Housekeeper Han was spitting with rage.

"The Xu family really isn’t anything to be proud of. What are they accusing our Marquis Mansion of?"

Housekeeper Cao, expressionless, said: "What else? They’re saying Marquis Mansion can’t escape blame and want us to hand over the person. I suspect the Xu family might even want to accuse Marquis Mansion of harming Miss Xu, though they lack evidence. The magistrate said King Jin is backing the Xu family, suppressing them. They had no choice but had to come. Fortunately, the madam stated Sixth Madam is gravely ill and can’t be agitated; yesterday, she was so upset by the Xu family that she spat blood. The magistrate didn’t go ask questions and instead is distressed, saying all he can do for now is respond to the Xu family this way and see what they do next."

Housekeeper Han became increasingly angry as he listened, saying, "Really disgraceful, a bunch that wants money without any integrity. Their ancestors were once honorable Generals, but what are the descendants doing now? Aren’t they ashamed to tarnish their forebears’ reputation?"

Housekeeper Cao, lacking energy, said: "You go ahead and keep cursing; I need to go back and report to the madam. The madam might have further instructions." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Then go on."

Housekeeper Han stood there, muttering curses as if he hadn’t vented enough.

Housekeeper Cao wasn’t in the mood to deal with him and hurried to Wutong Garden, asked a little maid, found out Qin Yuan was still in the hall, and knew his guess was right. He then walked directly towards the hall.

From afar, he could hear Hong Ye scolding: "Are you just watching the Xu family slander our Marquis Mansion? It’s infuriating. We treat them as kin, but they regard us as fools. Despite your age, you’re still so confused. Do you plan to serve their masters at the Xu family later?"

Housekeeper Cao didn’t hurry in but listened outside for a while before entering.

Nanny Zhao, with messy hair, was kneeling on the ground, hunched over, her clothes wrinkled, looking both worn and pathetic.

Qin Yuan sat at the head, with Cui Ming standing behind her, and Hong Ye stood next to Nanny Zhao, hands on her hips, her face full of rage like she was about to burst into flames, potentially singeing Nanny Zhao’s hair.

"You’re here," Qin Yuan said to him, "Sit for a while; we’ll talk later about dealing with the magistrate."

The little maid quickly moved a small stool for Housekeeper Cao to sit on.

Housekeeper Cao didn’t refuse and sat down beside him.

Nanny Zhao said bitterly: "An old servant like me is just a servant, acting only according to Sixth Madam’s words. I’ve followed Sixth Madam to marry into the Marquis Mansion, so I’m naturally a servant of the Marquis Mansion and have no other master in my heart. But I can’t make decisions on this matter; even if Sixth Master comes, I can only say the same."

Hong Ye was infuriated and was about to curse.

Qin Yuan waved her hand to stop Hong Ye and said to Nanny Zhao: "We didn’t call you here to interfere in Sixth Master’s affairs, but now the Xu family has filed a complaint with the Capital Governor Mansion. If it’s deliberate false accusation, Marquis and Sixth Master might get implicated. If you’re wise, go back and think carefully about what you should do. For the sake of Sixth Madam and her child, you should know what to do."

Hong Ye muttered: "If she’s smart, she’d know what to do, but unfortunately, she’s confused. At this point, she still relies on the Xu family. Does the Xu family even care about Sixth Madam’s state? Yet they still filed the complaint; if they had any care for Sixth Madam, how could they act like this?"

Qin Yuan said: "You go back and attend to Sixth Sis-in-law. I’m busy here and haven’t managed to visit her. Keep this in mind when the magistrate comes to you for questioning in the future."

Nanny Zhao trembled as she got up, saying, "Servant takes her leave." Her head lowered, expression unseen, she dragged her feet dispiritedly away.

Hong Ye vented: "I’ve never seen someone so muddled."

"All right, she also has her difficulties," Qin Yuan continued to Housekeeper Cao: "The Xu family likely won’t let go of this matter easily; the magistrate might come back to question you, and Sixth Madam’s health isn’t good, which will make things harder. Handle the magistrate when he comes."

Housekeeper Cao nodded and said: "That’s right. This time, I came over because the madam is managing the whole family’s affairs."

Qin Yuan said: "No problem, I just can’t keep entertaining him every time, so I’ll have to leave these matters to you. You and Housekeeper Han, being older, have more experience dealing with the government than I do."

Housekeeper Cao said worriedly: "This matter is indeed within my duties, but the magistrate mentioned that the Xu family probably won’t easily relinquish it. Madam knows, there’s some ten thousand taels of silver dealings between Sixth Madam and the Xu family. If the Xu family truly wants to default on this silver, they’ll surely cling to the matter of Miss Xu."

Qin Yuan also worried: "That’s precisely the fear; Sixth Sis-in-law is already in this condition, truly difficult to handle."

Housekeeper Cao said: "At this juncture, it’s best not to dwell on familial ties. Frankly, if Sixth Madam were to meet with any misfortune, there would be no way to verify these matters, and if it escalates, it’s Marquis Mansion that suffers."

Qin Yuan asked: "What do you think is best? I’ve only been managing for a short time, am young, and lack experience. Please advise."

She was anxious about the Xu family causing such a fuss, wondering how long Sixth Lady Gu could endure.

If Sixth Lady Gu were no longer, and with Xu Zhen missing, the Xu family might aim to undermine Marquis Mansion by using this incident.

Unsure when, it might even be exploited to attack Marquis Gu.

Qin Yuan recalled witnessing Lin Ziqi in her past life orchestrating schemes to discredit political enemies, pulling them down from power, and naturally she was cautious and vigilant.

Housekeeper Cao shifted his position.

"I feel it might be better for the Marquis Mansion to accuse the Xu family in return; even if they don’t accuse us this time, what’s stopping them from coming again next time? Then it’ll be hard to hold the Xu family accountable."

Qin Yuan contemplated for a moment and said: "Let me think about it."

After Housekeeper Cao left, Hong Ye remarked: "Miss, Housekeeper Cao’s suggestion makes sense. The Xu family is repeatedly causing trouble, clearly valuing silver over family ties. If we let them swallow the silver this time, in the future when Sixth Madam passes away, and they complain again, Marquis Mansion will be left without evidence."

Cui Ming also nodded, quoting: "Gentle spring breezes cannot stop unchecked fires."

Qin Yuan sighed, furrowing her brow: "There is evidence... It’s just... Alas... This matter is significant; I can’t make all the decisions alone. We still need Old Madam and the Marquis to decide."

Checking the hour, it was time to visit the main chamber.

Qin Yuan stood up: "Let’s go eat from Mother’s private kitchen in the main chamber. We can discuss this matter slowly with her afterwards."

The group walked from Wutong Garden to the main chamber, with little inclination for conversation.

Turning past Taihu Stone’s rockery, Qin Yuan thought of the real Yang Pozi who was murdered that day, sighed: "Where exactly is Xu Zhen?"

People leave traces, just as geese leave sound.

How could Xu Zhen and her maid, two living people, leave no trace at all?

Gu Shiba and others, who followed Marquis Gu for many years, searched all the way to Yu Yuantang but still found nothing.

Truly, it shouldn’t be this way.