchid was only just named as ‘ink orchid’ and that the flower’s color would vary. But unexpectedly, this was nevertheless an actual ink orchid, not only in name but also in reality. It was just a flower bud, but because it was about to bloom soon, the petals could be vaguely seen. Black and dark green, yet also carrying a trace of sleek glistening luster, making it look exceptionally beautiful. Finally did Jing Wan realize, she’d obtained a rare and valuable object, a treasure among treasures.
She played with it for a very long time, loving it too much to part with. The people at her side persuaded her for quite awhile, before she finally reluctantly let go.
Afterwards, she bothered her head mama to do maintenance on her body for her.
Her head mama was specifically sought for her two years prior when her grandmother had written to the capital. At first, she was just a caretaker mama, surname Gong. She had came from the palace. She was proficient in medicine and various health maintaining methods. This maintenance wasn’t using medicine, but was by balancing the various kinds of foods, as well as a very complicated massage technique. Because there was completely no side effects, and she didn’t lack time the most right now, she patiently let Gong mama toss her around. Because she was used to it, and because it even promoted sleep, thus every night she would have her body massaged, sleeping very peacefully. And her spirit the next day would be particularly good.
Because it was too comfortable, Jing Wan unknowingly fell asleep. Gong mama and Jing Wan’s wet nurse had the servant girls help her onto the bed to sleep.
In the dead of night, outside the elegant residence, there seemingly was the sound of light movement, like the flapping wings of a nightingale. Very soon, it returned to a peaceful silence, not having waken anyone.
And inside the Jin Qinwang Manor, the shadow guard knocked on the study door. Li Hong Yuan slept in the study most of the time. Even if the light was already extinguished right now, but because the secret letter in his hand was special, master had already ordered that regardless of the time, they needed to bring it to him immediately.
Very soon, the light was lit. And after the shadow guard received permission, he pushed opened the door and entered.
Li Hong Yuan was wearing a fine hemp inner wear. His chest was half exposed, and a head of fine black hair loosely draped over his shoulders, as he sat by the bedside with his head lowered. Originally, he should be indescribably charming and gentle, but the shadow guard only felt that the atmosphere was terrifyingly gloomy. It wasn’t cold, yet it made one uncontrollably shiver. Master’s sleep have always never been good. He would always wake at the slightest sound. And when he didn’t sleep well, his temper would be irritable. If the people serving by his side were to have a moment of carelessness, then they would probably suffer a calamity. However, usually at this time, he would always restrain himself. As long as the letter didn’t contain any scary content, their lives won’t be in danger. And that Miss Luo had already safely reached the Luo Manor, so naturally nothing ‘scary’ will happen.
Luo Hong Yuan received the letter. Actually, on the letter was the matter caused by the ink orchid recorded in detail, especially regarding Jing Wan’s remarks.
Li Hong Yuan softly chuckled twice. As expected, his Wan Wan has always been intelligent, possessing a clever heart.
Luo Pei Shan that old fox, in his past life, was restless until the very end. Even if Jing Wan later was expelled by the Luo family, drawing a clear line between them, he didn’t touch the Luo family either. Solely because Jing Wan had tarnished her own name in order to protect them. In the end, she still wasn’t able to preserve her own life. The Luo family had also aided her considerably in secret, even nearly exposing the whole clan to disaster. Luo Pei Shan can be considered to have put in his upmost efforts for her. Even if it still made him discontent in the end, but since Jing Wan did everything she could to preserve the Luo family, he held back his anger in order to fulfill her wish.
“Tell them to pay attention. If there’s someone among those brothers of this prince that want to win Luo Pei Shan over, think of a way to obstruct.” Wan Wan’s thoughts were correct, but it can’t stop the treacherousness of the human heart. Furthermore, the Head Minister of Rites position wasn’t enough, he needs to be moved to another position. Even if he’d already lived through one lifetime, he still needed to prevent any contingencies. After all, certain things have already changed. Especially the matters regarding Wan Wan, there absolutely cannot be the slightest mistake.
This lifetime, he will make every ending all change. He will properly shield her under his wings, not letting her stress her mind and spirit, and not letting her suffer the slightest bit of bitterness. He furthermore won’t let her die this time. She will only need to live carefreely, without worries, grow some flowers, play with pets, and when she’s really bored, she can entertain herself by teasing other people. And even if she doesn’t don the phoenix gown, he will still make her into the most honorable woman under the skies.
“Yes.” The shadow guard replied.
“Take care of it cleanly, don’t let it implicate this prince. And also don’t let it implicate the Luo family either, understand?”
“Master rest assured.” The things master commanded, they as the people handling it, naturally will think of this point. And now that master has deliberately mentioned it, then for the things that needed a hundred percent, they needed to put in a hundred and twenty percent effort, achieving a hundred and twenty point perfection.
“Go then. —-Tomorrow call Fu Yun Ting over to see this prince.”
“Yes.” The shadow guard observed a moment of silence in his heart for that Wu An Marquis heir, hoping this time he won’t be sorted out too miserably by master.
The next day, when Jing Wan was going to pay her respects to the old madam, Head Minister Luo naturally had left to attend the imperial court, so aside from her comparatively younger little brother, the others she saw there were all womenfolk. She also saw a person she didn’t see yesterday, her eldest tang[5] brother’s wife, the six month pregnant little Wang-shi. This woman was eldest aunt’s blood related niece from her maiden family. She wasn’t a particularly beautiful woman, but was well worth a second look, composed and graceful, and extremely virtuous.
The Wang family was a prestigious noble family. Eldest aunt’s branch, although a side branch, had descendants that were all relatively hard working, and were not to be underestimated.
“Greetings eldest sister-in-law.” Jing Wan bent her knees in a curtsy.
“Quickly get up.” Little Wang-shi stepped forward and grasped Jing Wan’s hands, “We’re all one family, there’s no need to be this formal.” After carefully studying Jing Wan a few times, she turned her head around and smiled to Wang-shi, saying, “No wonder mother always mentions third little sister, and grandmother also exceedingly dotes on her. Such a little sister, even I can’t help liking her when I look at her.”
“Isn’t that right, this third girl has been lovable since young. If it wasn’t for your second aunt being unwilling to part with her, I would’ve wanted to carry her back to our first branch to raise.” Wang-shi laughed.
“If eldest sister-in-law really likes her, lending you this girl to raise for a period of time is also feasible.” Zhang-shi unconcernedly added on.
This caused everyone to burst into endless laughter. Luo Old Madam pointed to the crowd, “Eldest one’s, you’re not young anymore, how are you still so mischievous. You all don’t fight over anymore, place Wan Wan here at my place to raise. When you all are free, you can come over to play with her.”
“Is this grandmother treating me as a little cat, little dog, or a little sparrow?” Jing Wan pouted.
“This is grandmother treating third big sister as the meat of her heart.” Luo Jing Ying laughed with her mouth covered.
The scene slightly paused for a moment.
The old madam lightly swept Luo Jing Ying a glance. “Wan Wan certainly is this old woman’s darling. If there’s no Wan Wan, this old woman would probably have already become a pile of yellow dirt.”
[1] To avoid confusion in the future, father’s brother’s wife will be referred to as just ‘Aunt’ and father’s sisters will be referred to as ‘paternal aunt’. I’m not sure what to do when I run into other types of aunts yet, english’s oversimplification of family addresses really make it difficult for me.
[2] Idiom that means to rather sacrifice for a righteous cause, than to lose moral integrity and live without a purpose.
[3] Cherishing One’s Feathers – Idiom meaning to cherish one’s reputation. I originally was going to just put the figurative meaning, but after learning the origins of this idiom it became too amusing to not put in. It comes from a Han Dynasty scholar Liu Xiang. In the poem, this phrase is referring to how a peacock loves its feathers, hence, you get the idea.
[4] Haitang – A species of crabapple known by the common names Asiatic apple, Chinese crab, and Chinese flowering apple. Felt it would be too long to translate as the name of her residence.
[5] Tang – Same surname paternal cousins; father’s brother’s children
