Chapter 296: Not Wasting Effort

"Then let’s all talk about it."

Hearing this, Qin Yuan glanced at Qin Heng, whose lips were slightly parted, eyes full of anticipation yet pretending to be indifferent, and said casually, "None are that impressive."

Qin Heng didn’t need any help, suddenly jumped off the horse, and provocatively said, "Big Sister, the words you spoke to Mr. Songshan today were indeed impressive, but can you ride a horse? You’re wearing riding attire, are you not just dressing for show?"

Xiao Dong hurriedly defended his senior sister, "No, Madam can ride a horse."

Qin Heng snorted, tossed the reins to the coachman, and walked away.

Before leaving, he left a remark, "I don’t believe it. Did she ever touch a horse at home? I wouldn’t know?"

Xiao Dong was displeased and shouted, "If you don’t believe it, just watch later."

Qin Heng arrogantly walked to rest under the silk umbrella.

At this time, Li Nu was led over, Qin Yuan stroked the horse’s mane and deftly mounted the horse.

The coachman, who wanted to help, was startled, "Madam learned to mount so quickly?!"

Xiao Dong clapped, "Madam is impressive."

Qin Heng pouted, "What’s so special about that."

Qin Yuan smiled at the coachman, "It’s fine, I could slowly trot around last time. I guess I can ride faster this time."

The coachman was a bit worried.

"Madam learns quickly, but I’m still afraid there might be an accident."

The Marquis holds Madam in high regard.

If Madam even lost a single hair, it would be unbearable for him.

Qin Yuan didn’t make it difficult for him, "Let Sixteen accompany me for a lap. He’s good at riding; let him follow me. If anything happens, he can catch up quickly."

Gu Shiliu had already ridden over and said, "Madam, rest assured."

Only then did the coachman have nothing to say, but his gaze remained fixed on Qin Yuan, fearing any mishap.

Qin Yuan leaned down and spoke with Li Nu for a moment, then gently patted the horse’s hindquarters. With a squeeze of her calves, Li Nu started to run, and Qin Yuan’s laughter filled the training field.

Xiao Dong shouted, "Madam, wait for me."

Qin Yuan did a lap, shook the reins, urging Li Nu to run faster. After a few laps, Li Nu was running at full speed.

Gu Shiliu, with his heart in his throat, followed closely without relaxing for a moment.

Xiao Dong reined his horse to stop in the field, his eyes glued to the horse and its rider.

Qin Heng sat upright.

Sixth Master Gu stood up, tiptoed, and murmured, "Impressive, just hope nothing goes wrong."

Finally, when Qin Yuan had her fill of excitement, Li Nu slowed down for the last lap, Gu Shiliu wiped the sweat from his forehead, caught up, and said, "Madam rode excellently."

Xiao Dong shouted, "So cool!"

Qin Yuan, sitting astride the horse, pointing the whip diagonally at Qin Heng, smiled and asked, "How was it?"

Qin Heng reluctantly said, "Very good."

Only then did Qin Yuan ride away.

Sixth Master Gu watched Li Nu’s tail idly swaying and couldn’t help but sigh, "Your sister is just like Third Brother; whatever she wants to learn, she can."

"We’re both born from the same father; why is she better than me at everything?"

Qin Heng pouted unhappily.

"Yesterday, Father was drunk. He didn’t know how many times he said if Big Sister were a son, he wouldn’t be so angry to death by me. I study hard every day, but still, I have to rely on Father to enter the Imperial College. Many classmates from primary school have already entered the Inner Residence to study, while I’m still in the Outer Residence. Now I can’t even learn to ride better than her, it’s so unfair! Why must a woman be so strong that it leaves no room for others to live?"

Sixth Master Gu sighed, "I understand very well, even feeling a bit of shared suffering, but..."

Qin Heng looked up and asked, "But what?"

Sixth Master Gu said, "But this isn’t an excuse for you to deliberately belittle her. A gentleman doesn’t behave like that. If you can’t succeed in your studies, will you become a villain? You should be thankful she’s a woman, otherwise, there’d be no place for you in the Qin Family."

Qin Heng widened his eyes, hesitated for a moment, and finally said, "My Big Sister can still tell the difference between complaining and belittling, she has that wisdom."

Sixth Master Gu: "..."

Not far away, Qin Yuan dismounted, her actions skillful and swift.

Xiao Dong saw and clapped again, praising.

Qin Heng watched as Qin Yuan walked over, muttering, "Damn it, defeated by her again."

Qin Yuan asked, "What are you saying?"

"Great, fantastic," Qin Heng said ingratiatingly, "Big Sister, you must take care of Little Brother in the future. If you can teach Si Yuan Cousin poetry, I suppose teaching Little Brother is not a big deal?"

Qin Yuan rolled her eyes and said, "Teaching you to ride horses should be easier than teaching you to study, right? As for your studies, no one can save you. Maybe try spending time with Mr. Songshan; there’s still hope. I know my limitations; I can’t teach you."

In my previous life, I had already tried once.

This time, I don’t want to waste that effort again.

Qin Heng said, "Mr. Songshan is a great scholar, why would he fancy me?"

Qin Yuan said, "There is destiny between people. It doesn’t mean he won’t choose you. Even if he doesn’t like you, there’s nothing to complain about. The more you listen to his lectures, the more wisdom you’ll gain, and you’ll become smarter in the future."

In this world, there are great scholars who enjoy nurturing and teaching, disciples all over the world, and those who only accept a few students who catch their eye.

You won’t know until you try it yourself.

Sixth Master Gu asked, "Third Sister-in-law, can I try too?"

Qin Yuan said, "Of course, you can try too."

Sixth Master Gu seemed thoughtful.

Qin Yuan chatted with Xiao Dong for a bit, then took her maid back to Wutong Garden.

After changing clothes and redoing her hair, just in time, Gu Shiliu had also finished settling the horses and came over to report.

Qin Yuan sipped the Maple Dew Tea slowly. After riding for a while, she felt a bit hungry and tried some of the new snacks from the small kitchen that Hong Mian had just served, finding them quite tasty.

Through the beaded curtain, Gu Shiliu said, "Madam, Shi Ba has almost dug out the matters of the Xu family. There are many sons in the Xu family, Mr. Xu holds the highest official position and is also the last to receive hereditary stipends, which has caused some discord among the other branches. Shi Ba has made arrangements with them and found out quite a bit."

Qin Yuan asked, "What did they find out? Has the Xu family confessed?"

Gu Shiliu said, "It doesn’t really matter if they confess or not."

He gestured with a hand, "That side placed a large sum of silver in printing money schemes, and the transactions were handled by Housekeeper Zhang and Sun Accountant from the inner courtyard. Now that Madam is managing both the inner and outer courtyards, and with them falling ill, the matter is naturally thwarted."

He paused and continued, "The Marquis said to await further instructions from Madam on how to conclude this matter. For now, just tie them up and search; a search will undoubtedly reveal the truth."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Then tie them up and search."

Since it’s straightforward, why hesitate any longer?

Gu Shiliu didn’t expect her to be so decisive, was momentarily stunned, and asked again, "Then what next?"

Qin Yuan smiled, "This is a major family affair; decisions should be made after consulting the Marquis. But as the saying goes, catch the adulterer, catch the thief with the loot. Why not hold onto these things immediately, what are we waiting for?"