Chapter 227: Making a Big Statement

Gu Shiliu joined in from the side, saying, "Isn’t that the truth? We just finished on our end, and Madam has arranged everything over there as well."

Marquis Gu smiled with satisfaction, saying, "Then keep an eye on Xiao Hong and Hong Ye. You might find out many things from the main room."

Gu Shiliu also laughed, "That’s why you’re the Marquis."

He continued, "Hong Ye sometimes tells me things, but not much. When the two of them get together, it’s mostly to discuss Young Master Cheng and Miss Yu."

Marquis Gu said, "Let them be, those two kids..."

He paused and didn’t say more.

Gu Shiliu understood.

Neither Old Madam Gu nor Marquis Gu mentioned punishing the kids or insisted on apologizing to Brother Qi, not out of favoritism, but out of disappointment.

Once the mansion opens, Marquis Gu will surely find a way to settle those two children.

But how to settle them is indeed a headache. Even as the Marquis’s most trusted guard, he couldn’t think of a way.

Gu Jinghui changed the topic, asking, "Why is there a dog hole at Fengxuan Pavilion?"

Gu Shiliu said, "The guards aren’t aware either; they just checked around but don’t know when it was left behind."

Who would usually check these things?

Gu Jinghui asked again, "Are there any signs of climbing?"

Gu Shiliu nodded, "Yes, after Mrs. Zhao ran off, Zihe and the others fell ill. Everyone in the courtyard was locked up, so probably no one took care of Fengxuan Pavilion."

Gu Jinghui asked again, "Are there dog holes in other places?"

Gu Shiliu said, "The outer courtyard and Doctor Li’s courtyard also have dog holes, as do several abandoned courtyards."

Gu Jinghui pondered for a while, face growing darker, finally asking, "Have all the abandoned courtyards been checked? Besides dog holes, did you see anything else?"

Gu Shiliu was stunned, then said, "It’s my oversight."

Gu Jinghui frowned, "Mrs. Zhao’s sudden disappearance, I only took her as a widow with unspeakable difficulties, plus the mansion was in chaos, couldn’t check everything, now I think, can’t be too cautious."

Many had designs on Dingbei Marquis Mansion.

To Marquis Gu, everyone was either insiders or outsiders.

Mrs. Zhao was now a suspicious, unknown outsider, and having stayed at Dingbei Marquis Mansion for over half a year, naturally should be guarded against.

Only caution ensures victory in every battle.

Gu Shiliu said, "Understood, I’ll arrange for the guards to secretly check."

As Gu Shiliu was about to leave, Marquis Gu said, "If there’s news from Shi Ba, report quickly."

"Yes."

After Gu Shiliu left, Marquis Gu coldly snorted, "Good, very good."

Qin Yuan quickly received the news, she said, "Fengxuan Pavilion indeed has dog holes."

Hong Ye immediately perked up, "Well, well."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment, "Send for Mrs. Cai."

Hong Ye immediately ordered someone to invite Mrs. Cai.

Mrs. Cai hurried over, sweat barely wiped off, asked, "What might Madam command?"

Qin Yuan smiled, invited her to sit.

"It’s nothing major, just last time Brother Cheng and Sister Yu escaped through the dog holes from the main house, almost collided with the Princess. I was wondering if there’s any way to block those dog holes, so the kids don’t keep crawling around, it’s not dignified."

Mrs. Cai frowned, thought, said, "Old Madam likes small dogs, I’ll have the dog holes made smaller."

Hong Ye interjected, "Heard the main room enlarged the dog holes out of pity for the dog, didn’t want to dirty its fur. Mrs. Cai, any solutions?"

Mrs. Cai immediately said, "I’ll set some glazed tiles inside, have the cleaning nannies wipe diligently. But that would be costly."

Qin Yuan smiled, "You’ve been here long, clever ideas, we were worrying over this."

Mrs. Cai laughed joyfully, said, "This is all I know."

Qin Yuan said, "Do as Mrs. Cai suggests, calculate the materials needed, make a list here, Hong Ye or Cui Ming will authorize."

Mrs. Cai cheerfully said, "Madam is efficient."

Following orders from Sixth Lady Gu wasn’t this easy, always took several rounds.

Hong Ye laughed, "Mrs. Cai, come with me."

Mrs. Cai quietly asked, "Miss Hong Ye, how many dog holes need fixing?"

Hong Ye said, "No worries, start with six."

Mrs. Cai was surprised, "That many?"

Hong Ye nodded, "Yes, directly seal the abandoned courtyards."

Mrs. Cai said, "Better calculate properly."

The two discussed a while, made a list, and signed it, Mrs. Cai could go get materials and start work.

Before leaving, Mrs. Cai said, "This isn’t hard, just time-consuming, might not finish today, maybe tomorrow."

Hong Ye said, "No worries, Madam knows the mansion’s on shift duty due to the smallpox. Finish tomorrow, but inspect after."

Mrs. Cai said, "Naturally."

By nightfall, Mrs. Cai reported, "Madam, it’s done, can inspect by tomorrow afternoon."

Qin Yuan was curious, "Why so fast?"

Mrs. Cai said, "All the nannies idle also helped, so quicker."

Hong Ye sighed, "Mrs. Cai has good rapport."

Mrs. Cai laughed, waved hands, "It’s not just my rapport, everyone waiting for the mansion to open, nothing much, heard Madam ordered, so helped, it’s manpower-intensive."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Hong Ye, get some money, let Mrs. Cai treat everyone to wine. The mansion’s on shift duty, can’t drink now, after opening, you all may enjoy."

Mrs. Cai happily said, "Thank you, Madam."

Though not much money, still happy inside.

Mrs. Cai shared the money with helping nannies, of course, each praised the Marchioness.

Hong Ye heard, said, "Miss’s reputation is growing."

Qin Yuan indifferent, looked at account book, smiled, "Reputation seems important but isn’t, good name is good, but I prefer prestige."

"Why say so?"

Qin Yuan said, "Obey and comply is what I need."

Cui Ming said, "Miss manages front and back affairs, established authority, bestowed grace, everyone listens."

Qin Yuan glanced at Cui Ming, lightly laughed, "Ah, due to smallpox and Marquis, everyone’s temporarily following my orders, but better than when we first arrived."

Hong Ye’s eyes turned, took the account book from desk, said, "These I’ll tally soon, tomorrow talk to Sun Accountant with Hong Mian, to establish our prestige grandly."