Chapter 99. Turned bad
Shaking the empty white jade bottle, Xiao Lin Yu sighed and simply lolled against the edge of the rockery. Looking at the bright silver moon, he recalled what old Ancestor said to him yesterday.
"Lin Yu, you are the next head of Xiao Family. You can't do whatever you want in many things. Doing what you want will only harm yourself and Xiao Family." Xiao Family’s old Ancestor, Mrs. Song married into Xiao Family over forty years ago. Since Xiao Family’s Grand Master passed away a few years ago, old Ancestor had become more and more reclusive. However, no matters in Xiao Family could be hidden from her. It went without saying, she knew that her most important Eldest Grandson had changed in the past year. He was more and more alienated from them and more and more disobedient.
Xiao Lin Yu had been tired of hearing the words ‘You are the next Patriarch of Xiao Family’, ‘You must be steady’, ‘Be obedient’ and so on since he was young. Hearing old Ancestor once again repeating these, he recalled the days in Luohe Prefecture. Although Su Kang was the only son of Su Family, whether it was You Jin or Auntie Su, they never restricted him. He lived in Su Family for more than a month and he never heard anything like that. With a wry smile, he spoke, "Grandmother, is this the only way I can live my life?"
No matter what he says or does, it was for Xiao Family. What about himself? What about his life? What about his emotions?
"I shouldn't have allowed you to leave the capital for so long. After being outside for a long time, your heart had become wild!" Lin Yu's marriage with Bai Family had indeed put shame on Lin Yu's face. It was why Mrs. Song let him be and allowed him to leave the capital. Unexpectedly, this planted the root of disaster. Seeing the sullen expression on Eldest Grandson's face, Mrs. Song sighed, "In the past two months, Bai Family hadn’t had a good time. Your second uncle had pulled Bai Family out numerous times and Bai Family had suffered a lot in front of his Majesty. Although you have been wronged in this matter, you still have to take care of Xiao Family, don't you?"
Closing his eyes and not looking at the lonely moon anymore, completely drunk Xiao Lin Yu murmured to himself: "In conclusion, I'm just a pawn of Xiao Family! What patriarch? What wealth and glory? It's just a prison cage... ..." After a while, he leaned against the rockery and fell into a deep sleep.
In his sleep, Xiao Lin Yu dreamed that the night before he left Luohe Prefecture. Under the glowing sky, a girl was slowly walking toward him. His heart skipped a beat for an instant.
Unfortunately, sweet dreams were short and good nights were rare. When Xiao Lin Yu wanted to reach out to hug the girl in front of him, he was awakened by a sound. It turned out that the servant found him drunk and slumped to the ground. Not daring to do anything to him, the servant invited the mistress of Xiao Family to come over.
"It's just a muddy leg from a poor country. Is it worth your obsession?" Seeing her eldest son who was drunk and out of control, Mrs. Yu couldn't help feeling a little heartbroken: "Lin Yu, you have turned bad. If I had known this, I shouldn’t have let you out of the capital!”
Recalling her son who was drunk on the ground just now and muttering the name of that little vixen, Mrs. Yu couldn’t help but be infuriated. Sure enough, a lowly worm was a lowly worm! The eldest son she was most proud of was seduced until he lost his soul!
Having his dream disturbed, Xiao Lin Yu opened his eyes and heard that his mother disregarded the rules of being a lady and gnashed her teeth as she scolded the far away Su Family Luohe Prefecture. He couldn't help frowning and indistinctly moved his position a little farther away from Mrs. Yu. The drunkenness between his brows was gone. The cold expression returned to his face: "What's the reason for mother coming late at night?"
Seeing his alienated reaction, Mrs. Yu wanted to open her mouth to say something, but didn't know where to start. She could only give up in the end and said: "The servant came to report that you passed out in the yard drunk. If I don't come to see you, I wouldn't know you are so out of control!"
Xiao Lin Yu heard his mother's remarks and stood up with the help of the rockery. He staggeringly bowed: "Son knows his mistake. If Mother has no other matter, Son will leave first."
Seeing his flushed cheeks and frivolous feet, Mrs. Yu sighed and waved her hand to signal the servants in Jinyan courtyard to help him: "Nevermind. It's getting late. You can go back and rest."
Xiao Lin Yu nodded slightly and staggered back to his room without needing support. A sad face Mrs. Yu and the servants who were at a loss were left in the courtyard looking at each other, not knowing what to do.
***
No one knew why the engagement between Xiao Family and Bai Family was annulled. After Xiao Family broke it off, Bai Family’s talented and beautiful daughter, Bai Ya-er hastily married Xu Family’s concubine-born son. This marriage was bizarre and had aroused many people’s gossipy heart: "Bai Family is a noble family and there are so many unmarried daughters in the family. This Bai Ya-er started this marrying down act, I'm afraid it will affect the rest of Bai Clan’s girls’ marriages in the future!"
"Ain't that right? I heard that Bai Ya-er and Xu Family’s concubine-born were kicked out without even entering the gate of Bai Family on the third day return! Official Bai had declared that there will be no more Bai Ya-er in Bai Family in the future. It seems the relationship is going to be severed!"
All kinds of rumors spread throughout the capital. Bai Family had been latched on by Xiao Family in court. Even many of the family's assets were targeted by Xiao Family and lost a lot of money. It can be said they were getting impeded at every corner.
"Master, we only have one daughter, Ya-er. She has been spoiled and raised with care. How can she bear this bitterness? Go and beg Father again!" The mistress of Bai Family begged Master Bai countless times on her daughter's matter. When the incident first happened, she was hit hard and fell ill a few times. Now that autumn had come, her health was getting worse and worse. Her heart wholly missed her daughter who was cut off: "She only have a few servants with her now. What’s more Xu Zhi Tong is a concubine-born. If we don't help out a little bit, how can she survive this life?"
"Help her? How else should I help her? She did such a thing without shame. I already considered our father-daughter relationship when I didn’t beat her to death!" Official Bai was so upset when thinking about all these troubles caused by his daughter who had no sense of proportion and shame. His fury exponentially grew: "Could it be that I have to sacrifice the whole Bai Family to help her to be satisfied?"
Although Bai Family was a noble literati household and Official Bai looked down on Xiao Family, no matter how bad Xiao Family was, it was better than a low-level official position Xu Family’s concubine-born, wasn't it? Furthermore, Xiao Family’s old Second held a lot of weight in the court. The current emperor was very fond of him. Not to mention other things, just old Second Xiao alone was enough. Once he catches a weakness, their entire Bai family will pay for it!
"I told you long ago to discipline her well. But this is how you disciplined her into? Yu dare to ask me to help her! You should give up on this thought. If she still dares to come to the door, I will get people to drive her out!"
Thinking of the mess in Bai Family caused of Bai Ya-er's scandal, Master Bai flushed with anger: "Since she dared to do such a thing back then, she should have thought about the today’s result!"
Thinking of what the dignified eldest son of Xiao Family said when he came to withdraw from the marriage, Master Bai’s beard could still stand up with anger: "As a girl, she doesn't know how to self respect and self love. What’s more, she let the fiancé catch her in the act. This kind of daughter, what do I need her for?"
The more Master Bai spoke, the more furious he became. In the end, he got up from the bed, ordered someone to light the lamp, and went to sleep in the concubine's room; leaving only the mistress of Bai Family sobbing silently.
***
After last night’s sweet dream was disturbed, Xiao Lin Yu never dreamed about people and things in Luohe Prefecture again. He had no dreams until dawn.
Hearing the commotion in the room, the little attendant quickly came in: "Eldest Young Master, get up, Master had sent a message that he wanted to see you after breakfast."
Sitting on the bed, the brocade quilt still covered his body. The neckline of the satin jacket was slightly open and the ink black strands scattered around the back. The normally well-dressed person who always woke up in the morning was so decadent and appealing to the eyes. Xiao Lin Yu stretched out his hand to press the slightly aching head as he replied, "Understood. Arrange for someone to bring in the meal."
After washing up, he wore a moon-white shirt with a blue jade hairpin and regained his princely appearance. While drinking the fragrant and delicious bird's nest, Xiao Lin Yu regretted that he drank too much last night. He secretly vowed that he can't be like this in the future.
"I heard from your mother that you passed out drunk in the yard last night?" Xiao Family’s Patriarch was nearly forty years old this year and fifty percent similar to Xiao Lin Yu but with stability and years of experience etched on it. “Now that Bai Family matter is over, your marriage should be put on the agenda. I will tell your mother that you can stay in the capital with peace of mind. Luohe Prefecture will be passed to the people below to handle." Xiao Hai Ru naturally knew what happened last night and what happened to his son in Luohe Prefecture. As expected, he had to make him come to his senses.
Xiao Lin Yu let out a self-deprecating chuckle: "I'm afraid our Xiao family has become the laughing stock of the whole capital now .What kind of marriage is there?"
"Bai Family did such shameless things. It's their Bai family's face that's lost. What's does it have to do with you?" Xiao Hai Ru put down the brush in his hand and looked at the eldest son standing in the middle of the hall with eyes that looked exactly like his. Sighing, he said: "Father knows your thoughts. No matter how good the little girl is, she comes from a background that can’t be shown off. It’s fine for her to be a side mistress. The main mistress of our Xiao Family must be a daughter from a known household."
Xiao Lin Yu stayed in Luohe Prefecture for nearly two months. The elders of Xiao Family naturally couldn’t leave him alone in Luohe Prefecture. They had already investigated the details of Su Family in private. It was just a girl from a rural family that can't be shown off. Can’t believe it was worth their son to make the journey out of the capital! No one in Xiao Family believed Son really fell in love with a wild country girl. They only assumed that he was fascinated for a moment and would forget about that girl after a while.
Xiao Hai Ru felt if Son really liked her it was fine to bring her in as a concubine as long as it can bring back his heart and inherit the family business. After all, their Xiao Family had a big business. It wasn’t a big deal to raise another concubine. However Mrs. Yu had a different opinion. She had long believed that the little vixen of Su Family had seduced her son's soul. She was unwilling to let anyone from Su Family enter the gate of Xiao's house no matter what.
"Father, Su You Jin and I aren’t what you think. I only treat her as a younger sister." It was undeniable that when Xiao Lin Yu heard that Father agreed to let You Jin into the family’s door, he was moved. From what You Jin said to him that night, Xiao Lin Yu knew that she would never enter the house as a little wife.
Thinking of the concubines at home who could only stay in the backyard all day long as they looked forward to the arrival of Father and get beaten by the mistress to set rules, Xiao Lin Yu dared not think how much that bright and free spirited girl would hate him when she become like that. He didn't want to wrong her either. Better let her go free!
Shaking the empty white jade bottle, Xiao Lin Yu sighed and simply lolled against the edge of the rockery. Looking at the bright silver moon, he recalled what old Ancestor said to him yesterday.
"Lin Yu, you are the next head of Xiao Family. You can't do whatever you want in many things. Doing what you want will only harm yourself and Xiao Family." Xiao Family’s old Ancestor, Mrs. Song married into Xiao Family over forty years ago. Since Xiao Family’s Grand Master passed away a few years ago, old Ancestor had become more and more reclusive. However, no matters in Xiao Family could be hidden from her. It went without saying, she knew that her most important Eldest Grandson had changed in the past year. He was more and more alienated from them and more and more disobedient.
Xiao Lin Yu had been tired of hearing the words ‘You are the next Patriarch of Xiao Family’, ‘You must be steady’, ‘Be obedient’ and so on since he was young. Hearing old Ancestor once again repeating these, he recalled the days in Luohe Prefecture. Although Su Kang was the only son of Su Family, whether it was You Jin or Auntie Su, they never restricted him. He lived in Su Family for more than a month and he never heard anything like that. With a wry smile, he spoke, "Grandmother, is this the only way I can live my life?"
No matter what he says or does, it was for Xiao Family. What about himself? What about his life? What about his emotions?
"I shouldn't have allowed you to leave the capital for so long. After being outside for a long time, your heart had become wild!" Lin Yu's marriage with Bai Family had indeed put shame on Lin Yu's face. It was why Mrs. Song let him be and allowed him to leave the capital. Unexpectedly, this planted the root of disaster. Seeing the sullen expression on Eldest Grandson's face, Mrs. Song sighed, "In the past two months, Bai Family hadn’t had a good time. Your second uncle had pulled Bai Family out numerous times and Bai Family had suffered a lot in front of his Majesty. Although you have been wronged in this matter, you still have to take care of Xiao Family, don't you?"
Closing his eyes and not looking at the lonely moon anymore, completely drunk Xiao Lin Yu murmured to himself: "In conclusion, I'm just a pawn of Xiao Family! What patriarch? What wealth and glory? It's just a prison cage... ..." After a while, he leaned against the rockery and fell into a deep sleep.
In his sleep, Xiao Lin Yu dreamed that the night before he left Luohe Prefecture. Under the glowing sky, a girl was slowly walking toward him. His heart skipped a beat for an instant.
Unfortunately, sweet dreams were short and good nights were rare. When Xiao Lin Yu wanted to reach out to hug the girl in front of him, he was awakened by a sound. It turned out that the servant found him drunk and slumped to the ground. Not daring to do anything to him, the servant invited the mistress of Xiao Family to come over.
"It's just a muddy leg from a poor country. Is it worth your obsession?" Seeing her eldest son who was drunk and out of control, Mrs. Yu couldn't help feeling a little heartbroken: "Lin Yu, you have turned bad. If I had known this, I shouldn’t have let you out of the capital!”
Recalling her son who was drunk on the ground just now and muttering the name of that little vixen, Mrs. Yu couldn’t help but be infuriated. Sure enough, a lowly worm was a lowly worm! The eldest son she was most proud of was seduced until he lost his soul!
Having his dream disturbed, Xiao Lin Yu opened his eyes and heard that his mother disregarded the rules of being a lady and gnashed her teeth as she scolded the far away Su Family Luohe Prefecture. He couldn't help frowning and indistinctly moved his position a little farther away from Mrs. Yu. The drunkenness between his brows was gone. The cold expression returned to his face: "What's the reason for mother coming late at night?"
Seeing his alienated reaction, Mrs. Yu wanted to open her mouth to say something, but didn't know where to start. She could only give up in the end and said: "The servant came to report that you passed out in the yard drunk. If I don't come to see you, I wouldn't know you are so out of control!"
Xiao Lin Yu heard his mother's remarks and stood up with the help of the rockery. He staggeringly bowed: "Son knows his mistake. If Mother has no other matter, Son will leave first."
Seeing his flushed cheeks and frivolous feet, Mrs. Yu sighed and waved her hand to signal the servants in Jinyan courtyard to help him: "Nevermind. It's getting late. You can go back and rest."
Xiao Lin Yu nodded slightly and staggered back to his room without needing support. A sad face Mrs. Yu and the servants who were at a loss were left in the courtyard looking at each other, not knowing what to do.
***
No one knew why the engagement between Xiao Family and Bai Family was annulled. After Xiao Family broke it off, Bai Family’s talented and beautiful daughter, Bai Ya-er hastily married Xu Family’s concubine-born son. This marriage was bizarre and had aroused many people’s gossipy heart: "Bai Family is a noble family and there are so many unmarried daughters in the family. This Bai Ya-er started this marrying down act, I'm afraid it will affect the rest of Bai Clan’s girls’ marriages in the future!"
"Ain't that right? I heard that Bai Ya-er and Xu Family’s concubine-born were kicked out without even entering the gate of Bai Family on the third day return! Official Bai had declared that there will be no more Bai Ya-er in Bai Family in the future. It seems the relationship is going to be severed!"
All kinds of rumors spread throughout the capital. Bai Family had been latched on by Xiao Family in court. Even many of the family's assets were targeted by Xiao Family and lost a lot of money. It can be said they were getting impeded at every corner.
"Master, we only have one daughter, Ya-er. She has been spoiled and raised with care. How can she bear this bitterness? Go and beg Father again!" The mistress of Bai Family begged Master Bai countless times on her daughter's matter. When the incident first happened, she was hit hard and fell ill a few times. Now that autumn had come, her health was getting worse and worse. Her heart wholly missed her daughter who was cut off: "She only have a few servants with her now. What’s more Xu Zhi Tong is a concubine-born. If we don't help out a little bit, how can she survive this life?"
"Help her? How else should I help her? She did such a thing without shame. I already considered our father-daughter relationship when I didn’t beat her to death!" Official Bai was so upset when thinking about all these troubles caused by his daughter who had no sense of proportion and shame. His fury exponentially grew: "Could it be that I have to sacrifice the whole Bai Family to help her to be satisfied?"
Although Bai Family was a noble literati household and Official Bai looked down on Xiao Family, no matter how bad Xiao Family was, it was better than a low-level official position Xu Family’s concubine-born, wasn't it? Furthermore, Xiao Family’s old Second held a lot of weight in the court. The current emperor was very fond of him. Not to mention other things, just old Second Xiao alone was enough. Once he catches a weakness, their entire Bai family will pay for it!
"I told you long ago to discipline her well. But this is how you disciplined her into? Yu dare to ask me to help her! You should give up on this thought. If she still dares to come to the door, I will get people to drive her out!"
Thinking of the mess in Bai Family caused of Bai Ya-er's scandal, Master Bai flushed with anger: "Since she dared to do such a thing back then, she should have thought about the today’s result!"
Thinking of what the dignified eldest son of Xiao Family said when he came to withdraw from the marriage, Master Bai’s beard could still stand up with anger: "As a girl, she doesn't know how to self respect and self love. What’s more, she let the fiancé catch her in the act. This kind of daughter, what do I need her for?"
The more Master Bai spoke, the more furious he became. In the end, he got up from the bed, ordered someone to light the lamp, and went to sleep in the concubine's room; leaving only the mistress of Bai Family sobbing silently.
***
After last night’s sweet dream was disturbed, Xiao Lin Yu never dreamed about people and things in Luohe Prefecture again. He had no dreams until dawn.
Hearing the commotion in the room, the little attendant quickly came in: "Eldest Young Master, get up, Master had sent a message that he wanted to see you after breakfast."
Sitting on the bed, the brocade quilt still covered his body. The neckline of the satin jacket was slightly open and the ink black strands scattered around the back. The normally well-dressed person who always woke up in the morning was so decadent and appealing to the eyes. Xiao Lin Yu stretched out his hand to press the slightly aching head as he replied, "Understood. Arrange for someone to bring in the meal."
After washing up, he wore a moon-white shirt with a blue jade hairpin and regained his princely appearance. While drinking the fragrant and delicious bird's nest, Xiao Lin Yu regretted that he drank too much last night. He secretly vowed that he can't be like this in the future.
"I heard from your mother that you passed out drunk in the yard last night?" Xiao Family’s Patriarch was nearly forty years old this year and fifty percent similar to Xiao Lin Yu but with stability and years of experience etched on it. “Now that Bai Family matter is over, your marriage should be put on the agenda. I will tell your mother that you can stay in the capital with peace of mind. Luohe Prefecture will be passed to the people below to handle." Xiao Hai Ru naturally knew what happened last night and what happened to his son in Luohe Prefecture. As expected, he had to make him come to his senses.
Xiao Lin Yu let out a self-deprecating chuckle: "I'm afraid our Xiao family has become the laughing stock of the whole capital now .What kind of marriage is there?"
"Bai Family did such shameless things. It's their Bai family's face that's lost. What's does it have to do with you?" Xiao Hai Ru put down the brush in his hand and looked at the eldest son standing in the middle of the hall with eyes that looked exactly like his. Sighing, he said: "Father knows your thoughts. No matter how good the little girl is, she comes from a background that can’t be shown off. It’s fine for her to be a side mistress. The main mistress of our Xiao Family must be a daughter from a known household."
Xiao Lin Yu stayed in Luohe Prefecture for nearly two months. The elders of Xiao Family naturally couldn’t leave him alone in Luohe Prefecture. They had already investigated the details of Su Family in private. It was just a girl from a rural family that can't be shown off. Can’t believe it was worth their son to make the journey out of the capital! No one in Xiao Family believed Son really fell in love with a wild country girl. They only assumed that he was fascinated for a moment and would forget about that girl after a while.
Xiao Hai Ru felt if Son really liked her it was fine to bring her in as a concubine as long as it can bring back his heart and inherit the family business. After all, their Xiao Family had a big business. It wasn’t a big deal to raise another concubine. However Mrs. Yu had a different opinion. She had long believed that the little vixen of Su Family had seduced her son's soul. She was unwilling to let anyone from Su Family enter the gate of Xiao's house no matter what.
"Father, Su You Jin and I aren’t what you think. I only treat her as a younger sister." It was undeniable that when Xiao Lin Yu heard that Father agreed to let You Jin into the family’s door, he was moved. From what You Jin said to him that night, Xiao Lin Yu knew that she would never enter the house as a little wife.
Thinking of the concubines at home who could only stay in the backyard all day long as they looked forward to the arrival of Father and get beaten by the mistress to set rules, Xiao Lin Yu dared not think how much that bright and free spirited girl would hate him when she become like that. He didn't want to wrong her either. Better let her go free!
Damn Xiao family is so heartless, and I'm glad Lin Yu put You Jin's happiness before his own. Thank you for the chapter!
ReplyDeletePoor Bai girl! Her options were either to marry the ML, who doesnt love her and is obsessed with someone else, and live with a heartless family, or marry down with someone that also doesnt love her and be forever rejected by her own family! I hate these plotlines.
ReplyDeleteEh I find it hard to pity her. She should have known breaking off a marriage arranged by elders would not be good, especially since her lover is a concubine son. No matter how beloved he is by father xu she would still suffer in that marriage even if the guy actually loved her. How bold of her to think her family would help her after her embarrassing actions affected her family's face
DeleteDid u read This novel? True she was arranged JUST LIKE THE ML was (he too would have to marry someone who was in love with someone else btw..) but she fell in love with the guy unfortunately. Half her decision you know.
DeleteI find it hard to feel sorry for her. Amongst all things, she has already looked down on the Xiao just because they're of merchant class while she's from scholar family. No matter how good XLY was (including how good he's in literature) and how good his Second Uncle was in front of the emperor, she still disdain the betrothal.
DeleteAccording to XYL's narration, her disdain wasn't a newly developed feeling just after she's fallen for the Xu boy. Her love for the Xu boy was only an icing on the cake or the trigger for her to forcefully express her refusal of the marriage. I find it distasteful when someone disdain people like she did and refused/disdained to try to getting know a possible love interest just because s/he was introduced by the family.
😭😭😭 the heartache but this is a one wife for life relationship, lin yu is good to know she would never accept the status and sad life of a little concubine. She is too good for that.
ReplyDeleteThe Xiao family is as hypocritical and arrogant just like the Bai family. They believe ml also had an affair & is also throwing a tantrum, so why punish the Bai family so harshly? The sexism of it all.
ReplyDeleteAgain, the ml's actions are distasteful. He is ruining MC's reputation when she hasn't even done anything to warrant such accusations. Anyway their perfect son is blameless.