These days, Qin Yuan has been drained from the social gatherings, and with a bit of drinking, she inevitably fell into a deep sleep.

In the middle of the night, she felt uncomfortably hot all over.

She wanted to turn over but couldn’t move, her limbs were weak and powerless.

Struggling to wake up, she fell back into a deep slumber.

It wasn’t until the early morning that she slowly awakened.

Gazing distractedly at the sky, it seemed late already. For some reason, her body felt terribly exhausted. Wrapped in a red silk quilt, Qin Yuan turned over. Hearing the noise, Hong Ye entered to attend to her. Seeing Qin Yuan in a confused state, clutching the silk quilt and staring blankly, Hong Ye said, "Miss, it’s time to get up."

Qin Yuan lazily responded, the silk quilt gradually slipping down, revealing skin as white as milk, covered with dense marks.

Hong Ye’s face flushed instantly.

Qin Yuan looked at her puzzled, "What’s wrong with you? Did you catch a cold last night while guarding outside?"

Hong Ye’s eyes darted around as if they couldn’t find a place to settle, and she whispered, "Miss’s body..."

Qin Yuan couldn’t see, while Hong Ye was flustered as if she had done something wrong, unable to speak for quite some time.

Unaware of what had happened, Qin Yuan nevertheless felt inexplicably shy.

It wasn’t until she saw the marks on her arms that she realized Marquis Gu had taken advantage of her while drunk. No wonder last night felt so peculiar. Presumably, Hong Ye and Cui Ming outside had heard some sounds.

Qin Yuan’s face burned with embarrassment, gritting her teeth, "Where’s that scoundrel?"

Hong Ye hesitated for a while, then blushed as she said, "Marquis left early in the morning, said not to wait for him to have breakfast."

Qin Yuan’s face soured.

After tidying up the bed, Hong Ye felt apprehensive and hesitant, eventually bracing herself to ask, "Miss, still not consummated with the Marquis?"

Qin Yuan shook her head.

Hong Ye was about to cry: "Is there some hidden ailment with the Marquis?"

She quickly shook her head again.

"The Marquis is brave and heroic, it certainly can’t be that. I was talking nonsense, pfft."

Qin Yuan found it both funny and annoying and had to comfort her, "Don’t overthink it. I don’t want to consummate with the Marquis for now, it’s not because the Marquis is ill."

Hong Ye looked at her, wide-eyed and shocked.

What did this mean?

The Marquis could indulge Miss to this extent?

At this moment, Marquis Gu was sitting in the study in the front yard, staring blankly at the "Spring and Autumn Annals" on the desk.

With Mr. Songshan’s help, he barely managed to turn a few pages of this book.

Right now, he couldn’t take in a single word, nor did he want to see any guests, having no interest in dealing with those annoying matters at court.

Because...

Last night took a toll on him.

For a man, there’s nothing more wanting than to get closer to his wife, only to realize...

After several failed attempts, he gave up.

Marquis Gu couldn’t accept this at all.

Before marriage, he had no intention, but once married, he found he had the will but not the power.

After practicing martial arts for two hours and cutting down a grove of bamboo, Marquis Gu finally vented his pent-up anger and could sit down to think about what to do next.

"What should I do?"

His mother longed to hold a grandchild, and he had imagined countless times about having children with Yuan’er, wanting to consummate the marriage, but now it felt as if the sky had fallen.

He might never have children.

Before, he thought as long as Gu Family had an heir, whether it was his own wasn’t so crucial. As long as he could uphold the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, guard the Northern Border, and defeat the Yelv Family, he would have honored his ancestors, and that would be enough.

But now, Marquis Gu felt shattered.

Even the frail Sixth Elder could have so many children.

He stood firm for the Gu Family, guarded the Northern Border, upheld the glory of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, drove away the Yelv Family, and even brought back hostage from the Yelv Family.

He was the invincible War God, yet he couldn’t be a real husband to his young wife and couldn’t have children.

He should have been the maverick among men, yet now he didn’t feel like a man at all.

Marquis Gu was heartbroken, unable to shed a single tear.

It turns out that when a person is sorrowed to their extreme, there are no tears.

Gu Shiliu came in to report on Old Mrs. Yang’s movements, but Marquis Gu had no strength left to listen, dismissively waving his hand, "You handle it, or ask the lady."

Seeing the dark circles under Marquis Gu’s eyes and his depressed complexion, Gu Shiliu murmured, "This... this also needs to be asked to the lady..."

Even matters like this needed the lady’s arrangement, isn’t it a bit...

Gu Shiliu puzzled.

But dared not question Marquis Gu.

What else could be done?!

Gu Shiliu had no choice but to go find Qin Yuan.

Upon reaching Wutong Garden, he learned that Qin Yuan had already finished breakfast alone and had gone directly with Hong Ye, Cui Ming, and others to the courtyard near the second gate to handle the aftermath matters of Sixth Madam.

On the stone steps at the entrance to the main house, a few stewards and housekeepers stood, not saying much but craning their necks to listen to the sounds coming from inside.

The house was quiet, with occasional murmurs filtering out.

Gu Shiliu was touched, noting that the lady was becoming more formidable.

The little maid at the door saw him approaching and went directly inside to report without needing instruction.

Gu Shiliu stood outside for a while, then saw a few stewards coming out with flushed faces.

"You should recalculate this detailed account properly," Hong Ye’s voice came out from inside.

Inside, Hong Mian added, "These matters have established precedents. For you old hands who’ve been at this for many years, isn’t it negligent to not be thorough? Given the urgency of the situation, it’s understandable that mistakes happen. But if there’s a next time, it would be odd. Who knows if you’re deceiving the new master by assuming they’re ignorant and easy to fool?"

The stewards blamed each other, saying their reputations of several generations had been tarnished. They blamed their subordinates for being irresponsible and promised to investigate and report to the lady again.

It must be said, Hong Mian, a homegrown servant, is indeed a fiery pepper; better suited to such talks than Hong Ye, who came as a dowry and had less stable roots.

As the stewards departed, Hong Ye came out, laughing, and waved him in, "Sixteen, what brings you here?"

Gu Shiliu hurried a few steps into the room, saying, "Madam, Marquis just instructed me to report those matters to you, seeking your guidance."

Saying this, he glanced towards the southeast corner.

Qin Yuan understood, referring to the news about Sister-in-law Cheng’s household.

"Does the Marquis know already?"

Gu Shiliu shook his head, "Marquis... Marquis... didn’t hear, just asked me to find Madam for her instructions."

Marquis also mentioned letting him handle it.

Unthinkable.

Given Zhao’s whereabouts, he couldn’t decide.

Qin Yuan was somewhat puzzled. Wasn’t Marquis Gu hurriedly organizing the recognition banquet to catch Mrs. Zhao? How come he didn’t care anymore, leaving her to arrange this matter?

"Is the Marquis busy today with urgent matters?"

Gu Shiliu nodded, then shook his head.

"Marquis seems distressed with something today, but little else is known by me."

Qin Yuan pondered briefly, "Hong Ye, stay. Everyone else retreat and guard the entrance. Sixteen, follow me to the side room for a detailed talk."