MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 58

Glossary

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

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

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

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

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

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

·Xiao Hong (小红): A young maid from the main house.

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

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

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

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

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

·Qin Jijiu (秦祭酒): Qin Yuan's father, Chancellor of the Imperial College.

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Chapter 58: The Fox Mourns the Hare's Death

When Hongye was mentioned, Bai Que's face was full of hatred.

"That wretched wench is so arrogant! She didn't even let me enter the gate of Wutong Yuan."

Zhao Mama said in shock, "She actually showed you so little respect? You are, after all, someone who served Old Madame. Even the Marquise should show you some consideration."

Bai Que said angrily, "Who would have thought the Marquis would indulge them so much?"

By 'them,' she meant not only Hongye but also Hongye's mistress, Qin Yuan.

Zhao Mama secretly laughed at her for overestimating herself but said with a helpless expression, "There's nothing to be done about it. The Marquise even asked Sixth Madame if you were highly regarded by Old Madame and then promptly had Hongye report to the Marquis to ask how to handle it. Who knows what Hongye said, but the Marquis said he wanted to release you from the household."

Bai Que was furious. "That Hongye! Not only did she disparage me, but she also slandered me in front of the Marquis. I will not let her off!"

Zhao Mama said, "I'm telling you this so you understand what happened. You must not speak of it, lest you implicate me and Sixth Madame."

Bai Que immediately stood up and bowed to Zhao Mama. "I will definitely remember the kindness of Sixth Madame and you, Mama."

Zhao Mama quickly helped her up. "You haven't fully recovered yet; why such a grand gesture? I also feel like the fox mourning the hare's death (meaning: feeling sad for someone else's misfortune because it might happen to you), seeing you so upset. If you want to stay, begging Old Madame will certainly be useless. You'd better think of a way to beg the Marquis to change his mind."

Bai Que sighed. "It's truly difficult to get an audience with the Marquis now."

Zhao Mama said with a smile, "Some people don't find it difficult to see the Marquis."

Having said this, she didn't look at Bai Que, stood up, and said, "I came during a spare moment and must hurry back. Sixth Madame has been very busy recently. I'm leaving. If you need my help with anything, just say."

Bai Que said gratefully, "Thank you for helping me, Mama."

Zhao Mama returned to Sixth Madame Gu's side and said with a smile, "Bai Que already hates Hongye. Her parents are very protective and care deeply about face. They've boasted so much and can't back down now; they're sure to make a big scene."

Sixth Madame Gu said with a smile, "That Hongye is so sharp-tongued. If her mistress won't teach her a lesson, I will teach her a proper lesson she won't forget."

Zhao Mama also laughed.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Wutong Yuan.

Qin Yuan changed her clothes again and prepared to visit the main house. She sent Hongye to ask Gu Jinghui if he wanted to have dinner at Old Madame Gu's place.

Gu Jinghui, seeing everyone had dispersed, had also changed clothes and planned to go find Qin Jijiu.

He didn't wait for Hongye to relay the message but walked to the main room himself and said to Qin Yuan, "Keep Mother company and have a good chat. I have business today. If I return late, you needn't wait for me. Just have the meal with Mother."

He somewhat hoped Qin Yuan would ask where he was going, but also somewhat didn't want her to ask.

Qin Yuan saw he was dressed neatly and knew he was going out to meet guests. She only said, "Your body hasn't fully recovered yet. Who is accompanying you? Is it Shiliu?"

Gu Jinghui said, "I'll just take a random servant. Both Shiliu and Shiqi are out running errands."

Qin Yuan thought to herself that Shiqi was inquiring about the pepper matter; she didn't know what Shiliu was busy with—he hadn't shown his face all day.

But since Marquis Gu didn't say, she didn't ask. She just nodded and said, "It's hot outside. Don't be in too much of a hurry, lest you sweat too much and irritate your wounds."

Marquis Gu felt pleased inwardly, but said, "What's this? When I first joined the army, I accidentally made a mistake. My father had me beaten with over ten rods and didn't allow me to rest for a moment, forcing me to continue marching."

Qin Yuan said seriously, "But now you are in the capital. How can you be so careless with your health?"

Marquis Gu said with a laugh, "I know. I will live well to accompany you. My body is healthy."

Qin Yuan: "..."

Marquis Gu left with a laugh.

Hongye and Cuiming couldn't help but laugh.

Qin Yuan said helplessly, "Let's go, to the main house."

As soon as she entered the main house, Xiao Hong came out to greet her, smiling sweetly and saying, "The Marquise has come at just the right time. Old Madame is upset. With you to talk to, she will soon feel better."

These words both flattered Qin Yuan and conveyed the situation.

Qin Yuan said, "You little girl, quite clever."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Xiao Hong quickly said, "Thank you for the praise, Madame. The Marquis also said so."

"Oh?" Qin Yuan asked, "What did the Marquis say?"

"The Marquis said Xiao Hong is eloquent, has a good memory, and is capable. Rong Mama even asked the Marquis if he wanted to request Xiao Hong to serve in Wutong Yuan."

"What did the Marquis say?"

"The Marquis said that would require the Madame's approval. He doesn't interfere in Wutong Yuan's affairs and told Xiao Hong to perform well in front of the Madame."

Xiao Hong blinked her eyes, looking at Qin Yuan with full expectation.

Hongye couldn't help but chuckle and said, "You're quite good at climbing up the pole when it's offered (meaning: seizing an opportunity to advance yourself)."

Xiao Hong said seriously, "Rong Mama said that many people are eyeing the vacancies in Wutong Yuan. I am young. If I weren't clever, the Madame certainly wouldn't fancy me."

This was the first time Qin Yuan had seen such a direct child.

If you said she was scheming, she had no hidden guile; she said whatever she thought.

If you said she had no guile, she still knew how to ingratiate herself by bringing up Rong Mama.

Qin Yuan asked her with a smile, "Why do you want to come to Wutong Yuan? Isn't it good to serve in the main house? Young women who have served Old Madame have more status elsewhere."

Xiao Hong said very seriously, "The Madame is beautiful and has a good temperament. The Marquis is generous and kind. I would naturally be happy to serve there. There are many capable older sisters in the main house, all trained by Old Madame and Rong Mama. Xiao Hong is inconspicuous among them. The Madame has just arrived at the Marquis household and is in need of people. Although I am young, I am efficient in running errands and have a good memory. I can certainly help the Madame and the sisters."

Hongye laughed and said, "Oh dear, the Madame can't refuse you now. Such a sharp little mouth."

Cuiming also said, "She really is clever."

Qin Yuan didn't speak.

Xiao Hong wasn't disappointed and still cheerfully led the way.

This temperament made Qin Yuan nod secretly in approval.

Old Madame Gu, knowing her daughter-in-law had come again, asked Rong Mama, "Did my rascal son do something again?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Rong Mama hesitated and shook her head, "I haven't heard anything."

As soon as Qin Yuan entered, she cheerfully called out "Mother."

Old Madame Gu's worried heart settled, and she asked with a smile, "Such a hot day, why have you come? I'm not the kind of person who rigidly adheres to rules, forcing my daughter-in-law to stay by my side to serve. Hui'er will be going to the camp for duty in a couple of days. Instead of accompanying him, you come under the sun to keep an old woman company."

Qin Yuan asked in surprise, "Does Mother already dislike me? The Marquis is going out to see guests. I remembered that during lunch, the Marquis specifically instructed me to tell Mother a story, so I came. I didn't expect Mother to be unhappy to see me."

Old Madame Gu and Rong Mama couldn't help but laugh.

"Mother feels sorry for you, afraid that your little face will get tanned by the sun. It would be a pity."

Qin Yuan sat beside Old Madame Gu and chatted for a while. Then Old Madame Gu curiously asked, "You and Hui'er mentioned that story about someone named Qin wiping out the entire Cui family. What was that about? So terrifying."

Gu Jinghui also asked Qin Jijiu in this manner, "Father-in-law, why did the person named Qin wipe out the entire Cui family?"

(End of Chapter)

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Translator's Note: check out my other work— The Marquis’s Beloved is a Black-Hearted Lotus and Rebirth as the Matriarch of a Noble Family (⁠*⁠＾⁠3⁠＾⁠)⁠/⁠～⁠♡

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