Chapter 13
Qin Yuan had some hidden suspicions.
She tentatively ladled a bowl of soup and pushed it toward him.
Gu Jinghui looked over, his eyes softening even more, the corners of his lips slightly curving up. He then ladled a bowl of duck and bamboo shoot soup for her and placed a piece of fish on the porcelain dish in front of her.
"You're so frail, eat more meat, and put on some more flesh."
Gu Jinghui seemed to say casually.
Qin Yuan answered him, picked up the piece of fish, and put it in her mouth, savoring it carefully.
The chef at the Marquis Mansion is pretty skilled; it's quite fresh.
She naturally loved eating fish and shrimp, and with a smile, she said to Gu Jinghui, "It's done well."
Seeing her eat so sweetly, Gu Jinghui's cold contours softened somewhat, and he picked another piece with chopsticks for her.
"Yuan'er..."
Gu Jinghui seemed about to say something when there was commotion outside the yard; Gu Shiliu, who was guarding outside, asked, "Why have you come again?"
That word "again" was quite telling.
Qin Yuan glanced out the window.
"I couldn't help it, the young master won't take medicine, he's crying and insisting on seeing the Marquis, saying only father can coax him to take it." A woman's low voice came in, seeming rather embarrassed.
Gu Jinghui put down the chopsticks in his hand and looked at Qin Yuan.
Qin Yuan remained silent, just listening attentively to the dialogue outside.
Gu Shiliu seemed a bit awkward, saying, "The Marquis is having a meal with the Marchioness. You've been in the mansion for some time, why pick this moment to come?"
"I trouble Brother Sixteen to inform him, delaying the young master's health, no one can bear that responsibility." The woman played both hard and soft.
Hong Ye had already chased her out, saying, "It's you again, haha, I thought it was nobody else. Each time, you time it right to invite the Marquis, you won't even let him have a peaceful meal."
The ridicule in her words was impossible to ignore.
Qin Yuan coughed lightly, saying, "Hong Ye, come back and have dinner. Later, we need to store the dowry, and tomorrow I'm returning home; very busy indeed."
In other words, why bother with them?
Whether to go or not is Gu Jinghui's business, not theirs.
Hong Ye, puffing her cheeks, answered.
The woman simply said loudly outside, "Marquis, the young master is throwing a tantrum; Lady Zhao also can't coax him to take medicine. Sister Yu misses her father too, saying she hasn't seen father for days and wants to go out to play."
Qin Yuan's smile was enigmatic as she looked at Gu Jinghui and asked, "Marquis, will you change your clothes and go over?"
Gu Jinghui: "..."
Eventually, Gu Jinghui reluctantly said, "I'd better go and have a look, Brother Cheng grew up by my side, but since returning to the Capital City, he's become distant from me. The kids are still young, and somewhat not used to it..."
Qin Yuan said, "Then the Marquis should go, and don't forget, tomorrow I'm returning home."
Her voice remained gentle, yet inexplicably made Gu Jinghui somewhat anxious: "Yuan'er, I will come back early. You haven't finished organizing the dowry and still have to arrange Wutong Garden, right? The things I promised you, I won't forget. Returning home is such an important day; of course, it's in my heart."
Qin Yuan stood up and said with a smile, "Marquis, go early and return early."
Gu Jinghui seemed relieved, nodded, and said, "Okay."
After Gu Jinghui left, Qin Yuan sat down again, eating slowly.
Hong Ye lifted the curtain and came in, saying, "Miss, that Zhao woman is clinging to the Marquis like that. If people didn't know better, they'd think she was someone important to the Marquis. That nanny obviously has ill intentions, saying all that about missing father and not going out to play for a long time, she's clearly trying to distance you from the Marquis."
Qin Yuan didn't mind at all, smiling, "Why such amusement? The Marquis's heart is not here with me; what distance is there?
"Lady Zhao is the widow of his benefactor, and they were together day and night in the Northern Border. In Marquis's heart, how could I be closer than their mother and son? She's repeatedly crossed my boundaries, yet have you seen the Marquis say anything?
"Even if the Marquis doesn't care about his reputation and saves face, and forcefully takes in Lady Zhao, what can I do about it? Instead of fretting over this woman, you might as well help me manage the dowry."
Hong Ye said angrily, "Miss, you're too good-tempered."
Qin Yuan said slowly, "Finish your meal; it's cooling down."
Would having a temper make her enjoy better food, sleep, or life?
Their voices were not loud, but Gu Jinghui, having practiced martial arts since childhood, with sharp hearing, was still able to hear clearly even though he'd reached the courtyard gate. His face darkened, his hand in his sleeve clenched into a fist, standing at the door for a while.
Gu Shiliu thought the Marquis had forgotten something, only to hear Marquis Gu ask in a cold voice: "Sixteen, how is the investigation going on what I asked?"
The investigation was done; however...
Gu Shiliu hesitantly glanced at the nanny beside him, saying: "Reporting to Marquis, it has been looked into, but..."
Gu Jinghui's face turned even colder, saying: "Tell me when I come back."
After Qin Yuan had her lunch, she rested for a moment before rising to redo her hair, change her clothes, and noticed the sun was starting to set. She asked: "Has the dowry been stored?"
Cui Ming said, "It has been cataloged and stored, and Old Hu from the storeroom matched the ledger with me and signed off."
"Okay," Qin Yuan asked, "Has the Marquis returned, or has he sent a message back?"
Cui Ming pouted, saying, "No."
Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said with a smile, "It seems the young master is seriously ill; the Marquis won't return any time soon. How about visiting the Old Madam for a chat?"
Cui Ming asked, puzzled, "Miss, are you serious?"
Qin Yuan nodded, "Of course I am."
The Old Madam is indeed like a god of wealth, generous and open-handed. Putting effort into capturing Marquis Gu's heart is not as effective as capturing the Old Madam's heart.
Once she has the Old Madam as support, will she have to worry in the future?
Let Lady Zhao and Gu Jinghui mess around all they want.
Determined, Qin Yuan called Hong Ye over, and the three of them followed the familiar path to the upper house.
Old Madam Gu was surprised to hear Qin Yuan was coming to see her, asking Nanny Rong, "What's this about? A new bride, not staying properly in Wutong Garden, why come to find me?"
Nanny Rong suspiciously replied, "Could it be that the Marquis has again..."
Old Madam Gu sighed.
"Go find out what's going on."
Nanny Rong went to gather information, and Old Madam Gu had the big maid Qiujie bring Qin Yuan inside.
Qiujie lifted the curtain and saw the newly entered Marchioness standing with two dowry maids by the pavilion, leisurely watching the koi in the pond.
The wind lifted the locks of hair beside her ears; the shade of the trees by the pavilion partially blocked the sunlight, casting dappled light and shadow on her. Her jade-like face brimmed with a cheerful smile, making one forget their worries at the sight.
Even Qiujie couldn't help but praise in her heart.
This Marchioness is truly beautiful.
No wonder the Old Madam liked her; in a moment of joy today, she even brought out the jade jadeite that had been hidden away for years.
Qiujie walked a few steps, and Qin Yuan spotted her, then headed toward her with the two maids.
Qiujie thought to herself, this Marchioness is quite approachable, does not put on airs.
"Marchioness, the Old Madam invites you to come in and talk."
Qin Yuan agreed with a smile and followed Qiujie to the inner chamber, where Old Madam Gu held her hand with a loving expression and asked, "Why aren't you with Hui'er? Why come to see me again?"