Chapter 333: Eavesdropping

Seeing Yuan’er full of worries, both Hong Ye and Cui Ming furrowed their brows tightly.

No one could answer the question of where Xu Zhen actually went.

After walking silently for a while, Yuan’er suddenly said, "Hong Ye, after you return from the main room, go find Gu Shiliu and have him try to investigate if the Xu family getting involved in printing money has any legal entanglements, where these cases are handled, who was involved, and who was behind it all."

If the Xu family just wanted to scare the Marquis Mansion, she wouldn’t go to the extreme.

But if the Xu family truly behaves as Housekeeper Cao said, constantly pinching the Marquis Mansion over Xu Zhen’s disappearance, she will definitely not let this hidden danger remain in the world.

Hong Ye responded, "Yes."

Yuan’er continued, "Push them again to find Xu Zhen’s whereabouts."

Hong Ye replied, "Yes."

Yuan’er added, "It seems we need a plan to urge that pair of siblings to move out soon."

Cui Ming nodded.

Hong Ye sighed, "I’m afraid Xiao Hong will pester me again."

Cui Ming chuckled, "Xiao Hong is the most clever and can be quite bothersome; that child is truly endearing."

Yuan’er also laughed.

The exchange of information between Xiao Hong and Hong Ye was very frequent, and their relationship grew increasingly stronger. If Xiao Hong moved with the twins to the next courtyard, he would likely remind Hong Ye many times.

After chatting and joking for a while, Yuan’er regained her composure and entered the main room, looking completely untroubled.

She had just arrived at the veranda when she heard the laughter of Old Madam Gu.

The maid lifted the curtain and whispered, "Seventh Miss is here."

Yuan’er nodded and walked inside, finding Treasure Bead dressed in a half-old crimson palace gown, leaning against Old Madam Gu, chatting and laughing.

"Mother, I heard your joyful laughter from afar."

Yuan’er said as she paid her respects, and Treasure Bead quickly stood to greet her.

Old Madam Gu laughed, "Your sister is up to her old tricks again, urging me to speak with Hui’er about having a polo match on Mid-Autumn day, insisting it won’t happen without her, even if she doesn’t pass the Qixi Festival gathering, she shouldn’t be confined."

Yuan’er was a bit surprised.

"Sister wants to play polo?"

Treasure Bead tilted her chin proudly, "Hmm," and said, "Third Sister-in-law probably seldom plays, and rarely watches. We daughters of military general families are not like you, pampered, sitting in the boudoir writing poetry, painting, embroidering, and playing the zither. I’ve learned horse riding since young, and boys may not ride as well as I do."

Yuan’er eagerly praised, "Sister is truly impressive."

Old Madam Gu chided, "How are you speaking to your Third Sister-in-law? You can ride horses and play polo; your Third Sister-in-law can write poetry, paint, embroider, and play the zither. Isn’t each person skilled in different areas? Listening to your tone, it seems like horse riding is more remarkable than poetry and painting, doesn’t it? People taking the top scholar examination have both literary and martial champion titles."

Treasure Bead sniffed, her nostrils wrinkled, unwillingly replied, "Mother, that’s not what I meant, Third Sister-in-law won’t misunderstand me. I just wanted to say I’m not that fragile, just ride better than others."

Yuan’er laughed, "What is there to misunderstand? Speaking of horse riding, I think it’s quite easy to learn, and often ride Li Nu for a spin when I’m free."

"Li Nu?"

Old Madam Gu repeated the name, somewhat unfamiliar.

Treasure Bead said, "Third Brother specifically got the horse for Third Sister-in-law so she could learn to ride."

"Oh," Old Madam Gu couldn’t help but laugh, "I never imagined your Third Brother knew so well how to please your Third Sister-in-law."

Treasure Bead sourly said, "Indeed, since marrying Third Sister-in-law, Third Brother has put me, his sister, behind."

Everyone knew she was resentful of being confined by Marquis Gu to learn embroidery.

Yuan’er said, "Once I’ve learned horse riding and polo, perhaps you haven’t mastered embroidery yet, let alone poetry and painting."

"How could that be?"

Treasure Bead’s competitive spirit flared.

Yuan’er challenged, "How about we compare?"

Treasure Bead raised her firm eyebrows, smirked, and said, "Third Sister-in-law, are you serious?"

"Of course I am," Yuan’er continued to provoke, "Unless you dare not compete with me?"

Treasure Bead proudly said, "What a joke, I’m merely feeling sorry for Third Sister-in-law, you know Feng Niang from Jixiu Pavilion says I have quite a talent for embroidery, just started late. Otherwise, I would’ve brought honor to the Marquis Mansion at this year’s Qixi Festival. But Third Sister-in-law learning polo, that’s hard to say. If I really competed with Third Sister-in-law, would it not be an unfair advantage?"

Cui Ming and Hong Ye couldn’t help but smile.

Hearing Treasure Bead’s confidence in her embroidery, Yuan’er laughed, "I’m not afraid; I also feel I have talent for horse riding and polo."

Old Madam Gu quickly stopped them, "What are you two sisters-in-law doing? Yuan’er, listen to me, don’t compete on this. She’s young and ignorant; you’re older and shouldn’t follow her example. She’s been riding since childhood, playing polo for years; why would you go against her in this? Besides, playing polo requires slow learning, and it’s easy to get hurt in competitions, not something for delicate people like you."

Finding such a delightful daughter-in-law, if any harm befell her, like facial injury, whether Old Madam Gu could bear it she didn’t know, but she certainly couldn’t.

Treasure Bead said, "Third Sister-in-law, see? It’s not me who refuses to compete, but Mother disagrees."

Yuan’er laughed, "Alright, it’s not that you dare not compete, but you cannot."

"Exactly!" Treasure Bead said, "If Third Sister-in-law compared poetry and painting with me, I’d definitely lose; let’s forget about it, not to cause discord."

Yuan’er was somewhat surprised, glancing at Treasure Bead.

Treasure Bead smiled at Yuan’er, swiftly changed the topic, "Third Sister-in-law, why isn’t Third Brother dining with Mother?"

"He has guests; Prince Qi arrived."

Old Madam Gu’s forehead twitched upon hearing this.

Treasure Bead said in wonder, "First the Crown Prince came yesterday, today Prince Qi arrives, seems like they’re competing."

In the Capital City, Prince Qi being displeased with the Crown Prince is no secret.

Just as Qiujie and others set the table, Old Madam Gu interrupted Treasure Bead, "Your Third Brother socializing with them is no surprise. When he wasn’t home earlier, they couldn’t socialize."

Treasure Bead wisely kept silent, after the meal she asked Yuan’er, "Third Sister-in-law, shall we leave together?"

Yuan’er seemed surprised, smiled, "Sister should go back first; I have matters to discuss with Mother."

Treasure Bead’s eyes darted, "Third Sister-in-law, what do you need to discuss with Mother alone? Can I listen?"

Yuan’er said, "Nothing big, just matter with the Xu family I need to discuss with Mother."

Implying it wasn’t suitable for Treasure Bead to listen.

After Treasure Bead left, she walked a few steps, then quietly returned, telling the little maids not to make noise, standing under the window to eavesdrop.