"I don’t believe Sister-in-law Cheng wouldn’t even give you a good cup of tea."

Qin Yuan teased with a smile.

"Oh," Doctor Li straightened his body, "You don’t know, their adopted son and daughter are quite a handful. They don’t have many servants in the house, so it’s hard to manage. I went over and didn’t even see the Family Head, just checked Old Lady Qi’s eyes."

Qin Yuan immediately became alert and asked, "What are Brother Cheng and Sister Yu up to?"

"Old Lady Qi said it’s all stirred up by that nanny around Brother Cheng. He’s causing a fuss wanting to be an Advanced Scholar, unwilling to practice martial arts. Brother Cheng also mentioned that back at the Marquis Mansion, Marquis had promised he could go to the Imperial College, then said it wasn’t possible, yet they would hire him and his sister the best tutor. But unexpectedly, coming to his house, they wanted to switch to martial arts. He also said..."

Doctor Li glanced at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan laughed, "Old Lady Qi would only want to send a message through me, what could be unspeakable?"

Doctor Li sighed, "Raising someone else’s children has this disadvantage. The kids are naive, and with someone instigating in between, they end up saying things that hurt people’s feelings. Brother Cheng said his sister has always studied with the ladies of the Marquis Mansion, but now not even a dedicated female tutor is hired. Obviously, they were coaxed by the benefits of the Marquis Mansion at first, not sincerely wanting to adopt them, and the two little ones are now causing a hunger strike."

"A hunger strike?"

Qin Yuan was annoyed, got up, walked a couple of steps, then stopped and said, "Sister-in-law Cheng and I went to the family temple, and she didn’t mention a word to me, obviously because we weren’t in the mansion. Didn’t Marquis say to stay in the mansion and watch over them properly, this is how it’s done?"

Doctor Li laughed, "Heh heh."

"Exactly, what is your Marquis doing? You ought to punish him well. How to punish him?"

He stroked his sparse beard, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes like chrysanthemums, "Just punish him by making him kneel on a washboard in front of the bed."

After speaking, he laughed triumphantly.

It’s as if Marquis Gu was kneeling in front of him, pleading for mercy.

Qin Yuan sat down and said coquettishly, "Master, please don’t joke."

"Alright, alright. Alright."

Doctor Li became serious, picked up the tea on the table, drank it all, indeed somewhat thirsty.

Qin Yuan poured a second cup.

Doctor Li cleared his throat, "Speak then, what’s the matter?"

Qin Yuan seemed somewhat hesitant, made up her mind after a while, and slowly said, "Master, you’re aware of my mother’s family’s circumstances, my mother is gone, does my mother’s family still have anyone?"

Doctor Li suddenly began coughing.

It took a while before he stopped coughing, his voice hoarse, "You just live your life well, why are you asking about these things?"

Qin Yuan stared into his eyes and said, "All of Old Madam’s grandsons are around her serving, mentioning the deceased Fourth Master, they cry like this. My mother was always unhappy in the Qin family, I watched her like that since I was young, and it made me sad too. Moreover, my mother’s dowry has Chen family’s medical books, and I wish to find Chen family’s descendants to pass them on, not let them break."

Doctor Li’s eyes flickered, he reached for the teacup again.

Qin Yuan taps her fingers on the table lightly.

"Before, I had no ability to attend to many things, so I had to bury this matter in my heart. Now that I have the ability to protect myself, I wish to fulfill my mother’s wish."

In her previous life, she exhausted all means but found nothing, and did not find Chen family’s descendants.

This life, she does not want to leave regrets.

"Master, please tell me."

Doctor Li felt uncomfortable, "You, this girl, only knows how to nag. Your mother being from the Chen family isn’t even known by anyone, how would I know? You have just married in for not even a year, and you say you can protect yourself."

He quickly glanced around, lowered his voice and said, "You should hurry up and have a child, truly secure your place, then talk about it. You have skills, what to do I won’t say much, but I as your master must point out a few things: In this world, whether it’s husband and wife, father and son, friends, or ruler and minister, initially, things are good, but they do not always remain good."

Qin Yuan felt a mix of emotions in her heart.

These words were also mentioned by Doctor Li in her previous life.

At that time, she had done everything for Lin Ziqi, and their love was harmonious.

Unfortunately, although it began well, the ending was bleak.

Seeing Qin Yuan not speaking, Doctor Li felt saying those words was a bit demoralizing.

Anyone who’s flourishing would find it hard to accept being poured with cold water.

Doctor Li hurriedly tried to mend.

"I know you are sincere. But Marquis is busy with the major affairs of the Capital Inspection. I’ve heard many officials in court are trying to get close to him. Crown Prince is often sick, Prince Qi is Former Crown Prince’s full brother, King Jin and King Qishan are already grown up, and Marquis holding military power, countless eyes are watching him. You should manage things well in the mansion, don’t be impatient, when the time comes, you will naturally meet. For now, endure patiently."

His reaction was exactly in Qin Yuan’s expectation.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Master’s words, I’ve noted down. If Master doesn’t genuinely care for me, why say such things, if I don’t understand, wouldn’t I waste your efforts? However, Master, think about it, I’m newly wed with Marquis, if I wish to inquire about Chen family’s matters, or settle Chen family’s descendants, Marquis would surely agree."

Doctor Li held the teacup, stirred the tea leaves, but didn’t drink, just stared at the clear yellow-green surface.

Qin Yuan remained silent.

Doctor Li thought for a moment, looked up at Qin Yuan, and solemnly said, "This is a major affair, don’t rush, let me think it through before I speak."

Paused, then continued, "I still say this, manage well. Old Madam Gu is broad-minded and won’t make things difficult for others, Marquis values and trusts you, that’s your good fortune. You must cherish it, never become arrogant thinking you are destined for this. Initially won’t face much, but fortune has highs and lows, when your luck is high all will be smooth, but when it is low you must endure cautiously. Arrogance makes enduring difficult."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Doctor Li added, "As your master, I wish to see you live the rest of your life peacefully. Chen family matters have long past, and it involves court secrets, you..."

Putting down the teacup before saying more.

Xiao Dong, like a racing horse, burst in covered in dust, startling both of them.

The voice of the maid reporting just followed behind, "Madam, Xiao Dong is here."

"What sort of panic is this!"

Doctor Li blew his beard, glared.

Qin Yuan wondered, "Xiao Dong, did you go to the training ground to ride? What’s the matter?"

Xiao Dong hurriedly grabbed Doctor Li’s sleeve and said, "The situation is urgent, I can’t explain much, Master please come with me quickly. Marquis is about to beat that Yelv Clan man to death, Sixteen said this mustn’t happen. But Sixteen couldn’t persuade Marquis, so I rushed here to find Master."

Doctor Li’s body felt heavy, unwilling to move, "...Huh? This, this, if Marquis Gu truly beats him to death, I can’t bring him back alive."