Nanny Rong hesitated and said, "Didn’t the Marquis say we still need to wait for news from the Magistrate?"

Waiting for the Magistrate’s news means that the identities of these two children in the ninth branch are still undecided; they won’t be added to the family genealogy. Gu Jingcheng is just helping take care of these children.

It’s all merely a temporary measure.

Old Madam Gu frowned, thought for a while, and said, "Well, they’ve been here with me for quite some days..."

Nanny Rong took a step forward and quietly consoled, "Old Madam, don’t worry too much. What’s really the difference between an unofficial adopted son and a dutiful son? It’s just a change of residence. Can the Marquis really disregard them? Nowadays, it’s stuck in an awkward situation, but it’s Mrs. Zhao’s fault for being inconsiderate. Even the current Emperor, when decapitating someone, has to implicate an entire family. Originally, due to Mrs. Zhao, having them in the Mansion treating them as masters was already quite awkward. The Marquis suppressed and held things back, ensuring there’s no gossip spreading around. But alas, they ended up hitting Brother Qi, even Sixth Master, who never cares about these matters, was displeased, leaving the Marquis with no alternative."

Old Madam Gu said, "I understand. I’ve cared for them for so long, of course there’s some affection there. If the ninth branch is willing to settle on adopting them and keeps them in care nearby, it’s also a good arrangement. But Hui’er spoke just a while ago... Is there something I’m unaware of? Why else would he speak like that?"

Nanny Rong also noticed the change in Marquis Gu and said, "Old Madam, you once said that one must neither be foolish nor deaf to be a family patriarch. The Marquis is almost in his thirties; if he makes a mistake, Old Madam, you can punish him. Just don’t interfere in everything."

Old Madam Gu merely laughed.

Nanny Rong added with a playful tone, "Old slave perceives that the Old Madam is yearning for her grandsons."

Old Madam Gu said, "Alright, I understand what you mean. It’s really about not meddling too much, fine then. He’s the one who brought them here, and he’s the one to arrange things, let it be by him."

Nanny Rong then instructed Qiujie to have the nanny pluck flowers in the courtyard, saying, "Choose the largest one for the Old Madam to wear, so when she meets the guests later, she’ll be dressed refreshingly."

Old Madam Gu’s thoughts were diverted, she laughed and said, "Looking at Yuan’er today, her attire really matches Old Third. Later, you should change into brightly colored clothes and dress up, showing off to the daughter-in-law."

After Old Madam Gu was dressed, she waited for a while until Qin Yuan sent someone to invite her, saying that many female guests had arrived outside and requested her to sit outside.

Nanny Rong supported her, and Qiujie and the others followed behind, surrounding her as they exited the main room towards the hall in the inner courtyard.

They hadn’t entered yet but already heard laughter from inside.

Old Madam Gu laughed and said, "It’s been a long time since it’s been so lively."

As she entered, everyone stood up with smiles, exchanging salutations. Qin Yuan greeted her with a smile and said, "Thank goodness you’re here. I’m so tongue-tied I was feeling flustered."

Old Madam Gu laughed and said, "Alright, I’ll cover for you."

Once everyone finished exchanging greetings and sat down, they laughed and said, "Is the Old Madam worried we’re bullying your new daughter-in-law with such words?"

Old Madam Gu said, "New or old, our Yuan’er runs the house with no hint of awkwardness; she’s utterly experienced. I don’t know how our in-law has taught her, but even when this Mansion had a smallpox outbreak, I never had to fret a single thought, truly enjoying blessings."

Mrs. Cui promptly replied, "Isn’t it because the Marquis Mansion nurtures people well? Yuan’er was already clever and thoughtful back in her maiden days, but I never expected her to be such a capable person; clearly, it is the Old Madam who knows how to teach." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Mrs. Xu forced a slight smile but remained silent.

Qin Yuan pursed her lips into a smile, standing to the side serving.

Gu Baoshu, following instructions, sat at the lower end talking with the young girls who came with their mothers. Seeing that the time was almost up, she walked forward and said, "Third sister-in-law, I’m taking them out to enjoy the scenery."

Qin Yuan nodded and advised, "Mo Zhu is around nearby, if anything occurs, seek her. Additionally, what I mentioned before, Seventh Sister, don’t forget."

Gu Baoshu replied, "Rest assured, sister-in-law."

Once the chirping young girls left, the room emptied quite a bit, and Qin Yuan took a seat at Old Madam Gu’s lower end, listening to their conversation.

Today, those who came were all friends and relatives of the Gu family of past acquaintance; the Xu Family, the Qin Family two families as allies naturally were present, alongside the generals under Gu Jinghui and familiar military general’s wives from the capital, and frequently associated clan members.

Therefore Qin Yuan wasn’t worried that Gu Baoshu couldn’t handle those young girls, only once advised her to strictly watch her tongue and not say anything to anger her elder brother.

Mrs. Xu watched Old Madam Gu favoring and valuing Qin Yuan and the Qin Family, feeling inevitable suffocation inside, but couldn’t show it outwardly; her expression was just a bit unsightly.

Qin Yuan and Old Madam Gu busied themselves with socializing amongst the surrounding ladies, pretending not to notice.

When almost all the guests had arrived, Old Madam Gu announced, inviting everyone to go outside to admire the flowers and the scenery together.

Qin Yuan then led them around, some liked to admire flowers, some preferred fishing, while others played chess... soon they scattered all around.

Old Madam and a few other ladies of similar age laid tables in the courtyard to chat idly.

Qin Yuan wandered with Hong Ye around, occasionally someone came with reports; when she finally got a breather, Mrs. Cui caught her promptly and asked, "Why didn’t you invite Lin Junren and your young sister today?"

Qin Yuan replied ambiguously, "The Marquis holds military merit; those who mingle are wives of military general’s families, not much to talk about."

Mrs. Cui, after uttering that, also found it inappropriate and said, "It’s also my poor consideration; it seems the Xu Family’s people haven’t come. I looked at Mrs. Xu’s expression; she didn’t look too pleasant."

Qin Yuan whispered, "Previously, due to Xu Zhen’s matter both families had a falling out, it’s inevitable."

Recently, the Xu Family lost their income from printing money; Xu Zhen couldn’t be found and didn’t gain anything from the Marquis Mansion; Seeing her flaunting herself naturally made them unhappy.

But these matters can’t be told to Mrs. Cui and can only pick what’s sayable.

Mrs. Cui sighed, "I haven’t seen Wan’er in quite a while, I thought I might see her at the Marquis Mansion this time... Alas... I wonder how she’s faring; she hasn’t sent a single message home, her mother-in-law... how can I be at ease."

Qin Yuan also felt helpless.

After chatting for a while, an elderly lady approached with a smile, saying, "Sorry to interrupt your conversation, there were so many people just now, I couldn’t find a chance to chit-chat with the two ladies."

Mrs. Cui looked at Qin Yuan with a smile; Qin Yuan returned a puzzled glance; she didn’t recognize which family this lady belonged to.

"We’ll be neighbors to the Marquis Mansion, so surely we’ll interact regularly."

The lady promptly added.

Qin Yuan then realized, the one before her is Brother Cheng’s future twins’ adoptive mother, Gu Jingcheng’s wife Mrs. Dai, and she smiled saying, "So it’s Sister-in-law from Brother Cheng’s house, with so many people earlier, I couldn’t really chat properly."

Mrs. Cui smartly took a step aside and said, "I’ll wander somewhere else."

Mrs. Dai hastily stopped her and said, "Mrs. Qin, just now there were so many people, we couldn’t greet properly. Seeing you mother and daughter talking here, I just came over to familiarize myself, no private talks involved."