Marquis Gu walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, then stopped and said to Sixth Master Gu, "Are you afraid to walk back alone?"

Sixth Master Gu swallowed his saliva and said, "If it were elsewhere, I would naturally be afraid, but in the mansion, I am not worried at all, as there are guards and hidden sentries, outsiders cannot easily cause trouble."

Marquis Gu nodded with a smile, "Although that’s what you say, there are exceptions, being cautious is never wrong."

Sixth Master Gu didn’t understand the intention, just widened his eyes, then saw him whistle melodiously, and there was a rustling sound in the treetops not far away, as if moved by the wind, followed by a shadow falling from a height to the front, saluting, "What are your orders, Marquis?"

Although Sixth Master Gu knew there were hidden guards in the mansion, it was the first time he encountered them face to face, and couldn’t help but be stunned again.

"Escort Sixth Master to the vicinity of the outer courtyard," Marquis Gu ordered the hidden guard, then turned to his brother and said, "You should head back first, I have to leave the mansion for some matters, so I won’t accompany you to the outer courtyard."

Sixth Master Gu nodded dumbly in agreement.

Marquis Gu smiled, tapped his toes lightly, and leaped onto the tree tops, extremely graceful and light, making a brief stop at the treetop before disappearing.

"Ah," Sixth Master Gu stood in a daze for a while longer before letting out a long sigh, "Third Brother’s martial arts are getting better and better."

The hidden guard stood silently beside him like a shadow, escorting him to the entrance of the outer courtyard, then disappeared in a flash.

Sixth Master Gu stood at the entrance in a daze for a while longer before hurriedly rushing back to his room, without caring that it was late, he hastily spread the rice paper and splashed ink to paint.

Marquis Gu at this moment had already crossed the city gate, heading straight to the family temple in the outskirts.

His heart was afire and wished he could unravel the mystery right away.

In fact, he vaguely already had an answer within his heart.

However, the matter was significant and couldn’t afford any mistakes, no matter how cautious, it wasn’t excessive.

...

The next day, Qin Yuan woke up, unsurprisingly finding that Marquis Gu had not returned the entire night, and after washing up, she went to the main house to greet, coincidentally finding Treasure Bead also there.

After reporting on various matters within the mansion recently, she asked, "After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Seventh Sister will be going far away to study, initially planning to have a lively event, so everyone in the mansion can relax well. But unexpectedly the clan wants a grand event, and it coincides with the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration, we have to go to the palace to congratulate, which somewhat puts the daughter-in-law in a difficult position. I don’t know what to do."

Old Madam Gu smiled and said, "Actually, there’s not much to it, I think let them handle their own affairs, we’ll take care of our own, just avoid those two days at the palace and clan. Marquis just let someone bring a message over, saying that since the clan is worshipping ancestors, our family should also worship well, and not fall behind. So we don’t need to simplify it, just follow the previous arrangements."

Qin Yuan was startled, "Marquis actually specifically ordered someone to bring a message."

Old Madam Gu was also unclear, "Who knows why the Third suddenly had someone bring a message back."

The three had breakfast together, chatted for a while, then Qin Yuan went to the office yard to handle affairs, Treasure Bead stayed in the main house for a while longer before leaving.

"Third Sister-in-law, wait for me," Treasure Bead chased after her frantically.

Qin Yuan stopped, waited for her to approach, and asked, "Did you check everything that Hong Ye prepared? Are you satisfied? Is there anything that needs adding? Don’t wait until you’re far from home to realize it, by then there’s nothing I can do."

Treasure Bead said indifferently, "What can I be unsatisfied with everything Hong Ye prepared? The maidservants and nannies in the mansion all say she’s clever and capable. Besides, I’ll also carry silver on me, buy whatever is missing. Moreover, I also have a bunch of nannies and maids, can’t let them eat for free, they should be worrying on behalf of their master."

Qin Yuan chuckled.

Treasure Bead asked, "Did I speak incorrectly?"

Qin Yuan said, "That’s quite reasonable, just no one usually says it, it’s amusing to me."

"When I’m gone, what will you do without someone amusing you?"

Treasure Bead sighed.

She indeed felt very important.

Qin Yuan asked with a suppressed smile, "What do you plan to do today?"

Treasure Bead said, "First accompany the nephews and nieces for lesson, play with them for a while, then visit relatives and friends, lastly... hmm, lastly go have a kicking ball match."

Qin Yuan knew the last activity was the most important to her, the previous ones were just along the way, so she said, "Be careful, don’t just focus on winning, if the opponent is despicable, don’t mess around, have the guards deal with them immediately, be sure not to get hurt and delay your journey."

"Got it," Treasure Bead replied quickly, "I’ve got to go find Sixth Brother, he doesn’t know when his kicking ball painting will be finished, I have to urge him."

Saying that, she dashed away.

Hong Ye couldn’t help but laugh, "Seventh Miss is so quick-footed."

Cui Ming laughed too, "Indeed, it’s hard for the bunch of nannies and maids behind her, trying to keep up with their panting, afraid they won’t catch up."

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but laugh too, and upon arriving at the office yard, she kept her laughter to herself.

Entering the yard, the people waiting for a long time gathered around, some to report, some to receive items, some seeking advice and judgment from their master, it was chaotic and took until nearly noon to finish.

Just resting a bit, a young maid said Shen Changle requests to meet.

Qin Yuan said curiously, "Did you discuss things with Manager Leng so quickly?"

Hong Ye said, "The lady mentioned it late yesterday, I only sent word over this morning, for him to have arrived already, it’s a bit too quick, maybe it’s about something else."

Qin Yuan nodded, "If that’s the case, let him in to talk."

In a short time, Shen Changle came in.

After some conversation, it was understood that Marquis Gu had ordered not to let Book Sea Pavilion surpass, coincidentally receiving Hong Ye’s message, he simply came to discuss.

Qin Yuan was somewhat puzzled, Marquis Gu hadn’t returned to the mansion but was handling quite a few affairs today, all of which he usually doesn’t bother with.

Shen Changle complained, "Not long until the Empress Dowager’s birthday, Book Sea Pavilion has long invited craftsmen to make lanterns, and sent invitations everywhere to gather scholars for help, rushing to find a way to overshadow them is beyond me."

Qin Yuan thought for a while, picked up a teacup, used the cover to gently stir the tender leaves floating, and said, "In terms of people, it’s not hard, now that Marquis is handling the Capital Inspection affairs, he should be able to invite many prominent ministers for help, moreover, there are some people on our side that Book Sea Pavilion definitely can’t invite."

Shen Changle breathed half a sigh of relief.

Qin Jijiu being the leader of the Pure Stream, could certainly help a lot, Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang are people Book Sea Pavilion couldn’t invite, but... they do have a Nine-Turn Lotus Lamp...