The head mistress of the household manages all the affairs of the family, which are indeed trivial and bothersome.

Qin Yuan managing to do this is already not an easy feat.

Old Madam Gu became increasingly regretful about her harsh tone earlier and repeatedly said, "Good child, these days have been tiring for you, and Mother knows it all."

Gu Jinghui quickly changed the topic, saying, "Mother, the Xu family is fickle and motivated by profit. With such family values, I’m afraid there will be many incidents in the future. As for this marriage alliance, I’m afraid after the passing of the Sixth Sister-in-law, there will be no more connections."

Sixth Master Gu, who had long been deeply resentful of the Xu family’s conduct, said, "That’s for sure; it’s best not to associate with them. I’m worried they might corrupt the children."

Old Madam Gu said nothing.

Qin Yuan said softly, "The knot between the Xu family and our Marquis Mansion can only be untied by finding Xu Zhen."

Everyone sighed.

Xu Zhen, whether ascended to heaven or descended to the earth, was utterly elusive.

If we can’t find him for a lifetime, wouldn’t this knot remain unresolved forever?

Marquis Gu said angrily, "In the past at the Northern Border, Shi Ba and the others were never so useless as to waste such effort finding one person."

Qin Yuan comforted softly, "The Gu Family has guarded the Northern Border for generations, and the Marquis has managed it for over a decade. Naturally, moving through the Capital is not as effortless as managing the Northern Border."

In the Capital, royal princes, imperial relatives, and officials and nobles are as numerous as cattle.

And in this place where changing winds meet, there are often variables. A small-time rascal scraping by on the streets might gain power overnight and become an Imperial Minister. Yet, there are many cases where a favored minister of the Emperor falls into disgrace and drags three generations of his family down with him.

Marquis Gu, returning triumphant to the Capital, also needs to start anew in operations; even a tiger must lie low, even a dragon must coil.

Sixth Master Gu heaved a long sigh, saying, "That’s why I say it’s better to simply counter-sue the Xu family, otherwise they’ll make Marquis Mansion queasy for a lifetime with Xu Zhen. We can’t let them sully our Dingbei Marquis Mansion’s reputation. I shouldn’t have just talked about it yesterday; I should have twisted that Xu guy to the Capital Governor Mansion on the spot."

The more he thought about it, the more regrettable he found it, feeling deeply annoyed.

Old Madam Gu asked, "What about the children?"

Sixth Master Gu immediately replied, "They are not Xu family’s children; they are Gu family’s children. I will make it clear to them myself."

Old Madam Gu cared about this the most, and seeing Sixth Master Gu’s determination, she had no objection.

Gu Jinghui asked, "Madam, what do you think?"

Sixth Master Gu also turned to look.

Qin Yuan replied, "Sixth Master will make the decision, but the pros and cons must be clearly explained to the nephews and nieces. The children are still young, and if there’s someone with ulterior motives whispering in their ears, causing rifts among siblings, it’s not a good thing."

Sixth Master Gu nodded.

"I will make things clear to the children."

Qin Yuan continued, "As for Nanny Zhao, I hope Sixth Master will explain to her the pros and cons. In the future, when the magistrate investigates, with Sixth Sister-in-law’s health being poor, we’ll have to rely on her."

Sixth Master Gu said indignantly, "This Nanny Zhao is Mrs. Xu’s wet nurse, and she only has Mrs. Xu in her heart and eyes. Sometimes she’s overly sharp and sometimes dully stupid; I can only give it a try."

They talked about other things for a while.

Old Madam Gu, being older, couldn’t hold on much longer, having had a long day yesterday.

Seeing this, Qin Yuan said, "This matter cannot be settled in a few words; we will discuss the details privately later."

Old Madam Gu mustered her strength and said, "Indeed, this matter must not be rushed. Moreover, the recognition ceremony for Brother Cheng and Sister Yu should be handled quickly."

Qin Yuan smiled, "I thought so too, the sooner, the better. We’ve talked about it for so long; with them staying in the main house, it can be awkward."

Old Madam Gu said, "It’s all because of Mrs. Zhao; there’s been no good news in the Marquis Mansion recently. Having them recognize their origins is a joyful event, which could help counteract the bad luck."

Gu Jinghui quickly agreed, saying, "Gu Jingcheng will move in the next two days; as for the recognition ceremony, I think there’s no need for a grand event."

Old Madam Gu nodded.

As everyone was leaving, they saw Gu Baoshu still kneeling in the corridor and suddenly remembered her.

Qin Yuan said, "Seventh Sister, Mother has been a bit tired these two days and upset about Sixth Sister-in-law’s issues, so she might forget. Quickly find a maid to ask Nanny Rong for a solution and mention it to Mother; otherwise, kneeling for too long will make your knees hurt, and you won’t be able to ride a horse."

Gu Baoshu happily said, "You’re the best, Sister-in-law, truly my good sister-in-law. From now on, we are the world’s best pair."

Gu Jinghui, holding Qin Yuan’s hand, walked a few steps away, then turned back and said dismissively, "It seems she still hasn’t learned her lesson; she should kneel a few more days."

Gu Baoshu snorted, turned her head away, and ignored him.

Sixth Master Gu was eager to find Nanny Zhao for a talk, glanced at Gu Baoshu, and hurried away without saying a word.

Watching the backs of the departing crowd, Gu Baoshu snorted and muttered softly, "Isn’t it all because of Xu Zhen’s matter? As if I don’t know."

Sixth Master Gu left the main house and parted ways with Marquis Gu and his wife, heading straight to Sixth Lady Gu’s courtyard to talk to Nanny Zhao.

Gu Jinghui and Qin Yuan headed toward Wutong Garden, and Qin Yuan asked, "What are Marquis’s plans?"

Gu Jinghui said, "I think Sixth Brother’s idea is good; we can’t let Sixth Sister-in-law’s issues always put the Marquis Mansion at a disadvantage."

Qin Yuan asked, "What does Marquis think, is the Xu family motivated by money or something else?"

Gu Jinghui pondered over it and asked, "What difference does it make if it’s for money or something else?"

Qin Yuan said, "If it’s for money, once they get it, they might settle down. But if it’s for something else, it could harm the Marquis Mansion."

Gu Jinghui said, "I thought about it yesterday. Even if Sixth Brother can’t bear it, we might as well abandon that silver; the wealth of the Gu Family can fill the gap to reassure Sixth Sister-in-law. In the end, it’s still meant for Sixth Brother’s children as her dowry, the meat stays in the pot."

"And now?"

"But now it can’t be tolerated. Even if Sixth Brother wants to fill this account from his own pocket, I won’t agree. Xu Zhen’s matter has nothing to do with the Marquis Mansion, and if we show weakness, it might seem as though it does."

Qin Yuan nodded.

With that being the case, there’s no need to say more.

Gu Jinghui asked again, "Did you mean something else when you mentioned other motives? Do you mean Xu family trying to attach itself to King Jin?"

Qin Yuan nodded.

"The Xu family is related by marriage to the Marquis Mansion; no matter what they do, it will be connected to us. If someone uses this as leverage, it could easily cause trouble. Once a case is accepted by the government, regardless of the outcome, it will always be on record, leaving a possibility for retrial."

Old cases being reopened in court are not rare. If someone with ulterior motives takes advantage of this, it would be very easy.

Gu Jinghui pondered for a while, and suddenly said, "Yuan’er, how fortunate I am to have married you as my wife. From now on, you will handle this matter."

Qin Yuan looked up in surprise and asked, "Isn’t Marquis trusting me too much? I’ve only been in the family for less than half a year and already managing the whole family, and now this matter is handed to me. If there’s a mishap..."

Gu Jinghui chuckled softly, looking down at his young wife, "If you’re undecided, consult with us. Three humble cobblers can match a Zhuge Liang. If you can’t handle it, then no one in the Mansion possibly could, so there’s no need to worry or blame yourself."