Qin Yuan lowered her head and softly said, "Hmm."

In the fresh joy of a new marriage, it is customary for a man to be affectionate towards his wife. Considering herself beautiful, clever, and capable, even a heart of stone would soften towards her. Therefore, it was only natural that Marquis Gu cherished her to some degree.

In her past life, she and Lin Ziqi had also enjoyed a period of honey-smooth days, but ultimately, they grew further apart.

Qin Yuan perceived that she had seen through the word "affection" and thus felt a bit more detached.

Yet seeing Marquis Gu entrust his fortune to her with full sincerity still gently plucked at Qin Yuan’s heartstrings.

Qin Yuan added, "I will surely not disappoint my husband’s trust."

Gu Jinghui gently squeezed the soft and delicate little hand in his palm, and said softly, "I know."

The two walked on quietly.

As they were approaching Wutong Garden, Housekeeper Cao came forward and said, "Marquis, Madam, the Chief Historian from Prince Qi Mansion has sent something over; he’s waiting in the front hall."

Qin Yuan said, "Very well, I’ll go take a look."

Gu Jinghui said, "I’ll go and dismiss him in the front courtyard. If you have other matters, you can go attend to them."

Qin Yuan said, "It’s just arranging Brother Cheng and Sister Yu’s adoption banquet, and some other things, which we can discuss when you come over in the evening."

Gu Jinghui smiled with his eyes and eyebrows, nodded heavily, and said, "Alright."

Housekeeper Cao stood aside, inexplicably feeling a bit redundant standing there.

Gu Jinghui turned his face towards him and said, "Let’s go."

Housekeeper Cao: "...Yes!"

Why does he seem so stern when facing him?

Housekeeper Cao followed the Marquis in brisk strides into the front hall.

Inside the hall, the Chief Historian of Prince Qi Mansion was looking at a piece of calligraphy hanging on the wall, and upon hearing their footsteps, he turned around quickly and respectfully to greet them.

After exchanging greetings with each other, the Chief Historian did not take a seat. With a smiling face, he offered a small Jade Box with both hands.

"Marquis Gu, this is an incense pill His Highness Prince Qi has commanded me to deliver."

Marquis Gu nodded and said, "Alright."

Housekeeper Cao hurriedly stepped forward to take it and handed it to Marquis Gu.

Marquis Gu indicated with his eyes, and Housekeeper Cao placed it on the sandalwood table next to the Taishi Chair.

Marquis Gu asked, "Thank you for your trouble, did His Highness Prince Qi leave any message for you to convey?"

The Chief Historian said, "His Highness Prince Qi asked this officer to deliver a message to Madam."

"What did he say?"

"It will naturally become clear before the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Marquis Gu understood; it was about the issue of lowering pepper prices and responded, "Please sit down, Chief Historian."

"No need to sit, the Marquis has many matters to attend to, I won’t impose further, I take my leave."

Marquis Gu then said, "Housekeeper Cao, please see the Chief Historian off for me."

Housekeeper Cao responded and proceeded to escort the Chief Historian of Prince Qi Mansion out.

The Chief Historian asked quietly, "Why was it the Marquis who received me and not Madam?"

Housekeeper Cao said, "Madam is managing the whole family now, so all matters, big or small, seek her out. Marquis was just at home without much to do, so he came out to see you."

The Chief Historian laughed, "No wonder, it startled me quite a bit."

Housekeeper Cao couldn’t even believe himself, saying, "Our Marquis is usually very amiable, without any airs."

The Chief Historian also pretended to believe, nodding, "Indeed, indeed."

Gu Jinghui sat in the hall, playing with the Jade Box. The small box was intricately carved with peonies, large and overlapping with layers, rich and elegant, vivid and lifelike.

Being accustomed to fine things, Gu Jinghui naturally recognized its value. As he admired it, he suddenly recalled the treasure book given by General Jin, which stated that to gain a woman’s favor, one should give her precious gifts she would like—thus, it was akin to Deng in "Pan, Lui, Deng, and Xiao Idle."

Although not as wealthy as Deng Tong, his private treasury was ample, and it was very easy to give Qin Yuan some fine items.

But what should he give?

His little wife loved making money besides the literary interests of scholars.

Gu Jinghui thought for a moment and then called for Gu Shiliu. After a few calls, the guard servant at the door answered, "Marquis, Gu Shiliu went to find Gu Shiba; both are not in the mansion."

Gu Jinghui remembered that Sixth Master Gu had mentioned something in the main room and said, "Why haven’t they returned after so long? I don’t even know what they’re up to."

The servant said, "Perhaps it was something urgent; Gu Shiba was hurriedly looking around for Gu Shiliu, who was dragged out of Sixth Master’s room by him."

Gu Jinghui snorted and said nothing more.

If Gu Shiba is acting like this, he must have discovered something.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Jinghui curled his fingers and tapped lightly on the table, hoping that they would find some useful information.

In the Northern Border, competent figures can’t even gather information or find a person nowadays—they’re almost becoming useless gluttons.

Ultimately, as Yuan’er said, he maneuvered with ease in the Northern Border, but faced many restraints in the Capital City. It wasn’t that his men were useless, but rather, there was little to accumulate in the Capital City, and Gu Shiba and the others found things less convenient than before.

Just as he was thinking, the servant outside announced, "Marquis, Mr. Songshan has arrived."

"Invite him in," Marquis Gu collected his thoughts and instructed promptly.

Mr. Songshan entered, dressed in a dark blue robe, holding a folding fan as he swaggered in, refused any formality, and directly sat in the Taishi Chair below.

Marquis Gu immediately noticed that the folding fan in Mr. Songshan’s hand was the most beloved fan with ivory ribs treasured by Sixth Master. He usually just took it out and looked at it, but was reluctant to use it. He smiled knowingly and said, "Sixth brother is taking out his treasures to honor his master. It seems he has set great ambitions to write good poetry. Perhaps the Gu Family might indeed produce a scholar."

Mr. Songshan opened the fan and lightly shook it, pouting slightly, "Sixth Master knows shame and courage afterward, his ambition is commendable. As an elder brother, doesn’t the Marquis feel a bit moved?"

Marquis Gu: "..."

Originally intended as a jest, he hadn’t expected to get a taste of his own medicine. Truly a miscalculation.

Feigning ignorance, he said, "I am somewhat moved. But as a brute in the army, what sort of poetry could I write? With that time, I’d rather read a few more pages of military strategy." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Mr. Songshan said, "Each person has their own talents. Marquis possesses great talent that shouldn’t be confined to the realm of poetry. I say this because the Marquis invited me to speak on the ’Spring and Autumn Annals’, yet I’ve been in the mansion for many days, and your in-laws, brothers, and nephews have all met me more frequently than you have. With such a schedule, who knows when you will finish listening to the ’Spring and Autumn Annals’."

Marquis Gu sighed and said, "Master, you startled me. I thought you were going to force me to write poetry. Honestly speaking, I see you all writing poems, and I too want to join the fun. But no matter how hard I try, I’m outmatched even by my young brother-in-law."

Mr. Songshan twitched his lips.

"Last time, didn’t the Marquis say he wanted to hear the part about Sima Yi feigning illness? I had only told half before you left for other matters, and nothing has been mentioned since. Do you believe that the storm outside has ceased, giving peace a chance?"

With those words, Marquis Gu’s expression changed.