This chapter was translated by Sian for only and edited by Din2.
By Qian Lu
Chapter 37
Paying Respects
The fragments of the sunshine shined into the inner room through an open window, along with the cool breeze of the faint tea fragrance, as if it was a fun thing, and stroking the couch that was next to the window, a low table and a silhouette who was lying on the bed. Unfortunately, she was not willing to enjoy this gentle caress from the sunshine, she indolently turned her body over, and buried herself in the middle of the silk quilt.
Lu Yi gently pushed the door open, and went into the inner room with Jing Shui, she put down the wooden basin that was on her hand to look one glance at the figure who was wrapped and looked like a silkworm coc.o.o.n. She smiled and went to the front of the window, softly closed the window so the sunshine was completely covered up. Walking back to the front of the bed, she whispered to that "silkworm chrysalis" and called out: "Miss ~!"
There was no response at all, so Lu Yi carefully took out the brocade quilt that covered Murong Shu Qing"s face, and softly called again: "Miss!"
Murong Shu Qing pulled back the brocade quilt, mumbled, turned around, and did not pay attention to her (LY) at all.
Lu Yi helplessly exchanged one expression with Jing Shui, she sighed, sat in the bedside, and lightly patted Murong Shu Qing"s shoulder, she called out: "Miss ~~, Miss ~~!" She was afraid to ask Miss to get out of the bed the most, she would not wake up after her calling out again and again. She slept at the third watch (11 pm – 1 m) yesterday, it was even more difficult to wake her up now.
Jing Shui was carrying the strong tea that Lu Yi made her prepare first thing in the morning, she did not put it down either, and stared with her big eyes to look at the two people who were closely tussling at each other. As it turned out, this Miss Shu Qing who was elegant and free, there was still a willful and adorable side of her?
Lu Yi persistently called for almost one burnt stick incense time, and finally forced Murong Shu Qing who was still closing her eyes to lowly ask: "Lu Yi?!" What was wrong with this girl today? She was so dedicated to try to wake her up like this.
Finally, hearing her response, Lu Yi was secretly relaxed, but afraid that she would fall asleep again, so she hurriedly said: "Today is the first day that we are at the Qi"s manor, you should go to pay respects."
"Paying respects?" Her brain was still muddled for a good while, then she remembered that there was this paying respects" custom. She actually did not like this kind of formality to visit and pay respects to her families. She already abolished this custom at the Murong’s family. If it was not for Lu Yi"s reminder, she would really lack manners.
"Oh, alright." Agreeing with Lu Yi, but she was still hanging out on the bed for a while, then Murong Shu Qing lazily sat and got up, but her eyes were closed and they were not willing to open up.
Lu Yi smiled and picked up a towel so she could wipe her face. Then, she supported her to stand up so she could put her light purple skirt clothing on, she randomly bound up her hair into a bun, it was efficient and appropriate. During this period, Murong Shu Qing closed her eyes all along, did not say any words, and looked like she fell asleep while allowing Lu Yi to take care of her. Looking at Jing Shui who was stupefied on the side, could it be that Miss could fall asleep while she was standing up like this?!
Confirming that there was no problem once again, Lu Yi was satisfied and she said at the side of Murong Shu Qing"s ear: "Miss, it is done."
"En." Lazily agreeing, Murong Shu Qing was extremely unwilling to open her eyes, Jing Shui cleverly and immediately gave her the strong tea to let her feel freshen-up. Pouring a big mouthful of the tea, it was bitter taste, with a strong tea fragrance, it finally made Murong Shu Qing recover a little bit of her expression. But it did not stop her to continuously yawn again and again, she said with a dispirited voice: "Let"s go." She slowly and dazzlingly went out of the room.
Lu Yi pursed her mouth to laugh on her sleeve and followed behind Murong Shu Qing, Miss was usually very able and efficient, graceful and calm but when she did not have enough to sleep, one could see that she was able to see her muddle-headed side.
Even though it was only eight in the morning, but the sunshine was already very glittering, fortunately, it was already autumn, the sun did not seem too hot. On the contrary, the sunshine could make someone feel sleepy. Unceasingly yawning all the way, Murong Shu Qing was following behind Lu Yi slowly and unhurriedly until they arrived at the main hall. It was not early anymore, from a distant, she could see a few people who were sitting inside.
Lu Yi softly pulled down the corner of Murong Shu Qing"s jacket, she worryingly said in a whisper: "Miss, we are here."
Gently patting her cheeks to make her own self a little bit clear-headed, Murong Shu Qing raised her vitality, and showed Lu Yi a calm expression, then she entered the inside of the main hall.
Entering the inside main hall, Lu Yi who was just standing a moment ago, moved forward one step, she was half kneeling in a salute, and saying with a soft voice: "Paying respects to Master, Madam, Master Big Uncle, Madam Big Aunt, Little Young Master, and Little Young Miss."
"Get up."
Lu Yi was deliberately saying it very slowly, she wanted to let her know who was who, Murong Shu Qing raised her head to look one glance. Comparing to yesterday, there were two more people on the Master"s seats, the man was about 50 years olds, his stature was slightly thin, his long eyebrows were joined into a topknot bun (neither me nor din2 were sure what this meant), his beard was hanging to his chest, one felt that he looked like an ancient immortal. The woman"s face as if it was a full moon, with an ample bearing and sincerity, she looked like a very good woman. These two people should be Murong Shu Qing"s big uncle and big aunt.
Pretending to fix her clothing, Murong Shu Qing slightly bended her knees, and said: "Maternal Grandfather, Maternal Grandmother, Big Uncle, Big Aunt, good morning."
"Alright, get up." Still not waiting until Shu Qing finished her courtesy, He Xiang Jun already called out lovingly to ask her to get up, and made her sit by her side.
After the two youngsters looked that Murong Shu Qing had sat down, they said with sweet voices together: "Good morning, Shu Qing jiejie!" And they still secretly grimaced at her.
Murong Shu Qing smilingly responded and said: "Good morning!" These two youngsters really gave her some kindred spirits (they were hitting it off). She could already see these two youngsters" wacky behaviors and they were like young darlings, her mood became better by a lot.
He Xiang Jun was pulling Murong Shu Qing"s hand, and she asked: "Did you sleep good last night?" Shu Qing looked more and more like Yue-er, looking at her, it always made her remember her daughter from 20 years ago. At that time, Yue-er was also harmonious and magnificent.
Murong Shu Qing smilingly answered: "Very good." If one would not make her wake up first thing in the morning to pay respects, she would sleep even better.
Wu Mei looked at Shu Qing for a very long time, and said: "I have not seen Shu Qing for three years, you have grown up, also have changed, and we almost can not recognize you." If they were not meeting at home, she would really not believe that the refined and graceful girl in front of her, was Murong Shu Qing! At that time, she splashed her skirt and was wet because of it, she could still remember it clearly.
Not knowing whether or not this could be regarded as a praise, Murong Shu Qing did not have any alternative but to force a smile, and she answered: "Thank you for big aunt"s praise."
Her calm and well-behaved manners, in Qi Yun"s eyes, caused him not to understand even more. As the Ministry of Revenue"s supervisor for the Dong Yu"s grains and food, one year ago, he heard when the subordinate reported that the Murong"s family was Dong Yu"s biggest producer in grains and food, they controlled half of Dong Yu"s soils and crops. He was actually skeptical all along, Murong Xiang did not have this kind of ability, and Rui-er was not at the Murong"s family anymore. Murong Shu Qing was a pampered, reckless and ignorant girl even more, the Murong"s family could not have this kind of strength. But he was suspicious today, only because Murong Shu Qing was not the previous Murong Shu Qing anymore.
Qi Yun was stroking his beard, and said to Murong Shu Qing: "Qing-er, this time that you come, stay a few more days to accompany the two elderly couple." Let her stay behind and then they could discuss it again.
Murong Shu Qing felt that Qi Yun had a suspicious expression when he looked at her closely. It was the same as Qi Zhong Lin today, he remained silent from beginning to end, and was just simply watching her every movements attentively. She was afraid that they would want to have an in-depth investigation on her. But, then, so what? Not taking an offense in facing Qi Yun"s gaze, she confidently answered: "Alright."
Facing her magnanimous and clear eyes, Qi Yun dodged his expression all of a sudden, he thought deeply for a moment, and got up to the two elderly couple who were sitting on the Master"s seats, and said: "I want to return to the Ministry of Revenue. Father, mother, this child asks to be excused first." Perhaps, he could get some records from the Ministry of Revenue, and found some of the Murong family"s changes.
"Go!" Qi Zhong Lin waved his hand to let him go.
"Did you eat breakfast? Fei-er, prepare some breakfasts again." He Xiang Jun was just about to instruct somebody to make the preparation, but Murong Shu Qing shook her head and said: "Maternal grandmother, no need, I am going to roam around the street, it will be fine to eat outside."
"Roam around?" He Xiang Jun did not think that Murong Shu Qing would say that, thinking about it, she said: "That is good, you have not come to the Capital for a very long time, and see what you may like. Let Feng Xian accompany you."
Wu Mei immediately smiled and replied: "Mother, I do not know where that youngster has gone to since last night."
He Xiang Jun sighed, this Feng Xuan would not let anybody feel at ease, patting Murong Shu Qing"s hand, she continued to say: "Then, let your elder brother accompany you."
Murong Shu Qing secretly sighed, it was so troublesome just wanting to go outside. With a gentle smile that was still on her face, she faintly said: "No need, Maternal grandmother, elder brother also has his own matters, I simply go out to stroll, and will bring the bodyguard, you can be at ease."
Hearing her words, He Xiang Jun not only did not feel at ease, but she was even more persistent, a girl who wanted to go out, how could she do it randomly. Pretending to get angry, she said: "That will not do, you have to have someone accompany you, then I will be at ease."
Returning to hold He Xiang Jun"s hand, Murong Shu Qing firmly said: "Maternal grandmother, I have my own propriety, you do not need to worry." If going out was really this troublesome, she should think it over again, whether or not she wanted to continue staying at the Qi"s manor.
Qi Zhong Lin"s forceful and resonant voice interrupted He Xiang Jun who wanted to refute with her next words, he looked as if he did not care, but his voice contained power, and he said: "Alright, let her go on her own, what matters can happen if she goes around the Capital."
Murong Shu Qing suddenly felt that it was interesting, looking at those wise and sharp eyes, she should probably come to the Qi"s family earlier so she could be familiar with this legendary elderly person whose name was known in the whole world.
He Xiang Jun looked at their persistence, and could not anything anymore, she could only helplessly pat Murong Shu Qing"s cheeks, and said: "Then, alright, let Yi Zhong follow you closely, take some money so you can buy anything that you like."
Looking that she agreed, Murong Shu Qing immediately said: "Alright, thank you, Maternal grandfather and grandmother, Shu Qing asks to be excused." She was muttering in her heart, this felt like when she was in elementary school, she wanted to go out for some outings with her fellow students. After asking it for a while, her dad and mom finally agreed.
"En, go now." He Xiang Jun finished speaking, Murong Shu Qing hurriedly saluted, and retreated to go out, her speed was several times faster than when she came!
Once they were out of the main hall, Lu Yi asked in a low voice: "Miss, do you want to prepare the carriage?"
"No need."
Did Miss not want to go out? Looking at Murong Shu Qing who walked over to that winding corridors, Lu Yi suspiciously asked: "Then, now ~~"
"Go back to Die Cui Xiao Su." Murong Shu Qing lazily answered.
"Go back? Does Miss not want to go to Ying Ke Lou?"
"Sleep first." After dropping these two words, Murong Shu Qing already left far away.
Sian"s notes:
The Master Big Uncle words, are using Da Jiu Ye. I have no idea how to translate the appellation. This person is MSQ"s big uncle, aka her mom"s older brother. But since Lu Yi is the one who says the words, the Ye word means Master, while the Da Jiu means big uncle (from maternal side of the family). So how the heck do I translate that words, so I can only used Master Big Uncle. Either way, if MSQ is the one who says the words, she’ll call him Da Jiu which I can easily translate to Big Uncle.