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

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: A Restless Night

Why is it whenever you mention Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrives?

Cui Ming’s throat felt a bit dry, and she hurriedly glanced at Hong Ye standing beside her.

Gossiping about the master is always taboo.

Especially discussing such private matters.

With caution everywhere, Cui Ming, who was always prudent, didn’t know what to do.

Marquis Gu approached closer and closer, seemingly casual but quickly arrived in front of them, and asked coldly, ”Did the madam have something she wanted to say?”

Cui Ming: ”...”

Hong Ye bowed first.

Cui Ming followed quickly with a bow.

Then Hong Ye was heard saying: ”Marquis, the madam has been fussing from morning till night today and is a bit tired, so she’s resting early. Originally, the madam wanted to wait for the marquis to say something, but thinking it’s not a big deal, she said it can wait until the marquis returns from the Great Camp. The madam also said...”

”Said what?”

Marquis Gu was tall, standing before them, blocking half the light from the sheep horn lamp under the eaves, his handsome resolute face was shrouded in a layer of halo, looking indistinct.

But Cui Ming just felt afraid.

Hong Ye said: ”Madam said it’s always good for the marquis to be dedicated to learning, but don’t study too late into the night; it takes more than one cold night to form ice three feet deep, such books can’t be read in one night. Why not take them to the Great Camp to read slowly?”

Marquis Gu’s body just slightly paused.

After a moment, he said: ”Is there anything else?”

Hong Ye said: ”No more, would you like the servant to call the small kitchen to send hot water to the side room?”

Marquis Gu said: ”Alright.”

Cui Ming felt that Marquis Gu’s handsome face seemed even more stern, but fortunately he didn’t pursue their gossip about the master, thankfully, is it over now?

Did the marquis not hear anything?

Gu Jinghui glanced lightly at these two trembling little maidservants, hummed softly, and turned to walk towards the side room.

Hong Ye whispered: ”The marquis loves his household and its contents, he doesn’t blame us for being talkative.”

This sentence extinguished Cui Ming’s sense of luck.

”Are you saying that the marquis heard it?”

Hong Ye said: ”Of course, Sixteen told me not to speak about the marquis behind closed doors; I didn’t understand at the time, but later was reprimanded by the marquis several times, Miss also said the marquis is brave and agile, definitely with exceptional hearing. Miss never makes mistakes, saying the marquis can hear, the marquis certainly can hear.”

Cui Ming: ”...”

Entering the side room, Gu Jinghui’s expression relaxed slightly. Today he had thought he could ascend to the main room, but unexpectedly, dragged down by Sixth Brother, he could only stay in the side room.

On the table, there was still the ”Spring and Autumn Annals” which was also brought out from the main room with him.

Could it be, he too would read the ”Spring and Autumn Annals” all night like Guan Yunchang? Guan Yunchang did it to protect his sister-in-law, but what about him?

This was about his legally married wife.

Gu Jinghui angrily picked up the book, flipped to a page, and thought to himself: ”A real man, can such petty matters really stump me?”

A little maidservant knocked on the door outside, asking: ”Marquis, should we bring the hot water in?”

Gu Jinghui put down the book after reading just one line, and said: ”Bring it in.”

The door opened, and four little maidservants carried the water inside, staggering under the evident strain.

As they were about to leave, Gu Jinghui asked: ”Where’s Cui Ming?”

Not long after, a bewildered and curious Cui Ming was called in, staring at the large tub of hot water placed in the center of the side room, unsure what to do.

Gu Jinghui’s long eyes narrowed slightly, his piercing gaze seemed to penetrate one’s heart, his voice deep and stern as he asked: ”Before marriage, did the madam often write poetry and paint?”

Cui Ming trembled and said: ”Yes, marquis.”

”Did the madam’s poetry ever circulate outside the boudoir?”

Cui Ming looked up in shock, through the steam, Marquis Gu’s face was somewhat blurred, revealing nothing.

”Did it or didn’t it?” Marquis Gu asked again.

Cui Ming hesitated: ”Madam rarely publicly showcases her poetic talent, only Master Tang, Young Master, and a few ladies who enjoy poetry know the madam likes to write poems.”

Marquis Gu nodded and said: ”You may leave now.”

Cui Ming went out to ask Hong Ye, Hong Ye had just finished washing, yawning, shaking cool linens, ready to sleep, but upon hearing, her sleepiness fled, and she said: ”How come after the marquis visited the main room, he returns with these questions?”

”Could it be someone outside spread rumors about Miss? Or someone leaked the poems Miss wrote?”

The two sat in worry, unsure whether to wake Qin Yuan and report this matter to her now.

”Did you see what expression the marquis had?”

”Couldn’t make it out.”

Both sighed simultaneously.

Hong Ye collapsed onto the mat, helplessly saying: ”Let’s sleep, sleep, Miss always handles things with discretion, nowadays there are many ladies who can write poetry, I heard Miss said, several distinguished ladies printed poetry collections and sold them. Our Miss doesn’t like to gain such fame, otherwise, I reckon she wouldn’t be worse than others.”

Cui Ming was deep in thought.

Yet waking Qin Yuan for this was not the proper action either, what would the marquis think seeing the situation?

Especially since the marquis asked her directly without instructing her to hide it from Miss.

Apparently he wasn’t worried if she told Miss.

But why did Marquis Gu ask such questions?

Cui Ming tossed and turned unable to sleep, but soon heard Hong Ye’s steady breathing, sometimes even the sound of teeth grinding.

She really wanted to shake Hong Ye awake.

But in the end drifted off into a muddled sleep.

The next day, Cui Ming got up early, seeing Marquis Gu left the Wutong Garden, she immediately stood at the main room’s door, ready to serve Qin Yuan in her grooming.

After waiting a while, Qin Yuan finally arose and called for someone.

Cui Ming quickly carried in hot water.

Seeing her with two large dark circles under her eyes, Qin Yuan curiously asked: ”What happened last night?”

Cui Ming sighed, saying: ”After the marquis returned from the main room, he asked me if Miss’s poetry circulated outside, Hong Ye and I whispered for half the night, still don’t know what the marquis is trying to do.”

Cui Ming was anxious and started rambling, disregarding formality.

Qin Yuan lowered her eyes, contemplating.

Cui Ming served her in dressing while recounting last night’s events, finally saying: ”Even the servant has no idea if what the marquis mentioned stems from hearing some rumor...”

Qin Yuan’s heart stirred, having a suspicion, she smiled and said: ”Quickly comb my hair, today the marquis visited the Great Camp, we’ll go to mother’s small kitchen to eat.”

Cui Ming: ”...”

Seeing Qin Yuan seemingly unbothered, Cui Ming also calmed down, as usual finished serving Qin Yuan in her grooming, then picked up the comb to carefully arrange her hair.

Before finishing, the curtain suddenly rustled, heavy sounds of boots echoed.

Cui Ming turned in surprise, only to see Marquis Gu walking in, he was bare-chested, only wearing a soaked undershirt, with a dark sweatband tied around his forehead, also dripping wet.

The entire room suddenly seemed cramped.

”Marquis...”

Cui Ming hurriedly bent to salute.

Gu Jinghui responded indifferently and said: ”Where’s Hong Ye, quickly instruct someone to prepare water, I need to bathe and change clothes, join the madam for a meal.”