Chapter 218: Supporting Each Other
Housekeeper Han said indifferently, "The Marquis Mansion has always been governed by rules, and because of the smallpox outbreak, those not on duty are staying indoors. Although there has been some relaxation lately, no one would dare offend the Princess."
However, Housekeeper Cao said, "I’ve ordered people to block the inner gate, Madam can rest assured that no one will clash with the Princess."
Qin Yuan smiled and nodded, saying, "Thank you for your efforts."
In private, Housekeeper Han told Housekeeper Cao, "Sun Accountant said you’re just flattering the Madam. I thought he exaggerated, but now I see you have indeed gone a bit overboard."
Housekeeper Cao didn’t mind, saying, "The Madam instructed so, which shows she cares a lot. You may trust the servants not to overstep, but if someone is careless or has ulterior motives, it would be too late for regrets after an incident occurs. It’s just a simple matter, why make it difficult for the master?"
Housekeeper Han fell silent.
Housekeeper Cao continued, "Sun Accountant hasn’t even sorted out his own affairs. I’ve long told him to tidy the accounts so that when Madam checks, he won’t be caught unprepared. Yet, he’s keen on sowing discord in front of you."
Housekeeper Han asked in surprise, "Why haven’t I heard any rumors about checking Sun Accountant’s accounts?"
Housekeeper Cao tapped his forehead meaningfully, saying, "Madam is already examining the inner courtyard accounts for the past few years. Next, if the Marquis doesn’t take back the outer courtyard, wouldn’t it be natural for Madam to check the outer courtyard’s accounts? Since the Marquis took over the outer courtyard, he hasn’t paid much attention, so Madam, being so capable, would naturally follow suit."
Housekeeper Han was partly convinced and partly skeptical.
Housekeeper Cao had already left, specifically selecting two obedient servants to guard the inner gate, regardless of the nannies’ murmurs. He instructed, "You four stay here and guard diligently. If anyone lingers nearby after the Princess enters the mansion or tries to force their way through, expel them. If they don’t heed, apprehend them immediately."
The servants immediately agreed.
The two nannies echoed their agreement.
Housekeeper Cao then returned to work with Housekeeper Han, supervising the servants as they cleaned and refreshed the outer courtyard’s décor.
The servant by the Sixth Master Gu’s side also received instructions and quickly went to find Sixth Master Gu, saying, "Sixth Master, the Seventh Princess, and the Ninth Princess have been ordered to come to the mansion for a visit. The Marquis and Madam are going to greet them. The others are to stay inside and don’t need to go out to welcome them."
Sixth Master Gu was leaning over the desk painting, his hair untidy, his fair face showing faint discontent. Hearing this, he raised his brow and sighed listlessly, "Third Brother is truly blessed, harmonious with Third Sister-in-law."
Just now, he had been leaning by the window, watching. The usually stern Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law were playfully entering the front yard, clearly showing deep affection.
Only he was a pitiful person.
Sixth Master Gu wallowed in self-pity.
The servant saw several scrolls of paintings placed by the desk and asked, "When did Sixth Master paint so many?"
Sixth Master Gu glanced over, saying, "These were painted by Third Sister-in-law, I fall short."
The servant stood stunned for a moment and sighed, "Madam is so young, yet excels in everything."
Sixth Master Gu didn’t respond, only stared blankly at the figures in the painting.
The servant stood quietly by his side, waiting.
Soon, music blared from outside, and Sixth Master Gu frowned, saying, "They’re here."
The servant was curious but refrained from moving.
Sixth Master Gu quietly poked open the window curtain, peeking through a small gap.
He saw Third Brother leading the way, with two women, one tall and one short, following closely behind, heading toward the pavilion.
Third Sister-in-law followed at an appropriate distance nearby.
The two women had elegant high hairstyles, their gauzy robes embroidered with gold and silver threads glimmering under the sunlight, exuding nobility.
The servant who had crept up at some point clicked his tongue, "Wow, even the princess’s embroidered shoes have such large pearls."
Sixth Master Gu whispered, "A princess should be dressed like this when traveling in opulence."
His gaze secretly and restrainedly fell upon Third Sister-in-law.
Third Sister-in-law had her hair styled high, adorned with gold hairpins and a row of delicate flower pins and ornaments, dignified but not ostentatious, dressed in a bright red gauzy garment with a stone green shawl, rich and elegant.
The ages of the three women were not much different. The two princesses dressed brightly and expensively, but Third Sister-in-law was remarkably poised.
Sixth Master Gu couldn’t take his eyes off her.
The servant quietly said, "Though Madam’s attire isn’t as luxurious as the princesses’, she stands a cut above them."
Sixth Master Gu remained silent.
Gu Jinghui suddenly looked over sharply, his eyes piercing like arrows, startling Sixth Master Gu, who quickly dropped the window curtain and retreated behind the desk.
The servant also hurriedly stepped back, asking nervously, "Sixth Master, could the Marquis have seen us?"
Sixth Master Gu replied, "Probably, we were peeking by the window, perhaps they could see shadows through the curtain from the pavilion."
The servant immediately said, "Then, let’s not look anymore."
Sixth Master Gu was already distracted, lowering his eyes, fiddling with a jade paperweight in the shape of a lion on the desk, his fine features filled with disappointment.
In the pavilion.
Marquis Gu invited the two princesses to sit, and then he and Qin Yuan took their seats together.
The maid quickly came forward to serve tea.
Marquis Gu’s expression remained stern, unmelted even in the summer heat.
The four of them sat in silence.
Qin Yuan had to smile and say, "This is newly acquired Cloud Mist Tea from the Marquis Mansion. It is said to clear the mind and improve vision, enhance spirit and alertness. The taste is fair to me. I wonder if the two princesses like it."
It was just small talk, but without a topic, there was nothing else to say.
Unexpectedly, the Seventh Princess glanced at Qin Yuan with disdain and unwillingness, lightly laughed, and said, "I’m not here at the Marquis Mansion just to drink tea. Dingbei Marquis’s wife need not bother with such trivial matters."
The Ninth Princess also let out a light laugh, immediately saying, "Seventh Sister’s words seem to imply that Dingbei Marquis’s wife only cares about such trivial things."
Princess Fuyun’s face showed helplessness, and she said to Qin Yuan, "My Ninth Sister is a bit naughty. I hope Dingbei Marquis’s wife won’t mind. But indeed, my Ninth Sister and I are here by the Emperor’s command. If Dingbei Marquis’s wife has matters to attend to, feel free to take care of them."
Since Princess Fuyun and the Ninth Princess alighted from the carriage, Qin Yuan sensed a subtle hostility from them.
Especially Princess Fuyun, it was particularly evident.
Qin Yuan knew well enough that this was all because of Marquis Gu. So she didn’t approach them, only being careful with her conduct, making no mistakes.
Unexpectedly, Princess Fuyun didn’t even try to hide her dislike for her.
The Ninth Princess masked her surprise, eyes filled with interest, intently watching Qin Yuan’s face.
This demeanor, though unspoken, was even more telling than words.
Gu Jinghui abruptly said coldly, "If Princess Fuyun has anything to say, just speak directly. There’s no need to avoid the Madam, as my wife and I are of one mind, with nothing left unsaid."
The Ninth Princess glanced at Gu Jinghui, then at the displeased Princess Fuyun, and quietly said, "Dingbei Marquis, my Seventh Sister is merely concerned that Dingbei Marquis’s wife, having little experience in receiving guests, might inadvertently lose composure, tarnishing your reputation."
Qin Yuan: "..."
These two princesses, at odds in the past life and causing much trouble, now seemed to be united because of her, unexpectedly defending each other.