I want to make progress

Chapter 39: A Couple in Disharmony

"Please forgive me, my lord. I have overstepped the bounds and lost my sense of propriety. It is my fault. I accept the punishment and will punish you in any way you want. I only ask that you forgive me this time and not drive me away, for I have served you for so many years!"

"Please, Duke, Qixian! Qixian! Please help me beg the Duke!"

Until now, Bao Sheng still didn't understand why the Duke was so angry. It was indeed wrong for her to criticize her master, but she had served the Duke for so many years, and had worked hard even if she hadn't worked hard. But he wanted to kick her out of Yushengju just for this. Bao Sheng was filled with panic.

"Master, Baosheng's mistake was unintentional, and she knows she was wrong. Why don't you forgive her this time?" After so many years of living together, they have some feelings for each other. Qixian couldn't bear to see Baosheng being kicked out of Yushengju just for such a small mistake. If she left Yushengju, Baosheng would probably have no future.

"With Baosheng around for so many years, nothing has gone wrong around you. If she leaves, you will have to find someone else to handle all the problems in this courtyard. There are not many obedient maids who are to your liking. I'm afraid it will be a mess. Why don't you punish her instead of driving her away?"

"She will never dare to be so presumptuous again." She winked at Bao Sheng. How could this silly girl be so tactless? She had to criticize Aunt Shu when there were so many people to criticize. It was really... She had been flattered by the maids and old women below for so many years and her heart was drifting. If it weren't for the friendship we have had for so many years...

"Yes, yes, yes! I won't dare to do it again! Never again! Lord, please keep me!"

After receiving the hint, Bao Sheng nodded repeatedly, her beautiful eyes filled with tears, and she looked at the Duke expectantly, her heart as nervous as if it was being held in someone's hand.

"…Go kneel outside and get up again tomorrow."

Looking at the maid on the ground with deep eyes, Gu Changting turned and walked out, "From today on, hand over the things in your hands to Yueqin."

People all say that the Duke of England is a modest gentleman, gentle as jade, but he never drags his feet when it comes to making decisions.

"Thank you, Duke! Thank you, Duke!"

Qixian quickly followed his master away. The excited voice of Baosheng behind him made him shake his head secretly. It seemed that there were some things that Baosheng could not know in the future, especially the matter between the Duke and Aunt Shu.

After leaving Yushengju, Gu Changting stepped into Liu's yard. If something happened today to make that woman angry, it couldn't be his father or the two children, so it could only be Liu.

"My Lord! You are here! You have to leave work early today. Come and sit down. Lu Tan will serve you some hot tea! You haven't had dinner yet, right? Would you like someone to serve you some?"

Since returning from Xuancheng, Gu Changting has been busy, and Liu has been alone in the empty room. Now that her husband has finally come, she is so happy that she is incoherent.

"No need. My father sent someone to tell me to go to his yard to eat fish tonight. I just ate a lot of barbecue and fish balls, so I'm not very hungry. I just came to see you. I've been too busy these days and neglected you."

"Don't say that, Duke. You and I are husband and wife. As a wife, I should be more considerate of my husband. Duke is busy with court affairs. Besides, Duke still thinks of me in his busy life. I am so happy."

Her face blushed with shyness, and Liu looked at this perfect man who was envied by all the ladies in the capital with affection, feeling a little sweet in her heart.

"Thanks a lot!"

Gu Changting was not much touched by Liu's affection. He just nodded and said, "By the way, where are Qiuyi and Wenyu? I heard that they went fishing and barbecuing with their father by the lotus pond today." "It's also because Aunt Shu is too unruly. She messes around in the mansion. The rules are not as good as those of the ladies in the capital. She led the two children astray and even ran away secretly. I was so angry that my father was tolerant."

"In my opinion, I still have to inform Second Aunt. Even though she is just a concubine, she is still a member of the Duke of Yingguo Mansion. If she really embarrasses herself, it will be a disgrace to the Duke of Yingguo Mansion."

Thinking that he was dissatisfied, Liu hurriedly explained, fearing that Gu Changting would blame her for not managing the household properly, but she didn't expect that he had misunderstood her.

"That's not what I meant..." Frowning, Gu Changting thought that he probably knew why the woman was angry.

"Father and mother rarely stay in the mansion for a long time. They are busy with official business and cannot always be by my side. I am unfilial. I am glad to have them take care of me. You have taught them very well."

"That's what I should do. They are my children too." Liu's smile deepened.

"By the way, don't bother Aunt Shu too much. She can make father happy, which is more important than anything else." Gu Changting nodded and said nonchalantly, "Besides, she is from the second house, so we can't say too much. After all, father didn't say anything."

"Yes, I understand."

Her smile froze, and a hint of displeasure flashed across Liu's eyes, but she just nodded.

"By the way, I just saw some barbecue and fish balls outside. Are they also sent by Aunt Shu? Why don't you try them? Don't you like them? Aunt Shu is quite knowledgeable about food, and the food tastes pretty good."

She lowered her head and sipped the tea, her eyelids drooping to hide the emotions in her eyes. She saw it as she entered the room. Although it was cold, it still looked tempting, but she didn't take a single bite.

"Yes, I was really too busy today. It's the end of the month now, and I had a lot of account books to check, so I didn't have time to eat." The smile on her lips faded slightly. She put down the teacup in her hand and gently wiped the water stains from the corners of her mouth with the handkerchief in her hand. Liu's expression didn't change much.

"Besides, the barbecue is too hot and the flavors are too mixed. It's not suitable to eat too much. Qiuyi and Wenyu ate a lot today. I'm worried that they will have stomach upsets. Fish balls are made of fish meat. I always feel that they have a fishy smell. It's a waste of Aunt Shu's kindness."

Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, she looked at Lu Tan who was standing beside her and said, "Lu Tan, change a cup of tea for the Duke."

Then she looked at him and said, "Duke, have a cup of heat-reducing tea. Don't think the tea is bitter. The heat of the barbecue is really strong, and you usually have a light taste. If you get angry, it will delay your work. Although Aunt Shu is well-intentioned, she is also afraid that good intentions will lead to bad results."

"No, it's just some barbecue." Gu Changting's smile faded, he shook his robe and stood up, "Let's go to our parents' yard and spend more time with them."

"Okay, today we got a batch of top-quality bird's nests, which are just right for sending to parents. Although we have to keep a low profile in our house, we can't save money on parents..."

She didn't notice her husband's mood at all and was still immersed in the beauty of his company. Liu even smiled with a look of happiness on her face.

(End of this chapter)