chapter 135

Old Lord Lu’s study has no decorative objects. Apart from a desk and a row of books, there were only the eye-catching bows and arrows hanging on the wall.

When Han Jianye entered the study, he saw two people inside. There was Second Lord Lu whom he was all too familiar with and the remaining old man with a dignified face whom he knew without thinking was Old Lord Lu. After Han Jianye greeted them, he stood honestly in place.

Old Lord Lu looked at the endlessly awkward Han Jianye and didn’t say anything soft words¹expressing apology, sympathy, etc.. He only swept a glimpse at Han Jianye and asked, “Is it really that delightful to be promoted up two ranks?” When he looked at Han Jianye’s appearance of being flushed with success, he knew the joy would have been overwhelming.

Han Jianye felt like he didn’t know where to put his hands and feet, as his words weren’t any clearer, “No, very terrified.” The look in Old Master Lu’s eyes seemed like they could see all through him.

When Sixth Master Lu, who was standing at the back, heard what Han Jianye was saying, he lowered his head to laugh up his sleeve.

Old Lord Lu put down the paperweight in his hand and softly said, “It’s good that you know how to be terrified. Being promoted two ranks in succession is actually not good for you.” If it was according to Old Lord Lu’s original intention, it should have been pressed a bit. Being too young, rising too fast and with his heart could not keep up, it would instead do more harm than good. It was just that it was already a foregone conclusion when Old Lord Lu got the news, and he was powerless to change it. What to say? After all, Han Jianye was only his grandson-in-law, not a grandson, so naturally, Old Lord Lu wouldn’t have paid special attention, or else he wouldn’t have only learned of the news today. However, Han Jianye’s contributions also made Old Lord Lu look up at him with new eyes²Chinese idiom : have a whole new level of respect for sb or sth. As he also worked as an official, whether civil or military, everyone liked one kind of people that was talented and lucky. This kind of talent could go far and high, and Han Jianye, obviously, was this kind of person.

People in the Han family were very happy that day Han Jianye had gotten the official position of upper sixth rank officer. In fact, they didn’t know that it was a good coincidence for him to get this position. At that time, there was just such a vacancy in the Imperial Guards, and Han Jianye’s conditions were just right. After the Duke of the State Residence made a connection with them, in addition, the Lu family would help from behind his back, which in turn made Han Jianye get this vacancy. Speaking of it, this could also be considered to be his luck.

Han Jianye calmed his mind and said, “I still wish to ask Taiye³the head of the house to give me one or two pointers.”

Old Lord Lu nodded lightly. This one was indeed a good young successor. He had specifically asked Sixth Boy to call Han Jianye over not to lecture, but to instruct him. Right now, Old Lord Lu and Han Jianye were talking about the matters between the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Court.

In the backyard, Second Lady Lu heard that Han Jianye was in her father-in-law’s study, thus her face was full of smiles. It was also her future son-in-law’s good luck to get the guidance from her father-in-law.

Lu Xiu’s face was a little flushed. She also only found out at noon that her fiancé had been promoted two ranks in succession, which was a great honor. The haze that had filled her life for some time before had thoroughly cleared away. When everyone saw her being congratulate for this joyous event, they didn’t feel pity and sympathy anymore towards her.

Han Jianye stayed in Old Lord Lu’s study for more than an hour. When he came out, the moon was already hanging in the air.

Sixth Master Lu smiled and said, “You still look the same when you go in.” When Han Jianye entered, he was afraid of his grandfather like he was something scary. When Han Jianye came out, after he met his grandfather, his eyes had completely filled with feeling of respect.

Han Jianye didn’t care about Sixth Master Lu poking fun at him. There was an old saying that went, listening to the words of a wise man could be superior to studying ten years of books. That was how he felt right now.

At this time, in the study room, Old Lord Lu said to Second Lord Lu, “This child is a good seedling. Cultivate him well, and he’ll be a big help in the future.” He actually still had some guilt about Lu Xiu. He had thought that the Ye family’s Second boy was a good one, but he hadn’t expected to be wrong. That boy was not bad on the outside, but inside he was a straw bag⁴a good-for-nothing, otherwise he wouldn’t do such a brainless thing. It was also fortunate that he had a clear view before marriage, or else, later on, his granddaughter would be burdened with her husband’s concubine’s bastard.

Second Lord Lu nodded and said, “I will.”

After this incident, in the next few days, Han Jianye always went to the Lu family residence. Even if he couldn’t get guidance from Old Lord Lu, it would still be great for him to get guidance from his future father-in-law.

After Qiu Shi found out, she couldn’t help muttering, “He’s almost becoming a son of the Lu family.” This noob translation was translated by a noob translator きつね. Please read this chapter at xin-shou.blogspot.com.

Yuxi, however, thinks it was a good thing. The reason Han Jianye had developed such a simple temperament had a lot to do with the lack of male elders to teach him. Now that Second Lord Lu was able to perform his father’s duties in place of her uncle, it was beneficial for her Er Ge⁵er=second, ge=elder brother. This was also because Second Lord Lu doted on Lu Xiu, otherwise he wouldn’t have been so devoted to her Er Ge⁵er=second, ge=elder brother.

After listening to Yuxi’s words, Qiu Shi said with a smile, “I’m not an unappreciative person. For the Lu family to be this dedicated, is no other thing but for their daughter’s sake. Don’t worry, I will treat Lu Xiu well when she comes through the door. If both husband and wife have a good relationship, I will have grandchildren in the future. ” Lu Xiu’s figure was definitely a prior indication for her to be able to hold two grandchildren within three years!

When Yuxi heard this talk, she said with a smile, “Why is there the need to wait for Er Ge⁵er=second, ge=elder brother to marry? Isn’t Dasao⁶eldest sister-in-law due in the ninth lunar month? At the latest of the ninth lunar month, Eldest Aunt will be able to hold a grandchild.”

Since this matter wasn’t something private and personal, Qiu Shi wouldn’t hide it from Yuxi. She immediately said, “Nine times out of ten, your Dasao⁶eldest sister-in-law will give birth to a girl.” It had been more than five months, and it could roughly be seen whether the foetus would be male or female.

Yuxi cried out loud, “Who said that? How do you know if it’s a boy or a girl when the baby isn’t even born yet?” She really didn’t know anything about this. It was mainly because she had never been exposed to it, plus she had never given birth in her last life.

Qiu Shi replied, “That’s what both Imperial Physician Le and the midwife have said, so it shouldn’t be wrong.”

Yuxi didn’t think it would necessarily be that way, “It’s still necessary for the child to be born first before determining whether it’s a male or female, and what they see is not necessarily accurate! Even if it is a girl, she is also the eldest di⁷born from formal wife granddaughter of our Duke of the State Residence, and she is also highly pure and precious!”

Qiu Shi smiled and said, “You, this girl, I didn’t say that I didn’t like it if she gives birth to a girl.” Although she really wanted to have a grandson, but, having a granddaughter was also not bad.

Yuxi looked at Qiu Shi and knew that Qiu Shi didn’t know yet that it would be difficult for Ye Shi to give another birth in the future. Yuxi didn’t intend to tell Qiu Shi about this. Whether Qiu Shi found out on her own or Han Jianming told her about it, Yuxi had decided not to be the bad one.

Mama Li walked in and announced, “My Lady, the hot water is ready for you to take a bath.”

Zisu looked at Yuxi’s torn look and asked in a low voice, “Miss, what did the First Lady tell you that made it so difficult for you?”

Yuxi thought about it. There was no way to hide this matter, as it would definitely come out when the time came. Afraid that the people outside would hear, Yuxi lowered her voice and told Zisu in a few words about Ye Shi’s inability to give another birth. Afterwards, she said, “If this foetus is a girl, Dage⁸eldest brother is definitely going to marry a secondary wife.” For this single matter, the Ye family had been the wrong one in the first place. They just waited for Ye Shi to give birth to the child. After the Imperial Physician determined that Ye Shi could not get pregnant again, marrying a secondary wife would be imperative, nor could it be stopped.

Zisu looked frightened, “Such a big thing, and the Ye family is hiding it?” For the Ye family to know fully well that it would be difficult for Ye Shi to give birth to another child, there was a clear suspicion that they had cheated to get a marriage.

Yuxi quietly said, “It’s pointless to talk about the past. I’m just worried that if Dage⁸eldest brother did marry a secondary wife in the future, there would be a fight that would never end.” With Ye Shi’s nature, she definitely wanted the candidate to be chosen by her so that she would be able to control the other party well in the future. But if Eldest Aunt knew about Ye Shi’s situation, she would definitely not comply, and then this would give birth to animosity between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Zisu knew that Yuxi was worried and said, “Miss, I actually think the key to this matter lies with Master Shizi⁹heir to a noble family.”

Yuxi also felt like she was in a maze. As Zisu said the key to this matter lay on Dage⁸eldest brother. If the person Ye Shi picked out was not to Dage⁸eldest brother’s satisfaction, all would just be in vain. As for what made Dage⁸eldest brother agree to marry Ke Minjie as his secondary wife in her last life, Yuxi didn’t want to waste time thinking about it.

Yuxi softly said, “It’s best that this child will be a son.” As long as Ye Shi gave birth to a son, there would be no marriage to secondary wife matter.

A concubine was the root of a chaotic family, let alone marrying a secondary wife. The secondary wife was naturally a high rank concubine. With Ye Shi’s situation, if in the future, Dage⁸eldest brother married a secondary who was so powerful and able to give birth, the fight between the wife and concubine would absolutely be unavoidable. When the time came, the Duke of the State would become the stage for the wife and concubine fought and schemed against each other every day. Yuxi liked to watch drama, but she didn’t like to watch this kind of drama. ᵀᴺI like comedy.

Zisu spoke even quieter than Yuxi’s as she said, “Miss, you must not interfere in this matter.” This kind of thing was definitely an arduous and thankless task¹⁰Chinese idiom : work hard but get little result.

Yuxi laughed. “It’s not like I’m missing a string in my head¹¹out of mind to intervene in this matter. Before, for Er Ge⁵er=second, ge=elder brother’s matter, I didn’t even feel concerned about it, but it was Dage⁸eldest brother who came to me. My Er Ge⁵er=second, ge=elder brother has always been very good to me, and I would feel very sorry for him if I didn’t go and help him.”

Zisu knew that Yuxi acted in a measured way, and what she said just now was just to remind Yuxi.

Before, in Rose Courtyard, Yuxi usually went to sleep at half haishi¹²9-11pm. But here, she had to go to bed before the end of xushi¹³7-9pm which she truly could not get used to. While Yuxi was lying on the bed, she said, “Fortunately, we’ll be moving to Taoran House in a couple of days. Otherwise, I’m really worried that I won’t be able to stand it.” Seven to eight years of habit was not something that could be corrected in ten days or so. ᵀᴺDarn, 7-9 pm. The only time I would fall asleep at that time, was because I had been dead tired.

Speaking of Taoran House, Zisu looked excited, “Miss, Taoran House is more than three times bigger than Rose Courtyard. Let’s see if Second Miss and Fifth Miss will still laugh at you in the future?”

Yuxi, however, was a little regretful, “I still like my Rose Courtyard.” Especially the roses in Rose Courtyard, which were her favourite.

Zisu smiled and suggested, “Miss, wouldn’t it be nice to have two rose bushes planted in the courtyard. If Miss is willing, Miss can also build a swing in the courtyard.” The fact that Zisu would say that, was because, it was a complete reference to the layout of Tingyun Pavilion.

Where would Yuxi have such a refined and leisurely frame of mind, “Don’t plant those attractive but useless kinds of things. I want to plant medicinal herbs in the backyard.” Even if the results of her herbs were terrible, Yuxi still hadn’t given up and she would persevere unremittingly¹⁴Chinese idiom : to keep going until the end in the future.

Zisu’s eyes widened as big as two copper bells. After a while, she smiled and said, “When Miss arrives at Taoran House, Miss will decide whether to plant medicinal herbs in the backyard or not.”

Yuxi knew the general layout of the Taoran House, but for the specific, she was unclear. She then laughed, “What kind of plants have been planted in Taoran House backyard that have made you treasure them like this?”

Zisu didn’t spare her any clue, “Miss will know when the time comes.”

Yuxi laughed and scolded, “Now you’re dressing up as God, but play the devil¹⁵Chinese idiom : purposely make a mystery of simple things in front of me.” Not only did Zisu like Taoran House, but also did Zijin, Kufu and the others. Yuxi knew why. Previously, her Rose Courtyard was too small, not only was it crowded, there was no place to put her things. Now that Taoran House was so spacious, she didn’t have to worry about that anymore.