Hong Mian had gone, and Hong Ye let out a sigh of relief.

Qin Yuan asked, "What do you think of what Hong Mian just said?"

Hong Ye replied, "Although she was defending herself, she did make some valid points. However, because it came from her mouth, I somehow don’t feel like listening."

To say that is to show some magnanimity.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "It’s good that you can think this way. She is indeed smart, but lacks stability and doesn’t know her limits. With more honing, she might still be useful."

The implication being that Hong Mian might still be needed in the future.

Hong Ye asked, "Why not choose someone both virtuous and capable?"

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Everyone thinks they are both virtuous and capable, but those who employ others often find it hard to find even one of those qualities. Even someone like Hong Mian is rare in the entire mansion. If everyone in the mansion were in perfect harmony, many issues would accumulate and fester until it’s too late to resolve them."

In private, Hong Ye grumbled to Cui Ming, who said, "However Miss uses people, we shouldn’t interfere. No matter how capable we are, how many things can we manage? Besides, what Hong Mian said isn’t entirely without reason. Now, you and I already have grudges with her, yet Miss still dares to trust her. Otherwise, all the household servants might only listen to the two of us, yet we wouldn’t know. The mistress of this Marquis Mansion is Miss, not the two of us."

Hong Ye was startled and said, "I thought if we treated them well over time, everyone would eventually be the same."

Cui Ming sneered and said, "It’s just that you’re about to marry a household servant and think everyone is the same. Let me tell you, just live your life well. Miss is worried about you."

"Worried about me for what?" Hong Ye asked, "I’ve changed my ways and won’t let these things trouble me."

Cui Ming said, "Think carefully, even if Hong Mian stirred trouble, it’s still Gu Shiliu’s family that could easily set up this marriage... Miss is worried that your life after marrying Sixteen will be difficult, but she’s also afraid you’ll be dead set on Gu Shiliu, so she only tells me privately. We have the fortune of growing up with Miss, and can ask her for support when we’re wronged, but it has to be reasonable. Once you become someone’s daughter-in-law, filial piety is paramount, and Miss may not be able to intervene in many matters. You need to think things through."

Hong Ye was taken aback and said, "If it’s not good, I just won’t marry."

Yet she was twisting a handkerchief tightly, creating many wrinkles.

Cui Ming knew exactly what she was thinking, and said, "I’m just reminding you. Gu Shiliu has been following the Marquis to the Northern Border for many years and is highly valued. He’s not someone who can be easily manipulated. However, his family arranged a marriage for him without his knowledge, clearly showing their habitual authority. If that’s the case, just give it up; isn’t Shi Ba also waiting for you? I’m just telling you not to plunge headfirst into it without considering your future comfort. If later you are in despair, others can’t bear it for you."

Hong Ye bowed her head and wept, "I’ve just realized how incompetent I am. If it weren’t for this matter, I wouldn’t have known..."

The tears she shed this time were filled with deep remorse and indescribable sadness.

Cui Ming smiled and said, "You’re only allowed to cry this once. Girls always crying will wash away their good fortune. When you’re done crying, think about how to move forward well. To say, Hong Mian is still stronger than you, she hasn’t shed a tear yet; I admire that."

Hong Ye stubbornly turned her head, sniffled, and said, "Am I not even as good as her?"

Cui Ming rose and said, "That’s enough, no more crying over this. Others I don’t know, but having grown up with you, how capable you are, do Miss and I still not know?"

From then on, Hong Ye seemed to have transformed, becoming cautious and careful, thinking and asking more about everything, almost switching places with Cui Ming.

After settling the dispute within Wutong Garden, Qin Yuan finally relaxed, but then Old Madam Gu sent someone to invite her to the main room for a talk.

Not daring to delay, Qin Yuan put aside her tasks and went to the main room.

Upon entering the courtyard, she saw it was packed with people along the corridor.

"What’s going on here?" Qin Yuan was startled.

The gatekeeper nanny said, "These are all the attendants of the ladies from the back street."

Only then did Qin Yuan realize that all the different house ladies from the clan had come. She quickly said, "Is Old Madam gathering everyone to discuss the clan’s rules? I should have invited Wan Accountant."

The gatekeeper nanny promptly asked, "Madam, shall I send someone to inform him?"

Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Please, that would be helpful."

"No trouble at all," the nanny grinned widely.

Inside, the room was indeed full of people, the elderly sitting next to Old Madam Gu, arranged in order down to the doorstep, with others standing behind.

This was far more than the women who attended Sixth Lady Gu’s funeral.

Qin Yuan had a good memory, but she couldn’t name more than half of them.

"The Marchioness has arrived." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Your family’s third daughter-in-law is here."

"Mr. Mu’s young wife has come."

Everyone chimed in to greet her, and Qin Yuan could only smile, make a circuitous bow, then stand slightly behind Old Madam Gu with her head slightly bowed.

"Mother, I’ve had someone go to invite Wan Accountant. We’ll still need him to talk about the rules in detail."

Old Madam Gu smiled and said, "No need, no need. Just explain why our method is effective. If Wan Accountant goes into too much detail, they won’t remember. Let them talk it over with their men at home."

Qin Yuan looked at her with admiration: "Mother is truly wise."

Old Madam Gu smiled proudly: "Just learn slowly by following along in the future."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were chatting amiably, stirring envy among others.

Daughters-in-law envied Qin Yuan’s cherished position in front of her mother-in-law, while mothers-in-law envied Old Madam Gu for having such a clever, capable, and beautiful daughter-in-law.

Old Madam Gu looked around at everyone and smiled: "You’ve all seen my daughter-in-law now. Listen to what she has to say about the rules."

"We haven’t chatted properly with the new daughter-in-law yet. I’ve heard she’s excellent at managing the household, keeping the Marquis Mansion in perfect order. My daughter-in-law was furious for days, wondering how to find such a match for her son."

An elderly woman, much older than Old Madam Gu, with graying hair, adorned with jewels, wearing a fragrant silk blouse, smiled and waved at Qin Yuan, bidding her to come closer for a better look.

Old Madam Gu quickly grabbed Qin Yuan’s hand, jokingly scolding: "Why pull her closer to see? Do you intend to steal her?"

Qin Yuan stopped and gracefully smiled with pursed lips.

The old woman glared: "You invited me here just to show off your daughter-in-law, didn’t you? Now you’re being stingy! If I had a granddaughter-in-law like this, I’d flaunt her everywhere instead of keeping her hidden like treasure!"