MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 96

 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.

·Qi Wang (齐王): A royal prince.

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

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

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

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Chapter 96: Try Twisting a Different Melon

Jin Canjiang frowned and suddenly spoke up. "General, should I notify our comrades then…"

The Marquis raised an eyebrow. "No need. His Highness Prince Qi and Her Highness the Seventh Princess are just passing by for a brief visit. They'll be gone after saying a few words. Proceed as usual."

Jin Canjiang immediately smiled. "Then this humble officer will go inform them that the General has agreed."

Gu Jinghui nodded.

Jin Canjiang then withdrew and called for a soldier to serve tea to the two distinguished guests in the General's tent.

The soldier asked, "Who are the distinguished guests?"

Jin Canjiang said, "His Highness Prince Qi and the Seventh Princess have come. The Seventh Princess was saved by our General when she was young. She's remembered it ever since and wanted to thank the General in person, so she insisted Prince Qi bring her."

The soldier said, "The princess is that scholarly-looking young man? I thought from a distance he didn't seem much like a man. So it was a woman disguised as a man. As expected of a precious imperial scion, she looks noble and pretty."

Jin Canjiang scoffed. "Pretty? Could she be prettier than our General?"

He had initially wanted to say she couldn't be prettier than the General's wife either, but he swallowed the words.

His wife had come home saying the Marquis had shaved his beard and was handsomely unbelievable. She said if she'd known the Marquis was so good-looking back then, she'd never have married him but would have found a way to become the Marquis's concubine instead. She also said the Marquise was young and beautiful, an extremely well-matched pair with the Marquis, and that Widow Zhao wasn't fit to hold her shoes.

Jin Canjiang had thought, just how beautiful could she be? Women always exaggerate.

But after seeing Gu Jinghui's clean-shaven face, Jin Canjiang was convinced.

With a face like that, if it weren't hidden behind a big beard, how could he command respect from brutes like them?

If even his own wife thought a woman was a match for the Marquis, she must be as beautiful as a heavenly fairy.

By making this fuss, Jin Canjiang ensured the whole camp would soon know.

This was also to prevent any misinterpretation that could cause trouble for the General.

These weren't like the days on the northern frontier. The camp wasn't filled solely with their own men; countless eyes were watching now.

The soldier brought in the tea. After about the time it takes to drink a cup, Gu Jinghui escorted Prince Qi and the Seventh Princess out of the camp.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Jin Canjiang approached again and asked, "What matter concerning the Madame required Prince Qi to come speak of it?"

Gu Jinghui said irritably, "He's just meddling in others' affairs. I've already reprimanded him. He won't dare again."

Jin Canjiang sensed a tone of closeness between them. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "The General says he's not… problematic?"

Gu Jinghui said, "He's not problematic. Before I went to the northern frontier, I served as a study companion in the palace. I grew up with several of the elder princes; it's well known. He just heard some idle gossip, developed a misunderstanding about my wife, and acted rashly on my behalf out of a misplaced sense of injustice. I've already spoken to him. This is a military headquarters; he won't come again in the future."

Jin Canjiang breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. The General is dedicated to achieving merit and building a career. How could he have time for sentimentality?"

The Marquis: "…"

Lately, he had been immersed in sentimentality every day.

Outside the camp, the two who had been escorted out by Gu Jinghui both wore somewhat unpleasant expressions.

Princess Fuyun pouted and complained, "Why is the Marquis so unapproachable?"

It was mealtime, yet he hadn't even invited them to stay for lunch.

Prince Qi gave a light laugh. "He's being quite polite, considering."

Princess Fuyun widened her eyes. "Why?"

Prince Qi clasped his hands behind his back and sighed deeply. "Third Brother is an upright man. It's just that I am not so upright. He must keep his distance from me. I should be tactful, but… I am unwilling."

The words revealed nothing explicitly, yet they implied everything.

Princess Fuyun sighed and fell silent.

Once they were in the carriage, Princess Fuyun asked again, "Are you really going to help his godson enter the Imperial College?"

Prince Qi gestured vaguely. "I can only try."

Princess Fuyun said unhappily, "A mere godson, yet he values him so much. His subordinate saving him was just his duty. No wonder there's idle talk outside, saying it's his own child. Isn't his father-in-law the Chancellor of the Imperial College? Why doesn't he seek his wife's help?"

Prince Qi said, "How could it be his child? If he were capable of that kind of understanding back then, why would he have ever…"

Princess Fuyun asked curiously, "Have ever what?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Prince Qi's face turned cold. "Don't inquire about things you shouldn't. And you should stop too. Don't make more trouble. Third Brother cherishes his new wife. He has many capable people around him. You've seen his temperament—cold, stern, unapproachable, like a block of wood. He merely has a handsome face. Not everyone can endure such a man."

Princess Fuyun said, "I…"

Prince Qi said, "Don't fabricate lies. I watched you grow up. Don't I know your little thoughts? Let it go. How could a consort in this dynasty hold military power? That rule alone means there is no possibility whatsoever for you and him."

Princess Fuyun's face darkened like still water. Unwilling, she said, "If I married him, wouldn't you gain a powerful ally? Do you truly accept letting that sickly one lord over us? Didn't you always say that success lies in human effort?"

Prince Qi fell silent.

After a long while, he said, "Do you think others are fools? He's been back in the capital for over half a year. Has he ever initiated contact with me once? If I hadn't had people watching constantly, we wouldn't even have had those 'chance' encounters. The only reason he speaks with me now is entirely for the sake of his newly wedded wife. Between him and me… Forget it, you wouldn't understand. The Gu family sacrificed several lives to guard the northern frontier. When he went to the north back then, he severed all contact with everyone in the capital. After returning, he still never initiates contact with anyone. At one point, I thought he wouldn't come back at all."

How could a man who had resolved to act with a death wish easily involve himself in these matters?

He had seen Gu Jinghui's attitude clearly now.

Princess Fuyun wore a look of sour jealousy. "Is that woman really so good? Weren't people saying before that the Zhao widow would be taken into his household as a concubine? It seems he loves a new one when he sees one."

"And what do you hear now? He's preparing a dowry for that widow, ready to give her a generous one if she wishes to remarry. It's only been a few days. It shows the Qin girl has truly captured his heart. A thousand-year-old iron tree has bloomed. There's no place for anyone else. Given our current situation, if he formed a marriage alliance with you, I would immediately become a target. What's the point?"

Princess Fuyun's long, sharp nails dug deeply into a citron fruit placed on the carriage table. After a long moment, she lowered her gaze and said, "I understand."

Seeing her like this, Prince Qi comforted her. "If your brother achieves his wish one day, I will certainly ensure my Fuyun lives happily and without restraint. But for now, set aside those thoughts. A melon twisted by force isn't sweet. Why don't you go try twisting a different melon?"

Princess Fuyun hummed in acknowledgment. "Don't worry, Brother. I won't let matters of the heart interfere with our plans."

…

Gu Jinghui joined his officers for a midday banquet. In the midst of lively conversation, he inevitably drank a few extra cups.

When the men began talking about their women, each was full of bravado. "You must never spoil your own wife. Right after marrying, you have to establish the rules. Otherwise, she'll climb right over your head later."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Especially Jin Canjiang, who said, "My wife is the most virtuous. She practically wishes she could…"

The Marquis, who usually remained silent during such talk, interjected, "This Marquis's wife is truly… very clingy."

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(End of Chapter)

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