Chapter 101: Why Was It All Burned

Just as Hong Ye finished speaking, she inexplicably felt a chill.

Cui Ming laughed indifferently, "The Marquis probably doesn’t know about Prince Qi Mansion raising prices. Isn’t it said that Gu the Seventeenth is out gathering information? But he hasn’t reported back, and it’s uncertain where he’s gone to inquire."

Qin Yuan nodded, waved the round fan, and smiled at Hong Ye, "The Marquis likely doesn’t have the time to worry about these minor matters; you’re probably overthinking it. I guess Gu the Seventeenth has gone to the nearby states to investigate."

Hong Ye responded with a couple of "mm-hmm"s and didn’t argue further.

Qin Yuan lowered her head and silently drank tea for a while, then said, "Since Prince Qi Mansion won’t intervene in the pepper trade, yet has raised the prices, there’s room here for maneuvering. Perhaps we could buy in at a cheaper rate."

Hong Ye quickly asked, "What clever plan does Miss have?"

Qin Yuan said, "Those who hold a lot of pepper have heard that the big merchants went overseas looking for it, naturally fearing prices may drop. Though Prince Qi Mansion’s involvement makes them reluctant to sell, they’re still somewhat anxious inside."

"True."

"If later they learn that Prince Qi Mansion doesn’t want pepper and the big merchants have found pepper, they..."

"They would definitely sell it off frantically."

Hong Ye first cried out excitedly, then anxiously asked, "But Miss, if we buy a lot of pepper at that time, won’t we... also lose money?"

Qin Yuan smiled, but didn’t answer.

Cui Ming remained silent.

Hong Ye was momentarily stunned, then hesitantly said, "I’ll follow Miss’s lead."

At that moment, there was a commotion outside. Hong Ye was about to question them when a young maid rushed in and said, "The Marquis has returned."

Before she could finish speaking, the maid guarding the door had lifted the curtain and announced, "Greetings, Marquis and Madam. The Marquis has returned to the mansion."

Hong Ye inexplicably shrank her neck.

Qin Yuan glanced at her, pursed her lips, stood up, and went to greet him.

Marquis Gu also stepped inside, his handsome face inscrutable, and his sharp, elongated eyes swiftly glanced at Hong Ye before retracting. He asked Qin Yuan, "Is Madam well?"

Qin Yuan slightly curtsied, performed a courtesy, then rose and smiled, "I am naturally well at home, with my mother looking after me. You’ve stolen my words; Yuan’er was just about to ask if Husband is well. Did anything happen that requires you to return urgently?"

With that, she stepped forward, tip-toed, and gently adjusted Gu Jinghui’s collar.

Gu Jinghui’s expression softened considerably, and he held Qin Yuan’s hand, "The Seventh Princess and Ninth Princess are going to Dazao Temple to pray. The Emperor suddenly assigned me to lead the imperial guard early tomorrow morning to escort them, so I brought a few personal attendants back, as departing to the Imperial Palace from here is more convenient."

Qin Yuan gently asked, "Has Husband eaten?"

Gu Jinghui’s eyes showed a smile, "I ate something hasty and messy, and am indeed a bit hungry."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "The small kitchen can only prepare noodles now; though disturbing the main kitchen is not impossible, it would require some effort. Husband has traveled long and must rise early tomorrow, better to eat and rest early."

Gu Jinghui said, "Everything will follow Madam’s arrangements."

Qin Yuan said, "Then I’ll go check the small kitchen. When they bring the water, you can first bathe and change, and the meal will be ready by then."

Gu Jinghui asked in surprise, "Is Madam going to personally cook?"

Qin Yuan replied, "Cooking is not my forte, but I’ve learned a bit at home. Husband can taste my skills."

Gu Jinghui agreed with a smile.

Disconcerted by Gu Jinghui’s glance when he entered, Hong Ye dared not stay in the room to serve closely. She hurriedly moved to the door’s corner and went with Qin Yuan to the small kitchen.

Gu Jinghui glanced at her again.

Cui Ming hurried out to instruct the maids to bring water and also fetched change of clothes for Marquis Gu from the room.

Marquis Gu asked, "Has Madam moved all my clothes here?"

Cui Ming quickly responded, "To reply to the Marquis, Madam moved them over after hearing from the Marquis, then reorganized them, sorted the Marquis’ garments and accessories, and made a catalog. This year, the Marquis may need new clothes; Madam plans to measure and select colors when the Marquis is leisurely."

Speaking thusly, Marquis Gu nodded and listened attentively.

Marquis Gu sighed lightly, "Madam is indeed thorough."

Cui Ming quickly said, "Madam has the Marquis’s interests at heart, naturally thorough."

Marquis Gu contentedly said, "You certainly know how to speak."

Cui Ming: "..."

Marquis Gu asked again, "Where are the poems your Miss writes usually kept?"

Cui Ming was startled.

She thought the matter was past; why was the Marquis asking again?

"...Miss... Madam usually burns most of the drafts she writes."

Qin Yuan has always been cautious and doesn’t like attracting attention, competing for fame as a talented woman.

Marquis Gu pondered momentarily and asked, "Why were they all burned?"

Cui Ming: "..."

Why pursue this question with her?

"... Madam doesn’t like standing out..."

Marquis Gu regretfully remarked, "I once heard Sixth Master say he heard from outside that Madam is talented, especially good at composing poetry, quite spirited."

Cui Ming was shocked.

The family’s Young Master is always steady and would never mention his siblings outside.

The young master, recognizing himself as legitimate, would avoid bragging about the Miss to avoid overshadowing Second Miss.

It could only be Lin Ziqi who passed it to Sixth Master Gu’s ears.

Cui Ming secretly resented; no wonder Marquis Gu kept inquiring ceaselessly. She cautiously said, "The servant girl doesn’t understand much, Madam rarely displays to the public, but I’ve heard the family’s Young Master praise her intellect and quick poetic talent. The young master is still young and rarely composes, so seldom discusses poetry with Madam."

Marquis Gu lightly responded.

Luckily, the maids soon brought hot water, so Marquis Gu ceased his queries and went to the bathroom.

Cui Ming hurried to the small kitchen; Qin Yuan was there, sleeves rolled up, directing the cooks to stretch noodles, while Hong Ye was slicing beef marinated during the day, undecided whether to add cilantro.

"Miss, the Marquis asked again..."

Listening to Cui Ming’s report, Qin Yuan calmly replied, smiling, "I wondered what it was; just some people making hollow praises. My poems are quite ordinary, hardly worthy of praise."

However, in her heart, she was already planning to let Lin Ziqi take a good tumble.

At that moment, Cui Ming also felt she might have overstepped, so she covered it by telling the cook, "I think since the Marquis looks weary, he might be hungry later, so it’s better to add more oil and sauce."

Hong Ye said, "Then let’s add more beef too."

Soon, a bowl of towering beef noodles was prepared, placed among dishes containing various condiments for flavoring.

Gu Jinghui changed his clothes and saw such a large bowl of beef noodles, exclaiming, "How could one possibly finish this!"

Qin Yuan said, "Eat as you like. Cui Ming was worried you’d be hungry after rushing from the Great Camp, and Hong Ye sliced extra marinated beef. Cilantro, scallions, and garlic—I wasn’t sure whether to add them, so they’re all arranged in small dishes. Tomorrow you’re escorting the princesses to Dazao Temple to pray; should you be fasting?"

If fasting, then these flavorful items shouldn’t be eaten.