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

Chapter 399: Don’t Blame the Dog for Gnawing at the Bun

"Isn’t that right!" Hong Ye frowned and put her hands on her hips, sighing: "I don’t know what kind of spell the Second Miss is under. She always believes Lin Junren will have a bright future. She praises Lin Junren and his mother to the skies, giving them one tael of silver for meals every day, yet there’s not even a trace of meat on the table. But when Lin Junren returns, there’s plenty of fish and meat, though none of it is to Second Miss’s liking. I noticed that Yanhong has gotten much thinner, and she’s still wearing clothes from her time at the Qin Mansion."

Qin Yuan said in surprise: "A tael of silver for meals every day? It’s truly... if meat buns are left out, don’t blame the dogs for taking a bite."

I really don’t know what to say.

A string of coins can buy a fat hen.

One tael of silver at an ordinary tavern can get you a full table of chicken, duck, fish, and meats, plus seasonal fruits, appetizers, mixed preserves, soups, and wine.

Hong Ye sighed again: "Indeed! Our once proud and domineering Second Miss has become a put-upon meat bun after getting married. Perhaps she ran into something unlucky? I should really thank the Second Miss because if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to stay in the Marquis Mansion, such a blessed place. I feel sorry for Yanhong; I secretly brought her some food from the kitchen. Back when she was at the Qin Family, she was so dignified, and now she’s almost like a firewood maid in the kitchen."

Qin Yuan ignored her, letting her babble on.

Gu Jinghui listened with great interest from the side.

After finishing their meal, Marquis Gu considered carefully before asking: "Do you want to recommend a doctor to Lin Junren?"

Qin Yuan put down her teacup and looked intently at Marquis Gu.

Gu Jinghui tightened his face, realizing Qin Yuan had already seen through his careful probing.

"If I recommend a doctor, will Marquis be unhappy?"

Marquis Gu avoided Qin Yuan’s burning gaze and said awkwardly: "...After all, they’re family by marriage... Why would I be unhappy...?"

Qin Yuan laughed: "I thought Marquis understood. I was supposed to marry Lin Junren, but now that I’m part of the Marquis Mansion, I should obviously keep my distance from Lin Junren to avoid gossip, and prevent my second sister from being upset, and certainly not make Marquis uncomfortable. It seems I worried too much; Marquis is not the jealous type."

"..." Marquis Gu felt something stuck in his throat.

Yes, if he knew his young wife thought this way, he should have claimed he was indeed jealous and cared a lot.

But now that the topic had passed, picking it back up seemed a bit awkward.

"...Yes, it’s right to avoid suspicion."

Marquis Gu smiled slightly.

From beginning to end, Qin Yuan did not ask much about Lin Ziqi, showing she really doesn’t care or mind.

It seems he was overly anxious.

Marquis Gu secretly let out a long breath.

Qin Yuan added: "My second sister has a rather stubborn and peculiar temperament. If she doesn’t plead with me directly, I won’t recommend a doctor for her to avoid her being ungrateful and blaming me for making decisions. Besides, my father is the Sacrificial Officer at the Imperial College; if he wants, he can privately invite an Imperial Physician for Lin Junren. If even the Imperial Physician can’t treat him, then no one else can."

In short, it’s better to not interfere.

Gu Jinghui nodded in agreement.

They both knew that Doctor Li’s medical expertise was top-notch; he could solve what the Imperial Physician couldn’t.

However, Qin Yuan was unwilling to cure Lin Ziqi.

Gu Jinghui also disliked seeing Qin Yuan concerned about Lin Ziqi’s illness.

After sending off the cheerful Marquis Gu, Qin Yuan stretched lazily, lay on the couch, dazing for a while before calling for Hong Ye.

Hong Ye had just finished her meal too, and walked over, giggling: "Why is Marquis so happy today? Not like the previous days."

Qin Yuan chuckled lightly, saying: "Look at you, you’re not as sharp as Cui Ming; Cui Ming didn’t ask."

Hong Ye stamped her feet and said: "You two must have colluded behind my back, keeping me in the dark."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment. This matter of adding medicine wasn’t about collusion; it was simply her instructions to Cui Ming, naturally Cui Ming knew the reason.

So she laughed: "There’s nothing like that. If I don’t tell you, it’s for both our good. If one day you can’t keep your mouth shut, everything will spill out."

Hong Ye, feeling indignant, said: "Fine, if you won’t tell me, I won’t ask."

Qin Yuan asked: "Are you managing to handle the stewards and the housekeepers these days?"

Seeing it was a serious matter, Hong Ye replied solemnly: "It’s fine. This is a major issue; no one wants to cause trouble at this time. Besides, the inner courtyard’s housekeeper and accountant haven’t been appointed yet. Everyone wants to perform well, hoping for a chance to shake things up."

Qin Yuan thought for a while, then smiled, saying: "I didn’t expect this reason. This is a method then. You watch carefully for me, check who performs well, who usually has a good reputation, and list them out. Once this is over, I will make adjustments."

Hong Ye immediately agreed.

Qin Yuan asked again: "Have you seen Sixteen lately?"

Hong Ye replied: "Of course I’ve seen him. Yesterday, Sixteen came to talk about the matter next door and brought Marquis’s clothes over, asking me to keep them in case Marquis comes over to rest and doesn’t have clothes to change into."

Qin Yuan nodded: "He seems to trust you alone, asking you to keep them."

Hong Ye blushed, trying to say casually: "He talked to me the most before, so naturally he handed it to me."

Seeing this, Qin Yuan understood that Hong Ye had feelings for Gu Shiliu.

"A few days ago, because of Sixth Madam’s affair, we didn’t celebrate the Qixi Festival."

Qin Yuan lamented.

Hong Ye added: "Couldn’t be helped. Gu Shiliu said his mother and sisters celebrated at home, but we weren’t able to go out and see. Previously, Miss was a young girl; she couldn’t run around. This year we thought we might get to see it, but it was unfortunate. However, Seventh Miss was quite lucky, able to avoid going out for the competition."

Qin Yuan asked with a smile: "How did Gu Shiliu’s family celebrate it?"

"His mother and sisters adored the Lady of Qixi at home, had a feast, played games, drank wine, and later went to the Qixi Festival to watch the maidens’ competition. They returned saying the whole street was bustling, merchants gathered selling food, toys, clothing... everything one could need, women were walking outside, some even crossed the bridge to touch the gate’s brass nails. It’s said touching them could bring good luck and even help in having a chubby son."

"Described quite vividly indeed."

Qin Yuan asked again, "Until what hour did his family stay out?"

Hong Ye replied: "They returned a bit past the third watch. Mainly because there were no men with them, fearing the crowd could lead to trouble, they left after seeing the excitement."

Qin Yuan nodded, "Looks like Gu Shiliu’s family is doing quite well."

Hong Ye asked: "Why suddenly inquire about this today?"

Qin Yuan, half serious, half jesting, replied: "Marquis is thinking since he now has a family, he wants to find a wife for Gu Shiliu. I ought to ask about Gu Shiliu’s family’s situation."

Before the words finished, Hong Ye’s cheeks were already blushing brightly.

At this moment, Cao Cao arrived as well.

The young maid announced: "Madam, Gu Shiliu has something to report."