Madam Gu noticed it too, but didn't show it on her face. She casually complained, "The festival is coming soon, and I don't know what the sixth son is busy with. These days when he comes to pay his respects, he's all disheveled and doesn't dress properly. It's really annoying to look at him. He can't even say two words before he's in a hurry to leave. He doesn't even care about the children. All he thinks about is his poems and paintings. If he comes, I'll have to have Xiu Niang prepare a special vegetarian meal for him."
Sixth Master Gu had to observe mourning, so he couldn't eat meat or drink alcohol, which Old Madam Gu found quite troublesome.
Qin Yuan then said, "Why don't we let Granny Rong take the children and eat first?"
Madam Gu hesitated for a moment, "I'm afraid they all miss their father too."
"Then let's each have a small table, and put some of your favorite dishes and snacks on it. What do you think, Mother?" Qin Yuan suggested.
Although it wasn't as lively as eating at the same table, it was still better than having the children eat vegetarian food. So, Madam Gu said, "Let it be like this then. I can't eat what he's eating. If he eats vegetarian food for three years, he won't take good care of his health. I'm really afraid he'll damage his health."
He turned to Lord Gu and said, "Look at your wife, she's so thoughtful and considerate, how could I not like her?"
Lord Gu immediately straightened his back, looking smug: "Being able to find a wife that Mother likes is also a testament to my ability, isn't it?"
"People who get married are different. They used to be so quiet they wouldn't even fart, but now they're all talkative. The clan chief's old lady came today and brought up your past. She kept calling you 'three blockheads' and asked if your wife knew how to treat people well, or if you always had a sullen face. It's a pity she didn't get to see what you look like now; her jaw probably dropped."
Old Madam Gu teased her son, but unbeknownst to him, he had already secretly squeezed his daughter-in-law's soft, white hand. Though they hadn't said a word, their eyes had already met several times.
Qin Yuan said, "Baozhu has been running around outside these past two days. We need to send someone out to look for her so she can come back for dinner as soon as possible."
Madam Gu shook her head and laughed, "So you're thinking of going back to school and have some fun with your friends. It's a pity you won't be happy for long. The clan is going to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together this year. The clan chief's mother has said several times that you two sisters-in-law should go and help out. She said you're capable and wants you to take care of things."
This surprised Qin Yuan: "Didn't we all spend our time separately in the mansion in previous years? The music and entertainment troupes have all been hired, so this..."
Madam Gu comforted her, "It's alright. It's just that the third son came back this year. In the past, everyone lived their own lives, so I didn't pay much attention. Today, the clan chief had his mother come and say that you, the new bride, went to the ancestral temple and removed the thorn in Zhiguang's side. This must be the blessing of our ancestors, so we should worship our ancestors together during the Mid-Autumn Festival."
Before Qin Yuan could speak, Lord Gu said, "The Mid-Autumn Festival coincides with the Empress Dowager's birthday. Every household in the capital will set up lanterns and celebrate together. We will all be going to the palace for a banquet. If the clan wants to hold a sacrificial banquet, then we will have to postpone it. Besides, Yuan'er has just married into the family and is not capable of handling such a big event. Let the clan leader's wife make the arrangements, and we will follow her orders."
The implication was that he would provide money if needed, but as for personnel, he wouldn't allow it; he didn't want his young wife to be busy with both domestic and external affairs.
Madam Gu couldn't help but laugh and said, "You've learned to be considerate now."
Qin Yuan lowered her head, her face flushed, which only made Lord Gu more smug.
The young couple's affection for each other brought a smile to Old Madam Gu's face.
After chatting for a while, Sixth Master Gu hurriedly arrived. Seeing that his clothes still had creases, his hair was haphazardly tied up with a hairpin, and there were still faint marks left by paint on his face, Old Madam Gu couldn't help but sigh, "Sixth Master, although you don't have a legal wife to take care of you, you still have several concubines. Isn't Aunt Huang still living in Madam Xu's original courtyard? Why don't you move back and let Aunt Huang take good care of you?"
Kang Ge'er and the others rushed out of the inner room and pounced on their father as soon as they saw him. Sixth Master Gu hurriedly opened his arms, hugging one on the left and one on the right, without raising his head, and said, "There's nothing to say to them. It's enough that the servants are taking care of them. Third Brother used to live a much harder life in the north than I do."
Qin Yuan then said, "Sixth Brother, you should take care of your health in the meantime, lest Doctor Li keep complaining that everyone treats him like a god. The servant is rather careless, so should we get a clever maid or old woman to help you?"
Madam Gu also said, "Your third brother is stronger than an ox, what are you comparing yourself to him for?"
Originally wanting to say a few words of concern to his younger brother, Lord Gu couldn't help but complain, "Mother really dotes on this and that, but she doesn't care about her son at all. Look how much you spoil your little sister, how much you care about the sixth son, and how much you like Yuan'er, but only your son gets beaten and is disliked."
Sixth Master Gu glanced sideways at Marquis Gu, who was still vying for favor despite his advanced age.
"After Third Brother got married, he became more and more jealous. Where is the might of the God of War now? Doesn't he care about his sister-in-law's dislike for him?"
Lord Gu retorted angrily, "What do you know? Your sister-in-law and I are husband and wife. She only cares about me. You should marry someone like her next time."
Looking at the loving couple with envy, Sixth Master Gu said sourly, "I know, if you care about my younger brother, then help me find someone like that."
Lord Gu looked helpless: "Marriage is preordained by heaven, how can I help you find one?"
That's what I meant...
It's as if my miserable state was all destined.
Sixth Master Gu was starting to not want to talk to him anymore.
Madam Gu quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Your third brother just got lucky. Who knew your third sister-in-law would be so talented and have such an outstanding personality? Even your third sister-in-law's sister is from the same family as the Grand Master of Ceremonies, but she's different. Just thinking about it makes me shudder. If she had married a blockhead like your third brother, my God, I don't know how she would have lived like that."
Qin Yuan glanced at them silently.
Sixth Master Gu said with deep feeling, "I've also discussed this matter with Brother Siyuan, and we both feel that the word 'marriage' is truly wondrous..."
Before she could finish speaking, Gu Baozhu rushed in excitedly and exclaimed, "What's the matter today? Why did you call me back so early? I almost gave myself away, but luckily I'm quick-witted and made up a story to get away with it."
Then he sighed regretfully, "If you had come to call me later, Xu Tang would have had to call me 'Dad'."
"What do you mean?" Qin Yuan couldn't help but ask curiously.
Lord Gu hurriedly glanced at Old Madam Gu.
These words were hardly the kind of thing a young lady should say. Normally, she would have been scolded by Old Madam Gu, but at this moment, Old Madam Gu stared at Gu Baozhu with a dazed expression, her eyes fixed on her as if she were looking through her at someone.
Gu Baozhu hurriedly came down from the football field, still dressed as a man without changing his clothes. He looked smug and dashing, just like a carefree young man.
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