Qin Yuan could only glance at Hong Ye and said, "Go and have someone prepare the meal."
Hong Ye retreated.
Gu Jinghui had already stood up, showing a demeanor that brooked no refusal.
Qin Yuan's height only reached Gu Jinghui's chest, so she stood on the low couch by the window and asked Gu Jinghui to move over, "Would the Marquis come here, please?"
Gu Jinghui complied, taking a few steps to reach her.
With Cui Ming helping, Qin Yuan fussed for a while and finally dressed him properly, then she bent down and fastened his belt, pocket, incense bag, along with the small seal and Jade Pendant he had just changed.
After all the hustle, a thin layer of sweat appeared on the tip of her nose.
It was really more tiring than dressing herself.
Gu Jinghui leisurely squinted his eyes and allowed her to dress him, lifting his arms when asked, turning around when told, showing no impatience or hurry.
As it seemed about done, Hong Ye came and said, "Marquis, Madam, breakfast is ready."
The two moved to the outer room to eat.
Compared to the Qin Family's breakfast, the variety at the Marquis Mansion was greater, bird's nest, red date glutinous rice porridge, shrimp dumplings, assorted sauces, small steamed buns, duck meat mush, fish noodle, stuffed tofu... a full table.
Qin Yuan was quite satisfied.
She had eaten miserably during the two months at the Qin Mansion.
Indeed, the Dingbei Marquis Mansion was a family of officials, prosperous and lavish, better even than what she had in the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Qin Yuan invited Gu Jinghui to eat, then hurriedly began, as she hadn't eaten much since yesterday and was already hungry.
She ate quickly while maintaining her manners impeccably.
When Gu Jinghui put down his chopsticks, she had finished as well.
The two rinsed their mouths before heading to the main rooms to present tea.
The Marquis Mansion was large, with many gardens between yards, passing through several flower gates and small doors to finally reach the main room.
Looking at the sun, Qin Yuan estimated it was already 7:30 AM.
She couldn't help but silently give Gu Jinghui a glance.
If he hadn't dawdled with finding things, they would have arrived earlier.
Qin Yuan quickened her pace, while Gu Jinghui walked leisurely, keeping a stride's distance from her.
Before entering the main hall, they heard lively commotion inside.
Gu Jinghui whispered, "The family has plenty of children, Sixth Brother alone has four or five kids, plus Lady Zhao's two that often accompany Mother; they're my godchildren. They were supposed to come today, but the child just fell ill, and Lady Zhao's status makes it inconvenient for her to come. Mother loves a bustling house. My sister is a few years younger than you, used to being spoiled. It's best if you let her have her way occasionally for my sake."
Qin Yuan agreed, since what Gu Jinghui said matched what she'd learned beforehand, and Cui Ming had prepared meeting gifts based on this.
If he had mentioned it now, it would be too late anyway.
Still, she smiled and replied, "Thank you, dear husband, for the reminder. I will watch my words carefully."
Gu Jinghui stopped, took her hand, and said, "We should be close, it'll make Mother happy."
Qin Yuan lowered her head, making a shy display befitting a new bride, and let him lead her into the hall, the children abruptly quieting down.
Then, Sixth Lady Gu approached with a smile and said, "Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law have arrived; I will have someone fetch Mother now."
As she spoke, her gaze swept over the two from face to body, finally resting on their joined hands.
Gu Jinghui said, "Thank you, Sixth Sister-in-law."
Soon, Old Madam Gu was invited out and seated at the head, while the nanny hurriedly placed a cushion before Old Madam so they could kneel and offer tea.
Qin Yuan quietly lifted her eyes, seeing Old Madam wearing a lilac wide-sleeved robe, her hair styled in a complex floral bun, with a three-winged golden phoenix hairpin and an intricately embroidered Xiapei draped over her shoulders. It showed the other person valued etiquette and held this marriage in high regard, easing half of her concerns.
As expected, Old Madam did not make things difficult, accepting the daughter-in-law tea and soon instructed the awaiting Nanny Rong to present her with a jewelry set - a gold phoenix headdress with blue and red inlays, crafted excellently and very valuable.
Qin Yuan thanked repeatedly.
She had prepared a headband as a greeting gift for Old Madam, and for other women, it would be pockets or incense bags, while for men, it would be writing tools and inkstones.
It fit her identity as a civil servant's daughter well.
Others' return gifts were not so expensive either.
After the tea ceremony, Old Madam wished to keep them for conversation, and Qin Yuan perked up, guessing what Old Madam might want to convey.
In her previous life, Lin Ziqi's mother, after drinking the daughter-in-law tea, first talked about the hardship of being a widow, then admonished her to carefully manage her husband's diet and daily life, avoid enticing Lin Ziqi with female charm, lastly reminding her to adhere to the Lin Family's rules.
They stood for two hours straight.
Tossed around by Lin Ziqi, she hadn't slept all night, and after standing for two hours, still had to muster her sore body to make food for mother-in-law and husband.
Being a Lin Family daughter-in-law was indeed tough.
To her surprise, Old Madam began by addressing her son, "I heard you went to Fengxuan Pavilion again last night?"
Gu Jinghui nodded, "Brother Cheng had a fever and was quite fussy. Lady Zhao, as a woman, had little to decide, so they asked me to go check on him."
Old Madam sighed, "Neglecting the newlywed bride is no way. How will she find her place in the household? A woman's dignity is tied to her husband's actions; everyone sees how you treat Yuan'er."
Gu Jinghui looked toward Qin Yuan with apparent regret.
Qin Yuan promptly replied, "Mother-in-law, I don't blame the Marquis. I understand he is heartfelt and loyal, and Lady Zhao's husband saved the Marquis's life. His concern for his godson is quite natural. We are husband and wife, united in honor and disgrace, and I will have dignity when the Marquis grants it later, not necessarily in this moment."
Old Madam was delighted, her face expanding into a kindly smile as she tenderly rubbed Qin Yuan's hand.
A mother-in-law wouldn't favor anyone above her own son; admonishing him initially was her way to comfort Qin Yuan.
No one expected Qin Yuan to say such wise and sensible words.
Old Madam asked Nanny Rong beside her, "Bring out the jade jadeite from the bottom of my chest; it's just right for the new bride. She looks so lovely, and it would suit her even better."
Nanny Rong left with a smile.
Qin Yuan bashfully declined, "The headpiece just now was already extremely precious."
"Silly child," Old Madam cherished her even more, replying warmly, "If I give you good things and you don't take them, our generations fought in wars, we have plenty of treasures. As long as you and Hui'er are well, have many children, all the old lady's things will be yours."
Worried Qin Yuan might not dare accept, she added, "When your Sixth Sister-in-law married, I also gave her these. This is for my daughter-in-law; your Sixth Sister-in-law too received Aunt Wen's pieces, which are quite fine."
Qin Yuan then no longer declined, graciously expressed gratitude, and accepted the jadeite with a smile.
A completely clear piece carved with a peony flower order, using micro-carving technique, every detail visible when magnified, consistent and orderly with no chaos.
Certainly a valuable item.
Today's tea ceremony gifts yielded her at least six hundred in gold worth.
She would need to visit often.