MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 27

Glossary

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

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

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

· 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.

· Gu Shiliu (顾十六): The Marquis's attendant.

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

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

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Chapter 27: Were You With the Marquis the Night Before Last?

Qin Yuan's eyelashes fluttered slightly as she looked at Old Madame Gu in shock.

In her previous life, Qin Wan and the Marquis had conflicted so severely that they became a resentful couple in less than half a year.

After Zhao Niangzi's mourning period ended, the Marquis took her as his concubine. It was said the reason Old Madame Gu ultimately agreed was that Zhao Niangzi was fertile and might bear another set of twins.

These past few days, by neither fighting nor causing a scene, and avoiding the provocations from Zhao Niangzi and others, she had instead caused the Old Madame to change to this extent. It truly exceeded her expectations.

"Mother," Qin Yuan called out softly, her voice filled with genuine feeling.

Old Madame Gu smiled. "Silly child, go back early and check on Hui'er. Nothing makes me happier than knowing the two of you are getting along well."

Seeing her daughter-in-law still protecting her son despite having suffered so many grievances filled the Old Madame with comfort. She felt this marriage was the right decision.

After Qin Yuan left, Rong Mama asked, "Previously, the Old Madame said she would let the Marquise learn household management after some time. Why change your mind so quickly?"

Old Madame Gu sighed. "I underestimated her temper and character before. Fengxuan Pavilion has been finding excuses to summon the Marquis these past two days. She didn't quarrel or make a fuss, which is heartening, but it also made me worry she might be too soft to handle matters."

"But look at the words she spoke today—both bold and perceptive, and still protecting that scoundrel. It's clear she has a good head on her shoulders. She just couldn't act out immediately after marrying into the household."

"I simply followed her lead. Baozhu is young and doesn't understand things. Sixth Madame Gu has managed the household for years; how could she not understand? She just doesn't have the Marquis in her heart. The Marquis suffers hardships outside, while they live comfortable lives. But who truly holds that scoundrel in their heart? With Yuan'er protecting him, knowing his pains and warming his heart, he might finally have a few good days."

Rong Mama nodded. "Nothing escapes the Old Madame's eyes. The Madame is the daughter of a scholarly family, educated since childhood. Just that phrase about 'rotting from the inside' shows her insight. With her protecting the Marquis in the future, the household will surely rise to greater heights."

Old Madame Gu thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Later, find a moment to visit the Marquis. Repeat today's events to him. Make him feel ashamed."

Rong Mama: "..."

When Qin Yuan returned to Wutong Yuan, she went straight to the side room. Pushing the door open, she sure enough found Gu Jinghui still asleep in bed. She couldn't help but press her lips together in a smile. Without a word, she came out and, as usual, inquired and gave instructions to the maids guarding the door before returning to the main room.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Hongye asked, "Young Lady, what are you smiling about?"

"Someone feels too ashamed to show his face and is hiding to avoid meeting me."

Hongye: "?"

Qin Yuan said, "Later, when Gu Shiliu returns, take some food and try to get friendly with him. Ask him: Where did the Marquis rest the night before last? Why was he late on the homecoming day? What exactly did the Marquis do to get beaten so severely by the Old Madame?"

Hongye nodded in agreement.

When Gu Shiliu returned from his errands and tried to enter the side room to report to the Marquis, he was stopped by Hongye under the corridor.

"Miss Hongye, what is this?"

Hongye smiled. "The Madame said the Marquis has been sleeping and asked me to guard here to prevent him from being disturbed."

Gu Shiliu: "..."

The Marquis was waiting for his news.

Hongye asked, "You were absent last night. What were you doing?"

Gu Shiliu hemmed and hawed a few words. Hongye then asked, "Have you eaten?"

"No."

Gu Shiliu licked his chapped lips.

Hongye said, "It's past mealtime. I still have a few pastries here. Will you eat them?"

Gu Shiliu said, "Yes."

With Hongye guarding here, he couldn't go to the Marquis anyway, and he was正好 (just) hungry.

Hongye looked down, opened the powder-green pouch tied at her waist, took out a few pieces of mung bean cake, and handed them to him. "Eat slowly. I'll have a maid fetch you some water."

Gu Shiliu grunted in agreement.

Hongye being so attentive surely meant she had something to say.

 Sure enough, after only half a piece, Hongye asked, "Did you accompany the Marquis to Fengxuan Pavilion the night before last?"

Gu Shiliu shuddered and lowered his head. "Mmm."

"Where did the Marquis rest that night?"

Gu Shiliu choked.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"How can you choke on a perfectly good mung bean cake?" Hongye was truly puzzled. She turned and called to a maid, "Why hasn't the tea for Brother Shiliu arrived yet?"

Gu Shiliu stretched his neck, choking repeatedly. He finally managed to wait for the tea to arrive and gulped it all down. When he spoke again, his voice was hoarse from choking. "Did the Madame ask you to inquire?"

Hongye was baffled. "Would it be me asking?"

Gu Shiliu hurriedly asked, "What else does the Madame want to know?"

Hongye said, "What else could there be? What detained the Marquis that day? Wasn't he supposed to go for the homecoming together? What exactly did the Marquis do to get beaten by the Old Madame?"

One question after another assaulted him. Gu Shiliu's legs went weak.

"Oh..." Gu Shiliu said, "I suddenly feel a pressing need. I'll find you again after I relieve myself."

Hongye: "..."

Gu Shiliu hurried away. After a good while, he returned, peeked around, and saw Hongye still waiting for him outside.

Gu Shiliu quickly moved to the window of the side room, coughed a few times, and muttered as if to himself, "Why hasn't the Marquis woken up yet? If he doesn't wake up soon, and Hongye blocks the door asking me questions, should I talk or not?"

A moment later, the Marquis's voice came from inside the room. "Shiliu? Where is Shiliu?"

Gu Shiliu promptly emerged from his corner and answered urgently, "Coming, coming!"

He took the steps two at a time. Passing Hongye, he said apologetically, "I didn't expect the Marquis to wake up and call for me just now. Let's talk next time."

Hongye had no choice but to return empty-handed. She couldn't help complaining to Qin Yuan, "He's so hard to get information from! After just three sentences, Gu Shiliu had to go relieve himself, and when he returned, the Marquis woke up and called for him."

With the person taken by the Marquis, what more could she ask?

Qin Yuan was looking over account books, utterly fascinated. These were the ledgers Sixth Madame Gu had a maid deliver for her to familiarize herself with her responsibilities.

From these books, one could deduce the annual expenses and social exchanges of the Marquis household.

She knew she was new and unfamiliar with the household. She could only slowly grasp the foundation of the Marquis estate from these minute details.

Qin Yuan was confident that as long as she could see the household's account books, no matter which section, she could follow the clues and understand the household clearly and thoroughly.

Hearing Hongye's complaint, Qin Yuan didn't even look up. "There will be times when he's alone. If you ask every day, he will eventually talk."

Cuiming said, "Weren't you the well-informed one back in the Qin residence? Why can't you manage it here?"

Stirred by competitiveness, Hongye said, "I've only just arrived and am not very familiar yet! I've only just figured out how many courtyards there are in the residence and how many masters. Just you wait. In less than ten days or a fortnight, I guarantee I can find out anything."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan said, "Help me supervise the tea room. Build good relationships with them, and you'll naturally know everything. How big was the Qin residence compared to the Marquis's? How long would it take if you tried to inquire from each person individually?"

"Have me supervise the tea room?" Hongye couldn't believe it.

"Of course," Qin Yuan said casually.

In her previous life, Hongye was her capable right-hand woman.

"What about me?" Cuiming leaned in to ask.

"You manage the needlework room."

Qin Yuan stretched lazily, squinting contentedly. "Familiarize yourselves with it first. There will be more to manage later. As for the young maids reported yesterday, you two instruct them first and pick out a few promising ones from among them."

Before Hongye and Cuiming could rejoice, the sound of porcelain shattering heavily on the brick floor suddenly came from the side room, followed by the Marquis's shocked and furious voice: "How could such a thing happen!"

(End of Chapter)

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