Qin Yuan consoled, "Mr. Songshan is a great scholar, his personality differs from ordinary people. His agreeing to teach Sixth Brother poetry is a delightful surprise, didn’t you see even my father is enviously moved."

Sixth Master Gu cheered up again, and said, "I think so too. Mr. Songshan doesn’t seem to chase after fame and fortune like most people these days. He’d rather be a storyteller than enter the court as an official, nor does he hold any reverence for officers. Teaching me poetry is thanks to Third Sister-in-law, I should be content."

Qin Yuan suggested, "Sixth Brother could also take a painting to Mr. Songshan to have a look, seeking knowledge doesn’t always require a mentor-disciple relationship."

These few words made Sixth Master Gu suddenly enlightened.

Momentarily, he no longer felt tired.

Gu Jinghui, too lazy to watch him, said, "Alright then, hurry back and rest."

Sixth Master Gu was sent away, and Gu Baoshu came in.

Upon entering, she asked, "Third Sister-in-law, have your family members all left?"

Gu Jinghui was a bit annoyed and frowned, "Why? Was yesterday’s enjoyment not enough? How’s your embroidery practice coming along? The Qixi Festival is approaching, I wonder how you’ll present yourself then."

Gu Baoshu replied, "I’m just concerned about Sister-in-law, and Third Brother seems to have taken gunpowder. Does my father know how much you bully me as a brother?"

Gu Jinghui said nothing.

Seeing Marquis Gu speechless, Qin Yuan stifled a laugh and asked, "Thanks for your concern, Little Sister Baozhu, how did you find your way to the front courtyard?"

Gu Baoshu answered, "I went to Wutong Garden to look for Sister-in-law, the maids said you all came to the front courtyard, so I came to check."

Qin Yuan nodded, replied, "Yes, Marquis accompanied me and my family for breakfast, they’ve already left. Yesterday, you played with Brother Heng and the others; it seemed quite entertaining to me and you all caught so many fireflies."

"Everyone was busy competing in fun and didn’t notice catching so many. We couldn’t use all for making lanterns, so we thought of adding to your amusement," Gu Baoshu exchanged a few pleasantries, rolled her eyes, and said, "I’ll head back to do some embroidery now."

"Go on then," Gu Jinghui impatiently waved her away.

Gu Baoshu secretly pouted and didn’t linger, grumbled to her little maid on the way back, "Third Brother is simply like a changed person now, watching over Third Sister-in-law so closely, as if my words would lead Sister-in-law away with me. If he had been like this earlier, would I believe he’d accept Lady Zhao as a concubine? It’s unsure who didn’t watch over his new bride on their wedding night."

The little maid hurriedly said, "Miss, be cautious with your words, always avoid it slipping in front of others. Wouldn’t it be troublesome if Marquis gets mad again?"

"Who’s afraid of him," Gu Baoshu spoke assertively, but eventually changed the topic, "Speaking of which, we didn’t let those twins come out yesterday."

The little maid spoke quietly, "Miss, I heard when the Princess visited the house, they tried to rush out to meet her. Fortunately, the Madam had them blocked at the second gate; they even hurt a little servant guarding the place, who recovered after over a month. Marquis knows that servant’s male kin died in battle, leaving just a blind old mother back home, so he took his blind mother into the mansion for treatment. Everyone here appreciates Marquis’ kindness instead of cursing those twins."

Gu Baoshu exclaimed in surprise, "Such a thing happened!"

"Indeed, we’ve been confined in the garden for these days, there are many things unkown. This was heard last night when Ping’er drew water and overheard the nanny stoking the stove in the kitchen."

Gu Baoshu frowned and said, "What did they try to accomplish? Approach the Princess as if they could meet her?"

The little maid replied, "Exactly, if it had been Young Master Kang or Mr. Fu at home, no directives, they wouldn’t have dashed out to see guests, let alone meet the Princess."

Gu Baoshu paused, then said, "Funny enough, while we were confined in the garden, Brother Cheng wasn’t much seen, but Sister Yu frequently came over to learn needlework, she never mentioned this, always looking pitiful, as if wronged by others."

The little maid sneered.

"Lady Zhao is such a delicate sight; the things she did, we simple folks couldn’t manage. Zihe dared to offend her somehow, served so arduously, but got nothing in return; had it not been discovered quickly, imagine what the house would be like now. No wonder everyone in the mansion dislikes them. If it weren’t for living upstairs, protected by Old Madam and Marquis, life wouldn’t be so easy for them."

Gu Baoshu’s handsome brows are tightly knotted.

"Humph, I didn’t have the shrewdness of a child, just days ago she cried miserably in front of me, saying the servants and maids gave her no good face, with their ’eyes of dogs’, if it weren’t for fearing punishment from Third Brother, I’d stand up for her."

The little maid pursed her lips and laughed.

The more Gu Baoshu thought, the angrier she became, kicking pebbles back to the garden, where she saw Zihe talking to the nanny at the veranda.

Seeing her return, Zihe quickly saluted.

"Seventh Miss is back, this maid accompanies Miss Yu here to learn needlework."

Gu Baoshu nodded, said, "You all continue learning; I’m tired from last night’s play, and going to rest."

She stepped inside, Sister Yu heard through the window and cheerfully said, "Aunt is back, I just finished sewing a pouch perfectly for Aunt to keep fireflies."

Gu Baoshu replied perfunctorily "Mm," then straightly walked into the inner room, ordering no one shall enter without consent.

Sister Yu felt it dull, studied for a while then left, she approached to bid farewell but was stopped by the maids, saying Seventh Miss is resting inside, so she should play by herself.

Sister Yu was increasingly displeased, led Zihe back upstairs, met Brother Cheng, and said, "Aunt Baoshu was cold to me today, unclear why."

After hearing her complaints, Brother Cheng said, "Once we move outside, this mansion won’t be our home. Although Old Madam said we’ll continue interacting like before, it won’t be the same."

Sister Yu’s lips quivered, almost crying.

Brother Cheng said, "Nanny was right; motherless children are worth less than grass. Look at how kind Foster Father used to be; after marrying the Madam, he became colder now we can’t even stay in the same mansion. Crying here will not earn sympathy, and may even provoke scolding for being ungrateful, crying and bothering Old Madam’s peace."

Before long, Xiao Hong entered, noticed Sister Yu’s red eyes, and asked, "Miss Yu, what happened?"

Sister Yu replied, "The idea of living with foster parents frightens me a bit."

Xiao Hong said, "Rumor has it Marquis picked a good family; surely they won’t mistreat you. If you cry now, seen by Old Madam and others, they might think you’re being picky, so quit crying."

Brother Cheng signaled to Sister Yu, as if saying, "See, I told you so."

Sister Yu pouted, casting resentful eyes at Xiao Hong.

Brother Cheng asked mischievously, "Sister Xiao Hong, are you sincerely willing to move in with us to the foster parents’ house?"