Chapter 46: Heart-to-Heart

After speaking, Sixth Lady Gu began to cry again.

Qin Yuan thought to herself, Sixth Master Gu is handsome and idle, wandering among the flowers and attracting attention must be a common occurrence.

Sixth Lady Gu didn’t know how many times she had cried.

This sorrow, there must be other reasons.

Beside her, Gu Jinghui looked troubled, clearly feeling it inappropriate to discuss his younger brother’s private matters with his sister-in-law, so he sat awkwardly accompanying her.

Meanwhile, Old Madam Gu seemed to be quite vexed, simply holding her forehead with a sigh, while Nanny Rong stood by with knitted brows.

Qin Yuan then stepped forward to help Sixth Lady Gu wipe her tears, and asked, "Has Sixth Sister-in-law eaten yet?"

Sixth Lady Gu shook her head.

Qin Yuan said, "Then that’s good, we can eat here with mother, there is plenty of variety here, it would be wasteful not to eat together."

Old Madam Gu, having a headache since early morning, laughed upon hearing this, "You little monkey, every time you come here to eat, maybe you’ll really eat me poor."

Nanny Rong laughed as she handed over a warm towel, "How much can Madam eat? Only Madam comes; Old Madam needn’t worry, but if Madam brings the Marquis, that’s more to worry about."

Gu Jinghui smiled and said, "Madam eats with such relish, it’s hard not to eat more when I watch. If mother feels it’s not worthwhile, I’ll pay my share."

Qin Yuan quickly took out a receipt from her pocket and handed it to Nanny Rong, saying, "This is the receipt from yesterday when mother and Nanny Rong bought pepper. If it makes money, wouldn’t this year’s share be settled, so mother, you don’t need to cry poor anymore."

"Oh, there’s even a receipt?"

Old Madam Gu found it curious.

Gu Jinghui had heard of this matter yesterday but hadn’t seen it yet, so he leaned over to look.

Nanny Rong opened the paper, the format was precise, sealed with Qin Yuan’s private seal, leaving blank spaces for their signatures.

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "What is this, Cui Ming and Hong Ye even specially made an account book. Although we are women, we must establish rules when doing things, let others see that we are doing big things, proper things."

This made everyone laugh.

Cui Ming quickly stepped forward to hand the account book to Nanny Rong, saying, "Nanny Rong, Madam had me bring this to you and Old Madam for your signatures. The silver note has been recorded, and after signing, by the end of the year this receipt can be used to distribute the silver."

Sixth Lady Gu couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Nanny Rong accepted it with a smile, opened it, and said, "Old Madam, this old servant truly didn’t expect that there are quite a few people in Madam’s account book. Gu Shiliu, Hong Ye, Cuiming all have shares, and Mrs. Cai also contributed."

Sixth Lady Gu stopped crying and stared intently at the account book, lost in thought.

Old Madam Gu laughed and said, "Let me have a look."

Nanny Rong quickly handed it over.

Old Madam Gu carefully looked through it, and said, "This account book is made meticulously, haha, this old woman will sign it."

Qiujie brought over an ink pad, "Why not use this."

Old Madam Gu nodded, "This is more convenient, I don’t often have pen and ink ready, I don’t even know where they’ve been put away."

Sixth Lady Gu said, "Third Sister-in-law, I also want to contribute a share."

Qin Yuan glanced at her, lowered her eyes, and smiled, "I don’t know how much Sixth Sister-in-law wants to invest."

Sixth Lady Gu said, "I don’t have much money, I’ll just follow Nanny Rong. If it makes money, I’ll use it to buy flowers to wear."

Qin Yuan smiled and agreed.

Sixth Lady Gu then turned to her close nanny beside her and said, "You should also contribute a share. Third Sister-in-law collected so many shares, she must be confident, we should join in to get rich together."

The close nanny was taken aback, then immediately smiled and said, "Indeed, please let Madam do me the honor of including me."

Gu Jinghui frowned slightly but remained silent.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "If you are willing, then go ahead, but let me make it clear, this contribution is voluntary, and profits or losses are your responsibility. Don’t be happy when profits come and blame me for losses."

The close nanny laughed, "How could that be, Madam, you’re joking."

It was unclear whether she meant she wouldn’t blame Qin Yuan for losses or she believed Qin Yuan couldn’t lose money.

Qin Yuan didn’t mind, just smiled.

Qiujie and the little maids had already set up breakfast, Old Madam Gu, doting on her son, asked, "Would you like to add some meat soup?"

Gu Jinghui shook his head, "Mother, it’s not necessary."

He had come with matters to attend to, not just to eagerly have a meal, it wasn’t necessary to trouble over it.

Old Madam Gu knew his temperament, so she said no more.

"You cried for so long, and last night you probably didn’t eat well, eat a bit more, don’t hurt your stomach."

Old Madam Gu coaxed Sixth Lady Gu with care.

Qin Yuan needed no persuasion, eating with great relish, as if every dish was a delicacy of the world, she had to savor it mindfully to be worthy of such exquisite food.

Everyone else also unknowingly ate quite a bit more.

After the meal, Gu Jinghui remained in the main room to speak with Old Madam, while Qin Yuan left with Sixth Lady Gu, heading back to Wutong Garden to manage affairs, where the steward mamas must have already gathered.

Sixth Lady Gu held Qin Yuan’s hand and said, "Third Sister-in-law, I’m embarrassed to have let you see me like this this morning. I was so upset with Sixth Master, he has always been like this for so many years, nothing can persuade him."

Qin Yuan felt a bit awkward, smiling, "Sixth Sister-in-law, there’s no need to say such things, it’s understandable for us women to feel hurt over such matters."

"Actually, I’ve gotten used to it over the years. Men, they always favor the new over the old. As the saying goes, a wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as an affair, and an affair is not as good as the unattainable. He’s taken so many, yet he forgets them soon enough."

"I’m his legitimate wife, whoever he takes can never surpass me. I have a son and a daughter, which is my confidence."

Qin Yuan nodded in agreement.

Sixth Lady Gu spoke sincerely, "Third Sister-in-law, I’ve come to see clearly, as women, when we’re young and beautiful, we must control the man’s purse, set rules, have children early, and secure the place of the legitimate wife. The rest is all superficial. You see, no matter how influential I might be in front of the housekeeper mamas, once Sixth Master causes trouble, what can I do?"

Qin Yuan understood her meaning, sighing, "It’s a difficult world for women, maybe that’s why some swear to come back as a man in the next life. Sixth Sister-in-law’s grievances are understood here."

Sixth Lady Gu sighed, "Third Sister-in-law, you are still youthful and beautiful, enjoying good times. I... oh well, I’ll just muddle along with him then."

After speaking, she bitterly smiled, "Look at me saying such things, ruining your mood for no reason. You and Third Brother are newlyweds, sweet as can be. Third Sister-in-law, about buying pepper, I’ve already found a matchmaker’s shopkeeper and clerk to inquire for you, rest assured, it can be done."

Qin Yuan immediately thanked her.

Sixth Lady Gu said with a laugh, "I don’t understand it myself, I just want to follow Third Sister-in-law to make a fortune."

Implying she’ll also stock some pepper herself.

Qin Yuan just smiled without speaking. After they parted ways, the close nanny curiously asked Sixth Lady Gu, "Why did you want this old servant to contribute a share as well?"

Sixth Lady Gu said, "If you and Mrs. Cai buy, then everyone else will want to buy as well. With more people buying, if there’s a loss, think of how many will blame her."