Qin Yuan’s words struck a chord.

As thieves, they have always divided silver with big scales, drank wine with big bowls, and ate meat with big bites, only seeking momentary pleasure without thinking about the future.

Money is something that comes in through the left hand and goes out through the right hand for them.

It’s really unreasonable to guard the mountain of silver and live like a monk without spending it.

Even if one decides to retire, guarding this mountain of silver for the rest of their lives, it would be prudent to melt down all the silver to remove its markings in one go.

The crowd was deep in thought, and a moment of silence followed.

After a while, Sixth Master Gu expressed his admiration, "Third Sister-in-law, you’re truly knowledgeable and retentive. There’s nothing in this world you don’t know."

Qin Yuan teased him, "Do you mean I know half of what’s in the heavens and all of what’s on earth?"

Old Madam Gu’s expression softened, "Yuan’er is indeed clever. While others can draw three conclusions from one fact, you understand ten from seeing one. No other child would know this, especially about the sheathed silver. If not for hearing Old Marquis mention it, I wouldn’t have known either. The Jurong Treasure Paper Case, the tax silver loss case, are known only to the older generation."

Qin Yuan laughed, "I have nothing else to do; I often browse through my father’s study and read the gazettes from past years. These were sensational cases at the time. Particularly, the Jurong Treasure Paper Case led to countless executions; it was only dozens of miles from the capital, and dead bodies were seen everywhere along the road. It shocked the whole nation, and it was described in the gazettes, so that’s how I know."

Sixth Master Gu was dumbstruck by what he heard.

Marquis Gu let out a deep sigh, speaking with hatred, "Yes, ever since then, the Former Crown Prince was left with a chronic heart condition, and his maternal family was implicated, resulting in none surviving."

The crowd fell silent for another moment.

Previously, one could only lament that the Former Crown Prince was unlucky and the Emperor was too heartless.

Now, who doesn’t understand that the Former Crown Prince was schemed against, and the mastermind is almost in sight?

Old Madam Gu cleared her throat, asking, "Third Son, who do you think did it?"

Marquis Gu looked at his young wife, pausing before he asked, "Yuan’er, what do you think?"

Qin Yuan said indifferently, "This matter happened so long ago; who benefited back then is already clear. Even if they didn’t personally do the deed, they are unlikely to be free from blame."

Marquis Gu gritted his molars, nodding heavily.

Old Madam Gu spoke with a deep voice, "Though this matter happened so many years ago, there’s no need to bring up past grievances anymore, Third Son, focus on the present."

The dead won’t come back to life.

The living must move forward.

That’s the reality.

But the heart remains troubled.

Gu Jinghui stayed quiet.

Old Madam Gu stared at Marquis Gu, as if waiting for an answer.

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "The trees want to be still but the wind won’t stop. I’m afraid even if we don’t bring it up, others will. This person is far-sighted and deep in character. This silver, kept in our family temple, is seemingly unused but a strategic setup for future use."

This setup is buried deeply.

Laid out over ten or twenty years.

Old Madam Gu shivered, her voice trembling, "Are you saying this person wants to destroy the entire Dingbei Marquis Mansion?"

Gu Jinghui slapped the table, saying, "Mother, soldiers come to block, water comes to cover. Now that we’ve recognized this, his initial advantage is ruined; who’ll laugh last is still uncertain."

Old Madam Gu sighed to the heavens, "Oh heavens, hasn’t our Gu Family lost enough lives? I’m old now, and cannot endure further turmoil."

Gu Jinghui replied coldly, "These people will stop at nothing for power; their whole lives are at stake. The victor claims the country, the loser sees their clan extinguished. Since the world measures heroes by victory and defeat, naturally, they won’t care how many lives our Gu Family sacrificed for Daxing or how great our contribution is. Mother, if they can do it, why can’t I?"

"Third Son!" Old Madam Gu sternly said, "Don’t forget your promise to your father!"

Gu Jinghui suddenly stood, pacing in a disordered manner.

He was tall and sturdy, waist slim and shoulders broad, his fury making the whole room feel like a storm was about to break.

"Of course I remember, that’s why I’ve endured until now! When I was chasing the Yelv Clan people, eating wind and sleeping in the open in the Northern Border, swallowing dry rations with snow, almost dying in an ambush on the battlefield, I thought to myself, dying in the Northern Border isn’t a big deal, but I must die for a worthy cause, protect the honor of my Gu Family, preserve the Daxing dynasty. I’ve done it! What I promised my father, I’ve done. Now, I refuse to be cut down without fighting back."

Old Madam Gu looked sorrowful.

Qin Yuan walked over, held the old madam’s hand, gently patting it, "Mother, things will fall into place naturally. The Marquis is a great leader; the lives of so many in the Gu Family, the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, rely on him. The Marquis will act cautiously."

Old Madam Gu looked at the delicate beauty before her.

She sighed softly in her heart.

Such beauty, graceful figure, intelligent and virtuous character, she truly could become an empress.

Why is the third son so worrisome?

Holding Qin Yuan’s small hand, Old Madam Gu smiled, "I love hearing you speak; this stubborn mule can send me off with just one sentence."

Qin Yuan laughed, "What are you joking about, mother; you should live to be a hundred."

"Oh, they always say the Emperor should live ten thousand years, but no Emperor has ever lived to be a hundred. In this lifetime, I only hope to see you and the third with many children, much happiness, then even going underground to meet their father, I’d feel at ease."

Sixth Master Gu bowed his head.

Marquis Gu smiled, "Mother, what kind of talk is that? Doctor Li visits regularly for your pulse; he says you’re doing very well, eating, sleeping well, not letting anything bother you, and will live long."

Qin Yuan was rendered speechless, quickly laughing, "Yes, mother, not only will you see us and the Marquis with many children, much happiness, but also see Brother Kang and Fuguo’er getting wives, having children, see Sister Lan get married. Good days are ahead."

Sixth Master Gu agreed, "Yes, father surely already reincarnated. It’s best for mother to stay and accompany us well."

Old Madam Gu couldn’t help but laugh, "When Sixth Elder suddenly speaks, it’s truly entertaining; if your father hears, he’d probably think he’s hit you too little usually."

Sixth Master Gu looked regretful, "Pity that when I was young, I was too weak and never got a chance to be beaten."

Marquis Gu was annoyed, "Naturally, whenever things went wrong, you shifted blame onto me, I was the one beaten. I said I wouldn’t play with you anymore, yet you always came clinging."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.

Truly, ever since young, Sixth Master Gu always clung to the Marquis.

Seeing the atmosphere had lightened considerably, Marquis Gu asked, "Mother, what do you think of the maidens brought by Sixteen today?"

"Both of them are to be assigned to Yuan’er," Old Madam Gu said decisively, "I have people to use here."

Marquis Gu quickly replied, "Treasure Bead can perform martial arts, she’s not needed; I asked for her specifically from Madam Jin. Since things aren’t peaceful now, it’s best for you to keep one by your side."

Old Madam Gu said leisurely, "No need, I have people to use around me."