MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 52

 Glossary

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

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

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

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

·Bai Que (白雀): A maidservant serving Zhao Niangzi.

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Chapter 52: Refusal to See

"She's different from us."

This statement hammered at Gu Jinghui's head, making it ache.

Outside the room, Cai Mama's voice came through, carrying a touch of envy, "I heard the Madame is the daughter of the Chancellor of the Imperial College. The Chancellor's students are all top scholars and high achievers; at the very least, they are imperial scholars and provincial graduates. The Madame must have read a whole room full of books with the Chancellor, achieving that 'talent of nine pecks'."

Hongye laughed heartily, amused, "Why nine pecks? Isn't it usually 'learning fills five carts, talent reaches eight pecks'?"

"One more peck than eight pecks is even more impressive," Cai Mama explained with a laugh, then flattered, "Miss Hongye, following the Madame, you must have learned many things too."

Hongye said, "I learned a few characters when I was young, following the Madame."

The two chatted outside for a while longer before Hongye saw Cai Mama off, having reassured her.

Inside the room, Gu Jinghui lay on the couch, preoccupied with heavy thoughts.

He heard Qin Yuan call for someone to attend to her but lacked the spirit to go find her.

He didn't know how long he lay there—perhaps he dozed off, perhaps not—when the door was knocked. Gu Jinghui lifted his eyelids and asked irritably, "Who?"

The knocking stopped.

"Does my husband wish to have lunch with me?"

Even through the door, the hesitation and unease in Qin Yuan's voice were audible.

Gu Jinghui could easily picture his young wife's timid appearance.

The foggy, impenetrable mountain valley in his mind suddenly cleared as clouds parted and the sun shone through, illuminating everything brightly.

Gu Jinghui pressed down the corners of his lips repeatedly, waiting a moment before saying, "Alright, I'll come in a moment."

Outside the door.

Hongye made faces at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan shot her a glare and said, "Hurry and tell the young maids to serve the meal. Is the small kitchen ready for use?"

Hongye said, "I'm afraid it will take another couple of days."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan said, "Then we won't add extra dishes for the Marquis just yet."

The two walked away.

"Extra dishes, small kitchen," Gu Jinghui murmured quietly with a smile on his face.

His young wife still had him in her heart.

No wonder the lieutenants always said behind his back that he had never experienced the care of a woman at home and didn't understand.

The concern and care from one's own woman were truly different from what servants or others could provide.

The young maids finally set the lunch table, and Gu Jinghui arrived.

Qin Yuan had changed into casual home clothes; the light red color made her appear as gentle as water. Her waterfall-like long hair was loosely tied into a bun, secured with a single jade hairpin, looking lazy and casual.

The two teardrop-shaped earrings swayed with her every movement, making him unable to resist glancing at them.

This time, Qin Yuan did not keep Hongye and Cuiming, saying they must be tired from supervising the stewardesses and that they would eat by themselves without service.

Gu Jinghui was even happier.

Seeing him like this, Qin Yuan knew she hadn't guessed wrong.

During the meal, Qin Yuan scooped him a bowl of soup and said, "Husband, have this. Chicken soup is nourishing. The surface oil has been skimmed off. Drinking it will help your wounds heal faster."

Gu Jinghui took it, had a sip, and nodded, "It's delicious."

"Husband, try this."

Qin Yuan also picked up a morsel of food for him.

After sharing several meals with Gu Jinghui, she already knew his preferences.

Seeing she had chosen something he liked, Gu Jinghui was even more pleased.

He reciprocated by picking food for Qin Yuan and serving her rice.

The atmosphere between them was very warm.

After eating for a while, a young maid came to announce from outside, "Sister Hongye, someone from Fengxuan Pavilion is here. They say they have important matters to report to the Marquis."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Gu Jinghui's face darkened instantly.

Just as Gu Shiliu had predicted, they were here again.

He couldn't help but glance at Qin Yuan's expression.

Qin Yuan continued chewing the sweet and sour pork in her mouth slowly, eating with great relish.

As if nothing could disturb her meal.

"I won't go," Gu Jinghui said, feeling even more guilty, and hurried to explain.

Qin Yuan slowly swallowed the meat in her mouth before saying, "Shouldn't we ask what the matter is?"

Gu Jinghui said, "No need. This morning, I already discussed with Mother that all matters concerning Fengxuan Pavilion will be handled by her from now on. They shouldn't come looking for me anymore."

Hearing this, Qin Yuan looked over.

As if remembering something, Gu Jinghui quickly explained, "From the moment they entered the mansion, Mother has been taking care of them, fearing they might be neglected. It's just that they are new to the capital and unaccustomed to everything, so they often sought me out. It wasn't really like this back in the northern frontier."

This was his way of stating his position and clarifying the relationship.

Qin Yuan pressed her lips together and remained silent.

Hongye had already lifted the curtain and entered, her face sullen, her tone stiff, "Marquis, someone from Fengxuan Pavilion is here. Does the Marquis wish to have them brought here?"

After just a few days of peace, it was as if they had timed it.

Hongye was extremely annoyed, and her displeasure extended to Gu Jinghui.

Unexpectedly, Gu Jinghui said slowly, "I will not see them."

"...What?"

Hongye looked at Marquis Gu in shock.

"This Marquis said I will not see them. Go tell them that from now on, all matters concerning Fengxuan Pavilion should be reported to Old Madame Gu. If they need anything, want anything, or lack anything, they should bring it up with Old Madame Gu. This Marquis will be taking his turn on duty at the camp in a couple of days and has no time to deal with these matters. They shouldn't delay their important affairs."

Hongye was stunned for a moment, seemed to want to say something but stopped herself, didn't move, and instead looked at Qin Yuan.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Gu Jinghui straightened his face, coughed, and said, "Why are you still standing there? Usually, you're so talkative, all that cleverness wasted."

Hongye's face flushed bright red. She forced a dry laugh and said, "Then this servant will deliver the message as such."

"How else would you deliver it?" Gu Jinghui said with a dark face. "And remember to address her as 'Madame' from now on, not 'Young Lady'. This Marquis dislikes hearing it."

Hongye assented in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, turned around with a face full of smiles, and retreated briskly.

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "Husband, why scare her for no reason? Hongye is timid."

Gu Jinghui said with a sour expression, "Hmph, don't think I don't know."

"Know what?" Qin Yuan asked curiously.

Her clear black-and-white eyes fixed on him steadily. Gu Jinghui felt his heart flutter and couldn't resist moving closer, leaning in to whisper by Qin Yuan's ear, "She's very bold, always talking behind this Marquis's back. If not for this Marquis's good temper and fondness for her mistress, would she still be hopping around like this until now?"

Warm breath brushed against Qin Yuan's ear.

The base of Qin Yuan's ears slowly turned red.

Gu Jinghui felt pleased inwardly. He seemed to understand something, yet seemed not to understand at all.

In any case, things were different now.

Outside Wutong Yuan, Bai Que stood dumbfounded, staring at Hongye's moving red lips.

Every word the other said, she understood, but when put together, they made no sense.

The Marquis actually refused to see them at all and told her to report to Old Madame Gu.

How was this possible?

This morning in the main room, the Marquis had been very concerned about Zhao Niangzi and the children. She and Zhao Niangzi had waited for a long time, but no one came.

Thinking he might have been detained by the Marquise, she had come to Wutong Yuan to invite him.

"Did the Marquis really say this himself?"

Hongye said angrily, "How would I dare to fabricate the Marquis's words?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Bai Que snorted and said, "That's hard to say. Everyone knows how much the Marquis cares about Fengxuan Pavilion. You say the Marquis will never see us again; who would believe that's true?"

(End of Chapter)

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