MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 83

 Glossary

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

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

·Cheng Ge'er (程哥儿): The twin boy.

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

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

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

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

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Chapter 83: What Nonsense Is He Thinking?

Qin Yuan didn't respond immediately. She just chewed her pickled cucumber slowly, seemingly lost in thought.

Gu Jinghui said, "If it's difficult, then forget it. I'll think of another method."

He also knew Qin Yuan was cautious; otherwise, she wouldn't have tactfully refused the pepper business Sixth Master Gu mentioned last time. He hadn't held much expectation when he asked.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan glanced at Gu Jinghui and asked curiously, "What other method are you thinking of?"

At most, it would be asking someone to pull strings to get him into the Imperial College.

Her father was the highest-ranking official at the Imperial College. He had been acting in the position for several years, and though his rank hadn't been formally promoted yet, everyone knew that after the next Ministry of Personnel evaluation, he would become the substantive holder, and his rank would rise to a proper fifth-grade.

He might remain in this prestigious but modestly paid position until old age.

However, although a Chancellor of the Imperial College was not wealthy, he could accumulate prestige among the scholarly elite, paving the way for his descendants.

In her previous life, Lin Ziqi's ascent to the position of Chief Councillor was greatly aided by her planning, but it also relied heavily on the support of her father's numerous disciples spread across the empire.

At this critical juncture, everyone in the Qin family was being extremely careful and prudent.

Even her cousin Qin Siyuan entered the Imperial College by passing the examinations as a juren scholar.

Qin Yuan pondered; her father probably wouldn't give Marquis Gu his approval for this.

Gu Jinghui said, "See if the Ministry of Personnel can find a way, call in a favor, and grant special approval for Cheng Ge'er to enter."

Qin Yuan neither agreed nor disagreed.

This meant seeking a special grace from the Ministry of Personnel for admission to the Imperial College based on his father's service. When military merits were being assessed initially, Marquis Gu couldn't get his Brother Pang's rank posthumously raised by several levels. Clearly, the Ministry of Personnel's evaluation of military merits was extremely strict.

Wouldn't seeking special grace now be even more difficult?

Spending one's influence and favors on this would be less worthwhile than waiting until Cheng Ge'er grew up to secure him a good future.

But this was Marquis Gu's own plan. Qin Yuan didn't want to say too much, lest he think she held a grudge against the Pang family's two children and was obstructing them at every turn.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

But Gu Jinghui insisted on asking her, "Do you think this is also inadvisable?"

Qin Yuan nodded. "Your action is indeed inadvisable, husband."

"Call me 'husband.' You're calling me 'Marquis' again."

Gu Jinghui dissatisfied also picked up some shredded pickled cucumber with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. His pair of dark, deep eyes stared unblinkingly at Qin Yuan's small mouth, waiting to see what kind of flower she would produce with her words.

Qin Yuan complied gracefully. "Husband, your action is inadvisable. Cheng Ge'er's future path should ultimately be decided by Zhao Niangzi. At the very least, we should ask whether this child intends to pursue a civil or military career in the future? For a military career, entering a military academy, he should start training early. For a civil career, he certainly shouldn't just be thrown into the Imperial College like that."

"...This…"

Gu Jinghui frowned.

He didn't want to see Zhao Niangzi again, preferably never again from now on.

But…

"These are minor matters that can be discussed by Mother and Zhao Niangzi," Qin Yuan added immediately upon seeing his frown. Seeing Gu Jinghui's brows relax, she continued, "Shiliu has gone to find the Pang family members. He should be back in just a few days. Why not wait until the Pang family arrives to discuss together how to settle them in the future? If Zhao Niangzi is willing to stay in the capital, then husband can plan carefully."

Zhao Niangzi and the others might not necessarily follow the path Marquis Gu had laid out. When that happened, and Marquis Gu tried to control everything again, causing some trouble, she couldn't be bothered to deal with it. Better to say everything upfront.

Qin Yuan added, "Husband, because you feel indebted to the Pang family, you want to give the best of everything to Cheng Ge'er. But his father's official rank is insufficient. Entering the Imperial College probably won't do him any good. Why it won't be beneficial—please be patient and listen to me explain in detail."

Gu Jinghui gave an "Mm" of acknowledgment.

"Those who can enter the Imperial College's elementary school through nanyin (meaning: the privilege for descendants of officials who died in service) require their father's posthumous rank to be fifth-grade or higher. Our dynasty's rewards for military merit are extremely generous. After Cheng Ge'er enters the Imperial College, the children around him will likely all be from backgrounds significantly more elevated than his. He hasn't had any early tutoring, so he'll lag behind others in his studies. A while ago, I heard from Rong Mama that the Sixth Master complained several times that his own two children were often bullied by Cheng Ge'er until they cried. This shows Cheng Ge'er's temperament is fierce and unruly, quite different from capital children. A child's temperament is unstable. I'm afraid entering the Imperial College might反而 (instead) make him lose interest in studying. What will you do then, husband? Reprimanding or punishing him isn't something a godfather should do. And does Zhao Niangzi think the same as you?"

These words were very practical and specific.

Gu Jinghui was stunned.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

He was indeed exactly as Qin Yuan described, single-mindedly wanting to compensate the Pang family's two children with the best of everything. But if this intention ultimately led to no good result, then it would have been better not to have it at all.

He couldn't help but think of that story again about Qing Feng exterminating the entire Cui Zhu clan.

If Zhao Niangzi came crying to him again, begging him to manage Cheng Ge'er, they would probably be entangled for a lifetime.

A cold sweat broke out on Gu Jinghui's back. His voice was hoarse as he said, "In your view, what should be done?"

Qin Yuan smiled. "What I say, husband may not necessarily think is good. But since you asked, I'll say it. I shouldn't hide it. For the good of the Pang family's children, husband shouldn't always place them in situations they shouldn't be in, fostering expectations they shouldn't have. Once they become accustomed, thinking these are things they deserve, their character becomes warped. Husband wouldn't be doing them good; instead, you'd be harming them."

"From my cold observation, Zhao Niangzi is overly doting on these two children. They are only around five years old now; their characters can still be corrected. If they continue to be indulged like this, once their characters are fully formed, scolding or blaming them later will be useless."

Gu Jinghui said, "Is this the reason you had Xiao Hong get close to them and talk with them?"

Rong Mama had praised Qin Yuan in front of him, saying she was clever-minded and knew her boundaries. Having Xiao Hong befriend the two children and guide their speech and behavior was a task Qin Yuan proposed, but it was entirely taught to Xiao Hong by Rong Mama. Qin Yuan didn't interfere at all.

Qin Yuan nodded. "This is just a minor tactic. Guidance from playmates is only one aspect. The parents' example and teaching are most important."

Her implication was that neither Gu Jinghui nor Zhao Niangzi were fit for the role.

Gu Jinghui's face burned.

He cleared his throat. "In that case, when the Pang family members arrive, if Zhao Niangzi stays in the capital, I will find good tutors for the two children. That might salvage the situation somewhat."

Upon saying this, Gu Jinghui felt an inexplicable worry in his heart.

Previously, he had thought simply, believing he could just throw the child into a school and hire a governess for Yu Jie'er.

After what Qin Yuan said, he thought, These aren't his own children; he can't just arrange everything for them. But with a mother like Zhao Niangzi, what kind of person would Yu Jie'er grow up to be?

A boy could live with his tutor, having less closeness with his mother and being less influenced.

If only Qin Yuan were willing to guide Yu Jie'er…

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Gu Jinghui immediately gave a bitter smile to himself.

What nonsense was he thinking?

Qin Yuan said, "Husband, just do your best. I once followed my father and read some of the Book of Changes. Although I'm not proficient, I understand that people exist in the world, each with their own destiny. Even if husband arranges everything, you cannot dictate their fate. Just as no one can arrange the Marquis's future path."

Gu Jinghui put down his chopsticks. "You are right. I'm returning to the camp now."

With that, without waiting for Qin Yuan's reply, he stood up hurriedly, called loudly for his attendant, and walked out of the courtyard.

From the outer room, Cuiming and Hongye saw Marquis Gu's somber expression as he, like the wind, lifted the door curtain himself and strode out.

The two looked at each other, not understanding what had happened.

(End of Chapter)

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