Chapter 353: Arranging for Old Lady Qi

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but find it strange. According to Doctor Li, Mrs. Dai’s body only needed some care. Could it be that the root cause of childlessness lies with Gu Jingcheng?

Clearly, Mrs. Dai had also thought of this. Ignoring the presence of so many people, she asked, "I have been childless for many years, do you know the reason, Doctor Li? If I could have a child, I would certainly give a generous reward."

After pondering for a moment, Doctor Li said, "The matter of offspring cannot be forced. It all depends on fate. If a child is destined, it will happen. There’s nothing seriously wrong with Madam’s health, so it’s better to relax. Perhaps the fate for offspring will come."

Mrs. Dai said, "Thank you, Doctor Li, for taking my pulse. Could you please prescribe a remedy for me?"

Doctor Li smiled, "Why not?"

While Doctor Li was writing the prescription, Mrs. Dai asked, "Could you also check my husband’s pulse? He is currently in the mansion talking with the Marquis."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "No worries, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Mrs. Dai asked, "What do you mean?"

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "I have something to ask for your help with. Old Lady Qi’s eyesight is not good, and she only has a teenage child working in the mansion. Recently, Brother Qi got injured due to the reckless actions of Pang Cheng and Pang Yu, and the mansion was experiencing a smallpox outbreak. We arranged for their mother and son to live in a separate courtyard, which also makes it convenient for Doctor Li to treat them. Now, with Old Lady Qi’s eyesight almost restored, it’s inappropriate to keep them in the inner courtyard, and inconvenient to have them live in the outer courtyard. Sending Old Lady Qi home alone would mean no one would care for her. I was wondering if she could stay with you, so Doctor Li could visit her regularly for treatments and also check on Brother Cheng. Wouldn’t that be convenient?"

Mrs. Dai paused, understanding there were additional reasons behind this, and immediately said, "Alright, but..."

Qin Yuan said, "I’ve long heard that your Nanny Chun and Old Lady Qi have a past connection. Since you’ve just moved out from the ninth branch and have few people available, why not remember this old friendship and have them go along with you for now?"

She then winked.

Mrs. Dai immediately understood and smiled, "So that’s how it is. Nanny Chun is busy in the courtyard today and didn’t come with me, but I’ll agree on her behalf. Thank you, Madam, for being so thoughtful. We used to live in a smaller house with fewer people when we were in the ninth branch. Now that we’ve moved to a new courtyard, we indeed need to add more staff to get things done."

The two agreed on the arrangements, and Old Lady Qi came over to express her gratitude with a thousand thanks. Qin Yuan said, "Now that you have a place to go, focus on recovering your eyesight. Doctor Li said after three to five sessions, your eyes will be normal. Take things slowly and don’t be too harsh on yourself with food and drink."

Old Lady Qi smiled and said, "Thank you, Marchioness, for your kindness, and Mr. Cheng and Grandma Cheng for their compassion."

She then pulled Brother Qi over to kneel and express gratitude.

Brother Qi said tearfully, "I will remember the kindness of the Marchioness in my heart. I have no way to repay it, but in the future, I will follow orders and go through fire and water without hesitation."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Your family has done so much for the Gu Family. How could the Marquis not take care of you? You have just barely recovered your health, and Mr. Songshan will be staying long-term in the mansion. It wouldn’t hurt to have more people, so why not go and serve there. Mr. Songshan has great knowledge, and if you can learn even a bit, it would be beneficial."

Brother Qi kowtowed repeatedly to give thanks.

Qin Yuan quickly ordered Cui Ming to help them up and said, "You should go back and pack up first. Someone will come to help you arrange things soon. If there’s anything inappropriate, just let us know."

The mother and son left after expressing their profuse gratitude, and Doctor Li took Xiao Dong to the main room to check the peaceful pulse. Only then did Qin Yuan say to Mrs. Dai, "What I mentioned to you last time might soon come to pass. Although Old Lady Qi’s eyesight is poor, her hearing is good. I plan to place her with you to keep an eye on those two children."

Mrs. Dai smiled and said, "I was wondering why you said those things, keeping me in the dark."

Qin Yuan also smiled, "Actually, it’s because I had no suitable place to arrange for her. If she stayed in the inner residence, she would feel inappropriate and would come to resign, bringing her son along to help out would easily lead to gossip, being just a teenage boy... You must have also heard about the matters concerning the Qi family."

Mrs. Dai replied, "It’s widely spread among the clan that the Marquis spent generously to cure Old Lady Qi’s eyes. They also say that the Marquis Mansion has spent a large sum to appease the descendants of old veterans. The clan elders say the Marquis acts like the ancestors did, so how could I not know about these things?"

"That’s why I have to trouble you, sister-in-law, to bear this for me," Qin Yuan said with a smile as she performed a courtesy bow. Mrs. Dai hurriedly responded, "It’s nothing, really. Just opening up a room and adding a pair of chopsticks. Moreover, with Doctor Li coming to treat her, he can also check on my husband, which is really a good thing anyone would hope for."

The two talked a bit more and arranged some matters. Then Mrs. Dai went to the main room to have a chat with Old Madam Gu before returning to the courtyard next door.

When Gu Jingcheng returned, Mrs. Dai recounted the matter to him. Gu Jingcheng said, "The Marquis Mansion really thought of everything. If Old Lady Qi’s eyes can see again, there will be countless people remembering the Marquis’s kindness. Doctor Li coming over to give acupuncture will logically include checking my health, and no one would gossip. Besides, by helping to look after Old Lady Qi, our reputation will also improve."

Mrs. Dai nodded, saying, "I really didn’t expect that the Madam, though young, handles matters so smoothly and skillfully. I’ve heard she was an unobtrusive concubine’s daughter who never managed the household when she was with her family, yet everything is done so well in the Marquis Mansion."

Gu Jingcheng said, "Some people are just naturally gifted. If we were to compare all the time, life would be unbearable."

Mrs. Dai remained silent.

Gu Jingcheng said, "Let’s keep our warm room banquet simple and quickly recognize those two children. The Marquis can’t wait any longer."

Mrs. Dai nodded.

Gu Jingcheng observed her expression and said, "Don’t worry too much. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to host banquets in the future, like around the Mid-Autumn Festival, or during the Lantern Festival, and even birthday banquets provide many chances."

Mrs. Dai nudged him and rolled her eyes, "Do you think I’m that inconsiderate? Back with my parents, we never had the chance to host a private banquet. We’ve hardly done anything for the Marquis Mansion, and yet they’ve already given us so many benefits. If I had any complaints, what kind of person would that make me?"

Gu Jingcheng laughed heartily, pulling her close, "Truly my virtuous wife. I’ll rely on you for managing household affairs."

Hong Ye, along with Hong Mian, managed to settle Mr. Songshan’s courtyard, created a roster, and reallocated servants, maids, and nannies. After a busy half-day, they finally returned to Wutong Garden. Upon learning Qin Yuan arranged for Brother Qi to work with Mr. Songshan, Hong Ye laughed, "Mr. Songshan just selected his staff, and it wouldn’t be good to replace them. How about adding Brother Qi to the mix."

Qin Yuan said, "If these people were personally chosen by Mr. Songshan, it wouldn’t be wise to make decisions on your own. Why not take Brother Qi over to Mr. Songshan’s place for a visit? Let him take a look, and if he finds him suitable, he can stay. If not, we can arrange other tasks."

Hong Ye pouted, "I’ve been busy all day, my feet are sore, my mouth dry. How about letting me rest a bit before we discuss this again?"

Hong Mian said, "Madam, how about I take him there, and let Sister Hong Ye rest for a while?"