Chapter 67: Threaten, Uneasy

As a concubine, speaking without the main wifes permission, not to mention interrupting the main wife, lacking in such manners, Liu-s.h.i.+ shouldve reprimanded her first thing, but not only did she not, she even let out an expression like she didnt dare to.

If these words were said by Zhang-s.h.i.+, everyone would just feel she was beyond saving. But when it was Liu-s.h.i.+, everyones gaze towards her became a bit strange. Was this because she felt threatened and changed personalities, or.

Jing Wans attention rather wasnt on Liu-s.h.i.+. In her eyes, regardless how Liu-s.h.i.+ responds, it was all very normal. Rather, this so called Huan Niang woman, just looking at her att.i.tude, she definitely wasnt some mannerless person who was ignorant of etiquette. Yet she did something so unbefitting to etiquette. It can only mean that the words Liu-s.h.i.+ were about to say, perhaps were even more unfavorable to her. This was precisely the so called comparing two harm, and choosing the lighter one. But, what Liu-s.h.i.+ was about to say was merely just her name. The only way for a name to cause harm was to collide with someones name or a taboo name. Jing Wans first thought was that her name might have collided with grandmothers. As for this name Huan Niang, more or less was changed because of certain reasons after Liu-s.h.i.+ met her last night.

As for Liu-s.h.i.+, whether she was able to say Huan Niangs original name or not, it didnt matter, her goal was accomplished all the samecreate trouble for Huan Niang.

Since it had nothing to do with her, Jing Wan s.h.i.+fted her eyes, and shot a glance at the somewhat dispirited Luo Jing Ying, as well as Luo Jing Qiang, who was instead much more radiant than before. The former most likely was harshly berated, and the latter more or less was about to throw off her chains, not wanting to continue living under Luo Jing Yings shadow anymore, gradually blossoming her own charm.

Jing Wan didnt know that in moment she s.h.i.+fted her line of sight, Huan Niang instead quietly measured her up. The person that old madam doted on the most among the younger generation. That level of bearing and upbringing, as well as the calmness coming from within that could only be brought about from living carefreely and without worries, really does make one jealous. However, to want to establish oneself in this rear court, it was true that she couldnt offend her. But, occasionally borrowing her hand to restrain Liu-s.h.i.+ could also be considered a good plan. After all, anyone with a discerning eye could tell old madam didnt like Liu-s.h.i.+. Using her hand to scheme against Liu-s.h.i.+, regardless of outcome, the one losing would always be Liu-s.h.i.+. However, when taking action, she must be careful. If someone were to find out that she was the one messing around, then her end will probably be countless times worst than Liu-s.h.i.+s.

Jing Wan further didnt know that in just this short period of time, there was already someone who had laid their eyes on her. But even if she knew, she wouldnt have cared. To block soldiers with force, and to block water with earth. Even those people with influence and power, give her some time to carefully plot, and even if she cant stomp them into the mud, she could still let them fall on their heads. Hence, taking care of the evil monsters in this manor was even easier.

The people of your third branch, you as the main wife, naturally can just deal with yourself, why the need to ask for this old womans opinion.

Mother is right. Liu-s.h.i.+ answered like she was wronged. That look she gave old madam was just like shed been bullied by a concubine, and not only didnt receive the mother-in-laws help and support, even the mother-in-law bullied her.

Even Jing Wan was also slightly shocked by her punching-bag behavior. And as Liu-s.h.i.+ own daughter, Luo Jing Ying was further shocked speechless seeing her mother like this. Naturally, there was no need to mention the others.

This style really changed a bit too fast and too strangely. If it werent that Liu-s.h.i.+ was under everyones eyes the whole time, might have even a.s.sumed she was switched with someone else.

However seeing Luo Old Madams originally indifferent look instead gradually growing heavier, moreover even becoming increasingly cold, the others affected by this all became even more quieter. Only Liu-s.h.i.+ alone still put on that appearance.

Just when Jing Wan suspected if Liu-s.h.i.+ was also a time-traveler

[1]

, she noticed where the contradiction was. Liu-s.h.i.+s mood didnt change following grandmothers change in mood, this wasnt how a punching-bag should behave. Furthermore, even if grandmother didnt like her, grandmother had never had such an heavy expression like this before. Then Liu-s.h.i.+ must have really angered grandmother this time.

Jing Wan attentively observed and then carefully thought it over. Understood. Liu-s.h.i.+ wasnt possessed, she was still her, with deep schemes and tall methods. This time she was really angered by Luo Rong Ping, planning to tear apart that hypocritical mask, and do something like burning the sinking s.h.i.+p.

This appearance of Liu-s.h.i.+ was actually a threat. If Luo Old Madam doesnt stand on her side, then very soon the people outside will all know about this punching-bag look of hers. She has steeled her heart, wanting to drag the Luo familys reputation to the grave with her.

Luo Old Madam coldly laughed, Liu-s.h.i.+, I really have misjudged you before.

Despite Luo Old Madam being amicable on normal days, she was still after all someone who has acc.u.mulated experience for decades. When her powers are on full blast, Liu-s.h.i.+ certainly wasnt able to bear it. Her complexion instinctively went pale, Mother, this daughter-in-law didnt have a way either.

Actually, what Luo Old Madam really cared about wasnt Liu-s.h.i.+s unscrupulous means, but her selfishness. For the sake of her own interest and her face, she can completely abandon her children that she normally always hung on her mouth. If she truly wished for her two children to be well, then why cant she endure it. After all, shes the main wife. To appropriately back down, even if she let Huan Niang occupy the higher ground, public opinion and proper etiquette

[2]

still stood on her side. As long as she endured till her daughter married, and her son becomes an adult and takes a wife. When that time comes, then she can put down everything and take her revenge. But she just couldnt bear to suffer the tiny bit of grievance, not wanting to wait, not willing to endure.

To say that she was making compromises in the Luo family the whole time was pure nonsense. Her being tyrannical in the third branch, Luo Old Madam never once suppressed her, and further never once deliberately tormented her. And her few sister-in-laws also have never once tripped her up or made things difficult for her. Its she herself that wants to a.s.sume a virtuous and magnanimous look, who can be blamed? Just based on that temperament of Luo Old Madams, even if her daughter-in-laws didnt have any children, she still wouldnt shove women to her sons side. And if you really were heavy on vinegar and throw a huge tantrum, she might even help back you and block those concubines, not letting them enter. Its you yourself that wants to act, who would still open their mouths first? Its not like she was a busybody.

Speaking of which, for her to have been able to keep pretending for this long was merely because her bottom line had never been stepped on. See, once her bottom line was stepped on, she was just a like cat that got its tail stepped on, with her fur completely standing on its end, jumping really high all of sudden.

Liu-s.h.i.+ can not care about her children, but Luo Old Madam cant not care about the Luo familys reputation. If it really got out that she was harsh to the shu sons wife, being gossiped by others was small. But if it gets taken by someone as pretext to accuse Head Minister Luo of the crime of unable to manage ones household, and then have Head Minister Luos political opponents pin him with the label of cant clean ones own room, how can one govern the world, then it might even be possible for him to lose his official position.

Luo Old Madam landed her gaze onto Huan Niang. Go back and copy the Female Commandments and Female Principles each three hundred times. Then, properly learn ones duty as a concubine. My body is not well, in the future, you dont need to come pay your respects again. The quarreling gives me headaches.

Huan Niang replied, neither angrily nor resentfully, with her brows and eyes lowered.

Quite a few people sighed in their hearts. As expected, this one wasnt an oil saving lamp

[3]

either. To be able to force Liu-s.h.i.+ to use extreme means to get the old madam to back her, was this something an ordinary person could achieve?

Once Liu-s.h.i.+ was satisfied, that punching-bag look, specifically used to disgust others, was restrained. This daughter-in-law will definitely properly lecture her when we get back. In the future, definitely wont let the disturbance get to you. Letting Luo Old Madam be the villain, even if Luo Rong Ping found out, at most he would just curse Liu-s.h.i.+ a few times. His darlings punishment still needed to be carried out, unless he dared to disobey Luo Old Madam.

Luo Old Madam wasnt happy, so naturally Jing Wan wasnt happy either. Originally she was just thinking of watching the third branchs entertainment, and when needed, also add some firewood. But now, she changed her mind. Luo Jing Yings constant targeting of her, she can all not care about, but for them to extend their claws towards the people she cared about, then dont blame her for waving her knife and chopping off their claws.

Just scatter. And those that didnt come dont need to come anymore. After Luo Old Madam finished saying this, she directly got up and went to the back room.

Jing Wan let her two younger sisters go back by themselves and she herself went to go see Luo Old Madam. Jing Wan worried that she might get angered sick.

Fortunately, Luo Old Madam was only angered for just that bit, and began talking to Jing Wan about her marriage, Some time later I will let someone send a verbal message to your eldest maternal great-aunt

[4]

, letting her write a letter to your third maternal great-uncles (Luo Old Madams third brother) side. I believe, at most in two months, well be able to settle your marriage. At that time, the metropolitan civil service examination

[5]

will have ended too. Itll be perfect for Min boy to have a double happy occasion.

This is grandmother letting me give more surprises to older cousin Min? Jing Wan said with a laugh.

Of course, married daughters are like spilled water. Luo Old Madam feigned a serious tone.

Grandmother, this granddaughter is heartbroken. Jing Wan played along and let out a pitiful look.

The grandmother and granddaughter pair laughed into an uproar.

The people serving by Luo Old Madams side all let out a breath.

Unexpectedly, before Luo Old Madams message was even sent to the Chen Manor, that side instead sent news first, saying that third younger brother of theirs, Chen Zheng Mins grandfather, was dragging the entire family back to the capital again. The same time the letter was sent from their side, the people also departed. Counting the days, at most another ten days to half a month before theyll be able to reach the capital city.

Luo Old Madam was very happy. Never mind being able to meet her younger brother that she hasnt seen in many years, she was even able to have Wan Wans engagement settled very soon too. Cant blame Luo Old Madam for being this anxious, because on Jing Wans marriage, she always felt it wasnt going very steady. If not settled, she would always feel suspended inside. Although this feeling was strange, Luo Old Madam couldnt help but treat it seriously.

[1] In Chinese the word transmigration doesnt really exist. In the genre, people from modern time whether they reincarnated, transmigrated, or physically time hopped, are all collectively called time-travelers. Actually the closes term to transmigration in Chinese I can think of is the idiom that means to come back to life by possessing a dead persons body, the literal definition of transmigration. I feel like the concept of transmigration has the misconception of anyone in modern time going to ancient time period meaning, because how prevalent this troupe is used, when really it just means one persons soul possessing another persons body. Nothing to do with time-traveling really.

[2] Specifically Confucian code of Ethics; aka the standards of being a virtuous woman in ancient times

[3] Oil Saving Lamp means easy to deal with, but the term is always used with a negative before it, so someone who isnt an oil saving lamp is someone whos troublesome. Its a rather straightforward metaphor.

[4] Im pretty sure this is referring to Chen Old Madam.every time I encounter these complicated uncommon family terms I just *insert calculating meme

[5] Examination established during the Tang dynasty, actually most government systems in Cnovels are based off the political systems of the Tang dynasty. This exam is held every three years in the spring, the original term literally translates to Spring Gate, specifically gate to the palace.

T/N: Ignore this if you dont want to be minorly spoiled; I just wanted to clarify some thingsHuan Niang isnt someone sent by LHY or arranged by him, she actually is just a mistress raised on the outside by Luo Rong Ping, but her coming back to the manor on that specific day was plotted by LHY. A lot of LHY schemes he doesnt really plot directly but more so fan the flames from behind and watch everything burn. In a sense, he basically takes everyone elses schemes and turns it against them or use to his benefit.