by Ning er
“Yan‘er, today, whether da xiaojie will help us or not, will depend on our current kneeling!” Liu yiniang had survived under Su Qing‘s watch for so many years, naturally understood that this was Yun Qian Meng giving them a punishment!
Even if she really did know the truth of how Yun Qian Meng’s mother”>furen had passed away that year, she shouldn’t have attempted to blackmail her with the information!
Yun Qian Meng was letting her know that no matter what kinds of thoughts she had, Yun Qian Meng was able to see through everything very clearly!
Liu yiniang was also truly impressed with Yun Qian Meng‘s formidable ability, finally understanding why in just a few days, her name had become a heated topic of discussion within the fu!
“Xiaojie, leaving Liu yiniang and san xiaojie kneeling in the yard can’t be a long-term solution!” Mu Chun was somewhat concerned as she attended to Yun Qian Meng who was practising calligraphy.
For the whole afternoon, Liu yiniang and Yun Yan knelt properly outside her loft. Although Qi Luo Yuan was considered rather remote, some servants still passed by. If others saw the situation, it might leave a stain on the reputation of the eldest young miss!
But Yun Qian Meng smiled and didn’t answer, seriously finishing the last strokes of her writing. Then, receiving a handkerchief from Mu Chun to wipe her hands she asked profoundly, “Do you really think that if we don’t say anything, Su yiniang and her people wouldn’t know?”
Su Qing had managed the xiangfu for almost twenty years, everyone inside had long since become her agents. Even the slightest movements of the wind and the grass would be passed to her ears. It was quite likely that before Liu yiniang even set foot into her Qi Luo Yuan, Su Qing had already received the news!
Catching her implied meaning, Mu Chun lightly creased her brows while a concerned expression emerged on her face, “Then if xiaojie forces them to keep kneeling, what will happen if Su yiniang complains to xiangye?”
“No need to worry!” Hearing Mu Chun‘s concern, Yun Qian Meng finally sincerely smiled. She looked at the weather outside, saw that it was almost dusk and told Mu Chun, “Let them come in, go fetch some water. Go tell Shui‘er in passing that tonight’s dinner will be held in the drawing room, no need to bring it to the courtyard!”
“Yes!” Seeing Yun Qian Meng relaxed, Mu Chun tidied up the stationery on the table, then turned to exit the loft……
When Liu yiniang and Yun Yan received permission to enter, they cheered up immediately. Even though their legs had fallen asleep and turned numb, it didn’t affect their current relieved and happy feelings. They, supporting each other to enter the loft, meet Yun Qian Meng, who was sitting inside drinking tea while reading, and kneeled again……
“Yiniang and san meimei must be tired, so let’s just skip the pleasantries! After tidying yourselves up, follow me to the drawing room for dinner!” Seeing them start to kneel again, Yun Qian Meng closed her book and drily spoke. Coincidentally, the golden rays of the setting sun shone on her lily-white face, giving her an elegant grandeur. Liu yiniang and Yun Yan who had slightly lifted their heads at her couldn’t help but gape in awe!
“Yiniang, san xiaojie, please wash up!” At this moment, Mu Chun brought in a copper basin and softly reminded them to freshen up their faces which had been stained with tears.
They both lightly apologized, then quietly cleaned up their tear-stricken faces……
Currently, Liu yiniang‘s happy feelings had turned into apprehension. Even though Yun Qian Meng was now treating them amiably, she didn’t seem to be asking about the happenings that year, causing her to be unable to figure out what to do next.
Why, without rhyme or reason, did she want to have dinner at the drawing room? That was the only place laoye had to pass through when he returned to the houyuan, unless……
After some careful deliberation in her heart, Liu yiniang finally expressed happiness in her eyes. Her expression when looking at Yun Qian Meng was filled with even more gratitude……
“Normally, with Yun Qian Meng’s mother”>furen‘s dowry, xiaojie‘s boudoir shouldn’t be so sparsely furnished!” Seemingly wanting to curry favor with Yun Qian Meng, Liu yiniang smiled and cautiously said.
But Yun Qian Meng only put down her book, stood with Mu Chun‘s support and led everyone to leave……
Chapter 13: What's the happy occasion? | Chu Wang Fei
Glossary
妹妹 meimei – little sister, younger sister; can be added to names to show affection
姐姐 jiejie – elder sister, big sister; can be added to names to show respect or a close relationship
小姐 xiaojie – young miss; usually from a good family, but can be used to refer to any young girl
嫡 di – related to the first wife, the children born of the first wife have higher standing
庶 shu – of common birth; in this setting, it means born to a concubine
奴婢 nubi – slave servant girl; referring to themselves in third person is a form of debasement
丫头 yatou – usually referring to a servant girl; can also mean girl, latter usually used as a form of endearment
姨娘 yiniang – concubine, not the legitimate wife; added to the end of the maternal name to show their (lower) status compared to the wife
老爷 laoye, 相爷 xiangye – old master, master; the head of the house
(Edit: I was advised that Zhao’s position 管家 guanjia was more equivalent to the role of a butler in feudal China. It certainly makes sense, since he seems to hold a rather high position amongst the servants. Might take a bit to get used to it.)
