Chapter 220: It Balances Out
Sixth Master Gu, upon hearing this, said displeased, "What are you saying? Third Sister-in-law is not that kind of person."
The servant mumbled, "I heard someone in the residence say so."
Sixth Master Gu said, "The root of the problem lies with that woman surnamed Zhao; she has a vicious mind. Haven’t you heard? In the box she brought from the Northern Border, there were clothes used by people with smallpox. She harbored ill intentions long ago; if things don’t go her way, she resorts to wickedness."
The servant glanced at Sixth Master Gu’s expression and changed his tone.
"I was just excited for a moment and spoke nonsense. They deserved to be kicked out for bullying the two young masters."
Sixth Master Gu thought for a moment and said, "Let’s go over to take a look."
When they reached the second gate, they saw Gu Jinghui with a sullen face, exuding cold aura from his whole body, reprimanding Brother Cheng.
Qin Yuan stood aside, watching with folded arms.
Sister Yu kept sobbing, occasionally letting out a small hiccup of grief.
Gu Jingjun bowed to Qin Yuan and asked, "Third Sister-in-law, what is going on...?"
Qin Yuan returned the bow, "It’s good timing for you, Sixth Brother. Your Third Brother is currently angry. Brother Cheng and Sister Yu were curious about what the Princess looks like and wanted to come secretly to take a look but were stopped by the servants. Brother Cheng got angry and injured someone."
Gu Jingjun asked, "Where is the servant?"
Qin Yuan replied, "He has been taken to Doctor Li for treatment."
Gu Jingjun sighed and said, "I didn’t expect Brother Cheng to be so fierce."
Qin Yuan glanced at the crying Sister Yu and said, "He wasn’t alone; there is this little accomplice too."
This pair of twins, one clinging to others without letting go, the other punching and kicking, truly exhibited sibling loyalty.
The servant dared not hurt them and was inevitably restrained.
Regarding this, Qin Yuan felt quite displeased.
Gu Jingjun secretly thought to himself that it seemed his two sons had not been beaten too badly during the altercation with the twins, thanks to the servant’s intervention.
He looked at Brother Cheng, the little gentleman with disheveled brocade clothes, clutching his small fists tightly, his eyes fierce like a young beast.
Marquis Gu angrily scolded, "Haven’t you been taught not to harm others recklessly and not to mistreat servants? The domestics here have ancestors who followed the Gu Family forefathers to the battlefield. They are part of the Gu Family. Even if not born into the family, they shouldn’t be beaten without reason. Who isn’t born of parents? Should those who serve be brutalized by their masters?"
Brother Cheng lowered his head, clenched his teeth, and said nothing.
Marquis Gu grew more furious: "Didn’t the Old Madam say the Princess can’t be approached casually upon her arrival? How come it’s only you two in the whole family trying to see the Princess? How did this happen?"
Sister Yu wailed aloud.
Qin Yuan stood indifferently to the side, not wishing to comfort her.
The actions of these two children were indeed troublesome.
Marquis Gu also did not comfort Sister Yu as usual; he merely stared at Brother Cheng, waiting for his answer.
After a long while, Brother Cheng choked out, "They didn’t stop me before. Now they belittle me because I’m not a true master of the house."
Sister Yu cried even more mournfully.
Marquis Gu was taken aback.
He understood Brother Cheng’s words, realizing that these days the two children were deeply troubled internally, and the blockades today caused the outburst.
Unable to continue chastising them, Marquis Gu’s heart ached.
Sixth Master Gu sneered disdainfully but didn’t intervene.
Qin Yuan patiently said, "Brother Cheng, Sister Yu, do you know what reproach your godfather would face if the Princess were to be disrupted? I arranged for people to guard the second gate to prevent anyone unawares from rushing out and disrupting the Princess."
Brother Cheng and Sister Yu were indeed aware.
The servant blocking them was acting on orders from the house mistress.
Without words left, Brother Cheng kept his head lowered, tears dropping heavily.
Qin Yuan added, "Why has the residence adopted such strict measures? Simply due to the unresolved smallpox threat, preventing the Princess from being infected. Why are you adamant about seeing the Princess at this time? Brother Cheng already understands things; he should grasp the seriousness. How come Xiao Hong and Nanny Rong didn’t keep an eye on you two? How did you manage to come out?"
Brother Cheng’s body trembled slightly, just lowering his head, cheeks puffed, silent.
Marquis Gu, with sharp brows and eyes, stared at Sister Yu, "Sister Yu, you are more obedient and sensible than your brother, you speak first."
Sister Yu stopped crying and hiccuped, "We just wanted to see what the Princess looks like, what clothes she wears. I thought that if godmother’s hair decorations are so beautiful, the Princess’s are surely even more stunning. We got to the second gate and were blocked. They wouldn’t relent no matter how we asked, even threatening to tie us up and bring us to Marquis to be punished if we continued pestering. We got angry."
This sounded reasonable. Being pampered beside the Marquis, they were suddenly treated this way by the servants, making it hard for them to comprehend.
Ultimately, Marquis Gu softened his heart and instructed two nannies to take them back to the upper room.
Qin Yuan slightly frowned.
Sixth Master Gu unhappily said, "Third Brother, we in the Gu Family don’t teach children so carelessly; you can’t indulge them like this just because they are godchildren. Unless you send them out of the residence, otherwise they will be too spoiled to be controlled, growing up to be little tyrants."
He has children too; how could it be good to have them confront this pair of twins?
Marquis Gu glanced at Qin Yuan, whispered, "I, I, I don’t mean to indulge them."
Qin Yuan said, "So do you plan to send them out of the residence?"
Marquis Gu replied, "They are so young without any guardian..."
With unclear paternal lineage and whereabouts of the mother unknown, this pair of twins is only five years old; how could they survive if sent out?
Qin Yuan thought for a moment, "This matter is not urgent; it should be discussed after opening the residence."
Marquis Gu breathed a sigh of relief.
Sixth Master Gu however said, "Third Sister-in-law, why is it not urgent? These two children grow bigger each day; there has to be a plan. They usually bully my two kids, given the enclosed settlement it’s been peaceful, but put them together who knows what will happen. Will Third Brother manage it then?"
Marquis Gu glared at Sixth Master Gu.
Qin Yuan sighed, "I’m not eager to go back to draft a memorandum? These two children... please discuss with Marquis yourself. But their escape and the reason behind it should be closely monitored."
Gu Jinghui said grimly, "I will send Sixteen to check."
Qin Yuan said no more, nodded, and left.
Gu Jingjun insensitively said, "Third Brother spoils these two children too much; whenever they cry or fuss you soften, pampering them excessively. Mrs. Zhao did such a thing that almost harmed our Gu Family; no matter how much her husband favored you, her actions should dispel the debt."
Marquis Gu’s face turned even gloomier.
Gu Jingjun continued fearlessly, "These children do not appreciate your kindness today; had it not been for Third Sister-in-law’s foresight, they would have run out. Do you know their intentions? What they plan to do?"