Qin Yuan privately hoped that the Marquis Gu wouldn’t be too ostentatious.

Gu Jinghui immediately sat up straight, looked over with a foolish grin that wouldn’t quit, and asked, "Does Yuan’er truly feel I am magnificent in presence?"

"Naturally," Qin Yuan said earnestly, "Few can match the handsomeness of my husband."

Gu Jinghui laughed for a while, then pretended to be calm, gazing at her reflection in the distance, and said lightly, "Then I’ll go with the flow and refrain from wearing flowers today, so as not to upset the guests."

But the upward tilt of his tone and the gleam in his eyes completely betrayed his overflowing joy.

Qin Yuan chuckled softly and added a remark.

"Besides, today’s guests aren’t just civil servants; some are your colleagues and subordinates. Didn’t you avoid shaving even your beard to intimidate the soldiers back then?"

Gu Jinghui glanced at Qin Yuan, his tone probing, "Now that we’re not at war, I naturally don’t need to keep intimidating with my beard. I heard from Treasure Bead that the young men in the Capital are even starting to powder their faces. Do girls now favor such men?"

"I wouldn’t know about others, but I dislike men who rely on makeup. How could those powdered faces compare to my husband’s brave and handsome bearing?"

Qin Yuan quickly reassured him with sweet words.

Gu Jinghui perked up a bit, stood up and walked over, saying, "My wife is insightful, so different from the daughters of civil servants’ families who favor bookish scholars."

Qin Yuan secretly rolled her eyes.

She knew there must be a reason for the Marquis Gu’s unusual behavior.

She hadn’t even sent invitations to Lin Ziqi’s couple, yet the Marquis Gu was already like this. Who knows what would happen if they gathered together?

Cui Ming stifled her laughter.

Qin Yuan cleared her throat and said, "With my husband as a jewel, who would fancy mere stones?"

These days, she hadn’t indulged the Marquis Gu’s wishes, so Qin Yuan was not stingy with sweet talk to coax him.

Suddenly, redness crept up from the Marquis Gu’s fair neck, spreading to even his ears, as if he’d applied rouge.

Qin Yuan secretly thought, the Marquis Gu truly has a look that struck right at her heart.

With long arms befitting an ape, broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and powerful limbs...

Her face also grew warm.

Ignoring her ongoing preparations, Gu Jinghui closed the gap in several strides, gently pulled her into his embrace with powerful arms, and whispered while smiling, "Me too."

Cui Ming seized the opportunity to slip out and sighed to Hong Ye, "Changing clothes and doing hair with such clinginess, I finally understand what being inseparable means."

Hong Ye grunted, "Out of sight, out of mind. I won’t stay inside and be an eyesore. If the Marquis accidentally praises me for my diligence, I’ll be worked like a dog, with the lady laughing instead of helping. Now that the Marquis is around, I’d rather send in the young maids to serve and steal some time for myself."

Cui Ming couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Hong Ye glared at her, and the two stood outside for a while before Qin Yuan finished dressing.

The Marquis Gu had also changed his clothes, wearing a Jinxian Crown, indeed without a flower, standing next to Qin Yuan. Their overlapping attires highlighted their harmonious match.

Hong Ye obediently followed behind Qin Yuan, only to see the Marquis Gu turn back and say to her, "Hong Ye, you’re always capable. Make sure you’re fully focused today, as it’s the lady’s first time hosting a banquet, and she only has a few like you to rely on, so it’ll be demanding."

Hong Ye responded simply, "Understood."

Qin Yuan curiously asked, "You know Hong Ye and Cui Ming are considerate in their work and understand priorities, why emphasize again?"

Gu Jinghui slightly curled his lips, holding Qin Yuan’s hand, "It’s because I’m worried about you. Let’s quickly go, Mother and Treasure Bead must be anxious."

Qin Yuan glanced at the still early morning light, feeling somewhat speechless.

Upon reaching the main hall, Old Madam Gu said, "Treasure Bead always wakes up late, we don’t need to wait for her, let’s proceed."

They quietly finished breakfast, and Old Madam Gu again affectionately advised Qin Yuan for quite some time.

"Today’s guests are all old friends and family, the Marquis is often away, and I only mingle with a few old sisters, so there’s no need to worry."

Qin Yuan replied, "Mother, I understand, if there’s anything, with your support, I only need to be diligent."

Old Madam Gu affirmed, "Yes, that’s the right way."

Gu Jinghui casually remarked, "A small slip-up is nothing, doesn’t every household have some joke to laugh at?"

Old Madam Gu glared, "You sure know how to comfort people."

Gu Jinghui struck a pose, "Am I not accurate? There are more officials than anything else in this Capital City. Who doesn’t have some incident to talk about?"

Old Madam Gu fell silent.

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "I understand, both Mother and Husband can rest assured. Husband handles the gentlemen with Sixth Brother, and Mother and Treasure Bead assist with the ladies. I just need to arrange things properly."

She wasn’t particularly anxious; Old Madam Gu had pondered over her first time organizing such an event long ago and suggested not to go big, as the banquet was merely for merriment, to chase away misfortune.

Old Madam Gu nodded, "Indeed, that’s how it should be. You needn’t stay here chatting with me, the stewards and the housekeeper moms likely still have matters to bother you with, it really is the busiest time."

Qin Yuan did intend to have another inventory checked, so she got up to take her leave.

Gu Jinghui initially planned to leave with her, but Old Madam Gu said, "Hui’er, you’ll be of no help going along, don’t cause trouble. I have some questions for you."

Gu Jinghui watched his young wife leave with longing eyes before asking, "Mother, what is it you need?"

Old Madam Gu inquired, "Should Brother Cheng and Sister Yu be presented to the guests today?"

Gu Jinghui quickly answered, "No need."

"That’s fine, but relatives from the ninth branch wished to see them. What do you say..."

Gu Jinghui looked displeased, "I’ve already agreed with Gu Jingcheng, why are they involving themselves? After today’s busy schedule, we’ll have time to tidy up that yard. Once they move in, the private ceremony between the two families can happen."

Old Madam Gu patiently explained, "He’s a member of the ninth branch, being an illegitimate child will inevitably restrict him. Besides, your adopted son became a foster to the ninth branch, clan elders might not speak against you, but they can speak against him. The two children may need to be included in the clan registry in the future."

Gu Jinghui said, "I’ll discuss it with Gu Jingcheng. Mother needn’t concern herself; if the elders from the ninth branch insist on meeting, we can arrange a day for a visit."

Old Madam Gu studied her son for a while.

"Do you have other plans?"

Gu Jinghui replied, "Whatever plans I have are for our benefit, and theirs. The Magistrate hasn’t finalized anything; once things settle, their status can be decided."

Old Madam Gu was taken aback.

Gu Jinghui said, "Mother, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go find Sixth Brother."

Old Madam Gu distractedly agreed, taking quite a while before asking Nanny Rong, "What did Master Hui mean by that?"