Chapter 398: Her Own Choice

Marquis Gu held his breath, anxiously awaiting his young wife’s answer. His long, narrow eyes locked onto Qin Yuan’s like a hawk fixating on a rabbit.

Qin Yuan said seriously, "Husband, do you think I don’t already have enough on my plate? Now that Sun Accountant and Housekeeper Zhang’s positions remain unfilled, and Six Brother-in-law’s matter cannot afford the slightest error, I’m not the Monkey King Sun Wukong, plucking hairs and creating countless helpers to do my bidding. You have people at your disposal to handle matters, why burden me further?"

These words swiftly pulled Marquis Gu out from the quagmire of doubt.

"This was my fault, I didn’t think it through properly. We’ll discuss it after you’re done with your tasks."

Qin Yuan pursed her lips and playfully said, "We can talk about it later. Earlier, you let me pick things from your private stash, and now you use it as punishment against you? That’s too perfunctory, I won’t agree to it."

Marquis Gu was thoroughly delighted, embraced her and laughed heartily, "That’s my bad, you’re truly something, a clever little devil, now tell me, what’s my punishment?"

Qin Yuan pushed him lightly, casually saying, "You think of it seriously on your own; otherwise, I’m afraid your heart won’t be sincere. If you make another mistake, hmph!"

Marquis Gu, both amused and utterly fond of her, hugged and kissed her eagerly, unwilling to get up, saying, "Dear Yuan’er, I surely dare not repeat my mistake, wouldn’t it be nice to just lie here together? Getting up only means dealing with people I don’t care to see and matters I dislike, which is far less enjoyable than lying down with you."

Qin Yuan blushed and said, "You better get up, the Emperor issued an edict yesterday, aren’t you supposed to be on duty?"

Only then did Marquis Gu recall, hastily detailing the situation, adding, "Mr. Songshan suggested that someone may have spoken for me before the Emperor, arousing the Emperor’s protective feelings towards me. It’s just unclear who did it or what was said, I’ll have Shi Ba go to the theater to inquire about it later. Once we have news, I’ll ask you to join me for further discussion."

Qin Yuan contemplated for a moment, then suddenly laughed, "Mr. Songshan’s words ring true, otherwise you were pushed to the point of feigning illness before, and now suddenly this, it clearly revolves around this matter."

"What matter?"

Gu Jinghui hurriedly inquired.

Qin Yuan was about to say something but then laughed, ultimately not revealing it, simply saying, "I’ll tell you later, first get up and attend to business."

Gu Jinghui then called out for someone to come in and assist Qin Yuan with her grooming.

Seeing it was Mo Zhu, Marquis Gu asked, "What, aren’t Hong Ye and Cui Ming attending you closely anymore?"

"The two of them are too busy to catch their breath, now it’s Hong Mian and Mo Zhu."

Qin Yuan explained while getting up to freshen up.

Marquis Gu said, "If you’re overwhelmed, just have Gu Shiliu handle those outside menial tasks."

"Sixteen is busy too, don’t you remember he’s been keeping an eye on the neighbors? Last night he even came over to tell me that Fake Yang Pozi has already shown signs of activity, and Mrs. Zhao’s side might not be able to wait much longer to do something."

"Oh?"

Marquis Gu paused while dressing.

Qin Yuan said, "No need to rush, Sixteen knows what he’s doing."

With that, she entered the washroom.

Marquis Gu asked Mo Zhu to bring out his clothing and accessories. Mo Zhu said, "Sister Cui Ming hasn’t brought any new ones back, and the ones Gu Shiliu took a few days ago were all new. If you want old ones, we’ll have to dig around, should I have someone fetch them from the outer courtyard?"

Marquis Gu said, "Sure."

Mo Zhu went out to call someone at the second gate to ask a servant to fetch Marquis’s clothes from the outer courtyard. Just then, Hong Ye returned and said, "There’s no need. Sixteen knew Marquis was staying here yesterday, so he sent clothes early, and Cui Ming is already rushing over too."

She pointed to a cabinet, instructing Mo Zhu to retrieve them.

Mo Zhu said, "Sixteen Brother is truly quick-witted, he had everything prepared, and Sister Hong Ye didn’t even give us a heads up."

Hong Mian laughed beside them, "What do you know? Sixteen Brother sent them specifically for Sister Hong Ye."

Mo Zhu asked suspiciously, "What do you mean by that?"

Hong Mian responded with a half-smile, "Figure it out yourself."

Hong Ye retorted, "You two talk too much. Later, I’ll give you more tasks to keep you too busy for idle chatter."

Inside the room, Gu Jinghui was suddenly struck by a thought after listening.

Qin Yuan finished getting ready and sat in front of the vanity, asking him, "Why haven’t you changed into your clothes yet?"

Gu Jinghui replied, "Sixteen brought the clothes over, Hong Ye received them but didn’t tell anyone, and Mo Zhu is looking for them now."

Qin Yuan’s eyes sparkled as she smiled softly, "Sixteen seems to enjoy chatting with Hong Ye."

Gu Jinghui quickly asked, "What do you think about betrothing Hong Ye to Sixteen?"

"No matter," Qin Yuan turned to him and said, "Hong Ye and Cui Ming have been attending me for a long time, their marriage requires their own consent. Furthermore, I’m still hoping to earn some dowry for them."

"Alright, alright, I just thought of it hearing the servants talk, and casually brought it up," Marquis Gu hastily said, "If you don’t agree, I won’t mention it again."

Qin Yuan said, "Don’t randomly matchmake people. Both parties need to be willing for this sort of thing."

Mo Zhu entered through the curtain, and they both fell silent.

After a while, Hong Ye came in and said, "Yanhong just came to request leave, saying that Lin Junren and the Second Miss won’t be coming."

"Oh?" Qin Yuan laughed, "That’s new, they weren’t even scheduled, why request leave?"

Hong Ye also laughed, "Right, that’s exactly what I said. Yanhong told me Lin Junren insisted the Second Miss must come every day, and he would help when he had time. Yanhong also said there was a big row yesterday between the Second Miss, Lin Junren’s mother, and cousin. Lin Junren’s headache flared up, and no one took care of it. Today they’re likely busy looking for a doctor to treat him."

"Headache?"

Qin Yuan asked in surprise.

In her past life, Lin Ziqi often had headaches, and she used to concoct calming incense. Mrs. Lin constantly criticized her for wasting money, but when it proved effective, she stopped.

Later, she learned medicine, carefully attended to him, and Lin Ziqi hadn’t had an episode for nearly a decade. After becoming Prime Minister and taking numerous concubines, with more work and socializing, he sometimes had episodes, but never like now.

Gu Jinghui also looked over.

Hong Ye’s eyes danced with excitement.

"Isn’t that something? They say it suddenly flared up again. A doctor had been consulted, who recommended gentle care and avoiding aggravation, especially, um, in sexual matters, Lin Junren’s mother has been scolding the Second Miss at home, quite harshly. The Second Miss cried several times from the insults."

Qin Yuan lowered her gaze, pondering silently. It seemed Qin Wan was having a tough time.

As Mrs. Cui said, Mrs. Lin spent Qin Wan’s dowry silver yet tormented her so righteously. When Lin Ziqi achieves success, Qin Wan will certainly endure more.

Moreover, there’s Lady Yu, a troublemaker who thrives in chaos.

Qin Yuan said indifferently, "It’s all her choice. If she had more backbone, it wouldn’t be this way."