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

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: How Could a Husband’s Authority Be Weak?

Qin Yuan exchanged a glance with the two maids, unsure of what exactly Gu Shiliu had said to provoke Marquis Gu’s fury.

She thought for a moment, then stood up and said, ”Since the Marquis has awoken, I’ll go over and check on him, and perhaps ask if he’d like to dine together.”

Hong Ye burst into laughter.

Cui Ming asked, ”Why are you laughing?”

”I don’t know how the Marquis would dine with Miss.”

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but smile slightly, acknowledging that this excuse was a bit perfunctory, but she knew she had to go.

Her husband had been unconscious for so long, it was natural for her as his wife to inquire after him and show some concern.

And maybe mention some other matters.

In her previous life, she was not entirely ignorant of the affairs between Lady Zhao and Gu Jinghui.

Qin Wan couldn’t keep secrets, and her usual arrogance made it widely known throughout the city.

Her stepmother would always complain to her whenever she visited.

She thought that the feelings between Lady Zhao and Gu Jinghui had long been mutual, and after Qin Wan exposed it, it became known throughout the city. Gu Jinghui then made Lady Zhao a concubine.

But now it seems that it’s not entirely the case.

Nevertheless, no matter the situation, if Gu Jinghui wants to take a concubine, she doesn’t care, but it absolutely can’t be Lady Zhao.

On this point, she and Old Madam Gu are in agreement.

Qin Yuan arrived outside the side chamber and asked, ”Has my husband woken up?”

”Awake.” Gu Jinghui’s voice carried an unmistakable anxiety.

”Husband, may I come in to have a look?” Qin Yuan’s voice was gentle, making it difficult to refuse.

Through the door, Gu Jinghui reluctantly answered, ”...Alright, alright then.”

Qin Yuan pushed the door open and entered.

She saw Gu Jinghui lying face down on a bamboo couch, his torso bare, covered with a thin gauze blanket. The stone floor was littered with shattered porcelain and tea stems, making it difficult to step through.

Noticing her stunned expression, Gu Jinghui hurriedly explained, ”It wasn’t me... uh, Sixteen was pouring water for me earlier and accidentally knocked it over. He’s always been clumsy, ever since he was a child, he can’t help it.”

The clumsy Gu Shiliu silently bore all the blame.

Qin Yuan covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, ”I naturally know it wasn’t the Marquis. The Marquis is still recuperating, isn’t he?”

Gu Shiliu: ”...”

Gu Jinghui said, ”Yes, yes, my... my injuries are minor, you don’t need to worry.”

Qin Yuan replied, ”I’m not worried. Doctor Li said the Marquis is robust, and will recover in three to five days.”

Gu Jinghui’s eyes were full of disbelief, but he said, ”Yes, go ahead with what you need to do. I’ll return to the main quarters in a few days.”

Qin Yuan: ”...”

Hong Ye had already called someone to tidy up. The little maid efficiently swept up the broken porcelain and tea leaves, wiping the floor again until it was good enough to walk on.

Qin Yuan entered and saw Gu Shiliu’s pant legs had been soaked, so she said, ”Perhaps Sixteen should change his clothes. I heard from Hong Ye that he hasn’t eaten yet; he’s probably hungry.”

Gu Jinghui quickly said, ”Go, quickly go.”

Gu Shiliu promptly retreated.

Gu Jinghui added loudly, ”Come back later.”

Qin Yuan understood that the matter was not yet finished and had been interrupted by her entrance.

”Would the Marquis like to dine with me?”

Gu Jinghui shook his head, saying, ”It’s inconvenient, Madam should go back and eat first. Once I’m better, I’ll dine with you every day.”

Seeing his eagerness to have her leave, Qin Yuan smiled and said, ”Alright, Yuan’er will head back then. If you need someone to feed you, just give the word.”

Gu Jinghui quickly explained, ”I grew up in the military camp, not pampered at all. I’ve been injured much worse than this before, yet still had to ride on horseback, chasing the enemy for hundreds of miles a day. I’m only resting now to keep mother from worrying. She’s angry with me, but the longer I lie here, the less angry she becomes, and she begins to feel sorry for me.”

Qin Yuan stifled a laugh and nodded, then added, ”In the past two days, your two adoptive sons seem to be better, too, and Lady Zhao hasn’t sent anyone to inquire. Today, mother instructed me to help my sixth sister-in-law manage the household. If Fengxuan Pavilion needs anything, just let me know, so I can act accordingly.”

After speaking, she glanced at Gu Jinghui’s expression, seeing his full embarrassment, as if he didn’t want to discuss it at all. Qin Yuan could almost guess accurately.

Gu Jinghui said with displeasure, ”No need. She’s a guest at Fengxuan Pavilion with her child, and her husband is my benefactor. Mother will take care of them, they won’t lack anything.”

In conversation, he never mentioned Qin Yuan should get close to those two children.

Qin Yuan said, ”Then rest well, my husband; Yuan’er is returning to the main house. After lunch, I need to discuss matters with my sixth sister-in-law.”

Gu Jinghui, as if relieved, quickly said, ”Then go; don’t worry about me.”

Qin Yuan stepped out and instructed the maid outside, ”Send the Marquis a pot of his favorite tea.”

Inside, Gu Jinghui chuckled slightly and murmured proudly, ”Yuan’er is thoughtful, and she says she doesn’t worry about me.”

In no time, Gu Shiliu had returned, changed clothes, and eaten, entering with a lunch box, saying, ”Master, get up to eat.”

Gu Jinghui then rose, donned his tunic, stood at the table, and his chopsticks moved swiftly, obviously quite hungry.

Gu Shiliu said, ”Madam’s maid, Hong Ye, keeps asking me those few questions. Should the Marquis find a chance to explain to Madam?”

Gu Jinghui put down his chopsticks, puzzled, ”Explain what? I’m straightforward, there’s no shadow of truth in it. If I explain, won’t she want to inquire about everything clearly in the future?”

His assistant generals around him had advised that after marriage, one shouldn’t be controlled by the wife at home, or else authority would wane, and the next step would be kneeling on the washboard.

Gu Jinghui picked up his chopsticks again, picking up food, proudly saying, ”You don’t understand, managing the relationship between a husband and wife is quite the study.”

The unstudied Gu Shiliu: ”Then, when Hong Ye asks, what should I say?”

Unable to hide, as what Hong Ye asks is what Madam wants to know, being caught in the middle is truly difficult.

”Answer however you see fit.”

Gu Jinghui answered with indifference.

Gu Shiliu looked distressed...

Is there anything more difficult in this world?

Gu Shiliu had much to say, and Gu Jinghui picked out a few things he cared about to ask. Before long, he set his chopsticks down, saying, ”Someone’s here again.”

Sure enough, shortly after, a maid knocked on the door from outside, saying, ”Nanny Rong is here to see the Marquis.”

Gu Jinghui quietly asked, ”Sixteen, what’s happened at Old Madam’s place now?”

Gu Shiliu had just returned, knowing nothing, so he could only shake his head.

”Invite Nanny Rong in.”

Gu Jinghui called out loudly, not daring to neglect Nanny Rong, who had served Old Madam Gu for many years. Her sons and grandsons manage the ancestral estate outside, holding status in the Marquis Mansion.

Nanny Rong, leading a young maid still in braids, entered carrying a meal box, full of smiles, saying, ”Has the Marquis recovered some? Old Madam is concerned about you and sent the old servant to bring you something to eat.”

Gu Jinghui urgently invited Nanny Rong to sit and he respectfully accepted the meal box, saying, ”Much better, thank you for mother’s concern. Mother isn’t angry anymore, is she?”

Nanny Rong shook her head and nodded, saying, ”Initially, Old Madam wasn’t over it, but this morning Madam went to pay respects and quarreled with Sixth Madam and Seventh Miss, which made Old Madam less angry. She even ate an extra bowl of rice and sent me to tell the Marquis about it.”