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

Chapter 255: Chapter 255: Eyes Are Tired

Aunt You has a daughter, Aunt Geng has a son, both under the age of two, carried by their wet nurses.

Aunt Deng has been in the manor for less than two years, Aunt Zheng for less than half a year, and neither has given birth yet.

Including the absent Sixth Madam, Aunt Huang, and their four children, Sixth Master’s family needs two tables to seat them all.

Qin Yuan pondered silently to herself, Sixth Master Gu truly is amorous, with so many wives and concubines, yet none seem to capture his heart, and he is always arguing with Sixth Madam to accept more concubines.

Old Madam Gu noticed that there were only the husband and wife on the third brother’s side, feeling a bit off but unable to express it, she could only say, ”After all this commotion, I’m a bit hungry as well, let’s begin the feast. In the future, our Sixth Elder must do well. Tomorrow, burn the poetry book to please the Old Marquis.”

Speaking of this, Sixth Master Gu became somewhat embarrassed, lifted his wine cup with a smile to toast, ”Thank you, Mother. I will certainly study diligently in the future, to ease Mother’s mind and set an example for the children.”

”As the saying goes, like father, like son; like teacher, like disciple,” Old Madam Gu smiled and said, ”It’s good that you’re thinking this way. In the future, engage more with the Qin Family. With the guidance of your third sister-in-law’s cousin, follow the right path and stop mingling with those scholars who can’t pass the exams.”

”Yes,” Sixth Master Gu toasted his third brother and then his third sister-in-law, ”Thank you, Third Sister-in-law, for guiding me through confusion. I hope you can offer more guidance in the future.”

Qin Yuan smiled and said, ”I’m just speaking casually, rather than ’guidance.’ Sixth Brother’s paintings are truly talented.”

She had just seen Sixth Master Gu’s new poetry collection, along with the miniature portraits and landscape and flora illustrations at the back. While they were ordinary and not outstanding, there were numerous commendable aspects.

Though mostly attributed to the skill of the painter, it still shows Sixth Master Gu has talent.

With diligent study and practice, he could achieve notable success and be able to associate with the scholars of the Capital City.

With Qin Siyuan’s friendship, Sixth Master Gu could change greatly. If he could master a skill and associate with the talented of the Capital, who knows what would happen.

Marquis Gu drank his own wine and then took Qin Yuan’s wine cup, drinking it with ease, saying, ”We’re all family, no need to be modest.”

Then he said to his Sixth Brother, ”Sixth Brother, you truly have an eye. Your third sister-in-law’s talent is praised even by Lord Sacrificial Officer, much less the young master from Qin Family. You haven’t seen the drafts she helped me write; they are beyond what ordinary scholars can achieve.”

He praised his young wife wholeheartedly.

Sixth Master Gu remarked sourly, ”...Third Brother has good fortune...”

Seeing his slow reply, Marquis Gu said, ”Don’t doubt it; her draft is still in my sleeve. I’ll show you.”

Saying this, he pulled two sheets of paper from his sleeve and handed them to Sixth Master Gu.

Sixth Master Gu hurriedly set aside his wine cup and took them to look closely.

The more he read, the more he admired.

The more he read, the more he was amazed.

Involuntarily, his fingers trembled, and the paper rustled.

Seeing this, Marquis Gu smiled with satisfaction and took the drafts back, carefully placing them in his sleeve.

”Your third sister-in-law’s talent and insight are incomparable. These days, if not for her support, how would our manor have such good days? Your poetry collection’s success also owes to your third sister-in-law’s contribution.”

”Yes, yes, I know. I must toast my third sister-in-law again.”

Sixth Master Gu poured another cup of wine and toasted again.

Qin Yuan had not yet accepted it, but Marquis Gu took it and drank it himself.

Sixth Master Gu’s mouth twitched helplessly and he too drank in one gulp.

Qin Yuan shyly nudged Marquis Gu, scolding softly, ”What are you doing? Praising me in front of so many people—I can’t even sit still.”

But Marquis Gu said, ”With such a wife, how can one not praise?”

Qin Yuan’s head dropped lower.

Marquis Gu just held her hand, tilting his head to look at her with a smile. The two of them were exceptionally good-looking, now both with flushed faces, eyes filled with affection, like colorful morning glories and bright moons, perfectly matched.

Sixth Master Gu admired them so much that his eyes were tired.

Old Madam Gu, seated at the head of the table, also smiled and drank two more cups.

Nanny Rong said from the side, ”Old Madam, see how loving Marquis and Madam are.”

Publicly praising one’s wife is something ordinary men cannot do.

It was evident to all, Marquis Gu had deep affection for his wife.

”So well matched.”

Without being urged, Old Madam Gu drank another cup.

After the feast disbanded, Sixth Master Gu was thoroughly drunk and said little to the concubines, leaning on a servant to return to the outer courtyard.

Mrs. You and Mrs. Geng had long fallen out of favor and inherently never expected much from Sixth Master Gu.

Aunt Zheng and Aunt Deng both sighed heavily, lost in thought.

That night, the two concubines sat under the moon in the courtyard, each lamenting with tears in the wind.

Aunt Zheng sighed, ”Why hasn’t Sixth Master summoned me to serve yet? Truly, a man’s heart is changeable; sea vows and mountain oaths echo in my ears but discarded like an autumn fan, my fate is indeed bitter.”

Aunt Deng said, ”Being a concubine to Sixth Master doesn’t compare to being a concubine to Marquis. I regret my blindness at the time, choosing Sixth Master’s gentle attentiveness over Marquis, who is a true man.”

Gu Jinghui was single-mindedly clinging to Qin Yuan, using the pretense of needing to talk, insistently returning with her to Wutong Garden.

”Marquis isn’t returning to the outer study to rest?” Qin Yuan couldn’t help but push away his drunken body with its alcohol scent; once he drinks, he never listens.

”Not going.”

Gu Jinghui said thick-tongued, ”I have my wife, why should I sleep alone in an empty room?”

As Hong Ye handed over a hot towel, she couldn’t help but let out a laugh, ”Miss, Marquis is drunk but still thinking of you. Sixteen isn’t here, why not let Marquis stay here for the night.”

”Good Hong Ye, Hong Ye is very capable, the more capable the more work, very driven...” Gu Jinghui muttered.

Hong Ye, honored and surprised, whispered, ”Miss, I never thought I rated in Marquis’s heart.”

Qin Yuan: ”...”

In the past, Lin Ziqi often pretended to be drunk to achieve his objectives.

Unexpectedly, Gu Jinghui also played unruly, using fake drunkenness to win hearts.

Qin Yuan rolled her eyes, pinched her nose, and said, ”He’s so drunk, how to change clothes? I despise the stench of alcohol, the smell doesn’t leave even with incense for days; if Marquis doesn’t leave, he’ll have to be helped to the side chamber.”

Gu Jinghui immediately said, ”Hangover soup, I want hangover soup, go, I order you to bring the hangover soup.”

Cui Ming went to the small kitchen to prepare hangover soup.

Gu Jinghui also insisted on a bath, with scented bath beans, and petals, tiring out Hong Ye.

Qin Yuan laughed and said, ”Hong Ye, you’re the most capable, the more capable the more work, very driven.”

Hong Ye: ”...”

When Cui Ming brought the hangover soup, Gu Jinghui was already washed, changed, and sat at ease on the bed, letting Qin Yuan fool around.

Qin Yuan said, ”Quickly drink this hangover soup and then we can talk business.”

Gu Jinghui chuckled and said, ”What’s wrong, why are you so different from usual?”

Qin Yuan raised her eyebrows, ”You’re drunk, muddled, naturally you find me different from usual.”

Gu Jinghui took the hangover soup from her hand and drank it, then leaned back against the pillow resting, waiting until she finished freshening up, then said, ”I was a bit drunk just now.”