At this moment, Qin Yuan had let her hair down and was letting Cui Ming help comb it through. She smiled and said, "What can I do? What does the Ninth Princess want this for? Think about it."

Gu Baoshu frowned, thought for a long while, and finally said, "I can’t figure it out."

Qin Yuan yawned, lifted the silk quilt, and crawled inside, saying, "I’m really sleepy. If you ask me, it should be the Crown Prince who wants it. Otherwise, what would the Ninth Princess and Yelv Zhi want this for, having no connections?"

She was indeed sleepy. If she were awake, she probably wouldn’t have so confidently told Gu Baoshu that the Crown Prince and Yelv Guza were in contact.

As soon as her head hit the pillow, Qin Yuan fell asleep.

Gu Baoshu frowned and complained, "How could Third Sister-in-law just fall asleep? You haven’t told me why the Crown Prince wants this? Could it be that the Crown Prince and Yelv Guza are secretly in contact?"

Sleeping Qin Yuan: "..."

Hong Ye interjected, "Seventh Miss, it’s late; you should sleep early too. Madam is already asleep and can’t hear what you’re saying."

Gu Baoshu had no choice but to follow and lie down.

A dreamless night.

When Qin Yuan woke up, she lazily opened her eyes, glanced at the sky outside, and said, "I actually slept until this hour, I must hurry to morning incense."

Beside her, Gu Baoshu hurriedly chimed in, "Third Sister-in-law sure can sleep. I’ve been awake for a while, waiting for you."

Qin Yuan laughed in surprise, "Waiting for me? Is the abbot forbidding you from eating vegetarian meals alone?"

Gu Baoshu complained, "Third Sister-in-law, you said something yesterday and just went to sleep, leaving me puzzled. I woke up early and have been thinking ever since."

Qin Yuan turned over, facing her lazily, and asked, "So did you figure it out?"

"Couldn’t figure it out."

Qin Yuan chuckled, "I was just saying it casually."

Gu Baoshu was annoyed, "Didn’t I just tell you yesterday, Third Sister-in-law, I’m not dumb. You’re clearly hiding something you know from me. Are you worried I’ll blurt it out?"

Upon hearing the commotion, Hong Ye and Cui Ming hurried in to assist Qin Yuan with getting dressed. While changing, Qin Yuan laughed, "I’m not a fortune teller. How could I get it right every time I speak? However, I do have an idea, do you want to hear it?"

A few words and she managed to coax the annoyed Gu Baoshu back, "I always knew Third Sister-in-law was the best, quick, tell me."

Qin Yuan said, "I won’t help you for nothing, you have to promise to do a few things for me."

"Don’t just say a few, even if it’s a dozen, no problem."

Gu Baoshu patted her small chest.

Qin Yuan glanced at her, her lips curling slightly, "The first thing is, don’t do this in the future. Men can do it and seem bold and brave, but for a girl, it’s a bit unbecoming."

Gu Baoshu nodded emphatically, "That’s easy, I’ll just stop doing it. Both Mother and Momo have told me."

Qin Yuan said, "Actions must match words."

"I can definitely do it. What else? Whatever it is, just say it, Third Sister-in-law."

Qin Yuan said, "You should look after Brother Kang and the others more in the future, have them read more books together, that’s the second thing. The third thing is, my little brother watched you ride and play polo the other day, and now he wants to learn. If he comes to the mansion, do show him a thing or two, since your Third Brother doesn’t usually have time to play with him."

Gu Baoshu nodded repeatedly, "These are all easy; I’ve remembered them. I already heard from Brother Kang that after this, he’ll stay home in mourning and read with Mr. Songshan. Mr. Songshan’s lectures are like storytelling; even if I listen absentmindedly, I learn a lot. As for Brother Heng, that’s even better, he’ll just come to the mansion to find us."

Qin Yuan smiled, "Alright, it’s settled then."

Cui Ming had finished arranging her hair and stepped aside.

Qin Yuan said, "Did you know your Sixth Brother is making an album specifically about the polo match story from that day?"

Gu Baoshu laughed, "That’s great."

Qin Yuan turned her head slightly to look at her, raising an eyebrow, "Invite your friends over so your Sixth Brother can capture the essence in his drawings. Meanwhile, you can discuss how to arrange the Life and Death Document."

Gu Baoshu suddenly understood and clapped her hands, "Great idea."

Qin Yuan continued, "And not just that, someday later, we might even draw albums on how women play polo, teaching others how to play. Whoever’s interested can show off their skills."

Gu Baoshu laughed heartily, "That would be wonderful. I’m all for it."

Qin Yuan said, "There’s no need to rush. Whether You Da is coming to persuade you, just sit still and wait. Naturally, the main person will come to you in due course. If the Ninth Princess wants it, just say you’ve discussed it with everyone, and changing the rules rashly will always require a reason."

"This way, I’ll know what they’re planning to do!"

Gu Baoshu clapped her hands in approval.

Qin Yuan nodded.

"Let’s go, the vegetarian meal should be ready outside."

Gu Baoshu took a few steps and stopped again, "But what she said might not be true."

Qin Yuan smiled, "Does it matter if it’s true or not? We’ll see when the time comes."

Gu Baoshu whispered, "How do you know it’s the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince and that..."

Qin Yuan laughed, "There are many things you don’t know. As I see it, if you’re always upset people think you’re foolish, just do a few things to make people believe you’re mature and reliable. Naturally, then, they’ll be more willing to tell you things. Would you say I’m right?"

Gu Baoshu gritted her teeth, then smiled, stamping her foot and mumbling, "Now I know why Third Brother is completely wrapped around your finger."

Qin Yuan ignored her, led the children to breakfast, and then went to the altar to light incense.

The monks were already there, playing instruments and chanting.

For two days, nothing happened; that afternoon, Qin Yuan mixed some incense and had Hong Ye deliver it to Gu Shiliu.

When returning, Hong Ye said, "Mrs. Xu and the little monk were arguing outside, even making the child cry. Really thoughtless."

Qin Yuan said, "Ignore her."

Cui Ming came back and asked, "Why did you change the incense today?"

Qin Yuan nodded, "Sixteen had Ranxiang Inn send some incense, and I adjusted it a bit."

Cui Ming said, "Mrs. Xu has been complaining in private that we’re being overly cautious, scaring people, and being trapped here as if there are many dangers outside, making the children bored."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Not just their children are bored; even Treasure Bead can hardly sit still. If she weren’t with me trying to act mature and responsible, she might have led everyone to play outside by now."

Hong Ye chuckled, "Miss knows how to handle things."

Qin Yuan said, "No worries, just one more night, and by this time tomorrow, we’ll return to the mansion."

Hong Ye said, "Sixteen mentioned that tomorrow Marquis will have General Jin bring troops to escort us back home."

Qin Yuan acknowledged with a sound.

Outside, Brother Kang rushed in and shouted, "Something terrible happened, Xu family’s cousin was playing outside and picked up a skull, it’s really scary, and he was murmuring something."