Hong Ye was taken aback, and immediately said, "Yes, Madam said the Marquis wanted to have a private conversation with the Sixth Master and didn’t want anyone to disturb them. Cui Ming is guarding from afar outside, if the Marquis needs anything, he can just call her."
Sixth Master Gu had already taken the soup bowl and praised while drinking, "This hangover soup is a recipe from my sister-in-law’s family, right? It’s tastier than what the mansion’s cook makes."
Gu Jinghui ignored him, only signaling with his eyes for Hong Ye to leave quickly.
Hong Ye immediately slipped away out of sight.
Outside, seeing Cui Ming still guarding, Hong Ye said, "The Marquis said to have the servant who came with Sixth Master to guard outside, you come back with me to attend to Madam’s rest."
Cui Ming hesitated but didn’t ask much, just called the servant over to sit outside, gave him some snacks and fruits to eat slowly, then found a few little maids and said, "The Marquis and the Sixth Master are having a private conversation, you stay here and guard. If they call for service, you go in; if not, stay outside and don’t doze off. There’ll be good food for you tomorrow."
The little maids all nodded in agreement.
Only then did the two return to the main house. Upon hearing Hong Ye’s report, Qin Yuan merely smiled slightly, instructing Hong Ye to have the cook prepare hot water and breakfast early tomorrow. Since Marquis Gu would be wearing military attire to Dazao Temple, there was no need to trouble with preparation of clothing and accessories.
She organized her thoughts under the lamp, wrote and drew for a while, then washed up and went to rest.
The next day, upon waking, Qin Yuan learned that Marquis Gu had already set off for the palace. The serving maid reported that the Marquis was very satisfied.
"That’s good to hear," said Qin Yuan, "Make sure to take good care of the Marquis."
Hong Ye, with a face of dismay, said, "I wonder why Sixth Master Gu is troubled this way?"
Qin Yuan glanced at her without responding.
Anyway, Hong Ye would surely find out what was on her mind.
Qin Yuan went to the main room where Nanny Rong was teaching the two children to read, and Xiao Hong was also there accompanying them. Seeing Qin Yuan approach, the two children awkwardly addressed her and saluted.
It seemed slightly better than yesterday.
Qin Yuan thought to herself, these two children could be slowly taught, but the first thing was to get them away from Lady Zhao.
Nanny Rong smiled and said, "The Marquis came back unexpectedly yesterday, only sat in the main room for a while before leaving, saying the Emperor sent him to Dazao Temple to pray for blessings. Old Madam is still murmuring about it."
Upon hearing mention of the Marquis, the two children’s ears perked up to listen.
Old Madam Gu, leaning on Qiujie, also came out and asked, "Yuan’er, do you know why Hui’er was so specially picked by the Emperor to escort the princesses for blessings?"
With so many imperial guards available, it was baffling that Gu Jinghui was specifically chosen to escort them.
Qin Yuan glanced at the two children, smiling as she said, "Mother, the Marquis is just as puzzled. Yesterday Prince Qi and Princess Fuyun went to the Great Camp, had a chat with the Marquis, and in the afternoon, the Emperor decreed that he accompany them to Dazao Temple to pray."
The Seventh Princess, deeply favored by the Emperor, had already been given a title.
Although the Ninth Princess was the biological child of Empress Lin, she ranked behind her. The two were close in age, yet the Ninth still had no title.
Old Madam Gu asked, "Didn’t Hui’er say what Prince Qi and the Seventh Princess were here for?"
Qin Yuan pondered, then said, "When the Seventh Princess was young, she was playing by the pond and was pulled back by the Marquis, preventing her from falling in. She remembered this kindness and came with Prince Qi to thank the Marquis in person."
This matter would certainly be inquired about sooner or later, so it was better to explain it this way.
Old Madam Gu discerned that Qin Yuan was cautious of the two children passing on information, silently acknowledging Qin Yuan’s prudence, so she didn’t ask further, and said, "He went to the palace early, haven’t you had your meal yet? Eat here."
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Mother, you’re too kind. Isn’t this just the right excuse for me to come and grab a meal."
Old Madam Gu was coaxed into laughter.
Though Brother Cheng and Sister Yu were awkward, they still respectfully took their seats.
Nanny Rong chuckled, "Brother Cheng and Sister Yu are learning etiquette. Madam, have a look; this past couple of days, they’ve improved quite a bit."
Qin Yuan nodded, saying, "I see they’ve learned to greet and bow these past two days. It’s Mother’s and Nanny Rong’s good teaching."
Sister Yu pouted in grievance, while Brother Cheng looked pleased.
Xiao Hong, having hidden her contributions and name, stood aside squinting and grinning.
Seeing her like this, Qin Yuan liked her even more. She pulled her over and asked, "How many words do you know now?"
Xiao Hong replied, "Not many, about a hundred or so. Everything Grandpa could teach me, he did."
Qin Yuan said, "If you’re willing, I’ll have Sister Hong Ye get you a ’Thousand Character Classic’ to learn from. Once you learn it, you’ll know a thousand words, and reading storybooks or writing letters will be no problem."
Xiao Hong happily replied, "Thank you, Madam. I’m willing to learn."