Chapter 139: She Disappeared

Gu Shiba was startled, clearly not expecting this.

Gu Jinghui’s narrow, sharp eyes were full of cold severity, saying: "Mrs. Zhao and the two nannies are in cahoots, one is dead, one has escaped, and the remaining one can say whatever she wants, but there’s no proof. If it weren’t for Madam’s vigilance, what would become of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion in the end?"

Gu Shiba shivered.

With no evidence, this matter becomes troublesome.

They are in the open, while others are in hiding.

Not to mention other things, just the spread of smallpox, once it gets out, the Dingbei Marquis Mansion will forever carry the stain of guilt.

Gu Shiba immediately said, "I’ll go right away."

Gu Jinghui pondered for a moment but was still uneasy, saying: "Go with Sixteen, he’s more resourceful."

Gu Shiba promptly agreed and withdrew.

Gu Jinghui paced around the room with his hands behind his back, his handsome brows furrowed tightly.

At this moment, he felt surrounded by dense fog; no amount of caution seemed excessive.

Meanwhile, Sixth Master Gu in the outer courtyard was not as burdened with heavy thoughts as his third brother; he had just returned from outside and instructed the servant, "Go bring the copies of Li Weng’s Rhymes and Sound and Rhythm Introduction from my quarters. If they’re not there, have someone buy them from the bookstore tomorrow."

The servant was greatly surprised, asking, "Sixth Master, are you planning to read books now?"

Sixth Master Gu nodded and tapped his palm with a folding fan, saying, "Since we’ve invited the Measles Goddess here, I ought to purify myself and read some good books. At the next poetry gathering, I want Brother Qinxian to be amazed."

The servant could hardly believe his ears.

If it were the usual Sixth Master Gu, he surely would have invited Aunt and the singers and dancers to drink and make merry.

The servant had listed out all the books and was about to send them to the outer courtyard, when a maid dispatched by Aunt Zheng blocked the door and asked, "Young Brother, did Sixth Master say he needed someone to serve him after moving to the outer courtyard?"

The servant shook his head with a blank face.

The little maid hurriedly stuffed a pocket into his arms, tilting her head and saying, "This is from our Aunt, a reward for you. You must mention Aunt to the Sixth Master, and you’ll be remembered for the good deeds you’ve done."

The servant grinned as he accepted it, pinching her little hand, saying, "Sixth Master went out with Young Master Qin for poetry and got quite interested, likely to be engrossed in reading these days."

The little maid asked in shock, "Is it really true what you said?"

The servant said, "Absolutely. Aunt Zheng might have arrived not long ago, but since you’re born in the family, you should know Sixth Master’s nature... I promise, if Sixth Master gets tired of reading, I’ll definitely mention Aunt."

The little maid was deeply grateful, saying, "Most of the aunts in the mansion have already had children; now is the perfect opportunity for our Aunt since Sixth Master is living alone in the outer courtyard. If Aunt regains his favor, she’ll surely be thankful to you, Young Brother."

The servant nodded, saying, "I’ll wait until Sixth Master’s interest wanes before speaking up, don’t worry."

The little maid expressed endless gratitude and reported back to Aunt Zheng, who chuckled, "Sixth Master reading books? What a joke! In a couple of days, he’ll surely be craving the company of a lovely lady at his side. I’ll be ready."

Sixth Lady Gu, upon hearing this, smiled lightly, saying, "The Qins are truly skillful, to even change our Sixth Master’s nature. Who knows, our Sixth Master has always bought books only to appear cultured, taking every chance to sneak in a look at plays like The Western Chamber and Peony Pavilion, and idly scribbling crooked poems, gathering with those libertine scholars while constantly reproaching his peers for not studying hard, not being like his father, ha."

Nanny Zhao placated, saying, "Well, at least Sixth Master intends to progress for a while, though how long that lasts, who knows."

"How long could it be," Sixth Lady Gu snorted softly, saying, "Besides, reading books plainly won’t last more than three days for him."

Nanny Zhao nodded distractedly, feeling uneasy.

Seeing her demeanor, Sixth Lady Gu sighed, "The Imperial Physician has confirmed it’s smallpox. These days, we shouldn’t worry about Sixth Master; we need to take care of our own lives first."

When the two girls fell ill, they merely thought it was chickenpox and didn’t take serious precautions, merely asked a doctor to isolate the children and those attending them, while they worshipped the Measles Goddess, never expecting it was smallpox.

Smallpox can be lethal.

All blame on that wicked woman, so vicious at heart.

Sixth Lady Gu gritted her teeth.

Nanny Zhao wore a gloomy face, saying, "But can the medicine sent by Third Madam be effective?"

Bearing none of her usual arrogance.

At this moment, Sixth Lady Gu became rather clear-headed, saying, "It’s better to treat a dead horse as if it’s alive; let’s use it first. She mentioned only a fifty to sixty percent chance. In case we’re unfortunate enough to catch it, don’t we still have the Imperial Physician?"

Nanny Zhao finally relaxed a bit, merely hoping Third Madam was blessed and Renhe Hall’s prescription would work.

Gazing outside at the dim fire of the incense burner, Sixth Lady Gu felt a lingering fear, saying, "Thankfully, Third Sister-in-law insisted on reporting it to the authorities. Were it not for the Magistrate’s thorough questioning, we wouldn’t have discovered how ruthless that vile woman is... But who would have thought she’d act this way?"

Nanny Zhao puzzled, saying, "Who exactly is she?"

Sixth Lady Gu, irritated, said, "No matter who she is, the Marquis will not let her go. No favor her husband had with the Marquis can compensate for this."

With the Marquis’ usual approach, he probably would’ve concealed the matter for the sake of the children’s future until the smallpox spread throughout the mansion, before realizing.

Nanny Zhao said, "Indeed, with Third Madam around, the Marquis won’t be sentimental about past favors anymore."

Suddenly Sixth Lady Gu didn’t feel like talking anymore, saying, "Let’s check on the children."

Early in the morning, Sixth Master Gu got up to read for a while and had the servant ask Marquis Gu if he would join him for a meal. After being refused, he finished eating alone, then sat at the stone table in the pavilion, frustrated, asking the servant, "What in the world is Third Brother busy with?"

The servant scratched his head, saying, "I heard the Marquis sent messages to the two princesses at Dazao Temple; he can’t accompany them and has to submit a request to the Holy Emperor to rearrange guards for the princesses at Dazao Temple."

Sixth Master Gu sighed, "Third Brother has obligations, unlike me, just a do-nothing rich person."

He propped his cheek on his left hand and idly flipped through pages with his right, looking rather forlorn.

The servant promptly asked, "Didn’t Sixth Master often say you aspired to be a carefree wealthy person? Did reading tire you out, would you like Aunt Zheng to sing a little tune to relieve the boredom?"

Sixth Master Gu waved his hand, saying, "So annoying, I don’t want to hear it. There’s nothing as interesting as composing poetry."

The servant was at a loss for words.

The master still hadn’t lost his poetic mood.

Sixth Master Gu continued, "Being a leisurely rich man for too long becomes dull. Wish I had Brother Qinxian’s talent."

Servant: "..."

That would be really difficult.

Sixth Master Gu went on, "Once Brother Qinxian passes the Advanced Scholar exam, he’ll be appointed an official. If he stays in the Capital City, all is well, but if sent elsewhere, who knows when I’ll see him again. The scholars I associate with daily, none are as talented or honorable, or have such a graceful demeanor as he does. What a classic example of ’regretting not meeting sooner’... If I were to..."

Before finishing his sentence, a nanny burst into the outer courtyard despite obstruction, still wearing an apron, anxiously asking, "Sixth Master, did you see Miss Zhen while at Jade Spring Pond?"