Gu Jinghui said perplexedly, "Are you silly? This is definitely the ladies from Duke Zhen’s Mansion, what does it have to do with me?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan asked Gu Baoshu from inside the carriage, "Is it the young lady from Duke Zhen’s Mansion looking for you?"

Gu Baoshu stuck her head out and shouted, "You Da, are you in there?"

The curtain of Duke Zhen’s Mansion’s carriage lifted in response, revealing a young woman adorned with jewels. She looked kind and approachable.

The woman said, "Gu Laoqi, with so many people here, why are you shouting nicknames?"

Gu Baoshu lowered her voice a bit and retorted, "Isn’t it because you, Miss You, inexplicably blocked our carriage? I’m in a hurry to get home and take a beating, don’t mess with me now, let me pass quickly so I can get fewer spanks."

Qin Yuan burst out laughing on the side.

This sister-in-law was so lively outside, she had no shame in admitting she was going to face family punishment.

She thought about how even Marquis Gu, at his old age, had to endure their mother’s beatings. It seems the military officer families have such traditions.

Indeed, Miss You was not surprised, and said, "Old Madam Gu is the most soft-hearted, she won’t make you get beaten and then kneel in the ancestral hall. Why pretend to be pitiful? My father makes me kneel in the ancestral hall again after a beating."

Gu Baoshu said, "Alright, alright, we can talk all we want here, but my brothers and sisters-in-law are all here. If you have something to say, speak quickly, if not, let me pass." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Miss You leisurely said, "If I hadn’t informed the Ninth Princess in the palace, do you think you could have left so easily today? Let’s not even mention the rewards you received, is this how you repay your benefactor?"

"So it was you," Marquis Gu said, "I was wondering how the Emperor got the news."

Miss You lowered the curtain, stepped out, and without leaving the carriage, she stood at the wheel and saluted, "Greetings to Marquis Gu, Sixth Master Gu, and Marchioness."

Marquis Gu and the others returned the salute on horseback.

Although Gu Baoshu hadn’t come out fully, she had her upper body out, blocking Qin Yuan entirely.

Miss You said, "I saw that Treasure Bead was eager to fight the Yelv people. I should have gone on stage, but feeling lazy about changing clothes, I went to the Ninth Princess. It so happened that Miss Chang was also there..."

As she spoke, she glanced at the faces of Marquis Gu and Gu Baoshu and continued, "When the Ninth Princess learned of this, she went to the Imperial Palace, and coincidentally, Chief Wang supported the cause, so the Emperor came to watch the fun. Luckily, your game was good."

Marquis Gu said, "We still have to thank Miss You."

Miss You blushed slightly.

Gu Baoshu puffed her cheeks and said, "We fought until we were exhausted, and Song Xiaonuo’s face was scratched. And you couldn’t even be bothered to change your clothes. But since you helped get reinforcements, I won’t blame you. We’re all good sisters, if you need anything in the future, just let me know."

Miss You promptly replied, "No need for the future, just this time will do."

Gu Baoshu asked curiously, "What have you set your eyes on?"

Qin Yuan also perked up, curious about what Miss You wanted.

Miss You said, "Haven’t we won? Why not give me the opportunity to deal with the Yelv Clan?"

Gu Baoshu was about to agree when she felt her clothes tugged from behind by Qin Yuan, so she quickly changed her reply.

"That won’t do, this matter was dealt in front of the Emperor. You may not know since you weren’t there, but we were about to lose on the field. It was my third brother who led the military generals to victory. I can’t decide this on my own."

This left Qin Yuan a bit surprised.

Gu Baoshu continued to press Miss You, "What do you want to do with it?"

Miss You said dejectedly, "Actually, I’m not asking just for myself. You’ll hear about it in a couple of days. Let’s just leave it at this; I won’t delay you from going back to avoid your beatings and then blaming me."

She then gave a farewell salute from the carriage step.

The two carriages parted ways, finally allowing Gu Jinghui and the others to get back on the road.

Gu Baoshu withdrew her body and complained to Qin Yuan, "You Da is the worst. Doesn’t join us in playing, but once she can’t get something she wants, she won’t even argue with me. Yet, I can’t stay angry with her; isn’t that strange?"

Qin Yuan chuckled and said, "Because although she didn’t approve of your actions, she still found a way to bring reinforcements."

Only then did Gu Baoshu stop rambling.

She then asked, "Why didn’t you let me agree earlier?"

Qin Yuan replied, "Didn’t you just give a long explanation yourself?"

Gu Baoshu rolled her eyes and said, "That was just an excuse, even You Da knew it, how could you not? It seems you don’t treat me as an adult, Third Sister-in-law."

Before Qin Yuan could respond, Gu Jinghui from outside said, "Are you an adult? What adult would cause so much trouble? I’ll deal with you properly once we’re back at the mansion."

Gu Baoshu immediately rolled into Qin Yuan’s embrace, imploring, "Oh dear Third Sister-in-law, we’re the best in the world, you can’t ignore me."

Qin Yuan swiftly pushed her away, saying, "You’re full of sweat, why is your head still wet?"

She then told Gu Jinghui, "Hurry back, if Treasure Bead keeps dragging on, she’s going to catch a cold."

Gu Jinghui replied, "Understood."

Gu Baoshu knitted her brows and looked like she was on the verge of tears, "Third Sister-in-law despises me, and if mother hits me again when we return, I’ll be even more miserable."

Qin Yuan, both angry and amused, said, "Hurry back, soak in a hot bath, drink some ginger tea, and then go to mother for punishment. Father asked me to speak kindly of you in front of mother, but you can’t always cause such trouble. With Sixth Sister-in-law not long buried, causing such a scene outside isn’t appropriate."

Gu Baoshu said regretfully, "I know it’s not right, but the Yelv people made me so angry I wanted to pop. I wasn’t the only one upset; everyone was, and that’s why we wanted a fight to the death."

Qin Yuan sighed.

"But everyone thinks you started it, that you’re the leader. You know, public opinion is fearsome. The Emperor intervened, and your brothers got involved, else your actions would’ve caused more trouble. And if someone wanted to make trouble with the Marquis Mansion or you, the gossip wouldn’t be pleasant."

"Third Sister-in-law, is that why you wouldn’t let me promise You Da?"

Qin Yuan said, "Partly. Neither of you realize that holding that Life and Death Document can lead to many manipulations. With the Emperor’s endorsement, the matter is now too big for either of you to handle. Didn’t she say she wasn’t asking just for herself? You should see who really wants it."

Gu Baoshu thought for a moment and said, "I understand now."

Then she asked, "Why did you all come? I forgot to ask this. If not for Third Brother, I might have been doomed."

Qin Yuan grinned and said, "That credit goes to your previous good deeds. Hadn’t it been for your good karma, your Third Brother might not have heard so quickly to save you."