MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 13

 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.

· Rong Mama: A senior maidservant attending Old Madame Gu.

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

· Qiuju: A senior maidservant attending Old Madame Gu.

---

Chapter 13: No Heart to Be Alienated

Qin Yuan had a vague suspicion.

She tentatively scooped a bowl of soup and pushed it near his hand.

Gu Jinghui looked over, his eyes softening further, the corners of his lips quirking up. Then he also served her a bowl of duck and bamboo shoot soup and picked up a piece of fish, placing it on the small porcelain plate before her.

"You're so delicate. Eat more meat, put on some weight."

Gu Jinghui said as if casually.

Qin Yuan acknowledged and picked up the piece of fish, putting it in her mouth to savor it carefully.

The Marquis's residence chef was skilled; it was very fresh.

She liked fish and shrimp to begin with. Smiling at Gu Jinghui, she said, "It's well made."

Seeing her enjoy the food, Gu Jinghui's stern features softened a little, and he gave her another piece.

"Yuan'er..."

Gu Jinghui seemed about to say something when commotion arose in the courtyard. Gu Shiliu, guarding outside, asked, "Why are you here again?"

That word "again" was quite telling.

Qin Yuan glanced out the window.

"I have no choice. The young master won't take his medicine, crying and fussing to see the Marquis, saying he'll only drink the medicine if his father coaxes him." A woman's low voice carried in, sounding very troubled.

Gu Jinghui put down his chopsticks and looked at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan remained silent, listening carefully to the conversation outside.

Gu Shiliu seemed somewhat embarrassed. "The Marquis is having a meal with the Madame. You've been in the residence for a while; why come at this time?"

"I trouble Brother Shiliu to announce me. If the young master's health is delayed, no one can bear the responsibility." The woman used both soft and hard tactics.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Hongye had already rushed out. "It's you again. Hah, I thought it couldn't be anyone else. You always come precisely at mealtimes to summon the Marquis, not even letting people eat a peaceful meal."

The sarcasm in her words was impossible to ignore.

Qin Yuan coughed lightly. "Hongye, come back and eat. We still need to store the dowry later, and we have the return visit tomorrow. We're very busy."

The implication was, why bother with them?

Whether he went or not was Gu Jinghui's business, nothing to do with them.

Hongye responded indignantly.

The woman simply raised her voice outside, "Marquis, the young master is making a terrible fuss. Zhao Niangzi can't get him to take the medicine either. Yu Jie'er misses her father too, says she hasn't seen him for days and wants to go out to play."

Qin Yuan smiled ambiguously and looked at Gu Jinghui. "Marquis, do you need to change clothes before going?"

Gu Jinghui: "..."

Finally, Gu Jinghui steeled himself and said, "I should go take a look. Cheng Ge'er grew up by my side before. He's grown distant since returning to the capital. He's still young, not quite used to it..."

Qin Yuan said, "Then go ahead, Marquis. Please don't forget, I have the return visit tomorrow."

Her voice remained soft, yet it inexplicably flustered Gu Jinghui. "Yuan'er, I'll return early. Didn't you finish sorting the dowry and need to take over Wutong Yuan? I won't forget what I promised you. I especially remember important days like the return visit."

Qin Yuan stood up, smiling. "Go early and return early, Marquis."

Gu Jinghui seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and nodded. "Alright."

After Gu Jinghui left, Qin Yuan sat down again and ate slowly, chewing carefully.

Hongye lifted the curtain and came in. "Miss, that Zhao woman lures the Marquis like this. Anyone would think she's someone to the Marquis. That matron is clearly up to no good. Talking about missing his father, not having gone out to play for a long time—it's blatantly trying to drive a wedge between you and the Marquis."

Qin Yuan didn't care in the slightest and said with a laugh, "What nonsense are you talking? The Marquis's heart was never with me. What is there to be alienated?"

"Zhao Niangzi is the widow of his benefactor, and they spent day and night together on the frontier. How could I compare to her and her children in the Marquis's heart? She has repeatedly provoked me, yet have you seen the Marquis say anything?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Even if the Marquis disregards his reputation and dignity and insists on taking in Zhao Niangzi, what can I do? Instead of racking your brains over this woman and hopping mad, better help me manage the dowry properly."

Hongye said resentfully, "Miss, you're too easy-going."

Qin Yuan said leisurely, "Hurry up and eat, it's almost cold."

What good would having a temper do? Would it let her eat well, sleep well, or live well?

Their voices weren't loud, but Gu Jinghui had practiced martial arts since childhood and had sharp hearing. Though he had reached the courtyard gate, he heard everything clearly. His face darkened, his hand in his sleeve clenched into a fist. He stood at the gate for a while.

Gu Shiliu thought the Marquis had forgotten something when he heard the Marquis ask coldly, "Shiliu, what about the matter I asked you to look into?"

He had looked into it, but...

Gu Shiliu hesitated, glancing at the matron following beside him. "Reporting, Marquis, it's been clarified, but..."

Gu Jinghui's face grew colder. "We'll talk when I return."

After her midday meal, Qin Yuan took a comfortable nap, then got up, re-did her hair, changed clothes, and saw the sun already slanting. She asked, "Is the dowry all stored?"

Cuiming said, "It's been logged and stored. Old Hu, guarding the storeroom, checked the ledger with me and signed it."

"Good," Qin Yuan asked, "Has the Marquis returned, or sent any message?"

Cuiming pouted. "No."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment, then smiled. "It seems the young master is seriously ill. The Marquis won't be back for a while. Perhaps I should go sit with the Old Madame."

Cuiming, puzzled, asked, "Miss, are you serious?"

Qin Yuan nodded. "Naturally, I am."

The Old Madame was the God of Wealth, generous and open-handed. Instead of straining to capture the Marquis's heart, she might as well capture the Old Madame's.

With the Old Madame as her backer, would she need to worry about her future days?

Let Zhao Niangzi and Gu Jinghui do as they please.

Having decided, Qin Yuan called for Hongye, and the three of them followed the familiar path to the main quarters.

When Old Madame Gu heard Qin Yuan had come to see her, she was surprised and asked Rong Mama, "What's this about? She's a new bride; shouldn't she be staying properly in Wutong Yuan? Why come to me?"

Rong Mama replied suspiciously, "Could it be the Marquis has again..."

Old Madame Gu sighed.

"Go find out what's really going on."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Rong Mama went to gather news. Old Madame Gu had her senior maid, Qiuju, receive Qin Yuan.

Qiuju lifted the curtain and saw the newly arrived Marquise standing by the pavilion with her two maids, leisurely watching the brocade carp in the pond.

The wind stirred the hair at her temples. The shade from the trees by the pavilion blocked part of the sunlight, casting dappled shadows on her. Her jade-like face was radiant with a smile, making one forget their worries upon seeing her.

Even Qiuju couldn't help but praise inwardly.

This Marquise was truly beautiful. No wonder the Old Madame liked her and, in her delight today, brought out the jade plaque she had kept for years.

Qiuju walked a few steps. Qin Yuan saw her and came forward with her two maids.

Qiuju thought this Marquise was quite amiable, not putting on airs.

"Madame, the Old Madame invites you inside to talk."

Qin Yuan smiled in agreement and followed Qiuju to the inner chamber. Old Madame Gu took her hand and asked with loving concern, "Why come see me again instead of keeping Hui Ge'er company?"

(End of Chapter)

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