Even considering the Marquis of Dingbei's family, the Emperor was being far too lenient with this纨绔 (playboy).
The Crown Prince looked at Sixth Master Gu with suspicion.
Qin Jijiu was secretly anxious and winked at Gu Liuye, but Gu Liuye was only focused on talking to the Emperor.
"I will remember this in my heart and never forget it."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor raised his hand and gently stroked the three strands of his mustache, and smiled, "Very good, very good. Poetry, books, farming, and reading can be passed down through generations. Your father would be at peace if he knew this in the afterlife."
These were meant to be words of encouragement, but they sounded strangely odd, and Qin Yuan blinked.
Prince Qi glanced at Old Prince, who understood and said before Sixth Master Gu could speak again, "Your Majesty, it's getting late, we should head back. The students from the Imperial Academy are still waiting to see you off."
The Emperor laughed and said, "I'm so happy today that I've forgotten the time. Let's set off now. You may all go about your business."
The crowd performed the kneeling ceremony and then lined up to see them off.
When the emperor arrived, there was little fanfare, but when he left, the music and drums were deafening.
Only after the imperial procession had gone far away did the crowd of onlookers get up and disperse.
Before Qin Yuan could even speak to her father, Qin Jijiu hurried over, patted Qin Siyuan on the shoulder, and said with satisfaction, "Nephew, you are very fortunate. You have made a name for yourself in front of the Emperor today. You will have an easier time in the palace examination than others."
He was practically making boastful claims that he would be among the top scholars in the imperial examinations next year.
Qin Siyuan also laughed heartily and said, "It's all thanks to the Marquis and Sixth Master that we were able to reach the Emperor's ears."
Master Gu quickly replied, "Your poem is still the best."
Qin Jijiu glanced at Sixth Master Gu and sighed, "I was so worried about you two just now, afraid you'd make a fool of yourselves in front of the Emperor. You two are truly fearless young calves, and this little one too," as he said, he reached out and tugged at Qin Heng's ear.
Qin Heng covered his ears and complained, "Father, we're outside! Your son is all grown up now, don't you have any shame? I've met the Emperor before."
Qin Yuan couldn't help but laugh.
Qin Jijiu looked at her, as if he had a lot to say. He looked at her again and again, but the only words that came out of his mouth were: "Why haven't you put on the veil yet?"
Qin Yuan obediently put on the veil.
Qin Jijiu said with satisfaction, "My son-in-law has truly brought glory to our Great Xing. I am so pleased to see this. My son-in-law is both brave and resourceful. My daughter's good days are yet to come."
Gu Jinghui said, "I'm worried that my father-in-law will think I'm not as good as His Highness the Crown Prince."
Knowing that he was jealous, Qin Yuan glanced at Gu Jinghui sideways, and Gu Jinghui smiled and took Qin Yuan's hand.
Qin Jijiu laughed and said, "It was just the Emperor joking. But the Emperor has discerning eyes. He saw my daughter's beauty and character at first glance. It is my daughter's good fortune to marry the Marquis. It is also the Marquis's good fortune to have my daughter as his wife. I am so happy that you two are so loving."
Qin Yuan stood silently behind Gu Jinghui.
Lord Gu laughed loudly, "Don't worry, Father-in-law, I will treat my wife well for the rest of my life."
Gu Baozhu ran over at this moment, greeted Qin Jijiu, and then said to Qin Siyuan, "Qin Juren, I heard that His Majesty also loves your poems. Congratulations!"
Qin Siyuan smiled and said, "His Majesty also praised the Seventh Miss's heroic demeanor. Congratulations to him as well."
Gu Baozhu wanted to say something more.
Sixth Master Gu hurriedly said, "Baozhu, let's go quickly. If you come out to stand up for justice today, I'm afraid it will spread throughout the capital tomorrow. Mother will definitely be angry when she finds out."
Gu Baozhu sighed and pleaded with Qin Yuan, "Good sister-in-law, please put in a good word for me with Mother and spare me from punishment. It's all Yelü Guzha's fault for spewing such foul language. We just couldn't stand it, which is why we made a scene."
Seeing her pitiful state, Qin Jijiu said, "Yuan'er, please put in a good word for your sister-in-law. Speaking of which, this whole thing started because of us."
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Of course, but it's getting late, so let's not talk about it anymore and go back quickly."
Then everyone started to leave.
By this time, most of the people outside had left.
Qin Jijiu led Qin Siyuan and Qin Heng into his own carriage and bowed in farewell.
After watching the Qin family's carriage leave, Qin Yuan and Gu Baozhu boarded their own carriage, while Lord Gu and Sixth Master Gu rode outside to accompany them, with a group of servants already waiting on the side.
Just as they were about to set off, General Jin and a group of people dressed in Qilin robes came looking for Gu Jinghui.
Lord Gu asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why haven't you left yet?"
General Jin said, "It's not that we're all happy. We're just thinking that if it weren't for the Marquis's mansion, how could we have received such a generous reward? There were too many people earlier, so we couldn't come over to pay our respects."
Lord Gu smiled and waved his hand, saying, "No need. I understand your intentions."
General Jin and his men persisted, insisting that the Marquis would not be allowed to leave until they had paid their respects.
Lord Gu had no choice but to accept the greeting along with Lord Gu Liu.
General Jin added, "Madam and Miss Seven are inside the carriage. The Marquis should allow us to pay our respects."
Lord Gu could not refuse, so he said, "Then let them open the carriage window and see us."
The car window opened, and Qin Yuan was already inside the car. When everyone saw her true face, they couldn't help but praise her in their hearts: "She is such a beautiful woman. The Marquis is so lucky."
Thinking back on those rumors, she couldn't help but sigh for her lord.
When Gu Baozhu finally showed herself, everyone thought, "The Seventh Miss is truly the old Marquis's flesh and blood, especially those eyebrows, which are so spirited."
The crowd quieted down considerably, and after exchanging greetings, they lined up to see off the group from the Marquis of Dingbei's residence.
General Jin said, "Let's go. Let's go back and show our families. We're so lucky. They rushed over as soon as they heard about the Marquis's matter. If it weren't for our loyalty and bravery, how could we have such good fortune?"
"Yes!" The crowd cheered and spurred their horses on, laughing and joking.
Xiao Tao asked General Jin, "Why doesn't Sixth Master resemble a member of the Gu family at all?"
General Jin said, "Nonsense, how could it not be? The Gu family are all good-looking. Look how beautiful the lady is. She is destined to be our Marquis's wife."
Xiao Tao laughed loudly and said, "You're talking nonsense. Sixth Master is gentle and refined, not at all like someone who practices martial arts. He only likes to compose poems and paint. Seventh Miss is even more skilled than him."
General Jin spat, "I think you're tired of living. Don't you know that Sixth Master has been weak since childhood and can't practice martial arts? Old Madam Gu said that her descendants should pursue literature in the future. Sixth Master Gu has also won the Emperor's favor and spent a long time reciting poetry with him. Who can have such prestige?"
Xiao Tao scratched the back of his head and said, "I was just saying."
They chatted and laughed as they reached the side gate, where they reined in their horses and lined up to proceed slowly.
Not far away, Yelü Guzha stood with a group of his people, looking in this direction as if they were waiting for someone.
General Jin glanced at Yelü Guzha, whose face was gloomy, and said with a smile while bowing from his horse, "Prince Yelü, we've met again, again, again."
Yelü Guzha forced a smile and said, "Yes, General Jin, what a coincidence."
General Jin casually dusted off his unicorn robe and asked nonchalantly, "What's wrong? Is Yelü the hostage still not leaving? Is he going to compose a poem to commemorate today's events? Hahahaha."
Everyone behind him burst into laughter.
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