"Cough cough."
Lord Gu was at a loss for words.
After coughing, he still had nothing to say.
Even the most dense person could tell that his actions over the past few days had angered her.
Lord Gu said, "Well, I... I can explain..."
The clever Hongmian had already ordered the small kitchen to send Qin Yuan's dinner.
Lord Gu watched as cups, plates, bowls, and dishes were taken out one by one and arranged on the small table. The variety was extensive, exquisite, and unique, but the portions were very small, each only enough for a chopstick or two.
Just as Qin Yuan said, there was only enough for one person.
If he were to use it, it wouldn't even be enough to fill a tooth gap.
Lord Gu's cheeks twitched involuntarily. Good heavens, now he didn't even have a topic to make a fuss about.
Seeing his reaction, Qin Yuan suppressed a smile that threatened to break out on her lips and said, "My lord, I'm about to have my meal. What do you think..."
"Don't call me 'Lord,' call me 'husband.'"
Lord Gu corrected him angrily.
Qin Yuan readily agreed: "Yes, my husband, I'll have my meal first, you..."
Lord Gu said resentfully, "It's alright, I'll just watch you use it."
“That won’t do. Husband, why don’t you go to the outer courtyard to keep Sixth Master company? Sixth Master already has enough allowance. Besides, once you move to the outer courtyard, the main kitchen will naturally provide the necessary supplies.”
Lord Gu snorted, crossed his arms, and widened his eyes.
"You can just use your own things, can't I even stay here and talk to you?"
Qin Yuan said softly, "Okay, of course it's okay. But wouldn't it be better if my husband had eaten first? Food doesn't taste good if it's left out for too long, and besides, eating cold food isn't good for your internal organs."
Lord Gu was unmoved by reason and simply waved his hand away.
"It's alright, I'm used to it. We soldiers sometimes go without food or water when we're fighting, so don't worry about it, madam."
Qin Yuan had no choice but to pick up her chopsticks.
He had just picked up a piece of pickled goose and put it in his mouth when he heard Lord Gu's stomach rumbling like a drum.
Qin Yuan didn't look at him, and continued chewing her food with relish.
Lord Gu swallowed hard.
Qin Yuan reluctantly put down her bowl and asked, "Is the Marquis very hungry?"
Lord Gu waved his hand defiantly: "It's alright, it's alright, just eat it. Didn't you say that if we wait too long the food will get cold? You've been busy all day, so eat quickly."
Qin Yuan picked up another chicken marrow bamboo shoot.
This dish is always well-made in my little kitchen; it's savory, fresh, crisp, tender, and refreshing—perfect for pairing with porridge.
Lord Gu usually drinks several bowls of this with his food. If he's not satisfied after finishing, he can order two more baskets of tofu skin and bamboo shoot buns.
Qin Yuan had only taken one sip when Lord Gu's Adam's apple bobbed up and down, making a loud swallowing sound.
Qin Yuan silently looked at Lord Gu. This time, before she could speak, Lord Gu had already stood up with a blank expression.
"I think I'll go to the outer courtyard to keep my sixth brother company. I don't know if he can eat without me."
Qin Yuan couldn't help but chuckle and said, "You should have gone a long time ago."
Lord Gu didn't say much, quickly went out, then turned back, remembering to say to Qin Yuan, "I'll come find you later."
Qin Yuan nodded with a smile.
She was breathtakingly beautiful under the lamplight.
Lord Gu sighed inwardly, even people could be ruthlessly manipulated.
What can you do? He's his own beloved wife; he can only spoil her.
Lord Gu rushed to the outer courtyard and ordered his servant to fetch food from the main kitchen, only to find that no dinner had been prepared for him, and that Sixth Master Gu had already eaten.
Lord Gu was in a bad mood.
Master Gu said, "The servant thought that Third Brother was eating at Wutong Garden, so he mentioned it when he got the food, and the main kitchen didn't make it."
Lord Gu grunted twice.
Perhaps because he hadn't eaten much these past few days, seeing Qin Yuan eating so heartily made him feel incredibly hungry, and he realized he was starving too.
Sixth Master Gu offered his good brother a suggestion: "These past few days, there have been many people coming and going in the house, and the kitchen has been quite busy. Food is in short supply. If you don't take your share, the servants will divide it among themselves. Why don't you give them some money to make a late-night snack and have them eat a few pastries to tide them over?"
Lord Gu twitched the corner of his mouth, said nothing, turned his face away from the door, and stared longingly, seemingly looking at something.
The servant guarding outside called out softly, then came in carrying a food box, his face beaming with joy, and said, "My lord, Sister Hongmian from the madam's side has sent some food."
"oh?"
Lord Gu's lips stopped drooping.
Sixth Master Gu immediately said, "Quickly open it and take a look."
The box was opened to reveal several kinds of vegetables, as well as porridge, noodles, and a basket of tofu skin buns.
Master Gu praised, "This looks good. If I hadn't already eaten some, I could have had some more."
Gu Jinghui immediately pulled the food box in front of him, protectively saying, "This was specially made for me by your third sister-in-law, why are you getting involved?"
Upon hearing this, Sixth Master Gu glanced at his third brother with a mixture of resentment and disdain.
It's hard to describe Gu Jinghui's feelings at this moment.
I felt a mix of happiness, anger, and sweetness.
He quickly ate a few mouthfuls of noodles, then drank two bowls of porridge with chicken marrow and bamboo shoots before slowing down.
Sixth Master Gu kept staring at him, and finally managed to find a moment to ask, "Third Brother, is Third Sister-in-law's cooking from her little kitchen really that delicious? She didn't even look up."
You don't understand.
Lord Gu is truly a man of high ideals who finds himself in a world of limited understanding.
I have nothing to say to this stupid younger brother.
Sixth Master Gu: "Tsk tsk tsk, my good third brother, I really don't know what to say to you. I already have several children. Fine, if you say I don't understand, then I don't understand. I'm just asking, are you still staying with me in the outer courtyard tonight?"
"Cough cough cough."
Lord Gu choked and let out a series of earth-shattering coughs.
"What?" Lin Ziqi choked and tears welled up in his eyes.
Qin Wan had just put down her chopsticks when she saw Madam Yu anxiously lean over and gently pat Lin Ziqi's back, complaining in a soft, affectionate voice, "Why are you so surprised? I should have known better than to say anything. If you had choked and hurt yourself, how could I have lived with myself..."
Qin Wan sneered inwardly, thinking what a perfect couple.
She hadn't noticed it before.
Then, Lin's mother put down her chopsticks. After Lin Ziqi calmed down, she turned to her and scolded, "Look at you, you don't even care about your husband. Lian'er is the most considerate one after all."
Qin Wan remained silent, her hands clenched tightly under the table as she managed to suppress her anger.
Now, she's the only outsider in this family.
Even if you start arguing, you won't gain the upper hand.
Madam Yu replied obediently, "Aunt, please don't say that about my cousin-in-law. My cousin and I grew up together, so naturally we have a good understanding."
Lin Ziqi had also stopped coughing and said in a hoarse voice, "It's nothing, it's nothing. It's still best not to talk while eating or sleeping. I was quite frightened by what you said about the Marquis, which is why I coughed. You can all eat as usual."
Qin Wan picked up her chopsticks.
Madam Yu gave her a subtly provocative look, returned to her seat, picked up her rice bowl, and said, "My cousin is right. I'll eat properly now and won't say anything more."
Lin's mother nodded, "That's for the best. It's a good thing we didn't cook fish today, otherwise, this coughing would be terrible."
Qin Wan ignored them and ate by herself.
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