Chapter 627: Chapter 627: Disciplining the Wife by Lamplight

The sheep horn lamps lit up one by one along the path, and Marquis Gu headed straight to Wutong Garden upon returning to the mansion.

Today, he felt truly wronged and needed his young wife to comfort him properly.

At this moment, Wutong Garden had returned to its usual lively state. Hong Ye and Cui Ming, after resting for two days and nights, were able to get up and serve again. Qin Yuan specially prepared wine and dishes to calm their nerves.

The little maids under the corridor were also lively, chatting idly in groups of two or three, watching cats and dogs fight.

From a distance, seeing the bustling house, Marquis Gu’s cold and weary heart instantly softened.

Inside the room.

"Miss, we really suffered a lot, fortunately, you’re fine, otherwise, I would have had to atone with my life," Hong Ye said while eating.

Cui Ming sighed, "Yes, just thinking about it is frightening. When the master is humiliated, the servants die. We failed to protect the young lady, truly, we can’t go on living."

Yang’er and Hehua sat together, playing accompanying, with Mo Zhu sitting silently by their side.

After going through trials together, they became much closer.

Qin Yuan took a sip from the small wine cup, downed it in one go, and nonchalantly comforted, "From now on, we’ll be careful everywhere. Fortunately, we had Treasure Bead, and I also carried Xiao Dong’s medicinal powder with me. It must have been tough on you. When you have free time, consider learning some martial arts for self-defense."

Seeing her face blush beautifully, Yang’er couldn’t help but glance again and again. The lady was truly beautiful. Having followed the master around Duke Zhen’s Mansion, she had seen a lot, but none of the noble madams and young ladies compared to her in the slightest.

No wonder scoundrels would go to great lengths to get a taste.

A woman as beautiful as this can only be protected by a powerful and noble man.

Cui Ming said, "I didn’t expect Xiao Dong’s medicinal powder to be so useful. In the future, we should also carry some with us, just in case."

After being frightened, they seemed like startled birds, seeing everyone as harboring evil intentions.

Hong Ye shared the sentiment, "Originally, I thought visiting the Duke Mansion would broaden my horizons, but I almost ended up paying respects to my ancestors. Now I’m terrified of going to the palace."

The Mid-Autumn Banquet in the palace is probably a dragon’s den and tiger’s lair.

None of those princes and princesses are good.

Qin Yuan poured her another cup of wine, "Don’t worry; I never planned to take you. I’ll take Yang’er and Hehua instead. None of you have been to the palace anyway. They are braver and know some martial arts. Even if something happens, they’ll scream louder than you."

Hong Ye was speechless.

Yang’er and Hehua felt like laughing but couldn’t bring themselves to.

Hong Ye held back for a while, drank her wine, and cursed, "It’s all Gu Shiliu’s fault. When he’s not needed, he’s always around. But when he’s needed, he’s nowhere to be found."

Cui Ming laughed, "That’s missing Sixteen because of grievances."

Qin Yuan pondered and said, "Not sure what Gu Shiliu is working on, but Marquis sent him out, not even Shi Ba and others see him often. If he were in the mansion, he’d have come to check on Hong Ye long ago."

Hong Ye’s face was flushed, fanning herself, "This wine is going to my head, making me hot."

Cui Ming just held her wine cup, smiling.

Qin Yuan said, "Let’s have a few more drinks before we disperse. Tomorrow, you’ll have to get up early to serve. Hong Mian has made a contribution, so she might be deployed elsewhere. If there’s any needlework for her, let her finish it and then don’t assign anything else."

Cui Ming put down her wine cup, "Where will she be deployed?"

Qin Yuan said, "Today, I suddenly had an idea to use her to bring back Xiao Hong and Zihe. We still lack people in Wutong Garden."

After saying this, she glanced at Hong Ye.

Hong Ye, emboldened by alcohol, said, "Why is Miss looking at me? Am I someone who holds private grievances? Hong Mian is capable and smart, I knew long ago, otherwise, why would I have recommended her to Miss initially? Now that Miss needs people, why not use her?"

After she finished, she wanted to pull Cui Ming and the others to apologize.

Qin Yuan said, "Alright, alright, I know you’re as generous as a prime minister. It’s my misunderstanding. Here, I’ll offer you three cups. After three cups, we’ll never mention this again, okay?"

Hong Ye nodded.

Yang’er and Hehua just laughed on the side.

They had never seen such an affectionate relationship between master and servants.

This was formed through years of mutual trust and companionship, like a mountain gorge, not easily crossed.

Cui Ming hurriedly poured wine into Qin Yuan’s hand, Hong Ye drank three cups in succession, her speech slurred, "Not mentioning it anymore, nobody mention it."

Cui Ming quickly said, "Everyone’s drunk, let’s go back and rest."

And so, everyone dispersed.

Cui Ming was the last to leave, she quietly asked Qin Yuan, "What did Hong Mian contribute?"

Qin Yuan replied, "The matter next door."

Cui Ming asked again, "How will she be arranged in the future?"

Qin Yuan smiled, "Don’t worry, I won’t put her with Sixteen and Hong Ye."

Cui Ming smiled and retreated.

Only then did Marquis Gu walk out from the shadows, entering the corridor. If he had returned early, it would have spoiled the fun. Hiding in the dark, listening to them laughing and chatting together was indeed enjoyable.

His young wife truly cared for these few maids, but these girls had accompanied her from childhood, for many years together. People are not heartless; who could remain indifferent?

Marquis Gu thought for a moment, and decided to send Gu Shiliu on fewer outside assignments when he returns, letting him stay with that sharp-tongued Hong Ye.

To avoid complaints in front of his wife.

In the dark of night, Gu Shiliu climbed down from the front gate of an abandoned house, carefully placing the dried rubbings into his bag.

The autumn night was cold, and the cries of autumn insects rose and fell, as if aware their lives were nearing an end.

Gu Shiliu sneezed suddenly, drawing the barks of dogs and voices of people.

"Run."

Gu Shiliu swiftly disappeared.

Soon after, someone arrived, checked around, then left cursing.

...

Marquis Gu signaled the maids to remain silent, then lifted the curtain and entered. As expected, he saw Qin Yuan under the lamp, her face flushed with spring, leaning softly against the dark headrest, her tender red lips slightly parted, revealing neat and white teeth.

He seemed not to need her comfort; just seeing her like this was enough.

He gently leaned in, savoring the wine flavor on her lips.

After a while, he nudged the person in his arms, asking, "What’s this about? Drinking secretly behind my back and not sleeping."

Qin Yuan, kissed until she was dizzy, struggled to lift her eyelids, rolled her eyes in contempt, and raised her jade hand, giving him a slap.

"So noisy, where have you been lingering about for days on end? Only someone as good-tempered as I can endure all this Fu Yun Princess, all this Lady Zhao nonsense..."

Marquis Gu was startled by the fragrant slap.

The amorous feeling in his eyes dissipated.

This woman was too much, daring to hit the Marquis’s face.

If he didn’t teach her a lesson, his authority as a husband might not stand, and he would truly become what people said, incapable.

Marquis Gu’s expression turned cold, and he intended to scold his wife when a chubby little foot was presented to him, "Hurry up and attend to my feet, I’m sleepy."