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

Chapter 277: Lord Gu Sixth’s State of Mind

Marquis Gu burped, firmly shook Mr. Xu’s hand, and said, "Once the imperial bulletin is published, you’ll see, my report didn’t say much, only how the Marquis Mansion has been spending its days, and I also sent the Emperor a prescription purchased for a hefty sum, which can prevent and treat epidemics."

Mr. Xu was not fully convinced. Although his hand hurt from the grip, the alcohol hadn’t worn off, and he shook his head in a daze.

Housekeeper Han arranged carriages, forming a row, and sent them back one by one.

Throughout the journey, the Xu family barely acknowledged Sixth Master Gu.

Their reluctant farewell seemed as if Marquis Gu were their son-in-law.

Qin Yuan felt sympathy for Sixth Master Gu.

However, Sixth Master Gu didn’t mind, he just whispered to the servant, "They look down on people, but once my collection of poems and paintings become a bestseller, famous throughout the capital, they will lineup seeking me. Yet, I won’t bother dealing with them, as they are coarse people. As the saying goes, paths that are different do not converge. But, I don’t blame them."

Then, he continued burying himself in reading poetry and painting.

It was as if the visit from the Xu family was just a passing drizzle, not even wetting the ground.

Once resolved, the matter was done.

Hearing this, Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, feeling somewhat impressed by Sixth Master Gu.

Hong Ye sighed, "Ordinary people can’t reach the realm of Sixth Master."

Cui Ming said, "Exactly, even though Sixth Master went to Sixth Madam’s yard with the Xu family like a shadow, it made me uncomfortable, but he was indifferent."

Hong Ye said, "Speaking of these years, the Xu family has benefited quite a bit from the Marquis Mansion, yet they still look down on others."

Qin Yuan said, "The Xu family probably sees it as Sixth Madam’s skill and, on the contrary, holds Sixth Master in disdain."

"Truly, good people get bullied, and good horses get ridden."

Cui Ming expressed her sentiments.

Qin Yuan said, "It’s okay, Sixth Master doesn’t like the Xu family either. Indeed, paths that are different do not converge. Sixth Master appreciates literature, the Xu family values martial arts, they both disdain one another."

Sixth Lady Gu was not long-lived.

In the future, Sixth Master Gu’s interactions with the Xu family will mostly be for the sake of a few children.

But these words need not be spoken.

Just as they were talking, the Xiangfei bamboo curtain sounded, and Gu Jinghui walked in with a flushed face reeking of alcohol, his sharp brows furrowing slightly, and in a muffled voice said, "Madam, my head aches."

Qin Yuan greeted him with a smile, helping him onto the Arhat Bed.

Marquis Gu lay weakly against her body and murmured, "Why did you come back so soon? You didn’t wait for me."

Qin Yuan said, "Mrs. Xu wasn’t happy, and I didn’t want to annoy her."

"Dealing with so many people is truly tiring," Marquis Gu gently held Qin Yuan’s waist, his face close to her neck, whispering, "Let me lean on you."

The warmth and scent of alcohol rushed over.

Qin Yuan’s face instantly became red-hot, but she didn’t push him away, only shyly glanced at the maids in the room.

Cui Ming hastily went to prepare hangover soup.

Hong Ye asked, "Should we make the bed for Marquis to lie down for a while?"

Qin Yuan glanced at the hourglass.

"No need, more visitors will soon come. Many people came to seek Marquis today, afraid he won’t lie down for long."

Hong Ye then exited to instruct the young maids to stand outside, listening for any noises inside, ready to assist as needed.

After preparing the hangover soup, Cui Ming stood outside, asking, "Madam, the hangover soup is ready, should I bring it inside?"

After a while, a voice from inside said, "Bring it in."

The young maid quickly lifted the curtain for her, and Cui Ming carried the tray into the room.

Marquis Gu sat with a carefree manner, his handsome face full of spring colors, while Qin Yuan leaned inward against the Arhat Bed, her clothes bearing many suspicious creases.

Cui Ming’s heart fluttered, and she dared not look further, hesitating to proceed.

Marquis Gu, however, was in high spirits, saying, "Put it there."

His voice carried the joy of achieving a desire, like a spring breeze.

Cui Ming quickly placed the tray on the table and withdrew.

Once everyone left, Marquis Gu bent over again, hugged Qin Yuan, and randomly showered her face with kisses. Qin Yuan complained, "Your whole body reeks of alcohol, it’s overwhelming."

Her body was soft, lacking any strength.

The tone of her voice was languid and weak.

It sounded less like a complaint and more like a soft, teasing whisper.

Taking advantage of the alcohol, Marquis Gu continued caressing, unwilling to part, but eventually restrained himself, whispering hoarsely, "Good Yuan’er, can I come back tonight after rinsing my mouth?"

Qin Yuan: "..."

Seeing her silence, Gu Jinghui chuckled annoyingly, saying, "I understand."

Qin Yuan raised her head even less.

Outside, Gu Shiliu’s voice was heard: "Miss Hong Ye, how is Marquis?"

Hong Ye replied softly.

"Perhaps he’s still resting."

Gu Shiliu said, "Please, Miss Hong Ye, would you go in and check? Many invitations have arrived outside, all asking to visit Marquis at the mansion. Marquis recently requested some family news from Old Madam, and people have already arrived."

Marquis Gu spoke out, "Wait a moment, I’ll change clothes and head to the outer courtyard."

Gu Shiliu responded from outside.

Marquis Gu was somewhat reluctant, sighing, "Why can’t I steal half a day of leisure?"

Qin Yuan slowly sat up, gently raised her slender hand to tidy her hair, and said with a smile, "Marquis living outside with Sixth Master has surely gained poetic talent."

Marquis Gu snorted, "Don’t trick me into living outside again. My little brother’s wife is ill, he had no choice."

Qin Yuan snickered lightly.

Who doesn’t know?

Sixth Master Gu still has many concubines and maids.

Marquis Gu got up to drink the hangover soup, and Qin Yuan opened the trunk to find clothes for him, casually picking a sapphire blue straight tunic, then selecting a blue pocket, stuffing some fragrance pills to refresh and invigorate.

Marquis Gu watched, feeling delighted inside, if it weren’t for time constraints, he’d want his little wife to help him change clothes.

It’s been quite some days without getting close to her, how could just a short interaction be enough?

Qin Yuan said, "There should still be hot water in the small kitchen, I’ll have them bring some, you better bathe quickly before you leave. Otherwise, meeting guests all afternoon with the smell of alcohol isn’t very proper."

With that, she instructed the young maids to fetch water.

Gu Jinghui sighed, "Madam truly considers everything, when I’m alone, I just do what’s convenient."

This is the benefit of having a wife, someone to care for everything.

Qin Yuan asked, "What other engagements do you have today?"

Gu Jinghui said, "Prince Qi sent an invitation, wanting to catch up. We’ve been sealing the mansion for so long, with matters at the Great Camp supported entirely by General Jin et al., sending word to old friends is inevitable, some things must be discussed. My father-in-law also sent a letter, saying he will visit the mansion tomorrow. I even submitted a report, requesting entry to the palace for Thanksgiving, but haven’t received word from the palace, unclear about the hour."

Qin Yuan gently asked, "Is tomorrow the Imperial College’s day off?"

Gu Jinghui said, "Yes."

"Then tomorrow will be quite lively."

Qin Heng has been wanting to ride horses with Gu Jinghui, and Sixth Master’s two children will return from the Imperial College. They haven’t been home from the college for some time, and seeing Sixth Lady Gu’s condition, they will surely be deeply saddened.

"I’m only thinking about tonight, tomorrow can wait," Marquis Gu said with anticipation, smiling softly at Qin Yuan.