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

Chapter 280: Prince Qi Inquires About the Incense

Manager Leng first went to the main room, greeted Old Madam Gu and Nanny Rong, and overheard praises about Qin Yuan’s competence, already aware of her abilities.

Seeing her modest words, he smiled and said, "Madam, you are too humble. I have heard that recently you have managed the Marquis Mansion like a fortress. The Old Madam mentioned that the peace in the mansion is all thanks to you. Regarding the matters of the shop, rest assured, Madam. Just as I was dedicated before, I will be even more dedicated in the future. If there are any tasks, just let me know."

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "With your assurance, I can be at ease."

After a brief conversation, Manager Leng and Manager Wu took their leave together.

Along the way, Manager Wu flattered him and learned quite a bit about business management.

He was not familiar with the Marquis Mansion, so he just followed Manager Leng. Just as they were engaged in pleasant conversation, Manager Leng suddenly stopped, pulled him aside to the roadside, and bowed deeply.

Manager Wu caught a glimpse of a handsome, ethereal young man being escorted by a group of people.

"Who is that?"

Manager Wu couldn’t help but ask.

"That is Prince Qi, likely here to visit the Marquis," Manager Leng explained, then added, "We should have taken the side entrance. I thought of taking the opportunity to pay respects to the Marquis and Sixth Master, but we unexpectedly ran into him here. I suppose it’s inconvenient for Sixth Master, so we won’t go."

Manager Wu was just following him, so he followed him out of the Marquis Mansion as well.

"I seem to have seen Manager Leng from Ranxiang Inn just now; what’s he doing in the Marquis Mansion?"

Prince Qi, after passing by, tilted his head and inquired of Marquis Gu, who was welcoming him.

Marquis Gu casually replied, "He probably came to pay respects to the household, or perhaps Madam had some matters to discuss with him."

One of Prince Qi’s attendants whispered from the side, "Ranxiang Inn is a property of the Marquis Mansion. Since the mansion’s unsealing, Manager Leng must have come to discuss matters about the shop."

Prince Qi was surprised: "So Ranxiang Inn is your business, Third Brother?"

Marquis Gu responded, "I usually don’t involve myself in such matters, they’re managed by Madam now. Manager Leng is the son-in-law of the old nanny by my mother’s side, so he often visits the mansion."

Prince Qi found it curious. Marquis Gu was usually known for his aloof and straightforward demeanor, always referring to Old Madam Gu as ’mother’ in public, yet now he was addressing her as ’mom.’

The two spoke as they entered the hall in the outer courtyard, sitting down as host and guest.

Sixth Master Gu, upon receiving word, also came to pay his respects to Prince Qi, sat briefly, then left, leaving the two to speak privately.

A servant served tea, fashionable fruits, and pastries, then stood outside the door with Prince Qi’s guards.

Prince Qi and Gu Jinghui exchanged a few pleasantries, then asked, "Third Brother, do you know why I have come to see you?"

Gu Jinghui, with a wooden face, inquired, "Why?"

He had no desire to be entangled with Prince Qi, yet the black-hearted Prince Qi wouldn’t let go of him.

There was no avoiding it, though he held some grievances in his heart.

Prince Qi smiled and said, "Third Brother, do not worry, today I came, and on another day, the other brothers will also come."

"Oh?"

Gu Jinghui was somewhat surprised.

Prince Qi picked up the teacup, gently lifting its lid, glanced at the tea leaves within, and said lightly, "Good tea, but not well brewed. Third Brother, you have indeed become somewhat coarse these days."

Gu Jinghui said irritably, "At the Northern Border, I often had to chew on dry food with melted snow water. If there was wine, I wouldn’t opt for tea. It’s long been unlike the refined days in the Capital. Not like you all, sitting idle in grand residences, having the leisure to care about such things."

Prince Qi put down the teacup, also sighed.

"Back then, Third Brother was the foremost among the Four Gentlemen of the Capital, the dream gentleman of many maidens in inner chambers."

With a simple sentence, Gu Jinghui’s eyebrows arched, and he said coldly, "Did Prince Qi come just to talk about this with this Marquis? The past is too far gone; this Marquis doesn’t even want to mention it."

Mentioning the past is but a heavy burden.

That past buried his youthful pride, buried many unspeakable struggles, the blood and tears of so many in the Gu Family.

To relieve it, blood and tears must be paid.

Prince Qi, with his good-naturedness, said: "I was merely following Third Brother’s words, sighing a bit. My sister talks about you every day. I thought, since you’ve guarded the Northern Border for so many years, returned with a full beard, obscuring your facial features. Now that you’re married and have groomed yourself, you remind me of the companion you were in the palace, though more mature and composed, still the enchanting gentleman."

Marquis Gu let out a snort through his nose.

Prince Qi said, "This time, the Emperor has delayed issuing the memorial you submitted, only saying that with you, Third Brother, the realm will be stable. Additionally, due to dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince’s marriage, he has been frequently finding fault with the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers on the court these days, and now he’s talking about a Capital Inspection. Third Brother, do you know who the Emperor has in mind to oversee this Capital Inspection?"

Marquis Gu then realized the reason for the Emperor’s anger and, understanding it, replied, "I do not know."

Prince Qi laughed and said, "It’s you, Third Brother."

Marquis Gu laughed, "Nonsense, do not speak such absurdities. How could it possibly be me? I’m a military general, having been away from the court for so many years, I’ve only just returned, spending all available time in the Great Camp."

"If you’re curious about what I wrote in my memorial, it was merely about recent matters in the household, also offering the epidemic prevention recipe we purchased. Believe it or not, the Emperor will release it sooner or later, then you can see the dispatch. Many have been asking me these days, and I’ve always answered the same."

Prince Qi, with a smile brimming in his eyes, said, "What are you saying, Third Brother? Would I not trust you? Have you considered that precisely because you have been away from the court for years and are a military general, the Emperor has set his eyes on you?"

Gu Jinghui, greatly shocked, said, "How could I know about civil servants’ matters? Isn’t this the jurisdiction of the Imperial Censorate and Ministry of Personnel?"

Prince Qi replied, "Perhaps the Emperor is reassured by this."

Gu Jinghui: "..."

Without allowing him further thought, Prince Qi continued, "I’ve come mainly to let you know that the Emperor has such a plan. Soon enough, the appointment will be announced. I and a few other brothers have officials with whom we are acquainted; they will soon come to see you."

They naturally came to Gu Jinghui to plead for their faction’s officials.

Gu Jinghui felt quite bothered.

Prince Qi, feeling parched, disdainfully sipped some tea and said, "This is both a bad task and a good one. Whether it’s good or bad depends entirely on how Third Brother perceives it."

"How so?"

"Third Brother can use this opportunity to form alliances and eliminate rivals among court ministers. However, it also might offend other people’s power, leading to potential fabricated accusations and revenge in the future." Prince Qi explained.

Gu Jinghui narrowed his eyes, looking at this elegant and poised gentleman before him. The matter of court struggles was being framed so simply, but everyone knew that getting involved was fraught with peril.

Prince Qi stood up and said, "This prince must take his leave, and there won’t be time to visit Old Madam Gu, please convey my greetings, Marquis Gu."

Gu Jinghui also stood up.

Prince Qi suddenly took a few steps closer and asked, "What incense are you wearing? It’s quite pleasant, a subtle and lingering aroma."

Gu Jinghui, somewhat pleased, took off his pocket, handed it over, and said, "This is an incense pill that Madam personally prepared, just placed today."

Prince Qi took it, held it under his nose for a sniff, "Could I have it?"

Gu Jinghui said, "If you like it, take it, it’s worth nothing. Ranxiang Inn also sells her incense pills. My mother and several older family members have used them and said they’re good. Later, Manager Leng asked to consign them at Ranxiang Inn, and they’ve been selling well."

"Oh?"

Prince Qi slowly fastened the pocket to his waist, his refined eyebrows raising slightly, seemingly intrigued, "I once searched Ranxiang Inn for a unique fragrance, but unfortunately, Manager Leng couldn’t produce it."