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

Marquis Gu said lightly, "Seems like nothing can be hidden from you."

The corners of his lips curled slightly, then immediately flattened.

After reading General Jin’s treasure book, Marquis Gu understood that to win a woman’s heart, one must sweet-talk them and employ a strategy of being both near and distant, capturing as if releasing.

So, he wasn’t as fiery and enthusiastic as he was in the morning.

Qin Yuan always knew Marquis Gu had his quirks, but she didn’t mind and continued to ask, "Did you receive some news, or do you have some plan?"

"The magistrate from the Capital Governor Mansion and the guards have checked around Yu Yuantang. No one saw a woman like Xu Zhen there that day."

Qin Yuan was surprised, "Does that mean Zhenzhen might not have gone to Yu Yuantang at all? Then where did she go?"

This is right under the Emperor’s nose.

Such a vast world.

Could it be that Zhenzhen was harmed right after leaving the Marquis Mansion?

She indeed found it hard to believe.

Before she reached the age of marriage, she often went to the West Market and East Market with Hong Ye and Cui Ming, and nothing ever happened.

Marquis Gu frowned, "Who knows? People leave a name, geese leave a sound; she hasn’t left any clues, and that makes it complicated. I suspect she’s caught up in the troubles of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion. But this can’t be said aloud; you saw the Xu family’s condition that day, once the mansion opens, who knows what it’ll stir up."

Qin Yuan understood.

Marquis Gu was worried about something happening to the Sixth Madam.

Qin Yuan said, "Sixth Brother has always been at odds with Sixth Sister-in-law, and after the Xu family’s uproar, Sixth Brother might be dissatisfied with her. Yesterday, I followed Doctor Li to visit Sixth Sister-in-law’s courtyard; she’s been overthinking and getting stuck in loops recently, yet she doesn’t really listen to Doctor Li’s advice. Doctor Li warned that if she keeps on like this, she might develop a chronic illness."

Gu Jinghui sighed, "If only the Sixth Sister-in-law were as sensible as you."

His little wife was the kindest, most open-minded, and wisest woman he’d ever met.

For a moment, Gu Jinghui felt a bit pleased with himself.

Qin Yuan said, "The Xu family naturally won’t let this go. The Sixth Madam initially planned for her maiden family, yet now she’s caught between her husband’s family and hers, with a sick child confined in the courtyard, inevitably leading to distress."

Gu Jinghui said, "If you went to comfort Sixth Sister-in-law, she might not appreciate it. But it’s not reasonable to let Mother take this risk either; naturally, I wouldn’t be able to either. This must fall on Sixth Brother. You don’t know his stubborn nature; though he can be agreeable usually, once he’s obstinate, it’s hard to change him. If things escalate, even I’d have to yield a bit."

Qin Yuan shifted the topic, saying, "We’ll have to wait and see how the Xu family acts then, and as for Sixth Brother and Sixth Sister-in-law, we’ll have to advise them slowly. You can’t force a cow to drink."

Gu Jinghui responded, and the two slowly enjoyed their meal. Gu Jinghui asked again, "Is my clothing you wore today suitable?"

Qin Yuan smiled, "How could it be suitable? Cui Ming rushed a new dress for me, and it’ll be ready to wear this afternoon. The ones Sixteen brought are for when you were much older."

Gu Jinghui showed a look of regret.

"I didn’t get to see you in my clothes."

Qin Yuan did not respond.

Gu Jinghui continued, "Probably around thirteen or fourteen years old, back when I hadn’t grown much."

Qin Yuan nodded, understanding that was the time of youthful admiration.

It’s said that Marquis Gu was once engaged to his childhood sweetheart, but the marriage fell through.

I wonder if it was that person.

"I saw little lions and your name embroidered on these clothes, so I didn’t wear them and kept them carefully."

Gu Jinghui was stunned, unable to recall who could have done it.

After finishing the meal, Qin Yuan showed them to him, saying, "The embroidery is so thoughtful, I didn’t dare to wear it."

Gu Jinghui was caught off guard again and asked, "Why didn’t you dare to wear it?"

Qin Yuan replied, "Such attentive embroidery must be from one of your dear sisters, how could I dare to wear it? If it gets ruined and we can’t find it when we recall it someday, wouldn’t it be a pity?"

Gu Jinghui stared blankly at Qin Yuan.

The mysterious aura vanished, replaced with a slightly silly look on his handsome, wayward face.

Qin Yuan quickly lowered her head, hiding the smile on her lips.

"I’m...not..."

Gu Jinghui stammered to explain, but couldn’t find a starting point.

What was this all about?!

The clothes were meant as a gesture of closeness, but it unexpectedly led to this misunderstanding.

Gu Shiliu, eating with Hong Ye and Cui Ming, suddenly sneezed loudly.

"Who’s cursing me?"

Gu Shiliu frowned in confusion.

He’s worked diligently in the Marquis Mansion recently, not offending anyone.

Gu Jinghui suddenly realized, smiling as he held Qin Yuan’s hand, saying, "Yuan’er, are you jealous?"

Qin Yuan: "..."

Gu Jinghui said, "I don’t have any sisters embroidering clothes for me, you know that Treasure Bead can’t even hold a needle. I was so young then, hadn’t even matured, and she hadn’t been born yet."

Since she’d been labeled as jealous, Qin Yuan decided to embrace it, "Then who embroidered these little lions and letters? Was it your close maid?"

Gu Jinghui shook his head fiercely, almost shaking out an after-image, "No close maid, after I was ten, I only had servants by my side; all my clothing was managed by my mother and the sewing room."

He carefully looked at the small lions and letters on the collar, remembered someone, and smiled, "It was likely a cousin from my grandmother’s side, who resided here; she loved embroidering these. Seems like it was her work, she was later promised to my Fourth Brother."

As he spoke, his face darkened again.

Qin Yuan quickly changed the subject, "Do you like lions?"

Gu Jinghui shook his head, "I prefer gallant horses, the kind with wings."

After speaking, he looked deeply at Qin Yuan, expectantly asking, "Will you embroider one for me?"

Qin Yuan: "..."

Why did she bring up these topics?

But seeing Marquis Gu, who seemed despondent reminiscing old memories, would it be unsuitable to say no, would it be a bit cruel?

"My embroidery is poor," Qin Yuan hadn’t touched a needle and thread in years, nor did she enjoy embroidery.

Marquis Gu said shyly, "I heard from General Jin that his wife loves managing his clothes and would embroider small marks to distinguish them from others’.

This bothersome General Jin, what does he usually tell Marquis Gu?

Qin Yuan really couldn’t understand why men would discuss such private matters, yet Marquis Gu was like an envious child, wanting to emulate them to put her in a bind.

"But I’ve never seen a winged horse, without a pattern to follow, I can’t make one up, and such a big embroidery wouldn’t be a small mark."