Rebirth Of A Virtuous Wife: Chapter 21

I’ve added jump links in chapters 1 and 2 so that it’ll be easier for readers to check out the trivia while reading. Will be adding the jump links in the other chapters too, but give me time since working with the anchor links can be such a pain in the arse 😂 (because I have to go back, re-read the chaps and then write out the links and then link them to the notes one by one).

Oh, and we have our first sponsor! This chapter is sponsored by F.I ☕️💕 (Note to sponsor: just showing name initials because I’m not sure if you want your full name revealed or not).

We’re getting introduced to Ah Nan’s family in more depth, so the glossary might seem a little complicated in this chapter. But they’re not going to appear a lot in the story so don’t worry about memorising them. I actually tried to translate them into English, but it really did not make me vibe with the story (it just sounded weird and awkward) so I had to go back and insert the pinyin instead. Sorry for the inconvenience! This is when the glossary page becomes handy, though 😉

Happy reading! xx

New Glossary:

→ shū ≪叔≫ — uncle.

→ mèi fū ≪妹夫≫ — younger sister’s husband.

→ shì ≪氏≫ — clan/maiden name. After marriage, a woman is usually known by her husband’s (clan) name (e.g Mrs. Chu and no longer known as Ms. Lu), so to let other people know where her origin is, she would use the shì to let people know her maiden’s clan name (e.g. would be written as: Chu Lu shi.) It’s similar to how people pair their surname with their husband’s surname nowadays. 

→ dà ren ≪大人≫ — title of respect toward someone older or a superior.

→ yuè mǔ ≪岳母≫ — mother-in-law / wife’s mother.

→ sūn nǚ xu ≪孙女婿≫ — granddaughter’s husband / son’s daughter’s husband. 

→ wǎn bèi ≪晚辈≫ — someone who is from a younger generation. 

→ bó ≪伯≫ — paternal elder uncle.

→ èr bó ≪二伯≫ — second (paternal) uncle / father’s (second) older brother.

→ dà bó ≪大伯≫ — first/eldest (paternal) uncle / father’s (first) older brother.

→ táng gē ≪堂哥≫ — older male cousin (from paternal side of the family). 

→ táng dì ≪堂弟≫ — younger male cousin (from paternal side of the family). 

→ bà wáng ≪霸王≫ — a hegemon or overlord. 

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Rebirth Of A Virtuous Wife: Chapter 21^{Slightly edited.}

The autumn rain poured throughout the night, causing the climate to turn a little cold. By morning, the surrounding temperature became colder.  

Ah Nan sneezed when she got out of bed. In an instant, she was stuffed back inside her blanket by Chu Ba Ning.

Chu Ba Ning frowned and looked at Ah Nan from head to toe.

Being stared at him in such a manner, Ah Nan’s heart began to beat faster. When she wanted to ask him what was the matter, Chu Ba Ning’s eyes already left her sight. He said while getting dressed, “The weather is cold. Be careful and don’t let yourself get sick. I’ll come back in the afternoon, then we can commence our way to the Imperial Chancellor Manor.”

After listening to him speaking, Ah Nan did not feel bothered about his concern at all. She responded simply and then watched him groomed up himself. There was a feeling that she didn’t need to get off the bed to help him. It wasn’t like he needed her to be a virtuous wife to help him change his clothes anyways.

“You should continue your rest. Don’t tire yourself!” Chu Ba Ning said in a very warm voice. Seeing his wife blushing as a sign that she understood his words, Chu Ba Ning lightly touched her head before taking his leave.

Ah Nan punched the bed and thought about how everything was all his fault —how he was strangely angry last night and used quite a bit of strength when they were ‘rolling’ on the bed. As a result, her waist was still very sore!

When afternoon came, Ah Nan and Chu Ba Ning sat on a carriage to depart their manor to visit the Imperial Chancellor Manor.

When they arrived at the Imperial Chancellor Manor, there was already another carriage parked in front with the butler from the Imperial Chancellor Manor waiting by the door. Ah Nan lifted the curtain from her carriage and realised that the carriage in front belonged to the Su family^[1], her second sister’s husband’s family. This is to say that the person sitting on the carriage in front of them was no other than the second young mistress of the Imperial Chancellor Manor.

The butler from the Imperial Chancellor Manor also turned his head to look at Su Wang’s carriage. His face was filled with awkward expressions as he didn’t know whether he should go welcome Su Wang Fei first (an illegitimate daughter), or whether he should welcome the second young mistress (the legitimate daughter). After a long time of hesitating, the butler decided that he’ll just welcome them by who arrived at the manor first.

The butler thought that his idea was very logical. But when he saw Chu Ba Ning stepping out of the carriage, his face suddenly turned green. He watched in shock as Chu Ba Ning got off the carriage. The butler was unsure whether it was because of his old age and poor eyesight, but he couldn’t believe that Su Wang came with Su Wang Fei!

One cannot blame the butler for panicking. It was just a married lady coming back to her maiden home to pay respect to her grandmother —such a small matter —the prince didn’t need to follow her. It only prove to people that he is really scared of his wife. Thus, Su Wang’s sudden appearance made the old butler frightened.

When Ah Nan got off the carriage, she happened to witness the butler’s face turning pale. She blinked a few times and asked with much concern, “Qiao shu^[2], your complexion does not seem very good. Do you feel unwell?”

The old butler almost bent down on his knees to kowtow her. Xiao jie oh xiao jie, it’s really not the time to ask such questions! Isn’t it obvious why his complexion is not very well?

The old butler’s face twitched a little before he dryly laughed. After seeing Su Wang’s deep black gaze sweeping at him, he immediately replied, “Thank you for your concern, xiao jie. Lao nu is alright. Wang ye, lao nu did not know that you will also come visit. This is really a crime worth for lao nu to die thousands of times……”

Chu Ba Ning “hm” a sound and didn’t respond further.

Seeing the old butler in such a position, Ah Nan felt a little insufferable. Before she could open her mouth to speak, a fierce-sounding female voice interrupted, “I was wondering who —it turned out to be Ah Nan xiao mei. We arrived at the same time, so this can be seen as predestined. Am I right, mei fu?”

Ah Nan’s eyes searched before she saw a woman dressed very nicely, standing beside the Su family’s carriage. The woman had willow phoenix eyes and a flamboyant aura as the corner of her lips gleamed at them. The only minus quality was that she didn’t look very kind.

This woman was no other than Ah Nan’s second sister, one of the legitimate daughters of the imperial chancellor, Lu Fei Rong.

With his usual serious face, Chu Ba Ning looked at Lu Fei Rong and slightly nodded.

With courtesy, Ah Nan bowed at the woman and called, “Er jie jie“.

Lu Fei Rong glanced at them with a faint smile before stepping forward to do a curtsy, “Su Lu shi greets wang ye!” She then turned around and said to the butler, “Qiao shu, an important guest came, why are you not welcoming them in?”

The butler could only bitterly laugh to himself, getting the hint that the second young mistress must not be very happy. He didn’t dare to say anything and only went forward to welcome Su Wang. No matter how one word it, Su Wang is a prince, so to say that he is an important figure is very appropriate.

“Su fu ren is too polite!” Chu Ba Ning faintly bowed at Lu Fei Rong before leading Ah Nan and a few maids inside the manor.

Lu Fei Rong’s eyes darkened. She pursed her lips as she, too, entered the manor.

********

Lao tai tai is currently staying in the courtyard on west side within the Imperial Chancellor Manor. It is the most peaceful and elegant courtyard. The corridors and pathways are wide, and famous flowers have been planted in the gardens —there was nothing that did not seem sophisticated. It could be considered as the most exquisite courtyard at the Imperial Chancellor Manor too. One can tell how filial Imperial Chancellor Lu is towards his mother.

When Imperial Chancellor Lu heard the news that Su Wang had come to his manor, his eyes widen in disbelief. He whispered in his heart, thinking about how things have been very peaceful and calm, so why was Su Wang here? Did he come to visit because Imperial Chancellor Lu’s daughter was returning to visit? There is currently turmoil in their state affairs, so how could Su Wang have the time for this?

Although he couldn’t believe it, Imperial Chancellor Lu had to give a reaction. He stood up and immediately went to welcome Su Wang, stirring the attention of lao tai tai too.

In the end, a group of people all came to greet Su Wang.

“Lao fu ren, yue fu da ren, yue mu da ren, no need to curtsy. Today, ben wang is just here to visit to keep wang fei company,” Chu Ba Ning’s face was unchanging as he spoke.

As Imperial Chancellor Lu continuously replied that he did not dare not to curtsy, truthfully, he was really angry as he screamed internally: Using that kind of face to say those words. If I believe you then that would make me a child!

Lao tai tai brought a group of female relatives to the greeting. Chu Ba Ning leaned forward to greet her back, signalling an old mo mo from behind to help the lao tai tai stand up. He looked straight at her and said, “Lao fu ren, no need to curtsy. It should be this sun nu xu who should curtsy to you instead,” after he finished speaking, Chu Ba Ning bowed.

Lao tai tai did not dare to accept his bow as she repeatedly tried to make a refusal. She didn’t even know where to put her hands as she made the gesture. After all, Ningcheng was not the same as the capital city. Although she has met many high officials in that small city, and now that her son is an imperial chancellor, she at least didn’t feel so intimidated in front of them (the officials). But in front of this prince, it was different since he is a prince with so much state power!

After a scene of frights, everyone finally settled in the main hall for a talk.

Chu Ba Ning insisted on his role as a wan bei and so he sat with Ah Nan at where Lu Fei Rong was also seated. Of course, the highest (headmaster) seat was offered to lao tai tai while the imperial chancellor couple sat a step below her. Standing behind the Imperial Chancellor’s wife was a young lady, Ah Nan’s cousin who followed lao tai tai to the capital city from Ningcheng.

Imperial Chancellor Lu’s second and third sons were also present in the room. They sat in their seat with much care and respect to their surrounding. The oldest son, Lu Shao Qi has already gotten married and is currently a prefectural magistrate in Quanzhou, so he couldn’t return for this occasion. When Ah Nan got married, Lu Shao Qi was coincidentally called back to the capital city by the Emperor, which was why he was able to attend her wedding. After he finished handling his affairs here, Lu Shao Qi very quickly made his way back to Quanzhou. Therefore, currently at the Imperial Chancellor Manor, there are only two sons in office.

Meanwhile, Ah Nan’s er bo has come, including her cousins. It was said that her er bo is a businessman in Ningcheng. This time, he had come to visit the capital city to observe the market price so that he could expand his business here.

Ah Nan’s tang ge, Lu Shao Nan is Lu er bo‘s oldest son, ranking second in the family’s clan. He is the future successor of the business, so he came along to learn more about the capital city too.

There are two other cousins, one ten-years-old and the other eleven-years-old. The one who is eleven-years-old is named Lu Shao Ling, the only son of Ah Nan’s da bo and is ranked eighth in the clan. He is very favoured by lao tai tai. The ten-year-old boy is Ah Nan’s er bo‘s youngest son, Lu Shao Cheng, ranked tenth and is also very favoured by lao tai tai.

Lu er bo brought his two sons and nephew forward to greet Chu Ba Ning, who only faintly responded before allowing them to take their leave.

Following, Lu Fei Rong and Ah Nan sent someone to give the gifts that they have prepared for lao tai tai. Seeing her granddaughters’ kind gesture, lao tai tai grinned and accepted the gifts with great joy. She then asked them a few considerate questions about their health and marriage. After finding out that Lu Fei Rong has given birth to a child, lao tai tai couldn’t help but smile so widely from ear to ear. It was only a pity that the child was too young to come for this visit.

Ah Nan’s third sister, Lu Fei Wen is currently two months pregnant. Due to her pregnancy not being so stable, she could not make this visit. Lao tai tai asked about her with care, while the Imperial Chancellor’s wife took her time to respond to each question.

Finally, the cousins got together to greet each other before ending the welcoming ceremony. Everyone began to have a small conversation with lao tai tai. When they eventually saw her tired expression, they excused themselves and took their leave, saying that they’ll wait for the welcoming banquet to start.

There was still two hours until the commencement of banquet. During this time, Ah Nan led Chu Ba Ning to the room she used to stay in when she was still living at the manor as a maiden. As they made their way there, Ah Nan would talk and introduce him to this and that. Following behind them were Ru Cui, Ru Lan and two mo mo.

“Wang ye, look, there is an apple tree over there. Every fourth month there will be a lot of flowers blooming, but no apples. Is that not kind of weird?” beaming, Ah Nan pointed at the apple tree from the courtyard. Now that she’s back at a familiar place, her mind naturally relaxed and she spoke a lot more than usual too.

Chu Ba Ning looked at the tree with leaves that had turned yellow and realised that it was just an ornamental tree, not an apple tree, which was why it wasn’t able to bear fruits. Seeing his wife’s small face slightly confused about why the tree never grew any apples, the corners of Chu Ba Ning’s lips curled into a calm smile. He decided not to tell Ah Nan the truth.

The place Ah Nan once resided was not very big, a few walks around ended the tour. But Ah Nan really liked to go back and forth —many times. Chu Ba Ning also did not want to go inside to take any rests. The couple stopped by a door and told their maids to wait by the corridor before they continued their walk. Chu Ba Ning attentively listened to Ah Nan introducing every single plant and grass.

When they walked to a tree close by a wall, Ah Nan was going to say something when there was a sudden thud. When she raised her head, a small black shadow could be seen on the wall. When it looked like it was going to fall on top of Ah Nan, she was already grabbed by the waist and pulled away by several meters.

Ah Nan fell into a warm embrace, unable to think much afterwards. Horrified, she saw a small green snake stabbed by a dagger, right at the spot she was standing earlier. The snake’s body was still twisting and struggling as it attempted to free itself from the dagger.

Ah Nan has always feared of animals like these. She was so frightened from before that her face became pale white. By instinct, she clung tightly to the person beside her. When she was about to open her mouth to talk, there was already another voice speaking angrily.

“Ah! Ah Nan, you killed my Xiao Qing^[3]!”

Ah Na raised her head and saw her xiao tang di, Lu Shao Ling climbing from the wall. His small face was angrily staring at them.

Ah Nan opened her mouth in surprise. She could not believe that her tang di had such a big gut to climb the wall at the Imperial Chancellor Manor. Not only that, he dared to point at them to say those unpleasant words. Clearly, his xiao ba wang attitude was a result of being spoilt by his elderlies.

Suddenly, Ah Nan shivered and discovered that the atmosphere had turned very cold. This familiar coldness got her turning her head to look at the wang ye who was still holding onto her waist. His facial expression was very serious. His deep eyes looked as though it has no bottom. Extremely terrifying.

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Translator’s notes:
TBH, this novel would be really nice if it could be turned into an anime/donghua. It would be really funny to see how Ah Nan’s facial expression changes when the atmosphere turns cold because of Chu Ba Ning, lolololololol. I can already envision a chibi character of her feeling scared from the coldness 😂

Trivia: 
→ [1] Not to be confused with Chǔ Bà Níng’s ≪楚霸宁≫ title as Sù Wáng ≪肃王≫, the ‘Su’ in Ah Nan’s brother-in-law’s name is Sū ≪苏≫, a ‘Su’ used for surname. 

→ [2] Ah Nan calls the butler shū ≪叔≫/uncle, but he’s not legitimately her uncle. It’s just a way of her showing her respect to him since he is old and has served for a long time at the Imperial Chancellor Manor. 

→ [3] Lol, what a typical name the author used for a green snake! xiǎo ≪小≫ means young/little and qīng ≪青≫ means green. If you’re a fan or know the story of The Legend of White Snake, there’s a character called Xiao Qing and she is a green snake.