MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 14

 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.

· Madame Cui: Qin Yuan's stepmother, the primary wife of Chancellor Qin.

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

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Chapter 14: I'll Go See Mother-in-Law Again

Compared to Lin Ziqi's mother from her previous life, Old Madame Gu was the best mother-in-law one could ask for.

Qin Yuan smiled affectionately. "Yuan'er spent the morning organizing the dowry. I originally planned to take over Wutong Yuan this afternoon, but the Marquis isn't here, and Yuan'er had nothing to do, so I came to chat with you, Mother."

She was lovely, her voice sweet and soft. That one word "Mother" melted Old Madame Gu's heart.

Old Madame Gu had given birth to four sons in a row and somewhat coveted a "little mianao" (padded jacket: a metaphor for a caring daughter). Otherwise, she wouldn't have doted on the Seventh Young Miss born to Concubine Wen.

Qiuju smiled, knowing this new Marquise had found favor with the Old Madame.

Sure enough, Old Madame Gu pulled her to sit beside her. "Then Mother will keep you company with some idle chatter. You've just arrived at the Marquis's residence, completely in the dark, not even knowing which way the doors face."

In her previous life, Qin Yuan had risen from the wife of a minor official to the Zaixiang's wife. There was little she hadn't seen or experienced. She was witty and worldly, soon coaxing Old Madame Gu into beaming smiles, feeling they were kindred spirits.

If not for the difference in age and generation, Old Madame Gu might have sworn sisterhood with Qin Yuan on the spot, considering her a close confidante.

Soon, Rong Mama came in.

Old Madame Gu said, "Where did you go, you old thing? I was just about to show Yuan'er the few fans I collected. Where did you put them?"

Rong Mama acknowledged and returned shortly after, saying, "Could you come see if these are the ones, Old Madame? There are too many things; this old servant is a bit confused."

Qin Yuan understood perfectly; Rong Mama had something to say to Old Madame Gu in private.

Old Madame Gu had someone call back the maid who had taken the dog for a walk, telling Qin Yuan to wait and see the Pekingese properly.

Qin Yuan agreed.

Only then did Old Madame Gu follow Rong Mama to the side room.

When Old Madame Gu returned, her gaze held more pity for Qin Yuan.

"Yuan'er, for your return visit tomorrow, have you decided what to wear?"

Qin Yuan noted the change in Old Madame Gu's attitude. Knowing her mother-in-law wanted to compensate her for the Marquis's neglect, she smiled and said, "For the return visit, I can just wear the jacket I made at my parental home. No need to be too ostentatious."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Old Madame Gu felt even more pity. "How can that do?"

Qin Yuan asked, feigning uncertainty, "Should it be very formal then? Yuan'er is young and fears acting inappropriately. Please decide for me, Mother. Yuan'er will listen to you and won't disgrace the Marquis's residence."

Old Madame Gu looked Qin Yuan up and down, beaming, and clapped her hands. "You child, you are blessed. Years ago, I acquired a grand coat and a cape. As I'm old now and have no occasion to wear them, I've kept them stored away. It turns out they were meant for you."

Rong Mama entered carrying a tray with several fans. Hearing this, she said, "This old servant always felt it was a pity. So they were prepared for the Madame. So this is where the fate lay. The Madame's skin is fair and smooth; it will suit her perfectly."

Old Madame Gu laughed heartily.

Qiuju also joined in the fun: "This is the destined bond between the Old Madame and the Madame."

Old Madame Gu said happily, "Quick, go fetch them. Let Yuan'er try them on."

Qin Yuan's small face flushed red, making her appear even more well-behaved.

The clothes were brought. Qin Yuan was urged to go change.

Rong Mama said quietly, "The Madame is truly liked by the Old Madame."

If it were just compensation, adding more to the return gifts would suffice.

Old Madame Gu nodded. "Yuan'er is a good, obedient child. Every word pleases my heart. She was a Shu daughter in her parental home, forced into this marriage exchange, and neglected by the Marquis upon entering the residence. If I don't dote on her a little, who will?"

Rong Mama sighed. "The Marquis is brilliant and resourceful on the battlefield, but he's terribly confused about matters within the inner quarters."

Soon, Qin Yuan walked out wearing the new clothes.

The vermillion-red gauze coat, embroidered with complex patterns in gold thread, made Qin Yuan's jade-white, clear complexion appear bright and captivating. The dark blue cape provided a dignified and wealthy contrast to this delicate brilliance, making Qin Yuan's beauty dazzling, able to look down upon all other flowers.

Old Madame Gu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"How can this daughter-in-law be so beautiful? Is Hui Ge'er blind?"

Qin Yuan also knew her valuables. This set of clothing was overly precious, probably unavailable even with money. She wondered how Old Madame Gu had obtained it.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"It's too valuable," Qin Yuan said, her face red. "This gauze coat is light as nothing, feeling cool even on a hot summer day, giving a sense of icy skin without sweat. The embroidery is also done by a master of Suzhou embroidery, not only beautiful but also forming its own picture with every movement. Such a set should be stored away as a family heirloom. How can I bear to wear it for the return visit?"

As she heard Qin Yuan's appraisal, Old Madame Gu's face grew brighter and brighter.

Fine things should be appreciated with those who understand.

If it were someone ignorant who only knew it was pretty or valuable but not why or where its worth lay, wouldn't that be like casting flirtatious glances at a blind man?

Old Madame Gu felt Qin Yuan suited her tastes more and more and hurriedly said, "Such fine things shouldn't be hidden away in chests unseen. A woman only has a few good days in her life. If she lacks fine attire on those good days, it will always be a regret. Yuan'er, you must wear this for your return visit."

Unable to refuse, Qin Yuan had to accept.

After discussing the fans with her for a while, Old Madame Gu felt she had found a connoisseur and said to her, "Wutong Yuan is where you live. You should take charge of it early. The Dingbei Marquis's residence has been passed down for several generations. Most servants in the residence are family retainers' children, their roots intertwined and complex. If you are soft, they will bully their masters. Later, have Rong Mama accompany you to take over Wutong Yuan and, while at it, warn those restless servants not to let any stray cats or dogs into the courtyard to make noise."

Qin Yuan's eyes reddened. She couldn't help but hug Old Madame Gu and act spoiled. "Mother, you are too good to Yuan'er. Yuan'er feels you are her own birth mother."

This came from the bottom of her heart.

Concubine Chen had died early. Madame Cui only wanted to suppress her. Her mother-in-law in her previous life was intent on making her life difficult.

Qin Yuan never expected she could receive affection from a female elder.

How happy she would be if Old Madame Gu were her birth mother.

Old Madame Gu's body stiffened momentarily, then she gently patted Qin Yuan's head, saying lovingly, "Am I not your mother? Silly child."

Qin Yuan smiled through her tears. "Yes, you are my mother."

Seeing the beautiful girl with tears in her eyes made Old Madame Gu want to protect her even more.

On the way back to Wutong Yuan with Qin Yuan, Rong Mama extracted much information from Hongye and Cuiming. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Thankfully, the Madame had a good temperament. If she had a temper, who knows what scenes might have erupted by now.

She truly didn't know what the Marquis was thinking.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The Sixth Master is younger than the Marquis, and his children are already studying in the outer school of the Imperial Academy's elementary section. The Marquis is nearly thirty; when will he have a Di son?

Rong Mama resolved to help Qin Yuan secure the boundaries of Wutong Yuan firmly.

That Zhao Niangzi could send a matron to barge into the Madame's courtyard, shouting and calling the Marquis away—Wutong Yuan needed a good overhaul.

(End of Chapter)

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