My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 247: The Firefly’s Troubles

Gu Shiliu waited half the night, but ultimately couldn’t resist going back to change clothes and take a bath.

The others stayed there on guard, watched all night, but no one came to retrieve it.

Gu Shiliu woke up in the morning, originally thinking he could catch a big fish but was disappointed. He walked over personally and dug the pit open again, but found that the oil paper package inside had already changed. Upon opening, it was still a paper slip, but the words written had changed, it was still nonsense.

Gu Shiliu: "..."

This affair has become quite strange,

Gu Shiliu thrust his hand outward, unexpectedly finding a place that had loosened, he exerted a little force and pushed a brick on the wall slightly.

At this time, households were busy preparing breakfast, and there were few people on the street, especially in the alley next to Duke Dingguo Mansion.

Gu Shiliu jumped outside the wall, took a closer look, and it turned out this wall brick had already loosened, but it wasn’t obvious.

"Ah..."

Gu Shiliu hurriedly jumped back, he wondered silently that it was rather impressive just under their very noses to engage in such a deed, yet it worked.

Gu Shiliu ordered someone to stand guard nearby, then hurried to the outer study to find Marquis Gu.

Unexpectedly, Gu Jinghui was not in the outer study, after martial arts practice he had gone to Wutong Garden, saying he was going to have breakfast with his wife.

The servant in the study mimicked Marquis Gu saying, "Sixteen, early in the morning he’s gone crazy somewhere, when he returns make sure he comes to the upper room to find me."

Gu Shiliu chuckled and flicked his finger to give the servant a little hit on the head.

...

Qin Yuan woke up half an hour later than usual, drowsily hearing Marquis Gu gently call by her side, "Yuan’er, it’s time to get up."

Qin Yuan pretended not to hear, turned over, and continued sleeping.

Then Cui Ming came in carrying hot water, placed it on the rack, and softly said, "Marquis, Madam was tired from writing last night, she probably needs to sleep a little more."

With the maid present, Marquis Gu couldn’t shamelessly disturb Qin Yuan, so he went to her desk and looked over her writings from yesterday.

Dense beautiful calligraphy, concise wording, precise diction, articulating the difficulties of the Marquis Mansion, the thoughtful decisions, measures, and suggestions all clearly and understandably.

Gu Jinghui admired it in his heart, having nothing else to do, he spread out paper preparing to copy it.

Cui Ming saw him and came over to open the ink slab, preparing ink for him.

Gu Jinghui waved his hand saying, "Go assist Madam in getting up and washing, I’ll wait and go to the upper room with her for breakfast, there’s something I want to discuss."

Cui Ming thought about it and went outside to call in a little maid to assist.

Hearing voices in the room, Qin Yuan gradually woke up, had to rise and wash herself, with a carved nanmu screen sheltering between Gu Jinghui seated at the desk and the bed, they did not disturb each other.

When Qin Yuan finished, Gu Jinghui’s copy was made, just affix it to the report to submit.

Another secret report, having additional new content from yesterday’s interrogation, Gu Jinghui circled certain parts, waiting to inform Qin Yuan to amend it.

The morning light shone through the green window screen, touched his jade-white cheek, blurred the rugged steep side, his sharp brows and jawline having a somewhat rebellious unrestrained feel yet elegant and graceful flair, giving an unspeakable sense of romantic freedom.

Seeing such a handsome gentleman this morning, even the worst waking temper dissipated.

Qin Yuan reached out, took the copied report from Gu Jinghui, looked it over, and commented, "Husband focused, indeed orderly, no typos or blemishes, soon send it up."

Gu Jinghui showed the secret report’s marked sections to Qin Yuan, said somewhat troubledly, "Yesterday there’s new developments, new statements signed, unsure whether it needs changes."

Qin Yuan raised her brows, "Let me see."

Gu Jinghui took it from his sleeve pocket, handing it to Qin Yuan.

Upon unfolding, there were spots of blood still on it.

He worriedly gazed at Qin Yuan, yet saw she did not even frown, quickly scanned the testimony and said, "Changing a few words will suffice."

Gu Jinghui hurriedly vacated the seat for Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan took two steps, stood at the desk, picked up a wolf brush, dipped it in ink, made additions and deletions, reading it anew, the meaning had changed.

Gu Jinghui couldn’t help praising, "Exquisite, truly marvelous."

Then somewhat vexed, if only he read more, boasting wouldn’t be so lacking.

At least he could like his sixth brother drop a literary reference, speak a few learned lines, delight the young wife.

Qin Yuan turned to ask, "Go to the upper room now, or finish copying before going?"

Gu Jinghui quickly gathered his thoughts, glanced at the hourglass and said, "Go now."

Afterward when returning, there’ll be time to linger in the main room.

Qin Yuan then followed Gu Jinghui out from Wutong Garden, along the way, Gu Jinghui spoke little, she too did not speak much.

Hong Ye and Cui Ming likewise quietly accompanied them to the bamboo grove.

Gu Jinghui suddenly halted, telling Qin Yuan, "Alone, in the secluded bamboo, playing the zither and singing for long. Deep in the woods where no one knows, the bright moon shines upon us. Yesterday I heard Sixth Brother recite this verse, suddenly reminded of the night we came here to listen to insects, these days due to smallpox, we haven’t had such leisure."

Qin Yuan also stopped, truly unexpected to hear Marquis Gu reciting poetry one day.

Though it was Wang Wei’s verse recited, it was still poetry.

Seeing her silence, Gu Jinghui’s ears flushed slightly red, fingers curling, he pondered privately, it seems General Jin’s treasure book wasn’t entirely useful.

Gu Jinghui grew concerned, worrying he’d be deemed an imitator by Qin Yuan.

After all, Qin Siyuan, Lin Ziqi, and others, could create poetry, unlike him who merely recites others’ verses.

Gu Jinghui turned ideas over in his heart, unexpectedly Qin Yuan reached out, held his hand and smiled, "That day husband brought me here to hear insect chirp, thank you. Many views in the mansion, one evening returning with Master and Little Junior Brother from consultation, it was late, fireflies flying about, very delightful."

Gu Jinghui felt overjoyed, barely comprehending Qin Yuan’s words, immediately grasped her hand tightly in return.

Qin Yuan: "..."

Gu Jinghui blushing slightly and stiff-faced, stammered, "Shall we catch fireflies again tonight? I recall as kids we’d catch them and put them into pouches, hang them inside the curtain."

Hong Ye lowered her head, suppressing a grin.

Cui Ming’s expression remained seemingly unmoved, yet Hong Ye knew she surely smiled as well.

Qin Yuan replied, "Alright, discuss when free."

It was originally postponement words, but in Gu Jinghui’s ears, it meant the young wife had already decided.

Though feeling nearing thirties catching fireflies with young wife seemed... yet indulging the young wife’s fondness, thus accompanying at all costs.

This is perhaps a problem having a beloved wife at home.

Only those married understand, Marquis Gu thought, if Sixteen were here, he must tell him.