Everyone looked over.

Mrs. Xu’s face turned red with embarrassment.

Hong Ye, standing nearby, hurriedly ordered someone to bring new chopsticks.

Gu Baoshu shifted the topic back, saying, "If my third brother can drive away the Yelv Clan, it must be thanks to the divine protection of my father and brothers from the afterlife. I heard from my mother that when my father and brothers died, their eyes didn’t close. Before my third brother went to the Northern Border, he swore before our ancestors, and they must have protected him. The first thing my third brother did upon returning was to offer incense at the ancestral hall. I saw it myself that day, the incense sparked and burst with flowers, our ancestors were surely delighted."

Everyone marveled for a while and shared some peculiar stories they had heard.

Mrs. Xu’s face grew paler.

Mrs. Dai said, "If a nation has dragon spirit protecting it, a family naturally has ancestral protection too. Who dares not believe in spirits and ghosts? As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to believe in these more and more. Some people don’t believe, doing bad deeds thinking no one knows, but heaven is watching. When the time comes, everything will be revealed naturally. I heard from our master that a flower thief caught by the Patrol Camp during a night patrol recently was lost in ghost walls, wandering for half the night, so tired he foamed at the mouth, and when he saw the Patrol Camp people, he confessed himself, saying..."

The young maid handed over the new chopsticks.

Mrs. Xu trembled as she reached for them, nearly dropping them again.

Luckily, Hong Ye was quick to react and steadied her.

Mrs. Dai continued, "He said he was punished by a female ghost in red, wishing to enter prison quickly, repeatedly saying there are mythical beasts guarding the prison gates, and the female ghost can’t enter."

Gu Baoshu said, "That female ghost must be fierce, scaring someone so much they wish to enter prison."

Mrs. Xu couldn’t eat anything.

Mrs. Dai said, "That fierce ghost must have been harmed by that flower thief. Let me tell you, with resentment in your heart, even as a ghost you won’t be at peace; you must reclaim your debts before you can reincarnate."

Mrs. Xu tucked her trembling hands into her sleeves and said to Qin Yuan, "I suddenly have a headache. I’ll go lie down for a bit, and when everyone’s leaving, we can leave together."

Qin Yuan replied with concern, "Mrs. Xu, you just rest. Although the pastries here are made with vegetable oil, they taste quite good. Later, I’ll have them prepare some for you to take along the way to snack on."

Mrs. Xu said gratefully, "You are very thoughtful, thank you for the trouble."

Everyone at the table was enjoying themselves, no one paid attention to her movements.

After Mrs. Xu left, Qin Yuan gave Hong Ye a glance, and Hong Ye immediately approached.

Qin Yuan whispered, "Tell Sixteen to hurry up, the banquet will be over soon."

Hong Ye wasn’t entirely sure but sensed it concerned Mrs. Xu, nodded, and said, "Yes."

Hong Ye went out to call for someone, met with them, and they exchanged awkward smiles.

Suppressing her shyness, Hong Ye relayed Qin Yuan’s message. Gu Shiliu said, "I understand. Let the madam rest assured."

Hong Ye bowed her head and said, "Alright."

Gu Shiliu gave a slight smile, gently touched her hair, and swiftly left.

Only then did Hong Ye dare to lift her head, blushing as she stared at the direction he disappeared, noticing after a while a branch of fragrant osmanthus had been stuck into her hair.

"This guy!"

Hong Ye stomped her foot, but eventually decided not to take it out.

Shortly after, the banquet ended.

All the ladies returned to the meditation rooms to rest, the servants hastily ate the food, prepared the carriages, packed up, ready to set off.

General Jin was already stationed at the temple gate with his men, the host was somewhat flustered, asking someone to report to meet Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan said, "Please let him come in."

The host asked, "Madam, do you know why these soldiers have come here? Should the temple prepare their vegetarian meals?"

Qin Yuan smiled, "No need. Marquis heard that the temple was visited by thieves last night, so he specifically instructed them to escort us back to the city. Host, do not worry, preparing meals would be too busy."

The host breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Even if we prepare, it’s only basic, and can only be served in turns."

Qin Yuan said, "Once back, I will have someone send you extra incense money."

The host thanked her profusely.

Qin Yuan added, "Take this opportunity to refurbish the abandoned courtyards."

The host didn’t understand her intention, pondered, then said, "I will arrange for the Firework Taoist to refurbish them."

Qin Yuan just nodded with a smile, picked up her teacup to see him off.

When Qin Yuan had walked far, General Jin with soldiers surrounded the temple monks, checking their registry, stating the need to clear the bottom mud of the dried-up well, also clean up the collapsed walls. Only then did the host realize the implication of Dingbei Marquis’s wife’s words.

Due to the large number of people, Qin Yuan and others did not leave simultaneously, the men rode ahead, and the family women followed by carriage.

Some did not have carriages, using sedans instead.

Qin Yuan then ordered soldiers and guards to form groups of three or two, escorting on either side to prevent anyone from being isolated and clashed against.

Gu Shiba escorted Qin Yuan’s carriage with guards and healthy servants surrounding it, with soldiers leading the way.

Gu Baoshu grew impatient in the carriage and switched to riding a horse in a riding outfit.

Halfway through, Hong Ye sighed, "If anyone dares offend us now, they must have the heart of a bold leopard."

Cui Ming laughed, "This is the Marquis’s care, also the grandeur Marchioness deserves when traveling. Even if someone harbors ill intentions, seeing this, they naturally wouldn’t use an egg to strike a rock."

Hong Ye pouted, "Under the Emperor’s foot, in broad daylight, who would dare to offend? For misdeeds, it’s better done in secluded places, under the cover of night."

Qin Yuan touched Sister Lan, who was leaning by the carriage window watching the scenery, and asked, "Sister Lan, are you feeling dizzy?"

Sister Lan turned her head and said, "I’m not dizzy. I can lean on the window gap and peek outside. I was too busy crying on the way here. When I grow up, I want to ride a horse like auntie. Right now, I can only watch auntie ride."

Qin Yuan nodded, satisfied.

Suddenly, outside Gu Baoshu screamed, "Who dares to offend Marquis Mansion’s carriage, so bold!"

Qin Yuan hurriedly pulled Sister Lan away from the window and cradled her, patting gently.

Sister Lan was very obedient, silent.

The carriage came to a stop.

Hong Ye asked, "What’s happening?"

Gu Shiba from outside replied, "Madam, a hunter accidentally hit the guards’ horses, sprained his foot, and is slightly injured."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment, handed Sister Lan to Cui Ming, lifted the curtain, and held Hong Ye’s arm to get off the carriage, saying, "I’ll go have a look."

Gu Baoshu atop the horse said, "Third sister-in-law, no need to personally check. Our group of men were coming through, anyone with sight would avoid, yet he charged in himself. It’s not us being oppressive, it’s his own carelessness."

Qin Yuan replied, "It’s nothing, I’ll go see what’s going on."

Gu Shiba and others dismounted, surrounded Qin Yuan, and went to see the hunter lying on the ground.