Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan lifted her chin and looked at Gu Jinghui.

Marquis Gu lowered his head, seemingly observing the embroidery on the coverlet, but in truth, his gaze was empty.

His tone was calm, yet Qin Yuan could sense the deep longing within.

"I always think that if one day the former Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would undoubtedly be an extraordinary Holy Emperor. Born noble, with a benevolent nature, he treated everyone with compassion! Those who interacted with him couldn’t help but want to serve him... He was adept at political intrigue but never engaged in devious schemes. His wisdom is the most remarkable I’ve seen in my life... able to see into people’s hearts, just like the sun and moon illuminate the earth, exposing greed and wickedness. The late Empress’s family was proud to have such a child. Since childhood, I was determined to be his most loyal subject, to protect him for life."

A tear dropped unexpectedly onto the back of Qin Yuan’s hand.

Then the second drop followed.

Qin Yuan lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

She never had the chance to meet the former Crown Prince, but she’d heard her father and others secretly discussing: "While Prince Qi is radiant and noble, the former Crown Prince was vast and generous, capable of seeing far and wide, truly a pity... Now the Crown Prince... Alas... The Emperor overly favors Empress Lin."

The weight of the former Crown Prince in the courtiers’ hearts was quite evident.

The couple lay quietly for a while, and then Marquis Gu said, "I’ll go for the morning roll call; you can sleep a bit longer."

Qin Yuan mumbled a response.

After Marquis Gu left, she sat up, leaned against a bolster, and held the coverlet in a daze.

Until Hong Ye came to call, "Miss, it’s time to get up. Sixteen and Shi Ba are outside waiting to report at Marquis’s instruction. After you’re done, if you don’t manage the small courtyard, the steward and housekeepers might complain again."

Only then did Qin Yuan get up to dress and wash.

Hong Mian and Mo Zhu came in to set the breakfast, and Qin Yuan asked, "What did the Marquis eat?"

Hong Mian said, "The Marquis had a basket of buns, a bowl of noodles, a plate of fried dough, two bowls of porridge, and a platter of braised beef."

Though it was less than usual, it was still acceptable.

Qin Yuan nodded and said, "Ask if Sixteen and Shi Ba have eaten? If not, let the small kitchen prepare something for them."

Mo Zhu smiled and said, "Sister Hong Ye has already taken care of it."

Qin Yuan then ate her own chicken soup with sweet noodles and tasted some other dishes.

Hong Ye stood aside and asked, "Miss, did you look at the accounts I organized yesterday?"

Qin Yuan replied, "I did; they’re on the bench. Go get them. Prepare the festival gifts according to this list, and for those who have given generous gifts recently, consider adding more and reorganizing them for me to see."

After a pause, she added, "You first go to the discussion courtyard and handle the routine matters. If there’s anything unresolved, let them wait for me to arrive and discuss."

Hong Ye then left.

After breakfast, having rested a bit and changed the tea, Qin Yuan finally asked someone to bring in Gu Shiliu and Gu Shiba.

Behind the beaded curtain, Gu Shiliu said, "Madam, we are at your disposal by the Marquis’s order."

Gu Shiba also responded.

Qin Yuan wondered, "Didn’t the Marquis ask you to report something to me? I thought there was news from Mrs. Zhao."

Gu Shiliu said, "The Yelv Clan people are tight-lipped, unwilling to say anything, so we haven’t come to report to Madam. This morning the Marquis left without us, only saying you have ways to gather information and directed us to follow your orders."

Qin Yuan understood.

Marquis Gu had entrusted this matter to her again.

"What else did the Marquis say?"

"The Marquis only said that."

Qin Yuan recounted what she had discussed with everyone yesterday.

Gu Shiba sighed, "Collecting information at the Northern Border was so much easier. Children, merchants, common people would report any discrepancies they noticed."

Gu Shiliu countered Gu Shiba.

"The Northern Border is our territory. The Marquis is dearly loved by the people. Now we’re struggling in the Capital City indeed."

Gu Shiba stubbornly said, "I just can’t help but lament a bit, the Gu Family gave so much to protect Daxing, yet the people in the Capital City treat the Marquis far worse than those at the Northern Border."

Gu Shiliu was also stirred with emotion, "After driving out the Yelv Clan, we were uprooted from the Northern Border. Such a large piece of land was parcelled out for someone else to manage."

Hearing this, Qin Yuan couldn’t help but think of the saying—when the cunning hare is dead, the running dog is cooked; when the birds are gone, the good bow is put away.

This is merely the beginning.

Since peace, military generals have been suppressed by civil servants, likely all feeling this way.

Qin Yuan said, "Don’t complain about these things even in private. The old soldiers likely harbor discontent as well. As people close to the Marquis, if you say such things... Scholars will criticize you, saying the Northern Border isn’t Gu Family’s land; under the heavens, all land belongs to the king. Thunder and rain are both the Emperor’s grace."

Gu Shiliu immediately said, "We understand."

Gu Shiba said, "Madam is right. Soldiers inevitably discuss privately, but who can blame those who harbor bandits for their own gain? We’ve risked our lives for military achievements, and when there’s no war, we are at the mercy of those who only wag their tongues."

Gu Shiliu looked worriedly at Gu Shiba.

Gu Shiba asked cluelessly, "Why are you looking at me? I didn’t lie."

Qin Yuan chuckled softly.

"Sixteen, no need to worry. Though my father and brother are scholars, they don’t think that way; if they didn’t respect the Marquis, they wouldn’t have let me marry into the Marquis Mansion."

Gu Shiba laughed, "Naturally, Lord Sacrificial Officer is highly learned and virtuous, not like those at Book Sea Pavilion who look down on military men."

Gu Shiliu said, "I was overthinking."

Qin Yuan steered the topic back, "Organizing the guilds of beggars, porters, and street sweepers isn’t easy, just with a few of you. Shouldn’t we consider how the Five Cities Military Department can help? Due to the Empress Dowager’s birthday, it’s busy inspecting household and business registrations. Besides, as Marquis mentioned yesterday, we could find a way to have the Ministry of Works Drainage Department dredge the rivers and clear silt, checking for hidden stolen goods or suspicious people. Soldiers from the camp can be brought in to assist. Plan well. Wherever you can leverage support, leverage it. Spend money if necessary. With a large information network, we’ll surely find Xu Zhen."

She then lowered her voice, "Then nothing will escape our notice, even if an overlord dares to challenge us."

Hearing this, both Gu Shiliu and Gu Shiba felt a jolt in their hearts, exchanging glances, seeing eagerness in each other’s eyes.

Gu Shiliu said, "Then we’ll go discuss with the Five Cities Military Department and report back with a plan."

Qin Yuan agreed, then reminded, "Mr. Cheng next door works at the Five Cities Military Department, and you also need to be cautious. Mr. Xu also serves as Commander there. Once it’s settled, keep a close watch on Xu Tang."