Chapter 137: Utter Fools

Ranxiang Inn quickly delivered the prepared spices, all placed in separate sandalwood boxes.

This time, Qin Yuan did not make incense pills but simply mixed the spices delivered according to proportion, added mugwort, and instructed to light them at each courtyard’s gate and main house.

Instantly, the mansion was filled with a strong and pungent medicinal aroma.

Old Madam Gu urgently ordered that Sixth Lady Gu hurriedly gathered all the tokens and account books and had Nanny Zhao send them to Wutong Garden.

Nanny Zhao, with a solemn expression, said, "Madam, once you hand them over, it might be difficult to get them back."

"I am reluctant too," Sixth Lady Gu said, heart aching, gritting her teeth, "If only I hadn’t gone to Fengxuan Pavilion to speak, who knew that wretch would run away, wretch, truly a wretch."

Mentioning that woman made Sixth Lady Gu deeply resentful.

Her own daughter’s face and body had already developed many pox marks, crying incessantly.

It’s still unknown if the other children have caught it.

Nanny Zhao suggested, "Madam, why not have Aunt Huang help take care of the two young misses, while you go to the Old Madam, stating that the current situation is urgent. I’m afraid the Third Madam, being young, can’t handle it alone. Perhaps the madam should continue to manage the household, with the Third Madam assisting..."

Sixth Lady Gu quickly shook her head, saying, "I shouldn’t; I’d rather avoid trouble. Right now, I cannot make any more mistakes."

If smallpox spreads in the mansion, it would be no small matter.

If she errs again, she will truly lose the chance to manage the household.

Nanny Zhao reflected and said, "The madam is right; running a household is not easy. It’s already quite an achievement for the Third Madam to handle things without error. I’ll head to Wutong Garden now."

As soon as Nanny Zhao entered Wutong Garden, she saw all the housekeeper mammas gathered, waiting for Qin Yuan’s instructions.

Hong Ye received the box, placing it on the table in the courtyard, asked for some warmed wine to clean the tokens, and then placed the account books on the incense burner for fumigation.

Nanny Zhao’s eyelids twitched and she asked, "What’s this for?"

Hong Ye replied, "This is the lady’s instruction; regardless of which courtyard, this must be done. In a while, each courtyard will be sprinkled with lime to prevent the spread of smallpox."

Nanny Zhao dared not speak further.

After all, at present, only the Sixth Madam’s courtyard had someone sick.

It was understandable for them to be cautious.

Nanny Zhao smiled and said, "That’s good; if it spreads, it would be troubling."

Hong Ye added, "Yes, currently everywhere is being searched. If anything unclean is found, it must be burnt immediately, to prevent spreading outside."

Nanny Zhao hurriedly returned to report to Sixth Lady Gu.

Sixth Lady Gu said, "It looks like she is making big moves. Has Nanny Rong gone?"

Nanny Zhao replied, "No, she hasn’t gone."

Sixth Lady Gu appeared puzzled and said, "Is it because the Old Madam trusts her skills, or..."

Nanny Zhao remained silent.

After a while, Sixth Lady Gu said, "Go motivate them to contribute."

Qin Yuan might not lead them to wealth, but she can.

She still needs to win their hearts.

Nanny Zhao understood her meaning and said, "Madam, rest assured."

In Wutong Garden, Qin Yuan instructed all the housekeeper mammas, assigning each a task, leading their respective mammas to wipe down all the utensils in the mansion with mugwort water and wine, sprinkling lime everywhere.

The inner courtyard arrangements were finalized, and Gu Jinghui instructed Housekeeper Han and Housekeeper Cao to follow suit and clean the outer courtyard thoroughly.

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Gu told Nanny Rong, "Yuan’er is indeed capable. Look at her instructions; things are completed swiftly and orderly. I initially thought it was too early to hand over the entire Marquis Mansion to her. Now, I feel she could probably manage two Marquis Mansions."

Nanny Rong said, "The madam is wise and capable, and the mammas separated by the Sixth Madam each admire her greatly. Mrs. Li has been raised in the sewing room, and the others dare not disobey."

This decisive move, even Nanny Rong found impressive.

Old Madam Gu praised, "It’s rare that Mrs. Lu didn’t cause any trouble, which shows Yuan’er is not only smart but also resourceful."

Looking at the Old Madam’s expression, Nanny Rong said, "This time the Sixth Madam cares for the children, handing over the household management to the madam. We will soon see the results."

Implying that at that time, will the household management be returned to Sixth Lady Gu?

If not handled well, grievances might arise.

Old Madam Gu sighed, "Old Six’s wife is good in many ways, but she is too self-centered and narrow-minded. I originally thought Lady Zhao and she were close, and she could expand Lady Zhao’s heart, but it turned out like this."

Who knew what was said, making Lady Zhao specifically harm Old Six’s child.

Nanny Rong understood.

Old Madam Gu was harboring resentment towards Sixth Lady Gu.

Nanny Rong said, "Lady Zhao’s background is unknown, and she committed such acts, clearly not benign. If the lady hadn’t mentioned reporting to the authorities, based on the Marquis’ temperament, he might suppress the matter for the sake of those two children, which could become a future threat."

Old Madam Gu pondered for a long time and said, "You’re right, if we suppress it silently, focusing only on finding people... Yuan’er is clear-headed in times of trouble, discerning right from wrong; she truly is Hui’er’s fortune."

If not for the Magistrate’s meticulous investigation today, those nannies’ misdeeds might have gone unnoticed.

Unaware that Lady Zhao was such a cruel person.

Old Madam Gu thought again and said, "But... what about those two children in the future?"

Their parents’ backgrounds are unknown, yet the Marquis indeed owed their father a favor; their placement becomes problematic.

Nanny Rong suggested, "Why not hear the madam’s thoughts?"

Old Madam Gu nodded, waving her hand, "What you said makes sense. Since Yuan’er can see things clearer than us, we should heed her advice. As for the Marquis... he is not as insightful as we are in such matters. Our worries won’t lead anywhere, so let’s not dwell on it."

Nanny Rong couldn’t help but laugh, "I’m afraid the Marquis doesn’t see it that way."

Gu Shiba took people to search for that nanny along Horizontal Street, akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

Gu Jinghui was busy all day, to no avail. Too tired to listen to Gu Jingjun’s nagging, he dismissed the people and walked around the courtyard with his hands behind his back.

Where exactly did Lady Zhao go?

How did she, a woman, escape the Marquis Mansion?

As Marquis Gu pondered, he strolled into Wutong Garden, noticing people coming and going in the courtyard, busy with something unknown.

"What’s the madam busy with?"

The gatekeeping nanny immediately bowed and said, "Marquis, the madam is teaching the young maids to recognize medicinal herbs. She said it’s a prescription from Renhe Hall, to be cooked and used for cleaning, which can help prevent smallpox."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinghui raised an eyebrow.

His little wife had such abilities?

He strode in and saw Qin Yuan sitting in the courtyard. Nearby, a grass mat was laid out with an incense burner beside it, gently releasing fragrant smoke.

Approaching closer, he saw several medicinal herbs placed on the mat.

Hong Ye, with hands on her hips, said, "The madam has explained these medicinal herbs three times, I’ve remembered them all. Why can’t you remember, truly some fools."