MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 92

 Glossary

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

·Shen Changle (沈长乐): A clever, observant servant from Qin Yuan's dowry entourage.

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

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

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

·Li Mama (李妈妈): The new deputy stewardess for the needlework room.

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

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

·General Jin (金参将): A military officer under Gu Jinghui's command.

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Chapter 92: Wanting to Ask a Personal Question

Returning to Wutong Yuan, Qin Yuan took out the account books to review them again. By the time the stewardesses arrived, she had already finished looking through them all and had copied out the problematic areas, requiring the managers to explain the discrepancies.

With Gu Shiliu absent, it was inconvenient.

Qin Yuan simply had someone summon a servant from her own dowry entourage. This man, named Shen Changle, was clever and observant, with sharp eyes and ears.

In her previous life, after she and Lin Ziqi arrived in Zhejiang, Shen Changle rose to become the head gatekeeper of the prefectural yamen, and many people had to be mindful of his disposition.

Only later did a minor mistake occur, after which he no longer served in such a close capacity.

For a task like admonishing a few managers, a few casual hints would be enough for Shen Changle to understand.

Qin Yuan called him before her and had Hongye hand him the box containing the account books. "These account books were re-done by the managers of my dowry shops, but there are still many errors and omissions. The fact that they weren't dealt with last time was already an act of leniency. If they cannot explain these discrepancies now, have them settle the accounts and seek employment elsewhere."

Shen Changle was plump and looked amiable. After taking the box, he asked, "Does Madam intend this as a warning, or…"

Qin Yuan said, "Observe carefully for me. Report to me if any are perfunctory or careless in their work."

Shen Changle immediately understood—he was to deliver the message and assess whether these people were still usable. He said, "As you command."

After he left, Hongye whispered, "Why did you choose him, Miss? He looks like someone who wouldn't offend anyone…"

Her implication was that she feared Shen Changle couldn't intimidate people.

Qin Yuan said, "I am short of people to dispatch. Whether Shen Changle can be used needs to be tested first. As the saying goes, 'One cannot judge a person by appearance.' Besides, the more amiable and easily fooled he appears, the less others will guard against him."

Hongye pondered this carefully.

Qin Yuan said, "Watch closely, and you'll learn gradually. There's no rush. When he returns to report, you can listen from the side as well."

Hongye said gratefully, "I know Miss is also cultivating me."

Before Hongye could continue, Qin Yuan quickly nodded. "It's good that you know."

When Hongye got excited, she would make many promises.

Qin Yuan had long since grown tired of hearing them.

Everyone had their strengths and weaknesses. Overall, Hongye was loyal and capable. That was enough.

Cuiming came in to hurry her along. "The stewardesses are all waiting outside. Lu Mama and that Li Mama are both there. Does Miss wish to speak with her?"

Li Mama was the one Cuiming had found to share Lu Mama's duties.

Outside under the shade of the trees, tables and chairs had been set up, with tea, pastries, paper, and brushes prepared.

The moment Qin Yuan emerged, everyone immediately straightened up, assuming a demeanor of utmost seriousness.

Qin Yuan nodded to the assembly and sat behind the desk, listening as Hongye called the roll.

It was the same routine as before.

Now the stewardesses were determined to neither seek merit nor commit faults, avoiding drawing attention lest Qin Yuan seize upon it to discipline them.

Qin Yuan glanced at the newly promoted Li Mama. This woman had a somewhat self-satisfied expression but couldn't hide her nervousness.

Clearly, she wanted to replace Lu Mama but was hesitant and lacked confidence.

Qin Yuan then asked, "Are there any difficult matters to handle in the needlework room?"

Li Mama hurriedly replied, "Reporting to the Madam, everything is fine."

"Is the embroidery thread supply sufficient?"

"Fully sufficient."

"Are any new varieties needed?"

"This old servant has tallied the embroidery items from previous years and estimates it is roughly enough."

Lu Mama squirmed uncomfortably to the side.

Qin Yuan said with a smile, "In that case, do your work well."

Li Mama's face beamed. "Thank you, Madam."

"You should also thank Cuiming. It was because she thought well of you that she recommended you."

"Yes, yes, thank you, Miss Cuiming."

Li Mama felt even more that Cuiming was her discoverer of talent. She had thought she would never get the chance to become a stewardess in this lifetime, but unexpectedly, Miss Cuiming had chosen her from among the matrons.

She needed to seize this opportunity firmly.

Qin Yuan smiled, glancing at Lu Mama.

Lu Mama’s face had flushed a deep purple.

The other stewardesses took this as a warning, and no one dared to entertain any further thoughts of deceiving their mistress.

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"Yuan'er, I wonder how she's doing. Mother hasn't sent any word either."

Bored in the camp, Marquis Gu couldn't help but murmur repeatedly.

When he left, they had just been discussing the matter of the stewardesses. He wondered how his young wife had handled it?

Without him to support her, could she manage it all alone?

And at night...

Last night, he had spent the entire night reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

That heartless woman.

The more Gu Jinghui thought about it, the more annoyed he became. He put down the book in his hand, clasped his hands behind his back, and strode out of his tent with vigorous steps to watch the soldiers drill.

It was better not to look. Looking only filled him with anger.

"These scoundrels, they look like they haven't eaten their fill."

So listless early in the morning.

What kind of appearance was that?

Gu Jinghui radiated a chilling aura from head to toe, his lips pressed tightly together, his sharp eyes shooting out a fierce glare.

Normally, others would have snapped to attention upon seeing him like this.

But today, a few troublemakers remained as they were, seemingly completely unaware of his intimidating presence.

Gu Jinghui strode over, stepping forward to kick one, and roared angrily, "What kind of appearance is this?!"

The soldiers about to retaliate heard the familiar roar and cried out in fright, "General! It's the General! The General has actually returned!"

Gu Jinghui: "…"

The soldiers didn't dare slack off, but the looks they gave him were odd, seeming to hold less of the usual awe and something else instead.

Annoyed, Gu Jinghui barked, "You few, step out of line! Assume the horse stance under that pole! If you still look like this, skip lunch."

The named few had no choice but to chant as they ran to assume the horse stance under the pole.

Under the increasingly high sun, their previous lethargy vanished completely.

Gu Jinghui made a round, collecting many curious, sidelong glances before clasping his hands behind his back and returning to his tent to sit down.

He picked up the book, then put it down again.

Gu Jinghui rested his forehead on his hand. The life he had been accustomed to since his youth—why had it suddenly become so hard to bear?

"General, General Jin requests an audience."

"Enter," Gu Jinghui sat up straight and responded sternly.

General Jin, a burly man with a full beard like a black bear, walked in, smiling. "Your subordinates have pooled some money and had the kitchen prepare some good food to congratulate the Marquis on your marriage. They specially elected this official to come invite you, Marquis. Will you honor us with your presence?"

Birthdays, joyous occasions—these were all good opportunities in official circles to give gifts to one's superior.

Gu Jinghui wasn't one for such formalities.

But marriage was a major event; surely, he couldn't refuse this.

Gu Jinghui agreed readily. General Jin smiled and added, "Did the Marquis shave his beard because he got married? This official was wondering why a handsome young man had suddenly appeared in this camp."

He had returned to the camp late yesterday, missed roll call, and only a handful had seen him, not daring to spread rumors.

General Jin's comment was just a common piece of flattery.

But when Gu Jinghui heard it, his handsome, stern face showed a trace of annoyance, yet also contained a faint, almost imperceptible sweetness as he said, "This Marquis didn't originally want to shave it. But my wife is young and delicate. I was afraid it might scare her, so I had to shave it off."

Seeing his expression, how could General Jin not understand that Marquis Gu was extremely pleased with his Marchioness?

Recalling his own wife's assessment of the Dingbei Marchioness, General Jin narrowed his eyes, leaned closer to Marquis Gu, wanting to ask a personal question.

(End of Chapter)

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