Chapter 51: Murderous Aura Rising

Gu Jinghui let out a cold snort from deep in his throat, saying with a steely voice, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Seeing his unfriendly tone, Gu Jingjun shrunk his neck and muttered, "It’s all over the mansion, even if others don’t say it, it’s not like I’m blind."

"If your eyes are useless, better to dig them out."

Gu Jinghui’s voice grew colder and harsher.

Gu Jingjun said, "Third Brother, your menacing demeanor even scares me. Isn’t your delicate Third Sister-in-law afraid? You only know how to wield swords and spears, but you can’t appreciate beauty or recite poetry and paint. I think you’re quite a match for Lady Zhao from the Northern Border. Her two children are quite fierce; they can’t play well with my kids. In the future, our Third Sister-in-law might be bullied by them."

Gu Jinghui’s narrow eyes shot out a cold light, murderous intent seeming to emanate from his stern face.

Gu Jingjun cautiously stepped back a few paces.

"If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak. If you dare spread such nonsense again, don’t blame Third Brother for ruining you."

Leaving behind words as cold and sharp as a blade, Marquis Gu strode away.

Unafraid of death, Sixth Master Gu hurriedly held him back, saying, "Third Brother, you really need to give money, survival money."

Marquis Gu replied coldly, "If you say more nice things, like how my marriage with your Third Sister-in-law is a match made in heaven, perfectly matched, destined to be of one heart, grow old together with many children and blessings, then I’ll give you money."

Sixth Master Gu: "..."

Before he could regret, Gu Jinghui had already thrown him a cold glance and walked away briskly.

Sixth Master Gu wasn’t aware that his Third Brother had already etched the event in his heart, and the mansion’s accountant would soon receive orders never to grant him a copper coin beyond his monthly stipend.

With a raging fire burning within him, Gu Jinghui headed straight back to Wutong Garden.

The garden was silent, with only a few young maids keeping watch under the corridor.

"Where is the Madam?"

"Replying to the Marquis, the Madam is resting inside. Miss Cui Ming and Sister Hong Ye have been sent by the Madam to supervise the housekeepers."

Gu Jinghui nodded, refusing any attendants, and walked into the house with his hands behind his back.

The young maids hesitated about whether to announce his presence.

Marquis Gu was already inside the room.

The outer room was empty, with calligraphy practice sheets and large characters brushed this morning laid out on the table.

Recently washed Hu Bi brushes were still set on the brush rest.

Gu Jinghui carefully examined and appreciated them.

Qin Yuan’s handwriting was elegant and supple on the surface, yet carried strength, with occasional sharp strokes, much like her character.

His heart gradually calmed down.

Qin Yuan was now married to him, destined to be his wife and bear his children, a fact not altered by anyone else’s words.

He would be deeply connected and harmonious with her, blinding those who doubted them with their happiness.

Moreover, his young wife cared deeply for him, focused entirely on him.

As long as those obstructions were gone, good days lay ahead.

Turning to leave, Gu Jinghui caught sight of a refined jade florid letter, gracefully inscribed in fine script.

Daughters of civil servants were indeed meticulous.

He couldn’t resist taking a look.

The florid letter was crafted with care, using magnolia as the base, its pink surface emitting a faint fragrance.

Gu Jinghui glanced over it, spotting words like yearning and thinking, making his heart race too much to continue.

There was a commotion outside, and he hurriedly put the letter back.

Then he heard Hong Ye’s voice in the corridor: "Has anyone come to find Miss?"

The young maids replied, "No one. The Madam said if anyone came with news, we should invite the person to the floral hall."

"Very well, this pertains to Madam’s important business, so be cautious," Hong Ye said.

The young maids gathered around Hong Ye to chat, while Gu Jinghui retreated to the side room.

"This Hong Ye, after so long, still doesn’t address her as Madam, truly in need of discipline," Gu Jinghui muttered.

He picked up the teapot, but the tea was cold.

Reaching for the pastries on the table, they weren’t his beloved Furong Cakes.

In short, nothing was going right.

Upon hearing that the Marquis had returned, Hong Ye quickly entered the inner room to serve, seeing no one there and realizing the Marquis had gone to the side room. She didn’t meddle but took a small stool to sit outside, casually chatting with the young maids.

Before long, Mrs. Cai arrived, hastily asking, "Is Miss Cui Ming here?"

Hong Ye chuckled, "Miss Cui Ming went with Mrs. Lu to check the sewing room’s accounts."

Mrs. Cai was shocked, asking, "Why check the accounts all of a sudden?"

Accounts were only checked yearly.

Could it be the Marchioness wasn’t assured after taking over and wanted another check?

Or discovered something amiss?

Hong Ye replied, "Earlier, the Madam asked the housekeepers to reconcile the accounts with Sixth Madam. What belonged to Sixth Madam before would remain with her, and only future accounts would be with the Madam. By now, Mrs. Lu should have it all sorted out. But this morning, when Mrs. Lu mentioned buying embroidery threads, Madam inquired about the yearly amounts needed, how much was purchased this year, and what was left, and she couldn’t answer. So Madam had Cui Ming help her with the accounts to prevent confusion, especially at the year’s end when accounts are finalized."

Listening to this, Mrs. Cai nodded along sympathetically, and even Gu Jinghui inside couldn’t help but nod.

Mrs. Cai commented, "The Marchioness is meticulous in her work."

Hong Ye proudly stated, "The Madam has many good qualities, as you’ll come to know."

Mrs. Cai said, "I came because there’s something I’d like Miss Cui Ming to convey to the Marchioness, but since she’s not here, it should be just as well to tell Miss Hong Ye."

Hong Ye asked, "What is it? The Madam is resting; you may tell me for now, Mrs. Cai."

Mrs. Cai whispered, "Last time, I managed to have Miss Cui Ming join in on a venture. Somehow, Nanny Zhao from Sixth Madam’s side found out, and during a meeting at the Songtao Pavilion with the housekeepers, she spread it around, encouraging everyone to join as well. It seems peculiar to me."

Hong Ye nodded.

Mrs. Cai continued, "In business, gains and losses are possible. I was prepared when I joined, but if everyone joins in now, it’ll be fine if profitable, but if there are losses, who knows what they’ll say about the Madam behind her back? Since this all stemmed from me, I can’t help but worry for the Madam."

Hong Ye said, "This morning, both Nanny Zhao and Sixth Madam eagerly joined in as well, and the Madam made it clear that business can have profits and losses, and they shouldn’t be regretful if it turns into a loss. If anyone withdraws midway, costs will be deducted and refunded according to current market value. These terms are written down in black and white."

Concerned, Mrs. Cai said, "Everyone’s enthusiastic now—though those words were said, not everyone will heed them. If anything happens, the Madam’s authority among the housekeepers could be compromised."

Hong Ye replied, "But if she doesn’t agree now, they’ll bear a grudge if they profit later."

Mrs. Cai sighed.

Inside, Gu Jinghui couldn’t help furrowing his brows.

Hong Ye said, "The Madam anticipated this, so no need to fret, Mrs. Cai. There’s no wall impervious to the wind; since the Madam agreed to let you join, she foresaw today’s situation. Your loyalty to the Madam will be conveyed by me."

In a lighter tone, Mrs. Cai said, "I never expected the Madam to be so calculated."

Hong Ye said, "The Madam has studied and understood principles from an early age, learning from the sages, quite different from us."