"The Hostage Mansion was established in an abandoned house. It was said that the family who lived there before was executed for their crimes, and everyone considered it unlucky. Just as Yelv Zhi arrived without a place to stay, the Ministry of Revenue assigned it as the Hostage Mansion. The surrounding neighbors weren’t closely connected with them; they only heard the shoutings and scuffles but didn’t dare to come out and see. They only came out to put out the fire when it started for fear it would affect them. When the Ministry of Industry handed over the house initially, they rushed the construction, and the garden inside was left unattended. The Yelv Clan doesn’t know how to maintain it either, leaving dead branches and fallen leaves everywhere. The fire burned it thoroughly; after last night’s big fire, there was a layer of black ash inside. It’ll cost a lot to clean up now."

Hong Ye gestured animatedly as if she had experienced it herself last night.

Cui Ming just laughed.

Qin Yuan said, "You have really gathered information thoroughly."

Feeling proud inside, Hong Ye modestly replied, "Oh, not really, I just heard bits of this from chatting with Housekeeper Cao and Housekeeper Han."

"And also from Sixteen,"

Cui Ming added leisurely.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle.

Hong Ye straightforwardly said, "Yes, also from Sixteen. I happened to meet them when they came back, all dusty-faced. Sixteen lost an eyebrow trying to put out the fire. Don’t you have an excellent ointment, Miss? Send some over to them."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Oh, my, do you think there’s anything good here that you don’t know about? Go ahead and send it over directly, why bother telling me?"

Hong Ye said, "If I took it without saying, wouldn’t that make me a thief?"

Qin Yuan said, "Now that they’re back, having worked through the night, is food ready from the kitchen? Make sure they don’t go to sleep on an empty stomach."

Hong Ye said, "I’ve arranged everything. The Marquis is in great spirits; he went to the front yard to watch the Seventh Miss practice martial arts before going for his morning duties. He changed his clothes in the study to avoid disturbing you."

Qin Yuan nodded.

It was another busy morning; after handling the daily affairs, Mrs. Cai and others lingered without explicitly stating their business. Qin Yuan asked, "Do you have something to say, mothers?"

Mrs. Cai smiled, "This old servant wishes to recommend someone for the chief accountant position, but... I have some concerns."

"What are you worried about?"

Mrs. Cai hesitantly said, "That person is somewhat related to me."

"Appointing the worthy should not avoid relatives. Besides, recommending someone comes with rewards, but doing poorly would also result in shared punishment."

With Qin Yuan’s words, Mrs. Cai made up her mind.

"Everyone in this mansion has served for many years, and if you trace it back, they are somewhat related. The person I wish to recommend has excellent character, so there’s no fear of him dragging us down."

Hearing this, Qin Yuan slightly raised her eyebrows, having guessed who Mrs. Cai intended to recommend.

"Go ahead and tell me. Whether he has the skill to manage accounts, we will know once tested, but his character is in everyone’s sight."

Mrs. Cai smiled, "Since you’ve said so, I’m bold enough to speak. He originally managed account division under Sun Accountant, working diligently, which everyone has seen. His family has managed finances for their master on the battlefield for generations. Growing up, he was unhealthy, so he didn’t go. Now that he’s better, he started working here. He’s diligent and doesn’t argue with others. His brother passed away, leaving children, so he’s been taking care of his nephew and niece."

Qin Yuan smiled, "Is this man surnamed Wan?"

Mrs. Cai replied joyfully, "I didn’t know you were aware of him."

Qin Yuan said, "Someone has recommended him to me before."

Mrs. Cai cheerfully said, "See, everyone thinks highly of him. I knew I wasn’t wrong, not just because he’s my relative."

Qin Yuan considered, "Indeed, when recommending to me, it’s all for the good of the Marquis Mansion. If he were incompetent, he’d cause problems for others."

Mrs. Cai nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, that’s exactly it."

Next, a few others also came to recommend candidates, mentioning Wan Accountant several times, as well as an accountant surnamed Cui and one surnamed Jiang.

Qin Yuan noted all of this and inquired about their reasons for recommendation. After understanding, she said, "I’ve noted all your comments. Each has strengths, but whether they are suitable can only be determined after testing."

Everyone felt that their opinions were acknowledged by Qin Yuan and said with a smile, "That’s only natural. We only suggest; the master must assess comprehensively to decide."

Some were curious and privately asked, "How will she test them?"

"Maybe the Marquis invited an experienced accountant to check the accounts?"

"Perhaps she’ll give them a problem to solve."

Miss Hong Mian passed by and snorted, "What do you know? Our mistress is amazing; she’ll surely test herself."

Some older servants, not liking her attitude, sneered, "Even if Miss Hong Mian is favored recently, speak appropriately. The madam is still young; she’d need at least ten years to understand accounting thoroughly. Besides, can she really do arithmetic? Even if she can, she wouldn’t compete against an accountant."

Hong Mian grumpily stretched out her palm, "Dare to swear on it? If madam tests personally, then your month’s pay is mine."

"And if you lose?"

"Then my month’s pay is yours!"

A peacemaker said, "Alright, she’s just a kid, doesn’t even have all her feathers, and you take her seriously."

Then said to Hong Mian, "With the madam’s noble status, why would she compete with accountants? Calm down."

But Hong Mian wasn’t appeased.

"I just asked if you dare to bet. Madam is the daughter of Lord Sacrificial Officer, very learned."

"Fine, let’s bet!"

Both swore with a clap.

Hong Mian, grinning with joy, said, "Mrs. Wang, the madam takes care of us; this month’s double pay, don’t forget."

Mrs. Wang smiled, "Don’t cry later, little one."

"I’m just worried you’ll forget after all, everyone bear witness, and I’m willing to take seven shares of the silver to treat everyone to a banquet."

Hong Mian pulled everyone to witness immediately.

Hearing about double pay made everyone happy, and the offer of a banquet added to the joy. Folks were too delighted by the spectacle to worry and egged on Mrs. Wang.

Mrs. Wang said, "I’m not one to lose face either; offering a feast with borrowed flowers is a pleasure for me too."

Hong Ye, having overheard, ran back to Qin Yuan and said, "Oh my, Hong Mian hit the jackpot!"

She clicked her tongue repeatedly.

Such a good chance to make money went to Hong Mian.

Cui Ming said, "I have an idea. Tell her that the madam hasn’t agreed to double pay yet, and for saying it prematurely, she should be fined. You deserve at least half of the winning."

Unable to hold back, Qin Yuan complained, "I’m still sitting here. It seems you all are so idle you use me in your little money-making schemes."