"Xu Tang?"

Gu Shiliu asked again, quite puzzled.

Qin Yuan said, "This person is indeed suspicious. He associates closely with the Yelv Clan, his sister is at King Jin Mansion, while he himself plays soccer as a hanger-on at Prince Qi Mansion. I suspect there might be some entanglement between Yelv Zhi, King Jin, and the Crown Prince. Furthermore, I fear that the Xu family harbors ill intentions toward my cousin and the Qin family because of the Xu Zhen matter."

She was uncertain if Yelv Guza had any past entanglements with the Crown Prince, but he certainly tangled with King Jin.

Xu Tang going to Prince Qi Mansion was also through the route provided by a scholar that Yelv Guza entrusted.

Watching him closely, we can certainly pull out the carrot and get some soil with it.

In a previous life, Yelv Guza spent a fortune bribing bookstores, sending a large collection of books from Confucianism, Daoism, Yin-Yang, Legalism, Logicians, Mohism, Strategists, Miscellaneous, Farming, and Military to the Yelv Clan’s gathering place. Military, astronomy, calendary, five elements, divination, medicine, prescriptions, bedroom arts, and alchemy books were not exempted; even stories were bought to let the Yelv Clan select members to study earnestly.

The Yelv Clan people spent nearly ten years hiding in the Liaodong area, gathering strength, becoming both literate and martial.

And the Daxing Dynasty was suppressing martial to emphasize literature, with corruption worsening daily. Even Lin Ziqi privately remarked that Daxing’s prosperity might not last long and would eventually be troubled by the Yelv Clan.

This situation was inseparable from the assistance of King Jin and several high officials.

This lifetime, having the upper hand, she definitely wouldn’t watch Yelv Guza succeed without intervention to stir things up.

Gu Shiba immediately said, "The Xu family is truly detestable!"

Gu Shiliu was also somewhat dissatisfied: "The Xu family really doesn’t have any sense."

The actions of the Xu family had long dissatisfied them. Now hearing that the Xu family had thoughts of troubling the Qin family, they felt even more disdainful.

Qin Yuan said, "Shen Changle saw Xu Tang deliberately approach my younger brother and second younger sister, feeling it was somewhat inappropriate, and immediately reported it to me. Besides, the Xu family is now hedging its bets and is unclear about their plans, so it’s best to keep a close watch."

The two took the order and left.

Qin Yuan sighed and sent a little maid to ask if Hong Ye had any matters that needed her personal attention. After a short while, the maid returned and reported that today’s matters were routine with no major issues.

Qin Yuan then ground some ink herself, pulled over a sheet of paper, and casually drew a few strokes.

Because Gu Jinghui was sad and tearful in the morning, she thought of drawing a flying horse to cheer him up and make him happy.

After revising several drafts, she finally produced a satisfactory one.

When Cui Ming returned for lunch, Qin Yuan handed it to her, saying, "See if it needs more changes?"

"What is this?"

Hong Ye leaned over to look.

Qin Yuan said, "Isn’t this what the Marquis wanted embroidered on his clothes before?"

Hong Ye clicked her tongue a few times, remaining silent.

Cui Ming smiled and said, "Miss naturally draws very well, but embroidering it will take a lot of effort."

If each item were embroidered like this, who knows how long it would take to finish.

Qin Yuan pouted and said, "Forget it, you make some changes so that it’s easier to embroider but still looks good."

"Miss is too greedy; wanting everything at once," Hong Ye remarked with a click of her tongue.

Qin Yuan glanced at her and said, "I haven’t even accounted for you sticking to the walls when you see the Marquis, and now you’re coming to tease me."

At that, Hong Ye’s face turned red, and after a long while, she said, "Who is all this effort for? Isn’t it to stay by your side, ensuring you get through the wedding and have a little master before I can be at ease."

Qin Yuan asked curiously, "What do you mean by that?"

Cui Ming also stared at Hong Ye.

Hong Ye shifted uneasily and said, "I’ve heard that Gu Shiliu’s mother wants to find a capable daughter-in-law to help manage the household. If I marry over there, how can I have time to serve Miss? I don’t plan to leave Miss during these crucial moments; I have to see Miss have a child before I can comfortably get married."

Qin Yuan teased, "Then you’ll have to wait for quite some time."

Hong Ye pouted and said, "I thought Miss would reward me with a silver note, but it’s only this!"

Qin Yuan laughed and said, "So you need to think carefully. With your thinking, I don’t reciprocate. Why don’t you think, if you get married early, have children, you might even help me with my children, nursing them, and your children could become playmates for mine."

Hong Ye’s eyes lit up, "That makes sense."

Cui Ming frowned and said, "What does Sixteen think about this matter?"

Hong Ye chuckled, "I don’t know yet either."

Qin Yuan paused for a moment before asking, "What exactly did the Marquis tell you that made you think so far ahead?"

Hong Ye replied, "The Marquis just asked me what I thought of Sixteen, and if I liked Sixteen, to tell him."

Qin Yuan held her forehead.

"I feel like Sixteen is unaware of this," Cui Ming said hesitantly.

Hong Ye said, "No matter him, I haven’t made up my mind yet."

Cui Ming also held her forehead, "When you finally make up your mind, if he hasn’t, what will you do then?"

Wouldn’t that be embarrassing then?

Qin Yuan said, "I already told the Marquis not to interfere, but he insisted, really..."

Hong Ye couldn’t help but speak for the Marquis, "It’s nothing, the Marquis means well."

Outside, someone said loudly, "Sister Hong Mian, why are you standing outside? Are you coming in or not?"

The three inside stopped talking.

Outside, Hong Mian’s voice sounded a bit flustered, "I, I was just about to ask if Madam wanted a meal, but I saw the sisters talking with Madam and thought there might be business to discuss."

Qin Yuan looked at Hong Ye meaningfully, raised her voice, "No need to ask, go ahead and serve the meal."

Hong Mian didn’t come in, responding from outside before walking away.

Then, a little maid entered, speaking softly behind the beaded curtains, "Sister Hong Ye, I have something to discuss with you."

Hong Ye went out and whispered a few words with her.

She came back and said to Qin Yuan, "It’s nothing, really. These days, when they have downtime, they ask if I’m still teaching accounting books."

Qin Yuan glanced at her, "Do you have time to teach?"

Hong Ye said, "Of course, good deeds do bring rewards."

Cui Ming noticed too and said, "Did they tell you anything?"

Hong Ye shook her head, "It’s hard to say just now, we need to wait a couple of days to see."

Cui Ming sighed.

Hong Ye asked curiously, "Why are you sighing?"

Cui Ming replied, "Haven’t you heard that ’The emperor is not worried, but the eunuch is’? Others are worried for you, but you don’t seem to care."

"What do you mean by that?"

Hong Ye asked.

Cui Ming just ignored her.

Hong Ye ate the meal sullenly.

After Hong Mian and Mo Zhu came in to clear the dishes, Qin Yuan finally pointed out, "You’ve thought through so much, yet you don’t understand your own heart?"

If it’s someone you can easily let go of, who would consider so much?

Hong Ye was stunned.

Cui Ming picked up the pattern Qin Yuan drew, scrutinizing it as if unintentionally, "Usually, you seem like a clever person, but when it comes to your own matters, you’re confused. Let me ask you, if someone else makes the first move and flirts with Sixteen right under your nose, will you feel upset?"