Hong Ye and Cui Ming both had no idea what medicine Qin Yuan carried in his gourd.

Qin Yuan did not explain, and commanded for some gold, silver, silk, and other items to be distributed before heading to the meditation hall.

The monks performing the rituals came forward one by one and received the offerings.

Qin Yuan asked, "Are all the monks from the temple here?"

The abbot replied with a smile, "Not all, these are just those performing the rituals, the little monks and those cleaning and planting haven’t come before the noble."

Qin Yuan laughed, "We’ve disturbed them for several days, and troubled them as well, how could we not thank them face to face."

The abbot sent someone to call them.

Soon, they all arrived, and each received items, uttering auspicious words.

Qin Yuan graciously thanked each of them.

After everyone had left, Qin Yuan mentioned a few people for Gu Shiliu to secretly apprehend.

"I reckon when we enter the city, you’ll capture the people while turning that courtyard upside down, don’t leave any collapsed houses or dry wells unchecked, inspect thoroughly to see if there’s any evidence of identity."

Gu Shiliu promptly agreed.

Only then did Qin Yuan go to the incense altar to offer incense.

Gu Shiliu said to Gu Shiba, "Madam acts meticulously, advancing step by step, she has strategy and remains composed, truly admirable."

Gu Shiba replied, "Otherwise, why would the Marquis be so afraid of Madam?"

Gu Shiliu rebuked, "This is something you can say?"

Gu Shiba was indifferent and retorted, "What’s unspeakable? Last time I followed the Marquis to the Great Camp, and the Marquis himself asked the assistant generals if they were afraid of Madam. Saying that fearing her would lead to success. Alas, what a pity..."

Thinking of the Marquis’s hidden ailment, Gu Shiba suddenly fell silent.

Gu Shiliu asked, puzzled, "What’s the pity?"

Gu Shiba gave Gu Shiliu an enigmatic look.

This person was usually smart, why is he so slow now?

Seeing Gu Shiliu still waiting for an answer, Gu Shiba rebuked, "This talk can be spoken?"

One must protect the dignity of the respected.

How could those closely following the Marquis say this?

Only through tacit understanding!

Gu Shiliu: "?"

Gu Shiliu couldn’t delve into it further, waving his hand, "Alright, alright, let’s not talk about it. Let’s quickly prepare our people, isn’t General Jin sending escorts? Quickly send a message, tell them to allocate more men and horses, we can only let them escort us to the city gates."

Gu Shiba nodded.

"Then it must be done quickly, otherwise there’s fear of being too late."

The two went to work.

After offering the incense, Qin Yuan kneeled on the prayer mat, listening to the monks chant scriptures.

Hong Ye whispered, "Miss, I noticed Mrs. Xu’s spirit is not good. Didn’t Sixteen deliver incense to them yesterday?"

Qin Yuan glanced casually at Mrs. Xu.

Sure enough, she saw Mrs. Xu’s eyes were confused, listless, eyebrows drooping, seemingly carrying many worries.

The rest of the Xu Family were not much better.

Qin Yuan smiled lightly, "Perhaps out of fear, even lighting incense won’t help."

Hong Ye furrowed her brows in confusion.

Cui Ming also whispered, "It’s said that those who have a clear conscience aren’t afraid of ghosts knocking at the door. Apparently, the Xu Family knows they did something wrong, hence their fear."

Qin Yuan remained silent.

Hong Ye and Cui Ming also fell silent.

Finally, they endured until the ritual ended, reaching past noon.

Qin Yuan then said, "Why don’t you all have a vegetarian meal before leaving? It takes quite some time to return to the city now."

Mrs. Dai and others naturally wouldn’t refuse.

Mrs. Xu brought the children over, with a cautious demeanor mixed with flattery.

Gu Baoshu sat beside Qin Yuan, speaking with the Xu Family sparingly.

Mrs. Xu then asked, "Madam, why don’t we see Brother Kang and the others having the vegetarian meal?"

Qin Yuan laughed, "Nanny Rong is accompanying them. They’re young, after kneeling for half a day, they get tired, and dining with the adults makes it difficult for them to eat well."

"Madam truly has a delicate mind, with your care, our maternal family feels at ease."

"These are minor matters, they’re all from the Gu Family, residing in the main house in the mansion, living with the Old Madam, I just assist in minor matters. Sixth Brother needs to observe mourning for three years with the children, it’s only right for me as the aunt to take on more responsibilities."

"Is Sixth Master really going to observe mourning for three years?" Hearing this, Mrs. Dai immediately asked from the neighboring table.

Gu Baoshu replied, "Yes, my Sixth Brother even said he’ll no longer take concubines, wanting to devote himself to painting and poetry, setting an example for the nephews and nieces."

Mrs. Dai sighed, "I didn’t expect Sixth Master to be so affectionate. Speaking of the changes in Sixth Master this year, it’s truly remarkable. Since the Marquis returned, the Marquis Mansion has regained its central figure. I heard even the Emperor praised Sixth Master’s poetry, personally inscribing a banner."

Mrs. Xu hurriedly asked, "What does the banner say?"

Mrs. Dai frowned slightly and said, "Something about horses, it’s meant to encourage Sixth Master’s diligent efforts."

Qin Yuan laughed, "A steed leaps, but can’t jump ten steps; a lame horse rides ten days, and success lies in perseverance. Sixth Brother cherishes it immensely, he invited craftsmen to mount it, wanting to hang it in the study to inspire himself daily. Mother said if he worked so hard earlier, he might have been a top scholar."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xu’s expression soured slightly.

"It’s a pity that our maiden can’t see it."

Implying that no matter how successful Sixth Master Gu becomes, it will have no connection with the Xu Family.

Qin Yuan laughed, "Sixth Master was youthful then, now his heart focuses on the children. If Sixth Sister-in-law knew, she’d likely be happy for Sixth Master. You are the children’s maternal kin, should they have a bright future, your face will also shine."

These words brightened Mrs. Xu’s face, making her quite tempted.

Gu Baoshu then asked, "Third Sister-in-law, is my Sixth Brother really considering taking the imperial examination?"

Qin Yuan replied, "Sixth Brother pursuing fame alone is well, I noticed his paintings improve recently, wanting to pair them with poetic illustrations, with guidance from Mr. Songshan, his studies gradually advancing, never disappointing the Holy Emperor’s expectations."

Gu Baoshu nodded.

Mrs. Dai also marveled, "A saying goes that one can achieve anything with determination, since Sixth Master has set great ambitions, how could he not succeed?"

Mrs. Xu absent-mindedly placed a piece of vegetarian gluten into the child’s bowl.

Qin Yuan said, "Their vegetarian meals here are quite well-made, but after several days, everyone grows tired of them."

Mrs. Xu replied, "Yes."

Qin Yuan added, "If Sixth Sister-in-law’s spirit watches over, surely she’d bless Sixth Brother and the children with academic progress."

Mrs. Xu’s hand trembled.

Gu Baoshu asked, "Are there really spirits of the dead?"

Qin Yuan coldly laughed, "How could there not be. Not fearing cause and effect, regret comes too late. How many people commit bad deeds and live peacefully to old age? Ancient sayings wisely note, it’s not unreported, the time has yet to come. Some reap in their own lives, others upon their children. Hence, don’t scorn the supernatural. Our Marquis could drive away the Yelv Family, surely thanks to ancestral protection."

These words rendered Gu Baoshu compliant.

"Clatter."

Mrs. Xu’s silver-inlaid ebony chopsticks slipped from her hand, striking the plate, then fell to the ground.