Chapter 637: How to Make the Best Use of Things

This is going to be a tough confrontation.

Old Madam Gu said again, "Just go without worry. Isn’t the Empress Dowager tired of us being in the way? If you don’t go, she will probably be happy, not to mention if she questions it, this old lady has something to say back to her."

After pausing for a moment, she continued, "It’s not just you who doesn’t want to go, this old woman doesn’t want to go either."

The look of disgust was unmistakable.

Qin Yuan realized that if not for her company, the Old Madam might have feigned illness to avoid going.

This was a deep-seated disdain for the Empress Dowager, unable to bear seeing Gu Baoshu suffer any injustice.

Gu Baoshu beamed with joy and repeatedly assured, "Mother, I will make sure to win every match."

Old Madam Gu glanced at Qin Yuan, smiled, and said, "Oh, let kids be kids. With your Third Brother there, there’s no need to worry too much. You’re about to go on a long journey, it’s only right to have a bit of fun. When you return after finishing your studies, you might not have the chance to play even if you want to.

As the saying goes, if a youth isn’t frivolous, it’s a waste. Look at your Third Brother and Sixth Brother, once you pass that age, nothing feels quite the same anymore.

When your Third Brother came back with a big beard, it was really unsettling for me to see..."

Luckily, he shaved it off to get a wife, otherwise the old lady really wouldn’t want to look at her son.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, "You have such an open mind, Mother."

As long as the Emperor wants to employ Gu Jinghui, the Empress Dowager will have to hold back somewhat. When the bow is no longer needed once all the birds are gone, even if you are praised everywhere, it’s not worth compromising.

Of course, there’s no need to tell Gu Baoshu this, lest she becomes unruly.

Gu Baoshu thought of something else, "There will be competitions for the next few days, I might get home late, Mother, you and Third Sister-in-Law might need to make some accommodations with the family on my behalf."

Old Madam Gu said, "Alright, leave it to me, but you must attend the ceremony, that’s not something you can skip."

Gu Baoshu immediately promised.

"Mother, don’t worry, I understand that."

She wished to be a dutiful daughter to please Old Madam Gu.

"Mother, once the ceremony is over, we can ask the monks at the family temple to hold a memorial for Miss Mo, to comfort her spirit in heaven."

Old Madam Gu looked at Gu Baoshu with loving eyes, her eyes slightly red with tears, "Good child, it’s so considerate of you, if she knew..."

Nanny Rong hurried forward and said, "Truly, Miss Baozhu has had a kind heart since childhood. The Madam had already asked someone to perform rites at the family temple before, not knowing who it was at the time. I think it’s good to do it again."

Old Madam Gu came back to her senses and nodded repeatedly, "Baoshu, maybe you should stay until the rites are done before you go. She... she visited you when you were little."

Gu Baoshu was never one to sit still, going to temples and such just to join the fun, so how could she endure this? She wanted to refuse, but seeing Qin Yuan signaling with her eyes, she reluctantly agreed.

Old Madam Gu was very pleased and took out many good things from her private storeroom to share with them.

Once the sisters-in-law left the main house, Gu Baoshu couldn’t help but ask, "Third Sister-in-Law, why did you signal me to agree with Mother?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Then why did you agree?"

Gu Baoshu replied, "Naturally, I thought the agreement would make Mother happy. Otherwise, why would she give us so many nice things?"

Though the things were good, she had been accustomed to them since childhood.

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Yes, Mother is very concerned about Miss Mo, you’ve caused quite a stir, and no one dares to tell Mother, but the truth can’t be hidden forever. By gaining more of Mother’s favor now, even if she finds out after you’re gone, she won’t be too angry."

"Third Sister-in-Law, I knew you were the best," Gu Baoshu was so pleased that her eyes narrowed with delight.

It still had to be Third Sister-in-Law, even considering what would happen after her departure.

Qin Yuan was about to say more when a nanny sent by Mr. Songshan came with a message: "Madam, Mr. Songshan has urgent news to report."

"Urgent news?"

Gu Baoshu’s eyes darted around.

She wanted to follow and listen in, but there were still matches waiting for her, so she regretfully said, "Then you go, Third Sister-in-Law."

Qin Yuan quickly made her way to the meeting courtyard, where Mr. Songshan was already waiting. The stewards and housekeepers filled the courtyard to the brim, and when they saw Qin Yuan arrive, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Hong Ye quickly said, "The Madam has important matters to discuss with the gentleman. Those with routine affairs to report can come to me."

So more than half the people flocked over to Hong Ye.

Seeing this, Mr. Songshan said, "You really are resourceful, Miss, I feel it’s quite a waste for you to just manage this little Marquis Mansion."

Qin Yuan naturally wouldn’t engage further, smiling, she said, "You overpraise me, sir. May I know what urgent matter you have?"

Mr. Songshan replied, "I had people investigate and obtained some information. I suspect these people really are from Black Wind Village. Another group arrived in the city yesterday, seemingly related. If this continues..."

Qin Yuan gave a slight nod but said nothing more.

Mr. Songshan grew anxious and asked, "If this group came with the intention of kidnapping..."

Qin Yuan smiled, "Isn’t that perfect? With all of them flooding into Capital City, they must be quite skilled and daring to risk everything."

Mr. Songshan frowned.

Qin Yuan continued, "For so many years, they’ve occupied Black Wind Village and coexisted with the court in peace, knowing their own limits and not daring to commit grand acts of rebellion. Quite frankly, even if they turn Capital City upside down, it might not be a bad thing."

Mr. Songshan started to understand.

This group, claiming to act on behalf of heaven with their own stronghold, didn’t dare truly revolt. Their intentions were merely to escape the court’s control. Over the years, their interests had become tangled...

Mr. Songshan shivered.

"Then it should be used to its full potential."

Qin Yuan nodded with a smile.

Mr. Songshan, excited, said, "I will have people investigate everywhere, especially those from the Five Cities Military Department. We must make good use of them. These people have infiltrated Capital City in pieces. We can maneuver and try to get some credit for someone."

Mr. Songshan stretched his neck, resembling a victorious goose.

If he could hold the people from the Five Cities Military Department in his hands, great things could be achieved.

You have to lay one pawn at a time.

Lend these thieves’ heads to save a lot of trouble.

Mr. Songshan glanced at Qin Yuan, secretly thinking that this matter still needed careful discussion with Marquis Gu. Qin Yuan, after all, was a woman, although her insights were extraordinary, still...

Just then, Qin Yuan chuckled softly, "I’ve heard that many from the Gu Family are in the Five Cities Military Department, not to mention those married into the family. Moreover..."

"Moreover what?" Mr. Songshan listened attentively.

Qin Yuan smiled, "Black Wind Village, under the guise of acting on heaven’s will, has been free for years. They don’t respect the court or the king, just a group of outlaws. Now that these rogues have entered the capital, I think privately, they won’t be willing to remain anonymous."

"...Hiss..."

Mr. Songshan drew in a sharp breath.