Gu Baoshu showcased her horse-riding skills in front of the boys, drawing rounds of applause from them.

Qin Heng stared in amazement, and Gu Baoshu teased him playfully: "You must not ride often. I’ll teach you a few moves, and you’ll learn them quickly."

Fuguo’er said: "Auntie, don’t be biased, teach us too."

Qin Heng, who had been hesitant at first, immediately agreed.

Xiao Dong, seeing Gu Baoshu completely focused on Qin Heng, gave up his attempt to get more acquainted with her.

They spent the entire afternoon amusing themselves at the training ground, getting to know each other better.

Gu Baoshu arranged with Brother Kang to call her when they go to watch fireflies in the evening. Qin Heng added: "Are you going to compose poems as well?"

Gu Baoshu rolled her eyes and, pretending to be shy, said: "With my little talent in poetry, I wouldn’t dare show off, but I’ve heard your cousin writes excellent poetry."

Qin Heng said, somewhat frustrated: "My cousin’s poetry was only slightly better than mine before. My father used to say he was good at everything except for lacking some flair in poetry. Recently, he had a stroke of inspiration, and his work greatly improved. But let me tell you a secret: even though my cousin’s poetry is good, it’s not as good as Mr. Songshan’s or my sister’s. Just wait and see tonight."

Gu Baoshu replied: "...I didn’t expect that..."

So that annoying third sister-in-law is not only beautiful but also excels in poetry.

Now I’m even more eager to join the fun tonight.

Gu Baoshu had been playing at the training ground, completely forgetting about the important task of the day, until all the guests had left and Gu Shiliu came to call them for dinner. Gu Baoshu suddenly remembered and exclaimed, "Oh no, oh no, I completely forgot to help sister-in-law see off the guests."

Qin Heng reassured her: "It’s alright, my sister is kind-hearted and won’t blame you."

Gu Baoshu rolled her eyes and said: "It’s not my sister-in-law I’m worried about, it’s my mother and third brother punishing me."

Fearing something is to invite it.

Dinner was lively with two tables set in the main room.

Children had one table.

Mrs. Cui claimed she had matters to tend to at home and left first. Qin Jijiu and Qin Siyuan were kept by Sixth Master Gu for poetry writing. They were happily chatting with Mr. Songshan in the front hall and didn’t come over.

Gu Jinghui asked: "How did Baoshu do today?"

Gu Baoshu looked pitifully at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan held back a laugh and said nothing. Old Madam Gu said crossly: "She behaved well for half a day, helping Yuan’er greet guests properly, but lost her composure in the afternoon, almost causing someone to fall off a bridge, and later vanished into thin air like a monkey in the mountains."

Gu Baoshu was so embarrassed and frustrated but didn’t dare to retort.

Gu Jinghui pondered: "So grounding her for three months only works for three and a half days."

Gu Baoshu hurriedly defended herself: "Third brother, that’s an exaggeration. I was teaching nephews and guests how to ride horses today, wasn’t I helping out as well?"

Qin Yuan laughed and said: "In truth, there wasn’t much to do in the afternoon. Everyone was engrossed in watching the opera, and when it was time to leave, the families left together. Although without Baoshu, Madam Jin and a few sister-in-laws helped, so there were no errors."

Old Madam Gu’s anger slightly diminished. She saw Qin Heng there and couldn’t scold her too much. She said: "You are so capricious with your tasks, leaving abruptly without notifying your sister-in-law. Everyone was watching the opera, and it was only after the event ended did we realize you were gone. That’s not how the host should behave."

Gu Baoshu replied: "I won’t dare do it again in the future."

Only then did everyone start eating.

After dinner, Gu Baoshu was tasked with taking the younger ones out to play. This was exactly what they wanted. They quickly ordered the maids and servants to prepare tools for catching fireflies, ready to have a great time.

Once everyone had left, Old Madam Gu asked: "Third son, why did the Crown Prince suddenly come with the Ninth Princess today?"

Gu Jinghui said: "Perhaps it’s due to the Capital Inspection. The Emperor might want to use me as a cover to deal with the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. I heard it’s also because of the Crown Prince’s marriage issue. The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers were unwilling to offer their legitimate daughters to the Crown Prince, which angered the Emperor and led to this whole incident."

Old Madam Gu was displeased: "Why involve you in their tussle? Never forget how your father was trapped at the Northern Border years ago. You’ll end up being the sinner on both sides."

Gu Jinghui replied: "I understand. It’s hard to endure the favors of our Emperor."

Looking at Qin Yuan, Old Madam Gu asked: "What about the young daughter of the Chang Family? Didn’t they swear never to return to the capital?"

Gu Jinghui said, "I only heard from Shi Ba today that the Ninth Princess brought her here."

While Chang Qingling’s return to the capital was likely during the Feng Mansion events, they shouldn’t have been unaware.

Old Madam Gu sighed: "For all these years, I’ve shut the mansion doors and lived quietly, letting past friendships fade. We’ve seldom interacted. You’ve been back for over half a year, it’s time to start managing these things again."

"Yes, I will arrange it properly," Gu Jinghui assured.

Qin Yuan listened silently, understanding that Old Madam’s intention in keeping her present was to gradually involve her in the affairs of the Gu Family.

Gu Jinghui contemplated: "I heard Chang Qingling was engaged. Not long after marrying, her husband fell ill and died. The affair was unpleasant, and she returned to her family. Usually dressed as an unmarried woman, she’s now staying in the Chang family’s old house with the Crown Prince’s protection."

Qin Yuan finally understood why the Ninth Princess brought her along.

Old Madam Gu said: "Dressing as an unmarried woman? So the man was so sick they never consummated? Why marry her off at all, then? The Chang Family really doesn’t care about their daughters."

Gu Jinghui didn’t respond, glancing at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan immediately grasped Marquis Gu’s meaning, lowered her head, and blushed.

Old Madam Gu was busy lamenting and didn’t notice their expressions. Nanny Rong interjected, "Will Miss Chang be visiting the Marquis Mansion frequently from now on?"

Gu Jinghui remained silent.

Old Madam Gu thought for a moment: "Judging by today’s events, it seems unavoidable. When she comes, have the invitation sent to me. Yuan’er, you shouldn’t get involved.. Third son, being a man, shouldn’t get tangled up either."

Gu Jinghui questioned skeptically: "Isn’t that precisely as it should be?"

Old Madam Gu hesitated for a moment and said, "Hmm."

Qin Yuan understood that this was Old Madam Gu’s way of saying that Marquis Gu and Miss Chang, as well as the Chang Family, would not be closely associated.

Nanny Rong commented: "Marquis, Old Madam was merely advising. Miss Chang, during her short stay, mentioned the Marquis over a dozen times, always talking about her sister. Old Madam wants to avoid further complications. You know the unpleasantness between the Marquis Mansion and the Chang Family back then."

Gu Jinghui acknowledged: "Don’t worry, Mother. I haven’t even met her, and when the Chang Family left the capital, she was so young. I never spoke a word to her. She probably just used me as a pretense for lack of things to say."