"Heh heh," Qin Yuan couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh, "knowing one thing but not the other, having insight yet it’s limited. It’s best to focus on doing business. Analyzing the political situation in front of Mr. Songshan is no different from showing off sword skills in front of Guan Gong. No wonder Mr. Songshan would be annoyed and the Marquis would fight for this face."

The way the Book Sea Pavilion behaves is simply treating the Dingbei Marquis Mansion like a lifeless object.

Who knows what gave them the confidence.

Hearing their young lady say this, Hong Ye and Cui Ming relaxed and showed some smiles.

Since the young lady says it’s nothing, then it really is nothing.

Nonetheless, the Book Sea Pavilion is truly detestable and deserves to be taught a lesson.

After having lunch and taking a short rest, just as they finished freshening up, a small maid was sent from the main residence, saying that an invitation from the Duke Zhen’s Mansion had arrived. It was the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and they intended to throw a lively banquet.

When Qin Yuan arrived, she saw Old Madam Gu reclining on the couch chatting idly with Mrs. Dai, while Qiujie sat at the end of the couch massaging her legs. Seeing her come in, she half rose and said, "You’ve been married here for quite some time but have yet to go visiting. This time the You Family has invited us ladies, so let’s go together."

After Qin Yuan sat down, the little maid hurriedly came to serve tea and then respectfully handed over the invitation.

After looking at it carefully, Qin Yuan was suspicious, "At this timing, does the Duke Zhen’s Mansion really intend to host a grand event?"

Old Madam Gu was also puzzled, "Who knows? The Empress Dowager hasn’t celebrated in a long time, yet this year she suddenly wants a big celebration. If it were someone else, they’d never dare compete with the Bright Moon, but the Duke Zhen’s Mansion might have more face than others."

Qin Yuan picked up the invitation again for a closer look.

Old Madam Gu asked, "Yuan’er, do you find something amiss?"

Qin Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Mother, something seems a bit strange. The Duke Zhen’s Mansion is aligned with the Crown Prince’s party. Hosting a grand celebration for the old madam right before the Empress Dowager’s birthday isn’t typical, especially inviting our Dingbei Marquis Mansion’s women."

Looking through the annual records of interactions, it’s clear that the two mansions don’t have deep connections.

If it were just a gathering of close relatives and friends, the Dingbei Marquis Mansion shouldn’t be on the guest list.

If they’re hosting a grand event?

Could it be that the Duke Zhen’s Mansion has grown bold?

Even if they have, attending the banquet poses the risk of being blamed by the nobles afterward.

Our Dingbei Marquis Mansion shouldn’t chase such bad luck.

Old Madam Gu understood and thought for a moment, "Let’s decline it, simply say that I’m not feeling well and you’re too busy taking care of me to leave, while Treasure Bead is occupied helping with the nieces and nephews. We can go next time when Madam You celebrates her birthday."

Thinking it over, she added, "Third Brother also needs to be informed. You two should discuss and find a good approach."

Men are usually more informed about what’s happening outside, they might know something, which is better than us speculating privately.

Qin Yuan agreed, "This is just my suspicion, there are still a few days. Since it concerns the interactions between our mansions, it’s not too late to wait for the Marquis to decide."

Old Madam Gu nodded, "I’m getting old and muddled, just wanting to live peacefully, so I might not catch everything. You young couples discuss and decide."

Qin Yuan quickly stood up to agree.

Old Madam Gu said, "You don’t have to be so formal."

"Mother dotes on me so much, aren’t you afraid you’ll spoil me until I lose all manners," Qin Yuan laughed.

Mrs. Dai hurriedly said, "If she were someone frivolous, she naturally couldn’t be doted on. With the madam’s character, no amount of affection could make her stray. The ancients said you can see a person’s nature at three, and see their character at seven."

Old Madam Gu nodded, "You’re quite right, everyone says we’re too indulgent with Third Sister-in-law. But she’s clever and charming, fully devoted to the Gu Family, with a character worthy of respect. Such people come by once in a generation, and Third Brother got her. Who else should I spoil? A harmonious family brings prosperity, isn’t just an empty saying! The ancients also said a virtuous wife blesses three generations. By marrying Third Sister-in-law, we’re ensuring the future generations of this house, even the veterans remember their goodness. Such virtues are her own accumulation. If the rules permit, what we do doesn’t cost much silver, I say with a little looseness in everyday spending, it’s fine. One should think of lean times during plenty, and future generations will remember the ancestors’ kindness."

Qin Yuan blushed and simply laughed.

It was the first time in this life that she was praised by elders so openly.

Mrs. Dai quickly praised, "It’s also her fortune to encounter an understanding and reasonable aunt like you, such a mother-in-law is scarce. At my age, if I’d had children early, I’d be a mother-in-law by now, looking at you makes me envious."

Old Madam Gu was delighted, laughing, "Why hurry? Perhaps within a few months, you will be. Doctor Li is quite skilled, now Brother Cheng is busy with the Empress Dowager’s birthday preparations. Once he has free time, you two will surely conceive."

Mrs. Dai smiled joyfully, "Thank you for the luck, aunt. If so, my husband and I will have fulfilled our ancestors’ hopes, and we should gift Doctor Li a plaque and host a three-day banquet. We must thank you for introducing Doctor Li and for always comforting my heart."

Because of lacking children in the ninth branch, Mrs. Dai was ridiculed daily by her sisters-in-law and scorned by her mother-in-law, leading to bottled-up frustrations and a reluctance to meet people. She thought she would spend the rest of her life in such unhappiness, until moving next to the Marquis Mansion, where life held hopes again.

Old Madam Gu held a high status and spoke comforting words, unlike her mother-in-law, the two were worlds apart.

Old Madam Gu laughed heartily, "Good, we’ll wait for your gratitude feast, and later there will be full-month feasts, hundred-day feasts... there will be many. Matters like children can’t be hurried; when your bodies are well-adjusted, fate will naturally bring them."

After sitting for a while, Mrs. Dai rose to take her leave. Old Madam Gu instructed Qin Yuan to see her out. As they left the main residence, Qin Yuan asked, "Brother Cheng and Sister Yu, are they behaving these days without causing trouble?"

Mrs. Dai hesitated before saying, "They’re still young, any ruckus they cause is just minor. My husband is busy outside, leaving early and returning late, we’re lucky to see him once a day. Whatever they want, I try to provide it, although they’re not as mischievous as before. They seem to listen to the nanny greatly, with Brother Cheng showing great respect to the Martial Arts Master hired by their father."

As the future of these two children was still somewhat uncertain, Qin Yuan carefully advised, "Since Doctor Li’s medicine is working, sister-in-law should indeed focus on nurturing your health. They have many people watching over them, no need to worry excessively. Regardless of the situation, you must prioritize your own safety."