Chapter Six: Delicate and Frail

“Would you call this fate?” Gu Qiulan lay quietly on the bed, sighing with a deep sense of sorrow. “The falling of flowers is inevitable; the return of swallows seems familiar. I’d not fear being crushed to dust, so long as the green hills remain for firewood.”

Qiaoyun clenched her fists involuntarily, then relaxed them again. “Miss, it’s only your monthly cycle. In seven days, you’ll be just fine.”

“Seven days!” Gu Qiulan felt as if darkness had fallen before her eyes. She’d never been much concerned about her cycle, but in preparation for marriage, she’d asked Madam Zhuang to calculate the dates. She hadn’t expected this month’s to arrive so early.

“Madam Zhuang, didn’t you say it would come at the end of the month? It’s only been ten days—why so soon?”

Madam Zhuang was unruffled. “Don’t fret, miss. Women’s cycles are rarely predictable, and you’ve been traveling, eating irregularly, braving wind and dew. Naturally, things may come early or late.” She took Gu Qiulan’s pulse with practiced accuracy. “You’ll need some tonics for regulation.”

“One cannot eat hot tofu in haste. Let the young master yearn for you a while—are you afraid he’ll run off?” Madam Zhuang thought she’d better prescribe some calming and cooling remedies, in addition to the tonics.

Disappointment welled up in Gu Qiulan’s heart, impossible to voice.

“Then after seven days, you must give me some Joyous Powder as well. Tiger says all men like that sort of thing…”

“Miss!” Qiaoyun shot her a look.

Gu Qiulan glared at her, exasperated. “Qiaoyun, you must understand me! In my condition, all I can do is think about it.”

Qiaoyun wisely fell silent—there was no point in arguing with her mistress.

Meanwhile, Qin Muchuan was discussing Gu Qiulan’s homecoming visit with Steward Zhao. Zhao looked on with satisfaction—see, after just a few days of marriage, the young master had become so responsible! Wiping the corner of his eye, he thought, the young lady has truly worked hard.

“Everything must be checked meticulously. If anything is missing, it won’t do,” Qin Muchuan instructed.

“Rest assured, young master.” Steward Zhao thumped his chest. “The storerooms will be locked as soon as you leave, and guarded in shifts all night. These are all trusted old retainers from your father’s army. If any fool tries anything, he’ll never return!”

Qin Muchuan paused, slightly unnerved by the murderous air about the steward. “Thank you for your efforts, Uncle Zhao.”

“This is nothing! Back in the old days, following your father into battle—hey? Where are you going, young master?”

Qin Muchuan took off without looking back. “I’m going to check on Qiulan!” he called. If he stayed, he’d have to hear another of Uncle Zhao’s tales of his father’s legendary exploits—stories he’d heard eight hundred times since childhood, enough to make his ears grow calluses.

Steward Zhao watched him disappear, sighing deeply. “What a devoted couple! The young master is so sensible now—I’m truly moved…” As the Duke of Qin’s former bodyguard and now head steward, he felt it his duty to report this good news to his master, who would surely be gratified.

Qin Muchuan ran until he was breathless, finally pausing at the corridor to catch his breath. Though he’d claimed he was going to see Qiulan, considering her condition, it was best not to return tonight. He’d thought to make up for their missed wedding night, but now—

He sighed. He was a young man, full of vigor, but he had a conscience. With Qiulan unwell, he couldn’t visit her. Patience—it would only be a few more days. Tonight, he’d sleep in the study.

The Duke of Qin’s household was known for strict discipline. Lady Zhou favored her son, but would never tolerate a maid climbing into his bed; any caught would be sold off without mercy. Qin Muchuan, being exceptionally handsome—acclaimed as the capital’s foremost beauty—had been strictly warned by his mother never to indulge in such affairs before marriage, lest it bring shame upon his future in-laws. Once married, if his wife proved virtuous, she’d arrange for him to take concubines, and Lady Zhou would turn a blind eye.

Gu Qiulan waited in her room till night fell, but Qin Muchuan did not return. A quarter of an hour, two, half an hour… her face grew as dark as the night outside.

“Once was excusable, but to sneak off again tonight? Does this little wife want to court death?” Gu Qiulan sat on the bed’s edge, veins standing out on her hands.

Suddenly, beyond the screen, came Yue’er’s voice: “Young madam, the young master said since you’re unwell, he’ll sleep in the study tonight.”

“What?!” With a stomp, a fine crack appeared on the stone floor. Qiaoyun cried out, “Miss!”

Gu Qiulan closed her eyes, striving for calm. So it was the monthly cycle, making her so irritable.

Yue’er, hearing the commotion behind the screen, grew apprehensive. She’d come to report the young master’s whereabouts, hoping to curry favor. If the young madam didn’t appreciate it, her gesture would be wasted—what of her plans for future profit?

Anxiously, Yue’er added, “I just passed by the study—the lights were still on. The young master must still be working.”

Gu Qiulan could sit no longer. She sprang up, intent on storming the study.

Qiaoyun stepped in front of her, whispering, “Miss, mind your demeanor!”

With a helpless sigh, Gu Qiulan dropped her hands to her sides. Qiaoyun seized the chance to hand her a round fan, draped a rouge-colored silk ribbon over her arm, straightened her hair, and tucked in an ornate hairpin. Only after a careful inspection did she release her mistress from her ‘cage.’

Yue’er waited with lowered head in the outer hall. When she glimpsed the bride’s bright red gown, her spirits lifted—she wanted to say more, but before she knew it, Gu Qiulan had swept past her like a gust of wind.

Yue’er blinked, stunned. What just happened? She looked up, only to meet Qiaoyun’s smiling face. Qiaoyun pressed a heavy purse into her hand, whispering, “A reward from the young madam—come.”

The purse was weighty—at least five taels of silver! Yue’er was delighted; her career planning was clearly on the right track. “Sister Qiaoyun…” She smiled ingratiatingly, intending to offer the silver to Qiaoyun, as she needed the chief maid’s favor to stay in her mistress’s good graces.

“It’s late—go rest,” Qiaoyun said, leaving her no chance to curry favor, and hurried after Gu Qiulan.

Yue’er was a little disappointed, but the five taels in her hand cheered her instantly. She quickly covered her mouth—laughing out loud would be far too undignified!

Gu Qiulan marched toward the study. Her hearing was sharp; before she even reached the door, she heard a woman’s gentle voice inside.

“Young master, studying so late will strain your eyes. I brought some pastries I made—please try them.”

Gu Qiulan gazed thoughtfully at the study’s roof, then her expression sharpened. She spun around, hand raised to strike—“Damn it, it’s you!”

Qiaoyun seized her mistress’s hand. “Miss, were you about to climb the roof?”

“Well…” Gu Qiulan deflected, “The moon is especially bright tonight—so round and beautiful.”

Outside the study, Leshan rubbed his eyes in alarm, then dashed inside. “Young master, the young madam is here!”

“Is that so?” Qin Muchuan perked up, immediately standing. He glanced at Qianqian, his tone a little curt. “Why bring sweets at this hour? The young madam is unwell—shouldn’t you be attending her, not loitering in the study?”

Qianqian’s voice was full of grievance. “I have served you for years as your personal maid. The young madam has plenty of attendants—she doesn’t need one more.”

Just as Gu Qiulan entered, she caught this last line. “What’s this, husband? Are you sending Qianqian away?”

You—Qianqian nearly choked with fury. Gu Qiulan was indeed devious!

A sudden idea lit up above Qin Muchuan’s head—what a good suggestion! Why hadn’t he thought of it?

“Go find Madam Chen,” he ordered. “You won’t be serving in my rooms for a while.”

“Young master!” Qianqian was baffled—how had she been dismissed in the blink of an eye?

Gu Qiulan was equally puzzled. Qianqian was a beauty, far more alluring than the pretty girls she’d seen in Yanzhou. She hadn’t admired her enough—why was Qin Muchuan sending her away now? Hurriedly, she tried to intervene. “Husband, did Qianqian do something wrong? Even so, there’s no need for anger.” As she spoke, she sidled up to Qin Muchuan, her hand resting on his chest, as if to soothe him.

She stroked him slowly, unwilling to let go. In her current state, this was all she could do…

Qin Muchuan was deeply moved by her gesture.

Gu Qiulan appeared so magnanimous, but he knew that no woman was truly free from jealousy. Especially since he planned to visit the estate for some gambling soon—he needed to keep things smooth between them. Yet Qianqian was so oblivious; did she not realize it was still his honeymoon? If he fooled around now and Gu Qiulan complained to the Duke—

Ah, what a waste of a pretty face, paired with no sense.

“Qiulan, I’m not angry.” Qin Muchuan played along, gripping her restless hand. His lips curved into a warm smile, his gaze soft enough to drown someone. “Qianqian’s just grown unruly. Don’t stoop to her level.”

Gu Qiulan was utterly captivated by the capital’s most handsome man. What were Qianqian or Linglong compared to Qin Muchuan’s looks? She nodded at once. “Yes! I’ll listen to you.”

Since he’d begun, Qin Muchuan decided to send all the maids far from his quarters, to make a statement. “As for Yue’er and Linglong—”

“They’re perfectly fine!” Gu Qiulan interrupted hastily.

She suddenly recalled that beauties were prone to jealousy—could her stunning husband be jealous of the maids’ looks? This was serious. She hurried to reassure him, “Husband, to me, you’re the most handsome of all!”

Qin Muchuan paused, not understanding her sudden praise, but smiled anyway. “Qiulan.”

“Yes?”

“In my eyes, you are a beauty without peer.”

“…”

“Qiulan?”

“Qiulan?!”

Seeing her mistress truly faint, Qiaoyun hurried over. “Young master, the young madam is unwell—please help her to bed.”

“Of course!” Qin Muchuan at once carried her into the inner room.

Soon, Madam Zhuang arrived with the household physician.

Qin Muchuan, seeing Qiulan’s flushed face, was full of concern. “Qiulan is so delicate, Doctor Ning, you must examine her carefully.”

Doctor Ning stroked his beard. He’d heard from Steward Zhao that this couple was affectionate, and now saw it was true—the young master himself worrying over someone else. The old lady had arranged a most excellent match indeed!