MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 21

Glossary

· Qin Yuan (秦鸢): The female protagonist, the Marquise.

· Qin Wan (秦婉): Qin Yuan's younger sister, married into the Lin family.

· Madame Cui (崔氏): Qin Yuan and Qin Wan's mother.

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

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

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

· Second Aunt (二堂伯母): A relative of the Qin family.

· Zhao Niangzi (赵娘子): The woman the Marquis brought back from the battlefield.

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

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Chapter 21: Don't Let Yourself Be Kept in the Dark

Before Qin Yuan could speak, Madame Cui poked Qin Wan sharply.

The other women watched Qin Yuan's expression with keen interest. Qin Wan, clutching her head adorned with gold and silver hairpins, cried out in confusion, "Mother, why did you poke me? I was only concerned for Elder Sister! We're all family here; what can't be said? If she is truly unhappy, speaking out allows us to help devise a solution. Surely that's better than her agonizing alone!"

Madame Cui: "..."

Qin Yuan covered her mouth with a handkerchief and let out a light laugh. "Mother poked you for your own good, dear sister. The Marquis's household is not some minor family. How could a new daughter-in-law be put in charge of the household immediately? Before the Marquis married, wasn't it natural for Sixth Madame Gu to assist the Old Madame? You are a married woman now; you cannot behave as you did in your natal home."

Qin Wan, who had married into a modest family: "..."

Qin Yuan pressed further, "Has the Lin family already put you in charge of their household affairs these past few days?"

Qin Wan's face changed. "Of course not."

"Oh?" Qin Yuan didn't believe her, her drawn-out response full of meaning.

Both Madame Cui and Qin Wan flushed red.

Before the guests had arrived, Qin Wan had boasted to Madame Cui about how everyone at home obeyed her, how every meal and purchase required her approval, and how content she was.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan continued, "Who knows where you heard this news, little sister, but you are not entirely wrong. The Marquis did bring back a woman from the battlefield, and a pair of twin children."

Qin Wan perked up, her face feigning concern while delight shone beneath. "Elder Sister, what do you plan to do?"

"Do about what? Let them stay at the Marquis's estate, of course. Her husband was the Marquis's benefactor."

This single sentence drew waves of praise and admiration from the onlookers.

Qin Wan: "Hah."

Her expression, that of the only sober person in a room of drunkards, infuriated Madame Cui, who threatened in a low voice, "If you ruin this homecoming banquet today, even if I can forgive you, your father never will."

Qin Wan immediately became docile.

After all, Lin Ziqi had not yet passed the imperial examinations and still relied on her father's guidance.

There would be plenty of time to mock Qin Yuan later. Distance tests a horse's stamina; time would reveal the truth.

Qin Yuan, however, was not finished. Adopting a lecturing elder sister's tone, she said, "It's not that I wish to criticize you, but although the Lin family is small, your mother-in-law presides over it. You are a new bride; shouldn't you be at home attending to your mother-in-law and husband properly? What business do you have gathering such gossip?"

Qin Wan had no retort.

Madame Cui offered an apologetic smile. "She just overheard something in passing on her way here and spoke out of concern for you. Your sister has been pampered since childhood. You, as the elder sister, must guide her more."

Seeing the look her mother shot her, Qin Wan had no choice but to murmur, "What Mother says is right."

Only then did Qin Yuan let her be. Under the envious gazes of all, she presented the list of homecoming gifts from the Marquis's household to Madame Cui.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"The Marquis's household does things with such grandeur! Even the gift list is this thick!"

"The eldest young mistress's marriage is truly excellent.The Marquis of Dingbei holds a hereditary title; it's a staggering fortune."

Their eyes covetous, the women showered her with flattery as if it cost nothing.

Madame Cui, looking at the list, was also secretly astonished. "Why such generous gifts?"

Qin Yuan smiled. "Mother, the Old Madame personally prepared this list. She even asked the Marquis and me if we wished to add more. Perhaps it is because she holds the Qin family in high regard."

Madame Cui smiled, her eyes complex.

For the Old Madame to personally arrange the homecoming gifts showed that Qin Yuan had deeply won her mother-in-law's favor. In this world, even if a woman failed to win her husband's affection, gaining her in-laws' approval secured her position.

"Bear an heir soon, and your future will be settled," Madame Cui advised Qin Yuan.

Watching from the side, Qin Wan felt a pang of bitterness.

In her previous life, her mother-in-law had disliked her, her husband had quarreled with her. Just days after the wedding, not only was her husband absent, but she was also belittled and mocked for her petty, unsophisticated demeanor.

Even the servants of the Marquis's household had judged her based on her status and secretly bullied her.

Qin Yuan made her feel like a complete joke.

In this life, although her marital relationship was harmonious, she had handled the homecoming gifts herself, using her own dowry. Mother Lin didn't say anything, but her displeasure was plain for all to see.

Qin Wan suddenly felt like crying.

Soon, maids and matrons filed in, setting out the feast. Everyone took their seats. The clinking of cups and lively conversation filled the room.

As the Marquise, Qin Yuan was naturally the center of attention, the star around which everyone revolved. Qin Wan, who was usually treated as the phoenix of the Qin family, sat dull and disheartened on the sidelines, listening to the endless fawning.

Even Madame Cui, somewhat intoxicated by the flattery, secretly lamented. If not for that moment of foolishness, it would be her own daughter being showered with such attention.

But what was the use of saying this now?

After the feast, feeling stifled from sitting indoors, everyone rose to stroll through the Qin family's garden to aid their digestion.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The Qin residence was small. The front courtyard was occupied by male guests and was thus inaccessible. They could only chat in small groups in the rear courtyard.

While Qin Yuan was speaking with her Second Aunt, Qin Wan approached again. "Elder Sister, I heard rumors outside that..."

Second Aunt, who had been talking about her son Qin Siyuan's studies, was abruptly cut off and could only fall silent in embarrassment.

Qin Yuan shot a sidelong glance at Qin Wan.

Qin Wan paid no mind to this visiting relative and said自顾自 (on her own), "The woman the Marquis brought back is named Zhao, they call her Zhao Niangzi. She's nominally observing mourning for her husband, but in reality, she enjoys the Marquis's deep favor. The Marquis is just waiting until after his marriage to give her proper status. Those twin children might very well be the Marquis's own."

Second Aunt's face turned red then pale. She felt embarrassed for Qin Yuan and was angry that Qin Wan had no manners, trapping her here to listen to such rubbish and dirtying her ears.

Qin Yuan laughed coldly. "Today is a joyous homecoming. I have no wish to quarrel with you and upset Mother and Father. If you had any sense, you would not spout such nonsense."

Qin Wan flared up, "I'm only doing this for your own good! Why must you pretend the Old Madame and the Marquis both adore you? That Zhao Niangzi and the twins are no good people! I'm giving you a friendly warning, so you aren't kept in the dark when the Marquis takes her as his concubine!"

She had drunk some wine, and the breeze, combined with Qin Yuan's provocation, had gone to her head.

The Qin family's rear courtyard was small. Although the other women did not approach, they were all looking over, straining to listen.

While they were happy for Qin Yuan's excellent marriage and felt it brought the family face, they secretly hoped that Qin Yuan wasn't as flawless as she appeared.

Second Aunt stood awkwardly, trapped between the two sisters.

Qin Yuan glanced around and stated solemnly, "The Marquis personally explained to me that Zhao Niangzi's husband took a blow for him on the northern frontier. The Marquis cares for them to repay this debt of gratitude. The Marquis is a man of deep loyalty and principle; how could he commit such a sordid act? Those twins are the children of his benefactor. The Marquis treats them as his own. Zhao Niangzi is still in mourning! Who is spreading such vile gossip outside, sullying my Marquis household's name? Their motives are treacherous!"

Qin Wan's face flushed a deep red, but she could not utter a word.

Qin Yuan added, "Next time you hear such gossip, little sister, have the person seized and delivered to the Marquis's household. I will naturally show you my appreciation."

Before her words had faded, a man's voice came from the inner gate. "Yuan'er is absolutely right. We, husband and wife, are of one mind. You've taken the words from my mouth."

(End of Chapter)

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Thank you everyone for your support, (づ￣ 3￣)づ

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