Qin Yuan paused for a moment and then understood.

She was a woman, so the poems she created were more suited to a woman’s taste.

Qin Yuan considered for a moment and said, "Speaking of which, this Young Master Nantang has a rather peculiar temperament. My cousin happened to win his favor and was guided to write a few poems, and afterwards, he refused to meet anyone else. They say that in past years, you couldn’t even see him this many times in a year, which shows that he is somewhat reclusive."

To dispel Princess Fuyun’s thoughts of meeting Young Master Nantang, Qin Yuan was desperate to make up her own rumors.

At first, Princess Fuyun listened longingly, but later she hurriedly defended Young Master Nantang.

"Third Sister-in-law, you mustn’t say that. Talented people generally have peculiar temperaments, otherwise how could they match their talents? His saying so is probably because it’s hard to find someone who truly understands him in this world, so he simply chooses to live in seclusion."

Qin Yuan put on a look of sudden realization and nodded, saying, "I see, if it weren’t for the princess saying so, I would not have known."

Princess Fuyun called her Third Sister-in-law, and she had to acknowledge this affection.

Princess Fuyun indeed became even happier and said, "Third Sister-in-law is the daughter of Lord Sacrificial Officer. There are countless students visiting him; having seen so many talented individuals, how would you understand those with extremely high talent yet noble character who are willing to be hermits, not willing to come out to display their talent to the world or to be an official."

Qin Yuan felt a warm ear and a racing heart, almost wanting to sneeze.

Princess Fuyun added, "Your cousin is really fortunate, being able to see Young Master Nantang, not to mention receiving his guidance. Is Young Master Nantang planning not to meet any visitors this year?"

Qin Yuan sighed in response.

"To be honest, my cousin does have some luck; he now writes much better poems than before. Young Master Nantang saying so... it does seem to imply that."

Princess Fuyun was extremely disappointed.

Seeing this, Qin Yuan felt compassion and hurriedly said, "I heard that the recent Firefly Poetry Collection included many of Young Master Nantang’s works. This person likes writing poetry, so it will certainly circulate in the future."

Princess Fuyun sighed, "That’ll have to do. To be honest, Zhang Hanlin also praised Young Master Nantang’s poems, saying with Young Master Nantang and Mr. Songshan as outstanding examples, he wouldn’t want to embarrass himself."

Generally, when a woman is mentioned to her unmarried husband, she would inevitably feel shy, let alone mentioning him proactively in front of others.

Qin Yuan considered that Princess Fuyun’s straightforward personality and genuine desire to get close to her made her speak this way.

Moreover, she probably wasn’t very resistant to this Zhang Hanlin.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Oh, Zhang Hanlin is just being modest. Each work has its merits, and while we admire elegance, the men might prefer something grand and majestic. Besides, Zhang Hanlin graduated as the top student, so his policy papers are surely better than Young Master Nantang’s."

Princess Fuyun laughed, "Third Sister-in-law, you do have a point."

Qin Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries. Seeing that it was mealtime, Princess Fuyun rose to take her leave.

Qin Yuan personally escorted her to the gate. She noticed that Princess Fuyun came in a four-horse long carriage, with a canopy made of kingfisher feathers and gold, edged with a circle of amethyst. Even the axles were inlaid with gold and jade.

This might be the most inconspicuous carriage from the Princess’s Mansion, but anyone could see that royalty was seated inside.

Qin Yuan respectfully bid her farewell, waiting until she boarded the carriage before returning inside.

"I’ve entertained two sets of guests this morning," Qin Yuan said lazily, "Where is lunch served?"

Mo Zhu replied, "In Wutong Garden."

Qin Yuan paused for a moment, then said, "I should have gone to visit the Old Madam, but now it seems it’ll have to wait until the afternoon. If more visitors come in the afternoon..."

After thinking it over, she instructed, "Send a swift-footed guard to ask whether lunch has been served in the main hall. If not, I’ll go there for lunch."

In a short while, the guard returned with news, "The Old Madam said she has already rested today and tells the masters to go about their own business first. With Mid-Autumn approaching, there will be social engagements to attend to, which will be busy, so no need to worry about her."

Qin Yuan sighed, "Mother really is considerate towards us."

This was beyond merely being understanding.

Not to mention the troublesome Mrs. Lin in a past life, even from what she had heard from interactions with other household women, there was no other mother-in-law like Old Madam Gu in her current life.

In light of Old Madam Gu, she decided to be kinder to Gu Jinghui.

Hong Ye sighed, "Miss, your luck in marriage really leaves nothing to say. All those hardships you endured before were meant for this."

Cui Ming chuckled, "Some people’s fates just get sweeter, while others grow bitter."

After saying this, both couldn’t help but think of Qin Wan.

They exchanged a glance, wordlessly agreeing not to mention her, and shifted the conversation to dishes.

As they walked into the garden, they saw Gu Jinghui sitting grandly on a chair. Qin Yuan was shocked, took a few steps forward, and asked, "Why is the Marquis here at this time?"

"This is where I reside; why wouldn’t I be here?"

In the early autumn sunshine, Gu Jinghui’s handsome face resembled fine porcelain, his brows and eyes beautifully lively, inspiring joy at first sight.

Qin Yuan smiled and gently pushed him, scoldingly said, "You know I didn’t mean it that way."

"Then what do you mean?"

Gu Jinghui sat up straight, patted his leg, signaling her to sit on it.

Qin Yuan glanced around, scolding, "What mischief is this, doing such things in the courtyard? What if someone sees? Come inside with me to talk."

Gu Jinghui lazily refused to move.

"Let me bask in the sun for a while; I’ll nap and talk afterward."

Qin Yuan looked into his eyes.

There was no redness, nor any sign of fatigue.

Qin Yuan asked, "Wasn’t one of Sixteen’s eyebrows said to be burned clean off? Hong Ye asked me for ointment."

Gu Jinghui pouted, "See, Hong Ye isn’t even married over yet, and she’s worried about Sixteen. What about you? Have you ever worried about me? Cared for me?"

Qin Yuan, both amused and annoyed, reached to twist his ear.

Gu Jinghui lazily fluttered his eyelids but didn’t dodge, letting her do as she pleased.

Her small hand, gripping his ear, was soft and tickled, setting his heart swinging like an autumn swing.

He had won a major victory the night before and very much wanted to share the joy with his close comrade, good wife, and little companion.

"I ask you, are you going to talk or not?"

"Yes, yes, I’ll talk, I’ll say."

Qin Yuan huffed, finally letting go.

"Consider yourself smart, confess honestly."

The maids and nannies nearby all looked at the sky or the ground, as if oblivious, but they couldn’t help having smiles at the corners of their mouths.

Gu Jinghui suddenly got up and hoisted Qin Yuan onto his shoulder, striding with her cheerful laughter across the veranda and into the main house.

"My goodness, talk about perfect matches that balance each other out."

Hong Ye pouted at Cui Ming.