Lord Gu let out a drunken hiccup, gripped Lord Xu's hand tightly, and said, "Once the official records come out, you'll know that I didn't write anything in my memorial. It was just about how the Marquis's mansion has been getting by these days, and that I even sent the Emperor a prescription that he bought at great expense to prevent and treat the epidemic."

Lord Xu was skeptical. Although the grip was painful, he was still drunk and just shook his head with hazy eyes.

Steward Han arranged for carriages to line up and take them back one by one.

Throughout the entire process, the Xu family barely paid any attention to Master Gu.

They parted with such reluctance that it seemed as if Lord Gu were their son-in-law.

Qin Yuan felt sorry for Sixth Master Gu.

Master Gu, however, did not take it to heart. He only said to his servant in private, "They look down on people. Once my poetry and painting collections sell well and I become famous in the capital, they will line up to beg me. But I will never pay attention to them. After all, they are all uncouth people. As the saying goes, those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. But I will not blame them."

Then he went back to burying himself in reading poetry and painting.

It was as if the Xu family's visit was like a light drizzle to him, not even wetting the ground.

Once the matter is settled, that's the end of it.

Upon learning this, Qin Yuan couldn't help but laugh and felt a bit of admiration for Sixth Master Gu.

Hongye sighed, "Ordinary people really can't reach Sixth Master's level."

Cui Ming said, "That's right. Sixth Master went to Sixth Madam's courtyard with the Xu family. He was like a shadow. I felt uncomfortable watching him, but he didn't seem to care."

Hongye said, "In recent years, the Xu family has also benefited a lot from the Marquis's mansion, yet they still look down on people like this."

Qin Yuan said, "The Xu family probably only thinks it's the Sixth Madam's ability, and instead looks down on the Sixth Master for being incompetent."

"It's true that a kind person is often bullied, and a good horse is often ridden."

Cui Ming expressed her feelings.

Qin Yuan said, "It's alright. Sixth Master doesn't like the Xu family either. They are indeed on different paths and cannot work together. Sixth Master likes literature, while the Xu family values ​​martial arts, so they look down on each other."

Madam Gu did not live long.

In the future, Master Gu's interactions with the Xu family will mostly be based on the sake of the children.

But there's no need to say those things.

Just then, the bamboo curtain outside rustled, and Gu Jinghui walked in, his face flushed and reeking of alcohol. His sharp eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he said in a muffled voice, "Madam, I have a headache."

Qin Yuan greeted him with a smile and helped him sit down on the daybed.

Lord Gu leaned against her and hummed, "Why did you come back so soon? You didn't even wait for me."

Qin Yuan said, "If Madam Xu is unhappy, I don't want to be disliked either."

"Dealing with so many people must be exhausting," Lord Gu said softly, putting his arm around Qin Yuan's waist and pressing his face close to her neck. "Let your husband lean on you."

The heat and the smell of alcohol rushed over.

Qin Yuan's face instantly became hot and flushed, but she didn't push him away. She just glanced shyly at the maid in the room.

Cuiming hurriedly went to brew a hangover remedy.

Hongye asked, "Should we make the bed so that the Marquis can lie down for a while?"

Qin Yuan glanced at the hourglass.

"No need. Someone else will be here later. There are many people looking for the Marquis today, so I'm afraid he won't be able to lie down for long."

Hongye then withdrew and instructed the maids to stand guard outside the door, listening to the sounds inside so they could serve her.

When Cuiming returned from preparing the hangover soup, she stood outside the door and asked, "Madam, the hangover soup is ready. Would you like to bring it in?"

After a while, I heard someone inside call out, "Bring it in."

The maidservant hurriedly lifted the curtain for her, and Cuiming, carrying a tray, entered the room.

Lord Gu sat slumped, his handsome face full of spring-like blush, while Qin Yuan leaned against the daybed, her clothes already bearing many suspicious wrinkles.

Cui Ming's heart skipped a beat, and she dared not look any further, hesitating to move forward.

Lord Gu was in a good mood and said, "Just put it there."

There was a hint of triumphant pleasure in his voice, like a gentle spring breeze.

Cuiming quickly placed the tray on the table and then left.

As soon as everyone left, Lord Gu bent down again, picked up Qin Yuan, and kissed her face haphazardly. Qin Yuan said angrily, "You reek of alcohol, it's so pungent."

Her body was limp and she had no strength.

The voice that came out was also languid and weak.

It didn't sound like a complaint, but rather like a soft, coquettish whisper.

Taking advantage of his drunkenness, Lord Gu rubbed against her, unwilling to separate, but he didn't continue his reckless behavior. After a long while, he said in a hoarse voice, "Good Yuan'er, may I come back tonight after I've rinsed my mouth?"

Qin Yuan: "..."

Seeing that she remained silent, Gu Jinghui smiled irritatingly and said, "I understand."

Qin Yuan felt increasingly ashamed and unable to lift her head.

Gu Shiliu's voice came from outside: "Miss Hongye, is the Marquis feeling better?"

Hongye replied very quietly.

"Perhaps they are still resting."

Gu Shiliu said, "Would you mind going in to check, Miss Hongye? We've received quite a few invitations from outside, all inviting people to pay their respects to the Marquis at the Marquis's residence. Didn't the Marquis also ask the Old Madam for some information about our family? They've all arrived."

Lord Gu spoke up, saying, "Wait here for a moment, I'll change my clothes and go to the outer courtyard."

Gu Shiliu responded from outside.

Lord Gu was quite reluctant to leave, and sighed, saying, "Why can't I even steal half a day of leisure?"

Qin Yuan slowly stood up, gently smoothed her hair with her slender hand, and smiled, "The Marquis and Sixth Master have become even more talented in poetry while living outside."

Lord Gu snorted and said, "Don't try to lie to me about living outside anymore. My sixth sister-in-law is sick, and he's not doing his proper thing."

Qin Yuan also gave a light scoff.

Who wouldn't know?

Master Gu also has so many concubines and mistresses.

Lord Gu got up to drink the hangover soup, and Qin Yuan opened the chest to find clothes for him. She picked out a sapphire blue straight robe and a dark blue purse, stuffing some invigorating and refreshing pills inside.

Lord Gu saw this and felt very pleased. If he hadn't been in such a hurry, he would have liked to have his young wife help him change his clothes.

It's been quite a while since I've been close to her.

Qin Yuan added, "The kitchen should still have hot water. I'll have them bring some. You should take a shower quickly before you leave. Otherwise, it's not appropriate to smell of alcohol after meeting guests all afternoon."

As he spoke, he instructed the maids to fetch water.

Gu Jinghui sighed, "Madam is so thoughtful. When I'm alone, I just do whatever is convenient for me."

This is the benefit of having a wife; there are always people to take care of things for him.

Qin Yuan asked, "What other social engagements do you have today?"

Gu Jinghui said, "Prince Qi sent an invitation, wanting to come and have a chat. We've been under lockdown for so long, and the affairs of the camp have all been supported by General Jin and others. Old friends and acquaintances also want to send letters, so we can't help but say something. My father-in-law also sent a letter, saying that he wants to come to the mansion to visit tomorrow. I also submitted a memorial, earnestly requesting to go to the palace to express my gratitude, but I haven't received any news from the palace yet, and I don't know when."

Qin Yuan asked softly, "Is tomorrow a day of rest for the Imperial Academy?"

Gu Jinghui replied, "Yes."

"Tomorrow will be quite lively."

Qin Heng had been longing to ride horses with Gu Jinghui. Sixth Master's two children were also coming back from the Imperial Academy. They had been away from the Imperial Academy for so long, and he wondered how sad they would be to see Madam Gu.

"I'm only thinking about tonight; we'll discuss tomorrow's matters tomorrow," Lord Gu said with a hopeful smile, giving Qin Yuan a light laugh.