Marquis Gu said, "Go on, tell us, so Mother and I can deliberate over it."

Seeing her son like this, Old Madam Gu also held back the words she was about to say.

Qin Yuan carefully expressed her concerns once again.

Old Madam Gu sighed, "Your father-in-law truly knows how to raise a daughter. For someone so young to have such foresight is truly rare. Tomorrow, I shall invite the elders of the clan to discuss this together. Since the Marquis Mansion is contributing funds and efforts, we should naturally secure some benefits for our descendants."

Gu Jinghui said, "Mother, there’s no need to be in such a hurry. Yuan’er hasn’t even worked out a plan yet."

Old Madam Gu glared, "What do you know? Such a significant matter, with so many people and opinions in the clan, cannot be decided in one or two discussions. Let Yuan’er tend to the affairs of the mansion, and I’ll deal with these old folks outside."

Perhaps having a new idea, Old Madam Gu appeared more spirited.

Gu Jinghui observed this and felt even more grateful to Qin Yuan.

He then said, "Alright, I won’t say more. Mother and Yuan’er, you decide as you see fit. I’ll just find a way to squeeze money out of the Yelv Clan. The thought that the Gu family’s legacy is built on the silver of wild mules makes me happy enough to eat a few more bowls of rice."

Old Madam Gu smirked, "You can eat as much as you want here, there’s plenty."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Mother may jest with words, but inside, she’s blooming with joy."

Old Madam Gu chuckled, "With you here, I have to give him some face, or I would’ve slapped him already. All he knows is eating; others might think this Marquis was appointed through gluttony."

Nanny Rong and others came in to serve again, seeing Old Madam Gu significantly uplifted, Nanny Rong felt at ease.

When the meal was served, with her son and daughter-in-law accompanying her, Old Madam Gu ate half a bowl more rice than during the day.

As Nanny Rong escorted them out the door, she quietly advised, "Madam, visit Old Madam to chat and lift her spirits more often. This old servant has noticed she’s improved greatly."

Qin Yuan laughed, "Isn’t it all thanks to Nanny soothing Old Madam? I just reaped the benefits."

Nanny Rong smiled, "Madam, your silver tongue is truly endearing. Our Old Madam is truly lucky to have such a good daughter-in-law as you."

Marquis Gu held Qin Yuan’s hand and laughed, "I am fortunate too."

Nanny Rong nodded, clicking her tongue, "Indeed, things wouldn’t get done without you. My dear Marquis."

After returning to Wutong Garden, the couple sat down by the window again.

Qin Yuan picked up the embroidery hoop and stitched a few threads, while Marquis Gu rested his head and watched, idly commenting, "Why do I feel like Mother and Nanny Rong are both criticizing me because of you?"

Qin Yuan laughed, "Mother and Nanny Rong are the most impartial. If they act this way, you must not be doing well. Go reflect on your own."

Marquis Gu clicked his tongue, "Oh dear, you seem to be all puffed out with pride."

Qin Yuan asked curiously, "Then what do you want?"

Marquis Gu hesitated, somewhat sourly saying, "What can I do? You’ve won over everyone in the mansion. Everyone sings your praises. What can I do? I’ll just be happy and proud of you."

"That’s great if you truly think so," Qin Yuan, bored of putting on an act, put down her embroidery hoop, poking his head as she said, "Today I thought Sister-in-law Cheng would come to see me, but she didn’t. I asked you how things are at home. Yesterday, Doctor Li told Old Lady Qi that the mansion is in utter chaos."

"What’s happened now?" Gu Jinghui straightened up, asking in surprise, "Gu Jingcheng is so busy at the Five Cities Military Department that his feet don’t touch the ground. There’s only an old concubine at home. Who else could cause trouble?"

Just after speaking, Gu Jinghui realized.

He hesitated, "...Is it Brother Cheng and Sister Yu?"

Qin Yuan nodded, "Those two are on a hunger strike. You promised to send them to the Imperial College and later wanted to invite Mr. Songshan. Mr. Songshan suggested they learn martial arts. They’ve been causing a ruckus at home, saying Sister-in-law Cheng’s family fostered them only to curry favor with the Marquis Mansion, and not out of genuine love. It’s all a mess, and they refuse to eat no matter who tries to appease them."

Gu Jinghui’s face darkened.

"How have they become so unruly?"

If this disturbance unsettles Gu Jingcheng’s household, how could they settle them in the future?

Qin Yuan said, "Old Lady Qi passed on a message through Doctor Li, saying it’s due to that Fake Yang’s instigation. Are they in allegiance with Yelv Guza, and have those Yelv Clan members confessed anything?"

"They’re all tough nuts to crack, refusing to confess regardless of beatings. One even bit his tongue to commit suicide."

After speaking, Marquis Gu glanced at Qin Yuan, worried she’d find it too gruesome. Unexpectedly, Qin Yuan frowned and said, "These Yelv Clan members aside, that nanny only spoke a few words. Don’t you find Mrs. Zhao’s identity quite unusual? And what’s the background of Pang Hai? We can’t find a trace. I suspect the Yelv Clan might be placing undue importance on these two children."

Gu Jinghui pondered, "You mean to say..."

Though he harbored doubts, he dared not make such assumptions.

But having Qin Yuan voice it, he could no longer avoid the thought.

Qin Yuan calmly stated, "You previously kept them next door, hoping to lure out Mrs. Zhao. Look at what’s happened now; not only did you draw out several Yelv Clan members, but also Yelv Guza and his valiant subordinates."

And Mrs. Zhao still hasn’t shown herself.

Gu Jinghui couldn’t sit still, immediately getting up, "I’ll go interrogate Yelv Xianyong again. He’s considered a hero within the Yelv Clan, straightforward in nature..."

Before he finished, Qin Yuan sneered, "Then you’d better ask him properly why he broke into the family temple one night and posed as a hunter to disrupt my procession the next day."

Marquis Gu accompanied her laughter, "Yes, I was thinking the same, wanting to humiliate him. He committed such acts, foolishly got caught by you, and feels so humiliated he won’t even drink water."

"Does he intend to die of thirst or hunger?"

Gu Jinghui replied, "His character... I must say, he’s excessively rigid. Yelv Guza’s uncle admired his bravery and gave his beloved daughter in marriage to him. The girl, finding him too ugly, was perpetually sad and soon died. He was mocked for this and was later recruited by Yelv Guza. He vowed to achieve greatness in life, to let the world know that although he’s ugly, he is still a man of great virtue."

Qin Yuan laughed, "He’s indeed unfortunate, losing to you on the battlefield and falling into my trap yesterday. It’s no wonder he’s so frustrated."

Gu Jinghui said, "Mr. Songshan has just taught me the art of managing people. You scholars sure have many cunning tricks. I’ll test it on him today."

Qin Yuan blinked curiously, getting closer to ask, "What did he say?"

Unable to resist, Gu Jinghui covered her mesmerizing eyes with one hand, held her slender waist with the other, and admonished softly, "Don’t act spoiled, speak properly."