Chapter 223: Would You Want This Kind of Luck?
As they left the door, Hong Ye couldn’t help but quietly ask Cui Ming, "What do you think happened this time?"
It wasn’t until they reached the corridor that Cui Ming responded, "I’m afraid the young lady and the Marquis had a falling out."
Hong Ye muttered, "But we were eating outside, and didn’t hear any commotion inside."
Cui Ming chuckled, "The young lady dares to get angry with the Marquis because she knows the Marquis wouldn’t dare to get upset. Besides, we both know how the Marquis feels about her; how could he possibly be rough with her?"
Hong Ye sighed.
She thought Marquis Gu could stay in Wutong Garden and consummate the marriage with the young lady.
Really...
Hong Ye listlessly said, "Then let’s tidy up the things later and have Sixteen send them over."
Cui Ming said, "You can’t blame the Marquis for this. Even I didn’t expect kids just six years old to be so cunning. The two of them have been behaving very well lately, even to the point where the young lady took pity on them, but who would’ve thought they were just like their mother, holding back great schemes."
Hong Ye exclaimed, "The young lady suspects them?"
Cui Ming rolled her eyes at her and said, "Why are you so surprised? Didn’t the young lady ask you to inquire with Xiao Hong? You came back telling me they crawled through a dog hole."
Hong Ye said, "I... I’m just shocked that such little children could resort to so many tricks."
Cui Ming spat, "Sometimes you’re so smart, and other times so foolish. I ask you, since these two kids know how to crawl through a dog hole, is it possible that Lady Zhao had contact with them before she left?"
Hong Ye covered her mouth, "My goodness, in that case, these kids are too scheming. I’ve only heard they’re usually arrogant and unruly, even making the two young sons of Sixth Master cry, who would’ve thought..."
Cui Ming said, "I’m just speculating, but the young lady is certain to think this way."
Hong Ye put down her hand, nodding, "The young lady is never wrong. Even if she’s mistaken, so what? These two children cannot stay in the Mansion. From today’s events, you can see how bold they are. Today it was the Princess, tomorrow if it’s the Emperor, as they grow older, they will be even harder to control."
"Yes, you can figure that out, but the Marquis didn’t and wasn’t the young lady forced to send him to the outer yard?"
Hong Ye said, "The Marquis... sigh, it’s just like us adults. When managing household matters, it’s all a mess. Sometimes you can’t tell if it’s genuine confusion or feigned."
Cui Ming said, "When truly confused, it’s real confusion. When feigned, it’s fake. Mixing truth and falsity together, you naturally can’t tell the difference. Once the young lady has made up her mind, she won’t care if the Marquis is genuinely or feignedly confused."
Hong Ye clapped her hands and said, "These two should leave the Mansion sooner to save future trouble."
...
Marquis Gu left Wutong Garden and went to find Gu Shiliu.
"How is the injured servant doing?"
Gu Shiliu said, "After Doctor Li applied medicine, he was carried away to recuperate."
"Is the injury severe?"
"Covered in blood, mostly flesh wounds, but with some internal injuries. Doctor Li said he needs to recuperate well."
Marquis Gu nodded and said, "Draw some silver from the account, let him recover well, and tell him not to blame Brother Cheng."
Gu Shiliu agreed.
Marquis Gu then asked, "Do you know how the two got out?"
Gu Shiliu replied embarrassedly, "I heard from Hong Ye that they crawled out through a dog hole. Because Xiao Hong and Hong Ye were talking, I didn’t inquire further, only informed Nanny Rong so she could keep a good watch on them."
Marquis Gu nodded.
Gu Shiliu said, "I’ll go see that servant then."
"Ask him whose child he is."
After a while, Gu Shiliu came back and said, "He’s from the Qi family, named Qi Yuntian."
Marquis Gu frowned.
The Qi family followed the Old Marquis to the battlefield, followed by him and his brothers, resulting in the deaths of all the adult men in their house.
"Did I do something wrong?"
Marquis Gu murmured to himself.
Gu Shiliu stood silently by his side.
After a long while, Marquis Gu asked, "How much silver did you give him? Who else is in his house?"
Gu Shiliu looked at Marquis Gu with some surprise, hesitated, then said, "I gave him twenty taels of silver. Just a blind old mother in the house, with a neighbor aunt helping to look after them."
Gu Jinghui said, "Give him another 100 taels of silver, and get a prescription to take some medicinal materials for his recovery."
Gu Shiliu’s eyes shifted slightly, asking, "Does the Marquis not want to go see him?"
Gu Jinghui was stunned, "I feel I’ve let down the Qi family."
Gu Shiliu laughed and said, "Our lives and fortunes are tied to the Marquis Mansion. On the battlefield, swords and spears know no eyes. Who can say clearly?"
Gu Jinghui drooped his head, making no sound.
Gu Shiliu reluctantly said, "Then... I shall go, Marquis."
Gu Jinghui said, "Report to me when it’s done, and I should go see him."
Gu Shiliu, smiling broadly, went to Sun Accountant to draw money. Housekeeper Cao saw him and asked, "Brother Sixteen, why are you here again?"
Gu Shiliu said, "The Marquis asked about the Qi family’s child, said I should draw another 100 taels of silver and send it to Qi Yuntian, and also instructed to pick up some tonic for his recovery."
Housekeeper Cao put down the small teapot in his hand and sighed, "That child got a beating and caught the Marquis’ attention. Just the other day, I mentioned how in that child’s house, there are no adult men, and the old mother is blind, leading a bitter life. Heaven has eyes, thanks to the Marquis for considering us."
Gu Shiliu nodded and said, "Of course, the Marquis loves his soldiers like sons and treats us all well."
Housekeeper Cao said to Sun Accountant, "Quickly write a slip and let Brother Sixteen get to work."
Gu Shiliu said, "I already sent some silver before; there’s no rush. It’s just that the Marquis said he wanted to visit Brother Qi, so I’m afraid of delaying and making the Marquis wait long."
Sun Accountant, initially dawdling and putting on airs, hurriedly wrote a slip upon hearing this and handed it to Gu Shiliu with a smile, saying, "Brother Qi is truly fortunate."
Gu Shiliu gave him a cold glance, "Would you take this fortune for yourself?"
Sun Accountant was stunned.
Gu Shiliu snatched the slip from his hand and left.
Housekeeper Cao eyed him and slowly said, "If you can’t speak properly, don’t speak. Brother Qi’s family has no one except him and a blind mother."
Sun Accountant’s face turned red and white.
Housekeeper Cao ignored him, sipping his small teapot and wandering off somewhere.
Gu Shiliu moved quickly, gathering everything and hastily seeking out Marquis Gu, but after searching all over, couldn’t find him, so he returned to wait in the outer yard.
Sixth Master Gu, awake from his midday nap and out painting, saw him waiting in the corridor with a bundle and asked, "Why are you still here? Third Brother was in a big rage in the study just now and went off in a huff; who knows who he’s gone looking for."