Chapter 248: So Naughty

Qin Yuan noticed Marquis Gu’s expression was slightly dazed again, knowing he always had some issues, so she didn’t say much and went into the courtyard of the main house on her own.

Gu Jinghui followed her closely.

The nannies guarding the door exchanged a covert glance; the marquis had been a bit different since his marriage.

Everyone proceeded as usual to burn incense and wash their hands.

Xiao Hong was already enthusiastically welcoming them with two little hair buns swaying at the back of her head, "Madam hasn’t visited for so many days; truly, a day feels like three autumns without seeing her."

Hong Ye teased, "Seems your eyes only see Madam, huh."

Xiao Hong replied, "Sister Hong Ye, stop joking; I have something important to tell Madam."

Her serious demeanor was quite amusing, but with Marquis Gu present, everyone had to hold back their laughter.

Qin Yuan said, "If there’s something to say, hurry and say it here. Could it be about Brother Cheng and Sister Yu? The Marquis is here too; let him hear it."

Gu Jinghui was in a hurry to come to the main house for breakfast, all just for those dragon and phoenix twins.

Xiao Hong had been observing for days, likely having made some discoveries.

Just right for Marquis Gu to hear what she had to say.

As everyone took a few steps forward, away from the two nannies, Xiao Hong whispered, "Respectfully to the Marquis and Madam, I’ve been watching from a distance these days, and noticed Young Master Cheng is quite close with a widowed woman in the courtyard named Yang. Yang Pozi is alone at home, so due to Old Madam’s kindness, she stays in the courtyard keeping watch overnight."

This was indeed odd.

Qin Yuan asked, "Did Yang Pozi used to have much contact with you?"

Xiao Hong replied, "She has always been solitary, rarely interacting with anyone. I’ve been here so long and hardly said a few words to her altogether. She usually wears her hair messy and is dressed haphazardly, and since she volunteered for night duty, no one bothered with her. But suddenly, she formed a bond with Young Master Cheng."

Qin Yuan had a vague suspicion.

Marquis Gu appeared displeased and said, "I will ask later."

Qin Yuan smiled but didn’t respond.

Xiao Hong made a bow and pleaded, "Please, Marquis, don’t mention I said this.

Marquis Gu nodded with a smile.

Xiao Hong cheerfully led the way ahead, and Qin Yuan asked, "Where is Zihe? Does she have something to tell me?"

Xiao Hong replied, "Sister Zihe is in the room with them; what I said is what Sister Zihe wanted to say."

Qin Yuan understood instantly.

They both felt Yang Pozi seemed strange, so Zihe sent Xiao Hong to relay the message as she was busy.

Xiao Hong added, "Sister Zihe tried several times to approach Yang Pozi, but she always avoided her, speaking with her head down. Sister Hong Ye said to monitor from afar, not letting anyone notice anything suspicious. Sister Zihe couldn’t think of a good reason to engage, while I saw Young Master Cheng and Yang Pozi talking a few times; as soon as I got close, they vanished. Young Master Cheng isn’t this friendly with other nannies."

Qin Yuan asked, "When did they start getting close?"

Xiao Hong thought about it and said, "Not long ago, after the Feng Mansion incident.

Marquis Gu’s expression grew even darker.

Before entering the room, Qiujie came over to hold the curtain aside, chuckling, "Old Madam certainly looked forward to Marquis and Madam coming; she’s been complaining about losing her appetite these days."

Qin Yuan also laughed, "Mother missed us? We’ve been longing for your little kitchen, too."

From afar, Old Madam Gu laughed, "Is it Yuan’er who’s here?"

"Yes, Mother, we are here," Qin Yuan responded with a smile.

The dragon and phoenix twins approached to pay respects, and Marquis Gu gestured for them to stand.

Qin Yuan observed coldly; the interaction was less intimate than before.

Old Madam Gu brought Qin Yuan along for a chat; Marquis Gu sat quietly listening, occasionally smiling without speaking to the two children.

The dragon and phoenix twins were also more reserved, sitting quietly at the lower end, no longer sticking to Marquis Gu.

Zihe stood cautiously in the back serving.

Qin Yuan noticed and thought to herself; the twins had faced some neglect in the main house recently.

Old Madam Gu focused solely on discussing Sixth Lady Gu’s health, "This child worries too much; I fear her body won’t withstand future burdens, already like this at such a young age, I’m afraid..."

Though unsaid, the concern for Sixth Lady Gu’s short life was clear.

Qin Yuan said, "For now, let Doctor Li attend to Sixth Sister-in-law; once the mansion opens, invite an Imperial Physician to examine. Maybe it’ll improve with targeted treatment."

Old Madam Gu said, "I hope so; one went missing, and one fell ill; I don’t know how to explain to the Xu family."

Gu Jinghui frowned, "Mother, we did nothing wrong; even if spoken to the ends of the earth, it doesn’t matter. Xu Zhen, staying at the mansion, sneaked out without notifying us; how can the loss be blamed on the Marquis Mansion?"

Old Madam Gu merely sighed.

Nanny Rong interjected, "Marquis doesn’t know. Old Madam is worried Xu family can cause quite a stir; gossip can be lethal."

Qin Yuan said, "Mother is worried about the Marquis’s reputation? Luckily, the Xu family matter was reported to the officials, with the magistrate questioning and judging; they won’t go overboard."

Brother Cheng listened intently from the side.

Qin Yuan suddenly smiled at him and asked, "Brother Cheng, what do you think?"

"I, Mother, Sister Yu and I are still young; what can we understand?"

Brother Cheng shook his head in panic.

Old Madam Gu said, "Yuan’er is naughty, why scare him? Besides, these matters shouldn’t be spoken of in front of children; they don’t understand the weight and may repeat them outside, causing trouble."

Due to the Princess’ visit, Old Madam Gu was now wary of the two children.

Qin Yuan said, "Mother is right, they grew up near the Marquis; unlikely they’d intentionally spread words, but with the complex minds outside, young ones may be used."

Brother Cheng bowed his head, wishing he could shrink away from sight.

Old Madam Gu mused.

Gu Jinghui looked at Qin Yuan with a meaningful gaze.

This breakfast was very quiet.

After taking a towel from a maid to wipe his hands, rinsing his mouth, Marquis Gu said, "Mother, I’ll take these two to the room next door for a talk."

Old Madam Gu waved her hand, "Go on, go on, I’ll have a good chat with your wife, no need to come back to say anything later."

An expression of disdain.

"Old Madam has a wife, forgotten the son; I ought to appeal for fairness for Marquis," Nanny Rong stood up, jesting.

Everyone laughed heartily.

Qin Yuan took the opportunity to hug Old Madam Gu, acting coy, "Mother treats me too well; if Marquis privately dislikes it and bullies me, please defend me."

Old Madam Gu laughed heavily, "My child, if he dares bully you, just tell me, I’ll ensure he’s bedridden."

Qin Yuan glanced at Marquis Gu and chuckled, "Marquis, did you hear that?"

Marquis Gu gritted his teeth while smiling, turning his head to take the twins to the room next door.

Brother Cheng asked, "Father, has my mother been found?"

Sister Yu called, "Mother, where is Mother? Father, I miss mother so much."

Marquis Gu sternly asked, "Now that there are no outsiders, you must answer well, no lying or deceiving me, can you do that?"