MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 32

Glossary

· Qin Yuan: The female protagonist, Marquise of the household.

· Gu Jinghui: The male protagonist, the Marquis.

· Old Madame Gu: Gu Jinghui's mother.

· Sixth Madame Gu: Wife of the sixth son.

· Rong Mama: Old Madame Gu's trusted attendant.

· Qiuju: A maidservant of Old Madame Gu.

· Hongye: Qin Yuan's loyal maidservant.

· Cuiming: Qin Yuan's other maidservant.

· Zhao Niangzi: The widow the Marquis brought back.

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Chapter 32: Then Let's Help Her Think of a Plan

Qin Yuan offered no explanation and said with a smile, "I know what I'm doing. It is valuable, but I fear it will become even more so in the future, difficult to buy even with a thousand pieces of gold."

Cuiming and Hongye couldn't argue further and could only listen.

The next day, Qin Yuan went early to the main house to pay her respects. This time, the Sixth Madame Gu arrived a little later, her eyelids puffy, complexion sallow, and spirit weary, as if she hadn't slept well all night.

Merely going through the account books with the stewardesses shouldn't have caused this.

As they weren't familiar with each other, it wasn't appropriate to ask too much. Qin Yuan simply said, "You worked hard yesterday, Sixth Sister-in-law."

Sixth Madame Gu perked up and said, "I finished checking the accounts with those stewardesses last night. Seeing how late it was, I didn't have them bother you further. They should all be going to Wutong Yuan to find you this morning."

One had to admit, Sixth Madame Gu was very thorough in her work.

Qin Yuan praised, "Sixth Sister-in-law is so meticulous in every way. I still have much to learn from you."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"To be frank, Third Sister-in-law, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me," Sixth Madame Gu said with apparent sincerity. "I learned all this from the Old Madame."

"Before you arrived, Third Sister-in-law, there were only the two of us, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, in the household. Third Brother had been in the northern frontier for many years, and no one knew when he would return to marry and have children. The Old Madame taught me household management step by step. I've been stumbling along for all these years, only gradually getting the hang of it."

The implication was that managing a household was no easy task, and given her youth, she still had much to learn.

Sixth Madame Gu continued, "The Old Madame used to long for Third Brother's return to the capital. After his great victory, she longed for him to marry. Now that you are here, Third Sister-in-law, I'm afraid the Old Madame is now longing to hold a grandson."

This was telling her that having a child was the priority; managing the household could come later.

Qin Yuan merely lowered her head and smiled without speaking.

For a new bride, this reaction was perfectly natural.

Old Madame Gu, supported by Qiuju, walked out and said with a smile, "You two are early today. What were you talking about just now?"

The two hurriedly paid their respects and then sat down in order of precedence.

Sixth Madame Gu said, "This daughter-in-law was just discussing the stewardesses with Third Sister-in-law. It reminded me of when I first learned household management from you, Mother. I made many mistakes and suffered quite a bit before I could barely manage the responsibilities."

Old Madame Gu seemed touched and nodded, "It's fortunate to have you here. This old woman has been able to enjoy a few years of peace because of you."

Sixth Madame Gu added, "This daughter-in-law also mentioned how you, Mother, used to long for the Marquis to return, then for him to marry, and now you must be longing for him to have an heir soon."

Qin Yuan's heart gave a slight jump.

This move of "cutting the ground from under one's feet" was rather blunt and direct, but also particularly effective.

The Sixth Master was a year younger than Gu Jinghui, and his two eldest sons were already studying at the Imperial College.

How could the Old Madame not be anxious?

As long as the Old Madame urged her to have children, she wouldn't support her taking over household management.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Currently, Qin Yuan had no intention of consummating the marriage, let alone rushing to have children, but this was something she could not voice aloud.

Sure enough, Old Madame Gu's gaze towards Qin Yuan held a bit more eagerness. She said with a laugh, "I think this child Yuan'er has the bearing of one who will bear sons. However, children and grandchildren are a matter of fate. One cannot rush these things."

Her son still hadn't consummated the marriage with his wife; getting anxious was useless.

Old Madame Gu could only curse her troublesome son in her heart for being so clueless. If he had consummated the marriage on the wedding night, there might already be a child on the way.

Qin Yuan kept her head lowered, feigning shyness, playing with the handkerchief in her hands. "Mother, why are you and Sister-in-law discussing such things? It's embarrassing. The Marquis is healthy, and I was examined by a physician before I married. If fate grants us children, they will come in due time."

She was determined to secure control of the household finances first before considering anything else.

In her previous life, Gu Jinghui had not had any children, for reasons unknown to her. If she waited to bear Gu Jinghui a child before taking control of the household, she might never have that opportunity.

Old Madame Gu laughed heartily upon hearing this. "Alright, alright, since you are shy, we won't speak of it anymore."

Sixth Madame Gu, who had been steeling herself all night, had not expected the Old Madame to react like this.

She truly couldn't get a clear read on the Old Madame's intentions now.

She could only force a smile and say, "Mother is right. There will be plenty of time ahead."

After the three chatted for a while, Qin Yuan said, "Yuan'er needs to go to the shop to check the accounts today. If there is anything you'd like to eat or play with, Mother, just tell Yuan'er. I can run the errand for you as a way to show my filial piety."

Old Madame Gu smiled and said, "It's good for you to practice by checking the accounts of your dowry shops. Those shopkeepers are all older than you. It will take considerable effort for you to assert your authority over them. Don't trouble yourself buying things for me."

After hearing from Rong Mama that her son was attentive to Qin Yuan and protected her everywhere, Old Madame Gu had grown even fonder of her.

If the young couple was affectionate, children would naturally come in time.

Sixth Madame Gu found it rather grating to watch.

Old Madame Gu added, "On your way back, have someone buy some hibiscus cakes from Meixiang Zhai. The Marquis loved them when he was a child."

Qin Yuan agreed.

The two sisters-in-law left the main house together. Sixth Madame Gu asked with a smile, "Third Sister-in-law, why aren't you keeping the Marquis company? He's been staying in Wutong Yuan all these days, yet you're running out. I heard the Marquis will be staying at the camp outside the city in a few days. Is it true?"

Qin Yuan said, "Men have their own affairs to attend to. It's not good for me to cling to him, lest the Marquis finds me too needy."

Sixth Madame Gu couldn't help but laugh. "Sister-in-law, with your beauty, if the Marquis still finds you clingy, then he truly doesn't know a good thing when he sees it."

Her words were heavily laden with provocation. Qin Yuan didn't take the bait, only lowering her head shyly and smiling. "I'm afraid the stewardesses will be coming to Wutong Yuan soon. I should head back now."

Watching Qin Yuan's graceful figure disappear behind the lush green shadows of the trees, Sixth Madame Gu finally withdrew her gaze and said to her personal matron, "She is truly difficult to deal with. I can't get any information out of her."

The personal matron nodded. "So young, yet her words are watertight."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Sixth Madame Gu was silent for a moment, then smiled again. "Judging by her figure, she still seems like a maiden. While no news can be gleaned from Wutong Yuan, Fengxuan Pavilion is like a sieve. I heard Lady Zhao has fallen ill from anxiety these past two days. What a coincidence, don't you think?"

The personal matron sneered. "That woman is desperate to cling to the Marquis. After all this fuss, the Marquise shrewdly doesn't even let her get close. She probably has no tricks left now."

"Then let's help her think of a plan."

The personal matron seemed hesitant to speak.

Sixth Madame Gu said, "You want to advise me again?"

"This old servant understands your difficulties, Madame. But I've heard that Gu Shiliu has recently been making inquiries within the household about who has been spreading rumors."

"All the more reason to let that Zhao woman cause trouble."

Sixth Madame Gu said with a cold laugh, "You can't blame me for this. She's a new bride, yet she doesn't focus on learning how to serve her husband and care for her mother-in-law. Instead, she's intent on fighting me for control of the household. I won't hand it over so easily."

"Yesterday, the Sixth Master, after drinking at who-knows-which brothel, ran into Gu Cheng. After receiving a few compliments, he came back and told me to find Gu Cheng a position. I hesitated for just a moment, and he went to Concubine Zheng's place. If I were to lose my authority, what kind of days would I have left?"

(End of Chapter)

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Author's Note: The book is on recommendation today, friends, please give me your support. (づ￣ 3￣)づ(′‵)Ｉ L

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