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

Chapter 22: Chapter 22: She’s Simply Returning the Favor

Hearing this familiar voice, Qin Wan froze like a statue.

This voice, she wouldn’t forget even if she turned to ashes!

Gu Jinghui had arrived.

He really came back with Qin Yuan!

Qin Wan watched in a daze as the tall and handsome man approached against the light, standing by Qin Yuan’s side, and said with a soft smile, ”Yuan’er, I’m late.”

His eyes were full of tender affection as he looked down at the blushing Qin Yuan. The two stood together, exuding a charm that words couldn’t fully describe, perfectly matched.

The women raised their round fans to hide their faces, excitedly whispering to each other.

Some young women’s faces were also tinged with a blush.

The shock, bitterness, and jealousy in Qin Wan’s heart surged like a tidal wave, engulfing her entirely. She didn’t even notice Lin Ziqi, who had come to her side, watching her.

”Wan’er, what’s wrong?”

”Wan’er?”

After being called several times, Qin Wan finally came back to her senses.

She forced a smile and said, ”Why are you here too?”

Lin Ziqi hid his displeasure and smiled, ”Brother-in-law has some matters and needs to take Big Sister back. I thought we’ve been here for quite a while, so maybe we should go home early, so Mother isn’t left alone worrying.”

Qin Wan replied absentmindedly, ”Alright.”

At this moment, Gu Jinghui, holding Qin Yuan’s hand, had already walked up to Mrs. Cui and said, ”Mother-in-law, please accept a bow from your son-in-law.”

His figure was graceful and dashing, making his bow look elegant and pleasing to the eye.

Mrs. Cui beamed with joy and said, ”Quick, rise, rise, we’re all family, no need for such formalities.”

Gu Jinghui apologized for being late, but Mrs. Cui didn’t mind at all and asked if he was accustomed to the Qin Family’s meals, if he could get along with his brother-in-law Qin Heng, and whether Qin Yuan was considerate and sensible at home.

Her words were intimate and thoughtful, as if Gu Jinghui was her own son-in-law.

Lin Ziqi and Qin Wan stood aside with unpleasant expressions.

Seeing the two Qin Family sons-in-law saying their goodbyes, others realized the coming-home banquet was nearing its end and hastened to take their leave.

After seeing the guests off, Qin Jijiu and Qin Heng also came to the backyard.

Qin Jijiu stroked his beard, smiling warmly as he chatted, ”My dear son-in-law, you haven’t been here long, and you’re leaving already. Is the Ministry of War busy these days?”

Gu Jinghui smiled, ”The Ministry of War has been busy organizing matters of borderland farmsteads; it’s quite chaotic. I’m not sure who can out-noise the other.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Jijiu laughed heartily, ”The doctors at the Imperial College argue every day.”

They exchanged a few words about official matters, then agreed to have a drink together when they had time.

Without a position, Lin Ziqi could only sit woodenly by.

After sitting for a while, Gu Jinghui bid farewell once again.

Qin Jijiu and Mrs. Cui came out again to personally see both couples off.

Seeing the black ironwood carriage parked outside, Qin Wan tightly clenched Lin Ziqi’s arm, making the veins on his forehead throb as he struggled to remain composed.

But at that moment, Qin Wan could hardly think of him; she was solely preoccupied with wondering what kind of enchantment Qin Yuan had cast on the Gu Family to be allowed to use the Old Madam Gu’s special carriage for her return home.

Mrs. Cui naturally noticed the subtlety too, casting an inscrutable glance at the obviously envious Qin Wan. Like a caring mother, she advised, ”Yuan’er, in the future, you must be filial to your mother-in-law, take good care of the Marquis, and hopefully, soon have children.”

Qin Yuan nodded shyly, ”Mother, I understand. You should go back now, no need to see us off.”

Qin Jijiu stroked his beard, sighing, ”A married daughter doesn’t know how often she can return to her parental home in a year. Let me send you off properly. My dear son-in-law, you must treat Yuan’er well.”

Gu Jinghui helped Qin Yuan onto the carriage and then mounted his horse, saying, ”Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, I will certainly treat Yuan’er well. Please rest assured.”

Watching the carriage and horses turn out of the street, Mrs. Cui said to the silently standing Qin Wan and Lin Ziqi, ”Wan’er, you stay, I have something to discuss with you.”

Her tone was quite firm.

Lin Ziqi felt quite embarrassed.

Qin Jijiu quickly covered, ”Ziqi, why not stay and talk about essays with me before you go? It’s rare for both of us to have free time today.”

Internally bitter, Lin Ziqi mustered his spirits and said, ”Alright, I happen to have an essay I’d like Father-in-law to advise on.”

Qin Heng remained oblivious to what was happening around him, just stared blankly at the street corner, sighing, ”If only I could ride Big Brother-in-law’s prized steed.”

Once they left the street where the Qin Family lived, Qin Yuan instructed the carriage and horses to stop.

”What’s wrong?”

Gu Jinghui reined in his horse and turned back, asking softly by the carriage window.

Qin Yuan lifted the curtain, revealing half her pretty face, and softly suggested, ”Marquis, why don’t you come inside?”

Gu Jinghui quickly reached out to close the curtain, leaving only a small slit, ”Call me husband.”

”Husband, please come inside.” Qin Yuan complied smoothly.

”Why?”

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, ”I have something to discuss with you, and it’s inconvenient for you outside on horseback.”

Hong Ye whispered, ”Is Miss feeling sorry for the Marquis?”

Gu Jinghui’s ears twitched, and his face flushed as he stubbornly said, ”We can talk when we’re home.”

Qin Yuan remained silent.

Hong Ye whispered again, ”Once we’re home, won’t Lady Zhao call you away again?”

Gu Jinghui’s face turned even redder, and after a long pause, he came up with an incoherent, ”Thank you for maintaining the Marquis Mansion’s dignity today.”

”If my husband gives me respect, I will naturally uphold his dignity.”

Hidden behind the curtain, Qin Yuan’s expression was invisible, but her tone was calm, seemingly devoid of emotions.

Gu Jinghui paused for a moment, finally understanding.

He had graced her by accompanying her home; she reciprocated by preserving his dignity in public.

Recalling the things Qin Yuan had said before he left last night, Gu Jinghui suddenly felt a bit stifled. Beads of sweat rolled down his cheeks as he awkwardly explained, ”I-I’m not like the rumors say.”

”Hmm, right, are you sure you want to discuss this outside?”

Qin Yuan lifted the curtain again, leaning out and gently coaxing, ”Better discuss it inside.”

Gu Jinghui quickly responded, ”Alright, alright, whatever you say, just close the curtain quickly before others see.”

Qin Yuan retreated and obediently pulled the curtain closed.

Gu Jinghui swiftly dismounted and jumped onto the carriage.

Once inside, he saw Qin Yuan reclining by the window, with her Xiapei already removed, wearing only that eye-catching, gossamer-thin crimson robe.

A jadeite amulet, vivid and green, dangled from her soft and delicate neck, pulsating in the hollow of her collarbone, capturing his gaze.

Unsure what to say, he sat upright across the small table, placing his hands on his knees, waiting for Qin Yuan to speak first.

Hong Ye, beside them, discreetly rolled her eyes.

The carriage departed the bustling market and picked up speed.

Qin Yuan said, ”You heard what my sister said?”

”Hmm.”

Gu Jinghui’s scalp tightened.