Marquis Gu did not ride a horse; instead, he got into Qin Yuan’s carriage. Hong Ye and Cui Ming, with understanding, went to the smaller carriage in the back, squeezing in with the nanny.

Once the carriage exited the alley, Marquis Gu asked, "Why did you come to the Lin Mansion today?"

Qin Yuan sighed, "Is it not because my brother-in-law is unfaithful, saying a cousin came from the countryside seeking refuge, when in fact they were already having an affair, and she is pregnant."

A peculiar smile appeared on Marquis Gu’s face.

"I’m not saying this, but some scholars are just too sentimental."

Qin Yuan glanced at him and said, "Indeed, my brother-in-law cannot help being overly tender towards beauty."

She glanced at him again, with a puzzled expression, and said, "Could this be a common weakness among men? Favoring those women who appear delicate?"

Leaning back slightly, she said softly, "But that cousin is no good, knowing my sister is pregnant, she tried to poison her, mistakenly putting it in my brother-in-law’s medicine, which my sister noticed. A doctor was called to look, and my mother-in-law sided with the cousin, so there was no choice but to invite my mother and me to uphold justice. Luckily, with the backing of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, on the Marquis’s account, we could handle it somewhat."

Marquis Gu was still smiling broadly at Lin Ziqi’s joke at the start, but hearing the rest, he couldn’t sit still, pulling Qin Yuan into his arms, and laughed, "How could that be, I am not such a fool as to neglect a good wife at home to fool around. As for whether men all cherish those delicate-looking women... to be honest, Yuan’er, you look very delicate, but my care for you is far beyond that..."

"Why are you becoming more and more sweet-talking?"

Qin Yuan laughed and poked Marquis Gu’s strong and muscular arm.

Marquis Gu laughed secretly with satisfaction.

This was not sweet talk, it was preemptive defense.

First, express loyalty, to prevent the little wife from reminiscing about Lady Zhao’s affair, and seeing him as another Lin Junren.

"My influence is useful, feel free to use it, this Lin Ziqi is foolish. Whether he can become an Advanced Scholar is still uncertain, even if he does, he would just be a minor official. Father-in-law as the head of the Pure Stream, with students all over, would he not rely on Father-in-law in the future? Clearly an alliance of two families, yet it turned into such a thing."

Qin Yuan nodded, "It shows men can’t be spoiled, my sister believes his future is limitless, potentially a Grand Secretary material, she is so devoted to him and his mother that not even my mother, who loved her for over ten years, was treated that well. Otherwise, why would my mother be so angry as to hurt her liver."

Gu Jinghui hesitated a bit and said, "If I were Father-in-law, I would not want him to rise too fast, lest he becomes uncontrollable in the future."

Qin Yuan laughed, "When you have a daughter in the future, you won’t know how to treat a son-in-law."

"Humph, whoever dares to marry this Marquise’s daughter would have to shed three layers of skin first!"

Gu Jinghui gritted his teeth, as if already envisioning a much-coveted daughter.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

The carriages swiftly rode into the avenue and left under the crowd’s escort.

The Yelv Clan members, who had been lying in wait at the alley entrance, reluctantly abandoned their plan.

"Infuriating, the great Dingbei Marquis is so engrossed in his women."

"Tsk, have you forgotten Dingbei Marquis only has a hollow prestige, all he can do is watch."

"Speaking of which, Dingbei Marquis’s woman is indeed beautiful but too thin and weak, like a chick. Although the women of the Central Plains are fair, they are fragile."

"Why talk about this, think about how to explain to the Young Master when we return!"

Yelv Guza had been waiting eagerly in the Hostage Mansion for a long time, yet received news of failure once again. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Useless, useless."

With disheveled long hair, he appeared like a trapped beast, in a pitiful state, "So many of you are not as good as one Xu Tang."

"Young Master, it wasn’t us... it was Gu who came, with many guards accompanying him. Our few wouldn’t stand a chance."

"Young Master, we avoided clashing head-on to preserve our strength. When that woman is alone in the future, we will capture her like a turtle in a jar."

Standing by, Yelv Xianyong could not help but give a strong kick to the person, scolding, "Can’t you use your wits? Dingbei Marquis was not there from the start. If he protects that woman so closely, will you ever catch her alone?"

"Everyone can talk, but doing is hard. Who isn’t afraid of Gu Jinghui? We dare not risk exposure and cause trouble for the hostage, naturally, we must be cautious."

"Right, you Yelv Xianyong speak so strongly, why don’t you go yourself."

A few people murmured softly.

"Alright, enough," Yelv Guza barked, "It’s a fact you are no match for Gu Jinghui, if you expose yourselves, it’ll be even more troublesome. However, what Yelv Xianyong said is correct, you can’t act recklessly, you should also learn the slyness of the Han people, if you can’t match them in strength, then use your wits."

A few people hung their heads low, like shivering lambs.

Yelv Guza waved his hand in irritation and said, "Go forth and receive your lashes yourselves."

"Yes, Young Master!"

After a few left, Yelv Guza said to Yelv Xianyong, "They are all useless; we might have to rely on you."

Yelv Xianyong raised his chin high and declared, "Rest assured, Young Master, I will not disappoint you. I will capture that woman and offer her to you."

Yelv Guza shook his head mysteriously, "No, no, I’ve changed my mind. Find a way to offer her to the Crown Prince or King Jin."

Yelv Xianyong was stunned, a look of hesitation in his eyes.

Yelv Guza’s gaze was icy as he said in a deep voice, "Do you think this is not an act of a hero?"

Yelv Xianyong lowered his head, "I dare not."

Yelv Guza sneered, "What is there to be afraid of? For the sake of restoring our nation, I am willing to do anything. It is only after arriving in the Central Plains that I understood, there is no good end for heroes; only tyrants and traitors can conquer the world. Even the establishment of the Da Xing is full of cunning plots. Take the current Emperor of Da Xing, did he ascend the throne rightfully? Every day preaching righteousness, filial piety, but if truly so, where should the Empress and the Crown Prince stand today? It’s merely a facade. To resurrect the Yelv Clan, I am willing to be despised and mocked by the world, even if shattered to pieces in the end, I am willing."

"Young Master," Yelv Xianyong, with tears in his eyes, choked with emotion, said, "Young Master, please stop, for Young Master has sacrificed himself as a hostage, endured hardship for the Yelv Clan. It is the subordinate who misjudged. I will not fail the mission, and will bring my head if I do."

Yelv Guza patted him heavily on the shoulder, sighing, "Who else but you can handle such matters?"

The implication was that such a task should not taint him, but now he must bear this grievance.

Yelv Xianyong wept, "Young Master, say no more, I, Yelv Xianyong, am determined to follow Young Master forever. From the moment I followed Young Master into Da Xing’s capital, I had resolved to give my life at any time."