MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 80

 Glossary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Chapter 80: Marquis Gu Returns

Hearing this, Cuiming glanced at Hongye.

Under the lamplight, Qin Yuan's expression was hard to read, neither clearly happy nor angry. She said mildly, "That won't be necessary. Since he hasn't returned this late, he's clearly been held up by important matters. I'm also tired from today's activities and wish to bathe and rest. When the Marquis returns, have him go to the side room."

Hongye stole another look at Qin Yuan's face and mumbled, "But didn't the Marquis ask you to wait for him to talk?"

Qin Yuan closed the half-read account book in her hand. "It's not a major issue. I can decide on my own. I just thought it would be good for the Marquis to know."

Hongye had nothing more to say and looked at Cuiming. Cuiming signaled with her eyes and said, "Then let's attend to Miss so she can rest. Hongye, go quickly and tell the young maids to bring hot water."

With the small kitchen, there was hot water available at the stove at any time, making bathing and washing much more convenient.

"Alright," Hongye could only withdraw.

Cuiming said to Qin Yuan, "I'll find an opportunity to speak with Hongye. She's just concerned for you, Miss."

Qin Yuan said, "I know. But she can't keep her composure. Some matters still can't be let known to her."

Cuiming understood Qin Yuan's meaning and nodded. "This servant thinks the same."

Qin Yuan asked further, "Have you figured out how to win over Lu Mama?"

Cuiming asked, "Is Miss truly allowing this servant to bestow this favor?"

"Naturally. I've said my aim is to manage the household. You've been here for several days now and can naturally see that the Marquis's household is different from the Qin residence—larger estate, more people, intricate connections. Their ancestors all followed the masters onto battlefields and earned merit. If I am to take charge of the household management, I must have right and left-hand assistants. You and Hongye are my assistants. If I don't allow you to bestow favors, how can you manage affairs?"

Cuiming immediately said, "Miss, please rest assured. Cuiming will definitely not disappoint you."

Qin Yuan nodded, stood up, and walked to sit before the mirror. Cuiming picked up a comb and began styling her hair, saying, "Lu Mama is indeed as Rong Mama described—not very shrewd. The messy accounts of the needlework room are partly because she lined her own pockets and partly because her management was lax. I wonder if Miss intends to just scare her a little, or…"

Qin Yuan picked up a ruyi scepter to toy with and smiled. "Her son serves under the Marquis. I should give her some face. But if I simply do, won't others think that as long as they plead with the Marquis, it will work, or use such connections as a 'get-out-of-jail-free' card?"

This household had more than just one Lu Mama with standing.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Everyone was watching her every move, trying to discern what kind of person she was.

Cuiming sighed. "It's indeed not easy—to be both generous and handle matters decisively."

Qin Yuan said, "Originally, I thought to discuss Lu Mama's matter with the Marquis tonight. But since he hasn't returned yet and has to go to the camp early tomorrow morning, it might be better to just leave her in suspense for now. It will also serve as a warning to her."

Cuiming understood, truly amazed at how her mistress's mind worked. She said with a smile, "Excellent, excellent. When the time comes, I'll drop a hint to Lu Mama, letting her plead directly with the Marquis."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Given Marquis Gu's temperament, he wouldn't interfere in Wutong Yuan's affairs, nor would he meddle in matters concerning the stewardesses under her charge.

How this favor was to be granted was still up to her.

Presumably, after this ordeal, Lu Mama would have learned her lesson and not dare to act recklessly again.

Cuiming asked further, "Then should this servant temporarily take over Lu Mama's stewardess position, or should we find another Mama to manage?"

Cuiming, ever cautious by nature, felt the need to confirm again, even though Qin Yuan had already publicly stated she should find a Mama to replace Lu Mama.

Qin Yuan said, "Proceed as previously discussed. From now on, all stewardesses should have a deputy to assist them. If they don't work diligently, there will be deputies willing to take over."

With deputies watching them, these stewardesses wouldn't dare to idle about anymore.

Let Lu Mama be the precedent.

Cuiming smiled. "Wonderful. This way, they probably won't dare to skim off the top either."

Qin Yuan said seriously, "They should still be allowed some 'grease' for their palms, just not excessively. The Dingbei Marquis Household won't treat its hereditary servants harshly unless driven to utter destitution. Cuiming, remember this: 'Water that's too clear has no fish; one who scrutinizes too closely has no followers.' (meaning: One must allow some leeway; being overly strict leaves you with no allies)."

Cuiming gently combed Qin Yuan's waterfall of black hair, careful not to pull her scalp. Hearing this, she asked, "This servant observes the rewards in the Marquis's household are generous. With so many people up and down the household, all receiving such rewards, how much silver is needed for the expenses? And they still skim money at every level, always clamoring for face and standing…"

In the Qin residence, Madame Cui absolutely never allowed such things.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan smiled. "That's because the Marquis is still at war. Mother said, as long as there's war, there's silver. The ancestors of the hereditary servants here followed their masters through fire and water. Taking care of them this way makes everyone feel there's a future in following their masters. If the masters themselves have no benefits, naturally they can't support them. What to do then can be discussed later. 'Sing the song of whatever mountain you're on' (meaning: Adapt to the circumstances)."

Marquis Gu was the Great Xing's ever-victorious general, revered as a God of War. Naturally, he could afford to support these people. Only when everyone's fates were bound together could they strive for wealth and honor jointly.

As for the future, that was a matter for later generations, beyond her concern.

What family in this world prospers forever without decline?

No need for unnecessary anxiety.

Cuiming didn't fully understand. "Why can't there just be generous rewards?"

Qin Yuan sighed. "The rewards are naturally substantial. But to make people risk their lives, to bind their entire family's or clan's lives and futures to yours—can that be achieved with mere silver?"

Only two words could achieve that: favor and loyalty.

Silver is merely a transaction.

Upon hearing this, Cuiming shivered slightly and asked no more.

At that moment, Hongye watched several young maids carry in hot water, adding petals and prepared fragrant herbs. "Miss, you may bathe now."

Qin Yuan soaked comfortably for a while before extinguishing the lamps and retiring for the night.

Hongye stood on the veranda, listening to the increasingly loud chirping of crickets in the night. "The later the night, the louder the insects chirp. I must say, it does have a certain poetic charm."

Cuiming nudged her and whispered, "Why are you always urging Miss to consummate the marriage?"

Hongye said, "Aren't you anxious too?"

Cuiming said, "I say you're just a busybody. Could the two of them possibly stay like this forever? Miss has her own plans. Don't always rely on your childhood bond to meddle in everything. Besides, this isn't something Miss should be rushing anxiously about. The Marquis is a man; does he need Miss to chase after him? These past few days, Miss has suffered no small amount of grievances because of that Zhao Niangzi and her children."

Her mistress's words kept echoing in Cuiming's mind. Her mistress was different from before, and the Marquis's household was different from the Qin residence. She had to keep a close watch on Hongye.

Hongye fell silent.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Just as Cuiming was about to ask her something, she saw, under the distant lamplight, a tall figure strolling over. Marquis Gu had returned.

(End of Chapter)

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