Qin Yuan found it somewhat amusing, but upon reflection, she continued, "Exactly, so what have you been busy with these past few days outside the home? Don’t you know someone at home is longing for you?"

Marquis Gu was both proud and excited, yet he forced himself to appear calm and indifferent, causing his handsome face to distort slightly for a moment.

Qin Yuan closed her eyes, unable to bear the sight, fearing that she might burst into laughter.

After a moment, Marquis Gu coughed lightly and said, "I know you’ve been busy in the manor these days; you might be a bit bored, Prince Qi he..."

Before he finished speaking, a few bird calls sounded from outside.

Marquis Gu quickly stood up and said, "I must leave now. I’ll find some time to accompany you properly."

Qin Yuan also sat up, holding her quilt, and looked at Marquis Gu, who was dressed in a flash, with a sense of longing, "When are you free? I have something important to discuss with you."

"...Tonight then, I’ll try to come back early," Gu Jinghui looked apologetically at Qin Yuan, leaned over, and gently stroked the delicate, jade-like white face beneath the cascade of black hair, "Eat well, sleep well, I’ll accompany you properly when I’m done."

Qin Yuan wanted to say more, but Marquis Gu had already leapt out of the room, disappearing from sight.

Clearly, the matter outside was urgent and important.

Qin Yuan sighed.

Hong Ye came in, smiling brightly, "Why is the miss sighing?"

Qin Yuan glanced at her and smiled, "What? No more crying?"

Hong Ye blushed slightly, "Miss, you’re teasing me again."

Qin Yuan curiously asked, "Did you have a dream last night where a Bodhisattva enlightened you? How come you seem like a different person today."

Hong Ye turned around, started tidying the bed, and said, "With such good masters like you and the Marquis, I don’t need divine enlightenment. If I can’t figure things out, then I’d be foolish, wouldn’t I? It would waste the master’s kindness towards me."

Qin Yuan felt there must be a reason and was about to ask further when Hong Mian’s voice called from outside, "Madam, are you up?"

Hong Ye pursed her lips, her smile fading.

Qin Yuan said, "Hong Ye is attending inside, you don’t need to come in. Go to the kitchen to fetch the meal, we’re late today and there’s quite a bit to do."

Hong Mian responded.

Upon dining, when Cui Ming mentioned the Marquis’ concern for Hong Ye, only then did Qin Yuan understand why Hong Ye’s mood had changed, and she laughed, "I told you that you seemed like a different person; turns out you found your peace."

Hong Ye said, "Not exactly, didn’t the Marquis promise before too? After a sleep, I thought it through, knowing what kind of person Sixteen is, how could I let a petty person’s actions disturb my peace? Moreover, what the Marquis said is quite right, if I keep distressing myself here, Sixteen won’t even know, and it’ll trouble those who care for me. I have such a great miss, such a great Cui Ming, how can I disappoint your kindness." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Cui Ming laughed, "You’ve truly become remarkable, just gone through an ordeal now speaks so eloquently, how will I ever win an argument with you in the future?"

Several people in the room let out playful laughter, which filtered through the window lattice to the outside.

On the corridor, some little maidservants whispered, "Madam has been truly kind to Hong Ye and Cui Ming; I really envy them."

Hong Mian stared blankly at a nearby pillar, remaining silent.

In the past, these maidservants would always greet her with smiles, even if they had nothing to say, they’d find a few words to chat about, but now they treated her with great disrespect.

She had also considered earlier, if things were to be exposed, Cui Ming and Hong Ye would lead the others to estrange and exclude her.

Yet, she didn’t anticipate it happening this swiftly.

But the victor becomes the king, the defeated becomes the rebel, as always. This time, if she doesn’t fight for it, she’ll be left to watch Hong Ye and the man she’s interested in pair up.

Just wait three days to know the outcome.

If successful, she would request Madam to be transferred elsewhere to work, with Gu Shiliu present, life wouldn’t be difficult anywhere.

Although it feels somewhat unfair to Hong Ye, but who doesn’t wish for happiness?

On the level of retreat, she has known Gu Shiliu much longer than Hong Ye has. Both families are household children of the manor, both financially stable, with plenty of siblings in the family, both being smart and capable individuals, no matter how you look at it, they match better than Hong Ye.

As long as Gu Shiliu’s family agrees, Gu Shiliu would understand clearly in the future.

Hong Mian was lost in thoughts when suddenly someone behind called out loudly, "Hong Mian, Hong Mian, stop daydreaming, Madam is calling you in."

Hong Mian snapped back, hurriedly stepped into the main house.

She saw Cui Ming and Hong Ye standing beside Qin Yuan, swiftly glanced at their expressions, then bowed to Qin Yuan, saying, "Servant greets Madam, I returned yesterday, since being outside all day, I feared the dirty air might offend the master, thus didn’t come to attend."

Looking at such a clever person before her, Qin Yuan secretly sighed.

"Hong Mian, have your marriage arrangements been settled?"

Hong Mian’s body trembled slightly, she contemplated and said, "Considered settled."

Qin Yuan said, "You’ve performed well these days, Cui Ming’s side needs personnel, someone smart and capable of stewarding has been mentioned several times, why don’t you assist her in the tailoring room."

Although the sun shone brightly outside, and she wore a cotton padded jacket, Hong Mian’s hands and feet felt cold and she couldn’t speak.

After a long pause, she finally said, "Madam previously said that I work diligently and smartly, wished to keep me around with the two elder sisters, why now send me to the tailoring room?"

Cui Ming pouted with displeasure, "You’re just a servant girl, the Madam uses you how she pleases, do you truly believe every word spoken before? Haven’t you repeatedly claimed you would treat Hong Ye as your elder sister and respectfully serve her? What did you do yesterday?"

Even though prepared, Hong Mian felt greatly embarrassed.

She glanced at the silent Hong Ye, who was also staring faintly at her, showing scorn.

Retracting her gaze, Hong Mian addressed Qin Yuan, "Madam, if it’s because of this, I have something to say, may I plead a few words on my behalf."

Qin Yuan secretly sighed and still replied, "Go ahead."

Hong Mian said, "Madam knows Hong Mian is a sharp person, good at handling matters, since serving before Madam, I’ve never made a mistake, this isn’t self-praise, others say so too."

Qin Yuan nodded, "Indeed, your competence and cleverness are evident to me, truly rare."

Hong Mian said, "Madam employs people, shouldn’t the capable ones stay by the side, while the dull ones sent elsewhere? Why am I being transferred from Wutong Garden to the tailoring room to work?"

Qin Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "I underestimated you, didn’t expect you to think this layer, your words do carry some sense."

Hong Mian’s expression relaxed slightly.

Cui Ming and Hong Mian’s faces became even more displeased.