Chapter 183: Feeling Awfully Down
Qin Yuan first invited Doctor Li and Xiao Dong into the main hall for a brief rest, letting the little maid serve tea and snacks, before following Hong Ye to the main room.
On the way, Hong Ye whispered to Qin Yuan, "The Marquis came looking for you three times today. Later, when he saw you weren’t around, he asked where you had gone. We didn’t dare hide it from him, so we had to tell him you went with Doctor Li to the courtyard to see a patient. The Marquis’s face turned as dark as thunder; I didn’t even dare to look."
Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, "If he is the Thunder Lord, then could it be that I am the Lightning Mother?"
Hong Ye couldn’t help but laugh as well, feeling less anxious.
Qin Yuan continued, "Where can you find such a handsome Thunder Lord as our Marquis? The depictions of the Thunder God in books show him as a burly man."
As they spoke, the two entered the inner chamber.
The little maid had already drawn up the curtains in advance. As Qin Yuan stepped into the inner chamber, her eyes met those of Gu Jinghui, who was looking over. His eyes were as dark as ink, with hidden undercurrents flowing within, yet his face remained dignified and distant.
He seemed quite discontent.
But Hong Ye let out a sigh of relief.
Indeed, as long as the Marquis sees the young lady, even the coldest block of ice can begin to melt.
Qin Yuan had already once been scented at the courtyard entrance. She had removed her apron and headscarf, but had not yet changed her clothes, which were wrinkled after being worn for a day.
Marquis Gu, reclining on the couch, let his gaze linger on her for a moment before saying coldly, "It’s so late, and you still remember to return."
He had intended to have dinner early with his young wife, but each visit found Qin Yuan absent, so he decided to wait and see when she would return.
She had a lot of nerve, risking danger by going around different courtyards, coming back this late, as if she had completely forgotten about him.
Qin Yuan stood by the door, waiting for Hong Ye to bring her clothes to change into. Hearing his words, she replied with a smile, "The Marquis has waited long. Have you had dinner yet, my lord?"
It was evident that she had already forgotten the morning’s turmoil.
Marquis Gu awkwardly turned his head away, swinging his leg as he avoided looking at her, saying, "I am a man of my word, so naturally, I have not. And you?"
Hong Ye had already brought the everyday clothes for Qin Yuan to change into and, upon hearing this, suppressed a light laugh with her lips.
Qin Yuan took the clothes, walked into the dressing room, and said with a smile, "What a coincidence, neither have I."
Marquis Gu snorted, turned his head back, and with a slight curl of his lips, watched Qin Yuan walk into the dressing room before asking Hong Ye, "Have you urged the small kitchen yet?"
Hong Ye replied, "I’ll go urge them now."
Marquis Gu’s intention to send her away was obvious.
Hong Ye retreated outside.
Marquis Gu rose and walked into the dressing room.
Inside, Qin Yuan was changing her clothes.
By rights, she should bathe and change clothes, but with Doctor Li and Xiao Dong still waiting, she decided against it.
When suddenly a man entered, "Ah," Qin Yuan was startled and let out a cry.
Marquis Gu was also startled, his face turning red in embarrassment.
Qin Yuan quickly turned around, lowered her head, and hurriedly tied her belt.
With his left hand forming a fist to cover his mouth, Marquis Gu coughed and said, "I, I, I didn’t mean to peek, I just urgently wanted to ask you, so I..."
Qin Yuan pursed her lips.
Despite what he said, he was still standing there, not leaving.
His gaze was almost glued to her, making her feel hot and uncomfortable.
If this kept up, as soon as the courtyard gate opened, Marquis Gu would likely hurry them to consummate the marriage.
But she was in no rush.
She needed to come up with a solution.
Marquis Gu, seeing her silent with her head down, stammered, "We are husband and wife. There really is no need to be so cautious over merely dressing."
Qin Yuan blushed and replied, "Husband, what you are doing goes against etiquette. If others were to find out, it wouldn’t be well perceived."
"Others would know?" Marquis Gu whispered, suddenly smiling, "The matters between us as husband and wife are naturally hidden from others. Didn’t I just send that little nuisance Hong Ye away?"
Qin Yuan’s ears felt warm, "..."
Seeing this, he suddenly reached out, pulling her into his arms, asking, "Why did you think of wearing a servant’s clothes?"
Qin Yuan replied, "I wanted to follow Doctor Li to the different courtyards to take a look, but feared scaring them, so I got some servant’s clothes, wore an apron, wrapped a scarf, and none recognized me."
At the end, she felt a small sense of pride.
Gu Jinghui snorted but said nothing further.
He had already detected some secrets between Qin Yuan and Doctor Li, but since Qin Yuan did not yet wish to share them, he pretended not to know.
He intended to see what they were up to.
Gu Jinghui said, "I don’t stop you from going with them, but aren’t you worried about catching measles this way?"
Qin Yuan stepped out from his embrace, looking up, "I’ve prepared an incense with medicine myself, and Doctor Li also prepared some pills, so there should be no problem."
Not giving Marquis Gu time to speak further, she changed the topic, saying, "Doctor Li is quite skilled. Husband, rest assured. Today I went with Doctor Li to Sixth Sister-in-law’s courtyard. Aunt Huang’s daughter had a sudden fever and convulsion, almost died. Doctor Li managed to treat her with some acupuncture and medicine. Doctor Li said she’d be fine in less than ten days. It wouldn’t have taken so long if that Doctor Liu hadn’t messed things up."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jinghui felt reassured.
Qin Yuan continued, "We came back late, and the main kitchen probably doesn’t have much to eat. So I took the liberty of bringing them to Wutong Garden to eat. Later, don’t be too stern; Xiao Dong always admires you and wants to ride horses with you. He’s even younger than Qin Heng, and these young gentlemen tend to like the same things."
Originally planning to dine alone with Qin Yuan, Gu Jinghui felt a tinge of disappointment upon hearing this but quickly devised another plan, "As husband and wife, your guests are my guests. Given their service to the Marquis Mansion, I will naturally treat them well. But..."
"But what?"
"But you have been going in and out with them in various courtyards, so why live separately from me? Isn’t it better if I move back? The study is too lonely, and I don’t wish to disturb Sixth Brother’s reading and poetry-writing, and it’s quite bothersome to have no one to talk to."
Qin Yuan: "..."
No wonder he was so agreeable; he had been waiting for this.
Before Qin Yuan could respond, Gu Jinghui added, "The mansion offers worship to the Measles Goddess, and separating as a couple prevents intimacy. Yet if we are together, we won’t do anything. Dear Yuan’er, don’t you agree?"
Returning once, finding Hong Ye and Cui Ming now residing long-term here, with evidence of them everywhere, made the main room oddly disconnected, leaving him uncomfortable.
Occasionally there were not major issues at the mansion, and he usually stayed in the study.
Nevertheless, Qin Yuan refused, "You are the head of the household, and as the saying goes, the pampered son of wealthy parents should not take risks. How could you endanger yourself, my lord?"
Marquis Gu slumped his shoulders, "..."
Qin Yuan sweetened the refusal, "In no more than half a month, the mansion will reopen. Doctor Li and Xiao Dong have something to present to our Dingbei Marquis Mansion. Even with measles spreading in the Capital, our mansion shall not fear gossip."