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

Chapter 252: Plenty to Keep Busy With

Cui Ming sneered coldly, "Listen to yourself, and see if you believe what you’re saying."

Qin Yuan said, "In that case, hand over the inventory list to Gu Shiliu, and there’s something I just thought of that I need him to verify."

Hong Ye quickly asked, "What is it?"

Qin Yuan furrowed her brows slightly and said slowly, "I have some suspicions; perhaps the deceased isn’t the nanny beside Mrs. Zhao."

Hong Ye and Cui Ming were both shocked.

"Then who is the deceased?"

Qin Yuan sighed and said, "Could it be the real Yang Pozi?"

Hong Ye remained silent for a while.

Cui Ming bowed her head in deep thought.

"Are you as puzzled as I am?"

Hong Ye nodded emphatically.

Qin Yuan continued, "I heard from Xiao Hong that Brother Cheng is close with her, which puzzled me. Every time I went to the main house, I observed those kids closely. Brother Cheng spent so much time in the main house and was only close with Xiao Hong and Nanny Rong, showing he isn’t the type to easily get close to others."

Hong Ye nodded.

"Even after Zihe recovered, Brother Cheng wasn’t particularly close with her, indicating they weren’t close at Fengxuan Pavilion. But why did Brother Cheng suddenly become close with a nanny who guards the gate at night?"

Cui Ming said, "Miss means they might have been close before."

"Exactly."

In her previous life, Qin Yuan climbed from being with Lin Ziqi from the County Magistrate to the Prime Minister’s position, taking many years and witnessing numerous strange and major cases. Hearing Xiao Hong’s words made her ponder further.

Cui Ming continued, "Yang Pozi always guarded at night, was a solitary and eccentric widow, with little interaction with others, and often appeared disheveled and dressed sloppily. Even if she were switched with someone else, she wouldn’t attract too much attention."

Qin Yuan praised, "You’re right. I once heard of a case about a man who was slender and handsome. Since childhood, he dressed as a girl and excelled in needlework and grooming, posing as a female in the boudoir. He harmed many women until being exposed."

Hong Ye thought for a moment and said, "Given this, it’s not impossible."

Qin Yuan said, "For Zhao to go to such lengths, her intentions are not small."

Hong Ye was startled into a cold sweat and said, "I’ll go find Sixteen right away."

She hurriedly went to the outer study room but was stopped by the servant guarding the door, who said coldly, "This is a secure area. How can you enter?"

Hong Ye said, "I’ve been here several times with Madam. Don’t you know? I have urgent business with Gu Shiliu. Can you pass a message for me to see him?"

The servant said, "Gu Shiliu is with the Marquis for important matters. Don’t shout here."

Hong Ye: "..."

Fortunately, Gu Shiliu opened the door and asked, "What’s going on?"

The servant quickly said, "Sixteen Brother, Miss Hong Ye from Madam’s side says she has urgent business with you."

Gu Shiliu took Hong Ye to the corridor and asked, "What’s the matter?"

Hong Ye tossed a scroll into his arms and said, "This is the inventory Madam and we compiled. Take it to the Marquis."

Seeing her face unfavorable, Gu Shiliu smiled and asked, "Are you mad?"

"No."

Hong Ye turned away.

Gu Shiliu said, "This is the outer study room with many confidential documents, generally not allowing others to approach. Even Sixth Master has to wait for clearance to see the Marquis."

"That’s fine, but that gatekeeping servant has no manners and can’t speak well."

Hong Ye couldn’t help but complain.

Gu Shiliu coaxed, "Alright, I’ll talk to him later. He should treat Miss Hong Ye with courtesy."

Hong Ye laughed, "Am I a petty person?"

Gu Shiliu: "..."

Marquis Gu suddenly coughed a few times.

Gu Shiliu was about to leave when Hong Ye added, "Wait, Madam has a message for you to relay."

"Tell me."

Gu Shiliu did not dare delay.

Hong Ye whispered to him.

Gu Shiliu stood blankly for a moment, then suddenly smiled brightly and said, "So that’s it, Madam is indeed brilliant."

He then hurried back to the study room.

"Look at how anxious he is," Hong Ye hummed a tune while heading back to Wutong Garden, where more account books awaited her.

About half an hour later, Marquis Gu also returned to Wutong Garden.

Qin Yuan was rummaging through boxes and cabinets looking for something as Marquis Gu entered and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Didn’t we agree to visit Brother Qi and his mother? There are some dark-colored materials in the dowry, which at my age I have no use for and if kept, they would invite moths. It’s better to give them to Seventh Brother’s mother. Additionally, I had some liver-soothing and eye-brightening incense prepared before but can’t seem to find it now."

Marquis Gu expressed sincerely, "Thank you for organizing these for me. They have beaten Brother Qi, and while many people don’t voice it, they feel quite unfair. Later, seeing Brother Qi and his mother well cared for, things improved. Sixteen says he heard many praising us behind our backs."

Qin Yuan smiled, "If they knew Marquis spent thousands of silver to treat Brother Qi’s mother’s eyes, who knows how they’d praise us."

"She deserves it," Marquis Gu said, "No wonder the elders say to accumulate virtue and do good deeds. We care for Brother Qi and his mother, it’s just a handy action, why rate it a major achievement? And his family men have all gone to war, leaving only Brother Qi."

He spoke with a sense of pity.

Qin Yuan recognized he was thinking about himself and pretended not to know, "Marquis, you’d better copy the confidential documents quickly and send them to the palace. I’ve been writing them most of the night."

"Alright, alright, I’ll do it right away."

dismissing his despondency, Gu Jinghui quickly went to the desk and earnestly copied.

When he finished and had them sealed and sent to Weiyang Palace, it was time for lunch.

Qin Yuan watched as maids set out the meal and was about to invite him to eat together when Gu Shiliu rushed over, exchanged a few whispers, and they both left Wutong Garden. Before leaving, they only had time to instruct Qin Yuan to eat alone and mentioned Brother Qi was waiting for him.

Hong Ye curiously asked, "What’s going on?"

Qin Yuan didn’t mind, "Sixteen must have received an important message, and since he isn’t here, let’s eat together."

The three of them dined together, setting aside two portions to be sent to the outer study room by Hong Mian.

Hong Mian returned, saying, "Stopped outside by the guarding servant, the food box has been left."

After Qin Yuan’s afternoon nap, the Old Madam sent someone to bring a message for her to have dinner in the main house.

Qiujie, who delivered the message, was asked by Hong Ye, "Is there a reason?"

Qiujie laughed, "Old Madam read the new poetry collection by Sixth Master and praised it highly, wanting to set a family banquet and invite the Marquis and Madam. Old Madam will cover the expenses."

Qin Yuan teased, "Why not wait until they open the mansion and then we can eat more from the Old Madam’s private fund? Isn’t one small kitchen meal too little reward for Sixth Master’s achievement? I object."

Qiujie laughed heartily, "Madam don’t worry, Old Madam says there will be a grand banquet later. Sixth Master says he’ll organize a poetry club, and Old Madam suggests holding it in the Marquis Mansion gardens. Madam will have plenty to do."