Chapter 230: Eagerly Awaiting

Hong Ye moved the account books into the main room, where Qin Yuan was drafting proposals, scribbling and crossing out so many drafts.

"Miss, haven’t you eaten yet?"

Qin Yuan replied, "Not yet, I was waiting for you."

Seeing Hong Ye was not in high spirits, Qin Yuan smiled and said, "What, did you hit a wall at Sun Accountant’s place?"

Hong Ye pouted as she walked closer and said, "Not really."

Qin Yuan placed the Hu Bi into the blue and white brush wash, causing a swirl of black ink to appear.

Cui Ming came in and asked, "What’s the matter today? Even Hong Mian seems unhappy. Did she suffer grievances at Sun Accountant’s place?"

Hong Ye asked, "What do you mean?"

Cui Ming said, "I was checking dishes in the small kitchen, and Hong Mian came in with a sullen face. When asked, she said nothing happened, so I’m not sure what’s going on."

Hong Ye’s lips opened and closed several times before saying, "She didn’t suffer at Sun Accountant’s; when I returned just now, Hong Mian asked if I could read the outer courtyard’s account books and wanted to learn from me. Sixteen interrupted the conversation, probably making her unhappy about it."

Qin Yuan glanced at Hong Ye and asked, "So, do you want to teach her or not?"

Cui Ming also looked at Hong Ye.

Hong Ye said, "I originally thought, since Miss is short of hands, teaching her would be good. But seeing her so unhappy, I don’t want to teach her anymore."

Qin Yuan just chuckled a bit.

Cui Ming said, "If you don’t want to teach, then don’t. It’s getting late; let’s serve the meal."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Cui Ming went out to hurry the meal preparation.

Hong Ye was about to say something to Qin Yuan when she heard Cui Ming outside asking, "Hong Mian, is the food in the small kitchen ready?"

Hong Ye glanced at Qin Yuan, swallowing the words she was about to say.

Qin Yuan smiled and asked, "Did Sun Accountant say anything today?"

Hong Ye chatted on at length while Qin Yuan continued to clean the brush. Hong Ye had someone change the water in the brush wash several times.

At this moment, Cui Ming brought the meal with Hong Mian, and they set everything up.

After Qin Yuan took her seat, she looked at the dishes and said, "Sixteen has arrived; give some to Sixteen as well. This plate of rabbit meat seems to suit Sixteen’s taste."

Hong Ye asked, "Sixteen hasn’t said anything; how do you know Sixteen is here?"

Cui Ming laughed and said, "Didn’t you just mention it yourself?"

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and ordered, "Have the small kitchen prepare two dishes that the Marquis likes, without too much effort. Later, let Sixteen take them to the Marquis."

Hong Ye and Cui Ming exchanged looks and winked at each other.

Qin Yuan had the dishes distributed, leaving portions for the three of them, and dined with Hong Ye and Cui Ming, letting everyone else eat in the outer area without needing to serve them inside.

She leisurely finished half of her meal, and outside, Gu Shiliu had already finished eating. Without coming in, he greeted them from behind the curtain, then took the food box to the outer courtyard.

Marquis Gu was eagerly waiting; he had sent Gu Shiliu out early in the morning and was just waiting for his return with news.

"Why are you only back now?"

Gu Shiliu put down the food box and said, "Madam said for the small kitchen to make two dishes for the Marquis, so it was delayed a bit."

Marquis Gu’s gloomy face suddenly brightened, "Madam is thinking of me."

Gu Shiliu played along, "Of course."

Gu Shiliu set out the plates and asked, "Have you eaten, Marquis?"

Marquis Gu shook his head and said, "Not yet. How about you?"

Gu Shiliu said, "When the small kitchen was cooking, I had a little bit with Hong Ye and others. Marquis, you go ahead and eat first; I’ll..."

"Stay here and keep me company."

Marquis Gu spoke, so Gu Shiliu stayed in the room and, without waiting for questions, reported everything.

Marquis Gu ate quickly and thoroughly, placing down his bowl and chopsticks, he rubbed his stomach and asked Gu Shiliu, "Do you think there are any issues with the outer courtyard’s accounts?"

Gu Shiliu replied, "Judging by Sun Accountant’s expression, there might be some discrepancies inside. Whether Madam can find them out is uncertain."

Marquis Gu said nothing.

Gu Shiliu added, "Madam only has two maidservants accompanying her, managing so many affairs; she inevitably lacks hands."

Previously, the people at Wutong Garden were arranged by Sixth Madam, so even if they have clean backgrounds, their temperament and abilities may not be suitable.

Marquis Gu, realizing this too, frowned and asked, "The family servants should also have eight maidservants accompanying Madam. But Qin Jijiu only arranged for two; this... is quite difficult to manage. Should we let Madam pick a few suitable ones from the village estate to use?"

Gu Shiliu was also at a loss.

In families of officials, the maidservants accompanying the bride are selected from a young age and grow up with the young lady, acting like auxiliary masters. This ensures harmony when entering the husband’s family.

Qin Yuan, being a concubine’s daughter, already sees Qin Jijiu’s official position as having reached its peak, and her family isn’t wealthy. If she were to marry an unconnected advanced scholar or scholar, two maidservants would suffice.

"I suggested taking Xiao Hong, but she said no rush, claiming the girl was too clever and needed observing. Hong Ye is clever but speaks too quickly; she lacks depth, while Cui Ming is wise and cunning with a gentle temperament."

Gu Jinghui couldn’t help complaining.

Gu Shiliu thought of Hong Mian’s actions and said, "Wutong Garden does have clever ones. Don’t know if Madam will choose her."

Gu Jinghui asked, "Whose daughter is this Hong Mian?"

Gu Shiliu said, "Seems to be of the Lin Family."

After a moment, Gu Jinghui said, "When I get a chance, I’ll mention it to Mother to see if she has any solution."

Gu Shiliu fell silent.

Gu Jinghui then asked, "Madam took the outer courtyard accounts, so the inner courtyard accounts must be done?"

Gu Shiliu said, "Hong Ye said yes, all transcribed by yesterday, and Madam wants to show them to the Marquis first."

Marquis Gu smiled and said, "That’s good."

Gu Shiliu withdrew and saw Sixth Master’s servant carrying a large pile of scrolls over, "What’s that for?"

The servant said, "Marquis asked Sixth Master for them."

When the servant came out, Sixth Master lowered his voice to ask, "What are those?"

The servant said, "The flying horse painting the Marquis asked Sixth Master for. The Marquis previously asked Sixth Master to paint a horse with wings. After much effort, none of Sixth Master’s paintings pleased the Marquis. So, the Marquis said he’d draw it himself and asked for all the horse paintings to observe."

Gu Shiliu didn’t know what to say.

If his Marquis couldn’t return to Wutong Garden to rest, who knows what odd things he’d get up to.

When could this mansion open?

...

"Old servant implores you, please have Doctor Li prescribe another remedy."

Nanny Zhao, with a worried face, sorrowfully pleaded to Sixth Lady Gu, "Madam is growing thinner by the day; if this continues, she won’t make it to the mansion’s opening. That Doctor Li could cure smallpox, it’s apparent he’s capable. How can he not cure Madam’s illness?"

Sixth Lady Gu refused Doctor Li’s medicine, only managing to hold on with difficulty.

She couldn’t sleep or eat well, and any noise in the courtyard frightened her, making her cry out to be cautious of being harmed.