Madam Gu hurriedly said, "Mr. Songshan, my daughter-in-law is still so young. You are so learned and eloquent, you must be good at poetry. Let her learn from you. If she really has any thoughts after reading it, and says something wrong, just laugh it off. If she says something right, just nod. Just please don't say the word 'guidance'."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Mother is right. How could I possibly 'guide' you?"

Mr. Songshan hurriedly said, “As the ancients said, ‘One can understand the refined meaning by listening to the music.’ Hearing your words, Madam, one can know the depth of your attainments. I have traveled for many years and have seen many intelligent and beautiful women. They each have their own strengths, and there are many who are quick to compose poetry. But what you just said far surpasses what I have seen among these women.”

Gu Jinghui's smugness grew even more, and he laughed, "Mr. Songshan, just have someone send over the poems. My wife's scholarship and talent are praised even by my father-in-law. But scholars like to be modest."

Mr. Songshan smiled and said, "Lord Gu's straightforward and frank nature is quite compatible with mine."

"really?"

Gu Jinghui raised his eyebrows.

Mr. Songshan said solemnly, "Of course it's true. When I first entered the manor, I was a little worried that the Marquis was too powerful and difficult to approach. I didn't expect the Marquis to be so approachable and straightforward."

Gu Jinghui waved his hand and said, "That's perfect. I also enjoy listening to Mr. Songshan tell stories. If you're willing, you might as well stay at my residence for a while and tell me stories and chat with me when you have time, so I can broaden my horizons."

Mr. Songshan smiled and said, "That is exactly what I wish for."

Qin Heng and Qin Siyuan beamed with joy: "..."

After all that effort from the two of them, it was still Lord Gu who made the final decision.

Qin Yuan smiled and glanced at Gu Jinghui.

It must be said that Lord Gu was really lucky.

Mr. Songshan and Lord Gu drank and toasted each other, and soon they were both quite drunk. Qin Yuan hurriedly instructed the servant to help Mr. Songshan back to the courtyard to rest.

Mr. Songshan was still muttering that he wanted his wife to critique the poem.

After the banquet, Qin Siyuan and Qin Heng stayed with Master Gu to talk.

Lord Gu instructed Gu Shiliu, "If your brother-in-law wants to ride a horse, take him for a while."

She then clung to Qin Yuan and went back to Wutong Garden for a short rest.

He had so much to say to his young wife after just one night apart.

Hongye wandered around the mansion inquiring about news, Cuiming went to the needlework room to oversee the work, and Qin Yuan instructed the little maid Mozhu to make the bed and serve her washing and hair.

After washing up and changing my clothes, I got into the canopy bed.

Lord Gu stopped Mo Zhu, saying, "No need to go that far, why bother with all that trouble?"

Mo Zhu said, "This is the water that Madam left over. It's all cold now. Why don't I have someone bring some fresh water?"

Lord Gu said, "It's alright."

He didn't need anyone to help him; he quickly washed up using the water Qin Yuan hadn't finished using, and then got onto the canopy bed.

Qin Yuan asked, "Does my husband have something else to do later? Can't you even wait a little while?"

Lord Gu looked at Qin Yuan, his sharp eyebrows curving slightly, a small flame burning in his dark, bright eyes. His expression was quite meaningful as he said softly, "What do you think I'm busy with? Hmm?"

"You better behave yourself."

Qin Yuan's face suddenly flushed, the heat spreading all the way to the top of her head.

It feels like my hair is getting hot and burning.

Lord Gu is really...

Qin Yuan dared not look at him again, turned around, and pulled the emerald green gauze quilt up, as if she wanted to hide herself completely inside.

Lord Gu chuckled softly, "Yuan'er, tell me, what do you mean I should be honest about? How honest can a husband and wife be? We've been married for so long, and we still haven't consummated our marriage..."

Qin Yuan said, "Not today, not allowed today."

Why?

Gu Jinghui's smile vanished, his brows furrowed, and he asked with disappointment and dissatisfaction, "Why are you unwilling to consummate the marriage?"

Qin Yuan's voice came softly.

"I've been busy with all sorts of things these past few days. The Smallpox Goddess hasn't left yet. We have to fast for three days after she's gone..."

Lord Gu's expression froze: "..."

Seeing that he hadn't made a move, Qin Yuan became suspicious and slowly turned around, meeting Lord Gu's eyes, which were filled with disappointment and accusation.

"Husband?"

Qin Yuan's voice involuntarily softened and became sweet, her curled eyelashes trembling slightly, as if she were at a loss or had been wronged.

Lord Gu slumped onto the soft embroidered quilt and grumbled, "Don't call me, I'm going to die of anger."

Hearing his words, Qin Yuan's lips curled slightly, then quickly vanished, and she hurriedly asked, "Husband, what's wrong? Why are you angry?"

With a slight effort, Lord Gu pulled Qin Yuan into his arms, gently biting her small, white ear. His warm breath made her feel itchy all over, and she couldn't help but curl up.

"Why are you angry? You're really something, asking questions you already know the answer to."

Qin Yuan: "Waaah."

Lord Gu said, "You should send the Lady of Smallpox away as soon as possible today."

As his hands became more unrestrained, Qin Yuan sobbed softly, "Mmm..."

After a long while, Lord Gu finally released the limp, alluring woman from his body and sighed, "I'm going to the clean room. You rest first."

Qin Yuan responded weakly and then fell asleep.

After an unknown amount of time, I was vaguely pulled into a firm embrace that smelled of soapberry, and I continued to sleep in the warm embrace.

When I woke up, the blankets beside me were cold.

Qin Yuan asked, "What time is it?"

Mo Zhu's voice came from outside: "Replying to Madam, it's not yet the last quarter of the hour. Does Madam wish to get up?"

Qin Yuan said, "Come in."

She was in a deep sleep, partly because she had been drinking, and partly because she was feeling dizzy from being teased by Lord Gu.

After Mozhu came in, she asked again, "Where is the Marquis?"

Mo Zhu said, "Gu Shiliu went to the front yard to find the Marquis, saying that someone from a distant branch of the Gu family had come, and that Gu Shiba had found out something."

Qin Yuan knew that it must be Gu Jingcheng from the ninth branch of the Gu family who had arrived.

She didn't want to get involved, and it seemed that Lord Gu didn't want her to either.

Qin Yuan then asked, "What about Hongye and Cuiming?"

Mo Zhu said, "He hasn't returned yet."

Qin Yuan got up and changed her clothes. A maidservant outside said, "Madam, a servant has come to deliver a box. He said it was sent by Mr. Songshan."

"Bring it in quickly."

The maid brought it in and said, "Madam, Physician Li and Xiao Dong came to change the dressings for Brother Qi and his mother. They also came to greet you. It just so happened that the Marquis ran into them and asked Gu Shiliu to take Xiao Dong to ride horses with Young Master Qin."

Qin Yuan said, "I understand."

Doctor Li had made an appointment to come to the Marquis's residence every few days to provide medical care.

Knowing that Xiao Dong and Qin Heng were riding horses together, Qin Yuan thought for a moment, then changed into riding clothes and took Mo Zhu and Hong Mian to the training ground.

Seeing that Xiao Dong and Qin Heng each rode a horse, accompanied by Master Gu and Gu Shiliu, Qin Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and ordered the groom to bring Li Nu over.

Xiao Dong and Qin Heng stopped the horse in front of her one after the other. After exchanging a few words, Qin Yuan couldn't help but ask, "Where is my cousin?" "Brother Siyuan and Mr. Songshan are talking again. They don't care about us at all."

Sixth Master Gu didn't seem very happy.

Qin Heng, seeking credit, asked, "Big sister, how did I do today?"

Qin Yuan asked, "Do you mean riding a horse? Or acting with your cousin?"