He had expected Qin Yuan to scold him, but to his surprise, Qin Yuan said softly, "My sister... she drank a little too much today, and what she said, please don't take it to heart, husband. I have already scolded her, and I believe my mother will also say something to her."
They seemed quite worried that he would hold a grudge and be dissatisfied with the Qin family.
How could a grown man be so petty?
Gu Jinghui relaxed, picked up the teacup on the small table, took a sip, and said magnanimously, "It's alright."
They didn't see Qin Yuan's hesitation at all.
Qin Yuan turned her face away uncomfortably.
The teacup was the one she had just used; there were still faint traces of lipstick on the rim.
This person is really something...
If it were a pretentious scholar like Lin Ziqi, he would surely compose a beautiful little poem in such a scene, saying something like "leftover tea stains lip rouge."
But Lord Gu didn't even notice him.
Really... not bothered by details.
Gu Jinghui finished his tea in two or three gulps, then held the teacup in his hand, playing with it. His long, sharp eyes were fixed on the delicate little mole on Qin Yuan's nose. He then said, "I won't blame your sister for listening to the nonsense outsiders say. It's just that she asked you in front of so many people without considering your feelings at all, which makes me a little unhappy. For your sake, I won't hold it against her."
Qin Yuan turned her face and sighed softly, "There's no smoke without fire. These words have reached my sister's ears, and she's come to me to ask me. It shows how outrageous the rumors are. My husband's act of repaying kindness with loyalty and affection is being talked about like this... I'm angry for my husband, and I feel ashamed to go back to my parents' home."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jinghui tensed up again and said angrily, "These gossipy scoundrels are slandering the reputation of my Marquis's mansion outside. I... I will definitely find someone to teach them a lesson."
Qin Yuan seemed relieved and said, "That's good. Otherwise, if Zhao Niangzi is still in mourning and people spread rumors about her like this, would she have to die to prove her innocence? When those two children grow up, will they suspect that their mother and the Marquis have an affair? The Marquis meant well and even neglected his family for the sake of those two children. If this is the final result, I really feel sorry for the Marquis."
As Qin Yuan thoughtfully considered his words, Gu Jinghui's face grew increasingly dark.
But by the end, his anger turned to joy. He took Qin Yuan's hand and said smugly, "Why does Madam's statement sound a bit sour? How about we have dumplings tonight?"
Hongye couldn't help but secretly roll her eyes again.
Qin Yuan tried to pull her hand back, and said reproachfully, "They're just concerned about you, and you, on the contrary, can only think about dumplings."
Gu Jinghui seemed to have some leverage over Qin Yuan, and laughed heartily, "I knew you'd been holding a grudge against me for going to Fengxuan Pavilion these past two days. Those two children are five years old; I've watched them grow up. They just came to the capital from the north and are still not used to it. They've also become more distant from me than before, so it's no wonder they're a bit clingy. Once you get to know them, you'll see how lovable they are, and they'll become close to you too."
Qin Yuan snorted.
Gu Jinghui's heart softened even more.
The humming sound inexplicably reminded him of his mother's beloved Persian cat, which was incredibly spoiled and usually didn't like to interact with people. It was very proud and aloof, but occasionally it would be affectionate and soft, snuggling up to him, making him so lovable that he couldn't bear to let go.
My wife is fragrant and soft, just as proud and lovable.
She had indeed suffered these past few days, so it's no wonder her mother wanted to beat her.
He was about to say something nice to coax Qin Yuan when he heard Qin Yuan say, "Hasn't Your Excellency considered this? After a great victory, with our reputation soaring, how could anyone dare to spread such rumors? Do these people harbor some ill will towards the Marquis's mansion? Zhao Niangzi and those two children shouldn't be known by anyone in the first place."
These words made Gu Jinghui take them seriously.
If someone is deliberately trying to smear the Marquis's mansion and him, what are they planning to do?
The affair between Zhao Niangzi and the two children was not a secret in the northern frontier, but only those close to him knew about it. Why then was it spread everywhere in the capital, even reaching the ears of his sister-in-law?
Perhaps, it was for this sister-in-law that they devised a plan to change the marriage in the first place.
Thinking of this, Gu Jinghui said solemnly, "Madam, you must believe me. Although I regard those two children as my own, they are definitely not my children, and I have absolutely no romantic relationship with Zhao Niangzi."
Qin Yuan nodded perfunctorily: "Of course I believe you, but outsiders have to believe you too."
Throughout the journey, Gu Jinghui seemed lost in thought. As soon as he returned to the manor, he said, "I have something to do at my mother's place. You should go back to Wutong Garden and rest first."
Qin Yuan said, "I want to go to my mother's place too, and talk to her."
After returning home from her wedding, she chatted with the old lady about the trivial matters of her maternal family and expressed her gratitude. It was a good opportunity to strengthen the bond between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, as she also wanted to take over the management of the household affairs as soon as possible.
Gu Jinghui sighed helplessly, then took Qin Yuan's hand with practiced ease and said, "I know I haven't spent much time with you these past two days, but you don't need to be so clingy."
Qin Yuan: "..."
Her pretty face flushed bright red.
She never imagined that Gu Jinghui thought of her in such a way.
All right.
That saved her the trouble of pretending to be in love.
Then Gu Jinghui's voice softened beyond belief as he coaxed, "Listen to me, go back and rest first. I won't go anywhere today, I'll stay with you."
Gu Shiliu, who was standing to the side, wished he could disappear into the ground.
Qin Yuan was speechless and had no choice but to return to Wutong Garden with Hongye.
The red leaves seemed to be chuckling all the way.
"Why hasn't the Marquis returned yet?" Hongye kept glancing at Qin Yuan's expression as dinner time approached, and kept muttering, "Don't go back on your word again."
Qin Yuan ignored her.
In the evening, Gu Jinghui was carried back by Gu Shiliu.
His undergarment was torn and stained with blood, his forehead was burning hot, and his eyes were tightly closed.
Qin Yuan was startled.
The two were full of energy when they parted, but how long has it been since then, and they've become like this?
Seeing Cuiming and Hongye busily making the bed, Qin Yuan quickly ordered, "Go and get that Xiangfei bamboo couch."
You have to lie face down so as not to put pressure on the wounds on your back and legs. It's more comfortable to lie face down on the bamboo couch when the weather is hot.
Gu Shiliu, with swollen eyes, muttered, "Madam, we must hurry and call a doctor. The Marquis has suffered terribly today."
Qin Yuan asked, "What exactly happened?"
Gu Shiliu stammered, "The Marquis was beaten by the old lady."
"Huh?" Cui Ming asked in surprise, "Wasn't the Marquis already beaten?"
The Marquis was flogged in the morning, but he acted as if nothing had happened. He dealt with Steward Wang and the coachman in high spirits, and then rode off to the Qin residence. Cuiming thought to herself, "The Marquis is indeed a veteran of the battlefield. He doesn't care about such a minor injury at all."
Gu Shiliu, in a fit of despair, said, "The Marquis was beaten twice."
Hongye asked, "What has the Marquis done this time to make the old lady so angry?"
Gu Shiliu glanced at Qin Yuan with difficulty, then stamped his foot and said, "The Marquis, well, don't even mention it, it's all because of Fengxuan Pavilion."
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