My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Gu Jinghui cast a dark look at her and said, "As you wish."

He couldn’t help but tightly grip Qin Yuan’s slender waist with one hand, yet unwillingly let go.

Better to look and not touch, to keep a distance.

Also spares you the torment.

Qin Yuan gently pushed him and playfully said, "Whatever you have to say, say it outside. What are you standing here for?"

Marquis Gu tutted, "Fine, let’s go outside. Why are you being so touchy?"

That soft and powerless little hand barely hit him, yet made him swallow hard.

Qin Yuan: "..."

Who got touchy first?

The two of them went out, and Hong Ye, who was standing by the inner chamber door, heard the movement and said, "Marquis, Madam, the food is ready, shall we serve it now?"

Qin Yuan said, "Serve it now, we’ll be right over."

Hong Ye responded and went to pass on the message.

Qin Yuan, worried that Doctor Li and Xiao Dong would feel uneasy waiting too long, hurried a few steps, then stopped and turned to Gu Jinghui, saying, "Marquis, let’s go, don’t keep our guests waiting."

Marquis Gu’s face brightened again, took her hand, and headed towards the main hall.

Qin Yuan was used to his ever-changing expressions, only Hong Ye and Cui Ming, seeing them enter the hall together, glanced at Marquis Gu’s face, immediately lowered their heads, exchanged glances, and laughed lightly.

Marquis Gu pretended not to see.

Qin Yuan lightly cleared her throat, reminding them not to act out, before sitting down.

Xiao Dong’s gaze remained fixed on Marquis Gu, his eyes bright like stars, while Doctor Li was respectful, not daring to overstep in the slightest.

They chatted casually for a few moments. Gu Jinghui raised his tea cup and heartily said, "The Marquis Mansion is in a time of crisis, and it’s an honor for me to have Doctor Li and your apprentice willing to help. Unfortunately, it’s inconvenient to drink wine now, so I will use tea to toast the two of you."

Doctor Li glanced at Qin Yuan in slight surprise, then smiled and raised his cup, saying, "The Marquis is Daxing’s War God, with generations of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion defending the Northern Border, ensuring the safety of Daxing. As citizens of Daxing, we should do our utmost."

Xiao Dong hurriedly followed, cheerfully saying, "I wish Marquis good health and enduring fortune, and the Marquis and Madam a harmonious marriage with many descendants."

Qin Yuan: "..."

Marquis Gu: "Hahaha, good Xiao Dong, when there’s some free time, I’ll personally take you horseback riding."

Xiao Dong was overjoyed, saying, "Thank you, Marquis."

He then triumphantly looked at Qin Yuan.

Doctor Li looked at Xiao Dong with a complicated expression.

Before today, he hadn’t realized that this kid was so eloquent.

Qin Yuan ate slowly, while the men, though without wine, ate quickly.

Gu Jinghui didn’t rush her, only chatted with Doctor Li and Xiao Dong about the situation in the mansion, discussing some local anecdotes.

Even though she was a bit hungry, it was already nighttime, so Qin Yuan didn’t eat much. Once she put down her chopsticks, Doctor Li and Xiao Dong stood up to take their leave.

Marquis Gu instructed someone to escort them out with a lantern, then said to Qin Yuan, "It’s late, I should head back to the study to sleep. Do you know, quite a few people have been inspired by Princess Fuyun and sent a lot of things to the mansion. I wanted to discuss it with you in detail. If you’re interested, come find me first thing in the morning."

Hong Ye’s lips curved into a smile before quickly flattening into a line.

Qin Yuan, feeling a bit tired, replied perfunctorily, "Whatever you wish to discuss must be important, I’ll come find you tomorrow."

Gu Jinghui laughed, "Then I’ll wait for you to join me for breakfast in the morning. Last time’s duck noodle soup was quite good."

"What else is there?"

"And this morning’s dumplings."

Qin Yuan agreed to everything.

Marquis Gu had long complained about seeing her rarely, and tonight she made him wait and refused his offer to stay, so she had to coax him a bit more.

Fortunately, Marquis Gu knew when to stop and said, "Then I’m leaving."

"Mm," Qin Yuan stood up, saying, "Take care, my husband, I..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she wobbled, and Marquis Gu caught her hand and pulled her out.

Before she could catch her breath, she heard Marquis Gu softly coax her, "Walk with me to the gate. You just ate so late, take a walk to digest, alright?"

Even if she didn’t want to, she had to agree, so Qin Yuan accompanied him, walking slowly outside.

Hong Ye hurriedly took a lantern from under the corridor and followed them.

Marquis Gu said nothing along the way, slowly matching Qin Yuan’s steps until they reached the gate, then reluctantly said, "Yuan’er, you don’t have to get up too early tomorrow to look over the books, take your time, don’t rush."

"Mm," Qin Yuan softly replied, "You should head back quickly, you hardly rested last night, don’t do the same today."

Marquis Gu, pleased, agreed and finally was willing to leave.

Hong Ye held the lantern and accompanied Qin Yuan, standing at the gate for a little while before saying, "Alright, Miss, the Marquis has gone quite far."

Qin Yuan said, "Let’s go back."

With Marquis Gu’s keen senses, if she impatiently turned back indoors, who knows how dark his face would turn.

This short effort doesn’t cost much.

On the way, Qin Yuan asked, "Did the Marquis have all the books brought over?"

Mentioning this, Hong Ye laughed, saying, "Indeed. Housekeeper Cao had Sun Accountant bring them, and Sun Accountant’s face was terribly upset. Miss hasn’t met him yet, he’s got such a long neck and gulps when he talks quickly, like a big goose."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "How could I have not, I remember the day we reviewed the roster."

Hong Ye laughed, "Sun Accountant said that all these years of accounts have already been closed. Now that Madam wants to look at them, he doesn’t know what you’re looking for, better tell him, maybe he can help a bit."

"Oh."

Qin Yuan paid it no mind.

These accountants always feel capable just because they can fiddle with abacus beads, writing and drawing, speaking with offhand similes, thinking themselves brilliant, only to realize their mistakes when the books hit their faces.

Hong Ye said, "I had him put down the books, and intimidated him into preparing the outer courtyard’s accounts too, just in case Madam wants to see them."

Qin Yuan raised an eyebrow and smiled, "It’s not intimidation; if you can clear up the inner courtyard’s accounts from these years, and I find no errors upon checking, then you’ll be in charge of checking Sun Accountant’s books, let him see if our Hong Ye can truly understand them."

Hong Ye gasped, "The Marquis agreed?"

Qin Yuan said, "I hadn’t even mentioned it when the Marquis brought it up himself, saying since he returned, he’s never managed them, and asked for my help to take a look."

Hong Ye laughed in astonishment, "Amazing, amazing, we should let Second Miss see for herself."

"What’s it got to do with her?"

Qin Yuan frowned.

Last time Qin Wan came with Mrs. Cui to see her, she acted as if she’d lost her mind; in this new life, she’s still so clueless.

Hong Ye said, "I heard others say that Second Miss talks about the Marquis Mansion as if it’s a dragon’s lair, and claimed that Madam can’t have it easy under that Zhao and Sixth Madam, and that the Marquis is all surface and cold-hearted within, wouldn’t value a wife from a small official’s family, and that Madam can only rely on her dowry to live a lonely life."

Qin Yuan squinted her eyes lazily, "Why bother with her, living our lives well is what matters."

Hong Ye said, "Exactly. Once the mansion opens, you’ll definitely bring Second Miss to visit, then we’ll see how boastful she really is."