Chapter 13: I’ve Got Your Back
Yu Xunyang lowered the door curtain, his heart still fluttering with lingering fear.
He found his younger sister’s way of handling things increasingly shocking.
Yu Lingzhao suddenly looked up and caught her third brother’s stunned gaze. She paused for a moment, then softly called out, "Third Brother."
Yu Xunyang looked at his sister and smiled.
"What is it?"
Yu Lingzhao hesitated. Looking into Yu Xunyang’s bright eyes, she momentarily found herself at a loss for words.
Seeing his sister hesitate, Yu Xunyang laughed instead, his eyes flickering with a teasing glint.
"Zhaozhao, what kind of wild thoughts are running through your head?"
Just as decisive and swift as Yu Lingzhao had been inside earlier, her mood was now equally complex. "I thought Third Brother would think Zhaozhao was being... unladylike," she whispered.
Yu Xunyang was stunned for a moment before breaking into a wide grin. "How could it be bad? If Zhaozhao can take charge of things, then I can slack off! Nothing could be better."
Yu Xunyang spoke with the sheer joy of a corporate slave finally escaping work. He failed to notice the look of speechlessness that suddenly crossed Yu Lingzhao's face as he continued to revel in his own happiness.
"Zhaozhao, you know I’ve never liked dealing with those matters. If you're willing to do it, I’m truly happy. Hehe."
Yu Lingzhao instantly withdrew her sentimental feelings. Her third brother had a brain, but perhaps not much of one.
"Let’s go, back to the Prince’s Mansion." Yu Lingzhao had intended to visit the spice shop, but she no longer had the heart for it.
She decided simply to head home.
From beginning to end, they had traveled only by carriage. Those watching the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion from the shadows had no idea who had actually gone out.
Yu Lingzhao had just removed her disguise when she heard Caiji report that someone from the Prime Minister Cui’s Mansion had arrived.
Yu Lingzhao’s eyes brightened. The Cui Mansion was her mother’s family home, and they were people who treated her exceptionally well.
"Who is it?"
"To answer the County Princess: it is the Eldest Madam and the Cousin Young Lady."
Yu Lingzhao had Huaping tidy things up and told Caiji to welcome the guests in.
The main branch of the Cui family was extremely prominent in the capital. Her maternal grandfather, Prime Minister Cui himself, was a veteran of three imperial reigns.
Her maternal grandmother was a legitimate daughter of the Wang family of Longxi and held the title of Region Lady.
*Xianzhu- 'Xian' also means County. 'Zhu' is the same, meaning 'Master, Lord'. I'll be using Region Lady.
Cui Tingyu’s eldest son had married into the Lang family, taking their eldest daughter, Lang Shu, Yu Lingzhao’s eldest aunt, as his wife.
They had three children.
The one who had come along today was the youngest daughter of Cui Tingyu and Lang Shu: Cui Zhili, a cousin who treated Yu Lingzhao like her own sister.
The moment Eldest Madam Lang saw Yu Lingzhao, her eyes couldn't help but redden. She looked her up and down, saying, "Your uncle and I were worried sick when we heard the news. We rushed back as fast as we could to see you. We heard so much on the road, they said you nearly didn't make it. You scared your aunt so much my heart nearly broke."
Cui Tingyu had been sent on an external assignment. Although it wasn't far from the capital, he was not permitted to return without an imperial decree.
Eldest Madam Lang had originally taken her daughter to visit her husband; she never expected that her niece, who had only recently arrived in the capital, would encounter such a major ordeal. It had nearly frightened her out of her wits.
Looking at the noble lady before her whose eyes were filled with heartache, Yu Lingzhao let a smile drift into her gaze. "Don't worry, Aunt. Am I not perfectly fine now?"
Cui Zhili also stole a glance at her cousin. She was truly beautiful, eyes clear as autumn water, features like a painting, and as delicately gorgeous as a peony.
She had known since they were young that her cousin was a beauty, but she hadn't expected her to become such a national grace and divine fragrance.
Truly, to see her was to forget the common world.
When Yu Lingzhao looked back at her cousin, she found her staring in a daze. Eldest Madam Lang also noticed her daughter’s lapse in etiquette and gave a low cough.
Only then did Cui Zhili snap out of it, her cheeks flushing red.
Cui Zhili curtsied slightly to Yu Lingzhao and said softly, "It has been several years since I last saw you, Cousin. Today I was so dazzled by your beauty that I forgot to show my concern. It is truly your elder sister’s fault."
Yu Lingzhao beamed.
Who could refuse a young lady who showered them with compliments?
"Cousin truly does love Zhaozhao. Such exaggeration makes me feel refreshed, even my head doesn't hurt anymore."
Intending to coax a smile out of her aunt, Yu Lingzhao spoke with a bit of playfulness. Eldest Madam Lang was indeed amused by her, and Cui Zhili laughed along.
Huaping stepped forward to serve tea. Eldest Madam Lang took it and set it aside, saying to Yu Lingzhao, "It is your aunt who arrived late. If I had been in the capital all along, you certainly wouldn't have been bullied by anyone."
Eldest Madam Lang knew exactly how unruly Princess Qing'an could be, and the sycophants behind her were no saints either.
Their Zhaozhao must have endured a great deal of grievance.
Yu Lingzhao blinked.
In truth, she hadn't actually suffered that much grievance.
The person who had injured her was Ruan Baiwei, and now the Ruan family had essentially 'erased' her person, sending her to a rural manor to 'recuperate.'
As for how many years it would take to recover from that illness, who could say?
Regarding Princess Qing'an, the consequences were even more substantial. To save his own face, Emperor Jianyuan had grounded Qing'an, and even the Noble Consort had received a reprimand.
"Aunt, don't blame yourself. This matter is over for now." Yu Lingzhao gave dest Madam Lang a playful wink.
"At least for the next three months, Princess Qing'an won't be showing her face in front of me again."
Eldest Madam Lang had heard rumors of Princess Qing'an’s punishment, but the indignation in her heart was still hard to quell.
"She merely suffered a bit of grounding, while Zhaozhao nearly lost her life. She truly looks down on both the Prime Minister’s Mansion and the Prince’s Mansion."
Cui Zhili nodded in agreement. "Qing'an has always been overbearing, and her mother is favored. I fear that after this incident, she will hold a grudge against you."
Yu Lingzhao remained smiling. "If she wants to hold a grudge, let her. I hold one against her, too."
Yu Lingzhao acted as if Princess Qing'an wasn't worth a second thought, her little expression full of pride, which made Eldest Madam Lang laugh.
Cui Zhili added, "However, this incident has been circulating in the capital for a while now. Princess Qing'an's reputation is certainly not what it used to be."
Eldest Madam Lang looked at Yu Lingzhao, who revealed a sweet smile. "Those who do bad things should be scolded a bit to let people vent their frustration, shouldn't they?"
Eldest Madam Lang laughed, her heart that had been hanging in suspense finally settling.
"It seems Zhaozhao has her own ideas. If you ever need your aunt, just speak up. Your father and mother aren't by your side, so you are just like my own daughter, understand?"
Cui Zhili nodded along. "Mother is right. Zhaozhao, it’s the same if you send someone to call for me if anything happens."
Yu Lingzhao hugged Eldest Madam Lang dependently and murmured, "Zhaozhao knows. Thank you, Aunt and Cousin."
Holding Yu Lingzhao’s slender frame, Eldest Madam Lang coaxed her like a child. "Before, when I wasn't in the capital, your grandfather couldn't associate with you too closely. Now that I’m back, Zhaozhao has someone to back her up, you know?"
Yu Lingzhao was amused and nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry, Aunt. I am a County Princess, whoever sees me has to bow!"
Seeing Yu Lingzhao acting with such a spark of authority, Cui Zhili shook her head.
"If you had acted with such authority earlier, how could Qing'an have bullied you? Next time you go to a banquet, take me with you. I'll protect you; I've got your back."
Looking at her cousin’s delicate and fragile appearance, Yu Lingzhao blinked, wondering who would really be protecting whom.
However, this kindness from her relatives was truly warm.
She accepted it.
Jade:
I would like to shed more light on these ranks, please do read.
Gongzhu (公主): Imperial Princess (highest rank).
Granted to: Emperor's daughters, usually from the Empress, or other high ranking Consorts.
This is Princess Qing'an title.
Junzhu (郡主):Princess of a Commandery (Second Rank).
Granted to: Daughters of First Rank Princes (Qinwang).
The Zhennan Prince is a Qinwang, I'm just getting this findings from google and while I translate as County Princess, it is translated as Commandery. I won't be changing it to avoid confusion, but Jun means County, Region or Canton.
Xianzhu (县主): Princess of a County (Fourth Rank).
Granted to: Daughters of Second Rank Princes (Junwang) or Shizi (heirs of first-rank princes) or by the Emperor's will.
Xian also means County, so since county, canton and region means the same, I would be using Region Lady, the lady in place of lord, master or mistress as it doesn't sounds nice to me....
In this case her grandmother's title was granted by the Emperor since the Wang family is neither a Junwang or a family with and Heir title, example Duke, Marquis, etc.
Please dear readers, I'm open to suggestions and corrections, although I've been reading novels for so many years, this is my first time translating and trying to make people understand which isn't easy🥲.
Every comment as well as likes is all appreciated, I crave it! Thank you all for reading 💖
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