My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 175: You’re Thinking Far Ahead

Qin Yuan rose, walked to the dressing table and sat down, gesturing for Cui Ming to comb her hair.

Cui Ming immediately came over, lightly removing the hairpins, while glancing at Qin Yuan’s reflection in the mirror, hesitating as if pondering whether to say something for Hong Ye to perhaps add to.

Qin Yuan said, "You’re right, but matters like having children can’t be rushed. We might as well first think about how to manage the household finances well and how to handle my dowry after the house opens."

Not even in the room yet, still saying having children can’t be rushed.

The feeling of being fooled, Hong Ye: "..."

But she couldn’t say anything more.

Once the house opens, the young lady surely can’t keep refusing to consummate the marriage with the Marquis.

If this topic continued, it would likely anger the young lady.

Hong Ye’s eyes darted, and she said, "Miss, why don’t we take a closer look at the accounts from previous years? Some things are one way when imagined, and another when seen. Having them in hand is more convenient than scrambling later?"

Cui Ming found it strange and asked, "Hong Ye, didn’t the young lady say there wasn’t a need for a detailed calculation? Why bring it up again?"

Hong Ye looked at Qin Yuan but responded to Cui Ming, "The young lady just wants the Old Madam to see how much the Sixth Madam has embezzled, but exactly how much Sixth Madam embezzled can only be guessed. Why doesn’t the young lady simply calculate the accounts clearly? Anyway, the house can’t open immediately, and many matters are spared, now both the front and back yards are under the young lady’s control, it’s the right time to look at the account books. As the saying goes, if you miss this village, there won’t be another inn; if the young lady wants to look later, it may not be convenient."

Cui Ming took the comb and carefully combed Qin Yuan’s hair, saying, "You have a point, but bringing out all the account books from previous years for checking might lead others to think our young lady is deliberately opposing Sixth Madam."

Moreover, the household accountant isn’t easy to deal with.

But Cui Ming swallowed this comment and didn’t mention it.

Yet what she didn’t mention, Hong Ye had to bring up.

Hong Ye said, "That Sun Accountant might have some tricks up his sleeve too. Last time, Hong Mian went to record the Jade Beauty Cream account, Sun Accountant wanted to ask the Sixth Madam’s opinion, and Hong Mian, the fiery one, cursed him good. Finally, Housekeeper Cao made the decision to record it."

This, Qin Yuan also remembered.

Hong Ye continued, "I heard Sixteen mention that last time when printing poems for Sixth Master, Sun Accountant challenged Shen Changle, giving him a hard time, and wouldn’t acknowledge the list that Sixth Master wrote. In the end, Sixteen had to find the Marquis to stamp his seal, only then getting the silver note; Shen Changle almost got trapped in the house."

Qin Yuan frowned, asking, "How come you never mentioned this to me?"

Hong Ye replied, "I’ve been so busy lately, I forgot about it. Miss, do you know what Sun Accountant challenged Shen Changle about?"

"What?"

Hong Ye said, "He questioned why Sixth Master’s poetry collection was to be printed by your dowry store instead of a bookshop, implying something fishy, and Sixteen’s explanations fell on deaf ears. I think he’s just Sixth Madam’s dog, barking at the young lady’s people."

Qin Yuan glanced at Hong Ye in the mirror, laughing, "Tell the truth, why do you insist on having me check the accounts of previous years? Just a grudge against Sun Accountant? If it’s only him, then only check the outer courtyard’s accounts."

Hong Ye chuckled, "Miss is indeed perceptive, truly nothing escapes you."

Cui Ming was silent.

Qin Yuan said, "I’m too familiar with you, any oddity from you I could see. I’m sure Cui Ming saw it clearly too."

Cui Ming smiled, "Actually, at first, I didn’t notice."

Hong Ye exclaimed, "Then when did you start noticing?"

Cui Ming laughed, "When you exaggerated about Sun Accountant, that’s when I felt something was off, and the young lady pointed it out."

Hong Ye said, "Alright, can’t hide anything from you two bright minds. Frankly speaking, I’m just thinking, if the young lady has a child, then only Sixth Madam will have a use for it, and the household finances will fall to her again. Better to verify the accounts so she won’t dare to start anything, so the young lady can safely carry and give birth."

Cui Ming held back words.

Qin Yuan laughed, "You do have long-term thinking."

Hong Ye said proudly, "I just thought of it, for the young lady, I’m willing to exhaust all my efforts without complaints. Can you see my wholehearted loyalty?"

Qin Yuan, half-smiling, asked, "Is that all you thought?"

Hong Ye hesitated, "And there’s that Sun Accountant and Sixth Madam’s alliance, both Sixteen and I find him annoying, why can’t we investigate his accounts?"

If you have power, use it, before it expires.

Once you miss this village, there won’t be another inn.

Sorting out people you dislike isn’t that much, is it?!

Qin Yuan said, "I’m tired, let’s tidy up and rest."

Cui Ming turned and made a funny face at Hong Ye.

By saying this, Qin Yuan implied that was the end of the topic.

Hong Ye was a bit disappointed but soon felt better, tidying up the bed, while Cui Ming set the incense balls, waiting for Qin Yuan to retire.

Qin Yuan changed into sleepwear and lay in bed, suddenly saying, "That Sun Accountant really deserves checking."

Hong Ye laughed, "Hehehe."

Qin Yuan said, "Go to sleep now, you figure out how to find fault with Sun Accountant. If you can’t, you bear the consequences."

Hong Ye shut her mouth, said nothing more.

The next morning, after washing up, Qin Yuan asked, "Has breakfast been picked up?"

Hong Ye replied, "Today, we have milk buns, fish porridge, and vegetarian buns from our small kitchen. We only picked up some dumplings and pickles for breakfast."

Qin Yuan said, "Pack more in the food box, later go to the outer courtyard to dine with the Marquis."

Hong Ye couldn’t stop grinning.

Qin Yuan was too lazy to look at her, avoiding the sight to spare the annoyance.

Cui Ming nudged Hong Ye gently, whispering, "Take it easy, don’t embarrass the young lady."

Hong Ye: "Hehe, yes, hehe."

Cui Ming shook her head, sending her off to pack the food box.

Qin Yuan went with them to the outer courtyard. Outside the study, the servant was still on guard, and upon seeing them, he immediately said, "Madam, the Marquis is handling some matters..."

Before he finished, Gu Shiliu arrived cheerfully, saying, "Madam here to dine with the Marquis? The Marquis is inside."

Qin Yuan asked, "Are you discussing serious matters? Don’t delay for me, the small kitchen at Wutong Garden still has dishes, you and the Marquis enjoy these leisurely."

Saying this, she signaled Hong Ye to pass the food box to Gu Shiliu.

Gu Shiliu waved, "No, no, Madam arrived just in time, the matters are dealt with already, I’ll dine with Sixth Master."

Gu Jinghui called inside, "Invite Madam in quickly."

Gu Shiliu said, "Madam, you heard, the Marquis invites you in,"

He added quietly, "The Marquis didn’t rest much last night, just right to eat breakfast and rest a while."

Qin Yuan nodded.

Gu Shiliu sighed with relief, quickly heading to Sixth Master Gu’s side.