After the thanksgiving, Dai Sheng instructed the little eunuchs to present the imperial gifts.
Everyone accepted the gifts and expressed their gratitude, asking Dai Sheng to convey their thanks to the Empress.
Dai Sheng said, "Marquis Gu, Mrs. Gu, Gu Shoubei, the Empress’s decree has been conveyed, and I must return to the palace now."
Marquis Gu hurriedly said, "Let me see you off."
Dai Sheng replied, "How could I trouble the Marquis to see me off?"
Marquis Gu said, "What kind of talk is this? Back in the day, whenever we were punished, you always brought us food..."
Dai Sheng’s eyes turned slightly red, his voice a bit hoarse, and he laughed, "It’s rare that the Marquis still remembers."
Marquis Gu glanced at him, said nothing, and simply made a gesture of invitation.
Sixth Master Gu and Qin Yuan followed behind them to the outer gate, where they stopped.
Qin Yuan asked, "Sixth brother, is the Marquis very familiar with Chief Eunuch Dai?"
Sixth Master Gu laughed, "Chief Eunuch Dai used to serve the Former Crown Prince. I was young and timid then, following behind my brothers without much to say. Over the years, I haven’t seen him much, and he probably doesn’t remember me well anymore."
The two returned to the front hall and looked over the gifts together.
Sixth Master Gu laughed, "Treasure Bead knows we received gifts again, but there’s nothing for her. She’ll probably be furious."
Qin Yuan said, "I saw her acting spoiled, and mother laughing happily, thinking she could get away with it, but it seems mother is serious this time."
Sixth Master Gu didn’t respond, focused only on the Emperor’s inscribed scroll.
The four-foot-long hanging scroll bore the Emperor’s message in seal script: ’A swift horse leaps, unable to cover ten steps; a slow horse plods, but achieves through perseverance.’
After pondering, Sixth Master Gu said, "Treasure Bead is straightforward, a bit impulsive, and hasn’t matured yet. So-called affections are often spur-of-the-moment. Mother knows, and her future marriage will need sister-in-law’s assistance in consideration."
Hearing Sixth Master Gu insinuate about Qin Siyuan’s matter, Qin Yuan felt a bit awkward, forcing a smile, "When I accompany mother to social events in the future, I’ll carefully help her find a match, but mother’s eye is sharper."
Just then, Gu Jinghui returned, looking somewhat forlorn, unclear what he discussed with Dai Sheng.
Qin Yuan asked, "Shall we show it to mother and see how Treasure Bead is doing?"
Gu Jinghui shook his head, "Don’t mind her."
Sixth Master Gu also said, "Mother knows best, besides, Treasure Bead has been mischievous since young. Punish her a little and she’ll be fine in a few days."
Implying that on the day of the funeral, she’d definitely be able to get up and not disgrace the Marquis Mansion.
Gu Jinghui said, "It’s so late, let’s return to Wutong Garden."
Sixth Master Gu immediately said, "Third Brother, I want to go too."
"Why is that?" Marquis Gu seemed displeased.
Sixth Master Gu blinked, "I’m hungry. I planned to stay in the main house for a bite, but now I have to tag along with Third Brother and sister-in-law for some food."
Going to the main kitchen separately now would be too troublesome; sending a servant to the small kitchen in the main house might disturb Old Madam Gu.
Marquis Gu had no choice but to agree.
Along the way, Sixth Master Gu remained silent, like a mute.
Only when Marquis Gu questioned him did he respond.
They returned to Wutong Garden, and Hong Ye came from a distance with a lantern, complaining at first sight, "Why did you come back so late? The kitchen still has hot food."
Sixth Master Gu laughed, "Is there anything left for me?"
Hong Ye said, "No matter what, there’s food for Sixth Master. Just worried it might not suit Sixth Master’s taste."
When the dishes were laid out, everything had a Southern flavor, even the noodles were snow vegetable, bamboo shoots, and shredded meat noodles.
Gu Jinghui wasn’t picky, but Sixth Master Gu, accustomed to luxury, remarked, "Why is it so plain?"
Qin Yuan said, "It’s better to eat lighter at night, to care for the spleen and stomach. Sixth brother, don’t just eat according to your preference. The monthly menu is sent to Renhe Hall for Doctor Li to review, and the kitchen selects ingredients according to the season."
Sixth Master Gu took the advice to heart, "I’ll no longer be picky with the dishes from the main kitchen in the future."
Gu Jinghui was somewhat displeased, "Why do you listen to your sister-in-law and not to me? I’ve always told you not to be so pampered, not to be picky, to cherish blessings, but you refused to listen, insisting on refined tastes."
Sixth Master Gu said, "Is it the same thing?"
"How is it not the same?"
Sixth Master Gu thought for a moment, "I have long said that Mrs. Zhao and her son were inappropriate in the mansion, yet you wouldn’t listen, but later, you listened to others, didn’t you?"
Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud beside them.
Gu Jinghui’s face darkened, left speechless.
Seeing he had made his point, Sixth Master Gu finished his meal and got up to say farewell.