My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

So that’s how it is.

Qin Yuan gave Gu Jinghui a meaningful look.

This Lin Ziqi was only a scholar, yet Marquis Gu had so many thoughts about him. If Lin Ziqi became Prime Minister like in the previous life, who knows what Marquis Gu would do.

Feeling a bit uneasy under the gaze, Gu Jinghui asked, "Do you want to look at it now?"

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Let’s take a look."

Gu Jinghui then called Gu Shiliu in and instructed, "Bring the letters thrown outside the mansion yesterday from the outer courtyard study. Madam wants to see them."

Gu Shiliu complied and exited.

Gu Jinghui wanted to continue chatting with Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan said, "I just remembered something to ask the Marquis."

Marquis Gu raised his eyebrows, a bit displeased.

"Why call me Marquis again?"

Qin Yuan didn’t change her address.

"The nanny who died in front of the Feng Mansion, was she brought by Mrs. Zhao from the Northern Border? Could it be that she knew something, which is why she was silenced?"

Marquis Gu’s expression turned grim.

This matter wasn’t thoroughly investigated by the Magistrate from the Capital Governor Mansion due to the smallpox outbreak, so it was left unresolved.

Indeed, the death of that nanny was peculiar.

The people from Fengxuan Pavilion, although a bit arrogant, hadn’t really offended others.

If they did offend someone...

Gu Jinghui glanced at Qin Yuan.

Because of Mrs. Zhao, the trouble that those two nannies stirred up was mainly with the people from Wutong Garden.

"I guess that’s probably the case too."

Gu Jinghui agreed with Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan added, "I went to see a few of the sick people from Fengxuan Pavilion with Doctor Li. They were all infected through close contact with Zihe."

Gu Jinghui thought for a while and finally remembered who Zihe was.

"Zihe was one of the two second-class maids sent by mother to serve Mrs. Zhao. Bai Que has already left the mansion, and Zihe seemed to have left because her parents were ill."

"Yes," Qin Yuan nodded and said, "After Bai Que left, mother called Zihe back, and that’s when Mrs. Zhao’s illness started to linger."

Gu Jinghui didn’t know what came to mind, but his brows furrowed tightly.

As they were speaking, Gu Shiliu brought in a box, and Gu Jinghui asked, "Shiliu, do you know Zihe?"

Gu Shiliu was momentarily stunned, then said, "Yes, I do."

Gu Jinghui asked, "How is her relationship with Mrs. Zhao?"

"Does that even need asking? Naturally, it’s not good," Gu Shiliu said casually.

"Why?"

Gu Shiliu answered mysteriously, "Mrs. Zhao, I never noticed before, seemed weak and timid, but she’s really malicious. Sixth Madam must have said something to offend her, so she got two nannies to throw filthy things, causing two young misses to get sick. Luckily, it was discovered early, and Madam managed the situation. Otherwise, the mansion would have been in chaos. Zihe got infected too, showing that Mrs. Zhao really didn’t like her."

Gu Jinghui nodded and said, "You’re quite right."

Gu Shiliu asked Qin Yuan, "Madam, where should I put this box?"

Qin Yuan asked, "Is this whole box full?"

Gu Shiliu nodded and said, "Yes, it’s all. The Marquis said there were too many, and since the Madam has been busy lately, there was no rush to bring them."

Qin Yuan smiled, no matter what Gu Jinghui’s true intentions were, Gu Shiliu was always the one who spoke with tact.

"Just put it on the table, I’ll go through it later."

Gu Shiliu: "Okay."

With that, he placed the box on the table.

Gu Jinghui asked again, "So, does it seem that of the two maids sent by mother, Bai Que sided with Mrs. Zhao, and Zihe was ostracized?"

"You’re wise, Marquis," Gu Shiliu smiled and said, "I’ve heard that Zihe’s parents aren’t really that sick either. Zihe insisted on going back to care for them, and the Old Madam even rewarded her with ginseng. There’s something interesting here."

Gu Jinghui nodded.

It seems the old lady took in Mrs. Zhao, drove away Bai Que, and fearing to alarm Mrs. Zhao, called Zihe back.

Unexpectedly, before Mrs. Zhao left, she managed to wrong this maid once more.

Qin Yuan suddenly asked, "If Zihe recovers, where should she go in theory?"

Fengxuan Pavilion no longer had a master, and it was uncertain where Zihe would belong once she recovered.

Gu Jinghui was surprised, not expecting Qin Yuan to ask this question.

Gu Shiliu laughed, "Is Madam interested in Zihe? When she’s better, she might return to serve in the main house; after all, she was trained as a second-class maid by the Old Madam."

Qin Yuan nodded.

"This maid is clever, but she just happened to encounter Mrs. Zhao. If she’s willing, my Wutong Garden still has quite a few vacancies, and since mother could assign her to serve Mrs. Zhao, it seems she isn’t indispensable to her. If I ask, mother wouldn’t be reluctant."

Gu Jinghui said, "Wait for her to recover, there’s no rush, I should first interrogate her."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Indeed, there’s no need to hurry in the span of a few days.

She was just reminded of the past by Zihe’s manner.

Comparing the two lives, Zihe seemed wise and perceptive.

In the previous life, she must have survived under Mrs. Zhao’s hand.

In this life, she also endured until Mrs. Zhao’s downfall.

But as an inner household woman, she never expected Mrs. Zhao to be so venomous, and thus fell into a trap.

Gu Jinghui suddenly remembered someone.

"Haven’t you taken a liking to that little Hong girl?"

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "Let’s ask mother for guidance first; the maids taught by mother and Nanny Rong are all quite clever."

Gu Jinghui wrinkled his nose, remaining silent.

Wasn’t Bai Que also taught by mother and Nanny Rong?

Gu Shiliu laughed, "If Xiao Hong could enter Wutong Garden, she’d probably get along with Hong Ye, they’d be so happy together. I’ve seen Hong Ye whispering with Xiao Hong several times."

Gu Jinghui glanced at Qin Yuan but said nothing.

However, Qin Yuan straightforwardly said, "I have Xiao Hong helping me look after Brother Cheng and Sister Yu. They’re about the same age, and Xiao Hong is particularly sensible, able to teach them some principles. Lately, many things have happened in the mansion, and inevitably people might say things. I worry they’re too young and might develop resentment if misled."

Gu Shiliu praised, "Madam is too prudent, it’s no wonder the Marquis always speaks of the Madam as his virtuous wife, even the Sixth Master says the Marquis is purposefully teasing him."

But why was he teasing? Well, it was due to the Sixth Madam.

Qin Yuan smiled gently, walked over to the table, and began sorting through the letters.

Gu Jinghui said, "That flattery won’t earn you any silver from Madam."

Gu Shiliu chuckled sheepishly, scratching his head.

"This isn’t flattery, it’s just what’s in my heart. I’m simply speaking the truth; hasn’t the Marquis always thought so?"

Marquis Gu was delighted.

Gu Shiliu indeed understood him the best.

When the time was right, he’d reward him.

Seeing his master’s expression, Gu Shiliu knew he had said the right thing, feeling a bit smug inside.

Gu Jinghui said, "Once I’ve settled Brother Cheng and Sister Yu, you can bring that Xiao Hong girl over and let her follow you. That little girl always tries to impress me every time she sees me, hoping I’ll put in a good word for her to be transferred to you."