Hong Ye couldn’t help but sigh once more, "Prince Qi is the Emperor’s legitimate and direct son. I heard his maternal family was a prominent family in Daxing, treating gold and jade like dirt. They had five or six hundred singers and dancers in their household. My mother always complained that she almost got sold into their household for a better life when she was young."

Qin Yuan squinted his eyes, not responding.

Prince Qi’s maternal family was indeed one of the most notable families, with countless talents in the family, many excelling in commerce. Their trade caravans reached the East Sea and Western Regions, amassing unimaginable wealth.

Building a great house is difficult, but tearing it down is quick.

Mo Zhu interjected, "The Dingbei Marquis Mansion doesn’t like keeping such people. According to Mrs. Fei, the mansion used to have its own theater troupe, but it was disbanded later."

Qin Yuan said, "Hmm, if Mother likes to listen in the future, it can be slowly built up again. This is not difficult; it would just take a year or two."

The wealthy salt merchants in Yangzhou were keen on keeping theater troupes, with some maintaining several different singing styles. As long as one can find teachers specializing in training troupes, old masters of the opera, it’s not difficult.

Hong Ye looked full of longing and said, "If that’s the case, we can listen to opera for several days during festivals."

Qin Yuan laughed.

"To have opera for days and nights, you’d have to invite troupes from the theater, otherwise the singers would lose their voices."

Hong Ye blinked and said nothing.

Mo Zhu continued, "Actually, Old Madam doesn’t particularly like listening to operas. The manor kept a family troupe because Old Aunt Wen liked to listen to it. That’s why Sixth Master also likes listening to them. Aunt Zheng was bought from the brothel, and recently there was a fuss about buying a pipa-playing lady from the brothel, but then Sixth Master took a liking to poetry, so it quieted down."

Hong Ye listened with a face full of amazement.

It was also the first time Qin Yuan heard this, smiling as he looked at Hong Ye. This Old Aunt Wen was Sixth Master Gu’s birth mother, Aunt Wen, who seemed quite favored.

Hong Ye felt a bit guilty under his gaze and asked, "Mo Zhu, how do you know so much?"

Mo Zhu said with some pride, "I’m also a native like Hong Mian. Besides, my mother used to serve in Old Aunt Wen’s courtyard before being married out to my father. When I grew up, I returned to the mansion to find a job. I was lucky to be assigned directly to Wutong Garden."

Hong Ye said, "So even though you’re young, you have a lot of seniority."

Wutong Garden was hard to get into, and Mo Zhu’s parents also had connections.

Mo Zhu smiled, "My parents were both natives here, with many relatives, so the news comes faster."

Qin Yuan just silently listened to the two discussing, saying nothing until they reached the main room. Then he said, "Mo Zhu has many family members in the mansion, so help guide Hong Ye and Cui Ming more in the future, lest they inadvertently offend someone. You help them with their tasks, learn more, and in the future, you can help me with management, which will make my work easier."

It seemed Mo Zhu was being set for a greater role. Hong Ye smiled and said, "Mo Zhu, hurry and thank Madam."

Mo Zhu quickly thanked her.

Qin Yuan said, "Hong Mian is quite capable. I think you aren’t bad either, but Hong Mian is more outgoing, while you are more reserved. Most of Sixth Madam’s affairs will be handed over to Hong Ye for supervision. With your help, I’ll feel more at ease."

Mo Zhu said, "Madam, rest assured, I will definitely do my job well without the slightest error."

Speaking of this, they had arrived at the main room.

Brother Kang and Fuguo’er were talking with Gu Baoshu. Seeing Qin Yuan come in, they hurriedly stood up to greet her.

Gu Baoshu wore a pink and purple palace gown, with a simple hairpin on her head, and earrings inlaid with pearls the size of fingernails, swaying as she spoke and laughed.

Hong Ye whispered, "Seventh Miss’s attire has changed from before."

Qin Yuan knew the reason why.

Gu Baoshu had taken a liking to her cousin Qin Siyuan and was dressing in a more demure manner.

One couldn’t help but wonder if Qin Siyuan was somehow special or alluring, having captured the attention of Xu Zhen and now Gu Baoshu.

Qin Yuan smiled and helped her two nephews stand up, noticing their dark circles and slightly worn-out appearance. She asked how they had been sleeping, eating, and how much time they spent taking care of their sick mother each day.

Brother Kang said, "We’re young. Nanny tells us to do what we can and not exhaust ourselves and make our mother worried. But we are still concerned about mother’s health and cannot sleep well."

Nanny Zhao had said many things that frightened him and his brother, making them worried about both their mother’s health and a life without her.

The Xu family and the Gu Family already had a falling out, and their father was annoyed with their maternal uncles. Their uncles wouldn’t take care of them in the future.

The two young children had only returned for a few days and were already exhausted, having lost weight.

Qin Yuan took a small jade box from Hong Ye’s hand, handed it to Brother Kang, and said, "This is incense I prepared for you. Let your nanny burn it at night. It will help calm your mind and let you sleep better. I know you’re worried about your mother’s health, but you are still young. Many things must be left to adults. You need to eat and sleep well to grow up properly and make your mother proud."

Old Madam Gu quickly said, "Your third aunt is right; quickly take it and thank her."

Gu Baoshu frowned and stared at the small box.

Brother Kang thanked her first, then took the box and said, "We promise to eat and sleep well, grow up properly, and be filial to Grandmother, Father, and Third Uncle and Aunt."

Fuguo’er followed suit.

Brother Kang then handed the jade box to their nanny, letting her hold it.

Gu Baoshu asked, "Sister-in-law, what kind of incense is this?"

Qin Yuan replied, "It’s a calming and revitalizing incense. They’re worried about Sixth Aunt and are at a growing age. The incense nourishes the liver and kidneys, calms the mind, and helps sleep. After lighting it, they can sleep peacefully ’til dawn. Even adults can’t bear it if they’re worried all the time, let alone children."

Gu Baoshu sighed and said, "Sister-in-law, how do you know everything? Did you figure out the scent that Prince Qi sent last time?"

Qin Yuan said, "That incense was passed down from the late Empress Dowager. It should have been made by a master of scent. I’m not skilled enough to decipher it yet."

Gu Baoshu clicked her tongue.

"The late Empress Dowager? Was this incense passed from her to Empress Yuan? That’s indeed precious. Sister-in-law, the late Empress Dowager was Empress Yuan’s aunt. Everything from their family is incredibly valuable. Even something they casually take out is worth a lot of money. It doesn’t matter if you can’t figure it out. Didn’t Prince Qi himself say he couldn’t find anyone all these years to recreate the scent?"

Qin Yuan was shocked.

So the late Empress Dowager was indeed Empress Yuan’s aunt.

No wonder the Emperor had such a strange attitude towards Prince Qi.

Old Madam Gu got annoyed and said, "Gu Baoshu, why are you talking about this now? You never know when to hold your tongue. What will we do with you?"

Gu Baoshu intended to get closer to Qin Yuan, so she started talking. Yet, after only a few words, Old Madam Gu reprimanded her.

"Mother, these things aren’t secrets. How else would I know?"

Old Madam Gu said, annoyed, "The affairs of the palace are not for you to mention."