Chapter 245: Stirring the Grass to Scare the Snake

Qin Yuan had no choice but to respond.

She thought for a moment and said, "Doctor Liu’s family might not accept this, when the time comes..."

Gu Jinghui’s face turned cold and stern: "He colluded with Yelv Guza to harm a high-ranking official of the nation; he’s guilty beyond forgiveness. If not for considering the dignity of the Crown Prince and King Jin, I would have exposed his actions to the public. They’re lucky to keep their lives and yet dare to be dissatisfied."

Qin Yuan said nothing.

Gu Jinghui softened his tone and said, "Handling spies in the military is far more ruthless than this. Rest assured, his deeds must have stirred some rumors among his family. If the Emperor decrees no rewards for his descendants, his family will understand and not dare cause trouble."

Qin Yuan asked, "Doesn’t this mean that the scheme of impersonating Doctor Liu and negotiating with the three sides will be exposed? Originally, my husband was in the dark, but now it’s out in the open."

Seeing her worry, Gu Jinghui felt warmth in his heart, pulled her onto his lap, and laughed, "I’m so happy that you’re thinking and planning for me. Good Yuan’er, consider this: with Doctor Liu’s death, surely they will panic and hesitate to act recklessly."

Qin Yuan realized that this was merely a trick to alarm them.

These people would not dare to challenge Gu Jinghui, who holds military power, over Doctor Liu’s death.

At least not now.

She lowered her head and softly complained, "You’re happy, but I’m not. Your matters weigh heavily on my heart, yet the words I speak never seem to stay in yours."

Gu Jinghui: "..."

Feeling guilty from Qin Yuan’s words, Marquis Gu sighed after a long while and said, "Rest assured, I have plans for this matter, though it’s not the right time to disclose them. You and I are united, I’ve kept it in mind."

Qin Yuan extended her slender, fair finger, gently poking Gu Jinghui’s chest, glanced at him, and softly said, "You’d better be."

With this glance and poke, Gu Jinghui’s heart stirred.

The cold and detached Qin Yuan vanished, replaced by the charming, playful little wife.

He grasped Qin Yuan’s finger and grumbled, "You’ve been sulking these days and ignoring me, feigning cautiousness for comfort while indulging yourself. You have no idea how I’ve endured loneliness in the outer courtyard, with cold bedding."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

The confident and unruly Marquis Gu, using such refined words, felt somewhat strange.

Marquis Gu’s face fell and he asked gloomily, "Why are you laughing?"

Qin Yuan also darkened her face, fearlessly, "I’m laughing because staying in the outer courtyard suits you—when you were in Wutong Garden, that book remained on the same page for days. Now, you’ve become familiar with the cold bedding."

Marquis Gu couldn’t help but smile, lightly touching the side of Qin Yuan’s face, saying, "Just some lines I learned from Brother Six’s poems. If you dislike it, I won’t learn anymore."

Qin Yuan held back her laughter, saying, "You learned well. Learn more—aren’t you aiming to become a Confucian General? Once the mansion opens, I’ll see what you tell my father."

Marquis Gu felt a bit embarrassed, letting go of her hand, sulking, "It’s all because you refuse to teach me. I wanted to invite you to be my tutor, but you’re always busy with accounts, leaving me unattended. Look at how affectionate you are to Brother Six and even more so to Xiao Dong, personally teaching him to paint. I know I’m not as important to you as others, only coming last. If you don’t care, then forget it, but even mocking me? If I had options, I wouldn’t have to imitate Brother Six’s wisdom."

Such words had a tone of a disgruntled husband.

Qin Yuan knew that arguing with him would lead nowhere, so she slid off his lap and teased, "I don’t have time for your nonsense. Go quickly and handle your matters; I need to rush to draft the memorial."

Drafting two memorials was also a taxing task.

Gu Jinghui indeed had many unfinished tasks, so he stood up and said, "Keep my words in mind; this book...it can’t be left unread, right?"

Reading alongside his little wife would be wonderful.

Even completing the obscure, verbose "Spring and Autumn Annals" in a month wouldn’t be impossible.

Qin Yuan said, "Is there any logic in a wife teaching her husband to read? Shouldn’t you find a tutor for the household, narrating stories while providing advice?"

Lin Ziqi, after becoming a Magistrate, gathered many advisors, either for advice or engaged in literary conversations and poetry.

Gu Jinghui, as a Great General, surely had capable think tank advisors in his command.

Gu Jinghui frowned, "Tutors are mostly old pedants, aren’t they? Just looking at them is bothersome. Reading with Yuan’er is far more enjoyable."

Qin Yuan pushed him toward the door and said, "Hurry to read books; if ’Spring and Autumn Annals’ is too difficult, then ’Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ will do. I’ve heard some became famous generals after reading it."

Gu Jinghui smirked dismissively and, seeing her not responding, reluctantly left.

Qin Yuan called Hong Ye and Cui Ming in to serve, first handing the account book to Hong Ye, saying, "The accounts seem fine on the surface. Start by transferring the outer courtyard’s funds to the inner courtyard and cross-check the inner courtyard’s monthly stipend dates."

Hong Ye asked, "Is there something shady here?"

Qin Yuan said, "First cross-check and see if you find anything."

Cui Ming came to grind ink for her. Qin Yuan moved the account book and abacus aside, spread the paper, placed the paperweight, and began writing.

Several drafts had already been discarded due to uncertainty over Doctor Liu’s matter.

Now that the dust had settled, the memorial could be decided.

As for the secret memorial, Qin Yuan thought, it need not be embellished and should be written as is.

Gu Jingjun strolled slowly out of Wutong Garden, suddenly stopped, and asked the servant following him, "Do you know the largest theater houses in the Capital City?"

The servant said, "I’ve heard mentions, the Sang Family’s House and Luo Family’s House are large, and there’s another further away in East City, the Zhuge family’s theater."

Gu Jingjun continued, "Which theater has the most storytellers and tells the best tales?"

The servant thought for a moment and said, "It’s hard to say. Nowadays, storytellers are different from before; some specialize in romantic tales, some in scholar and beauty stories, some narrate historical chronicles, and others weave recent events in the Capital City into their stories, drawing quite an audience."

Gu Jinghui was stunned.

In the Northern Border, there are only a few storytellers, reiterating the same old tales, but in the Capital City, even storytelling is unique.

Seeing him silent, the servant added, "Recently, a new trend emerged, combining narrative with music, reportedly spreading from Yangzhou with skilled musicians—drummers, pipa players, and those plucking the sanxian."

"You can also request small performers at the Sang Family’s House, specifying a piece to sing, though it’s pricier since they’re not from formal theater troupes."

Gu Jinghui nodded, indicating his understanding.

The servant pondered the master’s inquiry, aiming to relay it to Gu Shiliu, in case the master asks again without preparation.

Gu Jinghui headed straight to the outer courtyard.

Gu Shiliu was already waiting for him, his expression rather stern.

"So, did you find anything?" Gu Jinghui asked casually while walking to the table, where a blood-stained confession was already placed.