Qin Yuan frowned, not expecting Hong Mian to leave such a big mess behind, and asked, "Did she schedule another day with the housekeepers?"

Hong Ye shook her head.

"The housekeepers are still counting in the storeroom and don’t know Hong Mian has taken leave. If we don’t take over, the schedule will be a mess. As we get closer to the festival, things come one after another, and if one part is not in place, then..."

Qin Yuan chuckled, "I never thought she would leave without arranging anything. She asked for leave yesterday, saying her mother wanted her to go see about a marriage. I thought she had already dealt with everything."

Hong Ye was shocked.

"Getting married so soon? She’s a few years younger than me."

Qin Yuan replied, "Yes."

Hong Ye waited but saw Qin Yuan said nothing more, so she asked, "Is she really getting married so soon? She has just been trained and now she’s leaving. Who will fill her position? Although Hong Mian is quite clever, she is indeed efficient in her work."

Qin Yuan laughed, "I knew you would be anxious about this. She said both families are old acquaintances and have agreed to it already. The marriage can wait till later."

Hong Ye frowned, "Hong Mian arranged the most troublesome tasks but left them to us, running off to see about marriage... I don’t understand. Since both families are old acquaintances, they must be aware of her looks and character. Why rush to see about a marriage now?"

Qin Yuan rubbed her forehead.

"These past two days, my mind has been a mess. When she said it, she seemed quite troubled, and I didn’t think much of it."

Hong Ye felt uneasy but couldn’t pinpoint why, so she said, "Miss has been so busy these days. It’s understandable she can’t keep track of everything. Who’d think Hong Mian would have so many hidden agendas."

Qin Yuan sighed, "Unlike you and Cui Ming, who grew up with me."

Hong Ye felt a bit happier.

Qin Yuan added, "In the future, matters like maids asking for leave can be left to you and Cui Ming. If they come to me, I won’t handle it."

Hong Ye thought for a moment and said, "That’s good, it’ll prevent anyone from taking advantage."

Qin Yuan smiled, "Thank you for your hard work today. If you can’t manage everything, call for more help and ask the kitchen to prepare some extra good dishes."

Hong Ye nodded, "That’s probably best." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

After Hong Ye left, Qin Yuan sighed.

Hong Mian has too many small thoughts. If she were promoted to a first-class maid, it would be hard to tell what troubles might arise between her and Hong Ye.

But if she isn’t promoted, she’s indeed clever and hard-working.

If she never gets promoted, it may dampen others’ motivation.

This is truly a dilemma for her.

"Having a person who is too competent under you can be a troublesome matter too."

Qin Yuan sighed to herself.

After tidying up, Qin Yuan went to the meeting courtyard to handle various affairs, and half a day quickly passed. By the time she returned to Wutong Garden at noon, Marquis Gu had already gone to the government office for duty. Qin Yuan sat quietly, lost in thought, suddenly remembering the matter between Gu Shiliu and Hong Ye, and sent someone to ask if Gu Shiliu was around.

After a while, a young maid returned to report that Gu Shiliu had left the mansion early in the morning.

Qin Yuan frowned.

"Something feels off."

Mo Zhu asked, "Madam, what feels off?"

Qin Yuan, realizing she had spoken to herself, replied, "Nothing. Aren’t Hong Ye and Cui Ming coming back for lunch?"

Mo Zhu smiled, "How envious I am of the two sisters to be so cared for by you, Madam. Today, Sister Hong Ye is too busy, and Sister Cui Ming also went to help. They will casually eat there in the storeroom and won’t come back."

Qin Yuan ate alone, took a nap, and then asked, "Has Hong Mian returned?"

"Not yet."

Qin Yuan asked again, "And Gu Shiliu?"

After thinking for a moment, she added, "Never mind, Marquis hasn’t returned, most likely Sixteen hasn’t either. No need to check."

When it was time for the evening meal, Gu Baoshu came running in, dressed as a boy. Qin Yuan was startled and asked, "Whose handsome young man is this?"

Gu Baoshu laughed heartily, "Third Sister-in-law, it’s me."

Qin Yuan sighed, "Of course I know it’s you. You’re dressed so dashingly."

With a weary look, Hong Ye came over smiling, "Seventh Miss dressed like this is even more charming than when dressed as a girl. Who wouldn’t ask what young master this is?"

Gu Baoshu, full of pride, "Though I’m no match for my Third and Sixth Brothers, I haven’t fully grown yet."

The implication being, there’s still potential.

"See, you’re full of yourself," Qin Yuan teasingly said, "When you’ve grown, aren’t you going to be a big girl? How will you dress as a man then?"

Gu Baoshu sighed, "What can I do? After being a man for a few days, I really don’t want to live as a woman. They live too freely. The camaraderie between comrades can’t be found in a woman’s life."

Qin Yuan shook her head, smiling.

Gu Baoshu leaned in and asked, "Why did Third Sister-in-law laugh at me? Was what I said wrong?"

Qin Yuan replied, "Yes and no. You’re still a child, that’s why you say such childish things. You think the relationships in the boudoir are too complicated, not like the straightforward camaraderie among men. Isn’t that right?"

Gu Baoshu nodded.

Qin Yuan continued, "Most women’s lives revolve around managing the household, with little income but lots of expenses like social niceties, so it’s no wonder women become savvy after marriage. In the boudoir, watching elders manage things, a girl naturally learns by observing. After marriage, there are in-laws, siblings, and a husband to deal with...plus childbearing and many more tasks. Boudoir friends are forgotten. But don’t think men are just open and selfless. In this world, deceits abound. Many may call each other ’brother’ while stabbing each other in the back. Men’s rivalries involve life and death of the country and family, and their schemes are often much deeper than women’s household squabbles."

These words came from her past life’s experiences and observations.

Gu Baoshu was momentarily dazed and said, "Even so, I’d rather be a man than a woman. Being a deep-sequestered woman might have fewer storms, but it’s boring. It’s more interesting to walk like a man, even if it involves plotting against each other."

Qin Yuan sighed.

Gu Baoshu continued, "Third Brother said that when I return from studying, if I become skilled in martial arts, I can help manage the Gu Family Army affairs. Third Sister-in-law, do you think I still need to marry?"

Qin Yuan was taken aback, unaware of Gu Jinghui’s plans.

Hong Ye sighed, "The Old Madam and Marquis truly dote on Seventh Miss. But except for nuns, what woman doesn’t marry?"

Gu Baoshu nodded.

"That’s true. Even You Da said not many people live as comfortably as I do. Even she has to compete with sisters-in-law and extended cousins at home."

Qin Yuan held her forehead, smiling, "You’re still young. Why think so much? When I was your age, I never thought about marrying into the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, nor did I think I’d have a sister-in-law named Gu Baoshu."