Chapter 25: Brazenly Falling Out

This remark from Qin Yuan contains every possible implication. On the surface, it scolds the cunning servants for bullying her as a newcomer by serving people according to their status. In reality, it is a veiled criticism aimed at her sisters-in-law.

Gu Baoshu, not used to being treated this way, raised her thick eyebrows in anger, ready to erupt. Sixth Lady Gu quickly held her back and said with a smile, "The titles in the Marquis Mansion are heritable and unchanging. Most of the servants have served for several generations. Third Sister-in-law may not know this, but in such noble families like ours, we highly emphasize respecting the elderly. Therefore, those old servants carry significant weight in front of the young masters, sometimes making them arrogant and difficult to handle."

Looking at Qin Yuan’s expression, she continued, "In my opinion, those who don’t know their place should be punished. Just yesterday, the Marquis dealt severely with Steward Wang and that troublesome servant to vent Third Sister-in-law’s anger. Otherwise, you would have returned to your home long ago with Third Sister-in-law."

It seemed Qin Yuan had not noticed the mockery in Sixth Lady Gu’s words, as she just pursed her lips and smiled slightly.

Gu Baoshu laughed sarcastically, "It’s rare that Third Brother gets angry for the sake of a beauty. I thought he only had eyes for the mother and son in Fengxuan Pavilion."

The sisters-in-law understood each other well.

Qin Yuan coldly retorted, "Seventh Sister, do you perhaps misunderstand your Third Brother? Doesn’t the Marquis have eyes for you? He even asked me to guide you more often, given your lively and active nature, so that you won’t be disliked by your future husband when you marry."

Upon hearing this, Gu Baoshu slapped the table heavily with her round fan and said, "What do you mean, Third Sister-in-law?"

Qin Yuan added another jab, "What do you think it means? Naturally, it’s out of goodwill."

Gu Baoshu angrily stood up, getting ready to grab her clothing. Hong Ye quickly stood in front to protect her firmly.

When Sixth Lady Gu heard the commotion in the inner room, knowing the Old Madam was about to come out, she hurriedly attempted to mediate, "Don’t take this joke further; the Old Madam will be here soon."

Peeking out from behind Hong Ye, Qin Yuan said, "You’re mistaken, Sixth Sister-in-law. I’m not joking with Seventh Sister. Seventh Sister is a lady of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, of noble status, yet she should also possess a daughter’s virtues of modesty and calmness. After all, she must get married someday; she can’t remain a spinster for life. The Old Madam and the Marquis care for her and naturally hope for her well-being."

Gu Baoshu stomped her foot, "...Sixth Sister-in-law, listen to her! How dare she speak this way..."

Qin Yuan continued to assume the air of an elder, disapprovingly saying, "At home, no one comments on your careless speech, but should it become a habit and you speak like this outside, it would bring disaster to the Marquis Mansion and the Marquis. As your sister-in-law, even if the Marquis didn’t ask me to teach you, I would do so, for your sake."

Unable to argue, Gu Baoshu became furious and rushed forward, forcing Qin Yuan to hide quickly behind Cui Ming and Hong Ye.

"Outrageous, what kind of behavior is this!"

It was the voice of Old Madam Gu, who had been present for an unknown duration.

Everyone quickly parted ways and stood with hands lowered.

Old Madam Gu looked displeasedly at the women in the hall, none of whom were trouble-free, and with tightly knit brows, asked, "What’s going on here? Baoshu, why are you fighting with your Third Sister-in-law?"

The arrogance fading from Gu Baoshu’s demeanor, she tearfully complained, "Mother, it was just that yesterday in a hurry, I mistakenly used Third Sister-in-law’s carriage. I already apologized, but she is relentless."

"Oh?" Old Madam Gu looked at Qin Yuan, a hint of displeasure in her eyes, "What do you say?"

The newlywed daughter-in-law came and immediately had discord with the younger sister-in-law.

Even if she was in the right, elders might still consider her insufficiently humble and forbearing.

Qin Yuan softly said, "Mother, Yuan’er was just trying to uphold the Marquis’s dignity. I feared that if Seventh Sister continued to speak recklessly, it might cause trouble for the Marquis and the Marquis Mansion, so I said a few words. I didn’t expect Seventh Sister wouldn’t listen."

An argument from the daughter-in-law for the son’s sake is entirely different.

The frown on Old Madam Gu’s face eased.

Gu Baoshu hastened to shake her head, "Mother, Baoshu did not. It was Third Sister-in-law who cursed me to remain a spinster forever, never to marry. That’s why I got upset."

Old Madam Gu looked at Qin Yuan with surprise.

Qin Yuan sighed, "I did overstep. Sixth Sister-in-law and Seventh Sister are close, and she should have taught her. Logically, it shouldn’t have fallen to me as a new daughter-in-law. Seventh Sister, don’t twist my meaning; even if you resolve to remain unmarried, would the Marquis Mansion begrudge one extra pair of chopsticks for you?"

The Sixth Lady, initially a spectator to the drama: "..."

Old Madam Gu couldn’t unravel their dispute and turned to Sixth Lady Gu, asking, "You were present as well, what do you say?"

Sixth Lady Gu glanced at the tearful Gu Baoshu and then at the frail and innocent Qin Yuan. She appeared torn, wanting to treat both sides fairly but was unable, and sighed, "I don’t know how it got to this, Mother. They started bickering. Seventh Sister is young and quick-tempered, and Third Sister-in-law just arrived, assuming a senior’s role to reprimand Seventh Sister. It’s only natural for Seventh Sister to resist."

Old Madam Gu looked thoughtful.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Mother, Seventh Sister is still young. When a young tree grows crooked, it’s best to correct it early for it to grow well."

"The Marquis is the head of the Marquis Mansion. Seventh Sister’s disrespectful speech wasn’t corrected by Sixth Sister-in-law. Instead, she accuses me of adopting an elder’s tone to reprimand Seventh Sister, provoking her resistance. No wonder the servants are tough to manage here."

Her tone was amiable, but her words were not, possessing an audacity to tear the façade apart.

Everyone was stunned.

The hall suddenly went so silent that a pin drop could be heard.

After a while, Sixth Lady Gu’s eyes reddened as she sobbed, "Does Third Sister-in-law find fault with my housekeeping? If so, I’m willing to yield."

Gu Baoshu stood up for her, "Third Sister-in-law, you’ve only been in the mansion for a few days. Sixth Sister-in-law has managed the household for years—if there’s no merit, there’s at least hard work..."

Qin Yuan spoke seriously, "Supporting the Marquis means supporting the dignity of the Marquis Mansion. With the Marquis well, the mansion can thrive. Although the Dingbei Marquis title is heritable and unchanging, the subsidy alone can hardly sustain the expenses of a large family. The wealth and honor left by ancestors were hard-won and require the careful efforts of descendants. There’s no reason to squander it."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Gu nodded, looking at her with a hint of appreciation.

Qin Yuan continued, "The Marquis has fought and earned his future with blood and iron on the battlefield. Yet Seventh Sister says the Marquis sees only the mother and son in Fengxuan Pavilion. If outsiders overheard, what would they think of the Marquis?"

Gu Baoshu’s face turned pale, lowering her head, not daring to meet Old Madam Gu’s eyes.

Qin Yuan further stated, "The downfall of a large family begins from within. As a member of the Marquis’s family, Seventh Sister should carelessly protect him but instead gives others ammunition. Should I not speak? Sixth Sister-in-law, who spends every day with Seventh Sister, have you fulfilled a sister-in-law’s duty to advise her?"

Sixth Lady Gu bit down hard on her teeth.

Qin Yuan’s words targeted Old Madam Gu’s sore spot directly. Yesterday, Gu Jinghui’s punishment was indeed because of that mother and son, indicating it was a concern for Old Madam Gu.

Sure enough, Old Madam Gu coldly asked, "Baoshu, what exactly did you say?"

Before Gu Baoshu could respond, Old Madam Gu continued, "Call one of the maidservants waiting outside, let her speak."

Nanny Rong quickly summoned a freshly head-shaven maid from outside to come in and instructed, "Recall what the madams and young ladies said earlier in the room, and recite it for us."