MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 28

Glossary

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

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

· 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.

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

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

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

· Sixth Madame Gu (六夫人): The family member Qin Yuan is now sharing household management with.

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Chapter 28: How Can a Husband's Authority Wane?

Qin Yuan and her two maids exchanged glances, unsure what Gu Shiliu had said to provoke the Marquis's fury.

After a moment's thought, she rose. "Since the Marquis is awake, I will go see him. I can ask if he wishes to have a meal together."

Hongye snorted with laughter.

Cuiming asked, "What are you laughing at?"

"I wonder how the Marquis will manage to eat with the Young Lady."

Qin Yuan's lips also twitched into a smile. Although the excuse was flimsy, she still needed to go.

Her husband had been unconscious for so long; as his wife, she ought to inquire and show concern.

And while she was at it, bring up other matters.

In her previous life, she hadn't been entirely ignorant of the affairs between Zhao Niangzi and Gu Jinghui.

Qin Wan couldn't hold her tongue, spoiled as she was, and had made the matter known throughout the city.

Furthermore, her stepmother never failed to complain about it during her visits.

She had assumed that Zhao Niangzi and Gu Jinghui had long been involved, that Qin Wan's exposure of the affair had forced Gu Jinghui's hand, leading him to make Zhao Niangzi his concubine.

Now, it seemed, that might not have been the whole story.

However, regardless, if Gu Jinghui wished to take a concubine, she didn't mind, but it absolutely could not be Zhao Niangzi.

On this point, she and Old Madame Gu saw eye to eye.

Qin Yuan arrived outside the side room. "Husband, are you awake?"

"I am," Gu Jinghui's voice held unmistakable panic.

"Husband, may I come in and see you?" Qin Yuan's voice was gentle, impossible to refuse.

From behind the door came Gu Jinghui's reluctant reply, "...Alright, very well."

Qin Yuan pushed the door open and entered.

She saw Gu Jinghui bare-chested, lying prone on the bamboo couch, covered with a thin gauze quilt. On the brick floor lay shattered porcelain and tea stems, making it difficult to find a place to step.

Seeing her stunned expression, Gu Jinghui hurriedly explained, "This wasn't me... ahem, Shiliu was pouring water for me and accidentally knocked it over. He's just clumsy, has been since he was a child. Nothing to be done about it."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The clumsy Gu Shiliu silently shouldered the blame.

Qin Yuan covered her mouth with a handkerchief, smiling. "I naturally know it wasn't the Marquis. The Marquis is still lying down recuperating from his injuries, after all."

Gu Shiliu: "..."

Gu Jinghui said, "Right, right! I... I... these minor injuries are nothing. You needn't worry."

Qin Yuan said, "I'm not worried. Li Langzhong said the Marquis has a strong constitution and will recover after resting for three to five days."

Gu Jinghui's eyes were full of disbelief, but he said, "Right. You should carry on as usual. I'll return to the main room in a few days."

Qin Yuan: "..."

Hongye had already called people in to clean up. A young maid deftly gathered the shattered porcelain and tea leaves from the floor and wiped it clean, finally making it passable to walk on.

Qin Yuan walked in and noticed Gu Shiliu's trouser legs were soaked. "Perhaps Shiliu should go change his clothes. I heard from Hongye he hasn't eaten yet and must be hungry."

Gu Jinghui quickly said, "Go on, hurry up and go."

Gu Shiliu promptly withdrew.

Gu Jinghui added loudly, "Come back later!"

Qin Yuan understood; their discussion wasn't finished and had been interrupted by her arrival.

"Does the Marquis wish to eat with me?"

Gu Jinghui shook his head. "It's not very convenient. Madame, please go back and eat first. Once I'm better, I'll eat with you every day."

Seeing his eagerness for her to leave, Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Very well. Yuan'er will take her leave first. Husband, if you need someone to feed you, just give the order."

Gu Jinghui hastily explained, "I grew up in the military camps; I'm not so delicate. I've had injuries much worse than this before, and still had to ride jolting on horseback, chasing the enemy for hundreds of li a day. The only reason I'm recuperating like this is to keep Mother from worrying. Mother is angry with me. If I lie low for a while, she'll be less angry and start feeling sorry for me instead."

Qin Yuan suppressed a laugh and nodded. She then added, "These past two days, your two adopted sons must be better, and I haven't seen Zhao Niangzi send anyone looking for you. Mother asked me today to manage the household with Sixth Sister-in-law. If Fengxuan Pavilion needs anything, just say the word. It will be easier for me to handle matters conveniently."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Having said this, she glanced at Gu Jinghui's expression. He looked utterly embarrassed, as if he didn't want to bring it up at all. Qin Yuan felt her guess was likely eighty or ninety percent accurate.

Gu Jinghui said with displeasure, "That won't be necessary. She and the children are staying in Fengxuan Pavilion as guests. Her husband was my benefactor. Mother will see to their needs; they certainly won't lack for anything."

In his words, he no longer mentioned Qin Yuan becoming close with the children.

Qin Yuan said, "Then, husband, rest well. Yuan'er is returning to the main room. I have matters to discuss with Sixth Sister-in-law after the midday meal."

Gu Jinghui, greatly relieved, urged, "Then you should go and attend to your business. Don't worry about me."

After Qin Yuan left, she instructed the maid outside, "Quickly bring the Marquis a pot of his usual favorite tea."

Inside the room, Gu Jinghui chuckled softly, whispering smugly to himself, "Yuan'er is so thoughtful, even if she says she isn't worried about me."

Soon, Gu Shiliu, having changed and eaten, entered carrying a food box. "Master, please rise and eat."

Only then did Gu Jinghui get up, put on his inner robe, and stand by the table. His chopsticks moved swiftly; he was clearly starving.

Gu Shiliu said, "Hongye, from the Madame's side, keeps asking me those few questions. Shouldn't the Marquis find an opportunity to explain things to the Madame?"

Gu Jinghui set down his chopsticks, puzzled. "Explain what? My conduct is upright, my posture straight. These are baseless rumors. If I explain, won't she feel entitled to investigate everything clearly in the future?"

Several of his subordinate commanders had said that after marriage, one must not let the wife gain the upper hand, otherwise the husband's authority wanes, and kneeling on the washboard isn't far off.

Gu Jinghui picked up his chopsticks again, selecting food with satisfaction. "You don't understand. The interactions between husband and wife involve great knowledge."

The unlearned Gu Shiliu asked, "Then what should I say when Hongye asks?"

He couldn't keep hiding. Hongye said it was the Madame who wanted to know. Caught in the middle, he was in a difficult position.

"Just say whatever you should say."

Gu Jinghui answered without the slightest concern.

Gu Shiliu's face was full of bitterness...

Was there anything in this world more difficult than this?

Gu Shiliu had too much to report. Gu Jinghui picked out the few items he cared about and asked about them. Soon, he set down his chopsticks. "Someone's coming again."

Sure enough, a moment later, a maid knocked on the door. "Rong Mama is here to see the Marquis."

Gu Jinghui whispered, "Shiliu, what's happened at the Old Madame's place now?"

Gu Shiliu had come straight to the Marquis upon his return and knew nothing. He could only shake his head.

"Please invite Rong Mama in."

Gu Jinghui called out his instruction. He dared not slight Rong Mama, who had served Old Madame Gu for many years. Her sons and grandsons managed the hereditary estates of the Marquis household outside, giving her considerable face within the household.

Rong Mama entered, accompanied by a young, newly employed maid carrying a food box. Her face was all smiles. "Has the Marquis's health improved? The Old Madame is concerned about you and sent this old servant to bring you some food."

Gu Jinghui hurriedly asked Rong Mama to sit and respectfully accepted the food box himself. "Much better. Thank Mother for her concern. Has Mother's anger subsided?"

Rong Mama shook her head, then nodded. "Originally, the Old Madame's anger hadn't subsided. But this morning, when the Madame went to pay her respects, she had a disagreement with Sixth Madame and Seventh Miss, which actually made the Old Madame's anger dissipate. She even ate an extra bowl of rice and told this old servant to come and repeat everything for the Marquis to hear."

(End of Chapter)

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