Qin Yuan said softly, "The living miss their loved ones, always wishing they could rest in peace in the afterlife. Being reborn into the same family must have taken countless years of bonds; how could one just let go easily?"

Doctor Li’s eyes turned slightly red, and he turned his head aside, sighing, "Truly, if you aren’t family, you don’t enter the same door. You and Marquis Gu are indeed kindred spirits. However, the world is always full of sorrowful people and sorrowful affairs. People live in suffering. It’s essential for the living to first take care of themselves."

Qin Yuan snorted softly and did not respond further.

After he finished writing the prescription, he asked, "Why didn’t you bring Xiao Dong today?"

"How could he not come? As soon as he entered the mansion, he went to find Sixth Master Gu to talk about painting, and he probably wants to ride a horse too."

Qin Yuan said earnestly, "Since the master has prescribed medicine, why not sit a while in Wutong Garden? There are some things I wish to consult with the master."

Doctor Li hesitated, "Aren’t you supposed to stay here and keep watch?"

As a daughter-in-law, if her mother-in-law is unwell, how can she not stay close by?

"I will stop by Gu Mansion next door to check Old Lady Qi’s eyes, and after that, I’ll go to Wutong Garden."

Qin Yuan nodded, "I’ve already lit the calming incense for the Old Madam. Once she wakes up tomorrow, she should be better after taking some liver-soothing, mood-relieving, and heart-nourishing medicine. We can talk again after you’re done with your tasks."

Only then did Doctor Li nod in satisfaction.

Qin Yuan summoned Qiujie and instructed her on the details of decocting the medicine. She then said to Nanny Rong, "The Old Madam’s crying outburst is actually good. Releasing it this way won’t leave too much burden on her heart. I have lit the soul-soothing incense, and she might sleep until tomorrow."

Nanny Rong said, "Your incense works very well. With a good night’s sleep, once the Old Madam uses Doctor Li’s medicine tomorrow, she will surely feel better."

Qin Yuan replied, "It should be so, but let’s not mention it to anyone, as bringing it up again might make the Old Madam cry once more."

Gu Baoshu said, "Then I’ll keep mother company. I’m the best at making her happy."

Nanny Rong quickly said, "Seventh Miss need not stay. Tomorrow let Brother Kang and the others keep her company. They are better at cheering people up than you are. Children have many things to do. The Old Madam might forget her sorrows just by worrying about them."

"That’s for the best."

Gu Baoshu did not insist.

Qin Yuan gave Nanny Rong a curious glance.

When it comes to causing trouble, even three children together couldn’t match Gu Baoshu.

Nanny Rong just smiled at her.

Qin Yuan said, "I just returned to the mansion; there are probably many matters accumulated over the past few days."

Nanny Rong interrupted her and said, "I was just about to say, since you returned from the family temple and after being frightened, you must be exhausted. We are tending to the Old Madam here, so neither you nor Seventh Miss must worry."

Qin Yuan smiled and nodded, "Then I’ll trouble you, Nanny Rong."

Gu Baoshu said, "I’m quite strong and honestly not very tired. I have nothing to do, so why not..."

"Seventh Miss, hurry back. Didn’t you say you have to get up early tomorrow to learn martial arts with the Marquis?"

Nanny Rong urged her to leave quickly.

Gu Baoshu exclaimed, "Oh dear, how could I have forgotten that?"

"You can’t forget, Gu Family’s martial arts can’t be taught by outsiders. They’ve never been passed down to daughters before."

Nanny Rong looked quite serious.

Gu Baoshu became solemn too, "Alright, Nanny Rong, don’t worry. I will certainly study hard."

"Seventh Miss was raised under my care, I know how clever you are. As long as you put your heart into it, even the Marquis will be impressed."

With such praise from Nanny Rong, Gu Baoshu became quite pleased, puffing out her small chest, "Of course. I will get up early tomorrow to show my third brother what I’m capable of."

"I will look forward to it," said Nanny Rong.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, "Little Sister Baozhu, with enough practice, even an iron rod can be ground into a needle. If you keep practicing like this every day, how could you not defeat those Yelv people?"

"Exactly!"

Gu Baoshu extended her thumb, waving it in front of Qin Yuan’s face, "You understand me well. Once I’ve mastered the Gu Family’s ancestral martial arts, I’ll definitely defeat the Yelv Clan thoroughly, leaving them begging for mercy."

The way she looked so spirited seemed like she was already envisioning herself ruling over all.

Qin Yuan barely managed to stifle her laughter.

Now she understood how Gu Baoshu’s personality was cultivated.

When Qin Yuan returned to Wutong Garden, quite a few housekeepers and stewards were already waiting in the yard to report.

"For routine affairs, let Cui Ming and Hong Ye handle them; report the others to me," she said.

Upon hearing this, everyone naturally divided into groups.

Being absent from the mansion for three days, there weren’t many matters requiring Qin Yuan’s decision, mostly related to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

After making decisions one by one, she said, "Tomorrow, I intend to evaluate the accountants and select the best to become the chief accountant. Should you have any recommendations of individuals who are capable with excellent character, you may put them forward to me. If chosen, the referrer will be rewarded. But if the selected person makes a mistake, there will also be consequences."

Everyone laughed and said, "We must think this through carefully, can’t choose another Sun Accountant."

Qin Yuan nodded, "Accounting must be well-managed, but the integrity of the person is equally important. With so much money passing through, if they were to meddle with it, how could we manage then? Though our mansion isn’t short of money, we can never tolerate such matters. Handling finances is serious business that has led many astray, just like Housekeeper Zhang who has lost so much face despite his many years. Regret at this point is too late."

"Madam is right. Those of us working for the Marquis Mansion and our masters are loyal and tied to them in our hearts and lives. As the masters remember our loyalty, we must also cherish our own dignity."

Everyone recognized that Qin Yuan’s words were a gentle warning, but all respected her.

Qin Yuan continued, "I know I’m young, and inevitably I might have shortcomings. But I have a merit: everyone is the same to me, without distinction of closeness or distance. As long as you work hard, I will be fair and just."

Everyone hastily replied, "Madam, although young, you handle affairs very well, and none of us have complaints. Having stayed in the mansion for a long time, living comfortably, one tends to grow complacent. It’s good to have a bit of rectification from you."

Qin Yuan said, "You’ve all worked hard these days. Once the chief accountant is selected, it’s also time to distribute the moon-viewing bonus. You can have a good festival."

Hearing this, everyone was beaming with joy, surrounding her for quite a while in conversation.

Once they had all dispersed, Qin Yuan sat quietly in the hall drinking tea, waiting.

Not long after, Doctor Li was led in by a servant girl, carrying his medicine box on his back.

Qin Yuan quickly stood up, personally poured tea, and with a smile said, "Master, please sit."

Doctor Li, looking wary, said, "What’s this all about? Seeing you like this, I feel like you’re up to something big."

Qin Yuan laughed, "The older the ginger, the spicier. There is indeed a big matter that requires your advice, Master."

Doctor Li placed his medicine box down, sat in the Taishi chair, crossed his legs, and said lazily, "No matter how big the matter, it has to wait until I finish this cup of Cloud Mist Tea. I spent half the day seeing patients at Gu Mansion without a single good sip of tea."