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

Chapter 393: Kindred Spirits

"Cough, cough."

The Marquis Gu really didn’t know how to respond.

After coughing, he still had nothing to say.

Even the dullest person could tell that his actions in the past few days had angered her.

The Marquis Gu said, "Well, I... I can explain..."

Quick-witted Hong Mian had already ordered the small kitchen to bring in Qin Yuan’s dinner.

The Marquis Gu watched as cups, plates, and bowls were brought out one by one, filling the small table, diverse and exquisitely arranged, but all in very small servings, just a bite or two.

Indeed, as Qin Yuan had just said, only enough for one person.

If he were to eat, it wouldn’t even be enough to fill a gap between his teeth.

The soft meat on Marquis Gu’s cheeks couldn’t help but twitch. Damn it, now there’s no reason to stir up trouble.

Seeing him like this, Qin Yuan struggled to suppress the smile on her lips, saying, "Marquis, I’m about to have dinner, you see..."

"Why call me Marquis, call me husband."

The Marquis Gu angrily corrected her.

Qin Yuan smoothly complied, "Alright, husband, let me start eating first, you..."

The Marquis Gu said through gritted teeth, "No matter, I’ll just watch you eat."

"How can that be, husband, why not go to the outer courtyard to accompany Sixth Master, Sixth Master already has ample servings, and since husband moved to the outer courtyard, the main kitchen will naturally be informed."

The Marquis Gu "hmphed," crossing his arms over his chest, eyes wide open.

"Just enjoy your meal, isn’t it even possible for me to chat with you while you eat?"

Qin Yuan gently said, "Of course, but wouldn’t it be better if husband ate first before talking? Leaving the food for too long makes it taste bad, and cold food isn’t good for your intestines and stomach."

The Marquis Gu was unmoved, waving his hand.

"No problem, I’m used to it. We soldiers often go several meals without eating or drinking when fighting. Don’t worry about me."

Qin Yuan had no choice but to pick up the chopsticks.

She had just put a piece of marinated goose into her mouth when she heard the Marquis Gu’s stomach rumbling like a drum.

Qin Yuan didn’t look at him, enjoying her chew with delight.

The Marquis Gu swallowed hard.

Qin Yuan helplessly put down the bowl, saying, "Is the Marquis very hungry?"

The Marquis Gu stubbornly waved his hand, "No worries, no worries, just go ahead and eat, didn’t you say leaving it would make the food cold. You’ve been busy all day, eat quickly."

Qin Yuan picked up a piece of chicken bamboo shoot.

The small kitchen was always good at making this dish, savory, fresh, crispy, tender, and refreshing, perfect to pair with congee.

Usually, the Marquis Gu could have several bowls with this and wouldn’t be satisfied even after finishing, often adding two more baskets of tofu skin dumplings with fresh bamboo shoots.

Qin Yuan had just taken a sip when the Marquis Gu’s Adam’s apple involuntarily rolled up and down, producing a loud swallowing sound.

Qin Yuan silently looked at the Marquis Gu, who, without waiting for her to speak, had already stiffly gotten up.

"Thinking about it, I might as well go to the outer courtyard to accompany Sixth Brother, no idea if he can eat without me."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh lightly, saying, "You should have gone long ago."

The Marquis Gu didn’t say much more, quickly stepping out, and as he left, he turned back, remembering to say to Qin Yuan, "I’ll come find you later."

Qin Yuan nodded with a smile.

Under the lamp, she was stunningly beautiful.

The Marquis Gu sighed inwardly, she really was hard to deal with.

But what’s to be done, she’s his beloved wife, he can only spoil her.

The Marquis Gu hurried to the outer courtyard, instructing the servant to get food from the main kitchen, only to find out that his dinner hadn’t been prepared, and Sixth Master Gu had already eaten.

The Marquis Gu was a bit displeased.

Sixth Master Gu said, "The servant thought Third Brother was dining at Wutong Garden, mentioned it when retrieving food, so the main kitchen didn’t prepare."

The Marquis Gu huffed twice.

Perhaps because he hadn’t been eating well these days, seeing Qin Yuan eating so sweetly, hunger surged, and now he was very hungry.

Sixth Master Gu offered advice to his good brother, "Lately, with so many people coming and going, the kitchen expenses were considerable, supplies are tight, your portion wasn’t taken, the servants divided it themselves. Why not give them some money to make a late-night snack, first eat some pastries to fill up."

The Marquis Gu tugged at the corner of his mouth, said nothing, turning his face towards the door, staring intently, not knowing what he was looking at.

The servant guarding outside called softly, then came in carrying the food box, smiling happily, "Marquis, Sister Hongmian from Madam’s side sent some food over."

"Oh?"

The Marquis Gu’s lips no longer drooped.

Sixth Master Gu immediately said, "Quick, open it up and see."

The box lid was opened, revealing several kinds of vegetables, staple foods included congee and noodles, along with a basket of tofu skin dumplings.

Sixth Master Gu praised, "This looks good, if I hadn’t eaten, I could have had more."

Gu Jinghui immediately pulled the food box in front of himself, protectively saying, "This was made by your Third Sister-in-law especially for me, why are you joining the fun."

Hearing this, Sixth Master Gu looked at his Third Brother with grievance and disdain.

Gu Jinghui’s mood at this moment was hard to describe.

A little happy, a little angry, and a bit sweet.

He quickly wolfed down a few bites of noodles, then with the chicken bamboo shoots, drank two bowls of congee before slowing down.

Sixth Master Gu had been staring at him, finally finding an opportunity to ask, "Third Brother, is the small kitchen made by Third Sister-in-law so delicious? You don’t even lift your head."

"You don’t understand."

The Marquis Gu really felt isolated.

Had no words to say to this silly younger brother.

Sixth Master Gu exclaimed, "Tsk, tsk, my dear Third Brother, you really leave me speechless, I already have several children. Anyway, you say I don’t understand, that’s it. I’m just asking, will you still stay with me in the outer courtyard tonight?"

"Cough, cough, cough."

The Marquis Gu choked, letting out a thunderous coughing sound.

"What?" Lin Ziqi coughed so hard that tears came out.

Qin Wan just placed down her bowl and chopsticks to see Lady Yu already nervously leaning in to lightly pat Lin Ziqi’s back, affectionately complaining in a small voice, "Why so surprised, if I knew, I wouldn’t have said it. If you hurt yourself, how could I bear the guilt..."

Qin Wan sneered inwardly, truly a pair of lovebirds.

Previously, she hadn’t noticed.

Afterward, Mrs. Lin also laid down her chopsticks, waiting for Lin Ziqi to settle down, then turned her head to reprimand Qin Wan, "Look at you, not even caring for your husband. Only Lian’er is considerate."

Qin Wan kept silent, her hands clenched hard under the table, restraining her anger.

In this family now, she’s just an outsider.

Even if she started a quarrel, it wouldn’t end in her favor.

Lady Yu obediently replied, "Aunt, don’t say that about my cousin; I’ve grown up with Cousin Brother, naturally in sync."

Lin Ziqi had stopped coughing, hoarsely comforting, "It’s nothing, nothing, after all, it’s better to eat silently and sleep quietly. Hearing what you said about the Marquis earlier startled me quite a bit, causing the cough. Just continue eating as usual."

Qin Wan picked up the chopsticks.

Lady Yu cast a hidden provoking glance at her, returned to her seat, picked up the rice bowl, saying, "Cousin Brother is right, I’ll just eat well and not speak heedlessly anymore."

Mrs. Lin nodded, "That’s best, thankfully there was no fish today, such coughing wouldn’t be good."

Qin Wan ignored them, eating by herself.