MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 88

 Glossary

·Qin Wan (秦婉): Qin Yuan's sister.

·Qin Heng (秦恒): Qin Yuan's brother.

·Madame Cui (崔氏): Qin Yuan's mother.

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

·Qin Siyuan (秦思远): Qin Yuan's cousin.

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Chapter 88: Not Someone to Be Trifled With

Looking at the confidently stubborn Qin Wan, Madame Cui felt a headache coming on. Not wanting to hear any more, she changed the subject. "Before your father and your husband came in, you were saying something about your mother-in-law. What about her?"

Qin Wan immediately stopped her lengthy and effusive description of Lin Ziqi's grand future. Her shoulders slumped abruptly, and she said listlessly, "That day we ate here and didn't go back for the evening meal. My mother-in-law cried all night, saying no one cared if she ate or not, and she might as well starve to death."

Madame Cui: "…"

She restrained herself and asked, "What did your husband say about it?"

"He… he was drunk, caught a chill on the way back, vomited everywhere, and we were up very late dealing with it, so he just went to sleep. The next day, his mother cried again, throwing a tantrum, saying no one cared whether she lived or died, so she might as well not eat—go on a hunger strike."

A vein throbbed on Madame Cui's forehead. "Couldn't you have remembered to send a message back that day? Did the Lin household have no food?"

She couldn't say it was all her daughter's fault, but this wasn't something unforgivable. For it to blow up so big and last so long suggested it was likely an attempt to control the daughter-in-law. Yet her daughter focused her efforts on all the wrong places, only worrying about how Qin Yuan was faring in the Marquis's household.

Qin Wan said softly, "I forgot to send a message back that day. You didn't remind me either, Mother. My mother-in-law cried and made a scene. I did try to哄 (coax/pacify) her, but it didn't work. Ziqi begged me to give in to his mother, saying if the fuss got too loud, it would harm his reputation for filial piety and affect his official career. So I…"

Madame Cui nearly choked on her breath.

How foolish.

Lin Ziqi's mother was probably the one most concerned about his official career.

Qin Wan added, "My mother-in-law said from now on, meal arrangements and household expenses must be managed by her, and going out requires her permission. Ziqi said his mother wouldn't make things difficult for us; she just wanted respect. I thought it wasn't a big deal, so I didn't say anything. This time, when Ziqi and I came here, his mother didn't say anything."

She didn't dare mention that the money for meals and expenses came from her dowry.

Hearing this, Madame Cui said in a low, sharp voice, "His entire family lives off your dowry, and you…"

But Qin Wan looked fully confident. "My husband is a man. I must give him and his mother face. Besides, the more I spend now, the more… in the future…"

Madame Cui's headache was severe. Annoyed, she said, "Stop talking. I have a headache. Look at your father. The Qin family was once a great clan. Even after declining, it was much better off than Lin Ziqi's family. He was handsome and scholarly. I am from a collateral branch of the Cui clan, yet your father has never treated me like this."

Qin Wan squirmed.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"That's completely different. Father will, at best, retire from the Chancellor's position. Ziqi will enter the Grand Secretariat and become Chief Councillor in the future."

Madame Cui: "…"

Fortunately, Qin Heng returned, smiling. "Cousin has already gone to the Marquis's household to see Eldest Sister. Now she won't keep nagging me."

Madame Cui pulled him over and asked, "Is your eldest sister's life in the Marquis's household truly good?"

"Truly good," Qin Heng nodded. "The Marquis's estate is huge and wealthy. When Eldest Sister took me to see the Old Madame, I was worried I'd embarrass her. Eldest Sister gets along extremely well with Old Madame Gu; she even calls her 'Mother.' I found the Old Madame's temperament very gracious, tolerant and kind. Eldest Sister also says she is extremely generous and straightforward."

Madame Cui nodded with a smile.

Since her son saw it with his own eyes, it couldn't be false.

Old Madame Gu was indeed generous and straightforward. Not to mention the lavish gifts for the homecoming visit, Qin Heng's greeting gift was also so substantial. It showed the Dingbei Marquis's household was extremely satisfied with Qin Yuan.

Qin Wan rolled her eyes and pressed, "What about that woman surnamed Zhao the Marquis brought back, and the two children…"

Qin Heng cut her off. "Second Sister, the Marquis isn't that kind of person. I heard all about it in the Marquis's household. That Zhao Niangzi truly is the widow of the Marquis's lifesaver. Those two children have been adopted by the Marquis as his godchildren. Zhao Niangzi has been ill these days, so the two children are staying in the Upper House, being cared for by the Old Madame. They were supposed to meet us today, but the children were tired from playing and went to rest early, so it didn't happen. Second Sister, I heard the maids by the Old Madame's side tell Eldest Sister things will be better once Zhao Niangzi's in-laws arrive."

"Zhao Niangzi's in-laws?"

Qin Wan looked as if struck by lightning, her expression turning almost狰狞 (twisted/ugly).

Qin Heng, puzzled, said, "Yes. The Marquis sent someone to Zhao Niangzi's in-laws to invite them here to help look after them. He said since 'public clamor can confound right and wrong,' it's better to avoid suspicion."

Qin Wan looked utterly devastated.

In her previous life, it wasn't like this.

Why?!

Why was it so different?!

Seeing her like this, Madame Cui sighed inwardly but said aloud, "The Marquis should have done this earlier. He was probably too busy recently to manage it. Once Zhao Niangzi's in-laws arrive, outsiders won't spread rumors anymore."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

"Right!" Qin Heng puffed out his chest. "Anyone who spreads gossip about my brother-in-law is making an enemy of me."

At his age, he was fascinated by tales of chivalrous heroes. He had long heard that Marquis Gu was the Great Xing's God of War, guarding the northern frontiers for years, defeating enemies utterly, leaving not a single fragment of armor behind—an ever-victorious general.

The man he had admired for years had become his own brother-in-law.

The sturdy physique, the handsome, sharp features, the elegant and extraordinary thousand-mile steed—all filled the young Qin Heng with boundless admiration and worship.

And, his brother-in-law understood him so well.

Qin Heng looked at Qin Wan with regret. "Second Sister, if only you had married the Marquis back then… Ah, but Eldest Sister is also very well-matched with the Marquis."

Eldest Sister had become much more beautiful than before. After a few days of luxurious living in the Marquis's household, she glowed with health, carrying an indescribable air of noble grace in her movements. Qin Heng, who had always been closer to Qin Wan, had to admit that Eldest Sister was more suited to be a Marchioness and a better match for his brother-in-law than Second Sister.

Qin Wan, already emotionally agitated, couldn't bear it upon hearing her brother's words. "How is that possible? She…"

Madame Cui quickly stood up and said to Qin Heng, "You should go back and review your studies now. I'll keep this greeting gift for you. You're too young and don't know how to treasure fine things. When you're a bit older…"

"Alright, Mother, I understand," Qin Heng replied dispiritedly.

After Qin Heng left, Madame Cui said sternly, "Stop obsessing over this. Whatever life Qin Yuan leads has nothing to do with you. Just live well with your husband. Be more careful in the future. Don't end up 'losing the lady and still forfeiting the troops' (meaning: suffering a double loss). Listen to your mother: that mother-in-law of yours is not someone to be trifled with."

Qin Wan hung her head low, silent. It was unclear if she had taken any of it to heart.

---

In the reception hall of Wutong Yuan

Qin Siyuan bowed his head, earnestly pondering his cousin's words.

Qin Yuan wasn't in a hurry for his reply. She sat to the side, slowly sipping her tea.

After a long while, Qin Siyuan finally said, "Cousin, is what you're saying true?"

Qin Yuan said, "Naturally, it's true. I received news that a highly-placed person will be enjoying the scenery at Jade Abyss Lake on those two days. Cousin, you participate in poetry societies. If you leave outstanding poems and couplets by the lakeside, you might catch that person's favorable attention."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

This cousin of hers was tall and possessed the Qin family's good looks. In her previous life, during the palace examination, he had been personally praised by the Emperor. If not for his limited literary talent, which barely placed him at the bottom of the Second Class, he might have been named the Tanhua (Third Place Graduate).

If he could make a favorable impression on this highly-placed person early in this life, his future official career would be much brighter.

Qin Siyuan stammered, "But, cousin, you know I don't have poetic talent. The poems I make are merely correct in form, utterly lacking in inspiration."

The opportunity was right before him, but he couldn't grasp it.

(End of Chapter)

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