Chapter 497: line with translation of chapter title
Zheng Mama... no new.
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(skip because it's comment) Actually we need to output line for 【17】? The source had 【17】 as a comment about translation decision, not a Chinese sentence. The instruction: "These lines still contain untranslated Chinese. Translate each FULLY into natural English. Output EXACTLY one line per item as: 【N】
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Li Qingluo hurriedly opened her grandmother's letter.
The letter said their group was doing well in Rongle.
It was only because the Second and Third Branches, upon learning that Li Chao Jing had contracted the plague, drove him out.
When Pei Lao Furen reached Rongle County, she found Li Chao Jing on his last breath in a ruined temple.
She did not blame the Second and Third Branches, but after a few months, Li Chao Jing's health had fully recovered and his life had become far more prosperous.
Moreover, with Pei Lao Furen pulling strings, the Rongle county office began to turn a blind eye to Li Chao Jing, the simpleton, and left him alone.
Seeing this, the Second and Third Branches naturally grew jealous.
They all knew their family's Old Lady was practically a gold mine.
If they managed to win her favor, wouldn't they all have good days ahead?
But the Second and Third Branches' past actions had so chilled Pei Lao Furen that no matter how they tried to curry favor, she would shut them down with one sentence: "I have already severed ties with the clan; I certainly won't look after you anymore. From now on, when we meet, just pretend you don't know me."
The members of the Second and Third Branches instantly felt as bitter as having eaten coptis.
Li Qingluo couldn't help but laugh upon seeing that.
"Grandmother's mind can be big or small."
"She never harmed her children because of Deng Lao Yiniang's past mistakes, but now what the Second and Third Branches have done is chilling, and Grandmother is no saint who forgives grudges."
"However, Grandmother never said when she'd return, and she doesn't even want me."
Li Qingluo muttered resentfully, then picked up her pen and began to reply.
She first expressed her sincere longing for her grandmother, then brought up the matter of MiaoJiang.
She also said they are currently in Nan'an, and it might be at least half a year before they leave.
Not long after, she had written a full five pages of letter.
After drying and stacking them, the envelope felt like a big bulging packet.
Zheng Mama pinched it, thinking there might be banknotes inside.
"Miss, I'll have them send the letter out right away."
After heading out, Zheng Mama first slipped into her own room, quickly wrote a note, and slipped it into Li Qingluo's envelope.
On it she wrote just a few words: "The ceremony went smoothly."
Li Qingluo had no idea that her own consummation wasn't just on her mind; her grandmother far away was even more anxious.
In the blink of an eye, the lively Spring Festival had passed.
Just past fifteen, Li Qingluo's flower pavilion restaurant opened bustlingly.
Inside and outside the doorway, three layers inside and three layers outside, several rings of onlookers had gathered to watch the excitement.
They pointed at the sign hanging at the entrance and discussed heatedly.
"This establishment only serves women from all over the world. No men are allowed inside!"
"So this is a women's inn?"
"How can there be such an inn? It's absurd! Who knows what business they're really doing inside?"
"Exactly, it's utterly ridiculous. The teahouse was doing fine before, but suddenly they came up with this—clearly just a stunt to attract attention and catch eyes."
"Who knows what wicked, heretical things the new young master is hiding inside? If she corrupts the young women, can she dare to take responsibility?"
"Exactly, unless we're all let in to have a look."
"Right, let us gentlemen all go in and take a look. If it's truly a proper, decent place, we'll even promote it for you!"
"Hahaha…"
The mocking voices kept coming, and some even compared the tavern to the Elephant Maiden Hall.
"Wasn't the Elephant Maiden Hall originally only for young women too? Later it became too improper, so we fellows had to step in to look after its business."
"I think you shouldn't hang a sheep's head and sell dog meat—just be clear about what business you're starting from the get-go, so people don't speculate and ruin your own reputation."
"Otherwise, once it's exposed, from then on whose young lady would dare to be let out? Not to mention coming to your tavern for a meal—utter embarrassment!"
Everyone could see that no one was optimistic about this newly opened tavern.
Li Qingluo personally stepped forward.
End of Chapter
