My younger sister insisted on marrying me and made me the Marquis' wife.

Chapter 645 Urgent Return
General Jin was about to speak when someone outside suddenly called out, "My lord, a message has arrived from the Marquis's residence."

That was Gu Ershi's voice.

"Quickly, let me see it."

Lord Gu stood up abruptly, his voice trembling.

As the voice spoke, the tent flap was lifted, and a person swept in like a gust of wind, clutching a gray pigeon in his hand.

When General Jin looked up, he saw a long, thin bamboo tube wrapped around the pigeon's leg.

Lord Gu took the carrier pigeon, quickly retrieved the scroll, glanced at it hastily, and said, "Prepare the horses and hurry back to the manor."

“Yes,” Gu Ershi said and turned to leave.

General Jin hurriedly followed Lord Gu, who strode out of the tent: "Lord Gu, I have something important to report."

"What is it?" Lord Gu asked, his steps unwavering, his brows furrowed, his anxiety evident.

“…This…Prince Jin…”

Before General Jin could even get to the point, Lord Gu had already lost his patience: "If it's not urgent, wait until I return. If it is... then you can travel with me and we can discuss it in detail."

General Jin was stunned for a moment. In such a short time, Lord Gu had already mounted his horse. He had no choice but to run a few steps to catch up: "Lord Gu, I will tell you on the way."

Lord Gu shook the reins, gripped the black horse with his calves, and nodded: "Then let's go, let's go."

Before the words were even finished, the snow-kicking black horse had already galloped off.

"Giddy up!" General Jin quickly leaped onto his own mount and gave chase.

When Lord Gu hurried back to the manor, red lanterns were hung high, illuminating the surroundings.

Lord Gu dismounted, and Steward Han, who was guarding the gate, hurriedly stepped forward to take the reins: "Mr. Songshan instructed that if Lord Gu returns, send a message to him and Miss Qi, and they will arrive at Wutong Garden soon."

Lord Gu nodded coldly, and with a few leaps, he arrived at the corridor of Wutong Garden. The maids who were quietly playing around were startled and hurriedly stood up, followed by a chorus of greetings.

Lord Gu ignored them all, lifted the curtain himself, and strode in: "Yuan'er, what urgent matter is there in the manor?"

Qin Yuan was practicing calligraphy under the lamp to calm her mind when she saw him enter hurriedly with a cold expression. She quickly put down her calligraphy brush, went to greet him, took off his cloak, and said with a smile, "The autumn night is dewy. You must have had a long journey. Would you like a bowl of hot soup?"

Seeing her smiling sweetly, Lord Gu's heart was relieved, and his cold face softened. He nodded and said, "Alright, if there's anything to eat, have the kitchen bring it up. I have to rush back after I'm done. There are very strict rules in the camp these days."

Hongye hurriedly went out to instruct the small kitchen to start cooking.

Qin Yuan asked curiously, "What kind of great method is it?"

Lord Gu embraced her and sat down on the couch next to her, saying softly, "On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the city gates will be opened wide to celebrate with the people. The Imperial Guards will be too busy to handle it all, and the camps outside the city will naturally have to guard the city gates as well. The Emperor wants to demonstrate his civil and military achievements and let the people see for themselves. There will also be a grand review on that day, and the Imperial Guards and the camps are busy practicing battle formations."

On Mid-Autumn Festival night, the emperor and the people enjoyed the lanterns together, and the Empress Dowager's birthday was also celebrated. The camp outside the city had to be guarded and on guard, as well as display the military's majesty and practice battle formations.

This represents the dignity of the Gu family army and the emperor's prestige, so there can be no mistakes.

Qin Yuan patted his chest: "Has the Ministry of Rites made all the arrangements?"

Lord Gu nodded: "Pretty much. Even if the order is changed, it won't make much difference. Whether it's the Imperial Guards or the main camp, they'll be practicing the same things during the grand review. As long as there are no mistakes, it'll be fine." He looked closely at Qin Yuan's face, and finally leaned close to her lips to sniff lightly, as if he wanted to kiss her but held back.

Qin Yuan turned her head and said coquettishly, "What are you doing? Someone will be here soon."

Lord Gu chuckled and said, "I'm just holding back. Who told you to look so much to my liking? They say a day apart feels like three autumns, but you little ingrate don't miss me at all."

"Who's all this 'you' and 'me' talk to me?" Qin Yuan struggled, annoyed. "People are busy as hell at home, and you're still saying these things. Let me tell you, this matter today can't be taken lightly. Do you think I'm trying to coax you back because I miss you so much?"

Lord Gu cleared his throat. Outside, Hongye asked, "Madam, the kitchen has prepared some side dishes and noodles that the Marquis likes. Shall we bring them in now?"

"Bring it in," Qin Yuan quickly moved out a little and sat down to the side.

Lord Gu was both amused and annoyed. After Hongye had set out the bowls and chopsticks, he said, "Alright, you can go outside now. Let me have a good talk with my wife."

Hongye smiled and left.

Qin Yuan blushed and said, "Let's not talk about it now. You should eat quickly. We can talk about it again when Mr. Songshan and Sister Baozhu arrive, so we don't have to repeat ourselves. This matter is too important, so it's up to my husband to make the decision."

Seeing the beauty under the lamplight made her even more alluring, and Lord Gu was indeed quite hungry. Without saying much, he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

The small kitchen always kept his favorite ingredients on hand; even a bowl of noodles was served with a variety of side dishes and tasted delicious.

Just as Lord Gu finished eating, Mr. Songshan and Gu Baozhu arrived one after the other. Upon seeing them, Gu Baozhu exclaimed, "Third Brother, what are you eating? It smells so good! Third Sister-in-law, could I have a bowl too?"

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "What kind of food isn't there in the manor? Why do you get hungry just seeing your brother eating a bowl of noodles?"

Gu Baozhu said, "Third sister-in-law, you can't even bear to part with a bowl of noodles? I've been out all day, and I'm still growing, so of course I get hungry quickly."

Qin Yuan had no choice but to have the small kitchen prepare it again.

Mr. Songshan said, "Give me a bowl too. There are many miscellaneous matters at Feiyun Pavilion, and I get hungry quickly from exhaustion. Hmm, whatever the Marquis eats, give me a serving as well."

Qin Yuan couldn't help but laugh.

After eating and drinking his fill, Lord Gu leaned lazily against the couch, his narrow eyes filled with warmth, his whole being relaxed and at ease, without a trace of his former icy demeanor.

Seeing how comfortable and at ease he was, Mr. Songshan said, "The food hasn't been served yet, so let me explain the situation first, so that the Marquis will have a general idea."

After listening, Lord Gu asked with curiosity, "Has Sixth Brother ever met that Li, the head of the brothel? Is she really that beautiful?"

Gu Baozhu nodded: "This woman is incredibly charming, far surpassing ordinary women. Even I, a woman, am captivated by her."

She turned to look at Qin Yuan, wanting to say something, but Mr. Songshan interrupted her.

"These courtesans are cultivated by madams with countless sums of money and effort. They are skilled in everything they eat, wear, and use, and even the daughters of noble families may not be able to match them. In addition, they have been trained since childhood and are extremely good at singing, dancing, and romance. They often interact with men and are very adept at interpersonal relationships."

In Yangzhou, some merchants would buy beautiful young girls and raise them carefully. When they grew up, they would send them to the inner quarters of officials' families as concubines. The best ones would become courtesans in brothels, where they would be sought after by many and earn thousands of gold coins a day. Li Hangshou was one of the best among them.

I have received word that, besides this Master Li, there is another Master Zhang who also frequently associates with the Emperor.

(End of this chapter)