Qin Yuan also found it interesting and asked a few more questions.

Seeing this, Sixth Master Gu instructed the servant through the window to go to the Imperial College to inquire daily. Then he said to Qin Yuan, "It only takes a few words, so Shen Changle doesn’t have to make another trip."

Qin Yuan replied, "That’s fine, I’ve entrusted Shen Changle with this matter and haven’t asked much about it."

Old Madam Gu nodded, "That’s a good approach. Asking too much makes the subordinates feel distrusted; asking too little, some cunning ones might cause trouble. It’s only natural for the Sixth Master to be concerned since his name is attached to this." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

After chatting for some time, Marquis Gu still hadn’t arrived.

Qiuju had hinted to Nanny Rong several times already. Nanny Rong saw that it was getting late and said, "The young master is likely hungry by now. Why not serve the meal now?"

Old Madam Gu then said, "Go ahead and serve it."

After lunch, Qin Yuan went straight back to Wutong Garden and found out that the Marquis had not returned for lunch and hadn’t sent a message back. She asked Hong Ye, "Go and find out what is occupying the Marquis’s thoughts? Did he leave the mansion?"

Hong Ye went out and returned, saying, "The Marquis hasn’t left the mansion nor eaten lunch. The people in the teahouse said the Marquis has been in the study, hasn’t stepped out, and doesn’t want to see anyone, rejecting many visiting guests."

Qin Yuan frowned: "?"

Hong Ye whispered, "I heard that today, Miss Chang, who followed the Ninth Princess to the mansion for the banquet, sent a letter requesting to see Old Madam and the Marquis."

Cui Ming quickly asked, "Really?"

These days, the sewing room has been busy preparing things for Sixth Madam Gu’s aftermath, and Cui Ming was so anxious that she developed blisters on her upper lip.

Hong Ye said, "It was the doorkeeper’s daughter-in-law who told me, so it’s true. Just now in the main room, Old Madam and Nanny Rong didn’t mention it at all, and it’s unclear whether they’ll meet her."

Cui Ming was annoyed, "Could it be that the Marquis is so troubled by this that he’s not eating? Who is this Miss Chang from the Chang Family?"

Qin Yuan, who had been frowning, suddenly laughed and said, "Why are you so anxious? Don’t worry about these things. The Chang Family and the Gu Family were once betrothed. Miss Chang’s sister passed away later, the Marquis went to the Northern Border, and the Chang Family left the Capital City. It seems the Chang Family wishes to restore connections."

Hong Ye remarked, "Indeed, just focus on sewing your clothes with those nannies. Your eyes are so red from the work. We shouldn’t concern ourselves with whom the Marquis Mansion associates. The Marquis won’t be upset by this; there must be another reason. I’ll ask Sixteen later."

Cui Ming then went to rest.

Hong Ye said to Qin Yuan, "Every day is restless; there’s so much to handle regarding Sixth Madam, in utter chaos. I dug up account books from over a decade ago to follow old practices."

Qin Yuan patted Hong Ye’s thin face, saying, "If it weren’t for you two assisting me, I’d be overwhelmed. Organize it first... Since Sixth Master has no official title, Sixth Madam has no official decree, and the mourning arrangements need further consideration... After all these years, the Marquis Mansion’s social dealings aren’t the same as before. The plan must be approved by Old Madam and the Marquis."

Hong Ye laughed, "I can manage this, as long as I don’t get outsmarted by more capable people."

Qin Yuan, both amused and exasperated, poked Hong Ye, half-jokingly saying, "Since you’re so worried, I’ll assign Hong Mian and Mo Zhu to you. No matter how skilled they are, they must heed your orders. Will that suffice?"

Hong Ye was overjoyed, "Really?"

"Yes, more real than a pearl."

Hong Ye smiled, "Then I can definitely handle it, just leave it to me."

Qin Yuan said, "Alright, later I’ll finalize the accountant and the inner courtyard housekeeper. Then we can delegate much of the household matters. Otherwise, just socializing with the ladies is exhausting, and there’s no energy left for anything else."

With Marquis Gu achieving great exploits and being favored by the Emperor, naturally, many will visit for condolences. Old Madam Gu won’t be able to manage for long at her age, and she’ll be busy entertaining guests. As for Gu Baoshu... as long as she can properly keep the nephews and nieces from causing trouble, it’s fine.

Hong Ye sighed, "Missy, your health is frail, be cautious not to overwork. Maybe you could ask familiar family members to support for a few days or take turns receiving guests, that might be better."

Qin Yuan said, "We’ll see. I’ll discuss it with Old Madam. Sister-in-law Cheng will surely come to help, and perhaps the few families close to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion can lend a hand, but the overall arrangements will still need to be handled by me."

Sixth Master Gu sent someone to inquire at the Imperial College and urged Housekeeper Cao to go to the government office, pressing the Magistrate for an explanation.

Not long after, Gu Baoshu went out again.

Upon knowing, Qin Yuan merely nodded slightly, without a word.

After all, Sixth Madam’s time was limited, and amidst her busyness, she couldn’t attend to her sister-in-law. As Gu Baoshu said, after months of confinement, one needs to go out for a chat now and then.

With the mourning arrangements forthcoming, Gu Baoshu will have to stay home obediently for some time.

Yet, Hong Ye mumbled, "Seventh Miss knows no discretion; the mansion is so busy, and she only cares to go out, acting as if nothing’s wrong. Though she can’t help, she should at least make an appearance. Wasn’t she very close to Sixth Madam before? People leaving, and relationships fade so quickly."

Qin Yuan glared at her, ensuring no one was around, and lightly scolded, "You must not be too busy if you have time to gossip. I’d much prefer she doesn’t come to my place. There’s already so much to handle, and her presence would only add to the chaos. She’ll only have a few more days to roam around outside. If she’s fortunate enough to avoid the Qixi Festival, it’s better; if not, and the Marquis gets strict, she’ll likely be stuck in the mansion until after the Lantern Festival."

Hong Ye was momentarily stunned but soon understood.

The Qixi Festival is just around the corner. If Sixth Madam passes before the festival, naturally, Gu Baoshu won’t need to participate in the embroidery contest at the Qixi Festival.

Otherwise, Gu Baoshu would still have to appear and potentially embarrass herself at the festival.

If Marquis Gu is determined with consequences, Gu Baoshu won’t be leaving the mansion until after the Lantern Festival.

Just as Hong Ye was about to say something, a young maid outside called her, "Sister Hong Ye, someone at the second gate is looking for you."

Hong Ye clapped her hands, "It must be news from the Marquis’s side; I’ll go check."

Qin Yuan said, "Go then."

Hong Ye hurriedly ran out of the discussion courtyard and almost bumped into the stewardess reporting something.

Shortly after, she came running back. Before she could speak, Qin Yuan instructed, "Mrs. Fei needs to lead the replacement of the sedan curtain materials and money. She’s waiting for you to issue the token, so quickly sign off and let her proceed."

Hong Ye had to suppress her words, asked Mrs. Fei for the list to carefully verify it, counted the quantities to ensure they matched, then issued the token, registered it face to face, and stamped it.

Once the room was clear of others, Hong Ye hastily said, "Missy, the Marquis had someone summon the Director of the Hospital for questioning and even diagnosed his illness."