Chapter 390: New Confusion

"Mutual affection undoubted?"

Gu Jinghui was a bit confused and blurted out, "My wife and I have always had undoubted affection."

Doctor Li’s face stiffened, and he said, "Perhaps it’s not enough?"

Sixth Master Gu, unable to stand by any longer, tugged on his brother’s sleeve and said, "Third Brother, let Doctor Li consider prescribing the medicine. I have something to tell you."

Doctor Li said, "I have some matters to attend to with the Madam, I’ll have the prescription sent over once it’s written."

Marquis Gu immediately said, "It’s fine to send it to the Wutong Garden."

Since it’s not that he’s unable, he naturally wouldn’t stay in the outer courtyard anymore.

After Doctor Li left, Sixth Master Gu said, "Third Brother, do you really still feel undoubted affection with Third Sister-in-law?"

At this moment, Marquis Gu felt relaxed all over, and without arguing with his younger brother, he just faintly furrowed his eyebrows and retorted, "Your Third Sister-in-law is wholeheartedly devoted to me, and I to her, how can it not be considered undoubted affection?"

Sixth Master Gu started counting on his fingers: "Because of Mrs. Zhao, you didn’t stay on the wedding night, and repeated incidents led to Mother caning you. Do you think you’ve treated Third Sister-in-law well?"

Gu Jinghui’s expression darkened slightly, but he did not deny it and said, "Wasn’t it just at the beginning? Haven’t I changed since then? Besides, hasn’t your Third Sister-in-law kept all these matters hidden? How did you know?"

"At the time, it was kept hidden, but later Gu Shiliu and Shiba chatted, and then I found out about everything."

"That scoundrel doesn’t even have a guard over his mouth."

Sixth Master Gu continued, "That Mrs. Zhao stirred up trouble repeatedly, and then the twin dragon and phoenix caused a scene, being disrespectful to Sister-in-law, and you cherished them like treasures. Would you be happy if you were Sister-in-law?"

Once again, Marquis Gu’s face darkened, and he stubbornly said, "Didn’t I make them move out?"

Sixth Master Gu gave a cold snort.

Marquis Gu said, "I tell you, these are trivial matters between a couple."

Sixth Master Gu stood up, tidied his robe, and said, "Whatever Third Brother believes is true. I must go out to host the guests."

Marquis Gu: "...You are indeed..."

After Sixth Master Gu left, the corners of Marquis Gu’s mouth drooped as he leaned wearily against the chair, softly pondering, "Could it really be that bad?"

After sitting for a while, Marquis Gu got up and called, "Shiliu."

No one responded.

Marquis Gu called again, and the gatekeeping servant poked his head in, whispering, "Marquis, Shiliu is very busy, either in the neighboring yard or summoned by the Madam."

"What is Madam calling him for?"

The servant replied, "I heard Miss Hong Ye looking for him, saying that Miss Chang and Seventh Miss quarreled in front of Sixth Madam’s spirit tablet. Miss Chang said Marquis is ill, and Madam asked Gu Shiliu to investigate who spread this rumor."

Marquis Gu’s face darkened, emanating a chill that froze the servant’s tongue, rendering him speechless.

"Outrageous!"

Marquis Gu slammed the table heavily, causing dishes to clatter and the tabletop to dent.

The frightened servant stepped back cautiously.

The more Marquis Gu thought about it, the angrier he became, almost wishing he could turn into Zhang Fei with his Eight-footed Snake Spear and spear wildly.

No wonder the eunuch who came to announce the decree looked at him with eyes full of sympathy and closeness.

Ah, so that’s how it is...

Ah, so that’s how it is!

How dare Chang Qingling act this way?!

Gu Shiba stood in the courtyard where matters were discussed by the second gate, too heavy in mind to speak.

Opposite, Qin Yuan sat embracing a teacup, her expression puzzled.

Without checking, one wouldn’t know, but the rumor of the Marquis losing his virility had already spread throughout the court.

Qin Yuan knew the truth but couldn’t speak it: "..."

"So this is the reason Marquis Gu has been avoiding me so burdened these days?"

The more she thought, the more it seemed like it, yet who spread this unmentionable secret?

Gu Shiba said, "I think it’s the Director of the Imperial Hospital, that day..."

"Oh... that day..."

Qin Yuan remembered then, she felt Marquis Gu was reckless at that time.

"Cough, cough, cough."

The root of the issue lay with her.

That night, Marquis Gu might have realized his problem and asked the Director of the Imperial Hospital, who then spread the news.

Chang Qingling, being close to the Crown Prince and the Ninth Princess, naturally knew of it and blurted it out during the dispute with Treasure Bead.

It all made sense this way.

However, Qin Yuan was confused again.

Chang Qingling originally wanted to get close to Marquis Gu, but shouting such things in public, what was her scheme?

Unable to figure it out, Qin Yuan asked Hong Mian: "You’re always clever, what do you think Madam Chang is scheming for?"

Hong Mian anxiously replied, "Madam, at this time, shouldn’t you be worrying about the Marquis?"

Qin Yuan said, "What is there to worry about? It’s all nonsense."

Hong Mian realized.

Whether the Marquis was capable or not, only Qin Yuan had the say.

If others haven’t seen it, then it’s all lies.

Hong Mian looked at Qin Yuan with admiration.

In her heart, she thought, "Madam is truly formidable. If it were any other woman knowing her husband was impotent and everyone knew, who knows how much she would cry, losing all reason."

Qin Yuan’s words were true, but no one present believed her.

Gu Shiba immediately said, "Madam is right, how can we believe those wicked people’s rumors outside? If the rumor was spread by the Director of the Imperial Hospital, I request Madam’s permission to give that old fool a beating."

Hong Mian supported: "Right, how can such scoundrels babble nonsense outside?"

Qin Yuan said, "Set him aside for now, why do you think Madam Chang acted so foolishly?"

Hong Mian said, "Isn’t it because our Seventh Miss’s words hit her heart, she believed the rumor, felt hopeless, and simply cried out to prove her disinterest?"

Qin Yuan said, "Since she believed, she should’ve naturally given up her thoughts. Why then remain so solicitous and seated?"

Hong Mian thought a bit and said, "It is indeed rather peculiar then."

Qin Yuan wanted to discuss it further, but Doctor Li entered in a hurry, saying at the sight of her, "Marquis is unwell, I..."

Gu Shiba and Hong Mian exchanged a glance and lowered their heads.

Seeing Doctor Li’s expression, Qin Yuan knew her actions had been uncovered, so she waved her hand and said, "You all go about your business, I have words with Doctor Li."

Gu Shiba turned around silently and withdrew.

Hong Mian didn’t dare linger and quickly followed, cleverly closing the door once outside.

Qin Yuan nodded secretly in approval.

With no outsiders around, Doctor Li no longer held back, slumping into a chair to ask, "What’s the mischief you’ve led up to right under my nose? Had I not been careful, I might not have found out. When did this happen?"

Qin Yuan, a bit embarrassed, softly said, "On the bridal night."

"Hiss..."

Doctor Li looked at her in disbelief, exclaiming, "My kind lady, you truly have guts. If anyone finds out, in this state..."

Qin Yuan said calmly, "Who would know?"

Doctor Li glanced at her, surrendered, and swallowed, asking, "What should we do now? I told him undoubted affection would heal itself, yet now I must prescribe medicine. I can’t just conjure something randomly, can I?"