Secrets Between Close Friends
T/N: Valentines Day bonus chapter (1/2)
Do not read my translations outside of broken jinsei site!
Jing Wan’s little courtyard although was far inferior in size to Sun Yi Jia’s courtyard in the Ding Duke Manor, and furthermore wasn’t that extravagant, it surpassed in its elaborate arrangement. Sun Yi Jia actually liked it even more. In addition, here, there weren’t any constraints. She completely trusted Jing Wan and felt joyous both mentally and physically. In fact, Sun Yi Jia even showed signs of getting a little too wild. Her few personal servants, especially her wet nurse, many times hesitantly wanted to say something, but in the end, they all held it in. They’d never seen their own Miss this happy before. Without a contrast, some things are very difficult to discover. Thinking to the past, they only knew she was the most proper and most outstanding noble young lady, only knowing her personality was cold and aloof. Yet, it turns out, she was actually restraining herself, even to the point of suppressing her own innate nature till it became a habit. Perhaps she’s never been truly happy before.
They were people who accompanied her almost daily, inseparable like shadows. Her thoughts, although not understanding entirely, they still more or less understood some. Despite feeling sorry for her, because of her usual habits, they only saw it as her just having heavier thoughts, and shouldn’t be a big problem. Moreover, even if they wanted to console her, their words weren’t effective. As the days got longer, they furthermore didn’t have a way to open their mouths.
She was born noble, and could originally live without restraints, yet that noble status also had her tightly bounded. Because her grandparents and parents all want to preserve the Sun family’s status as a long-standing influential aristocratic family built up through generations upon generations for thousands of years, having an honorable status was forever not enough. They wanted to become even more noble. That’s why there needed to be a pay off, a sacrifice. And those who enjoyed the most, must sacrifice the most. Her three older di brothers perhaps could still share the burden amongst each other a bit, but she was the only di daughter. This not only represented uniqueness, but also sorrow.
When Sun Yi Jia finally came down from the swings, her servants finally placed down the heart hanging in their throats. Just now, Sun Yi Jia had them push her with more strength, going more and more higher. Her clothes flying through the wind even carried sound. They were all afraid that she would fall off. One has to know, in the past, when sitting on a swing, at most, it was just light swaying. The feet never leaves the ground too much. However, this time, she flew to heights that nearly reached the horizontal pole above.
The wet nurse hurriedly went to examine her palm, and sure enough, it was grazed red. She lightly touched it, and Sun Yi Jia instinctively retracted her hand. It can be seen that it was painful. “How can this be good, how can this be good…..”
Sun Yi Jia was instead unconcerned. She only knew that she herself was very happy right now, what did this bit of pain count as? “Wet nurse, it’s fine.”
“Ah, blood.” Qing Ju pointed to the blood stains on the swing seat and uttered in surprise.
Everyone present almost immediately knew what that was, including the somewhat rash Qing Ju, who also instantly came to realization after opening her mouth. Realizing that she’d made a mistake, her face promptly flushed red, looking very helpless. Qing Zhu quickly went forward and pulled her away, secretly glaring at her a few times.
The originally in a very good mood Sun Yi Jia, at this time, was also embarrassed to the point of being unable to show her face. She also finally noticed that slight discomfort that she’d been ignoring. If it was in the past, she would have long detected it. Even when she first had her period, it wasn’t this awkward, and it was even in front of little sister Wan. But fortunately, it was at little sister Wan’s place. If it was in the morning, then it would’ve been even more embarrassing. However, in the morning, she was unlikely to have gone wild to the point of not noticing this matter. She would have detected it first thing, and definitely wouldn’t have embarrassed herself.
Luckily, Sun Yi Jia’s wet nurse knew that their Miss’s period has never been too accurate. But she also knew that it was probably in these few days, thus before going out, she’d already made preparations. “Miss Luo, seems we need to borrow your place now.”
“Mama’s words are too polite.” Jing Wan waved her hand and walked to Sun Yi Jia’s side, lightly stroking her back. Sun Yi Jia let out a breath in relief after getting comforted.
Compared to the servant girls’ embarrassment and slight panic, Jing Wan was even more calm than the mamas. She ordered the servant girls to draw some warm water, and after confirming that Sun Yi Jia indeed brought a change of clothes, she let her own wet nurse go help, leading Sun Yi Jia into the room to bathe and change.
Sun Yi Jia came out again, after having bathed and changed. Her face was still somewhat flushed, but she felt her body was much more comfortable than before. She even couldn’t help whispering, “Little sister Wan, you’re so smart.” To have the thing inside the period girdle switched for cotton, then have the edges finely stitched shut making practically unable to be seen, and it completely won’t be rubbed off either. Then, stitch the bottom onto a special pair of small trousers making it close-fitting and comfortable to wear. To an ordinary person, perhaps this was very troublesome, but to noble daughters like them, who all have many people serving them, even if it was changed frequently, it still wasn’t that tiresome. Furthermore, for the most part, none needed to be taken apart and washed. Most were all newly made, and the ones that were used were all thrown away afterwards.
Jing Wan lightly smiled, “It might be a little tight for big sister Jia, but I suppose after you get back, the people serving at your side will help you take care of it.” Sun Yi Jia’s wet nurse still hadn’t came out, and Jing Wan’s wet nurse was also still in the room as well.
Seeing Jing Wan all calm and composed, Sun Yi Jia gradually became less embarrassed as well. Regardless whether it was the matters in her heart, or these outside matters, she’d already shared all her most private secrets. She wasn’t even this intimate with her own blood-related sisters. Sun Yi Jia felt, little sister Wan was good no matter how she looked. If she was her real little sister, how great would that be. However, that doesn’t matter. To have her become her own sister-in-law was also the same.
It clearly hadn’t even been a day, yet Sun Yi Jia had already thoroughly opened up her heart to another person, completely unguarded. This can definitely be called a miracle. However, she was also able to sense that Jing Wan completely didn’t have any bad intentions towards her.
“Miss, it’s done.” Qing Mei brought over a small bowl with a somewhat reddish-brown liquid.
Jing Wan indicated to Sun Yi Jia, “I told the kitchen to make it. Drink it, it’s for replenishing blood and can also warm the stomach.”
Sun Yi Jia didn’t hesitate in the slightest. She picked up the bowl and used the spoon, drinking it mouthful after mouthful. When Sun Yi Jia finished drinking it, she wiped her mouth, “Little sister Wan, what is this made from? Not only is it tasty, after drinking it, feels warm and very comfortable.”
When you head back, I’ll give you the recipe, and this recipe, any women can use. Although its degree of effectiveness may differ, it’s still beneficial and harmless. When you go back, you can have the servants make it for you. You can also drink some on normal days too.”
Sun Yi Jia accepted it without reservation.
“How is it, does it still hurt?” Jing Wan pulled Sun Yi Jia’s hand and touched the still somewhat red palm.
“Don’t know what your wet nurse rubbed on for me, but it felt cool on the hand and very comfortable. It’s much better than before. By the time I go back, it’ll definitely be fine.”
“That’s the ointment mama made. It’s very effective for these little scrapes and cuts. I often times would mess with those plants and flowers myself, so it’s unavoidable in getting a few minor scratches on the hands. It’s all thanks to mama that my hands are able to be maintained this well.”
Sun Yi Jia thoroughly studied Jing Wan’s hands, “Indeed, these hands are even prettier than mine. However, not just hands, I feel little sister Wan’s skin is good everywhere.” Sun Yi Jia lifted Jing Wan’s sleeve and admiringly caressed her arm. And not just this, she even reached up and pinched her cheeks.
(T/N: Somehow I can hear vinegar pot Li Hong Yuan fly into a jealous rage off screen…)
Jing Wan dodged while laughing, “I have my own exclusive secret recipe, but it’s already used up. After entering the capital, I haven’t had the time to make more, else I would’ve give you some to try. How about I give you the recipe, and you have someone make it?”
“Don’t, for such a valuable recipe, it must be unique and unrivaled. Did you think it was like that blood replenishing recipe, a dime in a dozen? You just giving it to anyone, really senseless.”
Jing Wan used her chin to point in the direction of that purple wei, “Isn’t big sister Jia just as senseless.”
“That’s just me presenting borrowed flowers to Buddha. It’s not mine, so I don’t feel the least bit heartache.”
“I’m the same as big sister Jia. This although is mine, but it isn’t very important to me, so I too won’t regret it.”
Even so, Sun Yi Jia still refused it. This kind of good thing, if she were to take it back and have someone make it, she can’t ensure that the secret will be kept. There were too many noble personages that she came in contact with, it was better off having it leak out from little sister Wan’s hands, and perhaps she might even receive some benefits from it. These benefits to her were nothing more than adding flowers on brocade, completely unnecessary. But perhaps in little sister Wan’s hands, it can have a great impact. “Just give me some extra of the finished product, I’ll secretly hide it, and only use it myself, won’t share it with anyone.”
Jing Wan smiled and nodded in response.
By the time Sun Yi Jia’s wet nurse came out and saw her own family’s Miss very spirited with a rosy face, unlike how it usually was in the past, she causally commented a few words. In these past few days, she’d constantly been sickly, and even completely drained of blood in the face. Sun Yi Jia straightforwardly compliment the thing she just drank. Sun Yi Jia’s wet nurse was very clear, Miss’s condition wasn’t just because of that bowl of ‘sugar water’, her being in a good mood was also a huge factor as well. However, everything was all because of Jing Wan. Thus, she very solemnly expressed her thanks towards Jing Wan.
“Mama is too courteous. Since I address her as big sister, naturally I wouldn’t just say it for nothing, right?” Jing Wan faintly smiled.
If Jing Wan was good to a person, then that was good without reservations. Even to the point where she could completely disregard the unspoken rule of ‘don’t easily give away one’s good things to others’.
“Miss, fourth miss came.” A small servant girl came in to report.
T/N: I occasionally wonder what ML’s spies’ reports would read like, given how detailed he wants them. ‘Today future wangfei’s arm got lovingly caressed by Miss Sun…’
Also Happy Valentines Day!! Thank you everyone for the love and support on this series thus far!