Though Doctor Li was present to oversee, Xiao Dong couldn’t suppress his child’s curiosity and kept asking questions incessantly.
Qin Yuan answered all his questions, and when she couldn’t, Hong Ye and Cui Ming would step in.
Doctor Li laughed and said, "This child is being playful. Life was a bit tough for him when he was little, following me around."
Qin Yuan nodded and said, "I understand."
Her own childhood at the Qin Mansion wasn’t very happy either, but fortunately, her mother protected and loved her. After her mother was gone, she had to rely on herself for many things.
Xiao Dong’s behavior evoked her pity, especially knowing his fate in a previous life, which made Qin Yuan want to give him more sweetness.
After dinner, Xiao Dong secretly touched his belly and suddenly couldn’t hold back a burp.
He looked at Qin Yuan, embarrassed.
Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Walk around a bit later to digest the food."
Xiao Dong shyly said, "It’s just that the food at the Marquis Mansion is so delicious."
Hong Ye interjected, "When I first entered the mansion, I was so shocked. Compared to the Qin Mansion, the food at the Marquis Mansion is too sumptuous. The masters have their portions, and the Marchioness is always thrifty, ordering only as much as she can eat, seldom having a full table. Even then, she shares some with us to avoid waste. Today, knowing you were coming, they prepared a bit more."
Xiao Dong looked at Qin Yuan admiringly and said, "Master Sister, your heart is much more resilient than mine."
Qin Yuan accepted her junior brother’s compliment a bit embarrassingly.
In her previous life, she had enjoyed the good life, so she wasn’t dazzled by the wealth of the Marquis Mansion.
As she slowly became prosperous in her previous life, she also went through a period of extravagance and indulgence.
Qin Yuan honestly said, "I can appreciate wealth when living a good life, but if I have to live a hard life, I still won’t like it or get used to it."
Doctor Li couldn’t help but laugh heartily and said, "Let’s go, we’ve eaten and drunk enough. It’s time to pay our respects to Marquis Gu. Just, should you mention the matter of taking him as your master to the Marquis?"
Qin Yuan had taken herself as a master without the permission of her elders or husband, so Doctor Li was still somewhat worried about her being blamed.
"No need," Qin Yuan said to Doctor Li, "Now is not the time to mention it. I will talk about it when my maternal grandfather’s case is overturned at an appropriate moment."
Doctor Li was startled, looking at Qin Yuan and said, "Do you still want to redress your maternal grandfather’s case? But..."
When Aunt Chen left, Qin Yuan was still young, yet she harbored such thoughts, which indeed surprised Doctor Li.
Qin Yuan nodded and said, "So, I think it’s better not to mention it for now, so as not to cause more trouble."
Doctor Li’s eyes flashed, and he agreed, "That might be better. If others ask, just say you’re learning some ways to maintain good health."
Being a teacher to the Marchioness of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion would also be troublesome if spread around.
Qin Yuan was not at all surprised by his attitude.
However, Xiao Dong was a bit disappointed he couldn’t call her Master Sister publicly. Qin Yuan patted his head and said, "It’ll be soon."
In her previous life, what she hadn’t accomplished, she couldn’t help but do it again.
The group arrived at the outer courtyard, only to be stopped by a servant outside, "The Marquis is handling important matters in the study; madam might as well take a stroll first."
Qin Yuan led Doctor Li and others around for a walk. As they approached a pavilion, they saw Sixth Master Gu lying on the stone table asleep, with drool wetting the pages of his book.
Xiao Dong found it amusing as he looked at him, his eyes twinkling, not knowing what he was thinking.
Qin Yuan asked the servant watching over Sixth Master Gu, "Why isn’t Sixth Master sleeping in the room?"
The servant replied, "Sixth Master said he suddenly thought of two lines of poetry and wouldn’t return indoors until he came up with the rest. Maybe he fell asleep from exhaustion."
Qin Yuan had heard that Sixth Master Gu was recently very obsessed with composing poetry.
To what extent? It was said that even Aunt Zheng wasn’t seen anymore, and he kept company only with poetry and books.
Qin Yuan whispered, "What are those two lines of poetry?"
The servant said, "Endlessly sitting bored all day long, fair lady, how can one endure neglect?"
Qin Yuan: "..."
Doctor Li: "..."
Facing a hopeful expression from the servant, Qin Yuan finally said, "Not bad."
That wasn’t entirely false; after all, it was an improvement from before, although it still fell far short of Sixth Master Gu’s self-expectations.
Qin Siyuan possessed talent, only lacking the ethereal spirit and realm in composing poetry, a little guidance would enlighten him.
As for Sixth Master Gu, he, well, requires a bit more supplement.
Not wanting to stir up trouble, Qin Yuan planned to sneak away quietly.
However, Sixth Master Gu woke up in a daze and seeing Qin Yuan right before him, said, "Whence came the beauty into the dream?"
Qin Yuan: "..."
The servant quickly said, "Is Sixth Master composing poetry even in dreams? The Madam has been standing here for a while."
Sixth Master Gu came entirely to his senses and immediately stood up, saying, "Third Sister-in-law, it’s all my fault, I was too impudent just now."
Qin Yuan said, "What did you just say? Could it be you derived the latter half of the poem in your dream?"
Sixth Master Gu blushed, nodded slightly, and then shook his head.
He intended to muddle through, suddenly remembering that Lin Ziqi and Qin Siyuan had both said Qin Yuan was quite talented. If he was asked about the latter half of the poem, wouldn’t he be exposed on the spot?
He said, "I seemed to have gained something in my dream, but upon waking, I forgot it."
"Oh, oh," Qin Yuan responded perfunctorily, "Reading is not achieved in a day, Sixth Brother should not over-exert yourself. Nowadays, the number of patients in the mansion is increasing, it’s crucial to take care of your health."
Sixth Master Gu smiled and said, "Thank you for your advice, Third Sister-in-law. I will remember it."
With that said, he curiously glanced at Doctor Li and Xiao Dong and asked, "Who are these two?"