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

Chapter 386: Chang Qingling Arrives

Everything depends on how the host family plans.

Nanny Rong said from the side: "Speaking of, it’s still our madam who makes the best incense. The young master and miss sleep somewhat soundly at night, but during the day they often cry, which greatly harms their health. The old servant thinks their diet should be the same as Old Madam’s these days, and additionally, some goat milk should be sought for nourishment. Although it has a peculiar taste, it is very good for both children and elderly to drink."

When it comes to raising children, Nanny Rong is an expert.

Old Madam Gu immediately said, "As you wish."

Doctor Li also nodded.

"This is quite satisfactory, and in the future, the young ones can follow Sixth Master in exercising."

Practicing martial arts might be too hard to persist, better to practice Eight Pieces of Brocade with their father.

Sixth Master Gu gratefully glanced at Qin Yuan, made up his mind, and pulled Doctor Li aside, saying: "Please help me take a look alone later."

Doctor Li was puzzled, and looked strangely at Sixth Master Gu.

Sixth Master Gu whispered: "I have some private concerns, and hope Doctor Li can assist."

Private concerns?

Doctor Li frowned.

Marquis Gu also looked over obscurely.

Sixth Master Gu immediately felt a bit restless, but fortunately Doctor Li said, "Sure, it’s no trouble."

Gu Baoshu was about to say something when there was a commotion outside the courtyard, Gu Jinghui immediately stood up and shouted to the outside of the window: "Sixteen, what on earth is happening?"

Immediately, Gu Shiliu hurriedly ran up, leaning against the window and shouted loudly: "Marquis, the Emperor has issued a decree. The eunuch carrying the decree is in the front hall, Marquis, you must quickly go and receive it."

"A decree?"

Gu Jinghui immediately understood, involuntarily looking toward where Qin Yuan was sitting, catching her gaze. His body trembled, then dropped his eyes, his lashes fluttering like crow feathers, and hastily left behind a sentence, "Mother, I’ll be back soon."

As they watched his hurried departure, Sixth Master Gu’s heart surged with waves of shock.

Old Madam Gu said: "The imperial decree is for your third brother, is there some official task?"

Sixth Master Gu stood up and said: "Mother, I’ll go take a look."

Old Madam Gu gestured with her hand, saying: "Go then, go then."

Doctor Li followed Sixth Master Gu to the front yard, Xiao Dong stayed behind to talk with Brother Kang and the others, while Gu Baoshu was bored and propped her chin, watching them nearby.

Qin Yuan sat in the chair, her thoughts already drifting far.

"Third Sister-in-law, Sister-in-law..."

Gu Baoshu called her several times before finally waking her up.

"What’s the matter?"

"The Chang Family came to mourn, it’s that Chang Qingling," Gu Baoshu winked at her and asked Old Madam Gu, "Mother, the aunts have been chatting with her for a while, but she won’t leave, who should go out to handle it?"

Old Madam Gu had long said that if the Chang Family came to visit, she’s the one to deal with them, not letting Qin Yuan intervene.

But at present, she couldn’t have Old Madam Gu go to the drawing room to converse with Chang Qingling.

Old Madam Gu sighed and said: "A few days ago she sent a note, and I haven’t had the time to meet her, Mrs. Xu just..."

A faint smile tinged Qin Yuan’s lips.

"Mother, should I go out and chat with her?"

The Chang Family and the Gu Family had not interacted for many years, and Chang Qingling came with the Ninth Princess and the Crown Prince for a banquet, sitting in the drawing room without leaving, likely trying to establish a connection with the Gu Family.

Old Madam Gu said: "Invite her in to talk then, no need to..."

Qin Yuan stood up and said: "Mother, I’m going to entertain guests; can’t always stay here idly."

Old Madam Gu did not insist further.

"Go then, go then, the Chang Family and us have had no dealings since that marriage proposal fell through, just treat her as an acquaintance."

Qin Yuan responded and raised her foot to leave, Gu Baoshu hurriedly stood up as well, saying: "Mother, I’ll go out with Sister-in-law to take a look."

Old Madam Gu said: "Good, go entertain the guests; let your nephews and nieces rest here a while longer."

Qin Yuan had no choice but to take Gu Baoshu to the front hall, where Gu Baoshu chattered nonstop along the way.

"Third Sister-in-law, why has Qin Heng come several times, but your cousin doesn’t come? Even your sister and brother-in-law have come several times."

Completely disregarding whether Qin Yuan might hold a grudge against Qin Siyuan for hearing this.

Qin Yuan replied disdainfully: "He should be busy preparing for the Spring Examinations, unable to make time; moreover, he came on the first day."

Gu Baoshu said: "Third Sister-in-law, just think, if he helped Sixth Brother entertain guests these days, he could meet many nobles, it’s just a matter of a few days, Lin Junren can make time, why doesn’t he find a way?"

Qin Yuan was pestered to a headache, casually mumbled some words, and as she entered the front hall, Mrs. Dai came over and took her aside, saying: "Madam’s younger sister has come, and she’s quite taken with Miss Chang."

The implication being for Qin Yuan to remind Qin Wan to keep some distance from Chang Qingling.

Qin Yuan: "..."

Mrs. Dai added: "Madam’s younger sister also brought a cousin from her husband’s family..."

Her expression was somewhat odd.

Qin Yuan understood a bit more; she had witnessed firsthand the cousin’s astonishing deeds in her past life.

Qin Yuan smiled: "I understand, Sister-in-law also knows that the Chang Family was once betrothed to the Marquis Mansion, after that fell through, there’s been no interaction. Miss Chang is alone in the Capital City, considered an acquaintance. My sister married a scholar named Lin, who now studies at the Imperial College, preparing for next year’s Spring Examinations. The Marquis Mansion is of military merit, not often interacting in such circles. As for her cousin from her husband’s family, her surname is Yu, likely come from their hometown seeking a marriage proposal."

Mrs. Dai spoke more candidly: "I see this Lady Yu’s hands and feet aren’t clean, she looks weak, she’d faint at a loud voice, yet her gaze feels sinister, very unsettling. The nanny I brought saw her several times wandering around the area for male guests; since she’s a relative, causing a fuss in the Marquis Mansion wouldn’t look good."

Qin Yuan thanked repeatedly, promising to have people watch her closely.

Mrs. Dai held her hand, saying: "What’s this, I’m much older than you, have seen many people. Mind you, at first, I didn’t like Mrs. Zhao, but being in the ninth branch, we didn’t notice much nor spoke much to you. Many say Mrs. Zhao is pitifully charming, but now?"

Qin Yuan just smiled.

Mrs. Dai seriously said: "Men just adore these fragile ones, who could drown in a droplet of water; little knowing, they’re formidable. In the early years, our master had a few concubines, causing chaos, now only an old concubine remains to serve. It’s not that I can’t tolerate others; I’d love for our master to have sons, they’re just too much trouble."

Qin Yuan said: "Sister-in-law, rest assured, I’ve taken it to heart."

Only then did Mrs. Dai let her go.

Qin Yuan paid respects with several guesting family aunts and sisters-in-law, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then walked to Chang Qingling, smiling faintly: "Miss Chang came to mourn, I, the host, am late; please forgive me."