"Uphold justice for the Second Mistress?"

Hong Ye couldn’t help but exclaim.

Qin Yuan was stunned for a moment, then instructed the nanny to accompany her back to Wutong Garden to change clothes, talking as she walked.

Gu Shiliu hurriedly asked, "Madam, shall we follow?"

Qin Yuan glanced at the nanny, who stammered without saying anything specific, then said, "Just let Shiba follow me."

She further instructed Hong Ye, "You and Cui Ming go together, and also prepare the mansion’s invitation card, just in case it’s needed."

Gu Shiliu quickly instructed Steward Qian to send someone to drive a carriage, and also had Housekeeper Han dispatch healthy servants and guards, while he rushed to send a message to Marquis Gu.

Qin Yuan changed into her outdoor attire and dressed formally, before boarding the carriage to head towards the east of the city.

The nanny was Bai He’s mother, and she knew much about the Lin family’s affairs. Along the way, she revealed how Mrs. Lin manipulated Qin Wan, and added, "The Second Mistress used to be like a phoenix at home, never suffered any grievances, but in the Lin Mansion, people find fault with everything she does. And that cousin girl isn’t any good either. She arrived here in attire inferior to a maid’s, sweet-talking the Second Mistress into giving her things and spending money on her. But when she gained favor, she turned out to be an ingrate."

Qin Yuan remained silent.

She knew all too well what the Lin family was like.

But all of this was something Qin Wan had sought herself.

Cui Ming said quietly, "Isn’t it said that Lin Junren has a bright future, destined to do great things..."

The nanny snorted, "It’s not that I’m boasting due to my age, but having stayed at the Jiujie Mansion for so many years, I can tell which scholars have the potential to become Advanced Scholars. Mr. Lin spends all his time at home causing trouble over these matters with women, what can he achieve? Our Young Master was favored by the Emperor and still focuses on his studies intently, never paying attention to worldly matters; it’s said that he’s sure to pass this time. We servants rarely hear the master praise Mr. Lin; a few days ago, the Second Mistress returned home and quarreled over Mr. Lin. Later, even the Madam was angered to tears. If the Second Mistress hadn’t been pregnant and fainted, who knows how it would have ended."

Hong Ye exclaimed, "The Second Miss is pregnant?"

The nanny said, "Yes."

Then, as if remembering something, she raised her head in panic and said to Qin Yuan, "...This servant..."

Qin Yuan glanced at her indifferently.

The nanny quickly changed her tone, saying, "The Madam ordered this older servant to invite the First Mistress to the Lin household, thinking that as the holder of the Marquis Mansion’s keys and sister to the Second Mistress, you could lend some courage."

Qin Yuan nodded.

No one spoke further.

The nanny secretly regretted her words, wondering why she spoke of such things, mentioning that the Second Mistress was pregnant and even hinting at the Marquis’s incapacity, something even she had heard rumors of as a servant.

Before long, they arrived near the alley in the east of the city where the Lin Mansion was located.

Qin Yuan instructed, "Display all the ceremonial regalia."

This was to intimidate by force.

Hong Ye eagerly poked her head out, calling loudly, "Quick, display the Dingbei Marquis Mansion’s regalia, lest anyone underestimate us."

Immediately, drums and music filled the air, creating a lively scene.

The alley entrance, previously blocked by many people, suddenly cleared, making a wide path.

Gu Shiba ordered the healthy servants to drive the crowd away, while the guards rode their horses in two rows, leading, followed by Qin Yuan’s main carriage, and then several green-curtain carriages carrying nannies and healthy women.

The onlookers hid under the eaves on both sides, staring with wide eyes.

As the fragrant carriage passed by, the faint sound of chimes and a fragrant aroma spread out.

This kind of spectacle wasn’t something one saw every day.

In that moment, they didn’t even care about gawking at the Lin family’s affairs, but guessed what kind of noble was seated inside the carriage.

Gu Shiba pivoted his horse and rode back to Qin Yuan’s carriage, reporting, "Madam, the Jiujie Mansion’s carriage is already ahead, and the space is narrow. I fear there’s no room to maneuver, so we can only disembark here."

Qin Yuan said, "Alright."

The carriage came to a stop, and the nannies and healthy women quickly got out of the smaller carriages, surrounded the main carriage, blocking prying eyes.

Hong Ye and Cui Ming then disembarked, assisting Qin Yuan out. The nannies and healthy women escorted them into the alley.

People could only catch a glimpse of their figures, whispering to each other about the grandeur of the Dingbei Marquis Mansion’s protocols, wanting to follow to see the spectacle but fearing being driven away, trailing from a distance.

Before Qin Yuan reached the door, the Lin family had already received news and hurried out to greet her.

Lin Ziqi led the way. Upon seeing Qin Yuan, before he could speak, Hong Ye said, "Lin Junren, please pay your respects."

Qin Yuan, dressed ornately and appearing dignified today, looked noble and imposing.

Knowing that Qin Yuan hadn’t come with goodwill, Lin Ziqi stepped forward respectfully and bowed.

Mrs. Cui and Mrs. Lin followed behind him.

Qin Yuan said, "It’s not proper for a mother to bow to her daughter."

With that, she exchanged greetings with Mrs. Cui.

Mrs. Cui stepped forward, took Qin Yuan’s hand, patted it, and said with relief, "Daughter, it’s good you’ve come."

Mrs. Cui’s hands were slightly cold and trembled a bit.

Clearly, she was visibly upset.

Qin Yuan glanced at Mrs. Lin waiting to greet her and snorted, "Mother, why are my sister and the Lin family’s cousin girl not coming out?"

Mrs. Cui said, "Your sister is ill, I decided to let her rest."

Qin Yuan followed up, "What on earth happened, for me to come such a long way only for her to fall ill out of nowhere."

Mrs. Cui, annoyed, said, "It’s because of the Lin family’s wonderful upbringing. My good daughter married into this and her dowry expenditures are dictated by the mother-in-law. That’s not all; the family even brought in a distant cousin, supposedly only asking for a meal and eventually a marriage. But she’s been secretly involved with the son-in-law, completely keeping your sister in the dark. If it weren’t for today’s miscarriage, this would still be undiscovered."

"Where is she? What does she look like, to enchant my brother-in-law like that?"

Qin Yuan mocked.

Standing in the alley talking like this, Lin Ziqi’s face was dark and sullen, with a forced smile he said, "Perhaps the Marchioness and my mother-in-law could step inside the courtyard to speak."

Qin Yuan didn’t respond, lightly coughing through her veil.

Hong Ye immediately said, "The Dingbei Marchioness is here, shouldn’t you all hurry and pay respects?"

Cui Ming stated, "Lin Junren’s mother should also pay respect to our Madam, as Lin Junren is not yet in office... protocol cannot be disregarded."

Lin Ziqi’s face flushed with anger, a look of helpless displeasure in his eyes.

Mrs. Lin, upset, said, "We are in-laws, frequently meeting and parting, why be like this."

Hong Ye spat, "Even the court has third-degree poor relatives, yet they must adhere to decorum, does Old Mrs. Lin consider herself more prestigious? When Lin Junren becomes an Advanced Scholar and an official, reaching the First Rank, only then can you meet our Madam without bowing. Since you don’t know, this servant dares to inform you, to spare embarrassment in future social dealings outside. Ignorant ones might think Lin Junren is unschooled in etiquette."