After all, they are siblings; despite his grumblings, Marquis Gu didn’t mention one thing: his seventh sister has quite a loose tongue.

Rumors about family affairs get exaggerated, so much so that Mrs. Zhao was rumored to be his concubine.

Both Qin Yuan and Marquis Gu knew that Qin Yuan was aware.

But seeing Qin Yuan protect Gu Baoshu, Marquis Gu naturally refrained from bringing it up, secretly hoping—if the Madam could teach the seventh sister well, that would be wonderful.

"Sixth brother has improved a lot since getting close with the Qins, almost like a different person. Seventh sister should be able to do the same," Marquis Gu privately commented to Gu Shiliu, "Perhaps Baoshu could become a proper young lady too."

Gu Shiliu discreetly rolled his eyes.

It’s more likely for Gu Baoshu to cause fewer incidents and be a bit more clever than for Sixth Master Gu to top the imperial examination.

Gu Shiliu pondered and replied, "Seventh Miss will certainly learn better under Madam’s guidance."

Marquis Gu deeply agreed.

Actually, Gu Baoshu, confidently, only soothed the tearful nephews for a short while before she rode out to the teahouse, returning only before the curfew.

Qin Yuan naturally got the news too.

Hong Ye was shocked and asked, "Seventh Miss acting like this, isn’t Old Madam angry?"

Her mistress had never been this wild.

How dare Seventh Miss after just being freed from confinement?

The silent Cui Ming’s face was also full of disapproval.

Qin Yuan was busy reviewing the menu for the recognition banquet, not raising her head.

"Daughters of military general’s families are different from our civil servants’. They’ve been like this since young. Watching opera, drinking tea, seeing acrobatics, dining out, going to the teahouse are all common, very carefree. In earlier years, Old Madam would have restrained her, but now Marquis has returned; the girls are guests to be pampered, as long as they don’t break major rules, they’re left to their own devices."

Hong Ye: "..."

Cui Ming: "..."

After a while, Hong Ye stuck out her tongue and said, "Wow, the difference between Marquis Mansion and our mansion is immense, Seventh Miss truly lives freely."

Cui Ming also nodded, "If it weren’t for our mistress marrying in, we’d never know they lived like this."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "It’s also because Marquis Mansion adores daughters and is wealthy; otherwise, it wouldn’t be this way. Each family has its own rules and ways of life. We should observe more, think more, and talk less." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

In ten miles, the wind changes; in a hundred miles, customs differ.

In some places, women can’t even step out of their homes, but not far away, women can do business publicly; it all depends on local customs.

In the Capital City, most officials are from other provinces, with different customs.

The Qin Family, once noble of the Southern faction, has many rules and is very thrifty.

Thankfully, Qin Jijiu wasn’t a pedantic scholar who relied on setting rules for daughters to earn reputation; she struggled in Qin Mansion, but managed to get by.

Military generals mostly hail from Yan and Zhao regions, where daughters indeed live more boldly than those from civil servant’s families. However, in a few more years, in the court, civil servants will reign supreme, and the restraints set by scholars upon women will rise, with societal expectations becoming increasingly stringent.

After a while, Hong Ye remarked, "I must say, our mistress indeed has good fortune, marrying into such a family as Marquis Mansion, sparing future children much hardship and worries. Others have to mind their sensibilities in social interactions, but our mistress grants them."

Cui Ming was intrigued, saying, "Thinking this way, we should be more amiable when we meet Yanhong and others in the future. Following our mistress, we’re like chickens and dogs achieving prosperity; before, I never dreamed of controlling the sewing room, receiving constant flattery and compliments.

Last time, Yanhong complained that Lin Junren’s mother is very difficult, Lin Junren used to coax the second miss, but now he speaks loudly, making the personal maids’ lives quite tough."

Hong Ye immediately said, "With our mistress’s fortune, we who serve her are also naturally blessed. In the future, when we follow our mistress to temples and taoist sites, we should donate more merit."

Cui Ming scorned, "How much money do you have?"

Hong Ye replied, "Our mistress promised me future wealth; can a small financial holder not afford to donate fuel for lamps? Needless to say, I’ll donate ten taels of silver directly to Puji Temple when pepper earns money, blessing me to be this fortunate in the next life too."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Alright, I vow to grant you a life of wealth, but you must work hard to achieve it."

Cui Ming also smiled and said, "It’s late, let’s serve the mistress to rest. Only when she’s well rested can she lead us to bliss."

Seeing that it’s late, Marquis Gu is still busy in the front courtyard, and without waiting for him, Qin Yuan tidied up for rest, unaware of when he’d return.

Early the next day, Mrs. Dai came to sit briefly; both families had hastily sent invitations for guests, setting the recognition banquet for today.

Cui Ming prepared twin outfits, shoes, socks, paired with pockets and incense bags, sent them to the main room, and Old Madam Gu also sent two mutton fat jade pendants for them to wear at the event.

Housekeeper Han gathered everyone to clean the hall, while Hong Ye assisted Qin Yuan in supervising the stewards and housekeepers in preparing the banquet.

Mrs. Dai asked, "Weren’t the dates agreed upon, why the sudden urgency? Our family’s master sent invitations overnight without involving me; I don’t know if you’re too busy here, so I came to check."

Qin Yuan sighed, "Indeed, the original plans can’t be used, yesterday Sixth Master accused the Xu family, and the Director of the Hospital came to examine Sixth Master’s wife’s health, fearing she won’t last, just a matter of days. Marquis decided to quickly host the recognition banquet for the sake of the children, hence the rushing."

Hearing this, Mrs. Dai was shocked, her face filled with alarm, asked, "Could the Sixth Madam..."

Qin Yuan solemnly nodded.

Mrs. Dai took a deep breath and said, "No wonder, it is indeed better earlier; is it already this urgent?"

Qin Yuan said, "Yesterday the two nephews were called back for bedside vigilance, I’m very busy here, can’t attend to them, so it’s Seventh Sister helping to soothe them, not much I’ve experienced, everything to be prepared early lest caught off guard."

Mrs. Dai sighed, "Sure enough, she’s so young, how could she prepare these early on; if you need my help, please just say, don’t be distant."

Qin Yuan agreed.

Mrs. Dai hurriedly said, "You’re busy here, I’ll head back first, return in the evening."

"Alright," Qin Yuan escorted her out.

Today was indeed frantic, the Magistrate came to the mansion to ask questions, all handled by Housekeeper Cao.

Qin Yuan called Housekeeper Han, asked, "With Sun Accountant and Housekeeper Zhang’s vacancies, do you have candidates to recommend?"

Housekeeper Han thought for a bit, said, "The original assistants are quite good, Madam might as well use them temporarily."

Qin Yuan nodded.

"I am young and new to the mansion, entrusted by Old Madam and Marquis with heavy responsibilities, inevitably there’s much I haven’t considered thoroughly. Marquis Mansion is large and complex, with many rules, without guidance from elders, it’s easy to err. If it’s internal matters, that’s one thing; housekeepers and stewards always bring things to my ear, but if it’s external affairs, it would bring disgrace to our mansion. I request Housekeeper Han for much assistance."