Upon hearing this, Mr. Songshan was momentarily taken aback, then clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "What a wonderful statement, truly unexpected that the Marquis and this official think alike."

Marquis Gu focused his attention and listened intently.

Mr. Songshan continued with a smile, "He also replied to those who mocked him, saying that they are unfortunate not to have such a wife, thus unaware of the merits of fearing one’s wife. It is precisely because of this marital respect that I have attained a high position and notable reputation. Truly, as a man, would I actually fear her, a mere woman? It is only because I respect and love her that I yield. Encountering a woman like my wife, what a blessing it is, while for you, not meeting such a person is your misfortune."

Gu Jinghui couldn’t hide his pleased expression, nodding frequently, evidently quite agreeing with him.

With the corners of his lips slightly curved, Mr. Songshan remarked, "In my opinion, the stories of the Marquis and his wife in the future are likely to be a perfect tale; with the wife’s wisdom and exceptional talent and the Marquis’s military prowess and generous heart, deeply loving each other, what fear would they have of external storms?"

Gu Jinghui laughed, stood up and saluted Mr. Songshan, "I have learned much, and I thank you, Mr. Songshan, for your kind words."

Mr. Songshan stood up and returned the salute, "The story is finished, if the Marquis has no other matters to hear, I shall return and rest."

The Marquis paused, sincerely said, "Please, Mr. Songshan, teach me more in the future."

Mr. Songshan lightly waved his folding fan and said, "I was merely chatting idly to relieve boredom with the Marquis, even if not wearying the master’s patience, staying in this mansion long also only qualifies me as a leisure guest, unworthy of ’teaching’. Observing that the Marquis has unusual features and great aura, assisted by the star of his wife’s fortune, if encountering favorable winds and clouds, great achievements might be realized; being attached, I might also bask in some glory, as they say when one person attains enlightenment, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven."

Gu Jinghui laughed, "You are too modest, Mr. Songshan. You are indeed talented, and I only wish you could stay a day extra at the mansion to count as another day; how could you be just a leisure guest. Additionally, the Yelv Family has been driven out of the Northern Border by me; as a military official, I can consider this the fulfillment of honoring the ancestors of the Gu Family. I wonder if this is the extraordinary achievement you referred to."

He did not entirely believe in what Mr. Songshan said about unusual features and wife stars, merely responding politely.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Songshan resolutely replied, "I referred to future matters, while the Marquis speaks of past ones."

Having said this, he strode away, appearing unwilling to elaborate.

Gu Jinghui stood frozen, "..."

After Mr. Songshan left, Gu Jinghui stood in place for a moment of contemplation, shook his head, and casually picked up the Jade Box from the table intending to personally deliver it to Qin Yuan and have some casual conversation.

Just then, a servant came to report, "Marquis, Prince Jin has delivered a note at the mansion entrance."

Instantly, Gu Jinghui felt troubled.

Is it possible that all the princes from the Royal Family need to spend some time at the Dingbei Marquis Mansion? If this is the case, perhaps hosting a banquet would have been better, inviting them all at once to save effort instead of receiving them one by one.

But he couldn’t decline and must meet.

With a sigh, Gu Jinghui adjusted his clothes and went outside to welcome the guests.

...

Qin Yuan sent a letter to Mrs. Fei, the two agreed upon the recognition of the twin siblings, and only then did Qin Yuan feel relieved.

Hong Ye asked, "Why is it so quick?"

Qin Yuan replied, "I wish to do it as soon as tomorrow, but Mrs. Fei is in the process of moving and wants to wait for a warming day, causing the delay."

Hong Ye asked, "Is there a reason?"

Qin Yuan said, "Naturally, the sooner they leave, the sooner Mrs. Zhao can be caught. Besides, the Fake Yang Pozi is always wandering around the main house, despite being watched, and it really irritates me."

Hong Ye grumbled, "Today Xiao Hong dragged me to talk, covering me with snot and tears, forcing me to promise repeatedly, saying only then she will let go."

Cui Ming laughed, "She belongs to your Red Character Sect, who else would she cling to?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan smiled, "If Xiao Hong assists in capturing Mrs. Zhao, I would immediately bring her to Wutong Garden, and keep the vacancy for a first-class maid for her."

Perhaps by then Xu Zhen’s whereabouts could also be found, resolving matters between the Xu family and ours.

Hong Ye said, "I’ll relay this, telling her that if she contributes significantly, the lady will bring her to Wutong Garden, promising that a first-class maid position awaits."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Cui Ming remarked, "Both she and Zihe are efficient, if Fake Yang Pozi acts, they surely won’t miss it."

Qin Yuan frowned, noncommittally.

After all, Fake Yang Pozi roamed freely under everyone’s noses for quite some time, words shouldn’t be too confident.

A little maid outside called Hong Ye out, shortly after, Hong Ye returned inside and said, "Miss, Brother Qi and his mother are outside, wishing to pay their respects."

Qin Yuan considered for a moment and replied, "Let them in."

Soon, Brother Qi, assisting his mother, entered the outer room and greeted Qin Yuan respectfully through the beaded curtain.

Qin Yuan ordered someone to bring chairs for them to sit, then with a smile asked, "The mansion has been occupied with many affairs lately, and there hasn’t been time to visit you. Are Brother Qi and your mother feeling better now?"

The blind old lady immediately replied, "Thank you, madam, for your concern. With Doctor Li’s treatment, the body has strengthened considerably, and the foolish child moves freely. Little Dongfang just told me that after applying the medicine for a few more days, the blocked meridians around the eyes will open, thus making acupuncture possible."

Qin Yuan understood immediately; her eyes are recovering quite well.

Hong Ye exclaimed happily, "Aunty, Doctor Li’s skills are outstanding, even surpassing the dean of the Imperial Hospital, your eyes are saved."

"Indeed, these days my eyes catch glimpses of light, though with clusters of dark shadows obstructing the view, sometimes good, sometimes worse, during bad moments it’s all smoky and foggy."

Qin Yuan remarked, "The mansion doesn’t care how much effort is spent, just fears they will never recover. Given the current condition, rest assured; perhaps in a month or two, you’ll see silhouettes."

The blind old lady couldn’t stop smiling, "If these eyes see again, I must carefully look at the lady’s and Marquis’s appearances. They say the lady resembles a fairy, yet I don’t know how celestial fairies look."

Everyone laughed.

Hong Ye said, "Auntie, once you see them, you’ll know. Both our lady and the Marquis resemble immortals and are very handsome."

The blind old lady said, "When the Marquis was young, I saw him from afar, like a Golden Boy under Guanyin Bodhisattva; the old man said everyone in the Capital City called the Marquis Yu Lang, thinking Yu Lang surely appeared more noble than the Golden Boy, needing careful service."

Everyone laughed again.

Brother Qi said, "Madam, Mother wishes to embroider a small portrait of the master, for daily worship later, she just cannot describe it clearly."

Qin Yuan was startled, "That’s unnecessary. Once your mother’s eyes are healed, she should cherish them by doing less needlework, as embroidery strains the eyes too much. Besides, the Qi Family has been loyal to the Marquis Mansion, and it is imperative that the Marquis Mansion protects you, although the Marquis spends much time at the Northern Border, upon returning to the court, numerous matters occupy his attention, inevitably leading to some oversight; now it’s merely the idea of remedying past negligence."