MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 20

Glossary

· Qin Yuan (秦鸢): The female protagonist, the new wife of the Marquis.

· Madame Cui (崔氏): Qin Yuan's mother.

· Qin Jijiu (秦祭酒): Qin Yuan's father, the Head of the Imperial Academy.

· Qin Wan (秦婉): Qin Yuan's sister, married to Lin Ziqi.

· Hongye (红叶): Qin Yuan's loyal maidservant.

· Old Madame Gu (顾老夫人): Qin Yuan's mother-in-law.

· Marquis Gu Jinghui (顾景晖): Qin Yuan's husband.

· Sixth Madame Gu (六夫人): The family member currently managing the household.

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Chapter 20: You Must Be Having a Hard Time, I Suppose

When Madame Cui learned her daughter was faring well enough, she felt a measure of comfort, though it was tinged with a sour twinge of resentment and unwillingness.

After all, today was also Qin Yuan's homecoming.

During the wedding, Qin Yuan had already overshadowed her daughter. Now, for the homecoming, with the mighty Marquis's household as her backing, wouldn't she crush her daughter completely?

Regardless, Madame Cui still hoped Qin Yuan would gain influence in the Marquis's household, enough to pull the Qin family up a rung or two.

Everyone waited with bated breath for a long time, but Qin Yuan did not arrive.

Someone remarked, "The eldest young mistress has grown quite grand since marrying into the Marquis's household."

Another tried to smooth things over: "Perhaps matters at the Marquis's estate have delayed her."

Madame Cui remained silent.

Qin Wan snorted coldly. "She definitely isn't coming today."

No sooner had the words left her mouth than Madame Cui snapped, "What nonsense are you talking? How could she not come on such an important day? The Marquis's household is not without manners. They must have been delayed by some affair."

Someone immediately chimed in, "Rest assured, Madame. The eldest young mistress must have been delayed by some matter. Who would skip their homecoming day?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Only then did Madame Cui's expression improve slightly.

Qin Wan curled her lip and muttered under her breath, "I said she isn't coming, and you don't believe me. Just wait and see."

Madame Cui glanced anxiously at her daughter, who was busy eating cherries with her head bowed.

If Qin Yuan truly failed to return for her homecoming...

The Qin family could not afford such a loss of face. Would it mean the Marquis of Dingbei looked down on the Qins? Or had Qin Yuan done something shameful in the Marquis's household?

She forced a smile and sat for a while longer,but not only did Qin Yuan fail to arrive, not even a message was sent.

In the outer quarters, Qin Jijiu was also growing restless.

He had planned to show off his new son-in-law, the Marquis, but now, the guests seated in the main hall, while maintaining neutral expressions, had begun exchanging odd glances.

"What is happening? Shouldn't you send someone to make inquiries?" Qin Jijiu, feigning a need to relieve himself, slipped into the inner courtyard to find Madame Cui.

Madame Cui sighed. "Wan'er says she definitely isn't coming. She says..."

"Says what?"

"She says the people in the Marquis's household dislike our Yuan girl. She suspects... she suspects the marriage hasn't even been consummated."

This sent a chill through Qin Jijiu's social-climbing heart.

"How could that be... how..."

Qin Jijiu simply couldn't believe it. "With Yuan'er's looks, how could she be disliked to the point of...?" He looked at Madame Cui, his expression complex. "Is Wan'er just speaking out of jealousy? She's a newlywed herself; where would she get such news?"

He himself had consummated his marriage with Madame Cui, who was rather plain. There was no reason a beauty like Yuan'er, who could have been a favored imperial consort, would be left untouched by the Marquis Gu.

Unless... unless the Marquis Gu was incapable.

Madame Cui wasn't entirely sure either.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Jijiu consoled himself. "Since ancient times, entering a noble household is like entering the deep sea. Perhaps she has been detained by some matter. Let us wait a little longer."

Madame Cui could only return to the waiting room.

The moment she entered, she heard Qin Wan's scornful voice. "Qin Yuan won't be coming. Why? She doesn't dare! The Marquis doesn't like her."

Madame Cui frowned deeply, feeling her own daughter was a simpleton.

She picked up a piece of pastry and stuffed it into Qin Wan's mouth. "Stop talking nonsense. The homecoming visit isn't strictly limited to the third day."

"Yes, yes, yes," the others, after a stunned moment, quickly agreed. "Perhaps the eldest young mistress will observe a seven-day homecoming. If the day has been changed, a messenger should arrive shortly."

Qin Wan wore an expression that said, "Just you wait and see," and focused on eating.

"The eldest young mistress has arrived! She's here!" A matron guarding the inner gate came rushing in, shouting.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

A piece of pastry fell from Qin Wan's hand in shock.

"Quick, quick, go and welcome her!" Madame Cui rose excitedly, forgetting even to scold the matron for her breach of decorum.

Moments later, Hongye's voice sounded outside: "Gently, gently! These are the homecoming gifts personally arranged by the Old Madame of the Marquis's household. Don't you dare damage them!"

Madame Cui's face instantly glowed with pride and elation. She hurried out just as young maids lifted the door curtain, and a radiant Qin Yuan, leaning on Hongye's arm, gracefully entered.

Mother and daughter clasped hands.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Madame Cui's voice was choked with emotion. "Yuan'er, why are you so late? Your father and I were so worried. We thought you might be observing a seven-day homecoming."

Qin Yuan sighed. "This daughter has been remiss, causing you and Father such worry. The Marquis was delayed by some business. He will follow later."

Madame Cui immediately called to a maid outside, "Quick, go to the main hall and inform the Master! Say the son-in-law has been delayed and will arrive later..."

Qin Yuan interjected, "As it is already late, they should begin the feast. There's no need to wait for the Marquis. We cannot let all the guests go hungry."

Madame Cui asked, "Is that appropriate?"

Qin Yuan nodded. "It is."

The young maid went to deliver the message to the main hall, and Madame Cui led Qin Yuan to her seat.

Qin Wan, staring at Qin Yuan's attire, asked in astonishment, "Where did you get that outfit?"

Those unfamiliar with fine goods merely found it beautiful, but Qin Wan could discern its immense value.

"The Old Madame gave it to her," Hongye announced proudly, "She said to wear it for the homecoming. She also gave her this jadeite pendant, saying it was to reassure the Master and Madame that the Marquis's household would never treat our young lady poorly."

The women in the room erupted in exclamations.

"The eldest young mistress is truly blessed! The Old Madame dotes on her so. Once she bears a son, her fortune will be endless!"

They praised Qin Yuan from head to toe, not missing a single strand of hair.

Qin Yuan's attire today was both majestic and exquisite. The women, who usually loved to crowd around, chat, and feel the fabrics, now felt somewhat restrained. They didn't dare approach to touch the material, but their eyes never left her.

Madame Cui's eyes also shone. "My precious daughter," she sighed, "The depth of a Marquis's household is truly different. A single hair from the Old Madame is thicker than my thigh."

The fires of jealousy blazed in Qin Wan's eyes; she wished she could tear the outfit right off Qin Yuan's body.

She remembered now. This was one of the Old Madame's treasured pieces, only shown to her daughters-in-law, not even allowing them to touch it. In her previous life, to petition for the heir's title, the Old Madame had sent this very vermillion formal gown to the palace.

And that stone-blue ceremonial cape, symbolizing the rank of the Marquise, never reached her either, because Rong Mama said the Old Madame had loved it in life and had it buried with her.

Seeing both pieces now adorning Qin Yuan's body, Qin Wan felt as if she were being slapped, one blow after another.

She suddenly let out a cold laugh. "Elder Sister, you're still so concerned with face, returning home in such splendor. But why hasn't my brother-in-law come with you?"

Qin Yuan smiled. "The Marquis was delayed by business. He will arrive later. Younger Sister, you must be hungry. Mother, please let the feast begin."

Madame Cui shot a warning glance at Qin Wan, telling her to stop while she was ahead.

Qin Wan stiffened her neck and snorted. "Elder Sister, I've been waiting for you for so long, I thought you weren't coming. I've heard the rules in the Marquis's household are strict, that Sixth Madame Gu manages the household, and that the Marquis brought back a woman and a pair of twins from the battlefield. You must be having a hard time, I suppose?"

(End of Chapter)

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