Hong Ye was stunned.

Qin Yuan also returned to the desk and picked up the calligraphy to contemplate it carefully.

Neither of them paid any more attention to Hong Ye.

Hong Ye stood for a while, feeling embarrassed, and then walked out.

Qin Yuan whispered, "What do you think she’ll do once she goes out?"

Cui Ming chuckled softly, "Miss is so smart, why don’t you tell us first?"

The two of them were at a standstill for a while.

Qin Yuan said, "I have a jade bracelet here, given by my birth mother before I married, which you know of. I’ll use this as the stakes. If you guess correctly, you can take it."

Cui Ming’s smile was sweet, her eyes curving like crescents.

"Then I’ll handle all the embroidery on the Marquis’s undershirts from now on."

"Agreed."

The two of them clapped hands to make a vow.

Qin Yuan said, "Should I say it first or you?"

Cui Ming said, "Let’s imitate Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu; we can write it down on paper and reveal it together."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Let’s be cultured for once."

Both picked up paper and pen and wrote with the unused ink; after finishing writing, they exchanged papers and laughed heartily.

Cui Ming said, "So how should we decide then?"

Qin Yuan smiled, "If it’s right, you can take the bracelet and do the embroidery for me."

"And if it’s wrong?"

Qin Yuan laughed even more merrily, "We both guessed this way, how could it be wrong? Even if it’s wrong, it’s the same. You’ll take the bracelet and still do the embroidery for me."

Cui Ming also laughed.

Not long after, Hong Mian came in to ask something, seeing both mistress and maid leaning by the desk, their expressions relaxed, smiling, unable to hide the envy in her heart, she said, "I wonder what good news there is, Madam and Sister Cui Ming are smiling so joyfully."

Cui Ming laughed, "Just talking about something funny. If you have something to say, do it quickly before Madam takes her afternoon rest and don’t let it interfere."

Hong Mian addressed Qin Yuan, "It’s nothing much, just that Sixth Master’s several concubines have been frequently asking to visit and pay respects to Madam, not knowing if Madam is available."

This was quite interesting.

Qin Yuan paused, and asked, "Is it because their allowances aren’t enough, or someone is withholding them? Have the young masters been cared for properly?"

Hong Mian thought for a moment and said, "These matters are usually managed by Sister Hong Ye; there shouldn’t be any issues. Perhaps they’re worried that after Sixth Madam passed away, and Sixth Master is engrossed in poetry and painting, future life will be difficult in the mansion without support, so they want to come to Wutong Garden."

Cui Ming glanced at Qin Yuan but said nothing.

Qin Yuan said, "Alright, later go ask if there are any unreasonable deductions in their daily expenses, whether the young masters’ living arrangements are properly settled, and if there are any needs, report to you or Hong Ye. As for visiting... I’m not available at the moment. We’ll discuss after the funeral procession. Sixth Master should provide some guidance then."

Hong Mian laughed, "That’s exactly what I said. For now, Steward Qian is temporarily handling the inner courtyard affairs; presumably, he wouldn’t dare to disrespect these concubines, and whatever arrangements should be accompanied by Sixth Master’s decisions."

Cui Ming smiled, pinched Hong Mian’s mouth and said, "Look at this clever mouth, not only quick-witted but also clever at heart."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Hong Mian is indeed smart and capable."

Hong Mian lowered her head, smiling, "It’s a blessing cultivated over several lifetimes to be appreciated by Madam."

Qin Yuan said, "Just report back to them like this."

Hong Mian responded and retreated.

Cui Ming said leisurely, "Hong Mian is capable, but her thoughts are numerous."

Qin Yuan walked to the vanity table and laughed, "She’s naturally not as affectionate as Hong Ye and you are with me. It doesn’t matter who her master is as long as she’s given important roles. This I understand; Hong Ye has shallow ambitions, thinks less, you should guide her more."

Cui Ming stepped forward to help her remove her hairpin and earrings, saying, "Miss is aware, it’s good. More maids like Hong Mian are a better help. Generally, people bring four when they marry, Miss only has two, if we marry or have children later, there will be time when we can’t accompany Miss."

Qin Yuan said, "Take it slowly."

Old Madam Gu never interfered with managing household affairs, Marquis Gu supports her, isn’t this better than anything?

If there’s a shortage of people, she’ll cultivate them gradually.

As long as she’s generous and clear-minded, there will be plenty willing to align with her.

But Hong Ye, Cui Ming shared a different bond with her; in a previous life, they went through too much for her, Cui Ming lost her life young.

In this life, she gained wealth early and naturally wants to uplift them both.

After the afternoon rest, Qin Yuan first sent a message to the Qin Family. Qin Jijiu happened to be resting at home, opened the letter and sighed for a long time.

Mrs. Cui then asked, "What’s the matter again?"

Qin Jijiu said, "Our eldest daughter is worried about the Xu Family."

"She’s worried about the Xu Family?" Mrs. Cui frowned, very puzzled, "She worries about them, what’s the use of you sighing here? You’re driving away good fortune with your sighs. With so many people in the Marquis Mansion holding authority, can’t they manage the Xu Family? You really know how to worry. Spend time considering your son and son-in-law’s affairs."

Qin Jijiu said, "She’s worried the Xu Family might target Si Yuan. Yesterday, one of the Xu Family’s lads skilled in ball-kicking got close to Qin Heng and Qin Wan; her maid saw it and quickly alerted her."

Mrs. Cui looked mysterious, "Something isn’t right between the Gu Family and the Xu Family. Some say there’s tension between Sixth Master Gu and the Xu Family. But Xu Family people came that day too, seemed fine; Yuan’er merely mentioned it a few times. I can’t pry too deeply either."

"Oh, why would the Xu Family rile up Si Yuan? Do you know nothing at all?"

Qin Jijiu briefly mentioned Xu Zhen’s matter.

Mrs. Cui was shocked, covering her mouth.

Qin Jijiu said, "Our eldest daughter is worried that we’re being used by the Xu Family to harm Si Yuan. As the saying goes, one must be cautious of others. Si Yuan has shown himself before the emperor, his knowledge has greatly increased, and he might accomplish greatness in the future. Although our youngest son could rely on the Marquis Mansion, that’s nevertheless a son-in-law, unlike Si Yuan who shares our surname."

Mrs. Cui had been his wife for decades, a slight reflection illuminated his point, she was angry, "You say that as if I would delay Si Yuan’s future for Mr. Lin."

"Good that you say so," Qin Jijiu looked at his old wife meaningfully.

Qin Heng was soon called by the nanny.

Seeing his outfit, Qin Jijiu felt uneasy in his heart, scolded, "Foolish, muddle-headed thing, on a holiday not at home studying, thinking only of going out, are you going out to mingle with those rogue friends dressed like this?"

Qin Heng pouted.

Mrs. Cui hurriedly defended him, "Why scold the son as soon as you meet, as though this makes you impressive, pulling the father’s authority every now and then, can’t you speak nicely? Isn’t he grown enough?"

Qin Jijiu huffed and glared, "A doting mother spoils the son, you’re not just doting on him, you’re spoiling him too much. His sister’s household has gatherings that he can’t attend, that’s fine, but dressing like this, where is he planning to rampage?"

Mrs. Cui saw Qin Heng dressed in short attire, hair tied up high with a navy blue cloth, forehead wrapped with a sweatband of navy blue, wearing soft leather thick-soled boots, and wrists with leather wrist guards.

She was also taken aback, saying, "You better explain."