chapter 118

As soon as Qiu Shi got the news, she immediately turned around to ask Mama Li, “Do you think it is better if we bring Yuxi along?” The idea of meeting in the satin shop was truly a good one.

Mama Li replied with a smile, “We must bring along Fourth Miss. My Lady, please don’t forget that Fourth Miss knows Miss Lu.” Since both Yuxi and Miss Lu knew each other, they would definitely talk a lot when they met again. Her Lady could also take this opportunity to have a better look of this Miss Lu.

Qiu Shi nodded as she admitted, “It really can’t be done without Yuxi.”

Yuxi knew what Qiu Shi meant and thought for a moment before she said, “Eldest Aunt, it is a little too deliberate to just take me alone. Why don’t we invite Dajie¹eldest sistertoo?” As for Yujing, it was normal for her not to mention, as there was a kind of animosity between Qiu Shi and Yujing. As for Yuchen, she would not be able to go even if she was invited.

Qiu Shi smiled, “It’s all up to you. When we go to the satin shop, you should pick more satin and make more good clothes for yourself.”

Yuxi shook her head as she responded, “I can’t even wear all the clothes that I have now, and with me growing so fast, the clothes that I made this year will surely cannot be worn for next year.” Old clothes were usually cut to make purses or be rewarded to other people, which to Yuxi was really a waste. After suffering a lifetime of starvation, Yuxi had become more frugal and didn’t want to be wasteful. Of course, for something that should be spent would still be spent.

Once Yuxi was out of the main courtyard, she went straight to Tingyun Pavilion.

Yuchen was playing the bamboo flute when she heard Yuxi was coming over. She put down her flute and went out to meet her. “What is Si Meimei²si=fourth, meimei=younger sisterdoing here?” The two sisters had a good relationship, but recently, both were too busy to meet and hadn’t talked with each other for a long time.

Yuxi smiled and explained, “I heard the sound of San Jie³san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie’s flute on the way back. As I was absorbed in listening to the melody, unknowingly, I’ve reached Tingyun Pavilion.”

Seeing the smile that blossomed on Yuxi’s face, Zisu found it quite amusing. Her Miss had become more eloquent nowadays.

Yuchen was extremely happy with Yuxi’s pleasant statements, which inevitably made her utter a few more words, “I asked you to learn the flute that day, but you didn’t want to. In fact, it’s really not that difficult to learn. Yuxi, it’s still not too late for you.”

Yuxi immediately begged for mercy, “San Jie³san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie, you might as well spare me! I’ve known nothing of the tones and they won’t want to enter a single aperture of my head⁴Chinese idiom : don’t have any understanding.”

Since Yuchen was in a good mood, she felt quite amused with Yuxi’s answer, “What do you mean by they don’t even enter a single aperture of your head⁴Chinese idiom : don’t have any understanding? If you can understand while reading medical books, how come you’re unable to learn playing bamboo flute? I’m sure it’s just you who are unwilling to learn.”

That was a good point. Once one’s mind was not into something, no matter how great the teacher was, one wouldn’t be able to be taught. Not wanting to argue with Yuchen, Yuxi smilingly said, “San Jie³san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie, Eldest Aunt will go out shopping the day after tomorrow. She has invited me and Dajie¹eldest sister. So, do you also want to go together?” Although she knew that Yuchen wouldn’t be able to go, but, she did specially made a trip here just to ask, just for the sake of being thorough.

Yuchen shook her head and answered, “That’s okay. I don’t lack anything either.” Even if she found out that there was something missing, some people would send it directly to her. Why would she need to worry?

Yuxi did not dare to persuade Yuchen to go out, otherwise, she would only make the Old Lady angry and blaming her for bringing Yuchen astray, which was also inappropriate.

The two chatted for about a quarter of an hour before Momo⁵wet nurseGui came over and reminded, “Third Miss, it’s time to practice calligraphy.” Yuchen had a full schedule every day.

Yuxi looked at Yuchen sympathetically and said, “San Jie³san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie, I’ll go back then.” Although she was also busy on a daily basis, especially busy learning many things, she learnt them mainly for herself. For whatever reason Yuchen had been learning, only Yuchen herself knew.

Yuru soon knew that Qiu Shi would be taking her to buy clothes and jewelry. She also knew that it was Yuxi who had proposed this idea. Of course, Yuxi intentionally leaked her own deed. She was not the sort of person who did a good deed without leaving her name behind.

Qingxuan smiled and said, “Miss always treats Fourth Miss well, and she has kept it in her heart!” Otherwise, why was only her Miss who got invited? ᵀᴺIgnorant is sometimes a bliss.

Yuru nodded her head as she agreed, “Momo⁵wet nurseChang was right. It is good and harmless for sisters to get along well.” The efforts she had made towards Yuchen and Yuxi in recent years had not been in vain.

Han Jianye returned to the state residence that afternoon. He went to see Qiu Shi first, and talked with his mother for a little while. When he heard Han Jianming had come back, he then went to see him in a hurry.

The brothers stayed in the study until the sun went down, then both of them went to the main courtyard together, accompanying Qiu Shi for dinner.

After dinner, Qiu Shi asked, ”Have your brother told you about the matter with the Lu family? So Ye-er, what do you think?” If her son was unwilling, this matter would be difficult to deal with.

Han Jianye replied with a smile, “I don’t have any problem. Mother, Sixth Master Lu had saved my brother’s life. There is no other way for us to repay him back.” He would have lost his brother if it had not been for Sixth Master Lu. Even a drop of water should be returned with a burst of spring⁶Chinese proverb : even if it was just a little help from others, one should return the favour with all one’s can when others are in need, not to mention the kindness of saving somebody’s lives. At least the other person didn’t ask him to climb a mountain of swords or plunge into a sea of flames⁷Chinese well-known phrase : be willing to undergo the most severe trials. He was only being asked to marry Sixth Master Lu’s sister, so Han Jianye really didn’t feel any injustice in it.

Seeing that Han Jianye did not reject the idea at all, Qiu Shi felt better. “Then buy two new sets of clothes and wear one of them on the day after tomorrow.”

Once Qiu Shi began to chat with Han Jianye, she started to pour out what she had wanted to say for a long time.

Han Jianming noticed that his didi⁸younger brotherturned his glance to him which showed a ‘begging for help’ expression. A smirk flowed out from the corner of Han Jianming’s mouth, but he did not step forward to lend a hand.

It had not been long for Han Jianye’s return to the residence that it had been known by the people in the Rose Courtyard. Seeing that it was getting dark and Han Jianye had not been seen coming yet, Zisu inquired, “Why hasn’t Second Master come to see Miss today?” In the past, Second Master always visited Miss when he came back to the residence.

Yuxi smiled as she replied, ”There’s too much going on today, so Erge⁹er=second, ge=second brother, short form for Gegedoesn’t have the time to come. He will definitely come over tomorrow morning.” She deliberately avoided going to the main courtyard that evening, so that the three, mother and children, could talk properly between them. No matter how much she was favoured by Qiu Shi, she was still not Qiu Shi own daughter, thus there was always a layer separating them. There were some things that she had to act in propriety.

Zisu nodded as she complied, “Letting the people over there see that Miss is valued by Master Shizi¹⁰heir of noble familyand the Second Master will also make our life less troublesome.”

Yuxi smiled, “There’s no time like the present for trouble. It depends on whether you care about it or not.” If one cared about those troubles, one would have to worry about them everyday. If one didn’t pay attention to them, they would just pass by themselves. Therefore, whether one lived well or not, it was entirely determined by one’s own mentality.

Just as Yuxi had thought, Han Jianye came over just after she had her breakfast. “Si Mei¹¹si=fourth, mei=younger sister, short form of meimei, it’s only been two months since I’ve seen you, and you have grown up again. You’re growing up really fast.”

Yuxi was not short among the girls in her previous life. Now she was one head taller than she was at that time, and if it kept on going like this, she would really be a tall person. “Even if I am growing taller, it’s not like you’re the one who’s going to worry about running out of material for my garment anyway.” A tall person was a tall man. One could not stop eating and exercising just because one was afraid of growing tall.

When Han Jianye heard this, he laughed and said, “I’m not worried about the clothes, I’m afraid that when the time comes, you’ll be too tall for anyone to marry.”

Zisu also knew Han Jianye’s temperament, where the way he spoke may sound harsh but it was without any bad intent. If one wanted to deal with him, one would be infuriated while he himself didn’t know what’s going on. In order not to let herself from feeling infuriated, Zisu decided to withdraw.

Yuxi cut in, “A good girl like me, why will I need to be worried about not getting married? It’s you, Erge⁹er=second, ge=second brother, short form for Gege, who should be worried. Who knows if future sister-in-law’s is going to turn her back on you.”

As Han Jianye heard Yuxi’s words, he laughed out loud, ”Good, you have this much confidence in yourself. My family Xi-er will have whatever she wants, and those who propose marriage in the future will surely line up till the city gate.” In his mind, Yuxi was excellent in every way.

Not only did Yuxi not shy away, she even responded smugly instead, “Of course.” For her, talking to Erge⁹er=second, ge=second brother, short form for Gege was the most comfortable thing ever, as she could say whatever she wanted. This noob translation was translated by a noob translator きつね. Please read this chapter at xin-shou.blogspot.com.

After chatting a few words, Han Jianye asked, “Erge⁹er=second, ge=second brother, short form for Gege is getting engaged soon. Yuxi, you know about this matter, right?”

Yuxi nodded as she acknowledged it, “I do know about it. Eldest Aunt told me two days ago that she had chosen Lu Jiejie¹²elder sister! ”

Han Jianye’s eyes lit up, as Yuxi’s tone seemed to suggest that they knew each other. “Do you know Fourth Miss Lu?” No one would not be curious about his future wife, and Han Jianye was no exception.

Yuxi nodded and said, “Yes, I met her at the back of Lingshan Temple a few days ago…” Then, she gave him a detailed account of their meeting at Lingshan Temple. She emphasized on Lu Xiu’s character and talent, which were all in good light. She only did not say how Lu Xiu looked like.

Han Jianye felt very satisfied when he heard Lu Xiu’s sewing and needlework were very good. However, Yuxi didn’t tell him the most important thing, “How does Miss Lu look like?”

Yuxi stopped before she reached the climax, “Erge⁹er=second, ge=second brother, short form for Gege will know when you see her tomorrow. Anyway, Erge⁹er=second, ge=second brother, short form for Gege will definitely not be disappointed.” It was fun to keep her Erge⁹er=second, ge=second brother, short form for Gege’s appetite up!

This made Han Jianye’s heart itched even more, but Yuxi still did not want to tell him anyway. Han Jianye resented it so much that it made his teeth itched¹³To bother or unsettle a person; to put someone on edge.. He left with the following sentence, “I doted on you for nothing.”

Yuxi just laughed.

Han Jianye was imagining how his future wife would look like that he didn’t have the time to pay attention to anyone else around him. It wasn’t until his page boy reminded him that Han Jianye finally realised a pretty girl was standing before him.

After Qiu Yanfu performed her salute, she softly called out, “Er Biaoge¹⁴er=second, biaoge=elder male cousin.”

When Han Jianye saw Qiu Yanfu, Yuxi’s words immediately came to his mind. Other than this woman, Yuxi had never said anything bad about anyone else in front of him, not even about Wu Shi. Therefore, he believed that Qiu Yanfu was definitely a person who didn’t have any good character.

As Han Jianye thought till here, he ought to not respond to her, as he turned around and left. His page boy hastily followed behind him. Those who did not understand Han Jianye’s behaviour, would assume that he thought Qiu Yanfu was one of the severe floods and fierce beasts¹⁵extremely dangerous or threatening things.

Qiu Yanfu’s face had become egg drop soup, as it changed into every color under the sun, which was looking extremely interesting.

Egg Drop Soup in large curds and small curds.

At noon, Kufu told Yuxi about the incident like it was a joke, “Miss, do you know, when Second Master saw Qiu Yanfu in the residence compound, it was as if he had seen a ghost that he started to run away.”

Maidong brought a cup of juice to Yuxi and said, “Speaking of which, this Miss Qiu was also very lucky. How come she managed to run into Second Master in the residence compound one after another?” This situation was quite ironic enough.

Yuxi laughed lightly, “Do you think Qiu Yanfu was really innocent?”

Maidong was the least scheming and the most simple of the four maids around Yuxi. She let Maidong stay around her, because she liked her simple mind. “If you were in Qiu Yanfu’s position, what would you do if you met Second Master?”

Maidong thought for a moment with her head tilted sideways and then she answered, “If it was me, I wouldn’t have come forward to greet Second Master. I would rather leave quickly instead.”

Yuxi laughed softly, ”That’s not it. Would she still be gossiped if she had turned around and left? The more one harbours intentions that can’t bear daylight¹⁶Chinese idiom : having secret motives, the more righteous one will be on the surface.”