MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 25

Glossary

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

· Gu Baozhu (顾宝珠): Seventh Miss, the younger sister of the Marquis.

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

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

· Rong Mama (容嬷嬷): Old Madame Gu's trusted attendant.

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

· Cuiming (翠茗): Qin Yuan's other maidservant.

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Chapter 25: A Certain Shamelessness in Tearing Off All Pretenses

The implications in Qin Yuan's words were clear. On the surface, she was scolding insolent servants for judging their superiors and bullying her, the newcomer. In reality, she was pointing at the mulberry tree to curse the locust tree, aiming her barbs at the two women, the sister-in-law and the young miss.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

When had Gu Baozhu ever suffered such treatment? Her two bold, handsome eyebrows shot up, and she was about to explode when Sixth Madame Gu quickly pulled her back, smiling as she said, "The Marquis's title is hereditary. Most of the servants in this household have served for several generations. Third Sister-in-law, you may not know, but in prestigious families like ours, we highly respect seniority. Those old servants have considerable face in front of their young masters and mistresses, so it's inevitable they become somewhat arrogant and domineering. They are truly difficult to manage."

She glanced at Qin Yuan's expression and added, "In my opinion, those who lack perception deserve punishment. Yesterday, the Marquis heavily punished Steward Wang and that insolent servant to vent your anger, Third Sister-in-law. Otherwise, he would have accompanied you for your homecoming much earlier."

Qin Yuan seemed not to catch the mockery in Sixth Madame Gu's words, merely pursing her lips in a slight smile.

Gu Baozhu sneered, "It's rare for Third Brother to get angry for a beauty's sake. I thought his eyes only held the mother and son from Fengxuan Pavilion."

These two women were quite coordinated.

Qin Yuan laughed coldly. "Seventh Sister seems to have some misunderstanding about your Third Brother? Does the Marquis not have you in his eyes? He even told me your nature is too lively and restless, and asked me, for his sake, to provide you with more guidance and discipline, lest you fail to please your future husband's family after marriage."

Upon hearing this, Gu Baozhu slammed her round fan heavily on the table. "Third Sister-in-law, what is the meaning of this?"

Qin Yuan jabbed again, "What do you think it means? Naturally, it is good intention."

Gu Baozhu rose angrily, about to grab Qin Yuan's clothes. Hongye hurriedly stepped in front, firmly shielding her mistress.

Sixth Madame Gu, hearing movement from the inner chamber and knowing the Old Madame was about to emerge, quickly played the peacemaker. "Let's not jest here any longer. The Old Madame is coming."

Qin Yuan peeked out from behind Hongye. "Sixth Sister-in-law, you are mistaken. I was not jesting with Seventh Sister. Seventh Sister is the young lady of the Dingbei Marquis household, of noble status. But she should still possess the modesty, virtue, and tranquility befitting a young woman. After all, she will marry someday; she cannot remain an old maiden her whole life. The Old Madame and the Marquis dote on you; they naturally wish for your happiness."

Gu Baozhu stamped her foot. "...Sixth Sister-in-law, listen to her! How dare she speak like this..."

Qin Yuan continued to play the elder, wearing a disapproving expression. "No one corrects you when you speak recklessly at home, but if it becomes a habit and you behave the same outside, it will be too late once you bring disaster upon the Marquis household and the Marquis. As your sister-in-law, even if the Marquis hadn't asked me to guide you, I would still speak up. This is for your own good."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Unable to win the argument and enraged, Gu Baozhu lunged forward. Qin Yuan quickly dodged behind Cuiming and Hongye.

"Presumptuous! What is this disgraceful behavior!" The voice of Old Madame Gu, who had arrived unnoticed, rang out.

Everyone quickly separated and stood with their hands at their sides.

Old Madame Gu looked displeased at the women in the hall. Was there not a single one who spared her worry? She frowned deeply. "What is going on? Baozhu, why are you tussling with your Third Sister-in-law?"

Gu Baozhu, all her arrogance gone, wept and complained, "Mother, I was just in a hurry to go out yesterday and accidentally used Third Sister-in-law's carriage. I already apologized, but Third Sister-in-law won't let it go despite being in the right."

"Oh?" Old Madame Gu looked at Qin Yuan, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes. "What do you have to say?"

A new bride clashing with her younger sister-in-law right away—even if she was in the right, elders would deem her lacking in humility and forbearance.

Qin Yuan said softly, "Mother, Yuan'er was only trying to protect the Marquis. I heard Seventh Sister's words becoming increasingly improper. I feared she might speak recklessly outside in the future, causing trouble for the Marquis and the household, so I said a few words. I didn't expect Seventh Sister would refuse to listen."

A quarrel between daughter-in-law and sister-in-law was one thing; a quarrel to protect her son was entirely another.

Old Madame Gu's frown eased.

Gu Baozhu shook her head in panic. "Mother, Baozhu didn't! Third Sister-in-law cursed me to be an old maiden forever, unable to marry! That's why I got angry!"

Old Madame Gu looked at Qin Yuan in surprise.

Qin Yuan sighed. "It was also my fault for meddling. Sixth Sister-in-law is close to Seventh Sister and should have taught her long ago. Strictly speaking, it shouldn't fall to a new bride like me. Seventh Sister, you mustn't twist my meaning like that. Even if you aspire not to marry, could the Marquis household possibly begrudge you an extra pair of chopsticks?"

Sixth Madame Gu, who had intended to watch the fight from the sidelines: "..."

Old Madame Gu, unable to unravel the dispute, looked at Sixth Madame Gu. "You were present. You tell me."

Sixth Madame Gu looked at the tearful Gu Baozhu, then at the soft and innocent-looking Qin Yuan, her face a picture of someone trying to be fair but failing, sighing. "This daughter-in-law doesn't know how it happened. The two of them started arguing, word for word. Seventh Sister is young and impulsive. Third Sister-in-law is new and lectured Seventh Sister by putting on elder airs. It's natural Seventh Sister would refuse to accept it."

Old Madame Gu became thoughtful.

Qin Yuan said with a smile, "Mother, Seventh Sister is still young. If a small tree grows crooked, we must straighten it early for it to become useful timber."

"The Marquis is the master of this household. Seventh Sister speaks disrespectfully. Sixth Sister-in-law fails to correct her and help her improve. Instead, she says I put on elder airs to lecture Seventh Sister, making Seventh Sister refuse to accept. No wonder Seventh Sister dares to talk nonsense in front of me, and the servants in the household are difficult to manage."

Her tone was gentle, but her words were anything but. They carried a certain shamelessness, a readiness to tear off all pretenses.

Everyone was stunned.

The hall fell so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

After a long moment, Sixth Madame Gu, her eyes reddening, began to sob. "For Third Sister-in-law to say this about me... could it be you are dissatisfied with my household management? If so, I am willing to step down for someone more worthy."

Gu Baozhu championed her cause: "Third Sister-in-law, you've only been in the household a few days! Sixth Sister-in-law has managed the household for years; if not for merit, then for hard work..."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan said solemnly, "By protecting the Marquis, I protect the dignity of the Marquis's household. Only if the Marquis prospers can the household prosper. Although the Dingbei Marquis title is hereditary, can the stipend from the title alone support the expenses of such a large family? The wealth and glory our ancestors exchanged with their lives also require descendants to expend effort to maintain. There is absolutely no sense in sitting idle and consuming the inheritance."

Hearing this, Old Madame Gu nodded, her gaze holding a touch more approval for Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan continued, "The Marquis fights for his future blade by blade on the battlefield, yet Seventh Sister says his eyes only hold the mother and son from Fengxuan Pavilion. If outsiders heard such words, who knows what they would think of the Marquis."

Gu Baozhu's face turned deathly pale; she hung her head, not daring to look at the Old Madame at the head of the room.

Qin Yuan added, "You must understand, if a large family rots, it always starts from within. As the Marquis's family, instead of carefully protecting him, Seventh Sister provides handles for others to use against him. Should I not speak up? Sixth Sister-in-law, you are with Seventh Sister day and night. Have you fulfilled your duty as a sister-in-law by admonishing her?"

Sixth Madame Gu secretly gritted her teeth.

Qin Yuan's words struck directly at Old Madame Gu's sore spot. Yesterday, Gu Jinghui was beaten precisely because of that mother and son, showing it was a deep-seated concern for the Old Madame.

Sure enough, Old Madame Gu asked coldly, "Baozhu, what exactly did you say?"

Before Gu Baozhu could speak, Old Madame Gu added, "Call in one of the young maids guarding outside. Let her speak."

Rong Mama hurriedly called in one of the young, newly employed maids from outside and instructed, "Repeat what the madames and young miss said inside just now."

(End of Chapter)

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