MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 45

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.

· Gu Baozhu: Gu Jinghui's younger sister.

· Zhao Niangzi: The widow the Marquis brought back.

· 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 45: My Husband Must Have Heard This Story Too

The next day.

After washing up, Qin Yuan planned to go to the main house to pay her respects and incidentally have breakfast with the Old Madame.

But then she saw Gu Jinghui lift the curtain himself and stride in with his long legs, asking, "When is Madame going to pay respects?"

Qin Yuan wondered, was the Marquis's injury almost healed already?

This military man's body was really resistant to beatings.

She glanced covertly at Gu Jinghui but couldn't discern anything. Smiling, she straightened her sleeves and said, "I was just about to go. Will you come with me, Husband?"

Gu Jinghui asked, "Will we have breakfast at Mother's place too?"

Qin Yuan nodded.

Gu Jinghui said, "Then let's go."

Cuiming and Hongye were still stunned when Gu Jinghui had already strode out the door. Qin Yuan followed with quick steps, and they hurried to catch up.

Gu Jinghui walked a few steps, turned his head, saw Qin Yuan lagging far behind, and stopped. He reached out his hand and said, "Your hand."

Qin Yuan: "..."

She hesitantly extended her small hand. Her jade-like hand had just touched his large one when it was completely enveloped.

Gu Jinghui's fingers were distinct, with thin calluses between them, his palm warm and dry.

Heat continuously transmitted over.

Qin Yuan felt hot all over.

She wanted Gu Jinghui to let go but was afraid he would be displeased, so she had to let him hold it.

Fortunately, Gu Jinghui slowed his pace considerably.

The two walked a stretch in silence.

Qin Yuan couldn't be bothered to find a topic and didn't feel uncomfortable, but Gu Jinghui suddenly said in a muffled voice, "Don't worry about the pepper. I've already asked Shiqi to help you look for it outside."

"Aren't you afraid I'll lose money, Marquis?" Qin Yuan suddenly felt like teasing him. "Or do you really plan to use your private treasury to cover my losses?"

Gu Jinghui was silent for another moment before saying, "Call me husband."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan: "Husband."

Gu Jinghui said, "My private treasury... what do you need so much money for?"

Qin Yuan pursed her lips.

Gu Jinghui waited a moment, then added, "Do you really want to manage my private treasury?"

His voice was full of struggle and hesitation, but not the slightest bit of displeasure.

This surprised Qin Yuan.

She looked up and scrutinized Gu Jinghui.

Gu Jinghui's ears were bright red. He lowered his head and said, "If you behave properly, I might just hand the private treasury over to you to manage."

Qin Yuan: "..."

"I, I was only joking."

Qin Yuan did not want to manage Gu Jinghui's private treasury; she and he were not on such intimate terms.

Gu Jinghui's voice was mixed with many emotions, making it hard to distinguish them all at once, "But I took it seriously."

Qin Yuan said, "Doesn't Husband have trusted aides managing your private treasury? My father's private treasury is managed by his steward."

Not just her father, most men in the Great Xing Dynasty with private assets did not hand over their private treasuries to their wives to manage.

Qin Yuan was somewhat confused by Gu Jinghui's thinking.

The two walked another stretch in silence. They passed through two ornamental gates, circled around the bamboo garden. The green bamboo leaves rustled softly in the cool breeze.

Qin Yuan said, "I like these bamboos. 'A thousand stalks of fine bamboo, emerald green; a single dipper of fresh spring water.' The bamboo garden in the household is very nice."

When Gu Jinghui heard her recite those two lines of poetry, his expression darkened slightly.

Qin Yuan added, "The household must have a lot of spring bamboo shoots every year. They are best for braising meat."

Gu Jinghui's expression brightened again, and he teased, "It seems you enjoy eating everything."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan asked, puzzled, "Is it bad to enjoy eating?"

Gu Jinghui said seriously, "Of course it's good. You are too thin; it's better to eat more. Reciting poetry won't make you gain weight, but braised bamboo shoots with meat will."

Qin Yuan couldn't help but laugh heartily.

Gu Jinghui didn't know what she was laughing at but started laughing along with her.

Today, he had tidied up slightly; the stubble on his face was cleanly shaved, his features clear and bright, the sharp corners of his eyes slightly curved. Facing the gentle breeze blowing through the bamboo grove, he looked indescribably handsome and carefree.

Qin Yuan thought, just based on these good looks, he deserved the phrase "holding gems within one's bosom" (a metaphor for possessing virtue and talent).

As they neared the main house, Gu Jinghui suddenly said softly, "Yuan'er, the rumors spreading in the household are all false. I, I don't know why Sixth Sister-in-law and Seventh Sister are saying such things, but I have no intention of taking Zhao Niangzi as a concubine."

Qin Yuan narrowed her eyes, looked up into his eyes against the morning light, and, under his expectant gaze, nodded, "I believe you."

"Good."

Qin Yuan felt her hand being held even tighter.

Gu Jinghui added, "If anyone says nonsense in front of you, don't believe it. I intend to live properly with you. My title must be inherited by a legitimate son, and I have no intention..."

Qin Yuan frowned.

She didn't understand who Gu Jinghui meant by "anyone"?

Gu Baozhu had already been punished with three months of confinement. Would anyone else dare to speak in front of her?

Could it be Zhao Niangzi?

Qin Yuan stopped walking, studied Gu Jinghui for a long moment, and said, "Husband, before I married into the Marquis household, I was indeed worried that you intended to take Zhao Niangzi as a concubine. It's not that women from the Qin family are inherently jealous and cannot tolerate their husbands taking concubines, but rather that Zhao Niangzi cannot become a concubine."

Seeing her so forthright, Gu Jinghui himself felt somewhat apprehensive. His lips moved, but no sound came out.

Qin Yuan said solemnly, "Since childhood, I have followed my father and haphazardly learned a few characters, and I have read a few history books. I've heard that you also studied literature, Husband. You must have heard the story of how Qing Feng exterminated Cui Zhu's entire family."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Gu Jinghui nodded blankly.

Qin Yuan said, "Since you treat me with sincerity, and we are united as husband and wife, the marriage joins two families—when one is honored, both are honored; when one is disgraced, both suffer. I naturally must explain the stakes clearly to be worthy of your sincerity."

Gu Jinghui sighed, "Please speak, Madame."

It seemed Qin Yuan had wanted to say this for a long time but lacked the opportunity.

His other hand, which was free, had secretly clenched. His heart pounded as if trying to leap out of his chest, unsure what kind of heartfelt words he was about to face.

Or whether he could bear them.

Qin Yuan said, "If Zhao Niangzi enters the Marquis household, the inner quarters will fall into disorder. If you think it through clearly, you will know what to do. If you cannot see it clearly, and the inner quarters become chaotic later, I fear this gratitude will turn into enmity."

She said no more, having made her point.

Since the Marquis had repeatedly stated he did not wish to, nor would he, take Zhao Niangzi as a concubine, and she had said what needed to be said, if Zhao Niangzi caused further trouble, she would justifiably cut off her retreat.

Gu Jinghui said in a low voice, "I understand."

The two walked into the courtyard in silence and stood outside the corridor. This time, it was again Xiao Hong who welcomed them. They had only taken a few steps when they heard the sound of sobbing coming from inside the room.

By the time they entered, Sixth Madame Gu had already been comforted by Old Madame Gu and had stopped her tears.

Her eyes were red and swollen, her face free of powder and makeup, looking quite pitiful.

Qin Yuan quickly said, "Did we come at a bad time?"

Sixth Madame Gu wiped away her tear stains and forced a smile, "Please excuse me, Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law. Third Brother is often away, and Third Sister-in-law has just married into the household, so you might think to cover for me. Once you've been here longer, you'll understand—some things can't be hidden."

She blew her nose into her handkerchief and added, "I don't know what madness took the Sixth Master yesterday, but he insisted on buying another concubine, one who can play the pipa and sing lyrics. Concubine Zheng was only redeemed from the brothel a few days ago, and now he's come up with something new. I couldn't dissuade him and cried all night in anger."

(End of Chapter)

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