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

Chapter 285: I’m Not Like Sixth Brother

Qin Yuan glanced at the twin dragon and phoenix sitting with their heads lowered nearby and said with a smile, "I can’t really add to this conversation, Mother and my husband are always thinking of Brother Cheng and Sister Yu, naturally they’ll think of a good solution. I haven’t even met all the family members yet."

Marquis Gu laughed and said, "Mother also wants you to give it some thought. Not knowing them also has its advantages, you just listen and see if it seems suitable."

Sixth Master Gu sat lazily on one side, not speaking, with an expression that said as long as you all were satisfied, he didn’t care.

Brother Cheng suddenly spoke up, "Godfather, godmother, no matter who you choose, will we still live in the courtyard next door?"

His round eyes looked straight over.

Sister Yu also looked up at him pitifully.

If these two children weren’t such a handful, Qin Yuan would almost feel soft-hearted.

Marquis Gu said, "Yes, you say you’re living outside the estate, but in reality it’s just a wall away from the Marquis Mansion. This courtyard is originally part of the Marquis Mansion, it’s just been separated, so it’s not so convenient to visit."

Qin Yuan also tried to console them.

"From now on, you will live at the Gu Mansion, separate from Dingbei Marquis Mansion, entering and exiting through different gates. This way, it’s less likely that outsiders will connect anything about your mother with the Marquis Mansion, and nobody in the household will have anything to say. But the Old Madam and Marquis will treat you as they did before. Whether you study, practice martial arts, or go into business, the Marquis Mansion will always support you as you grow up. As long as you don’t cause trouble, a bright future is inevitable for you."

These words were quite clear.

Brother Cheng and Sister Yu no longer seemed as naïve as before; they had noticed many important cues over these days, listened to much gossip, and learned many things, understanding what needed to be considered.

"Thank you, grandmother, godfather, and godmother, for your efforts."

Brother Cheng led Sister Yu in kneeling to bow before them, saying, "We only ask the elders to choose adoptive parents with good tempers for us."

Marquis Gu helped them up, saying, "I will certainly choose well for you. If you listen, they are loving; only then can you get along harmoniously. They will look after you as you grow up, and you must honor them in return. If you suffer any grievance, just tell your godfather. Of course, if you make any mistakes, they will also tell your godfather."

Brother Cheng understood there was no other option and said, "We’ll follow godfather’s arrangements."

After much discussion, they chose a family from the ninth branch of the Gu Family, also of the Jing generation, named Gu Jingcheng. He was more than a decade older than Marquis Gu, over forty, and had one wife and one concubine, yet no children.

Gu Jingcheng had once served on the battlefield as a Colonel, but after being injured, transferred to a desk job at the Five Cities Military Department.

Brother Cheng didn’t object when he learned this.

Sister Yu only listened to him.

So the decision was made.

Marquis Gu said, "Let’s choose a day for you to meet each other. If you both approve, you can move in."

Brother Cheng nodded obediently in agreement.

Marquis Gu gently patted the top of his head and said, "Be good and obedient, grow up well, settle down and achieve something in the future, then your godfather can rest assured."

Tears dripped from Brother Cheng’s eyes, soaking his clothes in no time.

Marquis Gu sighed, "Don’t cause trouble in the future, I am also inquiring about your mother’s whereabouts, and maybe one day you can meet her again."

Hearing this about their mother, Brother Cheng and Sister Yu couldn’t help but cry, unable to stop their tears.

Sixth Master Gu couldn’t help but remark, "Third Brother is too soft-hearted, Mrs. Zhao nearly ruined our whole family. If she returns in the future, her intentions might not be kind. If these two only think of their birth mother and neglect their adoptive parents, I’m curious how Third Brother will repay the debt to the ninth branch."

Gu Jingcheng, being a concubine’s child of the ninth branch and having no children, didn’t inherit much family wealth, so he was willing to move next to the Marquis Mansion and adopt two children.

But that doesn’t mean they should be bullied.

Sixth Master Gu pointed at Brother Cheng and said, "Some things my Third Brother can’t say, but I will. Third Brother felt indebted to your father for many years, and has carefully looked after you all this time, even going to your father’s family to arrange for you, yet Mrs. Zhao resented us, nearly costing the lives of my two daughters and causing many in the house to fall gravely ill. Everyone knows this, which is why you are being sent out, to be raised by a good family. The debt to your father has long been repaid. If you show ingratitude, neglect your adoptive parents, and trouble my Third Brother, you can forget about relying on the Marquis Mansion thereafter."

Brother Cheng, sniffling, let out a sob, and after a long pause said, "We are not ungrateful people."

Qin Yuan comforted, "No need to cry, these are matters for later. Brother Cheng and Sister Yu just need to remember that your godfather only wants the best for you. Think about this before speaking or acting so you don’t regret it later."

Choking up, Brother Cheng said, "We will not forget godmother’s teachings, we’ll keep them in mind."

By the side, Gu Jinghui found it a little difficult, as younger brother Gu Jingjun was speaking the truth, and he had good reason to be angry and frustrated. But seeing the two children also seemed so pitiful, he felt very uncomfortable inside.

Qin Yuan suggested to Nanny Rong, "It’s already late, and the matters have been settled. Why not let Xiao Hong and Zihe take them to talk, and calm down a bit, otherwise it may be difficult to sleep tonight."

Old Madam Gu also said, "Indeed it’s late, wash up and go to bed, tomorrow morning there’s still work to be done."

Brother Cheng asked, "Will we still be able to study even if we live with others?"

"Yes, if you want to study, we’ll hire a tutor for you; if you want to practice martial arts, we’ll find someone to teach you."

With Marquis Gu’s promise, Brother Cheng and Sister Yu followed Xiao Hong out.

Marquis Gu said, "No matter what, striving for progress is always good."

Sixth Master Gu said with a certain mockery, "Let’s hope Third Brother’s good intentions aren’t wasted."

Gu Jinghui looked at Qin Yuan for help, but Qin Yuan appeared to be deep in thought, not sure what she was pondering.

The couple returned to Wutong Garden when it was already the third watch of the night.

Marquis Gu was a bit tired from all the affairs today and had originally planned to get closer with his young wife, but now he had lost the interest.

After a simple wash and change into their night clothes, they lay in bed.

Marquis Gu opened his arms to embrace Qin Yuan, burying his face in her hair, inhaling its fragrance. His heart softened, wishing nothing more than to stay by his young wife’s side for life, far from those chaotic matters.

Unfortunately, Qin Yuan said, "Marquis, what Sixth Brother said earlier reminds me of some things."

Gu Jinghui turned over to lie flat, opening his tired eyes in the dark to stare at the canopy of the bed, sighing.

"If you also think like Sixth Brother, that they will grow up to be ungrateful, then say no more. I only seek to have a clear conscience at this moment; I can’t influence what they will become."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "I’m not like Sixth Brother."