The opportunity for the Yelv Clan to stir up trouble was nipped in the bud.

At the very least, it can bring stability to Daxing for several more decades.

She hadn’t lived in vain after all.

As for the future... The rise and fall of a dynasty have their own fate, which is not something she needs to consider.

Gu Jinghui put down his bowl and chopsticks and asked, "By the way, why did Princess Fuyun come today?"

Qin Yuan sighed and said, "She wants to meet with Young Master Nantang."

"?" Gu Jinghui was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

Qin Yuan put down her bowl and chopsticks.

"I had to tell her that Young Master Nantang is reclusive and doesn’t like seeing people. Ever since he pointed out some poetry to my cousin, he said he doesn’t want to see anyone else this year."

Gu Jinghui snorted with laughter, looking at her.

Qin Yuan said, "If you have something to say, just say it."

Gu Jinghui chuckled, "Could it be that she’s taken a fancy to Young Master Nantang? You really do attract people."

A wife so beautiful and talented should really be kept hidden.

Thankfully her reputation wasn’t well-known in her maiden days, otherwise, how could he have gotten such a treasure?

Mr. Songshan wasn’t wrong; it seems he truly is blessed with fortune.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh and cry.

When it comes to others, Marquis Gu sees clearly.

How come he becomes muddled when it’s about himself?

"You really are clever."

Qin Yuan mocked him, then sighed, "Had I known, I should have called him Mr. Nantang. People would certainly think I was about the same age as Mr. Songshan and wouldn’t ask around so much."

Mr. Songshan writes much better poetry than she does, yet no one comes to inquire about him.

Clearly, it’s because of the title.

"That’s why they say the old articles hold no value; the world loves young men."

Marquis Gu chimed in.

"Oh, how come you..."

Marquis Gu laughed, "Interacting daily with those civil servants from the six departments, I picked up things here and there."

Qin Yuan nodded.

The saying that proximity to vermilion makes you red and proximity to ink makes you black certainly holds true. Marquis Gu’s interactions with civil servants have naturally made him more scholarly.

"Since you sit there guarding the house, why not take some books over to read? Otherwise, when Father asks in a few days, how will you respond?"

Marquis Gu hurriedly changed the subject and looked at Qin Yuan expectantly with his dark, bright eyes, speaking gently, "Dear Yuan’er, I didn’t sleep a wink last night. It’s hard to sleep in the office, so now would be a good time to rest. Won’t you join me?"

Qin Yuan glanced at the hourglass in the corner and said, "Let’s rest together; it’s already midday nap time."

The two changed clothes and lay face to face on the bed.

Marquis Gu stretched out his long arms to pull her into his embrace, inhaling the faint fragrance from her hair, and soon fell asleep.

But Qin Yuan couldn’t sleep.

Accompanied by his deep and steady breathing, her thoughts wandered from this to that.

She barely managed a light nap before Hong Ye knocked on the door outside, saying, "Madam... It’s time to get up; the accountants are waiting in the council courtyard."

Qin Yuan quickly got up and said, "Come in and help me with my hair."

After a while, Cui Ming came in.

Qin Yuan knew Hong Ye was avoiding Marquis Gu, so she smiled and said, "Husband, aren’t you going on duty this afternoon?"

Marquis Gu also got up, casually put on his outer coat, leaned against the headboard lazily watching her, and said, "Too lazy to go; there’s someone watching over it. I’ll go with you."

Qin Yuan quickly said, "We’re only looking at account books and doing abacus calculations. I’m afraid you’ll find it boring if you come. Mr. Songshan is bored, why don’t you have him tell you stories?"

Gu Jinghui still insisted, "No problem, we need to finalize the chief accountant and the housekeeper of the inner courtyard today. Besides... we must also discuss the matters of Sun Accountant and Housekeeper Zhang. Didn’t Mr. Songshan say that the inner residence should be managed like the court, with regular cleaning and rewards and punishments?"

Qin Yuan suddenly understood.

He was thinking about helping her make an example out of someone.

"Alright, let’s go together."

When the couple appeared together, the previously noisy courtyard fell silent.

Sitting in a corner, Housekeeper Cao couldn’t help nudging Housekeeper Han.

Housekeeper Han didn’t respond, but his eyes were full of amusement.

Everyone was already seated at this time, with ink, brushes, paper, ink stones, and abacuses set up on the table. After standing up to pay their respects, they sat back down and got straight to business.

Hong Ye announced the examination rules, requiring them to review the distributed account books within the designated time frame.

After finishing, Hong Mian handed out a stack of account books one by one.

Marquis Gu leaned over and whispered, "Are these account books all old accounts from the Marquis Mansion?"

Qin Yuan smiled and shook her head, "They’re all from my dowry shop."

These were the skewed accounts the shopkeepers used to fool her, full of errors, making them perfect for an initial test.

Once everyone had received the account books, Hong Ye lit incense on the main table and called out, "Please complete the task within three incense sticks."

Soon, all that could be heard was the clacking sound of abacus beads.

By the time three incense sticks burned out, two-thirds had finished their review.

Hong Ye looked at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan nodded.

Hong Ye said, "Those who have finished, please point out the issues in the ledgers one by one."

Thus, one-third of the accountants were eliminated.

Among the remaining ones, a few were disqualified due to careless mistakes.

Qin Yuan said, "Next, everyone please review the ledgers again within three incense sticks."

Hong Mian redistributed another stack of account books.

These were the ledgers that Manager Wu had sent to the Marquis Mansion the second time, cleverly concealed, but still showing flaws.

The remaining individuals were well-prepared, knowing this was the final assessment.

Qin Yuan said, "This time, please show your skills and report whatever you find."

The several remaining were puzzled, exchanging glances, seemingly not understanding.

But seeing that Hong Ye had already lit the incense, they couldn’t dwell on it and buried their heads to review the accounts.

After the incense burned out, only one person remained looking at the account book.

Hong Ye approached and whispered, "It’s that Wan Accountant."

He was a pale, beardless, thin man, wearing a bamboo-green robe with frayed cuffs, hair sparse and slightly yellow, tied with a bamboo green headscarf.

He appeared frail, indeed looking like someone who had just recovered from a severe illness.

Qin Yuan paused, then said, "Oh... let them each say what they found."

Hong Ye breathed a sigh of relief.

Gu Jinghui then said, "A breeze might just blow him over; can he manage?"

Qin Yuan laughed, "He’s not required to go into battle; you shouldn’t judge by appearance, Marquis."

Marquis Gu chuckled, "Alright, I want to see what this Wan Accountant is truly capable of."

The accountants took turns expressing their views on the account books, commenting on the errors and fraudulent methods.

Qin Yuan listened attentively, nodding slightly from time to time.

Housekeeper Cao quietly asked Housekeeper Han, "These accountants are all about the same; perhaps the madam will need another round to decide?"

Housekeeper Han said, "Don’t rush, Wan Accountant hasn’t spoken yet."

Housekeeper Cao sighed, "We’re all outsiders, only feeling that Wan Accountant has an upright character, recommending him to the madam. However, earlier, among all these people, he was the slowest, not even finishing the account book."