Ch19 - May I request for a reward?

Actually, as soon as Qiao Yingze shifted from the bed, Gong Zhuoliang was already awake, though he was still in a daze at that time. It was all due to that one month of torment, hence his personal biological clock had been automatically timed at a certain time, only, right now he doesn’t want to open his eyes yet. Thinking about Qiao Yingze’s restless behavior of constantly stealing a kiss at the corners of his mouth, Gong Zhuoliang found him even more interesting and an urge to tease him even rose.

All this time, Gong Zhuoliang only pretended that he had not discovered him doing this to him yet. The only reason why Gong Zhuoliang isn’t taking the initiative to directly kiss Qiao Yingze yet, it’s because he wanted to see just how long this guy would have to resist until the end. But who would’ve expected that he actually had to wait for him for more than a month?*** 

With regards to Qiao Yingze, Gong Zhuoliang naturally had a favorable impression of him so when it comes to the idea of kissing him, he honestly wouldn’t mind it; even if they’d have to go far as to do XXOO together. Since the two haven’t completely finished the entire set yet, Gong Zhuoliang couldn’t really do much as he pleases right now. Although Qiao Yingze ― this newly hatched bird ― would still be easy to please right now, ever since that time he did a ‘hand job’ on him, Qiao Yingze never requested for something further anymore.

Gong Zhuoliang didn’t have the strong desire to do anything at all and he never took the initiative to please him again, so in the end, during the night, they do nothing but sleep for more than a month. Considering Qiao Yingze’s behavior of constantly stealing a kiss from him, it can be seen that this person may seem very pure and innocent on the surface, but he’s certainly a lot more eager and lustful on the inside.

Somehow, Gong Zhuoliang seemed to be looking forward to his ‘First Kiss’ in this life.

Gong Zhuoliang was secretly smiling to himself and stayed on the bed for a short while until he finally felt somewhat hungry and summoned the maidservants to come in and serve him. While he was allowed Wen Shu and Ruo Lan to groom him, suddenly, he caught something on the mirror. 

Right in the mirror, he saw Yu Hua constantly glancing towards Qing Hua and Qing Hua immediately stepped back as she silently lowered her head. Although vague, the slight redness on her eye sockets was still very much apparent, and her eyes were somewhat swollen.

“Qing Hua, is there something wrong?”

Gong Zhuoliang shifted his body around towards the direction of the evermore timid and shy Qing Hua, and waved for her to come beside him so he could hear her reply. Towards this lovely and obedient 12 year old Loli, Gong Zhuoliang still had quite fondness towards her in his heart.

“Answering to the Young Madam…. T-This slave… There’s nothing wrong with this slave”

When Qing Hua had subconsciously glanced towards Ruo Zi who was standing behind Gong Zhuoliang, she instantly looked towards Yu Hua as though she was asking for help, but then suddenly, she was pushed forward by Yu Hua. Qing Hua could only walk towards Gong Zhuoliang and stand in front of him, but she did not dare say anything and only lowered her head, withdrawing her hands within her sleeves so that no one would be able to see it.

“Could you take out your hand? I wanted to see them”

Yu Hua glanced towards the anxious Qing Hua who very much wanted to say something but couldn’t dare lest might break the servants’ rules. Gong Zhuoliang talked in a soft voice so he could placate the frightened little white rabbit, but seeing how she looked even more anxious to the point that she wanted to cry yet she still not dared to let him see her hands, Gong Zhuoliang could only turn towards Ruo Lan who’s beside him and looked at her with a meaningful glance.

“Qing Hua meimei, how are you feeling unwell?…. Do you have an injury?” 

Smiling at Qing Hua, Ruo Lan reached out to her wrist to take a look at it, and was immediately shocked after she saw the bandages covering her right wrist and sensed the indistinct smell of a medicine.

“She was actually stitching a cloth at that time but suddenly, she accidentally pricked herself with the scissors”

Ruo Zi spoke first before Qing Hua could do so, then she glared towards her with a warning.

Her presumptuous interruption caused everyone’s face to shift. Yu Hua, who badly wanted to retort back, was stopped by Wen Shu’s meaningful glance who then lowered down her eyes after that in respect. 

It was the Young Madam’s maidservant who had just neglected her low status and did something disrespectful, hence the Young Madam herself should be the only one to discipline her. They, the Qiao Family’s maidservants, shouldn’t break the rules and quarrel with them right in front of their Master.

“Yu Hua, you say it. Just what on earth is going on?”

Gong Zhuoliang hadn’t honestly noticed Ruo Zi causing trouble these days. As a result, his good mood this morning was instantly disappeared into nothingness. On ordinary days, Ruo Zi, this troublemaker, often used her status as the dowry maid to bully those lower-ranked maidservants. Gong Zhuoliang could only send Ruo Lan to placate those servants, but since Ruo Zi now had a habit of becoming more bolder as the days passed, she even dared to injure the maidservants who worked in their courtyards.

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

“If only she hadn’t been shoved, there’s no way anybody could prick their wrists by themselves! I have no idea how valuable that satin was, but it must have lots of value in it for Ruo Zi jiejie to fight over it! However, our Master hasn’t even used the rest of it, so why must the maidservants have to be the first one to use it? That doesn’t make sense at all!” 

Don’t be fooled by the fact that Yu Hua is two months younger than Qing Hua. In fact she has the most hot-tempered and straightforward temperament among all the maidservants, especially now that they are showing concerning for Qing Hua― her xiao jiejie. Honestly, there’s no way she has never fought against Ruo Zi before; however, she’s much more behaved than Ruo Zi and she never wanted to make trouble in front of her Master. But this time, Yu Hua is really angered that she now dared to flare out only due to Wen Shu’s and Han Shu’s consent.

“Lbk mbeiv sbe rjs atja P’w vblcu la bc qegqbrf? P pera atbeuta atja atf rjalc’r wjafgljir jgf gfjiis ubbv rb P kjcafv ab fwygblvfg j mbiijg bea bo la obg atf Tbecu Ojvs! P bcis qgjcxfv tfg jcv rtbnfv tfg bcmf, yea ktb xcfk atja rtf kbeiv mblcmlvfcajiis yewq lcab atf rmlrrbg?”

Yu Hua’s words had even incited her to fight back. Besides, these maidservants weren’t even that pleasing to her eye. Sneering evilly, Ruo Zi only fought back because she knew in her heart that Gong Zhuoliang would never dare to punish her in this place.

“It seems like there is somewhat of a misunderstanding here. There are other servants in this room, so colliding into someone is inevitable and the other party might not have necessarily intended to injure others. Anyway, let us stop talking about this for now. We should give our concerns to Qing Hua meimei first. That’s a terrible scar, have you used good medicine for your wound?” 

Hearing Ruo Zi’s words, Ruo Lan immediately worried that she might get in trouble soon so she hurriedly and anxiously grabbed Ruo Zi, then pulled her along with herself, but not without curtsying in respect to Gong Zhuoliang who then nodded at her.

As soon as Gong Zhuoliang finished speaking some words to mediate the situation, he glanced towards Wen Shu, who was silently standing beside him, and gave her a meaningful look.

Right now, mediating the situation alone isn’t enough for Gong Zhuoliang to declare his own position yet, otherwise he would’ve already punished Ruo Zi right this instant to face-slap her if only it isn’t inappropriate to the occasion at all. If he chose to defend Ruo Zi instead, it wouldn’t seem fair at all, but still, someone has to protect Qing Hua right at this time.

Right now, he doesn’t know what this elder maidservant, who is sent to them by the Old Madam, is currently planning in her heart. 

“Indeed, ah. Because this could be just a minor conflict. After all, Ruo Zi might not have intentionally done it. Fortunately the wound on Qing Hua’s wrist was on the outer side and the bleeding wasn’t that harsh. However, we’re not sure whether the medicine we have here is sufficient for the wound. We have to be careful lest it’ll only worsen the wound”

As soon as Ruo Lan finished speaking, Wen Shu then also curtsied to Gong Zhuoliang and smiled as she took over the subject. Qing Hua, who’s standing beside her also agreed that everything is just an accident, yet it’s still evident from Yu Hua’s eyes that she’s still not willing to let this matter go yet, however, she didn’t argue anymore. In the end, the incident was now treated as a mere ‘Accident’.

Within the courtyard, the steward servant was Wen Shu; Gong Zhuoliang’s jewelry care-taker was Ruo Lan; the meals and drinks were all in-charge by Han Shu; the embroidery and sewing belong to Qing Hua, and lastly, Yu Hua who supervises all of the servants.

As for Ruo Zi, she’s just a normal servant, like a brick, that could be only used and moved everywhere, and no one could count on her for anything at all. She’s still sensible, who only thought of complying to other people so she could benefit from them. But among all servants, Qing Hua was by far the easiest to lay a finger on; thereupon, as time passed, she only picked on Qing Hua to bully her. 

From when Qing Hua was still a child, she was a timid and cowardly girl who could only endure other’s treatment of her . As a result, no one said anything to Gong Zhuoliang to defend her. But this time, this matter now involved injuring others, and Wen Shu observed that Gong Zhuoliang doesn’t really like Ruo Zi that much hence she allowed Yu Hua to vent her anger.

She doesn’t have any expectations for Gong Zhuoliang to punish Ruo Zi, but only hoped that he would defend Qing Hua this time so Ruo Zi would be able to restrain herself a bit. That’s why she chose the time when Qiao Yingze was out at his study room so she could leave enough face for the two masters. ***

“It may be just a mere accident, but no one could change the fact that Ruo Zi is still the one who injured Qing Hua. Just how could you ― the older one ― act so recklessly to the younger one! If you won’t do anything to compensate for what you’ve done, or at least treat her well from now on, you won’t receive your one month salary as a punishment. Wen Shu, you will be the one to give her salary to Qing Hua when the time comes”

Despite his irritation towards Ruo Zi’s, but Gong Zhuoliang still had to keep an act on the surface. He couldn’t even punish her as he wanted. Similarly to when Gong Zhuoliang had boldly brought up the matter of the wedding fraud to force Madam Gong to give in to him, since Ruo Zi is more of a hoodlum than him, if he forces her to make desperate actions, that would only lead to more headaches in the future. 

Ruo Zi also knew that he didn’t really want to take this matter seriously, so when she apologized to her, she felt really unwilling and the state of her face was gloomy.

“I actually own a good medicine for injuries inside the cabinet. Ruo Lan, go find the ointment from my orchid-patterned casket and then give it to Qing Hua. Also, lend her two taels of silver as well…”

Instructing Ruo Lan to go fetch the medicine, Gong Zhuoliang then comforted Qing Hua with a few words, and then allowed her to go back home for three days so she could nurse her injury. The little girl was really moved to tears after hearing his words, and Yu Hua ― this little firecracker ― also finally showed a smile on her face. At this time, Han Shu finally showed up and inquired as to whether she should prepare the meals already, and everyone used this chance to forget about the topic.

Wen Shu then went out to call for Qiao Yingze to come back for their meal, and the other maidservants also began to leave the room. 

When Gong Zhuoliang was the only one left in the room, his expression immediately turned cold.

He deduced that it would take him half a month at most to dispose of Ruo Zi, who’s a lurking danger for him. He really doesn’t have time to care about those maidservants who’s fighting for his sympathy.

………..

Cheerfully returning to the inner room, as soon as Qiao Yingze went in, he instantly saw the figure of Gong Zhuoliang who’s sitting upright on the divan. Qiao Yingze suddenly couldn’t help but recall what he had just done again, because it still seems like someone had provoked his little wife just now. However, Gong Zhuoliang wasn’t even angry last night. Right now, it shouldn’t be his fault again, ba? 

“Zhuo Zhuo, is there something wrong?”

Qiao Yingze approached Gong Zhuoliang and sat down beside him, asking him in a gentle tone.

“It’s not about that servant Ruo Zi. Anyway, have you received any news about the person I asked you to look for?”

Gong Zhuoliang talked about this matter with Qiao Yingze before, and was really glad to have someone he could share his secret with and could vent his anger with. 

“I have. Uncle Yang had already sent a letter saying that he had already looked for their whereabouts. As estimated, he said that he might be able to find them the next following days, and then after that, everything will be arranged as you said”

Confirming that Gong Zhuoliang’s bad mood wasn’t due to him, Qiao Yingze shifted nearer to him with a smile. At this time, Han Shu is already entering to deliver them their meals and the meals. As soon as she came in, the two of them immediately stopped talking about the topic.

Qiao Yingze looked at the meals and suddenly saw a small plate of a candied hawthorn beside the medicine bowl which he found strange.

He shouldn’t be eating any kinds of sweet foods whenever he takes his medicine, but when Han Shu said that it was all ordered by the Young Madam, Qiao Yingze no longer said anything. After he sipped the medicine, he obediently age the candied hawthorn fed to him by Gong Zhuoliang. 

When they finished eating, Qiao Yingze took Gong Zhuoliang to the Old Madam’s courtyard to visit her.

To Gong Zhuoliang’s surprise, he suddenly witnessed Qiao Yingze taking advantage of his illness to act pampered and delicate to the Old Madam….. although his words and actions were far from being similar to a real person who acts coquettish.

Actually, Qiao Yingze never really did anything but sit weakly beside the Old Madam, coughing twice then smiling feebly, which incited sadness to the Old Madam to the point that she could’ve just wished to grab the stars from the sky to offer it to him. As a result, she asked Qiao Yingze whether he wanted to visit a hot spring outside the city for the sake of his body or not, and after receiving a vague reply from him, she then urged Gong Zhuoliang many times to properly take care of his Husband properly, so on and so on ……

Madam Qiao, who was also serving her protested to this, saying that since the New Year is approaching, the household will be very much busy for the social engagement, hence the eldest Daughter-in-law mustn’t follow his Husband outside to fool around and should stay behind to learn more from them and also to help. 

Gong Zhuoliang only said that it’ll be up to grandmother’s arrangement, while Qiao Yingze pouted his lips and made a downcasted expression, rendering the Old Lady – who loved her grandson so much to impatiently disapprove of Madam Qiao’s objection; saying that when Gong Zhuoliang had not entered their family yet, she never saw her busying around before. Besides, her granddaughter-in-law is still young so it’s only reasonable for her to go accompany her husband instead to take care of him. Unlike a certain daughter-in-law who doesn’t even take care of her own Husband which is really unreasonable. This insinuation instantly made Madam Qiao choke.

After their lunch, Old Madam Qiao laid leisurely on the divan as she was served by Zi Qi, Xiang Shu, and the maidservant who was slowly getting promoted by the Old Madam. As the Old Madam closed her eyes and was laying down sideways in order for a proper digestion’s sake, no one knew what just suddenly came to the old lady’s mind, but then a smile suddenly appeared on her face out of nowhere.

“What is Old Madam currently thinking about?”

Xiang Shu is a pretty maidservant who had a sweet temperament. When she noticed that the Old Madam Qiao seemed to be in a good mood, she smiled and asked her about it while massaging the old lady’s shoulders. Zhi Qi, who was pounding the old lady’s legs, only glanced at her with her eyes before continuing her movements without saying any word. 

“For many years, Ze’er had never acted this coquettish only to request me of something. But this time, he did all of this just for his little wife… Great… How great”

Old Madam Qiao didn’t have to open her eyes to know what expressions her servant is currently making. She didn’t take it to heart at all and continued to smile. She then thought of Qiao Yingze and Gong Zhuoliang, and began to feel like she had really chosen the right granddaughter-in-law to marry her grandson.

When the old lady saw Gong Zhuoliang’s shocked expression as soon ‘she’ witnessed Qiao Yingze’s actions, she knew that ‘she’ wasn’t faking that look at all. This proved enough that ‘she’ never urged ‘her’ Husband to stay hidden in their courtyard and idle around without anybody knowing about it. In recent days, she also witnessed that her grandson seemed to be getting more and more respectful towards his elders, and she also had witnessed both his firm and soft side.
(TL/N: I used ‘ ‘ and “her/she” when Old Madam Qiao is talking about GZL since everyone believed that Zhuoyan(GZL) is a girl)

Seeing her usually apathetic dewr grandson becoming more protective for his little wife, the old lady felt really pleased in her heart, and she very much had high expectations back in her grandson’s courtyard.
(TL/N: Meaning Old Madam Qiao is expecting lots of child from them haha) 

………….

“W-We’re…. We’re really going out soon?”

Gong Zhuoliang still hadn’t recovered from his shocked state yet until they had finally reached their courtyard. He then let out a long sigh, and still couldn’t believe this sudden joyous occasion to befall on them. He will be accompanying Qiao Yingze at a hot spring for a month, then will go back after the New Year. If the day after the New Year is cold, then they would have to stay there for a while….

“Indeed” 

When Qiao Yingze saw the unconcealed pleasant surprise on Gong Zhuoliang’s face, with his clenched hand behind his back, he pursed his lips then smiled afterwards; expecting another reaction from him.

“It’ll be just the two of us! There’s no Old Madam, no Madam, and this pile of customs and ground rules!”

Gripping the other’s shoulders to affirm once again, Gong Zhuoliang swore that Qiao Yingze really is the cutest guy in the whole world!

“But the maidservants will still have to follow-….” 

But before Qiao Yingze could finish uttering his words, he was immediately pushed on the bed, and was pounced on by Gong Zhuoliang like a large dog. Luckily, the mattress under them is thick and bouncy hence it didn’t ache when he was suddenly thrown on the bed.

“My dear husband is so kind!”

Gong Zhuoliang really didn’t expect this sudden freedom that was given to them. Although it’s only for a short period of time, it’s already enough for Gong Zhuoliang ― who was always oppressed to the point of unbearable suffocation ― to seize this opportunity and go crazy however he wants. Laying atop Qiao Yingze, Gong Zhuoliang hugged him and rubbed on him vigorously. Only because he hadn’t thought of teasing Qiao Yingze right now, he would’ve already bit him hard.

“I also already prepared a present for you…” 

Gong Zhuoliang already had enough messing around with him, and as Qiao Yingze sheepishly coughed, his eyes also couldn’t help but land on his curved mouth.

“So….. May I request for a reward?”

TL/N:

Looking forward to their honeymoon trip! ♡(> ਊ <)♡ 

Hopefully you enjoyed today’s chapter! (๑♡⌓♡๑)