Chapter 204: Poor Little Thing

Qin Yuan pursed her lips and smiled lightly, "Let him be."

At most, he can sleep in the side room.

He’s already moved here, it’s impossible to chase him out again.

Hong Ye asked slyly, "So tonight, Cui Ming and I won’t be keeping watch?"

Qin Yuan said helplessly, "Why are you worrying about things so far ahead? Hurry up and serve the meal, I’m hungry. Today the small kitchen prepared Suzhou cuisine, send some to Doctor Li, and Xiao Dong said he liked the fish from last time. I think his tastes are similar to mine, so have the small kitchen make some shrimp too."

Hong Ye went out to inquire and came back saying, "There are only fresh river delicacies left."

Qin Yuan said, "That’s fine."

After speaking, she fell silent.

Hong Ye asked, "What is Miss thinking about?"

Qin Yuan said dejectedly, "There won’t be many more times to make the dishes he likes."

Hong Ye exclaimed, "That’s not hard. I can ask Housekeeper Zhang to find a way to get some good fish, shrimp, and crab. Due to the smallpox in the manor, we’ve been restricted in what we can eat, and haven’t been sending these in a while. But Xiao Dong doesn’t need to avoid these."

"Make sure you remember, don’t forget."

Hong Ye said, "Got it, I’ll let Hong Mian handle it. She’s got a sharp tongue and is a born-and-bred servant, she’ll figure something out."

Qin Yuan nodded.

The two changed clothes, and Qin Yuan took a sip of cooled tea, rested for a while, then went to find Marquis Gu.

Gu Jinghui wore a dark blue gauze robe, sitting properly behind the desk, reading seriously.

His hair was tied with an ink jade crown.

A few strands hung down the temples, adding a touch of casualness to his well-defined face.

It seemed like Marquis Gu was in a good mood.

Seeing her enter, Gu Jinghui asked, "How are things in the manor today?"

Qin Yuan said, "Not bad, getting better day by day."

As she spoke, she glanced at the book on the table; the Spring and Autumn Annals was still on the same page as she saw last time in the outer study.

Who knew how long Marquis Gu intended to dwell on this page.

Gu Jinghui said awkwardly, "I’m reading a bit slowly. Sixth Elder is busy with poetry and painting, no time to teach me, so I muddle through on my own."

Qin Yuan just gave an "oh" and didn’t respond further.

Gu Jinghui looked at her aggrievedly and said, "When it comes to reading, it’s best to have a tutor. Look at Sixth Brother, he went on a trip with your cousin and suddenly opened up to poetry; all those years of study were wasted before."

His handsome and unruly face really wasn’t suited to such an expression.

Qin Yuan asked with amusement, "Does the Marquis want to find a tutor? Brother Cheng asked me yesterday if he should get a tutor once the residence opens. I didn’t know your plans, so I didn’t promise him, just said to wait until you’re done with your work. If you want to hire one, do you and Brother Cheng want to share a tutor?"

Just imagining Marquis Gu and Brother Cheng attending lessons together made her smile broaden.

Gu Jinghui gritted his teeth.

General Jin’s treasure book said women soften towards handsome men, and if he showed weakness, women would think of ways to help him.

His little wife was really heartless.

"I’ve heard your talents surpass your cousin’s. With such a virtuous wife, why would I need to seek a tutor outside?"

Gu Jinghui had to lay his cards on the table.

Qin Yuan laughed, "Does Husband want me to be your tutor?"

"Could you?"

Gu Jinghui looked at his little wife expectantly.

Hmm, if the little wife becomes his tutor, she couldn’t chase him away.

Gu Jinghui suddenly had some indescribable thoughts.

Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow with interest, "Have you thought it through?"

"Of course."

Gu Jinghui straightened up, eager to answer loudly.

Qin Yuan said leisurely, "Then does Husband know the saying, ’Once a teacher, forever a father’."

"...Oh..."

Many of Gu Jinghui’s thoughts suddenly vanished.

Qin Yuan laughed softly, "Moreover, tutors can use rulers to discipline students’ palms. The words of the tutor, students cannot defy. Husband, do you still want that?"

"...Oh..."

Gu Jinghui thought for a moment, feeling unwilling, "Yuan’er, you and I are one as husband and wife, how can you keep such distance? You are so talented, yet your husband is just a rough military man; aren’t you worried about being ridiculed?"

After speaking, he looked at Qin Yuan plaintively.

Accidentally revealing the worry hidden in his heart.

But since it was said.

Marquis Gu’s slender eyes focused tightly on Qin Yuan’s face, not missing any subtle changes.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan was also stunned, then smiled and said, "What kind of talent do I have that others would laugh off? Since ancient times, learning requires hard work, and I’m not one who can endure hardship; I only know a bit here and there, never daring to show off publicly. Besides, my husband is not some uncouth military man; he is the War God who guarded the Northern Border for years, forcing the Yelv Family to beg for mercy. How many handsome and skilled War Gods has Daxing produced? Who would dare ridicule me? They’d be crazy."

Marquis Gu’s face turned red, his neck turned red, and even his ears turned red.

Oh my, his little wife truly has a heart full of him.

Not even a bit shy to compliment him face to face.

Gu Jinghui’s mind was in chaos, his body stiff, his eyes fixed on Qin Yuan’s articulate mouth, her vibrant lips opening and closing, the words so pleasing.

His entire heart was beyond his control.

Cui Ming knocked on the door from outside, "Marquis, Madam, the meal is ready. Shall we eat now?"

Qin Yuan said, "Let’s eat now, I’m a bit hungry. Marquis?"

Marquis Gu stood dumbfounded, followed Qin Yuan out of the room, sat down, and picked up his chopsticks, stirring the rice in his bowl absentmindedly.

Qin Yuan: "..."

She had always known Marquis Gu was a bit peculiar, but what was wrong now?

Only eating rice, not touching the dishes.

"Marquis, try this," Qin Yuan had no choice but to pick a dish and place it in his bowl.

Gu Jinghui obediently ate the dish she served.

But then continued to eat plain rice.

Like a pitiful guest dependent on others.

Qin Yuan: "..."

Had to serve him more dishes.

A meal that left Qin Yuan rather exhausted. In the end, she glared at him, got up, and lay down on the Arhat Bed to rest.

Gu Jinghui hurriedly put down his chopsticks, moved over, and asked, "Yuan’er, why lie down right after eating?"

"Tired."

Gu Jinghui planned to have a heartfelt conversation with Qin Yuan.

"I said before, these account books are yours. Why rush to balance them?" Saying so, he pinched Qin Yuan’s slender arm, "You’re too thin, need to gain some weight."

Qin Yuan said weakly, "What’s wrong with you today?"

A hint flashed in Gu Jinghui’s long, narrow eyes, "What do you mean by what’s wrong with me?"

Qin Yuan asked, "Why were you just eating rice without the dishes?"

Gu Jinghui suddenly realized, "So that’s why you kept serving me dishes. It’s not like I can’t use my hands, but I found that the dishes you served tasted good too."

Qin Yuan didn’t want to pay him any attention and asked, "Has anyone sent messages in these past few days?"

Gu Jinghui paused, then said, "Your cousin and Lin Ziqi have both sent messages in. I stored them in a box, haven’t had the chance to show you."