MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 10

 Glossary 

· Qin Yuan: The female protagonist, reborn. Wife of the Marquis.

· Marquis of Dingbei: Gu Jinghui, Qin Yuan's husband.

· Hongye: Qin Yuan's maidservant.

· Cuiming: Qin Yuan's other maidservant.

· Zhao Niangzi: The woman brought back by the Marquis from the battlefield.

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Chapter 10: Took My Words as Wind Past Your Ears

This was Gu Jinghui's voice, deep and gloomy, carrying an inexplicable, stifled anger.

Qin Yuan frowned. Shouldn't she be the one who was angry?

She was the one abandoned on her wedding night.

But she couldn't say that. Qin Yuan raised her hand slightly.

Her hair was only half done up; the remaining half cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulders. Cuiming obediently put down the hair she was holding, and she and Hongye, with hands hanging, squeezed past the Marquis and went out.

Gu Jinghui stood inside the room, his imposing seven-foot frame radiating coldness and displeasure.

Like a large block of ice.

And somewhat frightening.

Qin Yuan stood up, took two steps, stopped at a distance, and asked obediently, "Where has Yuan'er been improper or negligent towards her husband?"

Gu Jinghui stared at her with an inscrutable look.

Qin Yuan continued, "If there is any impropriety, please tell me, Marquis. Yuan'er will correct it. We are one as husband and wife; I should naturally fulfill my duties properly."

Her face was obedient, her words soft, but there was a backbone within them.

She repeatedly emphasized 'husband and wife are one,' clearly and subtly reminding Gu Jinghui that to humiliate his wife was to humiliate himself.

She had fulfilled her duties, so what about Gu Jinghui's?

She wanted to see what Gu Jinghui would say.

Gu Jinghui obviously understood. He said angrily, "You are very good, entirely proper in every way. So proper that you didn't care at all last night whether your husband returned or not."

Initially thinking Zhao Niangzi had said something to anger him, Qin Yuan was somewhat surprised by these words. She asked, "Did you return last night, husband?"

Gu Jinghui's face was stern as he snorted "Hmph."

Stubble had grown heavily overnight, shading his cheeks and jaw. His eyes were heavily tired, looking as if he hadn't slept all night.

Qin Yuan said, "But the maids didn't know when you returned."

Her eyes, however, seemed to say, Didn't you just return now?

Gu Jinghui, angered, let out a light laugh. He stepped closer, leaned down, and lowered his voice, "When I returned, you were all sleeping soundly. I had no choice but to rest in the study."

Qin Yuan: "..."

Gu Jinghui pressed further, "Didn't I tell you I would return shortly? You took my words as wind past your ears, hmm?"

That "hmm" carried a warm breath, making Qin Yuan's ear itch.

She couldn't help shrinking her neck and let out a light laugh.

Gu Jinghui was momentarily distracted, then grew angry again.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Not wanting to provoke him further, Qin Yuan suppressed her smile, put on a timid expression, twisted her fingers, and said softly, "That woman last night made it sound so serious. I thought you would probably have to stay and watch over them. Besides, I'm new here. Without my husband by my side, I was very frightened and had no choice but to have the maids stay with me. Why didn't you wake me when you returned?"

She tactfully explained her situation.

The cold air around Gu Jinghui immediately dissipated more than half. He even reached out and took her hand.

His hand was large, with a thin layer of callus between the fingers, likely from martial practice. It was somewhat rough, scratching her hand and making it itch.

"Last night," he coughed a few times, then softened his voice, "Last night, I neglected you. I forgot you're still just a child."

Qin Yuan lowered her head, letting her hand remain in Gu Jinghui's grasp, and asked somewhat shyly, "What time did you return last night? Was the study comfortable to stay in?"

"I returned after just an hour. The study was very lonely," Gu Jinghui's voice grew even softer.

Qin Yuan blinked.

She asked again, "And how is Zhao Niangzi's son? What did the imperial physician say?"

Gu Jinghui answered vaguely, "It's fine."

Then, in a less pleasant tone, he added, "You slept quite soundly last night."

Qin Yuan said with a smile, "Perhaps I was too tired. I got up very early yesterday to do my makeup, didn't dare eat much, was jostled all the way in the bridal sedan, and only then arrived at the Marquis's residence. The madames kept me company chatting, but I didn't know any of them. Trying to remember each of their names and dispositions was inevitably somewhat exhausting."

Gu Jinghui sighed. "Are all the daughters of civil officials as delicate as you?"

This was the second time he had called her a delicate daughter of a civil official.

Qin Yuan retorted, "What are the young ladies of the Marquis's household like?"

"You'll find out soon," Gu Jinghui said. "My younger sister is quite mischievous. Mother doesn't control her much, letting her run wild. As her elder sister-in-law, you must teach her properly in the future, help her rein in her temper, so she isn't disliked by others when she marries into another family someday."

Qin Yuan pursed her lips and smiled, not responding.

Was Gu Jinghui praising her? She would take it as such.

That younger sister of his was the full sister of the Sixth Master, Gu Jingjun, the Old Marquis's posthumous child, and naturally sided with Sixth Madame Gu.

From the Marquis's tone, he was also quite close to this Shu-born younger sister.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan withdrew her hand and said, "Husband, please freshen up quickly. We should go to serve tea. We'll be laughed at if we're late."

Only after Gu Jinghui agreed did Qin Yuan call Cuiming back in to continue doing her hair and ordered Hongye to have a young male servant prepare washing supplies for the Marquis.

Seeing Qin Yuan had placated the Marquis with just a few words, both maids breathed a sigh of relief.

The young male servant constantly by Gu Jinghui's side was Gu Shiliu. Most servants in the Marquis's residence were family retainers' children, entering service at a certain age and being given names by their masters.

Gu Jinghui was too lazy to think of names and simply used numbers instead.

Previously, Gu Shiliu managed the Marquis's daily needs. Now that the Marquis was married, he couldn't conveniently serve inside the rooms, so he meticulously explained the Marquis's habits and where things were kept.

"The Marquis ate and lived alongside the soldiers in the northern frontiers, accustomed to doing things himself. He uses few daily items, all stored in the chests against the north wall in the west wing room. We'll leave it to you to manage from now on, Miss."

Hongye went to the west wing, picked out the clothes the Marquis would wear to serve tea, ironed out the creases, selected the scented pouches and other accessories, and then carried them into the inner room.

By then, Qin Yuan's hair was also done. Cuiming opened the jewelry box filled with various hair ornaments for Qin Yuan to choose from.

Qin Yuan thought that since she had worn the floral hairpins yesterday, it wouldn't be appropriate to wear them again today. When serving tea to her mother-in-law, she needed to dress properly and formally, but not overly so.

"Use that set of jade floral combs, paired with the gold buyao (pendant-tasseled hairpin) should be enough."

Qin Yuan watched in the mirror as Cuiming inserted the hair ornaments.

Gu Jinghui lay back on the daybed, hands behind his head, watching Qin Yuan.

Hongye observed them and thought they actually looked like an affectionate couple.

Who would have known they hadn't consummated the marriage last night?

Hongye couldn't help but curse Zhao Niangzi again in her heart.

If it weren't for that vile woman's mischief, who knows how loving the young lady and the groom would be.

Hongye presented the tray with the clothes and accessories. "My Lord, these are the clothes and accessories this servant has prepared. Would you like to change now?"

Gu Jinghui nodded. "Set them aside for now."

Only after Qin Yuan's hair ornaments were all in place and she stood up to check her reflection again did Gu Jinghui say, "My wife, help me change."

Qin Yuan: "..."

Hongye: "..."

Didn't he say he did everything himself?

If they kept dallying like this, they would be late for serving tea.

(End of Chapter)

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