MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 95

 Glossary

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

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

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

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

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

·Princess Fuyun (福芸公主): The Seventh Princess.

·Qi Wang (齐王): A royal prince.

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

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

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Chapter 95: The Seventh Princess, Fuyun

By lunchtime, Qin Yuan had finished writing. The papers were spread on the table to dry.

Hongye and Cuiming had both returned. After washing their hands, they set out the meal.

With the Marquis absent, the three of them divided the dishes as usual. Qin Yuan said, "Take some over to Shen Changle. Tell him it's a reward. Say nothing more."

A man like Shen Changle, clever enough to become a sage if given a tail, was truly sharp.

Hongye nodded. "Alright."

Knowing Hongye wanted to get closer to Shen Changle, Qin Yuan smiled.

Not long after, Hongye returned. As soon as she sat down, she said, "Young Lady, Xiao Hong told me the Marquis's godson asked for her help writing a letter to send to the Marquis."

"Oh?"

Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow, picked up a diamond-shaped piece of rosy stewed goose breast with her chopsticks, dipped it in the yellow wine-based sauce, and placed it in her mouth.

Her neat, fine white teeth bit down gently. The cook had done an excellent job; it separated with little effort, its rich flavor instantly filling her mouth.

"Red goose urges the wine to be served—this really has character," Qin Yuan murmured in quiet praise, referencing an old poetic sentiment about fine food.

Cuiming picked up the thread from Hongye. "What did he want Xiao Hong to write?"

Hongye said, "Xiao Hong said that after hearing what you said, he's decided to study hard, to pass the imperial examinations in the future and show you. He says he's promised the Marquis to enter the Imperial College to study."

Qin Yuan hurriedly swallowed the goose in her mouth and took a sip of water to avoid choking.

So, she was the reason Cheng Ge'er wanted to enter the Imperial College and sit for the exams.

Hongye said, "Who knows if the Pang family has any scholarly talent? Regardless, that's a matter for the Marquis to consider now."

Qin Yuan nodded. "Wanting to better oneself is always good."

In her past life, Pang Cheng had become a military officer and had always served by the Marquis's side.

She recalled that after the Marquis's great northern victory, floods and droughts became frequent. The court lacked the strength for further campaigns, and the Yelü clan no longer dared invade the Central Plains, though they constantly harassed the border.

The Marquis, it seemed, never again stepped beyond the capital. With the army seeing no battle for years, civil officials repeatedly petitioned the court to suppress the military. Military pay was constantly reduced, and more than half the soldiers eventually returned to farming.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

It had to be said that Old Madame Gu's choice to abandon the military for civil pursuits was correct.

Only, if the Yelü clan invaded again in the future, there would be no capable generals or soldiers left to face them.

Even Lin Ziqi, who had climbed to the position of Chancellor, had said that the one to destroy this dynasty would be the Yelü clan.

Yet in court, he was also the loudest voice calling for the suppression of military officials.

A perfect example of 'after me, the deluge.'

Qin Yuan gave a light laugh and picked up another piece of eggplant with her chopsticks. The eggplant had been stewed with pheasant until soft and flavorful, a perfect accompaniment to the rice.

Those thoughts were far removed from her now. As a woman deep within the inner quarters, her task was simply to live her life well. She might see the political situation with crystal clarity, but she had no lever, no way to exert any force.

She needn't trouble herself with such idle concerns.

…

Inside the army tent, Jin Canjiang frowned, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on the young scholar in indigo-blue robes standing beside the mild and refined Prince Qi.

Though not as handsome as the prince, the scholar was still quite good-looking, albeit with a somewhat effeminate air. His speech and movements were like a woman's, his skin fair and delicate. A pair of phoenix eyes were fixed on his General, glistening as if filled with deep affection.

Did Prince Qi favor male companions?

And had his male favorite taken a liking to the General?

Jin Canjiang, burly and full-bearded, stared fixedly, truly resembling a clumsy bear eyeing its prey. The scholar glared back angrily. "What are you looking at?"

Jin Canjiang was speechless.

Now he couldn't even look? Couldn't he look at someone so womanly if he wanted?

Gu Jinghui's brow furrowed deeply. His sharp gaze swept over Jin Canjiang, then towards Prince Qi. "Why have you brought an outsider to a military headquarters?" he said coldly.

And such an effeminate scholar, no less.

This was his main camp.

Prince Qi smiled good-naturedly. "This is the Seventh Princess, Fuyun. She was just beginning to remember things when you, Third Brother, went to the northern frontier. She heard I was coming to the camp to see you and insisted on tagging along."

"A woman?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jin Canjiang, shocked, failed to restrain his mouth and blurted out, quickly covering it with his hand.

This was a princess.

Gu Jinghui's face darkened further. "This is a military camp. Is it a place for women and children? A place for sightseeing? Strictly speaking, neither of you should be allowed in."

Princess Fuyun hurried forward to curtsey, raising her jade-like face. "Third Brother," she said softly, "you saved me when I was little. Have you forgotten? I heard Royal Brother Qi was coming to the camp and made a fuss about coming to see my savior. If this is improper, please forgive me, Third Brother. Royal Brother Qi only agreed because I pestered him endlessly. If you must blame someone, blame me."

Gu Jinghui had already stepped aside, not daring to accept her salute.

Jin Canjiang wished he could shrink and hide somewhere.

'Third Brother.'

'Savior.'

This Seventh Princess enjoyed the Emperor's deep favor. She and Prince Qi were born of the same mother, both children of the late Empress.

Trouble.

After the princess finished speaking, Gu Jinghui lifted his eyelids, shooting a glare at the smiling Prince Qi before speaking calmly. "That was an incident from many years ago. This subject barely remembers it. It was surely no major deed, just a casual act. How could I be considered a savior? Your Highness need not hold it in your heart. You are a precious scion of the imperial family, your status esteemed and noble. How can you step into a military camp? You should return with your brother soon. This is no place for a princess."

Prince Qi said with a laugh, "Third Brother, I truly came because of matters concerning your wife. Fuyun here is just being mischievous, wanting to come see you. That year, by the peach blossom pond beside the Pepper Chamber Palace, you pulled her back, saving her from falling in. It was still chilly in early spring, and there was no one around. If a small child like her had fallen in, she might have died. You deserve the title of savior."

Gu Jinghui frowned in puzzlement but couldn't recall. He said, "It was merely a matter of happening to be there and acting. In my youth, I frequently entered and left the palace. I did see the Seventh Princess a few times when she was small, though my memory is hazy. I hadn't realized she had grown so much."

A look of pleasure appeared on Princess Fuyun's face.

Prince Qi sighed. "Yes, she's all grown up. This little girl has known since childhood that you saved her and has always remembered. Last time you returned triumphantly with the army, she reserved the entire Spring Breeze Pavilion along the main thoroughfare just to watch you enter the city."

Gu Jinghui's expression softened slightly, but he remained firm. "Your Highness, Prince Qi, it would be best for you to leave with the Seventh Princess soon. It is truly inappropriate for you to stay here long."

Jin Canjiang nodded inwardly.

They had spent years on the northern frontier to earn their futures. It was unwise to become overly familiar with imperial princes.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Moreover, the Crown Prince, born of the new Empress, was sickly. Many said he might not live long.

The Marquis should not wade into these muddy waters.

Prince Qi said helplessly, "But I'm already here. Those who should know already know. If I leave without saying what I came to say, wouldn't I have borne the reputational risk for nothing?"

Princess Fuyun also said, "Third Brother, I promise not to cause any trouble. I'll just sit for a moment and then leave. I have every right, by any measure, to thank my savior in person."

Dear readers, it's the double monthly vote event at the month's end and beginning. Qi Jian begs for your monthly votes.

(End of Chapter)

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