Chapter 437: An Excellent Opportunity

Qin Wan felt a little embarrassed, but fortunately, Xu Tang had already changed the subject and asked if they wanted to watch a soccer game together.

"Playing on days like this is extremely comfortable, clear and crisp autumn air, not too much sweat, running and jumping with friends, all worries disappear, and even just watching from the side is joyful. My sister knows some martial arts, and at home, we often play soccer together. I wonder if anyone in the Jiujie’s family plays this?"

Qin Heng was eager to go and see.

Qin Wan wasn’t very keen on going back to face the Lin Family, so for some reason, she said, "We usually play a bit, although not often, so let’s go together."

...

Mrs. Xu’s coffin was moved elsewhere for resting, so there was no need to accompany guests in the mourning hall every day, making Qin Yuan feel much relieved.

After dealing with daily affairs, she went to visit Gu Baoshu.

Gu Baoshu, who had been weakly lying on the bed, was much more spirited when she saw Qin Yuan, and smiled, "Third Sister-in-law is so kind to come to see me? Actually, it’s nothing serious."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Then why were you so sickly just now?"

"Wasn’t I thinking that Mother would send someone to check on me? If I’m all spirited, Mother would be angry. Seeing me listless, she gradually won’t be angry anymore."

What Gu Baoshu said was not much different from what Gu Jinghui said when he was once beaten.

It seems the Gu Family all has their own logic.

Qin Yuan stifled her laughter for quite a while.

Gu Baoshu chatted with Qin Yuan for a while and invited her to play polo together in the future.

Qin Yuan said, "You play polo really well. Did you practice from a young age?"

In the past, she thought she played polo well, but after watching Gu Baoshu that day, she realized she was not as good. In the previous life, everyone respected her status and gave way to her.

In the previous life, she never played polo with her sister-in-law, which was really a pity.

Gu Baoshu said cheerfully, "I started riding horses from a young age, but learned polo a bit later. Third Brother has been in the Northern Border for many years, and Sixth Brother doesn’t really associate with the children of military families. As I grew up, I didn’t make many friends, seeing everyone liked playing polo, I wanted to learn so I could join in. Practice often, and you’ll learn, it’s easy. Don’t worry about playing with me. We don’t usually have such dangers."

Qin Yuan suddenly felt a bit sorry for this young girl, and with a smile, she stroked her hair, "Alright, Third Sister-in-law will play polo with you from now on."

Gu Baoshu’s face immediately brightened with happiness and said, "Once I can ride a horse again, I’ll teach you."

The two sisters-in-law chatted for a while, then a little maid came saying that Mrs. Dai was looking for Qin Yuan. Gu Baoshu, curious, said, "You don’t need to help anymore today, why is she here again?"

Qin Yuan replied, "She probably has something to discuss, I need to return to Wutong Garden."

Gu Baoshu said reluctantly, "Third Sister-in-law, you must come to see me often, I’m so bored lying in bed."

Qin Yuan said, "Why don’t you use the opportunity to have your Sixth Brother teach you couplets, these will come in handy later at social gatherings."

Gu Baoshu thought for a while, then nodded, "Alright."

It was rare to see her being so obedient, Qin Yuan smiled slightly.

Returning to Wutong Garden, Mrs. Dai was already waiting in the hall.

Qin Yuan asked, "Why doesn’t Sister-in-law Cheng rest today? You’ve been so busy lately you must be exhausted."

Mrs. Dai didn’t see Hong Ye and the others, so she asked, "Where are Hong Ye and her group?"

Qin Yuan said, "Today they are taking inventory of the utensils, to avoid confusion later."

Mrs. Dai praised, "I have to say, I’ve never seen a young wife as capable as you. Even at my age, with all the experience managing such a large Marquis Mansion, I couldn’t run it as well as you do."

Qin Yuan laughed, "If you keep praising me, Sister-in-law, I might actually believe it."

Mrs. Dai laughed, "I’m a straightforward person, I don’t say empty words."

Qin Yuan knew she had something to say, waited patiently, and sure enough, Mrs. Dai asked, "I heard from the family’s concubine yesterday that the Marquis caught some Yelv Clan people, was it brought on by that Mrs. Zhao...?"

Qin Yuan nodded.

"I won’t hide it from you, the Marquis hasn’t said anything about it yet, it’s all handled by Gu Shiliu, I haven’t had the chance to ask. If Shiliu had found something out, he would have reported it by now."

Mrs. Dai’s expression showed hesitation, she picked up her tea cup and put it down again, Qin Yuan wasn’t in a hurry, she patiently waited for her to speak.

"I’m not sure if it’s because I have suspicions in my heart, but I always feel something is not quite right with Brother Cheng and Sister Yu."

Mrs. Dai finally spoke up.

Qin Yuan asked, "What do you mean?"

"These two kids moved in not long ago, I don’t really know their personalities, but over the past few days, I’ve gotten slightly familiar with them. The Old Master is very fond of Brother Cheng, takes time to teach him martial arts and such. Yesterday when I got back, these two kids kept pestering me, asking a lot about the Marquis Mansion."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and asked, "What about the maids and nanny by their side?"

Mrs. Dai said, "Xiao Hong and Zihe are not quite useful now, Brother Cheng seems to like that nanny better, I’ve been at the Marquis Mansion most days, and the family’s concubine isn’t much involved. I thought since they just arrived, they should stay for a while before we discuss hiring a tutor, and we haven’t managed the rest yet."

Qin Yuan then said, "No rush for the tutor matter, see what Brother Cheng has to say, if you can’t find a suitable one, I can help look around this side. Mr. Songshan is now in the mansion, most likely all the Sixth Master’s children want to study with him. The Marquis had also thought of Mr. Songshan before, having meals with the two kids and Mr. Songshan, but who knows what Mr. Songshan is thinking. We need to ask first to know."

Mrs. Dai clicked her tongue, "This Mr. Songshan is quite a big shot."

"Capable people usually carry some airs. It’s okay to have airs, as long as they have skills and knowledge, those without knowledge or ability but full of airs are the ones to be worried about."

"That’s true."

Qin Yuan also asked Mrs. Dai about taking medicine, and Mrs. Dai laughed, "I’m alright, I regulate as Doctor Li advised every day. It’s just our Old Master has to check in every morning and evening, Mid-Autumn is coming, the Holy Emperor wants to celebrate the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and the Five Cities Military Department is terribly busy, dealing with numerous trivial tasks but involving the city’s appearance and street scenes, visible when nobles travel, hence extra caution is required, so we haven’t matched up with Doctor Li yet. But last time Doctor Li checked the pulse and said it’s not serious, taking medicine for a while should cure it. We plan to address it after this busy period is over."

Qin Yuan smiled, "Then it’s fine, as long as the body is healthy, the rest depends on whether you’re destined to have children, you’re raising Brother Cheng and Sister Yu, they will surely bring you children."

Mrs. Dai also laughed, "I just hope to raise the children well, I hope this matter can be resolved soon."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Who doesn’t want things to be resolved quickly?

"It’ll be soon. Let’s keep an eye on it."

Zhao is already reaching out to take the children, failing once, she will think of other ways.

But why would Yelv Guza go to such trouble?

Qin Yuan subconsciously tapped the table, pondering the connection between Mrs. Zhao and Yelv Guza.

Mrs. Dai suddenly said, "Our Old Master truly likes Brother Cheng, says he has a big frame, sturdy build, a good prospect for martial arts. Personality is straightforward and ambitious, if we could find their mother soon, we’d have peace of mind. People have feelings, raising them for a long time, if something happens to these children, it will surely be heartbreaking, we’re getting old, we can’t withstand it.’

"What does Brother Cheng mean?"

"Because of the Empress Dowager’s birthday, the Five Cities Military Department has to re-check household and business registration, just in case, our Old Master said this is a great opportunity."