Qin Yuan laughed and said, "Are you talking about the event where Ming Xiaozong Zhu Houzhao granted a title to his beloved dog? It’s simply a rumor. It only appears in unofficial histories, just like people say Wei Linggong titled a crane as a scholar, and Song Huizong titled a stone lion as a marquis, leading to his downfall. But there’s no such thing in official history."

Marquis Gu immediately rebutted, "Mr. Songshan said, these unofficial histories aren’t all false, and official histories aren’t necessarily all true. If it can be used by me, then true or false is irrelevant. It’s possible that what official histories dared not record was passed down through unofficial histories and notes, though it also can’t exclude exaggerations and misleading accounts designed to catch the eye."

Qin Yuan listened to this and looked at Marquis Gu again and again.

Marquis Gu became flustered from the stare and asked hoarsely, "What’s wrong?"

"People say after being apart for three days, one should regard another with fresh eyes. You make me regard you with fresh eyes every day."

Marquis Gu felt a bit smug.

"One day apart feels like three years. Calculate how many days that is over three years... I understand now; it’s because you’re thinking of me all the time."

Qin Yuan was both annoyed and amused.

Marquis Gu knew when to quit while ahead.

"Quickly hide behind the screen and stay quiet; he’s almost here."

Qin Yuan sat with the puppy behind the screen.

Soon, heavy footsteps were heard, accompanied by the clinking of shackles on the stone floor.

Qin Yuan knew Yelv Xianyong was being brought in.

Through the crack in the screen, he saw the person’s hair, wet and draping over his shoulders, with water soaking the fabric on his shoulders, giving a sense of dejection.

The piece of cloth wrapping Yelv Xianyong’s head was gone, exposing a charred and rugged face without any cover.

Indeed, very ugly.

A hoarse and rough voice sounded.

"What is Marquis Gu’s intention?"

Marquis Gu laughed and said, "Sit. I heard that you neither eat nor drink in the dungeon. It seems the cuisine of the Central Plains doesn’t suit your taste, so I especially invited you to my study for a little drink. These are all Northern Border foods, specially prepared by the mansion’s cook."

Yelv Xianyong gave a cold laugh.

Gu Shiliu nearby shouted, "Since you’ve arrived at the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, stop acting like a big shot. Our Marquis is offering you drinks, don’t be ungrateful."

Marquis Gu laughed and said, "Perhaps he’s scared."

Yelv Xianyong prided himself as one of the top heroes in the world rankings, just unfortunate not to have had the chance to showcase his skills. He couldn’t stand others provoking him, and immediately raised his head and said, "I, Yelv Xianyong, am a bona fide hero; would I be afraid of you?"

Gu Shiliu coldly laughed and said, "I think you’re just a big bear."

Marquis Gu watched Yelv Xianyong with a playful look.

Yelv Xianyong’s blood surged, and he stepped forward, sitting across from Marquis Gu in a grand manner, and said, "Thanks for your hospitality, Marquis."

Gu Shiliu sneered twice with a mocking tone, "Now you’re not afraid of poison in the food."

"Sixteen, watch your tongue. Yelv Xianyong is a true hero," Marquis Gu again lifted his wine bowl and raised it towards Yelv Xianyong, saying, "I’ve long heard your famous name on the battlefield, but never had the chance to meet. Today’s coincidence puts other matters aside, let’s drink to our heart’s content."

Yelv Xianyong stared at Marquis Gu for a while, then finally picked up his wine bowl and drank it all in one go.

"Dingbei Marquis is praised as the War God; I’ve long wished for a meeting, yet failed to find a way."

"Haha, War God?" Marquis Gu sighed, "The battle situation is settled now, let’s not talk about it anymore. I should live leisurely in the southern mountains as a wealthy idle man."

Yelv Xianyong showed an expression of disbelief, "Marquis, you’re in the prime of your life, widely trusted by the Emperor. Why do you speak such words before a captive like me?"

"What captive? You were just tricked in by my humble wife." Marquis Gu laughed, "As men, we tend to underestimate weak women. Falling for it is normal, don’t dwell on it."

With these words, Yelv Xianyong’s aloof and stubborn aura significantly eased.

Marquis Gu poured another bowl, drinking it himself without urging, saying, "There won’t be any more wars in the future, and the court will be the realm of civil servants. As for military generals, just guarding the borders is sufficient; where would they need me? Even a hero must have a place to show his worth, don’t you agree? Like you, within the Yelv Clan, you’re one of the top heroes, yet you must stay cooped up here."

Qin Yuan nodded quietly behind the screen.

Marquis Gu’s words were striking.

Yelv Xianyong said nothing, but poured himself another bowl, and drank it all.

Wiping his lips, he said, "This truly applies to the saying, ’When the rabbit is gone, the Falcon of the East should rest.’ When the prey is gone, the bow and arrow gather dust in the warehouse. We desire to build achievements, putting our lives on the line for our masters. The fortunate, like the Marquis, live idly, unused. The unfortunate die in battle, leaving no bones."

Qin Yuan couldn’t see clearly from behind the screen, but Marquis Gu could tell Yelv Xianyong was somewhat tipsy.

It seemed this man hadn’t eaten, then gulped down two bowls of burning liquor, quickly becoming exhilarated under emotional strain.

Marquis Gu laughed and said, "What can you do? The world has many unsatisfactory things, we can only follow the trend. Like you, clearly a brave general, yet had to attack women and children for your master. Had this been during your time in the Northern Border, you’d look down on yourself."

Marquis Gu’s words stirred Yelv Xianyong’s emotions once more, and he poured another bowl, downed it, and heavily set the bowl down, saying, "Dingbei Marquis, your wife is truly formidable; I still don’t know how I was exposed. In the dungeon, I thought, I, Yelv Xianyong, am truly useless! Couldn’t beat you in battle, though I accepted that loss. Your martial arts are superior, and the Gu Family has guarded the Northern Border for generations, Daxing’s national strength is formidable; it’s normal to struggle against you. But I didn’t expect even your young wife could trick me into the mansion, pulling off a ’close the door and beat the dog’ trick."

Gu Shiliu standing nearby couldn’t help but smile.

Qin Yuan also secretly giggled.

Marquis Gu said, "You can’t envy that. I don’t know how many people envy me for having such a good wife. My wife’s beauty speaks for itself; her virtues are countless, and she’s wholeheartedly devoted to me. Our marriage is truly a match made in heaven."

After speaking, he couldn’t help but glance towards the screen.

Qin Yuan muttered inwardly, "That’s really cheesy."

Yelv Xianyong was provoked quite a bit.

This marriage matter was a sore spot in his heart.

As a result, another bowl of liquor was poured into his stomach.

Now he’s truly dizzy, and he belched, "Marquis Gu, you should keep a tight watch on your young wife and protect her. If such a good wife were snatched away by someone else and you were cuckolded, wouldn’t you feel like killing them? What if the person cuckolding you is Crown Prince Jin Wang? In your Daxing, loyalty to the sovereign is paramount; would you endure such a predicament?"

His liquor continued to be gulped down one bowl after another.

Like pouring water.

Completely ignoring that the man in front had already become as cold as water, eyes filled with murderous intent.