Hearing his always troublesome sister defending him so fiercely behind his back, Gu Jinghui couldn’t help but touch his nose, a smile forming at the corner of his lips.
"So, Mother, who gave that Chang woman the audacity?" Gu Baoshu asked in confusion.
"Who else could it be? Naturally, it was the Crown Prince and the Ninth Princess; they were the ones who brought her into the mansion last time."
"...Oh..." Gu Baoshu’s voice noticeably lowered, "I can’t afford to offend the Crown Prince and the Ninth Princess, but I can’t tolerate this either. Who told her to embarrass me in public first, and then speak ill of Third Brother behind his back? I think she’s just looking for trouble."
Gu Jinghui was just about to enter when Qin Yuan spoke inside the room, so he paused.
"Mother, don’t be angry. Indeed, Baoshu’s temperament is quite fiery, but I must say, initially, both Baoshu and Madam Chang were at fault, but later on, Madam Chang was at fault for about seventy percent. When Baoshu caused a scene, if Madam Chang was unhappy, she should have said it directly, rather than dragging the Marquis into it. If she wants to reason with me, how could I not stand up for Baoshu?"
"Third Sister-in-law makes a good point."
Hearing his wife’s remarks, Marquis Gu felt a sweetness that words couldn’t describe, as if he had drunk honey. He immediately lifted the curtain and entered, staring intently at Qin Yuan, but said to Gu Baoshu, "Baoshu, your third sister-in-law indeed makes a good point."
Gu Baoshu exclaimed happily, "Mother, listen, even Third Brother is on my side, please just spare me this time. I’ve just managed to come out, and you want to lock me up again—when will it end? I’m wasting my prime years. Besides, if I’m in confinement, no one will play with the nieces and nephews. Where else can you find such a good aunt for them?"
Qin Yuan blushed under his heated gaze, quickly lowering her head.
Old Madam Gu relented.
"You all just spoil her, look at the fuss she’s causing. In a few days, the whole Capital City will be saying the young lady of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion is a shrew. Let’s see how she finds a husband."
Gu Baoshu retorted, "If that’s the gossip about me, I’ll have someone spread that Chang Qingling is a loose woman; let’s see who’s afraid of whom."
"Stop talking!"
Old Madam Gu was furious, "You’re still a young lady, how can you speak and act with no regard for a girl’s proper conduct at all."
Gu Baoshu pouted and fell silent.
Gu Jinghui quickly said, "I won’t mention the past, but now that I’m back, I won’t stand idly by and let my siblings be bullied without retaliating. This time, there were reasons. Mother, please be lenient. As for the gossip, I’ll have people keep an eye on it. If anyone maliciously spreads rumors about my sister, I won’t forgive them lightly."
"Thank you, Third Brother, for speaking up for me."
Gu Baoshu quickly expressed her gratitude.
Gu Jinghui glanced swiftly at Qin Yuan, gesturing, "And remember your third sister-in-law."
"Thank you, Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law, for speaking up for me."
Gu Baoshu immediately corrected herself, even winking at Qin Yuan.
Old Madam Gu ignored them.
Gu Jinghui continued, "As for Baoshu’s marriage... she’s so lively, if we can’t find a suitable family, I think she should marry the Assistant General under my command. They’re all military men and won’t be scared by her. At least for my sake, they wouldn’t dare mistreat her."
Before Old Madam Gu could say anything, Gu Baoshu anxiously shouted, "I don’t want to marry a military man! Mother, Third Brother, I want to marry a scholar, someone talented who can write poetry."
Old Madam Gu, who hadn’t intended to speak, couldn’t help but slap her thigh and sigh, "Oh dear, you want to marry a scholar, but a scholar has to want you in return. If you keep acting so recklessly, even a military man might be afraid to marry you. Think about it, does your Sixth Brother like your type?"
Qin Yuan knew who Gu Baoshu had in mind, but she didn’t speak up.
Gu Baoshu stubbornly said, "Mother, if I can find him, regardless of age or family background, would you let me marry him?"
Old Madam Gu was taken aback.
Marquis Gu moved to sit beside Qin Yuan and asked curiously, "Could it be that my sister already has someone in mind? If so, I’d say, if you’ve taken a liking to someone, don’t pull a stunt like Xu Zhen did. Now he’s neither alive nor dead, and caused both families to fall out."
Old Madam Gu quickly nodded, "Indeed, don’t be like Xu Zhen. Mr. Qin is a good person, everyone knows it, everyone wants a good match, but it has to be done by the rules. If you fancy someone, investigate carefully whether they’re attached, what kind of girl their family wants for them, whether they like you, and if the family backgrounds are compatible."
The name that had come to Gu Baoshu’s lips was swallowed back down.
"I... I haven’t yet, I was just thinking marrying a scholar, and in the future, the Gu Family will take the path of scholars, I can offer mutual support. I heard many catch a son-in-law right after the imperial examinations; when the time comes, we’ll go catch one too."