Chapter 273: Courting Misfortune

At this point, the two exchanged a glance, and both had made their decisions.

The usual methods would clearly not work.

They could only forge a new path.

Gu Shiliu stood up and said, "I still have matters to attend to, you go ahead and get busy."

After saying that, he lifted his foot and walked away.

Gu Shiba shouted, "Is it alright that I handle all these things?"

Gu Shiliu did not stop, nor did he turn his head, simply raising his left arm high and waved it back, saying, "The Marquis still has orders, let’s attend to our separate tasks."

Gu Shiba: "... Such a cunning Gu Shiliu..."

Actually, Gu Shiliu wasn’t lying either.

Marquis Gu indeed had many things entrusted to him to do, such as finding ways to investigate Doctor Li’s background and Qin Yuan’s maternal family.

And investigating the few clan members Old Madam Gu mentioned, examining their character, family situation, and if there were any corrupt individuals among them.

Such matters were countless.

...

By the time dusk fell, Qin Yuan finally received the confirmation that the Five Cities Military Department had dispatched a Colonel, along with a little eunuch sent from the palace, to deliver messages from the Capital Governor and the palace, permitting the Marquis Mansion to open tomorrow.

Hong Ye returned from outside, saying, "These people were overjoyed, having just received money today, they can open the gates tomorrow and return home in shifts, while spending a little money."

Cui Ming said, "Actually, it’s nothing much, most of the servants live within the mansion, only those with families live outside."

Hong Ye retorted, "You don’t know then, who would want to stay here all day without going out? When you can come and go freely, months might pass without wanting to take a stroll, but when you can’t move about freely, there’s a constant urge to wander, now the sudden opening of the mansion has everyone’s minds unsettled."

Qin Yuan switched topics, asking, "How is Hong Mian’s task going? Has anyone come forward to dispute?"

Hong Ye replied, "No one."

Qin Yuan instructed, "Tonight’s meal, you pick a dish for her, let her know to do a good job in the future."

Hong Ye complied.

Outside, several little maids quietly called Hong Ye out, not long after, Hong Ye returned, Cui Ming asked, "What happened?"

Hong Ye smiled, "They are all asking me if I’m still teaching them bookkeeping today."

Qin Yuan also smiled, "You’re a teacher now, find some good ones, I’m short of people here, it’s not right to be entangled entirely by house affairs."

Both Hong Ye and Cui Ming felt warm inside.

Qin Yuan, unlike others in charge, liked to delegate authority to close associates, giving them many opportunities.

Who wouldn’t want to become someone well-regarded and heavily utilized?

Hong Ye said, "I can only teach them slowly, presently there’s a clever Xiao Hong, she also wants to join, why wouldn’t Miss want her?"

Qin Yuan thought for a moment, then said, "Let’s talk about it later, as the Marquis hasn’t decided yet, they need to keep people by their side."

Hong Ye said nothing more.

Not long after, Marquis Gu sent someone with a message, "Sixth Master is keeping the Marquis for drinks, the Marquis will not return today for the meal, he will also rest in the study at night, Madam should not worry."

Not only did Qin Yuan not worry, but she also felt relieved.

She had Cui Ming set a few dishes into a food box, sending it back with the servant, saying that it was to add to the Marquis and Sixth Master’s enjoyment.

The servant happily took it back, and sure enough, the Marquis gave a reward.

Qin Yuan said, "Since the Marquis isn’t coming for the meal, we can eat together then."

Hong Ye picked a dish from the table and took it outside, loudly announcing, "Hong Mian, Madam has rewarded you with a dish, saying you’ve been diligent these days."

The little maids outside all screamed with excitement.

Hong Mian felt quite honored, came forward smiling brightly, and said, "Thank you Madam for the dish, thanks Sister Hong Ye."

Hong Ye said, "You all can eat slowly outside, I still have to attend inside."

Hong Mian replied with a smile.

Hong Ye said to everyone, "After a meal and a rest for an hour, we’ll learn bookkeeping again."

Several little maids quickly agreed.

Only then did Hong Ye turn around and go back inside.

Qin Yuan and Cui Ming listening to the commotion inside just laughed, saying, "You reward one dish and it stirs up such a fuss."

Hong Ye said, "It’s fine with others, Hong Mian loves to show off, giving her like this, she’ll only be happy."

Qin Yuan paused with her chopsticks, half-smiling, looking at Hong Ye.

Cui Ming laughed, "Then why did you add the last remark?"

Hong Ye lifted her chin proudly and said, "I need her to know, no matter how strong she gets, she cannot surpass me."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, pointing with her chopsticks, "Hurry up and eat, as long as you do well, no one can outdo you."

After the meal, the three sat down and started drinking tea.

Qin Yuan contemplated, "Once the mansion opens, new tea should be sent here."

Hong Ye said, "Such good tea, I never get tired of drinking it."

Cui Ming couldn’t help but sigh.

"In the past, at the Qin Mansion, I never thought I could drink such good tea in this lifetime. Only the adults’ and Madam’s quarters had good tea back then, but it couldn’t compare to this, we could only drink old tea leaves with some bitterness."

Qin Yuan remarked, "These days have been busy, I haven’t written to Father, I will send some good tea and ink back when they visit."

The three continued discussing what to do after the mansion’s opening, and it became late without realizing.

Hong Ye went to look for the little maids to teach them bookkeeping, and Cui Ming did not rest either, instead sat under the lamp slowly flipping through the account book.

Ever since Qin Yuan entrusted matters to Gu Shiliu, she had let go and didn’t concern herself with the accounts of the outer court anymore.

Cui Ming was curious, asking, "Miss, why did you stop carefully checking the outer court’s accounts?"

Qin Yuan replied, "As long as Hong Ye can’t find any obvious mistakes, there’s no need to scrutinize further. Over the years, the Marquis was at the Northern Border, and there wasn’t much social interaction within the mansion, even when there was, old precedents could be followed. As for the royal commendations, farm rents, and assets, they were all accounted for. As long as Sun Accountant doesn’t mess with these, there’s nothing to check. When I take over, I’ll naturally start new accounts, you all watching will ensure he can’t play tricks. Regarding the matters I asked Sixteen to investigate, only Sixteen’s methods will work."

Cui Ming understood and put down the account book, saying, "Then I don’t need to look anymore, I’ve learned enough from what you taught previously."

Qin Yuan said, "Alright, once Manager Wu submits this season’s shop accounts, you should go through them, after all, practical application is necessary to prevent forgetting."

Early the next morning, Housekeeper Han ordered firecrackers to be set up outside the mansion gates and lit them.

Amidst the chaotic crackling sounds, the ground was strewn with red and brown paper scraps, and the air was filled with a choking and pungent smoke, quickly attracting a crowd to watch the spectacle.

Daring little rascals squeezed in to pick up scattered firecracker pieces.

"Dingbei Marquis Mansion has finally opened its doors."

Housekeeper Han smiled, clasped his fists, and bowed to everyone, saying, "Yes, we received the government’s letter yesterday, and today the mansion opens its gates, lighting firecrackers to ward off bad luck and illness, seeking good fortune."

Just as he spoke, trouble-seeking members from the Xu family noisily pushed their way to the front door.