Category: The Big Landlord
The Big Landlord 74.1
Translator’s Note 7/14/20: I’m trying to see if I’ll get flagged for putting up the NSFW content in Chinese. If I do, then I’ll take it down. But if I don’t get flagged, I’ll leave it up, and maybe readers who are having trouble with the password can MTL the NSFW part? Just copy the URL, plug it into your translator of choice, and select from Chinese to English.
Translator’s Note 7/27/20: I got flagged today. 😨 Sorry, but I have to take down the Chinese raws for this chapter now…
Chapter 74.1 – Different from Ordinary People
The moonlight shines in through the paper of the window, bringing a faint light to the interior of the room. It shone on the slightly swaying bed curtains not far away.
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PW: TBL74
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Protected: TBL 73.2
The Big Landlord 73.2
Q: Why do you use passwords for NSFW content?
and
Q: Why is the password not working?! 😡
A: Please refer to the FAQ section for full answers. 😭💦
Translator’s Note 7/14/20: I’m trying to see if I’ll get flagged for putting up the NSFW content in Chinese. If I do, then I’ll take it down. But if I don’t get flagged, I’ll leave it up, and maybe readers who are having trouble with the password can MTL the NSFW part? Just copy the URL, plug it into your translator of choice, and select from Chinese to English.
Chapter 73.2 – Interrogation and Fervor
An Zi Ran’s expression did not change. “Because I really don’t remember.”
“Why is that?”
“Maybe I was too overwhelmed at the time.”
“Just this reason?”
“Otherwise, what else?”
Surprisingly, Fu Wu Tian changed the topic. “Wang fei, business is done for the day. It’s time to return to the room to rest right? I already had the servants prepare hot water for you. If you don’t go now the water will get cold.”
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An Zi Ran put away the things on the table. He gave Fu Wu Tian a look and did not say anything. Since he already had the water prepared, why bother to ask? Furthermore, on that day, Fu Wu Tian killed Jiang Zhong Ting and his subordinate in such a cruel and ruthless way, yet in the following days when they were together An Zi Ran did not detect a hint of shadow in the other man.
The two returned to the bedroom.
An Zi Ran went to the folding screen and saw a large bucket of hot water. The temperature was moderate and his clothes were already hung on the screen.
“Do you need this prince to help?” Fu Wu Tian came over.
“No need.”
An Zi Ran firmly refused. He was not some three-year-old child.
The shifting sounds of fabric transmitted from behind the screen as he undressed. The slender figure of the youth could be seen reflected on the screen, a wispy and suggestive silhouette on the screen. It was definitely a picture of seducing people to commit crime.
“Wang fei, you really don’t need help?” Fu Wu Tian asked, unwilling to give up.
An Zi Ran’s voice came out from behind the screen. “No need! You can sleep first.”
Of course, Fu Wu Tian did not go to sleep as he wished. He waited until An Zi Ran was done bathing and came out from behind the screen. His position did not change. He had been sitting there appreciating the image of An Zi Ran washing up.
An Zi Ran only wore a single robe and a pair of trousers. His long hair was dripping wet down his back. As a man who has lived some twenty more years in the twenty-first century, he was not used to having long hair. It was like a punishment* every time he finished washing it.
[*T/N: He used the word 凌迟 which means “lingering death” or “death by a thousand cuts, which is an old form of capital punishment”]
The towel in his hand was suddenly taken away.
An Zi Ran glanced at Fu Wu Tian and said very naturally, “Help me wipe my hair.”
Fu Wu Tian originally had this intention, but when he heard this kind of monotone order, his face revealed a faint smile. He reached out and pulled An Zi Ran in front of him, and then he placed the towel on the youth’s head. The water droplets along the hairline were absorbed by the towel.
The strength he used wasn’t too great. It was just right. But his method of drying hair was not so good.
An Zi Ran knew that his hair must be a mess right now. He began to wonder if it was the wrong decision to get Fu Wu Tian to help.
At this moment, Fu Wu Tian suddenly hugged his waist and rested his chin on the youth’s shoulder. His voice rang out right beside his ear. “Wang fei, let’s do it.”
A topic out of the blue…
An Zi Ran calmly took back the towel in his hand. He wiped his hair until it no longer dripped, and then said, “Okay…”
Fu Wu Tian was faintly startled.
Then he heard the youth continue to speak, “As long as you’re willing to lie down and let me be on top, I am not against it.”
The person behind him abruptly became dead quiet.
An Zi Ran tossed the towel on a nearby dressing table, turned around, and looked at Fu Wu Tian. The corner of his mouth quirked up. “How about it?”
Fu Wu Tian’s eyes were brighter than the stars in the night sky, but deep like a black whirlpool, greatly attracting people to stare at him.
Under the illumination of the candlelight, An Zi Ran saw a huge smile crack across Fu Wu Tian’s lips. He looked excited to the extreme. There seemed to be a stimulant mixed into the air. A tremble crept across his skin, making him frown.
Just when he wanted to take the initiative to break this strange atmosphere, a hand grabbed onto his collar. There was a forceful push and their position was reversed. An Zi Ran fell atop the soft quilt. He had just pushed himself half upright when his mouth was blocked and he was pressed back onto the bed.
傅无天的吻却带着一股之前所没有的霸道，在他嘴巴里迅速的攻城掠地，两人的呼吸几乎交融在一起。
安子然的反应很迅速，但是双手已经受制于人，身板也不如人，武力更不如人，抵抗似乎变成多余，可要他就这么被动却是不可能的。
傅无天看着他的眼睛似乎闪过一丝戏谑的笑意。
安子然瞪着他，突然做了一件令他十分意外的事情，他抬起头用力的回吻回去，唇齿间的碰撞划破细嫩的肉，一丝淡淡的铁锈味瞬间在两人口腔弥漫。
不知是谁，两人却眉头都不皱一下，接个吻像打仗一样，相互争夺来争夺去，口水湿了被子，身体渐渐摩擦出激情，不知过了多久，安子然还是最先承受不住了。
傅无天松开他的唇，转战向他的脖颈，在白嫩嫩的皮肤上留下属于他的痕迹。
安子然困难的喘着气，眉头皱得紧紧的，他现在的身体太年轻了，虽然已经五个多月，但是平时太忙，锻炼的机会不多，所以手臂和大腿几乎没有肌肉，都是软软的嫩肉，稍微剧烈一点的运动，力量就会流失得非常快。
现在才接个吻，他就已经快喘不过气。
“起开！”
安子然推着他的肩膀，没推开。
傅无天自然不会照做，好不容易得到他的反应，不管他是为了争一口气，还是其他原因，他都不会轻易放过他。
安子然发现他的衣服被推倒胸前，大片的皮肤赤裸出来，一双带着茧子的手摩擦着细腻的皮肤带起一阵阵颤栗的感觉，本来就已经动情了，这一抚摸，下面就硬了，但令他头皮发麻的是抵着他大腿根处的硬物，比他的更热更硬，意识到再这样下去自己真的会成为傅无天的盘中餐。
“傅无天……”
安子然带着些许沙哑的声音骤然响起。
这是他第一次叫傅无天的名字，以往都是喊他王爷，于是成功的引起他的反应，但是确实反效果的。
傅无天突然含住他胸前的红果用力的吸吮起来。
“嘶！”
安子然猛抽一口气，他从来不知道这是他的敏感点，一下子刺激得他差点叫出来，挣扎的动作更大了。
“傅无天，有本事你等我十八岁了。”
十六岁的身体太吃亏，他根本占卜了便宜，此刻他根本忘了自己一开始答应嫁给傅无天的目的，在床上，只剩下两个男人之间的较量，他只想着反压倒傅无天。
傅无天松开被他吸得红肿的红果，手指轻轻一碰便听到头顶的吸气声，喉咙发出一道低沉的笑声，“本王没本事，所以不打算等。”
没见过这么无赖的！
就在安子然后悔不应该争一口气的时候，傅无天突然挤进他的两条腿之间，身体被迫向他敞开，两人皆衣不蔽体，下身肿胀，这种情况下要是再不发展点什么就说不过去了。
Password: TBL73
“You can’t deny that we are a good fit for each other,” Fu Wu Tian said.
“It’s not difficult to be loyal to a man’s desire,” An Zi Ran responded.
The alluring sound of Fu Wu Tian’s voice slowly sounded in his ear. The man’s body was like a huge mountain. It was shocking, but it was undeniable that it exuded a sense of security. In his last life he had been wandering alone for so long, he never thought that one day he would find a sense of security from another man.
This was the first time!
And Fu Wu Tian was indeed very attractive.
At this moment, An Zi Ran had to admit that he was a little moved.
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The Big Landlord 73.1
Chapter 73.1 – Interrogation and Fervor
“What do you mean by this? Are you suspecting me of unsuccessfully harming you?”
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Zheng Bi reacted fiercely when she understood that he was suspecting her of being the culprit that caused him to faint in the snow and almost lose his life. Her voice went shrill.
Although she always wanted him to be gone from this world as soon as possible, it had always been just a thought. She had never really hurt him. On the day of An Zi Ran’s accident, everyone thought that he was grieving the death of his parents too excessively and ended up fainting in the snow. But that was just a notion by other people.
At first, Zheng Bi had also thought the same thing, but later she overheard the two maids that served An Zi Ran talking. They said he was the same as usual all morning, except for when he cried at the beginning. After that, he reverted back to normal, eating and drinking when he should, exuding the image of a heartless son.
When the incident happened later that day, in the afternoon, the two maids were sent somewhere else in advance.
When the maids realized that he was not in his room, they found him lying in the snow, already on his last breath.
Zheng Bi only knew that An Zi Ran had a near death incident because she happened to overhear the two maids talking. It was absolutely not because An Zi Ran was so depressed that he sought to end his own life, but that someone had deliberately sent the two maids away, and then called An Zi Ran out.
She also did not know who would dare do such a thing.
An Zi Ran had been paying attention to her expressions all along. When he saw the emotion in her eyes flickering he knew that there was something up.
Zheng Bi knew that she had never harmed An Zi Ran, so she was not afraid of him pursuing this topic. For the first time, she lifted her head and puffed out her chest, her conscience clear.
An Zi Ran said, “Did I say that you try to hurt me? Everyone thinks that I had an accident that day due to being overly heart broken. Why would you think that I suspect you of harming me? Why don’t you say what you know?”
Zheng Bi knew that she had made a mistake. She quickly covered her mouth and averted her eyes. The emotions in her gaze flickered even more.
“Answer me!” An Zi Ran enunciated each syllable.
She hesitated a moment, but when she thought about it again she reasserted to herself that she had no guilty conscience, so she told him about the overheard conversation.
“I only know because of this reason. It really wasn’t me who harmed you.”
An Zi Ran lowered his gaze.
The truth that Zheng Bi just spoke, actually he already knew about it.
He also investigated those two maids, but it wasn’t that someone had deliberately sent them away. It was actually a coincidence. The murderer probably discovered this coincidence by chance and committed the crime impromptu.
An Chang Fu and his first wife died suddenly, and then An Zi Ran died in the afternoon of the same day, so it could be ruled out that the culprit had planned this crime ahead of time.
It was due to this coincidence that he was unable to find the murderer.
He observed Zheng Bi’s expression. She did not lie. When a person was lying, they always did something out of the ordinary, or some habitual act of disguise to cover up the lie, unless they were an expert or a genius at lying. Evidently, Zheng Bi was not. If she really had such schemes, then she wouldn’t be just a concubine to An Chang Fu.
He could rule her out as the murderer, and her daughter could also be temporarily taken off the suspect list.
The facts were the same as what she just said. That day, mother and daughter stayed in their room and did not come out. But there was no evidence to prove that they were always inside, which was why he had doubted them.
“Since you want to stay in An Yuan County, then I will let you do so. I have already prepared another house. People have died in this house so it might feel suffocating. In the near future, An Ke Xin will be married from that house. If there is no other problems, you can go.” An Zi Ran played down his previous question, and then rushed the other party from the study.
Zheng Bi wasn’t particularly satisfied with this result. If Ke Xin did not get married from the An family’s main manor, then how will other people look upon her? People who didn’t know what happened would think that the An family didn’t look too highly upon Ke Xin, but what An Zi Ran said was also the truth.
Zheng Bi left.
An Zi Ran leaned back in the chair and meditated on his thoughts.
Don’t know when, but a tall figure stood in the doorway and blocked the moonlight coming in. A deep shadow was cast on the floor.
An Zi Ran did not look up.
Fu Wu Tian had washed up and changed into blue silk brocade robes. He went over to the desk. He placed both hands on the table and looked at him. “Wang fei, it looks like you still don’t have any clue yet.”
An Zi Ran knew that it was him, and he was not surprised. When he heard this sentence, he looked up and stared the other man in the eyes, which could still emit bright light in the night. “This is my business, you should not intervene.”
Fu Wu Tian said, “This prince has a misgiving.”
An Zi Ran arched an eyebrow. “What misgiving?”
Fu Wu Tian said, “The victim is wang fei, so the one who should know about the entire incident should be yourself. But why is it that you seem to not remember what happened at that time?”
The Big Landlord 72.2
Chapter 72.2 – Interrogation
At this time, Shao Fei couldn’t help but speak up again, “Wang fei, I think that wife of Zhou Laohan’s is really something. I can’t describe it, but if she opens up a little shop to sell her rice noodles, she will definitely be popular all throughout Da Ya. En. Even outside of Da Ya, it won’t be a problem.”
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An Zi Ran paused in his actions, and then he said calmly, “They don’t have capital.”
Shao Fei choked on his saliva.
What a realistic answer, but it was the reality!
After a paused, An Zi Ran added another sentence. “But your idea is not entirely improbable.”
Shao Fei’s eyes brightened again. Ever since he was young, he did not lack for food and clothing, so he did not know what life was like for the poor. But since he came to An Yuan County, he could see it almost everywhere. Later, thanks to the grace of the An family, those people were able to reveal smiles of satisfaction, so his mood also improved.
However, he did not know that when An Zi Ran ate the rice noodles, his mind suddenly concocted an unplanned idea.
Subsequently, the four men silently finished eating the plate of rice noodles the pot of soup.
An Zi Ran had the smallest appetite. He was still trying to lose weight, but this time he ate three bowls of rice noodles and drank a bowl of soup.
As they left the dining hall, Fu Wu Tian looked over at An Zi Ran, who was holding onto his belly, and said, “Wang fei, seems like these rice noodles have a very captivating taste. Do you want to continue eating it everyday?”
An Zi Ran glanced at him. “If you won’t get sick of it, you can eat it everyday, but I won’t accompany you.” No matter how delicious something was if you eat it everyday you would eventually get tired of it. Then you wouldn’t want to see that dish on the dining table for a long, long time.
The two separated in the corridor.
Fu Wu Tian was getting ready to return to the bedroom to wash up, so he asked his wang fei if he wanted to go with him, but he was only spared a glance.
An Zi Ran went to the study. He decided to strike while the iron was hot and wrote up a plan to open a rice noodle shop. Because this was originally not a part of his plan, he decided to put Zhou Laohan’s wife in charge, just like franchises in modern times. Opening up a rice noodle shop wouldn’t cost a lot of money for him. After the shop was built, he would let go and have the couple run the place.
The plan was not difficult. It only took him half an hour to draft it.
Knock knock.
A knock sounded on the door.
At first, he thought that it was Fu Wu Tian. But in the next second he remembered that Fu Wu Tian never knocked on the door. Such a polite person. Could it be that Steward Su had returned?
“Come in.”
The door was pushed open and it emitted a squeak. The person who entered did not speak. It was a little strange. An Zi Ran looked up and when he saw the person he frowned.
“What did you come here for?”
Zheng Bi stood at the doorway and did not come in further. When she saw him looking over, she put on an obsequious look, but it had no effect on him. “Can I come in?”
An Zi Ran stared at her as if to discern what she might be hiding up her sleeve.
Zheng Bi said, “I know what I did before really let down the An family, I am sorry. I really regret it. Zi Ran, you’re a great person and you’re very magnanimous, so don’t bicker with your third mother over this. Third Mother promises, I will definitely not do the same thing again in the future. Third Mother is not asking for your forgiveness, I only hope that you can give me a chance to turn over a new leaf.”
“Speak your true purpose.” An Zi Ran did not intend to talk nonsense with her.
Zheng Bi heard him say this and straightforwardly said, “When are you preparing to return to Jun Zi City?”
An Zi Ran said, “Afraid that I will take you with me?”
Zheng Bi was stunned by him. “It’s not… Third Mother is only worried about your younger sister, Ke Xin. You also know that she doesn’t have a good temper and she doesn’t really like the Lin family’s gong zi. I’m afraid that she will do something stupid, so I want to stay in An Yuan County. If something comes up, I can take care of it.”
This was a really good move. She kept her true motive hidden.
“I can let you stay in An Yuan County, but there is a question that you have to answer me truthfully. If I find that you are lying, I will ensure that your wish fails,” An Zi Ran said.
“What question?” Zheng Bi did not expect him to speak, so she hurriedly asked.
An Zi Ran stared her in the eyes and spoke slowly, “The afternoon before the first day of the New Year, where were you and your daughter. Did you go to the main courtyard?”
Zheng Bi was stumped. Her reaction was a little slow. Five months have already passed after all. But she reacted as quickly as possible. On the first day of the New Year was when news of the master and the first wife’s death came back to the house. On that day, the entire family was in a mess.
“Why are you asking about that day?”
“You only have to answer my question.”
Zheng Bi saw that he was serious. She thought about it and then replied; “I heard that the master and the first wife died unexpectedly that day, so I called Ke Xin back to the room. We didn’t come out until it was almost five p.m. We went to the main courtyard once. But at that time we heard that you fainted in the snow…”
Speaking of this, Zheng Bi’s voice stopped short.
The Big Landlord 72.1
Chapter 72.1 – Interrogation
Fu Wu Tian returned during the middle of the meal.
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He heard that his wang fei was already in the dining room. After returning to the bedroom to wash up a bit, he headed straight for the dining room. He had yet to get near the dining room, but he could already see Shao Fei standing by the door.
“Are you acting up with some disease?”
It was Ge Qian An who had spoke. This was the first time seeing him with such an impatient look.
Shao Fei originally wanted to give some witty retort to Ge Qian An, but he saw that wang ye had returned and rescinded his thoughts. “I don’t have any disease.” After that, he said to Fu Wu Tian, “Lord, wang fei is waiting for you to have dinner together.”
Fu Wu Tian gave him a glance of acknowledgement and then entered.
The so-called waiting for him to have dinner, but the table didn’t even have a single dish on it. Usually at this time the table would be set for dinner, there would be plates of food, and also fragrant bowls of white rice.
Fu Wu Tian sat down next to An Zi Ran and asked casually, “Wang fei, is there something special today?”
An Zi Ran took up the teapot and poured him a cup of tea. Originally, he wanted to tell him, but as he opened his mouth to answer the words changed into, “You will know in a minute.”
Wang fei was actually keeping him in suspense?
Fu Wu Tian was increasingly looking forward to today’s dinner, so he cooperatively did not ask and provoked another topic: “Any harvest* today when you went out?”
[*T/N: 收获 shou huo: depending on context could mean harvest, profit, gain, or reward.]
As soon as he said those words, Shao Fei looked over.
Did the lord have ESP? He casually asked a question and hit the nail on the head.
Fu Wu Tian naturally took note of his action. He looked at An Zi Ran and waited for him to answer.
An Zi Ran’s reaction was to give no reaction. He wasn’t like Shao Fei, who couldn’t hide anything at all. Fu Wu Tian was only making casual conversion, and Shao Fei fell right into the pit. His actions clearly told Fu Wu Tian that this sentence was related to their previous topic. With Fu Wu Tian’s intelligence, how could he not make the connection?
At this time, Chef Wang’s voice came from just outside the dining room.
After a while, Chef Wang’s figure appeared at the entrance of the dining hall, accompanied by two helper maids from the kitchen. One of them carried in the bowls and chopsticks, and the other brought in an aromatic soup. The main dish for dinner was in the hands of Chef Wang. It was covered with a large lid so the contents could not be discerned right away.
“Young Master, gu ye, dinner is served.”
Chef Wang placed the main dish on the table and removed the lid. The delicious aroma immediately rushed out.
The rice noodles made by Zhou Laohan’s wife lay inside.
After Chef Wang was done cooking the rice noodles, they turned into a very appetizing dish. Shao Fei, who had been looking forward to this dish, began to drool.
Even before the rice noodles were fried, Shao Fei knew that they would be delicious. After Chef Wang was done frying and seasoning the noodles, just the scent of the noodles alone was enough to make his mouth flood with saliva.
“This is the surprise that wang fei wants to give this prince? What is it?” Fu Wu Tian looked at the rice noodles in the bowl. It was indeed unexpected. He had never eaten this kind of ting.
An Zi Ran picked up a pair of chopsticks and said, “Rice noodles. Zhou Laohan’s wife gave it to me. The rest of you sit down and eat, too.” The last sentence was said to Shao Fei and Ge Qian An. Normally, whenever there was something good to eat he would share it with Steward Su, but this time he was not here.
Shao Fei hesitated.
Ge Qian An also did not move.
Fu Wu Tian glanced at them and said, “Wang fei told you to sit down, so sit down.”
Shao Fei sat down obediently. His actions were fast as if he were preparing to sit down all along. Ge Qian An gave him a disdainful look. Shao Fei clearly wanted to eat, but he put up a pretense of hesitation. Just whom was he acting for?
An Zi Ran had Chef Wang make a lot. He took into consideration the other two people. In order to feed four big men, the big bag of rice noodles that Zhou Laohan’s wife gave them was only enough for one meal.
Translations by Vanilla Muse
Shao Fei served himself a bowl. He had only taken a bite and was already exclaiming, “This is delicious, so tender, soft, and flexible. Is this really rice noodles?”
“Shut up. Don’t eat and talk at the same time. Don’t you understand that?” Ge Qian An looked at him warningly.
Shao Fei turned his head, but he did not dare to speak anymore.
An Zi Ran tasted the rice noodles in his bowl. The texture was really as good as Shao Fei had said. The noodles were bouncy. It was hard to believe that these noodles were really made with rice. Chef Wang’s culinary skills were good, but if the raw ingredients were no good, then no matter how superb the skills, the outcome still wouldn’t be very tasty.
“How is it?” An Zi Ran looked at Fu Wu Tian and asked.
Fu Wu Tian’s eating speed was faster than normal. An Zi Ran had only taken three bites, but the other man was already done with one bowl. He heard his question, but instead of answering directly, he said, “Another bowl.”
An Zi Ran personally served him up a second bowl of noodles.
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The Big Landlord 71.2
Chapter 71.2 – Honorarium (Gift as Thanks)
When Liu Fei Hong died, his seat as the prefectural magistrate of Hong Province was left empty. This was a very lucrative and cushy job. Every year, many subordinates would present gifts to him as a sign of respect. The combined wealth of the gifts was too high to count. When Liu Fei Hong was still the prefectural magistrate, he once took some of this wealth to honor Zhang Sun Cheng De. Because they* found out in time, they were able to destroy the evidence in advance.
[*T/N: the prime minister’s group]
Now that the position of prefectural magistrate was empty, there were at least eight or ten people with their eyes on the seat.
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The vast majority of Fu Wu Tian’s subordinates were military officials, only a few were civil servants. The remaining foundation was not strong enough. They were not qualified to take up the position of prefectural magistrate. He really had to stand his ground against the masses’ opinion and put someone up in that post. At that time, there would be a lot of accusations of misconduct, so he could only choose someone from Jun Zi City.
Fu Wu Tian originally wanted to have An Zi Ran come with him to the county office, but An Zi Ran refused on account of his own busy schedule.
He had no choice but to take Ge Qian An with him, and leave Shao Fei with An Zi Ran.
The An family’s construction project had only just begun.
But there were a dozen workers working together, so their speed was not slow.
When it was lunchtime, the workers all very conscientiously queued up for food. The meal provided by the An family was very sufficient. Everyone received two big steamed buns. They also got fragrant rice and two side dishes – a non-vegetarian dish paired with a vegetable soup. Although there wasn’t much variety, compared to the rest of the families in An Yuan County, this was already considered very plentiful.
Some of the workers were reluctant to eat. Furthermore, at 3 p.m. there was another bowl of soup for them to drink. So many of the workers would save the steamed buns for the children at home to eat. Just eating the rice was enough to fill them up.
In regard to this, An Zi Ran had no input.
Originally, the food was given to them for lunch. If they choose to save some of the food and not eat it, then that was their business. As long as they worked diligently and didn’t make any mishaps due to hunger, then he would not interfere.
Translations by Vanilla Muse
After patrolling the construction area, An Zi Ran went to the fields again.
Two days ago, the farmers had begun to harvest a portion of the matured rice from the fields. Because this year the men all went to work for the An family and only left the womenfolk at home, the harvest time was extended a bit.
Despite this, everyone was still in a good mood.
The amount of rice harvested was the same as before, but this year they got a bit of extra salary from the An family, so their days were getting better. There was even extra money for them to sell meat and buy new clothes.
“Young Landlord?”
A woman who was harvesting rice in the field looked up and saw them. She recognized An Zi Ran when he walked in front of her. Her expression of uncertainty suddenly became happy and she quickly came up from the field.
An Zi Ran looked at the woman. It took him a moment to recall that this was the young wife of Zhou Laohan. This eighteen-year-old woman married the thirty-year-old Zhou Laohan. She wasn’t very pretty, but she was very resilient to hardships. Some people said that their marriage was like sticking a fresh flower in a pile of cow dung*, but this woman had a very good reputation in An Yuan County, and she never felt wronged by her husband.
[*T/N: figurative speech for “a terrible shame (as when a lovely woman marries an odious man)”]
After she married Zhou Laohan, she soon gave birth to three children, two sons and one daughter. The sons were twins and just turned two years old this year. A family of five, the children didn’t have enough to eat, but other aspects of life also required quite a lot of money.
Zhou Laohan was working at the construction site that An Zi Ran had just visited. He worked eight hours a day and at noon took an hour off for lunch, giving him enough time to bring the steamed buns back for his children to eat.
His wife was very grateful to An Zi Ran.
If it weren’t for him, this year her children would have to go hungry.
The wife called to An Zi Ran. She asked him to wait as she had something she wanted to give him. Then she turned and ran home. She didn’t make them wait too long. After a short while, she brought back a big bag of things.
“Young Landlord, if it weren’t for you last time, our family’s baby would have to suffer this year. In order to repay you, this is my homemade rice noodles, please accept it. Our family doesn’t have anything good, only this, but all the neighbors say that it is delicious, so I hope the young landlord won’t mind.”
The woman held up the bag of rice noodles with hands rough from work. Her face, weathered by the wind and sun, held a sincere expression of expectation.
An Zi Ran was silent for a while. Then he reached for the bag of rice noodles. “Thank you.”
The woman beamed.
Then the two of them bid farewell to her.
Shao Fei took over the burden of carrying the bag. He hefted it in his hand. It was not light. When he opened the bag to take a look he saw that the rice noodles looked fresh and delicious. His mouth flooded with saliva. He quickly closed up the bag and asked, “Wang fei, just now, why didn’t you refuse?”
“Why should I refuse?” An Zi Ran asked.
Shao Fei went mute.
“All right, let’s go back and eat rice*.”
Shao Fei immediately followed.
[*T/N: AZR did indeed say “rice” 米饭 mi fan and not “rice noodles” 米粉 mi fen in the raw text, but I think it might be a typo.]
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The Big Landlord 71.1
Chapter 71.1 – Honorarium (Gift as Thanks)
As soon as An Ke Xin walked out of the great hall, her real nature revealed itself.
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Disregarding the servants’ looks, she hurriedly dragged Zheng Bi back to Jade Water Courtyard.
When Steward Su stepped over the threshold, he could just see the backs of the mother-daughter pair as they hurriedly left. He turned his head and said to An Zi Ran, who was standing in front of him, “Young Master, didn’t the Third Concubine said that she wouldn’t let the Second Miss marry into the Lin family no matter what? Why the sudden change of attitude?”
An Zi Ran glanced down the corridor at their disappearing backs. Instead of directly answering the question, he asked, “Under what circumstance did she change her attitude?”
Steward Su recalled for a bit. “Seems like it was just after Lin family’s gong zi sent over the betrothal gifts.”
“This is the answer.”
An Zi Ran turned and prepared to go back to the study. He had already thought about how to write An Ke Xin’s dowry list.
Steward Su realized that the Third Concubine has become interested in the Lin family’s property. He really didn’t know whether that was good or bad. But he didn’t have to face that mother and daughter pair again, so the old steward was still very happy. As for the Lin family, once the Second Miss marries into their family, it will be their family’s issue.
Let’s move the story back to Zheng Bi, who was dragged to the Jade Water Courtyard by An Ke Xin.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, Zheng Bi flung off her daughter’s hand. “What’s wrong with you? Don’t you know you gripped your mother’s hand so hard that it hurts?”
After she said that, she rotated her wrist around.
An Ke Xin tried hard to calm the anger in her heart and repressed herself to say, “Mother, weren’t you very opposed to me marrying into the Lin family? Then why were you agreeing just now?”
Upon hearing this, Zheng Bi froze, but smiled soon after.
“And mother was wondering what you wanted to talk about. So it’s about this matter. What is the problem?”
An Ke Xin looked at her incredulously. “Could it be that you didn’t see how ugly Lin Xin is? Haven’t you always wanted me to marry someone with power and status? Why did you suddenly become like this?” She fired the questions one right after the other. Right now, her brain was full of ‘whys.’
Translations by Vanilla Muse
Zheng Bi smiled flirtatiously. The makeup on her face almost fell off. “You’re right, Mother used to hope that you could marry someone like the An family’s gu ye. Even if you couldn’t be the main wife, being a concubine was still good. But you can see our current situation. Unless you can marry the emperor, otherwise, what do we fight An Zi Ran with? It would be better to settle for the next best thing. It seems to me that Lin family’s gong zi is very infatuated with you. So why not make use of this opportunity?”
“Just because of this, you want me to marry Lin Xin?”
An Ke Xin was not comforted at all. Even if she were to settle for second best, she still wanted to marry someone handsome, and not that pig of a Lin gong zi.
Zheng Bi knew that her daughter just couldn’t accept the truth right away, so she wasn’t angry. She took hold of An Ke Xin’s hand and said lightly, “Ke Xin, Mother knows that this is very difficult for you, but Mother promises you, this is only a temporary stop-gap measure, nothing more…”
After that, Zheng Bi whispered her thoughts into An Ke Xin’s ear.
Don’t know what she said, but An Ke Xin was indeed placated. Her anger subsided and turned to hesitation. “Mother, are you sure this is possible?”
“You have your mother, so of course.” Zheng Bi said confidently.
An Ke Xin hesitated for a moment. “But, will An Zi Ran bring you to Jun Zi City?”
If An Zi Ran really took her mother with him, she would not be able to contact her mother in time. Then where would she find someone who would give her advice and help her plot?
Zheng Bi said, “Rest assured. All of An family’s industry is in An Yuan County. They won’t really move everything to Jun Zi City. There will definitely be a group of people left behind in An Yuan County. Furthermore, An Zi Ran can’t wait to get rid of the two of us. How could he possibly bring me with him?”
An Ke Xin also felt that what her mother said was reasonable. Before, An Zi Ran had already said that he wouldn’t bring them with him. If she weren’t certain about this point, she would not have agreed to the marriage. She was only asking for peace of mind.
“How about this? Mother will look for a chance to feel out An Zi Ran, and see what he is thinking.”
Zheng Bi thought about it, and felt that this plan had to be one hundred percent foolproof in order for them to feel at ease. Who knew if An Zi Ran would express a different view from them?
An Ke Xin nodded. “Okay. Mother, be careful not to let him discover us.”
“Don’t worry.”
The next day, An Zi Ran took Shao Fei to inspect the engineering project.
Early in the morning, Fu Wu Tian had gone to the county office to deal with the affairs of Hong Province.
The Chong Ming Emperor’s decree had also arrived in An Yuan County the day before yesterday. Although Fu Wu Tian didn’t need to ask for the emperor’s decree to execute a group of corrupt officials, the emperor still had to be mindful of his status and keep up appearances to prevent slanderous rumors.
As a petty revenge, the Chong Ming Emperor handed all of the unwanted errands of a newly appointed prefectural magistrate to Fu Wu Tian.
The Big Landlord 70.2
Chapter 70.2 – Getting Married
Zheng Bi heard that her daughter was to marry the Lin family in Tong Tai County and she refused to feign madness anymore. She ran out of Jade Water Courtyard and made a big fuss. She resolutely disagreed with An Ke Xin’s marriage, but her opinion was not important, otherwise, An Ke Xin wouldn’t have purposely refrained from informing her.
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“An Zi Ran, you come out!”
Zheng Bi pushed away the maids that were holding her back. The maids were almost pushed down. She was already running in the direction of the study.
The maids hurried to catch up, but they were slower by a step.
Zheng Bi pushed open the door to the study room. The house rules were no longer in her mind. She rushed in, saw An Zi Ran, and started screaming, “Did you say something to Ke Xin? Why would she agree to marry to Tong Tai County?”
“Who let you in?” An Zi Ran’s face was cold.
Zheng Bi’s expression changed to a cold smile. She had nothing to fear now. Her daughter blamed her and wanted to leave her all alone. What was there left for her to feel attachment to? “Ke Xin haven’t wronged you in any way. If you have the ability then come at me. Why do you have to go and target her?”
An Zi Ran put down the brush in his hand and stared straight at her. “The marriage is of her own consent. I didn’t force her. If you don’t believe it you can go ask her.”
Zheng Bi’s heart was shocked and immediately she subconsciously denied. “Impossible. You must have forced her.”
She knew how much her daughter wished to marry someone of status. How could she agree to marry the into the Lin family of Tong Tai County? Although it was a big family in Tong Tai County, but the difference from their goal was too much. Marrying into the Lin family… how would they be able to strut around in front of An Zi Ran?
An Zi Ran did not respond to her this time.
If the upper bean is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked*. It was because the father and mother were irresponsible, so they turned an exquisite maiden into a brainless moron. And Zheng Bi, who was her mother, held the greatest responsibility of all.
[*T/N: subordinates follow their superior’s example]
“I don’t want to listen to your nonsense anymore. If you’re done talking then get out.”
An Zi Ran impolitely shooed her out. Right now, he had to draft up the dowry list. He had no time to play with her.
Zheng Bi did not plan to let this matter go just like that. She still wanted to say more. Steward Su suddenly rushed in. He saw Zheng Bi, paused, and frowned. Then he said to An Zi Ran, “Young Master, Lin family’s gong zi has come bearing betrothal gifts to propose marriage.”
Translations by Vanilla Muse
Although the marriage between the two families have already been determined, they still had to go through the customs, thus Lin Xin came with the betrothal gifts.
Zheng Bi was unable to speak. She rushed out of the study in a great hurry.
She almost knocked into Steward Su on the way out.
An Zi Ran put down the dowry list. Lin family’s betrothal gift came just in time. He was still worried about what to include in the dowry. He had never done this before. Now he could just refer to the Lin family’s betrothal gift.
When the two of them rushed to the courtyard, several mahogany boxes were already placed in the great hall. They were neatly arranged. In front of these boxes there was a figure. It was Zheng Bi who had ran ahead of them. Her eyes seemed to be shining with light as she stared at the things inside the boxes.
There was a large box filled with clothes for women, another box filled with silk and satin. They all looked very valuable and expensive. There was a second box filled with expensive bolts of cloth. Zheng Bi was eyeing it and unwilling to put it down. But her attention was quickly captured by the contents of another box. The betrothal gifts included other items such as gold and silver jewelry, rare antiques, the four treasures of study*, and so on.
[*T/N: writing brush, ink stick, paper, ink stone]
Zheng Bi had always thought that the Lin family was no big deal.
Although they were similarly rich, they were still lacking a little compared to the An family.
When she saw the betrothal gifts today, she found out that she was wrong.
“Young Landlord… uh no, I should change it to older brother*.” Lin Xin saw An Zi Ran coming in and hurried over to greet him. Although he was obese, his attitude was very modest.
[*T/N: more specifically “wife’s older brother” 大舅子]
An Zi Ran nodded and invited him to sit down.
After Lin Xin was seated, he took out a card from his sleeve and handed it to him. “Big brother, this is Lin family’s betrothal gift list. Please look over it.”
“Let me see.”
Zheng Bi, who was admiring all the treasures, heard this sentence and quickly came over. She tried to grab the card, but Steward Su was faster. He grabbed the card first and handed it over to An Zi Ran.
Zheng Bi glared at Steward Su. Now, even this housekeeper didn’t put her in his eyes.
An Zi Ran looked over the items on the list and clearly noted each one in his memory. The Lin family couldn’t be considered a very wealthy family, but they were able to come up with so many gifts. It could be seen that they were very sincere, and that they really wanted to take An Ke Xin as a wife into the Lin family.
A maid was sent to bring An Ke Xin, and after a while she came following the maid. Once he saw her, Lin Xin instantly stood up from his seat with excitement. He stepped forward, wanting to hold An Ke Xin’s hand, but the latter dodged his grasp.
An Ke Xin’s expression was stiff as she explained, “Lin gong zi, we are not married yet. Men and women should not touch hands when they give or receive things*.”
[*T/N: 男女授受不亲 citation from Mencius]
Lin Xin patted his head. Once he saw the beauty his expression became stupid. “Right, right, right. Apologies. I was too happy, so I accidentally forgot.”
On the contrary, Zheng Bi, who saw this scene, showed a thoughtful expression.
Later, Lin Xin and An Zi Ran agreed on an auspicious date for the groom’s family to send a bridal sedan chair to fetch the bride. The date was set on May 15th. Although there was only less than ten days left, that was still more time when compared to the time An Zi Ran got married. Besides, the An family would be moving to Jun Zi City soon, so there wasn’t much time left.
An Ke Xin was a bit dissatisfied at the rush. Although she agreed to marry Lin Xin, she still had some rejection in her heart. She thought that her mother was the one most against it, so she hoped that her mother would say something, but Zheng Bi’s reaction was unexpected to everyone.
“Then it is decided.” Zheng Bi’s smile was like a blooming flower. The gaze with which she looked upon Lin Xin was becoming more and more amiable.
An Zi Ran gave her a pensive look.
His mother-in-law agreed and his wife’s big brother had no objection. Lin Xin was extremely happy. The gifts were delivered, and he had seen the beauty. After sitting for a while, he got up and said goodbye.