Chapter 88: Reborn as a Cat 9 (My Mother Is the Female Lead of a Matriarchal Novel)

【62】

The maid's scream startled everyone in the Luo household.

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Upon hearing the news, Huang Ma rushed over with a lantern; the bright light revealed countless plump black rats scurrying everywhere, squeaking.

Luo Lao Tai Tai could no longer bear it; her eyes rolled back and she fainted.

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Pomegranate Flower Town is merely a small town, and rumors spread especially fast there.

In less than half a day, the news of the Luo family's rat infestation and Luo Lao Tai Tai's fright-induced faint spread throughout the town.

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"I heard Luo Lao Tai Tai offended the rat deity; otherwise why would only her courtyard have rats while elsewhere there are none?"

"Rat deity? Rats can become deities? I've never heard of that."

"You're ignorant; haven't you heard of chickens and dogs ascending to heaven? Dogs can become heavenly hounds, my green ox, and Lü Dongbin's donkey—once their masters attain the Dao, they certainly bask in glory."

"Is Lü Dongbin the one who rides a donkey? Isn't it Zhang Guo Lao who rides his donkey backward?"

"I'm speaking metaphorically!" the speaker said angrily, "In short, perhaps a rat spirit has recently attained the Dao, and Luo Lao Tai Tai must have offended it..."

Luo Lao Tai Tai was merely overly frightened; her body was fine. After taking a calming pill, she felt much better.

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He frowned, puzzled, "How could so many rats suddenly appear?"

Luo Lao Tai Tai was terrified this time, covering her face as she cried, "I don't know! We haven't killed any rats lately, nor have we laid rat poison..."

After all, it's not autumn when the grain has just been stored; there's no need to poison rats.

Besides, every autumn we used to kill a batch of rats to prevent grain from being spoiled, yet nothing ever happened.

"Filial son" Luo Jia Ming also came with his wife and daughter to visit Luo Lao Tai Tai; he had originally wanted to go find He San Niang for some fun, but the rumors outside spread so fast he couldn't stay put.

His father and the old lady had a good relationship; they married early, and both are still under fifty. If something happened to the old lady, what would his father do about remarrying?

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I am now the Luo family's sole male descendant; my mother constantly picks on Xu Shi, and although she resents her iron-willed son, she still dotes on him—otherwise where would he get the money to keep a courtesan?

Luo Jia Ming understood all this, and he still remembered his deceased elder brother, who truly was an outstanding figure he could never match; back then, his parents focused all their thoughts on the eldest son, making him jealous to the point of near madness. Fortunately, the elder brother died early, allowing him to become the family's only male heir; for years he has dominated the Luo household, becoming the focus everyone must pay attention to.

Luo Jia Ming enjoyed being the center of the family's attention, which is why he could dare to associate with Mu Dan without fear, knowing he was the only male left in the Luo family and irreplaceable.

When Xu Shi gave birth to the eldest and second daughters, Luo Lao Tai Tai could no longer tolerate it, constantly scolding Xu Shi; at that time he was young and not eager for children, enjoying his parents' exclusive favor and not wanting them to shift that affection to others, even if it were his son.

But now he is no longer young; unlike before, he no longer craves his parents' affection. Having no son means cutting off the lineage, leaving no one to even tip over a brazier in the future, so he naturally longs for a son.

Thus Luo Jia Ming's concern for Luo Lao Tai Tai is genuine; he could have a son to become the Luo family's new treasure, but any brother competing for the inheritance would not do.

Luo Jia Ming knows he is jealous and possessive, believes he has no fault, blaming his parents for only seeing his elder brother and neglecting him, which made him turn out this way.

Seeing her son arrive with his wife and daughter, Luo Lao Tai Tai felt relieved.

"Jia Ming, Mother is fine." The old lady's gaze softened; she greatly appreciated her son's filial piety.

Seeing the old lady was well, the family sat down and discussed the rat problem with several loyal servants.

Xu Shi and her daughters remained silent, mainly because they had no clue, and besides they still remembered yesterday when Luo Lao Tai Tai tried to whip Da Ya; although she sprained her ankle and couldn't strike, it left the girls with deep psychological scars, making it hard for them to let go.

Luo Lao Tai Tai was in a bad mood; seeing the wooden‑like daughter‑in‑law and several granddaughters, she couldn't help but feel angry.

After coming in, she didn't hear them say a few words; what's going on? Could they still be holding a grudge from yesterday? As a mother‑in‑law and grandmother, shouldn't she be able to discipline her daughter‑in‑law and granddaughters?

This is also one reason she dislikes Xu Shi.

Whenever she lectures, her eyes well up with tears, as if she could shed a pound of tears at any moment; outsiders see her as a wicked stepmother, and her granddaughters also grow distant, letting their mother corrupt them.

They think she's a wicked grandmother who constantly finds fault with the daughter‑in‑law, scolding her, making her kneel at the ancestral hall, without considering that Xu Shi's failure to bear a son for the Luo family is a grave offense.

Luo Lao Tai Tai considers herself a decent grandmother; at least she hasn't let any of her granddaughters go hungry or cold, allowing them to survive.

As for work, she does it for their benefit; giving the girls a reputation for diligence helps their future marriages.

"Why aren't the maids speaking? Could it be that you killed the rats and now the whole town's rats have come for revenge?" Luo Lao Tai Tai's eyes flashed like knives as she swept them over, coldly asking.

Er Ya's body trembled; she was most afraid of her grandmother, because she was slow‑witted and whenever her grandmother scolded her, she couldn't react in time, and her grandmother's temper would flare, sending a slap flying.

Her father said this was normal; which elder doesn't beat people? At least she is fed and clothed.

Er Ya always felt that outsiders were wrong; the Luo family isn't actually the wealthiest in Pomegranate Flower Town—our finances are modest. Otherwise, why do the daughters of the second, third, and fourth richest families, who are supposedly poorer than us, always dress splendidly and receive pocket money?

Having never received pocket money, Er Ya envied them; if she also had pocket money, she could save up to buy pretty dresses...

While Er Ya was lost in thought, Da Ya stepped forward; as a good older sister, she habitually shielded the younger ones.

She quickly whispered, "Grandma, we're terrified of rats; we wouldn't dare hit them."

Luo Lao Tai Tai snorted, "Girls really are afraid of rats; I'm not doubting them, I'm doubting the people around them—like Chun Hua, who is burly and stronger than a man."

This Chun Hua protects the little maids; who knows if she isn't secretly causing trouble after seeing Da Ya get beaten?

Luo Lao Ye heard and said, "Enough, stop stirring up trouble; the rats are running into our courtyard—what does that have to do with a few maids?"

Although he doesn't like these granddaughters, they are still Luo family blood, so he can't be too harsh.

Si Ya rubbed her eyes, sobbing, "Cao Cao, Cao Cao is gone..."

Her chubby little hands tugged at San Ya's skirt, feeling wronged; she didn't want to stay with the fierce grandmother, she wanted to go find Cao Cao.

Luo Lao Ye didn't understand, "What Cao Cao?"

"Cao Cao is a cat." San Ya bravely stepped forward, "It's my cat."

"Wasn't it called Hua Hua?" Luo Jia Ming was bewildered; he remembered it used to be called Hua Hua, and although he didn't pay much attention to the three daughters, occasionally when he returned he'd hear them call a cat Hua Hua.

Already have translation: San Ya says: "It's a boy, calling it Huahua is not suitable, so it was renamed." We'll output that.

This is a long meta instruction. We need to translate it fully into natural English. The line is already mostly English but contains Chinese terms in parentheses. We should replace those with English equivalents. Let's rewrite the line in natural English, removing Chinese.

We'll produce a cleaned-up version as described earlier but concise.

【70】

We need to list places: Pomegranate Flower Town, Joyful Red House, Luo Family. Also maybe 'the town' but that's just 'the town', not a name.

【74】

We need to list official & sect rank/title: none appear? There's 'grandma' but that's generic. 'steward' is a title but generic; not a specific name. Should we list? The rule says list official & sect rank/title that appears in these lines. 'steward' is a generic role, not a specific named title like 'Commandant'. Probably we exclude generic forms of address (not ranks). So we exclude.

【80】

Alternatively, we could treat the cat's name as a nickname and keep pinyin because it's a pet name used as a name for the cat, but the rule says animals should be translated. The rule says "NEVER leave it in pinyin:... animals". So we must translate.

Thus we will list beast: Grass and Flower. However, the cat's name changed from Flower to Grass? Actually line 61: San Ya said: 'It's a male child, calling it Flower is inappropriate, so we changed its name.' So they considered naming it Flower but changed it. So the cat's final name is Grass. So we should list the cat's name as Grass. The earlier considered name Flower maybe not needed as it's not the final name but appears. The instruction: list every beast that appears in these lines. Flower appears as a considered name, so it appears. So we list both.

But we need to output the glossary list as JSON-like: 【{"raw_term":"EnglishName","original_term":"ChineseChars"},...】. The raw_term is the English form we should use. For those we have glossary entries, we must reuse the exact English already in the glossary above. For others, we need to provide English translation (presumably by meaning) and original term Chinese.

We must ensure we output each term only once.

Let's go through lines and extract all names.

I'll go line by line.

【91】

Names: San Ya - person (nickname). Also Flower - cat name considered.

【93】

Names: Huang Ma - person (nickname). Possibly also 'Ma' but it's part of nickname.

【95】

Names: Huang Ma again. Also maybe 'cat' generic.

【97】

Names: Huang Ma, Grass - cat name. Also 'old lady' generic (not a specific name). Not list.

【99】

Names: Luo Old Lady - from glossary. Also maybe 'cat' generic.

【101】

Names: Huang Ma, Luo Family - from glossary. Also 'madam' generic.

【103】

Names: Huang Ma.

【105】

Names: Huang Ma, Luo Family.

【107】

Names: Grass, Huang Ma.

【109】

Names: Grass.

【111】

Names: Luo Old Lady.

【113】

Names: San Ya. Also 'grandma' generic. Not list.

【115】

Names: Grass. 'her grandma' generic.

【117】

Names: Da Ya - from glossary. Also 'old lady' generic. 'the town' refers to town; but we have town name Pomegranate Flower Town later. Not yet.

【119】

Names: Luo Old Lady. Also maybe 'countryside' generic.

【121】

Names: Luo Old Lady, Grass (implicitly 'that cat').

【123】

Names: Luo Old Master - from glossary. Also Grass. Also 'steward' generic.

【126】

No specific names.

San Ya and Si Ya take turns holding it, while Da Ya goes to the kitchen to fry small dried fish for it.

【128】

This time, Luo Old Lady no longer dared to mention wasting oil, and even had Huang Ma specially bring two large cans of oil to the kitchen, tacitly allowing the eldest granddaughter to use oil to fry small dried fish for the cat.

Names: Luo Old Lady, Huang Ma, eldest granddaughter? 'eldest granddaughter' means eldest granddaughter, generic not a specific name. Not list.

【131】

Names: Pomegranate Flower Town - from glossary.

【133】

Names: He San Niang - actually 'He San Niang' is a person's name. Not in glossary. Should be pinyin: He San Niang. But note 'San Niang' is a nickname? It's a name. So we list as He San Niang.

【135】

Names: Fang De Quan - actually 'Fang De Quan' is a person's name. Not in glossary. Should be pinyin: Fang De Quan.

【137】

Names: Fang De Quan again.

【139】

Names: Peony - from glossary.

【141】

Names: Luo Jia Ming - from glossary.

【143】

Names: Luo Jia Ming, Xu Shi - from glossary, Luo Old Master, Luo Old Lady.

【145】

Names: Peony, Luo Jia Ming.

【147】

Names: Peony.

【150】

No names.

Peony also sneered, her red lips as if stained with blood, 'Do you understand the rule of first come, first served?'

【152】

'Get out of the way!' Peony's eyes blazed red; Luo Jia Ming, what do you mean, shielding that woman as if she were a treasure behind him—has he forgotten his promise to her?

【154】

'By what status do you question me?' He San Niang sneered, 'Even the master's principal wife, Xu Shi, hasn't spoken yet—what right do you have to come to my house and make things difficult for me, the host?'

【156】

Although Peony's feelings for Luo Jia Ming may not be entirely genuine, she is still quite happy about it.

【158】

The two turned their heads and saw, outside the door that had been burst open, a beautiful woman wearing a red embroidered cheongsam standing there.

No specific names.

【161】

Names: Jia Ming? Actually 'Jia Ming' is a nickname for Luo Jia Ming? It's a given name part. But it's referring to Luo Jia Ming. Since we already have Luo Jia Ming, we might not need to list 'Jia Ming' separately. It's a part of his name but not a separate name. The instruction: list every character that appears. 'Jia Ming' appears as a nickname used by someone addressing him. It's a personal name (given name). Should we list it? It's a part of his full name; but we already have his full name. The rule: list every character that appears. If we list Luo Jia Ming, we cover him. Adding 'Jia Ming' would be redundant. Probably we should not list subparts. We'll stick to full names.

【163】

Names: He San Niang, Luo Jia Ming.

【165】

Names: He San Niang, Luo Jia Ming.

【167】

Names: He San Niang. Also 'peach blossom' generic? Not a name.

【170】

No names.

He quickly took off the long gown stained with fish juice, and happily said, 'San Niang, you are pregnant with Grandfather's child!'

【172】

She looked up and down at the young widow, her gaze fierce, wishing she could turn into a blade and cut her to pieces.

【174】

'Am I pregnant?' He San Niang feigned disbelief, murmuring, 'How is that possible? I was with my late husband for two years and never conceived.'

【176】

'This... might be a mistake.' He San Niang pretended to be both surprised and delighted, lowering her hand to touch her belly.

【178】

Left and right neighbors were also attracted by the commotion, hurriedly calling friends over to join the fun.

No specific names.

【182】

No names.

He said to Peony, 'Peony, listen to me, I still have you in my heart! But you also know that the Luo family's affairs are decided by my parents, so I have always hoped you would bear a child, so that my parents would agree to let you into the family…'

【184】

Coincidentally, these past few days, the madam had gone out on business, not staying at the Joyful Red House, so no one could stop Peony, allowing her to leave the Joyful Red House smoothly and arrive at the widow's house with great vigor.

【186】

Luo Jia Ming couldn't believe it; seeing her fierce demeanor, he thought she was not to be provoked.

【188】

'Miss Peony.' He San Niang struggled to stay calm, 'You trespassed into a private residence—this isn't right, is it?'

【190】

Seeing these two pulling and tugging in front of her, He San Niang felt she could hardly bear it.

【192】

'What's there to be ashamed of?' Peony sneered, 'You dare to fool around in broad daylight, yet you're afraid of being seen?'

【194】

Peony gave a cold laugh and approached with alluring charm, 'What, is there something shameful here that you don't want me to see?'

【196】

In his eyes, He San Niang had ice-like skin and jade-like bones, smooth and delicious; if she got hurt in the kitchen, she wouldn't be beautiful.

【198】

These two women are both ones he wants to take in; can't they get along peacefully? Like Xu Shi, those flirtatious maids his mother brought in—although he doesn't like them, he has never been openly hostile toward them.

【200】

Luo Jia Ming's expression was somewhat strange; then, upon realizing something, his face lit up with ecstatic joy.

【202】

Regarding Luo Jia Ming keeping a concubine, Rose was indeed surprised, because he had kept Peony for several years, and although there were many beauties in the Joyful Red House, he only wanted Peony, making many girls envy him and think he was a rare good man.

【204】

When she saw Peony with disheveled hair, both crying and laughing, utterly lacking composure, she was somewhat shocked.

【206】

Indeed, women like them from the brothel should not indulge in foolish fantasies.

No specific names.

Over there, Luo Jia Ming shielded San Niang behind him; she is pregnant now, so there must be no slip at all.

He San Niang was so frightened she almost jumped up.

Mu Dan, having gone mad, gritted her teeth and said: "Move aside, I need to find Luo Jia Ming to get to the bottom of this!"

Luo Jia Ming, whom she had trusted, actually treated her like this.

Those aunties were really terrifying, blocking the door and not letting him close it; fortunately, the two girls who came with Mu Dan helped, pushing aside the crowd, allowing him to shut the door.

Luo Jia Ming was sleeping in the room when He San Niang came over and called him.

He San Niang was making steamed fish today; she had never been pregnant, and only knew that pregnant women cannot stand the fishy smell.

Although they envied Mu Dan, facing this situation they inevitably felt a bit of sympathy; they had originally thought Mu Dan would have a good outcome.

And isn't this the courtesan Mu Dan from the Joyful Red House? Is this a drama of two women vying for one man? Quickly find a good spot, they want to watch the spectacle and gossip.

The little servant A Ming who followed in had a bitter expression, shaking his head vigorously at Luo Jia Ming; he really hadn't said anything, not even to the old couple of the Luo family.

He San Niang trembled with anger; what kind of taste does Fang Dequan have, to actually take a foul-mouthed lowly woman?

In the Joyful Red House there are all sorts of beauties; Luo Jia Ming is indeed a playboy, but since he kept Mu Dan as his kept woman, he has paid no attention to other women. I heard the old fogey of the Luo family bought many pretty maidservants in the countryside, but Luo Jia Ming disdained them and never touched them.

The neighbor said: "You can't see it; that little widow's family has a big grapevine that's thick and dense."

"Mu Dan?" Luo Jia Ming's face showed shock, then a hint of guilt: "How did you find your way here?"

"San Niang, what's wrong?" Luo Jia Ming dropped his chopsticks, not caring about his clothes stained with fish juice, and hurried over to help her.

She wasn't easy to bully either: "Where, I'm not inferior to you, this courtesan—how many men must one satisfy to be chosen as the top courtesan? Not like me, I've lived twenty-two years and only been with two men."

The onlookers couldn't help sighing, then eagerly said to the neighbor living next door to He San Niang's house: "Can we peek at your place?"

As a woman who has fallen into the dust of the world, although she knows love is false, deep down she still hopes a man will be obsessed with her and remain faithful.

A Ming naturally obeyed his second master, straining to shut the main gate.

Luo Jia Ming was furious; which bastard doesn't know death? If anything happened to his son, he'd skin him alive!

"Of course!"

No, it should be that eating fish then vomiting is the most reasonable.

Who leaked his news? Could it be A Ming?

Mu Dan's anger could no longer be contained; she pressed the scarlet cigarette butt against He San Niang's face, thinking with satisfaction that if she ruined this face, He San Niang would have nothing left to compete with her.

She looked He San Niang up and down, sneering: "I heard your former husband died from a horse-related ailment, yet you're quite capable, having drained him dry—you'd be a fine recruit for our Joyful Red House. I think you shouldn't follow the second master; a woman of your talent could certainly handle several men at once, and coming to the Joyful Red House would surely bring booming business."

She's just strange—a mere courtesan, yet she acts like the lady of the house, coming to catch them in the act.

Peach Blossom and Rose exchanged a glance and hurried after her.

Her hands trembled as she finished her perfect makeup, put on a well-fitted cheongsam, and walked out like a warrior.

As the second master of the Luo family, he's just that confident—how could a common peasant compare to his prowess?

Rose, who had always envied Mu Dan's good fortune, heard the commotion and came over to see what was happening.

Luo Jia Ming paced anxiously.

Seeing that He San Niang herself was cooking, Luo Jia Ming said: "San Niang, I gave you money, why didn't you hire a servant?"

"Second master, it's time to eat."

Luo Jia Ming yawned; he had drunk too much the night before, stayed at San Niang's house to rest, also caused a ruckus all night, and now it's noon, his spirits still not great.

But she never expected reality to slap her hard, making her realize that before men she was nothing more than a plaything in their eyes.

"You're definitely carrying a son!" Luo Jia Ming, bare-chested, pulled He San Niang into his embrace, "Once the doctor confirms it, I'll go tell my parents; from now on your job is to obediently wait to be married off…"

Seeing those nosy neighbors peeking, Luo Jia Ming's face turned dark as he shouted: "A Ming! Shut the main gate!"

She turned her head and vomited again, pushing Luo Jia Ming away as she did.

As the spectators grew disappointed, the neighbor said: "You can't see but you can hear; do you want to come?"

A woman's beauty is her weapon; she won't lose to a widow!

She picked up her bowl and chopsticks, wondering whether to vomit now or eat a few bites of rice first.

He's already the father of four maidservants—how could he not know what's going on?

Luo Jia Ming worried she might hurt He San Niang, so he hurriedly grabbed her again.

"I have hands and feet, why would I need a servant?" she laughed, placing a bowl of soup before him, "Have some soup to sober up."

Luo Jia Ming said proudly: "How could it be the same? Your former husband was a sickly weakling, while I, the second master, am strong and sturdy… Just wait, A Ming will be back soon, and I'll have him fetch a doctor."

She walked over, shoved Luo Jia Ming aside, and said to He San Niang: "What's the point of hiding behind a man?"

He San Niang stumbled back in fright, and Luo Jia Ming rushed forward, shouting: "Mu Dan, stop! San Niang is carrying my child!"

Suddenly, He San Niang covered her mouth and retched.

Oh my, that bare-chested man embracing the little widow—isn't that the Luo family's second master?

"Get out of my way, I won't do anything to your little heart." Mu Dan shoved Luo Jia Ming away again.

Is this implying she's been ridden by thousands and trampled by ten thousands?

After meeting Luo Jia Ming, she thought he was that kind of person—not a man lustful to the core, and he treated her very well. She often felt fortunate to have encountered a man who cherished her so deeply.

He San Niang leaned weakly into his embrace, putting on a feigned air of frailty: "I don't know what's wrong with me lately—I've been sleepy and tire easily, and I've thrown up…"

Originally she had thought Mu Dan was the woman Fang Dequan had taken a liking to, so yielding to her would be fine, but…

Actually, it's not so strange—these days men who don't cheat are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns; Luo Jia Ming being able to stay faithful to Mu Dan for several years is already commendable.

The unmarried young ladies blushed and turned away, spitting; in broad daylight, with their clothes disheveled, could this be what scholars call 'daytime indecency'? The married matrons stared, eyes gleaming, shamelessly roaming over Luo Jia Ming's upper body—oh, his physique looks not bad, though he appears pale, he still has some muscle, no wonder two great beauties vie for him.

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