MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 73

Glossary

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

·Zi He (紫荷): A maidservant previously assigned to Zhao Niangzi.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

·Cheng Ge'er (程哥儿): The twin boy.

·Yu Jie'er (玉姐儿): The twin girl.

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

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

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Chapter 73: Observing with a Cold Eye

"Oh, I'd like some tea," Zhao Niangzi said.

Zi He replied, "This servant will have someone prepare it immediately."

A young maid outside, hearing the request, hurried in to refresh the tea. Zhao Niangzi asked, "Is your father's health improved?"

"Thank you for your concern," Zi He said. "He is much better after taking the ginseng the Old Madame bestowed."

Making conversation, Zhao Niangzi asked, "You returned today?"

"Yes."

"What a coincidence. Bai Que leaves, and you arrive."

"Indeed," Zi He said. "I merely passed Bai Que on her way out."

An awkward silence fell between them.

Initially, when Zhao Niangzi frequently invited Gu Jinghui to Fengxuan Pavilion and spread word that she was the mother of the Marquis's two children, Zi He, assuming her frontier upbringing meant ignorance of central plains customs, had admonished her several times.

Zhao Niangzi resented this but, being new to the Marquis estate, suppressed her displeasure. Later, realizing Bai Que also harbored feelings for the Marquis, she actively cultivated that alliance. Gradually, the two managed to push Zi He out.

After Zi He's departure, everyone in Fengxuan Pavilion had been aligned with Zhao Niangzi.

Now, at this critical juncture, Bai Que was gone, and the unwelcome Zi He had returned—moreover, as a second-rank maid from the Old Madame's own household. Zhao Niangzi couldn't help but read deeper implications into this.

Nearing the midday meal, Zhao Niangzi asked Zi He, "Are Cheng Ge'er and Yu Jie'er still at the Main House?"

"Yes," Zi He confirmed. "The Old Madame sent word earlier. She said that as you are unwell, physically weak, and have been wearied these past days, the children will remain at the Main House. This allows you to rest and recuperate properly. We are not to disturb your convalescence."

"They are naturally dear to the Old Madame; spending more time with her is always good," chimed in the two matrons who had accompanied Zhao Niangzi from the northern frontier. They fervently hoped she would secure a position within the Marquis household, allowing them to bask in reflected glory.

Zhao Niangzi nodded.

For the children's sake, the Old Madame would not easily let her leave.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The matrons' assurances about the Old Madame's fondness for the twins further eased Zhao Niangzi's mind. "Since they are dining with the Old Madame," she said, "we will have our meal here. You have all worked hard these past two days. With the young masters absent, we need not stand on ceremony. Let us eat together."

The two matrons poured forth effusive thanks and flattery, lifting Zhao Niangzi's spirits.

Zi He lowered her eyelids, concealing the cold derision in her eyes.

Before coming, she had received instructions from Rong Mama: keep a close watch on Zhao Niangzi.

Clearly, the Old Madame had noted Zhao Niangzi's various improprieties and wanted someone to monitor her and prevent trouble.

Had it not been for her parents' significant face—earned by ancestors who performed great deeds following the Old Marquis into battle—Bai Que would have been beaten and expelled long ago. Yet these people still clung to their delusions of rising status.

Learning from her past experience, Zi He offered no unnecessary comments, merely observing Zhao Niangzi's actions with a cold eye.

...

Wutong Yuan

Rong Mama had finished explaining the backgrounds of several stewardesses. When she reached Lu Mama, she sighed. "That old thing has a peculiar temperament. She craves face, yet lacks sense. That's why she only became the needlework room stewardess late in life, after such a long grind."

Qin Yuan pushed a plate of pastries toward Rong Mama, gesturing for her to help herself.

Rong Mama waved a hand. "No need. This old slave must return to the Main House soon. The Old Madame is keeping the two children with her and will need assistance."

Qin Yuan asked, "Is Mother truly so fond of the twins?"

Sixth Madame Gu had informed her upon her arrival that the Old Madame doted on Zhao Niangzi's twin children and often kept them by her side.

Rong Mama smiled. "Who isn't fascinated by twins? They are rare. The Old Madame says the Marquis has no children of his own, these two kept him company for years at the frontier, and they are the children of his benefactor. Naturally, she treats them well."

Hongye couldn't resist interjecting. "Those children are reluctant with greetings, and they seem larger than others their age."

Qin Yuan shot Hongye a look.

Hongye, who had been about to say more about the children, immediately fell silent.

Rong Mama smiled and explained, "They are quite endearing in the Old Madame's presence. When one is old, one tends to delight in young children. This old slave has privately heard the Sixth Master complain that those two children are quite fierce. His own younger children cannot best them in scuffles, and he often has to deal with their tearful complaints."

Qin Yuan steered the conversation back. "What is different about Lu Mama's family situation?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Rong Mama said, "Lu Mama's husband followed the Old Marquis onto the battlefield and came back with a lame leg, unfit for heavy labor. Her son also serves under the Marquis. He's not eloquent, just a dogged worker. In principle, out of respect for her husband and son, the estate should show her some leniency. But she's always presuming on her seniority and is easily stirred up by a few words from others, which has caused trouble before."

Qin Yuan understood: this meant Lu Mama wasn't truly competent for major responsibilities.

It seemed she should consult the Marquis regarding Lu Mama's situation.

She understood the principle that to make troops fight fiercely for you, you must treat their families well.

Qin Yuan said to Rong Mama, "This Lu Mama does indeed seem prone to putting herself forward. I've only been managing them for a few days. I previously instructed them to reconcile their accounts properly with Sixth Madame Gu first, after which I would take over. Lu Mama claimed the accounts were reconciled, yet Cuiming found discrepancies. Moreover, she was the first to request funds for purchases. When questioned, she couldn't provide satisfactory answers."

Rong Mama's expression darkened slightly. "That old thing loves to flaunt her seniority. She's suffered major setbacks for it before but still hasn't learned her lesson."

Qin Yuan said, "Hearing this from you, Rong Mama, gives me a general idea of how to proceed. However, I suppose I must wait for the Marquis to return and discuss it with him."

Rong Mama nodded. "The Madame is quite right."

Nearby, Cuiming and Hongye had been chatting with Xiao Hong. Seeing the main conversation conclude, Xiao Hong approached. "Madame, you summoned Xiao Hong. Is there a task you wish to assign me?"

Qin Yuan couldn't help but smile.

This girl was sharp,even proactively asking for duties.

Qin Yuan said, "I noticed you are about the same age as Cheng Ge'er and Yu Jie'er and might play well together. I called you here to chat."

Rong Mama looked kindly at Xiao Hong. "Xiao Hong, haven't you always said you wished to serve under the Madame? This is the first important task the Madame is entrusting to you. Do it well, and the Madame will naturally be pleased."

Xiao Hong lifted her head earnestly. "Xiao Hong will follow the Madame's instructions."

Qin Yuan sighed and said to Rong Mama, "Cheng Ge'er is of an age to begin his studies, and Yu Jie'er is old enough to learn proper etiquette. The Marquis is troubled by this. They used to call the Marquis 'Father' every day. Today, the Marquis mentioned sending someone to Jizhou to find their father's clansmen. From what I observed, Cheng Ge'er seemed to have something on his mind, while Yu Jie'er just cried and refused to go back, begging the Marquis to persuade Zhao Niangzi."

Rong Mama was startled. "Madame, are you saying they regarded the Marquis as their real father?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan said, "The Marquis watched them grow up and was very close to them. It's not surprising they came to see him as their father. But this cannot continue indefinitely."

She left the words unspoken,but the meaning was clear.

Xiao Hong, standing nearby, said, "Madame, Xiao Hong understands."

Qin Yuan, surprised, asked, "What do you understand? Tell me."

(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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