Chapter 251: Great Minds Think Alike

Gu Jinghui paused for a moment, then chuckled lightly, "You and I truly are a couple of one heart."

Qin Yuan smiled softly, her skin gleaming like the finest porcelain under the morning light, truly like a jade person.

Marquis Gu was utterly mesmerized by her appearance.

It wasn’t until Gu Shiliu couldn’t help but cough lightly that he snapped out of his daze.

Gu Shiliu braced himself and said, "Marquis, I have urgent matters to report."

Qin Yuan said, "Marquis, I’ll return to Wutong Garden first. The steward and housekeepers must be anxiously waiting."

"Alright," Marquis Gu replied softly, "I’ll come over shortly."

Hong Ye couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.

Cui Ming lowered her head.

As Qin Yuan walked away with her two maids, Hong Ye’s teasing words floated back with the breeze, "Oh dear, oh dear, I’ll be there shortly."

Marquis Gu frowned.

This cheeky maid, only quiet for two days.

Then Hong Ye’s words made him happy again.

"The Marquis cannot bear to be apart from our young lady now. If Second Miss finds out, surely her eyes will turn red with anger. The last time she and Sixth Madam came to the mansion and saw the Marquis and Miss being affectionate, they were furious, it was truly amusing."

Marquis Gu turned slightly, listening carefully, but regrettably couldn’t hear Qin Yuan’s reply.

"Marquis, last night I discovered something important,"

Gu Jinghui came to attention, listened to Gu Shiliu’s account, and thoughtfully asked, "Is that old woman surnamed Yang?"

"How did the Marquis know?"

Gu Shiliu was shocked.

Marquis Gu’s face darkened, "Let’s discuss this in the outer study."

The two walked down the corridor and happened to encounter Sixth Master Gu being excited, holding a book. Without looking at his third brother’s expression, he came forward to boast, "Third Brother, quickly take a look at my new poetry collection, how meticulous, how grand. Third Sister-in-law is truly impressive, and her companion Shen Changle is quite capable. Did you know? The Minister of Rites and Lord Academic Administrator not only contributed poems but also wrote prefatory notes for the collection. Plus, with the painter’s illustrations, he managed to print and bind it all in just a few days."

Marquis Gu patiently flipped a few pages casually and said, "Not bad, have you shown it to Mother yet?"

"...Uh...I haven’t had the chance. Didn’t I bring it to show Third Brother at first glance? Third Brother, do you really think it’s good?"

Sixth Master Gu looked expectantly at his good third brother.

Marquis Gu said, "Of course, I think it’s good. Surely both Lord Minister and Lord Academic Administrator aren’t fools; since they’re willing to join you in publishing the poetry collection, clearly they favor it. Sixth Brother, you’ve made progress. Hurry and show it to Mother. She mentioned it before your Third Sister-in-law a few days ago."

"Alright, I’ll go right away."

After dispatching Sixth Master Gu, the two entered the outer study for a careful discussion.

"How did the Marquis know the old woman’s surname is Yang?" Gu Shiliu asked anxiously.

Marquis Gu said, "Not only do I know her surname is Yang, but I also know that Yang Pozi is close with Brother Cheng, witnessed firsthand by Xiao Hong and Zihe."

Gu Shiliu was stunned, and after a long while, he said, "How long has Lady Zhao been in the mansion? Yet she has done such a thing. Yang Pozi is a lone soul; the Old Madam kindly took pity on her loneliness and assigned her to watch the upper rooms, as a gesture to give her something to do. Unexpectedly, she colluded with Lady Zhao."

Marquis Gu pondered, "I’m afraid it’s not that simple."

Gu Shiliu asked, "Marquis, what do you mean?"

Marquis Gu said, "Today, I inquired whether Brother Cheng and Sister Yu had seen Mrs. Zhao or spoken with her before she left, and who instigated the Princess’s entrance to the mansion. I observed that these two children were hiding something, evidently following Mrs. Zhao’s instructions secretly."

Gu Shiliu was stumped.

Previously, fearing these two children would be heartbroken being abandoned by their mother, both the Old Madam and Marquis Gu were very careful, never brought up the subject in their presence. Little did they expect this.

Gu Shiliu felt a sense of injustice for Marquis Gu.

But this was the master’s family affair, and he dared not comment.

Marquis Gu said painfully, "Indecision leads to chaos, a resolution must be made. After the mansion opens, find someone from General Jin’s household to foster these two children, ensuring they lack for nothing in future."

Gu Shiliu said, "This is indeed good. It prevents future trouble; their parentage is unknown, Mrs. Zhao’s deeds are vile, and being caught between it all puts them in an untenable position. Brother Qi was beaten recently, and many uttered veiled criticisms toward the mansion. Fortunately, we remedied their situation well, or the elder villagers would not be pleased."

Marquis Gu asked, "So how did Mrs. Zhao get involved with Yelv’s people?"

"I’m not sure," Gu replied.

Marquis Gu sighed, "Doctor Liu sent items to the upper rooms for Yang Pozi beforehand. Doctor Liu didn’t use secret language for communication, but Yang Pozi did, proving that Doctor Liu didn’t know Yang Pozi, yet Yang Pozi knew Doctor Liu."

Gu Shiliu’s eyes brightened, "I have an idea."

...

After finishing her daily duties, Qin Yuan asked Hong Ye, "How’s the accounting going?"

Hong Ye replied sourly, "That Sun Accountant is so cautious, it’s hard to find anything wrong."

Cui Ming said, "Maybe he’s just unpleasant, yet manages clean accounts."

"Impossible."

Hong Ye insisted.

"Why do you say that?" Cui Ming asked, perplexed.

"Gu Shiliu said Sun Accountant’s reaction that day was obviously questionable. He has been an accountant for years, surely with tricks up his sleeve, I just can’t spot them."

"You believe Gu Shiliu’s words that much?"

"He follows the Marquis everywhere, naturally I trust him," Hong Ye maintained.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "List the item I mentioned separately and scrutinize it; perhaps you’ll catch something big."

"Really?" Hong Ye regained her spirits.

"More true than pearls."

Hong Ye suddenly asked, "Miss, you followed Doctor Li to Sixth Madam’s place that day and already know she has a condition preventing mental exertion. Why bother with extensive accounts then?"

Working so painstakingly, it seemed unnecessary.

People tend to pity the weak; since Sixth Madam is sick like this and has borne offspring with Sixth Master, presumably this matter won’t be raised again.

Qin Yuan smiled, "Those who don’t plan long-term risks having short-term worries. I’m not merely aiming for control over the household; they schemed against my cousin, treating me like I’m dead? Besides, with Xu Zhen missing, the Xu family won’t take it lying down."

Cui Ming nodded.

Qin Yuan continued, "Neither am I pleased seeing the Xu family’s delight; my grievances aren’t vented yet. The accounting effort is to keep a record. You see, isn’t that what the Marquis thinks too?"

Hong Ye realized.

"No wonder Gu Shiliu asked first thing in the morning about our findings and why we haven’t shown them to the Marquis?"

Qin Yuan just smirked.

Cui Ming poked Hong Ye, "You, as crafty as you are, still let Gu Shiliu fool you, yet you trust him in everything."

Hong Ye held her head, arguing, "We’re working for the masters, he can’t deceive me everywhere. Anyway, I think Sun is fishy, he thinks so too. How can that be called a lie? It’s simply heroes sharing the same view."