Ch17 – Exchanging Blows

Translator: Lisha
Editor: Dom

Although Gong Zhuoliang had said that he’d try to put up with Madam Gong’s cruelty, the way she’d try to mentally torture him didn’t really bother him. 

Normally, those daughter-in-laws who were disliked and given the cold shoulder by their Mother-in-law would be type to lament and weep mournfully in secret. However, Gong Zhuoliang honestly didn’t care! So long as he wasn’t starving, he could pretend that her innocent words which hid a knife were just a foreign language to his ears. He could attend to her and listen to her lectures for more than four hours a day just like a mere part-time worker trying his best to earn his monthly salary.

But in the end, Gong Zhuoliang wasn’t a wimp after all. Even if he could act like a bashful daughter-in-law and let Madam Qiao knead him into a flat circle for more than half a month, his sharp eyes had seen the intentions of the manager’s talkative daughter-in-law beside Madam Qiao who turned out to be a money-grubber herself.

Gong Zhuoliang then asked Qiao Yingze’s study partner about that girl’s resources, and he learned that she was actually a fraud. So he demanded for everyone to inquire for his behalf on the pretext that she had disrespected him. Then afterwards, Han Shu – who had a ‘straightforward’ personality – pointed at the girl right in front of Madam Qiao and accused her of being a master-deceiving slave.

As expected, Madam Qiao sided with the old man beside her, and shielded the girl’s true character in front of the public. Because of this, the manager’s daughter-in-law couldn’t restrain herself anymore and took advantage of this situation by fawning on Madam Qiao. At the same time, she ruthlessly trampled on Gong Zhuoliang and regarded him as a low person everyday. 

Just when Gong Zhuoliang had inwardly thought that this young lady could be those feeble and easy-to-bully type of girls, it was now at this moment when Gong Zhuoliang found the evidence that the girl had indeed embezzled the Qiao Family’s money before.

Even if Gong Zhuoliang had given all of this evidence to Madam Qiao ‘in private’, there was no way she could still control the mouths of the people living in the Qiao’s residence. So right now, she felt thoroughly ashamed.

She had no way of implicating and blaming Gong Zhuoliang, who was the ‘victim’ here, because she would have to explain herself. She could only blame it all to that girl, and finally expelled their entire family out of their presence.

Every time she saw Gong Zhuoliang, her head would ache. In the end, she sent him out and didn’t allow him to serve during dinner anymore. She started to openly show her dislike towards her own eldest son as well.

At first, Gong Zhuoliang thought that the other housekeepers and the servants would have to worry about their future Madam during this situation, but Madam Qiao’s declaration assured everyone that she was not planning on passing her position to the eldest daughter-in-law at all. As a result, those snobbish and superficial servants did not attach any importance to Qiao Yingze’s courtyard anymore.

“Zhuo Zhuo…. I still think it’s better for you to go over at her place and greet my mother.”

Early in the morning as usual, Gong Zhuoliang was awakened by Qiao Yingze’s fingers stroking through his hair to hesitantly persuade him to get up.

Qiao Yingze had clearly witnessed Gong Zhuoliang’s anger for more than a month already, and this honestly made him feel very upset at himself for being so useless at this time. If only he was capable of doing something – how could he still allow his wife to suffer such cruelty in his own home? Although Gong Zhuoliang, who was in front of him, hid his feelings. Qiao Yingze was a scrupulous person, and he could see Gong Zhuoliang’s mood by his calm face that was slowly morphing into weariness and irritation each day. 

“Humph!…”

Gong Zhuoliang, unwilling to get up from the bed, harrumphed in protest. But he still naturally creeped his little hands under Qiao Yingze’s robes and started fondling his chest out of habit. Although the chest felt really soft and smooth, he couldn’t easily pinch it up; thereupon, Gong Zhuoliang’s restless and lecherous fingers shifted to pinch the little fruits..

“Zhuo Zhuo. Even if my mother told you to not come and serve her anymore, we still couldn’t defy the rules. Everyone might start saying that we are not filial at all, and this will certainly make grandmother unhappy.”

Qiao Yingze took the restless little hand off his chest. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry for a while, but then soon after that, his eyes started to dim. 

Even if Qiao Yingze felt really pained for Gong Zhuoliang who had served Madam Qiao everyday, he still had a few expectations in his heart. At first, he thought that his mother would take them into her heart as the next heir for the family, but when he learned that she beat Gong Zhuoliang at his own game and used that as an excuse to treat Gong Zhuoliang coldly, Qiao Yingze instantly knew that this person (Madam Qiao) had decided on her successor: the youngest son.

The only thing he was afraid of was when his younger brother finally married a sister-in-law, that there would be a possibility that he and Gong Zhuoliang might not be able to stay in the Qiao household.

“Tfr, P xcbk…. Pr ws vfjg Leryjcv ectjqqs klat ws jmalbcr? Qlii ugjcvwbatfg ageis vlrilxf wf lo P kbc’a ub?” 

Xbcu Itebiljcu mbeiv mifjgis afii atja Hljb Tlcuhf tjv yffc nfgs uibbws atfrf vjsr. Lf jrrewfv atja la wluta yf vef ab tlw wjxlcu tlr Zbatfg-lc-ijk ectjqqs atf batfg vjs, joafg jii, tlr jmalbcr gluta cbk jgf cba gfjiis rwjga. Craeaf qfbqif mbeiv mifjgis afii atja tf tjv yffc agslcu ab ‘yjaaif’ tlr Zbatfg-lc-ijk jii atlr alwf. Coafg jii, atlr kjr jii atf mgefi Zjvjw Hljb’r vblcu. Vtf tjv yffc qeaalcu jc jma bo: “Zs vjeutafg-lc-ijk lr agfjalcu wf rb mgefiis, rb P rtbeiv cba vjgf boofcv remt j vjeutafg-lc-ijk”.

Right now, the “obedient and meek” mask that Gong Zhuoliang had always put on was finally off.

If he started feeling like his schemes on Madam Qiao were totally good enough to the point that he would literally stop visiting her courtyard, then he’d certainly be in real trouble there. Everyone would talk about how immoral and unfilial he is, that even the old lady might start detesting him.

“You wouldn’t be. If only you’d start acting docile and subservient, that would be really awkward for Grandmother, ne?” 

Although Old Madam Qiao did not meddle with the affair yesterday, Qiao Yingze is sure that she would not be biased and dogmatic when it comes to this situation. So he still needed to warn Gong Zhuoliang not to insult their elders and show filial obedience no matter what was in his heart.

“Is that so? I’m fully aware that I sometimes make clumsy actions, so if you ever find any flaws in me, don’t hesitate to let me know. You don’t have to feel apprehensive, because I know that you’re doing it for my sake.”

Gong Zhuoliang knew that his little husband had definitely figured out the situation behind all this. He’s really an absolute supporter who shields him with a protective umbrella! It’s all the more reason for him to tightly hug his little husband’s thighs!

“Mnn. So… as for my thoughts, I think you need to be more respectful than usual towards mother from now on. You must also frequently visit my grandmother during your spare time. You don’t need to perform painstaking flattery on her, but simply act coquettish and narrate some entertaining anecdotes to make my grandmother happy.” 

Gong Zhuoliang’s encouraging words totally worked on Qiao Yingze who then started smiling, and looked more lively than when they had first met each other during the wedding. At this point, he couldn’t help pinching his cheek that had not much meat in it yet.

“Alright…. Then from now on, I will now proceed on serving my mother-in-law three times a day!”

Gong Zhuoliang bared a bright toothy grin, while inwardly, he thought in his heart― He’d have to let everyone witness with their own eyes who’s more unfilial among the daughter-in-law, and the evil mother-in-law .

___ 

Gong Zhuoliang, who was adorned to the brim, finally arrived in front of Madam Qiao’s courtyard at the exact time he needed to be there. As soon as he received a message from Madam Qiao that he didn’t have to serve her today, Gong Zhuoliang did not immediately leave. He pulled on Ruo Lan to wait for Madam Qiao outside the courtyard, then afterward they would visit the Old Madam to serve her meal.

When no one was around, Gong Zhuoliang talked to Ruo Lan with a low voice, and gossiped with her. Or else he’d be totally bored to death if he were to stand and wait in vain without anything to do.

“Since you visited the Gong Family yesterday, has my mother received any reliable news lately, ma? Yesterday, something really entertaining happened here, and I couldn’t help but stay and watch the show. In the end, I completely forgot about it.”

Looking around her surroundings, Ruo Lan then shifted a little closer to Gong Zhuoliang and started whispering to him about the news she received. 

“The Mistress has certainly received something. Ruo Zi and her family used to live in a village where a ton of fishermen lived. Her father traveled to Bo City so he could seek help from a doctor for his sick son. He sold Ruo Zi to the Gong Family so he could have enough money to pay the medical expenses. When the son was cured, the father and son pair traveled back to their old home, and soon lost contact with Ruo Zi. But we had clues that her indentures should’ve been signed by her dad back then.”

A month ago, as soon as Gong Zhuoliang was back at their home, he ordered Ruo Lan several days later to return back to the Gong Family on the pretext of visiting Madam Gong, but in fact, she actually visited Concubine Wu. Ruo Lan told Concubine Wu that Gong Zhuoliang wanted her to investigate Ruo Zi’s background and her relatives.

Although Concubine Wu had lived a pretty much average life in the Gong Family all these years, and had captured some of the maidservants’ hearts with her kindness, there were only a few of those thankful towards her and who she could trust. When she suddenly received the request for help from her son, Concubine Wu immediately became cautious.

Yesterday she took the opportunity to pass all the information she had when Ruo Lan went back to the Qiao Family. 

“She’s quite pitiful.. So how has she been lately?”

Gong Zhuoliang vaguely recalled in his memories about Ruo Zi and her family. Unlike Ruo Lan, who he remembered was an orphan girl before she was sold off by his relatives. Right now, he had finally had feasible way to deal with this girl, and he was confident that he could work this out.

“Though she has been very quiet recently. She still tends to scowl at Yu Hua who serves beside the Young Master-in-law, but at least she’s not causing any trouble for now.”

Being with such a girl, Ruo Lan also felt her head ache. But she was also afraid that this girl might start up some trouble again if she looked away from her for a second, so she really had to continue watching over her. 

“You’ve worked really hard these days, but you might have to bear with her for another month. I’ve already taken out a present for that vixen’s birthday. You’ll be bringing Ruo Zi with you to reassure that woman’s heart, and then after that, I’ll make an excuse later on so I could come over to ask for both of your indentures.”

As Gong Zhuoliang thought of a plan in his heart, he also started to consider how there are only a few trusted outsider servants – which was a troubling fact. Besides Qiao Ming, Qiao Yingze only had one personal attendant and three male servants. At this point, their work would have to be doubled due to the lack of people.

Back then, Madam Gong was the one who firmly held Ruo Lan and Ruo Zi’s indentures rather than giving it to their rightful ‘Master’, just so she could control them however she wanted. If Gong Zhuoliang wanted to keep Ruo Lan by his side and then get rid of Ruo Zi, he must first get his hands on that indenture so he could be prepared to deal with both of them.

Ruo Lan knew that Gong Zhuoliang was only willing to send Madam Gong a present for her birthday in order to obtain her indentures so he could protect her. Ruo Lan’s heart warmed and felt really thankful for him. 

“Thank you very much, Young Lady.”

When the two were still talking to each other and laughing, they suddenly caught sight of Madam Qiao and company walking out of her courtyard. Gong Zhuoliang hastily straightened her pose before he greeted her with a respectful salute, then followed behind Madam Qiao like usual as they walked together towards the old lady’s courtyard.

Then at noon, night, and the next following days, Gong Zhuoliang did exactly the same thing everyday without any changes. He would wait outside Madam Qiao’s courtyard ahead of time, then afterwards, he and Madam Qiao would serve the Old Madam with her meals, then after that, both of them would walk back to their own courtyards.

He would then read a book, take a nap after dinner, walk around, then after that, he would visit the Old Madam to serve her meal once again. In a nutshell, he lived a simple, carefree life of leisure with his spouse. Then one day, these days were suddenly put to a stop due to a distressing, unforeseen event. 

Because Qiao Yingze, who should be in good health by now, suddenly fell ill just as soon as the weather shifted to cold….

“Cough! Zhuo Zhuo… we have to sleep separately for now, ba… Cough! Cough! I don’t want you to get sick…”

Qiao Yingze leaned against the bedpost while he held a hand warmer in his hands. He was smiling at him somewhat feebly as he wrapped his whole body with thick blankets. On the table beside the bed, there was a bowl of a decoction that was steaming hot. Thinking how he had not been taking this soup for more than a month now, Qiao Yingze really couldn’t bring himself to accept the taste of the soup for a while…

And all he thought about was how he was already in good health up until now. Who would’ve thought that just with the change of weather, he’d fall ill once again? All the medicines he had taken before were totally in vain… 

Disheartened, Qiao Yingze hung his eyes down for a while, then suddenly felt that his energy had also seemed depleted.

Gong Zhuoliang glanced at the bowl of decoction on the table with disdain, and could only wish to be able to cover his nostrils with a handkerchief, however, he endured the smell and stayed beside Qiao Yingze.

“…Please leave me for now. Tonight, I’ll certainly go take care of you, so be at ease…”

Gong Zhuoliang himself was the type to be super clingy whenever he fell ill. He hated the feeling of having no one by his side whenever he was sick, so when others fell ill, he’d accompany them. The same went for Qiao Yingze – Gong Zhuoliang didn’t want to leave him alone when he was sick. 

“At least there’s enough maidservants for them to take care of me. Besides, don’t you hate taking medicine the most, ma? So if I were infected by you and also fell ill, then you will have someone to accompany you to drink this bitter medicine everyday.”

Listening to Gong Zhuoliang’s response had really made Qiao Yingze smile, but he still urged him to leave him be, but this time, there was some reluctance in his tone of voice.

Gong Zhuoliang could clearly tell that Qiao Yingze’s expression was the opposite of his words, and slightly raised his eyebrows. He then thought to himself― He really doesn’t know how to lie. If he wants me to accompany him, then he could’ve just said it personally, ma.

“You’re my husband, so naturally I should be looking after you. I don’t care about whatever you order your maidservants to do, but I will be sleeping on the couch tonight.” 

But indeed, he really needed to avoid being infected by him. With this era being scarce of any medical equipment and others, he totally could not allow himself to fall ill just like that lest he’ll die early, ah!

“Alright then, ba… my dear wife is really sacrificial.”

Looking at his obstinate little wife, Qiao Yingze’s exhausted heart appeared to have regained a bit of energy. He couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Han Shu reported in as she walked in carrying box of meals. Before placing down a small bowl of clear congee, and a small plate of vegetable dish, while telling Qiao Yingze that he’ll be taking a medicine before dinner. 

“Young Master, the dinner is ready. Please take your medicine first so you could eat soon, ba.”

As for Gong Zhuoliang’s meal, it would soon be delivered from the kitchen later on.

“Wait a minute! Are you only giving this much of food for Yingze?”

Gong Zhuoliang stopped Qiao Yingze from downing the medicine, then looked disdainfully at the meals on the table that were no more different from a cat’s food. He thought― Ill people needed nourishment, ah! Even if they ate so much vegetables, how would they have the energy to fight against their illness, ah? 

(TL/N: Usually, we eat food before taking medicine, but in this story, they take medicine first before eating food. It may have something to do with the bitter medicine, since the food will help cover for the lingering taste on their tongue XD)

TL/N:

Aaah.. our Yingze is sick! I hope he’ll get well soon… Take good care of your little husband GZL! ಠ◡ಠ

Hopefully everyone enjoyed this chapter~ (๑♡⌓♡๑) 

P.S
“Court Marriage” finally has a role on CG discord, kyaaah ♡(> ਊ <)♡
The role is simply “@CM”~
If ever we had some announcements to make, or you guys wanted to talk about something regarding this story, let as use this @CM~ ♡(ӦｖӦ｡)