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

Chapter 276: We’ll Talk About It If It Happens

Seeing the situation, Qin Yuan knew that the siblings had come to an agreement. She quietly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Would you prefer me to step out, sir?"

Mr. Xu replied, "There’s no need, I intend to ask in the presence of the Madam."

Qin Yuan said, "That’s good. I only found out about this after the measles outbreak sealed the courtyard, and I still don’t know what really happened."

Sixth Master Gu finally spoke, "I only heard from the nanny passing the message that Zhenzhen went to Yu Yuantang and asked if I had seen her, only then did I know Zhenzhen was missing. As for what happened, I am completely unaware. Reporting to the authorities would simply be saying that a young lady of the house is missing."

Nanny Zhao steeled her heart and said, "No need for this old servant to elaborate on how Zhenzhen came to the mansion. After entering the mansion, Zhenzhen often took a seat in the Madam’s courtyard, because she admired the talents of the Madam’s cousin. This betrothal is not easily realized, and Zhenzhen thought to have an encounter with him at Yu Yuantang, hoping for a romantic tale between a scholar and a beautiful woman."

"So she mentioned this in front of the Sixth Madam the day before and the Sixth Madam teased her, saying did she want to marry into a scholar’s family? Zhenzhen worried that Sixth Master would not approve and wanted to reach Yu Yuantang before him."

"That morning, the young lady had already shown signs of measles, then Qin fell ill too. Sixth Madam first invoked the Measles Goddess, then invited an Imperial Physician. The mansion was a mess due to Lady Zhao’s matter, and a Magistrate was called in to resolve it. Sixth Madam completely forgot about this, assuming that Zhenzhen, being just a girl, wouldn’t dare leave. It wasn’t until the next day when she didn’t appear that a nanny was sent to check, only to find Zhenzhen hadn’t returned. The house was in such disarray that no one noticed Zhenzhen and her maid were not in the mansion."

She spoke rapidly, like beans spilling out of a bamboo tube.

Her words completely absolved the Sixth Madam.

Yet left Zhenzhen branded with a reputation for elopement.

Mr. Xu’s forehead veins were throbbing, his fists clenched on his knees.

Mrs. Xu wept softly, "You old servant, following the lady, forgot you are also a servant of the Xu family, to concoct such stories about my Zhenzhen."

Nanny Zhao knelt on the ground with a thud, pointing to the sky swearing, "If I’m speaking falsehoods, let me be struck by lightning and die miserably."

"Enough," Mr. Xu said, "Now, the maid accompanying her is also missing. She left the mansion but didn’t reach Yu Yuantang, perhaps taken by human traffickers. If she was visiting someone else, she would have returned by now, without a word, she might be gone."

Mrs. Xu cried out loud.

The other women accompanied her with tears.

Having been gone for so long, either she’s deceased, fallen into disreputable places, or been abducted, not knowing where she’s been sold to as a wife or concubine.

Qin Yuan felt compassion.

Though not fond of Xu Zhen, she didn’t wish her such fate, but that day was indeed too coincidental.

Sixth Master Gu couldn’t bear to listen further, searching for words to comfort them, said, "The murder in the mansion happened to coincide with Zhenzhen’s disappearance. Both matters have been reported to the Magistrate, and perhaps the government can find Zhenzhen’s whereabouts. We might as well light more incense in the temples and make offerings. Zhenzhen is blessed and will surely return safely."

No one responded to his words.

After sitting in silence for a while, Mr. Xu and Mrs. Xu collected themselves, wiped their tears, and left the Sixth Madam’s courtyard heading to the front hall.

Qin Yuan instructed Hong Ye, "Prepare a feast for more than twenty people and send it to the front hall."

Hong Ye asked, "The Xu family is like this, do they still drink wine?"

Qin Yuan replied, "The matter of Zhenzhen has been long past, and the Xu family has their calculations. Besides, grievances should be resolved, not deepened. A drink could settle discussion, making future interactions smoother."

Hong Ye went on her way.

When Qin Yuan returned to the front hall, she saw Mr. Xu sitting with his head lowered alone, while Gu Jinghui was chatting lively with the sons of the Xu family.

The Xu family, originally from a military background, all know some martial arts, though they’ve never been to war, these are just fancy moves without genuine combat experience.

Gu Jinghui talked about martial arts techniques with them and quickly became familiar.

Sixth Master Gu, unable to join in, remained silent with a smile.

No one in the Xu family seemed willing to engage with him either.

Clearly, not only did the Xu family look down on the Sixth Master, but he also looked down on them.

After a pause, Mr. Xu went to speak with Marquis Gu, "Marquis, if I offended you earlier, please forgive me."

Marquis Gu, who had been speaking with others, turned his face at the words, and said, "It’s no bother, we’re family, we share prosperity and loss, and won’t let such matters disturb our peace."

Mr. Xu’s voice trembled slightly, "My poor Zhenzhen."

Marquis Gu immediately assured him, "Earlier, due to the measles outbreak, the guards were also confined within the mansion, unable to search far. The Marquis Mansion will add more manpower, rest assured. However..."

Mr. Xu hurriedly asked, "However what?"

Marquis Gu looked steadily at him and said, "I’ve heard that the Xu family’s sons are very influential in the city, perhaps they could gather information even more conveniently than us. Please, have them help in the search as well."

Mr. Xu looked a little uncomfortable, "Naturally."

Marquis Gu said, "If we work together, we shall find Zhenzhen."

Mr. Xu sighed, "Let’s hope so."

Housekeeper Han came briskly from outside, bent down, and said, "Marquis, Madam, the feast is ready, shall we start now?"

Marquis Gu was taken aback, then looked at Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "After leaving the Sixth Madam’s courtyard earlier, I had the arrangements made. Now that the matters have been clarified, the Xu family came early, we can’t let them leave hungry. Why not have a banquet here, divide the seats, and drink and talk?"

Marquis Gu then said to Mr. Xu, "Prepared some simple refreshments, let’s all sit and talk?"

Mr. Xu, wishing to establish a rapport, nodded in agreement.

Qin Yuan instructed to set up screens, separating seats for men and women.

Servants and maids entered in a line, rearranged tables and chairs, and set up the banquet.

Gu Jinghui apologized, "It’s a bit rushed today, we have some simple fare, no entertainment. Let’s just chat freely."

Mr. Xu said, "Thank you for the hospitality, Marquis, next time we’ll visit for some opera."

Through the screens, Qin Yuan conversed with Mrs. Xu and the others in a friendly manner, ensuring the hosts and guests enjoyed themselves.

Nothing like the headache-inducing chaos of last time.

They did not mention going to greet Old Madam Gu, and Qin Yuan did not bring it up, silently agreeing to let the matter go.

Afterwards, Mr. Xu had drunk too much, at the mansion’s gate, still holding onto Marquis Gu’s hand, asked, "What memorial did you submit to the Emperor? Many officials in the Capital City asked me, saying the Emperor praised you and wants to give you an important position to evaluate all the officials in the Capital, remember to rate me well then."

Marquis Gu said, "No such thing, no such thing."

Mr. Xu continued, "What if there is?"

Marquis Gu responded, "We’ll talk if it happens."

Mr. Xu, still persistent due to the wine, continued asking, "You still didn’t say what memorial you submitted?"