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

Chapter 407: Nearly Turned Into a Porcupine

Soon, various rumors spread throughout the Great Camp.

Marquis Gu was completely unaware and hurriedly galloped back with excitement.

The Kicking Snow Black Steed was indeed a thousand-mile horse, and soon left Gu Shiba far behind. As it passed the Horizontal Street, a golden retriever suddenly darted out from an angle, and the Kicking Snow Black Steed couldn’t stop its hooves in time, kicking the dog into the air.

With a "bang," the dog fell to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

"Whoa," Marquis Gu quickly turned around, dismounted, and carefully checked on it.

It was a large Sha-Pei dog, now limp all over, its eyes half-open, making weak whimpering sounds, most likely with broken bones.

"Whose hunting dog is this?"

Marquis Gu stood by and asked.

A crowd gathered around to watch the commotion, but no one answered.

Families who could afford a large Sha-Pei dog were either wealthy or noble. Such dogs usually ran at the forefront during hunts, paving the way and had life-saving skills. When bitten by a beast, their entire coat would bristle, making it too prickly and hard to swallow, so they would be spat out.

They usually appeared in groups, and the sudden appearance of this large Sha-Pei dog left people puzzled.

After waiting for some time, the owner of the hunting dog still hadn’t shown up.

Marquis Gu had to instruct the vendors around, "I will take this injured dog to get treated. If the dog’s owner comes, please ask him to look for me at Renhe Hall. If not there, they can come to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion."

The vendors quickly responded, "We will certainly pass the message. Marquis, please go ahead."

Marquis Gu lifted the injured dog and placed it horizontally on the horse, heading toward Renhe Hall not far away.

Gu Shiba had barely entered Horizontal Street by this time. From a distance, he saw a crowd blocking the middle, making it impenetrable, so he had to slow the horse down.

"What’s going on?"

Gu Shiba asked as he approached.

"Dingbei Marquis galloped through the street, injuring a hunting dog," a passerby answered.

Gu Shiba was startled, "Where’s Dingbei Marquis?"

The passerby replied, "He said he went to Renhe Hall to find a doctor for the dog. I don’t know whose hunting dog it is, but the Marquis left a message for the owner."

Gu Shiba tossed a piece of broken silver to the passerby. "Thanks," he hurriedly turned his horse to search for his master.

But he hadn’t gone far when a group of men delivering betrothal gifts blocked his way with cymbals and drums.

"Why is it so coincidental?"

No matter how anxious Gu Shiba was, he had to wait for the men carrying the gifts to pass by.

The horse beneath him sensed its owner’s anxiety, uneasily shifting its hooves in place.

The other party’s betrothal gifts seemed endless.

Attempting to change paths, this place was a one-way street.

This wait ensured he was held up for a full quarter of an hour.

Holding back his temper, Gu Shiba rode through the crowd, finally catching up to Renhe Hall. He dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching post in front of the hall. Before entering, Xiao Dong, who heard the commotion, came out to greet him. As soon as he saw Gu Shiba, he asked, "Why are you only arriving now?"

Gu Shiba quickly asked, "Where’s the Marquis?"

Xiao Dong’s face was solemn, "The Marquis was nearly attacked on the way to deliver the dog. He’s already left."

Gu Shiba’s legs suddenly gave way.

"Who had the audacity to attempt an assassination on the Marquis in the Capital City? Is the Marquis hurt?"

Xiao Dong merely said, "The Marquis instructed me that if you come looking, you should go directly to the mansion and find Sixteen Brother."

Gu Shiba hurriedly rushed back.

The more anxious he was, the slower he moved. On the way back to the mansion, he encountered many delays, finally finding Gu Shiliu an hour later.

"Sixteen!"

Gu Shiba was on the verge of tears.

Upon seeing him, Gu Shiliu said, "You fool, why are you just coming back now?"

Gu Shiba: "..."

Gu Shiliu said, "A good opportunity to earn merit was lost."

Gu Shiba’s heart finally settled.

"What happened? Is the Marquis alright?"

Gu Shiliu regretfully said, "The Marquis is naturally fine. He was nearly attacked near Horizontal Street today, and you missed the chance to earn merit by not being by his side. When the Marquis returned, he coincidentally caught several Yelv Clan members causing a commotion next door, and you weren’t there."

Gu Shiba fiercely ripped the headscarf off and threw it to the ground.

"It’s not like I had a choice. I got blocked everywhere on the way back, as if someone was watching me. Tell me, isn’t that strange?"

"I fear someone intentionally arranged it. The Marquis felt something was off and abandoned the horse at Renhe Hall, returning by rooftop leaps and walls."

Gu Shiliu patted Gu Shiba’s shoulder, consoling him, "It seems this group intended to delay you and the Marquis, but only managed to delay you."

Gu Shiba recovered, saying, "The Yelv Family wanted to assassinate the Marquis and create chaos, taking the opportunity to kidnap the dragon and phoenix twins?"

"You’re not slow," Gu Shiliu said, "After the Marquis was attacked, he sensed something was wrong and hurried back through the back door of Renhe Hall. Actually..."

"Actually what?"

Gu Shiliu said, "Actually, Old Lady Qi had already noticed something amiss and quietly sent me a message. But Mr. Cheng’s people only knew someone would take advantage of the chaos to take them away today, unaware that Mrs. Zhao could command the Yelv people to assassinate the Marquis."

Gu Shiba asked, "So, Mrs. Zhao really has dealings with the Yelv Family?"

Gu Shiliu nodded heavily.

Gu Shiba said, "How can the Marquis endure this?"

Gu Shiliu chuckled, "Today’s Marquis no longer gives these matters any thought."

Wutong Garden.

Marquis Gu lay back in a herbal bath in the tub. His long neck rested against the tub wall, revealing a prominent adam’s apple. A few strands of black hair clung to the hollow of his collarbone, and his striking brows and eyes were softened by the billowing white mist filling the room.

"Yuan’er, this herbal bath is really hot. I don’t fear the cold or heat, but I can’t quite withstand this intense warmth."

From behind the door, Qin Yuan said, "Doctor Li mentioned it must be this way to nourish your body and expel the cold. The weather hasn’t completely cooled down yet, making it the perfect time for a herbal bath. Haven’t you heard of treating cold-related ailments in the summer? Although it’s already late summer and early autumn, it’s still suitable. You must soak for at least an hour before getting out. If the water cools, just call someone to add more."

Marquis Gu, feeling uncomfortable, wiped the sweat dripping from his forehead into the dark brown herbal solution along his exposed chest.

If not for the rich and bitter herbal scent, the scene would have been quite suggestive.

Marquis Gu resignedly said, "Alright, but you need to stay outside and chat with me for a while. Otherwise, I really can’t stand it."

Qin Yuan: "..."

Is this the mighty Marquis Gu?

How is he so clingy?

Marquis Gu, unaware of his young wife’s disdain, coughed lightly before weakly saying, "Today, on the way back, I was nearly assassinated. If I hadn’t reacted quickly, I’d have been turned into a hedgehog by the Yelv Clan people."

The treasure book given by General Jin mentioned that men should learn to feign misery and vulnerability to gain a woman’s sympathy and tenderness. Marquis Gu planned to practice this method well. If his young wife softened, she wouldn’t keep probing about his repeated punishments.