Hong Ye hurriedly said, "Miss, this matter was started by that little vixen Hong Mian, Cui Ming gave me the idea, but I didn’t do anything."

Cui Ming smiled and said, "Miss, instead of letting others earn the money, why don’t we all share in it?"

"How do we share in it?"

Cui Ming said, "Watch me."

Cui Ming went outside to call Hong Mian over to talk under the window. After whispering for a while, they came back in with smiles and said, "It’s settled. With the silver we win from the bet, let’s each contribute a little. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, we’ll set up a separate banquet in Wutong Garden and enjoy ourselves together."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "That sounds fine. I’ll contribute some money too, and you can all enjoy yourselves."

Hong Ye said, "What about the Marquis and Miss..."

Cui Ming tugged at her and said, "Don’t be so dull. The Marquis and Miss will naturally have plans that day, so we’ll take the day off to relax."

Hong Ye realized and said, "That’s true. On Mid-Autumn night, Miss might even go out to watch the streets."

She thought for a moment and said, "Why don’t we reschedule the banquet? This year, the Empress Dowager’s birthday and Mid-Autumn Festival are close together. Every household will light lamps, not to mention the shops and markets. I heard Ranxiang Inn has made a big incense burner lamp that’s fragrant and beautiful."

Upon hearing about the lanterns, Qin Yuan immediately thought of the fire at the Hostage Mansion and hurriedly said, "You can decide for yourselves, but let’s quickly establish a plan on how to prevent another Zhurong incident."

Hong Ye said, "This morning, I consulted with Steward Qian, Housekeeper Han, and Housekeeper Cao. They all said that when the mansion was first built, several large water storage pools were dug. The water is changed every season. Over the years, with fewer residents and less usage, they haven’t been maintained. Seeing the Hostage Mansion burn like that, it’s better to activate them quickly."

Qin Yuan nodded.

"You just need to have a plan in place."

Just as they were speaking, a servant outside announced, "Madam, the Chief Historian from Prince Qi Mansion has arrived, requesting to see Madam."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Have him sit and wait in the outer hall."

The servant responded and left.

Qin Yuan got up and said, "Prince Qi’s matter must be almost settled. He’s here to deliver news. Hong Ye, hurry back and fetch the white jade box I’ve sealed. Cui Ming, come with me to the outer hall."

Hong Ye hurried back to Wutong Garden to retrieve the box.

The business yard was right next to the second door, and the Chief Historian from Prince Qi Mansion was soon led to the outer hall.

A young maid quickly came to serve tea, and Housekeeper Cao stood to the side with a respectful attitude.

The Chief Historian thought to himself that Dingbei Marquis’s wife has established proper decorum—indeed, she has some ability.

No wonder Marquis Gu entrusts all household matters to her.

Then came the sound of footsteps accompanied by the jingling of ornaments, prompting the Chief Historian to hastily stand up.

Sure enough, Qin Yuan came out with a maid.

The Chief Historian glanced over, feeling overwhelmed by her beauty, quickly lowering his head and not daring to look directly.

After exchanging courtesies, they sat down as guest and host. After a few polite words, the Chief Historian said, "Marchioness, His Highness Prince Qi instructed me to deliver a message. The matter he previously promised you has been successfully accomplished. Recently, the Yelv Family has been inquiring about prices. If Madame wants to stock up, quick action is needed to avoid letting efforts go to waste."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Thank you, Lord Chief Historian, for the message. Please extend my gratitude to His Highness Prince Qi. If His Highness trusts me, perhaps after the Mid-Autumn Festival, he might consider buying some as well."

After a pause, she added, "Let the Yelv Family inquire about prices; it’s no problem."

The Chief Historian replied respectfully, "I will be sure to convey that."

Qin Yuan clapped her hands.

A young maid entered from outside, presenting a white jade box.

Qin Yuan gestured for the maid to place the box on the table next to the Chief Historian.

"Lord Chief Historian, inside are the incense pills sent by His Highness Prince Qi, which I’ve resealed with wax. I’ve also tried creating a few more; please have His Highness Prince Qi try them."

The Chief Historian showed a look of joy and said, "Thank you, Marchioness."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "Whether it’s effective is yet to be known. If His Highness finds it suitable, I will present the incense recipe. If it’s not right, I’ll have to adjust it again."

When the Chief Historian heard the first part, his expression remained pleasant.

Upon hearing the latter part, his expression darkened slightly.

By the end, he was relieved once again.

The fact that there was no mention of finding someone more skilled suggested that Marchioness still had more to offer.

The Chief Historian quickly smiled, tucked the box into his sleeve, and took his leave, saying, "I will hurry back to report to His Highness Prince Qi."

Qin Yuan then had Housekeeper Cao see him off.

Housekeeper Cao escorted the Chief Historian to the mansion gate, where the Chief Historian sighed and said, "For such a young lady to be able to create incense. Do you know Prince Qi has been searching for this incense for years? Many have said it’s impossible to meet His Highness’s demands."

Housekeeper Cao beamed with pride and said, "The Chief Historian isn’t aware, but even Manager Leng from Ranxiang Inn says that the Marchioness’s ability to blend incense far surpasses his own. Recently, the popular incense pills sold at Ranxiang Inn are all based on the Marchioness’s recipes."

The Chief Historian exclaimed, "The Marquis is fortunate indeed."

Housekeeper Cao added, "Because of the smallpox quarantine in the past, the entire mansion used incense created by the Marchioness to fumigate clothing, and a doctor from Renhe Hall was invited. That’s why our mansion had no casualties."

The Chief Historian was astonished and said, "Smallpox is such a dangerous disease."

Housekeeper Cao added, "When the mansion handled the affairs for the Sixth Madam’s funeral, it was all arranged by the Marchioness. Everyone in the clan respects her greatly. They all say the Marchioness is this."

As he spoke, he gestured a thumbs-up.

The Chief Historian sighed, "Extraordinarily talented, extraordinarily talented. It’s truly a pity."

"What’s a pity?" Housekeeper Cao became discontent.

He was praising the Marchioness to highlight how well-matched she is with the Marquis.

And now he says it’s a pity?

Can’t he speak properly?!

The Chief Historian was startled and quickly realized, promptly saying, "It’s a pity the Marchioness isn’t entering the palace as a concubine."

Housekeeper Cao’s expression finally improved a bit, but he couldn’t say anything outright disrespectful, so he awkwardly laughed and replied, "Everyone has their own aspirations."

The Chief Historian quickly nodded.

After seeing him off, Housekeeper Cao grumbled, "Turns out he’s thick-headed."

Housekeeper Han grumbled in dissatisfaction, "Why do you keep praising the Marchioness outside for no reason?"

Housekeeper Cao inquired, "What’s wrong?"

Housekeeper Han whispered, "I heard that the other day at the Imperial College, the Holy Emperor remarked that if he had known Lord Sacrificial Officer’s family had such a wonderful daughter, he would’ve married her off to the Crown Prince early on. The Marquis was very displeased and even questioned Sixteen about why the Holy Emperor wants everything beautiful for his son. Isn’t being a Marchioness better than entering the Eastern Palace as a concubine or the like?"

Housekeeper Cao quickly asked, "Then what did Sixteen respond?"

Housekeeper Han replied, "How could Sixteen respond? If the Crown Prince ascends the throne, a concubine might even become Empress. But would Sixteen dare say that?"

"Haha," Housekeeper Cao said, "that kid Sixteen is really crafty. Let me tell you, last night I noticed that the boxes they brought back were no fewer than this number. I asked him about it, and he dodged my questions. From what the Marchioness said today, I reckon she’s aware of it too."