Sun Yi Lin
Luo Jing Ying brightly smiled as she greeted a few other young ladies. They were all people she recognized. And intentionally or otherwise, she shunned Jing Wan out. As for Luo Jing You, even if it was just yesterday when she was stabbed a few times by this wooden person, she still didn’t think much of her.
These ladies were all smart people too, thinking back to their own family’s sisters, what was there to not know? However, they didn’t let Luo Jing Ying get what she wanted, and started to talk to Jing Wan, slowly getting familiar. Along the way there was talking and laughing, even Luo Jing You wasn’t neglected either.
“Is your family’s third girl betrothed to a family?” Waiting until they’d walked out of the courtyard, Sun Old Madam very abruptly opened her mouth and asked.
“When we were at Qi An Fu, I’d been mutually exchanging letters with relatives. That third brother of mine, a while earlier, had mentioned his eldest grandson’s marriage, and I had the intention to have third girl marry him. A few days ago, he’d entered the capital to take the imperial examination, currently residing in my elder brother’s home. Yesterday I also saw him, he’s a good kid. I was just planning to inform third brother and have their marriage set, then have them get married in two years.” Luo Old Madam said.
“Then that’s really a shame. I was just thinking, if your family’s third girl still haven’t got anyone, she can be matched with our family’s Lin boy.”
Hearing her words, the other two old madams to the side both couldn’t help letting out an unusual expression.
Sun Yi Lin was the Ding Duke’s fifth son, and the third son born from the Ding Duchess. He was Sun Yi Jia’s older brother, age 17. Not only did he have a handsome appearance, but his talents further made him rank as one of the four top scholars in the capital. And of the four, his age was the smallest. And that’s not all, this person’s moral conduct was also the best of the best. To this day, he’s kept himself clean, not having any tongfangs. Even his Majesty, who had a vague attitude towards the Sun family, also genuinely liked him. From time to time, he would even summon him into the palace to play chess. And every time, he’d never returned empty-handed.
This kind of person, even if he won’t inherit the Ding Duke Manor, in the future, his prospects were still limitless. How many noble young ladies secretly held affections towards him? Not to mention those that want to cling to the Ding Duke Manor, Sun Yi Lin was practically a savory fat piece of meat.
However, precisely because he was too outstanding, his conditions too good, the average family simply didn’t dare to open their mouth to recommend someone from their family. For instance, the two old madams that were also sitting there. Their relationship with Sun Old Madam was very good, but they were also consciously aware that their own family’s granddaughter wasn’t worthy of Sun Yi Lin. Thus even if they really wanted to, they still restrained themselves and didn’t mention it to Sun Old Madam. Sun Old Madam mentioning on her own accord, this was definitely the first time.
She should be joking right? Though fortunately Luo Old Madam refused too. Else, who knows how many people will vomit to death. If even this kind of young lady, who didn’t have a prominent father and wasn’t very outstanding herself either, was able to receive Sun Old Madam’s attention, then what about those outstanding daughters and granddaughters of their own family?
Both old madams’ heart somewhat stirred. Perhaps this old sister’s requirements for Lin boy’s bride wasn’t that high?
In their eyes, Luo Old Madam only refused so straightforwardly because she didn’t understand Sun Yi Lin’s situation. Otherwise, even if her granddaughter was engaged, she would secretly cancel it too. Friendship admittedly was important, yet sometimes it was a joke.
Actually, like Sun Yi Lin, this type of exceptional young man known throughout the capital, Luo Old Madam did understand somewhat. If Sun Yi Lin wasn’t born in the Sun family, even if in another family, where the family situation was a bit complicated, Luo Old Madam more or less would still be moved. Yet it just had to be the Sun family, the unusually complicated Sun family. Entering into this kind of place, even if favored by the husband, her family’s Wan Wan wouldn’t have good days either.
Midway, Wang-shi was dragged away by people she was familiar with. She’d repeatedly instructed Jing Wan and the others a few things before she left.
Jing Wan and the others went to the garden where most of the young ladies were gathered. It was built overlooking the lake, and on the lake, long winding walkways and pavilions were built. A corner of the lake was covered by a large patch of lotus leaves. Although it wasn’t the season for lotus flowers to bloom, it was still another kind of scenery. And on the shore, hundreds of flowers bloomed, with all kinds of famous flowers intertwining. There was also numerous uniquely shaped rockery standing in formation. As for the patch of peach blossom forest in the distance, it was precisely the time where it was in full bloom. It appeared practically like paradise.
The girls, who were showing off their looks in groups of twos and threes, were either admiring the flowers, feeding the fish, or talking amongst themselves. Yet the place where the most people were gathered was peaceful and quiet. The girl everyone was revolving around like the moon and stars, seemed to be in the middle of drawing, with brows lowered and eyes closed, serious and beautiful. No need to say, that was precisely Sun Yi Jia.
Luo Jing Ying quickly walked over, but after a few steps, she seemingly thought of something and turned around, “Third big sister, fifth little sister, I saw two of my good friends, and want to go over and greet them. So….”
“Go ahead, you don’t need to mind us. We’ll look around ourselves.” Jing Wan didn’t ask Luo Jing You either, and just ‘decided on her own’.
“This….” Luo Jing Ying seemed somewhat troubled. “How about we go together? I can introduce them to you all?”
“You meeting with your friends, naturally have a lot to talk about. Thus even if you want to introduce them to us, there was no need to be in a hurry either.” She said her good friends, so naturally they were good friends, but her good friends, Jing Wan truly wasn’t interested in knowing.
“Then third big sister, if there’s anything, just call someone over to tell me.”
“Alright.” Jing Wan nodded with a smile. She wanted to act out deep sisterly feelings? Presently, Jing Wan didn’t mind playing along either.
Luo Jing Ying apologetically nodded towards them again, before finally leaving.
Sure enough, Luo Jing Ying pulled two good friends to say something. A young lady next to her suddenly turned to her and smiled, “Your family’s second miss I’d once seen before too. She’d ‘protected’ this fourth little sister quite tightly, why didn’t she come along today?”
“It’s almost second big sister’s wedding day.”
Oh. This was at home embroidering the dowry and can’t go out.
“I seem to remember your fifth sister liked simple and elegant clothes. In the usual days, she’s just like an immortal fairy. How come she changed her tastes today? Rather, that second sister of yours, quite……..solemn.”
“What one likes and what not, naturally won’t always be the same. Even if it’s a preference, it wouldn’t always follow one for life either, right? Second sister certainly is a good big sister.” If Luo Jing Qiang wasn’t ‘good’, would she willingly become Luo Jing Ying’s little follower? If she wasn’t ‘good’, would she wear those old-fashioned clothes to offset Luo Jing Ying, this lovable flower? How many girls were there that didn’t love to be delicate and good-looking?
Every home all had similar situations. It was just a question of whether it was obvious or not. Everyone all understood in their hearts.
“Wan Wan……”
Jing Wan followed the voice and looked over. The familiar voice, as expected, was eldest paternal aunt family’s older cousin, Yuan Qiao Qiao. She quickly walked over before her. “Older cousin.”
“Qiao Qiao and Jing Wan are cousins?” The girl that was talking to Jing Wan just now was very surprised.
“That’s right. My mother’s surname is Luo. Wan Wan and I are blood-related cousin-sisters.” Yuan Qiao Qiao wrapped around Jing Wan’s arm, “Ying Shuang, this is Wan Wan first time entering the capital and you’re already this familiar. When I met Wan Wan for the first time, we also got along very well. It can be seen this is fate.”
“I didn’t even know your maternal grandfather was actually Head Minister Luo.” Zhou Ying Shuang seemed a bit upset.
Yuan Qiao Qiao very inelegantly rolled her eyes at her. “In the past, we were only just acquaintances. We didn’t genuinely become friends until a month ago. My family’s situation, you didn’t ask me either ah. Finding out now isn’t too late though.
Zhou Ying Shuang wasn’t really angry either. “You and Jing Wan are cousins, with Luo Jing Ying it’s also the same. But why do you and her act like you don’t know each other? Else, I wouldn’t have not known until now that you and the Luo family were related.”
“But I don’t like her, who has the patience to deal with her?” Actually, Yuan Qiao Qiao had clearly told Luo Jing Ying, when they’re outside, they’ll both pretend to not know each other. If she wants to come find her, don’t blame her for not giving her face. Luo Jing Ying had her own pride. In addition, her mother had always wanted to get along with eldest paternal aunt, so she naturally wouldn’t, and didn’t dare, flaunt herself in front of Yuan Qiao Qiao.
“You ah, still like this. Don’t you know to cover it up a bit.” Zhou Ying Shuang was also rather helpless towards this temperament of hers.
“Can’t help it, I’m just like this.” Yuan Qiao Qiao unconcernedly said. “Let’s go over there to talk.” Each one in each hand, pulling Jing Wan and Zhou Ying Shuang along as she walked, completely disregarding the few people nearby. That’s why, Yuan Qiao Qiao sometimes really was quite hated.
Zhou Ying Shuang could only wave her hand at those people, indicating for them to do as they please.
Yuan Qiao Qiao excitedly told Jing Wan about her ‘no fight no friendship’ encounter with Zhou Ying Shuang a month ago.
Jing Wan quietly listened, smiling. That really was a small scuffle between young girls. With her age and life experiences, she naturally couldn’t really be just as lively like them. But she didn’t mind being a good listener.
After finish telling the interesting story, the three began admiring the various plants and flowers in the garden, walking further and further away. The people also became increasingly sparse. “As expected of the Ding Duke Manor. What’s this flower? Never seen before, but it looks really pretty.” Yuan Qiao Qiao reached out her finger and poked the pretty flower before her.
Jing Wan lightly smiled, then afterwards, began briefing Yuan Qiao Qiao.
Flower name, habits, characteristics, value, and so on. She explained neither urgently nor slowly, and very much in detail.
Yuan Qiao Qiao looked to Jing Wan with a face full of surprise and admiration, “Wan Wan, you’re so amazing, you actually know this much.”
Zhou Ying Shuang also instinctively nodded.
“It’s just that I like them, so I understand a bit more, that’s all.”
“No one would, just because they like something, try to understand the thing they like this thoroughly. It must be fondness to the extreme.” Suddenly a man’s voice came through. Following which, a man walked out from behind the nearby fake mountains.
T/N: So I’ve decided to continue my hellish schedule of posting 5 chapters a week for the rest of January, because we’ll reach my favorite chapter by the end of the month. However, it will be back to 2 chapters a week next month, unless patreon goals are met, I still have to support myself and pay bills after all. It’s been really intense trying to keep up with this between work on my freetime, since it takes around 4 hours to finish one chapter and that’s not counting some of the extra research I do for certain chapters. Please feel free to point out any typos or misspellings, I usually edit through at least twice but still miss a lot. And thank you to all my current Patreon supporters for supporting me!