After dinner, Gu Jinghui forced himself to talk for a while before returning to Wutong Garden.

The twins also left.

Under the lamplight, Madam Gu couldn't help but sigh and rub her forehead, saying, "Could it be that Hui-ge'er has wavered in his mind again?"

I don't know who taught those two children to say those things; they sounded really hurtful.

Rong Momo stepped forward, gently opened the incense burner, shoveled away the incense ash, placed incense balls, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Madam, there's still Madam here."

“Yes,” Madam Gu said, her voice becoming much lighter as she gripped the prayer beads tightly. “Heaven has truly opened its eyes, finding such a wonderful wife for Hui-ge.”

A smile bloomed on Rong Momo's aged face.

Gu Jinghui walked briskly with his hands behind his back. When he returned to Wutong Garden, the main room was quiet and there was no sound of anyone. Mo Zhu, who was guarding outside the door, wanted to announce his arrival, but he stopped her.

Gently lifting the curtain, one could see Qin Yuan reclining on the daybed, reading Mr. Songshan's poems. The soft, warm light gently enveloped her, and her jet-black hair, like soft, lush water plants, cascaded down, captivating Lord Gu's heart.

The inexplicable frustration that had been building up inside him dissipated.

He stepped forward gently, bowed, and took Qin Yuan's slender hand in his, saying softly, "Although it's still hot now, it gets a bit cool in the evening. Isn't this ivory mat cold to lie on?"

Qin Yuan burst out laughing and turned her head away.

"Why didn't you say anything when you came back? You startled me."

Glancing at Gu Jinghui's expression, she suppressed her smile, put down the poem, and asked, "Is something troubling you, my husband?"

Lord Gu sat to one side, holding her hand and playing with it carefully. Without looking at her, he lowered his head and chuckled softly, "Why do you say that, Madam?"

Qin Yuan sat up and chuckled, "Husband, there seems to be a hint of melancholy in your eyes. Is it because of the twins?"

Lord Gu nodded.

“Yuan’er is clever; nothing can be hidden from you.”

Qin Yuan said, "It's only because the Marquis didn't hide it from me that I was able to find out."

She is indeed intelligent, but it is only because Lord Gu is completely unguarded with her and does not avoid her at all that she can be so intelligent.

Lord Gu tightened his grip on her hand: "We are husband and wife, why hide it? I really didn't expect this..."

He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Qin Yuan didn't respond, silently waiting for him to continue.

"As the saying goes, life is full of disappointments. I should have been used to parting and disappointment by now. It's common to give without receiving anything in return and to be betrayed when you trust someone. In war, in addition to being brave and capable, you also need to have strategy. No matter what, if you lose, you lose."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Suffering is the norm, which is why people yearn for some sweetness.

How bitter it is to give something in vain, but you can only swallow it. Life is full of countless misplaced favors and unexpected gains.

Gu Jinghui's voice was filled with confusion, exhaustion, and helplessness.

"But now... even the children I watched grow up..."

Gu Jinghui couldn't continue speaking.

Qin Yuan silently patted his back.

The room was quiet. After a long while, Lord Gu said, "Shouldn't I have gotten used to this by now?"

Qin Yuan suddenly felt a lump in her throat.

"My lord, hesitation will only lead to chaos. Matters concerning the nation and its people cannot be overlooked."

Lord Gu embraced her and said in a deep voice, "You're right."

Qin Yuan understood that Lord Gu knew what to do, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it.

But after today, it will be inevitable that the plan to use the twins to lure out the Zhao family will be exposed.

The two embraced quietly, a subtle fragrance wafting through the room, while outside, insects and frogs croaked.

Her long hair was loose and intertwined, as if they were inseparable.

After some time, the chirping of red leaves could be heard outside.

Gu Jinghui suddenly spoke up: "Yuan'er, how about we go catch fireflies?"

Although Qin Yuan didn't really want to move, she didn't want to spoil the fun, so she said, "Let's go then."

Gu Jinghui immediately stood up, took Qin Yuan's hand, lifted the curtain himself, and walked out side by side.

Hongye and Mozhu, who were standing outside talking, were both stunned.

Hongye asked, "...Where are you and your wife going, Lord Marquis?"

Lord Gu said, "We'll just walk around a bit; don't follow us."

Qin Yuan had to ask, "Where are the fireflies stored?"

Hongye couldn't help but laugh and said, "Oh, so the Marquis is taking the Madam to catch fireflies? We'll need a bag to put them in, otherwise they'll fly away. And we'll need to use that little net to catch them, otherwise how will the Madam catch them?"

Lord Gu had been catching fireflies for who knows how many years, and upon hearing this, he asked, "Then...where can we find a bag?"

Hongye said, "Lord and Madam, please go ahead. I will bring it over as soon as I find it."

Lord Gu praised her effusively: "I knew Hongye was the most capable. There's nothing wrong with entrusting things to you."

Hongye: "...Hehe..."

Qin Yuan said, "Then let's go."

Hongye asked again, "Where do we catch them?"

Gu Jinghui couldn't answer.

Hongye said, "Fireflies are usually found in dark, damp places, such as near water or in grassy areas."

Gu Jinghui thought for a moment, then suddenly whistled.

The sound shattered the brocade clouds.

A response came shortly afterward.

Gu Jinghui said, "Let's go behind the Taihu rockery to catch them. There's a small pond nearby, which is a place where fireflies are abundant."

After saying that, he pulled Qin Yuan away.

Mo Zhu quickly handed over a sheep horn lamp, saying, "My lord, this is durable and can withstand impacts. Use this to keep the light."

Gu Jinghui took the lamp, held Qin Yuan's small hand, and walked out of the courtyard.

Qin Yuan asked, "Just now, was my husband asking about the place where the fireflies gathered among the guards in the manor?"

Gu Jinghui responded.

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