The Marquis looked approvingly at his sixth brother, cleared his throat, and hadn’t even started speaking when Gu Baoshu began to shout, "What’s the matter with the Xu family? I really feel sorry for Sixth Sister-in-law. She’s doing this for her family, yet they’re treating her this way. I’m afraid even in the afterlife she won’t be at peace."

The Old Madam Gu quickly rebuked her, "Keep your voice down, and stop talking nonsense. What would happen if Brother Kang and the others heard you?"

The children are already pitiful enough having lost their mother at a young age; they shouldn’t also have to hear about the cold and calculating nature of their maternal relatives, which is simply cruel.

Gu Baoshu looked on with disapproval.

"Mother, they’re clever. Last time, they caused quite a ruckus at the ancestral temple with several lads from the Xu family. You couldn’t imagine that the Xu family was considering having Sister Lan marry back, only to be embarrassed right there. I think the earlier they know about these things, the better, lest they get completely entangled and regret it later."

This made the Old Madam Gu shake with anger, "How come no one told me about this?"

Beside her, the Marquis chuckled coldly, "That’s strange. As if the lady from our Dingbei Marquis Mansion could be someone they covet. As the saying goes, marry your daughter up and your son down. In ten or eight years, Sister Lan will get married. Do they think, leaning on Xu Tang and King Jin, they can be on equal footing with us? They are such dreamers. Not to mention mother’s health is good; in ten or eight years we won’t separate the mansion. Even if we did, Sixth Elder’s official rank is higher than Xu’s. I say, Xu’s family’s highest achievement this lifetime would be to become the Commander of the Five Cities Military Department, which would be as if their ancestral tomb was emitting smoke."

This sarcastic remark made Gu Baoshu burst into laughter, and Qin Yuan also couldn’t help but slightly curl her lips, saying, "We needn’t get angry over them. It’s nothing but a bit of wishful thinking from the Xu family. Blood doesn’t flow backward; such a thing would even scandalize the lowest commoner, never mind a family like ours. If the Imperial Censors find out, they’d surely impeach. Mrs. Xu might not know, but Mr. Xu surely understands."

Gu Baoshu widened her eyes and asked, "Really? Wasn’t it said that marriage should not happen with the same surname, yet I’ve heard of quite a few cases."

"Different surnames within the same clan are no problem. In antiquity, there were many surnames and China’s land was small, so these things mattered. Since the first emperor unified the six states, the territory has expanded, yet there are far fewer surnames, and each household has compiled genealogies, so there’s no confusion."

Qin Yuan explained casually.

Gu Baoshu nodded, "I understand now. Listening to Third Sister-in-law is better than studying for ten years."

Qin Yuan smiled, "If you were to obediently stay at the mansion and attend Mr. Songshan’s lectures with Brother Kang, you’d have already known all this. Mr. Songshan has read ten thousand books and traveled ten thousand miles, he’s full of stories."

In her distress, Gu Baoshu quickly stuck out her tongue, widened her eyes, and gestured a slice across her neck with her hand, making Qin Yuan chuckle lightly.

Sixth Master Gu gently supplemented, "Mother, Third Sister-in-law is right. It’s nothing but the Xu family’s wishful thinking. Just looking at their faces makes me lose my appetite; how could I still talk about this before you? From now on, we won’t associate with the Xu family—keep distant from them."

The topic wandered further.

Eventually, the Old Madam Gu asked, "Old Six, what do you plan to do yourself?"

Sixth Master Gu replied, "The matter started with the Xu family, and I can only respond as needed. Third Sister-in-law said that pepper will rise sharply in the future, so taking it won’t be a loss. The government has already recorded the case, leaving a record, so they can’t easily create trouble against the Marquis Mansion in the future."

After speaking, he glanced at Qin Yuan’s expression.

Old Madam Gu contemplated, "That’s fine then. As the saying goes, don’t corner a dog in a dead-end alley. There’s no need to push too hard; leave some room."

Qin Yuan agreed, "Sixth Brother will not lose by taking pepper; it’ll pay back over time. But regarding the Xu family, it’s essential to leave a detailed record at the Capital Governor Mansion. Tomorrow, it would be best to let Housekeeper Han and Housekeeper Cao accompany us since our previous case at the Capital Governor Mansion is still unresolved."

Sixth Master Gu nodded.

The Marquis, fearing he still didn’t understand, added, "If the matter of Xu Zhen can’t be clarified, then we won’t reconcile with the Xu family. Regarding the debt issue managed by Sun Accountant and Housekeeper Zhang, why bother worrying about losing face—we should pursue it thoroughly."

Sixth Master Gu was somewhat apprehensive.

"Will this cause..."

After all, heavy interest is a severe crime, and if it inadvertently involves the Marquis Mansion, it could be troublesome.

Qin Yuan said, "It’s not a problem. This started with Mrs. Xu, the Xu family helped with the lending, within the mansion, it was conspired by Sun Accountant and Housekeeper Zhang. Haven’t we already captured them and sent them to the Capital Governor Mansion? This matter, the Xu family fears we will settle it one by one. Mrs. Xu’s dowry, the silver Mrs. Xu has acquired in the Marquis Mansion over the years—how much was lent through their hands, and how much was recovered? If we pursued this seriously, much more silver than just this would be needed to settle the issue. They’ve handled so much silver—it’s a serious crime."

Though Mrs. Xu has passed and cannot be prosecuted, the Marquis is merely blamed for not governing the household strictly, but he has remedied the situation by sending the culprits to the Capital Governor Mansion.

If the Xu family becomes unruly, we will disregard them.

If the Xu family behaves sensibly, they may ease up on the lending issue.

In summary, it’s the Xu family seeking us, not us seeking them.

As Sixth Master Gu listened, his expression grew resolute.

The Marquis added, "Yes, I’m overseeing the Capital Inspection matters now, and I believe even the Capital Governor Mansion won’t dare stir too much trouble."

Gu Baoshu exclaimed with delight, "I see, then what does Sixth Brother worry about? The Xu family may be shameless, but they aren’t suicidal. Even if they find the route to King Jin to get pardoned, we’ll still clarify the matter—we can’t let them continually use Xu Zhen to create trouble."

Even if it results in mutual harm, it’s better than being blackmailed by the Xu family.

Sixth Master Gu concluded, "Then, let’s do that. Tomorrow, I’ll take the two housekeepers along."

Once the discussion was settled, everyone dispersed.

Upon returning to Wutong Garden, Qin Yuan asked the Marquis, "What did mother inquire about today? You seemed troubled, and even had Sixth Brother steer the conversation aside."

"You see through everything!"

The Marquis lamented.

Qin Yuan said, "You speak as if I’m the wise, clear-headed elder. Stop pretending; if you can say, just say. Knowing will help me cover for you before mother."

The Marquis sighed deeply, "There’s nothing unspeakable, but the entanglement runs deep—I hardly know where to begin. What mother was concerned about is who was found in the dried-up well at the temple. As you know, there’s a gold ornament by the remains, a token belonging to Fourth Brother, which he often kept on him. Can you imagine who could obtain this ornament?"

Qin Yuan didn’t interject, waiting silently for the rest.

The Marquis continued, "Fourth Brother and the Mo Family Girl had mutual affection and set their engagement, then he died in battle, and the marriage was called off. But..."

The Marquis’s words faltered, and he hurriedly stood, lifted the curtain, and walked out, leaving a comment behind: "If you’re tired, rest first—I suddenly remembered something and must find Old Six."