MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 9

 Glossary

· Qin Yuan: The female protagonist, reborn. Wife of the Marquis.

· Marquis of Dingbei: Gu Jinghui, Qin Yuan's husband.

· Hongye: Qin Yuan's maidservant.

· Cuiming: Qin Yuan's other maidservant.

· Zhao Niangzi: The woman brought back by the Marquis from the battlefield.

---

Chapter 9: If She Can't Succeed, No One Will

Outside the window, Hongye's sharp questioning voice could be heard.

"Today is the wedding day of the Marquis and the Marquise! Who is making such a racket?"

"My Lord, My Lord! The young master has taken ill! He has a high fever that won't break! Please, My Lord, come quickly to see him!"

A middle-aged woman cried out in a shrill voice, panicked and urgent, as if on the verge of tears.

Gu Jinghui's expression froze. He looked hesitantly at Qin Yuan.

It seemed he was asking how she knew Zhao Niangzi would cause trouble tonight.

It also seemed he was asking if she agreed to him going to check.

Hongye scolded, "The Marquis is not a physician! Is there no one in the Marquis's residence to handle such matters? You seek the Marquis, fine, but why shout and yell here? Did I block you? Or hit you? Your mistress already made a scene here earlier, and now you come at night? Why do you and your mistress so enjoy spoiling others' joyous occasions?"

"My Lord, My Lord, the young master is truly unwell!" The woman ignored Hongye, continuing her pleading.

"Enough, have her come in and speak." Qin Yuan spoke before Gu Jinghui could. "You are new to the Marquis's residence and don't know what's important. If you accidentally offend someone important, even I cannot protect you. Besides, on such a joyous day, who has the patience to listen to crying and wailing?"

Gu Jinghui's expression, which had improved at her first words, darkened again at her last.

Qin Yuan pretended not to notice, stood up, and asked, "If you are going out tonight, perhaps you shouldn't wear the wedding robes? Should we have your valet fetch your usual clothes?"

"Alright," Gu Jinghui also sat up and nodded in agreement.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan smiled again and said, "Tonight is our wedding. In the future, we must support and depend on each other as husband and wife. As the saying goes, husband and wife are one. My dignity is tied to you, Marquis."

As if surprised by her words, Gu Jinghui was stunned for a moment. Hongye had already led the woman into the outer room and was reporting outside. Qin Yuan then told her to have the valet waiting outside fetch the Marquis's usual outer garments.

She was already acting as the mistress, beginning to manage Gu Jinghui's daily life.

Gu Jinghui, not knowing what he felt inside, strode out and coldly asked, "What exactly is going on?"

Qin Yuan stood in the inner room, listening through the door as the woman said, "The young master suddenly fell ill, a high fever that won't break. Zhao Niangzi was so anxious she cried and begged this servant to come ask you to see him."

Then, after a moment of silence, Gu Jinghui said, "You go back first. Have Steward Han send someone with the residence's card to fetch the imperial physician. I will come later."

Hearing this, Qin Yuan turned back and sat on the bed, waiting only for Gu Jinghui to leave before calling Hongye and Cuiming in to sleep.

Unexpectedly, Gu Jinghui came back in, walked to the bedside, and assured her with a serious expression.

"Rest assured, my wife. I will return shortly."

"Alright," Qin Yuan gave an obedient smile, which vanished instantly.

Gu Jinghui looked at her, wanting to say more, but his valet had already brought the outer clothes. He could only change hurriedly in the outer room and leave.

"Hongye, Cuiming, both of you come in and keep watch inside the room."

Qin Yuan had them both enter.

With the master absent from the room, they needn't stand guard outside.

Hongye asked softly, "Miss, didn't the Marquis say he would return shortly?"

"Hah," Qin Yuan scoffed. "He says he'll return shortly, so he will? Zhao Niangzi went to such lengths to cause this scene; how could she let him return shortly? She'll surely detain him for half the night at least."

Cuiming sighed.

This wedding night was truly upsetting.

Hongye asked again, "Aren't you worried, Miss, that the Marquis might get involved with that vile woman?"

Qin Yuan smiled confidently. "Am I dead? The Marquis won't."

Cuiming asked, "Did you do something, Miss?"

Qin Yuan said, "Heaven's secrets cannot be revealed."

As if remembering something, Cuiming fell silent.

Hongye was still concerned about the consummation. "If the Marquis returns early and we are sleeping on the footrest, wouldn't it delay the consummation?"

"Consummation?" Qin Yuan raised her long, delicate eyebrows. "Hongye, there will be no consummation tonight. That's not what I care about either."

That Zhao woman didn't want them to consummate the marriage.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Sixth Madame Gu didn't want them to consummate the marriage.

And she herself didn't want to consummate it either.

Gu Jinghui was nearly thirty; naturally, he was anxious for a Di son. But she wasn't. She was only sixteen, her body still tender and delicate, unable to withstand this rough man's handling.

She especially didn't want to bear children early, lest it harm her health.

In her previous life, her health was worn down. After seeking medical treatment in vain, she read the medical texts left by her mother and learned that giving birth before twenty could shorten a woman's lifespan. Ancient rites also stipulated women should marry at twenty, but the court, due to wars and disasters, wanting to increase the population, forced women to marry early.

She had conceived not long after marrying Lin Ziqi, but unfortunately miscarried, and her health suffered.

In this life, she wanted to live well, live happily, live a life worth living.

Cuiming grew anxious. "Miss, you should have a Di son early to secure your position."

Hongye also said, "If that vile woman ensnares the Marquis and gives birth to a Shu eldest son first, won't you be furious, Miss?"

"Shu eldest son?"

Qin Yuan chuckled lightly.

In her previous life, Gu Jinghui stayed with Zhao Niangzi, yet they never had children.

Furthermore, she had already had Cuiming drug the cross-cupped wine.

Even if both parties were willing, it would be impossible.

If she couldn't succeed, no one would.

"Zhao Niangzi is still in mourning. Don't worry so much. Go to sleep early. I was jostled all day and have been tossed about for so long; I've been tired for ages."

Qin Yuan yawned, turned over facing inward, and ignored them.

It was early summer; the night was neither too cold nor too hot, perfect for sleeping.

Qin Yuan slept until daylight.

Hearing faint rustling sounds outside, she turned over and found Hongye and Cuiming had already gone out.

She didn't know what time it was, or whether that Gu fellow had returned last night.

If he hadn't returned...

Qin Yuan calculated silently how she should speak and act when serving tea to the Old Madame Gu later.

Hearing movement, Cuiming and Hongye came in carrying a copper basin and other items to attend to her rising.

"Has the Marquis returned?"

Qin Yuan, having changed clothes, sat before the dressing table and asked Cuiming, who was doing her hair behind her.

Her tone was as casual as asking "Have you eaten?"

Cuiming, who had originally been feeling wronged and upset on her young lady's behalf: "..."

Although she didn't know Qin Yuan's plans, she understood Qin Yuan would not suffer losses.

Her young lady truly didn't care whether the Marquis had returned last night.

She whispered resentfully, "Not yet. Probably detained by that Zhao Niangzi."

"I see," Qin Yuan asked, "What time is it?"

Cuiming said, "It's already three quarters past Mao hour."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan said, "After doing my hair, serve the meal quickly. If the Marquis still hasn't returned, we will go directly to the main quarters to serve tea."

"Won't we wait for the Marquis?" Hongye hurriedly asked.

"Why wait for him? This is the Marquis's residence; he won't starve himself. I am the new daughter-in-law; I cannot neglect my mother-in-law."

As soon as Qin Yuan's words fell, someone outside picked up the conversation: "But neglecting your husband is acceptable?"

(End of Chapter)

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