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

Chapter 238: Sons of the Xu Family

Qin Yuan heard them whispering softly, her hand trembled, and a drop of ink fell onto the snow-white paper.

She placed the wolf hair brush on the pen stand and turned to look at the Ru kiln flower vase on the table.

The vase was filled with peonies, adding vivid colors to the room. The fragrance of peonies was originally fresh and elegant, distant and lingering, but when combined together, it was rich and intoxicating.

Seeing her put down the pen, Hong Ye said, "The accounts have been tallied all day today, and there are no mistakes. Sun Accountant has been extremely meticulous. Miss, would you like to check a few places when you have time?"

Hong Ye didn’t believe there was no problem with Sun Accountant’s accounts but couldn’t find anything, so she sought Qin Yuan’s help.

Cui Ming said, "Sun Accountant is a seasoned old accountant, and such high monthly stipends are not given for nothing."

Hong Ye snorted and said, "Perhaps I didn’t learn well enough, that’s why I couldn’t find any trickery. If even Miss can’t see it, I’ll give up then."

Qin Yuan smiled.

Hong Ye’s personality was such that if she didn’t find any error in Sun Accountant’s work, she wouldn’t give up.

"Alright, let’s wait until tomorrow. I have some things to think over right now."

Hong Ye then added more tea for her and brought over a plate of fruit, "Even if Miss doesn’t eat, the aroma is good."

After finishing, she and Cui Ming grouped together to examine the books.

Qin Yuan picked up a peony, carefully tracing the layered petals with her fingers, but her thoughts had already drifted far.

In the past life, she managed the household affairs of the Prime Minister’s Mansion very well, mainly because Lin Ziqi only had an old mother and no other siblings, sparing many in-law disputes. As long as she controlled the concubines and mistresses in the villa, peace could be maintained.

The Qin Family, despite being a major clan, had already declined. After her father married Mrs. Cui, they stayed in the Capital City for a long time and only returned to the hometown to live with clan members during mourning periods.

At that time, she was still young, and adult matters didn’t affect her.

Returning to the Capital City, occasionally clan members would come to seek asylum, but naturally, no waves were stirred.

Qin Yuan slowly placed the peony back, thoughtfully contemplating that today’s incident should serve as a caution, and more meticulous actions should be taken in the future.

Sixth Madam Gu might choose to abandon herself to adversity, but her good days were just beginning.

The next day, Sixth Madam Gu was in much better spirits.

Nanny Zhao said happily, "Doctor Wang is indeed skilled; Madam should rest well and worry less, and soon you’ll recover."

Sixth Madam Gu also felt somewhat better.

Thinking about the pepper capital placed with her brother, she was even more unsettled.

"Good," Sixth Madam Gu nodded with more vigor than the previous days, "A good teacher makes a fine student; the Dean’s apprentice is quite capable too. After the opening of the mansion, I will find a way to invite the Dean for a visit."

Nanny Zhao agreed and then switched the topic, saying, "This calming incense is truly excellent; the old servant slept soundly last night while keeping watch, unaware of when Madam got up."

Sixth Madam Gu said, "This incense is wonderful. When calming incense was burned too much in the past, I’d feel fatigued on waking, and my mind would be somewhat foggy. Though I slept lightly last night and woke once or twice, I fell back asleep soon and didn’t get up. Now my mind feels very clear."

Nanny Zhao hurriedly said, "Madam must take good care of yourself. Sixth Master and Old Madam are concerned about you. I heard from Sixth Master that the two young masters often inquire about family matters at the Imperial College, wishing they could return sooner."

Sixth Madam Gu felt a bit more spirited and said, "I also want to accompany the children as they grow. It’s been so long without seeing them, and they’ve been staying at the Imperial College. I wonder if they’ve been bullied or if they are eating well, or when we can open the mansion."

Nanny Zhao was no longer worried about when the mansion could be opened as long as Sixth Madam Gu was willing to take medicine and her health could improve.

Once the mansion was opened, troubles would certainly follow.

Thinking about the Xu family causing trouble, Nanny Zhao frowned.

Marquis Gu was the same.

Gu Shiba had investigated a lot about the Xu family’s actions these days.

The Xu family’s title was downgraded and inherited, and their sons and grandsons hadn’t achieved any significant military merits. By Mr. Xu’s generation, if no accidents happen, this would be the last generation to enjoy the title’s stipend.

The Xu family had many sons, and government positions in the Capital City were hard to find, so they mingled with the riffraff daily, with some working leisurely at the theater and some colluding with those who engage in cockfighting, dog fighting, and betting on crickets, inciting others to gamble and pocket a share.

Many officials from outside provinces brought clans and relatives to dwell in the city when they came to serve, and even after leaving office, their descendants remained in the Capital City instead of returning to their hometowns. Although the Xu family sons weren’t involved in proper activities, they could decently manage by connecting with these officials and playing and gambling.

"Why doesn’t Mr. Xu try to find a way in the Military Department and Patrol Camp for his descendants?"

Gu Jinghui wondered.

Gu Shiliu glanced at the wooden-faced Sixth Master Gu sitting beside him and said, "Now the Xu family only has Mr. Xu with a government position, and with so many sons, living in the Capital City isn’t easy. I heard that many couldn’t afford to buy homes and had to marry merchant’s daughters, and some even entered as live-in sons-in-law."

Sixth Master Gu’s face turned even colder.

Gu Jinghui said, "So marrying merchants in previous generations has reduced the connections needed for finding jobs?"

Gu Shiliu said, "Mainly because the Xu family wants to keep the title, they naturally won’t let their sons go and work as small officials in the government. They’ve gotten used to the comfortable life in the Capital City and are unwilling to endure hardships on the battlefield. The Military Department and Patrol Camp aren’t easy to enter; many people are watching for opportunities, and only when vacancies appear do those spots become available, with countless people competing for each."

Gu Jinghui glanced at Sixth Master Gu and said, "Unfortunately, our Marquis Mansion’s connection isn’t really helpful."

Dingbei Marquis Mansion is renowned, but only two Gu Family sons survived, with Gu Jinghui stationed long-term at the Northern Border, and Sixth Master Gu unable to wield weapons due to his weak constitution, lacking any connections in the Capital City.

Speaking of which, Mr. Xu hasn’t really leveraged the Gu family’s influence.

Sixth Master Gu said indignantly, "Mrs. Xu indeed moved quite a bit of silver to her family, and Mother turns a blind eye as if unaware, but I’m well aware of it."

Gu Jinghui remained silent.

A wise official cannot settle family disputes; let the Sixth Brother handle his and his wife’s issues themselves. His young wife is still waiting for him to give in.

Gu Shiliu said, "Once the next generation of Xu family loses the title, their actions are much more unrestrained compared to previous generations, and that’s where I feel the trouble lies."

"What do you mean?" Gu Jinghui frowned.

Gu Shiliu said, "Many sons of the Xu family are still working as touts in casinos, helping to gather customers, and I’ve heard they’re secretly engaging in usurious loans."

Gu Jinghui was nonchalant; those rumors were something Hong Ye had already investigated and matched what Gu Shiba said.

Sixth Master Gu said disdainfully, "The Xu family truly is falling apart, even involving themselves with casinos."

Gu Jinghui then admonished his brother, "More frightening than that is usurious loans."

Sixth Master Gu indeed didn’t understand, looking up with confused, tender eyes, asking, "What are usurious loans?"