MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 102

 Glossary

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

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

·Gu Jingjun (顾靖钧): The sixth son, Gu Jinghui's brother.

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

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

·Princess Fuyun (福芸公主): The Seventh Princess.

·Qi Wang (齐王): A royal prince.

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Chapter 102: Third Brother, I'm Suffering!

"Who cares about all that?" Gu Jinghui grumbled quietly to Qin Yuan. "His Majesty suddenly summoned me for this. The Imperial Guards aren't even under my command. On the surface, this arrangement looks like the Emperor values me, but who knows what others will think. I hadn't heard a thing about this prayer for blessings. Every trip to Dazhao Temple requires a three-day fast beforehand. Not eating tonight is useless since I already drank wine at lunch."

As he spoke, he dumped all the condiments into his noodle bowl.

Qin Yuan shook her head. "If you can't finish it, maybe set some aside?"

Gu Jinghui said, "I can finish it. I just shouldn't eat this much at night."

Cuiming and Hongye exchanged a glance and lowered their heads.

Gu Jinghui said, "You two can go rest outside. I wish to speak with my wife."

The two of them withdrew.

Only then did Gu Jinghui feel at ease. He ate quickly, yet his manners remained impeccable.

Qin Yuan sat quietly beside him, keeping him company.

All the lamps in the room were now lit. Occasionally, small insects fluttered against the fine window gauze, making faint sounds.

In the lamplight, Qin Yuan's face appeared softer than in daylight. The gentle sway of her round fan made her seem delicate, hazy, soft, and small, yet in Gu Jinghui's heart, she was immensely weighty and significant.

After finishing the large bowl of noodles, Gu Jinghui stretched and patted his stomach lightly. "What should I do now?"

Qin Yuan couldn't help but giggle. "I told you not to eat so much."

"Seeing you made it, I couldn't bear to waste it."

He didn't want to share the noodles from his wife's first time cooking personally.

Qin Yuan was silent.

Well, she had been involved. The cook provided the labor; she provided the instructions.

Gu Jinghui stood up, took two steps, then turned back to Qin Yuan, who was watching him with a smile. "Come, let's go to the bamboo grove to listen to the insects."

Qin Yuan was surprised, then smiled and nodded.

He actually remembered.

Gu Jinghui extended his hand to her. Qin Yuan gently placed her hand in his, using his support to stand up. "Alright, let's go. But there will be many mosquitoes at this hour. Listening to insects is elegant, but getting bitten will be unpleasant."

Hearing this, Gu Jinghui hesitated. "My skin is thick and rough; I'm not afraid. It would be a pity if you got bitten."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan's face flushed slightly. "I was making incense pills today, and the scent has soaked into my clothes. Mosquitoes don't like it. Don't worry."

Gu Jinghui said happily, "So my wife was worried about me. Would you give me one of the scent pouches you make?"

Of course she would.

Qin Yuan immediately had someone fetch the newly made incense pills. She placed them in a pouch and tied it to Gu Jinghui's waist. "Since you don't usually care for such things, I hadn't prepared one for you. This was originally for Mother. Use this for now. If you don't like the scent, I can make another, but it will take a few days."

"No matter, this one is fine."

Gu Jinghui pressed it contentedly.

They didn't call for attendants. Gu Jinghui carried the horn lantern himself, holding Qin Yuan's hand with the other as they walked toward the bamboo grove.

He matched her pace, walking slowly.

Qin Yuan asked him, "Why did Prince Qi's mansion drive up the pepper price if they aren't buying?"

Gu Jinghui thought for a moment. "I don't know. Prince Qi has always acted on whims. I only learned about it today when he and Princess Fuyun came to see me."

Qin Yuan asked, "Then he… why did he go to the camp?"

Gu Jinghui had recently drunk with Prince Qi, and now they met at the camp again.

If others found out, wouldn't they think the Marquis was getting close to Prince Qi?

Qin Yuan hoped the Marquis would remain aloof from the succession struggle, as he had in her past life.

When the late Empress was alive, Prince Qi was still young, and the Emperor hadn't intended to appoint an heir. The new Empress was the Emperor's favored consort, who was elevated to Empress. Her son thus became the legitimate son and was later named Crown Prince.

Empress Lin was highly skilled and ambitious, but the Crown Prince was sickly and wouldn't live long. However, Prince Qi didn't live past thirty either.

The Emperor, however, lived a long life.

These were treacherous waters best not entered.

Gu Jinghui thought and said, "Prince Qi knew you wanted to buy pepper, so he came to tell me his mansion has no intention of entering the pepper trade. It was also a gesture of goodwill. Princess Fuyun and Prince Qi share the same mother. When she was little, I pulled her back from danger. She considers me her savior. Hearing Prince Qi was coming, she tagged along to thank me in person. It's a military headquarters; they didn't stay long, just had a cup of tea before leaving."

Only then did Qin Yuan feel relieved. She then asked, "Did Princess Fuyun mention you in front of the Emperor, leading to this assignment?"

Gu Jinghui had wondered the same. Hearing this, he said, "If she did that, it's not repaying a favor but settling a score. I just want to guard the camp and not get involved in anything."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

As he spoke, he glanced down to read Qin Yuan's expression.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Exactly. The Marquis guarded the northern frontier for years. Upon returning, must he now guard palace gates?"

These words pleased Gu Jinghui deeply. Unable to articulate a response, he simply gave the small, soft, smooth hand in his palm a firm squeeze.

Qin Yuan also smiled and lowered her head.

In good spirits, the husband and wife arrived at the edge of the bamboo grove. The summer-night bamboo grove was cooler and more secluded than elsewhere. Bamboo leaves rustled, and insect chirps rose and fell. Gu Jinghui said softly, "Coming here, one's heart truly grows calm."

Qin Yuan said, "It is indeed pleasant to hear."

They stood for a while. Gu Jinghui looked up at the stars flickering in the night sky. "It's getting late. Let's go back."

"Alright."

After walking a few steps, Gu Jinghui said, "You hold the lantern. I'll carry you on my back. It's too late."

Qin Yuan was stunned.

She truly hadn't expected the Marquis to do this.

Gu Jinghui had already handed her the horn lantern's handle, squatted down, and said, "Hurry up, don't delay."

Qin Yuan hurriedly gathered her skirt and leaned onto his back.

"You're so light, like a feather."

Gu Jinghui sighed as he stood up, walking forward with steady, large strides.

Qin Yuan found his back very broad and solid, seemingly capable of bearing everything.

This warm summer night scene was shattered by Sixth Master Gu's startled cry. "Third Brother! Third Brother, what… what's wrong with Third Sister-in-law?"

Sixth Master Gu reeked of alcohol, leaning unsteadily on a servant as he emerged from a small path. Spotting them, he shouted.

Embarrassed, Qin Yuan immediately tried to struggle down from Gu Jinghui's back.

But Gu Jinghui gave her bottom a light pat with his hand.

Qin Yuan froze, her face burning, and didn't dare move again.

"Third Brother, why are you carrying Third Sister-in-law?"

Sixth Master Gu squinted his drunken eyes, too intoxicated to notice his third brother's annoyed expression.

"Your third sister-in-law and I went to the bamboo grove to listen to the insects. Why are you drunk like this?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"L-listen to insects?"

Tears welled up in Sixth Master Gu's eyes.

Why could Third Brother marry a woman like Third Sister-in-law, while the one he married only knew how to rattle abacus beads?

"I… what else can I do if I don't drink? Third Brother, my life is hard! Third Brother, I'm so miserable!"

(End of Chapter)

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