"Director of the Hospital? Not Doctor Li?"

Qin Yuan was puzzled, not knowing what Marquis Gu intended to do.

Hong Ye nodded.

"Yes, the Director of the Hospital goes to see the Sixth Madam every day, and the Marquis ordered people to keep watch. After the Director finished checking on the Sixth Madam, he was invited to the study. A servant outside overheard and said that the Director was asked to take the pulse."

Qin Yuan: "..."

Wasn’t it agreed that if the Emperor didn’t approve his request, he would pretend to be ill?

Now having the Director take the pulse, wouldn’t it be obvious that he was as robust as an ox?

Something’s not right.

Qin Yuan really wanted to ask Marquis Gu what he was planning, wondering if he had changed his mind again.

Voices sounded from outside, this time it was Mrs. Cai coming to ask about the arrangements for the mourning hall and the altar for chanting scriptures.

Funeral rites require inviting monks and priests to the house to chant sutras and pray for blessings, which means setting up an altar. Typically, both monks and priests alternately chant, and according to tradition, the deceased should be laid in state for forty-nine days, with familiar families also sending their prayers.

Mrs. Cai wanted to know how many to invite for chanting, to set the positions properly, so as to calculate and gather the materials needed.

Even though Qin Yuan had previous life experience, she still invited Housekeeper Han to discuss, and before Mrs. Cai left, many other stewards arrived in succession.

There wasn’t a moment of leisure the entire afternoon. Qin Yuan soon forgot all about Marquis Gu.

Finally finished her duties, the garden lights were already lit.

Qin Yuan, taking her maids along, returned to Wutong Garden. Before leaving, she instructed the nanny at the entrance of the meeting room, "If anyone comes for further discussions, tell them to go to Wutong Garden."

The nanny quickly agreed, even grinning as she said, "Lady, you’ve worked so hard. If there’s nothing urgent, it can wait until tomorrow. No need to disturb you at this hour."

Qin Yuan seriously said, "I’m afraid the next couple of days will be busy around the clock. The busier we are, the easier it is to be careless. I don’t want to delay matters and cause embarrassment for everyone. You all have been keeping watch here diligently, and I am aware. When the monthly stipends are distributed, there will be rewards."

The nanny thanked her profusely and assured, "If anyone comes, I won’t miss it. Please rest assured and return home."

After walking for quite a while with Qin Yuan, Hong Ye finally spoke, "If that nanny isn’t diligent in passing messages and makes a mistake, just punish her. It would serve as a warning now, keeping everyone on their toes rather than thinking we’re young and inexperienced."

Qin Yuan replied indifferently, "Let it go. We’ve just entered the mansion, and many are waiting to see us stumble. During the smallpox outbreak, we relied heavily on Housekeeper Han and Housekeeper Cao, and the Marquis managed the show so smoothly.

If we lose our authority somehow, people will start scheming. Better to address issues at their source than to suppress. We already have too many matters at hand and no time to settle personal scores.

You were just advising me to rest more and not overwork, and now you want to create more trouble for me."

Hong Ye admitted apologetically, "I didn’t prioritize properly, please don’t reprimand me anymore. I know my mistake."

Qin Yuan said, "If someone else said you couldn’t distinguish priorities, I wouldn’t agree. You managed the welcome banquet exceptionally well, always keeping my interests at heart without a trace of selfishness, and I know this."

"Hehe, indeed."

Hong Ye proudly lifted her charming chin.

Qin Yuan chuckled softly and fell silent.

The wind blew through her hair, and with the sudden lull, Qin Yuan thought again of Marquis Gu and quickened her pace, eager to return and inquire what had caused his change of plans.

Once hastily back at Wutong Garden, a young maid came forward to assist. Qin Yuan sat down and asked, "Where’s the Marquis? Hasn’t he returned yet?"

"In response to the lady, the Marquis has not returned."

"Has he sent any message?"

"No."

Seeing Qin Yuan’s face turning increasingly displeased, Hong Ye immediately instructed, "Go and ask others if anything was overlooked."

The young maid hurried off to inquire, checking with the maids and nannies on duty that afternoon, but still, there was nothing.

Qin Yuan calmed herself and waved her hand, "Let’s set the meal, I’m hungry."

Hong Ye exclaimed, "I’m starving! I only had two pieces of cake in the afternoon to hold me over. Cui Ming has been busy in the sewing room all afternoon, we’ll let the small kitchen prepare her a meal."

Qin Yuan asked a young maid to fetch her medicine bag, feeling for a pill inside, she found one for clearing heat and detoxifying and said, "When Cui Ming returns, have her take this, and remember it for me so it’s not forgotten again. After the meal, I’ll prepare some calming incense for you two, so you won’t have to stay up at night; it’s easy to get lung dryness in autumn."

Hong Ye quickly adhered and instructed the young maid to ask the cook to prepare some pear soup.

"To have ready when the Marquis returns," Hong Ye explained to Qin Yuan, "He’s been cooped up in the study all day; he might need it to cool off."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "We don’t know what the Marquis is dealing with, so let’s not hastily upset him. With so many matters at hand, let’s prioritize our health."

The Marquis’s behavior today was indeed unusual. Hong Ye recognized something was amiss and noticed her lady was somewhat annoyed, so she didn’t dare continue the conversation, just urged the young maid to set the table for dinner.

Shortly after finishing their evening meal, a few more stewards and housekeepers arrived, so Qin Yuan dealt with matters in the outer room.

Cui Ming returned quite late, heading straight to the small kitchen. Seeing warm food still in the pot, she was overjoyed, pulling up a small stool, she sat by the stove, savoring her meal slowly.

Hong Ye got word and joined her, leaning against the doorframe, she said, "Why are you back only now, just in time for dinner?"

Cui Ming was startled, losing her appetite with a surprised burp.

"Why did you suddenly speak, you nearly scared me to death."

Hong Ye remarked, "Why are you eating here?"

"I thought I might have to heat the food myself, didn’t expect it was kept warm for me. It’s great being at the Marquis Mansion; if it were at the Qin Mansion, there wouldn’t even be cold leftovers."

"You’re the senior maid alongside the Marchioness. If you couldn’t even get hot food, we’d all be getting unfairly treated. You have a sore on your lip, the lady got you medicine herself, and prepared incense, said it’s autumn dryness; we’re to light it and rest well, no need to guard tonight."

Cui Ming sipped some soup and sighed, "I only handle the sewing room and ended up like this, I can’t imagine how much pressure the lady is under, yet she seems as composed as ever."

Hong Ye said, "The household affairs are manageable, but it’s the Marquis’s unknown troubles disturbing the lady. I doubt the Marquis will return to the courtyard tonight."

"What happened?"

Cui Ming gestured for Hong Ye to come closer and speak softly.

Hong Ye stepped nearer, bent down, and whispered in her ear, "I feel the Marquis might be having some ailment, possibly a serious one, but the lady doesn’t seem to realize it, making it only my concern..."