Chapter 120: Sneaking Back

Qin Yuan: "..."

She smelled the scent of soapberry on Gu Jinghui, mixed with the fragrance she crafted.

A few days ago, Gu Shiba mentioned that the Marquis had been complaining, the prayers were prolonged by the Seventh Princess at the Dazao Temple. He wondered why two Royal Princesses liked to stay among monks to escape the heat—perhaps they thought bald heads looked cooler.

How did he come back?

Has the prayer at Dazao Temple ended?

Qin Yuan was quite hot, and a light layer of sweat formed on her skin.

The ice basin placed in the room was of no use.

She gently shifted her body, trying to move away from his warm form.

Unexpectedly, this slight movement startled Gu Jinghui awake, and his arm tightened around her waist.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but let out a soft cry.

Gu Jinghui quickly released her, anxiously asking, "What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?"

The room was unlit.

In the moonlight streaming through the window, Qin Yuan seemed to see Marquis Gu’s face filled with worry and regret.

She sniffed and softly said, "You just hurt me."

This ordinary remark, coming from Qin Yuan’s mouth, was tender and soft, scratching an itch in Gu Jinghui’s heart. She truly resembled a Persian cat, pretty and fond of acting coy.

"Where does it hurt?"

Gu Jinghui’s hand gently pressed on Qin Yuan’s waist; his voice was low and husky with sleepiness, and the hot breath from his nose and mouth made Qin Yuan’s heart tremble inexplicably.

"Stop..."

Qin Yuan was a bit flustered, and her small hand quickly grabbed Gu Jinghui’s, saying, "It doesn’t hurt anymore. You’re so hot, I’m sweating, go lay outside."

As soon as Gu Jinghui returned, he had placed her inside and held her so tightly.

In this hot weather, it was truly unbearable.

Only then did Gu Jinghui realize that his little wife was displeased with him; he promptly got up, lifted the curtain, opened the door, and went out.

Qin Yuan: "..."

Was he angry?

Or what?

As Qin Yuan continued to overthink, he returned, placing something on the stone floor, causing a noise.

He then searched around, before getting back into the bed.

Qin Yuan asked, "Husband, where did you go?"

"I went to move an ice basin."

"Where did you move the ice basin from?"

Qin Yuan was somewhat curious.

Gu Jinghui, accustomed to doing so, pulled her into his arms again and smugly smiled, asking, "Is it still hot now?"

Qin Yuan said, "It’s still a bit hot."

Gu Jinghui then took out a round fan and gently fanned her, "Still hot?"

"It’s better, it might not be hot after a while."

Qin Yuan answered obediently but couldn’t help wondering why he had to hold her.

Yet she couldn’t say anything about it.

Marquis Gu diligently fanned her, and as Qin Yuan gradually stopped sweating, she couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Marquis Gu with the round fan, so she turned her head to suppress her laughter.

Perhaps she was truly too tired, as Qin Yuan slowly fell asleep again in the gentle breeze.

The next morning, when Qin Yuan woke up, no one was by her side. Cui Ming was still resting, and Hong Ye had already recovered to help her dress and clean up.

Qin Yuan asked, "Where is the Marquis?"

Hong Ye was surprised, "Isn’t the Marquis praying at Dazao Temple?"

Qin Yuan: "..."

Was it all just a dream last night?

She turned her head to look and saw three ice basins in the room, usually, she only used one.

So it wasn’t a dream.

Qin Yuan didn’t make a scene, only smiled gently, thinking that Hong Ye would be surprised once the Marquis returned to change clothes after practicing martial arts.

But by breakfast time, Marquis Gu still hadn’t appeared.

Qin Yuan called the little maid guarding the corridor and asked, "Where is the Marquis?"

The little maid shook her head fearfully, "I don’t know, isn’t the Marquis praying at Dazao Temple?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Look at me, I got confused. I dreamt about the Marquis coming back last night."

Inwardly, she understood that Marquis Gu sneaked back halfway to see her, perhaps knowing she was frightened and couldn’t rest easy.

Hong Ye laughed, "Miss, were you scared last night, missing the Marquis?"

Qin Yuan: "..."

After breakfast, Qin Yuan instructed Hong Ye, "Put away the two extra ice basins and don’t mention it. Later, find out where the two ice basins are missing from."

Hong Ye was shocked, opening her mouth wide, and only after a long time did she come to her senses, saying, "The Marquis...?"

Qin Yuan nodded.

Hong Ye covered her mouth, and after a long while, she couldn’t help but laugh, "Hehe, I’ll go now."

She said it, the Marquis cared about Miss.

But Miss didn’t believe it.

Qin Yuan took out the Jade Beauty Cream and carefully applied it.

This Jade Beauty Cream was extremely effective; Doctor Li said it contained many precious herbs and was kept as a treasure of the Renhe Hall, intending to sell it at a high price someday to promote the hall’s fame.

But it never sold, and she didn’t expect it to be given to her so generously.

Outside, the young maid lifted the curtain and reported, "Madam, Nanny Rong has come to see you."

Qin Yuan put down the ointment in her hand and quickly said, "Please, do come."

Nanny Rong had already entered, hurrying to her side in big steps, supporting her body, saying, "Madam, stay seated, don’t strain yourself."

Qin Yuan smiled, "Why so much fuss? I just exhausted myself yesterday, a good sleep helped a lot, just a few superficial injuries with some skin broken. If I wasn’t so hungry, I would have had breakfast at Mother’s."

Nanny Rong observed her complexion and said, "That’s good, the Old Madam wanted to see you but didn’t want to trouble you with changing clothes and disturbing your rest, so she sent this old servant to check on you. Since Madam is fine, I can report back to the Old Madam and ease her mind."

Qin Yuan said with a smile, "My wounds will probably heal by tomorrow, and then I’ll go to Mother for breakfast."

Nanny Rong smiled.

She noticed the Jade Beauty Cream on Qin Yuan’s desk, took a sniff, and when she examined Qin Yuan’s wound, she was amazed and asked, "Are you using the Jade Beauty Cream?"

Qin Yuan smiled, "Yes, indeed, it’s Renhe Hall’s prized possession, and Doctor Li gave it to me, saying it’s very effective with no scars left."

Nanny Rong looked at her intently for a moment and sighed, "Madam is truly blessed to have come by such a treasure. The Marquis was worried your wound would be slow to heal, letting Gu Shiba send word back, asking the Old Madam to inquire if there was any way to get Jade Beauty Cream from the palace."

Blushing, Qin Yuan laughed nervously, "Is the Jade Beauty Cream only available in the palace?"

Nanny Rong also laughed, "Now, yours is another place that has it. Truly blessed people need not worry, while the unfortunate fret endlessly. Years ago, someone with a burn scar begged for a box of Jade Beauty Cream, pleading with everyone, but to no avail. The Old Madam worried it wouldn’t be obtainable and that the Marquis would worry."

Qin Yuan couldn’t resist picking up the Jade Beauty Cream, feeling its weight.

Nanny Rong advised, "Be careful with it; this little bit is very valuable, especially for its rarity. Truly didn’t expect Renhe Hall to have such a good thing, and the consultation fee should not be skimped on."

Qin Yuan thought and agreed, "Yes, the consultation fee should not be skimped on. Renhe Hall’s products are indeed effective. Last time the Marquis was injured, it was Doctor Li’s ointment that was used, and he even mentioned it worked better than the military’s medicine."

It’s better to give more to Renhe Hall if possible; she owed Doctor Li quite a bit.