Gu Shiba was committed to maintaining the Marquis’s dignity and couldn’t stand hearing the word "sick," so he leaned closer to the guard, quietly waving his fist and said, "You better watch yourself."

The guard didn’t dare mutter anymore, shook his head, and quickly slipped away.

At this moment, inside the room, the Marquis was calling for him again, "Shiba, Shiba."

"Coming, coming," Gu Shiba muttered helplessly, "I knew I couldn’t get away." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

As soon as he entered the main room, he saw Qin Yuan talking to Marquis Gu with her head tilted, "This matter is all because of you, you have to find a way to solve it, or I won’t agree with you."

Her tone was coy, her appearance charmingly beautiful.

Gu Shiba hurriedly lowered his head, eyes to the nose, nose to the heart, not daring to look again.

Marquis Gu said, "Shiba, go to Sixteen’s house and say that Sixteen has already asked the master for a marriage arrangement. If the two families have not yet finalized it, just quietly withdraw."

Gu Shiba was stunned.

Marquis Gu glared at him, "Hurry up."

Gu Shiba was a bit despondent, saying, "With Sixteen’s family doing this, does Sixteen not know at all? If the master has done this, won’t Sixteen’s mother resent the master?"

Marquis Gu said amusedly, "If you’re worried that no one will marry Hong Mian, you can marry her."

Gu Shiba quickly shook his head wildly, "Who would dare marry someone like her? I couldn’t handle it."

Marquis Gu gave him a subtle smile.

Gu Shiba finally realized the implication, and with an awkward smile, said, "I’ll go right away."

"You’d better hurry. I’m waiting here for your report. Prince Qi and the others are still waiting for me over there. Don’t delay matters," Marquis Gu instructed.

Gu Shiba quickly went out several steps at a time, heading straight for Gu Shiliu’s house. Within the time it took for half an incense stick to burn, he was at the door, hearing laughter and chatter inside, clearly indicating a gathering of friends and relatives.

Gu Shiba couldn’t help but frown as he stood outside the door, hesitating, not knowing how to proceed.

"Isn’t this Brother Shiba?"

A young lad, looking somewhat similar to Gu Shiliu, came out and saw Gu Shiba standing outside the door, "Are you here to congratulate my brother?"

Gu Shiba nodded and replied, "Where’s your parents?"

"They’re talking with Uncle Li’s family. Why are you looking for my parents again?"

Without answering the boy’s question, Gu Shiliu himself opened the door, walked straight inside, and said, "The Marquis has a message for your parents."

The boy scratched his head, a bit puzzled, "Today is my brother’s engagement, but he’s not here, yet you all keep coming and going."

Gu Shiba grumbled, "Isn’t all this because of your brother? He’s been elusive these days, and no one can find him to discuss things. Such a small matter has caused such a commotion, the Marquis and Madam are both very busy, yet still have to take the time to manage this."

"The Marquis and Madam?" The boy was confused, "Why would my brother’s engagement alarm them?"

Gu Shiba coughed, not planning to go inside to meet others, and urged, "Hurry and call your parents out. The master has a message I need to deliver."

The boy sensed something amiss and immediately went inside to call his parents.

In no time, a middle-aged couple rushed out in slippers and upon seeing Gu Shiba, asked, "Did Sixteen get into some trouble that the Marquis sent you here today?"

Gu Shiba said, "Uncle, Aunt, Sixteen’s engagement cannot proceed."

Inside the house.

The shy and anxious Hong Mian’s thoughts were entirely outside, not listening at all to the sister-in-law of Gu Shiliu’s family speaking with her.

Hong Mian’s mother said, "Hong Mian, your sister-in-law is asking what you usually do to serve the Madam?"

"Hmm?" Hong Mian came back to her senses.

Her mother comfortingly squeezed her hand.

Outside the house.

Gu Shiliu’s mother looked troubled, "Why didn’t the child return to say earlier? The way this was handled, what should we do now? We just exchanged eight-character notes, and the dowry and bride price were all discussed."

Gu Shiliu’s father said, "I told you this was poorly handled. How could we hastily finalize the elder son’s marriage for the sake of the second son’s without even letting the elder son meet her? The Li family seems so anxious, pushing so hard. The girl is still so young, and even if set, Sixteen won’t marry for several years. Even if they have children, they won’t be the eldest grandchild. This messes up the order of things."

Gu Shiba was infuriated when he heard this.

"Uncle, Aunt. Sixteen risked his life with the Marquis at the Northern Border, and he brought the silver home. Such a big thing as marriage can’t be trivialized for him."

Gu Shiliu’s mother cried out in grievance, "Aren’t they both my own flesh? Would I wrong one for the other? I was just thinking that the Li family is well off, and the girl the second son favors is a relative. The sisters-in-law would get along, so I considered it."

Gu Shiliu’s father said, "Alright, the Marquis has already spoken on this matter. We’ve been informed. We won’t meddle in Gu Shiliu’s marriage anymore; he can decide for himself."

Gu Shiliu’s mother added, "He’s the eldest, his younger siblings depend on him, the eldest daughter-in-law can’t..."

Gu Shiliu’s father snorted, "Would someone chosen by the master be worse than those you choose? If Gu Shiliu and the master are happy with this, what more is there for you to worry about? Don’t you get it yet?"

Gu Shiliu’s mother was startled, sighed in disappointment, "Fine then, he’s grown wings now, not even consulting the family on marriage matters. The mistake is mine,"

Gu Shiba discreetly rolled his eyes.

"I’ve delivered the master’s message. How both your families handle this is up to you. The Marquis values Sixteen, and of course he would matchmake a good one for Sixteen. The person is also someone Sixteen favors, a maidservant who serves the Madam closely, raised together since young, with outstanding character and appearance."

Gu Shiliu’s father squinted and smiled, "That’s good, that’s good, Sixteen has followed the Marquis for so many years. The Marquis is kind, and the Madam is praised by everyone, they certainly wouldn’t wrong him, this is the boy’s good fortune."

Gu Shiliu’s mother wasn’t as happy.

Gu Shiba couldn’t be bothered to watch her expression anymore, so he said, "Then I’ll be going. The Marquis is waiting for my report. I’ve delivered the message."

"Alright, alright, Shiba, thank you for your trouble. If you see Sixteen, tell him to come home, there’s something to say," Gu Shiliu’s father smiled, "and send a message to the Marquis, thanking the master for valuing our Sixteen."

Gu Shiba was finally pleased, smiled, "Uncle, don’t worry. Sixteen has always been clever and never loses out. The one he’s chosen must be good. Quality and appearance..." He glanced inside and gave a look, "Far surpasses that."

Gu Shiliu’s father understood the hint, beaming with smiles. After Gu Shiba left, he turned to his wife, whose face was still dark, and said, "Sixteen is highly valued by the master. If you truly want him to take care of the younger ones in the future, stop meddling in his marriage affairs."