Chapter Twelve: Midnight Conversation

Qin Muchuan did not sleep soundly; around the hour of the Tiger (between 3 and 5 a.m.), he was awakened again by pain. His throat, hoarse from shouting during the previous beating, seemed injured as well. Half-awake, he wished for a drink of water to ease himself.

He called out in a raspy voice several times, but no one answered.

“Water...”

Still, there was no response.

A violent rainstorm had swept through the night, dispelling much of the summer heat; it was the coolest hour, and many slept deeply. Qianqian, curled up in the corner by the bed, did not hear Qin Muchuan’s mosquito-like voice.

Qin Muchuan was so angry he wanted to punch the bed—the damned girl, hadn’t she said her young master was most important in her heart? Yet she served him and managed to fall asleep! All these people, liars through and through!

He endured a while longer, struggling to swallow his saliva as his throat became increasingly dry, burning. Was he, a hero of his age, to die of thirst in bed?

“Husband?”

“Ah! Mmm mmm mmm...”

Qin Muchuan’s eyes flew wide open in fright; his body spasmed in pain, and he nearly cried out, but Gu Qiulan covered his mouth, almost causing him to bite through his tongue.

“Shh—” Gu Qiulan pressed a finger to her lips. “It’s late, everyone is asleep. Don’t wake the household.”

Let go of me, you devil! Qin Muchuan, somehow finding strength, gripped Gu Qiulan’s wrist and forced her hand away. Just as he caught his breath, she covered his mouth again with her other hand.

Damn her! Was she planning to murder her own husband?

“Husband, Qianqian is sleeping sweetly. She’s waited on you all night and finally got some rest; don’t disturb her.”

Damn it, who’s really injured here! Qin Muchuan’s eyes blazed with fury, but Gu Qiulan held fast, as if she wouldn’t let go unless he complied. At least, he thought, she couldn’t smother him at this level.

“Husband, if you promise not to shout, just nod your head, all right?” Gu Qiulan suggested gently.

He wanted nothing more than to strangle her! Bloodshot, Qin Muchuan stared at her for a long moment—then gave a slight nod with his noble head.

“There, that’s better. Husband, don’t shout so loudly.” Gu Qiulan slowly released him, but Qin Muchuan suddenly bit down hard on her hand!

Gu Qiulan: ...

“Serves you right!” Qin Muchuan growled low and fierce.

“Husband...” Gu Qiulan withdrew her hand, gazing thoughtfully at the teeth marks on her skin. “They say you should eat what needs healing, but you injured your backside this time.”

Qin Muchuan’s mouth hung open in astonishment, left speechless. Gu Qiulan, dressed in a pale undergarment and with loose hair, seemed as if she had just risen from sleep—why would she come to his room in the middle of the night?

Suppressing his anger, Qin Muchuan demanded, “What are you up to?”

Gu Qiulan’s face was full of concern. “I came to check on you. With your injuries so severe, how could I sleep soundly?”

Qin Muchuan was again at a loss for words.

Tonight was refreshingly cool, and everyone was asleep—even Qianqian, ever eager to show her loyalty, slept like a dead pig. Yet Gu Qiulan... Did she think he would be fooled by her tactics? His father was Duke Qin, a renowned general, and she, the daughter of a civil official, dared to compete in strategy? She underestimated him. Gu Qiulan had first used a clever trick on their wedding night, then borrowed Duke Qin’s hand to deal with him, and now resorted to a sympathetic ploy. It wasn’t that his army was weak; the enemy was simply cunning!

“Husband.” Gu Qiulan sat quietly at the bedside, moving with such grace that not a sound was made. She leaned close to whisper in Qin Muchuan’s ear, “Qianqian is a good girl; she’s cared for you all these years. Perhaps I should speak to mother and have her raised to concubine status?”

Qin Muchuan was about to agree—though he found Qianqian bothersome now, elevating a maid to concubine would certainly displease Gu Qiulan, which he’d enjoy—but Gu Qiulan had brought it up herself. Was there a trap?

He was about to ask her intentions when a cup appeared at his lips; without thinking, he drank from Gu Qiulan’s hand. Glancing sidelong at the deeper bite mark on her hand, his mood brightened.

With a drink, his throat felt much better. Now the two sat head to head on the bed, voices lowered, murmuring softly.

“How can I trust your words?”

“If I say it wasn’t my idea, would you believe me?” Gu Qiulan blinked at him.

Qin Muchuan’s face was stern, but suddenly his forehead felt warm. “Why are you so close? It’s summer, I’ll roast alive.”

“Shh—” Qianqian’s delicate hand pressed against his handsome lips. “It’s late, we don’t want to wake anyone. Qianqian is sleeping; I think we should discuss this ourselves first, lest she be disappointed.”

“You’re thorough, all right,” he thought, “except you never consider me!”

“I’m your wife, naturally I must plan for you,” Gu Qiulan replied.

Plan for me, my foot! My backside ended up like this because of your planning! Qin Muchuan hadn’t expected Gu Qiulan to be so shameless. He steeled himself and retorted, “Just a concubine—there are always seven or eight women around me! Let’s raise them all at once—Yue’er and Linglong too—so you won’t keep bothering mother and disturb her peace.”

As soon as he finished, he saw Gu Qiulan’s face grow troubled. Qin Muchuan felt triumphant. “What, aren’t you always gracious and generous? Three concubines, that’s nothing! I’ll bring home seven or eight beauties in the future—wife, you’ll have to manage the harem, otherwise what’s the point of marrying you?”

Gu Qiulan still said nothing. Qin Muchuan nearly laughed aloud, but in the silence of night, her quietness struck him as odd. He noticed her gaze flickering, her little eyes drifting toward his wounded backside...

“Husband,” Gu Qiulan said, voice full of concern, “let’s not rush the seven or eight beauties. Taking Yue’er and the others is fine, but three at once—your health...”

He knew this woman wasn’t up to any good. Qin Muchuan closed his eyes, needing to calm himself lest he die of rage ahead of time.

“My health is none of your concern!”

“Is it...?”

Qin Muchuan: ...

This conversation was impossible!

Seeing his chest heave with emotion, Gu Qiulan thought for a moment. “Let’s start with Qianqian. The others are still in the courtyard; they won’t run off. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on them for you.”

Was she mocking him as a lecher? Qin Muchuan couldn’t hold back any longer: “Get out—!”

“Ah!” Qianqian started awake, nearly tumbling to the floor. She gasped softly, looking up to see Gu Qiulan sitting at the edge of the bed, leaning close to Qin Muchuan. Her gauzy robe outlined faint curves. The two whispered together, Gu Qiulan smiling as she moved away, lowering her voice like a husky lover in the dark, “Husband, it’s settled then.” She glanced at Qianqian in the corner, “Serve him well, don’t fall asleep again, or he’ll have no one to bring him water when he’s thirsty.”

Qianqian had been sleeping soundly, but seeing Gu Qiulan made her head buzz. Before she could react, Gu Qiulan left gracefully. What had she and the young master just been doing? Suspicious and curious, Qianqian wanted to ask, but Qin Muchuan’s face was dark; though she was eager, she could only keep it to herself.

At least the young master never showed Gu Qiulan a pleasant face, and that was enough for her. Qianqian felt smug again.

The next morning, Qin Muchuan woke early. He hadn’t slept much, exhaustion weighing heavily, but Gu Qiulan’s words from last night kept him alert.

The servants and maids of the Duke’s household began to rise, the morning still shrouded in mist, everyone moving quietly. Qin Muchuan waited and waited, until the sun was bright in the sky, but still Gu Qiulan did not appear.

Was this her way of worrying about his health?

If so, why hadn’t she come to see him in the morning?

Qin Muchuan’s feelings were tangled beyond expression. He always hoped for a thorough victory over Gu Qiulan; for that, he needed to confront her head-on, yet every time he saw her, he was infuriated to the point of collapse!

Qianqian watched as Qin Muchuan stared dry-eyed for nearly half an hour. “Young master, you look tired; why not rest?”

Qin Muchuan ignored her.

Suddenly, the silk curtain fluttered and delicate footsteps approached. Qin Muchuan perked up, and before the person arrived, he shouted, “You wretched woman, might as well let me die of pain! If you dared go so far, don’t blame me for retaliating. I’ll give you a divorce letter soon enough, and end it all!”

He shouted with abandon, venting all the resentment pent up overnight. Yet no one answered.

Something was wrong. A woman as insincere as Gu Qiulan would at least say a few perfunctory words.

“I must have had eight generations of bad luck to marry you, you wretched woman! You bring nothing but misfortune!” He yelled with gusto, releasing all his pent-up frustration. The footsteps drew nearer, and his shouting grew louder.

“Well, well, you finally—... Qiaoyun!!” Qin Muchuan’s eyes bulged like bronze bells.

Qiaoyun looked at him with a complicated expression. “Young master, the young mistress went to greet the lady early this morning. She said...”

“Get out—!!” Qin Muchuan’s face burned red with embarrassment. His dignity was shredded!

Qiaoyun obediently withdrew.

But just as she left, Qin Muchuan barked, “Come back!”

He scowled, suppressing his embarrassment, and asked in a low voice, “What did that wretched woman say?”

“The young mistress said she remembers everything she discussed with young master last night, and that he need not worry.”

Qin Muchuan’s face was like a dye house—first red, then black, and after hearing Qiaoyun’s words, slowly turning green...