MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 12

 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.

· Old Madame Gu: Gu Jinghui's mother.

· Sixth Madame Gu: The wife of the sixth son, currently managing the household.

· Gu Shiliu: A young male servant attending the Marquis.

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Chapter 12: Such a Miser

After sitting for a little while, Qin Yuan was sent back to rest.

Gu Jinghui walked slowly by her side. Neither spoke along the way, and Hongye and Cuiming didn't dare make a sound either.

After a good while, Gu Jinghui said stiffly, "About last night, I was inconsiderate. It won't happen again."

Qin Yuan had been admiring the Taihu rockery in the distance. Hearing this, she withdrew her gaze and looked at the Marquis. "I'm glad you don't blame me for not waiting up for you last night. These two maids grew up with me. Hongye has always been quick with her words. She spoke out against Zhao Niangzi's people last night, all for my sake. I hope you won't hold it against her."

Gu Jinghui was taken aback for a moment, then said, "I won't. She... she is fine."

Then they fell silent again.

Hongye and Cuiming exchanged glances, amusement in their eyes.

What was said yesterday was on the young lady's orders; otherwise, how could they have stripped Zhao Niangzi of her pretenses?

Qin Yuan had left in a hurry in the morning. Walking back now, she noticed the plaque above the courtyard gate, inscribed with the three characters "Wutong Yuan" in seal script. It likely alluded to the phoenix perching on the parasol tree, making it perfectly suitable for the Marquise to reside here.

Qin Yuan asked Gu Jinghui, "Do you have any plans for the morning, Marquis?"

Gu Jinghui said, "Accompanying you."

Qin Yuan nodded. "I need to sort out my dowry. Also, should the management of Wutong Yuan be handed over to me?"

Gu Jinghui was taken aback again, then said, "Naturally."

It finally dawned on him that his young wife had a rather methodical way of handling affairs.

When establishing rules and requesting authority, she spoke openly and directly, showing none of a new bride's shyness.

When Qin Yuan and her people entered the room to inventory the dowry, Gu Jinghui went out, called for Gu Shiliu, spoke with him for a bit, then soon returned, sat down nearby with a book.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Will our accounting disturb your reading, Marquis?"

Qin Yuan had Hongye serve Gu Jinghui tea and set out some pastries before asking.

Gu Jinghui shook his head. "It's fine. I don't understand inner household matters. It's good to learn a little occasionally. Once you've sorted the dowry, I'll have Sixth Sister-in-Law and the steward hand over the management of Wutong Yuan to you."

Qin Yuan smiled with satisfaction.

Forget about the entire Marquis's household management for now; Wutong Yuan had to be under her control first. Otherwise, the staff in the main courtyard wouldn't know who the real master was, and she wouldn't feel settled living here.

"Cuiming, light some incense in the room. It will make the Marquis's reading more pleasant."

In return, Qin Yuan improved Gu Jinghui's treatment a little more.

Cuiming immediately went to fetch the incense tablets Qin Yuan had prepared, placed them in the double-crane-headed, drum-bellied bronze incense burner, lit the charcoal, arranged the ash, and covered the burner. Soon, fragrance drifted out with the curling smoke.

Gu Jinghui didn't usually care for such things. The scent pellets he carried in his pouch were all invigorating and mind-clearing varieties. But seeing Cuiming's elegant movements and the refined setup, and finding the scent not cloying, he couldn't help but ask.

"Where is this incense from?"

Cuiming said, "Marquis, our young... our Madame blended this herself."

Gu Jinghui corrected, "It's Madame."

Cuiming immediately said, "Yes, yes. The Madame blended this incense herself before she married."

Gu Jinghui muttered something, "No wonder I've never smelled it before."

Cuiming didn't catch it and hurriedly asked, "What did you say, Marquis?"

"Nothing. In the future, if Madame needs ingredients for blending incense, just ask Sixth Sister-in-Law. The family owns a spice shop."

Cuiming agreed cheerfully.

Turning around, she went to Qin Yuan's side and whispered, "The Marquis has you in his thoughts."

Qin Yuan was busy flicking the abacus. Hongye was checking the dowry list with several steward matrons who had come as part of the entourage, preparing to create the ledger and store the items.

Hearing this, the steward matrons smiled and said, "Our Miss is blessed."

Gu Jinghui not staying in the bridal chamber on the wedding night had made them anxious. Whether the entourage could take root and live well in the Marquis's residence depended entirely on the Madame's standing.

Hearing that Gu Jinghui cared for Qin Yuan, they breathed a sigh of relief.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan said calmly, "Living well depends on oneself. Be extra vigilant. Check the account books for the dowry shops and estates carefully. My future comfort relies on them."

Relying on whether a man has you in his thoughts—how long can that last?

He doesn't consult you when you're no longer in his thoughts.

Money is much more reliable.

Thinking of the jewelry she received from Old Madame Gu, Qin Yuan's mood genuinely improved.

Hongye and the others thought Qin Yuan was just being stubborn with her words but was actually happy inside.

Before the midday meal, the dowry was fully accounted for. Qin Yuan now had a clear idea of her finances. This life was much better than the previous one.

In her previous life, her dowry was meager to begin with. After repaying the money Lin Ziqi borrowed to put up a show with the betrothal gifts, little remained.

Lin Ziqi's mother felt her achievement in raising her son single-handedly was monumental.

Lin Ziqi just buried his head in his books.

All household expenses relied on her dowry. Qin Yuan had to exhaust all means, doing everything possible, forced to develop business acumen.

That very skill supported Lin Ziqi's climb from a poor county magistrate in Jiangxi to the position of Zaixiang.

Now, her dowry was much more substantial than in her previous life. Combined with the full return of the Marquis's betrothal gifts, it amounted to a huge sum of seven hundred thousand taels.

And no one was eyeing her dowry.

She had the advantage of a reborn life and knowledge of many opportunities.

Qin Yuan thought that even if Gu Jinghui later still wanted to play the game of lifelong devotion with Zhao Niangzi, she could lie on her gold mountain and live her own good life relying on the status of the Marquise.

Gu Jinghui watched as Qin Yuan's abacus clicked away, her fingers moving so fast they became a blur, a constant smile on her face—far more genuine than when she smiled at him.

"Such a miser."

Gu Jinghui lowered his eyelids, tightened his grip on the book, and muttered softly.

The midday meal was taken in Wutong Yuan. As a newlywed couple, they would have their meals in their own courtyard for the first three days.

The kitchen sent a full banquet. The dishes were still lavish and portions generous, enough for both the masters and the maids to share with leftovers.

The Marquis's residence was similar to the Qin residence; everyone had their allotted share. If anyone wanted extra dishes, they could pay the kitchen separately.

Qin Yuan wasn't very picky about food, but due to her maternal family being southerners, she preferred fresh fish and shrimp.

She and Gu Jinghui weren't very familiar and had little to talk about. Fortunately, the rule of not speaking during meals applied, so she only needed to note Gu Jinghui's food preferences.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Hongye and Cuiming stood behind them, ready to serve dishes. Gu Jinghui said, "I'm used to life in the military camp; I don't really need this. Let them serve the Madame."

Qin Yuan smiled. "With just the two of us eating, such formality isn't necessary. I actually don't like being served dishes either."

Gu Jinghui became pleased and said, "Then let them have their meal outside. We'll eat by ourselves."

It seemed he was very unaccustomed to having people serve him while he ate.

Qin Yuan found it somewhat strange but didn't ask further.

A noble son of a Marquis's household, raised in luxury and splendor—no extravagance would be excessive. Yet, judging by Gu Jinghui's daily habits, he was an exception.

Qin Yuan picked out several dishes, set them aside, and had Hongye, Cuiming, and the others set up a small table in the outer room for their meal.

"What if the Marquis and Madame need service later?"

Cuiming planned to take turns with Hongye eating.

"No need. I'll attend to the Marquis. I'll call you in if needed," Qin Yuan decided.

Gu Jinghui was even more pleased.

(End of Chapter)

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