Chapter 107: The Whole Family Is Waiting

Hong Ye said, "How can Lady Zhao teach the children like this?"

Qin Yuan remained silent.

Lady Zhao was successful in her last life.

Xiao Hong looked up earnestly at Qin Yuan’s expression, and after a moment, said, "Madam, Brother Cheng and Sister Yu cried so pathetically. Brother Cheng said he grew up not knowing that his real father was someone else and doesn’t even know what he’s like. The Old Madam consoled for a long time, telling him these revelations don’t mean they’re being abandoned, and as long as they’re willing, the Marquis Mansion will try to take care of them. Then Sister Yu asked..."

At this point, Xiao Hong hesitated a little.

"Asked what?"

Hong Ye pressed further.

"She asked if it was like their mother said, that because the Marquis was marrying Madam to have children, he didn’t want them anymore. It made the Old Madam terribly angry."

Hong Ye raised her eyebrows indignantly, "That Zhao woman..."

Qin Yuan interrupted her, calmly saying, "It’s because they think like this that they need to be told. If they keep thinking this way, it will lead to more mistakes, and it will be too late. How can children not know who their father is? They need to know eventually, and the Marquis would never do something like steal someone else’s children."

In the last life, Brother Cheng roamed outside using the identity of Marquis Gu’s adopted son.

Xiao Hong listened, seemingly deep in thought.

Qin Yuan said, "You go back first, later I’ll have someone bring you a set of three hundred thousand. It’s good for you to learn to read and study a bit in the main room when you’re free."

Xiao Hong agreed with a smile and went back to find the pair of twins, bringing a bag full of candy.

Hong Ye said, "Miss, that Zhao woman really has a lot of schemes."

Cui Ming’s expression was also grim.

Qin Yuan raised her teacup, took a sip, and then said, "Her thoughts hidden are the most frightening, but now they’ve been exposed, and everyone is clear on it, what more can she do? She’s just feigning illness, dragging a small illness into a big one, to continue staying at the Marquis Mansion. Last time things fell apart like that, the Marquis didn’t even go see her, and even the Sixth Madam doesn’t wish to spend effort on her, so why be angry?"

Hong Ye thought it over and agreed, though her emotions were unsettled. "I think of how Miss was schemed against as soon as she entered the mansion, almost fell for it, and I can’t help wishing to properly deal with them."

Those days had angered her greatly, bearing many grievances for her Miss.

Cui Ming echoed with fear, "The things Lady Zhao said were so terrifying, almost as if she was hinting at not wanting the Marquis and Miss to have children."

Qin Yuan stood up, walked outside, instructed someone to call Shen Changle in, then sat down, calmly saying, "What can she do now? The Old Madam has the children raised close by her side; she can only be bedridden, unable to harm the children, only herself. The Marquis avoids her, and since she’s not completed mourning... once it’s over, the Marquis will invite her out of the mansion; afterwards, even if she doesn’t give up, she’ll try to cozy up to the Marquis, but with in-laws present, she’ll have fewer chances, and they’ll guard against it."

Cui Ming said, "The Marquis’s tactic is good."

Qin Yuan nodded.

She really hadn’t expected Marquis Gu to use this maneuver, almost like removing the firewood from under the pot.

The whole family is now waiting for Gu Shiliu to bring someone to send Mrs. Zhao and her children out of the mansion.

Only Lady Zhao is still unaware, toiling over herself in Fengxuan Pavilion.

Even the Sixth Madam, her ally, doesn’t wish to expend more effort.

It shows that though this setup seems fierce, it’s not unbreakable.

"Madam, Shen Changle has arrived."

The little maid outside announced.

"Let him in."

Shen Changle, with a kindly face full of smiles, entered and first greeted, standing below awaiting Qin Yuan’s instructions.

"Today go to Manager Wu and tell them not to inquire about the price of pepper anymore, just spread the news that Prince Qi Mansion somehow got news about purchasing pepper, and that Marquis Mansion has decided to buy pepper elsewhere."

Shen Changle agreed.

Qin Yuan added, "Continue monitoring the price of pepper; if there’s any news or sudden changes, let me know."

Shen Changle blinked, refraining from asking more.

Qin Yuan continued, "Go to Ranxiang Inn and convey the same to Manager Leng."

Shen Changle agreed one by one.

Qin Yuan said, "You go to West Market and see what’s going on, and let someone bring a set of introductory three hundred thousand."

When he retreated, Qin Yuan stretched lazily, remarking, "I wonder how the Marquis is doing."

Hong Ye laughed, "Miss is thinking of the Marquis, isn’t she?"

Qin Yuan smiled too.

Cui Ming said, "You seem to have a lot to say, we’ll go around for checks as well, weren’t you keen to find out many things?"

Hong Ye then followed Cui Ming out.

Soon a little maid came in with a small box, saying, "Madam, Shen Changle had someone deliver this, the payment has been made."

Qin Yuan nodded, opened it to find a set of fine paper printed enlightenment books: "Three Character Classic", "Hundred Family Names", "Thousand Character Classic", with small, clear, neat, and elegant scripts.

"Great, send it to the main room, find Nanny Rong and say it’s from me for Xiao Hong to study."

With Hong Ye and Cui Ming absent, the good task of delivering the books to the main room thus fell to the little maid, who agreed happily.

She soon returned, face brimming with delight, evidently having received a reward.

"Madam, the books have been given to Nanny Rong; Xiao Hong, Young Master Cheng, and Miss Yu were all there and very happy. Xiao Hong said thanks to Madam, and will come to thank Madam again in the evening."

"Good," Qin Yuan, seeing her answer clearly, bestowed her some table snacks, saying, "Rest for a bit."

The little maid cautiously carried the plate, curtseyed, and then went out.

Once outside, there was a small commotion, which soon settled.

Not long after, Hong Ye and Cui Ming noticed the little maids were all crowding around Qin Yuan, competing for the daytime duty outside the main room, practically breaking their heads for it.

"Did Madam buy a set of three hundred thousand to give to Xiao Hong?"

Gu Jinghui, with idle boredom, sat grandly on the stone steps outside a temple, under the starlight, listening to Gu Shiba report the mansion’s developments.

Before he left this morning, he had instructed that all mansion affairs be reported daily.

Under the pretense of caring about the Marquis Mansion.

As head of the household, it was entirely normal.

In fact, Gu Shiba felt the Marquis really wanted to know what Madam was up to.

Running several dozens of miles every day, to and fro a hundred miles, truly tiring.

But thinking of the reward money Marquis would give, Gu Shiba felt no fatigue.

Taking this reward, he too would learn from Gu Shiliu to plead with Madam for a favor.

"Indeed, Young Master Cheng was quite envious. Upon hearing the Old Madam say if he could recite half of ’Three Character Classic’, he’d get a set bought for him, he studied diligently. Madam also had someone spread rumors that Prince Qi Mansion, somehow got hold of some information, might be bulk-buying pepper, and Marquis Mansion couldn’t compete, so it’s gone to other State Mansions to inquire about sources."

Hearing this, Gu Jinghui’s expression seemed amused. He knew his young wife was quite clever.

Since Prince Qi Mansion stirred things up, don’t blame Madam for adding fuel to the fire.

Though not having interacted with Prince Qi for long, he knew the man was as slippery as a black-hearted sesame dumpling, everything he said or did involved countless twists.

This lad deserved to taste some setback.