MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 46

Glossary

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

·Gu Jinghui (顾靖晖): The male protagonist, Marquis Gu.

·Old Madame Gu (顾老夫人): Gu Jinghui's mother.

·Sixth Madame Gu (六夫人): Wife of the sixth son, Gu Jingjun.

·Gu Jingjun (顾靖钧): The sixth son of the Gu family.

·Gu Shiliu (顾十六): Gu Jinghui's personal attendant.

·Rong Mama (容嬷嬷): Old Madame Gu's trusted attendant.

·Qiuju (秋菊): A maidservant of Old Madame Gu.

·Hongye (红叶): Qin Yuan's loyal maidservant.

·Cuiming (翠茗): Qin Yuan's other maidservant.

·Cai Mama (蔡妈妈): A stewardess in charge of repairs.

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Chapter 46: A Heart-to-Heart Talk

With that, Sixth Madame Gu started crying again.

Qin Yuan thought to herself that since Sixth Master Gu was handsome and had nothing better to do than linger among the flowers, it was probably common for him to flirt and attract admirers.

Sixth Madame Gu must have cried like this countless times before.

To be this heartbroken, there were likely other issues at play.

Beside her, Gu Jinghui wore an awkward expression, clearly feeling it was inappropriate to discuss his younger brother's private marital affairs with his sister-in-law, and could only sit there uncomfortably.

And Old Madame Gu looked thoroughly worn out from the drama, sighing as she supported her forehead, while Rong Mama stood by with a deep frown.

Qin Yuan stepped forward to wipe Sixth Madame Gu's tears and asked, "Have you eaten yet, Sixth Sister-in-law?"

Sixth Madame Gu shook her head.

Qin Yuan said, "Well then, let's eat together here with Mother. She has a variety of dishes, and it would be a waste if they're left unfinished."

Old Madame Gu, who had been bothered with a headache since early morning, laughed at this and said, "You little monkey, you always come to eat at my place. You might really eat me out of house and home."

Rong Mama smiled and handed over a hot towel, saying, "How much could the Madame possibly eat? When she comes alone, there's no need to worry, but when she brings the Marquis, that's when we should be concerned."

Gu Jinghui laughed and said, "When my wife eats with such relish, I can't help but eat more too. If you feel it's not cost-effective, Mother, I'll pay my share."

Qin Yuan quickly took a receipt from her purse and handed it to Rong Mama, saying, "This is the receipt for the pepper you and Mother bought yesterday. If we make a profit, we'll have the share money for the year, and Mother won't have to complain about being poor."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Oh, there's even a receipt?" Old Madame Gu found it novel.

Gu Jinghui had heard about it yesterday but hadn't seen it yet, so he leaned over to look.

Rong Mama unfolded the paper; it was properly formatted, stamped with Qin Yuan's personal seal, and had a blank space for them to sign.

Qin Yuan said with a smile, "This is nothing. Cuiming and Hongye have even prepared ledgers. Although we are women, we must establish rules in our work to show others that we are engaged in serious, proper business."

This made everyone laugh.

Cuiming hurried forward and handed the ledger to Rong Mama, saying, "Rong Mama, the Madame asked me to bring this for you and Old Madame to sign. The silver notes have already been recorded. Once signed, you can use this receipt to collect your share of the silver at the end of the year."

Sixth Madame Gu couldn't help but let out a light laugh.

Rong Mama took it with a smile, opened it, and said, "Old Madame, I never expected that so many people are listed in the Madame's ledger. Gu Shiliu, Hongye, and Cuiming all have shares, and even Cai Mama has joined in."

Sixth Madame Gu stopped crying and stared intently at the ledger, lost in thought.

Old Madame Gu said with a laugh, "Let me have a look."

Rong Mama quickly handed it over.

Old Madame Gu carefully flipped through it and said, "This ledger is quite detailed. Well then, this old woman will sign it."

Qiuju brought over an ink pad. "How about using this?"

Old Madame Gu nodded. "This is more convenient. I don't often keep writing brushes and ink here; I don't even know where they've been stored."

Sixth Madame Gu said, "Third Sister-in-law, I'd like to join in too."

Qin Yuan glanced at her, lowered her eyes, and smiled. "How much would you like to contribute, Sixth Sister-in-law?"

Sixth Madame Gu said, "I don't have much money. I'll follow Rong Mama's example. If we make a profit, I'll use it to buy flowers to wear."

Qin Yuan agreed with a smile.

Sixth Madame Gu then turned to her personal maid and said, "You should join in too. Third Sister-in-law has collected so many shares; she must be confident. Let's get rich together."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The personal maid was startled for a moment, then smiled and said, "Indeed, please allow me to join in as well, Madame."

Gu Jinghui frowned but didn't speak.

Qin Yuan said with a smile, "If you're willing, we can add you too. But I must warn you upfront: contributing is your own decision, and you'll bear the profits and losses when it's time to divide the money. Don't be happy if we win money and blame me if we lose."

The personal maid smiled and said, "How could that happen? How could that happen? You're joking, Madame."

It was unclear whether she meant that she wouldn't blame Qin Yuan if they lost money or that Qin Yuan wouldn't lose money.

Qin Yuan didn't mind and simply smiled.

Qiuju and the young maids had already served breakfast. Old Madame Gu, concerned for her son, asked, "Would you like some meat porridge?"

Gu Jinghui shook his head. "No need, Mother."

He had come on business, not just to eat breakfast, so there was no need to trouble her.

Old Madame Gu knew his temperament and didn't press further.

"You've been crying for so long, and you probably didn't eat well last night. Eat more now, so you don't upset your stomach," Old Madame Gu coaxed Sixth Madame Gu with concern.

Qin Yuan didn't need any encouragement; she ate with great relish, as if every dish was a delicacy to be savored carefully, out of respect for the fine food.

The others unconsciously ended up eating more as well.

After the meal, Gu Jinghui stayed in the main room to speak with Old Madame Gu, while Qin Yuan and Sixth Madame Gu took their leave. Qin Yuan needed to return to Wutong Yuan to handle affairs, as the stewardesses had likely already gathered.

Sixth Madame Gu held Qin Yuan's hand and said, "Third Sister-in-law, I'm sorry you had to see my embarrassing display this morning. I was just so angry with Sixth Master. After all these years, he's always been like this, and no amount of persuasion helps."

Qin Yuan felt somewhat uncomfortable but smiled and said, "What are you talking about? It's only natural for us women to be upset in such situations."

"Actually, I've gotten used to it over the years. Men are always like this—they favor the new over the old. As the saying goes, 'The wife is not as good as the concubine, the concubine is not as good as the stolen, and the stolen is not as good as the unattainable.' He's taken so many, but he forgets them all in the end."

"I am his rightful wife. No matter whom he takes, he can't surpass me. I've borne him a son and a daughter, and they are my security."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan nodded in agreement.

Sixth Madame Gu spoke heart-to-heart: "Third Sister-in-law, I've come to understand that women must seize control of their husband's purse strings while they're young and beautiful, establish rules, have children early, and secure their position as the rightful wife. Everything else is fleeting. No matter how authoritative I am in front of the stewardesses, what can I do when Sixth Master causes a scene?"

Qin Yuan understood her meaning and sighed deeply. "It's hard for women in this world. Otherwise, no one would swear, wishing that in the next life, you be the woman and I be the man. All your grievances are contained in that sentiment."

Sixth Madame Gu sighed. "Third Sister-in-law, you're still young and beautiful, in the prime of your life. I... well, I'll just muddle through with him."

Then she added with a bitter smile, "Look at me, saying all this for no reason, dampening your spirits. You and Third Brother are newlyweds, still in the honeymoon phase, sweet as honey. Third Sister-in-law, about the pepper you want to buy, I've already asked the managers and assistants from my dowry shops to look into it for you. Don't worry, we'll find some eventually."

Qin Yuan immediately thanked her.

Sixth Madame Gu said with a smile, "I don't understand these things myself; I just want to follow you to prosperity."

Her implication was that she would also stock up on some pepper herself.

Qin Yuan smiled without saying anything. After they parted, the personal maid asked Sixth Madame Gu curiously, "Why did you want me to contribute too?"

Sixth Madame Gu said, "If you and Cai Mama both buy in, others will want to as well. The more people who buy, the more blame she'll have to bear if we lose money."

(End of Chapter)

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