MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 51

Glossary

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

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

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

 ·Zhao Niangzi (赵娘子): The widow the Marquis brought back.

 ·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.

 ·Lu Mama (卢妈妈): The stewardess in charge of the needlework room.

 ·Zhao Mama (赵嬷嬷): Sixth Madame Gu's personal maid.

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Chapter 51: A Steaming, Murderous Aura

A cold snort emanated from the depths of Gu Jinghui's throat as he said grimly, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Seeing his unfriendly tone, Gu Jingjun shrunk his neck and muttered, "It's all over the mansion. Even if others don't say it, it's not like I'm blind."

"If your eyes are useless, they might as well be gouged out."

Gu Jinghui's voice grew even colder and fiercer.

Gu Jingjun said, "Third Brother, with your murderous, imposing manner, even I'm afraid. How could your delicate Third Sister-in-law not be? You only know how to brandish swords and spears; you don't know how to cherish tender beauties, recite poetry, or paint. I think you're quite a match for that Zhao Niangzi from the northern frontier. Her two children are quite fierce; they don't even play well with my children. In the future, Third Sister-in-law might very well be bullied by them."

A cold light shot from Gu Jinghui's narrow eyes, a truly steaming, murderous aura rising from his stern face.

Gu Jingjun alertly stepped back several paces.

"If you don't know how to talk, then don't. If you dare spout such rubbish again in the future, don't blame me for crippling you."

After throwing down these words, cold and hard as a blade's edge, Marquis Gu stepped around him to leave.

The fearless Sixth Master Gu quickly grabbed him. "Third Brother, I really need the money. It's money to save my life!"

Marquis Gu said with a cold, grim tone, "Say some nice words. Say that your Third Sister-in-law and I are a match made in heaven, extremely well-suited, that we will be forever united in heart, grow old together, and be blessed with many children. Then I'll give you money."

Sixth Master Gu: "..."

Before he could regret it, Gu Jinghui had already thrown him an icy glare and strode away swiftly.

Sixth Master Gu didn't yet know that his Third Brother had already engraved this matter on his heart. The mansion's accounts office would soon receive orders not to advance him a single copper coin beyond his monthly allowance.

A ball of nameless fury burning in his heart, Gu Jinghui headed straight back to Wutong Yuan.

The courtyard was quiet, with only a few young maids waiting under the eaves.

"Where is the Madame?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Replying to the Marquis, the Madame is resting inside. Cuiming and Sister Hongye were sent by the Madame to supervise the stewardesses' work."

Gu Jinghui nodded, didn't want anyone to attend to him, and entered the room by himself, hands clasped behind his back.

The young maids were still hesitating whether to follow him in to announce his arrival.

Marquis Gu had already entered the main hall.

The outer room was empty. Copybooks and the large characters practiced this morning were placed on the table.

A recently washed lake-brush writing brush rested on the brush stand.

Gu Jinghui carefully examined and appreciated them.

Qin Yuan wrote in an excellent hand. It seemed elegant and soft, but actually contained inner strength and bone, with occasional sharp strokes—just like her.

His heart slowly calmed.

Qin Yuan had already married him; she was destined to be his wife, to bear his children. How could this fact be changed by a few casual words from others?

He would be in harmony with her, happy and loving, blinding those dogs' eyes.

Moreover, his young wife cared for him; her heart and eyes were full of him.

As long as those troublesome obstacles were gone, good days lay ahead.

Gu Jinghui turned around, about to walk away, when his eyes caught sight of a piece of fine notepaper with something written in delicate ornamental small regular script, looking very elegant.

The daughter of a civil official was indeed refined.

He couldn't help but pull it out to look.

The notepaper was exquisitely made, with a magnolia flower background, the pink paper emitting a faint fragrance.

Gu Jinghui glanced over it and saw, within just a few lines, words like 'remember' and 'miss'. His heart thundered, and he couldn't read any further.

There was a noise outside the door. He hurriedly placed the notepaper back where it was.

Immediately after, Hongye's voice sounded under the eaves: "Has anyone come looking for the Young Lady?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The young maids replied, "No one. The Madame said if anyone comes with a message, we should invite them to sit in the flower hall."

"Very good. This concerns the Madame's important business of making money. All of you, be careful and pay attention."

The young maids gathered around Hongye to talk. Gu Jinghui, meanwhile, turned and retreated, going back to the side room.

"This Hongye, after all this time, still doesn't know to call her 'Madame'. She really deserves a lesson."

Gu Jinghui picked up the teapot; the tea was cold.

He reached for the pastries on the table, but they weren't the Hibiscus Cake he liked.

In short, nothing was going right.

When Hongye heard the Marquis had returned, she hurried into the inner room to attend. Seeing no one there, she understood the Marquis had returned to the side room. She didn't interfere, took a small stool, and sat outside, chatting idly with the young maids.

After a short while, Cai Mama arrived, asking anxiously, "Is Miss Cuiming here?"

Hongye smiled and said, "Cuiming went with Mama Lu to take stock of the needlework room's accounts."

Cai Mama was startled and asked, "Why take stock out of the blue?"

The accounts were only taken stock of once a year.

Was the Marquise checking again because she wasn't confident after taking over?

Or had she discovered something amiss?

Hongye said, "Earlier, the Madame had the stewardesses first go over the accounts with Sixth Madame. The past falls under Sixth Madame's management; only the future belongs to the Madame.按理, Mama Lu should be fully clear by now. But this morning, Mama Lu said she needed to buy embroidery thread. When the Madame asked her how much was needed annually, how much had been bought this year, and how much remained, she couldn't answer. So the Madame had Cuiming help her take stock of the accounts to avoid confusion and having a muddled ledger when settling accounts at the year's end."

This explanation not only made Cai Mama nod but also elicited a nod from Gu Jinghui sitting inside.

Cai Mama said, "The Marquise is meticulous and thorough in her work."

Hongye said proudly, "The Madame has many good qualities. You'll find out later."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Cai Mama said, "I came because there's something I wanted Miss Cuiming to pass on to the Marquise. Since Miss Cuiming isn't here, telling Miss Hongye should be the same."

Hongye asked, "What is it? The Madame is resting. Cai Mama, you can tell me first."

Cai Mama said quietly, "I previously begged Miss Cuiming to let me contribute a share. I don't know how Zhao Mama from Sixth Madame's side found out. Just now, all the stewardesses were discussing matters in Songtao Pavilion. She publicized it everywhere and urged everyone to contribute shares together. I find it very strange."

Hongye nodded.

Cai Mama continued, "How can there be business that only wins and never loses? When I contributed my share, I had already prepared for that. But if everyone contributes now, it's fine if we make money. But if we lose, who knows what they'll say about the Madame behind her back. This matter started because of me; how can I not worry for the Madame?"

Hongye said, "Zhao Mama and Sixth Madame eagerly came to contribute shares this morning too. The Madame also made things clear upfront: business has profits and losses; one can't regret it if there's a loss. If they withdraw midway, they will be refunded based on the market price at that time, minus handling fees. All this is written in black and white on the receipt."

Cai Mama grew anxious. "Right now, everyone is excited. The words have been said, but who will listen? If, by any chance, something happens, the Madame will lose authority among the stewardesses."

Hongye said, "But if we refuse now, and later we make money, they will resent us too."

Cai Mama sighed.

Inside the room, Gu Jinghui also furrowed his brows.

Hongye said, "The Madame has already thought of this. There's no need for you to feel upset, Cai Mama. There are no walls that don't leak wind. When the Madame agreed to let you contribute a share, she anticipated today. Your loyalty to the Madame, I will convey it to her."

Cai Mama's tone relaxed. "I truly didn't expect the Madame to be so foresighted."

Hongye said, "The Madame studied books and understood principles from childhood, learning great truths from the sages in books. She's different from us."

(End of Chapter)

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