My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 645: Rushing Home

General Jin was about to speak when someone suddenly shouted from outside, "Marquis, there’s a message from the Marquis Mansion."

It was the voice of Gu Ershi.

"Quick, bring it here for me to see."

Marquis Gu stood up abruptly, his voice trembling.

With the words, the tent flap was lifted, and a person came in like the wind, clutching a gray pigeon in their hand.

General Jin looked up and saw a slender bamboo tube attached to the pigeon’s foot.

Marquis Gu took the carrier pigeon and quickly extracted the paper, unfolding it for a hurried glance before saying, "Prepare the horse, I must return to the Marquis Mansion at once."

"Yes," Gu Ershi turned and left immediately.

General Jin hurried to catch up with the quickly striding Marquis Gu as they exited the tent: "Marquis, I have urgent matters to report."

"What is it?" Marquis Gu’s steps did not slow, his brows furrowed, his inner anxiety apparent.

"...This... King Jin..."

General Jin stammered without getting to the point, and Marquis Gu lost patience: "If it’s not urgent, wait until I return to discuss it. If it is urgent... you can speak with me during the journey."

General Jin was momentarily stunned, and before he knew it, Marquis Gu had already mounted his horse and he had to trot a few steps to catch up: "Marquis, I’ll... talk to you on the road."

Marquis Gu shook his reins, urging Kicking Snow Black Steed forward, and nodded: "Then let’s go, giddy-up."

Before the words had fully left his mouth, Kicking Snow Black Steed was already galloping away.

"Giddy-up!" General Jin quickly mounted his own horse and chased after.

When Marquis Gu finally made it back to the Marquis Mansion in haste, red lanterns were hung in succession, making the surroundings bright.

Marquis Gu dismounted, and Housekeeper Han, who was waiting by the mansion gate, quickly stepped forward to take the reins: "Mr. Songshan instructed that if Marquis is back, send a message to him and Seventh Miss, they will arrive at Wutong Garden shortly."

Marquis Gu nodded with a cold expression, bounding several times to reach the corridor at Wutong Garden, startling the maids who were whispering and laughing, causing them to stand up hastily and greet him in succession.

Marquis Gu ignored them all, drew aside the curtain by himself, and entered quickly: "Yuan’er, is there anything urgent in the mansion?"

Qin Yuan was practicing calligraphy calmly under the lamp. Seeing him enter with a cold expression, she hastily set aside her purple-tipped brush, approached to help him remove his cloak, and said with a smile, "The autumn night dew is heavy, having traveled all this way, would you like a bowl of hot soup?"

Seeing her charming smile, Marquis Gu’s heart settled down, and the cold expression on his face warmed, as he nodded and said, "Very well, whatever you have, have the small kitchen bring it up. Once I’ve finished, I must hurry back. The camp is very regimented now."

Hong Ye hurried out to instruct the small kitchen to prepare.

Qin Yuan curiously asked, "How is it so regimented?"

Marquis Gu put his arm around her and sat down together on the couch, explaining in detail: "On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the city gates will be widely opened for the people to enjoy, the imperial guard is overwhelmed, so the Great Camp outside the city naturally has to take part in guarding the gates. The Emperor wants to showcase civil governance and martial prowess, allowing the citizens to see, and there will be a grand review on that day, with both the imperial guard and the Great Camp busy rehearsing their formations."

On the Mid-Autumn night, observing lamps, the Emperor rejoicing with the people, also celebrating the Empress Dowager’s birthday, the Great Camp outside the city not only has to stand guard vigilantly but also display the army’s might and rehearse formations.

This represents the face of the Gu Family Army and the Emperor’s prestige; naturally, not a single mistake can happen.

Qin Yuan patted his chest, "Has the Ministry of Rites arranged everything well?"

Marquis Gu nodded: "More or less. Even if the order is changed, it doesn’t affect much; both the imperial guard and the Great Camp will rehearse the usual formations during the grand review, as long as no mistakes occur."

He looked at Qin Yuan’s face closely, eventually leaning near her lips to lightly sniff, as if wanting to kiss yet restraining himself.

Qin Yuan turned her head coquettishly, "What are you doing, someone will come soon."

Marquis Gu chuckled softly: "Am I not restraining myself? Who asks you to suit my heart so well; they all say not seeing each other for a day feels like three autumns, yet you little heartless one don’t think about me at all."

"Who’s ’you this you that’ with you," Qin Yuan struggled, annoyed: "I’m busy to death at home, and you still say this. Let me tell you, today’s matter must not be careless; do you think I summoned you back because I missed you greatly?"

Marquis Gu cleared his throat as Hong Ye outside already asked: "Madam, the small kitchen has made some of Marquis’s favorite small dishes and noodles, should they be brought in now?"

"Bring them in," Qin Yuan quickly moved aside to sit decently.

Marquis Gu, both exasperated and amused, waited for Hong Ye to set up the bowls and chopsticks, then said: "Alright, you go and wait outside, let me and the lady have a good conversation."

Hong Ye laughed and exited.

Qin Yuan blushing said: "Let’s talk later, have your meal first; when Mr. Songshan and Little Sister Baoshu come, we can discuss it together, saving the trouble of saying it twice. This matter is too significant, it requires your decision, husband."

Under the lamp, looking at the beauty, she was even more captivating. Marquis Gu, indeed a bit hungry, said no more, picked up the chopsticks, and started to eat.

The small kitchen always had his favorite ingredients prepared, even a bowl of noodles came with various toppings, very flavorful.

As soon as Marquis Gu finished eating, Mr. Songshan and Gu Baoshu arrived one after another. Gu Baoshu exclaimed upon seeing it, "Third Brother, what were you eating? It smells so good, can Third Sister-in-law give me a bowl too?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "What isn’t there to eat in the mansion? Why do you crave it just by seeing your brother eat a bowl of noodles?"

Gu Baoshu said, "Third Sister-in-law, can’t you spare a bowl of noodles? I was out all day, naturally growing fast and got hungry quickly."

Qin Yuan could only instruct the small kitchen to prepare more.

Mr. Songshan said, "Bring a bowl for the old man too. There are many trifles at Feiyun Pavilion, exhausting the old man’s energy and making me hungry quickly. Hmm, give the old man whatever Marquis was eating."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.

Marquis Gu, now full, lazily leaned back on the couch, his narrow eyes filled with warmth, his entire demeanor relaxed and leisurely, no longer a trace of coldness.

Mr. Songshan seeing him so comfortable, said: "Though the meal hasn’t been served yet, allow the old man to explain things first, so the Marquis can have an idea in mind."

After listening, Marquis Gu looked curious: "Has Sixth Brother seen the Chief Li, is she really that beautiful?"

Gu Baoshu nodded: "That woman has an enchanting charm unmatched by ordinary women, even I, as a girl, can’t help but be moved."

She turned to look at Qin Yuan, wanting to say more, but was intercepted by Mr. Songshan.

"Such leading courtesans are trained by procuresses, investing countless silver and effort in them, their clothing, food, and use are impeccable, even the young ladies of noble families may not compare. Furthermore, being trained from a young age, they excel in singing, dancing, and engaging with men, highly adept socially.

Some merchants in Yangzhou specifically purchase beautiful young girls, nurturing them meticulously, and send them to officials’ households to be concubines upon growing up, with the outstanding ones entering brothels as courtesans, celebrated and earning thousands daily is not much; Chief Li is the pinnacle among them.

The old man heard the news that besides Chief Li, there is also a Chief Zhang who frequently interacts with the Emperor."