MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 33

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.

· Gu Shiliu: Gu Jinghui's personal attendant.

· Hongye: Qin Yuan's loyal maidservant.

· Cuiming: Qin Yuan's other maidservant.

· Xiao Hong: A young maid from the main house.

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Chapter 33: Unlike His Father in the Matter of Heirs

Concubine Zheng's waist was as soft as a willow, and when she danced, her long water sleeves easily captivated a man's soul.

The Sixth Master had bought her back from a brothel at a high price and spent more than half of each month staying with her.

The personal matron said, "The Sixth Master enjoys forming literary societies with those scholars in his free time, which costs a great deal. The monthly allowance from the household is nowhere near enough for his extravagance. If you hadn't supplemented it, Madame, the Sixth Master wouldn't have been able to ransom Concubine Zheng back."

Sixth Madame Gu said listlessly, "If I don't give it to him, must I face his displeasure every day? The previous two concubines were also novel for a time. They even bore him children, but wasn't he forgetful of them soon after? Why should I quarrel with him over this."

"Moreover... with the Sixth Master's temperament, if I don't give it to him, he'll make a reckless fuss. Those matters cannot withstand any scandal."

The personal matron also fell silent.

When a person has their weakness held by another, it's hard to stand firm.

When Qin Yuan returned to Wutong Yuan, she saw the stewardesses already waiting in the courtyard, chattering softly about who-knows-what.

Upon her arrival, they dispersed and stood waiting for her instructions.

Qin Yuan did not invite them into the main house. She had the young maids bring out an official's hat armchair and a table, placing them in the shade of a tree in the courtyard.

On a summer morning, with a gentle breeze blowing and birds chirping intermittently from the trees, Qin Yuan sat leisurely in the square-edged armchair, sipping tea poured by Cuiming, with Hongye beside her holding brush and ink, presenting quite a dignified picture.

"Each of you, state what duties you manage, your daily tasks, the people under you, how manpower is allocated, and if any changes are needed."

After observing their expressions, Qin Yuan issued her instructions.

The stewardesses each spoke concisely. When it came to needed changes, they went into more detail, either requesting more manpower or pleading poverty.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan said, "What you've said, I've had Hongye and Cuiming record. How you managed things before, continue to manage them that way for now. Let's keep things running first. I am not yet familiar and see no need for sweeping changes right away, as if implying Sixth Madame managed the household poorly."

The stewardesses weren't disappointed; they had mainly been testing Qin Yuan's depth and attitude.

Qin Yuan added, "From now on, report at this hour in Wutong Yuan. If you require any supplies, inform me a day in advance. Do not let it delay affairs."

Then, she routinely admonished them a few words.

"Be prudent in your daily work, do not slack off, do not delay matters with idle chatter, and do not drink or play cards. You are all seasoned members of the household and naturally know how to conduct yourselves. If you breach these rules, you will lose face accumulated over generations."

The stewardesses assented.

Qin Yuan stood up. "You may go about your duties. I won't keep you longer; we have plenty of days ahead to get acquainted."

The stewardesses curtseyed and dispersed in a crowd.

They had thought Qin Yuan would either throw her weight around with her new authority, investigate thoroughly to make new changes, or show weakness and extend favors to win them over.

Each had already prepared responses and calculations on how to react.

They hadn't expected Qin Yuan to just give a few instructions, keep everything as before, and be done with it.

So, they would do under the Marquise what they had done under Sixth Madame Gu. The only change was who held the master's role.

Sixth Madame Gu received the news quickly and said, "She is truly cautious, leaving no room for criticism."

Rong Mama said the same to Old Madame Gu, but differently, feeling that Qin Yuan was intelligent and perceptive, understanding that the Marquis' household was complex and should not be rashly altered.

Old Madame Gu nodded. "That's exactly right. She's new here; it's enough to manage some affairs for now. She shouldn't compete aggressively with Sixth Madame either. Focusing her mind on bearing children is what's important."

Speaking of this, Old Madame Gu added, "That obstinate son of mine... Ah, Yuan'er is so fine-looking. If the two of them had children, who knows how beautiful they would be. I truly dream of holding my grandson."

Rong Mama just smiled.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Matters of bearing children cannot be accomplished by one person alone.

Xiao Hong came in and said crisply, "The Marquis has sent Gu Shiliu to find Rong Mama."

Rong Mama asked, "Find me?"

Xiao Hong nodded.

Old Madame Gu said with feigned annoyance, "Go on, go on. Who knows what trouble he's stirring up now, seeking you out to probe for information."

Rong Mama left with a smile and returned a short while later, beaming. "Madame guessed wrong this time. The Marquis wants this old servant to chat with the Marquise when possible, talk about old times, for instance, the preferences and dealings of those stewardesses."

Old Madame Gu, who had worn her hair in a high chignon today, laughed so hard the peony flower pinned in it nearly fell out.

"Then why aren't you on your way?"

Rong Mama said, "No hurry. The Madame is going to check the shops, isn't she? I'll take Xiao Hong over for a visit in the evening."

"Why take Xiao Hong?"

Rong Mama said, "Old Sun's wife begged this old servant to find a good mistress in the household for Xiao Hong to follow. While it's good here with you, Madame, you have too many capable senior maids. This old servant thought Xiao Hong is clever, and the Marquise still needs people, so I wanted to bring Xiao Hong to show her face more often before the Marquise. The Marquis is also quite fond of her, but said the Marquise must agree."

"Oh?" Old Madame Gu laughed. "Brother Hui and his father really are cast from the same mold."

Rong Mama said, "How else could one say 'like father, like son'? But then again, the Marquis is even better than his father."

This was meant as flattery, but it made Old Madame Gu sigh. "He just falls short in the matter of heirs."

Rong Mama: "..."

The Old Madame, anxious for a grandson, only nags this old servant in private. It's not really helpful.

The two people who actually matter are, each in their own way, in no hurry at all.

Qin Yuan, taking her two maids and seven or eight strong matrons, prepared to go out to inspect her dowry shops but was stopped by Gu Shiliu. "Is Madame going out?"

"Yes. Does the Marquis need something?"

"The Marquis has ordered this lowly one to accompany you, Madame, to prevent anyone from jostling you."

Qin Yuan was taken aback. With so many matrons surrounding her closely, how could she be jostled?

If Gu Shiliu tagged along, buying pepper in bulk might become inconvenient.

Gu Shiliu accompanied her with a smile. "This lowly one trained with the Marquis in the northern frontier army for a time and even helped the Marquis manage some provisions and funds. Please take this lowly one along, Madame. If you need any errands run, this lowly one's legs are quick."

Qin Yuan smiled gracefully and nodded. "How could I refuse the Marquis's kind intention? I'm putting you to trouble."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shiliu immediately waved his hands. "How could 'trouble' be mentioned? This lowly one only begs Madame to put in a good word for me before the Marquis, so he may feel assured allowing me to serve you in the future."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Hongye said to Cuiming with a tinkling laugh, "The Marquis is worried about you, Young Mistress. With Gu Shiliu here, let's see who else would dare neglect you."

Cuiming said helplessly, "Steward Wang and that carriage driver were just punished by the Marquis. Who would be so blind?"

Gu Shiliu followed at a respectful distance behind Qin Yuan's party. When they went to the side courtyard to board the carriage, the carriage driver stood respectfully by the carriage and only dared to look up when Hongye spoke to him.

Qin Yuan, supported by Hongye's hand, gracefully boarded the carriage.

Gu Shiliu hurriedly led over a fine horse and rode alongside. The party left the mansion gate and headed towards the West Market.

(End of Chapter)

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