My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead-Chapter 148: Once You Have a Wife, Your Son Comes Second
Old Madam Gu was straightforward, saying, "Since Yuan’er is so confident, I’ll stay at the Marquis Mansion. If I go to the manor and accidentally catch it, it would be troublesome."
After all, no one knows what Mrs. Zhao and the others have done.
Gu Jinghui kneeled before Old Madam Gu, resting his head on his mother’s knee, just like when he was a child.
Nanny Rong couldn’t help but wipe her eyes at the side.
Old Madam Gu gently stroked her son’s hair, saying, "Hui’er, I really didn’t expect to find you such a good wife, so smart and capable, and well-read, wise and understanding."
Gu Jinghui lightly responded. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
Old Madam Gu continued, "Sixth Elder always complains that his wife is not to his liking. Back when Aunt Wen chose the Xu family because they were fertile, I worried about the Gu Family losing its line, so I agreed to the marriage. His days aren’t comfortable, so you should treat him better."
Gu Jinghui’s eyes turned red, and he softly said, "I understand."
"You are nearly thirty and still have no children. I really want to see you and Yuan’er’s children soon. You both look so good, the children will surely be beautiful."
Gu Jinghui chuckled lightly at this, saying, "Mother, are you saying this because you’re afraid?"
"What would I be afraid of? Your old mother has lived a comfortable life, and everything has been worthwhile."
Old Madam Gu did not admit it.
Gu Jinghui said, "I know mother stayed at the Marquis Mansion for my sake. Mother, don’t worry; Yuan’er is sharp, wise, and decisive. Look at how well she has managed the mansion these past two days, everything is organized, all thanks to her. Once this matter is resolved, Yuan’er and I will have children, many children for you to hold."
Old Madam Gu slapped him playfully, annoyed, "Get up quickly, you’re too old to still be acting spoiled."
Gu Jinghui murmured in response, rising with a complaint, "Mother, no matter how old I am, I’m still your child when I’m with you."
Old Madam Gu’s eyes reddened slightly, and she said softly, "Hui’er, I’m most concerned about you. You’ve been ambitious since you were young, but no one expected you to guard the Northern Border. If it weren’t for the trouble in the Gu Family, you would have married and had children long ago. To give the Gu Family some face, you’ve guarded the Northern Border for so many years. I know you have many concerns. Hui’er, you and Yuan’er live well, look after Sixth Elder, and pass the Dingbei Marquis Mansion down securely, and I’ll be happy."
Gu Jinghui’s body trembled slightly.
His mother had scolded him countless times for the sake of Mrs. Zhao and her children, and when angry, she would even use a board to beat him. But this time, she didn’t say a harsh word or mention how to arrange for those two children.
"Rest assured, Mother, Yuan’er is full of thoughts for me, considering me in every way. How could I not live well with her? I’ll also take good care of Sixth Elder. Last time, he and Qin Siyuan went to Yu Yuantang, and upon returning, he planned to study seriously. He even talked to me about choosing neighbors to live with, friends to associate with, and virtues to follow."
"Good, good," Old Madam Gu sighed, "Being able to marry into Qin Jijiu’s family is truly a blessing from our ancestors."
Gu Jinghui couldn’t help but smile softly, his handsome face covered in a gentle haze.
At this moment, he was no longer stern; he looked like an elegant and handsome aristocratic young man.
Old Madam Gu said, "Go and be busy, don’t delay here with me. Brother Cheng and Sister Yu are both well, think it over and then see them. I’ll tell them what needs to be said."
"Alright, I’ll go first."
Gu Jinghui walked out and heard his mother saying joyfully, "Hui’er actually acted spoiled! Oh, after all these years, he’s still capable of being spoiled. Thanks to marrying a good wife, he calls me mother again and acts spoiled, no longer like that cold-faced killer."
Gu Jinghui couldn’t help but pause.
Nanny Rong added, "Seeing the old madam like this, I, an old servant, know what it means to be overjoyed. Marquis and madam are loving, and the old madam can soon hold a grandson."
"You old thing, always joining in the fun. Qiujie, quickly find those two coral gold bead strings I saved. Red and gold, perfect for Yuan’er to wear. Her skin is fair and tender, making it look even better."
Gu Jinghui shook his head lightly, his face full of indulgence, murmuring to himself, "Mother is really... She dotes on her so much, the son is pushed back behind the wife."
Leaving the main house, Gu Jinghui rounded the rockery and met Gu Shiliu, who came to find him in a hurry.
"What’s wrong?"
"Marquis, that old woman couldn’t bear it and confessed."
"Speak."
Gu Jinghui took out the sachet from his sleeve and lightly inhaled it. This was a scent his young wife prepared for him, calming his mind. These days, he hadn’t rested well, occasionally smelling it for peace.
Gu Shiliu said, "That nanny confessed that she hid under Sixth Master’s carriage to return to the mansion because she was being pursued, having no other choice. The carriage happened to stop on Horizontal Street, so she took advantage of the lack of attention and hid under the carriage."
"Being pursued?"
Gu Jinghui’s good mood vanished entirely.
The entire situation was getting more complicated; he sensed the familiar scent of conspiracy. In an instant, Gu Jinghui resembled an unsheathed sword, sharp and bloodthirsty.
"Why was she being pursued?"
Gu Shiliu shook his head, "That nanny’s mouth is tight. She said this before fainting, and the rest may require a little effort to extract."
"Have you investigated the movements of each Prince Mansion?"
"We’ve been to King Jin and King Tushan’s mansion, and found nothing unusual. But Prince Qi Mansion... is somewhat strange."
Gu Jinghui frowned, "Prince Qi Mansion?"
...
Qin Yuan had an abacus on her left and paper and pen on her right, calculating the account books sent by Sixth Madam.
Hong Ye gently fanned her from the side.
Cui Ming bowed her head, doing needlework.
"Miss, take a break, it’s not urgent."
Hong Ye couldn’t help but advise.
Sixth Madam was confined in the courtyard, wanting to come out would take at least ten days to half a month.
Why be so hurried?
Qin Yuan said, "I know, go pour some tea."
Hong Ye put down the fan and hurried to pour tea.
Qin Yuan set aside the account book, took the tea, tasted a few sips, and leisurely said, "I really should take a break. You’ve been learning bookkeeping for several days now; you take care of the rest of this account."
Hong Ye: "..."
Cui Ming couldn’t help but laugh softly.
Qin Yuan said, "And you, a slow learner should work harder."
Hong Ye immediately rejoiced, "Why are you doing needlework? Just let the needlework room handle it."
Cui Ming said, "How can that be? If I do that, those below will find ways to bribe me, the body isn’t upright, the shadow will be crooked."
Qin Yuan intervened, "What are you making?"
"Making two bibs, three each might not be enough to change."
Qin Yuan nodded without saying anything.
Hong Ye asked, "After the Xu family caused such a scene, Sixth Madam probably wouldn’t have the face to snatch the household affairs from you; why are you still so eager to manage the accounts?"
Qin Yuan said, "I want to find out how much silver Sixth Madam has embezzled."
