Chapter 146: What a Lovely Pair

Qin Yuan glanced at Sixth Master Gu.

Sixth Master Gu blushed and said, "Brother-in-law, there’s no need to trouble my third sister-in-law with such matters. I’ll ask for you instead."

Qin Yuan looked again at Mr. Xu’s expression.

She wasn’t sure where Xu Zhen was now, but she knew very well why Xu Zhen wanted to go to Yu Yuantang. She just didn’t know whether the Xu Family was aware of it.

Nor did she know whether the Xu Family wanted to be aware of it.

The meat on the right side of Mr. Xu’s face puffed up, clearly displeased with Sixth Master Gu’s intervention.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Sixth Brother and Sixth Sister-in-law are husband and wife, so it is naturally appropriate for Sixth Brother to go."

Then she suggested to Mr. Xu, "The Xu Family might as well send someone to go with Sixth Brother."

Mr. Xu was taken aback.

Gu Jinghui said, "Indeed, the madam is right. The Xu Family should send someone to accompany Sixth Brother. It’s just a matter of whom to choose."

After saying this, he kept a close eye on Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu’s gaze wandered.

Sixth Master Gu said, "Brother-in-law, why don’t you come with me?"

Mr. Xu hastily waved his hand, saying, "What business does a man like me have following you to the inner courtyard? Even if it’s my own sister, propriety must be observed. How about..."

Mr. Xu then looked toward the women of the Xu Family.

The women all lowered their heads.

Mr. Xu hesitated for a moment, ultimately deciding, "Let Xu Yuan go with you. She always enjoys practicing with knives and sticks, and she’s in good health."

Following Mr. Xu’s gaze, Qin Yuan saw a girl in the crowd with slightly dark skin and a twin bun hairdo, about the same age as Xu Zhen, but her clothes were far inferior.

The girl shook her head hastily.

"Uncle, why make my sister go when it’s about Xu Zhen?"

A man in a blue short coat stepped forward from the crowd, glaring fiercely at Mr. Xu.

Mr. Xu sighed without speaking.

The nanny making a fuss on the ground spoke up, "Xu Tang, you ingrate, if it weren’t for your uncle supporting you all these years, you’d have starved long ago. Just go if you’re told, it’s what you siblings owe us."

Sixth Master Gu frowned in disgust.

Xu Tang retorted, "If my father hadn’t given the title to my uncle, we wouldn’t have had to eat for free at his house."

The nanny sat back on the ground, wailing.

She cursed and recounted misdeeds of the siblings from childhood.

Qin Yuan: "..."

Xu Tang just looked coldly at the nanny.

Xu Yuan bit her lip tightly, tears falling sorrowfully.

Gu Jinghui frowned and said, "Mr. Xu, quickly make up your mind. I advise you not to linger long in the Marquis Mansion."

Mr. Xu frowned at Xu Tang, who met his gaze indifferently. Xu Yuan stood among the crowd, seemingly about to faint at any moment. The elderly women beside her nudged her as if to push her forward.

Qin Yuan curled her lips, thinking to herself how lively the Xu Family was.

Xu Tang suddenly said, "Xu Yuan won’t do. If she goes, aunt will likely chase her away immediately. If it’s someone else, she might observe for a few days."

Xu Yuan shrank back even more.

Sixth Master Gu sighed, "Brother-in-law, you’d better come with me. Honestly, if you’re afraid of catching smallpox, you shouldn’t have set foot in the Marquis Mansion."

Mr. Xu angrily remarked, "Who asked the Marquis Mansion’s servant to speak incompletely?"

Sixth Master Gu retorted, "You should let people finish their words."

Gu Jinghui’s voice was cold and impatient, "Mr. Xu, who are you choosing to go?"

If you’re so afraid to live, why bother living?

Mr. Xu stayed silent.

The nanny, after her tirade, eventually chose the eldest daughter-in-law to go with Sixth Master Gu.

The eldest daughter-in-law shivered as if she had malaria, lowered her head, and resignedly followed Sixth Master Gu out of the hall.

Hong Ye murmured quietly, "My god, the Xu Family truly amazes."

Qin Yuan said nothing.

Sixth Master Gu wasn’t wrong; indeed, the Xu Family was in decline.

Such people she had seen plenty of in her previous life.

Once the people left, the hall grew noisy again. Qin Yuan frowned in annoyance, and Gu Jinghui asked, "What’s the matter? Are you feeling unwell?"

Qin Yuan shook her head, and after a moment asked, "Have you sent word to the Qin Mansion?"

Gu Jinghui replied, "Yes, I’ve instructed the servant to send the message."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Now Qin Heng won’t be able to come for horse riding. He will surely complain."

Gu Jinghui also laughed.

They quietly conversed, their expressions gentle, looking like a harmonious couple.

The Xu Family members wanted to approach to speak, but inexplicably felt timid and could only watch enviously.

After a while, the Xu Family’s eldest daughter-in-law returned with Sixth Master Gu.

Sixth Master Gu said, "Mrs. Xu said Zhenzhen wished to follow me to Yu Yuantang after hearing I was going there to meet the society."

Mr. Xu angrily replied, "That’s impossible, why would my sister say such a thing."

Sixth Master Gu said, "You wouldn’t go, and across walls, Mrs. Xu said just that. If you don’t believe her, ask your eldest daughter-in-law."

Sixth Master Gu, irritated by the Xu Family, spoke tersely.

The eldest daughter-in-law stood alone in a corner and nodded eagerly, her voice as soft as a mosquito, "Yes."

Mr. Xu’s face darkened like an impending storm.

The nanny wailed again, "I don’t believe it. Zhenzhen has always been well-behaved. Why sneak off to Yu Yuantang with you? Is it that you fancy my Zhenzhen and have ulterior motives?"

Sixth Master Gu: "..."

Gu Jinghui was stunned by these words, unable to speak for a moment.

The Xu Family, however, didn’t seem to care and agreed in unison, "Yes, we’ve heard that Mr. Gu is quite the philanderer, with seven or eight concubines. Maybe he fancies Zhenzhen’s youth and beauty and has intentions."

Sixth Master Gu exclaimed angrily, "Xu Zhen isn’t even as beautiful as me. Which of my eyes would look at her? Which of my concubines isn’t better than her?"

The Xu Family retorted angrily, "You dared to do it and now won’t admit it?"

Sixth Master Gu was so angered that he was on the verge of bursting, cursing uncontrollably, "That jinx Mrs. Xu! I said long ago she shouldn’t meddle in Xu Zhen’s marriage affairs. She just had to cause trouble. Truth be told, your Zhenzhen schemes to marry an Advanced Scholar, intends to be the wife of an Advanced Scholar. On finding out I was going to Yu Yuantang with several scholars, she sneaked out early to try her luck, hoping to meet an eligible bachelor but messed it up somewhere."

"You’re talking nonsense," Mr. Xu trembled and stood up, reaching to slap Sixth Master Gu, but Housekeeper Cao held him back, persuading, "Sixth Master only said it out of frustration from your pressure."

Mr. Xu stomped his foot, "Our perfectly fine daughter’s reputation is ruined by your lies. How will she get married in the future?"

Qin Yuan sighed, "If the Xu Family cared about Zhenzhen’s reputation, you shouldn’t have made such a scene at the Marquis Mansion. If this gets out, where will Zhenzhen’s reputation stand? She’s yet to be found, and already her name is tarnished."

Mr. Xu snorted, not speaking.

Qin Yuan added, "Moments ago, you accused Sixth Brother of having ulterior motives towards Xu Zhen. Isn’t that also ruining Zhenzhen’s reputation? Besides, Sixth Brother was with my cousin the entire day yesterday."