Qin Yuan stood up to meet him and asked, "What’s the matter, my husband?"

Gu Jinghui’s face was somber, with barely suppressed annoyance beneath his defiant brows, but upon seeing Qin Yuan’s smiling face, his irritation dissipated, and his tone softened considerably. "What else could it be? First, I was instructed by Mr. Songshan, then had to entertain King Jin. Among the royal sons who visit the manor, only King Qishan is missing. I might as well set a table and invite them all over. They all say the same thing anyway. The Emperor still hasn’t decided whether to give me the manpower I asked for or not. Surely he doesn’t expect me to handle this alone."

Qin Yuan asked with a smile, "Would you like to change clothes now?"

Having vented, Gu Jinghui’s expression softened completely, and he grinned, "Yes. What are we having for dinner?"

Qin Yuan glanced at the Marquis Gu, teasing, "I thought you would dine with King Jin, so I didn’t prepare anything for you."

Marquis Gu immediately looked pitiful, "Hey, you should know better. How could I possibly eat while staring at King Jin’s face?"

Qin Yuan chuckled and said, "What do you mean by that?"

Although King Jin wasn’t as handsome as Prince Qi, he was still a decent person and not at all unpleasant to look at.

Seeing her laugh, Marquis Gu laughed too and said, "He’s not a beauty, who has the patience to look at him? So, you really didn’t prepare anything for me? Then let’s go to Mother’s and eat at the small kitchen."

Qin Yuan said, "Never mind, I’m afraid Mother will lose her appetite seeing us at this hour."

Marquis Gu widened his eyes, "If that’s not okay and this isn’t okay, are you planning on letting your husband starve?"

Qin Yuan said, "Cui Ming had the small kitchen make Eight Treasure Pumpkin Sticky Rice to send to Renhe Hall. I’ll add a little money and have them make you a bowl of noodles with a few of your favorite dishes."

Marquis Gu asked curiously, "Has the household’s rules changed now? Why do you have to add your own money?"

Qin Yuan responded, "Cui Ming suggested managing the kitchen more frugally to prevent wastefulness. The basic dishes are listed, and people can choose from them. If something extra is desired, they pay an additional charge. I think it’s a good method, so I’m letting them try it to see how much money we can save each month in our courtyard."

Marquis Gu sighed, "When have things in the manor ever been this meticulous? Though with fewer people, the manor doesn’t lack money. Things have continued this way until you came, and now it’s different. This is good; it prevents people from racking their brains to exploit the system. Those who don’t have good positions grumble, and the rest don’t put their heart into their work. It’s better to manage it meticulously and make benefits clear."

"Marquis, you understand my efforts. I was worried you might think I’m being too stingy."

"No way. The old soldiers and their descendants counted up this time are numerous. It will cost a lot of silver to settle them properly, and consistently giving them silver rice every year is another expense. Your meticulous planning is very good. Although there are fewer people now, the family will eventually grow, and we can’t let it become chaotic."

Although Marquis Gu doesn’t manage the accounts himself, he understands them well.

There won’t be wars in the future, but the family guards and soldiers will still need to be supported, and this expense will accumulate over time.

Qin Yuan smiled, "With your assurance, Marquis, I’m even more at ease."

"Feel free to act boldly. Correct things if there’s error. Who doesn’t make mistakes? I’m here to protect you."

As Marquis Gu changed clothes, he spoke cheerfully with his young wife.

He loved having discussions like this, consulting with those around him.

Mo Zhu brought in tea and said, "Madam, the small kitchen has prepared the sticky rice, and the pastries are out of the oven. I’ll arrange for them to be sent to Renhe Hall."

Qin Yuan nodded and said, "Good. Marquis will dine here tonight. Have them prepare a few of his favorite fresh dishes, add a main dish, and don’t forget the lotus root soup. Autumn is approaching, and Marquis’s internal heat needs regulating."

Marquis Gu sat by the table, comfortably sipping tea.

Listening to Qin Yuan’s detailed instructions, every word and sentence was for him, which was truly heartwarming.

After giving instructions, Qin Yuan came over to sit down and asked, "Where are the incense pills sent by Prince Qi?"

Marquis Gu motioned toward Mo Zhu with his mouth, "The box she just put away."

Mo Zhu quickly took it out and placed it on the table.

Qin Yuan examined the finely crafted item, playing with it fondly for a while, and said, "It’s impressive how such a small box is intricately carved with peonies."

Gu Jinghui immediately said, "If you like it, I have many such items in my private store. You can pick and use whatever you like."

Qin Yuan was a bit surprised and asked, "Who’s in charge of those?"

Gu Jinghui said, "Gu Shiliu."

Qin Yuan asked, "Is Gu Shiliu managing your private accounts?"

Gu Jinghui said, "Yes, he handles the rent collection and accounts, albeit roughly. As long as nothing is missing, it’s fine."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Then I’ll have to find time to see what good things you have over there. Can I use anything I like?"

Seeing her charming smile, Marquis Gu felt his heart flutter and said, "Of course, whatever catches your eye is yours."

Qin Yuan smiled as she opened the jade box, and Marquis Gu leaned in to see what these precious incense pills looked like. Inside was a wax pill about the size of an egg, cushioned with an embroidered pad and surrounded by soft silk, evidently treated with great care.

Marquis Gu took out the wax pill, rotated it, and said, "Is this it?"

Qin Yuan said, "Be careful; clean your hands, lay down a plain cloth before opening it, so as not to lose the scent."

Marquis Gu quickly set it down.

Qin Yuan asked Mo Zhu to bring over her usual aromatherapy tools. After cleaning her hands again, she carefully placed the incense pill on the cloth using scent tongs, lightly tapping it, and listened, "Bring some hot water."

Once the hot water was brought, Qin Yuan placed the incense pill in a scent vessel to melt the wax over the hot water. Gu Jinghui asked, "Why not directly break the wax?"

Qin Yuan replied, "That’s to prevent wax debris from contaminating the incense pill and affecting its scent."

Gu Jinghui asked, "So, is the wax directly sealed onto the incense pill?"

Qin Yuan shook her head, "How could it be so crude? Since Prince Qi advised caution, I must be careful."

Gu Jinghui said, "Let me help you; it doesn’t have to be so troublesome."

Seeing his eagerness, Qin Yuan agreed, "Then give it a try. You’re skilled in martial arts; I’m sure you can handle it delicately."

Gu Jinghui cleaned his hands and gently pressed the wax pill in his hand, slowly saying, "It’s done."

As he opened his hand, wax blocks and debris fell away, revealing an incense pill wrapped tightly in oil paper, slightly larger than a pigeon egg.

The oil paper was clean, without a single speck of wax debris.

Qin Yuan said, "Not bad."

Marquis Gu showed a hint of pride on his face and laughed, "This is quicker."

Then he complained, "Why use so much wax? It looks big, yet there’s so little inside."

Qin Yuan carefully unwrapped the incense pill from the oil paper, and a fragrant aroma gradually permeated the entire room.