MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 38

Glossary

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

· Gu Jinghui: The male protagonist, the Marquis.

· Old Madame Gu: Gu Jinghui's mother.

· Hongye: Qin Yuan's loyal maidservant.

· Gu Shiliu: Gu Jinghui's personal attendant.

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

· Qiuju: A maidservant of Old Madame Gu.

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

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Chapter 38: The Son Is Not a Thing

Old Madame Gu slightly lifted her eyelids and, through the narrow gap, saw Xiao Hong retreat happily.

"What, have Brother Hui and his wife both arrived?"

She hadn't seen her troublesome son for two days and was feeling a bit concerned about him.

"Has he recovered so quickly?"

He really was thick-skinned and tough. Perhaps she hadn't hit him hard enough.

Old Madame Gu opened her eyes wide to look at the hourglass and muttered, "Why are they coming at this time?"

Rong Mama said with a smile, "The Marquis and Madame have both arrived. They had someone announce them just now. I noticed you were dozing, and the sun is strong outside, so I took the liberty of having Xiao Hong invite them in to rest."

"Mmm, mmm," Old Madame Gu got up. "When have I ever been worried about how you handle things?"

Rong Mama hurried forward to help her up, then took a comb to smooth the hair at her temples. "Does Madame wish to see them now?"

"Of course I'm going. I wonder what brings the two of them here at this time."

When Old Madame Gu reached the outer room, she saw Qin Yuan amusing herself by talking to Xiao Hong.

Although Xiao Hong was young, she was articulate. When she reached happy parts of the conversation, her two small pigtails seemed to fly up with her excitement.

Gu Jinghui stood to the side, watching with a smile.

Old Madame Gu felt a stir in her heart and whispered, "This looks a bit like a family of three. Who knows when this good-for-nothing will let me hold a grandson."

Rong Mama comforted her, "As long as those two are getting along well, it's only a matter of time."

Old Madame Gu gave a light cough.

Hearing the noise, Gu Jinghui turned awkwardly, put on a ingratiating expression, and paid his respects. "How has Mother been these past few days?"

"Hmph," Old Madame Gu turned her face away, ignoring him, and spoke only to Qin Yuan: "Yuan'er, why have you come at this hour? Is there something the matter?"

Qin Yuan took the box of pastries from Hongye and handed it to Rong Mama, saying, "Mother, Yuan'er went to the West Market and bought some jujube cakes and lotus leaf bowl cakes from Meixiang Zhai. I don't know if you'll like them."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"I like them, of course I like them," Old Madame Gu laughed, her mouth unable to close. "It was thoughtful of you to find out about this. You truly have a attentive heart."

Only then did she address Gu Jinghui: "You sit down too. Look how well-behaved your wife is."

Qin Yuan simply smiled with pursed lips. Gu Jinghui, standing beside her, gave a couple of dry laughs and slowly sat down. He glanced at her and tattled, "She is indeed well-behaved. Just now, your son suggested ordering a feast to be delivered, but she refused, insisting on coming to eat from Mother's small kitchen instead."

"Oh?"

Old Madame Gu and Rong Mama were both advanced in years and naturally understood everything. Upon hearing this, they looked at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan hurried to explain: "Mother, the Marquis was afraid I would starve. I was thinking it wouldn't be appropriate to do so for no special occasion or festival. If others found out, they might say I was too frivolous. It happened that the Marquis hadn't eaten much for lunch either, so we came together to eat from Mother's small kitchen."

"Then have Xiu Niang fire up the stove and make a few of her signature dishes. Brother Hui used to love her cooking the most. You should try it too," Old Madame Gu said immediately.

Qin Yuan immediately seized the opportunity, "The Marquis should eat lightly. I prefer sour and spicy food. Since I finally get to eat from Mother's small kitchen, I want to eat well."

Old Madame Gu laughed heartily.

Qin Yuan continued coyly, "The matrons and maids who went out with me, and Gu Shiliu too, are still hungry. Mother, could you help me think of a solution?"

Old Madame Gu was very pleased and instructed Xiao Hong with a smile, "You've been standing here for a while. Go quickly and help the Madame by running this errand and making arrangements."

Xiao Hong's face lit up. She responded crisply and ran out.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted and laughed. Gu Jinghui sat to the side holding a teacup, unable to interject, only occasionally looking at Qin Yuan with a smile in his eyes.

Soon, Qiuju brought the maids to set the table. Qin Yuan, having been hungry for a long time, ate with relish. Gu Jinghui sat beside her, keeping her company at a leisurely pace, and also ate quite a bit.

Old Madame Gu didn't stand on ceremony about not speaking during meals, occasionally making small talk.

When people get old, they enjoy the liveliness of having children and grandchildren around.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"These two children are so good-looking, and their manners are excellent too. Every move is a pleasure to watch," Old Madame Gu whispered again to Rong Mama. "They are extremely well-matched."

Rong Mama smiled without speaking.

Gu Jinghui, hearing the noise, secretly glanced at Qin Yuan, the corners of his lips hooking up slightly, his ears slowly turning red.

After they finished eating, Old Madame Gu said, "Previously, the Marquis always lived in the outer compound. Wutong Yuan was only tidied up when you got married, and it didn't have a small kitchen. Encountering situations like this is indeed inconvenient. I've decided: from now on, Wutong Yuan will also have a small kitchen. The expenses will come from my accounts."

Qin Yuan said, "Mother, wouldn't this be inappropriate? What about Sixth Sister-in-law's side…"

Old Madame Gu said, "She is so understanding; she will only agree and won't say anything else. She managed the household alone and also handled your wedding. It's inevitable there were oversights. Don't take it to heart."

Qin Yuan said with a smile, "Mother, I come for one visit and get both a meal and a small kitchen. I'll have to visit frequently from now on."

Rong Mama joked, "Then this old servant must keep a tight watch on all the good things in Madame's room."

Old Madame Gu couldn't help laughing. "You old woman, so tactless. Nothing in this room is more valuable than Brother Hui."

These words suddenly made Qin Yuan blush.

And Gu Jinghui, who had been listening to their conversation with a smile, was abruptly mentioned and hurriedly waved his hands. "Your son is not a good thing."

Old Madame Gu looked at her good-for-nothing son with an indescribable expression.

Gu Jinghui hurriedly corrected himself, "Your son is not a thing."

Qin Yuan couldn't help covering the smile at her lips with her handkerchief. Rong Mama hurriedly tried to salvage the situation: "How could the Marquis not be a thing? The Marquis is a thing... Ah, spit! Why does this sound stranger the more I say it?"

Old Madame Gu: "..."

Gu Jinghui: "..."

Qin Yuan smoothed things over with a laugh, "The Marquis he... I only know that the person Mother loves most in her heart is the Marquis. The deeper the scolding, the greater the love. Mother's deep reproach stems from deep affection, that's all. The Marquis knows it in his heart, he just can't put it into words."

Old Madame Gu said, "I love you too, Mother."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan said, "Mother loves me as an extension of your love for the Marquis. If I hadn't married the Marquis, how could I have met such a good mother?"

Deeply moved, Old Madame Gu took Qin Yuan's hand and sighed, "They say a daughter is her mother's little padded jacket, a comforting presence, but my daughter-in-law is too. You are the one who understands this mother's heartfelt efforts. Not like my good-for-nothing son here; thinking about him makes my heart and liver ache."

This made Gu Jinghui lower his head. He said hoarsely, "Mother, please at least save some face for me in front of my wife. Your son knows he was wrong. Please don't be angry anymore."

Old Madame Gu had a thousand words to say, but hindered by Qin Yuan's presence, they ultimately condensed into one sentence: "You'd better be."

Gu Jinghui fell silent.

Listening to the mother and son talk, even Qin Yuan felt mentally exhausted.

Old Madame Gu stopped paying attention to her son and asked Qin Yuan, "Why did you return so late? Were those shop managers difficult to handle?"

Gu Jinghui also stared at Qin Yuan, pricking up his ears to hear her response.

"It's true they might try to bully me for being young and inexperienced in business. But I learned mental arithmetic for a period when I was young from my father. Reading account books isn't too difficult for me, so they couldn't fool me."

Seeing Old Madame Gu sigh in relief, Qin Yuan added, "Your daughter-in-law wanted to purchase and stockpile some pepper. I went to Ranxiang Ju to find Manager Leng, which delayed us somewhat."

Rong Mama quickly asked, "How did it go?"

(End of Chapter)

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Author's Note: The book is currently in PK. Please actively support it by leaving more comments and voting for recommendations and monthly votes. (づ￣ 3￣)づ

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