Chapter 103.3: A Concubine’s Fate, World Shocking Betrothal Gift
Things have already become thoroughly set in stone. Sun Yi Jia although was enduring as much as possible, but how could Jing Wan, who was walking right by her side, not sense that uncontainable excitement of hers. Have to say, for these young girls of the boudoir, to be able to have their wish fulfilled on the matter of marriage, there probably was nothing more worthy to be happy over than this.
“Big sister Jia is very happy?” Jing Wan leaned in closer to her ear, and softly laughed.
How could Sun Yi Jia not know she was being teased, “What nonsense are you saying?”
“Then you must be unhappy, unwilling to marry my brother?” Jing Wan deliberately raised an eyebrow.
“I, I……” Sun Yi Jia was both embarra.s.sed and anxious. She was a hundred, a thousand times willing, but can she say these words out loud? But if she doesn’t say, she worried that Jing Wan will mistakenly think that she disdains her(JW) older brother. For a moment, her whole face flushed red in a panic. If not for the veil covering up everything below the nose, at this time, afraid, she would’ve long attracted everyone’s attention.
Jing Wan covered her mouth, her shoulders trembling as she laughed. If not for the fact that the setting was off, she certainly would’ve held her stomach, roaring with laughter.
How could Sun Yi Jia not know that she got teased by her again, momentarily feeling both ashamed and angry. However, she didn’t really get angry. Did this mean that little sister Wan really didn’t mind her(SYJ) being her(JW) sister-in-law? Have to say, she previously was already somewhat aware, but ultimately didn’t dare open her mouth to confirm. Sun Yi Jia inwardly encouraged herself, “Little sister Wan doesn’t mind?”
Jing Wan restrained her laughter, no longer teasing Sun Yi Jia. Jokes also needed to stop before going to far. Even if they were good sisters, going overboard wasn’t good either. “What is there for me to mind? Big sister Jia’s face?”
Sun Yi Jia naturally knew, towards her face, little sister Wan was the one that didn’t mind the most. Momentarily, her eyes couldn’t help but become somewhat blurry again.
“Ah? Don’t cry, if you cry now, those that don’t know will start making guess again.”
Sun Yi Jia inhaled through her nose, letting herself return to normal.
“Sigh, this is liking to cry more and more, what to do……never mind, best leave it to third brother to slowly coax in the future.”
“This mouth of yours, just don’t know what it means to restrain a little? Sometimes, it really is hateful like a certain person’s.”
(T/N: Pretty sure she’s referring ML lol.)
The latter half Jing Wan didn’t hear clearly, “What is big sister Jia muttering about?”
“Nothing at all.”
Seeing that harmonious atmosphere, and that smile br.i.m.m.i.n.g out from the bottom of the heart, it really was especially dazzling.
At the banquet, Sun Yi Jia abandoned her original seat and squeezed in together with Jing Wan and them. The table wasn’t full anyways, so no one said anything either.
Speaking of the Grand Elder Princess’s birthday banquet, the lavishness of the meal on the table naturally didn’t need to be mentioned. But, this warm dish has long turned into a cold dish already. Even if still edible, these delicate misses of the boudoir were still very much reserved, even Jing Wan had to go through the motions as well. That’s why, regardless of what banquet, at present, were all the most annoying. It was still the most pleasant to eat at home in one’s own courtyard.
This meal slowly dragged on for an hour, and the male guest side, afraid, wasted even more time.
Sure enough, as expected, not long after the dishes were cleared away, a portion of the people, who were either of the elderly, or had important business to attend to, proposed to take their leave, and normally during this time, they wouldn’t be urged to stay either. Luo Old Madam was also one among them, she occupied both factors. Regarding Luo Jing Ying’s matter, the Grand Elder Princess naturally knew, and couldn’t help but sigh. Sisters of the same clan, yet why was the disparity this big?
“Have caused trouble for Grand Elder Princess.” Luo Old Madam expressed her regret.
“Luo Old Madam’s words are too polite. Setting aside everything else, your family’s third miss, this princess is indeed very fond of. If not for…………..really want to have her taken in as an adopted daughter[1].”
Luo Old Madam naturally understood the Grand Elder Princess’s qualms. Being fond of was one thing, but if she were to accept Jing Wan as an adopted daughter, then that would directly be familial relations. This was wanting to make ties with court officials or what? Le Cheng Emperor will definitely have thoughts. For the Grand Elder Princess to be able to receive Le Cheng Emperor’s high regard all these years, how was it not because she knew how to restrain herself. That’s why, in order for this friendly relations.h.i.+p to be able to last for a long time, it also required one to wholeheartedly maintain it.
“To be able to receive the Grand Elder Princess’s deep affections is that girl’s honor.”
Jing Wan quietly stood to the side listening to their words.
Soon after, with the Grand Elder Princess’s help in concealing, Luo Jing Ying was sent onto the horse carriage. Previously, only her hands were tied, but now, her entire body was tied up, and her mouth stuffed even more tightly, just to prevent her from causing a disturbance again.
When they returned to the Luo Manor, upon seeing Luo Jing Ying getting lifted out, everyone else of the Luo family finally learned that something had happened.
One must know, today, of the daughter-in-laws, other than the eldest daughter-in-law w.a.n.g-s.h.i.+, the other three, Luo Old Madam all didn’t let go. And Luo Pei Shan also only brought along his eldest son and a few grandsons. This while, the rest had all came out to greet them.
The fourth one’s wife, Wu-s.h.i.+, perhaps felt somewhat regretful, but wasn’t the type to think too much either. The second one’s wife, Zhang-s.h.i.+, further didn’t need to be mention, she was never too fond of these types of occasion anyways. Only the third one’s wife, Liu-s.h.i.+, was upset, but no matter how many thoughts went through her head, she still wouldn’t say it out loud, and Luo Old Madam further disregarded her.
Seeing her own daughter like this now, clearly having suffered a great grievance, yet was being tied up like this, obvious that she’d committed an offense, Liu-s.h.i.+ was both vexed and angry. Most likely this pig head had done something stupid again. Liu-s.h.i.+ didn’t dare make a sound either. Even if Luo Jing Ying ‘wuwuwu’ shouted towards her, she could still only pretend to not hear.
Seeing Luo Jing Ying like this, Luo Rong Ping was also very much furious. Although some of it was directed towards Luo Jing Ying, even more of it was actually directed towards Luo Old Madam. This was the bargaining chip to his success, yet now had ended up like this! But he also didn’t dare to let out the slightest complaint. He still wasn’t aware, that bit of matter he and his daughter had with Rui Qinw.a.n.g that they a.s.sumed others all didn’t know about, had long been revealed to everyone by Yu Yao Wenzhu already.
The other few, however, didn’t have any reaction at all, their mood lacking.
“Have Luo Jing Ying thrown into the little buddha hall, and have her untied. If she dares make a scene, then directly slap her mouth for me, and hit until she doesn’t dare to cause a ruckus anymore.” Luo Old Madam coldly ordered, not even sparing Luo Jing Ying a glance. Afterwards, she issued punishments for Luo Jing Ying’s wet nurse and servant girls. Of course, this was helping Jing Wan. In Luo Old Madam’s eyes, these three didn’t just ‘fail to protect their master’. Clearly knowing their master was in the wrong, but didn’t further dissuade, this was their actual crime. If you ask her, they ought to be severely punished as well. “You all come with me, Wan Wan, you go tend to your own matters.”
(T/N: Back in chapter 102, Jing Wan issued punishments for LJY’s servants, Luo Old Madam is just backing her up on this.)
When Luo Old Madam returned to the main courtyard, she first changed into more relaxing clothes. During this time, it was more than enough for them to learn about the good things Luo Jing Ying had done in the Grand Elder Princess Manor. Liu-s.h.i.+ had a wooden expression on her face, and just what exactly she was thinking about, no one knew. Zhang-s.h.i.+ was incessantly furious, and even someone like her, frowned at Liu-s.h.i.+ as well. And as for Luo Rong Ping’s vain way of handling things, Luo Rong Yan have always looked down on, and now that his(LRY) daughter got schemed against by his(LRP) daughter, towards this third younger brother, he certainly didn’t have the slightest good look.
“If you ask me, it’s still third girl that is capable. No matter how much the demons and monsters mess around, never mind not being affected, instead, even end up walking increasingly higher. However, she is also kind-hearted, so naturally she has good karma, unlike some people, only thinking about resenting this and scheming against that all day long, a stomach full of spoiled water. Virtue has its reward, so naturally evil has its retribution as well.” Wu-s.h.i.+ said pulling on her handkerchief with a laugh.
(T/N: I feel like every time Jing Wan’s fourth aunt, Wu-s.h.i.+, gets lines, it’s always to make jabs at Liu-s.h.i.+.)
“Enough, just this mouth of yours is impressive. I called you all here because there’s a happy occasion.” Luo Old Madam had Sun Yi Jia and Luo Jing Bo’s matter explained, “The wedding date is truly a little too tight. Jing Ming (second young master) although is the elder brother, still can only push back his matter for now. Second one’s wife, the things that need to be prepared, have them quickly prepared. As for some of the other arrangements, I’ll send two people for you to use. The wedding room, you all have long set aside a courtyard for anyways. Rong Yan, quickly send someone to find craftsmen to come paint up the place. As for the matchmaker, your father and I will invite someone. Also, the Sun family’s girl, although has injured her face, one can’t deny that she is a good girl. After she marries in, I don’t wish for anyone to have a loose mouth, and say some irrelevant nonsense. Today, I’ll put my words here in advance. When time comes, if I am to hear anything unpleasant, don’t say this old woman isn’t the least bit merciful and benevolent. You two branches see if there’s anything you can help with, if you don’t want to help, then just stay to the side, don’t come out to annoy others.” Who these last words were for, it was obvious and easy to see.
Even if Liu-s.h.i.+ was shrewd, her expression still couldn’t help but change. Luo Rong Ping’s expression was also quite gloomy.
[1] Since there are different types of adoption in ancient china, I figured it’s best to explain the nuance here. In this case here, the Grand Elder Princess wants Jing Wan to be her daughter in name. This is both informal yet legitimate. It’s legitimate in the sense that she will be recognized as the Grand Elder Princess’s daughter in name, but informal because she’s not going to be actually ‘adopted’ into the imperial family officially, ie. adding her name into their family records.
T/N: It makes sense that Jing Wan’s other aunts aside from Liu-s.h.i.+ are more normal, or least have relatively good moral character, since they were personally picked out by grandpa and grandma Luo. Even Jing Wan’s mother, Zhang-s.h.i.+, was a good choice for a daughter-in-law, she’s a bit stupid but she’s a kind person ahahha. Liu-s.h.i.+ was the only one they didn’t have a choice with since grandpa Luo owed Liu-s.h.i.+’s father a favor. I like when logic is consistent in novels ;;v;;)