One by one, the horn lanterns lit up along the path. After returning to his residence, Lord Gu went straight to the Wutong Garden.

He was so wronged that day that he needed his wife to comfort him.

By this time, Wutong Garden had returned to its former liveliness. Hongye and Cuiming had rested for two days and one night and were now able to get up and serve. Qin Yuan specially prepared wine and dishes to calm their nerves.

The maids under the eaves also became lively, chatting in twos and threes and watching the cats and dogs fight.

Looking at the bustling houses from afar, Lord Gu's cold and weary mind and body immediately softened.

inside the house.

"Miss, we have really suffered a great deal. Thank goodness you are alright, otherwise I would have had to atone with my death," Hongye said while eating.

Cui Ming sighed, "Yes, it's terrifying to think about. A master's humiliation leads to the death of a servant. We failed to protect our young lady, and we really can't live anymore."

Yang'er and Hehua sat side by side, keeping each other company, while Mozhu sat silently to the side.

Having gone through hardships together, the group suddenly became much closer.

Qin Yuan picked up the small wine cup, took a sip, and drank it all in one go. She then offered a perfunctory reassurance: "We'll just have to be careful in the future. Fortunately, we have the treasure pearl, and I also carry the medicine powder made by Xiao Dong with me. It's been tough on you guys though. When you have some free time, think about whether you want to learn some martial arts. Just enough to protect yourselves."

Seeing the blush on her hibiscus-like face, Yang'er couldn't help but look at her again and again. The lady was truly beautiful. She had followed her mistress around the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and had seen a great deal of life. None of the noble ladies and young misses she had met could compare to the lady.

No wonder that lecherous man went to great lengths to win her favor.

A woman this beautiful can only be protected by a strong and noble man.

Cui Ming said, "I didn't expect Xiao Dong's medicine powder to be so effective. We'll carry some with us from now on, just in case."

After being frightened, they become like startled birds, seeing everyone as harboring evil intentions.

Hongye felt the same way: "I originally thought I would go to the Duke's mansion to broaden my horizons, but I almost ended up meeting my ancestors. Now I'm afraid to go to the palace."

The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in the palace is probably a den of dragons and tigers.

No prince or princess is a good person.

Qin Yuan picked up the wine pot and filled her cup: "Don't worry, I didn't plan to take you. I'll take Yang'er and Hehua. Anyway, neither of you have ever been to the palace. They're braver than you, know some martial arts, and if they encounter anything, they'll scream louder than you."

The red leaves choked.

Yang'er and Hehua wanted to laugh, but couldn't quite manage it.

Hongye held back for a while, then finished her wine and cursed, "It's all Gu Shiliu's fault. He's always around when we don't need him, but when we do need him, he's nowhere to be found."

Cui Ming smiled and said, "She's been wronged and is thinking about Sixteen."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment, wondering where Gu Shiliu was working, and said with a smile, "The Marquis ordered him to go out and do something, but I don't know where he's busy. Even the Eighteenth and the others rarely see him. If he were in the manor, he would have come to see Hongye long ago."

The red leaves felt hot on her face, and she fanned herself with her hand: "This wine is intoxicating, it's made me hot."

Cui Ming simply smiled while holding her wine glass.

Qin Yuan said, "Let's have a few more drinks and then call it a night. You all need to get up early to serve us tomorrow. Hongmian has done a great service, and I'm afraid she'll be transferred to another place in the future. If there's any work to be done in the sewing room, don't assign her any more tasks after she's finished."

Cui Ming put down her wine cup: "Where would you like to call it?"

Qin Yuan said, "I suddenly had an idea today, to use her to exchange for Xiao Hong and Zi He. Our Wutong Garden is still short of people."

After saying that, he glanced at the red leaves.

Hongye, emboldened by the alcohol, said, "Why are you looking at me, Miss? Do you think I'm the kind of person who only cares about personal grudges? I've known for a long time that Hongmian is capable and clever. Otherwise, why would I have recommended her to you in the first place? You're short of people right now, so why not use her?"

After finishing his explanation, he even had to apologize to Cuiming and the others.

Qin Yuan said, "Alright, alright, I know you're magnanimous, and I misunderstood you. How about this, I'll toast you three times, and after that, we won't mention this matter again, okay?"

The red leaves nodded.

Yang'er and Hehua just smiled.

They had never seen such an intimate master-servant relationship.

This trust and companionship built up over many years is like a mountain range or a deep ravine, which cannot be easily crossed.

Cui Ming quickly poured wine and handed it to Qin Yuan. Upon seeing this, Hong Ye drank three cups in a row and said with a thick tongue, "Let's not talk about it anymore, let's not talk about it with anyone."

Cui Ming hurriedly said, "We're all drunk, let's go back and rest."

Then everyone dispersed.

As Cuiming left last, she whispered to Qin Yuan, "What merit did Hongmian perform?"

Qin Yuan said, "It's about the neighbors."

Cuiming then asked, "What are the arrangements for the future?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, I will never put her with Sixteen and Hongye."

Cui Ming smiled and withdrew.

Lord Gu then emerged from the shadows and entered the corridor. Qin Yuan comforted the maids, saying that if he returned too early, it would inevitably spoil the mood. Listening to them chatting and laughing together from the shadows was a pleasant experience.

His young wife really cared about these maids, but these girls had been with her since childhood, spending years together. Humans aren't plants or trees, how could they be without feelings?

After thinking it over, Lord Gu decided to send Gu Shiliu out less often after his return, and instead have him stay with the sharp-tongued Hongye to keep watch over things.

This also saves him from complaining to his wife.

In the darkness, Gu Shiliu climbed down from the gatehouse of an abandoned house. After the rubbings had dried completely, he carefully put them into his bag.

The autumn night was chilly, and the autumn insects chirped mournfully, as if they knew their lives were coming to an end.

Gu Shiliu suddenly sneezed, which drew several barks from dogs and voices from people.

Let's get out of here.

Gu Shiliu disappeared swiftly.

Soon someone arrived, looked around, and then walked away cursing.

...

Lord Gu stopped the maids from making a sound and lifted the curtain to enter. As expected, he saw Qin Yuanyu under the lamp, her face flushed with spring, her body limp and leaning against the black pillow, her delicate red lips slightly parted, revealing her neat and white teeth.

He didn't seem to need her comfort anymore; just seeing her like this was enough for him.

He gently leaned in, savoring the aroma of wine on her lips.

After a while, he gently lifted the beautiful woman in his arms and said, "What's wrong? You've been secretly drinking behind my back, and you're not sleeping."

Qin Yuan was dizzy from the kiss. With great effort, she lifted her eyelids, rolled her eyes in disgust, and lightly raised her hand to slap him.

"So noisy! Where have you been gallivanting off to again? You're never home for days on end. It's only because I have a good temper that I can tolerate Princess Fuyun and Lady Zhao..."

Lord Gu was jolted awake by the slap that carried a fragrant scent.

The beauty in my eyes has faded.

This woman is going too far; she dared to slap me.

If he is not properly taught a lesson, I fear that he will lose his authority as a husband and become a useless person in everyone's eyes.

Lord Gu's expression turned cold. Just as he was about to scold his wife, a chubby little foot was presented to him: "Hurry up and wash my feet, I'm sleepy."

The complete chapters of "My Eldest Sister Insists on a Marquis-Switch Marriage, Making Me a Lady of the Marquis" will continue to be updated on the Shuhaige Novel Network. There are no ads on the site, so please bookmark and recommend Shuhaige Novel Network!