Gu Baoshu immediately said, "Third sister-in-law, I won’t always be so silly."

Hong Ye couldn’t help but chuckle lightly.

Gu Baoshu said angrily, "I’m being serious."

Qin Yuan quickly calmed her, "I haven’t even said anything yet, why are you getting upset?"

Gu Baoshu said, "How can I not be upset! Mother, Third Brother, Sixth Brother, and Third Sister-in-law all see me as a fool. That day, Mother and Nanny Rong were secretly talking about me, wondering who I could marry to live a stable life, given how easily I can be used as a tool. I thought, if Sixth Brother can change, why can’t I?"

"Of course you can change. Look, you’ve even learned to embroider handkerchiefs."

Gu Baoshu felt a little better.

"Right, my temper is just quick, and it’s easy for me to be provoked and used, and I can’t always control my mouth. I know all these things."

Nanny Rong exclaimed, "So, Seventh Miss heard us when the old servant and the Old Madam were talking that day. Madam, I can testify that Seventh Miss has improved a lot these days, she will definitely get better and better."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "As the Saint says, knowing shame is like being close to courage. Treasure Bead knows her shortcomings and has the courage to correct them, she will keep improving."

Brother Kang smiled, blinking his eyes, "Auntie is really good at playing polo. She plays with me and my brother with genuine care, comes up with many ideas, and never blames us when things go wrong. We all like Auntie."

Fuguo’er nodded emphatically.

Sister Lan said sweetly, "I like Auntie."

Gu Baoshu responded proudly with a "hmph" sound.

Nanny Rong then said with a smile, "I’ll take them to rest outside. At night, they shouldn’t be noisy, otherwise, they’ll miss sleep and not rest properly. They didn’t sleep well last night, so you all should rest earlier too."

Qin Yuan nodded and said, "Indeed, everyone didn’t rest well last night, and today was exhausting. Adults can manage, but children shouldn’t be worn out."

Once Nanny Rong took the children away, Qin Yuan said, "Why do you think You Da came to be a spokesperson for the Ninth Princess?"

Gu Baoshu said, "I figured it out. Third sister-in-law, think about it. You Da went to get help, why didn’t he go to the Marquis Mansion? Instead, he went to the Ninth Princess’s residence, and the Ninth Princess then convinced the Emperor."

Qin Yuan chuckled, "So now you’re even testing me? When I was in the boudoir, I rarely interacted with noble ladies, how would I know about your affairs? Anyway, if someone hadn’t come to the mansion to report that day, your Third Brother couldn’t have arrived in time, this matter... is really hard to say."

"Exactly!"

Gu Baoshu said, "I’m the only girl in the mansion. Mother spoiled me terribly, seldom mentioning Third Brother in front of me, but often mentioning Sixth Brother. I learned martial arts from the Martial Arts Master since young. Later, Third Brother firmly defended the Northern Border, so Mother stopped urging me to practice martial arts and hoped I could act like a noble lady."

It seems Gu Baoshu’s martial arts and horseback skills come from this.

Qin Yuan nodded.

Back then, Old Madam Gu probably prepared for Marquis Gu to die on the battlefield.

Gu Baoshu frowned and said, "Thus, Third sister-in-law, since I was young, I always dreamt of being a hero, as impressive as my father and brothers, not socializing much with young ladies. Someday, I might even go to the battlefield to fight the Yelv Clan myself. The young ladies in the Capital City are all delicate, which I can’t emulate. Over at the Northern Border, the women go to the battlefield to fight. So, I didn’t focus much on those complicated matters, as for Sixth Sister-in-law... Third sister-in-law, for past mistakes, I plead for your generosity and not to hold them against me."

Qin Yuan laughed, "There’s no need to discuss past events. Look at Hong Ye by my side, she’s quick-tongued and fiery-tempered. If I didn’t keep a close eye, who knows how many troubles would arise. She’s a maid, so mishaps stay at home, and I can manage them. You’re different; you need to remind yourself to be cautious. Everyone makes mistakes; early correction brings early improvement."

Cui Ming then grinned, looking at Hong Ye.

Hong Ye lowered her head, blushingly and slowly adjusting her clothes.

Gu Baoshu pondered with wide eyes, then nodded cautiously, "I remember everything Third sister-in-law said."

Gu Baoshu added, "You Da sought out the Ninth Princess and convinced the Emperor. While I owe her gratitude, becoming the Ninth Princess’s spokesperson for the Life and Death Document doesn’t make me very happy."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Why is that?"

Gu Baoshu said, "I can’t quite say, I just feel it’s inappropriate."

Qin Yuan said, "Why then sign the Life and Death Document with the Yelv Clan?"

Gu Baoshu, embarrassed, said, "We planned to visit the poetry wall. Unexpectedly, we ran into some Yelv Clan members barking their nonsense, saying the poems on the wall were all gibberish, boasting as if they were Poetry Immortals descended to earth. Especially..."

After glancing at Qin Yuan who was listening intently, Gu Baoshu continued, "Especially when they said Mr. Qin’s poetry was the worst. I just flared up. Our family rushes to defend, how could we stand this... everyone argued, and the Yelv Clan said Daxing’s scholars do nothing but spout nonsense phrases. Eventually, everyone got angry, and decided to settle it with polo, disregarding life and death."

Qin Yuan listened carefully, then said after a while, "Let me tell you, this situation isn’t nearly as simple as you think. The Yelv Clan probably provoked you on purpose, setting a trap to use you to threaten your Third Brother."

Gu Baoshu paused and said, "Is it because of Mrs. Zhao?"

Now it was Qin Yuan’s turn to be stunned.

"How do you know?"

Gu Baoshu proudly tossed her head, touching her cheeks, "Don’t think I’m a child. I’m clever; I often eavesdrop on Mother and Nanny Rong..."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.

Gu Baoshu remembered the times she was punished to kneel, blushing and saying, "I know Third Brother doesn’t want to tell me, fearing I’ll spread it and ruin his affairs. Actually, I inquire around the mansion a lot, and can guess most of it."

Qin Yuan smiled and nodded, "So you hide your talents well."

"Exactly,"

Gu Baoshu, unable to distinguish compliments from sarcasm, nodded proudly.

Qin Yuan laughed, "Tell me honestly, is the outside rumor that the Xu family and the Gu Family are at odds over silver also spread by you?"

Gu Baoshu blinked and replied, "When people ask, naturally I tell them. Besides, Sixth Brother went to court over it, why hide? Of course I tell them the truth."

Qin Yuan shook and nodded, eventually said, "Alright, in the end, didn’t everyone fight horse polo with the Yelv Clan for pride? So, do you feel giving the Ninth Princess the Life and Death Document wrongs everyone’s effort?"

"Yes, that’s exactly it!"

Gu Baoshu heavily patted the embroidered mat beneath her, saying with a smile, "As expected, Third sister-in-law and I are the world’s best. What I couldn’t understand, Sister-in-law explained perfectly. You Da sought reinforcements, but frankly, these reinforcements might not truly help much. Yet, I still owe her gratitude, but for this bit of gratitude, letting the Ninth Princess have the Life and Death Document that everyone worked so hard to win, I’m not willing. So, Third sister-in-law, tell me, what should I do?"