Chapter 58: I Too Mourn Like A Fox When the Rabbit Dies

When mentioning Hong Ye, Bai Que was filled with resentment.

"That wretch is so arrogant, she wouldn’t even let me into Wutong Garden."

Nanny Zhao exclaimed in shock, "She actually showed you no respect? After all, you have served the Old Madam; even the Marchioness would have to give you some face."

Bai Que said angrily, "Who knew the Marquis would indulge them so much."

By ’them,’ she referred to both Hong Ye and her mistress, Qin Yuan.

Nanny Zhao secretly mocked Bai Que’s overestimation of herself and said helplessly, "It’s a hopeless situation. The Marchioness even asked the Sixth Lady if you were valued by the Old Madam, and then hurriedly let Hong Ye report back to the Marquis, asking how to handle this. Who knows what Hong Ye said, but the Marquis decided to let you leave the mansion."

Bai Que was furious, "That Hong Ye, it’s not enough to insult me; now she’s slandering me in front of the Marquis. I won’t let her get away with it."

Nanny Zhao said, "I’m telling you this so you understand what’s going on, but don’t let it get out, or you’ll implicate me and the Sixth Lady."

Bai Que immediately stood up, bowed to Nanny Zhao, and said, "I’ll definitely remember the kindness of the Sixth Lady and you, Nanny."

Nanny Zhao hurriedly helped her up and said, "You’re not fully recovered. Why such a big bow? I’m just feeling the sadness of a rabbit at the death of a fox, seeing your distress. If you want to stay, begging the Old Madam won’t help. It’s better to think of a way to change the Marquis’s mind."

Bai Que sighed.

"It’s really hard to see the Marquis now."

Nanny Zhao smiled and said, "It’s not hard for some people to see the Marquis."

After she spoke, she didn’t look at Bai Que, stood up, and said, "I came during a break and need to get back. The Sixth Lady has been busy lately. I’m leaving now. If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know."

Bai Que gratefully said, "Thank you, Nanny, for your help."

Nanny Zhao returned to Sixth Lady Gu with a smile and said, "Bai Que already has a grudge against Hong Ye. Her parents are the most protective and care about reputation. Having boasted so much, they can’t back out now and are bound to cause a scene."

Sixth Lady Gu laughed and said, "That Hong Ye is sharp-tongued. If her mistress won’t discipline her, I shall teach her a lesson to remember."

Nanny Zhao also laughed.

Wutong Garden.

Qin Yuan changed her clothes again, intending to go sit in the main room, and sent Hong Ye to ask Gu Jinghui if he wanted to have dinner at the Old Madam’s place.

Gu Jinghui, seeing everyone had dispersed, also changed clothes, intending to visit Qin Jijiu.

He didn’t need Hong Ye to relay the message and went to the main room himself, telling Qin Yuan, "Accompany Mother and have a good chat with her. I have some matters today. If I return late, don’t wait for me; just have dinner with Mother."

He somewhat hoped Qin Yuan would ask where he was going, yet didn’t really want her to ask.

Qin Yuan, seeing him all dressed up, knew he was going out to meet a guest, and only said, "The Marquis’s health isn’t fully recovered. Who is attending to you? Is it Sixteen?"

Gu Jinghui said, "I’ll just take a random servant with me. Both Sixteen and Seventeen are running errands outside."

Qin Yuan thought to herself that Seventeen was investigating the pepper matter, but she didn’t know what Sixteen was busy with since he hadn’t shown up all day.

But since Marquis Gu didn’t say, she didn’t ask, just nodded, "It’s hot outside; don’t rush too much, lest you sweat too much and aggravate the wound."

Marquis Gu felt delighted but said, "What’s this? When I first went to the Great Camp, I accidentally made a mistake and my father beat me over a dozen times and didn’t allow me to rest for even a moment and marched on with the army."

Qin Yuan said solemnly, "But now the Marquis is in the Capital City; you must take care of your body."

Marquis Gu laughed and said, "I know, I’ll take good care to stay with you. I’m quite healthy."

Qin Yuan: "..."

Marquis Gu left with a smile.

Hong Ye and Cui Ming couldn’t help but laugh.

Qin Yuan said helplessly, "Let’s go to the main room."

As soon as she entered the main room, Xiao Hong welcomed her with a sweet smile, "Marchioness, you came at the right time. The Old Madam is troubled; if you chat with her, she’ll feel better soon."

This flattery both praised Qin Yuan and conveyed a message.

Qin Yuan said, "You little girl, you’re quite clever."

Xiao Hong quickly said, "Thank you, Madam, for your praise. The Marquis said so too."

"Oh?"

Qin Yuan asked, "What did the Marquis say?"

"The Marquis said Xiao Hong is articulate and has a good memory, she’s very useful. Nanny Rong even asked the Marquis if he wanted to transfer Xiao Hong to serve at Wutong Garden."

"What did the Marquis say?"

"The Marquis said that it would be best if Madam approved, as he does not interfere with affairs at Wutong Garden and told Xiao Hong to perform well in front of Madam."

Xiao Hong blinked expectantly at Qin Yuan.

Hong Ye couldn’t help but chuckle and said, "You’re really trying to climb up the ranks."

Xiao Hong replied seriously, "Nanny Rong said many people are eyeing the vacancy at Wutong Garden. I am young, and if I’m not clever, Madam definitely wouldn’t choose me."

Qin Yuan was seeing such a straightforward child for the first time.

One could say she’s calculating, yet she’s not scheming, saying whatever she thinks.

One could say she’s not scheming, yet she knows to curry favor and bring Nanny Rong into the conversation.

Qin Yuan smiled and asked her, "Why do you want to come to Wutong Garden? Isn’t serving in the main room enough? Girls who have served the Old Madam are more respected elsewhere."

Xiao Hong replied earnestly, "Madam is beautiful and kind, and the Marquis is easygoing. I would be happy to serve. In the main room, there are many capable senior sisters trained by the Old Madam and Nanny Rong; Xiao Hong doesn’t stand out in there. Madam has just come to the Marquis Mansion and is in need of staff. Although I’m young, I’m swift and have a good memory. I can definitely assist Madam and the sisters."

Hong Ye laughed, "Oh dear, Madam has no choice but to keep you. What a sweet talker."

Cui Ming agreed, "She’s indeed clever."

Qin Yuan said nothing.

Xiao Hong was not discouraged, still smiling as she led the way.

This attitude made Qin Yuan nod in approval internally.

Old Madam Gu, knowing her daughter-in-law has come again, asked Nanny Rong, "Has that scoundrel son of mine done something again?"

Nanny Rong hesitated and shook her head, "Haven’t heard anything."

As Qin Yuan entered, she cheerfully called "Mother."

Old Madam Gu relaxed and asked with a smile, "On a hot day like this, why have you come? I’m not one for strict rules, needing to keep a daughter-in-law by my side to attend me. Hui’er is going to take shifts at the Great Camp in a few days. Why aren’t you keeping him company and instead coming to join an old woman under the blazing sun?"

Qin Yuan asked in surprise, "Mother, could it be you’ve tired of me? The Marquis is going out to meet a guest, and I remember him specially telling me at lunch to tell you stories, so I came. I didn’t expect Mother wouldn’t be happy to see me."

Old Madam Gu and Nanny Rong couldn’t help but laugh.

"Mother cares for you, worried you’ll get tanned by the sun, such a pity if your lovely face were to darken."

Qin Yuan sat next to Old Madam Gu and chatted idly for a while before Old Madam Gu curiously asked, "What story did you and Hui’er talk about, where someone surnamed Qin wiped out the entire family of someone surnamed Cui? It’s so terrifying."

Gu Jinghui also asked Qin Jijiu the same way, "Father-in-law, why did the person surnamed Qin wipe out the entire family of the person surnamed Cui?"