MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 22

Glossary

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

· Gu Jinghui (顾靖晖): The Marquis, Qin Yuan's husband.

· Qin Wan (秦婉): Qin Yuan's younger sister.

· Lin Ziqi (林子奇): Qin Wan's husband.

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

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

· Qin Heng (秦恒): Qin Yuan's brother.

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

· Zhao Niangzi (赵娘子): The widow the Marquis is protecting.

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

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Chapter 22: She Is Simply Returning a Favor

Hearing that familiar voice, Qin Wan froze as stiff as wood.

It was a voice she would never forget, even if she were turned to ashes!

Gu Jinghui had come.

He had actually accompanied Qin Yuan for the homecoming visit!

Qin Wan stared woodenly as the tall, handsome man walked towards them against the light, step by step, until he stood at Qin Yuan's side. "Yuan'er," he said softly, a light laugh in his voice, "My apologies for being late."

His eyes held a soft, tender smile as he looked down at Qin Yuan's flushed, lovely face. Standing together, they painted a picture of such natural, effortless grace and compatibility that it defied description.

The women raised their round fans halfway to cover their faces, whispering excitedly to each other. Some of the younger wives even blushed.

A tidal wave of shock, bitterness, and jealousy surged within Qin Wan, engulfing her completely. She failed to notice Lin Ziqi had come to stand beside her and was watching her.

"Wan'er, what's wrong?"

"Wan'er?"

He called her name several times before she finally snapped out of it.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"You... why are you here too?" she forced a smile.

Lin Ziqi masked the displeasure in his eyes and smiled. "Brother-in-law has matters to attend to and needs to fetch Elder Sister. I thought we have been here quite a while ourselves, so we should return home early. I don't wish for Mother to wait and worry at home alone."

"Alright," Qin Wan replied, distraught.

By now, Gu Jinghui, holding Qin Yuan's hand, had walked up to Madame Cui. "Respected Mother-in-law," he said, "Please accept your son-in-law's greetings."

His vigorous frame moved with clean, effortless grace, and his bow was elegant and pleasing to the eye.

Madame Cui beamed with delight. "Please rise, please rise! We are all family here, no need for such formality."

Gu Jinghui also apologized for his late arrival. Madame Cui didn't mind in the slightest, instead asking him warmly if he had enjoyed the Qin family's food and wine, if he got along with her son Qin Heng, and if Qin Yuan was being thoughtful and sensible in her husband's home.

Her words were intimate and considerate, as if Gu Jinghui were her own biological son-in-law.

Lin Ziqi and Qin Wan stood to the side, their expressions sour.

Seeing that both Qin family sons-in-law had come to take their leave, the other guests knew the homecoming banquet was drawing to a close and hurriedly said their goodbyes.

After seeing the guests off, Qin Jijiu and Qin Heng also came to the rear courtyard.

Qin Jijiu stroked his beard, smiling as he made conversation. "Worthy son-in-law, you've only just arrived and must leave already. Is the Ministry of War particularly busy lately?"

Gu Jinghui smiled. "The Ministry is currently preoccupied with organizing the border garrison farms. The debates are endless and rather headache-inducing. This son-in-law cannot say who will out-argue whom."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Upon hearing this, Qin Jijiu laughed heartily. "The Erudites at our Directorate of Education argue every single day."

The two men exchanged a few more words about official matters before agreeing to share a drink together when they had more free time.

Lin Ziqi, who held no official post, could only sit woodenly alongside them.

After sitting a short while longer, Gu Jinghui took his leave again.

Qin Jijiu and Madame Cui came out personally to see both couples off.

When she saw the dark ironwood carriage waiting outside the gate, Qin Wan's hand tightly gripped Lin Ziqi's arm. The pain made the veins on Lin Ziqi's forehead bulge, but he forced himself to maintain composure.

Qin Wan, however, paid him no mind. Her thoughts were single-minded: The Old Madame Gu's personal carriage! She actually let Qin Yuan use it for her homecoming! What kind of bewitching drug has Qin Yuan fed the entire Gu family?

Madame Cui, naturally, also recognized the significance. She shot a meaningful glance at Qin Wan, who could not conceal her jealousy, and advised Qin Yuan like a caring mother, "Yuan'er, in the future, you must dutifully respect your mother-in-law, take good care of the Marquis, and bear an heir soon."

Qin Yuan nodded, bashful. "Mother, your daughter understands. You should go back now, there's no need to see us off any further."

Qin Jijiu stroked his beard sentimentally. "A married daughter returns to her natal home but a few times a year. Let your father see you off properly. Worthy son-in-law, you must treat our Yuan'er well."

Gu Jinghui helped Qin Yuan into the carriage, then swung himself onto his horse. "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, I will most certainly treat Yuan'er well. Please set your hearts at ease."

As the carriage and horses turned the corner out of the street, Madame Cui turned to Qin Wan and Lin Ziqi, who stood silently beside her. "Wan'er, you stay. Your mother has words for you."

Her tone was decidedly sharp.

Lin Ziqi felt extremely awkward.

Qin Jijiu hurriedly smoothed things over. "Ziqi, why not discuss your essays with me before you leave? It is rare for both of us to have time like today."

The bitterly disappointed Lin Ziqi rallied his spirits. "Very well. This son-in-law happens to have a policy essay I would like to ask you to review, Father-in-law."

Qin Heng, completely oblivious to the undercurrents around him, stared wistfully down the street and sighed. "If only I could have a ride on Elder Brother-in-law's thousand-mile steed..."

Once they left the street where the Qin residence was located, Qin Yuan had the carriage halt.

"What is it?"

Gu Jinghui reined in his horse, turned back, and leaned close to the carriage window to ask softly.

Qin Yuan lifted the curtain, revealing half of her lovely face, and whispered, "My Lord, please come inside the carriage."

Gu Jinghui hurriedly reached out to pull the curtain tighter, leaving only a crack. "Call me husband."

"Husband, please come inside the carriage," Qin Yuan promptly complied.

"Why?"

Qin Yuan thought for a moment. "I have words to speak with you, husband. It is inconvenient with you riding outside."

Hongye murmured under her breath, "Is the Young Lady feeling heartache for the Marquis?"

Gu Jinghui's ears twitched, and his face flushed. He insisted, "We can talk when we return home."

Before Qin Yuan could respond, Hongye muttered again, even quieter, "And when we return home, won't you just be called away by Zhao Niangzi again?"

Gu Jinghui's face reddened further. After a long pause, he blurted out somewhat incoherently, "Thank you for maintaining the face of the Marquis's household outside today."

"The face you gave me, husband, I naturally must maintain in return."

With the carriage curtain between them, he couldn't see Qin Yuan's expression, could only hear her calm, even tone, seemingly devoid of emotion.

Gu Jinghui stared blankly for a moment before understanding dawned.

His accompanying her today was the face he gave her. Her defending his reputation outside was her returning the favor.

Remembering the words Qin Yuan had said to him before he left last night, Gu Jinghui suddenly felt agitated and hot. Beads of sweat the size of beans slid down his cheeks. He steeled himself and explained, "I... I am absolutely not the man the rumors make me out to be."

"Mmm, yes. Is my husband certain he wishes to discuss this outside?"

Qin Yuan pulled the curtain open again, peeking out to coax him softly, "Better to come inside and talk."

"Alright, alright, anything you say," Gu Jinghui hastily agreed. "Now pull the curtain closed quickly. Don't let others see."

Only then did Qin Yuan withdraw her head and obediently secure the curtain.

Gu Jinghui nimbly dismounted and then jumped into the carriage.

Inside, he saw Qin Yuan leaning against the small table by the window. The ceremonial cape had been removed from her shoulders, leaving only the eye-catching, red-haze of her thin formal gown.

The vibrant green jade pendant hung against her fair, soft neck, trembling slightly in the hollow of her collarbone, capturing his gaze and holding it fast.

Unsure of what to say, he sat upright opposite the small table, hands on his knees, waiting for Qin Yuan to speak first.

Hongye secretly rolled her eyes off to the side.

The carriage moved away from the bustling market, the horses picking up speed.

Qin Yuan asked, "My Lord also heard the words my sister spoke?"

"Mmm."

Gu Jinghui's scalp tightened.

(End of Chapter)

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