RVW – Chapter 23

The Imperial Chancellor’s wife was extremely anxious. She recognized the old Momo¹Momo (嬷嬷) is an elderly servant or a wet nurse kneeling on the ground as the one taking care of Lu Shaoling. She hurriedly asked what had happened, but the old Momo only kept on crying and lamenting endlessly that “Young Master Ling is going to be hanged,” and nothing else. Such words that can’t be made heads or tails caused the Imperial Chancellor’s wife headache and anger. She snapped, “SHUT UP!”

At this time, The Imperial Chancellor’s wife’s senior maid²Ya huan (丫环) is a servant girl, Jin Zhi, went to support the old Momo. The Momo, seeing the Prime Minister’s wife’s gloomy expression, stopped howling but her sorrowful and teary face still remained.

Lu Feirong was still engaged in a heated conversation with her mother. She was also unclear about The old Momo’s matter, just that she immediately cried and seemed really upset, asking, “Wang Momo, is it true that Shi di³十弟 refers to the tenth (十) child (Lu Shaoling), because the speaker is referring to little brother (because LFR is older) they use 弟弟 along with the 十. If the speaker is younger than that child, then he will be referred as 十哥,  went to bully Ah-Nan again? She is still young, isn’t she still focusing on the inner chamber’s matter and doing what married women should do?

Lu Feirong words actually might not mean much at first glance, but it blatantly mocks that Lu Shaoling is a good-for-nothing dandy who could only wander the backyard?

The Imperial Chancellor’s wife couldn’t help but glare at her daughter for making trouble at such a time.

Upon hearing such words, the old Momo cried even harder while wiping away her tears, saying, “Third Lady, Master Ling is your legitimate younger brother. How could you ridicule⁴The word used here in raws is 挤兑, basically implies you mock or insult someone when they are in trouble, not just usual ridicule. Kinda like kicking someone when they are down him like this? Poor Master Ling, he…”

Lu Feirong is the third child in her generation’s clan. The servants all referred to her as “third lady”

“Hei, do you mean I wronged him?” Lu Feirong fiddled with the bracelet on her hand and said with a faint smile,” We all have eyes and ears. Who doesn’t have a clear understanding about what he did in their hearts. Yo~⁵哟 (Yo) is just a sound one makes when talking to sound more natural Wasn’t it that he bullied Ah-Nan again and kicked Su Wang’s iron plate⁶Pretty sure you guys know what kicking an iron plate means. It’s where one made trouble and finally got their ass handed because the opponent is more powerful. this time?

Lu Feirong doesn’t care at all about what will happen to Lu Shaoling. She looks down on this arrogant and narrow-minded cousin. Just a small-minded frog in a well, thinking that Ningcheng is the whole world. Little did he know that the capital city is much larger and more complex than Ningcheng. In addition, Lao Taitai⁷老太太 (Lao taitai) is a way to refer to an elderly lady, here it refers to the Imperial Chancellor’s mother. has become older and had a stubborn love for her little grandson, resulting in raising such a foolish person who didn’t know how to behave.

Upon hearing Lu Feirong’s words, the servants of the Imperial Chancellor’s Mansion who served them looked at each other and couldn’t help but swallow their saliva. The Imperial Chancellor’s wife’s heart sank. She thought of Lu Shaoling’s bullying of Ah-Nan in the past. If he still kept being ignorant and repeated his behaviour this time…”

“Wang Momo, what happened to Ling ge’r⁸Ge’r (哥儿) is a form of address used for boys by their family, usually used by rich and affluent families?” The Imperial Chancellor’s wife asked fiercely, eyes glared on Wang Momo.

Wang Momo looked on confusedly, she didn’t know why they looked so flustered. In the past, in Ningcheng, there were many cases of Lu Shaoling bullying the Seventh lady. The seventh lady was born from a commoner and was not liked by the Lao Taitai. The servants also used to trample on the weak and praise the strong, they were never concerned about the Seventh lady’s well being or carefully served her. Fortunately, there were not many opportunities for the Seventh lady to return to Ningcheng, and they didn’t do much to her. Wang Momo could clearly see that the young masters were causing trouble to the Seventh lady. Even if the matter was brought to Lao Taitai, which one is not the case where the problem was only said but solved gently⁹The words they used here is 高高拿起轻轻放下, basically means that they were only going through formality by addressing the bullying, but no real action were taken. ? How could this time be different?

Although Wang Momo didn’t understand, she was accustomed to observing the expressions of the people around her, who seemed scared. She felt that this time things might not be the same as they used to be.

“ Young Master Ling, Young Master Ling…” Wang Momo hesitated, feeling uneasy by the crowd’s expressions. She was so anxious that she broke out in sweat that she chattered and said, “Yes, it was Young Master Cheng who told this old slave. Young Master Cheng said, poor Young Master Ling was hung from a tree by the Seventh Lady…”

“Cheng ge’r?” The Imperial Chancellor’s wife was surprised, how could there be another one? Are these little ghosts¹⁰Ghosts here refer to troublemakers, not real ghosts. really bold enough to run to Ah-Nan and cause trouble? There is still a great Buddha¹¹Great Buddha here refers to someone one cannot afford to provoke.  there!

The Imperial Chancellor’s wife was so angry to the point of dizziness. Is Su Wang someone these little ghosts can provoke?

“Where is Cheng ge’r? Where has he gone?” The Prime Minister’s wife asked with a hateful slam on the table.

“He-, he went to cry to Lao Taitai…” Wang Momo was frightened by the attitude of the Imperial Chancellor’s wife, hurriedly spoke out: “Third Madam, this is the situation! Young Master Ling said he wanted to go shopping earlier, but he didn’t let the servants follow him. Seeing that he was at the Third Master’s house, the servants expected that he would be fine and couldn’t resist Young Master Ling’s request, so they didn’t follow him. Unexpectedly, after a while, Young Master Cheng cried all the way over and said that Young Master Ling had been hung by the seventh lady under the tree. Young Master Cheng cried sorrowfully and only said that Young Master Ling was about to be hanged… This slave don’t know what happened, Young Master Cheng asked this old slave to let you rescue Young Master Ling, while he went to seek the Lao Taitai to rescue Young Master Ling together.”

After listening, Lu Feirong chuckled lightly and said, “He really kicked the iron plate! Hmm, Cheng ge’r is still the smarter one!” While that foolish one was once again being used as a tool¹²当枪使 (dang qiang shi), being used as someone’s tool. So here LFR implies that it was Lu Shao Cheng who used Lu Shao Ling to “handle” our MC..

The Prime Minister’s wife didn’t care about the matter between them, only felt that her eyes were turning black. She squeezed the corner of the table tightly, so angry that she couldn’t speak. These bastards really don’t know how to look at the situation. Do they think Ah-Nan is still the little commoner girl who was previously manipulated by others? She used to ignore what they did before, but Ah-Nan’s current identity is extraordinary. She herself, even as the Legitimate Mother, dare not underestimate her. These fools dare to find fault, it’s simply living too long!

Although the Imperial Chancellor’s wife was furious, she also knew that she had to take care of this matter herself. The Imperial Chancellor’s wife quickly sent someone to the study to look for Lao ye¹³Lao ye (老爷) here refers to the master of her household, her husband, Imperial Chancellor Lu, and then sent someone to visit Lao Taitai to reassure her. Lao Taitai was getting older and should not be frightened sick by this matter. After handing over the matter, the Imperial Chancellor’s wife, along with her daughter and a group of maids, hurried to the courtyard where Ah-Nan lived.

On the way, the Imperial Chancellor’s wife met Imperial Chancellor Lu and his Er ge, as well as Imperial Chancellor Lu’s two sons.

“Madam, what’s going on here? What’s wrong with Shaoling? What’s the matter with Ah-Nan?” Imperial Chancellor Lu asked as he walked, feeling a bit anxious. When the servant came to report, he was talking to his Er ge, and the servant couldn’t speak clearly.

“This-, What should we do about this? Shaoling shouldn’t have any trouble, Da Ge¹⁴ Da ge (大哥), eldest son only has such one legitimate son!” Lu Erbo¹⁵Er bo (二伯), bo refers to paternal elder uncle, so er bo means the second eldest paternal uncle. Imperial Chancellor called him er ge followed.

The Imperial Chancellor’s wife frowned, looking worried, “Lao ye, this one is also confused about this matter. I only know that Ling ge’r was hung on a tree, the rest of the matter might have to wait until we arrive to be known.” Saying this, the Imperial Chancellor’s wife angrily said, “These lazy servants¹⁶The word used for servant here is 婆子, referring to middle-aged women servants must not have been taking good care of the young masters before letting them run around. If they collide with Su Wang when Ah-Nan is with him…”

The Imperial Chancellor’s wife only said half sentences, but it was enough to make Imperial Chancellor Lu understand.

Yes, today Su Wang personally accompanied Ah-Nan back. He also knew Ah-Nan’s temperament. The obedient Ah-Nan wouldn’t do such a heinous act of hanging her brother to a tree. If it were Su Wang… Imperial Chancellor Lu really didn’t want to believe that such a serious person would do such a mischievous thing. Su Wang is a person who has been judged as upright by the imperial teacher Gongsun Youbai. He should, probably might not have done such a humiliating thing, right?

Not to mention the uncertainty in Imperial Chancellor Lu’s heart, his two sons also had an expression of disbelief. After all, Su Wang is known for his character in both the government and the public. He has standards and principles in his actions, and is strict. How could he do such a thing to a child like this?

Lu Feirong walked up to her two brothers and whispered, “Er ge, San di¹⁷Third little brother, we’ll only watch the show later. Ling di‘s [Di as in didi little brother (弟弟)][/fn]temperament should also be taught a lesson, so that he won’t cause great trouble for our Imperial Chancellor’s mansion in the future.”

Seeing Lu Feirong’s faint expression with a hint of warning, both Lu Shaohua and Lu Shaoting nodded at the same time to show understanding.

Although Lu Feirong is proud, she can also see through the situation. She dared to scold the royal people bluntly, but only said them in front of her close relatives. In the eyes of outsiders, she is the outspoken and unrestrained Second lady Lu¹⁸Maybe some of you are confused, Lu Feirong was ‘third lady’ why is it now ‘second lady’? I think the third lady is on the count of the Lu clan’s generation, including her paternal cousins. The ‘second lady’ here is among Imperial Chancellor Lu’s household only of the Imperial Chancellor’s family, proud as a plum blossom, noble and lofty, magnificently showing her charm at the capital.

Their brothers and sisters¹⁹Here refers to brother and sister of the imperial chancellor’s family, not including their cousins., in fact, loathe the little boys and girls who are loved by the Lao Taitai in Ningcheng. They feel that they have been raised badly in that small place, indeed not deserving to be shown in public. Just because they are under the protection of adults who agree with whatever they are doing, they dare to pick and bully Ah-Nan. It makes people feel that they are very petty and narrow-minded.

The group arrived at the courtyard where Ah-Nan’s crowd were resting. There was already a Momo waiting at the door, with a tight face. Imperial Chancellor Lu remembered that she was the old Momo from the Su Wang’s Mansion who came with the Su Wang couple today.

Upon seeing them, the old Momo walked forward with a smile on her face and said, “Imperial Chancellor, Imperial Chancellor’s wife, Lord Lu, the two young masters, and Lady Su, you are here! Wang ye and Wang fei are inside, are you going to see them?”

Prime Minister Lu stopped and showed a stiff smile, saying, “This Momo, could you please inform Wang ye that I, my brothers, and my wife are coming to visit you?” He even had to be notified by a servant to enter his daughter’s courtyard. Imperial Chancellor Lu held back his anger, saying that Wang ye’s father-in-law couldn’t afford to be injured!

The old lady nodded and apologised before entering the courtyard.

After a while, the old Momo came out and invited them in.

As the group passed by the courtyard, they saw several guards from Wang ye’s Mansion standing guard in the corridor. Not far away, under the hazel tree, a child cocooned, hanging on a tree with a ball of cloth blocking his mouth. The cute and delicate little face had two lines of streaming tears. When the autumn wind blew, his figure swayed in the wind, looking pitiful. The boy saw them appear and cried even harder, making a whimpering sound in his mouth.

The three siblings of the Lu family glanced at each other and both quietly pursed their mouths and chuckled. Only Imperial Chancellor Lu and Lu erbo truly loved the boy. However, due to the fact that Su Wang was still waiting for them at this time, they also dared not ask anyone to put him down.

So, everyone could only pretend not to see and hurried through the corridor.

When they arrived at the main hall, Imperial Chancellor Lu and others saw Su Wang sitting in the middle of the room, slowly drinking tea. A girl in gorgeous palace attire was sitting next to him, and several maids were silently waiting by the side. The two of them slowly drank tea, although they didn’t speak to each other, the atmosphere was very pleasant and relaxed.

Seeing them come in, the man looked over with a pair of cold and serene black eyes. The people looked by thos eyes felt as if they had been seen through. Their hearts tightened and they couldn’t help but straighten their backs. The girl next to him had a bright and sweet smile, the sweet dimple on her cheeks made people’s hearts sweet. However, there is no resemblance to the her in the past, who used fearfully hurried to stand up and greet them, only greeting with a calm smile.

At this moment, they were reminded that this child was no longer the dirty daughter of questionable origin birthed by a commoner woman in the Imperial Chancellor’s mansion, but rather a high and noble Wang fei.

“Father, mother, er bo, er ge, san ge, er jie… “Ah-Nan obediently stood up and saluted them.

“Wang ye, Wang fei.” Imperial Chancellor Lu smiled at Ah-Nan, leading a group of people to bow, then said in a deep voice,” Wang ye, forgive this official for speaking bluntly. This official doesn’t know, what mistake did my nephew Shaoling make?”

Chu Baning put down the tea cup, a crisp sound sounded as the bottom of the cup knocked on a surface, making people’s hearts jump.

“Lu Shaoling is disrespectful to Ben wang²⁰Ben Wang (本王) is how lords (王) refer to themselves in front of their subjects, not showing proper etiquette towards Ben wang, disrespectful to Wang fei²¹Wang fei (王妃) is the title of lord’s legitimate wife, plotting to harm Ben wang’s Wang fei, not showing proper etiquettes to his own sister…” Chu Baning’s deep voice rang out. Every accusation made the Imperial Chancellor Lu, Lu Erbo and others’ hearts jump. When they finished listening, they felt fear and trepidation, knowing that Su Wang was not unreasonable.

“If it weren’t for Ben wang’s presence at that time, Ben wang’s Wang fei would have been bitten by a snake thrown by nephew. Not to mention whether the snake was poisonous or not, if he dared to wrong ben wang’s wangfei, he had to have the courage to bear it! Do you want to wait for such a disloyal and unfilial disciple to kill someone!

To put it lightly, Lu Shaoling has been convicted of a series of crimes by Chu Baning. Chu Baning’s expression was serene and solemn, and he didn’t care about a single life at all. He is a nobleman blessed by heaven, who was crowned Lord²²Wang (王) can refer to lords or kings. Here I use lord but refer to Chu Baning’s title Su Wang (肃王). at the age of ten. Could an ignorant child offend him? If it weren’t for the sake of Imperial Chancellor Lu’s face, he would have called for someone to beat Lu Shaoling dozens of times.

Imperial Chancellor Lu smiled bitterly, knowing that this matter was entirely caused by Lu Shaoling himself, no blame on others. And the fact that Lu Shaoling dared to throw a snake at Ah-Nan also made him angry. He even came to bully his daughter in his family. Does he consider him, her father, a dead person?

However, as Lu Shaoling was the only legitimate son of his eldest brother and the grandson that the Lao Taitai loved the most, Imperial Chancellor Lu had to plead for him.

When Imperial Chancellor Lu was trying to figure out how to rescue Lu Shaoling and appease Su Wang, a Momo came in and said that the Lao furen²³Lao furen (老夫人, literally old wife) refers to Lao Taitai. Lao Taitai is how someone addresses their grandmother, Lao furen is how outsiders refer to her. It is used because of Chu Baning’s presence. of the Lu family had arrived.

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Lu’s worry grew even bigger. Now it was quite lively.

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