MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 93

 Glossary

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

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

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

·Cheng Ge'er (程哥儿): The twin boy, Zhao Niangzi's son.

·Yu Jie'er (玉姐儿): The twin girl, Zhao Niangzi's daughter.

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

·Prince Qi (齐王): A royal prince.

·Madame (夫人): Used for Qin Yuan; also used for Jin Canjiang's wife.

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Chapter 93: The Wind Blows Decisively in One Direction

"Marquis, you are newly wed. Why not take a few more days of leave? The land is at peace, we have no major affairs, and His Majesty would surely be understanding."

Jin Canjiang found an opening to ask about the situation in the Marquis's household these past days.

He had been on duty that day and missed the wedding banquet. His wife had returned home and said that Widow Zhao, still in mourning clothes, had disrupted the bridal chamber and was asked to leave by the Marquise, who was as beautiful as a goddess.

Jin Canjiang had since been unsure if the Marquis's rear courtyard could remain peaceful.

However, he hadn't heard any rumors lately.

He still wanted to hear what the man himself had to say.

Gu Jinghui sighed. "As a general, I cannot linger in sentimentality. I must prioritize state affairs. Our mortal enemy, the festering threat to our heartland, still exists. How can I sheathe the swords and let the horses graze on the southern hills?"

Although the battle in the north had been a great victory, both sides were severely weakened and unable to fight again. Once the Yelü clan had recovered their strength, they would return.

The Gu family had already buried several lives on that northern frontier.

How could such a blood feud be set aside?

Jin Canjiang also sighed, forcefully changing the subject. "While the General prioritizes state affairs, you should also strive for an heir soon, to set Old Madame Gu's mind at ease."

Gu Jinghui said, "My sixth brother has already produced many sons. They've all turned to the literary path now. The Gu line has successors. It's just that I…"

He still hadn't consummated the marriage.

How could he say that?

Jin Canjiang immediately picked up the thread. "What? Is there discord with the Madame? This humble officer may be lacking in talent, but I have some modest insight into husband-wife relations. We men who follow you, General, risking our necks for our futures, naturally don't shortchange ourselves either. Taking a wife, having sons, taking concubines—we haven't neglected any of it. When it comes to warfare, all of us combined are not your equal. But when it comes to matters between men and women, we are all old hands."

Truly, he had worried himself sick over the General having a successor sooner.

But the General had always said, "How can I have a home while the Yelü still live?"

Now that the Yelü clan had been beaten into hiding deep in the mountains, not daring to show their faces, and the Marquis was married, surely it was time to have a son.

If the Marquis had no heir, who would their own descendants follow for their futures?

Lord Gu the Sixth was like a scrawny chick; he'd never even been to a battlefield.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Not to mention his sons, who had all switched to the civil path.

Jin Canjiang didn't think much of any of them.

The Marquis hesitated, then said with vexation, "My wife is quite… clingy. Her heart is full of me. But she's young and holds grudges. Hmm, I simply don't know what to do."

Clingy she was, but when she nursed a grievance, it was formidable. He still couldn't return to the main bedchamber to sleep.

Jin Canjiang was taken aback.

This…

This wasn't what he had expected.

"It sounds like the Madame is deeply devoted to you, Marquis. How… how does she treat Zhao Niangzi and the children?"

The question was blunt now.

He might as well have asked if the Marquise could tolerate Zhao Niangzi.

His own wife had returned that day and berated Zhao Niangzi, saying she was shameless to bully the new bride like that.

She also said the Marquise was no easy mark either.

When two tigers fight, one is bound to be injured.

The Dingbei Marquis's household would surely see turbulent times, and his wife planned to visit less or not at all to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

Jin Canjiang had said, "It won't come to that, it won't," but secretly he also thought it would be either the east wind压倒 the west wind, or the west wind压倒 the east wind.

A look of emotion crossed the Marquis's face. "Quite well. Actually, Zhao Niangzi really doesn't know how to raise children. Cheng Ge'er and Yu Jie'er are over five years old and haven't learned any manners. I'm thinking Cheng Ge'er should start schooling, and we should find a governess for Yu Jie'er."

Jin Canjiang: "…"

This…

The Marquis continued, "I've already sent Shiliu to Jizhou to find Pang's clansmen. I'll have them come to the capital to help Zhao Niangzi look after the children. Otherwise, it's not right for her to live alone in the capital with them. After all, I'm only their godfather; I can't make decisions for them."

Jin Canjiang was greatly shocked.

The Marquis added, "We military men have been busy evaluating merits, reporting achievements, and dealing with the Ministry of Personnel. It didn't occur to us. But Zhao Niangzi should have thought to send word to the Pang family. Yet she never mentioned it."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jin Canjiang asked, astonished, "Does Zhao Niangzi know you sent Shiliu to Jizhou?"

The Marquis hesitated. "I don't know if she knows. A couple of days ago, both Cheng Ge'er and Yu Jie'er fell ill. After the children recovered, she fell ill. My mother has been making the arrangements."

Jin Canjiang was even more shocked.

In just a few days, the Marquis's attitude towards Zhao Niangzi had undergone a seismic shift.

This was…

Had the Marquise already completely defeated Zhao Niangzi?

He had thought that after all her efforts over the years, Zhao Niangzi would finally get her way.

The old comrades all thought that for the children's sake, the Marquis would surely agree to let Zhao Niangzi enter the household as a concubine. It was just that she was still in mourning, which was damaging to her reputation.

So, all this time, it was the flower willing, but the stream heartless?

Jin Canjiang drew a sharp breath. This delicate, clingy, grudge-holding Marquise was formidable.

"In this humble officer's opinion, if Zhao Niangzi learns of this, she will likely make trouble."

Gu Jinghui was puzzled. "Why?"

Jin Canjiang said, "My wife mentioned that on that day, Zhao Niangzi, still in mourning, went to disrupt the bridal chamber, upsetting the Madame. In the end, it was Sixth Madame Gu who had her escorted out. Zhao Niangzi even said… she said you were her children's father, and being treated like this, how could she stay in the Marquis's household?"

He glanced at the Marquis's darkening expression and added, "Such behavior is highly improper, not just in the capital but even on the northern frontier. The Marquis has shown great leniency towards Zhao Niangzi for the children's sake, but her actions… they…"

Why would one act so improperly, so extremely, unless one had other aspirations?

Jin Canjiang watched Gu Jinghui's face shift from shock, to flushing then paling, finally settling into dismay.

"So my wife suffered such an injustice…"

Gu Jinghui let out a long sigh.

Only now did he understand what Hongye and Cuiming had meant by 'injustice.' What kind of injustice it was.

Even Jin Canjiang's wife privately felt indignant on her behalf.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Adding those rumors to the mix…

Gu Jinghui said solemnly, "Jin Canjiang, Brother Pang was my benefactor. I naturally must take good care of his widow and children. Zhao Niangzi is still young and may not wish to remain a widow. When the Pang clansmen arrive, her intentions are unknown. If she wishes to remarry, I will personally prepare a generous dowry. You should also help look around, find Zhao Niangzi a good husband."

Jin Canjiang assented, understanding perfectly. Zhao Niangzi had been utterly defeated and was to be swept out by the Marquise.

From now on, their own families should also keep their distance from Zhao Niangzi.

Lest she refuse to give up and stir up trouble, making things awkward for everyone.

Henceforth, he should also have his wife visit the Marquis's household more, to chat with the Marquise.

A soldier guarding outside the tent loudly reported, "General! Prince Qi is outside the camp and has sent word requesting an audience!"

"Hiss—"

Jin Canjiang drew another sharp breath.

Why was Prince Qi here?

Gu Jinghui frowned, displeased. "This is a military headquarters. Did Prince Qi state his business?"

The implication was clear: if it was state or public business, he would see him. Otherwise, he would not.

Last time, listening to that fellow's nonsense, he had gone home and confronted Yuan'er, causing a scene. Thankfully, it was all a misunderstanding.

He hadn't sought him out for trouble yet.

And now this fellow came to his door?

The soldier said, "He said it concerns the Madame."

Gu Jinghui: "?"

(End of Chapter)

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