Chapter 545: Leave of Absence to Meet a Suitor

Qin Yuan felt somewhat peculiar, wanting to voice her inquiry but afraid of alarming Marquis Gu, she got up and left the inner room. She walked to the door and softly asked, "Who is crying?"

The little maid hesitated a bit and replied, "It’s Sister Hong Ye."

"What happened?" Qin Yuan hurriedly asked, "Hurry and pull her in. Forget it, just say that I’m looking for her for something. I’ve asked several times, and when you find her, let her come to the study to find me."

Qin Yuan didn’t wait long before Hong Ye entered the study with swollen eyes, her voice heavy, asking, "Miss, why are you looking for me?"

"Come closer."

Hong Ye obeyed and took a few steps forward.

Qin Yuan sighed softly, "What happened to you? Why are you crying for no reason? I haven’t seen you for a while. Did you go to the front yard to look for Sixteen?"

Before finishing the sentence, Hong Ye sobbed, "Miss, Miss, what is he, what does he mean by this..."

In the past life, Hong Ye was always with her and never married. Qin Yuan wanted to settle her well, thinking Sixteen would be good, but didn’t expect Hong Ye to be aggrieved.

Qin Yuan stood up to wipe her tears, comforting her, "If he has done anything wrong to you, feel free to tell me, and I’ll stand up for you."

Hong Ye stopped crying, widened her tear-filled eyes, and looked at Qin Yuan, saying, "Miss is the kindest to me. But Sixteen... he hasn’t done anything wrong to me."

"Then why are you crying?"

Qin Yuan was puzzled.

Hong Ye said, "He is going with Seventh Miss to White Crane Academy and hasn’t thought about me... I went to find him to get a clear answer, but he avoided seeing me."

Qin Yuan suddenly understood, "So you’re eager to get married?"

Hong Ye angrily said, "I told Miss about my feelings, but Miss teases me."

Qin Yuan laughed, "The Marquis has already gone to rest, Sixteen is probably even more tired. Since it’s already decided, there’s no rush. You can ask him tomorrow. If you can’t bring yourself to ask, I will call him over tomorrow to inquire about his plans."

With this comfort, Hong Ye slightly calmed down.

"I don’t know why, but recalling it made me sad. Even though I know Marquis values Sixteen and arranged like this, I feel that I don’t have much weight in Sixteen’s heart, while I think highly of him. The more I think, the more sad I get."

Qin Yuan felt both pity and amusement, so she said, "You haven’t married yet, but you’re already like this. I bet once you’re married, you won’t have time for me and Sister Cui Ming."

Hong Ye hurriedly said, "That’s impossible. I’ll always hold Miss and Sister Cui Ming dear in my heart, Gu Shiliu will be third at best."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.

Hong Ye realized she was being teased and couldn’t help but scold lightly, "Miss, how could you."

Qin Yuan said, "Alright, alright, stop crying. Letting others see you like this, what would it look like? How could you lead them?"

Hong Ye snorted, "I don’t care what they think, I just do what I should, everything organized. I give orders and closely supervise, with rewards and punishments, they have to respect me regardless."

Qin Yuan nodded with a smile, "You’ve made quite progress in recent days."

"Really?" Hong Ye momentarily forgot her troubles.

"Really." Qin Yuan said, "In the future, our Hong Ye will definitely be the most powerful housekeeper in the Marquis Mansion, authoritative and commanding."

Hong Ye’s eyes sparkled, "That would be really amazing."

Qin Yuan advised, "You must work hard, don’t cry over little things.

"I won’t." Hong Ye laughed, "I can lose to people but not in spirit."

Qin Yuan nodded approvingly.

At present, Hong Ye is still quite young, but with time, she will surely shine brightly.

What’s Gu Shiliu?

If he isn’t good to Hong Ye, they could just find someone else.

Under Marquis Gu, there are so many useful people, surely they can find someone suitable?

Thinking thus, Qin Yuan said, "You should quickly prepare a list. Treasure Bead must go to White Crane Academy, and we must prepare clothes, food, and daily items... Also, the expenses on the road, and once at the academy, we must make arrangements... I think we should prepare it together with the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, as they will set off after the festival."

This matter is quite cumbersome, truly a test of one’s abilities.

Hong Ye said, "Don’t worry, Miss. I’ll ensure everything is properly arranged so they will travel safely and have comfort at White Crane Academy."

Qin Yuan nodded, "If there’s anything unclear, you can ask Sixteen more."

Hong Ye responded accordingly.

Seeing the hour is getting late, Qin Yuan said, "You should also rest. You’ve been worried for them these days, and now you can finally relax. Rest well to have the energy to work. Tonight, Hong Mian will keep watch."

Hong Ye thanked her and left.

When Hong Mian came in to serve, she seemed distracted. Qin Yuan asked, "Is there something on your mind?"

Hong Mian said, "My mother sent a message through someone, saying she wants to arrange a marriage for me, asking me to find time to go back and look. I’m worried it’s too busy with the approaching festival."

Qin Yuan asked curiously, "Isn’t it too early to settle a marriage?"

Hong Mian lowered her head with a smile, "The families are longtime acquaintances, just wanting a matchmaker to officiate, not in a hurry to marry."

Implying, she still wished to stay at Wutong Garden to serve.

Qin Yuan laughed, "That’s good, I find you quite reliable. If everything goes well, after the New Year, you might get a raise in your monthly stipend. If you marry and leave, it wouldn’t be necessary."

Hong Mian said joyfully, "Madam knows how to utilize people well. Giving me this opportunity is a great fortune for me. I will certainly work hard to repay you."

Qin Yuan said, "It’s also because you prove yourself. Hong Ye often speaks well of you in front of me. I was hesitant, fearing your youth might lead to unsteady work."

Hong Mian lowered her head and softly said, "Sister Hong Ye is good, but it still depends on whether the master listens. Sister Hong Ye and Sister Cui Ming are deeply trusted by the master, and I must learn from them to help alleviate the master’s worries."

Qin Yuan understood, Hong Mian doesn’t quite want to accept Hong Ye’s help, but has no choice, and said, "You have clever skills and are a born servant, getting along well with Hong Ye, so I naturally wish to use you greatly. In the future, just get along well with Hong Ye and Sister Cui Ming."

Hong Mian immediately said, "Both sisters have served Madam for years, they’re seniors to me, and I have much to learn from them."

Qin Yuan permitted Hong Mian to leave the mansion the next day and then went to rest.

A peaceful night passed, and the next morning, Qin Yuan woke while Marquis Gu was still asleep.

Qin Yuan sighed, "Looks like this trip exhausted him."

Hong Ye heard the movement and entered to serve, and Qin Yuan felt relieved seeing her as usual.

Hong Ye asked, "Why did Hong Mian ask for leave to depart the mansion, saying you allowed it? Today, she should have been counting the festival gold and silver items, and leaving will tire us out. It was her own accord with the housekeeper mamas."