MYSIOAMEWTMMAlTWOAM: Chapter 98

 Glossary

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

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

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

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

·Lin Ziqi (林子奇): Qin Wan's husband.

·Qin Heng (秦恒): Qin Yuan's brother.

·Qin Siyuan (秦思远): Qin Yuan's cousin.

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

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

·Manager Leng (冷掌柜): Manager of the Gu family's spice shop, Ranxiang Ju.

·Gu Shiba (顾十八): An attendant of Gu Jinghui.

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

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Chapter 98: She Couldn't Withstand a Single Finger

The Marquis downed the wine in his cup in one gulp.

Damn it.

He was still a virgin.

When his next break from duty came, he must consummate the marriage.

Not even the highest heavenly authority could stop him.

The slightly yellow, murky wine dripped from the corner of his mouth. The Marquis wiped it away carelessly with the back of his hand. Even this rough motion was pleasing to watch when he did it.

"Fight what fight? She couldn't withstand a single finger from me."

Everyone caught on and burst into hearty laughter.

The General was newly married, after all. It was only natural he didn't understand these bawdy remarks.

Jin Canjiang leaned in, a mysterious look on his face. "The Marquis doesn't know what these scoundrels are talking about yet. When the Marquis wants to 'fight' later, I have quite a few good things to show you."

The Marquis knew they weren't talking about anything proper, but he refused to be outdone.

Having waited so many years for a chance to show off, how could he miss it? He steered the conversation back to his wife.

He proceeded to praise Qin Yuan as if she were a celestial being without equal on earth, making everyone thoroughly envious.

Only then, satisfied, did the Marquis take his leave.

Back in his own tent, Gu Jinghui sighed. It was cold and boring. He lay down on the cot for a nap but heard his attendant's voice outside. "Master, a letter from the household."

Gu Jinghui immediately sat up. "Bring it in, quickly."

The attendant entered and handed over the letter. Gu Jinghui tore it open swiftly. It was from his godson, Cheng Ge'er. It said that after hearing the Madame speak in the main house about her brother taking the imperial examinations, he finally understood how impressive a jinshi was. He was willing to follow his godfather's arrangements to enter the Imperial College to study. In the future, he also wanted to take the examinations. He wanted his sister, Yu Jie'er, to marry a jinshi and become a jinshi's wife. That way, they could bring honor to their ancestors and make their godfather and his own father proud of them.

The letter ended by explaining it was written with Xiao Hong's help.

Gu Jinghui found it both amusing and gratifying.

He had originally worried Cheng Ge'er would be ruined being raised by Zhao Niangzi.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Gu Jinghui set the letter down and asked the attendant, "Was there any other message from the household?"

The attendant said, "No."

Gu Jinghui was somewhat disappointed.

The attendant added, "The one who delivered the letter was Shiba. He hasn't left yet."

"Have him come in."

Gu Shiba entered, bowed, and asked, "What are your instructions, Master?"

Gu Jinghui asked, "Has anything happened at the household these past two days?"

Gu Shiba said, "Nothing major. The Madame's younger brother visited. He said the Imperial College was on break, and he came looking for you to go riding. He was quite disappointed not to see you. The Old Madame had the Sixth Master entertain him, but his face hadn't healed, so he didn't come out. The Madame ate a meal with him and the Old Madame."

Gu Jinghui smiled.

"The Madame's cousin also came. The Old Madame even prepared a gift for the meeting but didn't get to give it. The Madame said he would visit again later…"

Gu Shiba recounted everything he had seen and heard.

Gu Jinghui asked, "What did the Madame say that made Cheng Ge'er suddenly decide to take the examinations?"

Gu Shiba said, "The Madame said her cousin had the talent to become a jinshi and that he should wait until passing the exams before choosing a good marriage. She said someone who passes at thirty-five is considered young, and many are still taking them in their seventies or eighties. She told Sixth Madame Gu not to push the two young masters too hard. The Old Madame even said she wanted the Sixth Master to take the exams alongside the young masters…"

Gu Shiba himself got muddled explaining. He also couldn't figure out why Cheng Ge'er suddenly wanted to take the exams.

Gu Jinghui laughed. "Go back and tell the Madame not to worry about the pepper matter. Prince Qi's pepper deal most likely won't come through."

He couldn't tell Qin Yuan what Prince Qi had done, so he could only convey it this way.

Gu Shiba assented.

Gu Jinghui wanted to say something else but paused, swallowing dryly.

Gu Shiba, remembering what Gu Shiliu had said before leaving, immediately added, "Master, the Madame has been thinking of you these past couple of days."

Gu Jinghui's expression immediately brightened considerably. He smiled. "I know. You've done well."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Gu Shiba asked, "Should I reply to Young Master Pang?"

Gu Jinghui said, "Tell him I am thinking of ways to find him a renowned teacher. I am deeply gratified by his desire to study. Say nothing more."

He was still somewhat dubious about what Qin Yuan had said earlier.

It wouldn't be good if his efforts backfired.

He would wait and see.

After Gu Shiba left, Gu Jinghui whispered to himself, "I knew Yuan'er was thinking of me constantly, missing me. Ah, but being this clingy really won't do."

…

After her midday meal and a short rest, Qin Yuan received the spices she had requested, sent over by Manager Leng.

The spices were packed in separate wooden boxes by category to prevent the scents from mixing.

Qin Yuan inspected them; they were all high quality.

Manager Leng also sent a message: Prince Qi's Chief Steward was inquiring about prices everywhere but also telling people not to sell their pepper hastily. If Qin Yuan urgently needed to buy, he would send people to ask around in various regions.

"Go back and thank Manager Leng for his trouble. There's no urgent need to buy, but since there's no stock to hoard in the capital, asking around elsewhere is a good idea."

Qin Yuan had a young maid give the messenger a tip for some tea.

The messenger thanked her profusely before withdrawing.

Qin Yuan changed her clothes, wrapped her hair in a kerchief, tied her sleeves tight, and began making incense.

Incense-making was a delicate, intricate task requiring many tools.

Some ingredients needed grinding into fine powder, some needed charring to ash, others required soaking and boiling in water, or rolling in a mortar…

Fortunately, Ranxiang Ju had been in this business for years. Their spices were expertly processed by specialists.

When Qin Yuan requested the spices, she had specified how several should be prepared.

Manager Leng was thorough; what he sent had already been cleaned—impurities removed, sifted, or crushed as needed.

Only a few items required her personal preparation.

Qin Yuan had already prepared a clean side room. After sweeping and sprinkling water, she lit a drying incense burner on the incense table, tossed a few spices in to heat them. Once dried, they would be ground into powder, then steamed over water.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The room had an ice basin, keeping it cool enough for Qin Yuan to work comfortably without feeling stuffy.

Hongye and Cuiming knew she didn't allow disturbances while making incense, so they kept watch outside, speaking softly. Qin Yuan steamed, boiled, finally added water for grinding, dried the mixture again, ground it into fine powder, mixed it with honey to form pills. Unconsciously, over two hours passed.

The finished incense pills needed to cool slowly and dry thoroughly before they could be used.

When Qin Yuan finally left the room, she learned that Qin Siyuan had already sent over the examination topics and poems he had compiled.

"Young Lady, a message was delivered from the Marquis earlier."

Qin Yuan's mouth was dry. Ignoring the message for the moment, she drank two cups of tea first, then asked, "What was the message?"

Hongye said, "The Marquis had Shiba bring a message. He said not to worry about the pepper matter either, as Prince Qi's deal probably won't happen in the end."

"Oh?"

Qin Yuan found this strange and asked, "Was that all?"

Hongye couldn't help smiling. "The Marquis said you needn't worry about him. He's eating, sleeping, and changing clothes on time at camp. In his free time, he reads. He's doing well."

Qin Yuan also couldn't help but laugh, nodding. "That's good then."

Putting down her teacup, Qin Yuan picked up the thick stack from Qin Siyuan. She found a letter mixed in with the papers. Opening it, she glanced at it, then tossed it onto the table, giving a light snort. "Lin Ziqi."

(End of Chapter)

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