Chapter 365.1: Possible Influences
This while, the ones that returned were all ‘outsiders’, and earlier, Luo Old Madam also openly told her some things she didn’t know.
The ones that entered included Jing Wan’s maternal grandmother, as well as her maternal aunt-in-law[1] that came to the capital a few months ago, and her maternal aunt-in-law family’s unmarried (female) younger cousin.
There was also that maternal aunt, whose face was thicker than the city walls, the one that blatantly and even boldly wanted her third brother, Luo Jing Bo, to take her daughter as a concubine, futilely attempting to aim for the equal wife position, even relying on their relation as relatives to be placed above the main wife, as well as that younger sister-in-law of hers that had delusions about Li Hong Yuan, yet nearly got directly drowned to death in the river by Li Hong Yuan’s people, and so far still haven’t given up on climbing onto a high branch.
It’s not that no one, because of Jing Wan’s connection, came to propose marriage, attempting to indirectly claim a bit of relation with Jin Qinwang. Unfortunately, the ones that were able to accept the other party’s family status, this maternal aunt didn’t fancy in the slightest. As for that younger sister-in-law of hers, she was further of no interest to anyone, dragging out all the way until now, seemingly heading in the direction of becoming an old maid more and more, yet continuously refuse to leave the capital. Despite knowing that Jing Wan didn’t like them, they still shamelessly scaled the Luo family gates today. It was none other than just letting others see their ‘close’ relationship with Jin Wangfei, in order to pave the road for the future. And the Luo family worried that if they don’t let them in, they will cause a disturbance at the gates. When time comes, it won’t just be the Luo family losing face, but also Jing Wan.
(T/N: Clarification, since it has been a while, this younger sister-in-law is referring to Jing Wan’s maternal aunt’s husband’s younger sister.)
Among the three paternal aunts, it was naturally her eldest paternal aunt that she was the most familiar with, and her relationship with Yuan Qiao Qiao was also the best. Speaking of which, Yuan Qiao Qiao has already married too. The movement really was quite swift. Mainly it was because if pushed to next year, this age would be a bit big, and another reason was probably because eldest paternal aunt truly liked the groom. He was the capital magistrate family’s young master.
After all, Luo Pei Shan had been promoted to the Head Minister of Appointments, Jing Wan became Jin Wangfei, and Yuan Qiao Qiao’s father was still in the Ministry of Appointments. Even if one didn’t want this status to rise with the tides, it was all impossible, and the family background of those that came to propose marriage naturally were even better, so for eldest paternal aunt to be satisfied, it was also very normal.
Second paternal aunt’s family, speaking of which, was also brazen and shameless. On the day of Jing Wan’s coming-of-age ceremony, they similarly tried to scheme against Luo Jing Bo, yet in the end, involved Luo Jing Ming, directly angering Luo Old Madam, not allowing them to scale the gates again. For them to come to the Luo Manor today, it similarly was relying on the fact that the Luo family won’t kicked them out.
As for third paternal aunt, Jing Wan really has never privately interacted with her before, and towards the younger cousins of her family, she also never came in contact with before. Third paternal aunt’s personality seemingly was a bit indifferent towards fame and fortune, and the children she raised more or less were also a bit like her.
Additionally it was just her two tang older sisters. In the first lunar month, prior to the Lantern Festival, her eldest tang sister got pregnant again, and her second tang sister also had good news. Today, they both had just finished with their one-month confinement period, and the two children were born two days apart, both daughters. Eldest tang sister’s first child was a boy, so having a daughter wasn’t anything, but her tang sister’s husband’s family just had a bit of complaint, but the Luo family’s status was displayed there, so on the surface, they also didn’t dare to say anything. Because the children were small, they didn’t bring them along.
These people for the most part came together, and that expression although remained calm as much as possible, just the majority still were unable to hide their emotions. Whether it was envy and jealousy, or surprise and astonishment, it all could be seen clearly. Moreover, for someone like Luo Old Madam, this kind of experienced veteran, in an instant, she was basically able to figure out what was going on.
“What good things did Wan Wan all bring for grandmother today? Have the gift list brought over for me to have a look at.” Luo Old Madam smilingly said.
The gift list for Luo Old Madam as well as the Head Minister of Appointments, this while, was already in the hands of the mama by Luo Old Madam’s side. Hearing Luo Old Madam’s words, she hurriedly presented forward with a smile.
Luo Old Madam’s eyesight was still pretty good. Flipping open the gift list, she instantly understood inside. Sure enough, the gift was too generous, letting these people all have different thoughts. Although the gifts for her certainly will be more generous than the ones for the other branches, but based on her understanding towards Jing Wan, she was also certain, the others definitely won’t be lacking either, even if it’s the third branch that she once had disagreement with. This granddaughter of hers, towards materialistic things, have always disregarded. In addition to having Jin Qinwang who enthusiastically gave her good things, most likely now even shoving her large amounts of money to spend, towards these things, afraid it was just further not caring about.
“This is wanting to have Jin Qinwang Manor hollowed out?” Luo Old Madam turned her head and smilingly asked Jing Wan.
“How can that be, these were all bought in Jiangnan. Wangye gave a huge stack of banknotes, letting me shop for fun. As a result, it was just buying as we traveled along, and accidentally just bought a lot.” Jing Wan somewhat awkwardly said, “When buying, didn’t think much of it. It was only when organizing everything after returning to the capital, did one finally notice.”
“You ah, wangye may pamper you, but don’t have money not taken seriously. That isn’t something that falls from the sky either.”
“Don’t worry grandmother, it’s also just this once. This was nothing more than the right conditions aligning. In the future, even if one wants to squander money, probably all won’t have the opportunity.”
Luo Old Madam nodded, and didn’t say anything else. And these things, she also accepted with a clear conscience, not feeling there was anything wrong.
Afterwards, regardless whether it was those that wanted to say sour words, or those that wanted to praise, they all had their words swallowed back into their stomach.
For them to come to the Luo Manor today, Jing Wan really didn’t anticipate, but even if she’d anticipated, she still wouldn’t have the things for them brought to the Luo Manor.
historical
Afterwards, Jing Wan idly chatted with them. Jing Wan was able to be act cute and spoiled in front of Luo Old Madam, but in front of them, although amiable and easy-going, the airs of a qin-wangfei still can’t be completely put down either. If she were to let others feel that a qin-wangfei was no different from an ordinary inner manor madam, able to say anything, still treating as someone of the younger generation and lecturing, then what it damaged was Li Hong Yuan’s face, as well as the imperial family’s prestige. That’s why, lowering one’s position wasn’t something that one can just do because one wanted to. And when the relation was distant, one can’t just be roped in with just a few words.
Yuan Qiao Qiao followed by her mother’s side, and at this time, also didn’t stand out. Originally, in the beginning, she was still a bit nervous, worrying that the relationship between them have also become distant, but after receiving a glance from Jing Wan, she was instantly relieved, slightly making a face, and afterwards, pretended to be obedient with her head lowered.
Jing Wan inwardly laughed in spite of herself. She even thought that this older cousin, after marrying, would become more reserved. Sure enough, it was ‘the mountains and rivers susceptible to change, but the inherent nature difficult to alter’. Turns out, it was all an act.
Aside from that maternal aunt’s family, as well as that second paternal aunt’s family, the rest, Jing Wan for the most part all didn’t leave out. Based on intimacy level, she was all able to more or less say a few words with a smile on her face. The attitude was grasped perfectly, letting them not dare to overstep, but also won’t feel that Jing Wan, now having a higher status, just became condescending, looking down on them. She was not the least bit like someone that has just been a qin-wangfei for a little more than half a year. As for a certain two families, Jing Wan clearly disliked. Since she disliked them, she wasn’t interested in pretending to be magnanimous and forgiving. If you’re magnanimous and forgiving, certain people will just try to push their own luck.
When speaking to her two elder tang sisters, “........When the children were born, how come didn’t let someone deliver me a letter in Jiangnan?”
Her eldest tang sister, Luo Jing Shu, immediately just smiled, “Wangye was in Jiangnan for official work, and wangfei needs to serve wangye the whole way, so how can one because of a younger generation, just trouble wangfei.”
“Eldest sister’s words are correct, precisely this reasoning.” Luo Jing Qiang also responded with a smile.
“Adding a child into the family is a happy matter, how can it be considered trouble?”
“In any case, their wangfei maternal aunt will eventually return, so this present certainly won’t be missing.”
Jing Wan nodded with a smile, “Later, during the bathing ceremony and full moon ceremony, I will compensate in double.”
“See, previously didn’t say, but really guessed right. Now, there’s even more things, no?” Luo Jing Shu joked.
The others also started laughing along with. The atmosphere, aside from the unharmonious areas, was all quite harmonious.
“Once the child has grown some more, just bring along to Jin Qinwang Manor to play, so as to let me nicely have a look. Daughters are all considerate little cotton-padded jackets. If properly raised, in the future, certainly will all be excellent.” Jing Wan meaningfully said.
Everyone was perceptive, and naturally all understood the meaning. Luo Jing Shu turned her head and glanced at Luo Jing Qiang. She was still okay, because she had a son by her side. This was third younger sister wanting to back up this second younger sister. However, the other layer of meaning was just as long as the girl was good, with this wangfei maternal aunt present, their future prospects won’t be lacking. Giving a pile of good things, compared with guaranteeing their children’s future prospects, actually wasn’t considered anything, letting one can’t help but feel elated inside, so this smile naturally just grew increasingly sincere.
Luo Jing Qiang also understood in her heart, feeling very grateful inside. Her own daughter, as long as she receives a few good words from this maternal aunt of hers, she will immediately rise with the tides. And those people of her husband’s family, not only won’t disdain, they will even pamper and dote on like the treasure of their heart. Even her own position will also become even more sturdy.
However, the premise of a good future was that the girl had to be good. Regardless of whether it was in the past or now, they were all clearly aware, Jing Wan wasn’t a stingy person, and towards her family, the places she was able to help out in, she was all willing to help. But, if the moral character doesn’t meet her standards, doing something disgusting, getting hated by her, then sorry, even if meeting, she will all be too lazy to say a word to you, let alone obtain benefits from her. That’s why, the education towards the children was very important.
[1] Using maternal aunt-in-law to refer to 舅母 (maternal uncle’s wife), while maternal aunt will be for 姨母 (mother’s sister)