Gu Jinghui looked as if he wanted to leave but didn’t, standing by the door and hesitating, "By the way, when I just returned, what were you saying was difficult?"

Qin Yuan laughed, "There’s no rush. Husband should first go to find Mr. Songshan, that’s more important."

Gu Jinghui heard this and stopped moving, asking sideways, "Really no rush?"

Qin Yuan nodded, "Really, there’s no rush. It’s just about the price of pepper dropping sharply lately, thinking about how to settle the housekeepers’ share of the money."

Only then did Gu Jinghui feel relieved, and he repeatedly instructed, "Then I’m going; you take care to eat well. Once the matter is settled, I’ll return. If you feel tired, just rest early, and we can talk about it tomorrow morning, it’s the same."

Qin Yuan helplessly smiled, "Alright, I understand. You go quickly."

Gu Jinghui finally decided to leave.

Hong Ye came in again, giggling quietly, "Marquis does look like he’s going to be away for a long time. Not to brag, it seems like with this quarrel, Marquis and Miss are back on good terms, even more attached."

Cui Ming scolded, "You talk too much, don’t understand the art of not revealing what’s obvious."

Hong Ye chuckled.

Qin Yuan said to her, "Earlier Marquis found a big task for you."

"What?" Hong Ye couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Cui Ming pursed her lips and laughed softly.

Qin Yuan said, "Marquis wants to go have a word with Mr. Songshan and requested the small kitchen to prepare some dishes favored by southern folks and send them over. I mentioned you had thoroughly investigated Mr. Songshan’s preferences."

Hong Ye made a sound, "The other day, Brother Qi mentioned Mr. Songshan complained of having nothing much to do staying in the manor all day, only to be wrapped up by Sixth Master talking poetry."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.

Hong Ye said, "I’ll prepare promptly and get some yellow wine as well."

Qin Yuan nodded, "That’s fine, you decide."

Hong Ye then went off to busy herself.

Not long after, the dishes were ready, but Hong Ye staunchly refused to deliver them.

Cui Ming had no choice but to say, "Alright, I’ll deliver then."

Qin Yuan asked curiously, "What kind of tantrum is this now?"

Hong Ye didn’t look at her, saying, "...What tantrum could I be throwing?... It’s just I don’t feel like moving, having been cooped up in the small kitchen for so long, I’m all smells, reluctant to change clothes... Afraid of stinking up the great scholar Mr. Songshan."

Qin Yuan gave Hong Ye a glance, "Is that so."

"I am tired and wish to rest."

Hong Ye remained firm.

Cui Ming said, "Alright, alright, I’ll go. Mr. Songshan’s conversation is indeed interesting, listening for a while is good."

Seeing Qin Yuan no longer asks, Hong Ye let out a sigh.

Cui Ming gathered some nannies and maidens, carrying the meal boxes and sent them to the front courtyard. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Qin Yuan then remembered to ask Hong Ye, "Last time when you helped with setting up Mr. Songshan’s yard, did he mention his family?"

To keep talents like Mr. Songshan, it’s necessary to take good care of their families.

Hong Ye shook her head, "No, I’ll ask Brother Qi later."

Qin Yuan nodded, "Keep this in mind for me; Mid-Autumn is coming soon, Mr. Songshan might feel homesick. If his family’s matters can be arranged sooner, it would certainly please him."

Hong Ye replied, "Yes."

After a thought, she added, "Previously, the big kitchen was trying new mooncake molds, but had to pause for manor matters; should we start them again? Otherwise, the Mid-Autumn gifts might lack good mooncakes."

Qin Yuan nodded, "One matter follows another, gifts for various walks of life must be arranged; once the mourning ends, it’ll be too late to handle these."

The two discussed several other matters.

Qin Yuan asked, "These days, who do you observe is worth employing?"

Hong Ye said, "Having seen some people earlier and discussed with Hong Mian and Mo Zhu, now it seems less ideal. Currently, none seem as good as Steward Qian. As for Sun Accountant’s position, there’s a suitable candidate."

Qin Yuan raised her brows, asking, "Tell me."

Hong Ye said, "This person was brought up by Gu Shiliu, and Housekeeper Han and Housekeeper Cao spoke well of him. He’s under Sun Accountant managing segment accounts; his surname is Wan, a homebred of the manor, with ancestors serving in the army managing finance and provisions. He initially intended to go to the Northern Border with Marquis but has been frail, frequently ill. Only regained health two years ago, entered the manor managing accounts under Sun Accountant."

Qin Yuan said, "It seems he comes from a family with a rich legacy."

Hong Ye nodded, "The nannies privately speak of him being very filial to his mother, refrained from marrying due to health concerns. A few years ago, his brother passed away, his sister-in-law remarried, and he took in his nephew and niece to raise. His character should be good."

The only question left is his accounting skill.

That, Hong Ye couldn’t judge.

Qin Yuan thought for a moment, "Then another day, we’ll gather all the segment accountants for a trial."

Hong Ye looked at Qin Yuan with admiration, "Miss, are you planning to test them?"

"Yes, let’s do it these days," Qin Yuan said, "finalize the accountant and inner courtyard housekeeper, it would save me a lot. Marquis intends to have me manage private assets, and there’s my dowry shop too. Thankfully, there’s Shen Changle to rely on, else I’d have no time for poetry collections."

Just then, Cui Ming returned, smiling, "Miss, Marquis invites you over for a meal."

Qin Yuan wondered, "Why again am I needed?"

Cui Ming laughed heartily, "Isn’t it so? Mr. Songshan said three humble cobblers as good as one Zhuge Liang; with him and Marquis, they’re just two."

Hong Ye also laughed.

Qin Yuan: "..."

Cui Ming struggled to hold back her laughter, "And Gu Sixth Master is sitting right there."

Hong Ye giggled.

Qin Yuan shook her head with a smile, "Sixth Master’s presence is good; we can discuss those accounts, and Xu family’s matter too, no need to avoid Mr. Songshan."

Cui Ming said, "Perhaps Marquis planned it that way."

Hong Ye said, "Why not have Miss also inquire about Mr. Songshan’s family affairs."

Qin Yuan replied, "Understood, are you unwilling to accompany me to the front courtyard?"

Hong Ye, somewhat bashful, still responded, "Today I intend to sort the Mid-Autumn festival list; besides, Hong Mian and Mo Zhu have been meticulous with inventory and accounts, I must verify them."

Qin Yuan roughly knew Marquis Gu must have mentioned Sixteen in front of Hong Ye, so she nodded, "If you’re tired from busying around the past few days, then rest."

She then asked Cui Ming, "Do you want to stay in Wutong Garden?"

Cui Ming shook her head, "I’ve been occupied in the sewing room all day, it’s no trouble."

Qin Yuan brought Cui Ming to the front courtyard.

On the way, she asked, "Why hasn’t Marquis gone to Mr. Songshan’s yard to discuss matters?"

Cui Ming explained, "Shen Changle sought Sixth Master regarding engraving, just as Mr. Songshan was critiquing Sixth Master’s poetry; the three talked for quite a while, Marquis came later, so the conversation happened in the front courtyard. When I delivered the food, I happened to encounter Shen Changle, who seemed ecstatic, like he’s about to make it big, blocking me for quite a while chatting."