Chapter 79: Marquis Gu Invites Her to the Bamboo Grove

Qin Yuan asked, "How does my husband find the taste of this cold noodle?"

Gu Jinghui replied, "Not bad."

Qin Yuan said, "This is my family’s favorite summer dish. How would you feel about sending some to the main house?"

Gu Jinghui was a bit annoyed upon hearing this, "I forgot that Mother also enjoys trying new things. Yuan’er, you’re quite thoughtful."

To have such a wife, what else could one wish for?

Ah!

Just missing a few children around.

Marquis Gu’s gaze towards his young wife became increasingly straightforward and passionate.

Qin Yuan instructed Cui Ming, "Have a maid send some cold noodles to the main house so that Old Madam and Nanny Rong can try them, saying that the Marquis ordered it."

Upon hearing this, Cui Ming was a bit uneasy and asked, "Will Old Madam approve of it?"

Marquis Gu said, "My mother always likes to try new things. Just send it. Many people are in the main house, even if Mother is cautious about eating less in the evening, she’ll share with others, it won’t be wasted."

Only then did Cui Ming feel relieved and said, "Let the maid go, I’ve already had enough."

Qin Yuan said, "Good, I’ll feel more at ease if you go."

Even though Cui Ming wasn’t as talkative as Hong Ye, she was always careful in her speech and actions, unlikely to make mistakes.

Qin Yuan considered and added, "Send more over, and the lemon drink you made last time was also quite tasty, it’s appetizing. Those two children might eat more."

Gu Jinghui was even more satisfied and couldn’t help but secretly think that Yuan’er was wholly considerate of him. Despite those two not understanding, she didn’t mind out of consideration for him, and even sent food and drink to them.

Could General Jin have such a good wife?

If a good event happened tonight, perhaps by October, there would be a child.

A child like him and Qin Yuan.

Gu Jinghui’s eyes shone brightly with anticipation.

After Qin Yuan finished instructing, she turned and saw Marquis Gu staring at the soup bowl in front of him with gleeful eyes, as dark and bright as gemstones, not knowing what he was thinking.

Qin Yuan didn’t mind him, just quietly continued with her meal.

Eating is the greatest thing in the world.

Having finished the meal sweetly, Qin Yuan leisurely embraced Xiangming under the window, slowly savoring, listening attentively to the sound of insects outside. Hong Ye entered to serve and saw Marquis Gu gazing at his lady, while she stared outside thinking about something.

Hong Ye: "..."

Qin Yuan saw her entering and smiled, "The sound of insects is quite nice."

The courtyard of the Marquis Mansion is large, so there are more insects.

Gu Jinghui pricked up his ears to listen.

Hong Ye said, "Is madam recalling some poem?"

Qin Yuan nodded, "Yang Wanli’s ’Where bamboo is deep and trees dense, insects chirping, sometimes a slight coolness, but it’s not wind.’ It suits the scene well. I imagine the insect sounds in the mansion’s bamboo forest are even nicer."

Had the husband and wife not opened up earlier, Gu Jinghui might have felt insecure and not dared to speak. But today was different; he couldn’t help but interject, "My sixth brother also raises many crickets to listen to. He has loved playing with them since childhood, often arranging cricket fights, though he always loses. And if father finds out, he’d receive a good beating."

Qin Yuan: "..."

She thought and said, "Sixth Master and my brothers have similar hobbies. Brother Heng loves secretly gambling on cricket fights, once got caught by father and punished, bedridden for days, only then did he change."

Gu Jinghui was delighted and eagerly searched his mind for more amusing stories.

Qin Yuan changed the subject, asking him, "When will the Marquis head to the Great Camp for roll call tomorrow?"

Marquis Gu couldn’t help but sigh, "At dawn."

His long narrow eyes seemed to glance at Qin Yuan casually, trying to see if she was reluctant to let him go.

Qin Yuan said, "Do you have anything to tell Mother and Nanny Rong? And about those two children, you’ll need to reassure them with a few words. I heard from Nanny Rong that Mother has already placed them in the main house to let Lady Zhao rest easy."

Marquis Gu looked at Qin Yuan, "How about accompanying me, and you can also go to the bamboo forest and listen to the insects?"

Hearing this, Qin Yuan was stunned.

She was disturbed from her poetic thoughts by Marquis Gu, intending to dispatch him to the Old Madam’s place with clear instructions, as he would be gone for about ten days. Gu Shiliu might not return soon, and if Lady Zhao and the children caused trouble, she wouldn’t have to deal with it.

Unexpectedly, Marquis Gu still remembered her mention of the bamboo forest insects.

He was someone who kept her words in mind.

A gentle smile played on Qin Yuan’s lips, "Husband, the shopkeepers from several stores just sent the ledgers this afternoon, a thick stack of them. You should instruct them properly about those two children. I think it’s better if I don’t go."

Marquis Gu felt somewhat regretful.

He couldn’t quite express what he regretted, just disliked going alone, leaving behind his young wife to handle ledgers.

"Do you want me to send the mansion’s accountant to you?"

Qin Yuan’s smile widened, "No need, husband must go quickly, when you return I still have matters to discuss with you."

Marquis Gu couldn’t resist reaching out, gently caressing Qin Yuan’s cheek, his brows and eyes becoming more tender, "Alright, wait for me."

After he left, Hong Ye observed Qin Yuan’s smile.

Qin Yuan said, "Do you have any urgent matters, if not then bring today’s ledgers here, you need to learn to read ledgers too, the tea room’s ledgers are even more intricate than the sewing room’s."

Hong Ye let out a wail and slumped her shoulders to find Cui Ming for the ledgers.

Cui Ming returned from delivering the cold noodles, her face aglow with joy.

Hong Ye saw this and asked, "Did you receive some reward?"

Cui Ming nodded, stretched out her hand, showing the bracelet to Hong Ye, a plain colored jade bracelet, yet worth tens of taels of silver.

Hong Ye envied, "You caught the right time."

Cui Ming brought the ledgers into the inner room, placed them on the desk, and showed the bracelet to Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan laughed and asked, "Why did Old Madam reward you with these?"

Hong Ye was also very curious and looked eagerly at Cui Ming.

Cui Ming said, "When I went to the main house, I happened to catch Old Madam coaxing the two children for lunch. They are young and a bit rambunctious, especially Sister Yu, one moment wanting to see Lady Zhao, the next looking for the Marquis, just not eating properly. I happened to send the cold noodles and drinks, which they hadn’t tried before, and ate happily. Old Madam heard it was specifically from the Marquis, delighted, and rewarded me."

Hong Ye sighed with envy, "Why don’t I have such luck."

Qin Yuan glanced at her and smiled, "If you saw those two children, you’d surely say something inappropriate, even if silent, your face wouldn’t hide it. That’s why I didn’t let you go."

Cui Ming pursed her lips and smiled.

Hong Ye knew Qin Yuan was right but couldn’t help muttering, "Not only do I not get silver, but also mocked by the lady, truly unpleasant."

Qin Yuan admonished, "Quickly learn to read the ledgers with me, get the tea room’s books in order, and I’ll reward you well."

Hong Ye showed great talent in accounting in a previous life; with a little guidance, she could master it quickly. This opportunity comes at an opportune time, and Qin Yuan’s words spurred her, diligently studying the ledgers by lamplight.

Cui Ming also followed along in learning, but wasn’t as quick as Hong Ye, slowly pondering over the account books.

Gu Jinghui had been away for over an hour, and Hong Ye became somewhat anxious and asked, "Miss, are you waiting for the master to retire?"