MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 42

Glossary

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

· Gu Jinghui: The male protagonist, the Marquis.

· Gu Jingjun: The sixth son.

· Lin Ziqi: Qin Wan's husband.

· Zheng Yiniang: Concubine of Gu Jingjun.

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Chapter 42: One Heart Split into Two Halves

Qin Yuan chided, "I'm not setting up a fortune-telling stall under the bridge."

The group stopped their playful banter and entered the main hall, where they saw Gu Jinghui and Gu Jingjun sitting as host and guest, the atmosphere not particularly warm.

Gu Jingjun was wearing a blue scholar's robe, holding a folding fan, looking refined and elegant. His jade-white face with peach-blossom eyes glanced over, smiling before speaking, appearing very attentive and gentle.

No wonder the servants in the household said that the Sixth Master was deeply liked by women, with many throwing themselves at him. If not for Old Madame Gu's strict management, the Sixth Master might have taken dozens of concubines.

In contrast, Gu Jinghui, tall and wearing a dark-colored informal robe, was handsome but stern and imposing, making people hesitant to get too close.

Qin Yuan thought to herself that these two brothers were as different as heaven and earth, and their relationship didn't seem close either.

Seeing her enter, Gu Jinghui said, "Madame is here. Sixth Brother has something to discuss, but this matter requires your decision."

Gu Jingjun quickly stood up and said with a smile, "Greetings, Third Sister-in-law."

They both exchanged half-bows as a greeting and then sat down again.

A maid promptly served tea.

Gu Jingjun didn't dare to look directly at his stunningly beautiful Third Sister-in-law, only giving a brief glance before averting his eyes.

Then he heard Qin Yuan say, "Husband, what matter does Sixth Brother have?"

Her voice was soft and gentle, slipping into the ears with a lingering quality, carrying a touch of the soft charm from the Jiangnan region.

Probably because Third Sister-in-law's ancestral home was in Jiangnan. If accompanied by a pipa, singing a Jiangnan folk song would surely be delightful.

Gu Jingjun's thoughts drifted away.

Gu Jinghui said, "Sixth Brother learned that you want to stockpile pepper and came specifically to ask how much you plan to buy and at what price. He has a friend who happens to have a batch of pepper on hand and wants to sell it to free up silver for other business."

Qin Yuan was somewhat surprised.

Gu Jingjun quickly added, "Third Sister-in-law, this person is my friend from Wujiang. He studied in the inner division of the Imperial College for six years but didn't advance to the upper division, was ordered to withdraw, and sent back to his hometown. He can only take exams in Wujiang now. He wants to clear out all his stock and buy some goods popular in the south to take back and sell, covering the costs of the round trip. I heard about this just a few days ago while drinking. What a coincidence."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Gu Jinghui, seeing him bypass himself to speak directly to Qin Yuan, felt slightly uncomfortable, though he couldn't pinpoint why. His expression darkened as he looked at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan remained silent in thought.

To say she wasn't tempted would be false.

But this person's status was special. Her father was the Chancellor of the Imperial College. If this were to lead to any improper associations, it would bring trouble for no reason.

"Thank you for your help, Sixth Brother. This is indeed a coincidence," Qin Yuan said, noticing the faint restlessness on Gu Jingjun's jade-white face, and quickly expressed her gratitude.

Regardless, the Sixth Master was showing goodwill; she couldn't be ungrateful.

Gu Jingjun opened his folding fan and gently waved it a couple of times, his demeanor quite elegant. He said with a smile, "Third Sister-in-law, your brother-in-law, Master Lin, probably knows this person too. We've had drinks together."

He brought up Lin Ziqi to reassure Qin Yuan.

However, Gu Jinghui, sitting to the side, looked displeased and asked, "Sixth Brother, you have dealings with Provincial Scholar Lin as well?"

Gu Jingjun said with a smile, "Yes, because of Third Sister-in-law, my interactions with Provincial Scholar Lin have become closer than before. I'd encountered him at poetry societies before and knew of his literary reputation but hadn't spoken much. Now that we're relatives by marriage, and Provincial Scholar Lin is brilliantly talented with the potential to become a Metropolitan Graduate, how could I not befriend him?"

Befriending a future Metropolitan Graduate meant building connections.

The son-in-law chosen by Chancellor Qin certainly wouldn't be lacking.

It was only natural for Gu Jingjun to befriend Lin Ziqi through Qin Yuan's connection.

By saying this, he meant to show his respect for his third brother and third sister-in-law, and his regard for her maternal family's relatives.

But Gu Jinghui wasn't happy about it. He raised his teacup, pretending to drink, and looked at Qin Yuan with an inscrutable expression.

Qin Yuan was thinking about how to tactfully decline Gu Jingjun's offer and didn't notice the change in the Marquis's mood. After pondering for a while, she said, "Since Sixth Brother introduced this person, he must be reliable, but..."

"But what?" Gu Jingjun quickly asked.

Qin Yuan lowered her head, looking at her small hands resting on her knees, and said softly, "But this person is a student of the Imperial College, and my father is the Chancellor of the Imperial College. I'm wondering if we should avoid any appearance of impropriety."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Gu Jingjun was taken aback.

Gu Jinghui, however, looked at Qin Yuan with appreciation.

After a long moment, Gu Jingjun murmured, "Is Third Sister-in-law worried about causing gossip for Chancellor Qin?"

Qin Yuan sighed, "Exactly. He failed to advance from the inner division to the upper division and has been sent back to his hometown. Who knows what he might be thinking? If I buy his pepper, it might lead to complications later."

It was common for censors to submit memorials based on rumors.

The worry was that someone might intentionally stir up trouble.

Although the Chancellor of the Imperial College held a rank of 5b, he was a leader among scholars and a pillar of the virtuous official faction.

No matter how tactful Chancellor Qin was, he had his opponents.

Gu Jingjun closed his folding fan and rapped it heavily against his palm, said with annoyance, "Third Sister-in-law's consideration is thorough. I was the one who thoughtlessly."

He had assumed Third Sister-in-law was a woman with little insight, but she could think on this level.

The daughter taught by Chancellor Qin was indeed extraordinary.

Gu Jingjun thought enviously, "Why does Third Brother always get the best of everything in this world."

Seeing that his annoyance seemed genuine, Qin Yuan quickly comforted him, "If Sixth Brother didn't consider us family, why would he brave the summer heat to come and tell us this? This clearly shows Sixth Brother's respect for the Marquis and that you have taken my matters to heart. I am immensely grateful. It's just that I... I'm afraid I've let down your kind intentions."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingjun felt deeply moved, his heart filled with a hundred conflicting thoughts. He finally sighed and said, "Such a small matter is not worth mentioning. Third Sister-in-law is too polite. I will make further inquiries for you in the future."

Qin Yuan stood up and gave Gu Jingjun a graceful bow, saying, "Then I thank Sixth Brother."

Gu Jingjun quickly stood up and returned the bow, "Third Sister-in-law, you are too kind."

After they both sat down again, Gu Jingjun added, "I heard Third Sister-in-law plans to stockpile a large amount of pepper. You should still be cautious."

He found himself genuinely wanting to advise Qin Yuan.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan said, "I appreciate Sixth Brother's concern. Mother and my husband have also advised me similarly. I truly must be cautious."

Gu Jingjun glanced at Gu Jinghui, who had been silent and looked displeased for a long time, and quickly said, "I have no other matters, so I won't disturb you further. Third Brother is suffering from the heat and probably isn't feeling well. You should rest properly."

Gu Jinghui nodded slowly and said, "Alright. Sixth Brother, feel free to come see me another time."

Qin Yuan also said, "Take care, Sixth Brother."

Gu Jingjun left Wutong Yuan in a daze, wandering aimlessly around the estate, not wanting to return to his own courtyard.

Following a path without thinking, he ended up at Concubine Zheng's small courtyard.

In the courtyard, Concubine Zheng was singing a tune.

"One heart split into two halves, ai yo, my beloved, each half holds you..."

Her long water sleeves were swung out in enticing arcs.

Under normal circumstances, Gu Jingjun would have been delighted.

But at this moment, his heart was filled with an inexplicable melancholy.

(End of Chapter)

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