Gu Jinghui clenched his right fist forcefully, then relaxed it, saying, "It’s always good to be cautious. It’s fortunate to have you in the inner court; otherwise, we truly wouldn’t be able to guard against everything."

In her heart, Qin Yuan felt a twinge of guilt.

If she hadn’t lived a previous life, she wouldn’t have been able to see through these twists and turns.

Qin Yuan said, "The connections of the Duke Zhen’s Mansion are with Empress Lin’s faction. In the future, when we engage with them, we must be extra vigilant."

Gu Jinghui nodded repeatedly, saying, "It seems that nothing in the inner court should be taken lightly. You must pay more attention."

His mother could only manage her own affairs, and it was good enough if his sister avoided trouble.

Luckily, he had his young wife; otherwise, how would he have noticed these things?

Mr. Songshan’s words were indeed correct.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "The social interactions among the ladies inevitably connect to court politics. Many matters that men can’t say outright are often conveyed through the inner court. Husband, being focused on battles, naturally doesn’t know about these."

The role of the Dingbei Marquis has been hereditary and unchanging for generations, tasked with guarding the Northern Border. They rarely get involved in court power struggles, let alone in the contest for the throne.

However, by Marquis Gu’s generation, unexpected events arose.

Empress Lin went from being a bathing maid to a favored concubine, the late Empress and the former Crown Prince met misfortunes one after another, and the Yelv Clan was expelled...

Only then did the situation become complex.

Marquis Gu also thought of this and laughed, "With you, my dear wife, it’s like adding wings to a tiger. We truly are a match made in heaven."

Qin Yuan pursed her lips and smiled lightly.

Marquis Gu added, "Though I knew before that the Crown Prince harbored ill intentions towards our mansion, I always thought he is the heir apparent. We should avoid him if we can and endure where we must."

In other words, he no longer wished to endure.

Qin Yuan lowered her gaze, her long, curly eyelashes shielding the thoughts in her eyes. The small mole on her prominent nose was very noticeable, capturing Gu Jinghui’s gaze as if he was scrutinizing it carefully, or perhaps trying to see through her heart.

After a long moment, Qin Yuan slowly said, "Do you not already have a plan in your heart, my husband? No matter what you do, I am on your side. We cannot keep being passively beaten... it’s just..."

"Just what?"

Gu Jinghui, who had just relaxed a bit, tensed up again.

"It’s just that my father may not stand with the Marquis Mansion through thick and thin. If the situation reaches that point, please, on my behalf, do not blame him."

Only then did Marquis Gu exhale steadily.

His heart beat feverishly, thumping incessantly.

If he had not misunderstood, his young wife was willing to stand by him, even to the point of putting aside her own family.

In other words.

In Qin Yuan’s heart, he, Gu Jinghui, outweighed the Qin Family.

Marquis Gu wrapped Qin Yuan in a close embrace, softly kissing her temple, murmuring, "With a good wife like you, how could I bear to blame the Yue Family? Besides, with my father-in-law’s character, he would never hit someone when they’re down; that’s enough for me. I dare not hope for more."

People say that when disaster strikes, everyone looks out for themselves.

What does the entanglement between our Dingbei Marquis Mansion and Empress Lin’s faction have to do with the Qin Family?

Qin Yuan is willing to stand with him; what profound affection this is.

His young wife truly has a heart full of him.

In this lifetime, he would not find another woman so devoted to him and wholly his.

Marquis Gu closed his eyes, quietly listening as his heartbeat gradually aligned with his young wife’s.

His heart was filled with happiness and serenity.

The curtain rustled softly as Mo Zhu hurried in with bundles of silk, only to hastily retreat upon seeing the scene.

Only then did Marquis Gu release his hold, yet he remained silent, merely playfully holding Qin Yuan’s delicate hand.

Qin Yuan let him be and asked, "Did Prince Qi ever mention that incense in front of you?"

Marquis Gu held Qin Yuan’s small hand in his palm and shook his head, "Never. He came looking for me yesterday to inquire about Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang. Naturally, I played dumb."

Speaking of which, Marquis Gu sighed, "I don’t know what’s happening. Nowadays, officials at the court are all eager to find out more about Young Master Nantang."

Marquis Gu felt a bit proud, a bit delighted, and a bit inexplicably jealous.

Qin Yuan smiled a little awkwardly.

Shifting the topic, she asked, "Couldn’t it be that Prince Qi hasn’t used that incense?"

Marquis Gu mused, "Given how heavily he emphasized it before, how could he not use it?"

Qin Yuan pondered for a moment, then said, "It seems that Prince Qi plans to come after the Mid-Autumn Festival. It’s time to send word for Seventeen to start collecting pepper."

Marquis Gu promptly said, "I’ll have Sixteen send the message right away."

Qin Yuan smiled, pressing down on his sturdy forearm, "There’s no rush for that right now. Tomorrow will be soon enough."

Marquis Gu was unwilling to wait; he wished his young wife could give him numerous tasks so he could serve her wholeheartedly.

After Marquis Gu left, Cui Ming and Mo Zhu dared to enter the room.

Qin Yuan asked, "Is Hong Ye with Sixteen?"

Cui Ming laughed, "How would I know such a shy matter, but as soon as the Marquis arrived, Hong Ye went out, and Sixteen was nowhere to be seen."

Mo Zhu cast an admiring glance at Cui Ming.

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "People say Hong Ye is clever-tongued, but I think your tongue is the sharpest."

Mo Zhu presented the fabrics she held and asked, "Madam, shall we send one piece of each color to Lin Jun’s family?"

Qin Yuan reached out to feel them, nodding, "Sure. Add a new Flowing Cloud Gauze; it suits the age of my second sister the best."

Cui Ming laughed, "Won’t that make Lady Yu terribly envious?"

That Lady Yu was notoriously shallow—something they all had experienced.

Qin Yuan said, "That’s her concern, not mine."

The three were talking when suddenly a sharp, urgent whistle pierced the tranquil autumn night outside.

Qin Yuan set down the silk piece she was holding, her expression turning grave. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Clearly, something must have happened in the mansion to prompt this.

Cui Ming and Mo Zhu also fell silent, their smiles fading away.

Shortly afterward, Marquis Gu returned, quickly changed his outer robe, and said, "Yuan’er, there’s something I need to handle. Sleep without waiting for me."

Without waiting for her reply, he was already out the door, disappearing from sight.

Hong Ye entered and told Qin Yuan, "I don’t know what’s happened, but Sixteen dashed out like a fire was lit under him when he heard the sound."

Qin Yuan remarked, "If you don’t know, how could I, sitting here, know anything? Judging by the Marquis’ tone, he probably won’t return tonight. If you want to know, try to find out in the morning."

Cui Ming laughed, "The Marquis went out to find Sixteen. I’m sure Sixteen was with you. You two should hurry and set a date for the wedding. Once it’s public, it’ll be easier for everyone."

Perhaps being teased so many times removed her shyness. This time, Hong Ye replied, "We must wait until after Mid-Autumn."

Suddenly, the sound of breaking porcelain came from outside the house.