MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 86

 Glossary

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

·Qin Heng (秦恒): Qin Yuan's brother.

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

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

·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 Jingjun (顾六爷): The sixth son.

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

·Qiuju (秋菊): A maidservant of Old Madame Gu.

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Chapter 86: A Heroic Man Whose Word Is His Bond

Upon hearing this, Qin Heng immediately said, "Alright."

He liked his brother-in-law the most and intended to visit him frequently in the future. Paying respects to the Old Madame was the proper etiquette.

He then grew somewhat nervous. "My attire isn't too shabby, is it?"

Qin Jijiu forbade him from fussing over his wardrobe. Qin Heng wore his scholar's uniform at the Imperial College and dressed simply and modestly at home. Seeing the opulence of the Marquis's household, he couldn't help but feel a little insecure.

Qin Yuan said, "It's fine. The Old Madame is the most generous and straightforward. She likes sweet-talking youngsters. Be more flattering when you meet her, and I guarantee she'll give you a generous greeting gift."

"Do you think I'm that shallow?"

Qin Heng said unhappily.

Qin Yuan said, "You're not. I am. Is that better?"

After bickering for a few sentences, Qin Heng was no longer worried. He obediently followed behind Qin Yuan to the Upper House, exclaiming continuously along the way, "The Marquis's estate is so vast! It's so magnificent!"

Fortunately, Qin Heng wasn't entirely thoughtless and didn't say things like "if only Second Sister had married in here instead."

Qin Yuan merely smiled with pursed lips.

When they reached the Upper House, Qin Yuan stood with Qin Heng outside the courtyard. Xiao Hong came out to greet them, swinging her little braids cheerfully, asking with a smile, "Madam, is this young master beside you from your maiden family?"

"He is my own younger brother. He currently studies in the outer school of the Imperial College."

Xiao Hong quickly paid her respects and whispered, "The Old Madame is inside coaxing Cheng Ge'er and Yu Jie'er."

Qin Yuan nodded. "Are you getting along well with them?"

"Quite well. Rong Mama has me tell them stories about human relationships and propriety. Yesterday, when the Marquis came, he also told them some things about Lord Pang."

Lord Pang referred to the two children's biological father.

Qin Yuan smiled. "Good child. You and Rong Mama have been putting in considerable thought."

Qin Heng followed silently along the way, listening attentively without a word.

Xiao Hong said, "Sister Zi He from Fengxuan Pavilion also comes to sit with Rong Mama every day, talking about Zhao Niangzi. Rong Mama says things will be better once the Marquis finds the Pang family clansmen."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan gave an acknowledging hum.

Calculating the days, Gu Shiliu probably still had a while before he could return.

The Pang family would need several days to discuss and arrange for someone to come to the capital. The person sent wouldn't be young, and Gu Shiliu couldn't just rush back; he would need to stop for meals and rest.

As they talked, they reached the hall entrance. The young maids had already lifted the door curtain.

Qin Heng kept his head lowered, not daring to look around too much.

Walking here, the Marquis's estate was splendid and majestic. The maids in the Upper House were all dressed in silks and satins, with gold and jade hair ornaments, looking even more impressive than daughters of minor officials.

Qin Heng was afraid he might accidentally show his timidity and embarrass his eldest sister.

"The young master from our in-laws' family is here? Please, come in quickly."

Old Madame Gu's voice came from inside, followed by Rong Mama who came forward with a beaming smile.

Qin Heng tensed up and paused.

Qin Yuan said with a smile, "This brother of mine has always kept his head buried in books at the Imperial College and rarely socializes. If there's any lack of etiquette, please forgive him for my sake, Mother."

Hearing Qin Yuan affectionately call Old Madame Gu "Mother," Qin Heng was somewhat surprised.

Then Old Madame Gu said with a laugh, "You're being too polite, Yuan'er. How could your brother be lacking? He is just as well-educated and well-mannered."

Qin Yuan gently nudged Qin Heng.

Qin Heng hurriedly performed a junior's bow to Old Madame Gu. Old Madame Gu said cheerfully, "Rise quickly. We are all relatives and should visit each other often in the future. Don't be too formal."

Qin Yuan also paid her respects.

Rong Mama stepped forward to support Qin Heng's arm lightly as he rose. Qin Heng quickly stood up and moved to the side.

Old Madame Gu said, "Sit, please sit."

Not seeing Cheng Ge'er and Yu Jie'er, Qin Yuan understood. The Old Madame was worried they might misbehave in front of her, letting Qin Heng see.

It showed how difficult these two children's temperaments were to manage.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qiuju came out from the inner chamber carrying a tray. Old Madame Gu had Qin Yuan and Qin Heng sit before saying, "Chancellor Qin truly has admirable grace. You siblings also have the bearing of a dragon and phoenix, full of scholarly refinement. This old woman truly likes you."

Qiuju promptly presented the greeting gifts.

Qin Heng was astonished. Just as his eldest sister had said, Old Madame Gu was generous and straightforward. The tray held a pair of gold ingots shaped like the "Number One Scholar," a nearly hundred-tael mutton-fat jade pendant, and a bulging pouch, the contents of which were unknown but surely something rare.

"This... this..."

Qin Heng didn't dare accept them and hurriedly declined.

Old Madame Gu said with a smile, "What's this? Your sister often gets fine things from me. I took an instant liking to you, young master from our in-laws. You must come visit often when you're free, and get closer to Hui Ge'er (Gu Jinghui)."

Qin Heng looked at Qin Yuan, flustered.

Seeing Qin Yuan nod, he stopped declining, accepted the gifts, and thanked her repeatedly.

Qin Yuan said, "Mother, my brother came looking for the Marquis to go horseback riding. Last time the Marquis visited my maiden home, he took him for a ride. The boy remembered it and rushed over as soon as the Imperial College had a holiday. We didn't expect the Marquis to have just left for the camp."

"Haha," Old Madame Gu laughed. "Everyone in our Marquis's household, old and young, men and women, knows how to ride a horse. You're not familiar with us yet. Once you are, anyone could teach you."

She then asked Rong Mama, "Is Sixth Master at home? If he is, have him come keep company."

Turning back to Qin Heng, she said, "Your Sixth Brother is the only one in our family who likes reading. He was frail in his youth. After finishing elementary school at the Imperial College, he didn't continue his formal studies but enjoys socializing with scholars all day. Just yesterday he was here saying he often meets with your Second Brother-in-law, Provincial Graduate Lin, and they plan to start a poetry society together. When he comes later, you two can have a good meal together before you leave. Having him take you riding would also be fine."

Hearing this, Qin Yuan couldn't help but raise her delicate eyebrows slightly.

Just as she had guessed, the source of Marquis Gu's questions to Cuiming last night originated here.

Hearing it was the Marquis's younger brother, Qin Heng also felt inclined to befriend him and quickly said with a smile, "I'm afraid I would be imposing on Sixth Brother."

Old Madame Gu had always liked good-looking people. Seeing Qin Heng was handsome and refined in speech, and being Qin Yuan's brother, she couldn't help but like him and kept him talking a while longer.

Qin Yuan added witty remarks from the side, making Old Madame Gu laugh several times. She said to Qin Heng, "Your sister is so good at哄人 (being charming/saying sweet things). She's made this old woman grow terribly fond of her. The Marquis also says he found a good wife. When you go back, just tell your family to rest assured. With me looking after her, she won't suffer the slightest grievance."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Qin Yuan promptly said, "I am living very well in the Marquis's household. He is young and, though not eloquent, understands everything in his heart."

Qin Heng nodded. "Eldest Sister looks refreshed and vigorous, clearly doing very well in the Marquis's household. The other day, Brother-in-law came to drink at our home and also said he would treat Eldest Sister well, putting us at ease. My father said Brother-in-law is a heroic man whose word is his bond and would never deceive anyone."

Upon hearing this, Old Madame Gu couldn't help but laugh.

Qin Heng didn't know why they were laughing but joined in with a few chuckles.

After a while, a young maid came looking for Rong Mama. Rong Mama whispered a few words into Old Madame Gu's ear. Old Madame Gu said regretfully, "Your Sixth Brother's injuries haven't fully healed yet. It's not suitable for him to come out to meet you. He just said we are all relatives and will have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future with frequent visits."

Qin Yuan secretly smiled.

Sixth Master Gu's facial scars hadn't fully healed, and he was too embarrassed to receive guests. She wondered just how fiercely Sixth Madame had scratched him.

The siblings kept Old Madame Gu company for a meal before taking their leave.

Qin Yuan saw Qin Heng off to the second gate before returning. Before parting, she repeatedly reminded him, "Don't forget to ask Cousin Siyuan to come. I have urgent matters and need his help. You must deliver this message."

(End of Chapter)

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