"An urgent matter?"

Sixth Master Gu frowned and pondered for a moment, then instructed the servant, "Have someone come find me if there’s nothing else. If Third Brother asks what I’m doing, just say I’ve been in the room reciting the Complete Tang Poems."

"Is Sixth Master still in the mood to recite poems at this time?"

Inside the room, Gu Shiliu was taken aback, and Gu Shiba blinked in confusion, both looking at Gu Jinghui.

Gu Jinghui touched the stubble on his cheek, clicking his tongue, and said, "Here we are, frazzled, and he still has the mind to recite poetry. My good brother is truly... ever new, renewing daily, always improving."

Gu Shiliu sighed, "Indeed, in the past, Sixth Master would be restless over such matters for days."

After speaking, Gu Shiliu glanced at the Marquis, thinking to himself, "The Marquis has changed a lot too, speaking in a more scholarly manner now, though he doesn’t realize it."

Gu Shiba, however, said, "Sixth Master is much calmer now. The matter with the Xu family is probably nothing significant; even if what we saw yesterday is known to Sixth Master, it might not matter much."

The Marquis furrowed his brows slightly and gently shook his head.

After some more conversation, the Marquis said, "Just arrange for more people to keep an eye on things. As for the ninth branch... the lady mentioned having Brother Qi’s mother come over to recuperate, and it should be settled in a couple of days."

Gu Shiliu immediately asked, "The Fake Yang and others should know Brother Qi’s mother. With the past discord between Brother Qi, Young Master Cheng, and Miss Yu, how can we fit her in?"

Gu Shiba nodded as well, saying, "Exactly, if we can place her, it would save a lot of effort, but it’s indeed a bit tricky."

The Marquis smiled and said, "Let the lady handle this matter; she has her ways."

Gu Shiliu suddenly understood and gave Gu Shiba a meaningful look. Seeing they had spoken enough, they took their leave.

Gu Shiba quietly asked Gu Shiliu, "What method does the lady have to place her? Brother Qi’s mother is blind, claiming to send someone there for service can’t possibly be smooth."

Gu Shiliu replied, "Our lady has her reasons for doing things. You’re falling into the salt jar making yourself salty; better keep an eye on King Jin’s side."

Gu Shiba acknowledged and left the mansion.

Gu Shiliu was hurrying to Wutong Garden when he ran into Hong Ye and Hong Mian briskly heading toward the outer courtyard. Gu Shiliu quickly stopped and asked, "What are you two busy with?"

Hong Ye sighed, "Lots of things. Mr. Songshan will be a long-term guest at the mansion. There are many empty courtyards in the mansion, and the lady instructed us to carefully select one for him. We don’t even know Mr. Songshan’s preferences or whether he intends to move his family here, let alone how to arrange the courtyard and rooms for his daily life."

Gu Shiliu laughed, "There’s no need to complicate things. Just ask Mr. Songshan directly, and adjust over time. Hasn’t he been living in a courtyard with a servant? He should have some understanding by now."

Hong Mian nodded, "It should be a young servant from the Lin Family serving him. He’s quite alert and observant."

Gu Shiliu glanced at Hong Mian and thought for a moment, "You’re a child of the household; your Sister Hong Ye, though clever and efficient, might overlook things. Be there to offer her your thoughts."

Hong Mian immediately smiled and nodded, "Sixteen Brother is right. Sister Hong Ye has been teaching us accounting recently; how could I keep things to myself?"

Gu Shiliu looked at Hong Ye in surprise and smiled, "The maids in Wutong Garden will be impressive in the future."

Hong Ye was eager to leave.

Gu Shiliu asked again, "Is there anything else you need to do?"

Hong Ye replied, "The lady also wants to speak with the lady next door and just sent for Doctor Li... Shen Changle is coming too. There’s a pile of things, I’ll tell you when I get a moment."

With those words, she rushed off.

When Gu Shiliu arrived at Wutong Garden, he saw a group of people moving things outside and quickly stopped a young maid to ask, "What’s happening?"

"The lady will manage affairs from a new location in the future."

Gu Shiliu asked urgently, "Is the lady at Wutong Garden?"

"Yes, the room’s been tidied up, and the walls freshly painted. The lady said to move the heavy furniture over first, let it sit for a couple of days, then move."

Gu Shiliu stepped aside to let them pass and then entered the courtyard, sending Mo Zhu in with a message to request an audience with the lady.

Qin Yuan was practicing calligraphy inside. Hearing Gu Shiliu had come, she smiled and said, "Please come in quickly. Does the Marquis have any instructions?"

Gu Shiliu stood behind the pearl curtain and said, "The Marquis instructed me to inform the lady about what was seen yesterday—concerning the Xu family."

"Oh?" Qin Yuan arched an eyebrow and raised her voice, "Sixteen, come inside and speak in detail."

Gu Shiliu lifted the pearl curtain and entered. He saw Qin Yuan’s sleeves tied with straps, holding a pen to write, with Cui Ming attending beside her. Stepping forward a few paces, he stood by the table, saluted, and whispered, "Lady, Bai Que’s contract was released, and now she’s with the Zhao family boy outside the store. She said she saw Mrs. Zhao."

Qin Yuan widened her eyes and asked, "Where did she see her?"

Cui Ming also closely watched Gu Shiliu, waiting quietly for the rest.

Gu Shiliu replied, "In East Market, Bai Que followed secretly for a while, then lost her. She said Mrs. Zhao had several robust northern men with her, dressed like Yelv Clan people."

Cui Ming was taken aback and couldn’t help but sigh, "Yelv Clan?"

Qin Yuan nodded, "Such a short time, and Mrs. Zhao dares to appear in the bustling market; truly hidden in plain sight, quite bold indeed." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Gu Shiliu expressed some regret, "This woman is truly daring, relying on the crowds in the East and West Markets, wearing different clothes than in the mansion. It’s just a stroke of luck running into Bai Que; otherwise, she’d be hard to find."

Qin Yuan mused for a moment, then asked, "And what about the Xu family?"

Gu Shiliu replied, "Yesterday, Bai Que got the news and told Gu Shiba, who quickly came to find me. We rushed to the Yelv Zhi’s residence to investigate. We didn’t find Mrs. Zhao, but discovered connections between the Xu family and Yelv Zhi."

"Many children from the Xu family blend in the city, mingling across all strata, but interactions with Yelv Guza are rather delicate."

Qin Yuan hastily asked, "Did you find out who it was and what the interactions are?"

Gu Shiliu replied, "The lady has met the person before. He was brought by Mr. Xu, his cousin’s son. It’s said Mr. Xu’s cousin died early, so Mr. Xu inherited the title and raised his cousin’s children. This person is skilled at martial arts, has overseen gambling venues, and plays kickball well. He’s quite famous in the sports club scene and frequently visits Hostage Mansion, playing with them. Oh, and his sister is to be sent to King Jin Mansion as a concubine."

Qin Yuan frowned.

Gu Shiliu stood with his hands at his sides, saying no more.