Chapter 142: Compensate with a Legitimate Daughter

Sun Accountant took a while to grasp the situation. Housekeeper Cao was suggesting he lacked foresight and had offended that maid from Wutong Garden.

To be honest, Sun Accountant somewhat regretted it too.

But it’s too late to remedy now.

"No, it’s not like that."

The more he feared Qin Yuan would come after him once in power, the less he was willing to believe Qin Yuan could handle the position.

Housekeeper Cao rolled his eyes, huffed twice, and ignored him, leisurely sipping from a small teapot.

Soon, the person sent to report to the Xu Mansion returned, dejectedly saying, "Mr. Xu got furious upon hearing it and insisted the Marquis Mansion compensate their family with a legitimate daughter."

Truly absurd.

At a time like this, shouldn’t they be eager to search together?

Housekeeper Cao said, "Why are you saying this here? Go directly to the Marchioness for advice!"

Sun Accountant stood by with his arms folded, sneering, "If Sixth Madam handled this matter, it would never have come to this."

Qin Yuan returned to Wutong Garden. The housekeepers were still there, and Cui Ming had noted down their reports. Seeing her return, she quickly said, "Madam, they still have some matters to report."

Qin Yuan found it a bit odd, so she sat behind the table and asked, "What is it?"

They started repeating what had already been said before.

Qin Yuan, a bit impatient, said, "If you have nothing else, quickly go back and carry out what you’ve already reported. Right now, we can’t afford the slightest negligence."

The housekeepers smiled obligingly, "Madam, we have a significant matter."

"What is it?"

Someone was pushed forward and said, "Earlier, we heard Madam wanted to buy pepper. We all contributed, but due to Prince Qi Mansion’s influence, the pepper prices in the Capital City are not only high but also scarce, with no market availability. We were thinking about this pepper..."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but frown, "It was mentioned before that Gu the Seventeenth is looking for sources outside. If you can’t wait, you might as well withdraw early. Initially, it was fifty taels of Silver per pound when you contributed. Now the market price has risen to fifty-six taels per pound, and I’m afraid it will go even higher."

The housekeepers’ faces immediately lit up.

Qin Yuan added, "Take care of today’s tasks first, then find Cui Ming and Hong Ye to withdraw your shares."

The housekeepers all insisted they had no such intention, smiling on the surface but with fleeting eyes, as if wanting to withdraw but afraid of offending Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan signaled Hong Ye with a look and said, "The sun’s glaring; if there’s nothing else, you may disperse now."

Having said that, she stood up and gracefully walked towards the main room.

Hong Ye, who always knew Qin Yuan’s intentions, whispered to the housekeepers, "You may withdraw your shares without worry. Madam is just anxious about not finding supplies and fears you’ll be disappointed. But once you’ve withdrawn your shares, there’s no turning back."

A few housekeepers began to waver.

Mrs. Cai immediately said, "Miss Hong Ye, I won’t withdraw my share."

Hong Ye nodded, "I’ve noted it."

Mrs. Lu rolled her eyes and quickly said, "Miss Hong Ye, I won’t withdraw mine either."

Seeing this, Mrs. Li hurriedly said, "Miss Cui Ming, I won’t withdraw mine either."

The others became hesitant again.

Hong Ye smiled, "It’s a trivial matter, no need to worry. Right now, the pox outbreak is the major concern in the mansion; don’t delay. If you change your mind, just bring the receipt to withdraw."

Everyone dispersed.

Hong Ye waved over Hong Mian and asked, "Go find out if Sixth Lady Gu is up to something again?"

Hong Mian chuckled, "Sister Hong Ye, when they were questioning Madam earlier, I already inquired. Supposedly, Nanny Zhao by Sixth Lady Gu’s side spread word that Sixth Lady Gu’s maternal family fortuitously bought some pepper and is willing to help them profit. However, the quantity is limited, first come, first served, and buying more would cost extra."

"Buying more costs extra?"

Hong Ye was shocked.

She had only heard about purchasing for a certain price—how could it increase with quantity?

Hong Mian nodded, "Yes, rumor has it that there’s not much pepper in the Capital City. The more you buy, the more you earn, hence..."

Hong Ye appreciatively patted Hong Mian’s little head, "You’re so clever, just like me."

Hong Mian giggled, "Hehehe."

Hong Ye quickly ran into the main room, lifted the curtain, and saw Qin Yuan grinding ink at the desk. She quickly said, "Miss, I’ll handle it."

Qin Yuan looked up at her expression, said nothing, and handed over the inkstone to her.

Hong Ye chattered away for a while, concluding, "Sixth Lady Gu really doesn’t sit idle. Even now, instead of fully tending to Little Miss, she’s still plotting to win over these housekeepers."

Qin Yuan’s lips curled slightly.

Hong Ye continued, "And buying more costs extra. I’ve never heard of such a thing."

Qin Yuan smiled, "Let her fuss."

This pox outbreak allowed her to quickly take control of the household management; as long as no mistakes are made, it’s unlikely to be returned to Sixth Lady Gu.

Sixth Lady Gu, feeling threatened, is bound to think of ways to rally people together.

Qin Yuan calmed her mind and focused on practicing her calligraphy.

Beside her, Hong Ye fell silent, softly preparing the ink.

As the ink accumulated, the room filled with a captivating floral fragrance, mingled with the scent of ink, very pleasant.

This floral ink was her favorite, unearthed from Marquis Gu’s study.

Since Marquis Gu didn’t use it, it’s now hers.

Outside, a young maid called for Hong Ye. Hong Ye stepped out for a while and returned, saying, "Miss, the person sent to report to the Xu Mansion is back."

Qin Yuan said, "Have him wait in the hall."

Hong Ye went out to bring him, and Qin Yuan tidied her hair ornaments slightly before heading to the hall.

The messenger servant rushed in and said, "Madam, this servant went to report to the Xu Mansion, and Mr. Xu kept insisting that since Miss Xu disappeared from our Marquis Mansion, we must compensate them with a legitimate daughter."

Qin Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, "What, they didn’t say anything about immediately joining in the search?"

"No, Mr. Xu blew up as soon as he heard Miss Xu was missing. He said Miss Xu was invited to the Marquis Mansion to accompany Sixth Madam and Seventh Miss, and also to discuss marriage prospects. Now not only is the marriage unsettled, but even the person is missing."

"Mr. Xu also said... also said that the Dingbei Marquis Mansion can’t bully people by power and must compensate the Xu family with a legitimate daughter. Then the Xu Family forcibly expelled this servant, saying they’d come to the mansion for a clear explanation as a family."

The servant was quite bedraggled, his clothes torn.

Qin Yuan said, "Alright, I understand now. You may rise, and later Hong Ye will give you a reward."

"Thank you for the reward, Madam," the servant hesitated, then asked, "Should I go report to the Marquis and Sixth Master now? Otherwise, what if the Xu family causes a scene?"

Qin Yuan considered for a moment, "Very well."

The servant left, and Hong Ye, after giving him the reward, rushed back, saying, "Miss, the Xu Family isn’t to be trifled with. What if they come causing trouble?"