Gu Baoshu listened to this and couldn’t be prouder. She turned her face to the Old Madam Gu to invite praise: "It was truly thrilling at the time. I was thinking that I am a lady of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, how could I bring disgrace to our ancestors. So when the polo ball came, I only thought about how to hit it, didn’t hesitate at all. Luckily, Third Brother caught me, and only then did I feel a bit scared."

Old Madam Gu touched her little face and praised her: "You have your father’s demeanor, definitely not a coward."

Gu Baoshu’s tail curled even higher, continuing excitedly: "Mother, we made such a commotion that the Emperor came to watch too. He even summoned my sister-in-law, Mr. Qin, and Sixth Brother for a talk. The Emperor rewarded Third Brother with a Python Robe and Jade Belt and awarded me with a Jade Ruyi and silk. Later, I’ll have them brought to you for a look. If you like them, you can keep them. I think if the Emperor saw my ball skills, he might give me something more."

"Is that so," Old Madam Gu laughed with great kindness, even the sides of her nose wrinkling in the laugh.

Qin Yuan found it rather headache-inducing.

Old Madam Gu truly dotes on Gu Baoshu, otherwise she wouldn’t be raised so spoiled, so carefree.

The Gu family brothers didn’t speak, just watched from the side.

It was the children who circled around their Aunt Gu Baoshu, asking questions and occasionally crying out in surprise.

Gu Baoshu felt she had narrowly escaped a calamity, nestled into Old Madam Gu’s embrace, grinning and acting spoiled: "Mother, I’m almost starving. I just took a nice hot bath and my stomach’s rumbling. Whatever it is, let Xiuxiang make something to fill my stomach."

Old Madam Gu suddenly turned a cold face and said: "I have stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat here, will you eat it?"

Gu Baoshu sensed something wrong and before she could get up, she was grabbed by Old Madam Gu and pressed on the knee, coldly saying: "Don’t think you can escape a beating today. Eating before getting hit can harm your body, better get it over with and then eat."

Qin Yuan took a deep breath to stop herself from laughing out loud.

Sixth Master Gu just threw out one word: "Serves!"

He pointed to Gu Baoshu struggling in Old Madam Gu’s arms and said to the children: "Don’t mimic your aunt. Otherwise, being pinned and beaten, you’ll cry like pigs being slaughtered, it’s disgraceful."

Brother Kang and Fuguo’er staggered backward in fright.

Sister Lan whispered: "Grandmother is so fierce."

Gu Jinghui turned his head and asked Nanny Rong, "Nanny Rong, have you brought the thorn?"

Nanny Rong stepped forward with a blank face, saying: "Marquis, the thorn is certainly brought, but you and others staying here isn’t suitable. Seventh Miss is about to become a young lady, needs to save face."

Gu Baoshu: "...Mmhmm mmhmm mmhmm..."

Old Madam Gu said: "I’m a bit tired now, you all go back first. Baoshu and I have many things to discuss."

Gu Baoshu turned her face pitifully towards Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan could only look back apologetically.

"Mother, we’ll head back first. Baoshu is young and doesn’t understand. Don’t let her wear out your health. Besides, even though Baoshu is unreasonable, she truly has the intention of protecting Sixth Brother and the Qin Family. Mother..."

Gu Jinghui pulled Qin Yuan away, still saying: "Mother must not favor one over the other."

Old Madam Gu angrily shouted: "When has your mother ever needed a lesson in doing things?"

Gu Jinghui immediately quickened his pace.

Sixth Master Gu hesitated a bit, asking: "What about the children?"

Nanny Rong said: "Sixth Master, go about your business. The old servant will watch over the young masters well."

Sixth Master Gu hurriedly ran out.

Through the window, Gu Baoshu’s heart-wrenching cries could be heard. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Qin Yuan sighed: "Baoshu’s temperament really needs discipline. Otherwise, who knows when she’ll mature, but listening to it still makes one ache."

Marquis Gu softly said: "That won’t do, you must manage the children more firmly in the future."

Sixth Master Gu shrugged and said: "In the future, Third Sister-in-law can be the strict face, and you the kind face, strict father, kind mother, it’s perfect."

The three were talking when Gu Shiliu caught up and said: "Marquis, Housekeeper Han sent me to report urgently that an imperial reward has been sent down, and you’re required to go receive the imperial decree with Madam and Sixth Master."

"?" The three were momentarily stunned, then hurried to the front hall.

Housekeeper Cao and Housekeeper Han had already invited the Chief Eunuch to the front hall for tea. Outside the hall, little eunuchs holding trays stood lined up.

Suppressing her curiosity, Qin Yuan followed closely behind Marquis Gu, observing her breath and heart as she stepped into the front hall.

Marquis Gu had already started laughing loudly, "Mr. Dai, what brings you personally."

The man had come forward to greet Marquis Gu, smiling: "Little one can’t handle this. When Marquis was in the palace before, he often called me Little Dai, didn’t he?"

"That was then, I was young and ignorant. Now you’re with Chief Wang and no longer Little Dai."

Marquis Gu seemed deeply moved to see an old acquaintance.

Qin Yuan also recognized this person as Chief Eunuch Dai Sheng, Old Wang’s adopted grandson, a man accepted everywhere.

From Marquis Gu’s words, it seemed they had gotten along well before.

Dai Sheng’s expression was somewhat nostalgic but he didn’t say much, then laughed along to greet Qin Yuan and Sixth Master Gu before saying: "Marquis Gu, Madam Gu, Gu Shoubei, the Emperor mentioned today’s Imperial College incident to Empress Lin when he returned to the palace. Hearing of Marquis Gu’s bravery and Mrs. Gu’s wisdom and Gu Shoubei’s dedication to study, the Empress issued a decree."

Everyone quickly tidied their appearance and bowed towards the Imperial Palace. Only then did Dai Sheng say: "The Empress’s decree says, hearing Mrs. Dingbei Marquis, despite her youth, is skilled in making incense and managing the household well, she bestows one box each of Galuo Agarwood, musk, white sandalwood, and frankincense. May you continue to excel, live harmoniously as a couple, and enjoy long-lasting blessings."

The Agarwood from Galo Land is very precious. Although musk, frankincense, and white sandalwood are not as valuable as Galuo Agarwood, they are also exquisite rarities.

This reward is very considerate.

Dai Sheng continued: "Hearing Gu Shoubei’s recent setback in musical pursuits, yet not losing his resolve, the Emperor wrote encouraging words with the imperial treasure book. May you endure hardship, avoid excessive sadness, focus on studies, continue improving and achieve remarkable success in the future, to honor the expectations of the Emperor and myself."

Sixth Master Gu was overjoyed, this commendation truly pleased him.

Dai Sheng lastly addressed Marquis Gu: "The Empress mentioned Marquis Gu isn’t dare say more, only stressed that the inner palace must not interfere with politics. But the Emperor keeps your contributions close to heart. He relies on you greatly in matters of the court. The Emperor and the Empress will not treat meritorious minister poorly, awarding a Dragon Pattern Three-shoulder as a reminder of their expectations."

The Three-shoulder is an ornamental textile worn with the Python Robe, positioned on both shoulders and the chest, swaying gently as one walks, very impressive.

The designs usually feature dragons, clouds, bats, or peaches, with dragon patterns being the most noble. The weaving technique makes the dragon pattern even more dazzling.

It must be said, this reward is very sophisticated and subtly demonstrates Empress Lin’s status.